joy

When you read a lot, certain places can become somewhat mythical in your mind. Years later when you finally go to these places in real life, they either delight you by exceeding your expectations or disappoint you by being far…

Quick Facts: Miles traveled: 70 Hotel: Richelieu Hotel in the French District of New Orleans Gas prices in the last four states: Roughly $2.89 Landscapes: Spindly trees and swamps, yet somehow still pretty Disappointments: Not getting to go on a…

I wanted to go to Austin because of Reality Bites. I loved that movie in high school–Winona Ryder smoking cigarettes in her Austin apartment, hanging out with her cool friends, dealing with crisis of conscience like should she date Michael,…

Here’s how: The sky is insanely big: At one point we were watching a sunset that went on 360 degrees around us. It was like being under a dome of sunset. Sample picture: The grass is insanely green: Really, it’s…

Quick Facts: Distance traveled: 235 miles Hotel: Garrett’s Desert Inn, which has a hotel shaped like a chile pepper Number of Torrential Downpours: Two Dinner: Ore House, featuring Southwestern fare Souvenirs purchased: Two pretty bowls and a beaded barrette Santa…

Quick Facts: Distance Traveled: 436 miles Lunch: Cracker Barrel, Kyle’s favorite restaurant Books Listened To: Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson Altitude: 6,000 feet Scary Thunderstorms Traveled Through: One Hotel: Red Roof Inn in Gallup, New…

Quick Facts: Distance Traveled: 601 miles Temperature: Hot with weird hot wind Hotel: The Stratosphere, the one shaped like a space needle Dinner: A surprisingly good sea bass at the Luxor, the one shaped like a pyramid The drive over…

Starting Saturday, Kyle and I will be embarking on our cross-country vacation. It’s planned to last from September 15-October 3. Here is the basic route again: We will be visiting the following states: California Nevada Arizona New Mexico Texas Louisiana…

In between all the things I am doing right now, I managed to harvest my garden. It was a little disappointing this year–stunted tomatoes, bolting radishes, weird problems with the zucchini, etc.–but there is still more food from it than…