Go West, Young Women

gowestyoungwomen — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:35:23 +0000

We’re in Portland and Mary is being a fabulous hostess! I don’t really have time to update properly, but I will tell you that today we went to Powell’s and went a little book crazy, had some delicious Portland microbrews and drank tea in the tranquil Chinese Gardens. Tomorrow we’ll have a farewell breakfast at Pine State Biscuits (thanks for the tip, mom, everyone is excited) and then head down the coast. We were delighted to discover that the Tillamook factory is on the way! Then its back to the Bay Area on Wednesday!

the scalper code of honor

gowestyoungwomen — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:49:37 +0000

Today was quite a day.

First off, we headed to The Coastal Kitchen for a delicious breakfast. After that we planned to visit Pioneer Square. When we got there, however, we noticed that quite a few people wearing Seattle Sounders (soccer) jerseys all headed in the same direction. Of course, that could mean only one thing: soccer game! So, we followed the throngs. On the way to the stadium we encountered a friendly scalper and he agreed to accompany us to the atm for some cash. BUT on the way another scalper offered to sell us tickets for less. This did not sit well with our scalper who proceeded to chase the other guy away and lecture us for a while about the strict code of honor all scalpers must adhere to, “that’s business!” After all the excitement we got into the stadium to see the Sounders who were, coincidentally, facing our beloved Houston Dynamo (formerly the San Jose Earthquakes, before the new incarnation). We were amazed at the sheer quantity and enthusiasm of Sounders fans (the game was totally sold out).

We stuck out a bit, cheering for Houston in a sea of Seattle fans. Unfortunately, Seattle won 2-1.

Later we headed to Seattle Center to see the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum. Both were exceptionally cool. The SFM had a pretty great Jim Henson exhibit and was generally pretty awesome. The building was nice, too:

We also saw the Space Needle, but couldn’t really muster enough excitement (or money) to go up.

Then, we had a pretty trying time trying to find parking in the International District (Seattle’s parking situation is, on the whole, completely ridiculous). So, after a while we gave up and headed to another locale, a delicious little Italian place where I had some of the most delicious linguini with clams I’ve ever had. Seattle has been good to us, food wise. Right up there with Chicago.

Tomorrow we head to Portland to visit my lovely friend Mary. We’ll be back in the Bay Area on Wednesday. I can’t believe this trip is almost over!

the best coast

gowestyoungwomen — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:21:14 +0000

We have finally arrived on the west coast!

Since I have received some complaints (Michelle) about the lack of substance of my recent posts, I’ll try to make this one a little more comprehensive.

So, today we arrived in Seattle. Its pretty nice so far. We went to the aquarium (nice, but nothing compared to Monterrey, of course) and saw some adorable sea otters and harbor seals.

We also stopped at the iconic Pikes Place public market (where they throw the fish). It was a little overwhelming. We forgot to take any pictures of it.

At the market we ate at Emmett Watson‘s Oyster Bar. Delicious seafood! I had the Northwestern Seafood gumbo. YUM.

The gumbo consisted of cod, crab, shrimp, mussels and clams. It was so good I had to take a picture of it.

Meaghan and I have made it our mission to jump in lakes (we kind of made this our mission a little too late having already passed through Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. But, better late than never). We spent most of our time at Yellowstone bemoaning the fact that we couldn’t jump in any of the lakes (we realize it would have been freezing) and lamenting the fact that the only area that allows swimming was closed. Yesterday our dream came true when we stopped in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. Lake Coeur D’Alene is gorgeous and just right for swimming.

Today we jumped in Lake Washington (not quite as nice, though).

Tomorrow we visit the Space Needle, the Experience Music Project and various other Seattle attractions.

Wow, travelling is tiring.

gowestyoungwomen — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:44:36 +0000

We left Yellowstone today and headed west, we ended up in Kellogg, Idaho. Today was largely driving through Montana which was beautiful, but there’s not much going on. Yellowstone was, of course, amazing. We stayed at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, staying in the park was definietly the right choice.

drinking pbr in front of the cabin, very classy.

We managed to see a lot of the park in just a short time. Click on the picture below to see the album (i’m getting progressively lazier as this trip wears on):

Sorry for the lame post, but I’m tired. The pictures are nice, though!

gowestyoungwomen — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:34:35 +0000

Not much to report today. We’re in Cody, Wyoming. We saw Devil’s Tower, it was pretty cool, but not cool enough to motivate me to upload the pictures right now. Tomorrow we’ll drive about an hour to Yellowstone where we’re staying in a cabin and the Old Faithful Inn! I don’t think there’s internet access there, so you might not hear from me.

Staring democracy in its faces

gowestyoungwomen — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:19:01 +0000

Well, we’ve made it to Deadwood, South Dakota: famed place of death of Wild Bill Hickock and fictionalized in the amazing series Deadwood. In reality, its pretty gross. There are slot machines everywhere! Even in our Best Western. Today we did SO MUCH! We drove to the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore and along the way saw a lot of pretty spectacular roadside attractions. Our first stop was the famed Corn Palace. Basically its a building with a facade made of ears of corn. Why anyone would do this, I have no idea, but I’m glad they did because its amazing!

Corn Palace

Our next destination was Al’s Oasis, basically a giant restaurant/gift shop/general store. I ate a Buffalo Burger. It wasn’t that exciting.

The Badlands were next and they were great! It reminded me a lot of the painted dessert, but more mountainous. Very beautiful.

BUT the best was yet to come! As we exited the Badlands we finally found ourselves in Wall, South Dakota, home of Wall Drug. We were seeing billboards and signs for Wall Drug as far back as Wisconsin, promising all kinds of delights and marvels. I have to say, I was not disappointed! This place is ridiculous, its probably the size of an entire city block, filled with useless gifts, weird statues, western art, homemade ice cream, fudge and doughnuts and SO MUCH MORE! Its so crazy explaining it wouldn’t do it justice.

And then it was on to Mt. Rushmore, the “shrine of democracy” (and imperialism and genocide, but those don’t sound as nice). It is kind of a letdown (I guess I was expecting it to be bigger?) and also really baffling. We felt bad because we would have rather spent our money on the Crazy Horse monument, but it was so expensive!

One of my favorites parts of today was driving through the Black Hills at sunset. It was gorgeous! We had to get out and take pictures. I wish i knew how to make them bigger for you!

On to Yellowstone tomorrow!

ALSO

gowestyoungwomen — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:42:06 +0000

We were flipping through the channels and found this:

Significantly patriotic and campy for the Freedom Tour™, I think.

Also, please notice that John Adams is none other than a young Mr. Feeney!

Over 1,700 miles down

gowestyoungwomen — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:01:58 +0000

Today we drove. A lot. But before we drove we went to the magnificent Harry Potter exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. I’m telling you, this exhibit was fantastic, we loved everything about it and then went a little crazy in the gift shop. Not as crazy as we could have though (we almost bought official replica wands).

The flying car!

yes!

From Chicago we drove through Wisconsin, crossed the Mississippi into Minnesota and ended up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota before we ran out of steam. Along the way Meaghan got us pulled over (but, thanks to her irresistible charm, she only got a warning. This time!) and we ate at a Dairy Queen where the waitress asked, “Are you really from California?” It was kind of cute.

Tomorrow we continue the Freedom Tour™ with The Badlands and Mount Rushmore!

Fireworks and Firewater or Chitown part 2

gowestyoungwomen — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:47:12 +0000

First and foremost, I have to recap all of the crazy things that have happened in the last two days.

First: As Meaghan and I were driving to Chicago, Magellan (our gps/nemesis) ordered us to exit the highway. Unbeknown to us, we were lead through Gary, Indiana or, as my friend Michelle calls it, “the armpit of the country.” Contrary to the song from “The Music Man,” it is not a place that will light one’s face. See for yourself:

These photos don’t really adequately express the horror of the place, but trust me on this one.

Next, we arrived in Chicago to my friend Michelle’s beautiful apartment (which is ridicously cheap, Meaghan and I considered ending our trip right here). I haven’t seen Michelle in two years, so it was great to catch up! Michelle works as a bartender on a sightseeing tour boat, so after Meaghan and I walked around the famed Michigan Avenue and had some delicious deep dish pizza we boarded Michelle’s boat for an awesome tour and awesomly strong (and free) Long Island Ice Teas.

I'm on a boat!

Our Booze Cruise Captain

we learned a lot of interesting things about these buildings

Once the booze cruise was complete we somehow managed to make it back to Michelle’s. THEN we went to a crazy gay dance party. Meaghan dressed up like a cheetah. It was awesome.

rawr

At the dance party we witnessed a bearded man and a man wearing a fannypack engage in a dance-off. It was probably one of the greatest moments of our lives. After the dance party we headed to a country-western bar for karaoke night. I think we finally got to bed around 5am. It was a long day!

Today, we were so lazy. We slept ridicuously late, went out to breakfast with Michelle and her friends (cinnamon rolls at the Oprah approved Ann Sathers). We finally made it out of the house for real around 4:30 and headed to Grant Park for Taste of Chicago, the annual food festival. It was INSANE!!!! We could barely move there were so many people. The food was awfully delicious, though.

thats not event the half of it

yum

THEN there were fireworks. We both love fireworks and these were particularly amazing. I took some video, but it doesn’t really do them justice. I’ll upload them anyway.

Tomorrow we have a long day of driving ahead of us, but first we are going to the Harry Potter exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry. Its ok the be jealous.

Chitown part 1

gowestyoungwomen — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:29:27 +0000

We have safely made it to Chicago into Michelle’s loving arms. I don’t have time for a proper update right now, but let me just leave you with some teasers: booze cruise, cheetah, Gary, Indiana, hate crime (we didn’t do it!), dance party. More to come!