49 by 29: June 29 - Driving the panhandle

Coffee:
Camp coffee: i.e. instant Folger's made with water boiled on Jeremy's camp stove.

From the journal:
We are driving along the Gulf of Mexico as I write this. Windows down. Love it!

Last night, we blew past our original destination by 80 miles before realizing it. Ha! So we kept going until Ochlockonee River State Park, where we were able to camp for $4 per night. Sure beats $30 at an RV park!

Set up camp in the dark and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner at 9:30 p.m.

I didn't sleep real well, but I am doing alright. Travel works like caffeine on me. I am on a road trip with a good friend. It doesn't get much better.

Home sweet home.

A drive through a Florida forest near our campsite.

Boardwalk to my first chance to dip my toes into the Gulf.

Because 18 mph is just too fast.

Looked like a cool place...perhaps a tad unsteady, though.

49 by 29: June 28 - The journey begins

Hotel coffee on way to airport at 4 a.m.

Starbucks coffee in Minneapolis airport.

Airplane coffee on flight from Billings to Minneapolis and Minneapolis to Orlando.

Coffee:
-Hotel coffee in back seat of car on way to airport at 4:30 a.m.

-Starbucks in Minneapolis airport

-Delta blend on Delta plane

From the journal:
Early flight out of Billings, MT: 6 a.m. I was up at 3:45 a.m. to shower and make it to the airport on time. I am definitely feeling it now. I should take a nap before arriving in Orlando and driving another 5 hours with Jeremy!

And so, the adventure begins. 49 by 29, as I'm calling it. I am on a quest to check off Arkansas and West Virginia, and I am delighted that Jeremy has so readily agreed to help me. I think we'll be great travel partners.

I must sleep...really must. Goodnight.

49 by 29: a journey with jeremy

My good friend Joanna gave me a just-because gift last year that I've been saving to use at a truly special time. It was a journal titled "WANDERLUST" with photos of coffee on the cover.

Her note explaining the gift read: "I saw this and couldn't resist. It encompasses 3 of your favorite things! I hope that you drink lots of coffee in lots of different places while filling the pages. Love you!"

When I decided to go "Steinbeck Style" on my most recent journey, I knew the journal would be perfect.

And it was.

I drank lots of coffee in lots of different places while filling the pages.

I also took photos of (most) every cup of coffee to emulate the journal's cover. I am going to use those photos to organize my posts about the adventure. Neat, eh? I mean, we saw some awesome sights, but would you look at all that glorious coffee?!?!

I jest. But I hope you enjoy the coming stream of posts anyway.

Without any further ado...

49 by 29: a journey with jeremy

Steinbeck style revisited

I must admit I am truly enjoying my low-tech approach to this journey. I've been journaling daily, reveling in the introspection that pen, paper, and coffee can offer to a writer.

And yet, I have guilt. The journalist in me cringes at the fact that blogging and posting photos upon my return is akin to publishing old news. Eek. The horrors.

I guess at this point I shall have to ask you to stick it out with me. Just look at it like I'm following a magazine deadline.

P.S. In case any are wondering, I am in Pittsburgh visiting my long-time friend, Jared, and enjoying a few days of down time. Today has been spent walking, ducking into cute boutiques, writing postcards, and sipping on Earl Gray tea at the Te Cafe in Squirrel Hill. Absolutely lovely.

49 by 29

I am composing this blog from the Blue Moose Cafe in Morgantown, West Virginia.

State 49.

By 29.

I feel so blessed to have this chance to see so much of our nation. I am truly grateful to my friend Jeremy for joining me (and driving me) on this adventure.

And what an adventure it has been...

We've seen the love and beauty the human spirit can hold. We've seen brokenness. We've seen hope. And we've seen the poverty of spirits that are driven by greed.

Yes, I have a story behind that last statement. But I'm not quite ready to write it yet. For now I'll say a big thank you for your prayers, assure you all is well, and leave you hanging because we need to hit the road again. There is more to see, always more to see...

NOLA

I am blogging from an iPad. I feel so tech savvy. I also feel like I am learning how to type all over again. And I feel old.

Anyway, Jer and I are in New Orleans...or NOLA as it is sometimes called. I am currently enjoying a very fine cup of coffee in a little cafe called Il Posto. For how exotic this city is, though, it is not hard to imagine I am sitting in a quaint cafe in France.

So far, the trip has been dandy. We camped on a beach on Perdido Key, FL, and enjoyed gazing at the stars next to our campfire while listening to ocean waves crash upon the shore. We explored the 8th Ward and walked Bourbon Street in NOLA. Tonight and tomorrow we are helping prepare and serve breakfast to the homeless at Crescent City Cafe. Please pray we will be God's hands and feet in this endeavor.

We do not know where we will camp out after tonight...and I love it. I have lost track of time and day. I love how life on the road makes one live in the moment.