Madison, WI
notes...
...the plains of Nebraska
...tumble weeds (i had only seen them in movies previously)
...large sprinklers that look like monsters, with a pointy head and a long skeletal frame.
...flat, flat, flat.
...broken sleep on the roadside, trucks driving way too fast. no snow.
...Mike gets a speeding ticket for doing 88 in a 75 zone.
...sleep deprevation kicks in, a search for Kinkos begins.
...dinner in Lincoln Nebraska at a fabulous Indian restaurant. I have an okra based dish.
...we had aquired a free gift certificate for a large chain and decided to use it to buy Halloween costumes and make the most of it while on the road. (we each have half and hour and $8.00.) I am a superhero, Jeff is a vampire/zombie, and Mike is a reindeer.
...we drive on to Omaha, it is late, we are all overtired. cranky feels set in. i did not want to sleep in a business complex in front of someone's office, so we find a more deserted place and set up camp. a few tears on my part. i am not used to camping in an urban environment and I find I do not like it at all. hard to sleep when I feel I could be woken up by someone at any moment. It actually gives one a good taste of what it would be like to really be homeless. And so I think about that for a long while and my heart swells.
Travelling seems more difficult when you are on the move all of the time. There is little chance to sit and take things in. In the car everything swims past but nothing is contemplated for too long. One does have a lot of time to think, (until delirium sets in that is.)
Travel Games We Played...
"What shapes can you make out of chips?"
"Not Friends" -name two animals or humans who would not be good friends
"Who do I look more like?" -give two candidates who look nothing like you
"Humzinger" -hum a song and let the other people guess what it is
"On my road trip I brought" -memory game, one person starts, each person adds to the list
more good things...
...hot english breakfast tea
...a few hours spent by myself. (Mike and Jeff are canvasing for the election trying to get people out to vote. I had some work to do and wanted some Keri time, as opposed to Kerry time. Also being a Canadian it feels a little strange to get so involved in this country's politics, even though i have many strong feelings about it all.)
...exploring cute neighborhoods in WI.
...time spent with more friends laughing until late, eating fabulous bean soup with foccacia and goat's cheese.
...a warm bed and a hot shower. I am renewed.
...new music, Andrew Bird, the Waifs, Fiona Apple
only eleven hours to the Canadian border.
Posted by kerismith at November 02, 2004 02:00 PMHi Keri,
It was a treat to read about your 9 day 12 states trip. In some ways, I do believe it was a greater trip than if you had instead simply posted photographs of place after place. Though that would boast a beauty of its own, what you have done via words boasts it's own brand of beauty, one that is rare and precious in this world because so many of us have become desensitised to the nuances of language.
I, too, love to travel. Will copy on a little card some of those 'travel-games' you wrote about and keep that card in my travel wallet, which I will bring with me when I leave for a 10 day trip to Indonesia in about a month.
:) Thanks Keri
Florence
Posted by: Florence on November 8, 2004 02:52 AMthe waifs truly are amazing. 'love seranade' is one of my favourite songs ever.
if you ever get the chance to see them live, take it- they're even better in person.
Did you eat at The Oven? I love that restaurant! It's the best Indian food in town. I grew up in Omaha, and now live in Lincoln. It makes me happy that you enjoyed your voyage through my little corner of the world. :)
Posted by: Carrie on November 5, 2004 05:57 PMI live in Madison! Hope you had a nice time. And I'll have to go see the "Incredible Shrinking Capitol"! I've never heard about that.
Laura
Posted by: Laura on November 4, 2004 06:53 PMkeri, you dispite the pitfalls seem a happy camper of life
i enjoy reading your journal,thanx for the words and pictures!
The Waifs: one of the best Aussie bands - you have good musical taste!
Posted by: Jem on November 3, 2004 04:37 PMKeri,
You should definately check out Carbon Leaf. They are a fantastic band from Richmond, Virginia (www.carbonleaf.com). They describe their sound as Ether-Electrified Porch Music. Perfect mood music for driving through streets sprinkled with autumn leaves. Virginia is a beautiful place, too. The Blue-Ridge Mountains in the fall, Charlottesville, Natural Bridge. Luray Caverns, it's all so beautiful. Come see us one day!
An add-on to Helen's comment about the Would You Rather game - an example would be "Would you rather look like a fish or smell like one?". That's one of the more wholesome ones at any rate!
Posted by: Loody on November 3, 2004 09:02 AMThe Waifs, I love them. Especially song no 3, London Still makes me cry everytime I hear it. Since I'm living in London without being from th UK It kind of make sense..
Posted by: Maria on November 3, 2004 06:21 AMHurrah for my Aussie homelanders ~ the Waifs... awesome travelling music.
Keri, thank you for taking us along on your roadtrip.
So delight*full.
Posted by: Leonie on November 3, 2004 04:52 AMAhh, Andrew Bird. He's so awesome.
Posted by: Kathryn on November 2, 2004 07:12 PMRama and I once played a similar game to your chip shapes: We made *almost* the entire alphabet with pretzels!
You've been in my thoughts as you journey, explore and adventure. xoxo, c.
Posted by: christine on November 2, 2004 05:17 PMTry also the 'Who would you rather...?' game - where you name two (usually not very attractive) candidates and the person has to choose which one they would sleep with (they HAVE to choose one)...usually causes much hilarity and uncomfortable squirming...
also the 'Permission Top Five'...where each person gets to choose five people that they have major crushes on (usually famous people). These are the five people that you are 'allowed to' have sex with should the opportunity arise. Wait for the squealing and pillow fights to begin!
Posted by: helen on November 2, 2004 05:11 PMHi Keri,
Whee, Madison!! I grew up there. :)
A very special place. Here are some fun things to do if you're sticking around:
-Stroll down State Street with a little "Steep and Brew" coffee; or stop by Mother Fools (Williamson Street) or Ancora Coffee (W.University) for a good cup o joe
-Lay on the capitol floor and look up at the ceiling...mmmpretty
-Drive back and forth down Osheridan Street to see the "Incredible Shrinking Capitol". Intrigued? You betcha!! (Directions: take John Nolen Drive (head south of downtown)—E. Lakeside(right)—Osheridan Street(right)—start at the top of the street and slowly drive towards the Capitol, then when the street begins to curve, put her in reverse and watch the Captiol get bigger. CRAZY, I tell ya!
-Head down Williamson Street and stop by the best Coop in the Midwest, Willy Street Coop
-For a good beer and local flare, stop by the Harmony Bar and Grill on Williamson, for a yummy Harmony Walnut Burger and good company.
- And if you're heading out of town, Frank Lloyd Wright's farm and home, Taliesin, is located near Madison in Spring Green. And I would definitely recommend the tour, a true inspiration.
Madison is truly a special place and I hope you enjoy your visit.
Best of everything on the last leg of your trip,
Jinger Schroeder
Ventura, California