All posts by Martin

During my Boise, ID visit, I immersed myself in the vibrant city for two exciting days. While the daylight hours were dedicated to work at my cozy AirBnB, I couldn’t resist the allure of Boise’s attractions, prompting me to venture out and dive into the local wonders.

Freak Alley Gallery

Freak Alley Gallery, located in Boise, is the largest open-air mural gallery in the northwest. In 2002, the first drawing was created by Colby Akers on the back alley doorway of Moon’s Cafe. Now, the murals and graffiti-inspired artwork extend well beyond the single doorway; artwork can be seen throughout the entire alley. I enjoyed walking down this Boise alley.

Julia Davis Park

During my visit to Julia Davis Park in Boise, Idaho, I had the opportunity to explore its diverse attractions. The serene ambiance of the park provided a perfect backdrop for leisurely strolls and relaxation. As I wandered through the park, I couldn’t miss the poignant Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, which stands as a powerful symbol of hope, tolerance, and human rights. It was a moving experience to reflect upon the legacy of Anne Frank and the lessons her diary continues to teach us. Just a stone’s throw away, I also encountered the impressive Abraham Lincoln statue, a towering tribute to the 16th President of the United States. The statue’s grandeur served as a reminder of our nation’s history and the enduring values of freedom and unity. My visit to Julia Davis Park was a harmonious blend of natural beauty, contemplation, and historical reverence, making it a memorable stop in my Boise exploration. Abraham Lincoln was very large.

Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

The Basque Block

It was explained to me while in Boise…the Basque settled the area. I ate Basque for lunch and walked down the Basque Block. The Basque Block in Boise is a captivating cultural enclave offering a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Basque people. Here, you can savor traditional Basque cuisine, attend lively festivals celebrating Basque culture, and explore unique shops. The Basque Cultural Center, housed in the historic “Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga Boarding House,” serves as both a museum and a cultural hub, providing valuable insights into the history and traditions of the Basque people in Boise. With events, sports, and a vibrant atmosphere, the Basque Block is a must-visit destination that enriches your understanding of this unique cultural heritage in Boise.

Capital of Idaho, Boise

During my visit to Boise, I had the chance to explore the capital area, which serves as a testament to the city’s unique character. As the capital of Idaho, Boise gracefully combines urban conveniences with the allure of the great outdoors. While strolling through the capital grounds, I encountered a delightful surprise – a replica of the Liberty Bell. With curiosity getting the best of me, I gave its clapper a playful swing, unwittingly causing a resounding ring that echoed through the area. A moment of embarrassment quickly turned into laughter as I moved on from the surprisingly loud Liberty Bell encounter. It seems that Liberty Bell replicas are a common sight at many of the state capitals I’ve visited, each one offering its own unique charm and unexpected surprises.

Lewis and Clark asking where the parking garage is….. in Boise, ID.

MaidPro Boise, ID

Boise is happy to have MaidPro in town. It was nice to visit the MaidPro Boise office.

Westside Drive In, Boise, ID

During my travels to Boise, Idaho, I had the delightful opportunity to savor an unusual yet mouthwatering treat known as the ice cream potato. This delectable creation, which I stumbled upon at Westside Drive In

, is a local favorite that combines the sweetness of ice cream with the appearance of a potato. The surprise of the creamy, ice-cold dessert inside a potato-shaped chocolate shell was a delightful culinary adventure. What’s even more remarkable is that Westside Drive In, where I enjoyed this unique dessert, was conveniently located just down the street from my treehouse accommodation. If only I had known earlier, I could have taken a leisurely walk to this famous Boise establishment. Notably, Westside Drive In’s reputation has soared to new heights, earning it a feature on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” This iconic Boise spot is a must-visit for anyone exploring the city’s vibrant culinary scene.

An ice cream potato while visiting in Boise….. and it was delicious!

Boise, with its vibrant urban atmosphere and scenic surroundings, proved to be an ideal blend of history, nature, and memorable experiences during my visit.

It was another full travel day going about 200 miles from Craters of the Moon in Idaho, where I camped the night before, to Boise, ID. I originally did not have Boise on my trip, however, my cousin in Missoula asked if I minded coming a few days later. Boise was the obvious way to add a few more days.

North Crater Trail to the Spatter Cones Hike

I woke up before the sun came up and decided to find a hike before heading out on the road. Craters of the Moon was not originally on my itinerary so I wanted to explore a little. I found a 1.9 mile hike along the North Crater Trail which ended at spatter cones. I had no idea what a spatter cone was but was going to find out. 1.9 miles would be perfect as it was a nice hike but not too long. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it was not a 1.9 loop…. it was 1.9 one way.

I thought this was cool. You can see where the lava flowed into this area.	You can see the ripples in the lava that flowed into this area.
This is a spatter cone. A spatter cone is a small, steep-sided volcanic cone built up around a vent where escaping gases blow out chunks of molten lava. I walked the path up into the spatter cone. Very cool stuff. Like being on a different planet.
I walked on this path along the rim. The sun was just right that when I got to a certain point, my shadow was cast across to the other side. You can see the shadow of my legs and me waving back at myself from over there. One of my favorite pictures and a fun little moment.

Breakfast at Timmerman Junction Rest Area – Idaho

There weren’t alot of places along my drive to stop to get something to eat so decided to take the time and cook myself a breakfast. It was such a beautiful day out as I found myself in Idaho. After my 4 mile walk this morning it was a really nice, peaceful and relaxing stop.

Kathryn Albertson Park – Boise, ID

I stopped at another rest area a few hours in to take a little nap since I was going to be arriving in Boise too early to check into my AirBnB. I still arrived a little early so opted to go to one of the parks that were on my list in Boise. Kathryn Albertson Park was really beautiful. There were lots of great little spots to look out at water and greenery. There was a wedding reception going on in one spot and, although it was Sunday, stopped at another to sit and do a little work.

My Home in Boise, ID

Arrived at my AirBnB in Boise in time to relax, kick back and watch the Patriots play. This is one of my favorite AirBnB’s I’ve stayed in. I had the entire place and it was clean and comfortable with a slider that went out to a small porch. The neighborhood was beautiful and so peaceful to walk around. They call it Pat’s Treehouse because it sits up high, making it feel as if one were in a tree house.

At the age of 16, I embarked on an unforgettable Colorado River rafting adventure, following in the footsteps of my father, who had experienced it a decade earlier. Years later, my sister ventured on the same journey. Now, nearly four decades later, I find myself drawn back to this remarkable experience. Join me as I prepare for my upcoming road trip from Boston to Colorado, where I’ll once again set out on this incredible river adventure.

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  Parking at Airport Mesa Vortex, Sedona, AZSeptember 7, 2022
  Explore the enchanting Sedona Airport Mesa Vortex—a spiritual haven with insider parking tips. Immerse yourself in its magic, history, and mystical allure in vibrant Sedona, Arizona.
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  Visiting Airport Mesa Vortex, Sedona, AZ – Aug 2022September 6, 2022
  Embarking on a captivating weekend adventure in Sedona, Arizona, I was drawn to one of its mystical gems—the Sedona Airport Mesa Vortex. “What is a vortex?” Among Sedona’s array of vortexes, the Airport Mesa Vortex stands out, easily accessible but quite popular. To bask in its serenity, an early arrival is advisable, as I discovered firsthand. Amidst the bustling crowd, I found a moment of solitude and felt the energy of the vortex, making it a memorable experience.
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  New Jersey into Virginia – June 2022July 14, 2022
  Traveling had me on the move for a full day, making my way westward from New Jersey. I journeyed through several states and managed to reach Virginia before finding a spot for a night’s rest in my van.
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  My Van Life Journey: Exploring New York City’s Sights and Sounds (June 2022)July 13, 2022
  Join me as I dive back into van life and explore the vibrant streets of New York City. From towering skyscrapers to delicious meals, it’s a day filled with exciting adventures!
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  Colorado River Roadtrip and BackMarch 10, 2022
  My next road trip will take me from Boston to Colorado where I’ll set off again on a Colorado River rafting adventure.

I made it home yesterday.

I left New Orleans in a rental car at 3 a.m. Saturday morning. With just enough room for the driver, I managed to pack everything from the van into it.

This is not how these trips are supposed to be traversed. It was very cramped. I am used to having the bed in the back but in this situation, I could not even put the seat back to rest.

I made the most of it. I made it home Sunday.

This was my Saturday drive.

I would like to have gotten a coffee at Cafe Du Monde on my way out of town, but they were closed. I believe before Ida, they were open 24 hours. Ida hit New Orleans hard. It was very early morning and dark when I exited Louisiana and entered Mississippi.

	I drove into Alabama. Sweet Home Alabama. Home of the World Games this year and then the radio played Tuesday’s Gone by Lynard Skynard. I enjoyed that. The sun came up. I enjoyed that too.
I stopped for coffee at Just Love Coffee Cafe in Tuscaloosa, Alabama…	and I ate my first womlette. It made me smile…. and it seemed to smile back.

Birmingham, Alabama

I played George Ward Park Disc Gold Course in Birmingham, Alabama.

I didn’t realize I was going to go through Georgia and then I entered Tennessee. I had never been to Tennessee before. Now there’s only 5 states I’ve never been to.

Chattanooga Choo Choo

And it turns out, today was the 141st anniversary of Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

I stopped in Chattanooga, Tennessee to get some work done. I needed to finish out a few reports before the end of the day and opted for a little place across the street from the Chattanooga Choo Choo. I sat outside and when the reports were done, I treated myself to a nice cold beer. I enjoyed the beautiful weather, people watched and then took a little walk around the area.

Athens, Tennessee

There was a highly rated course that I wanted to play, however, I’d be arriving 45 minutes before sunset. I played Athens Regional Park very quickly …. and shot very well! It is such a beautiful course. I would like to get back here and enjoy a slow round some day.

Knoxville, Tennessee

I didn’t stay long in Knoxville. I was going to just drive past it and make some time before I got to sleepy. But the Sunsphere was only 3 minutes out of the way, so why not. “The Sunsphere, located in World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, is a 266-foot high hexagonal steel truss structure, topped with a 75 ft gold-colored glass sphere that served as the symbol of the 1982 World’s Fair.” – from the Sunsphere’s Google page

I drove through the night with frequent stops to rest, however, with the vehicle situation, rest was hard to come by. This was definitely a difficult trip and was a struggle at times. I don’t like driving like this and am looking forward to figuring out my next vehicle.

Sunday morning I stopped at a Planet Fitness in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and had a shower and a hydro massage. That was certainly helpful and I also stopped in New Jersey to see a cousin I hadn’t seen in years. I napped there before completing the last 4 hours.

I arrived home Sunday afternoon. It was nice sleeping in my bed.

I left home on Dec 17 and tonight is my last night before I start the 24 hour drive home.

It’s been months and it does feel that way. Hard to believe that my visit to my cousins in New Jersey was the same trip as this. They were my first night out of Boston in New Jersey as I headed south eleven weeks ago.

My plan was to leave New Orleans a week ago which was the Friday before Fat Tuesday. The Universe had other ideas.

The pickup truck attempted to get through the yellow light. He didn’t make it. And he ended up driving away at the end of the evening.

Plans for after New Orleans before the incident.

Actual plans.

I needed to stay in New Orleans until the insurance adjuster took a look at things. At that point I’d be able to make some decisions. I was here an extra week and had to remove the planned drive taking me further out west to the edge of Texas.

I did, however, end up getting stranded in New Orleans through Mardi Gras. I reconnected with friends I hadn’t seen in 30 years and got to see a small glimpse as to how some of my life may have been if I decided to stay in New Orleans all those years ago. It was really special.

This is Tommy. A friend from 30 years ago… and still a friend today!	This is basket 14 at City Park Disc Golf Course in New Orleans that I had the opportunity to play.
These are friends from Boston that were down in New Orleans on Krewe of Tuck.	And these are my friend from Boston throwing beads at the Krewe of Tuck parade.

And although the car is totaled and I missed out on seeing some new places and visiting some owners I was looking forward to seeing, the silver linings continued to show themselves.

It’s time to finally head out. I leave tomorrow and decided to stop at a local bar for a cold beer on my last night. It was a bar around the corner that I had visited on one of my first nights here. I sat outside again. It was very peaceful. I thought about the past week… and the past eleven weeks.

As I finished my drink and went to leave, the bartender asked how I was doing. I told her everything was really good. My car is totaled and everything is really good.

I am feeling very grateful.

So I’m a good way into this trip that started when my folks rented a place in Orlando for a week. This was my map of red dots before I left.

A week traveling to Orlando and then 6 and a half weeks of exploring Florida, this is what my map looks like now.

The density of the dots has increased in the center of Virginia due to my visit to Raleigh and I’ve created an anchor on the end of Florida.

Here are some close ups of my new red dots …..

The first thing I did this morning was to get a Covid self test and take it. I am heading to see my family and I wanted to ensure I wasn’t bringing Covid along with me. I grabbed a cup of coffee and took the test while sitting in my car. I swabbed my nose as it says to do (and as we’ve all had done so many times in the past two years), dipped the swab into the little vial of solution and waited. When the ten minutes had passed, I checked, and low and behold… it says positive and I had Covid! Crap!!! I’m going to have to quarantine for 10 days which puts me on the last day of my stay in Orlando!

I wanted to make sure so I did it again…. and again… it was positive. I’ve heard these tests can be inaccurate so decided to get this professionally done to make sure. I found a clinic in Richmond that could see me and made an appointment. I went in early in the afternoon and the first thing they did was give me an instant test. That test came back negative!! NICE!! Due to the mixed results, they sent a sample away to get, what they called the gold standard test, a PCR test.

I was supposed to stay with my older cousin that night and even though I did not have a fever and had no symptoms, I didn’t feel comfortable staying there that night. So it looked like I was going to quarantine in my van until the test results came back.

I did do some exploring of Richmond anyway and just made sure I didn’t go inside anywhere, masked up and I avoided people. I enjoy seeing capitals so headed towards the downtown area of Richmond where the capitol building is located. The area around the capital building was fenced off with some kind of stands set up and areas under construction so I couldn’t really see much. There were some cool statues which I enjoyed reading about.

A day later, my test came back negative! The trip continued on.

Friday – Boston, MA to Summit, NJ

Saturday – Summit, NJ to Richmond, VA

Visiting cousins in Summit, NJ

I left Boston after work on Friday and arrived at my cousins in Summit, NJ later in the night. It was really great seeing them as it has been years since we’ve spent any time together. We had a nice dinner and caught up on out lives. In the morning I sat at their kitchen table talking some more and, although it was Saturday, logged into their wi-fi and checked in on work. I headed out in the late afternoon with plans to come back and visit again soon. They are close enough that I can go down for a week specifically to see them and not just a stop on a longer trip.

Pottsille, PA

The day before I Ieft on this trip, I received a picture of a store in my hometown with its sign being removed. Just over 90 years ago, my grandfather started the Yorkville Drug Store in Pottsville, PA. When my dad finished college, he came back to Pottsville and worked the store with my grandfather. It seems, after 92 years, that store is closing and the building may be torn down. I’m a very sentimental guy and this news was very sad to me. My grandparents lived above the store and I have such fond memories of being there. Since Pottsville was just a few miles out of my way, I decided to stop in. I drove by the store as well as the house I was raised in, which is just a few blocks away. Since I was in town, I had to stop for a Coney dog. I do love my Coney dogs!

Coyote Hills Disc Golf, Carlisle, PA

This course has been on my radar for some time since it has some really great reviews online. Discgolfscene.com has it listed as number 4 in Pennsylvania and UDisc has a 4.4 rating with almost 1000 reviews. I’ve driven by here close to a dozen times, however, it was either to late in the day, raining or I had somewhere else to be. Today I was able to play and I was not disappointed. I found the course to be well maintained with some beautiful views and a nice hike through the woods.

The course is very challenging with many of the baskets playing through tight tree lines. Although most were through trees, I though it had a nice mix with some nice elevation changes, some very long open shots and a few possible ace tees. The distances range from about 150 feet to about 700 feet. As I was playing the course, I was thinking how there are definitely ace potentials (like 7 where I hit the basket on my drive) but also double bogey potentials if you hit a tree at the wrong time.

I finished at plus 5 and I was happy with that. For me, it was a tale of two courses. I shot two under on the front nine and seven over on the back nine.

Gus’s Bar & Grill, Richmond, VA

The Patriots were playing tonight and I wanted to watch the game. It turns out I was going to be getting into Richmond right around game time so I Googled “best sports bar in Richmond”. Google recommended Gus’s. I made it almost in time for kickoff. I did enjoy the bar. There were plenty of televisions, the staff was friendly and it wasn’t crowded. If only the Patriots didn’t play as poorly as they did.

It was a beautiful night so I walked around the area for a little while before crawling into the van for the night.