homeward bound...endings and beginnings

3.13.08 homeward bound! After getting a late start I headed off north to Baltimore. The drive was nothing special, 95 in that area is pretty dull and I was trying to get back as fast as I possibly could.
I did have plenty of time to think about how I had been fulfilling a dream for the past 43 days and that it was coming to a close. I couldn’t help but be sad and relieved at the same time. I’ve never understood how people could travel for a year at a time, but then again they didn’t have a soft-top jeep to worry about someone breaking into. I also realized that because I am moving to NYC I wanted to get home to Baltimore as quickly as I could to be able to spend time with my friends, family and especially my niece! There is nothing that I would change about my travels, as they were exciting and boring, new and rejuvenating all at the same time. The best times were when I was reconnecting with people that I haven’t seen in years and visiting places that I haven’t been to in years.
I’m proud to say that I didn’t get a ticket on the entire journey, something that I was striving for. I’m glad to say that my car was never broken into even though I was traveling with 2 months of gear. All together I traveled 7,268 miles in 43 days and had the time of my life!
Thank you all for following my travels, I know that I haven’t made it to New York yet, but within a couple of weeks I will be starting a new life in the big city, yet another dream of mine. Even though the blog is ending, my journey seems to just be beginning. I hope that everyone from California will keep in touch and you always have a place to stay if you get out East to the big city.

"Nothing is predestined. The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings."- Ralph Blum

"The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings." - Dave Weinbaum

old friends

3.12.08 the drive from Raleigh to Virginia Beach wasn’t too bad, but I had to keep reminding myself that I was in Virginia the state that I received my first and only speeding ticket in many years ago. After getting lost numerous times around Norfolk I found the Atlantic Ocean. It is off-season here on the east for the beaches so I basically had the entire area to myself. I really liked how Virginia Beach mixed in resorts and then had a residential area too; it was like East Coast and West Coast beaches all in one!
I met up with my old friend Michele after she got off work, as a social worker, go figure 80) I haven’t seen Michele in years so I had no idea if she would look completely different or what to expect…I was pleasantly surprised that she hasn’t changed much at all! Michele gave me a short tour of the area and took me to a seafood restaurant right on the water. It was ever so romantic as we got to watch the sun set on the water 80) we spent the rest of the night catching up and reminiscing about what crazy teenagers we were, as well as gossiping about where our old friends were and who had gone where etc. Being able to spend time with her was great! It made me realize how important it is to remember where you came from and who you were because that all helps make you who you are today. Thanks Michele I had a GREAT time! See you in the big Apple 80)

the gift of life and city skylines

today was a great day...the sun was shinning, the birds were flying along with the airplanes what could be better? apparently the raleigh area is a popular one because i have two different friends from California that have moved here and also Owen and Jamie from up north. I visited with Heather today, my old swim coach from Long Beach. She just had Skylar her daughter 6 weeks ago. Skylar is so adorable. She slept most of the time while I was there, but she coos in her sleep which I found adorable!
later in the evening I met up with my friend Jerry aka Gary whom I met when I lived in San Francisco. He took me around and gave me a taste of raleigh...literally I had mexican food, seafood and Jamaican tapas, from high class places to the dive bar. I had mentioned to Jerry that I kept waiting to see a skyline of raleigh but hadn't so far so he took me to a high point just outside the downtown area and I got to see the skyline if that's what you can call the cluster of about half a dozen buildings 80)
I'm heading onto Virginia Beach next to visit my old friend Michele, who I haven't seen almost since we graduated high school. the trip is winding down to an end i'm so much closer to maryland now where my family is. so much time seems to have passed since i left long beach 41 days ago.

expensive pit stops and english bulldogs

3.10.08 I am dangerous in a mall. I don’t know if I’m having withdrawal from shopping or if I’m just getting very very excited about moving to NYC, but I am dangerous in a mall! After a supposed pit stop (it seemed much longer and more expensive than a pit stop is suppose to be) at a very large mall in Concord, NC I wandered around the back roads of NC trying to head to Raleigh. After getting lost several times (I’m using a map not a GPS) I found the right track and set off to see the countryside. NC has a lot more tress than I’m use too so the scenery was quite nice to look at!
Somewhere along the way I found a covered bridge and sat for a while in the middle of the creek and contemplated my place in the universe…talk about a reality check. It was hard to leave that area as I was the only one there and it was so peaceful! But onward into the tree wilderness of NC I went, until I found a local brewery, Carolina Brewery, and had a sample of their finest. I was pleasantly surprised as they were actually good! Maybe today is my lucky day instead of yesterday…
Finally I made it to Owen and Jamie’s house where two 50+ pound English Bulldogs greeted me. I never realized bulldogs had so much power to them as Willie knocked me over as soon as I went out into the yard. Gia was very skittish with me, but eventually later in the evening she did come near me to sniff me out, I guess I passed the test because she didn’t bark as much afterwards. Owen and I went out to a local eatery where after being given the third degree by the waitress that we couldn’t take any wings home, it was $0.25 wing night and we didn’t know, I had the best pizza and wings that I’ve ever had! Jamie and Owen are heading to Florida tomorrow so it was a short visit, but now that I am back on the east coast hopefully I will be seeing more of them!

lucky numbers and family bonding time

3.9.08 ok so I have to admit, I’m getting anxious to be off the road and stop living out of a suitcase! I have enjoyed every aspect of my travels, but constantly being a tourist and moving around gets a bit tiring after a while! No amount of sleep seems to be enough, I haven’t felt sleep deprivation like this since college and we all know how long it’s been since I was in college 80)
The speed odometer clicked to 77777 today so I figure it is my lucky day…I’m in Charlotte, NC now and after being hit on by the clerk at the welcome center and settled in a hotel…the first for a while not counting NYC.
I met up with my cousin Tricia who is attending Johnston and Wales College in Charlotte. The actual city of Charlotte is a small one full of star wars looking buildings. Tricia and I wandered around the city and stopped for some Shepard’s pie. Ever since Jon made me Shepard’s pie I had wanted more. I figure being with Tricia, a chef in the making, if she said it was good then it was good! She even showed me around the dorm, wow a college dorm hadn’t seen one of them in a while! It’s amazing how the littlest things make you feel your age even more!
I’m off to Raleigh…thanks Tricia for taking time to hang out with me!

sad farewells and SC

3.8.08 After a sad farewell breakfast with my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Steve I headed onward and upward to Charleston. And I thought Georgia had a lot of cops, well; South Carolina wins the award for most speed traps! I arrive in Charleston and met up with my Dad’s business associate Cathy and explored the best of what Charleston had to offer. I never realized all the history that took place in this part of South Carolina, it was quite overwhelming! When I was walking up the street I could almost see the ladies of society in their fancy dress with their umbrellas walking ahead of me. I explored the Exchange building and the dungeon and we walked all through the city market as well as did a driving tour around the east battery and the very expensive homes and the port (that was for you dad 80) I also got to try local food…she crab soup, talk about interesting I’m not quite sure if there is anything that I can even compare it to. All in all it was a great day, enjoy the few pictures. Off to Charlotte, NC to visit my cousin Tricia at college…

It's official...

3.7.08It is official…I am a New Yorker! Natalie and I were approved and we currently have in our possession keys to our first New York apartment. I am so excited! The process of finding an affordable apartment in New York is not an easy one when you don’t want to pay a brokers fee, but fate, luck whatever you want to call it was on our side!
Today was my last day in Savannah 80( I am very sad to say goodbye! I awoke to a tornado warning and the tornado sirens so maybe that is Savannah’s way of saying farewell to me? Frankly I would have preferred a nice sunny day for my last day, but beggars can’t be choosers!
This evening I hung out with Mike, Ashton and Stacey and enjoyed my last night in my absolute favorite city of the south. Mike and Ashton ran a March of Dimes St. Patrick’s day kids race then Mike ran the 5k. It was a very nice evening even though it was drizzly. We had a wonderful last southern dinner at a seafood restaurant…yummy scallops (ha-ha Drew I didn’t have to share any, I got them all to myself) and flounder. Any weight that I possibly lost from speed walking around NYC for 3 days is back on my hips 80)
I have to say that I have really enjoyed every moment that I have spent here with the Southern Sturgis’ and I can’t help but feel distraught that I’m not sure when I will see them again…but I will be back! Even though this was the longest I stayed in one place on my trip it was not long enough! Off to Charleston SC tomorrow…

NYC!!!!

so i flew up to NYC yesterday to meet my roommate and to look for a place to live...and guess what? we not only found one apartment, we found

two!! talk about lucky, especially since we are looking on the cheap side. check out the pictures we took from the apartment we will be signing papers for tomorrow...everyone keep your fingers crossed for me that my new address will be NY, NY 80)

So a quick description of the pictures...the top is the outside...duh 80) 2nd is the living room from the front door, 3rd is the living room/kitchen from across the room, 4th is a little cubby area by the bathroom, 5th is the bathroom, 6th is the kitchen bar area, 7th is the kitchen area, all appliance are brand new!!!, 8th is natalie's bedroom, 9th is my bedroom and 10th is the french doors that both bedrooms have.

it's all about Ashton!

3.3.08 toady was another beautiful day in Savannah, by favorite city of the south. Today I got to meet Ashton, my new favorite cousin. He is the most adorable little guy I have ever met, granted I’m probably biased, but he is amazing! Not only can he recite bible verses, but he also has a photographic memory and he is only 3! Everything about him screams Sturgis. If he is what our next generation is like, I can’t wait to meet more! Luckily he is feeling much better, so we were able to play and play and play, I’m exhausted! I also was able to hang out with Michael this evening, which was great as again it had been while since I had seen him. Again a bias, but I am a member of the greatest family! This trip has been amazing for me, not only for personal growth and leisure, but also for grounding me and reconnecting me with so many people. Ok one sappier note…thank you to everyone that has let me stay with them and visited with me on my travels, you guys are awesome!

beaches and southern hospitality

3.2.08 the sun was shinning today and the heat was up! If only I had brought shorts! Ashton was still under the weather so I decided to explore the beach of Savannah. Tibbey Island is your typical eastern beach…it was great to be back after spending so much time on western beaches. I explored the historic lighthouse. It was the first lighthouse that I have seen that you could actually go up to the top. 176 steps later I was able to see for miles around! Mommom, I have another picture for your collection 80) I also enjoyed a nice leisurely walk up the beach. I went looking for sand dollars, which are apparently abundant on the beach, but unfortunately I couldn’t find any. The waves were small, something I have to get use to again, but the beaches were clean and well populated!
After enough of the sunshine I headed to Wormslo, a historical sight in Savannah. It is the ruins of an old plantation. The ruins themselves were a bit of a disappointment as they were not much, but the nature walk was so peaceful and beautiful! It was as though I was the only one who was around…heaven!
I headed back to Aunt Barbara and Uncle Steve’s for Sunday dinner…yummy! By the time I leave Savannah I will have gained any weight I lost during my travels as well as a few more I’m sure! Southern hospitality, if they keep this up I won’t be leaving anytime soon!

Savannah on the river and at night...

3.1.08 I love saturdays! Since I have been traveling everyday has felt like a Saturday, but I really enjoy when I'm spending time with family on a Saturday. The weather was beautiful here in Savannah and Uncle Steve and Aunt Barbara decided we would explore the area...by boat. For those that have never been down this way, there are waterways everywhere! We put the boat in by sling which was a very interesting procedure to watch. I'm use to boat ramps, so this was very different! The waterways were beautiful and there were so many sandbars and island you really had to pay attention. I was shocked to see how the water depth went from 35 feet to 10 feet in the blink of an eye! The water temperature was warm so I was able to get off the boat at one point and go shell hunting. I had forgotten how much fun it was to do this after living out west for so long and there not being any shells. It was a very enjoyable day on the water I was sad when it ended!
In the evening I headed into Savannah to hang out with my cousin Jonathan and to see some of the nightlife. Apparently Savannah is a late night area and the streets definitely got more crowded the later it got. We explored everywhere from City Market to River Walk and had a great time! Jonathan's sporty car caused alot of attention when we were driving around 80) and the window shopping was great even at 1am! When I was growing up I never really got to hang out with Jonathan since he lived down here and I up in Baltimore, so tonight was extra special for me, thanks Jonathan!