As of right now I am in sitting at a Chili’s in Altoona, PA posting this blog. It occured to me that I have a blogging problem and that is fine, but if I don’t get to you now, it will be a moment as this week is looking oogly on the work front. After picking Mariella up from JFK yesterday evening we drove five hours into Altoona, PA. It was long considering I was a little on the tired side from losing an hour of sleep and staying up extra late the night before.
When I touched down from my own long day of travel three days ago I found myself back in NYC waiting for Mariella to get in before going back to the real world. To my surprise the weather in NY was actually very nice and not too cold. I had to pick up the work whip and then I was fortunate to crash at my buddy’s nice, cozy beach bungalow in Rockaway Beach. I’d never been over to the area, but it was quiet and kind of cool. Like a world aways from the city-city, but pleasant otherwise. Being in NY is never about hitting the streets at night to party – it is always about other things. Things I don’t really ever plan, but just sort of happen. I also think I decided that I don’t really care to ever live in NY, but that could one day happen too. With my life who ever knows… Anyhow, while in NY waiting for my co-worker to get back I went to the Metropolitan Museum for the first time with my friend Mike and then out to some bar in SoHo to meet some of his friends and then off with his friends to a really nice going away party for some folks we didn’t really know in the Washington Heights part of Brooklyn. I think it was Washington Heights, but no difference – their place was slammin’! They had the most amazing art work and photos strung all over the place. I imagine my own place in the future to look along the lines of their nice pad.
Getting back from Brooklyn to the beach area was a process – especially in the rain, but we found our way. The following day was a lazy one. We went to the beach so my friend could get some footage of waves crashing for a video he is shooting and so I could just check the NY beach scene. My pal Mike loves to surf which I think is fine, but I can’t fathom why anyone would want to go in freezing cold water. Then I saw a few folks sort of like him. One chick seemed to be having a tough time catching a wave, but she stayed splashing out there anyway. Eh – too each’s own. 
After some time at the playa it was time to be completely lazy and lounge around the place until the call of duty beckoned and when it did I was off from NY again.
As for the present in Altoona, PA – I must say that I am enjoying the place. The staff here at Chili’s are a riot and probably think it is crazy that I am sneaking this blog in on my lunch break, but I have given them something to smile about. The customers I’ve encountered today so far have been equally pleasant at the Staples. I couldn’t point out Altoona, PA on a map right now if my entire existence depended on it, but all I know is that I am here. Now.
Tomorrow: Whitehall, PA and after that some places in West Virginia. Look for more news from me when I reach Maryland again. Lunch is over now.
Rockaway beach isn’t Saint Lucia, but it has its charm. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson
Unlike my tropical beach experience recently there are a ton of shells to be found on this strip of sand. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson
A surfer chick heads out for some surf. Hope she gets the wave she wants. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson
Crashing streams and streams of water. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson
on Mar 17th, 2007 at 10:36 am
hey chica! payback time. loved the st. lucia trip report. so funny, you seem like a kindred spirit in terms of travel. just get up and go no matter who can/can’t go who will/won’t roll. love it!
photos keep getting better. diggin the st. lucia nibbles gallery and peope in and of st. lucia. great surfer chic shot-love the capture of her outline w/o the details of her face, etc.
glad you had good times in NY. keep doin’ your thing and reporting back. i’m definitely enjoying your travels too.
on Mar 18th, 2007 at 7:21 am
I’m not sure how you ended up in altoona–in going from the beach to brooklyn. But nevertheless, welcome to our ‘mountain’ home
on Mar 18th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Funchilde – Super excited that you enjoyed the pictures and I’ll keep on rolling or moving so long as this life let’s me and snow plow machines try not to end it for me.
Acer8383 – You know I sometimes don’t know how I make it from one place to another. It all seems like a great big dream. Thanks for the warm greetings and welcome from Altoona, though I have now moved onto Maryland once more.
I liked Altoona.
A