A to Z Challenge: Reflections Post

Yay, I did it!! 

I (barely) reached the end of the Challenge. 

I'm not gonna lie it was a bit hard restricting myself to travel. What was I thinking?

So here are some of the questions that I am going to answer. 

Did you accomplish your goals? My goal was to post for each letter of the alphabet, so yes I met my goal.

Did you post every day? Yes and no. Some days I am busier than others so I scheduled posts. During my busy days I didn't check to see if my posts actually posted when they were supposed to. So I had a few times that my posts 'appeared' all on one day, that would be the day I realized my stuff wasn't posting. Stupid blogger messing with my junk. 

Did you make new friends? I wouldn't say I necessarily made new friends. But I did gain a few more page hits. There are a few folks that have returned to visit my blog that I intend on adding to my blog roll. Maybe as time goes they will become my interwebz friend? 

Did you enjoy the Challenge? I did enjoy the challenge and maybe next time I do it I will maybe change it to a photo a day of the given letter? I don't know, not sure if I like giving up a whole month of normal blogging for an a A-Z challenge.  I have gotten back tracked on stuff like my Hawaii posts and I still have to share my Alaskan adventures.  Not to mention an update on how I did with my pottery wheel class.  And further complains about reluctant step-parenting misadventures.

So I hope to continue full force blogging about life and such.  If there is one thing this challenge did teach me is that I do have time to blog more often than I had been.  It was just a matter of motivation, if I can just stay motivated to post at least 2-3 times a week I will be satisfied.  I have so much to share it's a shame so many would be posts just fizzle away in my brain instead of making it to posts or even drafts.

A to Z Challenge: Z is for Zzyzx

This is one of those places I have driven by many times but never took the turn off to actually take Zzyzx Road.  It's out in the middle of nowhere.  Anyone who has driven to or from Las Vegas and California will have passed the sign.  Maybe even stopped the car to take a picture with the sign.  It's a quirky name for a road.  

Honestly, the thought of stopping in the middle of the desert to go to an unknown place kinda gives me the willies.  I've seen 'The Hills Have Eyes' and I would rather avoid the stop.  But I looked up the place and it's rather anti-climactic.  It's a research center and there is a natural hot spring there, aside from that.... not much else.

The main reason I remember the word is because there was a retired staff member who continually would request his password reset.  Somehow the summer break would cause him to forget his password every year.  And every year he would call in stating he forgot his password and if I would be so kind as to set it to Zzyzx.  I never did ask him if he had tried the password because had he tried, he wouldn't have called.  Job security right?

A to Z Challenge: Y is for Yukon River

 The Yukon River was frozen when I went to Alaska a few weeks ago.  So frozen I actually went out for a walk with my sister onto the river and had a nice cold beer.  We watched the sun setting together and marveled at the crisp, cold, beauty of the river.

And the Yukon River Bridge, that carries (holds?) part of the Alaskan Pipeline on it is also a part of the Dalton Highway.  More on my Alaskan adventures after this blog challenge is over.

A to Z Challenge: X is for Xanax

The first time I was going on a trip that included a plane ride I was so worried about the flight that I asked my doctor to give me a prescription for Xanax.  I have had to take it before for anxiety and before dentist visits.  I know flying stresses out many folks so that's why X gets Xanax for my A-to-Z Challenge.  Anyone who has suffered panic attacks can attest to the helpfulness of Xanax.  When I first started getting panic attacks I thought I was having a heart attack!  I literally would have to pull over, stop the car and hope I wasn't dying.  It was stress, I have since learned ways to avoid getting so bent out of shape.  But I digress, back to getting a prescription for flight jitters.

Oddly enough I didn't need to take the pills.  I was more excited than anything else to go on my first international trip that I didn't feel nervous at all.  I actually have come to enjoy flying.  The last flight I was on I did feel slightly nervous only because, like an idiot, I decided to read up on that missing plane that was all over the news.  Maybe not the smartest reading material pre-flight, I guess I am a glutton for punishment.  I just had to remember the odds are much better for flying than driving.

A to Z Challenge: W is for Wiesbaden

I am totally cheating and linking this post to my original post regarding Wiesbaden.  Since then, our friend who lived there has moved to Texas.  What a change!  Wiesbaden is a beautiful place but a bit too rich for my blood.  I could not afford to live there, much less shop there. 

I wouldn't mind going back to check it out when it is actually alive.  I was there during Easter and the streets were desolate.

A to Z Challenge: V is for Valencia

There is only one reason I have gone or will go to Valencia....  Just one.

I love Magic Mountain!  I have so many fond memories of going with my roomie and taking exchange students who are thrill seekers.  I really want to go soon but the mister is anti-coasters.  I think they make him sick or give him migraines or something.  I am hoping once Andy hits 58 inches (if he hasn't already, somehow the kid suddenly got taller) I can coax him into riding some awesome coasters.  I have a sinking suspicion that he may be a pansy about coasters though.

I was there for the opening of Goliath, which was so intense it broke the spaghetti strap right off of my roomie's tank-top.  That was fun, good thing the girls weren't over exposed and the park offers a variety of shirts and tanks for sale.  I almost snapped my neck off riding Superman because the 'keep head back' signs were oddly enough placed to the side instead of in front of me.  Never made that mistake again, without a warning ZOOM!!!! off into the air.  I rode the predecessor to X2, the X1 and it seriously made tears come out of my eyes.  It was like nothing I had ever ridden before and I actually ran out of scream, I had to gasp for air to scream more.  I was seated next to a strange little Asian boy who just looked over and laughed at my tear-streaked, breathless face; it was magical.  The guy I went with the time refused to go on again because he insisted it would give him a stroke or heart attack.

A to Z Challenge: U is for Underwater

Anyone who has known me for any length of time knows about my fear of the ocean.  I started taking baby-steps and learned to swim.  While in Hawaii, I did the unthinkable and went snorkeling.  I actually swam out, away from the boat, on my own and looked into the ocean.  I got to see the wonder and beauty that I was only able to see through fish tanks before.  I got to swim through a bunch of little fish and I loved it.  I was scared to death when I got in the water but after my panic subsided and by breathing returned to normal I was off exploring INSIDE the ocean.

I am hoping to continue snorkeling when I go on other adventures.  Being able to see life underwater was life changing and inspired me to face my fears more often.  I hope to have the opportunity to go underwater again in the future.  Maybe on my next vacation!

More on facing my fears in Hawaii will be coming up soon as soon as this blog challenge is over.  I plan to upload some video I was able to take while snorkeling too.

A to Z Challenge: T is for Tehachapi

Tehachapi has been something of a recurring place for me since about the time I was 16.  I remember my friend Jeff talking about Tehachapi, A LOT!  He wanted to visit Tehachapi for one reason, the train.  You can look up lots of news related articles regarding the Tehachapi Loop.  He was a train buff and envied that I lived so close to the train tracks and could stand so close to them as they whizzed by.  I still haven't had the chance to see a train descend or ascend the Tehachapi Loop.  I wonder if Jeff ever got to see a train on the loop.

Later in life, on my first road trip to Las Vegas, we passed Tehachapi.  I had never witnessed windmills like the ones in Tehachapi or so many!  I think in retrospect I would have preferred a nature walk in the area surrounding Tehachapi than having gone to Vegas.  

A few years after that I met a gal online through a message board, we exchanged addresses and she lived in Tehachapi!  I sent her a few of my t-shirts for her to tye-dye and I knitted her light green toque.  I wish I had gone to visit her while she still lived in Tehachapi.  I still intend on stopping there one day to see the loop and spend some time there outdoors.

A to Z Challenge: S is for San Francisco

I really enjoy San Francisco, I don't know if it's the impossible hills, the crisp wind or the late foggy mornings.  I do know, the food is great and I have never been lacking for anything to do any time I have ever been there.  The last time I went was wonderful, it was my mom's first time and it was my first time to actually walk the Golden Gate Bridge.  It's one of those things I always meant to do but never got around to it.  It was just our luck that we have a semi-clear day to walk the bridge and take pretty pictures.  That's me, my mom and my sis.

A to Z Challenge: R is for Residenz München

Or Munich Residenz if you don't speak German.  

It's beautiful, big and makes you feel like a tiny dwarf in some of the grand palace rooms.  I especially loved the huge mirrors and doors.

Oh and I can't forget the amazing collection of bones.  Yes, bones!

 

For more pictures from my trip to the Munich Residenz click here.

A to Z Challenge: Q is for Queensland

One of these days when I make it to Australia, I plan on stopping in Queensland; specifically Brisbane and Ipswich.  If I haven't mentioned it before I have hosted several exchange students.  Most of the students I have hosted range from a 2 week stay all the way to a 5 month stay.  The shortest kids I hosted were a group of four boys from Ipswich Grammar School that stayed with us for four days.

The four boys were traveling with their teammates through the US playing in basketball tournaments against other high schools.  These boys were nothing like any of the other students I had previously hosted.  Most of the students I had hosted were mousey, shy and Asian.  These boys were rambunctious, outgoing and very friendly; they were also ravenous eaters!  They encouraged us to come visit sometime in the future.  Some of the boys that stayed with us still remain contact online.  I hope one day to be able to visit where they came from.

A to Z Challenge: P is for Pismo Beach

I bet you thought you were going to see the stereotypical, Baywatch-esque, California beach, huh?  Or you were expecting to see this Pismo Beach:

That is the Pismo I avoid, it's getting to be that time of year.  That time of year when folk from Bakersfield and the surrounding areas flood the central coast looking to escape the oppressive heat of in-land California.  They show up in droves, three day weekends are the worst.  I wouldn't get so upset about it but for the most part they show up acting like entitled jerks that litter the beaches with cigarette butts, Coors Light containers and fast-food wrappers.  This time of year I usually run the hills to hide.  Reminds me of an episode of Family Guy, the one about the Leafers.  Except we don't get Leafers, we get Bake-O's (as it people from Bakersfield).

Forget it!  I prefer it much more when the weather is overcast and not a soul want's to enjoy natures beauty.  The best time to enjoy it is when you can actually enjoy it instead of wading through an ocean of sweaty, gross, litter bugs.  Maybe I'm anti-social but I have my reasons for preferring a quiet walk on a gloomy beach over a crowded, sunny day.

A to Z Challenge: O is for Oso Flaco

 So it says it's a lake. And growing up out in Guadalupe, I assumed it was a huge beautiful lake but much to my surprise it was an odd kinda pretty and more of a multi-habitat.  As you can see above the entrance is alongside agricultural fields.  Fields as far as the eye can see but then you take a short walk in the direction of the beach and you find beauty.  I know it looks gloomy and that's how most of my childhood mornings appeared.  Gloom and doom until about 2pm!

 A few hundred feet and a sharp right brings you to the actual lake.  There is a bridge that was constructed by volunteers and children (my brother was among them) to help you traverse the lake.  The lake is home to several endangered species in the Central Coast.... snowy plover is among my favorite.  At the end of the trail you can meet the violent ocean that is the Pacific.

A to Z Challenge: N is for Netherlands

And annoyed that my post failed again.  Even after I check the time/date/zone.  Blogger I officially hate you and will be looking for a suitable replacement.  But before that let's get back to my day, just ONE, in the Netherlands.  Specifically Amsterdam for a 20 some odd hour layover.

Okay I lie, the layover was cut short by bone chilling winds, travel exhaustion and just plain exhaustion.  In the first picture I posted you can see I have a foot bandaged up.  That foot had walked for 2 weeks all over Germany and I think my poor hurt ankle was done for.  And I was done for.  But while in Amsterdam I did get to visit the Anne Frank House, Homomonument, Vondelpark, the giant I amsterdam sign, took a canal tour and had the best cup of coffee I think I have ever tasted in my life.  I did not visit a Coffee Shop, though I probably should have since they are now verboden to foreigners.  Ah such is life, being from California a smoke shop really wasn't of much interest to me, every corner street of a large city has a dispensary here.  Oh, we also got to stay in the airports capsule hotel which was expensive and kinda creepy.

A to Z Challenge: M is for Munich

Another pilfered photo

I already have an image heavy post about Munich here.  I just have two things to say about Munich beer and food.  Okay, the buildings are pretty cool and the people seem way laid back too which was nice.  For my first German city, I really liked it.  The public transportation was impecable!

So back to the food.  I got to try weisswurst for the first time in Munich, oh man that is some GOOD sausage!  My sister and I enjoyed it so much we had to go for round two the next day.  We crave it from time to time and the only place we can get it is from German Deli.  If you live in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada or have an APO/FPO; they ship to you.  So if you are in the mood for some German goodies, they are good.  I have ordered from them twice and have no complaints.

As a side note blogger seems to be failing at posting my scheduled posts.  Sorry thins one posted a day late but it was intended for yesterday.  Guess I will have to find time to clock the Publish button.

A to Z Challenge: L is for Lava Beds

Lava Beds National Monument is out in the sticks! I didn't even know they existed but I am glad I learned of their existence.  I remember it was in August, it was hot and the air felt quite oppressive.  I grew up at sea level so the elevation was causing me to feel fatigued.  10 feet into any cave the air temperature dropped quickly, more so in the ice caves.  I almost wish I had been better prepared for the lava beds.  Unfortunately, much like my random stop at Klamath, the lava tubes were an afterthought that was squeezed into my road trip. 

I was just talking to the mister and he thinks it would be a great idea to go there.  Maybe on the way up to Grant's Pass we can take a day or two to camp at this lovely high desert.  A quiet, dark, natural place to stargaze at night.... and a spelunkers paradise during the day.

*Photos pilfered from the government.  Back when I road-tripped, I didn't have a camera because it was a million years ago and capturing moments in time was low on my list of priorities.

A to Z Challenge: K is for Klamath Falls

Pilfered photo.

Klamath Falls was an unplanned stop that I am thankful for stopping at.  I was on a roadtrip way back when and just north of the California border is Klamath Falls.  It was beautiful!  Green as far as the eye could see, a pretty lake that made all other lakes I had seen look like dirty mud puddles.  And the smell was amazing, the air was crisp and clean.  I am hoping when the mister's family decides on roadtripping up to Bend that I can stop at Klamath Falls again.

A to Z Challenge: J is for Japan

So, I haven't been to Japan. But I want to go and I always thought I would go first.  Alas, it seems like the mister will go first.  He has family in Hokkaido, family he hasn't seen in some where about a decade?  So it seems my plans for Japan shall be put on hold for a tad bit longer.

Thought at some point I would like to spend some time in Hokkaido, possibly meeting the mister's family.  Possibly snowboarding?  There are other places of interest, as a tourist of course, that I would love to visit. 

As a future tourist are there any must see places I have to stop at?  Is there anything to see that is off the tourist beaten path?  Any suggestions are welcome... also, I think I am jealous and nervous.

So I kinda sorta failed on this post because it's not about where I have been but where I will go.  But still, it's related to travel.

A to Z Challenge: I is for Ice

Or igloo!  Really thought, it's for ice, as in the Ice Museum at the Chena Hot Springs.  I have much more to talk about regarding the Ice Museum but that's for a more in depth post at a later time.  With way more pictures.  

See the Beauty and the Beast rose?

 But, I do have to share that the Ice Museum has an ice bar, which serves cocktails in ice martini glasses.  There are several ice sculptures and four bedrooms all designed out of ice.  The lighting gave it all a very magical feel.

All of the sculptures in the museum are hand-made by Steven and Heather Brice.  If you are ever near Fairbanks, it's worth it to take a very scenic drive to the Chena Hot Springs.  Check out the amazing ice scupltures, have nice dip in the hot springs and have a dinner afterwards; depending on the time of year maybe even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

A to Z Challenge: H is for HooDoo

HooDoo Brewing Company was the only brewery I visited in Alaska.  I can't judge all Alaskan beers the same but I kinda want to.  I really didn't find any beer that stood out among the rest that I tried.  Most if not all of the beers from HooDoo had this funky aftertaste.  Like if I had mixed up a handful of dirt in with my beer.  I get the same dirt flavor when I have had Budweiser or similar swill.  But I digress, let me move on to the beers.  A flight of 6 is twelve USD.

Sorry about the shitty picture but I was too busy dying of Thai food coma.  But I will list off the 6 we tried (it was what they had available):

German Kölsch: ABV 5.1% // IBU 25

Belgian Saison: ABV: 5.9% // IBU: 19

Scottish Export Ale: ABV: 5.6% // IBU: 26

American IPA:  ABV: 7.2% // IBU: 73

Belgian Tripel: ABV: 8.3% // IBU: 30 

HooDoo Stout: ABV: 5.8% // IBU: 45 

I did have a second helping of their HooDoo Stout, we even took home a growler to share back home.  For a small brew company they do a great job with the selection of merchandise and keep their website up to date with what's on tap.