dc [and surrounding areas]

After our fantastic time in the wilds of Maine, the DC area came as quite a shock to our small town selves. While the city is impressive, city living is not for everyone. We are not city people, and this became quite apparent during our brief stay in the greater Capitol region. Though, I will say that cities that have public transportation figured out do have that going for them. And DC seems to have it figured out (based on our limited interactions with the transit system).

We did manage to merge one of our joys - camping - with the big city. The city of Greenbelt is home to Greenbelt Park, a nice little NPS parking that boasts affordable camping and a couple of nice trails just a mile and a half walk away from the College Park metro station. We camped, did some trail running, and eventually made our way to the metro. We rode into the city and walked the day away, taking in the sights.

sculpture garden

Throughout the day we meandered through a variety of Smithsonian Museums and through the National Mall. We saw the popular monuments and memorials that are scattered around the mall and then hopped off of the Mall walkways and checked out MLK, FDR, and the Jefferson Memorial. For future visits, I think I would be happy just seeing MLK and FDR. Both really strike me as being memorials that our lives are modeled after - working to provide opportunities for all, regardless of their life circumstances. 

MLK memorial

The following day we made it to Teddy's Island and added a third site in the city that we would be happy to return to. Theodore Roosevelt helped to expand the National Park Service and for that we are forever grateful. We think of him every summer when we travel, and try to live a lifestyle that promotes conservation and ecological awareness. 

our friend teddy

Our time in the DC area ended with some time with friends. We had a great lunch with our former country director from Peace Corps and then made our way north to Baltimore (which took far longer than it should have - really, city people, if you have public transportation, use it!) to visit friends that we met during Peace Corps. It was a nice way to break away from the overstimulation of the city.

from our wanderings at ARTSCAPE in baltimore

maine

It doesn't seem to matter where we travel or what we do, Maine always tops our list of favorite places on earth. There is something about the gnarly mountain trails, the cool ocean breezes, and the calm and quirky way of life that just makes Maine feel like home, no matter how long we have been gone for.

We began our Maine adventure at Grafton Notch State Park. There is a loop trail that goes through the park and some private land that is just fantastic (and aptly named the Grafton Loop Trail). The park also encompasses approximately 20 miles of the Appalachian Trail (AT). This park provides us with grueling work and wondrous views. The mister took the opportunity to "run" the loop trail (approximately 38 miles of gnarl) while I hiked portions of the AT and explored some sites within the park that we hadn't been to before. We also followed through on intentions that we have always had to buy sweet treats from the "pie lady" on Bear River Road. While the mister was still on the trails I picked up a blueberry-apple pie and a whoopee pie (which managed to disappear before Chris got back to the car, oops!). If you ever make it to the area, stop by and get yourself something delicious to eat! It's worth it!

screw auger falls

After our Grafton adventures we went south to Freeport. It was nice to wander around L.L. Bean's flagship store, but we have either refined our taste in outdoor gear or we have become frugal, because nothing caught our eyes for more than a passing glance. The town has changed since we were there last, with an influx of outlets. Thankfully our favorite pizza place in town is still going strong (it's been around for longer than the Bean). We had delicious eats and then meandered to Oxford to check out a New Balance tent sale (our taste in running shoes is pretty specific to NB and we walked away with three pairs of shoes and a couple of pairs of pants) before moving up the coast to Morrill. 

The midcoast holds a special place in our hearts after living there for a couple of years. We were able to catch up with friends, eat at our favorite restaurant, wander around downtown Belfast, enjoy a free big band concert in the street, and visit our wedding spot. There were too many people and places to visit in the time that we had there, but we made a pretty good go of things before moving up the coast a little further to Acadia National Park.

where the ocean becomes mountains

Acadia is the epitome of Maine for us. The mountains rise out of the ocean. The trails are welcoming yet require some grit to get to the good stuff. There are trees and water (not just the ocean, but lakes and ponds and streams) all around. There is something about Acadia that just sucks us in, and we honestly wouldn't be too sad to be sucked in and never released. We have been there in all seasons, and each season presents a different side of the park. This summer we were also able to explore a new side of the park - the carriage roads. We biked together for a day and then spent a day going our own pace and exploring different parts of the park. We have so many memories of the park, stories of our visits there that still make me smile, and this trip was special in its own right. Again, it was like going home. We have hiked every trail in the park system, and so we were able to go back to our favorites and rediscover why they were special to us in the first place. Hopefully it won't take us five years to get back.

riding on the carriage roads

we made it to the top of day mountain

enjoying sand beach

As all good things do, our time in Acadia came to an end. We returned to the midcoast and explored Camden Hills State Park, had great dinners and conversations with friends, and revisited the bakery that made our wedding cake. It may have come a little early, but an anniversary slice of carrot cake from 3 Dogs Cafe was heavenly. And then, just like that, we were driving out of the state on a rainy Wednesday Morning.

bass harbor light house

new york

Start spreading the news... I'm leaving today... I want to be a part of it... New York, New York

New York was a week full of family and fun (and a little bit of friend time too). Our time in the big city (of Canandaigua, not New York City) was spent with great food, fantastic conversation, and a bit of exploration and adventure. We hiked to waterfalls, did some trail running in the rain, stayed up late, talked about everything under the sun, soaked up family time, and even managed to relax a little bit.

On Saturday we stayed up late talking. On Sunday we climbed on waterfalls and walked through streams. On Monday we surprised my Gramma Dilli and Grandpa Bill. On Tuesday we caught up with a variety of friends. On Wednesday we went for a bike ride and made enchiladas for dinner. On Thursday we ran in the rain, went kayaking, and met up with the Hansen side of the family. On Friday we celebrated the Fourth of July at the lake. On Saturday we celebrated my grandparents' 60th anniversary and 80th birthdays. And on Sunday we were on the road again.

waterfalls!

surprise!

riding bikes in the rain

kayaking

hansen family gathering

celebrating gramma and grandpa

it's not a family get together until there are wheelbarrow races

my family!

The week flew by. There is only so much that you can squeeze into one week, but I think that we managed to get a lot done. Granted we didn't get to see everyone that we would have liked to have seen or do all that we would have liked to have done, but we had an amazing time. And, the Maine woods were calling our names.

ohio

Before we left for Peace Corps we were on a road trip that resulted in our stumbling across Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. We talked to some rangers, some fellow park visitors, and visited Brandywine Falls. The biggest thing that we learned during this visit was that we needed to return to the park with our bikes one day. This summer provided us with that opportunity! 

We arrived at the park in the early afternoon and went to get camping sorted out. Camping didn't work out for us the last time we were at the park, this time was no different. While we had talked about making reservations for one of the FIVE (that's right, there are only five sites in this park - if you're planning a visit make reservations in advance or plan on coughing up the dough for a nice bed and breakfast) sites in the park, we failed to follow through. Therefore, we spent the afternoon wandering around the park, found a nice shelter where Chris submitted the last of his grad school work, and then went for a nice little run. When night fell we returned to the park's parking lot and had our second night in the car in a row. While not the greatest place to sleep it did mean that we were up with the sun and could take full advantage of our time in the park.

Since we are relatively new to biking as a means of recreation, it takes us a little longer to get sorted out and rolling. We checked air pressure in tires, filled water bottles and bladders, packed snacks, chatted with a few fellow adventurers, and were finally on our way. Cuyahoga Valley follows roughly 20 miles of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal that stretches from Akron to Cleveland. The towpath is a great place to ride bikes (and run, considering the abundance of running groups we crossed paths with throughout the morning) and it is easy to forget that there are major urban centers very close by. We rode over 40 miles during our visit and also managed to spend some time at the local farmer's market, enjoy the wetlands, and explore the Canal Exploration Center. 

As our day came to a close we hopped in the car and made our way to New York.  

missouri

We began our Missouri adventures at George Washington Carver National Monument. We went in expecting to learn more about the "Peanut Man" and were pleasantly surprised by the incredible life that this man led. From being raised as a slave at the end of the Civil War to teaching individuals how to become self-sustaining, G.W. Carver made a difference in the lives of others. It was simply by chance and an itch for adventure that we were able to learn more about his life, principles, and practice.

on the carver trail

on the carver trail

george washington carver

After leaving Diamond, we drove to Van Buren where we settled in for a couple of days at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Our time in Van Buren was filled with trips to Big Spring, exploring the few trails that were available, riding our bikes, and floating on the Current River. We had a great campsite, even if a tree branch did find its way through our rainfly and tent one afternoon while we were out exploring. With a little bit of duct tape and seam sealer we made a patch that kept the rain out; with some packing tape we made a patch that kept the bugs out. It was a great couple of days and we fell in love with Missouri.

nothing a little duct tape won't fix

floating on the current

big spring 

big spring

big spring

butterflies were everywhere

big spring in action (13,000 liters per second)

everyone needs a good accidental photo

something in-between a trail run and a hike

Our time in Missouri did come at the end of our summer grad school course, and so we did need to spend one day putting adventure on hold (for the most part). We found a great little public library in Farmington where we wrote our final papers for the summer. Then we found that we could squeeze a little adventure into the day and drove up to St. Louis for a trip to the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. We ended what began as a subdued day in the library with a trip 630 feet up into the arch and with a walk through the Museum of Westward Expansion.

the arch

us outside of the arch

a long way up

us inside of the arch

With nighttime upon us, we began our drive to the next adventure. Nighttime driving inevitably means a night in the car as opposed to the tent, but once again, it means we're up and moving first thing in the morning. Check back soon for our adventures in Ohio!

summer [the beginning]

This summer the mister and I were blessed with five weeks of travel, family, and friends. We made it to and/or through 23 states in that time and had uncountable adventures. From New Mexico to Maine and back again, the only thing that would have made it better was more time, more hours in a day, and perhaps a few more naps (so that we could have adventured harder!). 

We began our journey on June 22, leaving home a little later than usual so that we could get Blake's for breakfast on our way out of town. We drove through the panhandle of Texas, which has the best rest stops I have ever been to, and into Oklahoma. We visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial which was unlike any other memorials that we have visited in the past. The biggest difference is that this was the first memorial that we have visited that was built to remember something that has happened in our lifetime. We may have been young at the time, but we could both recall, at the very least, media coverage of the bombing. It was a rather humbling way to begin the summer. At the same time it was inspiring to see how the community responded and how they continue to respond through events such as the Memorial Marathon each year.

We come here to remember
those who were killed, those who survived
and those changed forever.
May all who leave here know the impact of violence.
May this memorial offer comfort, strength,
peace, hope and serenity.

1 of 163 in the field of chairs

gates of time

memorial fence

children's area

After our time at the memorial we went to meet up with a host through couchsurfing. Unfortunately the timing of our meet up did not work out and so we pulled up a parking space at a nearby shopping center for the night. The good thing about sleeping in the car is that you get moving rather quickly in the mornings. There is no packing to do and therefore you can simply wake up and drive.

And drive we did, on to more adventures. Stay tuned for the details!