Category Archives: Adventure

Around Here: Sleep Edition

Posted on by
3

Around here, this week has been busy.

Dentist, hair and chiropractor appointments early in the week, busy days at work, a blood drive donation, and an excellent concert one night kept me hustling and on the road a lot. I also got a new phone which has caused another layer of complications.

Unfortunately, I had some sleepless nights too.

Around here we value sleep as a means for overall wellness and it just wasn’t coming. In addition to the tired, I have felt dehydrated and off balance.

This is not a great combination.

So I had a chat with Scout last night. As I carried him to bed, I explained how badly I needed to get some rest. Could he please play quietly if he woke up before me?

Would you believe I didn’t hear a peep out of that little cat for fourteen hours? Long story short, I slept till after noon today – something so rare I can’t recall the last time it happened.

And I’m still kind of tired.

So around here today, I’m thinking it’s going to be a hot shower and fresh pjs kind of day. I am going to light a fall scented candle (because if I don’t go outside it can be any season I want) and curl up with books (maybe even something with illustrations) and pretend that feeling rested and reading is my only job.

Have a great Saturday, friends! At least what’s left of it!

Finally Friday!

Posted on by
4

It’s Friday and I’m grateful.

I went to see Lukas Nelson last night on the campus of my alma mater, Ohio University. He did a terrific show that was high energy and nonstop music. If you aren’t familiar, he is incredibly talented with a unique timbre that reminds you of his dad Willie – but his own style.

I’m going to need to channel some of that energy today since I got home well past my bedtime and then couldn’t sleep. But it was worth sacrificing a little sleep. Plus, I got a few snaps of the college green and Court Street which was crawling with young bobcats.

Maybe some of those photos will wind up here. For now, here are a few.

Happy Friday Friends. Let’s go get ‘em!

Dunkle’s Gulf Service Station

Posted on by
12

Along the Lincoln Highway in Bedford, PA, there’s a remnant of a time when automobile travel was in full swing and businesses took pride in creating unique spaces to stop for a while.

This is Dunkle’s Gulf Station which was opened by Dick Dunkle in 1933, according to the sign out front.

Isn’t it fabulous?

The tile facade in all its art deco glory was designed to draw the eye and cause a motorist to pull in and ask the attendant to “fill’er up!” They also repaired cars and could tip off your fluids and air up the tires while you waited.

Man, what I wouldn’t give for a full service gas station sometimes when it’s raining or humid or when I’m dressed up to be somewhere.

Mr Dunkle is now gone as is his son who inherited the place so it is now closed. I worry for its future but hope someone with deep pockets finds a way to repurpose the space for future generations to enjoy. It is truly the most beautiful service station I’ve seen and it’s worth saving.

The Lincoln Highway was the first coast-to-coast road in America, cutting through fourteen states over more than 3,000 miles. Long ago replaced by interstate and no longer used for those long road trips, much of the Lincoln Highway still exists and makes for amazing off the beaten path exploring. I would love to hear stories of things you have seen along the Lincoln Highway in your travels.

Chihuly Sighting

Posted on by
9

If you ever find yourself in the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pa. you will likely be impressed by the variety of things to see and appreciate.

There’s one in particular piece you should look for while exploring. In a rather unremarkable stairwell, there is a large Dale Chihuly glass chandelier. You can stand under it on the stairs or you can appreciate it at eye level from a hallway.

Chihuly’s work is recognizable because it’s so different than what most glass artists are doing. He mimics shapes found in nature, the colors are brilliant even when he’s using a monochromatic scheme, and the scale is typically quite large.

A lot of places would be tempted to hang this piece in their lobby so you can’t help to see it. They would want to show it off . At Westmoreland, it’s placed somewhere quiet, somewhere that you feel like you’re discovering it, and where you can quietly contemplate how the glass handles the light.

Interested in the Westmoreland? It is worth the trip. Read about it here.

Just Out For A Cruise

Posted on by
8

Last Fall, my western adventure pal and I were exiting the Yellowstone Visitors’ Center having successfully viewed Old Faithful and, interestingly, another nearby geyser that doesn’t erupt on a consistent schedule. We were hungry but the line at the cafe was a mile long and not moving thanks to a government shutdown. Luckily, we had snacks in the car because we always have snacks in the car. That’s just responsible adventuring, friends.

And look how healthy – almonds and an apple! Pay no attention to the M&Ms and Diet Coke.

Anyway, I heard Johnna gasp and looked up to see something that’s a cross between a truck, a camper, and a tank ready for battle. It’s a Mercedes truck of some kind with German plates.

The owners weren’t within sight but we figured anyone who puts their Instagram handle on the side of this particular not so average vehicle wouldn’t mind us walking up for a closer look.

However big it appears in the pictures, it is massively larger.

It looks like they’ve been everywhere and, if they haven’t been, it’s either on their list or just not worth seeing.

I like that they have a sense of humor. Haha. Turtle truck!

Part of me wonders what kind of mileage they get but part of me doesn’t want to know so we will just move on. I did visit their Instagram profile. Their pictures are great and their travels are wide and varied but the words are all in German.

I hope they are enjoying themselves.

I always think it is strange when someone visits this country and experiences more of it than most Americans would ever think to go see. Hopefully they met some nice people and saw some wondrous things, creating memories they can carry with them to wherever they are headed next.

Ghost Mural

Posted on by
1

I do enjoy seeing ghost murals and find that the alley side of an old building is often the best places for spotting them.

This one is in Bedford, PA just a few doors down from Rebellion Books, a bookshop that took a lot of my money in exchange for a wonderful book shopping experience.

Bedford is a neat little town filled with history, fun shops, and charm. I have nothing but fond memories of this place and only regret we didn’t have more time.

I am plotting a return someday because we only hit the highlights like this historic tavern and the big coffee pot. I want to see more of what’s hiding along the side streets and alleyways. After all, it’s usually off the beaten path where we find the real magic happens.