And finding goats in the most interesting places (village of Amalou)...
And coming across kitty roadblocks in sleepy villages...
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Friday, November 11, 2011
Missing Greece
I welcome the weather changes and pulling out all the scarves and boots for the winter season, but I find myself missing Greece. It's the little experiences I miss like rambling down a mountain and climbing over boulders to get to this gorgeous beach on the island of Ikaria...
And finding goats in the most interesting places (village of Amalou)...
And coming across kitty roadblocks in sleepy villages...
And finding goats in the most interesting places (village of Amalou)...
And coming across kitty roadblocks in sleepy villages...
Friday, December 10, 2010
A single woman on the road to Ironman, part 3
While digging through my "office" for a notebook I could use for my crochet designs, I found my travel diary from my summer Ironman roadtrip. You see, I trained for my first Ironman triathlon this past year and took a road trip to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to compete in it (by "compete" I mean "attempt to finish"). Check out the previous installments:
Part 1: Beginning the epic journey and adventures in Palo Duro Canyon
Part 2: Colorado and the Oregon Trail
Here is the continuing saga...
While trying to warm up at a campfire in Yellowstone, I reminisce on my voyage thus far...
Grand Teton National Park
As I came over the final mountain pass, the weather was still rainy, but at least I could see the lower half of the Tetons (photo below). I found a campsite at Colter Bay (they have showers!! who knew that Palo Duro would seem so luxurious in hindsite?). Unfortunately, my neighbors weren't so friendly this time - they were 2 hermit men (with a slightly serial-killer way about them) and one antisocial family.
After setting up my tent, I headed to the visitor center to inquire about places to workout. The ranger there was entertaining. He was big.
Me: "I'm on my way to my Ironman race and I need to find places to swim, bike, and run. Do people swim in the lake?"
Ranger: "I am a big, furry, padded fellow, and it's still too cold for me to jump in the lake. Where are you from?"
Me: "Texas."
Big, furry, padded fellow (aka, Ranger): "Not bear country."
Me: "No, snake country."
Big, furry, padded fellow: "Ew, I'd rather be in bear country."
So there you have it. Thanks to him, I was informed that I needed to say "Hey Bear, Whoa Bear" while trying to breathe in the little existing oxygen on my 2 hour run that evening. Lungs died, but no bear attack! I guess that's a success.
Wow. I think I hear some people getting it on in their camper. At least I assume it's a camper since I don't think tents squeak.
I found a nice pool (with showers!) in Jackson Hole. I also ate a yummy lunch at this cute little place in Jackson Hole called the Sweetwater Cafe. My mission, however, was to locate warmer gear due to this southern girl finding unexpectedly colder temperatures in the north even though it was June. Mission success! I purchased a Peruvian-style beanie (earflaps are brilliant!) and some awesome long underwear pants for pajamas. Cozy!
They are still at it. I'm somewhat impressed, but there are kids still out playing!
I returned to Colter Bay via the Jenny Lake Road. As I approached my 'hood, I came upon several stopped cars and rangers, and thus slowed down... WTF!!! A grizzly bear just ran across the road 3 cars ahead of me!! I didn't actually believe that I would actually see real life bears much less in close range near my home base. I'm definitely not drinking any water tonight (see late night bathroom runs in bear country in part 2)!
I finally located the elusive "internet" at the Jackson Lake Lodge and proceeded to update the ROTW (rest of the world) via facebook that I was indeed still alive although I did just see a grizzly. Thankfully, that night was eventless.
I was a bit more ambitious the next day since the weather was predicted to clear. I headed to the top of Signal Mountain for the scenic view. It was indeed scenic except for the fact that the clouds we still hiding the Tetons. I was pondering my luck with weather when lo and behold, was suddenly surrounded by white Suburbans from the University of Texas. This Aggie was a little intrigued and only slightly nervous about state rivalries reaching beyond the home state. It turns out they were just a bunch of geology students out on a really long field trip.
After waiting a while to no avail, I relieved myself in a drafty vault toilet (I find the various forms of toiletry devices around the world quite interesting and thus my compulsive desire to share these vignettes) then headed down the scenic Jenny Lake Rd (first photo below) to the South Jenny Lake Lodge. There, I took the shuttle across the lake on which I enjoyed the gorgeous views as the clouds finally began clearing (second photo below).
With my head still in the clouds, I ventured further up in altitude to spy upon the not-so Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, where I was inspired to partake of my picnic lunch. Upon opening my popcorn bag, a rascally chipmunk made a bee-line for me. I had to fend him off with my water bottle:
Then, after successfully thwarting the bandito and while enjoying my natural white cheddar popcorn, I heard someone utter "marmot". Stop the presses!! I had been waiting to spot a marmot and was on the verge of thinking I would never see this mythical creature - I mainly had this urge since I had never heard of one until I went to REI to buy my Marmot tent and asked the guy "how do you pronounce that?" He proceeded to inform me in only a slightly condescending manner that "it is an animal". Thus the quest began to spot one. Anyways, like the chipmunk, I made a bee-line to where those people were standing and, alas! a marmot!! so cute! and a little shy. Sadly, the only other marmot I've seen was the roadkill marmot just inside Yellowstone. Yet another reason why Grand Teton is Way Better than Yellowstone (more on that later).
Inspiration Point and the Mythical Marmot
Just when you thought the fun was over, some European backpackers arrive and one pulled out a fiddle and began to play.
The Fiddler on the "Roof" (click below to open a new window and watch video)
Must rest hand now. And warm up from this blasted Yellowstone cold.
Next installment coming soon!
Part 1: Beginning the epic journey and adventures in Palo Duro Canyon
Part 2: Colorado and the Oregon Trail
Here is the continuing saga...
While trying to warm up at a campfire in Yellowstone, I reminisce on my voyage thus far...
Grand Teton National Park
As I came over the final mountain pass, the weather was still rainy, but at least I could see the lower half of the Tetons (photo below). I found a campsite at Colter Bay (they have showers!! who knew that Palo Duro would seem so luxurious in hindsite?). Unfortunately, my neighbors weren't so friendly this time - they were 2 hermit men (with a slightly serial-killer way about them) and one antisocial family.
After setting up my tent, I headed to the visitor center to inquire about places to workout. The ranger there was entertaining. He was big.
Me: "I'm on my way to my Ironman race and I need to find places to swim, bike, and run. Do people swim in the lake?"
Ranger: "I am a big, furry, padded fellow, and it's still too cold for me to jump in the lake. Where are you from?"
Me: "Texas."
Big, furry, padded fellow (aka, Ranger): "Not bear country."
Me: "No, snake country."
Big, furry, padded fellow: "Ew, I'd rather be in bear country."
So there you have it. Thanks to him, I was informed that I needed to say "Hey Bear, Whoa Bear" while trying to breathe in the little existing oxygen on my 2 hour run that evening. Lungs died, but no bear attack! I guess that's a success.
Wow. I think I hear some people getting it on in their camper. At least I assume it's a camper since I don't think tents squeak.
I found a nice pool (with showers!) in Jackson Hole. I also ate a yummy lunch at this cute little place in Jackson Hole called the Sweetwater Cafe. My mission, however, was to locate warmer gear due to this southern girl finding unexpectedly colder temperatures in the north even though it was June. Mission success! I purchased a Peruvian-style beanie (earflaps are brilliant!) and some awesome long underwear pants for pajamas. Cozy!
They are still at it. I'm somewhat impressed, but there are kids still out playing!
I returned to Colter Bay via the Jenny Lake Road. As I approached my 'hood, I came upon several stopped cars and rangers, and thus slowed down... WTF!!! A grizzly bear just ran across the road 3 cars ahead of me!! I didn't actually believe that I would actually see real life bears much less in close range near my home base. I'm definitely not drinking any water tonight (see late night bathroom runs in bear country in part 2)!
I finally located the elusive "internet" at the Jackson Lake Lodge and proceeded to update the ROTW (rest of the world) via facebook that I was indeed still alive although I did just see a grizzly. Thankfully, that night was eventless.
I was a bit more ambitious the next day since the weather was predicted to clear. I headed to the top of Signal Mountain for the scenic view. It was indeed scenic except for the fact that the clouds we still hiding the Tetons. I was pondering my luck with weather when lo and behold, was suddenly surrounded by white Suburbans from the University of Texas. This Aggie was a little intrigued and only slightly nervous about state rivalries reaching beyond the home state. It turns out they were just a bunch of geology students out on a really long field trip.
After waiting a while to no avail, I relieved myself in a drafty vault toilet (I find the various forms of toiletry devices around the world quite interesting and thus my compulsive desire to share these vignettes) then headed down the scenic Jenny Lake Rd (first photo below) to the South Jenny Lake Lodge. There, I took the shuttle across the lake on which I enjoyed the gorgeous views as the clouds finally began clearing (second photo below).
With my head still in the clouds, I ventured further up in altitude to spy upon the not-so Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, where I was inspired to partake of my picnic lunch. Upon opening my popcorn bag, a rascally chipmunk made a bee-line for me. I had to fend him off with my water bottle:
Then, after successfully thwarting the bandito and while enjoying my natural white cheddar popcorn, I heard someone utter "marmot". Stop the presses!! I had been waiting to spot a marmot and was on the verge of thinking I would never see this mythical creature - I mainly had this urge since I had never heard of one until I went to REI to buy my Marmot tent and asked the guy "how do you pronounce that?" He proceeded to inform me in only a slightly condescending manner that "it is an animal". Thus the quest began to spot one. Anyways, like the chipmunk, I made a bee-line to where those people were standing and, alas! a marmot!! so cute! and a little shy. Sadly, the only other marmot I've seen was the roadkill marmot just inside Yellowstone. Yet another reason why Grand Teton is Way Better than Yellowstone (more on that later).
Inspiration Point and the Mythical Marmot
Just when you thought the fun was over, some European backpackers arrive and one pulled out a fiddle and began to play.
The Fiddler on the "Roof" (click below to open a new window and watch video)
Must rest hand now. And warm up from this blasted Yellowstone cold.
Next installment coming soon!
Friday, November 19, 2010
A single woman on the road to Ironman, part 2
While digging through my "office" for a notebook I could use for my crochet designs, I found my travel diary from my summer Ironman roadtrip. You see, I trained for my first Ironman triathlon this past year and took a road trip to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to compete in it (by "compete" I mean "attempt to finish"). Check out Part 1 here (beginning the epic journey and adventures in Palo Duro Canyon). Here is the continuing saga...
On the Road Again... to Colorado
I set out early for Rocky Mountain National Park. I also managed to spot a Starbucks in Amarillo before really setting out...
(watching my campfire in Yellowstone through the car window)
I never knew the Texas panhandle was that pretty. I guess taking the scenic route pays off... sometimes... more on that topic later.
I was excited to see Denver until I hit the traffic. I don't know how they do it! 2.5 of my 3 hours there was spent in traffic. Or at least that's how I remember it.
Yay! The Denver Apply Store fixed my iPhone glass! (I'm casually forgetting that small fee. By small fee I mean really big fee). My helper guy was even more helpful than expected. He informed me that the hotel from The Shining is in Estes Park. Yay! Just what I needed to remember before spending my first night alone in bear country - I need to watch out for crazy Jack Nicholsons too! Thankfully, my campsite was full of super friendly people. My neighbors' little girl even offered me a cookie upon arrival too. Then she told me she was from Boulder and that they had arrived "the day after tomorrow". How entertaining. So I freaked a little when I had to go pee in the middle of the night. Thus, I learned to reduce my late-night water intake to prevent unwanted nighttime bear encounters.
Early morning - once again on my bike in a very pretty place. But. forgot. how. high. up. no. oxygen. I coasted down the hill from Moraine Park and only later realized that I would have to climb back up that very same hill in order to get home. At least the Elk gave me some funny looks to distract me from the oxygen headache on my way up.
Semi-Curious Elk
By the way, baby wipes aren't all that. (In case you didn't know, Rocky Mountain NP is one of many with no shower facilities).
Next stop, Trail Ridge Road. Alpine tundra. Less oxygen. But at least I'm not wearing flip flops like that one chick. Seriously? I survived the long, slow journey with only one engine light coming on. The view was pretty but I think I'm more of a desert gal. That night, I defrosted next to my campfire while grilling steak, veggies, and corn on the cob, and roasting a yam. Yummy!
Alpine Tundra Shots
The next morning I woke up to the soft munching of elk grazing around my tent. I didn't want to scare them off so I just stayed still and quiet, enjoying the sounds. One got a little curious and sniffed my tent; then I saw its hoof under the fly before its snout appeared in my little round plastic window. Alas, they left too soon for pictures!
Yay for showers at swimming pools (gotta keep up with the swim workouts)! Boo for altitude sickness! I tried hiking the Bear Lake area but only managed about 0.5 miles. Yes, I am training for an Ironman. I had fun with chipmunks for a bit before I decided to take care of that engine light and get my tire checked out. Apparently a plug was leaking - thank goodness it didn't blow on the Alpine tundra! Tire replaced, weather turned bad, thus spent some time in Starbucks to catch up on the happenings in the real world.
Fun with Chipmunks
The Oregon Trail
The next morning, the weather was still nasty. This is June. I drove a little-too-scenic route to Wyoming. The weather was still bad, and somehow I chose another too-scenic route that had previously yet deceptively seemed shorter and thus found myself on the Oregon Trail in snow. Thankfully my friend Gigi reminded me not to ford any rivers greater than 6 feet deep so I neither lost my oxen nor my axle. Seriously - snow in June?!?!
Snowy Oregon Trail
The snow finally abated and a pretty red rock magically appeared east of the Tetons, however I had yet to drive over a snowy mountain pass to actually get in to Grand Teton National Park. At least I wasn't on a cross-country bike tour with saddle bags like those other crazy people (I disagree - I am not the pot calling the kettle black).
Pretty Red Rock
Coming up in our next issue... Grand Teton National Park (click here).
On the Road Again... to Colorado
I set out early for Rocky Mountain National Park. I also managed to spot a Starbucks in Amarillo before really setting out...
(watching my campfire in Yellowstone through the car window)
I never knew the Texas panhandle was that pretty. I guess taking the scenic route pays off... sometimes... more on that topic later.
I was excited to see Denver until I hit the traffic. I don't know how they do it! 2.5 of my 3 hours there was spent in traffic. Or at least that's how I remember it.
Yay! The Denver Apply Store fixed my iPhone glass! (I'm casually forgetting that small fee. By small fee I mean really big fee). My helper guy was even more helpful than expected. He informed me that the hotel from The Shining is in Estes Park. Yay! Just what I needed to remember before spending my first night alone in bear country - I need to watch out for crazy Jack Nicholsons too! Thankfully, my campsite was full of super friendly people. My neighbors' little girl even offered me a cookie upon arrival too. Then she told me she was from Boulder and that they had arrived "the day after tomorrow". How entertaining. So I freaked a little when I had to go pee in the middle of the night. Thus, I learned to reduce my late-night water intake to prevent unwanted nighttime bear encounters.
Early morning - once again on my bike in a very pretty place. But. forgot. how. high. up. no. oxygen. I coasted down the hill from Moraine Park and only later realized that I would have to climb back up that very same hill in order to get home. At least the Elk gave me some funny looks to distract me from the oxygen headache on my way up.
Semi-Curious Elk
By the way, baby wipes aren't all that. (In case you didn't know, Rocky Mountain NP is one of many with no shower facilities).
Next stop, Trail Ridge Road. Alpine tundra. Less oxygen. But at least I'm not wearing flip flops like that one chick. Seriously? I survived the long, slow journey with only one engine light coming on. The view was pretty but I think I'm more of a desert gal. That night, I defrosted next to my campfire while grilling steak, veggies, and corn on the cob, and roasting a yam. Yummy!
Alpine Tundra Shots
The next morning I woke up to the soft munching of elk grazing around my tent. I didn't want to scare them off so I just stayed still and quiet, enjoying the sounds. One got a little curious and sniffed my tent; then I saw its hoof under the fly before its snout appeared in my little round plastic window. Alas, they left too soon for pictures!
Yay for showers at swimming pools (gotta keep up with the swim workouts)! Boo for altitude sickness! I tried hiking the Bear Lake area but only managed about 0.5 miles. Yes, I am training for an Ironman. I had fun with chipmunks for a bit before I decided to take care of that engine light and get my tire checked out. Apparently a plug was leaking - thank goodness it didn't blow on the Alpine tundra! Tire replaced, weather turned bad, thus spent some time in Starbucks to catch up on the happenings in the real world.
Fun with Chipmunks
The Oregon Trail
The next morning, the weather was still nasty. This is June. I drove a little-too-scenic route to Wyoming. The weather was still bad, and somehow I chose another too-scenic route that had previously yet deceptively seemed shorter and thus found myself on the Oregon Trail in snow. Thankfully my friend Gigi reminded me not to ford any rivers greater than 6 feet deep so I neither lost my oxen nor my axle. Seriously - snow in June?!?!
Snowy Oregon Trail
The snow finally abated and a pretty red rock magically appeared east of the Tetons, however I had yet to drive over a snowy mountain pass to actually get in to Grand Teton National Park. At least I wasn't on a cross-country bike tour with saddle bags like those other crazy people (I disagree - I am not the pot calling the kettle black).
Pretty Red Rock
Coming up in our next issue... Grand Teton National Park (click here).
Monday, November 15, 2010
A single woman on the road to Ironman
While digging through my "office" for a notebook I could use for my crochet designs, I found my travel diary from my summer Ironman roadtrip. You see, I trained for my first Ironman triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) this past year and took a road trip to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to compete in it (by "compete" I mean "attempt to finish"). I thought I would share a small excerpt of my single-woman travel misadventures for your enjoyment...
I'm sitting next to the campfire I just made in Yellowstone. I was complaining to myself about being bored - mostly because of the horrid weather - so I decided it was about time to start my travel journal. Here it goes...
Dallas
Fresh off my business school 5-year reunion trip to Boston, I hastened to get ready for the big road trip in time. Alas, in my scramble to gather tent equipment, sleeping bag, cookware, etc., my iPhone somehow ejected from the car, then turned and flipped in slow motion until that glorious finger-printed glass face was facing downward at the immediate moment it made contact with that lovely decorative fake cobblestone my apartment complex installed to beautify the premises. While it has taken many a beating, my iPhone decided this was the last straw and gave me a wonderful web of cracks all over the glass face. Oh joy and happiness. I spent the next hour on hold to talk to someone at the Apple Store in Dallas only to be told that they could not look at it today but helped me set up an appointment at the Apple Store in Denver in a few days. New trip destination!
So, after a bit of a late start, I did get on the road toward my first destination, Palo Duro Canyon. On the way, I happened to pass through:
Turkey, Caprock Canyon, and Happy
Palo Duro Canyon
I arrived right at sunset. She greeted me with a gorgeous canyon panorama in the changing light... as well as a swarm of those amorous biting flies.
Apparently Palo Duro Canyon is home to a bunch of wild turkeys as well - and I'm not being figurative. They like to loiter around the campsites though just like the other kind of wild turkeys though:
Turkey loitering around my tent
My first morning I went for a bike ride and short run. I quickly discovered that I had to maintain a speed above exactly 11.0 mph to stay ahead of the biting flies. They seemed particularly enamored with my thighs and buttocks. If only all men were (sigh).
The sucky weather in Yellowstone is putting these annoying rain drops all over my notebook. Anyways...
Despite the flies, it was a gorgeous ride through the canyon - one of the prettiest rides I've ever had. I even managed to make it half-way up the canyon rim switchbacks before I decided the downhill would get a little too scary and turned around. Needless to say, my run consisted of a few normal steps before metamorphosizing into a crazy spastic woman waving all arms and legs in my effort to ward off the flies. God help the other tourists understand that I am not a crackhead.
My next excursion was the lighthouse trail - one of the classic rock formations shown in photos of Palo Duro. It was a hot one, but the scenery was magnificent. I love the colors of the desert and Palo Duro certainly has a pretty palette. Something about the extreme colors and extreme heat inspires me.
"Driftwood" on the lighthouse trail with canyon rims in background
Later that day I continued my training plan by going into town for a swim. However, the storm clouds started gathering and I rushed like a bat outta hell to get back to my campsite because I still had to figure out how to put up the rain fly - trust me to go on a mega-roadtrip without knowing how to put up a tent first. After a brief panic and several phone calls, all was well... except that it was to no avail because the rain never came and I spent one toasty night in that tent!
Sucky Yellowstone weather!!!! (raindrops on page) I guess lighting a fire is kind of useless if you have to spend your time in the car to get away from the rain.
To be continued... (click here for the next episode)
I'm sitting next to the campfire I just made in Yellowstone. I was complaining to myself about being bored - mostly because of the horrid weather - so I decided it was about time to start my travel journal. Here it goes...
Dallas
Fresh off my business school 5-year reunion trip to Boston, I hastened to get ready for the big road trip in time. Alas, in my scramble to gather tent equipment, sleeping bag, cookware, etc., my iPhone somehow ejected from the car, then turned and flipped in slow motion until that glorious finger-printed glass face was facing downward at the immediate moment it made contact with that lovely decorative fake cobblestone my apartment complex installed to beautify the premises. While it has taken many a beating, my iPhone decided this was the last straw and gave me a wonderful web of cracks all over the glass face. Oh joy and happiness. I spent the next hour on hold to talk to someone at the Apple Store in Dallas only to be told that they could not look at it today but helped me set up an appointment at the Apple Store in Denver in a few days. New trip destination!
So, after a bit of a late start, I did get on the road toward my first destination, Palo Duro Canyon. On the way, I happened to pass through:
- Turkey, Texas - I took a photo for all my Turkish friends
- Caprock Canyons - very pretty and nearly deserted. First encounter with massive biting flies who do not even flinch at a whiff of DEET
- Happy, Texas - if only happiness were always so easy to find
Turkey, Caprock Canyon, and Happy
Palo Duro Canyon
I arrived right at sunset. She greeted me with a gorgeous canyon panorama in the changing light... as well as a swarm of those amorous biting flies.
Apparently Palo Duro Canyon is home to a bunch of wild turkeys as well - and I'm not being figurative. They like to loiter around the campsites though just like the other kind of wild turkeys though:
Turkey loitering around my tent
My first morning I went for a bike ride and short run. I quickly discovered that I had to maintain a speed above exactly 11.0 mph to stay ahead of the biting flies. They seemed particularly enamored with my thighs and buttocks. If only all men were (sigh).
The sucky weather in Yellowstone is putting these annoying rain drops all over my notebook. Anyways...
Despite the flies, it was a gorgeous ride through the canyon - one of the prettiest rides I've ever had. I even managed to make it half-way up the canyon rim switchbacks before I decided the downhill would get a little too scary and turned around. Needless to say, my run consisted of a few normal steps before metamorphosizing into a crazy spastic woman waving all arms and legs in my effort to ward off the flies. God help the other tourists understand that I am not a crackhead.
My next excursion was the lighthouse trail - one of the classic rock formations shown in photos of Palo Duro. It was a hot one, but the scenery was magnificent. I love the colors of the desert and Palo Duro certainly has a pretty palette. Something about the extreme colors and extreme heat inspires me.
"Driftwood" on the lighthouse trail with canyon rims in background
Later that day I continued my training plan by going into town for a swim. However, the storm clouds started gathering and I rushed like a bat outta hell to get back to my campsite because I still had to figure out how to put up the rain fly - trust me to go on a mega-roadtrip without knowing how to put up a tent first. After a brief panic and several phone calls, all was well... except that it was to no avail because the rain never came and I spent one toasty night in that tent!
Sucky Yellowstone weather!!!! (raindrops on page) I guess lighting a fire is kind of useless if you have to spend your time in the car to get away from the rain.
To be continued... (click here for the next episode)
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