Since this was my travel blog, it seems only appropriate I post a link to my travel video here. :)
Watch here, or head over to YouTube to see it full screen in HD: Smatt's Oregon Trail
14 August 2009
29 April 2009
See You Soon FL.
"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time" -Bertrand Russell.-
Between sliding down the snowy face of a mountain strapped to a board and Sunday kickball games, Portland has again exceeded my expectations. And while I've enjoyed the whirlwind of fresh fun activities associated with life here, I'm feeling ready for my Floridian excursions this summer.
I'm looking forward to some kind of combination of salty sunburns, sand in the car, and that slight sting from chlorine in my eyes. If I'm lucky, I'll get all three between outings and reunions with the friends and family that seem so far away at the moment. I wish they could bring me a boat day HERE. If Portland had my loved ones, complete with something like a day at Coconuts or Peanut Island, I would have a hard time leaving. As it is, they don't mix so many banana pina coladas here so I will continue to fly south.
We'll be there soon enough. And really, most of all, I'm looking forward to the weddings. I'm so grateful that there are people out there who appreciate what I do enough to invite me along on (potentially) the most important day of their lives. It's truly an honor to be trusted to create art from another person's reality. It sounds a bit cheesy, sure, but I don't know how else to describe how awe struck I am by my life sometimes. Rather then working for a living, I'm living my dream and making it work. Some days, I feel like the luckiest person alive. Thank You Universe.
See You Soon Florida. <3
Between sliding down the snowy face of a mountain strapped to a board and Sunday kickball games, Portland has again exceeded my expectations. And while I've enjoyed the whirlwind of fresh fun activities associated with life here, I'm feeling ready for my Floridian excursions this summer.
I'm looking forward to some kind of combination of salty sunburns, sand in the car, and that slight sting from chlorine in my eyes. If I'm lucky, I'll get all three between outings and reunions with the friends and family that seem so far away at the moment. I wish they could bring me a boat day HERE. If Portland had my loved ones, complete with something like a day at Coconuts or Peanut Island, I would have a hard time leaving. As it is, they don't mix so many banana pina coladas here so I will continue to fly south.
We'll be there soon enough. And really, most of all, I'm looking forward to the weddings. I'm so grateful that there are people out there who appreciate what I do enough to invite me along on (potentially) the most important day of their lives. It's truly an honor to be trusted to create art from another person's reality. It sounds a bit cheesy, sure, but I don't know how else to describe how awe struck I am by my life sometimes. Rather then working for a living, I'm living my dream and making it work. Some days, I feel like the luckiest person alive. Thank You Universe.
See You Soon Florida. <3
15 January 2009
More days ahead...
WE MADE IT TO PORTLAND!
*phew*
Our route ended up being something like this:
73 hours total driving time to cover more then 4,000 miles!
We hit "severe weather" and had quite the adventure along the way!
We have a variety of colorful photos to share but currently don't have an internet connection (or my computer!) so I'll be updating soon as I can share!
Thanks to everyone who gave us a nice place to sleep and made us smile along the way, and thanks to everyone who followed our trip via internet! Keep in touch and VISIT OREGON SOON! :)
xoxox
*phew*
Our route ended up being something like this:
73 hours total driving time to cover more then 4,000 miles!
We hit "severe weather" and had quite the adventure along the way!
We have a variety of colorful photos to share but currently don't have an internet connection (or my computer!) so I'll be updating soon as I can share!
Thanks to everyone who gave us a nice place to sleep and made us smile along the way, and thanks to everyone who followed our trip via internet! Keep in touch and VISIT OREGON SOON! :)
xoxox
12 January 2009
Day Ten.
January 12th.
We left Chicago early this morning to continue to blaze our own oregon trail. While in chicago I got my new iPhone (& love it more then I imagined possible). I am posting this while Matt drives us through Iowa. Iowa has been the most dangerous part of the drive yet. We passed through what weather channels are calling a severe storm during which we counted 38 cars that have slid off highway 80. Thankfully, none of them mine. I'll post photos later :)
We left Chicago early this morning to continue to blaze our own oregon trail. While in chicago I got my new iPhone (& love it more then I imagined possible). I am posting this while Matt drives us through Iowa. Iowa has been the most dangerous part of the drive yet. We passed through what weather channels are calling a severe storm during which we counted 38 cars that have slid off highway 80. Thankfully, none of them mine. I'll post photos later :)
11 January 2009
Day Nine.
January 11th
Remy took us out to explore a bit more of the city today. Despite the 19 degree weather, we had fun walking around snapping photos. When it was too cold to walk around any longer we came back to enjoy our Sunday afternoon the way the rest of the city was, inside.
Remy took us out to explore a bit more of the city today. Despite the 19 degree weather, we had fun walking around snapping photos. When it was too cold to walk around any longer we came back to enjoy our Sunday afternoon the way the rest of the city was, inside.
Day Eight.
January 10th
It was still snowing when we woke up and continued to do so most of the day, which made for a chilly welcoming for us Floridians. Desperate for some more suitable footwear, we went shopping for new shoes. The shopping trend continued late into the afternoon when I met up with Tam near the train station. We discovered an adorable (and better yet, affordable) boutique to browse while we caught up. Knowing we have such limited space kept me from buying anything but it's still fun to look.
As it turned out, we were here for Rosie's birthday (Remy's girlfriend) so to celebrate we joined them and friends for an awesome Moroccan dinner followed by a night of dancing. The dinner was outstanding; I had no idea how much I liked Moroccan food. Matt really enjoyed the spice blends/flavors as well and plans to learn to cook some of the items off their menu. I'm definitely looking forward to it. ;)
It was still snowing when we woke up and continued to do so most of the day, which made for a chilly welcoming for us Floridians. Desperate for some more suitable footwear, we went shopping for new shoes. The shopping trend continued late into the afternoon when I met up with Tam near the train station. We discovered an adorable (and better yet, affordable) boutique to browse while we caught up. Knowing we have such limited space kept me from buying anything but it's still fun to look.
As it turned out, we were here for Rosie's birthday (Remy's girlfriend) so to celebrate we joined them and friends for an awesome Moroccan dinner followed by a night of dancing. The dinner was outstanding; I had no idea how much I liked Moroccan food. Matt really enjoyed the spice blends/flavors as well and plans to learn to cook some of the items off their menu. I'm definitely looking forward to it. ;)
Day Seven.
January 9th
622 miles
Our biggest day of driving yet took us from Kensington Maryland to Chicago Illinois. We started early in the morning and the drive through the rolling hills of Maryland's countryside was the most beautiful part of the drive yet. We started to see hints of snow in the shadows of the landscape, and as it started to fall from the sky we drove into a winter wonderland. Once it started, it didn't stop.
I'd never driven in snow before, nor had my car ever been exposed to the chilly stuff so there was a bit of a learning curve to overcome. My windshield wiper fluid wouldn't work and we realized it must have frozen. This is a problem because without it, the windshield ices over and you can't see.
The only choice was to stop and buy an ice scraper at a gas station and while we did we found an incredible treat for Matt tucked away in small town in Pennsylvania: A raw vegan restaurant!
After some lemon garlic hummus with flax seed crackers and mango tango smoothie we were back on the road. It was a long drive, made all the more difficult with the new weather conditions. Twice we saw cars that had simply slid off the highway.
We arrived in Chicago around 9 or so at night to Remy and Rosie's home sweet home. Their apartment is beautiful: wood floors, big windows, great location. We're excited to be here! :)
622 miles
Our biggest day of driving yet took us from Kensington Maryland to Chicago Illinois. We started early in the morning and the drive through the rolling hills of Maryland's countryside was the most beautiful part of the drive yet. We started to see hints of snow in the shadows of the landscape, and as it started to fall from the sky we drove into a winter wonderland. Once it started, it didn't stop.
I'd never driven in snow before, nor had my car ever been exposed to the chilly stuff so there was a bit of a learning curve to overcome. My windshield wiper fluid wouldn't work and we realized it must have frozen. This is a problem because without it, the windshield ices over and you can't see.
The only choice was to stop and buy an ice scraper at a gas station and while we did we found an incredible treat for Matt tucked away in small town in Pennsylvania: A raw vegan restaurant!
After some lemon garlic hummus with flax seed crackers and mango tango smoothie we were back on the road. It was a long drive, made all the more difficult with the new weather conditions. Twice we saw cars that had simply slid off the highway.
We arrived in Chicago around 9 or so at night to Remy and Rosie's home sweet home. Their apartment is beautiful: wood floors, big windows, great location. We're excited to be here! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
