Tag: travel

dare to be different

Blu

2chicksandapen

Blu was her name.

She was born in 1965.

She has lived many life stories.

She has had many adventures.

She has a solid core.

She has traveled many miles.

She is ready for new stories.

She ready for new adventures.

She will travel many more miles with me.

Blu is new to me.

Blu is a 1965 Chevy Stepside C10! She is a little weathered but she has aged with grace. She is the oldest car I have ever owned. She is a beautiful shade of powder blue. She is ready to hit the road or the show.

Her last job had her as a photo prop for many families looking for a cute photo setting. I guess the photographer has moved on to a new backdrop. Her loss is my gain. Now Blu is on to bigger and brighter adventures with me.

My first ride with Blu: I had the windows down. Air flowing through the cab as the engine purred. The oversized steering wheel was a blast to use. It somehow just made the ride complete. No need for the radio as I was listening to all the new sounds of the vehicle. 

I rode by the waterfront. Then traveled the back roads. I hit the speed bumps. I idled at the traffic lights. With each traffic stop,  I had some conversations with those admiring her beauty and badassery. It made me giggle a bit but inside I was beaming with pride.

Oh the memories I will make with this vintage vehicle. Definitely checked an item off the bucket list with this purchase.

Beep and wave if you see Blu on the road.

adventure, health

Feeling Beachy

2chicksandapen

A quick trip to the beach was on the radar for this girl. Not a long stay by any means, but an escape. A quick change of scenery.

A little salt in the air. Sunshine on the skin and sand in the toes. There is no better medicine. From the sound of the ocean to smell of the air to the beach vibe of the people. It all equates to relaxation.

In order to feel beachy, you need great accommodations. We found just the right place. This trip featured a cute little 2 bedroom house found on Airbnb. Definitely old fashioned by the exterior look and the bathroom’s dated tile but a lipstick renovation had been recently completed mixing the new with the old. It was perfect for our little stay.

Some of my favorite features were visible instantly. The location to the beach. The simple and quiet street. The two beach bikes sitting on the porch screaming ride me! The screened porch with comfy furnishings. These favorites will be memory makers without question.

I mean as soon as we pulled up two travelers eyed the bikes and went for a ride. I could hear the giggles as they navigated their way down the street in the night with a cellular flash light.

Then there were the bedtime giggles. These started after the claiming of beds, of course. The trouble makers were clearly together instigating giggles. The giggles and snorts went on and on. Then they stopped. Then they started again. The silence of the night crept in after the sounds of excitement. Finally. I believe everyone realized tomorrow will bring new adventures. Rest those weary eyes I said to myself.

Rest now. Play later. Now I will go dream about living my best beach life while I’m visiting this beautiful area with family and friends.

It’s always a peaceful place. The sounds, the imagery, the smells. The beach can easily be a reset button for the toughest of weeks or days prior.

adventure

Staycation

2chicksandapen

I had a staycation this spring break. It was amazing. I didn’t need an expensive beach trip. I didn’t need the crowds of Disney. I didn’t need to figure out travel restrictions from state to state.

Instead I opted for easy. Simple. No frills. Just a local staycation. I stayed and played. Lunch dates sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and company. Outdoor activities with friends and family. From bike rides to hikes to just playing fetch with the dog in the yard.

A little catch-up on the home to do list. A little planting. A little too much shopping. Some driveway car washing. Home cooked meals some which were good and some not so good. That is funny in itself.

Slept in a few days because I could not that I should. A little mix up in the routine and mundane. Let the laundry sit in the dryer an extra day. Spent some time visiting on the spur of the moment. A little thing I missed during the pandemic.

No rules. No have tos. No timelines. Come and go as I please. Something as simple as camping in your own yard or toasting marshmallows over a fire pit can seem like a vacation. Whether you stay or whether you go is up to you. You can make memories either way.

For me a staycation was just right for me. Now my family may say otherwise but this Chick enjoyed the stay. As simple as it was.

perspective

Speed Bumps and Detours

2chicksandapen

Every day we travel to get from point a to point b. Sometimes there is traffic. Sometimes road blocks. Sometimes speed bumps and one ways. Road signs are a lot like life.

Rules. More rules. Laws. Taxation. At some point you may not like the rules, the laws or even taxation but you have to deal with it or face the consequences for disobeying.

I have hit my fair share of roadblocks in life. Ran up on some speed bumps too quickly. Even went down a wrong way a time or two. Not intentional but just happened that way. I may have skinned my knee, shed some tears or better yet paid a penalty of sorts.

I’m still here writing about my escapades. I’m definitely a rule follower so if I hit a one way I will find a way to circle around or back track to get to my destination. If I hit a road block, I’ll wait patiently and find a solution. That’s what I do. I find a way. I find a legal way to get to my final destination.

Sometimes the journey I take is a bit longer than desired but that doesn’t mean I can’t look out the window and enjoy the scenery on the scenic route. The trip is what you make of it. Point a to point b can be a direct route. The fastest way, but the fastest way isn’t always the best way. 

My GPS even knows this. When I’m off on a motorcycle ride I opt for the path less traveled every time. The rural route. The small towns. The detours of sorts.

Those in life that think they can put up a one way sign just for me only yields a giggle from me. That’s the beauty of my life. It’s not one dimensional. I would never even land lock myself with one way in, one way out. I need unlimited possibilities. I need the hoops of life to jump through. It makes life worth living.

In life anything is possible. Just dream it. If those around around you try to put the brakes on your car, take a walk. You can stay legal and enjoy the ride you want when you want. In a car. On a motorcycle. Pedaling away on your bicycle. Running with your two feet. No matter what your mode of transportation, enjoy your ride.

Life will throw you many twists, turns, speed bumps and caution signs. It’s all part of living the dream. The dream another can never see because they are stuck on a dead end road to nowhere with signs all along the way say NO, Don’t, Beware, Keep Out, among others.

I’m toasting all those I know near and far that are so stuck in the mud on that dead end road that they need to try to ruin my ride. You can’t ruin my ride even if you flatten my tires on my fleet of vehicles. I still have my two feet to keep on walking. 

adventure

The Crystal Ball

2chicksandapen

Recently I got a gift. It was a strange gift. The gift was a crystal ball. Can you believe I got a crystal ball? It was funny at the exact moment but it got funnier as time progressed.

The person who gifted me such a unique gift said I bought this for you because you always say “I don’t have a crystal ball” whenever I ask you a question that I really want a clear answer to.

I never really thought about that key phrase until that moment. You see, I say it a good bit. I am not psychic so I can’t predict the future. If I don’t know the answer I may say that phrase with a little sarcasm. And I just happened to say it multiple times to this person. Pretty funny if you ask me.

I thought about where I would put my crystal ball. I opted for a shelf in my office. It’s all shined up and positioned nicely on its base stand. I’m sure I’ll have to dust it often. I will do the dusting to make sure it remains nice and shimmery. I’m sure it will be talked about often. The gift that becomes a talking point.

I will often look at it when I’m using the key phrase about not having a crystal ball because now I have a crystal ball! Maybe that means I’ll have to consult my crystal ball instead of using the phrase. Of course a crystal ball can’t really give answers so who even made up that saying?
Today’s random thought post is about the crystal ball. What would you do if actually had a crystal ball? Since I have one I may just have to put it to the test.

Enjoy your week and if my crystal ball is accurate, you might even get a giggle out of this post.