A cacophony of information...

Here's the deal. A few weeks back I had said I would at some point be going to New Orleans. Drew raised an eyebrow. An idea was hatched. We discussed the possibility, that perhaps, maybe, depending on certain factors, if the wind blew in the right direction, and the moon and sun were aligned correctly, and mother nature showed a sign, and if he had the funds, that perhaps he might be interested in going to New Orleans, and maybe we could join forces.

We joined forces. We arranged to meet up again in DC. He went home to visit his family for a while, and then drove to DC on Saturday. We both then made our way to our hosts Lauren, Autumn and Rachel (and Carrot, the cat). It was Lauren who had accepted the couch request but all three had profiles, and although Lauren was quite busy all weekend they were effectively a joint force. A saviour from the snorer, cougher argumenter argue-backer debacle the previous night. They were fantastic. Another example of genuine kind hosts. Although only there for two nights, and seeing the monuments and museums for much of the time, what time we spent with them was a great combination of conversation, jokes and deciding whether it was a crepe or a pancake (either way it tasted great).

Monday morning, it was time to move on. Having spent three days in DC, I can conclude that it is a cacophony of information and history. In a good way. You come away slightly dazed by it all. By the size of the buildings. By the history behind it. By the sheer information on offer. I visited the Museum of Art & Space, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of American History, The Holocaust Memorial Museum, The Korean War Memorial, The Vietnam War Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial & The White House. And I only touched the surface.

Time to hit the road. Only we didn't have anywhere to stay Monday night. But there was a coffee shop nearby, and we both had laptops. One cream cheese bagel and a green tea later, our work was done. We hit the road...

The US Capitol Building

The Washington Monument

(a small part of the) National World War II Memorial

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Did I tell you the one about the snorer, cougher, argumenter and argue-backer?

Friday night I had a classic hostel experience. Returning to the hostel at 10:30pm I went up to the room (606, bed 5) but the lights were out and a number of people were asleep, so I returned to the lounge area downstairs. A dozen or so people were down there but they all had the white of their laptop screens reflecting in their faces, and didn't bat an eyelid. So I sat down. Looked around. And decided I'd join them. Laptop out, I surfed and blogged. The girl sat next to me and left, and then I noticed she'd left her hat on the floor, so I handed it in to the reception. At midnight, I decided I should get some sleep. I sneaked into the room, disrobed, and got into bed. Then the snorer from hell started, well, snoring. And when I say snoring, I mean SNORING.

Or should I say S N O R I N G. Or even S N O R I N G G G G G.

I put my earplugs in.

Then some dude pipes up, "god, I wish that guy would shut up". Then another guy "man, it's a hostel, what d'you expect". Then "hey, you shut up, I gotta get up early I need to sleep". Then "yeah, but it's a hostel, it's what happens". Then "look, you want me to come down there and shut you up, then you shut up". A few more unpleasantries between the two, as I just lay there trying to sleep. Then they shut up. The snorer keeps going, oblivious. Then the guy above me coughs like his insides are violently trying to evacuate his insides. I lay there, trying to sleep. I've no idea how much sleep I got. Next morning when I arise, somewhat groggy, there's no sign of snorer, cougher, argumenter or argue-backer guy. I check out and head towards Park Street, and the Couch Surf Saviours, Lauren, Autumn and Rachel, where a much better environment awaits...

Go fourth...

I got the orange line from Metro Central to Court House, and gave Paul a call. He walked to the station to meet me and walk me to their house just a few minutes away. At the house I met his wife Katie and two daughters Mindy and Rebecca (they're my fourth cousin's once removed). Introductions out of the way, and beer in hand, Paul unravelled the family tree which he had printed out and stuck together on a dozen or so A4 pieces of paper. It's one thing reading connections in text form, but seeing it laid out on a family tree brings it to life as you really can see the connections. Rebecca took a photo of myself and Paul stood by our respective places on the family tree.

It was great to spend the evening with them and learn about their lives, and likewise describe to them what I have been doing the past few years. Dinner itself was delicious, my second turkey meal in two days, plus an amazingly good pumpkin pie (which sadly I couldn't quite finish I was so full). Rebecca also gave me a few tips on things to do in Australia as she has lived out there. It's difficult to fully explain what it's like to meet your fourth cousin, who one week ago I had never heard of until my dad vaguely remembered the he had made contact with someone in the DC area some time ago when researching the family tree. But now I have met both Paul and Susan. And I am very glad to have done so. It's nice to know that my 'travelling family' (my self penned name for all the people I am meeting on my journey) now also includes actual blood line relatives. It's a big small world...

It's a family affair...

So, Thanksgiving, American Jewish style.

In a way, I don't really need to set the scene. If you imagine a classic family get together, you're pretty close to the mark. And it was great. I waited in mid-town Baltimore for Erica, and she picked me up around 9pm on her way to a bar with her twin sister and a few other friends and family. A few drinks there and then back to her family home in Valley Heights. Thursday morning and they did a 10am breakfast, bagels and smoked salmon and other delicious delights to set the scene for the main event later on. The rest of the day was very relaxed, watched the football, met various members of the family, went for a walk, went for a drive with her cousin Aaron to buy some beers. It was pretty much just what I needed. About 5pm hors d'oeuvres were serves, carrots etc and dip, and football on the telly, then around 6pm, the main meal. Quite peculiar in a way, because from a British perspective it was a classic Christmas dinner. Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Only there was no Christmas. And everyone was Jewish! Go figure! Put simply, dinner was delicious, dessert was delicious. And then back to the sofa, and more football/sleeping. At 10pm some people went off to get in some 'Black Friday' shopping, and the rest of us put on a film, Transsiberian, an intriguing thriller set on, er, well, the Transsiberian Railway.

Now, there are two particular stories that stick with me from the day. They both involve backgrounds, and the amazing stories you can randomly come across. Firstly, Turner (I guess that's the spelling), a friend of Erica. She was born to a Vietnamese mother and American father. Nothing amazing there. The fascinating part was that her mum was working as an 'intelligence officer; for the USA from Vietnam during the Vietnam War. She was eventually airlifted from Vietnam by the US army for her own safety, and ended up marrying Turner's dad, who was in the US army. She didn't think it was particularly an amazing story, but I did!

Next is Erica's Grandfather. Unfortunately I didn't really a get a chance to talk to him, and there was never really an appropriate moment for me to talk to him. But what I did learn about him was fascinating. He joined the US Air force and was positioned in Oxford in the UK, and 20 days after D-Day was position in France where he was part of a unit that made it's advance to Germany. This was as much as I learnt, and I could have easily posed many questions and listened to him for many hours discussing his time during WWII. However it wasn't really the time or place for me to do that. Still, it was a pleasure and honour to meet in person someone who served during WWII, and there I was enjoying Thanksgiving with all his various offspring .

This morning I was driven to the Megabus stop where I listened to music on the short hour long journey to Washington DC. Here, I checked into the HI Hostel and then went for a stroll down to the Washington Monument, WWII & Vietnam Memorial (quite apt) before getting the Metro station out to Court House for Thanksgiving, Part II (and meeting distant family, Part II)...

Rewind...

So I probably need to rewind a few days.

I got to Philly last Friday, a little bit late, but was welcomed into the home of Wanda with a delicious home cooked dinner. Wanda lived with 3 other girls, and there were a few other guys there for dinner too, including Ian, a fellow Brit who was also couchsurfing there. That evening we just went for a few beers in a local bar and called it a night. Being quite tired I just strolled around Philly for a bit on Saturday and in the evening went to a party being held in a gym somewhere in West Philly. It was pretty good fun. However, feeling generally tired (physically and mentally) I had already decided that Sunday evening I would check into the reasonably cheap Club Quarters hotel in downtown, just to have some time to myself.

On Monday morning I met up with Susan, with whom I am distantly related. My dad is actively into genealogy, and remembered that he had previously made contact with distant relatives in the Washington DC area. He got in contact with Paul, who in turn replied saying his sister actually lived near and worked in Philly. His sister Susan then messaged me and we arranged to meet before I headed off to Baltimore. By pure coincidence my hotel was just round the corner from her office, so we arranged to meet for breakfast. It was great meeting her, and we had no problem talking about things for the 90 minutes or so breakfast, covering my trip so far, my side of the family, her side of the family and other general topics. I even recorded a Thanksgiving message on her phone for Susan to show her family.

Great great great great cousins, Susan & I.

And rewinding again, whilst I was in Bucks County with Alyssa, she had mentioned she had never been to Baltimore. So, in the tradition of sharing the travel love, I said "well, why don't you come with me?". I'm very glad she said yes, so on Monday morning we met at the Philadelphia Greyhound station and made our way to Baltimore. I was planning on staying at a hotel in Mid-town anyway, so the extra person worked out cheaper for both of us. With the weather being reasonably warm, we just strolled around and took it all in. I can't deny my only influence for wanting to visit Baltimore was from watching The Wire, so I didn't really know what to expect, but I found it a great city, especially the Inner Harbour and Fell's Point areas. (Although a number of people told me to stay away from the East side, as it is just like The Wire. I stayed away.) On Wednesday Alyssa returned home for thanksgiving and I met up with Erica to spend thanksgiving with her family...

The two L's...

One big thing I've learnt on my trip so far is how one emotion can manifest itself in many different ways. The main example of this is travelling alone. I've quickly realised the very same emotion, nestling somewhere inside my stomach, can rear its head as loneliness or liberty. On good days, the overwhelming feeling of liberty, of being my own master, the one who decides, fills me with joy and hope of what is to come. And most of my journey has been that way. But I've also noticed certain days I can feel alone, lonely, no one around but me. And yet they're one and the same? They both seem to flow from the same place inside. They aren't two different emotions. But one emotion, represented in different ways. And that's when you realise that you can influence your own mood. We, as human beings, have a tendency to think the grass is greener on the other side. But it isn't always that way. How many times have you been surrounded by people and just wished you were alone. How many times have you been on your own and just wished you had your friends around you? Travelling alone mixes the two. Every time I feel alone, I just remind myself that I can do what I want, go where I want, and make my own decisions. Every time I feel surrounded by people and perhaps want some space, I remind myself that its good to have people around you. Much of the past few weeks I've been surrounded by people; from Minneapolis, through the Upper Peninsula, in Pittsburgh, in Upper Black Eddy, in Philly and for the past few days in Baltimore. This morning Alyssa left to go back to Bucks County, and I suddenly felt very alone for the first time in a few weeks. This was partly because in Alyssa I found a soul mate, and I was sad to see her leave. Its not often that you meet people who you can feel so close to in such a short space of time, but it's the second time that has happened on my trip. I think it was also perhaps my first bout of homesickness. Thanksgiving is a massive holiday in the States, and is very family oriented, and I suddenly felt very far from home. I will spend the rest of today investigating Baltimore, and this evening I shall meet up with Erica, someone I met in New York when I was there last year (though she is from Baltimore). Three weeks ago she kindly said I should go to her families for Thanksgiving if I was in the Baltimore area. Without planning it that way, my journey has brought me through Baltimore this week, so I kindly accepted. And then on Friday I shall visit Paul Levit and his family, a distant relative from Arlington (just southwest of Washington DC) who my dad got in touch with through his interest in Genealogy. I also met his sister Susan for breakfast when I was in Philly on Monday (it's a story for another blog, but we share the same great great great great grandfather).

Anyway, I feel better now for just having written this blog, so I think it's time to see more of Baltimore. (I might also try to catch the Rangers V Utd game if I can find a bar showing it).

Baltimore

In honour of Jimmy McNulty

Baltimore from Federal Hill

Egg outside the American Visionary Art Museum

Dangling over the Inner Harbour

The USS Torsk Submarine (SS 423) sunk the last enemy ship of WWII

Philadelphia

Bob

Cat

Boots

Beer / Puzzle

Moon

The fat controller...

So, I'm leaving Bucks County to get to Philly. We leave Alyssa's to go visit some places before getting me to Doylestown to catch the 16:21 train. Not long out when "clunk", something goes in the van. We think it's a burst tyre so stop by the side of the road. All the tires are fine, everything looks fine, so we carry one. The van is driving, but something is definitely not right. It's making a rumbling noise, but we decide to carry on. About 15 minutes later, just as we're slowing toward the red lights, when "pop", something else goes. There's definitely something wrong. We pull up again, have another look, but still no burst tire, still nothing visibly wrong. But we certainly don't feel like carrying on. Alyssa calls her dad, who says he'll come along as soon as he can. We find a nearby pizza place and stop for lunch (luckily we were near shops, we could easily have been in the middle of nowhere). We return to the van waiting for her dad, Jim. He appears, and before he's even got out of the car he shouts "Jeeez, you guys are only driving on 2 lug nuts!" There should be 5, we have 2 on the front right wheel, and they're probably what made the "clunk" and "pop" noise. Jim takes one from the back wheel and puts it on the front, and we're good to go.

We stop in a cute little apple farm place that happens to have just today opened its new winery, so we get a free wine tasting. On we go to Doylestown, go for a stroll, have a coffee and at 16:10 we go to the station. The office is closed but there are about 30 people on the platform. The train is there but with the doors closed, so I ask a girl whether they are waiting for the Philly train. She says yes, but they never open the doors until just before the train leaves, so me and Alyssa take a seat. At 4:21, I notice a guy standing at the door towards the front of the train, so I get up to go that way, as does another guy stood near me, before we've even walked 2 feet, "chugg, chugg, chugg", the train starts moving. There's confusion as everyone was waiting for the train, but the girl says they've probably gone to turn the train around. The train never came back. The next train is at 17:37. Luckily the waiting room/cafe is still open, and they have wireless, so here I am, alongside the other 30 people, waiting for the next train to Philly.

Next time, I'm walking to the front of the train to see if I can get on. All of a sudden a 10 minute delay on the Jubilee line doesn't seem so bad.

Climbing (parts 1 through 6)

(part 1)

Alyssa took me to a secret little rock to climb, just off the Delaware River. I didn't get video of the start, as we climbed, but the following videos continue the story...

"It's just a vulture..."

So we're driving through the leafy roads of Bucks County, taking in the surroundings, when I spot an interesting looking large bird hovering up above:

"what's that bird up there?"

"oh, it's just a vulture."

"JUST a vulture? I don't exactly see lots of vultures where I come from."

Further on, we see a dead deer not far from the side of the road, two vultures by its side, and another dozen hovering in the sky above. It was quite a spectacular sight. And then Alyssa pulled up, stopped the engine and excitedly proclaimed "OH MY GOD, there's a bald headed eagle". As quick as I could I grabbed the camera and took a snap before it disappeared into the wild. It's not the greatest photo but you get the idea. What an amazing creature. And the very symbol of the USA.

Back in the woods...

And so the day has taken me to pastures new. A 6 hour couch journey took me to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. A quick sub in the station for lunch (called 'The Best of Philly', I just had to) and then I hopped on the small local train that would take me to Doylestown, further north from Philly. I pretty much dozed for the 90 minute journey, and then I was there, in the small leafy town of Doylestown.

Alyssa was there to meet me, and we went for a walk and a chai tea before she was due at work at 5pm. We also rocked out on a porch that had some rocking chairs just asking to be, er, rocked on. I almost wish I was chewing tobacco so I could spit it out, and hear it go "ker ching, ching, ching, plop" into a bucket.

And I can't even begin to describe how amazing some of the colours of the leaves are. So here's a another picture of nature. Which doesn't do it justice. In person, the colours are SO bright, and SO vivid, that I just had to uppercase the word SO.

Which brings me here, now, to Becker's Corner, where Alyssa works. She's only doing a quick 2 hours shift to cover the busy period, so I'm here, using their Wifi, writing this blog, and trying some new beers (I just had Dead Guy Ale, and I'm about to try a Magic Hat Howl). I'll munch some fodder in a bit, then we'll head to Alyssa's mum's place, where we're staying tonight. It's out in the woods. In the middle of 12 acres of land. And tomorrow we're gonna go hiking. Maybe some kayaking. Visit some lakes. Some amazing views. It's good to be back in the woods...

My wolfpack...

It wouldn't let me embed the video.

But this makes my cry with laughter every time.

And there are elements of truth to it too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdMxRG9Jol0

People watching...

For some reason, I am wide awake on this megabus to Philadelphia, compared to my equally early start in Chicago a few weeks ago when I pretty much slept. It's not very full, only a dozen or so people on this single decker, but even those few bring an array of different people, and the perfect opportunity to people watch. Already I have briefly spoken to guy in front of my, an American kid about to fly to Europe. Then there's the small gaggle of loud little Chinese women who got on the bus. One of whom is coughing like her life depends it. Right behind me now. Shut up already! (That was just an excuse to use the American phrase 'already')

Though there are many ups and downs to travelling, one of the biggest buzzes I get is when I leave each location and head to a new one. It reminds of the open road ahead, and the fact I can go whichever way I choose, and gives me a boost when I may otherwise be feeling physically and mentally tired. Anyway, we're on the move now, and I can't really type when on the road. And shouldn't I be asleep, it's 6:30am already?

Speak soon, big world.

Window shopping...

Have you ever walked down the street window shopping? You know, looking into the windows, wanting this, wanting that, probably can't afford this, probably can't afford that. You can do it on any high street, but Oxford Street or Regents Street is a perfect place. At first, you just see what's in the window. Quite literally, you see mannequins dressed in this or that. You might see some toys. Or the latest flat screen TV. If you stand there long enough, you might see further into the shop. See what else they're selling. Then you start to notice the people in the shop buying things. Then the people in the shop selling things. Yet still you're outside. Disconnected. Just glancing. Just taking it in. Then you move along to the next shop, and look in their window. At the different goods. The different people shopping. The different people selling. Well, I'm window shopping into other people's lives right now. I'm turning up in different cities, and if you only stay for a short time, you just see what's in the window. But stay a little longer, and you see further in. You learn about the person, you learn about the city, you learn about their friends, you learn about the strangers on the bus, you learn about the lady in the convenience store. And you're not disconnected, behind a window. You're in there. Breathing it. Feeling it. And then you move on to the next city, the next window, the next life.

I've been in Pittsburgh since Friday just gone, and I've been travelling with Drew since last Monday. I've peered into his world and his city. I've met up with Dennis too, and peered into his world. I'm learning about other people's lives every day of mine at the moment. Tomorrow I'm moving on. Alyssa, who was on the road trip last week, lives in Bucks County, further east in Pennsylvania, and said I could go stay with her for a few days. From there I will travel to Philadelphia, where I have organised to couchsurf with someone, and from there I will probably go to Baltimore, home of my favourite TV programme in the world, The Wire. And then it's Thanksgiving. I have a plan for thanksgiving. But I don't want to jinx it. So I'll leave that for now, I have a bag to pack. And a 6:30am bus to catch...

(Drew is a film maker, and this is one of his short films)

Gallery 7 from Drew Nicholas on Vimeo.

It's a big small world...

Things have slowed down a bit after a whirlwind 2 weeks starting in Chicago and ending in Pittsburgh. Since Friday I've been sleeping on a blow up mattress on Drew's floor and just hanging out. On Friday night we went to a party just round the corner from his, yesterday we went and played Frisbygolf at a local park and last night we went to a couple of bars to shoot some pool and meet a friend of mine Dennis. "A friend of yours?" I hear you ask. How is that possible if I've never been to Pittsburgh before? This got me thinking of the crazy links and coincidences that have chained the last few weeks together, summed up by Drew's housemate Andy this morning, when he said "It's a big small world out there". So, here goes:

Patsy: I worked with her in London, she happened to be visiting home in Chicago and said I should go visit her. I did.

Tara: I met Tara at a CS party in Chicago. She was from Minneapolis and meeting a friend of hers in Chicago.

Dennis: Tara and Dennis first met when they were both studying in London, they chose to meet in Chicago as it was halfway between his hometown of Pittsburgh and hers of Minneapolis.

Lexi: I met Lexi as she was Tara's housemate, and I travelled with Tara from Chicago to Minneapolis.

Drew: He was filming a documentary in Minneapolis and couchsurfed at Tara and Lexi's whilst I was there. He was with two other people, his friend Alyssa who had also brought along her friend Mandy. I joined them as they went on a 5 day road trip.

And that is how I got to Pittsburgh. And then got back in touch with Dennis, who I had met in Minneapolis, where he was meeting the friend he met in London. Oh, and Dennis lived in Ealing. And regularly got on the 226 bus. Which passes my house.

It's a big small world.

Chevrolet Chevelle parked outside Drew's house

The greatest sofa ever? In a bookstore in the Southside district of Pittsburgh

A Dave's Eye View - Road trippin' (parts 1 & 2)

A Dave's Eye View - Miners Fall

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Wednesday 10th November 2010, Miners Fall Trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Sun setting over Detroit...

Thursday November 11th 2010

Gaylord...

I am writing now from the small town of Gaylord, just off the I75 south. There are some things in life that just need to be done, and stopping in Gaylord for a chai tea is one of them. I've just been at the wheel from the small town of Mackinaw City to here as we make our way down to Toleda this evening, passing through Detroit at some point.

View of Mackinac Bridge from Mackinaw City

Lake Superior...

My final thoughts for the day...

I have so far witnessed the chaos and excitement of New York, the glory and relative calm of Chicago, the culture and warmth of Minneapolis, and now the spectacular views of the Upper Peninsula (not Upper Territories as I may have called it previously!). Today I have walked through a spectacular forest of differing colours and textures, canoed across the Little Lake with the sun in my eye, driven to a random lake and sat on the tree stump out in the water, watched the sun set dramatically behind the horizon and eaten sausages cooked on an open fire. Tomorrow we continue our journey east, along the southern edge of Lake Superior, before turning south to drive though St Ignace and crossing the Mackinac Bridge (3rd longest suspension bridge in the world). We will find a place to stay, hopefully some random roadside Motel (to keep with the roadtrip theme), before continuing our journey on Thursday where we have arranged to couch surf with someone in Toledo on the south west corner of Lake Erie. On Friday, Mandy will continue back to Chicago by bus, whilst Drew and Alyssa continue back to Pittsburgh. I am yet to decide on my onwards journey. It may be with them, it may not. One thing I do know; hey have been the most wonderful company the past few days...

You say water, I say water...

The following conversation took place between myself and the guy working in Tony's Diner in Minneapolis on Monday.

(I had an empty cup in my hand for some water)

"Where can I get the water"

"I'm sorry?"

"Where can I get some water" (holding up the cup)

"You want what?"

"Some water..."

"Some...?"

"W a t e r" (I make a drinking motion with my hand and the cup)

"You want something to drink? Like coke?"

"No, I just want some water"

"Some wortter?"

"Yeah, water, to drink, just from the tap"

"Oh, you mean warder"

"Yes, yes, I want some warder, thank you"

He points to where the free water tap is.

I say water (Wart. Er)

He says water (Whad. Er)

I got my water. It tasted good.

A message from Alyssa...

Alyssa says her interview went really well, and her dad says this:

"You should always want what you already have, and if you don't, make it out of wood"

Jim F Benner - sometime in the last 22 years.

Hello world...

Marquette Bay, Lake Superior

Monday 8th November 2010

Breakfast was head, and we hit the road. We were travelling to the Upper Peninsula, North East of Minneapolis. They had a cabin booked for 2 nights, and I'd join them there. As it's not currently in season it won't be a problem turning up as a four, not the three they booked for. We spent a few hours on the road, and then Alyssa saw a sign for a glass museum (I say a sign, it was a large rock with the word Oulo on it and an arrow). Alyssa immediately turned the corner and we drove through trees (and trees and trees and trees) and then out of nowhere we came across this little building. We chatted to a guy outside who told us to just walk in and have a look round. They were actually glass blowers, and there was a lady inside who told us the history.

It was a fascinating day already and it was only 11am. We continued driving a

and stopped at a National Park Information Centre, had a little look around and then a walk through their little nature trail. Then Drew said "Hey Dave, you fancy driving for a bit?" I really wanted to, but was hit with a sudden bout of nerves, what with the 'other side of the road' and the 'steering wheel on the other side'. Then I reminded myself of my rule. NEVER SAY NO. So, honouring my rule, I said yes. And that, ladies and gentleman, is the moment my American Dream came true. I sat at my table at home about 6 months ago and told my dad how much I wanted to drive America. My dad said "Do it then". Ever since then I've been waiting for the moment to road trip America, and here it was. I drove around the car park for a while to get my bearings, and then we set off. Me, and the open road. It was amazing.

As we drove further and further, with the sun setting behind us, and the views of lakes, and trees and other breathtaking views, I couldn't contain my joy. And I can't thank Drew enough for having the faith and trust in me to drive his car. With the sun very close to setting, we were driving parallel to a disused rail track with literally miles and miles of freight trains on them, covered in graffiti, unmoved for months, probably years. We parked up and walked up to the tracks. We climbed onto the roofs of the carriages, and it was breathtaking. (due to the impromptu nature of the top, I didn't take my camera with me!) The sun finally set, and it was pitch black, with just the moon guiding us (and the flashing hazard lights of the car pulled up by the road). We set off again, stopping on the way for some groceries. We eventually pulled into the Northern Lights Lakeside Resort, and we all had smiles from ear to ear. Despite it being pitch black, the place was beautiful, and when we entered the main office (which was just a little cabin itself) the owners John & Loxia were there to greet us. They were the sweetest couple imaginable, and even had a home baked cake waiting for us. Drew went to the lakeside beach to start up a fire, and dinner was prepared in the cabin. The rest of the evening was spent by the fire, melting marshmallows under the stars...

On the road...

Sometimes, words just won't do. I'm too tired to describe today, so let these images do it for you. Tomorrow, I will verbalise them...

Fuel

Direction

Road

Strangers?

Nature

Mustache / Goatie

Inside / outside

Sunset

Behind

Warmth