by Lana Morisoli on July 11, 2009
I am taking my first flight in 3 months. I am so excited! Going from
flying once a month to not seeing the inside of an airport all spring
was a weird adjustment. Just to sit in the terminal and listen to all
the people was a great start to my vacation. I love picturing where
everyone is taking off to and who they are going to see when they get
there. The posiblities are endless. I have to say though, who ever
designed the airport seats has never had to crash at the airport.
Will post photos of my tan self after this trip…well as tan as a
freckled redhead can get:)
by Lana Morisoli on June 30, 2009
My friend and I have this joke about how she is always trying to turnover a new leaf. During college this was her mantra every quarter. This would be the quarter she would study or work out or whatever was on her mind at the moment. Usually, this would last a couple weeks and then life would pull her back into her old ways. When returning from this trip I was scared that I wouldn’t apply all the lessons that I had learned and that I would revert back to my old ways.
I have to admit that my old nature was pressing to get out. Many of you know that I have decided to not move back into my beach house because I want to be flexible for wherever this next stage of life takes me. In this transition I had to lean upon my friends, while I was gone to move my furniture out of my house. Being a planner and organizer, it was very difficult to be across the country and only be able to give minimal direction. Thankfully, my friends were able to understand my piecemeal instructions and were able to move my stuff into a storage unit.
Upon my return, I knew I was going to have to move the rest of my boxes from the garage to another storage unit(I know 2 storage units…but I am a designer, so I have lots of stuff and they are small storage units). Not wanting to impose again on my dear friends, I was determined that I was going to do this on my own(old nature popping it’s ugly head). Well, that was not in the cards.
Unbeknownst to me, my old house was under construction. Normally, this would be no big deal but when I went into my garage I discovered that all my neatly organized and stacked boxes were covered with construction debris and were blocked by tools. Not in my plans and was going to make my solo move a little impossible. When discussing my need to have a path to my boxes with the construction crew, one of them must have noticed my hidden desperation and did the unthinkable…he offered to help move me. Now bribery is usually involved with even getting blood relatives to move you and this man was making the offer with no expectation of anything in return. My old nature would be to act self-sufficient and decline the offer because there would be no way I could repay this gift but after spending 3 months of having to depend on others, I humbly accepted the offer. Big step for me.
Now the you might think the craziest part of this story is that a stranger would offer to help me move but it does get a little more bazar. Being my normal inquisitive person, I found out that he was from the pacific northwest. Well always wanting to plug my home town of Leavenworth, WA, I asked him if he had ever visited there. Not only had his visited there but his cousin owned the store I worked at durning high school but my mom also worked with his cousin. Talk about 6 degrees of separation.
During my recent journey, I have been constantly surprised how inner connected we all are. I guess this shouldn’t have been so shocking to me but it just reiterated to me that people are only strangers until you start talking to them. My goal is to try and keep this mindset while I enter into my “normal” life. In my sadness about leaving my beach house, my mover and friend, Joseph, reminded me, I am moving on to bigger and better things. Hopefully, while I am moving into this new stage I can also take my new lessons.
Thanks to all my friends who moved me, painted my room and packed up my stuff. I have no way to repay you other than my deep gratitude and the promise that I will be there at your next move. Love you all!
by Lana Morisoli on June 19, 2009
Throughout this trip I am have been taking photos of signs. Sometimes I find one that personally relates to me. In Charleston there was a restaurant called “Lana” and on my walk home in Chicago I found “The Redhead Piano Bar”. Couldn’t resist sharing it with you. Love how sassy she looks!
by Lana Morisoli on June 19, 2009
I have a vivid memory of my Grandma telling me that she didn’t want me to go on this trip and that she had a hard time picturing her little redhead driving across the country all by herself. Being as strong willed as her, I didn’t listen to her but I did listen to her advice about checking the weather when I got in the car. I have been blessed with pretty mild weather during my drives but yesterday I was made aware of how close I was outrunning the bad weather.
On Tuesday I drove a 1000 miles from Chicago to Denver with only a little rain and no accidents. So I was surprised when I heard that there were sever storms in Nebraska on Wednesday. Watching the morning news I overheard them mention tornados in Aurora, Nebraska, which after doing a little googling found this was town I drove through on my way to Denver. Here is picture from the storm:
Ok, I don’t even know what I would have done if I had seen this on the road. I mean, where do you go to outrun this? Thankfully, I didn’t have to figure that out and I am now out of tornado danger. Thanks for the advice, Grandma.
by Lana Morisoli on June 18, 2009
Now I did enjoy all the sweet tea, fried chicken and considerate drivers but I was excited to move north to see what the yankee states had to offer. I found cider donuts, rhubarb sauce(like apple sauce) and old friends that gave me customized tours of their cities. Felt like fall in some towns but the weather didn’t hold me back from walking miles, while enjoying all the north has to offer.
Some people might travel to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell or tour Independence Hall. All I was concerned about was tasting the Philly Cheesesteak. I had heard horror stories how you got yelled at if you didn’t order correctly but I must have done it right because in minutes I was tasting the wonder of Pat’s Philly Cheesesteak. Worth the drive!
I have said before you never know where the road is going to lead you but when I got distracted by some bright buildings, I didn’t know I would find myself on South street. I wasn’t prepared for such a funky punk vibe so close to the historical neighborhoods.
I am sure people think I am a stalker when I take photos of their homes but I couldn’t pass up this great flower box. Instead of filling it with seasonal flowers, they filled it with stones, driftwood, succulents and a touch of flowers. Inspirational!
You can’t hit all the festivals and events in every town but sometimes you can happen upon one or two. Surprise surprise, while I was in NYC fleet week was underway. No smart girl passes up seeing men in uniform.
Wanting to say I took my car on a ferry on this trip, I decided to drive through Long Island on my way to Ipswich, MA. Didn’t know I would get three ferry rides out of the journey. Just made my last ferry. Stressful!
During this trip there have been many moments when I stare blankly at people when I have no idea what “local” or “regional” thing they are talking about. Learning about “Motif No. 1″ in Rockport, MA was one of those moments. Apparently, this fisherman’s shack is one of the most painted and photographed buildings.
Just loved this colorful collection. Made the day of rain worth it!
After only traveling to Boston when the weather was crummy, I was excited that we finally got a beautiful day. To take advantage of it, I found a company that was giving free sailing lessons. Day couldn’t get much better. What a way to see the city.
My first time by Mike’s Pastery, I didn’t have any cash. I didn’t make that mistake twice. The cannoli was wonderful but the whoppie pie was to die for.
On the suggestion of friends, I decided to take a bike tour of cape cod. In Falmouth, you can bike along the water and end up at Pie in the Sky. My type of exercise.
After biking 14 miles, I walked 6 miles to tour mansions in Newport, RI. Very different scenery but very inspiring. This is the Breakers, which is also a Vanderbilt home like the Biltmore in Asheville, NC.
While trying to find an art gallery, I happened upon some fish tanks. I guess when they say it is fresh, you know it is in Newport.
Loved the colorful organization of this spice store in Ann Arbor, MI. I can’t wait to throw a dinner party once I am home, so I can show off all the food I have been inspired by.
Found a couple great antique stores in Grand Rapids, MI. Couldn’t believe this find. Matching sofa and loveseat in this amazing crewel fabric. So hard not to buy.
Another obsession of mine is these seltzer bottles. I am constantly passing them up in antique stores but I think I will have to succumb to my obsession next time I run into them. I really want a bright blue one
by Lana Morisoli on June 12, 2009
I was told that I needed to update the blog…so here is a quick pic
from the day. This is me in the bean. I feel like it is one of those
online dating poses that people take in the mirror. Oh well. Praise
the Lord that the sun is out today! I am going to enjoy a concert in
Millennium Park tonight if the weather holds up. Love free music!
by Lana Morisoli on May 29, 2009
So I have always visited Boston when the weather is crummy. Looks
like this is still the case. While paying for my meter I dropped my
clutch into the muddy puddle below. Yes, I would do this. Thinking
quick, I emptied it out onto my jacket…which meant now I have to
wear a muddy jacket all day. Thankfully, my phone survived but I
don't think my camera did. Praying it comes back to life but I might
be supporting the Boston economy more than I planned. Love unexpected
travel expenses!
by Lana Morisoli on May 22, 2009
Had to get the sign onthe way back over.
by Lana Morisoli on May 22, 2009
The over achiever that I am needed to be productive today. What
better way than walking 2 states at a time. Truly, wasn't that
difficult because New Jersey was only across a short bridge but I did
do it. Went from New Hope, PA to Lambertville, NJ. Two charming
tourist towns with tons of antique stores, bakeries, and of course a
Starbucks. Found this cafe, Bakery Treats, that donates all their
profits to progams for women who suffer from alcohol abuse. Food was
wonderful, so you didn't feel like you were making a charity buy.
Plus, I can't pass up a place that has lime coconut bars…so good.
by Lana Morisoli on May 20, 2009
My cousin Erin was so generous to host me while I was in Washington
DC. Being that she has a real job she couldn't sight see with me but
her friend Eric was up for the challenge. He walked for miles with me
yesterday see all the touristy stuff, God bless him. And what is more
of a tourist trap than the White House. Just like it looks in
pictures. The picture with me in it also has the thousands of
students that are on school trips right now. Guess I am 10 years late
for that trip.
