Welcome to Staycation

 It's like a vacation, but you don't go anywhere. 

Between adopting a cat, the rising cost of travel, and family planning a visit, I decided to take the past week off to decompress and relax. Granted I still ended up cleaning a bunch and working on going through my deceased parent's stuff, but I still spent a few days doing absolutely nothing.

This was a good lunch!

It was nice to have a week to "do nothing" at home. I played with the cat, tackled a few projects I hadn't had time for, read a lot, and enjoyed taking day trips to different small towns within an hour or so from my house. 

Saturday and Sunday were the "quite days". I had an obligation Sunday night, so I stuck around the house and had my annual rewatch of Steven King's "Rose Red" (it takes place on Memorial Day weekend). My cat enjoyed the attention and I picked up a bunch of books from the library.

Monday was an "adventure day". Since it was Memorial Day, I wanted to do something to honor (or at least think about) those who gave their lives serving the country. I opted to visit Winchester, Virginia. 

I stopped first at the battlefield. It's not a part of the National Parks like Manassas and Gettysburg. It is instead managed by The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. The visitor's center is right off 81 and there are several miles of trails to explore. They also have a strict rule that discourages treasure hunters trying to find Civil War relics. 

After visiting the visitor's center and walking around the battlefield to see some of the monuments, I decided to head into the historic district to find a place for lunch. In most of the smaller towns in Virginia, shops and restaurants tend to close on Mondays to give staff and residents a break from the more crowded and lucrative weekends. Though a lot of places along the outdoor walking area were closed, I was still able to find a few restaurants open and a few shops to visit (including a book store). I also popped into the museum in town, but didn't have enough time to look around properly. I hope to go back as the museum has a lot of Civil War graffiti that's been preserved. 

I managed to get home before the Memorial Day weekend traffic really kicked off (it helped that I was able to drive the backroads home). The cat was fed dinner on time.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday were "chore days". Yes, I still was able to laze around a bit, but I also wanted to get the house ready for my family to visit and run a few errands. Wilhelmina had a follow up vet appointment to check her ears (all clear of infection - thank goodness) and I finally got my second set of car keys (it took about an hour and half for them to be programmed - whatever that entails). 

I also took the opportunity to try one of the Korean spas nearby. The closest (and most recommended) is Spa World, which I still haven't been to (though Groupon does have a sale). The other spa nearby is King Spa, which has an outdoor pool. They were having a weekday walk-in special that I took advantage of. 

I loved going to King Spa. However, there were new experiences for me - at least in the United States. Nudity is mandatory in parts of King Spa. The sexes are separated, though I'm not sure what their policy on gender identity is. I didn't mind this as I'd been to an onsen in Japan when I was 11. The nudity is only required in the shower and bath area. 

Bathing suites are required for use of the indoor and outdoor blade pools. The blade pools are amazing. Water pressure is used to message different parts of the body with areas to stand, sit, and lay down. There are also a few hot tubs. 

The other areas of the spa include the saunas. You have to wear the spa's uniforms to enter the saunas. King Spa has ten sauna rooms for you to choose from. I tried all, but the ice room since it was closed the day I went. I especially liked the Bul Han Jing Mak room. It was the hottest sauna at 390 degrees Fahrenheit and I couldn't stay in very long, but it was a great experience. 

Also at King Spa (and other similar Korean spas) are relaxing areas and a restaurant. I thought the restaurant was a little overpriced, but not bad. I was able to finish one of my library books while in the relaxing area. People bring books, knitting, and even laptops to the relaxing area - just leave them outside the saunas. 

Once my family arrived, things ramped up. We went to Middleburg, Manassas, and back to Winchester to see the small towns and do some shopping. We spent a lot of time in one of the toy stores in Middleburg selecting baby shower gifts for one of my cousins who is about to have their first child. 

On Saturday, we went to the Cox Farms BBQ. In the late Spring and Summer, Cox Farms is a great place to take small children. They have tons of play areas, opportunities to see the farm animals (they have goats, chickens, and a llama), and have good food. On Saturdays, they also have a band playing during the BBQ lunch.

As my staycation draws to a close, I'm happy with the mix of quite time and adventure. Sometimes it feels like I need a vacation from my vacation, but this experience didn't feel like that at all. There are a lot of small, but fun things to do within an hour or two of my area and it was nice to explore some of the places I had never been to before. 

10 out of 10 I would recommend a staycation. 

Especially since the money is tight right now. Yeesh...

If you enjoyed this blog post (or it really pissed you off) please like, share, and/or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you like hearing from me.

Until next week. 

Welcome to Assateague Island - A National Seashore

Last weekend, I took a drive out to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. There's a long barrier island, just south of Ocean City, Maryland, that's famous for it's wild ponies - technically horses. This island is technically in Maryland. However, the southern tip of the island is closely linked to another island on the Virginia side of the Eastern Shore. 

This is Assateague Island. 

Assateague Island was originally slated to become an island community in the 1960s - similar to Ocean City, Maryland - but a hurricane put an end to those plans. There are a few remaining bits of evidence of this planned community in the northern part of the island with huge chunks of asphalt and an old ferry landing.

After the hurricane, Assateague Island became a designated National Seashore. There's also a Maryland State Park and a Wildlife Refuge. Each section has hiking trails, beach access, and plenty of wildlife. 

Which brings me the most famous part of Assateague Island - the wild ponies.

 

There are many theories as to how the Assateague and Chincoteague Island ponies came to be on the island. The most popular legend is that a Spanish Galleon wrecked off the Eastern Shore coast and the horses on the ship swam to shore, became wild, and adapted to living on the island. However, the actual origins to the wild horses has been lost to history.

I first learned of Assateague Island and the amazing wildlife there by reading the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry in grade school. I was never really into horses as a kid (it was my cousin's thing, so it couldn't be my thing), but the story always stood out to me. It's loosely based on true events and includes the famous pony swim between Assateague and Chincoteague - complete with saltwater cowboys - and explains some of the history behind the famous annual event.

In the 1920s, two fires swept through Chincoteague's tiny town's main street, devastating the area. Chincoteague's fire department were the ones to propose a charity event where they would round up the horses on the southern tip of the island, have them swim between the two islands, parade them to town, and then action some of them off for charity. The event raised enough money to help the town rebuild. To this day, the Chincoteague Fire Department still technically owns the horses on the southern (or Virginia) side of the island of Assateague. These horses are kept in fenced off areas with around 40 in a smaller paddock closer to where people can see them and a larger paddock further north with around 100 horses which is a bit of a hike to get to.

The horses in the north (or Maryland) side of the island have a very different living situation. The wild horses are allowed to roam free, often enjoy prancing on the beach, and occasionally sleep near someone's camp site (the northern part of the island is the only area you are allowed to camp and bring your pets). Though you don't want to get too close to the horses (you'll want to keep about a school bus or 40 feet or 10 meters away from the wildlife), they can come up close and personal to you if you aren't paying attention. 

The only warning my parents kept reminding me before I went to Assateague was that the horses will bite and/or kick if they don't want you near them. In fact, if a horse is seen as being "too aggressive" the horse will be retired to a sanctuary elsewhere in the United States. These are wild animals and should be treated as such.

The two sides of the island are only connected via a hiking trail. You cannot drive between the north and the south. Pets and camping are also not allowed on the southern side of the island as it's a wildlife refuge, while in the north there's a lot of camp sites - including the opportunity to camp on the beach and backwoods camping that can only be accessed by kayak or canoe. There are a lot more hiking trails in the southern area and a really cool Civil War lighthouse that is still maintained by the Coast Guard.

However, both sides are worth a visit. I stayed in Chincoteague, but could have easily camped or stayed in Ocean City as an alternative. 

Assateague Island National Seashore and the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge are both part of the National Park system. If you have a park pass, you're visit is free! However, you will need to purchase additional permits for camping, off road vehicles on the beach, fishing, and clamming. There are opportunities to rent bicycles, paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. Beaches do have lifeguards, but they only seem to be available during the typical summer months (Memorial Day to Labor Day).

Wild horses are not native to the United States, however they are common throughout the country. Many western states have wild horse populations such as Arizona and California that were reintroduced to North America via the European colonialization period (mainly Spaniard) - horses had been native to North America, but died out some 10,000 years ago. You can even see wild horses in the western areas of Virginia mountains and the Outer Banks barrier islands.

Assateague and Chincoteague Islands are beautiful and the horses are amazing to see. The Chincoteague Island Ponies (which are really horses) have recently become the state mammal of Virginia. If you're curious about the famous horses, I recommend starting with the fictional story Misty of Chincoteague or one of the documentaries released by the National Parks Service. 

The islands are well worth a visit.

Until next week. 

If you enjoyed this post (or it really pissed you off) please like, share, and/or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you like hearing from me.

Welcome to the End of a Chapter

I knew it was coming.

I just thought I'd have a little bit more time, but that's not how life goes. Life doesn't give you a clean break when things changing. I can't teleport myself from one place to the next with all my stuff ready to move with me.

After almost six months, I've found a wonderful job opportunity. I'm really excited and it's in a field that I'm very passionate about.

However, it will take me away from the life I've built in Northern New Jersey and taking me back to my home state of Virginia.

I have a lot of feelings about this transition. I'm excited for the job - relieved to finally have a job. I'm happy to be moving closer to the friends and family I left behind in Virginia. I feel ready for the next adventure I'm to go on.

But I'm also sad. I've made some really good friends in New Jersey and they are just as sad as I am that I'm leaving. From my yoga teacher to the people I see every week at the farmer's market. From my two writing groups to my wonderful landlady and her three adorable beagles. I'm going to miss all of them.

I'm going to miss being able to roll out of bed on a Friday morning to catch the train into New York City. I'm going to miss going and seeing a show on a random night of the week because I can always catch the last train home (even if there are tons of drunk kids on it with me). I'm going to miss my favorite hiking spots and the view of the city from Rt 17 South in Ramsey.

I've found myself with a wonderful opportunity and I've decided to take it. I don't know what's exactly is about to happen next, but I've been in this position before.

The first time I moved for my first job, it wasn't a difficult transition. I was about an hour away from my friends and family. The second move from Maryland to New Jersey was a lot harder. I didn't know anyone in New Jersey except for a few coworkers. I cried the entire drive. I burst into tears as soon as the movers showed up at my apartment.

Thankfully, my roommate I lived with that first year in New Jersey was one of the most wonderful people I could have met.

I moved again after a year, but only ten minutes up the way. It wasn't the hardest move and I was excited to have my own place again. My landlady was so nice and the doggies so cute.

Part of me wishes that I could fast-forward through the next few months. Looking back on those first few moves, I remember the emotions that the change caused. There's so much work I have to do, but I can't do it all at once. I still have to take everything one day at a time.

I know that this will all turn out for the best. I just have to get through saying good bye and settling into my new home. I don't want to lose the relationships I've gained, but I know the reality of this type of move.

I'm happy to be going back to Virginia. I'm excited for this job.

I'm sad that this chapter of my life is coming to a close.

I wish I knew more about what the next chapter brings.

Hopefully it's not a cliffhanger.

Welcome to Navigating the Commuter Trains

Short post tonight guys.

Random picture of Portland and Mt Hood

I’ve lived near a train station my whole life. 

Growing up in Virginia and around D.C. we had the Metro and VRE (Virginia Rail Express). The metro was fine - as long as you lived near one - it’s big grey honeycomb design unique to our city. Sure it occasionally floods, and catches fire, and there was that one time a lady gave birth at L’enfant Plaza station, but it works for us in D.C.. Unless you need to get to Georgetown. They didn’t want a metro stop, so you have to take a bus.

The VRE wasn’t the worst, but it was far from the best train system. It shares a line with Amtrak. There is absolutely no hope for you if you get on the wrong train and heaven help you if you miss the last one for the night. It only goes north in the morning and only goes south in the afternoon and evenings. 

I got on the wrong train once and ended up 45 minutes away from home. Never made that mistake again.

I didn’t much take the local train in Maryland. We had a convient line into Baltimore (with free parking), a more expensive line to D.C. (without free parking and at the airport), and Amtrak. I took Amtrak quite a bit for work to Philadelphia. It wasn’t too bad, fairly convient all around, and it was all better than the VRE.

New Jersey and New York are an entire different form of mass transit beasts.

The trains are always running. They are convient, easy to use (after maybe the 4th or 5th try), and can cost a pretty penny if you aren’t paying attention. Thankfully the subway is a flat rate to ride, but NJ Transit can get pricy when you’re a commuter.

Of all the mass transit I’ve ever had to get to know the ones for New York and New Jersey are the most infuriating and best. You can get almost anywhere by Subway, PATH (haven’t used),  or commuter train. It might take 2-4 hours, but it is possible. 

It’s also possible you might see rats the size of house cats, a fire or two, oddly dressed tourists, oddly dressed locals (but since they live here it isn’t really odd), and have the station you want to get off at unexpectedly closed so then you have to hope that the next station isn’t so you can backtrack or change trains.

By far the strangest experience I ever had on a train was when I was on my way home from a bachelorette party on the coldest night of the year. I managed to hope on the last train from Hoboken (sometimes known as The Vomit Comet) and things were relatively normal...until the guy in the seat across from mine decided that he couldn’t wait to get home to pee.

He got tossed off the train at the next station and I quickly moved to the next train car.

I’ve probably been spoiled by my easy access to public transportation. I love the freedom I feel knowing I can hop on a train to get to the airport or the city. It’s a bit of a trip, but the time spent on the train can be relaxing.

Even when I have to change trains in Secaucus.

Until next week. 

If you enjoyed this post (or it really pissed you off) please like, share, and/or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you guys like hearing from me.

Welcome to the Many Different Cultures of the United States

So I wasn’t able to post anything last week. I was kind of in the middle of nowhere Oregon without an Internet connection to be found. It was kind of nice being so disconnected from the rest of the world while I was exploring the Pacific Northwest US. I’d never been there before and it was very different from anywhere else I’d ever been, especially in the United States.

I feel a bit silly admitting this, but I tend to forget that the United States isn’t one uniform cultural identity. When it comes down to it, each state is really it’s own country with its own culture and identity. The federal government is just a glue that holds all 50 states (plus several territories) in place on an international scale.

When I see the US portrayed on TV or in movies, it sometimes feels like the US has one umbrella culture with smaller cultures that branch out. As I’ve traveled in the US more and more, I’m finding this isn’t the case at all.

Sunset on the beach

I was born and raised in Northern Virginia. I will always love my home state and be extremely biased towards it. I love every inch of the state, from the hustle and bustle of DC, to the quiet tranquility of the Shenandoah, from the tidewater basin in Norfolk to the western mountains. Virginia is awesome!

And it’s definitely not New Jersey.

I might have experienced a little culture shock when moving from Maryland to New Jersey. Yeah, Maryland is it’s own state, but it’s not too different from Virginia and they share a lot of similarities (though Baltimore is still one of the most fun cities I have ever been to while DC is decidedly not). New Jersey is its own entity.

There are very few places that feel like the middle of nowhere in New Jersey. Everything feels like it’s on top of everything else. It’s a lot more aggressive than Virginia and there’s hardly any military presence to speak of.

Despite being an American, I have been to woefully few states in the US. I’ve been to almost every state on the eastern seaboard, but hardly any in the middle of the country (unless you count brief layovers in airports). All in all I’ve been to roughly 20 different states that I remember and actually explored. Oregon being the latest.

Oregon was laid back, big, full of nature, and adventure. For the record I wasn’t anywhere near Portland, so I can comment on the city life, but the rural areas felt remote and disconnected from the rest of the country. A lack of Internet access was both challenging and relieving (and it wasn’t because the CIA had set up a dead zone).

In the redwood forest!

I think the oddest thing I saw in Oregon was a sign demanding the return of a stolen cannon. Why the heck would someone steal a cannon? You can own a cannon? How does someone steal a cannon?

I think the only time I’ve seen a cannon is at the Colonial and Civil War re-enactment areas along the east coast.

Hawaii in particular is very different from the lower 48. I felt like I was going to a foreign country, I just didn’t need a passport to get there. I’d like to go back and experience more of Hawaiian culture and see the other islands.

The US is vast and is a mesh of many different cultures. There isn’t just one America. There are many. Parts have a high population density, while in some parts you might not see another human for hundreds of miles.

There are some areas where you need to talk fast and loud to be heard and other areas where people speak slowly, with a lot of thought behind their words. There are states where guns are a way of life and others where people might look at you funny for owning one. The military might be a big part of the economy and in others people might never see a tank going down the highway (yep I’ve seen that on 95).

The US is big and I haven’t seen or experienced nearly enough of it. Each state is unique and so are the people living there. We might present ourselves as one identity, but in reality we are many countries united despite our differences.

It's an amazing place to explore.

If you enjoyed this post (or it really pissed you off) please like, share, and/or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you like hearing from me.

Until next week.

Welcome to Long Journeys

They are worth it...

The trip from where I live in New Jersey to where my dad lives in Virginia can be taken several ways. The quickest, is probably by plane, followed by taking the train. However planes and trains are expensive and can be inflexible with their timing. That's why I drive.

Again there are several routes that I can take to get to Virginia. The most obvious is via the Turnpike. It is also the one I hate to take the most. Mainly because New Jersey is notorious for two things: traffic and tolls. The tolls between Northern New Jersey and Baltimore are some of the worst and traffic is unpredictable at best. I therefore choose to go the "long way" through Pennsylvania. It adds about an hour to the trip (if traffic is good on the Turnpike) and only costs a dollar in tolls on the way out of New Jersey. So I can get into this state for free, but I have to pay an escape fee??? Thanks New Jersey.

I've made this trip four times already. I don't want to think about what it's doing to the mileage on my car. It's a long drive and I spend my time listening to music or audio books. I also come up with new plots for my writings (this blog included). Heck I sometimes come up with new theories in philosophy and science (though nothing that realistic). It might be a long drive, but it's worth it. Seeing my sister and dad this Thanksgiving was wonderful and I'm thankful that I was able to see them. I wouldn't trade the opportunity for anything.

I am very thankful for the flexibility in my schedule to travel to see my family. Last year I traveled across the United States to visit my family in California for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun and I hope to go out there again at some point.

Where as this past summer I spent a very long day (and two even longer ones coming back) traveling to the upper peninsula of Michigan. If you've never been there, it's well worth the trip. It's one of the most remote places I have ever been to and Lake Superior really does look like a giant sea. I honestly don't think I could survive up there in the winter. People might go weeks without seeing another person outside of their town.

Lighthouse in the middle of no-where Michigan.

The longest trip I've ever been on though was to Osaka Japan. I flew non-stop 13 hours to Tokyo and then another hour to Osaka on a Pokemon plane (plus a half hour or so drive to Nishinomia).  It was a tough trip for an 11 year old, but so much fun. I admit that I was a little emotional the first few nights because I was so far from my home and family, but it was so worth it. The memories and experiences I have from that trip are priceless.

My roommate's family is coming this month from Brazil. It's a really long trip by plane and they are getting into New York at around 6am. They might be really tired the first few days, but my roommate is so happy and excited. They'll get to see each other after a long time apart.

It might seem like a long way away (and traffic might be a pain in the butt), but hitting the road to see family or the world is priceless. I live far away from my family now, which makes the times I do see them all the sweeter. I'm thankful to see them whenever I can.

Until next week.

If you enjoyed this post (or you hated it) please like, share, or leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers and I hope you guys like hearing from me. If you want to and since it's the weekend after Thanksgiving, leave a comment about what you're thankful for in the comments.