barboursville wine, berkeley hotel, very happy guests

***(I am hoping Jason, Winemaker Luca from Barboursville, and all the wonderful staff at the Berkeley will forgive me for this severely delayed post.)

On March 24th during Virginia Wine Week, I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Barboursville Vineyards Spring Wine Dinner in Downtown Richmond, VA at the Berkeley Hotel. The reception started at 6:30pm sharp and we were greeted by the friendly staff at The Berkeley, along with some delicious Barboursville 2010 Sauvignon Blanc:



To accompany this first wine, going with the local and Virginia theme were Rappahannok River Oysters on The Half Shell:



There were plenty of wine glasses lining the bar ready for a full evening of tasting:



...and Winemaker Luca Paschina cheerily greeted us and the rest of the guests. Meet Luca:



He could not have been more humble, warm, or genuine. It's always refreshing when I meet someone so accomplished and talented who doesn't have an ouce of ego.

After chatting with Luca and the Berkeley staff for a while as we sipped our Sauvignon Blanc, we were welcomed to the dinner table where we met the menu illustrating the 4 courses we were about to indulge in:



Can I just note here how much I love a long dinner, with a group of people who appreciate the art of food and drink? I am a true believer in feasting with good company, no one checking cell phones or watches, but simply engaging in interesting conversation and all laughing together fully appreciating the moment. No matter what state, country, time, place- this is my idea of a perfect night.

The first course; 2010 Barboursville Pinot Grigio with tuna tartare over arugula salad with toast points:



The fresh-made puff pastry and arugula with dressing on this course was absolutely to die for.

The second course of grilled mushroom stuffed with mushroom risotto and white truffle oil came beautifully decorated and included 2008 Barboursville Barbera:



They had me at white truffle oil!

Course three was braised beef cheeks over herb scented polenta served with Barboursville Ninth and Tenth Edition Octagon:



I may have actually licked the plate after this one. I think my "I am a vegetarian" thing might be getting old at this point. I'm fairly regularly consuming dishes like this- the one's that are prepared to perfection and I'm simply not able to hold my veggie only willpower. (I think I'm Ok with that actually.)

Each wine was paired impeccably with the first three courses, but I have to say, my favorite was the last; Bubbly. Ahhh...

To finish up the evenings feast, we were served Babroursville Brut NV with two local Virginia cheeses, one California, One French and three local Virginia honeys:



Cheese, honey, bubbles and the privilege of sitting next to Winemaker Luca while I dined? I'm still smiling. Cheers to that!



After working in Napa last fall, it was a special treat to get an invite to this dinner and sit next to the chef of grapes, Luca, as I often miss that Napa lifestyle and conversation. I asked Luca loads of questions which he was happy to answer. All in all it was a fantastic night that could not have left us all more stuffed or satisfied.

If you live in, or visit Virginia, add Barboursville Vineyards and The Berkeley Hotel to your list of must experience places.

Many thanks to Jason and Luca from Barboursville and all The Berkeley Hotel staff for the invite an accommodation. I'll be back for more!

who are you? (part 2)

...continued...

So after the wedding ceremony, Ron our bus driver took us back to the Rittenhouse Hotel for cocktail hour and reception festivities:





We were greeted by a beautiful room full of dapper looking people:





Of course I made a beeline to the bubbly, where I met Maiel:



What you can't see in this photo, is that there was champagne all over his face. I walked up to the bar through the crowd of people and asked him for a glass. As we were chatting and he was twisting, the cork came out way to fast and shot clear across the room of 200 people as the bottle overflowed and bubbly went everywhere. Somehow the cork didn't hit anyone. We cracked up and I told him I wouldn't tell anyone, but all of you on the world wide web. Thanks Maiel! No one will ever know our secret- ha! :)

The appetizers during cocktail hour were absolutely delicious:



I managed to steal a quick shot of bride and groom Ginny and Chris greeting guests:



I didn't want to jump in as the crazy wedding crasher and bother them when they were visiting with friends and family, but I had to at least get a back view of Ginny's gorgeous gown. We all kept saying how much she looked like one of those perfect bridal magazine models! Groom Chris is British so naturally the two ladies in the fabulous hats were from his side. (We American gals were swooning over their hats and wondering why we don't dress that way for weddings.) Of course after staring at these two ladies I had to introduce myself and ask if I could take a picture of them. Meet Mother and daughter Lynn and Chloe:



(Confession; This is the first time I have ever played around with red-eye edits on my iPhoto and look what I did to poor Lynn's eye. This is is why I just leave photos as is, mess with the original and look what happens. Ack! Sorry Lynn, You still look fabulous even though I made your right eye look blurry...)

After a bit of bubbly and a belly full of hors d'evoures, it was time to go upstairs to the grand ballroom for the reception. I found my alias stand in name on the table list:



We were led by staff in white gloves. I felt like royalty for a minute there:



The grand ballroom met us just as it was called, decorated impeccably. I found my seat at table #18 and drooled excitedly as I looked over the menu for the evening.

To be continued in part 3...

who are you? (part 1)

Finally, the start of the much anticipated wedding crashing post.

Meet Ron:





Ron was the super sweet bus driver that took us from the Rittenhouse Hotel to the church for the wedding last weekend. We were late for the meeting time, so my friend and I ended up being the only 2 people in one of these busses:



Talk about a personal coach! We enjoyed talking to Ron during the 45 minute ride through spring-fever Saturday Philadelphia traffic.

Ron told us he was from Philadephia, born and raised. He said he drove for a lot of different events like the wedding we were at. We laughed when shared stories about late night trips. Apparently groups of fancy people often get all schnockered up, then have a late-night hankering for the only place to be in Philly when it's after midnight and you're in a happy state of mind: Geno's and Pat's, so he drives them there to get their fix.

I'm sure Ron could could start his own blog about people on his bus; wit, or wit-out cheese, drippingly good cheesesteaks. We didn't end up going on Ron's bus for a cheesesteak run but we sure did have our own version at the Rittenhouse.

I'm getting way ahead of myself here, so a bit of back story on how the wedding crashing actually happened:

A while back my friend had told me she was going to a wedding for a weekend away, driving up, had a hotel set and told me I should come. As everyone knows, I love a road trip and I thought, oooh what fun. I haven't been to Philly for years, but I used to spend quite a bit of time there. I could explore the city and do what I love most; wander, snap photos, find good food, and hope to meet cool and interesting people while my friend participated in her festivities. I was in.

We arrived on Friday night, went to dinner with some other out of town guests as the bridal party was busy with the rehearsal stuff. I end up meeting the bride Ginny at the end of the night with the rest of the crew I was with. Ginny tells my friend there are two extra spots paid for because 2 guests bowed out last minute and that I should come. Why not?

The rest is history.

The next morning we raced around the city to find something for me to wear just in the nick of time. We got on the bus with Ron, I went to the wedding, cocktail hour, reception, and the after shindig, having an absolute blast, meeting fantastic people, eating delicious food and dancing the night away. It was a marathon of wedding fun and I loved every minute of it.

To be continued in part 2...

2 guys all about some green

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, of course I had to find some Guinness related thing. Lucky me I met Kevin; The guy with the ever-so convenient bottle opener on his hat. I introduce you to Kevin with the great hat:



Looks like Kevin won't have any problem opening his beers tonight.

The other gent I'd like you to meet is Erin. Yes, very Irish E-R-I-N:



Erin is from the states. I met him when we lived in the same city. He left to go live in Dublin several years ago and absolutely loves it. I always look forward his annual St. Patrick's Day email and photo. This is the one that came today:

"...from the Ring of Kerry, Co Kerry...next stop, the USA! Thinking of you and yours this sunny St. Patrick's Day morning in Ireland. Wear your green with pride and enjoy the day!"

Cheers Kevin and Erin! Thanks for being the Blue Lollipop Road, St. Patrick's Day mascots.

meet vinny

Vinny was the amazing, dancing step great-grandpa from a friends wedding a couple weeks ago. What an absolute riot and adorable spirited 97 year old man...



...channeling some serious Frank Sinatra and even throwing in a little striptease action!

After his dance and the cake cutting, I stopped at his table to tell him I thought he was one fine dancer. I asked if I could have a picture taken with him. He was delighted at my request:



He was also very thankful for my compliments and said: "Well, thank you young lady, the name is Vinny. Vinny Vasta, from East 39th street in New York!" (And they he pulled out his drivers license to confirm his age. He was very proud.)

I have to tell you, it was one of the cutest things I have ever experienced. This man at 97, was more full of life than most 7 year olds. He had that perfect amount of sass and sweet that reminded me very much of my own grandpa who grew up in Brooklyn.

Thanks for the dance and making us all smile Vinny. I hope to be as full of life as you are in 65 years.

meet lily

Yes, this is a real child- not a doll. Can you even stand how adorable she is? I want to eat her!

Lily is the granddaughter of a reader whom I met a couple years ago. We keep in touch via email fairly regularly and I always ask about the grand baby so he sends photos. Of course I had to ask permission to post this one. This kid is a Cheerios model in the making!

Thanks for sharing a BLR kid B! Now tell me, how far does she have you wrapped around her little finger?

last round of surprises...for now

Ok, so I don't know if some of these things qualify as surprises or not, but recently started calling the next phase of BLR and things I am updating surprises, so we will just roll with it.

If you've been following, you know that:

*We are in our 3rd year here on the Blue Lollipop Road
*We launched BLR Adventures last weekend with a wildy successful outing
*We have been working on a completely new site out to launch in the next couple weeks. I just got the tiniest little sneak peek and almost jumped out of my pants. (FYI that means I was really excited because these jeans are so tight I can barely breathe. Thank you winter and Nutella habit.)
*I remembered that I used to write a lot of TTAA (Things that are awesome) and had forgotten, but have recently brought them back and will make them regular posts.

So the other little surprise I have been brewing up...

One of the best things about my day is the people. Whether I meet and chat with a new person or old friend where I am living, or whether I am on the road in some teeny town in the middle of now where and meet a friendly stranger. Sharing time with people I can laugh with or learn from is hugely important in my day. Posting photos and stories here about people I meet in my travels has always been a favorite of mine and apparently yours too. The two entries that have the most all time hits here are "Meet Jack" and "Meet Willy Robinson." I like talking to kids and older people like these two gents best because they are so unfiltered. Those are the genuine moments I am looking for.

So?

The tribe has spoken! You all like to read about everyday people and I like to challenge myself to ask complete strangers random questions and if I can take photos of them. (Most people look at me like I'm nuts when I ask them this. Then they warm up once they see I just want their story, not their money.) I'm adding a "People" category here and will be posting fun stories about interesting characters on a regular basis moving forward.

Here's to meeting the next Jack and Willy.

meet mia

Mia is my friends daughter. I hadn't caught up with this old friend in quite some time, so we were just chatting and chatting away last week in her living room. In bops this little cutie saying "Look Mommy! I did my own make-up!" Trying not to laugh my friend responds "Yes honey- we see that."

Oh to be that adorable and have that shameless pride.

Thanks for entertaining us Mia!

give me back my boa

I didn't ask permission to post this picture of my friend (the one and only JW) from Halloween 2008, but somehow I think he'll laugh when he sees it, so no real need to ask permission. I absolutely crack up when I look at the pictures I took at his house party that night. This was the classic JW chow-down as he was finishing off a pan of chili. I have a video of him dancing with the jailbird suit and rainbow boa too. Lets just say I'm saving that for his wedding reception.

Here's to friends that never fail to crack you up. Especially boys dancing with boas.



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

meet lowell

Lowell was bellowing "Popcorn for beautiful ladies!" through his popcorn bucket megaphone as my friend and I walked by his stand on Friday night:



He had us at popcorn. We got some of course. He cracked me up, so I asked if I could take a picture of him. "Only if you will be in it with me!" he said.

We couldn't argue with that:



Strangers that make me laugh, Cheers St. Helena to kick off the weekend and good company in the packed streets of an adorable little town in wine country- I love it!

meet sarah. again.

Sarah is the Blue Lollipop Road Intern. She is talented, smart, fun and hard working. She's helped me a ton this summer. Even though we now reside on opposite coasts, we're still working together. YIPPEE! I am very lucky to have her help.



She got a package I sent her yesterday and pinged me with this photo. How cute and funny is she?

Sarah found me when I posted an ad on Craigslist in June seeking and unpaid intern. She replied because she was born in Alaska and was super excited that I was going. Naturally I had to find something when I was in the last frontier to get for her. There's a long story attached to this t-shirt, but really it boils down to a local artist, a gallery in Ketchikan (The Salmon Capital of the World) and knowing it'd be perfect for her as soon as I saw it.

I love finding gifts then sending them snail mail to people. Most of all, I love generous people like Sarah, who want to donate their time and talent to someone like me because she believes in what I am doing. When I am a bagillionaire someday, I am going to buy Sarah a lifetime supply of Fruit 66, more clay to throw pots and camera supplies than she'd ever know what to do with, and a new car or something. Until then, we settle on t-shirts and other little things that make us laugh.

Thanks Sarah. It's no mistake that we met, I appreciate your spirit and creativity always and you are going places girl. Keep on truckin! Oh yeah, and spawn till you die. Hee hee...

meet the fishermen

For my last night in Alaska, I decided I was going to do something I hadn't done for the two weeks I was there; Buy myself a beer and decent dinner and relax in that zen place of Ahhh...I did it! Well, Alaska had a different idea of what my last night should be and it could not have been more perfect.

I walked into the Fish Pirates Saloon on that rainy and chilly night, fairly late and asked them if they were even open. It was so quiet in the place it looked like they were about to close. They said they were still open, so I went to the bar ordered, and sat happily in my quiet zen place, thinking about the events of my adventurous and goal reaching 2 weeks there. There were a whopping 6 other people there dining who we all wrapping up their meals with a guy playing some tunes on a piano in the background. Piano man finished his songs and came up to the bar to get what seemed to be his after gig final drink. He introduced himself to me.

And then the Salmon Fisherman walked in and all hell broke loose (in a good and fun way.)

Here we go.

In no less that 2 minutes, Troy the piano guy (who had barely introduced himself to me) and the crew of already having too much (well is there ever really too much?)- fun guys were whooping it up and surrounding me. Talk about zero to 60 in 2 minutes. The bartender instinctively mixed up what the crew was about to ask for anyway, and slid me a shot to join in with the whole gang. Who am I to reject a complimentary shot with a bunch of strangers?



2 seconds after the shot, someone screamed "KARAOKE!!!" and piano man Troy refused to go back to play unless the fisherman sang to me while I stood on the piano. (I must insert here, that I am all about a party, am not afraid of dancing on a table, talking to brick walls, or any of the like. Moreover, when someone says anything along the lines of "Get on stage/the table, etc.!" I am usually all about it. This night however, I was stone sober, tired from hiking and chilled from being out in the drizzle all day so I really gave a Girl Scout try of declining the standing on the piano wish. I was no match for a crew of already well-buzzed chanting hilarious fisherman who had just come off the boat after 6 days at sea, so I politely did what was asked.)



Troy made them face and sing to me and the guys took turns rocking it out while I talked to those who weren't, about fishing:



I found out they often work up to 20 hours a day and 7 days a week. One guy was 22 and just back from college for the summer. He said in 2 month's he could make $25k working those crazy hours. (I need to become a fisherwoman.) I was told by another one of the guys that they actually caught all the fish, crab, etc. for the Deadliest Catch boat/TV show. I don't know whether this is true or not, but these were all good guys and seemed like the no bull kind, so I believed them. One of them asked me if I was a reporter. I told him, well- sort of. I had to get a video of one the guys Mike singing. (At one point Troy made me come back up onstage and sit with Mike. When I tried to take a self portrait style head shot of Mike and I, he leaned in and promptly said; "Oh, sorry dude- I totally just farted." Talk about funny. I almost fell off the piano.)



I participated in beer #2 and cheering as the karaoke and madness continued. I remained sober, but laughed so hard, most of the night I was doubled over and my stomach hurt. I had so much unexpected fun. These guys were just regular hard working fishermen, completely innocent out to have a good time and blow off a bunch of steam. They were weathered and windburned, Carhart wearing gents, just as you'd imagine Alaskan Fishermen to be and looked like they worked harder than most of the people I've ever met. It was quite and experience and what a way to spend my final night in my 50th state. Talk about fall asleep laughing and thinking- did that just happen? Now this will make for a good story.

Thanks guys. That was a blast and then some. I've done a lot of things before, not sure I have ever stood on a piano during shots and karaoke, and certainly not at a restaurant in Alaska. I'll cheers to that!

"i see a little silhouette of a man..."

Today I must get the BLR mobile fixed up with a tire rotation, oil change and all good stuff. Before I run off though, I have to share a photo of the hilarious fisherman from Ketchikan, Alaska. Perusing my photo stream this morning, this one is cracked me up! Yes that is me on a piano (sober) in the background. They made me stand up there. There was enough Tom Petty and Meatloaf karaoke to provide quite the entertainment:



I'm looking forward to getting these logistical and responsible errands and things done so I can find a nice coffee shop here in the coffee mecca, Seattle to camp for a bunch of hours. Until then I figure this photo was a good teaser for more to come on the fisherman and others...

meet jeff

Jeff is the best friend a girl could ask for. He has been a friend since I was 19 years old and always that person that everyone can completely rely on. It'd be impossible for me to list all the ways Jeff has loved and supported me as a friend over the years. He is the definition of a kind and generous soul and not just to me, to anyone he meets. When I was planning for this trip to Alaska, packing up my apartment and trying to figure out where I'd store some belongings, where mail would go, etc. (All the logistical stuff that's stressful and worrisome) Jeff was jumping in immediately. He offered me a place to stay after I was apartment-less, help with my move, and to house my few, but very important boxes of my belongings. He then told me he'd be happy to manage all my mail and any other tasks that needed taking car of while I was on the road.

I have thanked Jeff a whole bunch but I never feel like that's enough. When you are thousands and thousands of miles away and don't have to worry a single bit about where the heck all your most important stuff is or where you mail is going because they are 1,000% safe and taken care of by someone you'd trust with your life, it's a great feeling.

So? As I sat quietly today just having left Alaska. feeling thankful for all the love and support that's been given to me and excited about what's next and, ding! In pops an email from Jeff happily stating; "I've deposited the check you needed me to and taken care of X,Y,Z. Hope you are having a great time!"- all I can do is shake my head and wonder how I ever became lucky enough for the many friends I have and especially those constant, reliable and selfless ones like Jeff.

Thank you Jeff. You are absolutely one of the reasons I feel confident and comfortable pursuing my dreams, and one of those friends I hope I have forever:)

check out alex and luke!

Fellow crazy young and fun, crazy road-trippin' fools!

Maybe I could start a conference for all the young people that are out there on the road exploring North America. Hmmm...I do need a job now, could be a good idea.

Keep rocking out Alex and Luke! Good for you guys!

meet annie, rory, chris and nao

Before I left for this trip I joked with a bunch of girlfriends that I was going to make out with a lumberjack when I got to Alaska. Then I decided his name was going to be Ben. (No significance, Ben just randomly popped in my head one day.) I mean, I'm a single girl, and of course, guys are a fun thing to talk about with your other single gal pals occasionally. Hunting for guys isn't usually my thing, but how many of you single ladies out there haven't imagined meeting some strapping rough and tumble, tall dark and handsome guy on a trip you've taken during your single days? By no means am I on a man hunt and I have not made random make-outs my hobby, however- it's been fun to get the emails and texts from my girlfriends; "So have you met Ben yet?" or "Nice photos Di!- but where are the lumberjacks?" Laughing...

Not only have I not met a single lumberjack, but of all the male species I've met, there hasn't been one single person named Ben. Not even in any of the places I've stopped across the entire country (and let me tell you I do make it a hobby of stopping lots of places and talking to lots of strangers. Wasn't someone supposed to teach me not to do that?) Come to think of it, I have never known or heard of anyone who is a lumberjack. Do lumberjacks even exist out there? Anyway, I did imagine a situation happening where I ran into a bunch of hard-workin' Alaskans of some kind and they'd show me "how the locals roll" if you will. I sure didn't think it'd happen during my quiet, late dinner in a spot that looked deads-ville last night, but oh did it ever.

There I was eating away, enjoying my veggie burger and in walks in 10 of the most wasted salmon fishermen I couldn't possibly encountered.

***This is where I tell you how much of a total bummer it is that I can't share many of my stories in "real" time. There are psycho-stalkers and crazy people out there you know! I don't listen to many people who lecture me, or follow many rules ever, but traveling safely as a single woman I try to do my best to pay attention to those words of safety wisdom from people who love me. I'd love to to post the place, the photos, the video- all of it where I was last night for you right now as I am still laughing and the story is fresh in my mind, but I will wait until I am in the next town. I will tell you that I did have two delicious Alaska Brewing Company beers with my veggie burger, but remained sober. I usually prefer this as it's so much more fun to watch the drunk get drunker and be able to participate in the fun, but still be coherent to document it all. That and if you know me, you know I don't need alcohol to dance on a table or bar, jump around, act like an idiot, or participate in pretty much anything that's fun that doesn't involve guns or jumping off buildings. I'm not afraid. All I have to say is cheers to hardworking fisherman who barely get a day off and when they do they do it up! Until I circle back to the fishermen...A story of some other fun people I've met, my Alaska Brewing Company tour in Juneau, and the reason why I knew to order a delicious brew last night.

If I'm having a drink I'd usually choose wine, but I do like the occasional beer and especially in the summer coupled with a nice sunny day on a patio. When I was in Juneau, the weather was out of the ordinary warm and sunny. It was the perfect time to visit the brewery. When I've toured breweries in the past, I've found there's usually maybe one or two of the beers I really like, and make the yuck face on the rest. All, and I am telling you all the beer that this brewery makes is absolutely delicious. perhaps it's the water from the ice fields, maybe they have some magic spell, or maybe it's the local love that makes it taste so good. (The company was started by a husband and wife team who went around Juneau and got 88 people to pitch in 5k each in 1986. Talk about love and support of the locals!) Staff gal Annie originally from NY gave us a talk and seated "tour", stopping halfway through to let us all go refill out sample glasses. (Note here; Alaskans are not shy about pouring you a big ol' sample.)



The summer ale was my favorite. I talked to a few other visitors and staff as I tasted. All were friendly and fun. I poked around for a bunch of photos, bought a couple gifts and wandered around for a while. Here's the tasting bar:



I was planning to head downtown after my tasting to get some dinner. As I wrapped up my visit, I overheard a group of guys asking Annie where to eat. She told them the same place I was heading to. These guys were cabbing it, so I piped up and said "Hey I'm going there- I can give you guys a ride!" Annie and the 3 guys looked at me like I was nuts. (Hey, I go on instinct, what can I say? I had a good feeling about these gents.) When they gave me the, you are 1 girl, offering a ride to 3 strange guys?! Look; I said, if you try anything funny, I will f*ck you up. I have knives, mace and other weapons you know. We all laughed. If a comment like that doesn't break the ice for a fun time with new friends, I'm not sure what will. So I packed 3 guys into my little Civic with my luggage and gear everywhere. We had some fun taking photos at the suggestion of Nao. He hopped in my drivers seat for one:



Here's one that Rory and Chris took from the back seat of Nao and I in the front as taxi Di drove to town:



We parked and got out for dinner, they looked at my bumper and of course; "What the heck is Blue Lollipo Road?" I shared the story with them and told them they'd likely end up a blog entry. Great place for a photo by the back of the car. Rory and Chris were former military, Nao, the youngest, a semi-pro soccer player who occasionally travel and is paid to play. (How awesome. We talked soccer stuff for a bit. Apparently he got a contract to play full time, but the pay is so little he couldn't/didn't want to do it. I think I remember him saying the contract was with DC United...? Nao?-Is that right?) This was their last night in Juneau from Colorado. They had been working on a project. Occupation; Air Quality Consultants:



We all ended up eating dinner together and had a grand time at The Hangar. Of course we had to have a toast to yummy local beer:



I think I've said it before and I will say it again; This is why I love traveling. How else would I have met 3 Air Quality Control Consultants from Colorado or 10 salmon fishermen from Alaska? When you visit a place that's not your home and other people are too its like a level playing field. I love that because often in life things feel like a giant judging-fest. Who are you dating or married to, what kind of neighborhood do you live in, what kind of car do you drive, how old are you, yadda yadda. During travel, people rarely ask what you do for a living, if your dad is some big-wig at whatever company, and certainly no one cares if you're a fashion statement because you're all wearing comfortable shoes and clothes so you can walk a million miles. It's as if people take you for face value and all the bullsh*t is stripped away. It's refreshing. Travelers are all "lost" asking opinions on how to get where, where to get decent food, what to see. You have to rely on strangers, trust random peoples opinions and be flexible to take whatever kind of transportation, eat whatever kind of food, and exist among whatever kind of locals you encounter. To me this equals one thing; It is virtually impossible to be a pain in the ass or judgemental. And you always meet interesting people when you're all "lost" together! I'm so glad I got to spend some time with strange local wasted fisherman last night, that I had dinner and gave some other strangers a ride last week, and that I went on a boat ride and hike yesterday with yet more strangers I haven't even mentioned anything about yet. I've learned from each and every character I've met. What I constantly learn, I could never learn from a book, a magazine or TV show. It's always live and uncut and I love every second of it.

Thank you to Annie, Rory, Chris and Nao, and to all my "stranger" new friends from this trip and others. I have taken a little piece from each of you and it's all been a blast!

meet stan

Stan works on one of the many ferries that take people all over Alaska. We chatted on my first ferry ride when I came through his line for coffee. He grabbed my arm as I was walking away and said "You are my angel for the day, you come back and get yourself all the coffee you want sweetie" ...and ended that line with a wink.

Oh Stan.

What an adorable man. He told me that he was a native Alaskan. He had moved to the Seattle area for a couple years a while back and had a commercial fishing business, but this was his home.

The employees on these ferries I've talked to have worked on them for years. As in, 15, 20 kind of years. They mostly work a week on, then a week off. Away from family. They say they're used to it. All staff I've encountered during my rides have been extremely friendly and welcoming. It makes the breathtaking scenery even better if that's possible! People in Alaska and Canada have been so nice that nice isn't even a good enough word for it.

Maybe it's all this fresh air...

meet marcie

In a long overdue post about one crazy, crazy, fun girl:



My friends and I met Marcie at a beach volleyball bar near the campus of UW when I was in Madison a couple weeks ago. The guys I was with wanted to go play a few games and I was along for the ride and some fun. We grabbed a drink and while the guys were waiting for a court, Marcie came traipsing right up to us and asked "Do you guys have a lighter?" Nope sorry, we answered. She then went on to tell us her signature joke, which got us all laughing and pretty much sealed the deal that we were going to have a blast talking to her which we did:

"If we were both squirrels, would you bust your nut in my hole?"

Oh Marcie, Marcie, Marcie...

Now, my friends and I were stone sober, but laughed our butts off. She was a few sheets out and an absolute riot. Drunk or sober, Marcie is the kind of girl you want at your party and one of the reasons I like to meet road people. We took a photo of our crew and Marcie jumped in the background:



Did I mention she later told us she didn't even need a lighter, that she had one, just wanted an excuse to walk up and talk to us for the hell of it? Hilarious- I love it.

The boys went on to play volleyball for a couple hours while I talked to Marcie and her friends like we knew each other forever. Her crew was a blast. They were all about my road trip and even started giving me names and numbers/info. of folks in Alaska that I could try to meet up with. I told Marcie I'd post her as one of my road people, I mean- how could I not after her stellar joke? Of course I started posting about other food and travel stuff and hadn't put her up yet, so sure enough she wrote a comment here and asked where she was. Yeah! persistence, I like it! I never thought in a million years she'd remember the name of my blog or log on to look so what a great surprise to hear from her. (Marcie, I cannot find you on Facebook still? I guess you have to friend" me!)

Thanks for being patient while I got you up as one of the road characters Marcie, you are one fun chica. Don't ever change being that life of the party. The world need more wide open and fun people like you. Cheers to squirrels and nuts!

full belly, heart and day

Last night was night two of feasting with the wonderfully welcoming Tongan family. As I mentioned in yesterday's post this was a going away celebration for non-family member Emily who's moving from Alaska to the east coast for work.

This was one of those meals that it is an absolute tragedy that I don't have a taste at all for anything from the sea. I mean tragic. All you seafood/fish loving foodies out there would've given an arm for the fresh crab that was there. As usual, I tried a bite but shamefully, a no-go. Just to give you an idea of how fresh and how much crab was there to feast on, here is the bin- yes giant Rubbermaid bin, of the clawers the men had caught yesterday morning themselves:



They could only fit half the enormous amount in the first boil. My action shot is a bit fuzzy, but I wanted to get one of him stuffing them in the pot:



Picture this scene; I am once again sitting on the couch at a home of perfect strangers. Our meeting was only as significant as me walking in the door to their home the night before. They have no idea who I am, who I came with, or what I'm doing there and they don't even ask or care anyway because I am welcome. They certainly don't let me help even though I ask, so I hang out and play with my new little cutie pie friends Kapua and Lavi. For the second night in a row this huge family is slicing and dicing, boiling crab, playing outside, running in and out the doors. It's the best kind of chaos. Kapua asks me for some gum as if we have already established that I am the visitor who always brings the gum for the kids. The same scene happened the first night too. Ater we ask Mom if it's Ok, I give her some. Just as she did the night before, she starts chomping away and tells me 2 minutes later that the minty gum is "too spicy." I have to laugh. These cuties belong in a catalog:



A short bit later I am dished and served this plate piled high.(I still have not been allowed to move a finger. It is their honor and custom to serve me):



Have I mentioned I am not so sure I am a vegetarian anymore? I have tried so hard but 1.) After NYC and The Spotted Pig and other de-lish eats 2.) The burger I had at Gibson's Steakhouse in Chicago (I am still drooling over that one.) and 3.) Being a guest at the homes of wonderful people like last night, I can't very well say; "No thanks, I don't eat meat." Or I could, I just don't really want to, so I ate away. I learned the spinach is an authentic and favorite Tongan side; It is always made with coconut milk. One of "The Uncles" told me the coconut milk always made things sweeter and more delicious so they cook with it a lot. It was delicious and I gobbled the whole plate. Here's a shot of some remnants of fruit, taro and crab. (If I could explain how much fresh boiled crab there was for the taking to you crab lovers out there, you would fall out of your chair.):



After eating and eating and eating some more, it was show time to honor Emily. Several family members got up to sing, dance, make speeches to show that they love and will miss her. (This is where my head is happily spinning and I'm taking in every ounce of this culture and generosity thinking; WHAT?! Am I here right now watching this? This is so, so fantastic.) The young boys got up to give a performance. Emily is at the end of this video wearing authentic Tongan gear made and gifted by grandma. (My videography skills leave a lot to be desired so pardon the sideways action. I at least made an attempt to get a shot of the guest of honor):



There was another performance by one of the drop-dead gorgeous teen girls who was there (hula.) She seemed so embarrassed about anyone taking photos, etc. I didn't feel comfortable taking any. The performance was beautiful. These women all have the longest most amazing hair and are absolutely gorgeous. They have no idea they are either which blows my mind. I felt like total white bread sitting next to them! After all the performances dessert was served:



This is "Tongan fruit cocktail." It's made of mango, cottage cheese and coconut jello (I didn't even know that existed.) It wasn't my favorite taste by any means, but you eat it when you're served it! Always good to try new things.

As I thanked and was leaving with my house host at around 11:30pm more; "Are you sure you're full?! Did you get enough?! questions came. Oh indeed I was stuffed and had enough and fell asleep with an over full belly and smile again.

Phew! All of this is so fun, enlightening, humbling, eye-opening, different, new, fantastic and overwhelming at the same time. I have collectively spent 12 hours in the same coffee shop the past 2 days in an attempt to bring all the stories here. I'm not even touching the surface of what I'm seeing, doing or thinking and I sill need to actually get out and tour AK. I could write, upload videos/photos and research the things I am seeing 25 hours a day in prep to share with you all if there were that many hours available. I'm still exhausted but I can't seem to sleep, my head still hurts with this ongoing painful yet good sensory overload headache and I still have yet to catch my breath during all this. I have never worked so hard or cared so much about something in my life as I do BLR, this trip and being able to share my experiences here. It's so worth every piece and part. I could sit here and type forever, but I'm going to force myself to unplug and get out into the beauty this afternoon...