Ready, Set, GO!

When leaving Massachusetts I had about 1400 miles before I needed to get the oil changed on the car. Knowing that I would be driving in weather that is very unlike the weather in the Northeast, I decided to wait until hitting the South.

On our final day in Soddy-Daisy I took the car to the local Wal-Mart for an oil change.

Pulling up to the service bay, there were 3 young men standing around and not a car in sight. I figured there wouldn't be much of a wait and was right.

The first young man, with short black hair, approached the car and asked me if I was in need of an oil change. "Yep, am I in the right place?" He looked the car over and notice, I'm assuming for the first time, the out of state plates. "You're a long way from home!"

"I know - I'm visiting with some friends before heading West on a road trip. I'd like to get the Premium Performance oil change with synthetic oil."

"Well" said a young man with long blond hair "Do you know what kind of synthetic you'd prefer?"

"Um, since you guys are the experts here, you tell me. I'm going to be driving across Southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona so the weather is going to be really quite warm. I want something that's going to stand up to the heat."

"Then you need the best!" said the last young man wearing a dirty ball cap.

"Okay, and what would that be?"

"You don't watch NASCAR do you?" he scoffed.

"Um, not really." I laughed.

"Wotchew need is royal purple. It's the official oal of the NASCAR circuit. Yep, royal purple is what you need."

"Well, royal purple it is then."

I thought the guy in the ball cap was going to jump and clap his hands as he ran toward the store to pick out my highly important Royal Purple oil.

(Now imagine this entire conversation in the heaviest good ole boy southern accent possible.)

Anyway this is the reason Meg and I are now referring to our trip as "The NASCAR Circuit or America!"

Royal Purple in deed!

Nashville

While existing in the cell phone free zone that is Soddy-Daisy, Miss USA abandoned her husband and child for a day of debauchery in Nashville with us. Okay, maybe not so much debauchery as all that, but we had a good time. Miss USA enjoyed a day being baby-talk free and we got to see some amazing musical talent.

We first stopped at the Country Music Hall of Fame (Of course, this is ME after all) where I proceeded to forget my camera in the car. Brilliant, I know!

The main exhibit was dedicated to the Williams family (Hank, Hank Jr. and Hank III) and their exploits over the years.

There were some amazing classic vehicles on display. One such (Miss USA got a picture of it so maybe she'll let me borrow it) was a classic vehicle once owned by Elvis which was painted a creamy, pearly white. The placard next to the vehicle informed us that the paint was custom made from diamond dust and fish scales.

Yuck.

It sure was perrty though.

From the museum we went to Broadway.



While on Broadway we went into a little bar called Layla's that Miss USA had been to before. Inside we listened to an amazingly talented group of men.



I guess the name of this group is Jim Hampton and the Hamptones but the lead was being carried by Darren Dixon. These guys were very entertaining and could play just about anything that you threw at them - well, if it were a broad enough request like 'play something with lyrics'. haha. No, seriously, they rocked out some classics like Lynyrd Skynyrd or some newer songs by Dirks Bentley.



The second band to play was Jypsi. I was trying to find one of their songs called "Mr. Officer" which was hilarious but couldn't. Anyway, they are some wonderfully talented musicians. Their stage presence seemed a little weak though - they were too busy talking amongst themselves to interact with the audience much.



We also, while in Nashville found some fun little shops to explore. Here Meg and Miss USA are trying on disguises. (And no, we didn't read the no photos until after purchase sign until after the photo.) I think these were at the Willie Nelson Museum gift shop.



Which is located, conveniently enough, in.....



Okay, maybe not IN but next door to the museum dedicated to Hazard County's most notorious citizens, the Dukes of Hazard! *swoon*



And parked right out front was the General Lee himself. I was a little giddy but Miss USA took my picture and I snapped a few of the car myself. Then, in honor of Roscoe P. Coltrain we assumed the position.



All in all I loved Nashville - the people were nice and entertainment was plentiful.

I did have one problem while here in Tennessee, it has been really difficult not to pick up a Southern accent. Maybe it's in my genes, maybe it just sounds natural to my ear - but not wanting people to think the chick from Massachusetts is mocking them, I have to really think about HOW I am speaking around here. Never had that problem in New England, so it's been interesting.

Where cell phones go to die...

From DC we made our way to Miss USA's house. Now, she's not really Miss USA, but that's her code name to help her maintain her anonymity so you guys don't take advantage of her incredible generosity and just show up looking for room and board. You know, like we did.

Anyway, Miss USA and her hubby Tommy-boy have little baby Chubbers who is the cutest little bug in the world. Don't believe me? Ha! Fools. Just take a gander...











See! Cute little bug and growing right before our eyes. Seriously, on our last day I went to get the oil changed on the car and when I left he had 6 teeth. Upon my return he had 7. Seven! Just up and sprouted a new tooth in a matter of an hour and a half.

What a kid!

We got to spend plenty of time playing with Chubbers and visiting with Miss USA and Tommy-boy. In preparation for our arrival Miss USA decided to go insane and bake lemon-blueberry muffins, zucchini and cinnamon muffins, bread, homemade pasta with sausage and cheese sauce and other goodies. That woman loves to cook and, well, I am more than happy to let her.

The first morning she made stuffed french toast with homemade blueberry syrup.

I KNOW! Why did we ever leave?

We got to chit-chat, watch some awesome classic movies (Hello Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, it's been a long time!) and be part of the Nielsen rating system because they are a Nielsen family! It was our DUTY to watch television to ensure quality programming like House, Bones, Family Guy and Charmed stay in constant repeat on TBS or TNT. You're welcome. We worked hard for you because we are helpers!

What we did NOT do while in Soddy-Daisy was blog or use our cell phones. Why? Because there wasn't any cell coverage to speak of anywhere in Soddy. Also? The only wifi was stolen from the neighbors house. And normally I don't have any issue using a wifi connection if it's left unsecured - if you don't want to provide wifi for the whole neighborhood, learn how to password protect your router. If you don't, well, people like me will use it.

Until Miss USA introduced me to the Desperate Housewife next door (Edie all the way). She seemed a little too botoxed and siliconed to be sane and I didn't want to cause trouble for Miss USA should she actually be tech savvy and follow my Internet trail.

Now we're in Memphis and using the hotel wifi all legal like, so we can blog. (ehem - WE... Meg's been the silent partner but I think that may change.)

Still have to organize my pictures from Nashville (which I loved) and as soon as I do, I'll get the story written and posted.

(Also, my spell check recognizes wiki but not wifi or wi-fi what is that about?)

Arlington National Cemetery; Where Valor Rests

On our final day in DC we visited Arlington National Cemetery. As we entered the grounds from the visitor parking area we passed a set of signs like this:



I thought it a no-brainer but as we walked and toured the cemetery, watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and visited the Kennedy family grave site it became apparent just how necessary these signs are.

Sure it's interesting to see such famous landmarks, but allowing your kids to behave like they're in Disneyland by crawling around, climbing on or jumping over fences isn't exactly appropriate.

Seeing the seemingly endless rows of tombstones is a sobering experience. Having to listen to chattering children who obviously haven't had the silence and respect policy explained to them is not exactly pleasant.

One family (4 kids and parents) managed quite well. Since the grounds are so large, there are trams available that bring visitors to the most popular attractions while a narrator gives information and interesting facts about the areas passed by or through. While waiting for the tram the kids sat quietly in the shade of a tree and the dad played a quiet game with them.

He asked them to take turns naming birds, which they each did. One of the older kids said "Blue bird", the father said good job and asked a little boy, obviously a younger sibling who said "Robin" followed by the dad offering praise. Then one of the youngest, a small girl, said "Car bird" with much enthusiasm and clapping of hands. The dad laughed, said nice try but no dice. Unfazed, the little girl began naming off other birds that exist in her world, regardless if they exist in ours. The tram arrived and we went on deeper into the cemetery.



Each of the tombstones are four feet of white marble, 2 feet above and 2 feet below ground. Any soldier interred at Arlington receives one of these markers unless the family pays for a larger headstone or other type of grave marker.

The arrangement of the markers is meant to reflect the formation of soldiers standing at attention. As we rode the tram or strolled along the paths, the hills were covered with these markers as far as we could see. One of the tram narrators said that there are over 600 acres at Arlington and over 200,000 soldiers interred there.



One of the narrators informed us that the grounds once belonged to Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army. Or rather, his wife. After the start of the Civil War there was a $97 tax levied against the property. Not wanting to venture through enemy territory General Lee refused to pay the tax. His wife suffered from severe arthritis and couldn't make the journey to pay it either. The land was seized and turned into Arlington National Cemetery where soldiers from the Civil War, both Union and Confederate, are buried. Of course, due to the inaccurate records kept at the time, many are without names.



The Kennedy family grave site was, of course, one of the most popular stops for visitors. The tram emptied as we made our way up the hill to the eternal flame. I don't know what I was expecting but it was different than what was in my minds eye. Simpler maybe, but no less moving.



The Tomb of the Unknowns, also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, is amazing. The changing of the guard is a must see when visiting. It's nothing as grand or ornate as the guard change at Buckingham Palace. This guard change is one of honor and duty, not ceremony and showmanship.



The crowd was nearly silent during the exchange of duty. The faint clicking of cameras the only sound aside from the orders shouted by the guards and the clicking of their heels.



Looking up as we were leaving the cemetery the clouds began to gather and darken. Rain was imminent and only held off long enough for us to make it to the car.

The pattering rain drops on the windshield echoing the sound of taps as a funeral procession passed us on its way to Arlington National Cemetery to say good bye to a fallen hero.

We have been fortunate with the weather during this trip. As we left Philadelphia the rain began and so it is as Washington DC filled our rear view mirror.

Washington DC (Part B)

After our visit to the various war memorials we decided it would be fun to check out the Smithsonian. It was a decent walk from our resting spot in the park, but what the heck, we could use some exercise!

The sun was warm but a nice breeze was constant company on our walk. We really have been exceedingly lucky with the weather on our trip. Thanks to liberal applications of sunscreen we have also managed to escape having our pasty-white skin turn a painful shade of crimson.

Anyway, we strolled along Independence Avenue to 12th Street SW where the Smithsonian Castle stood (it's a beautiful building and grounds) surrounded by museums, galleries and flowers.





The plants near the main entrance were beautifully arranged and, though I enjoy plants, I don't recall ever seeing one with white leaves before. Variegated leaves of green and white, but never a plant where some leaves are white while others are green. It was beautiful with its orange blossoms.



Inside it was cool and quiet. We found a little room off of the main gallery to explore, regroup and rest. There were so many things to look at it was difficult to determine where to start. So naturally I started with the ceiling.



The ceiling was magnificent. Really something you'd expect to see in the Louvre or Buckingham Palace. I guess it IS a castle, and as castles go having an ornate ceiling isn't that unusual, right? I'm not a castle expert so I wouldn't know.



Making our way through displays we came across this:



American Idol has a display inside the Smithsonian. Really? I guess I shouldn't have been surprised by this - many of the more popular stops along our various tours were only popular because they were featured in a movie or television show.

From the Smithsonian complex we decided that we'd seen enough and it was time to head back to Arlington VA for dinner and a good nights sleep.

The subway picks up just down from where we were so we hopped on the train not realizing it was rush hour. The Smithsonian stop, apparently, isn't a big commuter stop but as the train progressed through the city we found ourselves surrounded by people, many of whom didn't look too thrilled to be there.



At one stop I watched an older woman enter the train and upon finding all seats occupied braced herself against the train wall for the ride. She stood, several rows ahead of where Meg and I were, through two stops.

Two stops where people continued to push onto the already overfilled train.

At the third stop, which may have been a connecting station from the amount of people that exited, a seat across the train opened up.

Several of the standing passengers gave way to this woman so she could make her way to the bench.

That's when someone began loudly yelling 'Move! Excuse ME! Move!' as he plowed his not inconsiderable bulk through the train making a bee-line for that empty seat.

He made it before the woman and plopped down with an exasperated sigh.

The woman was gracious and just shrugged her shoulders, laughed and went back to her standing position.

That man was so absorbed in his own desire to sit he didn't even notice why people were trying to block him from accessing that seat.

He sat there for the duration of our ride, in his little orb of self involvement, angry and alone on a train full of people.

I stood, watching, as several people judged this man for taking that seat - while they were seated comfortably. They shot him angry looks and muttered disapproval rather than offer up their own seat. The opportunity to perform an act of kindness was eclipsed by the opportunity to judge someone else for doing what they determined to be wrong.



Sometimes we need to take off our own blinders and not just see, but look, at those around us. We need to take the time to not just hear, but listen to ourselves and others. We spend way too much time on this planet with strangers to not take the 5 or 10 seconds required to exchange pleasantries or even quick smiles.

Everyone on that train had a frown on their face and the realization that I have spent a good portion of my 34 years doing the same thing made me sad.

The elderly lady exited at the next station no worse for wear while we continued on our way to Pentagon City. We had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and took dessert back to our room.

The next morning we made our way through Arlington National Cemetery but that's another post for another day. I think I hear breakfast being made downstairs and we need to get on the road to Music City USA....

Happy Birthday!

So Meg is now officially 26 years old.

We celebrated here at Libby's in Soddy-Daisy with chocolate cake and silly string.

Really, you should see the house. It's a pretty mix of yellow, green and blue foamy string.

Crazy.



Today we're off to Nashville. I'm really excited to see what it has to offer - maybe a star sighting or two (haha!).

We don't really have any plans for what to see, it's going to be kind of a 'fly by the seat of your pants' kind of day trip.

Washington DC (Part Uno)

We started out the day with breakfast here at the Best Western Pentagon, then took the hotel shuttle to the Pentagon City station. I know how much parking can cost in Boston and didn't want to find out how much more it is here in DC.

The subway ride was uneventful, the cars larger than those we're accustomed to on the T. Since it was outside of rush hour there were seats available and few people standing during the short ride to McPherson station.

Upon exiting we were a little confused about where, exactly, the White House was located. There are signs intended, I suppose, to help visitors find the historic and political landmark, but they are inadequate. The White House visitor center was indicated on one sign to be down the road on our left (which we followed) but at the next intersection the sign was inexplicably moved to the other side telling us the visitor center was now behind us. No markings on the buildings indicated we had passed it, so we just uttered a kind "WTF? Washington, get it together!" and moved on.

As we were walking down, well, I can't remember the names of the roads so I'll draw you a map:



This is the route we took around the city, more or less, as we explored the monuments, memorials and parks.

Now, back to our big first encounter. We were walking alongside the White House (though we didn't know it at the time) we came upon a road block. There were police stopping all vehicle and pedestrian traffic for, to us, no apparent reason.

Being the stellar tourist that I am, I approached the nearest officer an asked him what was going on, hoping the large camera and clueless doe-eyed expression would give me away as a hapless tourist (which it did). He explained that they were awaiting the arrival of a dignitary.

Hmmmm. A dignitary? Not wanting to bother the officer further (and risk being arrested by all the men in suits with the little ear-pieces milling through the crowd (yes, Secret Service, you weren't so secret now were you?) I didn't ask any more questions.

Then the rumbling thunder of half a dozen motorcycles approached as the beginning of the entourage rounded the corner in front of us. The motorcade included a dozen or so executive sedans, limos and was rounded out by a good 5 or 6 black SUV's filled with official looking men or soldiers armed to the teeth. One of the SUV's had sniper type guys with huge rifles.

Meg also noticed one of the SUV occupants aiming a video camera at the crowds. Why, we can only guess. Maybe as security should something happen, you know for documentation should something happen.

Then the doors of the cars opened and a bald man was rushed into a tent covered entrance to the building.

I asked the officer if he knew who it was and he said it was the President of Iraq arriving for a meeting with the President.

Awesome.

From there we, entourageless and anonymous citizens that we are, proceeded to the East Executive entrance of the White House. No, we didn't try to go in, but we did try to peak - it's a no go, there are blacked buildings, partitions, walls and guards. The White Houses way of saying "Nothing to see here folks, move along, move along!".

As we skirted the gardens people began to peer excitedly through the shrubs and gates. Could there be a Presidential appearance on the lawns??



Nope, it was the dog. The First Dog Bo was having his afternoon walk through the gardens (not by the President or any of the First Family).

As we stood, taking pictures of the White House, a lady asked me to take a picture of her and her family. I happily agreed and asked her where she was visiting from.

York, England.

We joked that it was funny that we Americans go to London to gawk at Buckingham Palace and watch the changing of the guard while the British come here to gawk at the White House and all they get is the walking of the dog.



From the White House we made our way down to the memorials and monuments that we wanted to see up close and personal. The evening before we had taken a night time driving tour (for which I forgot my camera!!) of the area and monuments. DC at night is truly amazing and a must do if you visit.

Anyway, we explored the WWII memorial (where we took pictures of each of the pillars with the names of the states we'll be visiting), walked along the reflecting pool (can I just say disgusting! The water was a cloudy green and smelled AWFUL! I can't imagine how Forest Gump and Jenny waded through that muck), visited the Korean Memorial, Lincoln Monument and Vietnam Memorial. Very touching and not just a little sad to read the statistics of the lives lost.



I guess that WWI and WWII were so far set from the current generation that, although the loss of life in these wars was tragic and life changing for millions, the attitude surrounding these memorials was less reflective and more "Oh, cool fountain and design!". More jovial and touristy I guess. Most had grandparents or great-grandparents that served, but how well does one relate to something relegated to black and white movies or history books? Nazi's are villains in Indiana Jones movies for many of the kids walking along who have no real idea of what happened at the beginning of the Twentieth Century. There was a celebratory feel for the victory that was earned but no reverence for those that earned it.



In marked contrast, the feel at the Korean and Vietnam memorial was much, much more somber. People didn't really speak except in hushed tones. Many, I'm sure, having personally lost someone to these conflicts. Many, I'm sure, having personal memories of what it was like to serve overseas during these wars (or police actions, whatever, war is war).



As we walked along the Vietnam Memorial a Vietnam Veteran, an older man with a pronounced limp and curved spine, offered information and assistance to any that needed it. He wasn't a paid member of the parks service, just a Vet doing his best to help us remember those that were lost, many of whom were his friends. He walked end to end offering up his service to any who needed it.

In my head I compared him to the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery just a few miles from where we stood. That guard marches 21 steps, pauses for 21 seconds before marching 21 steps back, pausing for 21 seconds and doing it all over again, non stop. That guard is there as a tour of duty, of honor, to guard the missing and unknowns lost in battle. This veteran, this man, was doing the same but not for the missing and unknown, but for friends, family and loved ones of his, of mine and of yours.



After we had walked the length of the memorial we found a park bench in the shade to rest, reflect and regroup for the remainder of our tour. It is important, I think, to see these memorials not as a reminder of the conflict itself, but as a reminder of those that have died to keep our freedoms alive. It is sad that so many young Americans had to bleed for freedom, but as the inscription along the Korean memorial says:

Freedom Is Not Free

This statement has never been as real as it was standing amongst the seemingly endless list of names and statistics remembering those that paid the price for our freedom and for the pursuit of freedom abroad. Seeing the engraving on that black marble also made me very grateful that the names Caywood and Longbrake are not among them.

GPS = Comedian

This is our trip so far... almost...



It would be our trip so far if my GPS didn't have such a wicked sense of humor.
When I downloaded the updates I selected the preference to take the most direct route rather than opt for only highways.

This means that we take random exits because the mileage is lower than staying on the major highways.

This is fine until you realize that you're cutting through residential neighborhoods to catch the freeway that would have connected a few miles further from the road you were on in the first place.

Once, in Boston we were looking for a CVS and put a search in on the GPS. It found one a mile or so from where we were. It then plotted to make me insane.

We drove through neighborhoods, down narrow one way streets and, at one time, even through a private alley. Or so I thought. Maybe it was just a small, narrow, very short road.

Anyway.

We ended up at a CVS that I had forgotten was right behind the gym we went to every morning. Right around the corner from where we live. Rather than take the major streets which made an indirect route, it navigated us as the crow flies.

This is still how it is set. You can imagine the fun times we're having wondering just where in the hell it's taking us.

On our way here (in Arlington, VA), we got to see the suburbs and taste the traffic many of the people who commute daily feast upon.

Crazy folks. C.R.A.Z.Y.

Philadelphia, PA

I don't know what I was expecting. It certainly wasn't what we found.

Driving along the highway on our way to visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall was nothing like I had anticipated. Trees and shrubs densely lined the road on both sides like guardians of bright green and dappled sunshine. There are no billboards, no signs of life beyond the leaves and branches.

We left the hotel at 11:30, aiming to miss the morning traffic and make it into the city for lunch. Traffic was light and the sky a bright blue behind fluffy clouds of light grey. It was going to be a wonderful day to explore.

We found parking (Independence Hall parking garage is only $17 for the whole day!!) and made our way to the big ticket items, the Liberty Bell as it was housed in its protective enclosure and memorial hall in front of Independence Hall.



Both buildings surrounded by grass, trees, flowers and artfully arranged park benches. A beautiful and surprising arrangement. I imagine it's what the city planners in Boston are aiming for with the construction of the new Rose Kennedy Greenway.



Now, this next part may sound really touristy to some, because it is. We hopped aboard the Big Red Tour Bus. You know the ones I'm talking about, the double decker buses that hall tourists around the city while a guide provides plenty of delightful commentary about the important happenings around town.



We saw and learned a lot about the city of Brotherly Love... except why it's called the city of Brotherly Love...

Anyway...

The entrance to Chinatown was simply AMAZING! The guide said that in exchange for this ornate and beautiful gateway, Philadelphia sent its sister city in China a replica of the liberty bell. Yeah, it seemed like the Chinese were a little short changed in the deal.



Another of the hugely popular sites outlined along the tour was the Philadelphia Museum of Art (also frequently referred to as the "Rocky Steps"). There used to be a statue of Rocky at the top of the steps but was removed because it was a movie prop and not actually art. The statue was placed somewhere in the 'burbs but relocated to a grassy area just to the right of the steps because tourists kept asking for it.



After taking the tour (on which we met a lovely group of tourists from Kentucky, one of which was a State Representative. He seemed a little less than thrilled to learn that his beloved Blue Grass State was not on our touring agenda. His wife did explain at length that while the grass was NOT actually blue it did have a blue tinge if the landscaping was maintained at the highest standards).



We also saw some kids along Penn Landing (kids being a subjective term) on Rollerblades apparently attempting to disfigure or dismember themselves by jumping over guardrails they had moved to stairways. They had quite a following including a videographer, so the whole thing may be on YouTube or something.



Also? There are signs all along the river saying 'No Swimming'. Why they are necessary when the water is this brownish-puke color is beyond me.

So, that is Philadelphia in a nutshell.

Now on to DC.........