Today, the morning started off with a wonderful surprise: the owner came back to his house at 9:30 a.m.!
The scene he walked in upon was Erica making our tea and me in the bathroom brushing my teeth. He also stumbled upon our Neutra-Air, Febreeze, Glade, Snuggle dryer sheets, and Febreeze candles...not to mention sleeping bags on top of the bed (because we didn't want to touch the sheets) and clothes spilt just about everywhere. Welcome home!
Your house stinks and it's now a mess. Haha. I don't think Erica and I have packed faster than we did this morning. It was a whirlwind.
Erica was grabbing the candles and I was pulling dryer sheets out of every crevice of the house each time he walked to his car. It was hilarious... didn't get to finish our tea though.
That night, Erica and I stayed at her brother's house. Good times!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Boston!
After Scallop Day, Erica and I made plans for our trip to Boston, which leads me to.... BOSTON DAY!
One of my favorite days of our summer trip to be sure.
We left around 8:30 in the morning and parked at the Riverside Train Stop. The train system was extremely confusing for us. We were more dumbfounded over it than we were with New York's subway system.
I liked the feel of Boston. Very business-downtown, yet chill. We ended up wandering down the Freedom Trail into Ye Olde Union Oyster House - the oldest restaurant in America! They had really good cornbread at the restaurant... and Boston baked beans, but I have figured out that I'm not much of a seafood fan. I'm sure we had this amazing lobster ravioli and I was like... eh.
After we ate there, we ventured further into town and found the Modern Pastry. A local favorite for pastries. How could we resist? We ate cannolli. They were good, but I was so full it was a literal stretch to make them fit in my stomach.
Erica and I then went to have Jesus time in this nice little section of town, but it wasn't very conducive to reading, se we left.
We walked through Quincy Market and got some postcards.
Next the USS Constitution! We began following the Freedom Trail through town, which led us to all these old, historical buildings we knew nothing about.
We wound up and down town and ended up at this visitor's center. The line stopped. I felt like I was in Alice in Wonderland. The dog swept away the trail!
We went into the visitor's center and found out we had been going the wrong way down the trail!
So...Erica and I cheated and took the subway to the exit closest to the ship. We walked across the bridge with thousands of jellyfish floating in the waters below. My worst nightmare.
Then, we walked to Charleston Harbor. And there it was the USS Constitution. My dream come true!
It was very hot and we had to wait half an hour for the tour, but it was okay. We got to go on the boat with very nice people and a funny tour guide. She is an active Navy sailor. It was so enjoyable seeing all the details of the ship. I had learned in school about all the battles the ship had been in and loved walking around it.
I bought out their gift shop. I love this ship.
After the Constitution, Erica and I were exhausted, so we got a cab ride into town and stopped at No. 9 Park for a drink.
Apparently, give a Meagan and Erica a drink, and they'll ask for a pizza... so we ate pizza at the Upper Crust. It was delicious. The walk over there was... entertaining (ask me later). We met a nice woman there who talked to us about how great Boston is.
Then we walked to the train station and rode it back to Riverside. We were so, so tired.
Overall, it was a good day. Definitely have highlights in there. It wasn't an overall blissful day like Sandwich, but I got to see the USS Constitution- something I didn't think I'd get to do for a long time. I'd like to go back again!
One of my favorite days of our summer trip to be sure.
We left around 8:30 in the morning and parked at the Riverside Train Stop. The train system was extremely confusing for us. We were more dumbfounded over it than we were with New York's subway system.
I liked the feel of Boston. Very business-downtown, yet chill. We ended up wandering down the Freedom Trail into Ye Olde Union Oyster House - the oldest restaurant in America! They had really good cornbread at the restaurant... and Boston baked beans, but I have figured out that I'm not much of a seafood fan. I'm sure we had this amazing lobster ravioli and I was like... eh.
After we ate there, we ventured further into town and found the Modern Pastry. A local favorite for pastries. How could we resist? We ate cannolli. They were good, but I was so full it was a literal stretch to make them fit in my stomach.
Erica and I then went to have Jesus time in this nice little section of town, but it wasn't very conducive to reading, se we left.
We walked through Quincy Market and got some postcards.
Next the USS Constitution! We began following the Freedom Trail through town, which led us to all these old, historical buildings we knew nothing about.
We wound up and down town and ended up at this visitor's center. The line stopped. I felt like I was in Alice in Wonderland. The dog swept away the trail!
We went into the visitor's center and found out we had been going the wrong way down the trail!
So...Erica and I cheated and took the subway to the exit closest to the ship. We walked across the bridge with thousands of jellyfish floating in the waters below. My worst nightmare.
Then, we walked to Charleston Harbor. And there it was the USS Constitution. My dream come true!
It was very hot and we had to wait half an hour for the tour, but it was okay. We got to go on the boat with very nice people and a funny tour guide. She is an active Navy sailor. It was so enjoyable seeing all the details of the ship. I had learned in school about all the battles the ship had been in and loved walking around it.
Also, met an awesome Navy man!
I bought out their gift shop. I love this ship.
After the Constitution, Erica and I were exhausted, so we got a cab ride into town and stopped at No. 9 Park for a drink.
Apparently, give a Meagan and Erica a drink, and they'll ask for a pizza... so we ate pizza at the Upper Crust. It was delicious. The walk over there was... entertaining (ask me later). We met a nice woman there who talked to us about how great Boston is.
Then we walked to the train station and rode it back to Riverside. We were so, so tired.
Overall, it was a good day. Definitely have highlights in there. It wasn't an overall blissful day like Sandwich, but I got to see the USS Constitution- something I didn't think I'd get to do for a long time. I'd like to go back again!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Scallops, Shrimp, and French Fries
Today, Erica and I went to Phil and Anna's house. Phil, Joel, Erica, and I went to a seafood restaurant by the water. The scenery was great, but the restaurant was quite crowded. It made for a lot of noise. Erica and I ended up getting charbroiled scallops and shrimp... I really liked the french fries. Ha. The more seafood we eat the more I realize it's not my favorite genre of food. I do like fried seafood though. What can taste bad when it's fried? :)
When dinner was over, we walked to the beach next to the restaurant. The colors were beautiful. It was much more peaceful than the restaurant. They should have seating out there!
My shorts are consequently getting very tight from eating out all the time. I'm really feeling the traveler's weight gain. I need to shapen up. Lol.
We went back to Phil and Anna's and hung out there for a while.
I was exhausted. I had a great conversation with Anna's mom about her past travels and her relationship with God. It was a highlight of the day for me.
When dinner was over, we walked to the beach next to the restaurant. The colors were beautiful. It was much more peaceful than the restaurant. They should have seating out there!
My shorts are consequently getting very tight from eating out all the time. I'm really feeling the traveler's weight gain. I need to shapen up. Lol.
We went back to Phil and Anna's and hung out there for a while.
I was exhausted. I had a great conversation with Anna's mom about her past travels and her relationship with God. It was a highlight of the day for me.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Time to Move!
"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money."
- Susan Heller
Today, Erica and I went to Phil and Anna's to help them move in. The moving of boxes went quickly. I had a moment of paranoia because there were some wasps humming around.
Had a little door malfunction... it popped open and threw up its contents. Poor thing.
One of my favorite parts of the day was seeing the three Rambo siblings all together again.
Look at them all working hard!
Phil and Anna's house is beautiful. The view out the back door looks like something out of a calendar. Fresh grass and trees... farm-like charm... open space. It's very peaceful.
Erica and I spent a while hanging out with everyone and then we went to dinner at this Dairy Bar. The seating was outside and we were having a relaxing time until it started raining. Kind of hard to relax with rain pelting you from all sides. They had really good hamburgers, though.
When we were done eating we went to see the A-Team. I'm no movie critic or anything, so I was pretty amazed the whole time. I believe my mouth was hanging open almost the entire duration of the film. Craziness. It doesn't take much to wow/confuse me.
After the movie, we went back to our home-sweet-smelly-home and got ready for bed. We were both tired from moving everything today. Tomorrow, we're going to hang out with the fam again in Mystic. Maybe get some seafood?
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Spider Webs
Today was a quiet, yet unsettling, day for me. Well, I got some gumption in the process, so that was good. I started the day out reading 1 Kings and talking to God about some heavy stuff. Then, I listened to Rich Mullins and Tenth Avenue North while cleaning the kitchen.
And when I say, cleaning the kitchen, do not assume it was the usual process of wiping down the counters and sweeping the floor. Oh no, my friends, it was much more than that. It involved sweeping up mouse droppings from all surrounding edges of the room, battling monster spiders from around the frame of the door, and wiping away ancient cobwebs from the windows. A classic Snow White story... except just the first part of the story. No dancing dwarves or anything.
Erica spent the day with Anna, and when she got back, we went to Karen's for a girl's night and had a splendid time. We ate stuffed bell peppers and watched the Bachelorette. So painful (The Bachelorette), but Ali did have a good day with the Cape Cod guy. Why am I talking about the Bachelorette on a travel blog?
And when I say, cleaning the kitchen, do not assume it was the usual process of wiping down the counters and sweeping the floor. Oh no, my friends, it was much more than that. It involved sweeping up mouse droppings from all surrounding edges of the room, battling monster spiders from around the frame of the door, and wiping away ancient cobwebs from the windows. A classic Snow White story... except just the first part of the story. No dancing dwarves or anything.
Erica spent the day with Anna, and when she got back, we went to Karen's for a girl's night and had a splendid time. We ate stuffed bell peppers and watched the Bachelorette. So painful (The Bachelorette), but Ali did have a good day with the Cape Cod guy. Why am I talking about the Bachelorette on a travel blog?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
"Ring the bell for good customer service."
Today, Erica and I went to Middlefield, Connecticut. One of the to-do's on our list was to pick berries at an orchard. Hence, we went to Lyman's Orchard. Unfortunately, we got there a little late and berry picking time was over. They were quite strict about that. "No berry picking for you!"
We did eat lunch there, however, and it was delicious! The restaurant was kind of like a Central Market, in my opinion. There were fresh fruits everywhere, homemade jellies and dips... I believe there was a bakery.
The scenery was beautiful too. Erica and I sat on this large back patio they had. It overlooked a pond and lots of green, green trees. Gorgeous. Kids were feeding ducks... it was so picturesque.
When we got back to our neck of the woods, Erica and I went on a walk around the UCONN campus. There were these rich purple trees everywhere. I don't believe they have them down south because I've never seen them prior to this trip. I want one now. I must have a purple tree at some point in my life.
After the walk, we went to Subway for dinner and then went grocery shopping. At this grocery store, apparently you were supposed to ring the bell for good service. Well, what I have documented in my travel journal is this:
I'm thinking the Ack! came from Erica.
Tonight, we are watching Couples Retreat! And eating ice cream with raspberries. Awesomeness.
We did eat lunch there, however, and it was delicious! The restaurant was kind of like a Central Market, in my opinion. There were fresh fruits everywhere, homemade jellies and dips... I believe there was a bakery.
The scenery was beautiful too. Erica and I sat on this large back patio they had. It overlooked a pond and lots of green, green trees. Gorgeous. Kids were feeding ducks... it was so picturesque.
When we got back to our neck of the woods, Erica and I went on a walk around the UCONN campus. There were these rich purple trees everywhere. I don't believe they have them down south because I've never seen them prior to this trip. I want one now. I must have a purple tree at some point in my life.
After the walk, we went to Subway for dinner and then went grocery shopping. At this grocery store, apparently you were supposed to ring the bell for good service. Well, what I have documented in my travel journal is this:
"Ring the bell for good customer service."
BONG!
"Ack!"
I'm thinking the Ack! came from Erica.
Tonight, we are watching Couples Retreat! And eating ice cream with raspberries. Awesomeness.
Monday, February 21, 2011
UPDATE
So, you're probably wondering what happened since my last post October 7 of 2010... or not... but I'll let you know anyways.
Long story short:
October 11 - I got a full time job.
October 11 to February 17 - I worked full time craziness and started seminary.
February 18 - I am officially unemployed once more and thus continue what I was doing on October 7... blogging and laundry. Man, my sheets smell good!
Now, we left off on a crucial moment of our trip. Erica and I came back from a wonderful camping trip and arrived in Connecticut to a rank smell and a dead mouse in the trash can. Terrifying! :)
I know you're dying to find out what happened after that fateful day. Well, let me tell you:
We woke up in the soft, luxurious beds of the Comfort Inn. Lovely. I took, what I believe to be, one of the longest showers of my life. You gotta get that dirt off your shoulders, you know? After the continental breakfast and a fast packing up, we met some of Erica's fam at Ikea.
Erica and I played with her nephew, Neal, and had lunch in the Ikea cafe. After Ikea, we drove over to Erica's brother and sister-in-law, Phil and Anna's, new house. It was so clean and nice. Erica and I were definitely jealous. Ha. We got ice cream at this cute family-owned place with Anna and then drove back to our smelly abode.
We had a plan: research the smell culprits and Neutra-Air the heck out of that house. We were going to clean that place.
I googled the smell in all its glory: fishy, dead, wet animal. Surprisingly, there were many commentaries on this viral odor. A lot of people commented on how their electrical caused that exact smell when the bulb had too high of a wattage. So, just for the heck of it, Erica turned off the porch light-- Lo and behold, within ten minutes the smell was gone!
We went to bed with no movie. I know. Haha. What? Now, the only smell we have to face is old house smell (i.e. moth balls).
Long story short:
October 11 - I got a full time job.
October 11 to February 17 - I worked full time craziness and started seminary.
February 18 - I am officially unemployed once more and thus continue what I was doing on October 7... blogging and laundry. Man, my sheets smell good!
Now, we left off on a crucial moment of our trip. Erica and I came back from a wonderful camping trip and arrived in Connecticut to a rank smell and a dead mouse in the trash can. Terrifying! :)
I know you're dying to find out what happened after that fateful day. Well, let me tell you:
We woke up in the soft, luxurious beds of the Comfort Inn. Lovely. I took, what I believe to be, one of the longest showers of my life. You gotta get that dirt off your shoulders, you know? After the continental breakfast and a fast packing up, we met some of Erica's fam at Ikea.
Erica and I played with her nephew, Neal, and had lunch in the Ikea cafe. After Ikea, we drove over to Erica's brother and sister-in-law, Phil and Anna's, new house. It was so clean and nice. Erica and I were definitely jealous. Ha. We got ice cream at this cute family-owned place with Anna and then drove back to our smelly abode.
We had a plan: research the smell culprits and Neutra-Air the heck out of that house. We were going to clean that place.
I googled the smell in all its glory: fishy, dead, wet animal. Surprisingly, there were many commentaries on this viral odor. A lot of people commented on how their electrical caused that exact smell when the bulb had too high of a wattage. So, just for the heck of it, Erica turned off the porch light-- Lo and behold, within ten minutes the smell was gone!
We went to bed with no movie. I know. Haha. What? Now, the only smell we have to face is old house smell (i.e. moth balls).
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