tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48701416590727381852024-03-07T14:24:07.852-09:00The Wandering StitchMy blog about knitting, teaching, and being a mother to two energetic young boys.Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-55511195511889247832010-10-14T07:20:00.007-08:002010-10-14T18:11:08.454-08:00Beautiful Shawl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNl45cdbEg6FpX_GrkZbfCXW-PkRaRURBZ5E77IDOjwsdaX5ocEd5lFJkBpNUFSRc5n4DgxquJRcTsVSVrgl27b_P-1e1GE-amNGKEvUCEFwe_0Je99QCbBhgJfmv886po1iUxZGas64/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNl45cdbEg6FpX_GrkZbfCXW-PkRaRURBZ5E77IDOjwsdaX5ocEd5lFJkBpNUFSRc5n4DgxquJRcTsVSVrgl27b_P-1e1GE-amNGKEvUCEFwe_0Je99QCbBhgJfmv886po1iUxZGas64/s320/IMG_6458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527922508302974738" border="0" /></a>I've been meaning to share this for awhile, but school, family, and my new doggie have taken precedence over blogging. Will you ever forgive me? For today's post I get to share my first ever test knitting project. Michele Bernstein aka "<a href="http://pdxknitterati.com/patterns/">PDXKnitterati</a>" was looking for knitters to test her "Pacific Shawl" pattern. I so love Michele's designs that I asked if I could give it a try.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrCmnZqhgq8-1_NKTsYIkxHXLvr74mnUKjotLPLv_YFmKDl2MhSzjvqEkViUZ1X5YnbSkJFPjRbHvD7nDzrEFkuLyF505oiSVFNM-luR0wdMKsTlnStIN_PLEDmb9VELrmRRqY-Q59Q4/s1600/IMG_6459.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrCmnZqhgq8-1_NKTsYIkxHXLvr74mnUKjotLPLv_YFmKDl2MhSzjvqEkViUZ1X5YnbSkJFPjRbHvD7nDzrEFkuLyF505oiSVFNM-luR0wdMKsTlnStIN_PLEDmb9VELrmRRqY-Q59Q4/s320/IMG_6459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527925571691018578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Over Labor Day weekend (yes, that long ago), I cast on using some stash BMFA lightweight yarn & away I went. I've never done a test knit before, so I was a tad bit nervous. Fortunately, Michele is such a great pattern writer & the pattern so wonderful that I was able zip right along.<br />As with many triangular shawl patterns, most of the first section is knit in stockinette with periodic increases to give it shape. Then came the fun "waves" lace pattern. Michele had included beads in the pattern & after my last experience with beads, I was a little reluctant. However - these beads are placed as you knit, using a tiny-weeny crochet hook - no pre-stringing required (Huzzah!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnuO1LNUaiy-Z-ZB9HVGlZmWaRmW6w-Zm-JL3YvQ5C-aNjez5TY00ElE102fABe1OB5_FBCKgCp6UB7njIwV_RKQwTaUKxnqN6gfnLP6xg2w8Djph1QTFlaHlwYkXpQEtiLsz1jvdCFc/s1600/IMG_6454.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnuO1LNUaiy-Z-ZB9HVGlZmWaRmW6w-Zm-JL3YvQ5C-aNjez5TY00ElE102fABe1OB5_FBCKgCp6UB7njIwV_RKQwTaUKxnqN6gfnLP6xg2w8Djph1QTFlaHlwYkXpQEtiLsz1jvdCFc/s320/IMG_6454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527925559453856162" border="0" /></a><br />Of course - beading is easier when you have the correct size crochet hook. I was down on the Kenai Peninsula with friends when I realized the hooks I had in my bag were too big. I was just going to forget about the beads (they are optional) when my ingenious friend created a mini-crochet hook using a twist tie. How clever is she?! She admitted that she really wanted to see the beading process & what the beads would look like against the yarn. I have to say - the twist-tie hook was perfect. So - if you ever find yourself in need of a teeny-tiny hook, you can save a few bucks & use a twist tie - provided you have one of those lying around. :0)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHWzLgmubQhpgwI_0S3uiGMZhbB-IXLoa96AlD8FMIYV7aUrAL982CMH3uehth5-kzQkp6ZKsa3eWcFQw7S1Cq6OXmEjErYH2APFgCB4sT9TurWenp_Eod9wlyQ25E60u8U02BymPyRU/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHWzLgmubQhpgwI_0S3uiGMZhbB-IXLoa96AlD8FMIYV7aUrAL982CMH3uehth5-kzQkp6ZKsa3eWcFQw7S1Cq6OXmEjErYH2APFgCB4sT9TurWenp_Eod9wlyQ25E60u8U02BymPyRU/s320/IMG_6452.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527925556638717330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Details:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pacific-shawl">Pacific Shawl</a> by Michele Bernstein<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn: </span>BMFA Socks That Rock Lightweight, "Beryl" colorway<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beads</span>: Size 6 Triangular Seed Bead<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles</span>: US 6<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size: </span>Small<br /><br />Thanks for this opportunity Michele! :0)<br /><br />Ciao!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-48521480918992135122010-10-02T15:41:00.008-08:002010-10-02T16:19:21.985-08:00Welcome Lyra!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3ISupi4keWDS8ssrx03nkD-QEqqxPdXNism1PQPzSO-_wVv-Fx7-ljjqx7s9kbWk2ZOOpTIw12NYwGfeyZrN9-Hk8g8M11oH8_TJDdEugVbDV8yiYWuZ8JoyfEZy49w9bA_exqx-TwQ/s1600/photo(6).jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3ISupi4keWDS8ssrx03nkD-QEqqxPdXNism1PQPzSO-_wVv-Fx7-ljjqx7s9kbWk2ZOOpTIw12NYwGfeyZrN9-Hk8g8M11oH8_TJDdEugVbDV8yiYWuZ8JoyfEZy49w9bA_exqx-TwQ/s320/photo(6).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523603341154613282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've been scolded for not updating my blog introducing the newest member of Chez Arctic Knitter:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Meet Lyra:<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBD1zog2Pxtwh30vBxW6-ycERLlB-86UkfpF9isbhzO3aZvBS6ptgNtZl-lfEFCskobzIuQYHft4MiycTAV9QaY_Iu82ijc_k6IZixbfWGkHYGgL92moQvg5QF-tjae-fM5Y4Y3v8wGM/s1600/IMG_6478.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBD1zog2Pxtwh30vBxW6-ycERLlB-86UkfpF9isbhzO3aZvBS6ptgNtZl-lfEFCskobzIuQYHft4MiycTAV9QaY_Iu82ijc_k6IZixbfWGkHYGgL92moQvg5QF-tjae-fM5Y4Y3v8wGM/s320/IMG_6478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523599109162328306" border="0" /></a><br />We've been without a dog since we had to say good-bye to our dear, lovely, Joulee, last March. It took a while to get used to the quiet, not having to step over a dog in the dark of the early mornings, and not having a furry friend greet you with a head sticking out of the doggie door as soon as you pulled into the garage. Finally, about a month ago I decided we were ready for a new pup. Dear hubby was more reluctant than I, and it took that month to convince him that having a new pup would far outweigh the cons of being "dog-free".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDJrjt6XEOb-SnurinsfeSv954vlCqxnfj8d8dzIdC1tlmuX0c2nmpB4lqTvgXWNtrlckHeso0BcY6skUhzrQBVBNNZDP2yFXpYjif2OTKwVR8DSkmimGao8k_joZEqeBmm9VpE2VPus/s1600/photo(5).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDJrjt6XEOb-SnurinsfeSv954vlCqxnfj8d8dzIdC1tlmuX0c2nmpB4lqTvgXWNtrlckHeso0BcY6skUhzrQBVBNNZDP2yFXpYjif2OTKwVR8DSkmimGao8k_joZEqeBmm9VpE2VPus/s320/photo(5).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523603664920657362" border="0" /></a><br />I'd been stalking the <a href="http://www.alaskaspca.org/AdoptableDogs.asp">ASPCA</a>, <a href="http://www.friendsofpets.org/dogs.htm">Friends-Of-Pets</a>, and the <a href="http://hhs2.muni.org/acc/default.aspx">Animal Control Center</a> websites trying to find another lab-mix. Last Saturday I decided to stop by the pound when I saw a photo of a black lab who was available for adoption. I finally convinced hubby that we should go and at least check "<a href="http://hhs.muni.org/utility/Image.aspx?animalID=A168487.JPG">Jake</a>" out to see if perhaps he was the right dog for us. To make a long story short, he wasn't. Poor Jake had already been in and out of 3 (yes, 3!) homes & had a history of destroying everything. While I thought he was certainly trainable, Wade & I decided that with both of us working during the day, we didn't have the time to commit to training Jake to be the great dog he could be. Too bad it wasn't the beginning of a summer vacation when we weren't traveling - then it could have been a possibility.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40pcvzd0_woFHQry_vWyW4BYVAYTxdlNJp-0mrkyymNzi6qNnCcTtGxGoNEGgs4x4EtmwHirrOLbcUTQ8NlCpXGupHR_uxah3K9bG6HovJGsp1IMtVMhFY0K0TDHoK5TOWtmNt50iXlQ/s1600/IMG_6449.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40pcvzd0_woFHQry_vWyW4BYVAYTxdlNJp-0mrkyymNzi6qNnCcTtGxGoNEGgs4x4EtmwHirrOLbcUTQ8NlCpXGupHR_uxah3K9bG6HovJGsp1IMtVMhFY0K0TDHoK5TOWtmNt50iXlQ/s320/IMG_6449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523600582954949426" border="0" /></a><br />Enter "Louisa May". I noticed another lab also available for adoption earlier that day. I mentioned to Wade that there was also a chocolate lab available, but his reply was that he didn't "like" chocolate labs. (What that statement was based on, I don't know). I figured since Jake wasn't going to work out, perhaps we should take a look at "Louisa May". Funny, but Wade spent most his time at the pound hanging out around her cage. Turns out - she was the perfect dog for us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-n_cam5QQf3JCmRq4IeNxAMI7xRQSqnlFXmE99-t3Q7wPX2H2M5c0IyqklEd99-lb6F63LEbcB1-izLSJx9j-1o5PP0-C1CONk5qgl2hEIbC7WNUEqvyHc6Pxzid3T0ZX_Q_t-IhOZI/s1600/photo(4).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-n_cam5QQf3JCmRq4IeNxAMI7xRQSqnlFXmE99-t3Q7wPX2H2M5c0IyqklEd99-lb6F63LEbcB1-izLSJx9j-1o5PP0-C1CONk5qgl2hEIbC7WNUEqvyHc6Pxzid3T0ZX_Q_t-IhOZI/s320/photo(4).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523603656845995682" border="0" /></a>She was picked up as a stray, so she had no history. After taking her to the vet this week, our vet estimated she's between 1 & 1.5 years old. We renamed her "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyra">Lyra</a>" - the name Iain would have had if he had been a she. She comes. She sits. She loves to play fetch (whoever invented the "<a href="http://www.caninehardware.com/">Chuck-It</a>" ball thrower is a GENIUS!!). She stays. She is so completely full of love. She's potty trained (yup! only 2 wee accidents on her first days at home alone). But get this - SHE DOESN'T CHEW ANYTHING SHE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO!!!! What?!? Yeah - no paper, no couches, no shoes, no yarn, no needles (requite knitting reference) - nothing! I think she knows that she had to convince Wade that she's a good dog & we are a good forever home for her. The cat isn't convinced, but Lyra is certainly trying her hardest!<br /><br />So - no knitting to share with this post. Iff you can, adopt a pet from your local shelter - you'll be so glad you did.<br /><br />Ciao!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-56914196918646366192010-09-18T13:33:00.011-08:002010-09-18T14:21:26.483-08:00Back to School Sweater...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1K4Av3tETiB7uWBP1lZ1mhQJn14vTtdt_6BLASJSYMPLJ5VRJ9Tt-dh5iHGVUDvEepf3ZXRFKoFUm3E-SKeh-Yz7XsHG7j-X8T2_e8FTDShr42GD3OTXN2iuEF7UPd8FPW6yvaT6R0s/s1600/IMG_5457.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1K4Av3tETiB7uWBP1lZ1mhQJn14vTtdt_6BLASJSYMPLJ5VRJ9Tt-dh5iHGVUDvEepf3ZXRFKoFUm3E-SKeh-Yz7XsHG7j-X8T2_e8FTDShr42GD3OTXN2iuEF7UPd8FPW6yvaT6R0s/s320/IMG_5457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518381338527282658" border="0" /></a><br />I'm baaaaaaaaack.... (think Poltergeist). I know - it's been a while & I'll use the usual excuse that I've been crazy busy as is expected with the beginning of a new school year. So let's just cut to the chase & share with you a F.O. I've designated as my "Back to School Sweater" well - because I wore it on the first day "back to school". And yes - the school year is going well; classes are large, but my students seem to be a great bunch, <span style="font-style: italic;">thankyouforasking</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD1IPR5b5WekhytG0OqwTTd8AhyAFF3G2ykS3OyeHvxiXoPQ2RBuKuUeCbTtjY2or3bfj08YVRhvefTEqR23yLN9r77PSlfeJ7__kJU2Ka52IClzX-ljJGbDSYYiVFYatHhEwac6bltc/s1600/IMG_5456.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigD1IPR5b5WekhytG0OqwTTd8AhyAFF3G2ykS3OyeHvxiXoPQ2RBuKuUeCbTtjY2or3bfj08YVRhvefTEqR23yLN9r77PSlfeJ7__kJU2Ka52IClzX-ljJGbDSYYiVFYatHhEwac6bltc/s320/IMG_5456.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518381786249317842" border="0" /></a>Project Details:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.berroco.com/292.297/294/294_kiama_pv.html">Kiama</a> by Berroco. This was "<a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2010/05/12/kiama.html">harlotized</a>" earlier this year & I was fascinated by the drape and construction.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: <a href="http://www.berroco.com/shade_cards/origami_sh.html">Origami</a> by Berroco in the "Canteloupe Freeze" colorway (I think...) Very interesting mix of fibers - acrylic (!), nylon, cotton, and Linen. I've yet to officially block the garment, so I can't report on how well it softens up. I can say that while the yarn has a different feel than wool, it wasn't hard on the hands & the finished garment has a nice feel to it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needle</span>: US8<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size</span>: S/M<br /><br />Overall - I very easy knit. You essentially knit starting at one sleeve, increase for the arms, knit flat for the back & then decrease for the other arm. Arms are seemed together up to the armpits & then stitches are picked up & you knit back & forth in a ribbed pattern for the collar & skirt of the sweater. Pretty easy even though I'm convinced I've made some mistake somewhere as the ribbing on the shawl portion goes in a different direction than the collar/skirt portion. I think it's a little too long in the back & the Yarn Harlots suggestion of doing short rows at a certain part of the pattern would have been a good idea. Love hindsight and all that. I figure that with standing in front of teenagers all day having a slightly longer sweater certainly isn't a bad thing.<br /><br />I think it looks fine & I've received plenty of complements. It fits well & is surprisingly 'in style' - I've notices lots of similar type cardigans being worn this fall - full & drapey in the front.<br /><br />Of course - since it's the beginning of the school year (or at least it <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> - the first day of school around here was August 18) I must include the requisite first day of school photos in front of the fireplace (I planned ahead this year - no last minute shots in the driveway before we zip off to school!)<br /><br />First - My 3rd grader:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32NirsLL4J4Tg2luw52ciwkrJujfv5jOEyqKRk1t-SGQbJojgrlMsVCKl8vj_rd1TgYv-toQlBL2_HrDXQh4tZOkEEW_KB7xlzNq1kqQoVNOFK_HRwNIxWBhyRVOTG2k4W5bvU47xhuU/s1600/IMG_3947.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32NirsLL4J4Tg2luw52ciwkrJujfv5jOEyqKRk1t-SGQbJojgrlMsVCKl8vj_rd1TgYv-toQlBL2_HrDXQh4tZOkEEW_KB7xlzNq1kqQoVNOFK_HRwNIxWBhyRVOTG2k4W5bvU47xhuU/s320/IMG_3947.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518371783876391666" border="0" /></a>Pretty cute photo if I do say so. He is often uncooperative with photos - perhaps I threatened him this time? Can't remember...<br /><br />Next - my 5th (!!) grader. How is it possible I have a child who is 10 years old?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj2RhLlK4qZZaQ3Zi-Yhut7kxIwTG687Wu248DEB_XklEwNIcjGpQq_yUuV7gK8KBf_79ukE85x034p0QlfZsBgcHizdQSxckwgNIoPdKCN7eX_KQoOk_YURsA-49Uw2FKdRbAdbq6-w/s1600/IMG_3954.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJj2RhLlK4qZZaQ3Zi-Yhut7kxIwTG687Wu248DEB_XklEwNIcjGpQq_yUuV7gK8KBf_79ukE85x034p0QlfZsBgcHizdQSxckwgNIoPdKCN7eX_KQoOk_YURsA-49Uw2FKdRbAdbq6-w/s320/IMG_3954.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518371774695336354" border="0" /></a>He is more comfortable and cooperative in front of the camera.<br /><br />"Hey boys - let's get a photo of the two of you together":<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfomzG5hegF3RuNYRyPy9lLgcIc0T8XXsVmwHvBg5UsJwQWIW5IX756nehA2wZu0gC_D45FsH12AlT9KFLGF8P0Qg8_9uZFWXVS6_KQIlDddGAw2RcFLIQl45nlI9rAMWh3HqyQrwYqSc/s1600/IMG_3950.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfomzG5hegF3RuNYRyPy9lLgcIc0T8XXsVmwHvBg5UsJwQWIW5IX756nehA2wZu0gC_D45FsH12AlT9KFLGF8P0Qg8_9uZFWXVS6_KQIlDddGAw2RcFLIQl45nlI9rAMWh3HqyQrwYqSc/s320/IMG_3950.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518371767605923266" border="0" /></a>Grrrr.... Fortunately this was really all in jest & that most of the time the following photo best captures their true relationship:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGl3K314VDVpWyf5PrSd-f8dJ31qJo05SOFFrbS5RgR4o6ZQLVhLI5gVb_6zr2d-N9Dp0zWCa1CDR43UT3Y6JWJt3DYI6GyFPdo-YKcvqdsK-qT-NzB3sa9x4CwTfKB03mYsCBPgRyyM/s1600/IMG_3951.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGl3K314VDVpWyf5PrSd-f8dJ31qJo05SOFFrbS5RgR4o6ZQLVhLI5gVb_6zr2d-N9Dp0zWCa1CDR43UT3Y6JWJt3DYI6GyFPdo-YKcvqdsK-qT-NzB3sa9x4CwTfKB03mYsCBPgRyyM/s320/IMG_3951.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518370978417964850" border="0" /></a>I'm a pretty lucky mom.<br /><br />I plan on less blog silence and more knitting (another wee FO & test knitting FO to share) coming soon.<br /><br />Ciao!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-26763114501045636252010-08-06T10:39:00.004-08:002010-08-06T11:38:37.351-08:00Home Again...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfnqxr7TqxJZrbuOtywzA-1z1JC2-Jkpi-9LjQn816emDWvyIc6LjWa63Opa4Dxge2CpBfa0aYkx127YFCzTcCXkAPFPWXmgMPgAuq_OuPvjp5jXJBgFhUp096mjtW3SK3wnPSiqwcjQ/s1600/IMG_5405.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfnqxr7TqxJZrbuOtywzA-1z1JC2-Jkpi-9LjQn816emDWvyIc6LjWa63Opa4Dxge2CpBfa0aYkx127YFCzTcCXkAPFPWXmgMPgAuq_OuPvjp5jXJBgFhUp096mjtW3SK3wnPSiqwcjQ/s320/IMG_5405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502369086085241922" border="0" /></a>Leave it to me to post about a finished sweater before I've posted that we've safely returned home. Oh well - such is the life of my brain. Of course, I also have more posts regarding our travels to share with you. But.... I thought perhaps I'd announce that Road Trip 2010 has officially ended - we returned home the afternoon of August 1st.<br /><br />Overall our trip was wonderful. The van cooperated - even though we had the brakes replaced in California. It decided not to start making mysterious ticking noises until we were back in Anchorage, and the tire repair held up. The kids were troopers - good sports about long days (8+hours) in the car, constantly having to set up camp, sleeping in new places, and putting up with their older/younger brother 24/7. Wade and I still love each other (we celebrated our 14th anniversary on the road into Canada) in spite of long days in the car, constantly having to set up camp, and sleeping in new places almost every night. So - I think we can say it was a successful journey.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Road Trip Round-Up:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Miles Traveled</span>: 11,456<br /><blockquote>I find this interesting as it seemed that we were driving a farther distance than that of the 2007 & 2008 road trips. I think the lesser mileage was due to traveling more direct routes for this journey.</blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Days of Road Trip:</span> June 9 - August 1, 2010 (54 days)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Audiobooks Completed:</span> (Membership to Audible was a good expense)<br /><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Ender's Game</span> by Orson Scott Card<br /></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Prey</span> by Michael Crichton (lots of "f-bombs" - parental guidance certainly suggested!!)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Swallows and Amazons</span> by Arthur Ransome (GREAT children's book! - 1st of a series)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">A Wrinkle in Time</span> by Madeleine L'Engle</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo</span> by Steig Larsson (listened when kids were engaged w/their DS games & audio limited to front speakers)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">The Girl Who Played With Fire </span>by Steig Larsson</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">This Immortal</span> by Roger Zelazny (Wade's choice; I wasn't a fan...)</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Actual Books I Read along the Road </span>(on my Nook):<br /><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Teach Like Your Hair Is On Fire</span> by Rafe Esquith (Good inspirational education book)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Healing Hands</span> by Dr. Ben Carson (too much spirituality for my taste, but otherwise okay)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">The Art of Racing In The Rain</span> by Garth Stein (almost done)</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">The Fiery Cross</span> by Diana Gabaldon (will I ever finish this book?!?)<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Volume of Gas Consumed:</span> (I don't even want to think about the size our our Carbon Footprint) - 561.134 gallons<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cost of Gas </span>(I just added the US & Canadian totals - close enough): $1888.30<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost for a family of 4 to fly round trip to Washington D.C. from Anchorage, AK</span>: $4354.00 - So, I'd say driving, while certainly a longer journey to the nation's capitol provided a significant savings. In addition, we were able to have the flexibility and economical means of visiting much more of our wonderful country by driving.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">States & Provinces Driven Through along our Journey</span>: 27<br />Alaska, Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North Dakota,, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon<br />Washington state, Washington D.C.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Road Trip Knitting projects by ArcticKnitter</span>:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kiama"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kiama</span></a> (post TBA)<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mondo-cable-pulli">Mondo Cable Pullover</a> (posted <a href="http://wanderingstitch.blogspot.com/2010/08/road-trip-sweater-fo.html">8/5/10</a>)</li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holidazed">Holidazed Socks</a> (posted<a href="http://wanderingstitch.blogspot.com/2010/07/holidazed-on-holiday.html"> 7/25/10</a>)</li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-lettuce-scarf-468">Sea Lettuce Scarf</a> (posted <a href="http://wanderingstitch.blogspot.com/2010/07/timing-is-everything.html">7/12/10</a>)</li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-surprise-jacket-so01b">Baby Surprise Jacket</a> (post TBA)</li><li><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/a-little-something">A Little Something</a> (WIP - post TBA)<br /></li></ul>I'm fortunate that I can knit, read, draw, etc while in a car. Wade gets carsick, so he did the lion's share of the driving. I think <span style="font-style: italic;">maybe</span> I drove 100 miles on this journey.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kids' Highlights of the Journey:</span> Visit to the Noah's Ark Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells, WI<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Heather's Highlight of Journey</span>: Spending birthday at Lake Tahoe<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wade's Highlight of Journey:</span> RUSH concerts in Milwaukee and Toronto<br /><br />It was a great journey and it's great to be home (despite the Alaska rain & cloud socked mountains). Would we do this again? Certainly - however I think we're reaching a time where the kids really want to be home & spend the summer with their friends and participating in soccer. Would I recommend long journeys to other families with children? Of course! Do your homework, know your children and your limits - overall, be flexible. We think we'll do one more summer long adventure next summer (Europe??) if the budget allows. Then - just shorter trips so we can enjoy the wonders of Alaska and perhaps catch up on the home improvements that are neglected in favor of family travels.<br /><br />Well - I'll recap more of our Road Trip adventures (Toronto, family & friends, the Cassiar adventure) plus another knitted FO soon. Make it a great day!<br /><br />Ciao~Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-61267333448585068472010-08-05T21:27:00.002-08:002010-08-05T21:59:58.586-08:00Road Trip Sweater FO<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRv__NlebA4534BXTlXeWltOBVSQXvQ9J7VSVxuqXHyBcevynbIY1dq2tzr1ao7lp6HM4I2M6dDDbl3uL3xPttY80UlfpGk-VSY-XGQhMSjkkDYlKzUf8HjhXAauEgp_jMcBNbCKKC08/s1600/IMG_5453.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRv__NlebA4534BXTlXeWltOBVSQXvQ9J7VSVxuqXHyBcevynbIY1dq2tzr1ao7lp6HM4I2M6dDDbl3uL3xPttY80UlfpGk-VSY-XGQhMSjkkDYlKzUf8HjhXAauEgp_jMcBNbCKKC08/s320/IMG_5453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502165067978666930" border="0" /></a>As promised - a post about my 3rd Road Trip knitted finished FO, albeit much later than intended. We've been home for a few days now, but haven't had the weather cooperate enough for a photo shoot. So - when the skies finally "cleared", I grabbed my sweater, camera, and photographer and set out to finally get some photos so I can finally write this blog post.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Details:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mondo-cable-pulli">Mondo Cable Pullover</a> by Chic Knits. Before our road trip I was looking for a pattern that would be an easy knit for the road. Luckily for me, my knitting/blogging friend at <a href="http://www.onemorerow.net/">OneMoreRow</a> shared that she was currently knitting this & I thought "That's Perfect!" (And it was!) Thanks HollyJo!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5kn-4XFcs4iorBlz9X0FFeHo3MmTaUWUtiqShplaO1BysXJUMyLrf5chtsxh1jPXlaaU4vHZfIUEA2bPh63g74Z7hMD7cZOUyFCShsEXpDWJX0Gk2Fo9BbV3KecfhTpyrMRNKwjdcCQ/s1600/IMG_5444.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5kn-4XFcs4iorBlz9X0FFeHo3MmTaUWUtiqShplaO1BysXJUMyLrf5chtsxh1jPXlaaU4vHZfIUEA2bPh63g74Z7hMD7cZOUyFCShsEXpDWJX0Gk2Fo9BbV3KecfhTpyrMRNKwjdcCQ/s320/IMG_5444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502170561783802402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Blue Moon Fiber Arts "<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/blue-moon-fiber-arts-peru">Peru</a>" - A blend of silk, angora, and merino wool. Total yarn yumminess! The yardage on the skeins of Peru are so generous (500 yds/skein) that I only used 1.5 skeins for the entire sweater! I think I used one skein for the entire body of the sweater & only dipped into the 2nd skein for the ribbed edge of the body & the sleeves. My knitting goals for the road trip knitting were to complete as many projects as I could (check!) and also reduce the stash. I thought knitting a sweater would be the perfect project to destash. So - it looks like to fully complete my goal I have to knit another project with this yarn. I'll share that project soon, I hope.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBnFJ-DF_h3qxUg3DMBaen2RHOP6xa0vF2O3b8yyFh0BjpBV4CfeZS97rrmHSyugXXnFXy6GqWML2xLIhHqc0mgVR-jo8ff5DvKKQosoUrB8IqY0EhvnemH4yUtp8eYDejSjdEu0D4vU/s1600/IMG_5439.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBnFJ-DF_h3qxUg3DMBaen2RHOP6xa0vF2O3b8yyFh0BjpBV4CfeZS97rrmHSyugXXnFXy6GqWML2xLIhHqc0mgVR-jo8ff5DvKKQosoUrB8IqY0EhvnemH4yUtp8eYDejSjdEu0D4vU/s320/IMG_5439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502170571470262642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Raglan Detail - My First!</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> US8 on my knit picks options (love them!) I only chose the 8 because it was the recommended size for this yarn & seemed to give me the gauge I needed for the size. After completing the sweater & blocking it, I think I could even have gone down a needle size. However - the size 8 created a nice drapey fabric - perfect for a sweater that I can throw on in a pinch, or pair with a nice pair of slacks or a skirt for a more dressy occasion.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblLwCOw4qhWt3EURoDUP36LUGwV2-kHJWA26hbAsrEjryh58_PVVJDFG2WQ4ZBe6MTiiRXU0oWCpF6WNb58h-O0oLZlssLCT55meQWfohJd6LomBvp9ko_FMKrUPStqGn2SnecSwMrdc/s1600/IMG_5438.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblLwCOw4qhWt3EURoDUP36LUGwV2-kHJWA26hbAsrEjryh58_PVVJDFG2WQ4ZBe6MTiiRXU0oWCpF6WNb58h-O0oLZlssLCT55meQWfohJd6LomBvp9ko_FMKrUPStqGn2SnecSwMrdc/s320/IMG_5438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502170588802037826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Have I mentioned how much I love cables?!?</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods:</span> This was my first top-down sweater (!), so I didn't want to embark on any drastic changes. However, the original design is more of an "A-shape", and I thought with the yarn, perhaps a more fitted shape would be better. After searching ravelry for suggestions, I decided to do some decreases rather than all of the increases called for in the pattern. Then, as I neared the bottom, I increased again to help account for my hips. I think it worked okay, not perfect, but okay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKHbTe7HfUIgBYGCNVLiuEO5uzdAidxSi_mtmaLxTn-x_98bKpEwa7HF7t2NTmQ2vN0LOWznvBpab1n74Li1W9-sQ2M4tupGssbzI7i9ZtbZ1-ksgufQ-Bj3Y2jkJ-VFvbI2CnwTzqgk/s1600/IMG_5443.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKHbTe7HfUIgBYGCNVLiuEO5uzdAidxSi_mtmaLxTn-x_98bKpEwa7HF7t2NTmQ2vN0LOWznvBpab1n74Li1W9-sQ2M4tupGssbzI7i9ZtbZ1-ksgufQ-Bj3Y2jkJ-VFvbI2CnwTzqgk/s320/IMG_5443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502170577937173346" border="0" /></a><br />Overall - I think I'm going to get a lot of wear out of this sweater. It's so soft, comfy & warm. Can't wait until it's sibling project is complete. It was the perfect choice for knitting on the road & other than having to learn how to graft live stitches to a cast on edge (for the neck), I think I did pretty well.<br /><br />Happy Day - more reports of our travels coming soon (I hope....)<br /><br />Ciao!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-4498816052215306102010-07-25T14:52:00.000-08:002010-07-25T14:52:00.212-08:00Holidazed on HolidayFinally - I share with you FO #2<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63M3topZ04shnGLrCbGRuUhMOAWirdBvzyDHIUqtUklOD68ytLdMpr8opE489xOlpMTUc2IawfcOIxoUC-9LEgCdVsXogWIo7iDNR7hiF1_hb6p7YgeMU19zMb4Jd68ClX3hyhN60Xyw/s1600/IMG_4419.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63M3topZ04shnGLrCbGRuUhMOAWirdBvzyDHIUqtUklOD68ytLdMpr8opE489xOlpMTUc2IawfcOIxoUC-9LEgCdVsXogWIo7iDNR7hiF1_hb6p7YgeMU19zMb4Jd68ClX3hyhN60Xyw/s320/IMG_4419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496496456937759458" border="0" /></a>"Holidazed"<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Details:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Pattern</span>: "<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/holidazed">Holidazed</a>" by Anne Hanson<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Source</span>: Rockin' Sock Club 2009<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Yarn</span>: BMFA Lightweight "Muddy Autumn Rainbow"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Method:</span> Magic Loop<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Mods:</span> Toe up over 56 stitches rather than cuff down. Worked well except the Diagonal Twill Rib stitch count did not work evenly over 28 stitches per needle. So.... I just added a purl & knit stitches on either side of the 24 stitch pattern.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR9on1W5bM8JVrQoQtQ25rUaJIW5rJU67ls-qduT0ES-v03M1bmMa-y5IoV5PJWmiKXNbZh_UHFPB4T6fptb7TlriVHJSobnmdKkk8vubqNWYhBIhzhE4YP6qNdYHA9I97U0m2Nr6z7Q/s1600/IMG_4422.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNR9on1W5bM8JVrQoQtQ25rUaJIW5rJU67ls-qduT0ES-v03M1bmMa-y5IoV5PJWmiKXNbZh_UHFPB4T6fptb7TlriVHJSobnmdKkk8vubqNWYhBIhzhE4YP6qNdYHA9I97U0m2Nr6z7Q/s320/IMG_4422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496497827722295938" border="0" /></a>"Toe Pic"<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Time Frame:</span> Well.... Sock #1 was completed during our Thanksgiving Holiday to Hawaii last year. I started sock #2 while we were there, but then returned home, lost my sock mojo & the sock languished in a sock bag until our 2010 summer road trip. I think I actually finished sock #2 somewhere on I-80 in Pennsylvania.<br /></div></div><br />Of course, I neglected to bring the sock pattern with me & didn't have the mental capacity to figure out where I was. So - my wonderful BKFF was also a member of RSC 2009, so she was able to email me the Diagonal Twill Rib pattern. I couldn't remember where I had left off last November (write it down - what a novel idea!), so just had to make my best guess. I don't think I guessed correctly, but oh well - I doubt anyone could really tell unless you were up close and personal. And.... if you're that up close & personal....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9_Z6aGmX015PteSa89DEzmqWRmus4L39SLRKzt-f3351FC2pRw8A1mf8PJvJZJsPPytUZw1v5zGOOgXYFb0UAxh4X2ksguhrTjSU5voppY2hN9OCQOYzrtJkRbrAdFI40hUWqKXatWk/s1600/IMG_4420.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9_Z6aGmX015PteSa89DEzmqWRmus4L39SLRKzt-f3351FC2pRw8A1mf8PJvJZJsPPytUZw1v5zGOOgXYFb0UAxh4X2ksguhrTjSU5voppY2hN9OCQOYzrtJkRbrAdFI40hUWqKXatWk/s320/IMG_4420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496497842594392930" border="0" /></a>Diagonal Twill Rib Pattern Detail<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Since this is supposed to be a blog about knitting and traveling, I hope I've upheld the knitting end with this little tidbit. While I'm posting this as FO #2, I think it's actually the 3rd FO completed on the road trip. I still have 2 more to share - as soon as they have their respective photo shoots. And when it's 90°F+, it's hard to put on wool & stand in the sun without looking like a wilted flower. Perhaps I'll suck it up before we drive off.<br /><br />Until then - Ciao & Happy Travels!<br /></div></div>Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-20595702664586614412010-07-24T10:00:00.001-08:002010-07-24T10:00:00.906-08:00Happy Birthday!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fOhA0c1J3DR2Bn16Ykn9JvluWdwKIcjCMkWyxx4ZLeEs4JEyPZSm2SFIC6KK9rdIBFsm_-KHdGMgw_e50pTE6cN6w9qxtql1_398Rh68T4PWNd6DpmUTVSQquak9OYZkylgX9nm8r78/s1600/IMG_1181.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fOhA0c1J3DR2Bn16Ykn9JvluWdwKIcjCMkWyxx4ZLeEs4JEyPZSm2SFIC6KK9rdIBFsm_-KHdGMgw_e50pTE6cN6w9qxtql1_398Rh68T4PWNd6DpmUTVSQquak9OYZkylgX9nm8r78/s320/IMG_1181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496518040208404594" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy, Happy Birthday to my <a href="http://winstonsmom.blogspot.com/">BKFF</a>!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > - Anais Nin </span><br /></div><br />I just thought I'd take some time to wish my dear friend a very, happy birthday. I'm sorry that I won't be there to celebrate your special day with you in person, but rest assured I'll be thinking of you as we travel north.<br /><br />For her special day, I thought I'd share some photos of my special friend. Some are a few years old, but it's what I could find at the time. How embarrassing is it that I have more photos of yarn than of my BKFF? :0)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPRqIIBiRHAE63-FEqarjwBb8Y8v1p6FvpQfvLD4Zr54GAn6zrS4reVxY2O1ijeH4lsX3qhq0lhboESAm5ulRazamHvXxvltDGPVnCD3W_Q73jSkYP8FRQLJZ1L4oyUQC78W5tOvq5ms/s1600/IMG_7555.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPRqIIBiRHAE63-FEqarjwBb8Y8v1p6FvpQfvLD4Zr54GAn6zrS4reVxY2O1ijeH4lsX3qhq0lhboESAm5ulRazamHvXxvltDGPVnCD3W_Q73jSkYP8FRQLJZ1L4oyUQC78W5tOvq5ms/s320/IMG_7555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496518913689743394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">"What is a friend? A single soul in two bodies." </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><i> - Aristotle</i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Our soul just happens to love cupcakes)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl49hyphenhyphennnt54Gi4f9fj8G3zTHZJix3tkOLmzuuJTiw-HbyFsNMnzYTDkOok6g4IWMyWrcP4jbNK5Lq5RpW5Lxg_q0chQHiG5xs-1SrSeR3d2ANzk57vuSfO3lcr0pexOxhdWKbkYm3v9A/s1600/DSC01231.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYl49hyphenhyphennnt54Gi4f9fj8G3zTHZJix3tkOLmzuuJTiw-HbyFsNMnzYTDkOok6g4IWMyWrcP4jbNK5Lq5RpW5Lxg_q0chQHiG5xs-1SrSeR3d2ANzk57vuSfO3lcr0pexOxhdWKbkYm3v9A/s320/DSC01231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496518901159684610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Tahoma;font-size:130%;" >Treat your friends as you do your pictures, and place them in their best light.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;" > <span style="font-style: italic;">Jennie Jerome Churchill 1854-1921, Anglo-American Mother of Winston Churchill</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(get it? It's the closest "friendship" quote I could find associated with Winston Churchill...)</span><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAJDruXlAkT62n5-d8994KcjcF5S1p7-nNNxFUKY9EPhADtGMDl6Q31So6jjn3ex_obPKbt_aLWQYdhinyEiU2Gzwsgbopcb6LCWep-oarPVgisIyDCAm-SFCgaEO0hGR6LykIQGAvT0/s1600/DSC01247.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAJDruXlAkT62n5-d8994KcjcF5S1p7-nNNxFUKY9EPhADtGMDl6Q31So6jjn3ex_obPKbt_aLWQYdhinyEiU2Gzwsgbopcb6LCWep-oarPVgisIyDCAm-SFCgaEO0hGR6LykIQGAvT0/s320/DSC01247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496518892017328114" border="0" /></a>My BKFF hob-nobs with the knitting elite!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqWThcQX39uj45rNCMSDlt-C_7laEgWVaAf7RUujXkpbS61vtbvxKMljf1eymRiYF2TZMNiGBba7fqbXRh0nf4Xu99lA1TFi8cHbbAW8N6xigjhFfsMiuGzRj7fwDpy4W74j_mTU711k/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqWThcQX39uj45rNCMSDlt-C_7laEgWVaAf7RUujXkpbS61vtbvxKMljf1eymRiYF2TZMNiGBba7fqbXRh0nf4Xu99lA1TFi8cHbbAW8N6xigjhFfsMiuGzRj7fwDpy4W74j_mTU711k/s320/IMG_1214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496518883158760594" border="0" /></a>My BKFF is not ashamed to knit in public nor wear slightly too large head gear.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNONEZT9cjfihLubtjm2z2c1lg8ySUxlzdmtcPkqcrTl7VegX0Wx1wl0K_tqVk94x8Pyv62ylbi2gU6hfWLsRck1xiDWG8qrvQQnQ3MzwUBHaXQd5bm-uat5MkhEnx8vmuyrPz9N3KmOE/s1600/IMG_9733.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNONEZT9cjfihLubtjm2z2c1lg8ySUxlzdmtcPkqcrTl7VegX0Wx1wl0K_tqVk94x8Pyv62ylbi2gU6hfWLsRck1xiDWG8qrvQQnQ3MzwUBHaXQd5bm-uat5MkhEnx8vmuyrPz9N3KmOE/s320/IMG_9733.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496522735101513362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >"See you and me have a better time than most can dream of, better than the best, so we can pull on through, whatever tears at us, whatever holds us down, and if nothing can be done, we'll make the best of what's around." </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >-Dave Matthews Band </span><br /><br />Happy Birthday Dear Friend!<br /></div>Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-68010900024821342712010-07-21T15:05:00.008-08:002010-07-21T15:38:52.801-08:00Roaches Day Off in Chicago!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBb_zFfSj4mpb7P3FAMw3u28xXrfXhFHoQ-R6GMqm1tNvDNEBc0cCdfVIL42iODXKeKplyV-2YVG59yYIFnLU-72BaKSxU8qdPADDQu94yt1NgccP_6sMnYXxNCeYXOTBEOZdEcb0xh4/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBb_zFfSj4mpb7P3FAMw3u28xXrfXhFHoQ-R6GMqm1tNvDNEBc0cCdfVIL42iODXKeKplyV-2YVG59yYIFnLU-72BaKSxU8qdPADDQu94yt1NgccP_6sMnYXxNCeYXOTBEOZdEcb0xh4/s320/IMG_4034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496500156916411682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Captain's Log, Star dates</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">July 1 - July 3, 2010</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Location:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chicago, Illinois</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Distance Traveled</span>: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ummm</span> - a lot! (notebook not nearby for me to check...)<br /><br />After our brief visit with my aunt in New Jersey, we headed west so Wade could be back in Milwaukee in time for the RUSH concert on July 3. We camped overnight in northern PA where it actually got chilly during the night - a significant change in the weather we've been experiencing during our journey.<br /><br />Since we were "in the neighborhood", we thought we'd spend a couple of days in Chicago before heading back to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Sivils</span>' homestead in Milwaukee. I've been to Chicago twice before & have had wonderful experiences each time. We decided to splurge & spend 2 nights in a hotel situated downtown within walking distance of the Navy Pier. This was great as we had access to showers, free cook-to-order breakfast, T.V. for viewing World Cup matches, and free Happy Hour drinks. :0)<br /><br />Museums were not on our agenda for this stop since we'd had plenty of museums in D.C. and NYC. We opted to take advantage of the wonderful bike path around the Lake Shore for some much needed & appreciated exercise:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvAsBH_4K1kGZyZZjC4CBmgkrhCCjv0Ka8EhIt1Ex1EWnVj4qX6SvI8uuhkgD0yHv9YoasaQfU-CUIGHNcx6rZYj6oR9oN98dAu3nJmbwWxOlbPEvdx6QtLvgcPDRTGeaJqOaaav5JL4/s1600/IMG_3906.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvAsBH_4K1kGZyZZjC4CBmgkrhCCjv0Ka8EhIt1Ex1EWnVj4qX6SvI8uuhkgD0yHv9YoasaQfU-CUIGHNcx6rZYj6oR9oN98dAu3nJmbwWxOlbPEvdx6QtLvgcPDRTGeaJqOaaav5JL4/s320/IMG_3906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496502456675659250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpycvCXRjjivvUP_7GnGjz90UYRO_TTC6YxKz96stIrnV6jgPnbpAwkJNWvFch2m5nwKV7tE-BuME2SQ9IBeVXxRAPooj3-avoJQrBn6pNNHieV2P7qq67vCU3hc8MeXR6HYeGIIfNpo/s1600/IMG_3895.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpycvCXRjjivvUP_7GnGjz90UYRO_TTC6YxKz96stIrnV6jgPnbpAwkJNWvFch2m5nwKV7tE-BuME2SQ9IBeVXxRAPooj3-avoJQrBn6pNNHieV2P7qq67vCU3hc8MeXR6HYeGIIfNpo/s320/IMG_3895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496502465288052786" border="0" /></a>A Picture Perfect Day!<br /></div><br />Along our travels we admired the beautiful skyline of Chicago & stopped at Millennium Park to have a cold, refreshing beverage and hang out at the Bean:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9irFs9nyg8wF_bDpg1jAcV2ZWC4EnEv2PcvHyJTVlqLgQw3UEJ3I2h9TgOcXvuar5uJeVy_EWGmLcUqFUmT6UceldStyFTo12Pd7wIDwMZQMqfd2eJNWhrg4xQCK7OefN6B-ipjZ8ib0/s1600/IMG_3922.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9irFs9nyg8wF_bDpg1jAcV2ZWC4EnEv2PcvHyJTVlqLgQw3UEJ3I2h9TgOcXvuar5uJeVy_EWGmLcUqFUmT6UceldStyFTo12Pd7wIDwMZQMqfd2eJNWhrg4xQCK7OefN6B-ipjZ8ib0/s320/IMG_3922.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496503256217526994" border="0" /></a>Wade was able to get some fun shots of the boys & the Bean:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7I_qy7Fl1xKil9ZWvwjgI1sNF2FrmcSvzia9Ps54zQky5uM-ZvE8bMEEMfsx4o6W5Ornu2vktRu_xCg_HrKocCBUSH-8uIwO1127S_SBRwzlN5wE_gm0y9qj5bp8iJE_zf1uLRjHXZ4/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7I_qy7Fl1xKil9ZWvwjgI1sNF2FrmcSvzia9Ps54zQky5uM-ZvE8bMEEMfsx4o6W5Ornu2vktRu_xCg_HrKocCBUSH-8uIwO1127S_SBRwzlN5wE_gm0y9qj5bp8iJE_zf1uLRjHXZ4/s320/IMG_3927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496503263743134578" border="0" /></a>And just one I find particularly interesting:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIxH12V9z6UzBsx8AKVkc_oVLLR9v2RYc5aZqf-RhOAVz_XaoNz87SeD5r_0Ear1o9ngOYK8IGypZ7Dq0UnRsXqPmjR_w8_h5s5DsZGWcU9h1wRD25UdOi7DDTpSmmTzThMOVlDOidzU/s1600/IMG_3923.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIxH12V9z6UzBsx8AKVkc_oVLLR9v2RYc5aZqf-RhOAVz_XaoNz87SeD5r_0Ear1o9ngOYK8IGypZ7Dq0UnRsXqPmjR_w8_h5s5DsZGWcU9h1wRD25UdOi7DDTpSmmTzThMOVlDOidzU/s320/IMG_3923.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496503828347763090" border="0" /></a>I think it could be used as "What's This" photo contest. Anyhow - I think it's pretty neat...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFMJnolTvay3XpE9q3GrQo9HbbcNDpsXSnSva-CMcfONXnrwidm_Opn03mMsWZnDGrMm21lfkMBoU38NKroNwjx-fx9XszU13-HztNiQ1lrtWCM14k5CB7cP9LHdrAqyJL7xeEdcCo6w/s1600/IMG_3951.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFMJnolTvay3XpE9q3GrQo9HbbcNDpsXSnSva-CMcfONXnrwidm_Opn03mMsWZnDGrMm21lfkMBoU38NKroNwjx-fx9XszU13-HztNiQ1lrtWCM14k5CB7cP9LHdrAqyJL7xeEdcCo6w/s320/IMG_3951.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496506176296615170" border="0" /></a>After lunch at the Weber Grill (yum! Note the grill covers they use as heat lamps) we took an Architecture Cruise along the Chicago River. Did you know the city of Chicago actually switched the direction of the river so as to prevent polluting Lake Michigan? Just goes to show how humans can manipulate their environment to suit their needs. 2 Years ago, Wade's mom, the boys, & I took a similar cruise, but one geared more toward the history of Chicago. This particular trip focused on the types of architecture (there are so many!) along the river. Very interesting & informative & hot as the sun was out in full force, there was nary a breeze, and like a dumb-dumb, I wore a black shirt. Duh! Turns out our tour guide did not have any formal training in architecture, but had a degree in Chemistry! I guess now I can tell my students what they can do for a career if they choose to pursue a chemistry degree. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">JK</span><br /><br />I couldn't possible share even a fraction of the photos Wade took along the tour. Picture, tall, sleek, glass-infused buildings & you'll get the idea. I did like these: The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Riverwalk</span> Cottages, (I think) which used triangles in unique ways.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3PtedzWwEzIAn89GShOYpWgeVQ5xuaPH0vVIcsiifMkhcIg1jsNRL42L47bEZ4j0YMxAMml9Rv5b1hr8M2kZMWKUxxI9KHK4W9__kOCL99UPVBQwIc7KqSu3LgZjvmrM70PPMvWrUUI/s1600/IMG_3994.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY3PtedzWwEzIAn89GShOYpWgeVQ5xuaPH0vVIcsiifMkhcIg1jsNRL42L47bEZ4j0YMxAMml9Rv5b1hr8M2kZMWKUxxI9KHK4W9__kOCL99UPVBQwIc7KqSu3LgZjvmrM70PPMvWrUUI/s320/IMG_3994.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496506183300850402" border="0" /></a>We spent the early evening swimming at the hotel's pool, and then walked along Navy Pier. The boys were disappointed with the Pier as they were expecting more of a carnival/fair atmosphere & not so much shopping and food establishments.<br /><br />We ended our visit to Chicago by watching the Germany vs. Argentina blow out (Go <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Deutschland</span>!) the morning we drove out. It was pretty cute as the boys were in one room cheering for Argentina (complete with colored Argentina flags) and Wade & I were in the other cheering for the Germans. Too bad it seems that Germany used all of their magic during that game & had nothing left for their match against Spain.<br /><br />Anyhow - another grand day out for the Roach clan on our Summer 2010 voyage.<br /><br />Ciao & Happy Travels!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-74318405826578805712010-07-13T13:41:00.009-08:002010-07-13T17:25:26.360-08:00Bitten By The Big Apple<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3lfgtjKl1g7663EBB2Elc2BytMiTDyMHkPEkzlXQc0L9IKsCJNpzhs6kVKsn6hXYMIDwAyEpIrUFad5gjlScBjtm49ljRy_ylhApkp8xKHpaxGGDNkmQsDPyTJcWHA_ps60UVRVNgcY/s1600/IMG_3714.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3lfgtjKl1g7663EBB2Elc2BytMiTDyMHkPEkzlXQc0L9IKsCJNpzhs6kVKsn6hXYMIDwAyEpIrUFad5gjlScBjtm49ljRy_ylhApkp8xKHpaxGGDNkmQsDPyTJcWHA_ps60UVRVNgcY/s320/IMG_3714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493554079824989218" border="0" /></a>After our forays in Washington D.C., the family loaded up the van and headed north to New Jersey. As I've mentioned before, my aunt lives there at "The Shore" which is a beautiful place. No one should judge jersey by the Newark area. My aunt has a swimming pool which was a big hit with the boys. We ended up spending three nights there - 1 day spent visiting the Liberty Science Center (of course - my third time visiting...) and another in New York City.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 29</span> - A Day in The Big Apple<br /><br />There are several choices to travel into the city from New Jersey. You could:<br /><br />a) Drive your car - but that'd be insane - especially when you want to find parking. So - not an option<br /><br />b) Take the NJ Transit train into the city which takes about 1.5 hours, or...<br /><br />c) Take the<a href="http://www.seastreak.com/faresandschedules.aspx"> SeaStreak Ferry</a> like many of the 'suits' do. This is a more expensive option ($23 one way??), but certainly the fastest (only 40 minutes from Atlantic Highlands, NJ to Lower Manhattan) and what felt the most civilized.<br /><br />We opted to ferry over and then take the train home in the evening. We were able to have the best of all travel possibilities.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZNqL7hOzEn4ps_18N6GGLPBCmpWYUUZAY5awczHE0mefFmEr99wTXSXY8Vvsez5K1mHv70g4FohvLbjA4eHGRUXlOgT774pnb8MyH5D_rHGwXUEkLCO5D1jEBJRnBYHwwDoF2mc2Ni0/s1600/IMG_3669.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZNqL7hOzEn4ps_18N6GGLPBCmpWYUUZAY5awczHE0mefFmEr99wTXSXY8Vvsez5K1mHv70g4FohvLbjA4eHGRUXlOgT774pnb8MyH5D_rHGwXUEkLCO5D1jEBJRnBYHwwDoF2mc2Ni0/s320/IMG_3669.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493555072405866930" border="0" /></a><br />You can take advantage of the travel time to knit or read. I'm reading on my <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp">Nook</a> - I love this little device & highly recommend it. In fact -the price has come down substantially, especially if you only want the WiFi capabilities instead of WiFi and phone signal. I'm currently reading "The Fiery Cross", book 5 of <a href="http://66.147.244.179/%7Edianagab/">Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series</a>. I love the series; I'm trying to get caught up (again) so I can be best prepared for the latest release. However - as I remember from the last time I read it, this book takes forever to read. I'm currently on page 800-something out of 1300. Uggg. Okay - I digress from our trip & I'm not being compensated in any way for endorsing this e-product or book.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDAU-vmzdHG0OXD-BMdlBLXkEurwxwC75XoXjl0ERBAekrM_vv8ttd85ZzYenuIf0T0kEs3z9atlKsZDzE7aFnMkdAFqjQU620oHMsZROdSLXGVTjy4CObjgQbW6rW5xL3q_uwGhosOk/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDAU-vmzdHG0OXD-BMdlBLXkEurwxwC75XoXjl0ERBAekrM_vv8ttd85ZzYenuIf0T0kEs3z9atlKsZDzE7aFnMkdAFqjQU620oHMsZROdSLXGVTjy4CObjgQbW6rW5xL3q_uwGhosOk/s320/IMG_3675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493557501211809954" border="0" /></a><br />After disembarking in Lower Manhattan (right at the end of Wall Street), we wanted to do the <a href="http://www.circlelinedowntown.com/zephyr.asp">Circle Line Cruise</a> around Manhattan. I'd taken this tour when I traveled here 5 years ago with my BKFF and 12 high school students. However - the tour we wanted was having technical difficulties, so we went on a NYC Water Taxi. Not nearly the same and was crowded with many non-English speaking tourists who spoke so loud you couldn't hear the canned commentary. Oh well. Orion made a friend:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTP3u_-6sHx_9HIsoqrF1coUYWdU3WquzCIPu5hyphenhyphenlQhBkx84OYSAhzfylZ5j2HEJRHHnf6PzNTiyFmuWidzHsE0dhBzHtXOVqbT4ZL5Xdwsr4u4mMMGEsHfFWfmNhZjLwDwkGBshdAJQ/s1600/IMG_3711.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTP3u_-6sHx_9HIsoqrF1coUYWdU3WquzCIPu5hyphenhyphenlQhBkx84OYSAhzfylZ5j2HEJRHHnf6PzNTiyFmuWidzHsE0dhBzHtXOVqbT4ZL5Xdwsr4u4mMMGEsHfFWfmNhZjLwDwkGBshdAJQ/s320/IMG_3711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493557170735592866" border="0" /></a>What more could you want from your visit to the U.S.A. - a photo with two iconic images of America: The Statue of Liberty and a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy. It was pretty cute.<br /><br />During the "tour" we saw Lower Manhattan, the area where the Two Towers used to stand, Battery Park, Ellis Island (a very cool museum of the history of immigrants to our country), the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge. We didn't sail all the way around & missed other pertinent landmarks. That's okay, perhaps we'll save those for another visit. After the tour we walked up Wall Street for a bit and then rode the subway to Times Square.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoy_uWef9O1KyCrZUdXDikLzRllPOp_WkE6HnigSQ1eC8BOCixTh5_TNBx02L8ZekPyYjdny0r9FtqywF9IR6utJbVRRlCQKuub-n6BqcjZhs9Yy_udzcz4vlYbKNkeAM7U3Er6GpWYXs/s1600/IMG_3754.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoy_uWef9O1KyCrZUdXDikLzRllPOp_WkE6HnigSQ1eC8BOCixTh5_TNBx02L8ZekPyYjdny0r9FtqywF9IR6utJbVRRlCQKuub-n6BqcjZhs9Yy_udzcz4vlYbKNkeAM7U3Er6GpWYXs/s320/IMG_3754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493558874390870834" border="0" /></a><br />Times Square is pretty overwhelming with all of the neon lights and billboards, but pretty spectacular none the less. There was a giant screen dedicated to World Cup Matches. It would have been fun to watch a US game there - especially the one where the US scored in the 91st minute to advance out of the group stage.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhVWl44v0V0XyS9cP10IpfHsnVzSsRldK02RH7VWFdklSwSXPmtciXneCsQD4Ar98FabRPXWgikM8-nfeTiwUsci45Ec1V3gQVBbKXRKSx4VVBf-w2ab7hCPo743Yn74OZYuQXAyZgdU/s1600/IMG_3749.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQhVWl44v0V0XyS9cP10IpfHsnVzSsRldK02RH7VWFdklSwSXPmtciXneCsQD4Ar98FabRPXWgikM8-nfeTiwUsci45Ec1V3gQVBbKXRKSx4VVBf-w2ab7hCPo743Yn74OZYuQXAyZgdU/s320/IMG_3749.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493558883223098834" border="0" /></a>This was a fun "interactive" billboard. It captured live images of the street across from it. Then, a young woman would walk into the screen and take a Polaroid photo. If you were standing in the correct area, you could have been the subject of the photo. At least once the boys and I were in the photo. At one time, the woman "picked-up"people in the image by their hair. It was pretty fun.<br /><br />We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe where in hindsight our trip took a turn for the worse - although we wouldn't know it until several days later. It seems that when we paid for our meal & our credit card was out of our immediate control (as in the waitress will be your cashier) - someone made off with our credit card number & charged hundreds of dollars to our account over several days. Fortunately I noticed it when we arrived here in CA & our credit card company has sent us new cards and negated all of the fraudulent charges. To the company's credit, they did freeze our account when Wade tried to use the card back in Wisconsin, but we told them we had been in NYC, so we weren't aware of any unauthorized purchases. Turns out upon close inspection of our statement, someone had been purchasing liquor (lots of it!) and such using our number. So lesson learned - pay close attention to your credit statements and keep a close eye on your card at all times!!<br /><br />Other highlights of the Big Apple Included:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JkNcYbhaFywwUkqrm9gPrjFRxz-uIcmmeVF499aDqjk7BglqVtiyYCex6RNQu0CppHKS_w04sVqu68-rVEiQYKVDQTpqIFeCkzQq3CeM0P0IW9cCfAZCGliAgyxatU_t-NDoJ8o-Nsc/s1600/IMG_3784.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JkNcYbhaFywwUkqrm9gPrjFRxz-uIcmmeVF499aDqjk7BglqVtiyYCex6RNQu0CppHKS_w04sVqu68-rVEiQYKVDQTpqIFeCkzQq3CeM0P0IW9cCfAZCGliAgyxatU_t-NDoJ8o-Nsc/s320/IMG_3784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493562686963934274" border="0" /></a>Grand Central Station (where a t.v. was set up to watch the World Cup)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqL6Kla1Fwdoy15EXgM7AW8ghASx1g2pGzeqCqiXgwne5_Mpt5S8JhwstS7-DsrH_k3TqEjOJqz_UdGdiLIWmm8IhztfVvThvqBV8Y-UAoy5bLwemiQm8Gp-3EM5Vt1DELXQpkvoupVpM/s1600/IMG_3804.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqL6Kla1Fwdoy15EXgM7AW8ghASx1g2pGzeqCqiXgwne5_Mpt5S8JhwstS7-DsrH_k3TqEjOJqz_UdGdiLIWmm8IhztfVvThvqBV8Y-UAoy5bLwemiQm8Gp-3EM5Vt1DELXQpkvoupVpM/s320/IMG_3804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493562699407499042" border="0" /></a>The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Special Picasso and Bamboo Exhibits<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoSaSjI7k_pIRxTCNNTkJSqDLxmcJpq25UayNaE9SJd9_mWCWHO6QskCP5coC4H6Nj8JCpk5pvptc2tLBdMsXzAC6LuRcsHoh_bEyY-7-wrTia-tRpr5jPrewjQM_o-WaNkThieBiRPc/s1600/IMG_3855.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoSaSjI7k_pIRxTCNNTkJSqDLxmcJpq25UayNaE9SJd9_mWCWHO6QskCP5coC4H6Nj8JCpk5pvptc2tLBdMsXzAC6LuRcsHoh_bEyY-7-wrTia-tRpr5jPrewjQM_o-WaNkThieBiRPc/s320/IMG_3855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493562715132163074" border="0" /></a>A view from the Top of the Empire State Building (I hadn't done this on my previous trip)<br /></div><br />and dinner at an Italian Restaurant with a college buddy who now lives and works outside of Manhattan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_RFg-MbsUkyWKN7DoO3Oy2JqkcmAQU4qyaSqXc-RLpRagkLs4-nz4thRaFssrHR14VdlY8Yo_GvEY2fZtE_cgGVsUdfGbd6COhP1B7TRagRKr-BHjYUjKrq-gMgX6KA_-ks2VGT_jx4/s1600/IMG_3856.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_RFg-MbsUkyWKN7DoO3Oy2JqkcmAQU4qyaSqXc-RLpRagkLs4-nz4thRaFssrHR14VdlY8Yo_GvEY2fZtE_cgGVsUdfGbd6COhP1B7TRagRKr-BHjYUjKrq-gMgX6KA_-ks2VGT_jx4/s320/IMG_3856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493563726835951666" border="0" /></a><br />It was a long, busy, and fun-filled day. The kids were troopers - but here's what they looked like as we pulled out of Penn Station for our 1.5 hour train ride back to Jersey:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDZpkLHsqO0_BixuMNVLTosLqbWNGnLl3Lh__NtZH_QxRzGO4-71iLm6jPBSs2tJ4OJKrBxkp7ZPFHBsL0qGnlBToMAv4BA1mxMws-CeLkZA6wl8NGminYxZ2QNUZ8_Ne3QCl5H8URV8/s1600/IMG_3859.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDZpkLHsqO0_BixuMNVLTosLqbWNGnLl3Lh__NtZH_QxRzGO4-71iLm6jPBSs2tJ4OJKrBxkp7ZPFHBsL0qGnlBToMAv4BA1mxMws-CeLkZA6wl8NGminYxZ2QNUZ8_Ne3QCl5H8URV8/s320/IMG_3859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493563735332012482" border="0" /></a>I'm sure even with the credit card set back we'll still take a trip back to the Big Apple. So much more to see and do that you couldn't possibly squeeze into one day.<br /><br />Ciao & Happy Travels!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-23906814922390421652010-07-12T16:34:00.006-08:002010-07-12T16:56:50.226-08:00Timing is Everything!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlFNvsQhOHvMh0rOcHItq4z7XuuIRk4LeQ4UOcbyCIGG0L53I_k6g0m1Ucwg0xROWFhD_k7LHUCQeKGgdl6V6ghr_tdAlnSBfnCCCClmfCIkeh7jI8LPcWASsfOlRFajqsJAGkXzygwY/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlFNvsQhOHvMh0rOcHItq4z7XuuIRk4LeQ4UOcbyCIGG0L53I_k6g0m1Ucwg0xROWFhD_k7LHUCQeKGgdl6V6ghr_tdAlnSBfnCCCClmfCIkeh7jI8LPcWASsfOlRFajqsJAGkXzygwY/s320/IMG_4416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493183575292930786" border="0" /></a>We interrupt our cross country travels to show you what I've been up to while dear Wado is driving. Because I've been blessed with the ability to read, knit, etc in a car w/o getting motion sickness, I've been able to get lots of knitting accomplished. I recently reported that I have 2 projects to share with you, but since that post, I'm please to announce that I have FOUR (yeah!) finished objects. I'll intersperse my travel posts with reports of knitting just to spice it up a bit.<br /><br />Because my timing is impeccable, I chose a nice hot, sunny day (perhaps 90°F in the sun?) in Sacramento for the finished photo shoot. I think I actually finished this project while driving from my aunt's home in New Jersey back to our friend's home in Wisconsin. It's been sitting in my knitting bag and occasionally balled up on the dashboard of the van until now.<br /><br />This is a project inspired by my friend Sandy (not blogless, but hasn't blogged in many moons...). She's knit quite a few & they just look so fun, especially when they're rolled up along the waviness of the scarf.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxXaeIzdw7befthAqgATUi8OJko3Ov_tPOUvgdRePr0pe1o0YfrjZfYfKQZq90VdqVz-Y_yqmScCO3yNwNjQhyphenhyphenpFUFgYnbTaokyDFw1vpDKjVRnzBLlWRhA4NxfYPQdiFJZXuuZrxxBM/s1600/IMG_4402.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxXaeIzdw7befthAqgATUi8OJko3Ov_tPOUvgdRePr0pe1o0YfrjZfYfKQZq90VdqVz-Y_yqmScCO3yNwNjQhyphenhyphenpFUFgYnbTaokyDFw1vpDKjVRnzBLlWRhA4NxfYPQdiFJZXuuZrxxBM/s320/IMG_4402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493184430684382738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKr8o0AZMYJAvJqAnPh3kkI5aNKOQ9JnQYBh7dz8NSTO1o2JbroCESJL0VmFESG5_1Bx0_NaSgOoC49c3C-DgUTLKzZT8CThQVOOozOW_7a8Xua0qHFDdDh7nHgwCQAYuaanMFB9pW_k/s1600/IMG_4410.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKr8o0AZMYJAvJqAnPh3kkI5aNKOQ9JnQYBh7dz8NSTO1o2JbroCESJL0VmFESG5_1Bx0_NaSgOoC49c3C-DgUTLKzZT8CThQVOOozOW_7a8Xua0qHFDdDh7nHgwCQAYuaanMFB9pW_k/s320/IMG_4410.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493184444823120226" border="0" /></a><br />Details:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Pattern</span>: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-lettuce-scarf-468">Sea Lettuce Scarf</a> by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/lucy-neatby">Lucy Neatby</a>. A fun lesson in the skill of short rows and picot edges. I've mentioned before that I don't knit many scarves because my knitting attention span is that of a flea with ADHD, so I didn't knit it until the yarn ran out. I figure I'll probably just use this as an accessory rather than a piece of functional winter wear. It is a fun knit and the directions are easy to follow. Lucy has provided directions for different weights of yarn depending on your preference.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Yarn:</span> <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/">Blue Moon Fiber Arts</a> "<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/blue-moon-fiber-arts-twisted">Twisted</a>" in Jubilation colorway; less than 1 skein. I think I have enough left over to knit a small hat. Perhaps something for my new nephew expected to make his debut in September? I know that natural occurring Sea Lettuce is not purple (as Wade kept pointing out - "Sea Lettuce isn't purple, it's green!!"), but I was attracted to this color way (as I often am to purples) & that was that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Needles</span>: US7 The pattern recommends a US2, but I figure that's for those using fingering weight yarn. Also - since scarves are very forgiving in terms of fit, I just used a needle that was close to that suggested by BMFA and what I thought produced a nice looking fabric.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONhyphenhyphenZKrDHnkFtoDthMm9oa8nKeyOsCh__ShZhKSTDOProhtZRWKqZ5buH6ysj-n9tRe2hkp1AOyb60VOUFEWVKwDRwxjIpO2XhbA4PIVrt7sccMnGZqZgwXFoVOfsStS5zsOo75jx0HU/s1600/IMG_4415.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONhyphenhyphenZKrDHnkFtoDthMm9oa8nKeyOsCh__ShZhKSTDOProhtZRWKqZ5buH6ysj-n9tRe2hkp1AOyb60VOUFEWVKwDRwxjIpO2XhbA4PIVrt7sccMnGZqZgwXFoVOfsStS5zsOo75jx0HU/s320/IMG_4415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493184450974660514" border="0" /></a><br />Overall: Very fun project!<br /><br />I'll share more FO's later (they're drying in the warm, dry Sacramento air) & more of our travel adventures soon. Tonight - Wade & I are going to see <a href="http://carbonleaf.com/splash/index.php">Carbon Leaf</a> in concert - should be fun!<br /><br />Ciao & Happy Travels!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-40973085737405710752010-06-29T18:35:00.005-08:002010-07-08T07:04:07.506-08:00More D.C. & Time with Family<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKXdX_1O903K7ggkQ8xGN5qvgv9WhWkZM6P0-y901uThPY0h1BRYUjINxKEkHyhsxYM_i_ac5fX2AE4VSpwL-1Jd6pueNZ1ZUzW0ItDbQKtCbp5dlJRXc7kD8mni8nRhyphenhyphenaZi1-4hct4k/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKXdX_1O903K7ggkQ8xGN5qvgv9WhWkZM6P0-y901uThPY0h1BRYUjINxKEkHyhsxYM_i_ac5fX2AE4VSpwL-1Jd6pueNZ1ZUzW0ItDbQKtCbp5dlJRXc7kD8mni8nRhyphenhyphenaZi1-4hct4k/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489894640297884786" border="0" /></a>We've made it back to our friend's house in Milwaukee, WI. After leaving D.C., we journeyed north to my Aunt's house in New Jersey, spend a day in the Big Apple, camped in Pennsylvania, and then drove and spent 2 nights in Chicago. We've covered a lot of ground. We've been so busy that I haven't had the energy to update the blog or to report on knitting progress. I'll do a quick recap of our remaining time in D.C. & happily report I've finished 2 knitting projects (TWO!!) with a third just a bind-off away. I hope to get some breathing room in the next day or so for a quick photo shoot & then some posts. Knitters, stay tuned!<br /><br />Our last couple of days in D.C. were spent visiting the capitol and spending time with my sister. Since she lives so far away from Anchorage (which we hope she'll fix, soon!), it was a nice treat just to hang out with her. (Who knew I'd say such a thing - I can remember wicked arguments when we were growing up) :0)<br /><br />After reading Dan Brown's book, The Lost Symbol, I really wanted to go & see the capitol rotunda. So our first stop was the capitol building. Both the House & Senate had adjourned for the day (flags were not flying over their respective buildings). The Capitol building is magnificent. When you enter you have an opportunity to visit a museum of types to understand the history of congress and learn more about the capitol itself. However, if you want to venture further into the building, you either have to wait in a very long line to obtain tickets, or have an "insider" (say, your congressman/woman) escort you. We were not prepared for either, so I had to be satisfied with the mock-up of the painting on the capitol's dome. Oh well - perhaps another time. FYI: The dome is made from iron and can expand/contract as much as 4 inches in extreme weather conditions. Wow!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1iYlNw55yl6HULCnCKVrxbaX4EtmTlAoJygCQzRaaeVlNBFOBJUT1vzxVtrZR-IDi7Ve5ADqC4nqApq69NAxc1PQp_xsG7YXRoCuHAgH8PW0tsSqxZ9gHcC1I2kc8ran1a2vC-ttSyI/s1600/IMG_3481.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1iYlNw55yl6HULCnCKVrxbaX4EtmTlAoJygCQzRaaeVlNBFOBJUT1vzxVtrZR-IDi7Ve5ADqC4nqApq69NAxc1PQp_xsG7YXRoCuHAgH8PW0tsSqxZ9gHcC1I2kc8ran1a2vC-ttSyI/s320/IMG_3481.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491546348555584722" border="0" /></a><br />Our next stop on our whirlwind tour was the National Botanical Gardens. Not a big hit with the kids, but very pretty. It was on the way to the focus of the days' visit: The Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5Ur3OIvKQ49sIocIVpIswSUB7FM_-D3DG7MNQPH5QovvO8ScEIc8nvzGf8Pr5iA5rwJ6CZZfNikC5gMLyF4JnFUXGstmgzYULS7fsC1lDVKKc0cPCjU2WE5wxkf1Ds6OnS6-zixCt58/s1600/IMG_3509.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5Ur3OIvKQ49sIocIVpIswSUB7FM_-D3DG7MNQPH5QovvO8ScEIc8nvzGf8Pr5iA5rwJ6CZZfNikC5gMLyF4JnFUXGstmgzYULS7fsC1lDVKKc0cPCjU2WE5wxkf1Ds6OnS6-zixCt58/s320/IMG_3509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491546333728562530" border="0" /></a><br />Again - the Smithsonian outdoes themselves with so much cool artifacts of our nation. I was overwhelmed. Highlights of the Air & Space Museum were the lunar module from Apollo 11 and the Wright Brothers first plane. I particularly liked their exhibit for Eastern Airlines (now defunct) requirements for being a flight attendant:<br /><ul><li>Female (check!)</li><li>At least 2 years of college or a nursing degree (check!)</li><li>Between 5' 2" and 5' 6" (check - barely!)</li><li>Single (oops...)</li><li>Weigh somewhere between 100 and 135 lbs (pushing it...)</li><li>Be of adequate proportions, somewhere below "Hollywood Standards" (their words, not mine)</li></ul>So - looks like back in the60's and 70's I would not have been able to make a career as a flight attendant (an earlier aspiration of mine...) Wade figured that mostly businessmen were flying, so the airlines wanted to provide a little "eye candy" while they were on board.<br /><br />Does this image look familiar?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwrJY_UIHSH7UbrXRKkVNpK6QpU9MwG6P1pFlng3_-7D_DNCAKMKcXjR25vi5K2S5zN4z3pV3t7qpEyBa1HL1b2A_Rvt4MKVUYDVCZsH5f-5jczA8TAjiIwUHk7dAA7rPkUfFpyt300U/s1600/IMG_3531.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwrJY_UIHSH7UbrXRKkVNpK6QpU9MwG6P1pFlng3_-7D_DNCAKMKcXjR25vi5K2S5zN4z3pV3t7qpEyBa1HL1b2A_Rvt4MKVUYDVCZsH5f-5jczA8TAjiIwUHk7dAA7rPkUfFpyt300U/s320/IMG_3531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491548107902645010" border="0" /></a>After the air & space museum, we hightailed it over to the Natural History museum - setting for the "Night at the Museum, part II" movie. During the summer the Smithsonian museums stay open until 7:30, so we took advantage of the time. Of course, we didn't arrive here until 6:30 pm, so it was a true zip,zip,zip tour of the museum. The docents and security guards were great about ushering everyone out of the building so that we wouldn't have to spend the night with creatures such as:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuLGqh5QScuu0tVVtGTQfnReuHITom8BWzHcBOX7Sp8p2zmAXPJ2HwpUPGBVFKvaIk6KMtPt3_T-sJCaF2hy8UW_Yu7mkSHisCD2BpGFuHfllm9bHuiUZ2V3dQmRFfxc8GkipF87Mg6g/s1600/IMG_3541.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuLGqh5QScuu0tVVtGTQfnReuHITom8BWzHcBOX7Sp8p2zmAXPJ2HwpUPGBVFKvaIk6KMtPt3_T-sJCaF2hy8UW_Yu7mkSHisCD2BpGFuHfllm9bHuiUZ2V3dQmRFfxc8GkipF87Mg6g/s320/IMG_3541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491548117407951922" border="0" /></a>Ahh!! What a tasty snack!<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Okay - I'm actually posting from our campsite in Nebraska (The Good Life!) & Wade is anxious to get back on the road for another 600+ mile day. Our goal is to arrive in Sacramento the night of the 10th (happy birthday to me!) so that we'll be able to watch the final game of the World Cup (Go Netherlands!!) on Sunday morning. Hopefully I'll find some energy to really update this blog of our journey & adventures.<br /><br />Until then.. Ciao & Happy Travels!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-79122087584897194452010-06-28T17:00:00.000-08:002010-07-03T18:35:37.559-08:00Washington D.C. - Day 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9IQ235tiy3b14ANGgDE1bUe0Y8tHtfmNTvGqWZsOg38Vi-ESX4dpyLBDsD3hKEKmeuHUJrkDQwVBpQ0xTrSiQURkV6wnOWVXBlO2EJkpnYi20c62lzQyu00uJNN3xEONcE50qRQ5gJc/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9IQ235tiy3b14ANGgDE1bUe0Y8tHtfmNTvGqWZsOg38Vi-ESX4dpyLBDsD3hKEKmeuHUJrkDQwVBpQ0xTrSiQURkV6wnOWVXBlO2EJkpnYi20c62lzQyu00uJNN3xEONcE50qRQ5gJc/s320/IMG_3388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487832512112035682" border="0" /></a>For lack of any title creativity, I figured I'd just stick with description.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Day 2: June 24, 2010 - We venture into the city...</span><br /><br />Since we had just visited an air & space museum, I convinced the boys to visit a different themed museum & then we'd go to the air & space on our 3rd day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Highlights of Day 3:</span><br /><ul><li>Record heat for the D.C. area. It was well over 100°F with humidity. We greatly appreciated the air conditioning, but found the heat really drains you when you're walking between monuments.</li></ul><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2Mc-UVFQ8sGMm_WX5AVZM6So-Ixq1wKPppxdX4uOd7d9TiZ9aD14xDmvFaBx0lHBZtnh-BkYfNGiGvRx5hPugLml675QYDPOi2nyysgcFIXXmuRCzcMFvTrCR_M_OPWAUSrtZ_aYcpQ/s1600/IMG_3846.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2Mc-UVFQ8sGMm_WX5AVZM6So-Ixq1wKPppxdX4uOd7d9TiZ9aD14xDmvFaBx0lHBZtnh-BkYfNGiGvRx5hPugLml675QYDPOi2nyysgcFIXXmuRCzcMFvTrCR_M_OPWAUSrtZ_aYcpQ/s320/IMG_3846.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487833202739671426" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The boys' first foray on the Metro. Since Springfield was the first stop on the blue line, we were able to get seats. This was not the case for our return trip as we boarded the Metro during peak rush hour & had to stand for most of the journey. This was not a big hit with an 8-year old who was hot, tired, and thirsty.<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://americanhistory.si.edu/">The National Museum of American History</a> was the first stop of our day. We spent most of our day here, as the museums are so large it's difficult to see all that D.C. has to offer. Due to the enormity of the museum, we concentrated our visit on personal interests:</li></ul><a href="http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/exhibition.cfm?key=38&exkey=59">Julia Child's Kitchen: </a>After seeing the movie Julie & Julia w/my <a href="http://winstonsmom.blogspot.com/">BKFF</a>, I just had to check this out. It was very impressive - the collection of pots & pans, cookbooks, & custom fitted counter tops to accommodate Julia's above average height.<br /><br />We spent some time within the inventions area of the museum & had that chance to see Stanford's entry into the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA_Grand_Challenge">DARPA challenge</a>. A fully autonomous vehicle - pretty cool!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sgli63ZKgtmg2L9pYwfGmWnGcLwQzweZO73eXk1vcWmBKPEPG8sn91sa5VRoE1ADC66wLxUvc8vaxBBz9gXstIcToSoTp3MATxO2AKsPoUIpZ2KcmIMIIFRRAiOavHVXnOPGR9z4MXk/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sgli63ZKgtmg2L9pYwfGmWnGcLwQzweZO73eXk1vcWmBKPEPG8sn91sa5VRoE1ADC66wLxUvc8vaxBBz9gXstIcToSoTp3MATxO2AKsPoUIpZ2KcmIMIIFRRAiOavHVXnOPGR9z4MXk/s320/IMG_3366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488632826575744674" border="0" /></a><br />Inventions - Including Thomas Edison's light bulb & lab notebooks. However - I was on information overload at the moment, so I opted to visit an exhibit I thought the boys' wouldn't be too interested in: the <a href="http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/small_exhibition.cfm?key=1267&exkey=863&pagekey=864">First Ladies' exhibit</a>. Mary Todd Lincoln's dress was amazing - such a tiny waist. It is now tradition that the First Lady donates the dress she wore at the inauguration to the Smithsonian. Michelle Obama's dress and Jimmy Choo shoes are prominently on display as she is the current first lady. I didn't take photos - so enjoy via the aforementioned link.<br /><br />After spending several hours at the museum we decided to brave the heat & humidity and walk along the Mall to visit some of the memorials:<br /></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpepd41tQptWFN8dQJvRvIy-adt0clsDy8NDry6IexnQczl_YJ-9kIv1-lC9kijc1euAaRZT9OKEh2xxY0yLcLS2rWpfg1nW-h9hvyl22OG4QbXlaO5R2q8uowpCh2yfLhQv5ZmyXBHE/s1600/IMG_3414.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpepd41tQptWFN8dQJvRvIy-adt0clsDy8NDry6IexnQczl_YJ-9kIv1-lC9kijc1euAaRZT9OKEh2xxY0yLcLS2rWpfg1nW-h9hvyl22OG4QbXlaO5R2q8uowpCh2yfLhQv5ZmyXBHE/s320/IMG_3414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488632839581107986" border="0" /></a>The Alaska pillar at the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/wwii/index.htm">World War II Monument</a><br /></div><br />At the end of the Mall we visited The Lincoln Memorial. My BKFF says I was to rub Lincoln's left foot for good luck. Couldn't do that as his statue was way up high & behind ropes. So - I hope good luck comes nonetheless.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VFOhiv0GUdd1eo7SegI7aDTzgJstd5K5UhaQCEybdGpL930dvtmqHxbkhlrspx3CaTtLq3cdUXlzVkbQGg51zaqovqd8IVjbu3asCJqdFxrHv7ikCCwQjcRb35sm3hyphenhyphenhQX6LZcCSmm0/s1600/IMG_3423.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VFOhiv0GUdd1eo7SegI7aDTzgJstd5K5UhaQCEybdGpL930dvtmqHxbkhlrspx3CaTtLq3cdUXlzVkbQGg51zaqovqd8IVjbu3asCJqdFxrHv7ikCCwQjcRb35sm3hyphenhyphenhQX6LZcCSmm0/s320/IMG_3423.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489861693813800290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Near the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/linc/index.htm">Lincoln Memorial</a> is the <a href="http://thewall-usa.com/">Vietnam Veterans' Memorial</a>. This is a special place for me as my father was killed in Vietnam in December 1970. I have no memories of him as I was only an infant. Fortunately for me - my mother & step-father made sure I maintained a close relationship with my paternal grandparents & family. My father's sister is one of my favorite people in the world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqiK2oj_GFpyCZb3YhFZWVeXisOiLldOv3Q9mQklteQ5CHonZ2UgiI3VoheT88y5lsgVRQWLf0D3zwbXVfvK_L5b_UWMhnVX3FFaVRl9vXrOzsWTy4acXd68xm0PJ1sX50XKzktyFP88/s1600/IMG_3440.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqiK2oj_GFpyCZb3YhFZWVeXisOiLldOv3Q9mQklteQ5CHonZ2UgiI3VoheT88y5lsgVRQWLf0D3zwbXVfvK_L5b_UWMhnVX3FFaVRl9vXrOzsWTy4acXd68xm0PJ1sX50XKzktyFP88/s320/IMG_3440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489861706859923122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Grandchildren he never got to meet in person, although I'm sure he's smiling down on them. My oldest looks uncannily like his biological grandfather. I know he would be proud of these 2 boys.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqK7DWKOZOkNQXEg2LPlMVjvlC2rvJqUmIMAsXp3NL5Co2k4HXfXJTFqm6CidielHOIn6bCxdv1aSO9qArgfyvTHQduSqOyDZrshAQodZizYn2LCRPni2kcfxuBSCxRXhgu1FMFy-KdM/s1600/IMG_3442.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqK7DWKOZOkNQXEg2LPlMVjvlC2rvJqUmIMAsXp3NL5Co2k4HXfXJTFqm6CidielHOIn6bCxdv1aSO9qArgfyvTHQduSqOyDZrshAQodZizYn2LCRPni2kcfxuBSCxRXhgu1FMFy-KdM/s320/IMG_3442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489871082760232482" border="0" /></a>Capt. James R. Heimbold, Dec. 4, 1970<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the time we'd finished walking the length of the Mall & visiting the Lincoln & Vietnam memorials, we were pooped & ready to head back to Virginia.<br /><br />A good first day in our nation's capitol.<br /><br />Ciao!<br /></div>Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-5271058419356680072010-06-28T06:00:00.000-08:002010-06-28T06:45:32.713-08:00Houston, The Roaches Have Landed....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9mEYAOQ0SbUhx-avfhRLCJHznyvp1mVvA_JJ9AQKdhCPRNlrkKzvMxB29EIjR9ACCUKy9gH8RmBHd174KZvayA4qsFzXqh_RK0BgYEaWWVJTvgB7AUWUTeZoUxaWKouBCEWguxGBu4k/s1600/IMG_3460.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9mEYAOQ0SbUhx-avfhRLCJHznyvp1mVvA_JJ9AQKdhCPRNlrkKzvMxB29EIjR9ACCUKy9gH8RmBHd174KZvayA4qsFzXqh_RK0BgYEaWWVJTvgB7AUWUTeZoUxaWKouBCEWguxGBu4k/s320/IMG_3460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487822898909283714" border="0" /></a>I thought it time to perhaps bring the blog up to "real-time" (or a close approximation) & then recount our days prior. After spending a few days with friends in Milwaukee & driving for a couple more days, we've finally reached our penultimate destination: our nation's capitol: Washington D.C.<br /><br />My sister & her family live in northern Virginia & allowed us to use their home as a base for our trip. (Thanks Aurora, Brian, Sydney & Baby-to-come Bilbo Baggins) We would drive to the "nearby" Metro Station & take the blue line into the city.<br /><br />I hadn't been to D.C. since my college roommate & I visited back in 1991. There are a few new memorials (Korean, World War II), but one thing certainly did not change - the oppressive heat & humidity. Oy-Vay! Fortunately our tax dollars are well at work providing "free" admission & adequate air conditioning in the major attractions & Metro.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1: June 23</span><br /><br /><ul><li>After breakfast & yummy coffee we watched the nail-biting U.S. vs Nigeria game. Wow - I think I aged 30 years during that 90 minute match & thought my heart was going to leap out of my chest! We were very excited that the U.S. team was able to win their group & make it to the elimination Round of 16.</li></ul><ul><li>Since we were getting a bit of a late start, rather than commute into the city which would take about an hour, we opted to visit the "nearby" Smithsonian <a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/">Udvar-Hazy Air & Space museum</a>. This is the 'hanger' of the Air & Space museum & houses tons of aircraft that couldn't fit in the regular Air & Space museum off the Mall in D.C. Big named aircrafts that were on display included the "<a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19920072000">SR-71A blackbird</a>", A <a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A20030139000">Concorde</a>, <a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19500100000">The Enola Gay</a>, and a test space shuttle "<a href="http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19860004000">Enterprise</a>". It was pretty impressive & a big hit with two young boys.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIe_Ez-S9x-dXE75oOJkYu1VDJW-9BcLGlBem_xE6TwlOxLR4NEgbMKtgEFUKni1ByswQWdPdcNlJEPeEbY3UV6zMa0PXrAKdVdDDRAXxjPRRnMo6PMkFTl3jFHV31TBuBUe9piU_iEo/s1600/IMG_3305.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIe_Ez-S9x-dXE75oOJkYu1VDJW-9BcLGlBem_xE6TwlOxLR4NEgbMKtgEFUKni1ByswQWdPdcNlJEPeEbY3UV6zMa0PXrAKdVdDDRAXxjPRRnMo6PMkFTl3jFHV31TBuBUe9piU_iEo/s320/IMG_3305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487828781833208514" border="0" /></a>SR-71A Blackbird<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ASKLobn0fIMdPV8bUoOpschXVYShosFX4if_-v3pZJaxcUSZ6er4CldR5AO16Vj4ADLFW-tFDofB__XC3ivyh8yTx5wvvnDonON7Xua-K14zz1VO4VRzgd4P6RTuhSdu8IXdNLE9m64/s1600/IMG_3307.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ASKLobn0fIMdPV8bUoOpschXVYShosFX4if_-v3pZJaxcUSZ6er4CldR5AO16Vj4ADLFW-tFDofB__XC3ivyh8yTx5wvvnDonON7Xua-K14zz1VO4VRzgd4P6RTuhSdu8IXdNLE9m64/s320/IMG_3307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487828778081365090" border="0" /></a>The Enterprise<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMHUnbNE-23uBQKKkP0w_lw553vpX2-8w0p_5NSc4DrbtOi5wy7Rysniq_-myXFbaBNe88b_Ki_xwJCyJpiB_6NyPeWzDI5bO_6_W2UwZcDDVeus5zTldMjCyqSdff1oNtKksZ29Dxvs/s1600/IMG_3299.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMHUnbNE-23uBQKKkP0w_lw553vpX2-8w0p_5NSc4DrbtOi5wy7Rysniq_-myXFbaBNe88b_Ki_xwJCyJpiB_6NyPeWzDI5bO_6_W2UwZcDDVeus5zTldMjCyqSdff1oNtKksZ29Dxvs/s320/IMG_3299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487828766881432434" border="0" /></a>An Interactive Flight Simulator - the boys actually went upside down!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The visit to the Udvar-Hazy was a nice way to begin our trip to D.C.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-68983084409465964662010-06-18T10:00:00.003-08:002010-06-26T14:25:26.749-08:00Day 9: Welcome to Wisconsin!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsXiX6sxC_fkjslZJ-GovvcrDzAr_FpbbKYBxx1XrkxIIYA2B1HdBpOUwWwy1dudgRxQVPPBQtZCetC-ZbAiIaPT0wyX_n88S_5sfyTBoFAY9bXVNp8fmk1grth0S7vDVbUmYZCkymZs/s1600/IMG_3155.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsXiX6sxC_fkjslZJ-GovvcrDzAr_FpbbKYBxx1XrkxIIYA2B1HdBpOUwWwy1dudgRxQVPPBQtZCetC-ZbAiIaPT0wyX_n88S_5sfyTBoFAY9bXVNp8fmk1grth0S7vDVbUmYZCkymZs/s320/IMG_3155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487099245151924978" border="0" /></a><span><span>On June 17 we finally arrived in Wisconsin. As we were still a few hours away from Milwaukee, we decided to stop in the Wisconsin Dells area.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>We camped at "Rocky Arbor" state campground - a welcome change from the "campground/RV parks" we encountered off the highway in Saskatchewan & ND. Lots of trees, the ability to have a campfire, & limited highway noise.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2hwcjfRLFzBzO2nyLKZiaS1nyIgS6v6EEDhHx2PdYc3KJjTp24zP9bi3bKqIfaRxU3iTIOmtCiWdZQG6Q0Oihb03SpnFHK3WIDgSSxVuIZGVAb_hwIh1TLejuL5w3vHJIZSyvzKfbls/s1600/IMG_3119.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2hwcjfRLFzBzO2nyLKZiaS1nyIgS6v6EEDhHx2PdYc3KJjTp24zP9bi3bKqIfaRxU3iTIOmtCiWdZQG6Q0Oihb03SpnFHK3WIDgSSxVuIZGVAb_hwIh1TLejuL5w3vHJIZSyvzKfbls/s320/IMG_3119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487101784521333794" border="0" /></a>As usual - the evening was very pleasant - clear skies & nice temperatures. However, sometime in the night that changed. I woke up to wind & water blowing into the van (we sleep with the back up so as to have fresh air - similar to a tent atmosphere; the boys sleep up top). I told Wade that rain was blowing in, to which he replied "Oh - it can't be<span style="font-style: italic;"> that</span> bad" (basically "suck it up"). He soon realized the wind was picking up & the rain turned into a downpour - complete with *you guessed it* thunder & lightening. So - my knight in shining armor got out of the van to shut the back. This entails a bit more work as you have to first swing the bike rack out of the way. Add to the scenario the torrential downpour & lightening & you have a recipe for a very irritated hubby. We had to speedily shut windows & zip up the "upstairs" vents to keep the water out. It was pretty amazing how quickly the storm came through. We were very happy to be in a vehicle & not in a tent.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DDqN2HYOKkaewQkhq5mx_H8gMbZ6Hhwe14BW-G0DT0cFwXFy1TGQ9kiWiQpbuLOK3GFte1b48y_G9y3mU-zC38DC04NPTEDuxhUisz0VddFybwRGNdGX28nMN8FpkHmoVJyKRHAuXDg/s1600/IMG_3166.JPG"><br /></a><span>Being "south" in the summer is very different from Alaska. For example - it gets dark here!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMHsqN4YLjBFjDxI0saKVsnbHeCTbCvq12X-Okmbg3G1cFQYGZp7O4edX6ejQ4QCtzQD-bQw5GnJc6NhytZ_rYP1jCSmgNClRIJqmUMpPFIcuD_X9CdxNpHfBzOZwpHgI7M12x0EoBp0/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMHsqN4YLjBFjDxI0saKVsnbHeCTbCvq12X-Okmbg3G1cFQYGZp7O4edX6ejQ4QCtzQD-bQw5GnJc6NhytZ_rYP1jCSmgNClRIJqmUMpPFIcuD_X9CdxNpHfBzOZwpHgI7M12x0EoBp0/s320/IMG_3153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487102294460159202" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span>We chose to spend most of Day 10 visiting a popular attraction of the Wisconsin Dells - the water parks! We went to <a href="http://www.noahsarkwaterpark.com/">"Noah's Ark" </a>which is apparently the largest water park in the U.S.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>No photos from that outing: digital cameras & water don't mix. We had a great time riding the waves - a nice break from the car & fun way to spend the day in the warm temperatures. </span><span>After fun at the park, we loaded up the van & headed to our first major destination: Casa de Sivils in Milwaukee, WI</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span>Ciao & Happy Travels!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Mileage Begin:</span> 109,245<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mileage End:</span> 109,778<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Miles Day 9:</span> 533 (finally - a 500 mile day!!)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles from home:</span> 3,145<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tunes du Jour:</span> "Prey" by Michael Crichton audiobook (oy-vay: lot's of "f-bombs!")<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting Project: </span>More of Kiama<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gas Total:</span> 32.342 gallons<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cost: </span>$88.41 US<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-87444251346187861732010-06-17T10:25:00.001-08:002010-06-26T07:02:04.758-08:00Day 7 - Day 8: Making Progress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLsdz5p6ggWHS7-8spidPS21rODsvTY0LRx_ZQlN_icsraKy4sS7iUxyY9m5V1cTcaQjIoyP2eNrTrCz9BBVgHk-aJ0BL86lm2JLqDAZb70mRgSFFgXlPefsb5zjj5aWBAMbxvPaRuiw/s1600/IMG_3802.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLsdz5p6ggWHS7-8spidPS21rODsvTY0LRx_ZQlN_icsraKy4sS7iUxyY9m5V1cTcaQjIoyP2eNrTrCz9BBVgHk-aJ0BL86lm2JLqDAZb70mRgSFFgXlPefsb5zjj5aWBAMbxvPaRuiw/s320/IMG_3802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487092635047511458" border="0" /></a>I know - it's been a while since I've updated you on our cross-country journey, leaving many of you wondering "where are you"? Perhaps I really did decide to move to Edmonton & I'm now sitting inside the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Muttart</span> Conservatory sipping coffee.<br /><br />Nah - it's just that once we left Edmonton, driving east through Canada didn't afford much blog fodder. Once we arrived in Wisconsin, we were busy enjoying the company of our friends & the luxury of unconfined space that I didn't update the blog. I'll remedy that now....<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Day 7: Calgary to Regina, Saskatchewan</span><br /><br />Highlights: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ummmm</span>...... lots of flat, grassy, expanses of land. I think I saw a sign that said we were driving through the "Badlands" of Canada.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1lSjGDCQ1BdsQZaXfluYalTMB3gO7tQOEHlG_bwp2sNDyvSRETZI-uOqzwfNLbLSKfLtC5j6Hth_zmxa9zjZ_kfZsIe9b8eMq4KTslrd6R-femsDHAQE4oJuUE9oPcfFx1x6OLgepFE/s1600/IMG_3104.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1lSjGDCQ1BdsQZaXfluYalTMB3gO7tQOEHlG_bwp2sNDyvSRETZI-uOqzwfNLbLSKfLtC5j6Hth_zmxa9zjZ_kfZsIe9b8eMq4KTslrd6R-femsDHAQE4oJuUE9oPcfFx1x6OLgepFE/s320/IMG_3104.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487093716227838034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Our view for hundreds of miles...</span><br /></div><br />Wildlife: <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(Besides the creatures in the backseat?) </span>Prairie Dogs - lots of Prairie Dogs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JLH0F1SmuE9s035ugND8KWAADFZpzod0-p4WffBWReiOoNhKCOVQHEDL9F52rQjAHRNzck5tCFBqb59wm9f0VeGuUgWnllG11HoEqCm2y1HKwq0ne79-FG3fc7PuprSWlLnZIEZ7mnY/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JLH0F1SmuE9s035ugND8KWAADFZpzod0-p4WffBWReiOoNhKCOVQHEDL9F52rQjAHRNzck5tCFBqb59wm9f0VeGuUgWnllG11HoEqCm2y1HKwq0ne79-FG3fc7PuprSWlLnZIEZ7mnY/s320/IMG_3082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487093728708819330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mileage Begin:</span> 108,256<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Mileage End:</span> 108,749<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Miles Day 7:</span> 493<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles from home:</span> 2,156<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tunes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">du</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jour</span>:</span> "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Enders</span> Game" audio book<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting Project: </span>More of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kiama</span> & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SeaLettuce</span> Scarf<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gas Total:</span> 31.74 gallons<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">mpg:</span> 15.53 (??)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Total Cost:</span> $116.24 (Canadian)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Day 8: Saskatchewan to Grand Forks, ND USA!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Highlights</span>: Being able to skirt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Winnepeg</span> & it's crazy traffic. Having a perimeter highway around major cities is a brilliant idea! Crossing back into the US. The border station guards in North Dakota were quite nice. Views along the highway - much of the same: flat!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VUBlcZS9MQCnsCkdri43baW1iA0EcPxLKCRDZuVdUjDEyxT6FrlcfcEiQYD37eU1I9OkKd6tMR0DAjwXz2fL-iAlqzjbvNC8F3PXOh65-6CEKW74LogVIJ5-TuGz7nJZlpXi_d4ZnAY/s1600/IMG_3809.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VUBlcZS9MQCnsCkdri43baW1iA0EcPxLKCRDZuVdUjDEyxT6FrlcfcEiQYD37eU1I9OkKd6tMR0DAjwXz2fL-iAlqzjbvNC8F3PXOh65-6CEKW74LogVIJ5-TuGz7nJZlpXi_d4ZnAY/s320/IMG_3809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487096360880903986" border="0" /></a><br />We drove as far as Grand Forks, ND & found a campground within the city limits. The evening was clear & nice, so we opted to disembark the bicycles & go for a bike ride along a long, flat, dirt road located next to the campground. Good thing we rode in the evening, because when we woke up it was pouring rain w/thunder & lightening - so much for a morning ride to the Starbucks that was close by. :0)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJPD7eDMM4GaPaagWSUSj9j7nrsvfV3GQ-_6BSqENt11sneF9u5Abe5I_sHczFHVNBCffSpt5ygiOsCx1ZOLmZn4_Pq8CNWplGJlV625DbK0B_In-LSMLPuK4U2z5DFauj80Cm2C1_G8/s1600/IMG_3805.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJPD7eDMM4GaPaagWSUSj9j7nrsvfV3GQ-_6BSqENt11sneF9u5Abe5I_sHczFHVNBCffSpt5ygiOsCx1ZOLmZn4_Pq8CNWplGJlV625DbK0B_In-LSMLPuK4U2z5DFauj80Cm2C1_G8/s320/IMG_3805.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487096358359858098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mileage Begin:</span> 108,749<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mileage End:</span> 109,245<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Miles Day 8:</span> 496 (the 500 mile day alludes us again...)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles from home:</span> 2,649<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tunes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">du</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Jour</span>:</span> "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Enders</span> Game" on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">audiobook</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting Project: </span>Sea Lettuce Scarf<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gas Total:</span> 17.78 gallons<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Total Cost:</span> $65.21 (Canadian)<br /><br />Next stop: Wisconsin! Ciao & Happy Travels!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-35112021785502342482010-06-14T12:00:00.000-08:002010-06-15T22:37:20.584-08:00Day 6:Enjoying Edmonton<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsucWKsNVE4_-YQ0N3jbJVEilRfm0O9vkL6CLy2l5lfS8wPiT1HC5xznZT3YwP2fEr_EY09NhjbcYNWLTQk8pSpfpFrCXmUtPhphnQjv_9RKiPl49bvplrM-uJ8-qTBRlBfKnBB5cqbg/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsucWKsNVE4_-YQ0N3jbJVEilRfm0O9vkL6CLy2l5lfS8wPiT1HC5xznZT3YwP2fEr_EY09NhjbcYNWLTQk8pSpfpFrCXmUtPhphnQjv_9RKiPl49bvplrM-uJ8-qTBRlBfKnBB5cqbg/s320/IMG_3055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483215137224217138" border="0" /></a>After blasting through most of the communities in the Yukon & northern BC, we decided to slow down a bit and enjoy Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta. Wade's always hesitant regarding big cities and being thrust into the masses of humanity, but I thought it'd be a shame to just blow on through this city. <a href="http://www.themilepost.com/">The Milepost</a> had lots to say about Edmonton & vivid photos of some the major attractions, so we thought we'd stop.<br /><p>Edmonton is home to the <a href="http://www.westedmontonmall.com/">West Edmonton Mall</a> - the largest mall in North America with over 800 stores. We had no desire to wander around stores that we can find in the U.S., so we decided to visit the <a href="http://www.muttartconservatory.ca/">Muttart Conservatory</a>. This attraction piqued our interest because it's composed of four glass pyramids that reminded me of the glass pyramid entrance outside of the Louvre in Paris. Each of the glass pyramids showcase plants from different biomes of the world. Temperate, Arid, and Tropical plants are on display year round. The fourth pyramid was called the "Feature" pyramid whose display changes around five times each year. During our visit several species of geraniums were on display.</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGjvYxcGZaY1C7sKsSpCkaS9Q70EwvZ6lR50hGSYXx9ajlqZS6sHJiAmGuMatcZP2Pqit7O4MBMrhQOwdarG65J7JJZw9edkZBAFalFS6mogC0iKSiaXx345jx2YZTEvQURCpQr3Hg4I/s1600/IMG_2971.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGjvYxcGZaY1C7sKsSpCkaS9Q70EwvZ6lR50hGSYXx9ajlqZS6sHJiAmGuMatcZP2Pqit7O4MBMrhQOwdarG65J7JJZw9edkZBAFalFS6mogC0iKSiaXx345jx2YZTEvQURCpQr3Hg4I/s320/IMG_2971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483213256479365762" border="0" /></a>If I had a budget that would allow, I'd love to remodel my home so that part of it housed a glass pyramid with spectacular plant displays such as the ones we saw here. They were absolutely gorgeous. I think the temperate pyramid was my favorite as not only was it visually appealing, but pleased the olfactory senses as well. I told Orion that I was going to move to Edmonton & buy the house that was for sale across the street (the conservatory is located in a nice residential area with access to a large green park & the city's bike trails) & visit every morning while I drink my coffee. He was like "Are you serious, mom? You're going to move here?!?" I assured him I was not - it was just a statement on how peaceful and nifty the conservatory was.</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs-_apfVEsC8K-ISz_wgjyIiBBX0grY6hzycCJWaZZzEFRPkcmvsJIAtgpfT9K-qqUMwwXYtCsL4Mckotous54sKaAOBcXDmmz96Z7TbpyvecVpMhsL8dYwoVnXppMrlm5M2_zjXiSHE/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLs-_apfVEsC8K-ISz_wgjyIiBBX0grY6hzycCJWaZZzEFRPkcmvsJIAtgpfT9K-qqUMwwXYtCsL4Mckotous54sKaAOBcXDmmz96Z7TbpyvecVpMhsL8dYwoVnXppMrlm5M2_zjXiSHE/s320/IMG_3024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483216464736412834" border="0" /></a>Since Edmonton also has one of the largest series of Urban parks in North America (according to the Milepost it's 22 times larger than New York's Central Park) & we'd brought our bicycles, we thought a bike ride throughout the park would be a nice way to get some long sought after exercise. We only biked for about 30 minutes (hunger was taking hold), but it was great. Much of the trail reminded me of the Coastal Trail in Anchorage. What I really enjoyed was how dedicated the city was to pedestrians and cyclists - in addition to vehicular bridges, there were several bridges over the Saskatchewan river dedicated solely to pedestrians and bicycles.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><p style="text-align: left;">We ended our visit by having a very late lunch/early dinner at an English pub located in the Strathmore historic district. It had great food & was dedicated to football. Flags, jerseys, and scarves from the English Premiere League decorated the wall. It was too late to watch any WC matches (they were over earlier in the day), so instead we watched a rugby match between the U.S. and England. Wade had played rugby while in high school, so was able to explain the convoluted rules. Did you know when you score in rugby it's called a "try". I find this hilarious - calling it a 'try" instead of a "do". :0)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEhWN5Fkkg_2tqzr1zQh-0Aeqq2rIP84q3zClBcAqb3Bt_m8O2JPoVqB9jdNBQhdRZvz93rYQEJH9KFbKFdCgZ2ZwnTe1Ps9_XvxXCgS5oV5WFg8zyUAcPt4mPg0Ni7VuesS3mhoo5QQ/s1600/IMG_3050.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEhWN5Fkkg_2tqzr1zQh-0Aeqq2rIP84q3zClBcAqb3Bt_m8O2JPoVqB9jdNBQhdRZvz93rYQEJH9KFbKFdCgZ2ZwnTe1Ps9_XvxXCgS5oV5WFg8zyUAcPt4mPg0Ni7VuesS3mhoo5QQ/s320/IMG_3050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483221796287826978" border="0" /></a></p><p>A quick visit into a shop to stimulate Edmonton's economy (the boys each purchased a leather bound sketch book & I found a fun "Hello Kitty" metal lunch box proclaiming my love of Nerds) we hit the road to head south to Calgary. Since we'd spent some time in Calgary in 2007 & have visited the Calgary Tower, I think our plan will be to camp & then head out. We've decided to continue east through Canada on the TransCanada highway #1 rather than pop down into the U.S. in Montana. So - we'll be able to add a couple of more Canada provinces to our list!</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp2ygK3jXxNf_EOQpWRGA0mxuZOUVuTIIckFmOqkQs9nBMzaycgdsCPG3rKPo7OyufldQZqEgbMoNxU8bTjm0TKbvYJ1JrIMfEosfAW-2i8Q0coddqS6QJ14XqLqC05-eNAcUtX4QphI/s1600/IMG_3078.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp2ygK3jXxNf_EOQpWRGA0mxuZOUVuTIIckFmOqkQs9nBMzaycgdsCPG3rKPo7OyufldQZqEgbMoNxU8bTjm0TKbvYJ1JrIMfEosfAW-2i8Q0coddqS6QJ14XqLqC05-eNAcUtX4QphI/s320/IMG_3078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483221809991113058" border="0" /></a>Reporting to you from TransCanada Highway #1 - Ciao & Happy Travels....<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Mileage Begin:</span> 108,039<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mileage End:</span> 108,276<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Miles Day 6:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles from home:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tunes du Jour:</span> Pink Floyd, Richard Shindell<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting Project: </span>More of Kiama<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gas Total:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">mpg:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cost:</span><br /><p><small>Tags: <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/Road+Trip+2010">Road Trip 2010</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/Edmonton">Edmonton</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/Muttart+Conservatory">Muttart Conservatory</a></small></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 136); text-align: right;"><small><em>Powered by</em> <a href="http://www.qumana.com/">Qumana</a></small></p>Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-20531445118541632302010-06-13T20:31:00.006-08:002010-06-13T20:51:47.184-08:00Day 5: Rolling into Edmonton, AB<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUX3BhxJLvpIsVmBdPXPtwX-f54xTKE-xc66jEZF0J1nilz8mmoJUkwjCmWJyM0wiDac4SziXRRyWZjK4c2H18B1m_g9OQzWOYalsAs_3Ut2lZZvz5UsMVDFT8wRpg73p3G9fBRgR0p8/s1600/IMG_3800.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUX3BhxJLvpIsVmBdPXPtwX-f54xTKE-xc66jEZF0J1nilz8mmoJUkwjCmWJyM0wiDac4SziXRRyWZjK4c2H18B1m_g9OQzWOYalsAs_3Ut2lZZvz5UsMVDFT8wRpg73p3G9fBRgR0p8/s320/IMG_3800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482482714574620914" border="0" /></a>We're just plugging away. We reached the official end/beginning (Milepost 0) of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, BC. Of course, we didn't stop for a photo - Wade swears we've stopped before (we haven't), but oh well.<br /><br />We turned east to head towards Edmonton, Alberta. We decided not to continue southwest into Prince George & then through Jasper/Banff since we had driven that route back in 2007. Now that we've arrived in Edmonton, I can say that the route through Jasper/Banff is much, much more scenic. The highway is a pretty standard highway connecting Dawson Creek & Edmonton. Edmonton is about 363 miles from Dawson Creek & in another time zone (Mountain Time), so we 'lost' another hour as we traveled east. We took a brief stop in Grand Prairie so Wade (not me!) could have a little "pick-me-up" at Starbucks (I told you - the VW just knows where these places are) & I took the opportunity to download 3 podcasts that were related to the 2010 World Cup.<br /><br />The downer is that there are very, very few provincial park campgrounds near Edmonton, so we're "camping" (use that term very loosely) at another RV park called "Glowing Embers" (sounds like a retirement home, doesn't it) and the source of WiFi for this post. While there are tons of RV/motorhomes, there are trees & it is surprisingly quiet. I wonder where all the people who own these rigs are? Do they just sit inside? Did they take their extra vehicle (we've noticed many RVs tow an additional, smaller car behind) into the city? Just curious....<br /><br />Not much in the way of scenery or wildlife along the way with the exception of this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXRKfVhfxR75rPbs2LXVJmcoDGuaE6atHY7xpkqJnIbmwxAv9YYVLsVmxj76mI00jvWf1pO03wHeTmgOCNRL8nP1qrzXRU-PyzF0y4cYjrah2tLYstQHjShO6xBlXtfNTh4dsl7UDAHw/s1600/IMG_3797.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXRKfVhfxR75rPbs2LXVJmcoDGuaE6atHY7xpkqJnIbmwxAv9YYVLsVmxj76mI00jvWf1pO03wHeTmgOCNRL8nP1qrzXRU-PyzF0y4cYjrah2tLYstQHjShO6xBlXtfNTh4dsl7UDAHw/s320/IMG_3797.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482485215412292546" border="0" /></a>A 15-ft tall Beaver perched on a log outside the visitor center of Beaverlodge, AB.<br /></div><br />The journey reminded me of traveling along I-80 or I-70 through the midwestern states -flat with lots of green farmland. We did encounter a substantial rainstorm - complete with thunder & lightening. That added a little excitement & caused us to consider a motel/hotel should we pull into Edmonton during the storm. Fortunately we were able to get ahead of the storm & set up "camp" - so far there's a fair amount of wind, but no rain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRnxAhzlN-oO0cUgcGsWPQIAVAK_eukm2aH17SMZtYMhLPKkCouu60LUtDGIv0v0M3gBhXm3cmzB7L3TbANL9dxxueaN271EORUJoihD1UwMOSZFgnL2yqqUjnawP6Vw5oUSFTgNZuCQ/s1600/IMG_3798.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRnxAhzlN-oO0cUgcGsWPQIAVAK_eukm2aH17SMZtYMhLPKkCouu60LUtDGIv0v0M3gBhXm3cmzB7L3TbANL9dxxueaN271EORUJoihD1UwMOSZFgnL2yqqUjnawP6Vw5oUSFTgNZuCQ/s320/IMG_3798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482484939911221954" border="0" /></a><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Begin Mileage: </span> 107, 634</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ending Mileage:</span> 108,039</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Miles Day 4</span>: 405 miles</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles from home</span>: 1, 939 miles</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tunes du Jour:</span> U2, Indigo Girls, RUSH, FIFA World Cup Today podcast (focus on US vs England match) , ESPN soccernet podcast, BBC News World Football podcast<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting du Jour:</span> Kiama - only 1 more repeat & about 3 inches left.<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Gas:</span> 53.082 litres (14.02 gallons)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">mpg:</span> 20.36</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cost:</span> $56.74 CD (gas is getting cheaper!!)</li></ul>Tomorrow we hope to go & explore the city for a bit. No, we're not visiting the largest mall in the world. :0)<br /><br />Ciao & Happy Travels!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-34504589722273104572010-06-12T10:57:00.007-08:002010-06-13T20:22:08.539-08:00Day 4: Liard Hot Springs to Fort St. John<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPDYTQIA6tLX-nJATMa3WMxGYX2rsoAZ4YAyyFR9wgYGIqxUQoNVnQevvPW0o9p90QCCcWPN3UMWj_iKBRPOfiLrw0NWIgVa5YAtKyZBPDjAY0qWAKP90ymboCOSWaNgnKpg_Tqy5ShM/s1600/IMG_2900.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPDYTQIA6tLX-nJATMa3WMxGYX2rsoAZ4YAyyFR9wgYGIqxUQoNVnQevvPW0o9p90QCCcWPN3UMWj_iKBRPOfiLrw0NWIgVa5YAtKyZBPDjAY0qWAKP90ymboCOSWaNgnKpg_Tqy5ShM/s320/IMG_2900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482470266461979778" border="0" /></a>After a morning dip in the hot springs, a breakfast of oatmeal & coffee, we were back on the road. We'd just pulled out of Liard when we spied our first signs of wildlife - a herd of buffalo.<br /><br /><br /><br />We continued along the Alaska Highway, southeast through beautiful British Columbia. We drove through the northern Canadian Rockies - very awesome, scenic vistas. We took a short break for the 3 boys to hike up a small wash of a 'folded mountain'. Folded mountain refers to the geological process that formed the mountains of the area. According to the Milepost, these mountains were higher than the Himalayas millions of years ago & are now only a fraction of their previous massive heights. I opted to stay below to stretch my legs while the boys went exploring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzERxB3zdK9zJAs9y5Pus6J8Lg_bq4MqhEYYbSANl4AkVUYFbTtF2lcKo2oOjXmmnigy6W04meVGdXSrybRwqo6cHHD9vzGwMe7Iynfhl5SoqU6dM8U6dLMajB7HmXdpYneFJ9Dk7JN6M/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzERxB3zdK9zJAs9y5Pus6J8Lg_bq4MqhEYYbSANl4AkVUYFbTtF2lcKo2oOjXmmnigy6W04meVGdXSrybRwqo6cHHD9vzGwMe7Iynfhl5SoqU6dM8U6dLMajB7HmXdpYneFJ9Dk7JN6M/s320/IMG_2917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482474477146069954" border="0" /></a>We stopped at the summit for a quick bite & run around time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPtQqOX3UTrgzihRD1A0kSI0E3QFdLAtQLz5qHhfHHP690OMHtbt6l1NfNzlnZemxA7-6x7AHMpqwJ3taz8S0-P-wcsHlJtE78lzLielMfcgxALl7TFNpXiZ8nBP43bJikTKz3dQYlF0/s1600/IMG_2902.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPtQqOX3UTrgzihRD1A0kSI0E3QFdLAtQLz5qHhfHHP690OMHtbt6l1NfNzlnZemxA7-6x7AHMpqwJ3taz8S0-P-wcsHlJtE78lzLielMfcgxALl7TFNpXiZ8nBP43bJikTKz3dQYlF0/s320/IMG_2902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482472139757800626" border="0" /></a>The plan for this day was to listen to a live broadcast of the US vs England match of the 2010 World Cup. However - this was foiled by the fact there are very, very few radio signals while driving through northern B.C. and that we were unable to obtain a satellite radio. Before we left Anchorage, I tried to buy a radio - no luck; you can't buy a satellite radio in Anchorage because XM and Sirius satellite don't broadcast in Alaska. Apparently our mountains get in the way of good reception. No worries - I was only concerned about having a radio while we were in Canada - that's when the games would be broadcast. So - when I called customer service of satellite radio, I was first told that if I subscribed via the US, their coverage would cease at the US/Canada border. Ohhhhh - is that so? Apparently there is some invisible shield that doesn't let those satellites up in space send a signal to your radio after you cross the border out of the US. Very interesting.... I was then told I had to subscribe to <span style="font-style: italic;">both</span> the US & Canada satellite services (?!?). So when I tried calling the Canada customer service, I was told they did have coverage throughout Canada (I figured I'd purchase a radio online & have it shipped to me), <span style="font-style: italic;">but</span>.... I couldn't subscribe because to do so would require my mailing address. Since I'm a US resident, I have a zip code, where Canadian addresses use <span style="font-style: italic;">postal codes</span>. I see. So - to end this crazy saga, I decided it just wasn't worth the hassle...<br /><br />So - to support the US, I wore my US jersey I purchased while I attended the 2006 World Cup in Germany. I think it may have worked just a little as the US ended up in a draw 1-1 with England. We only found this out when we pulled into Fort Nelson (about 194 miles from Liard) and were able to pick up a CBC station, which reported the results of the days' World Cup matches.<br /><br />The highlights of today's drive were the numerous wildlife we encountered along the way:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvD6P0y5EIqLbux5YSnDVlwktevIpcjGWjg7QZAOYTOj_9u0ECMXULrR_4UbrL0A2I3HuXn6e7PRYz23R-jCDxaeO0Ca90wymBXCTMwBVkdEipQEc9_FT5HH8bECsHwDtIYJnk_-aGqg/s1600/IMG_3790.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvD6P0y5EIqLbux5YSnDVlwktevIpcjGWjg7QZAOYTOj_9u0ECMXULrR_4UbrL0A2I3HuXn6e7PRYz23R-jCDxaeO0Ca90wymBXCTMwBVkdEipQEc9_FT5HH8bECsHwDtIYJnk_-aGqg/s320/IMG_3790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482475455993612194" border="0" /></a><ul><li>5 Black Bear<br /></li><li>3 Moose</li><li>5 Stone Sheep</li><li>1 Marmot</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Campground #4:</span> Rotary RV Park just north of Fort St. John. This was not our intended place to camp. We'd hope to stop at Charlie Lake Provincial Park (more of the nice, treed camping spots near a lake), but it was full. Apparently Canadians like to go camping! We tried another park near Fort St. John as well, but it was full. So - the RV "park" (Urban camping, - glorified parking lot).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pros:</span> Green grass & a playground for the kids, Free Wi-Fi (that's how I've been able to post, was able to find WC scores, & listen to part of the Ghana vs Serbia live webcast), and Showers!!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cons</span>: Barren area, no trees<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXmjhF6TQJ8b9S4Z4QkqzfFRfv6GURtGwszNpajwabt7SNDuuVvq3YWaXnvVMS4vuZjKl5Yrcj_f_qFFju3H5cOIKQvkadhP_o9PuRM38eUP9sTZ6giueGmvqsfXurAGhs2iIg5XL2a4/s1600/IMG_3792.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXmjhF6TQJ8b9S4Z4QkqzfFRfv6GURtGwszNpajwabt7SNDuuVvq3YWaXnvVMS4vuZjKl5Yrcj_f_qFFju3H5cOIKQvkadhP_o9PuRM38eUP9sTZ6giueGmvqsfXurAGhs2iIg5XL2a4/s320/IMG_3792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482476569670820578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Classic Shower Story</span>: The showers at the RV park were not free. You had to pay $1 (a "Loonie") for about 3 minutes of "instant hot water". The plan is to get prepped for your shower, put in the coin, get into the water, soap up, rinse off & viola - you're fresh & clean. Take a moment now & determine how long 3 minutes is. (I'll wait...) Okay - seems like plenty of time to take care of business, yes? Ah...<span style="font-style: italic;"> non</span>. Yes, you guessed it. First - the water was not instantly warm. No worries - I didn't wait for fear I'd run out of water. Foreshadow you say? Yup - I'd just shampooed & rinsed, soaped up, put conditioner in my hair & was about to rinse of when THE BLOODY WATER SHUT OFF!! (Yes, I think my sentiments at the time makes that an appropriate use of all caps). Did I have another coin? Of course not - that would make for a lousy story. Were there other people in the shower room to help out? No. Would Wade or the boys hear my pleas for help? Nope. What did I do? Well - the only thing I could do - run out into the main bathroom area & use the sinks to rinse off. Geez....<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Begin Mileage: </span> 107, 208</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ending Mileage:</span> 107, 634</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Miles Day 4</span>: 426 miles</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles from home</span>: 1, 534 miles</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tunes du Jour:</span> Robert Plant, "Intro to Robotics" podcast (yawn...), "Complex Systems" podcast (less of a yawn..), U2</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting du Jour:</span> "Sea Lettuce" scarf..</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Gas:</span> 64.512 litres (17.04 gallons)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">mpg:</span> 18.83</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cost:</span> $78.00 CD</li></ul>Ciao & Happy Travels....Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-35095779518709428202010-06-11T11:15:00.000-08:002010-06-13T20:53:19.113-08:00Day 3: Haines Jct to Liard Hot Springs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeVCodMFjZT_zzLIvuLuFvgguvw39aR0DVueLqkToxWRa4Wf0ti_GblhssEGMfcT4JUqwLboE04PN-yeLod7IJfkpWQPG9otmIfrG2lK1S9wMSGoFAE6h-MYva7iIMlgpZuhua4LJ458/s1600/IMG_3770.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeVCodMFjZT_zzLIvuLuFvgguvw39aR0DVueLqkToxWRa4Wf0ti_GblhssEGMfcT4JUqwLboE04PN-yeLod7IJfkpWQPG9otmIfrG2lK1S9wMSGoFAE6h-MYva7iIMlgpZuhua4LJ458/s320/IMG_3770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482309595450541698" border="0" /></a>According to our travel journal from 2007 & 2008, we were “behind” in mileage by day 3. We decided to remedy this situation. Our travels on day 3 took us from Haines Junction through Whitehorse (capital of the Yukon Territory), Watson Lake (home of signpost forest), and dipping in and out of British Columbia.<br /><br />We made our requisite stop in Whitehorse for gas, lunch, & coffee. (I told you we’ve mapped out the location of all Starbucks along the Alcan) Our usual stop is at the park, which houses the Klondike paddlewheel ship. This ship used to ply the waters of the Yukon between Whitehorse & Dawson City carrying mail, passengers, silver lead ore, and other cargo necessary for northern living. Now it serves as a museum – we’ve yet to step foot on board, but enjoy it nonetheless. The expanse of green grass is ideal for 2 little boys (and 1 adult one) to run around & kick the soccer ball. My healing knee doesn’t allow in much of the way for running, so a leisurely stroll is my exercise du jour. We though we’d unload the bikes & ride along the river, however the winds were howling & we wanted to get some miles under our belt, so the stop wasn’t very long. Another plus – the visitor center offers restrooms with warm running water – very much appreciated after a couple of days on the road.<br /><br /><br />We finally saw some 4-legged critters – here’s the wildlife count for Day 3: 2 Black bears munching grass right off the highway; 11 Buffalo, 1 Fox, 1 Porcupine. Not too shabby!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigET-8bFU26sti2k5PSgWg5GAzHBPH0-76dxsAB4WakonLgRKOBNq-GFDruolYxxkXq8V1bu_h_G3HOtViuhRS1WfsnjUzT6lQAKSzLfd6GZz2-tpQ_h95U3q0cSekTBEE_QVSLjRVJHA/s1600/IMG_2855.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigET-8bFU26sti2k5PSgWg5GAzHBPH0-76dxsAB4WakonLgRKOBNq-GFDruolYxxkXq8V1bu_h_G3HOtViuhRS1WfsnjUzT6lQAKSzLfd6GZz2-tpQ_h95U3q0cSekTBEE_QVSLjRVJHA/s320/IMG_2855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482457212527128610" border="0" /></a>Dandelions are yummy!!<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9bU9FadL6C1ngxC4nW-s6rt58fNAoYN_ffLZy4SUb6dYk9U-jMdDsaNSXv_icBzOzHPmuXU0VCI3qI1-YbBQG8gx5I_hsic_hFGUI0x8wKK_bq9J6QV4lVvgMb6I5t6vbdMdcjFssy8/s1600/IMG_2885.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9bU9FadL6C1ngxC4nW-s6rt58fNAoYN_ffLZy4SUb6dYk9U-jMdDsaNSXv_icBzOzHPmuXU0VCI3qI1-YbBQG8gx5I_hsic_hFGUI0x8wKK_bq9J6QV4lVvgMb6I5t6vbdMdcjFssy8/s320/IMG_2885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482459218367766306" border="0" /></a>Wood Bison/Buffalo<br /></div><br />We saw mostly male buffalo – perhaps the females are somewhere in the forest giving birth? Buffalo has a soft undercoat very much like the Quiviut of Musk Oxen. I looked along the roadside for evidence of some of this fiber – no luck. Just as well anyway – it would require I learn to spin; not sure I need to take up another hobby that could substantially add to my fiber stash.<br /><br />We rolled into Liard Hot Springs around 9:30pm. The gates were closed & the campsites were full. No worries – we parked in the overflow parking area & camped there – just as we did each time we passed through in 2007 & 2008. The advantage to camping in the overflow lot is that you’re very close to the boardwalk leading to the springs & to the toilets & playground.<br /><br />While soaking in the hot springs doesn’t clean off all of the grime of travel, it sure feels nice on bodies stiff from sitting in the car most of the day. Along the boardwalk we observed this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFemHp4CFoI9e01XbRvaUnL0pkDhM58SOFTpT8iGvFU7G1Hb2h5RHdQNPE_Td0uJCZsgrD_V6Ak324sm2dGTFTYriNAVlG-EJH9bthQaGHuleOgJ3RFjhyWjdNZ__V7DxrZZNAgfBu6g/s1600/IMG_2866.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFemHp4CFoI9e01XbRvaUnL0pkDhM58SOFTpT8iGvFU7G1Hb2h5RHdQNPE_Td0uJCZsgrD_V6Ak324sm2dGTFTYriNAVlG-EJH9bthQaGHuleOgJ3RFjhyWjdNZ__V7DxrZZNAgfBu6g/s320/IMG_2866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482460158757698770" border="0" /></a>A moose browsing in the marsh. Previous visits I’d always thought that would be a perfect spot for a moose – guess I was right! It was a beautiful evening – nice alpine glow sunset.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Ending mileage</span>: 107,208<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Start Mileage:</span> 106,711<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total mileage:</span> 497<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tunes Du Jour</span>: RUSH, Duran Duran, Beatles, Coldplay<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Gas</span>: 75.902 litres (20.05 gallons)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mpg:</span> 24.79<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total Cost</span>: $87.46 Canadian<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting Project:</span> “<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-lettuce-scarf-468">Sea Lettuce Scarf</a>” by Lucy Neatby using “<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/blue-moon-fiber-arts-twisted">Twisted</a>” by BMFA<br /><br />Ciao & Safe Travels….Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-72643121831702982502010-06-10T11:00:00.001-08:002010-06-12T22:17:09.703-08:00Day 2: O, Canada!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaBIStAfYJIS6OYTF6ErQgBqS8eM3biU5gcGx5cdAlyOcLaRHb9RK1e5KuF7VHHUrQWw9YwjodWjiJB-CosXOV20ly1BL3h8JEjXtSA8vB6ymoPwuQmD11AJCNxSIRe17OJr_et1dHdM/s1600/IMG_3737.JPG"><img style="float: left; 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panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-charset:77; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:auto; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Today we entered Canada via Port Alcan.<span style=""> </span>As most of you know, you are required to carry passports when traveling the highway between Alaska & Canada.<span style=""> </span>I had a brief scare when Wade went to retrieve the passports & asked, “Did you already take them out?” Gulp… They were right where they were supposed to be, he’d just overlooked them. The border guard asked all of the pertinent questions: “How many on board, all you all family, how much alcohol/tobacco are you carrying (he asked this twice – did he forget, or was he trying to trip us up?) & of course – “Do you have any firearm on board?” When we answered “No”, he was surprised. BPA:<span style=""> </span>“You aren’t carrying any of your guns with you?” Us: “We don’t own any guns.” BPA: “?!?”.<span style=""> </span>Perhaps it’s a perception that all Americans are packing heat.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The road conditions on this section of highway are a bit dicey.<span style=""> </span>Permafrost makes having a smooth, frost-heave free road bed quite the challenge.<span style=""> </span>There are orange flags dotted along the highway to warn travelers of the bumps – it’s a great idea to pay attention to these warnings. Since we’re traveling with our bikes this year (primarily for added exercise & therapy for my knee), it’s imperative we not hit any bump too hard.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEgUJf0zUlomVpnYtCt9u9E8PqYu1-Uduowd2w7_7SIBAc6S4vH0S9KSpXBIqCXs1Gw1H0YkDIJeTZgd9iPEfEk5ovUW94YJGTv9bmAJRSFKug_WerfKEPutJLnsKKb_PN3ifcI_tm_s/s1600/IMG_3741.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEgUJf0zUlomVpnYtCt9u9E8PqYu1-Uduowd2w7_7SIBAc6S4vH0S9KSpXBIqCXs1Gw1H0YkDIJeTZgd9iPEfEk5ovUW94YJGTv9bmAJRSFKug_WerfKEPutJLnsKKb_PN3ifcI_tm_s/s320/IMG_3741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482134241643416802" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Wade does most of the driving since he has a propensity towards carsickness.<span style=""> </span>I usually knit, read, do crosswords, consult the Milepost (a publication that’s a must for Alcan travelers), or documenting our journey for blog posting.<span style=""> </span>Occasionally I give Wade a little break…</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The boys spend a good part of their afternoon doing this:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUqD3zWvYuujPfxG-j6jAqZRQzlWhksTTZc_NiwpqkJFXCESI6deZJpB39Bm4b5xo21dhdbtFnD86MNSFRFDVYljxGKbaUylMTqr-WiOFzCRI-XjbqY_gKSaS2OvcaxAxwsX2xUPHf6E/s1600/IMG_3742.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUqD3zWvYuujPfxG-j6jAqZRQzlWhksTTZc_NiwpqkJFXCESI6deZJpB39Bm4b5xo21dhdbtFnD86MNSFRFDVYljxGKbaUylMTqr-WiOFzCRI-XjbqY_gKSaS2OvcaxAxwsX2xUPHf6E/s320/IMG_3742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482134257530849538" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Campground #2:</b><span style=""> </span>“Pine Lake Government Campground” ~4 miles north of Haines Junction.<span style=""> </span>We decided to stop early while the weather was nice & have a chance to relax with a campfire.<span style=""> </span>We unloaded the bikes for a ride & rode
<br /> down to the lake.<span style=""> </span>A regional biologist and camp ranger were present & gave a talk about bears.<span style=""> </span>The talk went on for around an hour (too long!) – especially since we, as Alaskans, were pretty familiar with the topic. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj8nHH8ggQdIbOv1yzeQxlM2QIvAkCUW2prS3ahLEgfyf9znG_dITpoxXiFAEn3-YWN7FkDfi8B0Q_jRvr4BJI9BPn2a24UjtVN2LDtOXRKxJ0DcHsNLLFl5QXLZKzB-Fx6pxT8DuMDw/s1600/IMG_3751.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQj8nHH8ggQdIbOv1yzeQxlM2QIvAkCUW2prS3ahLEgfyf9znG_dITpoxXiFAEn3-YWN7FkDfi8B0Q_jRvr4BJI9BPn2a24UjtVN2LDtOXRKxJ0DcHsNLLFl5QXLZKzB-Fx6pxT8DuMDw/s320/IMG_3751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482134260690345298" border="0" /></a>Canadian campgrounds are really nice – wooded site with firepit, picnic tables, pit toilets & access to firewood is included in the $12 fee.<span style=""> </span>I think we all appreciated the shorter day & exercise.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_1BZHrJWfvgosGVfAftnBwiSgeARoZS2ny-9kN1ZmUcDPRYPB73SV3ugsgOtj-PGss5sMldlfyideNyXDVPGc0Eiy5Pu9i-wBOph-x1xMq-R88fACIrvu6GpE-vMaNCYW_pdk5wLLXI/s1600/IMG_2835.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_1BZHrJWfvgosGVfAftnBwiSgeARoZS2ny-9kN1ZmUcDPRYPB73SV3ugsgOtj-PGss5sMldlfyideNyXDVPGc0Eiy5Pu9i-wBOph-x1xMq-R88fACIrvu6GpE-vMaNCYW_pdk5wLLXI/s320/IMG_2835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482134268636345410" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Mileage End:</b> 106, 711</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Mileage Begin</b>: 106, 471</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Miles Day 2:</b> 240 (short day)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Tunes du jour</b>: Dave Matthews Band, RUSH</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Knitting Project</b>: More Kiama</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Wildlife Count:</b> No 4-legged creatures, numerous birds (swans & eagles)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Gas</b> 10.720 litres (10.76 gal)<span style=""> </span>(fill up Haines Junction)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Mpg</b>: 27.11</p> <p class="MsoNormal">C<b style="">ost:</b> $52.08 Canadian</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ciao & Happy Travels!
<br /></p> <!--EndFragment--> Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-87311906806542517652010-06-09T15:14:00.005-08:002010-06-12T21:48:31.597-08:00And We're Off!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx7Mya7827Gbe202PvBAPA5lOTcw-0AVvcxVK7Fo_8NGsU5vaucqInK3FBlzspwXaj2a8KEwnZldzkawB_jqgoKjw39x3ff6xHKru_lMVqDbL__XKorPNO-a58Tkxl0gyZQdOJ03a7qg/s1600/IMG_3701.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx7Mya7827Gbe202PvBAPA5lOTcw-0AVvcxVK7Fo_8NGsU5vaucqInK3FBlzspwXaj2a8KEwnZldzkawB_jqgoKjw39x3ff6xHKru_lMVqDbL__XKorPNO-a58Tkxl0gyZQdOJ03a7qg/s320/IMG_3701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482128865976797138" border="0" /></a><br />The Roach clan has left Alaska. We were able to leave on June 9th as planned, albeit a little later in the afternoon than anticipated. So far so good. We've followed our usual routine: drive to Palmer, fill up w/gas & get an iced coffee for the road. This is our 3rd trip along the Alcan & we've mapped out the Starbucks along the way. Too bad Kaladi Bros isn't international. My plan is to log our journey as we go & then post when I have access to the internet. I hope you enjoy our travels...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijosDltIFNgjH9y_XnG-BJ-GhSM7QD3Vl4aozBbZvbzTyGyE61MopDia3yhC7zMUo9v2d38ZeW2U1swe_wAj16N1trFqE8MhM_8Uxgzg5tgIh5NcdKMJosIwYGK5UPZEYeV1aX4zk-a-A/s1600/IMG_3710.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijosDltIFNgjH9y_XnG-BJ-GhSM7QD3Vl4aozBbZvbzTyGyE61MopDia3yhC7zMUo9v2d38ZeW2U1swe_wAj16N1trFqE8MhM_8Uxgzg5tgIh5NcdKMJosIwYGK5UPZEYeV1aX4zk-a-A/s320/IMG_3710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482130247146673554" border="0" /></a><br />I love this sign. A reader of the blog in 2007 wondered if there is a similar sign w/in Canada that reads "US this way". This sign comes at the junction of the Glenn & Richardson highways in Glenallen. The highway was in rather nice shape & there was very little in the way of construction delays. The weather made for easy visibility with the exception of a significant downpour before reaching Glenallen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RaG_IOZsxAmdWyS86hO0PZ6jVgOwfg2orliwFeeDghOGPplFbnwfP49BNHGDFoxBvYAnxa_9pV1wrFM_-m6p_t8NnQcbAuzfmJQOvp6-kOvDypvFDV6UyrBigb8uhIpgciLTXFP-RJ8/s1600/IMG_2834.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RaG_IOZsxAmdWyS86hO0PZ6jVgOwfg2orliwFeeDghOGPplFbnwfP49BNHGDFoxBvYAnxa_9pV1wrFM_-m6p_t8NnQcbAuzfmJQOvp6-kOvDypvFDV6UyrBigb8uhIpgciLTXFP-RJ8/s320/IMG_2834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482130256104102162" border="0" /></a><br />When we travel we limit the amount of eating out we do. This is pretty easy since there aren't many commercial eating establishments along the way. We try to find a nice place to pull over when the weather is cooperating & it's near a mealtime. On day #1 we chose to make dinner (Hamburger Helper) at Mile 1 of the Tok cutoff. The Tok Cutoff takes you from the Richardson highway to Tok, AK. All vehicular traffic must pass through Tok when driving to & from Alaska. (Unless, I suppose you take the ferry across the Gulf of Alaska).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Camp #1</span>: Lakeview Campground approximately 30 miles west of the Canadian Border, around 7 hours from Anchorage. We'd stayed here before during our 2007 trek. It's nice as it gets you close to the border & has NO FEE! The lots are secluded & the lake is beautiful & perfect for bird watching. Orion & I counted 2 Sand Hill cranes, 2 Loons, and 1 Swan. At night you can hear the birds calling which is a pretty neat way to drift off to sleep.<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mileage Begin:</span> 106,100</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mileage End:</span> 106,471</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Day 1</span>: 371</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tunes Du Jour:</span> Glee Soundtrack Shuffle<br /></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knitting Project</span> "<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kiama">Kiama</a>" - working on the final 7 or so inches.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gas Total</span>: 19.625 gallons</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gas Cost:</span> $70.46</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">mpg:</span> 18.904 (although Wade & I debate on the correct way to calculate this....)</li></ul>Ciao & Happy Travels!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-77220101829749888792010-05-31T12:00:00.000-08:002010-05-31T12:00:00.932-08:00Road Trip 2010: Coast to Coast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTfUtaXQjtr6_iy6jZFkECU4RqsYesh8n6vvFT5cqV0_1CKJKjaD4uZMgzzomOz_u6azDNZoLtJdaCPgQoWsO7uV6JqMEM1QAFAfrFfbXxT5T_2tiwBy9Nhye2AmyrB4HR0sCIRvm_g0/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTfUtaXQjtr6_iy6jZFkECU4RqsYesh8n6vvFT5cqV0_1CKJKjaD4uZMgzzomOz_u6azDNZoLtJdaCPgQoWsO7uV6JqMEM1QAFAfrFfbXxT5T_2tiwBy9Nhye2AmyrB4HR0sCIRvm_g0/s320/IMG_1084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477202608370867618" border="0" /></a><br />We're hitting the road again for the summer of 2010. Hubby and I figured we bought our 2003 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Eurovan</span> for the specific purpose of being able to travel the wide open road to our hearts content. You'll remember in 2007 we embarked on our <a href="http://wanderingstitch.blogspot.com/2007/06/on-road.html">first journey</a> to the west coast & several National Parks. Then in 2008 we launched a more <a href="http://wanderingstitch.blogspot.com/2008/05/on-road-again.html">ambitious trip</a> traveling to Wisconsin and covering almost 14,000 miles.<br /><br />This year we're trying to outdo ourselves by driving all of the way to Washington D.C. Should prove to have loads of fun along the way. Anticipated highlights of our journey:<br /><br />1) Camping throughout Canada with stops at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Liard</span> Hot Springs, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Banff</span>, and Jasper<br /><br />2) Wisconsin to visit Orion's godparents & our dear friends Jen & Steve plus their two young daughters. <br /><br />3) Washington D.C. My sister and her family live about 30 miles south of D.C., so we'll use that as a home base for the time we're visiting D.C. <br /><br />4) A drive north to visit my fabulous aunt in New Jersey<br /><br />5) A quick stop in PA to see a friend<br /><br />6) Return to Wisconsin so Wade can attend RUSH concert #1 (of 3!!) on July 3rd.<br /><br />7) Drive west to California w/unplanned stops along the way<br /><br />8) Trip to Toronto July 15 - 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> to celebrate my 40<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> & for Wade to attend RUSH concert #2 with his brother. (fly in and out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">SFO</span>)<br /><br />9) Return trip home with stops in Oregon and Washington.<br /><br />10) Listening to the 2010 World Cup when we can't watch the matches using Sirius Satellite radio.<br /><br />Of course - I'll share our journey along the way. I'm looking for some sort of off-line blogging software (suggestions?) so I can easily keep updated with our adventures & then post when we have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">internet</span> access.Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-65240086971384282802010-05-30T14:21:00.004-08:002010-05-30T14:29:24.743-08:00Because...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-0IVgjDAZdfdQ6SsjYAmCALWqV1ZePQ19XLrFbuVq-yEUMpjW2FPBoj9E2AN5fmIYeLbZbtZ25At4_ZVNxFHJHQ_CTMVSyEpbRSRzRzJPO6DIWVJ35wku6e7zxlIbGWz90bBRDfRuKc/s1600/IMG_3695.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-0IVgjDAZdfdQ6SsjYAmCALWqV1ZePQ19XLrFbuVq-yEUMpjW2FPBoj9E2AN5fmIYeLbZbtZ25At4_ZVNxFHJHQ_CTMVSyEpbRSRzRzJPO6DIWVJ35wku6e7zxlIbGWz90bBRDfRuKc/s320/IMG_3695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477192099214690386" border="0" /></a>Who <span style="font-style: italic;">Doesn't</span> need a pair of 100% wool mittens when it's 86°F outside?<br /><br />Details:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wood-hollow-mittens">Wood Hollow Mittens</a> (rav link) by Kirsten Kapur of <a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/">Through The Loops</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yarn:</span> Cascade 220 Tweed - leftovers from my Tangled Yoke Not-Cardigan. The irony? I still had leftovers, cast on for a matching hat & will need to buy more of this yarn if I want to finish the hat (I'm 2/3 of the way done, so ripping out in favor of a different project isn't an option). I see a very unfriendly loop of sorts in my future - buy new skein, finish hat, have leftovers still, cast on different project, need more yarn, buy more yarn, etc. Arghhhh - 2010 is supposed to be about stash <span style="font-style: italic;">reduction</span>!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles</span>: KPO US5. Should have used a US6, but since the US5 tips were already on the cable from the TYNC, I just sallied forth...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time Frame:</span> Not exactly sure, but I think it probably took me around a week of on & off knitting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJieqYsahx2-uU5mKyfpSYaOiLBoga8Cismjl39Z0pIsUjj62512BTWKhdNPNezJysExpjOCrPvUNvijx0TgOo-TRbgc-53F0ge5A2SEdu37OjOcAxZDyP9srJWu-uyA6d-9ScEQ7YWU0/s1600/IMG_3696.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJieqYsahx2-uU5mKyfpSYaOiLBoga8Cismjl39Z0pIsUjj62512BTWKhdNPNezJysExpjOCrPvUNvijx0TgOo-TRbgc-53F0ge5A2SEdu37OjOcAxZDyP9srJWu-uyA6d-9ScEQ7YWU0/s320/IMG_3696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477193167733498978" border="0" /></a>Overall a fun knit & great addition to the knit gift basket.<br /><br />Ciao!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-11141852038132341272010-05-29T20:30:00.004-08:002010-05-30T15:00:55.064-08:00Science Lessons For the Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QydY0IMrgfUHWzmCRCLK9BiNlH-RMn95xNMmHswci0it30kEe5pWeibyMFLz1bGX0b0Zu8z338mSZ7avyRY10Ot_a6uKnCW_38ojlMkd22EvI7cs26ARL_0qEUi9wP6LI2tbcAF6pZc/s1600/IMG_3682.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QydY0IMrgfUHWzmCRCLK9BiNlH-RMn95xNMmHswci0it30kEe5pWeibyMFLz1bGX0b0Zu8z338mSZ7avyRY10Ot_a6uKnCW_38ojlMkd22EvI7cs26ARL_0qEUi9wP6LI2tbcAF6pZc/s320/IMG_3682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477194518781193570" border="0" /></a>Since our family is set to embark on a major road trip in the next several days (I still need to blog about the details, huh?) & hubby is out of town attending a friend's wedding, we decided to stick around town this long weekend. The boys and I had yet to check out the new <a href="http://www.anchoragemuseum.org/galleries/imaginarium/imaginarium.aspx">Imaginarium</a> at the Anchorage museum. Saturday afternoon seemed a great time to utilize our membership & stimulate the minds beyond DS and Wii video games.<br /><br />The photo to the left is called "String Theory". A nifty exhibit using light & motion. Many of the exhibits in the imaginarium focus on physics & boy did it remind me of how much I've forgotten since college.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxqPmN-_b8dranm0r6Bkb33DEkwOmZhwJyQHsPuXm4mtvcdo800qhyRWvn78aWQ2MpEXeQKVXEgyQPbqTeo6mi3pCHhHGmxw1mtb7otgCaR4hhX2gb0Q_M79xnOdVbHJ2YM9QEsRyJ84/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxqPmN-_b8dranm0r6Bkb33DEkwOmZhwJyQHsPuXm4mtvcdo800qhyRWvn78aWQ2MpEXeQKVXEgyQPbqTeo6mi3pCHhHGmxw1mtb7otgCaR4hhX2gb0Q_M79xnOdVbHJ2YM9QEsRyJ84/s320/IMG_3683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477195397272532610" border="0" /></a><br />O was very proud of his use of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli%27s_principle">Bernoulli Effect</a> (Cool YouTube Video by Science Theatre <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olVJzVadiFs">here</a>) and ability to get two balls to hover over a fast moving stream of air. You can easily accomplish this scientific feat at home with a blow dryer & ping pong balls. Kids love it (we do this as part of my science club's Elementary Science Day program) & you can use it to discuss the ideas of lift.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHmheYiYBv0ciA2Dv0Cr7mbVC1xTDWnABZm-9gLuWMfxHkDSZZKeRqjeW9jN3_XZwBAPVlCP8qy4yXQjZiAb38EChgx7_E6IlQUWKAVbWc8ah9tvp_03UDk3s77Chqv5tyW-6KvBRIqw/s1600/IMG_3686.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHmheYiYBv0ciA2Dv0Cr7mbVC1xTDWnABZm-9gLuWMfxHkDSZZKeRqjeW9jN3_XZwBAPVlCP8qy4yXQjZiAb38EChgx7_E6IlQUWKAVbWc8ah9tvp_03UDk3s77Chqv5tyW-6KvBRIqw/s320/IMG_3686.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477195406015489314" border="0" /></a>A favorite exhibit was the IR sensor. The kids sat in front of an InfraRed sensor & had their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermography">thermal images</a> projected on a screen. IJ has always run at a higher temp than others - if I'm ever chilly, I just snuggle up to him & warm up almost instantly. It was pretty obvious that his temp is naturally higher. This was a lot of fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjHRXRFogLCvQU9qeMsmvXdobtPqrbU8nnc69M4BbKjTVpHc8_1D5qRWayCG_S01-WHe5XUPiF3aKTiUAXp-IzhCtyRui3J8ekdJKHkP1OMpGkdSjAnHyfji6E8Xzr0EtwRaZlxT8rT4/s1600/IMG_3694.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjHRXRFogLCvQU9qeMsmvXdobtPqrbU8nnc69M4BbKjTVpHc8_1D5qRWayCG_S01-WHe5XUPiF3aKTiUAXp-IzhCtyRui3J8ekdJKHkP1OMpGkdSjAnHyfji6E8Xzr0EtwRaZlxT8rT4/s320/IMG_3694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477195415905151282" border="0" /></a>IJ couldn't wait to get to the bubble center. He was a bit disappointed that the large bubble wand (the one attached to ropes that you pull & envelope yourself within a bubble) didn't work very well. He was placated by the smaller versions & spent a significant amount of time creating large, long bubbles. Using the bubble wall, I demonstrated the idea of "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solubility">Like dissolves Like</a>" by soaping up my hands & placing them through the bubble film without breaking the bubble. He and other kids thought that was pretty cool. As long as your hands/fingers are soapy - the bubble will not pop. As soon as skin not coated in bubble juice touches the bubble, it will pop. Here's another fun <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRtuxje_aY0">YouTube video</a> discussing hydrogen bonding, surface tension, and cohesion using a bubble wall like the one found in the Imaginarium. I think that's one of the cool things about being a science teacher - being able to invoke such awestruck moments in kids.<br /><br />Science rules! Ciao~Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4870141659072738185.post-3138722945821091822010-05-25T12:00:00.003-08:002010-05-25T12:00:00.754-08:00Not KnittingI did promise to post about some crafty endeavors soon, I just didn't promise that craftiness would involve knitting. I am knitting - finishing a neck cowl, using up yarn from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TYC</span> on a pair of mittens, and even working on a summer shrug. However, my latest endeavor involved this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPbEiWSrtBtBp3T4s6_aC9ZtQCb7mIRoANe75nnZ-7y09C3Yg2oDwSZVZdAw5_9Q7L1O6GrrXaz3KwaAg7_hzBqGXjm9Lg9c3FbaWi_S7dnIMWlZGNRYLS1vKcP3PwY9DnAi1lBKjWx0/s1600/IMG_3667.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPbEiWSrtBtBp3T4s6_aC9ZtQCb7mIRoANe75nnZ-7y09C3Yg2oDwSZVZdAw5_9Q7L1O6GrrXaz3KwaAg7_hzBqGXjm9Lg9c3FbaWi_S7dnIMWlZGNRYLS1vKcP3PwY9DnAi1lBKjWx0/s320/IMG_3667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474980255348403122" border="0" /></a>A Quilt!! I've dabbled a bit into sewing and have made a couple of hand tied quilts many, many years ago. It just so happens that my favorite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LYS</span> is within a quilt shop. So I'm constantly bombarded by beautiful quilts every time I go to look/fondle yarn or take a knitting class. I have a colleague who has shown me a couple of quilts she's made, so I guess the quilting bug is contagious.<br /><br />I have a friend who will be celebrating a milestone birthday very soon. I thought she might like a little something to wrap up in on a chilly evening. I also thought a quilt would be something I could finish relatively quickly. Well - perhaps not so much. I started this quilt top several weeks ago & only finished the borders yesterday. I still have to piece together the back & then send it off to someone for the actual quilting. My machine is pretty old & simple & I've never done machine quilting before. So - I figure if I want this to look nice & get done before my friend celebrates another milestone, I should pay someone who knows what they're doing to quilt it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7CrZieQLNxtJt5fZUHY0TPCJE7Cbzaa8yv2SGKgrv3w2l_FbnimMVeceRg6mg7_CxxRmGOZPb232BKSTeJvY12pF764cFlGxQgIQD3gC5VPM5YCuulcO3Vb-8GAqIaJqgZCGOV_TnOo/s1600/IMG_3671.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7CrZieQLNxtJt5fZUHY0TPCJE7Cbzaa8yv2SGKgrv3w2l_FbnimMVeceRg6mg7_CxxRmGOZPb232BKSTeJvY12pF764cFlGxQgIQD3gC5VPM5YCuulcO3Vb-8GAqIaJqgZCGOV_TnOo/s320/IMG_3671.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474981622909639202" border="0" /></a>While the quilt is far from perfect (I have a lot to learn & practice in regards to measuring & squaring up a quilt, I just love how the colors blend together. I used a set of batik fabric strips known as "Bali Pops". These strips help alleviate much of the cutting that's done during quilting. Now if I can just find something magical to help me with measuring accurately. The colorway of this set of strips is called "Green Tea" - a perfect color combo for my friend.<br /><br />I've enjoyed this quilting process & love the colors. However, I can't foresee it becoming a passion or accumulating a stash of fabric any where near the likes of my stash of yarn. Quilting ties me to a machine which makes it very not portable. If the quilt is done before we head out on our next road trip adventure (post about that coming soon), I'll be sure to share.<br /><br />Back to enjoy the afternoon sun & knitting.... Ciao!Arctic Knitterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027290682194882633noreply@blogger.com6