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Sunday, October 21, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Destination: I Lost Count
http://www.wwoofusa.org/
Today, a teammate of mine from i4k told me about the best thing she's ever done: WWOOFing. Don't worry, I also had no idea what it was. As it turns out, it stands for Worldwide Opportunities On Organic Farms. Basically, it's a program devoted to help farmers gain willing and interested volunteers to work on organic and sustainable farms throughout the US--and even Australia and New Zealand! The volunteers pay a membership fee of something like 30$ and with that they browse different farm profiles and select where they would like to go. Although the internships are unpaid, volunteers are provided with food and housing in exchange for their help. At the same time "woofers" as they're called are provided with skills, knowledge, and a new perspective. I'm putting this on my bucket list as we speak. I love farming, I'm from an agricultural background and I would love to learn more about the organic side of things, since my dad isn't exactly an organic farmer. At the same time, I think it's really cool to dive into new things and learn practical skills about issues completely unrelated to your personal field of study. I'm a sophomore Media Studies major at a big 10 university...why do I want to volunteer to help a random family out for the summer? Why not is the better question...I'm not exactly sure when I'll be able to do this since I'm biking across the US this summer..but maybe I'll tentatively put it on the list of things to do for next year.
On a semi-unrelated note, I think new experiences are great for so many reasons. Being part of the Illini 4,000 team and knowing nothing about cycling has taught me so many lessons. Not to mention, it was this new experience, that introduced me to another new experience...just from being able to talk to a teammate who I would not have otherwise known. Sometimes, it's weird the way that things work out. It's strange thinking about how one door opens to another so easily.
Today, a teammate of mine from i4k told me about the best thing she's ever done: WWOOFing. Don't worry, I also had no idea what it was. As it turns out, it stands for Worldwide Opportunities On Organic Farms. Basically, it's a program devoted to help farmers gain willing and interested volunteers to work on organic and sustainable farms throughout the US--and even Australia and New Zealand! The volunteers pay a membership fee of something like 30$ and with that they browse different farm profiles and select where they would like to go. Although the internships are unpaid, volunteers are provided with food and housing in exchange for their help. At the same time "woofers" as they're called are provided with skills, knowledge, and a new perspective. I'm putting this on my bucket list as we speak. I love farming, I'm from an agricultural background and I would love to learn more about the organic side of things, since my dad isn't exactly an organic farmer. At the same time, I think it's really cool to dive into new things and learn practical skills about issues completely unrelated to your personal field of study. I'm a sophomore Media Studies major at a big 10 university...why do I want to volunteer to help a random family out for the summer? Why not is the better question...I'm not exactly sure when I'll be able to do this since I'm biking across the US this summer..but maybe I'll tentatively put it on the list of things to do for next year.
On a semi-unrelated note, I think new experiences are great for so many reasons. Being part of the Illini 4,000 team and knowing nothing about cycling has taught me so many lessons. Not to mention, it was this new experience, that introduced me to another new experience...just from being able to talk to a teammate who I would not have otherwise known. Sometimes, it's weird the way that things work out. It's strange thinking about how one door opens to another so easily.
Quote of the day: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Destination Numero Diez: Italy
I've always wanted to travel Europe. As my roommate gets ready to leave for her study abroad trip to Venice, Italy soon I find myself wishing I was going with her and dreaming about the day when I can visit Venice and paddle the city in a gondola. I would love to try some italian-style pastries and indulge in creamy pasta with homemade noodles and seafood (even though I hate seafood, I feel like I would like it in Italy).
I think I'd spend an entire day at the isola san michele-- a gorgeous and spacious island filled with breathtaking sculptures and incredible ocean scenery. It was a common place for travelers to land at one point in time and it is still home to one of the original Renaissance churches. One of the most beautiful things about a city is the way life is captured through it's architecture and sculpture...
I think I'd spend an entire day at the isola san michele-- a gorgeous and spacious island filled with breathtaking sculptures and incredible ocean scenery. It was a common place for travelers to land at one point in time and it is still home to one of the original Renaissance churches. One of the most beautiful things about a city is the way life is captured through it's architecture and sculpture...
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Destination Numero Nueve: Travel by car, without actually owning one.
http://www.codysmart.com/hitchhike/index2.html
I don't have much to say except that whoever reads this should automatically click on the above link and check out an incredible story with some even more amazing photographs.
Hitchhiking is like the ultimate adventure for me. I've never done it, but I really really want to. It's extremely dangerous and arguably a stupid thing to do. But when you're young and you can...I feel like you should. If I ever did it, I think people would try to tell me it's too dangerous, especially a young girl. I think they're right. But, I hate how sexist that has to be. Maybe I'm a really physically strong young girl. Maybe I'd be better at hitchhiking than lots of boys my age. Or maybe I'm just more clever and could get out of danger faster.
I guess this blog has been themed around traveling the United States a lot. I think thats one of my main goals in life. Of course, I want to travel the world...but there's so much here...America is full of so much diversity, not just within her vast landscapes...but with the people and the communities as well. I'm fascinated by people and driven to see this land for all that it is. Every state has a story, and all across each state, county roads have a million more to tell you.
I don't have much to say except that whoever reads this should automatically click on the above link and check out an incredible story with some even more amazing photographs.
Hitchhiking is like the ultimate adventure for me. I've never done it, but I really really want to. It's extremely dangerous and arguably a stupid thing to do. But when you're young and you can...I feel like you should. If I ever did it, I think people would try to tell me it's too dangerous, especially a young girl. I think they're right. But, I hate how sexist that has to be. Maybe I'm a really physically strong young girl. Maybe I'd be better at hitchhiking than lots of boys my age. Or maybe I'm just more clever and could get out of danger faster.
I guess this blog has been themed around traveling the United States a lot. I think thats one of my main goals in life. Of course, I want to travel the world...but there's so much here...America is full of so much diversity, not just within her vast landscapes...but with the people and the communities as well. I'm fascinated by people and driven to see this land for all that it is. Every state has a story, and all across each state, county roads have a million more to tell you.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Destination Numero Ocho: Ruta 40, Argentina
Roadtrips have always been something I've enjoyed. My family used to annually take a road trip West to visit my family in Montana when I was in middle and high school and I've been thinking about those trips a lot lately and I really miss them. I think there's something incredibly special about road trips. There's something about just sleeping in a car and brushing your teeth in gas stations that makes me really happy. I'm always trying to convince my friends to go on spur of the moment road trips with me, but it seldom works out.
One trip I plan to make happen however, is this one...
http://www.turismo.gov.ar/eng/atra/ruta/mruta.htm
I need to make a visit to South America and I would love the chance to travel the length of Argentina and see what the Andes Mountains have in store for me. According to National Geographic, Route 40 "runs parallel to the mountains, crossing 236 bridges and countless rivers, lakes, national parks, and mountain passes."
The most important part of any road trip is the passengers. I would love to take a car full of (semi) strangers and spend the entire trip getting to know each other...Or maybe, Route 40 would be an interesting anniversary vacation for Newlyweds or something. Regardless of who goes, I'm sure an Argentinian road trip would be one I would never forget.
Quote of the day:“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac
One trip I plan to make happen however, is this one...
http://www.turismo.gov.ar/eng/atra/ruta/mruta.htm
I need to make a visit to South America and I would love the chance to travel the length of Argentina and see what the Andes Mountains have in store for me. According to National Geographic, Route 40 "runs parallel to the mountains, crossing 236 bridges and countless rivers, lakes, national parks, and mountain passes."
The most important part of any road trip is the passengers. I would love to take a car full of (semi) strangers and spend the entire trip getting to know each other...Or maybe, Route 40 would be an interesting anniversary vacation for Newlyweds or something. Regardless of who goes, I'm sure an Argentinian road trip would be one I would never forget.
Quote of the day:“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Destination Numero Siete: Simply Southern
I've always wanted to experience he south, and Gatlinburg TN has been something on my list for a long time now. I'm not saying Gatlinburg would be a ideal for a week long vacation or anything, but I think it would be great for a weekend trip.
The Smoky Mountains are definitely a US destination that everyone should visit and I've always wanted to go in the spring, when the mountains are full of blooming flowers, flowing white water, and green grass covering the rolling hills. Gatlinburg is nestled right on the edge of the Smoky Mountain National Park and would be a perfect outlet into the wilderness.
According to the Gatlinburg Visitor Center, travelers are able to horseback ride, witewater raft, hike, cycle through the mountains, camp, fish, or even golf.
Along with The Smoky Mountain National Park I would love to visit the Parkway, which is one of the main streets in Gaitlinburg and home to the space needle, which is 342 feet in the air and provides amazing views of the landscape and mountain peaks.
In the morning, I'd love the chance to eat at Tennessee's firs pancake house--The Pancake Panty for some home-cooked breakfast and short stacks with a side of Tennessee blueberries. And I likely wouldn't leave town before stopping at a little sweets cafe called Desserts & More. According to The New York Times, "for 11 years, Ruth and Gerry Childress have been making everything on the menu, from thick chicken-salad sandwiches to fluffy coconut pie and creamy chocolate-chip cheesecake, from scratch. Homemade lemonade and different flavored iced teas (if you're lucky, there'll be mango) come by the carafe."
The Smoky Mountains are definitely a US destination that everyone should visit and I've always wanted to go in the spring, when the mountains are full of blooming flowers, flowing white water, and green grass covering the rolling hills. Gatlinburg is nestled right on the edge of the Smoky Mountain National Park and would be a perfect outlet into the wilderness.
According to the Gatlinburg Visitor Center, travelers are able to horseback ride, witewater raft, hike, cycle through the mountains, camp, fish, or even golf.
Along with The Smoky Mountain National Park I would love to visit the Parkway, which is one of the main streets in Gaitlinburg and home to the space needle, which is 342 feet in the air and provides amazing views of the landscape and mountain peaks.
In the morning, I'd love the chance to eat at Tennessee's firs pancake house--The Pancake Panty for some home-cooked breakfast and short stacks with a side of Tennessee blueberries. And I likely wouldn't leave town before stopping at a little sweets cafe called Desserts & More. According to The New York Times, "for 11 years, Ruth and Gerry Childress have been making everything on the menu, from thick chicken-salad sandwiches to fluffy coconut pie and creamy chocolate-chip cheesecake, from scratch. Homemade lemonade and different flavored iced teas (if you're lucky, there'll be mango) come by the carafe."
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Destination Numero Seis: The Unconventional Spring Break
So, it is that time of year again...the time of year when the weather turns nice, the windows come open, classes start to take a back seat and spring break looms over every college student's head. While many of my friends are living it up in Panama City Beach or while my sisters travel to the Bahamas without me, I'll actually be at home in my tiny, little, rural town of Clifton Illinois. While this may pale in comparison to some of my peer's travel destinations, I'm actually really excited about being home. No matter how much you travel around the world, no place will ever make you feel quite like the familiarity of your home and community and the people inside of both.
Even though I am unable to go on a typical college spring break trip, I'm okay with it. I'm saving up for my adventure across the country this summer, and in addition, I'm selling nearly all of my possessions so I can take this trip. But, trading in your old prom dresses for a new bike helmet and cycling shoes is way cooler anyway, right?
I think so.
Can't wait to get back to these uncrowded roads lined with the open-flat familiar country soil that I'm so used to.
Quote of the day:
Even though I am unable to go on a typical college spring break trip, I'm okay with it. I'm saving up for my adventure across the country this summer, and in addition, I'm selling nearly all of my possessions so I can take this trip. But, trading in your old prom dresses for a new bike helmet and cycling shoes is way cooler anyway, right?
I think so.
Can't wait to get back to these uncrowded roads lined with the open-flat familiar country soil that I'm so used to.
Quote of the day:
“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes
While I'm at it, I'd like to take time to reflect on my Spring Break experience of last year. My travel plans were inspired by the fact that as a 19 year-old college student, I still had never seen the ocean. So, I researched some different volunteer organizations on campus, and applied to go on an Alternative Spring Break Trip to Arcata California where I would be able to experience the ocean for the first time. Not to mention, I would make my way to California and the West Coast for the very first time, take a road trip with people other than family members, see San Fransisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, and tour Redwood Forests. All of which were things I was able to cross off my travel bucket list. The trip was centered around dune restoration, which required working on the sand literally alongside the Pacific Ocean every day for a week. I will never forget that trip or the amazing friends I made on it. I went into it unsure of what I was doing, and unfamiliar with anyone, but it's these experiences that push me to want to explore more.
Seeing the ocean for the first time!
Working on Restoration--not a bad work environment, eh?
Can't think of anyone I'd rather travel with than these randoms
Golden Gate Bridge!
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