Category Archives: Travel in the USA

Photo of the Week #6

Posted on April 30, 2013 | 4 comments

Useful information in the event that you see a Lion…! (or she sees you first)

A sign seen during our short evening hike to the Window, the drainage of the whole Chisos Basin at Big Bend, TX. Rangers track, study and report the few actual attacks and study animals response to people’s actions. The information seems like good advice: pick up small children (or better yet-don’t bring them), don’t run (cats like a good chase), don’t crouch down (or put your face in their slashing range), Throw sticks and rocks (how do you reach down to get them without crouching?).

We’ve read and heard similar strategies for Black Bears, but acting docile for certain other animals. How to keep it all straight? How to act the right way when what is more likely is an instant reflexive reaction?

On another trip in Jackson Hole, WY, we walked right up to a Black Bear on a trail about 100 ft past a warning poster. I stood tall, held my knapsack above my head, yelling, “I’m bigger than you” “I’m bigger than you”. Within 6 or 8 seconds, as the bear cowered a bit, wrinkling his or her nose at us, the cameras were out as we backed slowly away. The bear left the trail gradually, avoiding those noisy creatures. We never did pick up any rocks, but were pretty vigilant the rest of that day!

4 Comments

Posted in Health & Fitness, Hiking, Photos, Travel in the USA, Wildlife

Tagged Hiking, Jane, Photo of the Week

City Trek 04/14/2013

Posted on April 23, 2013 | 3 comments

Now that we’re back home in Baltimore, we’re finding that some things don’t change. Like the fact that we only go downtown with out-of-town people.

Time was, Baltimore downtown was like a fascinating, shiny magnet drawing me southward to experience the sometimes elegant (Belvedere Hotel Owl Bar), sometimes quirky (The Horse You Came In On in Fell’s Point) nightlife. But, nightlife now consists of early evening dinners or movies with friends and relatives. All with the convenience of needing to drive no further than some suburban restaurant or theater. That way, everyone’s home by 10:00. Which used to be the hour when I was just finishing the final prep for an evening out. Bars and clubs I frequented didn’t really get hopping until midnight. (Did I really just date myself by saying “get hopping”?)

But now that I’m older, and supposedly wiser, daytime fun trumps nighttime fun. And by early evening, I’m pooped. Skiing, working, bicycling, working, hiking, cleaning, gym-going, working, gardening. All these things now use up my more limited energy.

I digress. I didn’t start this post intending to go on about my defunct nightlife.

So, lets get back to the main topic, which actually is – visiting one’s own hometown. The Maine-ahs had traveled south to check out Towson University and absorb some southern Spring weather! Snow was still on the ground up North.

We took the Light Rail to the Inner Harbor.

On the platform with Amanda and Jake in the foreground, Nancy and Brenda in the background.

Home of the World Champion Ravens and near-World Champion Orioles, Baltimore has a beautiful waterfront.

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Harborplace, the frigate Constellation, and our own Trade Center tower.

We did a little shopping and a little strolling, thoroughly enjoying the gorgeous day.

No agenda, just hanging out. We took a harbor boat tour.

Domino Sugar, complete with D'Amico tanker loading up.

Domino Sugar, complete with D’Amico tanker unloading the sweet stuff from the tropics.

The Domino Sugar sign is a harbor landmark. We buy Domino brand sugar just to keep the lovely neon shining over the water at night (not pictured because I was at home in my PJs by the time it was dark).

Fells Point as seen from the docks.

National Aquarium in Baltimore

Baltimore Public Works Museum.

The Public Works museum, above, was built in 1912 as the water pumping station for Baltimore. When I was young person flouncing around the city, legend had it that this building was the City Morgue, complete with a chimney for the cremations! Reality is not nearly as dramatic as imagination sometimes.

We were very lucky to see the Pride of Baltimore II, in her home harbor between worldwide voyages. It’s a beautiful reproduction of an 1812 privateer with an education mission as well as serving as Baltimore’s ambassador to foreign ports.

The Pride of Baltimore II

Amanda outside the Under Armour store in Harboreast.

After the harbor cruise, we came back ashore to visit the Under Armour store in Harboreast – one of the highlights for our Maine relatives who are also big Ravens fans.

Before heading home on the train, we met these happy folks, reveling in the fun side of Baltimore and gettin’ crabby.

My home town made me proud!

– Jane

3 Comments

Posted in Family, History, Museums, PEOPLE, Photos, Strange Sights, the "Afterlife", Travel in the USA

Tagged Baltimore, Family, History, Jane, museum, outdoors, Random Thoughts, Wonderful people

Road Rage Redux

Posted on April 12, 2013 | 4 comments

Now at home, in the crowded Baltimore Metro area, I find myself falling back into some old, bad habits. Specifically, the tendency to judge other drivers and be mad at them. So many cars in so little space makes for some crowded road conditions. Cars are abundant, omnipresent. I forget sometimes that, in each of these vehicles (usually one person per vehicle, unfortunately) is a human being. Driving a car does not, as we may believe, make a person immediately an idiot. It’s so easy, though, to fall back into that mode.

Driving down the road I find myself angry without much provocation . Angry at the people behind the wheel of all those cars. “You cut me off, you dumbo!” “Where did you learn to drive?” “That was such a stupid move!” Truth be told, drivers of cars frequently make mistakes. Some are small and irritating. Some are huge and irritating as well as dangerous. I’m not saying that I should be able to ignore the dangerous moves of another driver. That would be dangerous for me!

The question is, how can I ignore, or rather accommodate, those little driving gaffes that we all make. You know, the small things. Like changing one’s mind in line under a red light and not quite fitting into the new lane, thus blocking my way (as if I’d get far anyway!). Or, forgetting to use one’s turn signal until the last moment or not at all. Any driver wanting to move their car in front of you in the travel lane. These small things are not life threatening (usually) and can be accommodated. I can relax and not let them bother me. Even better, maybe I can even back off a bit to help the person who changed their mind under the red light and move a few inches so they can fit in. Or, give a little wave and a little space to the guy who wants to nudge his car in front of yours. Relax. Smile at the person in the other car.

It’s a good exercise for me – to actively practice unclenching; relaxing. To help another driver in a small way. It doesn’t really make me late. Not at all. There’s lots of tension involved in keeping people from “taking advantage” of me. Which is exactly the bad habit I’m in danger of falling back into.

So, I’ll take a cue from The Voyage of the Tramper and see my fellow humans, even those behind the wheel, as the lovely, intelligent, capable people that they probably are and give them a break in traffic. It enriches me to be generous. And it just might make someone’s day.

– Jane

All photos in this post are from Wikimedia Commons.

4 Comments

Posted in Barriers, Finding my place in the world, Health & Fitness, PEOPLE, the "Afterlife", Travel in the USA

Tagged Barriers, Jane, Random Thoughts

Civil War History at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Posted on April 9, 2013 | 8 comments

A close family member is a Civil War buff. Not a reenactor, just an interested American. We visited Harpers Ferry, WV on a gorgeous, early Spring day. At 60+ degrees, we enjoyed the sunshine and warmth.

Here’s our group with David at the left and me at the right.

The East has such beautiful, old towns. Harpers Ferry is carefully preserved for all to see.

So much history! Harpers Ferry saw the skirmish with abolitionist John Brown that is said to have sparked the onset of the Civil War.

The Federal Armory firehouse where John Brown held forth. Attacked by the U.S. Marines, Brown was captured and hanged.

Inside the firehouse. It appeared so small, considering it’s importance in our history.

The town, at a strategic meeting of two rivers and the railroad, was important to the war effort of both sides.

At the confluence of the Potomac (left) and Shenandoah Rivers. The railroad and two canals (the C&O and the Shenandoah) also served Harpers Ferry and connected East and West, North and South.

We walked the railroad bridge across the Potomac for a hike in the woods.

Harpers Ferry changed hands, from Union to Confederate and back again, 8 times during the War.

Harpers Ferry, WV

Lots of interesting history was revealed in the beautiful Information Center.

Some in our crew had been to Harpers Ferry before and some were seeing it for the first time. The beauty of the day belied the tragic nature of the bloody war that nearly tore our country apart. Such was the effort required to end slavery and unite the States again.

– Jane

8 Comments

Posted in Family, History, Museums, Photos, Travel in the USA

Tagged Harper's Ferry, History, Jane, museum, outdoors, scenic beauty, travel

WOW, Now what?

Posted on April 3, 2013 | 9 comments

First I’d like to thank anyone who checked in, commented or just plain enjoyed any part of our adventure via this blog. We never considered having a big audience or following, only wanting to chronicle a little and maybe make a vicarious thrill available for family and friends. Next thing we knew, we realized we had to keep up. Writing regularly was the only way to avoid that overwhelming list of “things we should do”. It grew to be a true joy and an integral part of the Voyage!

Second, I invite pretty much any of you to borrow the Tramper for your own trip. REALLY! Through some nice, mutual agreement (not necessarily financial), I would love to see someone else’s dreams facilitated. A new pair of tires, a battery, or maybe some cool as yet unknown accessory could comprise a rental arrangement. Additional requirements would include a discussion of the “value” or replacement cost and the suggestion of insuring the camper. One final requirement would be a display of commitment or intent. “You” would have to demonstrate a beginner’s understanding of towing safety, RV boon docking, propane safety, and a willingness to learn about the Tramper in particular.

Its simple really, remember I knew nothing about any of this before locating the derelict camper in Delaware. The details of this learning adventure would likely include a nearby camping trip where I could explain things briefly and hand over the reigns. Out of this, I would get a return investment of vicarious thrills and a few weeks or months with “no Tramper in my yard”. Driveway access to my workshop is narrowed by the sleeping beauty.

barely room to walk through

I also want to begin talk of my internal voyage. We didn’t run away from a bad life to do this trip. To the contrary, we loved our home, family, jobs, friends and the routine of daily life. I LOVE TO WORK. We left to celebrate all that we love and can still do. We took the chance of “all that could go wrong”, Murphy’s law be damned, and did it. Now we return safely and are faced with our life. The rest of our life. Life after the Trampervoyage; whatever that is to become.

Honestly it feels at once overwhelming and underwhelming. During the journey we floated high in conversations. There we were, living the dream. People congratulated us. People seemed to envy us at times. Most encouraged and cheered us on. The accomplishment was in the moment and in “where to tomorrow?” Now, we have returned and there is no tangible evidence. No physical accomplishment. Maybe THAT is what drives me to make and fix so many things. In creating tangible projects, I create my own little trophy. I create my report card. After all, wasn’t school sometimes more rewarding than work? You got grades! Someone told you how you were doing!

Today I broke away from Jane to do something separate. We have had the incredible blessing of being together for nearly every task and joy for 190 days, 24 hours per day. We were rarely apart. Doubtful many couples could say that at any point in their marriage. We’ve continued that at home, working on unpacking, cleanup and other home tasks. But today Jane went to see her sister; I went to see the elephants!

In March of every year, Baltimore hosts the circus. Hopefully each of you has some fond memory of the youthful attraction enshrining the circus. Maybe you ran away and joined? (If so, tell us some of your stories) Anyway, one of the more colorful local traditions includes an Elephant Parade. Tenders march the big beautiful beasts through the city streets, up from the arena to the Lexington Market for a big lunch buffet. Then after a desert of watermelons, they parade back down to their cages, I presume, to await their other performances.

You can agree with the spectacle or argue the treatment of zoo and performance animals everywhere, but I thought it was WONDERFUL. Without these few “suffering” performing animals, most of humanity knows nothing of their immensity. Most of us could not fathom the emotional eyes of an elephant, nor the grandeur of the whole animal kingdom if it weren’t for our contact, albeit limited through showcases of zoos, circuses, and aquariums. The size, shimmering fur, smells and splashes of them all would all be reduced to photographs or TV shows someone else framed for us. I saw intimate views of a fox family on public TV last night, yet my memory of the litter berthed under my mom’s porch was more vivid. Those kits nipped and yipped playfully and beautifully, nursing until they were weaned before we “encouraged” them to move out of that urban den.

What then, does any of this have to do with the Voyage of the Tramper? A full circle is a difficult journey. Its hard to come back. I have found myself looking at all that makes up a person. I find myself lacking the same “value” I had as a productive, functioning and working member of society. I felt as though I had retired. I read a version of “retired” in Steinbeck’s East of Eden that I will avoid as I can with all my heart. Retired meant surrendered. Retired meant finished with all productive contribution. Samuel moved to the city in retirement, and eased uselessly to his death. He invited it. He accepted it. And he chose to cease contributing.

The happiest “retirees” I know now are volunteers. Giving some of themselves to causes they value. My sister, retired at one time, wrote the word “something” on her calendar a few days each week. When called upon by the limitless needs of one charity or another, she could honestly say: “Sorry, I’ve got something that day”. In this she protected bits of her time as needed. Hospitals, The Aquarium, Red Cross, soup kitchens, and more, there are any number of fulfilling ways to “retire” and be fulfilled by those around us. On our Voyage we met hosts at campgrounds and made breakfasts sandwiches with a local North Carolina church.

I have selfishly preserved a few extra weeks to work on our house and home before returning to work. I had the luxury of free time. Time sometimes takes on different dimensions. Everyone I know who is retired says they don’t know how they got things done while they worked full-time. Perspective changes.

When I have two hours available and two hours of “work to get done”, it gets done. When I have a week stretched out ahead, pressure is off, things can be delayed. Procrastination is a vine. Working raises the stakes. Work schedules create the skill of prioritization. Working is vital. I think working is a part of vitality. Being productive raises self-worth. Even exercise at a gym is a form of productivity. Even playful exercise is rewarding and productive; improving health, re-creating us, building muscle all the while.

I found walking, then running along to keep up with the elephants invigorating. It reminded me of my love of our city. We have been in the cocoon of our Voyage for 6 months. We truly felt disconnected from 2012-13. In rural and wild places, this was only natural. But the majority of our journey carried us also through rural, agrarian places. Through what felt like a different time. We often felt like we were living “in the fifties” right along with that old Tramper. Cities became shocking. The resort at Beaver Creek, overwhelming. A modern pace of life distasteful.

Being home too has been bewildering. 70 square feet of living space and just one basket of clothes each has us in a simple mindset. We see now we have “so many things” in our home. I’m longing for the simplicity. Too many clothes, too many dishes, pots and pans. I am, today, adapting better. I was part of the crowd who wanted to see the elephants. I saw the elephants themselves, line up, gladly clasping tails in trunk and parade back to the arena. In this too, I jump back into life, a life I love!

-David

ENJOY THE PARADE!