I've Been Everywhere Man!

Russell and I have pretty much completed 95% of my Roadtrip Bucket List.  He's only missing Oregon and Washington DC and I have all Lower 48 plus DC.  There are only a few things left I want to see in Maine, and then there's another long roadtrip I'd love to do through Canada out to the Pacific NW to see all the things I didn't see when I lived there, but it's OK if we never make it.  We're very lucky and blessed to have done and seen as much as we have!!  

We are in the process of relocating so we only did one roadtrip back in late March/early April.  The rest of the year we've been trying to sell and buy at the same time.  To say it's been stressful is an understatement but it should be coming to an end really soon.

In the meantime, this summer I decided to try and rework Johnny Cash's 'I've Been Everywhere, Man!' song.  It took days and days of trying to remember places we've been and making them rhyme but I think I finally got it down.  Every place listed is one we, or I, have been to, and they represent all Lower 48 states and 4 Canadian provinces: 

I was totin' my pack along the dusty Winnemucca road

When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load

"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride"

And so I climbed into the cab, and then I settled down inside

He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand

And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land"

I've been everywhere, man

I've been everywhere, man

Crossed the deserts bare, man

I've breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I've had my share, man

I've been everywhere

I've been to New Mexico, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota

Orlando, Sacto, Winslow, South Dakota

Georgia, Berea, Eureka, Oklahoma

Olympia, Pomona, Orinda, Saratoga,

Bangor, Baltimore, Green River, Harpers Ferry,

Coho Ferry, Cape May Ferry, Mill Bay Ferry, Londonderry,

I've been everywhere, man

I've been everywhere, man

Crossed the deserts bare, man

I've breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I've had my share, man

I've been everywhere

I've been to Boston, Burlington, Wilmington, Louisiana

Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Indiana

Monterey, Bodega Bay, San Jose, Pepin

Balanced Rock, Church Rock, Shamrock, Joplin,

Tennessee to Chicopee, Cripple Creek, Sebago Lake

Flathead Lake, Mono Lake, Cayuga Lake, for Pete's sake

I've been everywhere, man

I've been everywhere, man

Crossed the desert's bare, man

I've breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I've had my share, man

I've been everywhere

I've been to Centerville, Monroeville, Nob Hill, Utica 

 Black Hills, Bentonville, Waterville, Pacifica

Rock Hill, Niantic, Mystic, Gulfport,

Lancaster, Vancouver, Winchester, Newport

Capilano, Idaho, Wibaux, Victoria,

Tacoma, Iowa, Sundance, Columbia

I've been everywhere, man

I've been everywhere, man

Crossed the desert's bare, man

I've breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I've had my share, man

I've been everywhere

I've been to Gettysburg, Gatlinburg, Williamsburg, Portland

Gothenburg, Rexburg, Lunenburg, Vineland, 

 Ann Arbor, Blacks Harbour, Gloucester, Galena

Kadoka, Nebraska, Eureka, Mokena

Cannon Beach, Willows Beach, Second Beach, Kansas City

Cherokee, Daly City, Borden-Carleton, what a pity

I've been everywhere, man

I've been everywhere, man

Crossed the desert's bare, man

I've breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I've had my share, man

I've been everywhere

I've been everywhere

The Book Barn, Niantic, CT

Penny, Kat and I met up with Andrea & Ralph for lunch and then we went next door to see The Book Barn in Niantic, CT.  There are lots of things to see here.....in fact I only bought 2 books!  The rest of the time I was taking pictures! 

Gotta love the TARDIS!  There were miniature versions of 4 or 5 of the different Doctors Who inside.

There were some super cute and friendly goats in the yard as well.

Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, CT

I'm an avid member of a few Baby Yoda groups on Facebook and we've forged such great friendships that we've met up with several of my friends in many different parts of the country.  On March 30, our Connecticut group got together for the 3rd time.  Unfortunately 3 of our friends couldn't make it, but I drove out w/ my bff Kat (who lives in Buzzards Bay only a couple blocks from where we used to live), and we met up with Penny first at Harkness Memorial State Park.  It was as cold as it looks in these pics and even with my heavy winter coat, the wind was cutting.  

The Mansion isn't open for the season yet.

I'm sure this place really pops in the warm spring weather, but it was a bit gloomy the day we went.

Ferry from New London to Long Island.

This looks like a double exposure and I love the effect.  I was trying to get a pic of the painted walls inside through a window with a reflection of the building behind me. 

It was waaayyyyy too cold to walk down to the beach! Kat and Penny didn't have heavy enough jackets.

Harbor Lights Festival, Gulfport, Mississippi

 A couple of years ago, my friend Stephanie and her hubby Jerry moved to Biloxi so we got together with them for dinner at the casino on our last night and then we went to the Harbor Lights Festival in Gulfport.  I'd gone in 2021 and honestly it was better the last time but we still had a great time hanging out.  Steph and I walked through while the guys hopped on the little trolley car for a more low-impact viewing. 

These trees were synched to change colors and patterns with music which was super cool. 

Treasure Bay Casino & Hotel, Biloxi

Back in 2021 when I was researching the Biloxi casinos, Google Maps showed a cluster of them downtown.  Really huge ones too.  Then I noticed this one smaller casino, all by itself, right across from the beach and decided to stay there and it was the best decision EVER.  Russell absolutely loves this one, as do I.  We could both live without the smoking on the casino floors but that's OK.  I don't gamble anyway so I wasn't in there much anyway.  This trip was our second time here. 

One of two magnificent rainbow Chihuly chandeliers.

Afternoon view from our balcony.

After we got back from seeing holiday lights in Gulfport with our friends Stephanie and Jerry.

Back when Biloxi decided to allow gaming, the law was that the casinos themselves had to be located on barges in the Gulf.  All the ones downtown and Treasure Bay were on barges.  Here is a picture of what Treasure Bay looked like about 25 years ago. 

Another view of the old casino from the beach.  I bet it was super cool to see that ship! 

Enter Hurricane Katrina.  The storm surge pushed every single casino barge on shore.  Apparently the barges downtown, like the Hard Rock, were deposited right in the middle of the streets!  Treasure Bay's ship broke loose and drifted over to the beach while the hotel across the street and buildings on the pier were trashed.  This is one of the after pics.

Needless to say, the law was changed and now all the casinos are located in buildings on shore.  No more barges!

Biloxi Beach, Mississippi

Our very last day in Biloxi we FINALLY had great weather!  It was still pretty cold (in the low 50s), but I went out a few times to walk on the beach while Russell enjoyed his casino time.  Sunrise was amazing.

 The view from our room. 

It was low tide.  The Gulf only has two tides per day, as opposed to regular ocean beaches that have four per day.  So the sand bars were there from when we got up until late in the afternoon.  

Another view from our room, as I was back and forth.

Unfortunately the beach combing here isn't very good at all.  The sand is sticky mud in some places and there are no shells or glass or even any cool rocks.  Plus there are huge drainage pipes that run right into the Gulf and there is no way I would swim in this water even if the weather was hot and I was a summer person!  

Not sure if this lighthouse is functional.  Last time we were here, that area was a homeless encampment but this time there are fences around it.

Looking east towards downtown where all the other casinos are located.