June 2009
June 29, 2009Chicago Pt. 2: Chicago (after a 13 hour drive)
- By Fredrick
- No TrackBacks
Through haphazard directions, unyielding traffic, and impossible odds James Flint, my old friend, and I made it safely into Chicago. Immediately the differences between the Windy City and New York were plain as day. Parking was plentiful, people were in short supply, and traffic off the interstate was sparse. A guitar quartet was practicing in the yard of a beautiful church off Jefferson. Oh yeah, all the streets were named after presidents.
We were told to rendezvous with James' friend Lindy in Millennium park. All we were told was to walk west, which turned out to be more of a quest than it seemed. The park turned out to be a ways away, but after being cramped in a tiny Volkswagen for over half a day a long walk was delightful.
Millennium park turned out to be pretty cool. There were many interesting art pieces there, including towering faced waterfalls, which, at times, would spew heavy streams of water from their mouths. The Bean, which is where we were to meet with Lindy, was an interesting bean shaped monument that was like a towering drop of mercury. In the park there was a grand orchestra playing a free show. Everyone was drinking wine.
When Lindy showed up we hitched a ride to the Lincoln Park area where we spent some time in a sports bar. The place was packed and loud, and immediately the table across from us caught my eye. Never before had I seen a table with so many squares before. Popped collar button ups with khaki pants raising the roof and trying to bump and grind. It was a pathetic display that amused me to no end.
We went to a couple more bars and surprisingly, at every location, there were more and more squares. In the lounge of one of the locations James and I were laughing at one such man, when the girls at the table let him in on our amusement. He came over to let us know he doesn't always dance like a douchebag, but he was trying to get with the girls. It worked, as they left together, so good for him.
By the end of the night it was a struggle to keep up with Lindy, and the drive back to her place had me falling asleep sitting up. We got back just in time for me to pass out in the basement, with another daunting day of travel ahead.
Music by The Black Keys.
June 22, 2009
Chicago Pt. 1: A Brief Cross-Section of Several Great States
- By Fredrick
- No TrackBacks
1,600 miles, 26 hours, 5 states, 3 days. As you may already be aware, I was recently propositioned by my long lost friend James to take a trip out to the mid west, just to poke around and see what it's like. A couple weeks ago we took the trip, and with three days and 800 miles between here and Chicago, it turned out to be the longest haul of my life - save for my return trip from Athens, GA circa New Years Eve 2008-09.
When we left New Paltz Wednesday morning at 3AM, the dreary atmosphere outside was as foreboding as it was forewarning. The climate during the brunt of our adventure was gloomy and rainy, letting up only momentarily during our trip there. We got to enjoy the carved passages in Pennsylvania (as well as the company of one ornery gas station proprietor). This was my first time driving anywhere further west than PA, so Ohio was new and exciting. While I can't say it was worth having so many neat songs written about it (see Sun Kil Moon or Modest Mouse), it was home to the best Interstate Service Stations of our trip, many of which were patriotic and lavish.
Indiana, the birthplace of Kyle Atkinson. Flattest place I've ever been, and eerily so. I never realized how safe being surrounded by lush green hills makes me feel. Without those natural barriers it feels, almost, as if you'd simply fly off the face of the earth. While the alien landscape was barren and repetitive, it was more enjoyable than the views of Ohio. I was unhappy passing through Gary, Indiana, though. It was like one giant smog factory. Shame on you.
The most drama came when we got into Illinois itself. The Chicago rush-hour traffic threatened to overheat James' '82 Volkswagen Rabbit, so we had to make quick diversions to keep moving, often ones that lead us out of our way. Still, we made it safely into the city and found adequate parking. It was when we started walking that we found the most interesting things.
June 9, 2009
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
- By Fredrick
- No TrackBacks
Miranda and I just moved to New Paltz from Brooklyn, and as soon as the uhaul was unpacked and dropped off safely at Joey's, we set off to enjoy what had been lacking in my life for the past three years: nature. Since my bike was stolen and the yellow peugot I bought to replace it wasn't yet ridable I had to rent one from the bike place. Jon got one too, and we, the three of us, rode the Rail Trail.
From New Paltz through to Rosendale is a serene wooded path that is everything New York City isn't. It's quiet and personal, clean, and beautiful. It only took us an hour or so to ride the length of it, which ends half way across the Rosendale Trestle. After we made some lunch and Jon talked with some shorties we checked out the town. It was quaint but held little of interest to us.
Music by Grandaddy.
June 8, 2009
Chicago and all it entails...
- By Fredrick
- No TrackBacks
Throughout my youth James was a guy I could always count on to reserve judgement and be my friend regardless of my social standings. Though we would sometimes go weeks or even months without speaking, he remained one of the few true friends I had in the world. With the perils of growing up and branching out come casualties in friendship. As we both matured, we grew further apart until all we had left of each other were merely fond rememberances.
I hadn't talked to James in a long time, but while I was last in Corning I found an old jacket of mine. In the pocket was an index card with a phone number and a name, it was James' number. I gave it a call while I was home, but it was outdated and the number was no longer in service. Through the mysterious wonders of the internet, last month I was re-united with my long lost friend. To my dismay, his life is less than perfect.
However, the open road is good medicine and I met my best friend Jon on a marathon road trip to Athens, GA with strangers. It was through this logic that we decided the best way to reconnect and make peace with our lots in life would be a grand adventure. As coincidence would have it, he drives an '82 VW Rabbit. Circumstances have presented themselves, and we'll be embarking on a 15 hour road trip to Chicago and back this Wednesday.
Of course I'm all welled up inside with excitement to re-unite with my old friend, and I'm equally excited to take an impromptu road trip to a city I've never visited before. You can expect video documentation shortly after I get home.
A video featuring the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is also ready and should be up tonight or tomorrow. Look back shortly for it.
