An Endless Invitation

It's getting pretty nippy!  Take me back to Myrtle Beach!

Our next stop was Roanoke, Virginia.  These color-coordinated sillies had a nap day while I meandered downtown and encountered more vintage shops than I've ever seen in my life! I finished up the day enjoying local cider while writing my family letters at a bar.

My best friend from back home went to college in Winston-Salem, so I had been very much looking forward to visiting this town.  He told me that I absolutely had to try Krankie's Coffee shop so I managed to bribe the stage manager (with cookies) to take me there after venue run.  What a perfect little college study spot!  And the cookies were delicious!

Pensacola, FL October 31, 2014 A brief stop at the docks of Pensacola, Florida included admiring the coastal view, chasing some ill-mannered pigeons who thought they owned the place, and an absolutely wonderful lunch at Jordan Valley Mediterranean Restaurant.  I tried honeyed sage tea (delicious), falafel, and pistachio baklava and spent an hour reading in their outdoor seating area.

Nashville, TN October 28, 2014 After our show on Tuesday morning we only had time to grab a quick lunch in Nashville- which was such a tease!  I would have loved the time to really explore this fantastic city and catch some live music.  But oh well. After wandering around downtown a bit we found a covered market with a couple cool restaurants and shops.  I grabbed some tasty pad thai for lunch and some homemade peach and cherry cobbler for a snack later.  Also had an excellent latte at the Frothy Monkey.  That name made me laugh.  I tried to get artsy with my roommate's reflection in the coffee machine but had some struggles.  Then we hit the road for our next destination!

October 27, 2014 Last day in Memphis, TN After our Monday morning show we decided to grab some memphis BBQ before hitting the road. By a stroke of luck the restaurant was right next to the Lorraine Motel and the Civil Rights Museum- a place I really needed to see but had run out of time to visit. I finished lunch as quickly as possible and went across the street to see the memorial where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. I felt humbled and startled to stare at the wreath I had seen over and over again in my history books. I kept returning to the simple thought of "This all happened here. One of the greatest men in our American history was shot right here." The night before my taxi driver had told me how he had lived two blocks away from this spot; how he had watched tanks drive up and down his street during the riots that followed the assassination. I am so grateful for this opportunity for new perspective, new knowledge, and new stories. This tour has made me realize what a bubble I live in. I won't look at my world in the same way again.

October 26, 2014 Memphis, Tennessee Day Two I took advantage of my free day by taking a taxi downtown and just following where my feet took me. I headed in the direction of the riverfront because I really wanted to see the Great Mississippi River for the first time. I was not prepared for how hot it was going to be and I didn't have a water bottle with me. I think the Mississippi's enormity was amplified by how woozy and dehydrated I was. I stood by the water for a long time basically thinking "Dude. That's a huge river." I then collected my wits and walked along the river for a while until I saw some sort of pedestrian bridge that went across the water to an island. I crossed it out of curiosity and found an absolutely amazing children's museum called Mud River Museum that was an outdoor baby replica of the Mississippi that you could wade in. My inner child freaked out and I stayed there for a really long time splashing around. I eventually made my way back to the downtown area and found a nice restaurant for dinner. I had been saving up so I could splurge on a steak meal for a while and this restaurant did not disappoint. I had a cry-worthy DELICIOUS filet mignon and a blueberry Collins. I think I amused the waiter with my sincere enjoyment of the meal because he later brought me free tiramisu. Eventually I rolled myself out the door and back to the hotel, perfectly content.

The night ended at a local bar with a live band playing our favorite top 40s songs. Great start to a fantastic weekend

Albany, Georgia continued... Best part of the day was running into a group of medieval sword fighters in the park. I smooth talked my way into borrowing a suit of armor and getting to join in. I swear that armor weighed 50+ pounds and even though my technique was solid, I couldn't lift my shield and sword fast enough with all that weight. I could only fight for 20 minutes before my arms were so rubbery that I had to stop. I've been working out my arms furiously at the hotel gyms. Once I get back to NYC I will be able to life those damn swords!

Albany, Georgia October 19, 2014 I spent my Sunday wandering through the tiny, quiet town of Albany, Georgia. The downtown area was almost completely silent and deserted, and the only noise came from the many Baptist Churches with glass windows that vibrated with singing and music. I walked by the Civil Rights museum, but was disappointed to find that they were closed. I also explored the parks by the riverfront, and listened to music playing by the Ray Charles memorial fountain. I touched Spanish moss for the first time and was surprised at its coarseness- expecting a soft, cloud like texture. Later that evening I attended a Baptist sermon for the cultural experience. I was overwhelmed by how kind and friendly the congregation was. A dozen people came up to me and wanted to know my story. Once the sermon began, things got odd. The preacher had an oily, creepy southern drawl and spent the entire sermon arguing that Good Friday cannot actually be the date that Jesus Christ died and that it should actually be Good Wednesday. Then he described in overly graphic detail the torture Christ endured before the cross. I spent most of this time tuning him out and reading the Noah's Arc story in their bible. None of his arguments made much sense and it was hard to keep track of the point he was trying to make or how his thoughts connected. After the sermon, I had a redeeming and beautiful moment with a woman who wanted to pray with me. She took my hands and prayed for my safe travels and success when I returned to New York. I was touched by her thoughtfulness and generosity. I would like to visit more churches while I'm down here.

I explored a creepy condemned hotel in Hattiesburg, Alabama and thought I was going to be attacked. Highly freakable people should not explore haunted hotels alone. I felt super ninja crawling through a hole in the fence to get into the area, though. Totally worth it.

October 11, 2014 Cast bonding on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was dunked into the water against my will... But it was worth it.

Today I explored the spanish moss covered trees and lakes of Albany, Georgia. Ended up at a cute dive bar called Harvest Moon and had a veggie wrap with sweet potato fries. Loving the traveling life!

First Moonshine on a Friday night in Alabama!

I don't even remember where this was.

More Charleston pictures!!!