Lots of pictures coming your way….
But shoot, so it’s been about six, maybe seven weeks since I last posted. And these past weeks have been nothing short of eventful. Seriously, it’s been a roller coaster. Last time I wrote, I was in Peabody working at the Cheesecake Factory, and well, that’s done with now. I finished just before Labor Day weekend. I left about two weeks sooner than I had originally planned. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I have worked in several restaurants, and I’ve never experienced a place so horrible. The evil that is hiding underneath some of the workers there. Don’t get me wrong, I met some wonderful people that I went kayaking and fishing with, but many others have some serious demons.
Beside having some insanely absurd rumors completely made up about me, the attitude that was given off by these catty girls, who I earlier thought were good people, just drove me out. I did absolutely nothing to have pissed them off besides be myself. I’m this harmless bubbly girl who just wants to laugh and be friendly with everyone, and apparently I crossed some territorial line that made them feel they had to piss all over to guard me out. Aside from that, I also ended up crossing paths with some cowardly, shameless liars in the process. I made money but overall, it gave me more stress than I needed to endure. That’s not what this trip is about. I don’t have space in my life for drama or negativity. I’m trying to RID my life of that and find new ways to channel being positive, and being in the eye of the shit storm wasn’t helping. So I gave them notice that straight up, I was quitting. I’m sorry ccf, but I’m not about that life.
So a week after the Red Sox game (while I was still working at the cheese) I decided to head back into Boston. I was interested in checking out the gardens and the Sam Adams Brewery, and so I did. I walked around Newbury Street, smelled some amazing flowers, saw some amazing sights, window shopped, and awed as the T mazed its way around the city. It amazes me just how everything connects, and how the subway system is all underground, beneath your feet on Commonwealth Ave or as you sit at your desk in the Prudential. It always has, and will continue to astonish me–the old architecture and functional structure of the subway. I met up with my high school friend for dinner and some drinks, and ended up getting a $75 parking ticket while I was out. The unfortunate costs of the city I suppose…
A few days later, I ended meeting up with an old girlfriend from elementary school! Last time I saw her, we were probably no older than 11. She was in the area, and we decided to hang out at the beach and enjoy some sun. The planes were flying super low right overhead, making their way into Boston. But it made for a beautiful day and catching up was great. I had gone a few days without a shower, so I told her to excuse me while I jumped into the ocean and (in a bathing suit) lathered myself up with my Camp Suds and washed my hair, allowing the sun to dry me off.
After I quit working, I knew I couldn’t stay any longer. I met up with some old friends from high school, at separate times, but both named Jay. I went to the Isles of Shoals with one, and went back out to Durham, NH with the other. I had previously been to to the Smuttynose Brewery and wrote about it in one of my posts earlier, but Jay wanted to go and so there I went. After hanging with him for a couple days, I went back up to spend Labor Day Weekend (LDW) with my dad, since it would probably be the last time I’d see him for quite a while.
Isles of Shoals and Portsmouth Botanical Gardens, Above.
Durham Adventures, Below.
My dad and I just relaxed for the long weekend; spent some time in the garden together, and I tested out the pickles he canned a month prior… they were amazing! We went apple picking together, something I haven’t done for many, many years, and I also was able to catch up with some extended family too. Both my dad and mom pitched in and bought me tires as an early Christmas gift. They should get me around another 30,000 miles, hopefully!
I was getting anxious and itchy feet, so I decided to pack up and head back out, after clearing my dad’s blackberry bushes and making myself a nice snack for the road. I drove through Boston and headed down into Cape Cod, heading straight to the only place I really knew, Kalmus Beach in Hyannis. My mom spent her summers there as a kid, and my dad has videos of him and her married, before I was born, sunbathing and enjoying themselves on the soft, white sand.
I sought out a camp ground in the northern part of the cape, and set up camp for two nights. I went to watch the sunset on the beach, and it just calmed my soul. I wrapped myself up in my red tapestry, and watched as the sun painted the sky an equal color.
The next day, I ventured up to Provincetown, at the very tip of the Cape, where you can be as unorthodox as you want to, but as long as you’re nice, you’re accepted. I came at just the right time–on a Tuesday, after all the traffic and crowds from LDW had their fill of the seascapes and headed back onto the mainland. Provincetown was quite beautiful and very colorful, in more ways than one. Known for being artsy and gay friendly, the atmosphere and mood was so delightful to be around. Everyone was beyond friendly, and I just felt comfortable for the first time in a while.
Elsewhere on the Cape, before I crossed the bridge west, I spent some time with distant relatives. I visited with my (get this) mother’s cousin, and met her husband, Mick, who’s a writer and is in the process of publishing his third book. Over dinner, we discussed a whole slew of topics, but I was interested in knowing more about book publishing and how to go about it. He liked my idea of traveling, and when I ran the idea by him that I’d like to write a book, he loved it, and encouraged me. So if I’ve been slacking with my blog writing, it’s because I’m spending some more time focusing on a book, which is going to include a LOT more information, and be more detailed.
I ended my time on the Cape with a trip to the aquarium in Falmouth, and then to Martha’s Vineyard with a friend I made from the local Cape Cod brewery. We took the day ferry over as passengers and discovered some good food and beer along the way, and enjoyed the weather that day had given us.
After spending time on the Cape, I traveled to Newport, RI where I accidentally (but I believe it was by fate) ran into my cousin’s cousin. Ponder that for a second. My father’s brother’s wife’s sister’s son. Or my cousin’s cousin, but I’m not blood related. Anyway, he invited me over to spend Sunday watching football with him and his housemates, which of course I accepted, and had an absolute blast. He had a three story house with a rooftop deck overlooking the harbor. Watching the sunset with an ice cold rum and coke in my hand was a moment that will be hard for me to forget. It was breathtaking. While I was in Newport, I also had the chance to catch up with a friend of mine from Florida who was spending his summer (and supposedly now the winter) in the area. He showed me the Newport nightlife and took me to a local hangout spot where I had a stuffed quahog with sausage–they call them “stuffies”. And they were delicious!
After Newport, I headed up to Cumberland, RI (the northern part) and had dinner with my Dad’s side of the family, and slept in a big, comfortable bed and had a nice hot shower. The stay was short lived, but I enjoyed catching up with them nonetheless.
I met up with my friend in New Jersey who was visiting from Florida. Coincidentally, on my way, I drove through New York City on September 11, and went over the George Washington Bridge where they were flying the American flag high overhead. It’s had to believe it was 13 years ago–half my life ago–and there are some kids who are in school now that don’t remember or weren’t even born yet to have witnessed the disaster. It’s baffling.
After visiting with my friend from Florida, I bounced around other parts of New Jersey, seeing my college roommate, Michelle, and a high school girlfriend, Meridith, both of whom’s families were super welcoming and hospitable while I stayed with them. Thank you again! I enjoyed the laughs and warmth you provided for me during my travels.
After my time in New Jersey, my travels took me to Pennsburg, PA, about a half hour south of Allentown. I stayed an old high school friend of mine who teaches math at a boarding school. We spent the weekend playing lacrosse and Mario Kart, drinking cold beer, and eating at the different restaurants in town. It turns out, you can only purchase beer at a bar, unless you are looking to buy a case, in which they have actual stores dedicated to that. He also lives close by to a chocolate factory, so every night I would fall asleep smelling brownies and hot fudge.
Finally, I had to leave and go to the one place that has been on my mind more than anything in my life; the one place that i can call home and be so comfortable with it. The town I left my heart in… and I have come back to retrieve it. Ithaca, you are my love; you have been so good to me… I’m excited to breathe you in and fill my lungs with the sweet smell of autumn that you have given me for five years. I need you back in my life, and I can’t wait.
BLONDIE WANDERS... 