Vermont 111111

It was 11/11/11.  You know where I've never been?  Vermont.  Fortunately, I live only 2 states away, which made a trip possible.  A trip to Vermont might make you think of hiking or cheese.  While we did both of those things (we definitely did cheese), the surprising aspect of Vermont was its food.  I've tried to avoid this evolving into a food blog.  So, to get that out of the way, check out Vermont part 2 for the foodie in you.

I wasn't sure we were going to make this trip.  We had talked about Vermont this weekend for the past couple of months but we've been traveling a lot.  I finally threw a fit about planning too much.  When Mike realized I expected him to plan our Vermont trip, he immediately, instead, began looking for plane tickets to Puerto Rico.  Of course, tickets to Puerto Rico with 3 days notice are not affordable for anyone.  When you type that search into Kayak, the computer just starts laughing at you.  Once he realized smaller Caribbean Islands had the same problem, as did Miami, he begrudgingly began to look for things to do in Vermont.

Fortunately, once the searching started, the planning became fun.  Who knew Vermont had so many awesome bed and breakfasts?  (everyone)?  Mike picked two cities in the south of Vermont and went with it.  We really lucked out and I would recommend this trip to anyone!

The itinerary in each city consisted of
-Breakfast
-Dinner
-Hike

Brattleboro


We arrived at the Meadowlark Inn in Brattleboro in the pitch black at 4:30 in the afternoon.  A property 1.5 miles from a main road, this Inn is not for anyone who has seen too many scary movies or who doesn't like to use their highbeams.  The Inn Keeper welcomed us into the cozy living room with hot apple cider and cookies, which I devoured.  Our room was a converted farm attic, so we had to duck under beams to get to the toilet, which only had a curtain covering it.  Somehow, it was the coziest, quaintest, farmiest room I had ever been in.  I loved it.

After having one of the top 5 meals of my life (seriously, read the next post), we fell asleep in our little loft, content with the best 11/11/11 ever.

Waking the next morning to an amazing breakfast (post #2), we were ready for some adventure!  People in Brattleboro, and Vermont in general, tend to give directions almost as bad as people in Hawaii.  Typical Hawaii directions: turn left by where the old McDonalds used to be and then take a right where there used to be a red balloon tied to the fence post.  While Vermontans don't require your knowledge of the area from long before you were ever there, they do use "miles" very liberally.  "Drive about a mile and you'll see a gate on your left, turn left and drive another couple miles and then take a right.  You can't miss it"  Really?  Because I think I can miss it.  I did miss it.  Every time.


While looking for an infamous "gate" about a mile from a mile down the road, we came across what we thought could be a path to a tree-lined lake.  We were told this lake was called the stream of consciousness and we couldn't wait to ponder at the pond.  We parked on the side of the road and cautiously began to make our way down a path.  We hadn't gone 50 feet before a truck with two men pulled up along side.  The men stared us down in our dark coats.  "You don't want to go back there dressed like that."  They said.  We looked at their full camo suits and trunk full of guns.  "Hunting season started today and this is private property."  We turned around and began to walk back to the car.  We were jogging by the time we reached the road.

Our next attempt at nature was much more successful.  We hiked Mt. Winnepoopooh or something like that.  We were told the hike was only about 45 minutes each way.  We either did not realize were were crawling up the mountain, or that person was a liar.  Nevertheless, our hike was filled with waterfalls, which were sometimes under our feet, crunchy Autumn leaves, and quiet.  I've never felt so secluded on a trail.

 
 

 

 


I promised you that we did cheese!  Leaving Brattleboro, we stopped at the Grafton Cheese Market and made ourselves sick on samples.

 

Embarassed, we'd say things to each other like, "I think I'll try this one," knowing that the woman behind the counter knew that we had already tried that exact one about 3 or 4 times.

Manchester


Manchester, VT is the home of Robert Todd Lincoln's home called Hildene.  We visited the property and got to see one of (Abraham) Lincoln's actual hats!!!

This is me wearing it!

This is Mike wearing it!  (I thought I did a better job taking this picture).

Also on the estate was a refurbished Pulman car.  These sleeper cars were one of the most luxurious methods of travel back in the day as many presidents traveled on the exact car I was standing in.  The 1920's version of "luxury" travel was basically converting a tight space where you sat all day into a bunked dormitory with beds smaller than current day twin size that included light curtains for privacy.  I'm sure Air Force One is pretty much the same nowadays.

The next day in Manchester (after an amazing dinner and breakfast - no joke, read blog #2), we planned the 5 mile drive up Mount Equinox.  When we got there, the road was closed because of black ice on the numerous hairpin turns of the drive.  Just as we were about to give up, we got the all clear and managed to be the first car of the day to drive up this steep mountain.

At the top we decided to do the hike to "lookout rock."  We hoped this meant a rock with a beautiful view rather than a place where we constantly needed to scream, "Lookout!  ROCK!"

We took another eerie and desolate path.  There was snow up on these peaks and the wind was whipping through the trees with a moaning and ominous hum.  Once again, all alone in the mountains, we came across a grave stone of a beloved dog who had been accidentally shot by a hunter in the 50's.  Oh yeah, his name was Mr. Barbo.

We also ran into a hiker who had walked all the way up the mountain.  We chatted as he ate his tuna fish and ketchup sandwich for lunch.  We surprisingly met a lot of nice, smart, and interesting people in Vermont.  It's almost as if the state has more to it than just hiking and cheddar.

 

 

 


As we descended down the mountain, we slowly realized that the "woodsy fire" smell was not a campfire in the woods - it was our breaks burning.  After making numerous stops on the 80 degree incline to allow our brakes to cool off, we finally were motivated to search for what the "B" gear meant on the prius.  It means low gear.  Who knew?  That helped us get to the bottom of the hill without dying in a brake pad fire.

As we drove home, we could not stop going over all the awesome experiences Vermont had to offer.  We will definitely be back... probably as soon as we run out of cheese.

ATL - Like Riding a Bike

It has been 14 months since I have seen the streets of HOTLANTA!  I remember driving away from my beautiful Decatur apartment, with tears in my eyes, thinking, "I'll be right back!"  But, I wasn't.  Now, going back for less than 48 hours, I knew I had to make the most of it and was nervous I would forget what I was doing.

Stepping off the plane, it felt like home.  The scents of the Popeye's Chicken and Dunkin' Donuts of the Airtran C terminal made me smile.  (Why does Airtran get that when Delta terminals have Lacoste, Starbucks, and Cafe Intermezzo)?

The New:

• Atlanta airport built a SKY TRAIN to the rental car facility!  It was like future world and felt like we were on a roller coaster!  Much more awesome than riding MARTA, but it did lack the classic ATL gems like this girl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQWc3MWQxtU  We picked up our Toyota Camry (only $9.70 in gas for the whole weekend), and drove off.

• The second "new" thing in Atlanta was Piedmont park!  Piedmont park was always awesome, but since I left it DOUBLED in size!  I still don't understand how this was possible because it is a giant park in the middle of urban Atlanta.  That's like me getting back to New York and someone telling me they expanded central park. Where did this land come from that I am standing on?  I'll never know, but it was beautiful.

I even got to play in the new fountain!!

• The third new thing was they finally built a TRAFFIC CIRCLE in place of a 5 way stop light.  This was a brilliant idea that really took much too long to put in place.  Florida gets traffic circles - and those people are all old and can barely figure out common traffic laws to begin with like signaling, not swerving into other lanes, and obeying minimum speed signs.  I think if they can handle a traffic circle, a bunch of students from a top university can handle it.  Finally, good move, Emory.

• The final new thing that I got to try was the Decatur Diner.  This place taunted me for months when a giant "Coming Soon - 24 hour diner" sign was put up across the street from my old apartment nearly 4 months before I moved away.  I was so excited to try it but day after day, the sign remained but the diner did not open.  A 24 hour diner next door would change anyone's life... I don't even have that in New York.  

Happily, I tried the late night gyros.  I stayed away from the Greek potatoes, though.  Ick.

The Old

• What was the first thing we decided to do when we arrived at 10pm?  Have a heavy Italian dinner.  Many advised against this plan, but I think it was necessary.  Especially since it came with a glass of wine to cure my headache.  After Capozzi's, we went to Virginia Highlands for some drinks at Fontaine's.  It was crowded, smokey, and filled with drunks... just like good old times!

• Dragged myself out of bed for a boxing class at the old gym.  Putting on the gloves, I was so excited that I barely noticed the crusted sweat and blood of the stinky old gym gloves I was forced to borrow. I was nervous as I got in the ring to do a combo with my trainer, Terri.  Jab. Step. Right. Low hook. Duck. Hook. Right. Step. Jab.  It came back quickly.  As I punched and ducked I heard Lynsey cheer, "it's like riding a bicycle!"  I could have done it all day.

• A bowling alley - something New York doesn't have.  But Shaina, your firm had a bowling event in times square, and there are many bowling alleys in Manhattan.  No, there are not.  There are clubs where people are allowed to throw a ball down a lane and hit pins.  These places are for drinking and schmoozing.  They are not bowling alleys.  Midtown bowl is a real bowling alley.  It's a place where we ate tater tots and sweet potato fries.  It's a place where they show football games on TV screens.  It's a place where no one dresses up.  It's a place where I got XXXX - 4 strikes in a row!  A Turkey +!  

• The haircut.  Oh yeah, it was worth the wait.  If you're confused, you don't read my blog enough.  See http://shainainnewyork.blogspot.com/2011/09/stalker.html

• My home.  The Ponce.  I have the best tenant ever living there.  When he told me he would use the second bedroom as a music studio, I pictured a few guitars, maybe a keyboard.  Instead, the room is filled with two full sized orchestral xylophones, a string instrument I've never heard of, an electric drum set, and a cello.  I know my place is in good hands.  :)

• Juddy Wuddy Puddy Pie.  The best - as always!

The Merry

So, let's not forget why we came to ATL this weekend... Danielle's wedding!  She was a beautiful bride and looked like she was having the time of her life all night.  Congratulations, Danielle and Kevin!!

We enjoyed the lovely Peachtree club with a pre-reception libation at the Empire State South restaurant.  Yep.  Empire State SOUTH.  I've been informed that people call Georgia that.  Why?  Perhaps it's like people at any number of Georgia's small universities that joke about being the Harvard of the south.  This just doesn't make any sense.

 

This place was absolutely nothing like New York.  We purchased drinks that took 15 minutes to carefully craft and prepare.  We watched the bartender light an orange on fire, just to rub it around the side of the glass.  We watched him carefully crack a brown-egg white into the glass.  We watched him meticulously stir the cocktail 100 times exactly.  This process was worth about $30 in labor cost alone (not to mention the price of the pumpkin gastrique and mexi coke reduction).  What was the total cost of one of these drinks?  $8.  Middle. Of. Atlanta.  That's what I'm talking about!

 

The view from the top of the club was amazing!  We saw stone mountain in the background!  I miss you, ATL!

Extreme Halloweeeen!

Why do I love Halloween so much?  My dad.  Ever since I was young, my dad has gone all-out each October 31.  I don't mean he dresses up to take me trick or treating.  I mean 8am on Halloween morning, he puts on his outrageous outfit for the year...and goes to work.

What does my dad do that he can wear a full costume to work?  Well, you see, he's a doctor.  Is it normal for a doctor to dress up and see patients all day?  I'm not sure but I don't think so.  He schedules long office hours every Halloween, makes sure he goes to do his rounds at the hospital and every nursing home in the city, and tries to schedule a poker game or two... just so that he can expand his audience.

It started off relatively simply - a clown suit, a pumpkin, a ghost.  But, his costumes have recently evolved to a whole new level.

A "Chinese man" is one of our family's favorites.  In fact, I loved this costume so much, I framed this picture and had it in my house.  I finally took it down after I kept telling people it was a picture of my dad and they would ask whether I was adopted.  Seriously?


Another cute costume was everyone's favorite little girl.  GS did not just stand for Glenn Stahl, but for Girl Scout.

 


But, this was not the first time my father dressed in drag for Halloween.  I believe the all-time record for most outrageous costume was when he went as one of my favorite characters.... Tink.

This year... he did it again.  As a doctor, he thought it would be funny to go as someone with three arms.  But was it a gross, scary, Halloween costume?

Nope.  Presenting: Miss Diagnosed!

He even shaved "LOVE" into his moustache.

Inspired by his enthusiasm for the holiday, I always try to be a good sport, but never dress up to go to places such as the hospital, school, or work.  This year, I know I made my dad proud.  We got an email at work saying there would be a Halloween party with a costume contest.  First place gets tickets to WICKED!

I quickly convinced my officemate to dress up with me.  I had the outfits for Mike and my costume, but we wanted to put a different spin on them.  We showed up at the party, proudly, as Mario and Luigi from Mario, Luigi, and Bockius, LLP.

We walked out as first place winners!  (Credit goes to Kelly Gold for designing our ML&B signs).

To make this Halloween even more crazy, we had a SNOW STORM!  We braved the snow and sleet, just as Mario and Luigi would.

Driving Mario Kart Style.  Mike says, "You take the wheel, I'll throw the bananas!"

Jess was a pinata!

Some people find this picture funny.

We had such a good time dressing up in our Mario and Luigi costume that we decided to sign up to be on the trick-or-treat list for our building.  It was fun handing out candy to cute little kids until a group of boys came to our door.  "Trick-or-treee."  They stopped suddenly when they saw me.  One of the boys was dressed as Mario!  "Nice costume!" I said excitedly.  They stood there staring at my fake moustache until "Mario" finally whispered to his friend, "She's bisexual!"

It's cross-dresser, kid.  Guess I'm my father's daughter after all.

What a trip

Take off your shoes.  Take off your jacket.  Take out your computer.  Take out your liquids.  Everyone has his or her own story about the security line at the airport.  I have a few of my favorites.

One

In college, for some reason, we liked to take silverware from restaurants.  On a particularly nice evening, Jeanice was able to slip a fat steak knife into her purse.  This was the day before Thanksgiving break in 2001 – two months after 9/11. 

Of course, when she shows up at security (forgetful Jeanice – never taking anything out of her purse) the “friendly” TSA agent finds the knife.  Her Arab last name did not help the situation.  As the agent began searching through her purse.  He opened her wallet and pulled out her multiple fake ID’s. 

It’s a miracle she made her flight on time.  Or did she?  I can’t remember.

Two

The day after Thanksgiving 2008.  No liquids are allowed through security.  I’m flying back to Emory from Thanksgiving with my family – leftover turkey sandwich and fixings in tow.

I slide my bag into the scanner and when it emerges on the other side, a man reaches in and swiftly pulls out my Tupperware of cranberry sauce.  “No liquids.”  He says as he tosses it into the garbage before I could argue.  I stand there with my mouth open.  Then I begin to cry.

I definitely would have stood there and finished off all the cranberry.  I have been known to open a can of jellied cranberry and finish it off as a snack.  Oh the injustice by the TSA!

Three

Spring 2006.  My mom is carrying seven bags through the airport.  Why doesn’t she just use one big bag?  We’ll never know.  She has a purse, a pilot case, her franklin organizer (yep, 2006), multiple shopping bags, and 3 coats and sweaters (even though she’s traveling from Miami to Hawaii via Houston).

Since she clearly looks suspicious, she is pulled over for a more thorough search.  Does this bother her?  No.  “Sir, since you’re looking, I have a chocolate bar in one of these bags, can you find it for me?”  Right, TSA has time to look for your chocolate bar.  They’re not busy keeping our air safe or anything.

Four

Leaving the most wonderful vacation with my whole family, Mike, and the beach, I was planning on catching the 6am flight back to New York.  This flight requires me to get off the airplane, finagle my way onto the $12 bus, and show up at work around 10:40 – hoping that no one notices.  I figured after a week away, no one would remember that I worked there anyway.  Nevertheless, I had no option to stop at home and drop off my suitcase – it was definitely straight to the office.

Mike, being the wonderful man that he is, offered to help me because he was going back a day early.  I excitedly took him up on his offer before he could take it back.  I packed up my only-technically-carry-on sized, bright pink suitcase and sent him on his way. 

I didn’t think twice about the potential security problems until I got a text, “A cheese grater, really?!”  Oops.  Yeah, I guess my mom gave me one of those to bring back.  Oh, and my ankle weights look like bombs?  Yeah, sorry about that. 

Dentist!

Some people can’t open their mouth very wide.  Some people hate the sound of drills.  Some people hate fresh breath (you know who you are).  I have none of these problems – I love the dentist!

Since I was a kid, I loved the feeling of getting my teeth cleaned.  The grit of the flavored polish (strawberry or coconut… anything but bubblegum) between my teeth left me giddy for days.  The burning sensation of the fluoride rinse – even after 45 seconds of swishing – was the part I most looked forward to.  As I left the dentist, I would always grab as many toys as I could out of the kangaroo pouch (usually about three, which frequently included a bouncy ball, stickers, and one of those gummy spiders you could throw against the wall and it would slowly fall down.  Those things are so cool!  Anyone know where I can find one?).

Perhaps my love for the dentist is only because I am fortunate enough to have never needed braces, have had only one cavity (when I was 17 and old enough not to be traumatized), and went to a dentist with bird and fish mobiles hanging from the ceiling.  It might also be that I just prefer strange things and always have – spinach over chocolate; tofu over hamburgers; and the Disney channel over something more age appropriate (for a 30 year old). 

Needless to say, when I made my first dentist appointment in New York, I couldn’t wait.  Since everything in New York is more expensive than anywhere else, I have been holding off on the dentist.  A Groupon came out and for $36 I bought a cleaning, exam, and x-rays.  The second I bought it – before the deal was even closed – I called and booked the next appointment.  I waited for a week, and yesterday was the day I finally got to go!

I arrived anticipating running my tongue over completely plaque-free pearly-whites.  The office was small and cramped, but most places in New York are.  After waiting nearly 30 min (don’t they know I bill every 6 min of my time?) I got to sit down in the chair!  I put up with the x-rays until the dentist finally came in.  She was young and was happy to answer all of my questions.  I was shocked when she said she would be doing my cleaning herself – I’m used to a hygienist.  I opened my mouth and looked up at the flat screen on the ceiling playing Judge Joe Brown.  This was very different from the fish mobiles in the large glass building surrounded by Palm Trees that I was used to.

She started the cleaning and immediately I felt like it was not what I was used to.  The sharp pick that squirted water was moving much faster and much harder than I was used to.  I winced and held my breath for a while.  When I opened my eyes, I saw the dentist shaking her head.  “ooooaat?”  I asked.  No response.  “Oooaaay yooo aaaaiinnn oorrr eeeaad?”  I asked louder.  “Too much blood,” she mumbled.  Keeping my head still, I darted my eyes to her gloved hands that were moving in and out of my mouth.  They were covered in blood and more was spraying on them every second.

I began to panic.  This is bad.  A little blood is normal but this isn’t.  What if the instruments aren’t clean?  What if I don’t stop bleeding?  What if this hurts?  She finally stopped with the pick axe and began the polishing.  That was only slightly more comfortable.  Fortunately, it was the fastest cleaning I ever had.  “There you go, all done.”  She said, “See you in 6 months.”  She had left the room.  I was feeling empty inside.  That’s all?  I wasn’t expecting a toy at my age, but where was my free toothbrush?  Or my floss?  I sighed and walked back to work.

On the street outside, I ran my tongue across the front of my no longer bloody teeth.  I crunched down on a bit of grit leftover from the polish.  I smiled.

Camp Anawanna

Two weekends ago we went camping for likely the last time this season!  After months of sweltering heat, of course, a cold front comes through on our camping weekend so we're stuck in sweat shirts huddled over night in 40 degree weather!

Nevertheless, it's nice to go camping with the group because everyone else is prepared with things like food and fire.  All I have to do is show up with my two bedroom 10' x 15' luxury tent and queen sized air mattress.

It's usually nice to have a bedroom and a living room in the middle of the woods.  Our luxurious digs felt even better when we set up on the edge of a stream.  Our campground was likely flooded a few weeks earlier with the hurricane, but now, the stream was just a little trickle - it didn't even overflow when the boys on our trip put an extra little trickle in it.

When we arrived, our camping buddies already had the fire going so we were free to go play frisbee and explore.

This campground was slightly different because apparently people actually lived there!  Double wide trailers with tacky lawn ornaments dominated the area.  I didn't understand.  You live in a trailer in the woods!  Why would you ruin that with plastic flamingos and rainbow pinwheels?!

An old boat (we were many miles from the ocean) laid in the middle of a clearing.  "Where do you think that boat travels?"  I asked.  "Where do you think that  boat travels?"  Mike responds pointing to a wooden pirate ship with a life sized Jesus cross.  I immediately declared myself captain!

The fun started at night when we strung christmas lights and turned on a strobe light.  Pink Floyd began playing in the background.  That's when I realized that Pink Floyd is basically the same as the "halloween" soundtrack that people play at haunted houses.  There was only slightly less moaning.  I gobbled my spicy hot dogs and chili.  Then we got to make s'mores (or shmores as my mom calls them).

I slept very well listening to the sounds of the stream with 4 blankets piled on top of me.