Why We Are Changing our Vacation Strategy

Hey there faithful readers!

Libby and I have recently returned from a whirlwind road trip through New England for Memorial Day weekend, hitting all the states but two (sorry Maine and Rhode Island).  Let me tell you a little about it...

It started early Friday morning as Libby and I attempted to beat rush hour traffic out of town as we headed toward Boston.  After spending 7 hours in a car (including 45 minutes crossing a bridge between the Bronx and Manhattan in New York), we successfully emerged from an underground tunnel into downtown Boston.  We parked our car, and immediately began using our legs again, which were in need of using like whoa.  It was here that we began the greatest adventure since National Treasure or National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.  That's right, I'm talking about the Freedom Trail.

For those unfamiliar with Boston, the Freedom Trail is a deadly hunt for America's single greatest treasure - Freedom.  It starts at the Massachusetts Capitol, goes through Boston Commons, around Paul Revere's grave, through Quincy Market, and ends at Paul Revere's house.  After some quick clue-figuring-out (National Treasure style), Libby found Freedom, hidden under a rock in Paul Revere's backyard.  

Our time in Boston was also spend learning about the USS Constitution (The worlds oldest floating, commissioned warship, and not where the Boston tea party took place like Libby and I thought).  Along the Freedom Trail, we also came across a break-dancing street troupe, and a street performer who was part of the street performer festival going on that weekend.  

Unfortunately, after only 24 hrs in the city, it was off to our next destination - Burlington Vermont, where I was for some reason set on running a marathon.  On our way there, we narrowly missed getting to go on a factory tour of the original Ben & Jerry's factory, but that was remedied later.  We arrived and I got checked in for my race, and then Libby and I did what probably just about everyone else did that night - we went to get some pasta!  The next morning, on a cold and rainy day (so much for the weather prediction of sunny and 0% chance of precipitation I had seen only a few days earlier), I lined up to attempt running for 26.2 miles.  just over 4 hours later, I had accomplished my goal of finishing a marathon.  Needless to say it was one of the most difficult things I had ever done in my life.  Meanwhile, while I ran, Libby enjoyed a crepe at a little shop, and tried to find me while attempting to stay warm and dry.  When I did finally cross the finish line, I couldn't do much more than lie in the grass for about 45 minutes, so that's what we did.  After the race and a much needed shower, Libby and I went back to the Ben & Jerry's factory to see how they make the ice cream and even get a free sample (suh-weet!).  Then, once again, after only 24 hours in Burlington, it was off to Saratoga Springs, NY for the last leg of our trip.

Libby drove us through the scenic roads of Vermont and upstate New York, while I attempted to not move at all and get rid of the aches in the lower half of my body.  Our time in Saratoga Springs was spent walking (well, hobbling in my case) along the historic downtown area and seeing a geyser and mineral springs.  Then, once again, it was siyonara after 24 hrs as we headed back home after a crazy 72 hours.  

So to get back to the title.  I think Libby and I have decided to change the shotgun, vacation-like-your-going-to-die-tomorrow adventures that we normally do after this last weekend, and actually try spending more than 24 hours in the same location next time we travel anywhere.  Anyway, we're back home, trying to see about moving to New York City at the end of the summer, and living our normal lives in the meantime. Libby put together her art work into an online portfolio: http://www.libbywilliamsart.artician.com.  As always, many, many pictures to follow...

The first to greet us in Boston were a family of ducks

Gregg high fiving his homie, Paul

Libby auditioning for the Boston Travel Guide Cover

Libby loves New Hampshire thissssssss much!

Lake Champlain - Burlington, VT

Libby approves of the lake

Start of Race - 8:09 a.m.

Where's Gregg?  He's late.  I hope he's not dead or anything...

Finish - 12:12 p.m. - Gregg promptly collapses under weight of medal after finishing.

A tasty post race treat at the original Ben & Jerry's Factory

Us as ice cream - I'd like to think our flavor would be Yummy Yummy Will-yums

The scenic route between Vermont and upstate New York

Our final stop - the Brunswick Bed & Breakfast

"I wish I were as tall as them trees"

Geysers Rock!!

Rain, Running and Rear endings

Hello faithful readers, commenters, and stalkers:

Here's a quick recap of life in Philly most recently.  My lovely-ex-patriot-because-she-up-and-moved-to-France cousin Sarah came to visit Philadelphia on part of a spring trip to the US several weeks ago. We had a great time treating her to unhealthy American food and showing off our adopted city.  It seemed everywhere we went we bumped in to French people. It was as if the country had followed her here.  

Easter weekend was spent buying a new-to-us-but-used car after discovering that getting rear ended the weekend before had left our precious Mazda Protege in worse shape than it was worth according to Progressive.  After visiting 7 used car dealerships within a 24 hour period the following day we were able to find a new car that we like very much (a Mazda 3).  Not, however, without extended and bitter mourning for our Protege.  

While Saturday was spent car shopping, on Easter itself we went to NYC again with my friend Rachel on a pilgrimage to the Bonnard show at the Met before it was over.  New York was still not as warm as I preferred it be but we had a nice time walking through central park, perusing amusing stores and discovering a little window shop that sold nothing but extravagant tiny cupcakes.

 

An enjoyable activity Gregg and I have added into our weeks is joining a recreational volleyball team in our neighborhood.  We have games once a week in the area and have met some cool people on the team.

I began work as a barista at Saxby's coffee shop in Manayunk last week.  After adjusting to the overwhelming concept of learning to make all of the 80 million variations available with milk, espresso and 50 flavored syrups I'm starting to feel less awkward and as though I could actually make a customer the drink they ordered.  Maybe.  Prior to getting this job I was turned down from a patisserie after telling them I was not able to wake up at 4:30am at least 3 days a week in order to open the store downtown by 6:00am. I was crushed to say the least.

And yesterday Gregg ran 10 mile road race called the Broad Street run.  The race started at 8:30am along with buckets of rain. Fortunately he likes running in the rain and finished the race in excellent time.  Once you can run 10 miles 26 should be no problem, right?

I'm finished with school and have graduation on Friday.  I'll try to have some more artwork up with the next post. Hope everyone is having a nice spring.

-Libby

Sarah and I walking around the city

The view from atop city hall+lots of rain

That looks says, "I can't believe no hair salons are open on a Monday, lets give up and look for shoes."

Giacometti room at the Met

Central Park in the spring + my new haircut

MINI CUPCAKES ohmigoshtheyaresotiny!

My seminar class spent a final class in the park on what has turned out to be one of the only non-rain filled days this spring

Gregg at the Broad Street Run after running faster than 23,000 other Philly runners