On Friday night I checked out Happy Dog, a local bar with live music. The Polka Happy Hour was covered by DJ Kishka, who was really hilarious:
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Welcome to Ohio
I'm spending two nights in Cleveland, OH. It was about a 4-hour drive from State College to here. Interstate 80 has a lot of truck traffic. The speed limit was 70 on some of the stretches. The cheapest gas I've seen so far is here in Ohio: $3.50 a gallon....!!!.
On Friday night I checked out Happy Dog, a local bar with live music. The Polka Happy Hour was covered by DJ Kishka, who was really hilarious:
On Friday night I checked out Happy Dog, a local bar with live music. The Polka Happy Hour was covered by DJ Kishka, who was really hilarious:
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Second stop: The University of Pennsylvania, State College PA
On Monday April 23 2012 I drove 45 minutes to State College. I stayed there until Friday.
I visited the university campus, including the Palmer Museum of Art and the famous Berkey Creamery.
They have great bars on College St. I went to Pickle's to watch the Champion's League game:
On Wednesday I checked out Indigo Night Club. The drinks there were sooo cheap and good. Cover at Indigo was $4, coat check $1, and I got a Grey Goose and Coke for $4!
On my last night, Thursday, I went to Zeno's Bub, which had some of the best and most varied beers I've ever tried. I had their Otto’s Apricot Wheat, Tröegs Scratch # 61 – Imperial Stout, and the Lindemans Lambic Framboise, all very different, but all highly recommended.
I visited the university campus, including the Palmer Museum of Art and the famous Berkey Creamery.
They have great bars on College St. I went to Pickle's to watch the Champion's League game:
On my last night, Thursday, I went to Zeno's Bub, which had some of the best and most varied beers I've ever tried. I had their Otto’s Apricot Wheat, Tröegs Scratch # 61 – Imperial Stout, and the Lindemans Lambic Framboise, all very different, but all highly recommended.
Departure, First Stop: Lock Haven, PA
I started in Stamford CT on Sunday April 22 2012. I drove 4 hours on the first day to Lock Haven, PA, where I stayed for one night.
I visited the Lock Haven University campus and worked out at the REC center where they have an indoor running track.
It actually snowed here on that day. Gas prices in CT: $4.30, PA: $3.90.
I visited the Lock Haven University campus and worked out at the REC center where they have an indoor running track.
It actually snowed here on that day. Gas prices in CT: $4.30, PA: $3.90.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Connecticut to Alaska: Extended Round Trip
My original idea was a one-way road trip from Connecticut to Alaska. How are you getting back, you might ask. Well, to be honest I was going to ditch my car once up there and hop on a plane. But now I may have the opportunity to extend my trip past Alaska...
Additionally, after Washington state I would drive down the coast of California to LA, then Utah, Grand Canyon in Arizona, and then Texas. It's a very ambitious journey, and I'm not certain I will go through with this round trip idea or the orignal one way trip.
What I'm thinking is, driving north through Alberta, Canada, Calgary, then Fairbanks, Denali National Park and Anchorage in Alaska, and then driving south through the Alaska Highway (my original route into Alaska) to Vancouver and Seattle. That way I could experience beautiful Alberta and I wouldn't have to drive on the same road twice. I would also get to keep my car ;)
Additionally, after Washington state I would drive down the coast of California to LA, then Utah, Grand Canyon in Arizona, and then Texas. It's a very ambitious journey, and I'm not certain I will go through with this round trip idea or the orignal one way trip.
What are your thoughts on this trip? Please comment below. Click here for Google Map.
Why Alaska?
The first reason I give to people who ask me why I'm going to the places I'm going is "because I've never been there." I would like to go everywhere I've never been if I could; I think every place on earth offers something interesting to experience. Whether that place is pretty or ugly, pristine or perverse, majestic or dull, I think there's something great to see everywhere.
Of course it takes a certain amount of creativity and intellectual to appreciate things in plain sight that plain people might otherwise take for granted. Most people walk through life and places without admiring the details in their surroundings, either because they're unable to do so, or because they see the world revolving around them instead of the other way around.
There are many reasons why I'm going to Alaska. I was first inspired by the movie Into the Wild. Since then I've been taking action towards this imminent goal. I was also urged to experience the vast wilderness first hand by various shows on Discovery and Animal Planet of course.
Whatever the reason may be, my advice is to pause for a moment every time you're outside. Take a step back and learn to appreciate the simplest things in life, the air against your skin, the sound of trees, the color of the sky. Train your vision and look in directions you might not have looked at next time you pass by a familiar place. You'll be surprised by how many interesting details you miss on a daily basis. Once you've trained your senses to be deeply perceptive you will realize how unaware of everything people really are. It's funny, actually.
Of course it takes a certain amount of creativity and intellectual to appreciate things in plain sight that plain people might otherwise take for granted. Most people walk through life and places without admiring the details in their surroundings, either because they're unable to do so, or because they see the world revolving around them instead of the other way around.
There are many reasons why I'm going to Alaska. I was first inspired by the movie Into the Wild. Since then I've been taking action towards this imminent goal. I was also urged to experience the vast wilderness first hand by various shows on Discovery and Animal Planet of course.
Whatever the reason may be, my advice is to pause for a moment every time you're outside. Take a step back and learn to appreciate the simplest things in life, the air against your skin, the sound of trees, the color of the sky. Train your vision and look in directions you might not have looked at next time you pass by a familiar place. You'll be surprised by how many interesting details you miss on a daily basis. Once you've trained your senses to be deeply perceptive you will realize how unaware of everything people really are. It's funny, actually.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Connecticut to Alaska Roadtrip (Updated Feb 21 2012)
I've modified my planned route a bit so that I can drive up Mount Evans, Colorado which has the highest paved road in North America. This will add roughly 761 miles to my trip. In Colorado I will stop at Denver, Idaho Springs, Mt Evans, Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak. Click here to see the map on Google Maps
I would keep going south to the Grand Canyon if I could, but I am unable to do so at this time. Click on images to enlarge:
I would keep going south to the Grand Canyon if I could, but I am unable to do so at this time. Click on images to enlarge:
Friday, February 17, 2012
Preparing for an Extended time on The Road
I describe as extended, any time you plan to be on the road for more than 30 days. Unless you have some extra cash laying around, you'll need a financial plan for this trip. You'll also need other plans like where you're going, where you'd stay and what supplies you'll need, but those are easier to put together. Once your financials are taken care of, the rest is easier. This post assumes that you will not be working while on the road, that you do not own a mobile or flexible business, that your current job does not allow you to work remotely, that you are not a business owner with competent managers, and that you don't have any other significant residual sources of income.
That said, the first thing you'll need to do is to pay all debts at home. This is probably the hardest issue to resolve for most Americans. The reason why you should have zero debt before you go on the road is because you don't want to be thinking about the bills that are piling up back home when you are trying to have the time of your life. Granted, if you have enough savings stashed away, you can keep paying your bills while on the road, but then again, how many people actually save their money in this country? Also, having to save up to cover future bills will be twice the work.
The second step is to save up for your trip. Again, I know this is easier said than done, but trust me, you can do it. After you've achieved these two milestones, you can plan how you'd like to live your time on the road, Do you want to stay at fancy hotels every single time? Do you want to camp most nights? Sleep in you car, van or SUV? Couchsurf? Find friends who may offer you room and board? Maybe you want to do a combination of these. Whichever you prefer, you'd want to estimate how much this is going to cost you. Make a list of expenses that you're likely to encounter and calculate the dollar amounts for each of them. Here are some basic expenses you should be aware of:
- Gas
- Car maintenance (oil change, fluids, unforeseen repairs, etc)
- Living expenses
- Food
- Clothing
- Souvenirs
- Entertainment
- Emergency fund
- Travel insurance (including car insurance)
An extended road trip may be a life changing experience. It can be carried out by almost anyone with enough desire and discipline. It is true that this adventure may be more appealing to single, childless individuals, because of their decreased responsibilities, but I know of single moms, retirees, and highly accountable managers, who have achieved the same.
TIPS: If you have a mortgage you may want to rent out your property to cover those expenses while on the road. If you are thinking of creating a business that has freedom of mobility, this may be your chance to put your remote management skills to the test!
That said, the first thing you'll need to do is to pay all debts at home. This is probably the hardest issue to resolve for most Americans. The reason why you should have zero debt before you go on the road is because you don't want to be thinking about the bills that are piling up back home when you are trying to have the time of your life. Granted, if you have enough savings stashed away, you can keep paying your bills while on the road, but then again, how many people actually save their money in this country? Also, having to save up to cover future bills will be twice the work.
The second step is to save up for your trip. Again, I know this is easier said than done, but trust me, you can do it. After you've achieved these two milestones, you can plan how you'd like to live your time on the road, Do you want to stay at fancy hotels every single time? Do you want to camp most nights? Sleep in you car, van or SUV? Couchsurf? Find friends who may offer you room and board? Maybe you want to do a combination of these. Whichever you prefer, you'd want to estimate how much this is going to cost you. Make a list of expenses that you're likely to encounter and calculate the dollar amounts for each of them. Here are some basic expenses you should be aware of:
- Gas
- Car maintenance (oil change, fluids, unforeseen repairs, etc)
- Living expenses
- Food
- Clothing
- Souvenirs
- Entertainment
- Emergency fund
- Travel insurance (including car insurance)
An extended road trip may be a life changing experience. It can be carried out by almost anyone with enough desire and discipline. It is true that this adventure may be more appealing to single, childless individuals, because of their decreased responsibilities, but I know of single moms, retirees, and highly accountable managers, who have achieved the same.
TIPS: If you have a mortgage you may want to rent out your property to cover those expenses while on the road. If you are thinking of creating a business that has freedom of mobility, this may be your chance to put your remote management skills to the test!
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