PJ's 2006 RAMBLE

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July 08, 2006

The Itinerary

I chose this (rough, subject to change) itinerary based on a combination of factors, I want to check out as many of the larger Eastern and Southern cities as I can, as possible places to move. I want to have visited every state in the East and South, especially those I've never been to (I am skipping Ohio and possibly West Virginia, which I've been through). I want to meet up with a few people I've gotten to know online or through scooter rallies. In some cases the places were chosen rather arbitrarily, perhaps based on a snippet of song, the memory of someone else having lived there, or an idea in my head of what it might be like. Here are 40 places that I hope to visit:

1. Chicago, IL

Live there now, the start of the trip. Sweet Home Chicago. Al Capone. Mike Ditka. Condo Construction. Deep-Dish, Hot Dogs, Italian Beef and Polish Sassidge.

2. Paw Paw, MI

My hometown, I lived here for my first 18 years. Will spend a couple of days visiting w/ friends and family, debuting the Ramblin' Man, etc.

3. Walker, MI

Bobby Chmiel, my half-brother lives here. I need to spend at least a few hours here catching up with him.

4. Traverse City, MI

Used to come here on vacations as a kid. My friend Aaron Draplin's family lives here and I want to pay my respects to his wonderful parents and see their homestead in the Lake Ann area.

5. Soo Locks, MI

Sault Ste. Marie, aka "the Soo." Wonder of Engineering. I've never been here, crossing over into Ontario. Taking this long way around because the alternate route across Michigan is reportedly so boring, and I love the north woods.

6. Sudbury, ONT

Don't know anything about it except that it's a city in this lonely part of Ontario. Probably have to stock up on oil and other stuff here, it's a long stretch down to Toronto. Update: My buddy Glen is from here and it's known as "The Big Nickel." Ida from Toronto says that vegan pickins are slim here.

7. Toronto, ONT

My good friend Glen lives here and I've heard lots of great things about this city. Excited to spend a day or two here and check it out, then see Niagara Falls and cross into upstate New York.

8. Buffalo, NY (and Rochester)

My friend Tal used to live here, Kodak is based here. I've never been anywhere in upstate New York. Buffalo 66. My friend Matt is from Rochester. Gritty industrial towns? We'll see!

9. Chittenango, NY

My uncle Bob lives here (when he's not on the open road driving truck). Hope to catch him here and meet his family, including a couple of cousins I've never met. Near the "Finger Lakes" region. Between here and the next stop, I think of The Deer Hunter."

10. Montreal, QBC

Wasn't originally on the itinerary, but I've heard a lot of good things about it and it's not too far out of the way from upstate NY and/or Vermont. It's supposed to be very "European" feeling. Hope to have a smooth border crossing.

11. Burlington, VT

Nothing in particular that I want to see here, I've heard my friend Aaron Draplin mention this town a few times as a place where some of his snowboard buddies live. I've heard lots of good things about VT and NH.

12. Deer Isle, ME

Beloved by Steinbeck and my good friend Keiko Ishii Eckhardt alike, this place (and much of Maine) is said to be magical. I remember that many of Stephen King's novels were set in Maine too, some eerie power in those mountains.

13. Boston, MA

Another "never been, must see" big city. Haavad Yaad, The Big Dig, the Boston Stranglers, Beacon Hill, Click and Clack, Colonial history and Jennifer's sister Thi. Looking forward to checking it out.

14. Providence, RI

I've known a few people who have lived here, too. Vanessa's boyfriend Garth went to school here. Big town in a tiny state, it's reported to be a huge "success story" of revitalization, which could be good or bad... Also Javaspeed scooters is here, so I'll stop and say hello to those guys.

15. New York, NY

This will be my fourth visit to the five boroughs, and goddamnit, this time I'm hitting all five, including some good time on Staten Island (home of the Wu Tang clan and the Giovinazzo brothers of Combat Shock fame). I have dear friends in Brooklyn (Simon and Sondra), as well as my good friend from Paw Paw (and amazing composer) Joe Burke, I also need to stop and visit Nicholas at Brooklynbretta. I love NYC and will probably spend 2-3 days here.

16. Philadelphia, PA

I've only passed through here on a Greyhound, and remember very little outside of the Chinatown. Need to spend some time driving around and getting lost here. Rocky. Liberty Bell. "More old buildings (thousands from the 1700s and 1800s) than any other US city." Sounds good.

17. Baltimore, MD

Gritty? Baltimore doesn't have a good reputation from what I've heard, but that's all the more reason to see it. I know there is a definite scooter scene here. My college friend Matt Wacker was from Baltimore, so it can't be all bad.

18. Warshington, DC

Not sure how I feel about DC. I've only been there a couple of times, both short visits where I saw virtually nothing. I certainly dislike a lot of what happens there, politically. However, Freddie Blassie said that Warshington was "his kind of town" in Mr. Blassie Goes to Washington, and my good friend William lives there, so hopefully William can show me the more attractive side of the city. Great museums and a strong scooter scene here too, including DC Rob and AirborneVespa.

19. Richmond, VA

Richmond and Me, love at first sight. When I lived in Norfolk (which really sucked back in 2000 or so, admittedly it's come a long way in a few years), I always really, really wished I could live in Richmond instead. Bigger town, better food, closer to the mountains, better scooter scene, cuter girls, etc. I'm looking forward to seeing Chelsea of SCOMO, Darren of OTR Scooters (if he'll meet with me), my friend Emily from PETA, eating at Panda Garden, etc.

20. Naffick, VA

Norfolk wouldn't be on my itinerary if I hadn't lived here for 3 years, but I figured if I'm this close it would be a shame not to stop. Home of PETA, friends to animals everywhere and my former employer, I still have some strong connections here. I'll ride over to that ocean and make sure the crappy VaBeach motels are all still standing, maybe dip my toes in. Ride through some tunnels, see my good scootering friend Damon from Hampton, and more.

21. Monroe, VA

Any fan of classic country music knows that Monroe, Virginia is where "they gave him his orders," Him being Steve, the brave engineer who piloted the Old 97 and died trying to "put her into Spencer on time." Good country around here, maybe I'll try to stop in the far east corner of Virginee where the Carter Family is from, Clinch Mountain and/or Maces Springs. A profound history and respect for those names and songs.

22. Asheville, NC

This is a beautiful town in an idyllic setting along the Blue Ridge Parkway. And they're liberal there, so that helps. I've only been here once but can't wait to return.

23. Knoxville, TN

As we get farther South, we're really getting into country and "roots" music territory, you can hardly pass a good-sized town without thinking of some old verse of song. Knoxville makes me think of the haunting Knoxville Girl, and also of Yee-Haw Industries, masters of show-print typography. Hope to check out their place.

24.Chattanooga, TN

The only thing I really know about Chattanooga is that it's in a lovely setting and Scenic City Scooters is located there, and I've always liked Stan and Jen who work there. So hopefully they can give me a tour of the town. If it works out timing-wise, I may be able to catch their "Hill on Wheels" rally August 18-20th, but that could be cutting it close. Hopefully.

25. Atlanta, GA

Don't know much about Atlanta, I know it has a lot of urban sprawl (but don't most US cities?) and that it is home to Outkast, Coca-Cola and the Imperial Scooter Club. Also home to Stellaspeed.com, one of my favorite websites, so I hope to meet up with Zac and Kirk and my old friend Dave while in town.

26. Clemson, SC

Clemson is not really "on my way" to Charleston, but I decided to route through here rather than Augusta, GA (home of James Brown!) again because of an online scooter connection, in this case a prolific poster of scooter advice and seemingly great guy "cphilip." There's a little university in this town, who knows, maybe I'll fall in love with the place. Off the beaten path for sure.

27. Charleston, SC

Back towards the ocean now. I've heard that Charleston offers some of the best sights and charm that the South has to offer, maybe I'll meet a Southern Belle fanning herself on some porch.

28. Everglades Swamp, FL

I like swamps and despite the obnoxious billing Florida gets as a vapid, sun-bleached theme park paradise and/or home to geriatrics, there's something about rural Florida that intrigues me. I plan to bypass most of the urban areas, maybe I'll breeze through Miami and Tampa, but I'm more interested in the rural areas.

29. Reddick, FL

Just like Clemson, Reddick is only on my map because of a frequently-posting good scooter character, this one named Jake Wilson or "Shakin' Jake." He seems to have had just about every kind of scooter (and related trouble) one could have in recent years, so I'd like to shake his hand and buy him a beer (or a case?) for his good contributions to the pool of knowledge.

30. Montgomery, AL

I wanted to venture north into Alabama rather than just skimming the Gulf Coast, and Montgomery, where Rosa Park took her brave stand for equality, seems like as good a destination as any. In addition to a Rosa Parks museum, they also have a Hank Williams museum, I hope to go to both.

31. Mobile, AL

I know next to nothing about Mobile, but I remember Johnny Cash sang a song about Mobile Bay, so it must have some appeal. I've heard that Mobile has had a Mardi Gras since before New Orleans was founded, is a shipbuilding capital, and has boulevards with the beautiful "Live Oaks" with Spanish moss that are characteristic of the South.

32. New Orleans, LA

I've been to New Orleans twice before, but not since the tragic Hurricane last year. I'm curious to see what's become of this amazing city, though I have a feeling that it's mostly sad and/or bad change (displaced poor people, loss of the wonderful and characteristic architecture, and some of the lively spirit of the place). We'll see, and see if there's anything that can be done to help.

33. Lake Charles, LA

The only thing I know about Lake Charles before researching it is that "he had a reason to get back to Lake Charles, he used to talk about it, he'd just go on and on, he always said Louisiana was where he felt most at home," in the Lucinda Williams song Lake Charles. I love the bayou country and Zydeco music and am eager to to get out into the countryside of southern Louisiana at leisure.

34. Longview, TX

Texas wasn't originally in my plans, but I remembered that Longview, Texas is in the eastern part of the state. Longview is of course where the brilliant documentary Hands on a Hardbody was filmed, and the characters from that film have captivated me for years. I am going to see if there's any way I can meet up with the sage Benny Perkins and possibly Ronald McGowan, my two favorite characters from the film. "Ol' country boy come up here to Long Verr and win that truck!"

35. Hope, AR

Another spot on the map because of Mr. Blassie Goes to Washington, Blassie makes several references to "a load of watermelons" that he has to deliver to President Clinton in Hope. I'm going to investigate this matter and see if I can find out what ever happened to those watermelons, or at least eat some watermelon myself to celebrate the memory of it. I may also wander up north to see some of those pretty hills west of Little Rock, as well as Little Rock itself.

36. Memphis, TN

I've been to Memphis a couple of times and it's a nice town with a rich history, especially musically. Going to stop at that good old A. Schwab mercantile downtown, maybe get some new blue jeans and sundries. "Goin' to Memphis, yeeeeahh."

37. Louisville, KY

Lauded by friends whose opinion I trust as a "must-visit" smaller city, I'll admit that Louisville could be a viable option for the next place to move. The location is still fairly close to the Midwest, but with warmer weather and proximity to better scenery. Of course I've never been there, so I'll see what it's all about when I get there. My friend Kathleen from MCAD lives there, maybe she can give me the tour.

38. Murphysboro, IL

How could I pass anywhere near southern Illinois without attempting to stop and pay my respects to martial arts Master Bill Bartolone? This guy has inspired me for at least five years and even mentioned me in one of his tapes! I would love to visit his place and chew the fat with him about life, training and his philosophies.

39. Rutledge, MO

I may pass through St. Louis on my way here, though the Mark Twain Nat'l Forest to the southwest looks more appealing. Rutledge is home to a real-life farming "eco-village" commune deal, and I'd like to stop and observe how this works for a few days if possible. Maybe help with the harvest or something and meet the community, get their thoughts on this kind of living.

40. Chicago, IL

Man, that home stretch will be a sad and boring one across middle Illinois. Back to reality, my cats, my friends, etc. Hopefully by now I will have an idea of where I'd like to move to. If time and money permit maybe I'll fly out to the Pacific Northwest for a few days and survey that territory for a possible place to move, but hopefully one of these places I've passed through will have charmed me sufficiently to move there and "try my hand" at a new place. Whew.

Posted by pj at July 8, 2006 07:42 PM

Comments

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