Austin oasis

I spent an afternoon with Pickle, wandering the fitness trail that runs along Lake Austin. Sporting opportunities abound, and the path gives a great sense of the city's toned and tan flavor.

...and a beer to finish it off.

Learn more about the trail at http://www.townlaketrail.org/

Another day, another beach

Today: Pacific Beach, San Diego. It is vibrant and athletic with runners, surfers, and sunrise meditators. It is also dog friendly before 9 a.m. and then in the evening. These early morning Pickle-walk pictures speak for themselves.

p.s. Today I begin the drive east - Tuscan by tonight!

The master plan

This is what my cross country drive looks like:

The West Coast has been lovely but today I leave my friend Anna and her lovely family in LA to head eastward. Stops will include:

1. San Diego to visit an old high school friend, Ben, and his girlfriend, Loren

2. Tuscan to stay with the mother and step-dad of a good friend in NYC, Mark

3. Austin to stay with my friend college pal and travel-mate, Jessica, along with her little family

4. Martinsville, VA to see and stay with the parents of my beloved

5. Brooklyn, NY to get a big hug from my boyfriend

I am so ready for it.

Point Mugu Beach

After the second night in a Motel 6, I was ready to get outside and hit the beach. I pointed the car down the coast from Ventura,  and ended up at a dramatic setting with beautiful breakers that literally knocked me off my feet: Point Mugu Beach right along the Pacific Coast Highway. The beach is dog friendly but leash laws are actively enforced. $8 parking fee.

Point Mugu State Park

9000 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

http://goo.gl/maps/2um0t

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=630

Who lives here?!

A loner by the look of it. 

...Somewhere in Nebraska

Driving day 3

No profound thoughts here... Just thank God for 75 mph speed limit going through the heartland. What they say is true: Nebraska is one long slog and I haven't had cell phone reception since Omaha. It does help me conceive of our country's vastness. And the vastness of corn.

Motel 6, Rock Spring, WY

PLUS: Doggie friendly!

MINUS: This counts as a locked door!

It pretty much evens out.

Downtown Omaha

...is actually pretty happening. Who knew? It is a little city with heart and style that The Newspaper of Record hasn't blown up with hype. However, based on my quick cruise around with Pickle before finding a camp spot for the night, it is hype-worthy.

Omaha seems like a little slice of Brooklyn tucked away in the midwest, with old warehouses converted to chic restaurants and other old-is-new type places. I'll look forward to spending a couple of days here and getting to know it better when I'm not doing a straight shot across America. Here are some quick pics:

A hip antique mall

 Kitch!

Microbrews!

Iowa.

The air smells sweet and fresh. It's lovely in a way. Pickle seems to like it, too.

Today I begin to drive across the country

It is about 2800 miles from New York City to Joseph, Oregon. Pickle did not want to leave Nathan's apartment this morning. Usually he spins and jumps as we head for the door. But he had already seen the bags and bike go downstairs and just sat in the middle of the living room instead. 

Poor guy, it is hard to leave, but I think we will be back sooner than he knows.

Tip: guesting

Arriving empty-handed as a houseguest is a no-no. To insure a happy welcome (and an invite back) make sure you show up with SOMETHING... For my next stop I'm bringing a baby aloe from me and a some farm-fresh cucumbers from Pickle. Easy.

Everywhere has something

Ever heard of Wilkes-Berre? Neither had I, and I was fully prepared to write it off as a do-nothing town near a third-rate city with nothing to offer other than a place to rest my head. But as I left my hotel, resigned to finding some sort of fast-food breakfast and get out of Dodge, I found that a bustling farmer's market had popped up over night.

The Wilke-Berre Farmer's Market is full of cheap, fresh produce, vibrant vendors, and has a live entertainment schedule all summer. I ended up spending the morning wandering the stalls and meeting lots of friendly people (with Pickle's help).

Instead of departing Wikes-Berre with a grumbly tummy, I had a locally farmed breakfast and a dose of understanding that sometimes just a little patience is needed before a place will reveal itself. Visit http://www.wilkes-barre.pa.us/farmersm.php for the Wilkes-Berre, PA Farmer's Market and live entertainment schedule.

Now that I carry my belongings in the back of my station wagon, I feel like a hoarding turtle.

Save 5pointz!

5pointz is NYC's most incredible site for graffiti art, organized and curated by graffiti artists. There is currently a push to make 5Pointz a NYC Landmark in order to stave off its destruction to make room for MORE CONDOS in Long Island City Queens.

Go check it out before they smash it down, and sign the petition to make it a landmark!


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Puddle at Sam's Point, Catskills, NY

Tom Petty at Beacon Theater, NYC

Themes of starting anew stood out most of all among the songs Tom Petty played on last night. I am finding affirmation of my plans all over. Basically, Tom Petty is a badass and that's all I'm going to say about that. The Beacon is a trip of a venue with lots of original art deco decor and ginormous gilt statues.
















More after the JUMP!