Kutztown Folk Festival

Hey stranger! It's been a while! (Totally, 100% my fault.) As always, life has been happening, and I've been trying to enjoy it. I have a few posts planned for this month: Orioles Baseball, 4th of July, and then today. I'm also going to Louisville at the end of the month, and hope to have some great things to share with you then. How fast has this summer gone by?! I mean, seriously!

Anyway, so yesterday, my mom and I had one of our mother-daughter dates and this time, our adventures took us to Kutztown, PA. It's home to a university (who knew?), and also the Kutztown Folk Festival, which has been in operation since 1949. It celebrates Pennsylvania Dutch culture through the showcasing and selling of fine crafts, farming essentials, trades, quilts, and food. It's fantastic! It was a 2.5 hour drive for us, but it soon proved to be well worth the trip. Admission is $14 for adults, and gets cheaper from there. You can also find $2 off coupons online. The best part: parking is free! You can walk your dogs as you browse, and there are tons of things for children to do. Almost every station has an interactive element to get kids involved. There's also the only mule-powered carousel in the world. I took a picture, but I felt so bad for the mule . . . so I'm not going to post it. However, it's something for the kids, if they'd enjoy it.

Once you get into the Festival, there are just so many things to look at. You have blacksmiths, wood turners, metal workers, quilters, copper sprinklers, jewelry, pottery . . . literally everything you can imagine. Not to mention the food - fresh brick-oven baked breads, cinnamon rolls, pies, pretzels, meats, freshly brewed root and birch beers and sarsaparilla. Oh. My. Goodness. We could have stayed forever. It was so cool! And what honestly made it cool was that everyone that was there represented their craft, whether that was woodworkers, doormat makers (out of tires), bee cultivators, whatever. There was a glassblowing presentation. Each vendor sits and works on their specialty as you browse so you can see that the things you are buying are legit. 

The Quilt Barn was literally like a museum - for real, people were sitting on chairs and admiring the quilts. This is because Quilters pride themselves on doing every stitch by hand, if you're the real deal. My great-grandmother used to make quilts, and they are prized possessions in my family. This is why they're so valuable. You can cheat and do them on sewing machines, but deep down in your heart, you'd know you were a cheater. Anyway, every July 4 weekend, there is a massive quilt auction. Last year, one quilt sold for over $15,000!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the food that we had, but on the list was a GIANT cinnamon roll, eggplant fries with marinara, and an all-beef hot dog with sauerkraut. As well as fresh birch and root beers. Trust me, ALL diets were harmed in the making of this post ;) Enjoy!

 

 

 

OBX and the Orville Brothers

This year, for "Spring Break," I had originally planned to go to the Dominican Republic again to do some thesis research. However, a lot changed between the summer and the time I packed up my car up to head out for a long weekend at the end of Spring Break.

I decided to check out the Outer Banks because, well, I feel like everyone has seen its splendor except for me. And it wasn't disappointing at all. I stayed in Kitty Hawk, at the Travelodge, but I explored from Corolla (pronounced like koala, except with an R) down to Cape Hatteras. If I hadn't been on a budget, I would've taken a ferry down to Ocracoke Island to see the other lighthouse in the fantastic four. But, look up the fees before you go because multiple locals told me it was worth the trip.

Because we went during the low season, it was cold, which meant that no one was on the beaches or crowding up restaurants. It ended up being a very nice time to go, minus the tan I didn't walk away with.

As always, here's a list of things to do when you decide to see the Outer Banks!

Bodie Lighthouse

1. Visit the Lighthouses. If you're into that sort of thing, lighthouses have such interesting and rich histories, and, most of the time, cool architecture and design. The Outer Banks lighthouses are no exception. Between Currituck, Bodie (pronounced body), Cape Hatteras, Ocracoke, and Cape Lookout, you'll find different histories and designs to meet every personality. My goal is to see Ocracoke and Cape Lookout (both only accessible by ferry) the next time I'm down there.

2. Duck's Donuts. But seriously. I don't know where the first Duck's Donuts was started, but for those familiar with the Fractured Prune, it's like that, except cheaper. It's pretty much a freshly fried donut with your choice of toppings from glazed down to bacon maple. They are to die for fresh from the fryer, but also amazing the next day.

3. Corolla Wild Horses. Although Robby and I didn't see them while we were there, it's a big part of Corolla's overall appeal. There are even paid tours where you can see them, especially if you're the type of person that likes to get close to wild animals, and may not have the self-control to resist reaching out and petting them.

4. Go to the beach. The beaches are wild and uninhabited. Well, probably not during the summer, but they're not like the typical beaches I think of. There are large dunes that separate the main strip from the beach itself, and the dunes themselves are beautiful. If you're there during the summer, of course, the beach has to be one of the main events.


5. The Wright Brothers National Park and Memorial in Kitty Hawk. As a history nerd, this was fantastic. They have recreations of the flying machines that first showed the world the possibilities of aviation in December 1903. They also have monuments and buildings, and a huge obelisk at the top of Kill Devil Hills that commemorates their accomplishments. What you shouldn't miss are the statues of the first flight and that famous picture that's behind the obelisk. Added in 2003, it's a great opportunity to take a closer look at all the people that went into making those first flights possible. Also, seriously pay attention to the signs when they say to watch out for prickly pears. Check the pictures below. The warnings are REAL!

6. Manteo and Roanoke Island. Beside the main strip on the Outer Banks, Manteo offers cute streets for shopping, a rich history in the "Lost Colony" of the 1580s and an aquarium. There's also a Piggly Wiggly . . . if you're into that.

7. If you're into Breweries . . . there are several in the Outer Banks area to swing by. The first one is right in Kitty Hawk -- the Outer Banks Brewing Station. It's the first of its kind in the country to be wind-powered, and has a pretty great selection of your basic types of beers. The second is in Manteo, and it's the Lost Colony Brewery (previously known as Full Moon Brewery). Again, basic selections, with stouts and porters that are pretty delicious. Lastly, the Weeping Radish, which is located on your way in or out. The founder wanted to make traditional German-style beer, and his on tap reflect that.

There are tons of other things to do -- great places to eat, lots of activities for the kids, and many options for shoppings -- but either way, the Outer Banks is a good place to stop. Make it a place on your do-to list, if you haven't already.

Happy adventuring!

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

He's not as mean as he looks :)

Currituck Lighthouse

Longhorns and Legacies

A week ago today, I was in the air on my way back from a wonderful trip to Texas. The high school I work at was taking their students to a basketball tournament at Southwestern Adventist University, and I happened to secure an extra ticket. I didn't go as a chaperone, a sponsor, or anything remotely affiliated with HVA, because, well, I had other intentions. Some of my students from JCA now attend Southwestern, the ticket price was cheap, and I just couldn't pass it up. I accurately managed to convince them I wasn't coming down, and then surprised everyone. It was such a perfect trip that filled my heart to the brim with love, laughter, and joy. I was able to see my students and old co-workers who still live in the DFW area. I left feeling incredibly fulfilled and like maybe, just maybe, I could make it through the rest of the school year.

While I was down, my old roommate and I took a day to explore a few things from Fort Worth and Dallas. We only had a day, so we didn't see a ton, but what I did see left me excited for a more in-depth experience the next time. I've been into downtown Dallas before, but not much in Fort Worth. So, here's my tips on what to see and do next time you find yourself in the DFW area!

Fort Worth
1. Go to the historic Stockyards. When my roommate, Melissa, told me about how LIVE Longhorns are taken down the center of the street in the Stockyards, I almost lost my mind. "Really?! Live cows down the center of the street?!" She looked at me as any person would look at a slightly deranged tourist and replied, "They're not cows, Ashley. They're Longhorns." This was such a cool thing to see! And it's exactly how it sounds. Of course, it's solely a touristy thing, but it was certainly an experience worth the time. Also around the Stockyards is Billy Bob's, which is Texas's largest honky tonk; The White Elephant Saloon, where the first major gun fight in Ol' Texas broke out and where some episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger was filmed; Leddy's Boots and Saddles, which literally has wall-to-wall selections of boots, saddles, suits, and other fine items; and, if you're lucky, you can drop in on a live auction - fast-talking auctioneers and all.

Loved photographing this guy! He had the perfect Texas accent, and was such a trooper! Totally ready for a photo-op!

2. Sundance Square. In the spring and summer, this beautiful city square seems idyllic for coffee and a nice evening with friends. The mural, the water, and the overall atmosphere makes you feel like you're not in the center of a huge metropolitan area, and gives you the opportunity to pleasantly recharge amid the bustle. According to Melissa, it's also a great place to sit and enjoy the live music you can hear wafting through the streets on summer evenings.

3. Fort Worth Water Gardens. These were beautiful! Even though the leaves were all off the trees, this would probably be the Central Park to my New York City if I lived in Fort Worth. The movement and the sound of rushing water is lovely. Visiting convinced me to work on my photography so that next time, I can get those wonderful shots of water rushing in a long-exposure picture. It's going to happen. Anyway, it's definitely worth a visit and from atop of its highest point, you can get some stunning panoramas of the city.

Dallas

1. Dealy Plaza & the Sixth Floor Museum. Even though I have mixed feelings about John F. Kennedy, seeing one of the most iconic places in US History is certainly worth the stop. It's almost breath-taking when you see the X's on the road where the gunshots were fired. Although we didn't go through the museum (which costs $16) due to time, just walking around the site and reading the plaques was fine by me. If you're into conspiracies, look for people standing on the sidewalks adjacent to the fatal X holding newspapers. They're ready and willing to tell you what they know about the assassination that took place there.

2. Meyerson Symphony Center and the Art District. Although I didn't go this time, in the years that I worked in Texas, it was an annual thing to go to the Meyerson for a concert (put on by our own students). It is a magnificent concert hall with fantastic acoustics and overall sound delivery. If you want to get dressed up and go to a symphony, do it here. It's amazing! Also, a place I will visit next time is Klyde Warren Park. Abundant with food trucks, an outdoor library and a dog park, it seems like the perfect green space in the midst of what can be a chaotic Dallas.

3. Pioneer Plaza. I only say this because I love Longhorns. I mean, I was literally squealing like a little girl in Fort Worth. These 49 bronze Longhorn statues are a dedication to Texas's lengthy "cowboy" history, and apparently one of the most photographed parts of the city. If you're not into that, I guess you could go to Arlington to check out the Dallas Cowboys' monstrosity of a stadium too . . .

Anyway, as I mentioned before, I had such a wonderful time in Texas. There are SO many things to do and see. I picked up a million and one pamphlets on the DFW area that I'll be sure to study for next time. There's the Dallas Zoo, and Six Flags Over Texas -- the list seems never-ending. And don't get me started on the cuisine! Exquisite barbecue (can exquisite even be used in front of barbecue?), live music, and quaint hole-in-the-wall coffee shops. The diversity is endless! If you're in the area, tell me what you experienced and loved, so I can add it to my list!

A glimpse at the Water Gardens.

Melissa, my former roommate and awesome tour guide.

Happy Adventuring! xoxo

Why I Still Act Like a Tourist in DC.

As a life-long Maryland resident (except for those 3 years in Tennessee and those two years in Texas), I've visited DC so many times, I've lost count. While most of my excursions have taken place in or around the National Mall, I could probably drive my way to the Tidal Basin blindfolded at this point in my life. I've gone during the summer in the scorching heat, in the winter with the bitter cold, and during spring nights when the air is fresh and alive. I've visited for field trips, dates, personal fulfillment and even now as a faculty member chaperoning students.


But every time I visit, I almost always make sure to still act like a tourist. Why? Because I've realized something during my travels that has always made me sit back and scratch my head.

Locals act indifferent. Joggers run on the National Mall only paying attention to their breathing and the path in front of them, but I rarely see any of them looking around them at where they are, the architecture of the buildings, the groups of people they pass by. Drivers - well, they're a whole different breed. I understand you can't always take in the sights while dealing with DC traffic, but that doesn't necessarily dictate the attitude in which you handle it. Businessmen and women jet in and out of passersby, head down, walking to lunch or back to the office.

I find myself doing it too, but at home. How often have I gone up and down those roads to and from work without actually noticing what's going on in my periphery? I'm sure someone could be standing on a cow riding right beside the road some mornings and I would never even take a passing glance.

DC has always held this sense of wonder for me. It holds knowledge, resonates power, and gives off a vibe of not caring about anyone else. It's a memorial to great leaders, the men and women who have fought and died for our nation, and a promise of democracy and protection. So yes, every time I see the Capitol Building, rain or shine, scaffolding or not, you will see me with my camera in hand preparing to take a picture. I have 100 other pictures exactly like it, but those were from 100 different trips that I took. And I know, I know. Thomas Jefferson's face never changes as he looks out over the Tidal Basin, but that doesn't mean I don't want another snapshot of it.

I've become comfortable with the concept of looking like a tourist wherever I go (but travel safe - don't make yourself a huge target) because that means that I'm attempting to take in all of the beautiful things around me. It's a challenge to see the positives, to look at the same things from a different perspective or angle, and to avoid indifference. I visited DC a week ago today, and even though I could tell all the students where to go to find what they were looking for, no one else would have known by the way I was walking around - stopping to take pictures left and right, gawking at the way the buildings looked against the cool winter sky.

So, if anything, I want to challenge you, fellow travelers, to still act like a tourist. Whether it's in your hometown, any time you visit somewhere new, or even on your drive to work. Try to find something slightly different in your day-to-day. As a student once challenged me, "find the art in everyday." So, what are you doing to find the art today?

Happy adventuring! xoxo

P.S. These pictures are from my phone, sooo that explains the quality.

        

October, Part I

I know . . . it's December. And I'm posting about October. It's embarrassing to think that I've managed to get this far behind. The truth is I've been struggling with reasonable life management this semester - time management, monetary management . . . I'm losing control of my life. (lol - it's not that serious.)

Hancock, MD

Anyway, the first post from October is about Senior Survival. As a Senior Class Sponsor this year, I'm part responsible for 26 young people. Since we're a smaller private academy, we get to do cool things like take a class trip or have field trips that are more intimate and less crazy. Something they do every year is this thing called Senior Survival. It's essentially a weekend of "roughing it" and allowing for class bonding. One of the other sponsors (there are three of us total) decided it would be nice to bike ~75 miles of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal that follows the Potomac River. We started at McCoy's Ferry in MD and stopped at Spring Gap, MD. A small group of three continued on to the beginning in Cumberland.

Hancock, MD

I, however, did not bike. The other sponsor ended up having a serious form of the flu, and just couldn't make it on the trip. His job was to drive a chase vehicle with everyone's crap in it (food, sleeping stuff, etc.), and when I say chase vehicle, I mean a mini-bus. I had never driven this vehicle, and it always daunted me when I thought about driving it, but alas. It became my job. Stupid me didn't pack a book or homework because it happened all kind of last-minute, and cell phone service was rough, but it ended up being a good trip.

If ever you want to plan a biking trip along the C&O Canal, October is definitely a wonderful time to do it. It's just getting chilly and the leaves have started to change. The scenery that I did see was beautiful! But avoiding the sore rump was also a pleasant positive of getting to drive the bus. Always check with your local National Park Service for advisories, tips, and helpful information to stay safe. And, if biking, always have someone chasing you in a vehicle with medical and biking supplies in case something happens. Someone should always know where you'll be!

I hope your holiday season is going well! Thanksgiving for me kicked off a wonderful start, and so far, the season has been wonderfully paced - not too fast, and certainly never too slow. Happy Adventuring! xoxo

The seniors that survived!