Where Have I been??!!

I know I know, I am terrible at keeping up with these things but then again its not like anyone is reading this with any anticipation or even reading this at all...lol. I should write a book, a good book, about an at times comedic but serious journey of a young kid trying to regain some lost ground and taking his time doing it through travel.

Just a quick overview since my last blog....I finished my road trip in the car....amazing huh. Man I had some great times and great stories just no discipline or motivation in keeping them posted online some day they may be in the book...

After I got home around April 16th I was there until May 16th, when I left for the Caribbean. However that short month I was home there was only about 2 weeks actually spent at the house. The rest of the time I was traveling with friends to Utah and Hanging out with Army Buddies that flew into Colorado for a visit. Then I was off...To Bonaire...with a possibility of not coming home.

I had been planning this trip most of my tour in Iraq knowing it was going to happen. My Aunt and Uncle have spoiled their Nieces and Nephews with an offer to come out and visit and do some diving. I was anxiously awaiting this 5 year old offer and I had the chance to do it once I got out. I bought my plane ticket out to Bonaire at the beginning of my road trip only planning on staying for two weeks.....haha....Well I left on May 16th and it is now the 10 of July and I am sitting in an Internet cafe, hungover, in Bonaire.

There is a long story to go along with all the time that has passed and what my goals have been and what I have done but the main reason for the post is to talk of last night.

I just got back from a two week vacation from my vacation and I spent it in Ecuador. Upon returning to Bonaire I have begun to finally re socialize myself. I spent awhile kind of a depressed person and frustrated with my intrinsic ways trying to figure that out and be ok with it. Well last night was a good re breather for me.

Now to paint the picture, I stick out like a sore thumb out here. Mostly because I got a shaggy haircut and a beard. I guess that's my claim to fame on this island. I can only imagine that people look at me with a curiosity wondering what my issue is. Anyhow I was finally having a really social evening with the people I have come to know out here on the island and was finishing up my drinking at a local bar called Havanas. The bar tender remembers me and always hooks me up with one of his specialty shots but tonight he was onstage with another talent, singing and strumming. He was good, real good. Well I had enough liquid courage to bust out of my lame ass inhibitions that I seem to carry around like a divers weight belt and during the middle of one of his songs I jumped onto the drum kit that was behind him on stage. I fell right into place and we just started grooving. The crowed loved it and I can only imagine what they were thinking of this strange Amish looking American actually doing something, presenting himself I guess...

Now I am not trying to blow myself up at all...He was good, he was great, I suck. But the excitement for me from all this was finally after 2 months I was starting to feel connected with people again and I was confident and happy enough about me as a person to just have a good night of enjoyment.

To know me personally I would have to tell you that I am not a very confident person and that I am pretty insecure in who I am. I think I can play a card that doesn't paint that picture but that is who I am. I am trying to use this time I have taken out here on the Island to get comfortable with being me and knowing myself and why I am the way I am. Why do I believe what I believe? What are my morals and living life principles that I am going to take ownership on?

Last night, I didn't hate myself for being quite and I didn't end the night wishing I did something different or being frustrated that I wasn't able to talk to a pretty girl. I just enjoyed the night. So for me it is worth Journaling about and for you probably not worth your time reading.

The rest of the night was spent spinning in circles while I layed down passed out on my bathroom floor after throwing up and sleeping in my hammock on my pourch overlooking the ocean in the Carribean Sea...

Newport Day Uno

After D.C. I headed on up to Newport R.I. I loved the drive there and stopped at an awesome little Rock Wall that jutted out into the Atlantic that you could walk on. It was in a pretty remote area. The rock wall was made out of giant slabs of you guessed it...rock! About 1/2 mile long. About 1/4 mile out from shore it became pretty uneven and almost impassible. I went out as far as I could and just loved being surrounded by the water and crashing waves. There was no one else around just me and the water. Here is part of my journal entry I wrote right after I made it back to my car;

"My hands are to cold to write. I just got back from chilling out in the middle of this Rock wall in the Atlantic Ocean. The waves were crashing all around, Easy to loose your mind in the middle of it all. Not many thoughts rolled through my head. Just the peace and sound of the water."

Huh I find that interesting...the Peace? I was totally at peace and relaxed and excited yet the water was far from peaceful. It was captivating and violent yet I was at ease and comfortable just day dreaming. It was a pretty exciting experience for me and I called my mom and buddy Jeff while i was out there trying to share and express with them both what I was experiancing. My mom understood being from the ocean herself but I think Jeff thought I was nuts. Lol.

After this I drove into Newport myself and explored the city a little, while getting lost looking for parking. I found a big parking lot and garage next to a Marriott hotel. This was going to be my home for the next two nights and almost three days.

Newport was a pretty neat city but I could tell I didn't fit in very much. It was full of east coast white collar workers and an overall rich crowd. Newport is a big vacation area for the people in New England as it sits along the water and is a big spot for sailing. Never the less I was comfortable in my plaid with my shaggy beard walking around this town. I didn't look to much like a bum, but there was no question I wasn't from around those parts.

I found a main street with a bunch of bars and restaurants and was trying to find somewhere to hang out for the night and also eat. Everything is so expensive so I went and ate at a Panera Bread Co. That was only my 2nd time there ever and I loved it. I found a blues restaurant playing some music for a 5 dollar cover and then another one down the street playing stuff for free that seemed more my crowed as far as age goes so I went there. I was an hour early so I went into the bar to have a drink and watched the band set up. They started playing and well I am not one to leave live music but I left...Lol.

I decided to try my luck at the blues cafe and told the bouncers at the door about the band down the street not being of any worth and had him convince me that staying here was worth my time and money. So I forked over my 5 dollars...I know I am cheap huh...and went in. As soon as I walked in and saw the band I laughed and immediately felt more comfortable and in my element. The last bar was full of a bunch of young kids there looking all nice and business like and the men where hounding out the women. Not much my style. Now the blues place was full of older people, a few young, but most were nicely dressed taking out their aging wives for a nice glass of wine and dinner and there to just enjoy the evening. So on that point about the evening my goals already matched that of the atmosphere. Second when I walked in the band was finishing setting up and they were in stark contrast to a nice upscale blues cafe. They looked like a bunch of old drugged out biker dudes. They all were probably in their 50's maybe hard 40's with long hair and pony tails, beer guts, cut off shirts, jeans, shorts, and tattoos going up their arms. Now I really felt like I was home and fitting in. I was the one dude not cleanly shavin much less showered wearing plaid and a Carhart jacket in the middle of this older rich crowed. So I fit in with the attitude of the atmosphere and fit in with the band in not fitting in with the materialism of the place. Oddly enough I new it was going to be good.

Once they started playing it was awesome! The blues club turned into a rock and roll fest and the old people became excited and brought out the rocker in them and all of a sudden every thing that seemed so abstract about the night turned into a fitting puzzle piece. So I let the jack and coke run free off my tab for the remainder of the evening. During the bands intermission I went up stairs to go sit down and have a drink and I noticed some guy that I saw rocking out to the band that I decided to go talk to. We sat and chatted for a bit and he was explaining to me how crappy it is that kids aren't allowed to smoke weed without being afraid of the cops but senators can have 76 martinis if they wanted to. The convo got pretty good and I concluded he was pretty dead on. He was a software engineer and had been for the last 20 or so years. He was in his late 40's and his son happened to be there and he introduced me to him. So now I had friends for the evening.

One thing that kinda deserves its own section is something he said to me that caused me to think as I had read the same thing in USA today a little earlier. Upon finding out that I was just recently back from Iraq and after talking with me he told me that I didn't seem fucked up and like I still had my head on pretty straight. He brought that up like he was surprised and really expecting something very different, like I was to be crazy or he needed to be cautious of me. I thought about that because I had read that employers where hesitant to hire vets because they figured they had to many emotional issues to sort out. I began to wonder if that was really the general thought about all of us coming back or not. Most people thinking we are all going to be to disrupted in the head to still be a functioning part of society. I have some thoughts on that that I could go into but that kinda will re route this entire bar/Newport story. However this trip has been needed and good for me to take and it has helped me calm down a bit from when I first came back, so to a point his concern made sense.

Alright so the band started playing again and I had made friends with the bass player a little earlier and bought him some beer as he was the only one drinking in the band. I figured he was the last one with a liver still intact. This second set from the band, I moved a little closer along the dance floor as I am not one to just stand still listening to music to much and started standing and dancing to myself. Well i get this tap on my shoulder and its an older lady still kinda cute but never the less she just wanted to dance with the one dude that was out there totally enjoying himself not caring about anyone else. Good sense of taste I would say lol. So we proceeded to dance and had a good time doing it. I think I was getting stared down by all the older men in the place and thats one thing I hate about bars and the whole enviornment of trying to pick up a chick. I am not much of a dude that likes to make others mad, i would rather everyone be happy and just enjoy themselves and put egos aside for a bit. General thinking though i assume people think that is kinda weak because all you ladies want a guy to fight for you. To that I say, "well meet me some other way then at a bar." Any case me and her danced and pissed off some people I am sure lol, who knows...and I went sat down with her and her friend and bought them a drink and just chatted. They were interested in what I was doing and couldn't believe I was just crashing in my car.

Well me being a nice guy I danced with her friend and saw a good opportunity to have lady number one meet the weed smoking computer engineer. So I brought him over and introduced them to each other and well my good deed for the year was accomplished! We all enjoyed the rest of the night together listening to rock and roll in a blues cafe.

By the nights end I new the bartender, the door lady, the bouncer, the bassiest, two older women, a computer engineer and his son by name and they all new me. This all set me up well for the next evening. (to be continued)....

My time on the Mall

Wow...not feeling like writing much more so I will make this quick.

My time on the Mall...

It was touristy. Saw all the sights walked the thing twice, which is pretty freaking long. It was a rainy cloudy day but enjoyable. I just processed thoughts and tried learning about and feeling America. This was my second time out there so it was kind of a remembrance of being there with my dad as well.

A couple funny things...

I was walking along and saw a bunch of black SUVs, dudes in suits and road blocks. I figured there was a big meeting going on with a bunch of high level people. I went to one of the front gates where it was a check point/car search area, a lot like Iraq honestly, and asked over the fence to a K-9 police officer what was going on. He told me nothing at the moment. I thought that was kinda odd and asked what they all were guarding. He looked at me and said, "well....The White house is just right over there...." WOW am I a tourist or what. He tried making me feel better by saying the reason you can't see it from here is because of those trees but we both knew...I had no clue where i was.

Second I got lost in the tunnels under the Senate and House Of Representative offices. And it was after hours so out of four buildings there was only one door that I could use to exit the area. I had to find that door! I was the only bum looking dude in the place with a shaggy beard and hair and un-showered for a couple days. Everyone else was walking with purpose and big stacks of paper and business suits with ties. Man did I feel out of place.

Once I did find the door it was good. I got to see something I never would of thought about. There was a wall, well two walls, with the names of every servicemen killed over in Iraq. It was an awesome memorial. It was categorized by month and year. Now thinking about it it was like my Vietnam wall. I was able to find the names of all those that I knew who had been killed in Action during my two tours. I took pictures of it all.

Gettysburg and Fort McHenry

Upon being stationed at Fort Campbell back in 2004 I found out that I was close to many new things full of history and I was full of desire to explore them all. One of the places I swore to go to was Gettysburg, I never did. So while on this trip I had to make that one of my for sure stops.

My buddy Wagner and I went down there together and I wasn't to sure what to expect. I envisioned a big field with birds chirping amongst the trees and the silence.

I entered the visitor center and asked at the desk if we just walk around the park. The guy looked at me and said well the park is 27 miles around I wouldn't recommend it. I kinda was taken back and surprised. He informed us that there are driving tours you can buy in the gift shop and then follow it all with the audio in your car. You stop at the points of interest and you get a history lesson while you drive. It was a really cool way to explore the park honestly.

Before we hopped in the car there was a museum set up inside the visitor center building. We got to watch a neat video but the best thing we saw was this GIANT Cyclorama measuring 377 by 42 feet. Longer than a football field and higher then a 4 story building. It was an awesome painting depicting different battles fought over the course of the 3 days. The painting was displayed in a big room that you stood in the middle of and they dimmed the lights and played an audio show along that went along with different lighting effects on the painting. It really did a good job of bringing you close to the art work and feeling the experience of what was going on in the painting.

Driving around the park itself was amazing and I thought it was one the most interesting and captivating "museums" I had experienced. The location was huge and there were working towns all around the park. It was a monumental place still living within the active community around it. There were people jogging along some of the roads, it looked like something you would of seen in Wash Park in Denver.

I could go on and on about it all but I wont. I will explain the picture though. I found this to be one of the most intriguing lessons to be learned and explored in thought. The picture is of a "reunion," I know that just sounds crazy, where a Union and Confederate soldier are shaking hands over the wall that was once covered in the blood of their comrades during the Battle of Cemetery ridge.

Fort McHenry:

Two points of a little history lesson first....

1. On my first day in D.C. my friend took me to the Museum of American History along the Mall. The thing we really went there to see was the original flag that Francis Scott wrote our National Anthem to upon witnessing the British bombardment and seeing the flag the next morning bigger and bolder in all Her glory about.

2. My first deployment in Iraq I was stationed on a FOB (Forward Operating Base) called FOB McHenry. We took a picture of my battalion on this small little base with a flag that they flew out from the states that flew over Fort McHenry during the civil war. Our picture was said to be posted at this museum so I wanted to go and see it.

Once we arrived to Fort McHenry we found out that they had removed that picture of our battalion about 6 months prior. It stood hanging for a little over a year. Next we were taken into this room and watched a video about the bombardment and the writing of our National Anthem. In the room along one of the walls was a curtain that stretched across the entire wall. At the End of the film the volume increased and your senses were penetrated and full of a beautiful version of our National Anthem. As soon as the Anthem came on the curtain started to roll away and exposed a sign that said please stand. As it continued to roll back across the wall you discovered what it was hiding. It was an all glass wall exposing Fort McHenry and at the center of the Fort was the American Flag flying High and proud in the wind.

At that moment I was hit with a feeling that I had once held onto and was always excited about but had damn near forgotten about, lost, or hadn't experienced in such a long time,

Patriotism.

Being that proud and excited American. The feeling I had after Sept. 11th with everyone on the same page rolling around with American flags all over their cars, hanging on almost every house, big flags flying from the beds of pickup trucks! WOW! That feeling and love for America! Where has it gone?

That moment was short lived but ingrained into my mind. Seeing a recreation of what Francis Scott must of Seen himself and even felt! My mom would of been crying and I might of had a thing or two in my eyes.

So In just a matter of days I had seen or experienced an amazing part of American History full circle. From seeing the "Star Spangled Banner"(name of the flag flown above Fort McHenry) to visiting and seeing the Fort that was the battle grounds and the inspiration to a poet in Love with His country, where our Nations Anthem was created.

Saint Patricks Day!

Wow, its now the 1st of April and I was in D.C. several weeks ago.

D.C. was broken into a few themes. Saint Patricks Day, Gettysburg (I know that's in P.A. but its about an hour from where I stayed in Maryland), My own time on the mall.

So we will start with the 1st one. Saint Patricks Day;
Originally I was planning on spending this day in Boston with my one of my Army buddies however we discovered Boston was much further from D.C. then we thought and figured it wasn't worth our time nd money to travel there. So Instead I spent Saint Patricks Day in China Town in our Nations Capital. It really doesn't matter to much where you celebrate this Holiday if your just looking for the Green and the Drunken Irish times. All over New England is full of Irish Heritage and Tradition so D.C. ended up working well.

The pub we ended up spending most of our money at was set up similar to a pub that I spent some time in in Dublin. I thought that was kinda cool. They had just one dude on Guitar singing Irish Drinking songs and he was alright but it could of been better. I think that the best thing that came from that night was meeting a group of 5 people that were all so interesting and smart. I was waved over buy one of the guys to take a shot with him cause he said I looked like a chill guy. We had a shot....of beer...cheap I know...lol. But it was a greeat bonding moment that lasted the rest of the night! Lol.

His name was Boe. He thought I might of needed a friend so he called over some chick and tried to hook us up, that went well. I straight said no, I was like man I am just here to enjoy myself and meet people, not looking to hook up with any women. He was taken back but said man, I like your style, so we had another shot....of beer...

He introduced me to all the people he was with and throughout the rest of the night I talked with each of them feeling intrigued by all their professions.
One of the girls was a Nuclear Physicist, i can't even spell that right. She was only 21 and had completed college in a year. Yeah one of those people! She was really cool and pretty excepting of an uneducated chap like myself.

Another Girl was a Chemist. Enough said.

One of the Guys worked on space shuttles. He had a metal piece on his key chain and asked me if I wanted to touch something that had been in space? I said yeah so I got to rub this little piece of metal that he proudly carried and displayed on his key chain.

Boes girlfriend I didn't really get to talk to but judging from the crowd she was another brilliant soul. She was also kinda just a fun person, I could tell.

Now for Boe. Well he was a professional Hockey Player in Switzerland for about 8 years and he moved out to Baltimore where he now runs a Hockey Clinic.

They found out that my Buddy Wagner and I had just been discharged and we all had another beer shot to that one. The rest of the night was just fun and full of laughs and a cool old dude in a kelt with a bagpipe that I got to talk with for a bit. He said he was exhausted by the end of the night because he had been celebrating this one day all week!

Think its time

Well I woke up today feeling fresh and with out a pinched neck. Gotta love beds. I have been thinking about this a little bit and a lot while laying in bed. I am now on my downward slope and am going to come home. I leave Boston today headed toward Portland, Maine. After that I might see the falls, then off to Iowa and on my way to the HizHouse! Still didn't tell about all my adventures on this thing...Thats alright sometime soon the stories and pics will be posted.

SHOWER!

Here I sit freshly showered at a Days Inn in Salem Mass knowing I should blog but feeling so tired and relaxed from a fresh shower, first one in several days. My nose smells the difference...lol.

This hotel isn't a place my dad would take my mom per say and I think I have slept in safer areas with my car and being all alone. But hey, at least this place for $53.00 with military discount gets me a shower and some continental breakfast! I think the next lowest price hotel around here is about $79.00 and the average place is running around $120.00 and its the off season!

Lets just say I am next to a Denny's and a truck stop....hmm... well at least Denny's is good and truck stops have things you need.

I tried looking for other places to stay but I was running around forever trying to find a place, I don't even want to get into it...I was in the parking lot of this place bumming off their Internet trying to find a better place to stay for the night but by the time I was able to get around to finding good spots all I wanted was to shower and sleep. So I went with cheap telling myself if I need a hotel tomorrow I can find one tonight online and go somewhere nice if I so choose. I don't even know if I am going to stay awake to type my blog much less plan out my day for tomorrow...Oh well...good times for being clean and smellin...prettier...lol

PITTSBURG!

Dude! What a cool city! Soooo different from Denver, the Midwest, and the South. Its an old workers town. Sprawling in growth from the mining and steel industries. I entered into Pittsburgh and my Gps took me through all the neighborhoods to get to my hotel. What a cool ride. Coming into Pittsburg from the Interstate...

I want to kill these guys sitting next to me! AHHH soo loud...losing focus! lol...

Alright ADD moment over...but they are still yappin!

Coming into Pittsburgh from the Interstate was cool because all you saw was rolling hills everywhere with houses painted all over them. Once getting into the city you see the rivers and all the bridges that are bringing commuters across their mighty water...lol...romanticizing I know. There are a lot of reminders of the old steel mill days when everything was up an running and in full swing. Carrying a really busy but old aspect to the city. From what I understand a lot of the city has slowed down and shifted gears from those operations but there are still smaller scale projects going on. Driving through the neighbor hoods has been really cool as the streets are narrow, reminding me of driving our humvees through Iraq. The houses are old and a lot of the streets are cobble stone. A place full of history and style.

It seems like it has its own burrows like those of New York. Right now I am at a hotel over looking the Monongahela River on the South Side. There is also the North Side, North Shore, and a few other districts.

I am getting totally spoiled staying at a Sheraton hotel for free, well there is a $6.00 a day parking charge but I can manage that. So I use my time in the day to chill out like I am needing to do then go out and explore at night with Jared and his colleagues.

Thoughts....

Ok this is about my thoughts I had been having during my mostly silent drive up to Pittsburgh.

I wrote about how I didn't like the fact of publishing a blog telling about my story. Knowing that people have better things to do with their lives and straighten out rather then read about someone other persons adventures. I was kinda feeling guilty like I was yelling "HEY! Look at me!" I have assured myself that that's not what I am doing at all. Honestly that's totally cool if no one reads this. I have been writing in journals ever since I joined the army. The point of view of my journal is mostly like I am trying to explain myself to someone or explain something in a way where someday some one might read it. That's just how I naturally have always written. Then I also began to think of a lot of the books out there by travelers that many people do read. I remember one in particular that I read in high school called "Travels" by Michael Crichton. Also instead of writing everything down in a paper journal I have managed to pull myself out of that false thought of having it on paper is more meaningful then typing it on computer. That may be true to a point and some people that may be entirely true. Unfortunately most can't read my journal all that clearly including myself and once its online I don't have to worry about it getting ruined or lost. So yeah I convinced myself its ok to keep this journal, not a blog, but journal going.

The next thing I began to think about was how I needed to reorganize and focus my trip. As my dad says I am very much a go go go and do do do type of guy. Drives him crazy and to a point me as well. It takes discipline to slow yourself down and examine life and reflect. Something I enjoy and honestly desire but have not gotten a steady hold of. This trip, in my head, before it all started was to be that time. I NEED that time. I WANT that time. However it quickly became a do this, do that, see this, yade yade yada experience. I was feeling that and disappointed. What a better time and more fitting place to begin to slow down and recognize this thought then in the serenity of the "wild." Huh...that's funny...Wild being Serenity...the wilderness wild not the city wild. The hustle and bustle of city life is simulating and a lot of fun. However nothing can replace or replenish your soul like spending time out in nature by yourself and in my case spending a lot of that time praying. Those have been the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences all around. I guess that's why I yearn to be on top of a mountain during an awesome thunderstorm. Totally put in my place about being so small and vulnerable and just feeling the power of nature and what God has created. Only relying on Him....I don't know if your following or why I threw that in there. I am leaving that thought as quick as it came...lol

So yeah refocus and slow down. That's what I recognize I needed to do and that is what I am hoping to get while in Pittsburgh.

Traveling to Pittsburgh

After leaving Charleston I headed north towards Pittsburgh. While on my drive I didn't touch the radio for the first several hours of my trek up the interstate. I was just allowing thoughts to run through my mind and have my famous conversations with myself. I guess that all comes from being an only child. This time of thought was a precursor to the next day of thought while driving.

I made it to the top of a pass of the Appalachians at the I-77and I-82 junction near the border of West Virginia. I decided to bed down for the night after only about 5 hours of driving as I wanted to see "them there hills," of the hillbilly in the daylight. I made a curtain using my sun visor, different jackets, and sweat shirts.

Next morning I woke up in the parking lot of a Wendy's next to a Flying J truck stop. It was about 10 hours after I had fallen asleep. Apparently I was in no rush. I mozied into the Wendy's bathroom washed my face and did my thing. I bought myself a hardy $2.56 breakfast consisting of a cup of Chili and a Double Stack. Didn't feel much like grubbing on my PPJ sandwiches. Then I was off.

I had some preconceived notions about the mountains down south. Me being from the great state of Colorado being spoiled by the splendor of the Rockies, I wasn't expecting much and was taken back by the beauty I ended up finding. The first part of my trek, heading north coming from the south, the vegetation was only trees without their leaves. To the imagination that might seem dead and bleak. However the amount of trees where numerous and all pasted along huge rolling hills as far as your eye could see. It was a clear blue sky with a slight breeze, a gorgeous day. The hills made deep valley's that were neat to drive buy. I found a tunnel that I self proclaimed the "Appalachian Divide Tunnel" or basically the Eisenhower Tunnel of the South. As I moved to the North the trees went from being of the deciduous family and became that of the coniferous family. It was a neat transition to see.

I noticed some signs for a "Gorge Overlook" so I wanted to check it out. I pulled into the little Visitor/Information center that was right off the interstate and walked inside. The name of this scenic view is "New River Gorge." It is a lot like the Royal Gorge I am assuming as I don't remember going to the Royal Gorge, but whatever. A Gorge is a Gorge right? Any case its biggest claim to fame is the bridge that goes over the Gorge. The picture above shows that the Washington monument and two of the statues of liberty stacked on top of each other is how high the bridge is. It is the Biggest arched bridge in the world. Also the area is a haven for falcons. There was a viewing point I got to stand over and watch the birds fly about 100 ft from me at eye level and lower. My dad would of loved it. My camera was dead so all I had was my cell phone to take a couple pictures. I did however help a few couples out with getting shots of themselves. The easiest way to start a convo while traveling alone I have found is by saying this..."You guys want me to get a picture of both of you?"

After this it was back to the road and my thinking....

Plans to come...

I am headed to the North! Going up to Pittsburgh to run into my buddy Jared who has a business meeting there all this week. Probably shower then I hope! Looking to see Gettysburg as well. After that I have an army buddy who lives in D.C. and we are going to all the museums and stuff out there. Then planning on Boston for Saint Patties Day! Sure that will be an interesting time. Then from there I would like to see Niagara Falls and my mom was all about me checking out Canada so that might be in the running also. Have no idea when I will be home...hopefully it is before May 15th...

Oh and my white little self got burnt so just showing off the aloe that is my new best friend.

Charleston South Carolina

Got to Charleston two nights ago. 1st. place I stayed at and saw was the Isle of Palms. Pretty much gathered its the Beverly hills of the South. Huge Houses with Southern Design along the beach and expensive cars all over the place. I enjoyed walking the beach finding shells listening to the ocean. Took an early night and slept in a parking lot a block of the ocean next to a liquor store.

The next morning I found my way to a visitor center and got some ideas and direction. I heard about an aircraft carrier and a sub that you could tour and she pointed me in the right direction. It was off Patriots point. Spent all day there and saw Ft. Sumter, where the civil war began. Meet a neat mom and daughter on the ship ride to Ft. Sumter. Saw dolphins...or the fins of dolphins for my 1st time ever...its was here 7 year old daughters first time as well...lol. Glad she was 7 and not almost 25.

After these two tours and a nice sunburn on the arms, I know mom you told me so! I went and explored the historic district of Charleston. This is SOUTHERN CLASS at its finest! Rich In history and southern glamour Charleston would be a great getaway for anyone wanting to explore the south. I walked the board walk for a couple miles and talked with a big black man who was fishing named Terry. He worked at a warehouse out here in a freezer. I told him I was from Colorado and he said..."oh Boy! This is like Summer to you out here isn't it!" lol. I don't try and explain how amazing Colorado is to everyone anymore, so I just shook my head and went along with him. He recommended a place to eat. I found it but it was to upscale for an un showered shaggy looking guy as myself.

I went back to my car threw on some pants and my red plaid shirt. Didn't want to put across the appearance of me being out on the town looking for some tail. Just wanted to find some good music and enjoy the night. On the other hand maybe I would be so unique that a curious and adventuresome women would be intrigued by the only guy not in a button up shirt and jeans but instead wearing plaid with a shaggy beard. I found a place playing some good blues music with no cover and went on in. Met a neat couple from Ottawa Canada and joined them at their table.

I am and always have been attracted to making conversation with people much older then myself. I have a hard time just talking with people my age at a "pick up a date" type setting. That's all for another blog. So we sat and talked and had a good time then a jazz/funk band of young kids came on and they were great. By this time the bar was crowded and I was at a table by myself that sat eight. Then a bunch of Indian dudes came and sat by me so I got up to make room and found a smaller table with a better view.

Well about two minutes later a group of four young ladies came and sat at the table. Now mind you, I wasn't there looking for anything and I wanted that to be clear but I was all up for finding some sort of conversation and just making friends like I do when I go to Europe. So we started talking and hit it off pretty good. They all got a round of Malibu rum and coke on me and loved it. To my surprise none of them have had that before but they all finished it pretty quick. They were all down for spring break. One of the girls boyfriends is stationed in Iraq right now with the 82nd. Me and her hit it off pretty good talking about how done with the army her man is. Another girl was from South Africa, another in grad school for psychology and another for college development. It was good conversation and music. We all moved down to another bar that I had suggested, like I know the place right, but I knew they were playing some live music and we wanted a change of scenery. I meet them over there after my last beer. I showed up and it was a good time. I am happy to have found some people to just chat with and hang out with, especially cute young women...I am not a creeper I promise! This will prove it or show me a fool, not sure which:

It was getting late and I was saying my goodbye's to the ladies and one of them offered for me to stay at the hotel with them. Nothing sexual at all about the offer she just knew what I was doing and was sleeping in my car etc...etc... I was quick to the answer and said thanks but no. I guess I thought I was being more of the gentlemen turning this down and I new that they were on spring break and I didn't want to be a hindrance. U would have to really know me to understanding my thinking because right now I am sure you are saying huh?!! And right now I am sure I have a group of army buddies reading this ready to kick my ass for not taking them up on the offer but I am sure my mom is proud:)

Well when I woke up this morning in the parking lot of a hospital that I pulled into for the night next to the e.r. I was replaying that offer in my head and was wondering why the hell I didn't take them up on it. I just spent a night about 20mins from that bar in my car all stinky with no where else to go no real plans for a couple days and blew off an awesome opportunity to live free and at the seat of my pants like this whole trip is to be about. Making memories and friends and I could of gotten myself a freaking shower! Dang it...Never again I said will I pass that up. But will that ever happen again? Only one other time that i remember and that was my first time in Germany. I passed that up as well, it was some guy I met on the plane that spent a good hour with me helping me plan some of my trip out. Nothing freaky or Hostile ish I promise. Maybe I will see them again whenever I go to North Carolina.

So yeah I woke up kicked myself in the ass for denying a good offer, found a coffee shop and have now caught you all up into whats going on. Congrats if u have managed to read any of this. I have always been annoyed by people who feel that they need to post their own stories for others to read like their life is so important and amazing. I am just typing cause I can and its a good way to Journal. If you are reading this...wow....

Myrtle Beach

I headed down to Myrtle Beach South Carolina and spent a day and a half and a night there. My night there was a good time, I had gotten down the routine of walking into some upscale hotel like I owned the place and walked into the main lobby only to use their bathroom and take a mini shower. Then walk up to the front counter and get good ideas of what to do and see in the area. I walked into a visitor center as it was closing and ended up landing a deal where if I listened to a 90 minute sales pitch I could get a free gift. Normally that didn't sound up my ally but two of the free gifts included a four course meal! I could use some free food and get away from my peanut butter and jelly, ham, or bologna options I have been living off of. So I listened to the requirements and signed up.

I walked around the bar area of myrtle beach looking for some good music and an a good environment to sit down and drink a little. I found this place called dueling pianos. I had to go and check it out. It was awesome. Made friends with the bartender got about $16.00 in free shots and just sipped on my new favorite beer, yuengling, all night. I had noticed a small electric drum kit on stage with the piano guys so I had to throw in my request on a napkin to allow me to play the drums. Basically did that three times throughout the night never once got to play...Oh well it was worth the shot. The bathroom there was awesome and you could get a shave or a damn near spa treatment pedicure from all the crap that was on the counter. Pretty high class for a bar. I didn't tip the guy just for taking a piss but after I went and chucked in the toilet I cleaned it up really nice and gave him buck just for having to deal with that stuff. I remained there at the bar for a few more hours enjoying my time. I walked back to my car.

I guess you could say I stayed at the Hampton Inn. I used their bathroom and slept in their parking lot. It was a lot cheaper then your ordinary room I guess. I woke up at about 0800 to get my self over to this sales thing I had to go to. It took some motivating but free breakfast and a free dinner was enough to get me going. I walked into the place and it was as you expected, sales people everywhere all warm and smiling. Whatever...only 90 mins. News must of spread real quick as to what my occupation was as I had a lot of sales people coming up and saying hey, thank you I smiled and nodded but whatever, we won't go into that. They were also prodding to make sure I was making enough money to be there because u had to have an income of $50,000 or more to attend. Some how they figure that an E-4 or E-5 in the army makes enough so I fit onto that scale. I am sure its just another company or ploy looking to screw soldiers. Lots of business in America and a lot of people in America are out making their money that way. A lot of young kids with more money then their peers and a guaranteed steady paycheck, but less brains on how to use their money, I guess means open game for the vulchers to come out and feed the young ones lies. Any case I sat, did my thing, and listened.

They were sure to mention me during the sales meeting to the small crowd of generally elderly people that were with me at this thing. I only say this because it paid off, I got a sincere and very neat thank you. There was an old couple their about to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. The husband and old WWII vet, and wife that remanded me of Marie Calenders. Older plump and happy with rosy checks. She came over with watery eyes and gave me a great big hug and said she was truly happy I was home, her husband gave me a firm hand shake and said "thanks, from one vet to another." Those men of World War II I don't even compare to or with. It was to big of a misstatement to categorize me with them but it was at the same time an honor hearing it.

After I denied signing up I was handed my $65.00 cash, about $20.00 an hour wages for my time. I never heard another thank you from a sales rep after that. I can understand the sales aspect but don't thank me for my service because its part of your sales pitch. That is something you either give a fuck about and are sincere about or not. You can flatter me over some other piddly life crap and that's to be expected. You blow off my 27 months I spent in Iraq like its something you wipe your ass with and well u and me don't see eye to eye. Don't patronize me I guess. Any case I got my money and was headed to Charleston S.C.

Quick Over View

Alright...So I am out here in Charleston South Carolina right now eating a cream cheese bagel at an Atlanta Bread Company. Pretty good place and only one around here that seems to have free wi fi. I have been away from a computer for a little over a weeks so I needed to find a place to come sit and play catch up, manage my finances and facebook accounts...Lol...

For those of you that don't know I am fresh out of the army as of the 25th of February and free from Clarksville as of the 3rd of March. I hope to never go back to that dump of a town. I am now sitting free from all ties and obligations and am getting a much needed chance to clear my head and regroup who I am and what my priorities are in life and why. This last deployment was a tough year, not so much in the sense of combat but in the since of me losing myself and becoming more a product of my environment. There is very real reason as to why those in my environment are the way they are, however I managed to keep myself "separate" for 3 years until this last deployment. I didn't want to battle it anymore. Then the amount of shit that ended up going on just made it a bad year for running with the crowd. I am not going to try and explain this thought or linger as to why or how, this isn't the purpose of the blog. However it gives a dim light into why I am taking a road trip to get myself reorganized.

So basically,I have until may 15th before I have any sort of commitment or obligation. On the 16th of may I am flying to Bonaire in the Caribbean to go diving...Oh the hardships! lol. I had to drive myself home once discharged from the army and I decided I wanted to make a road trip out of the deal. My plans started loosely with wanting to visit some family in South Carolina and then exploring the east coast. Each day as I have gone on in this week long journey so far, new things have come up. I started out going to my aunt and uncles place in Anderson South Carolina. Just being around a positive and loving couple and environment was refreshing. I began to get excited about seeing other people interact and being away from the military world all together. My uncle took me down to Greenville to see his son, Travis, who I hadn't seen in about 8 years. He was bar tending down at an outback as a second job. From there I went and visited my old Squad leader who is stationed out here in Columbia S.C. Went to hooters the last day and I discovered they have free wifi...I thought who the hell goes to hooters to use the internet?!! Then this morning during my hour long wifi interenet search I passed by a hooters an was almost that guy who goes there to use the Internet. Any case after time with him I went and saw my Cousin Tasha and her husband who just got back from his tour in Iraq. He showed me around the base and gave me a good idea of what he does at work and I got to go into the hanger and look at two f-16's and climb up the ladder to the cockpit and check it all out. Very cool....He also gave me a really neat present of a flag that was flown in the f-16 over Iraq during a mission. More then I ever got from the army. Fuck that place...

I went and saw Travis's sister Traci in Conway S.C. after Tashas place. Had a great meal and time meting her two daughters for my first time ever! They are going to be trouble in middle and highschool. They are cuties! "Dad is polishing the shotguns already" says Tracie. After that I was finally off on my own for a bit.