Talking about the weater

One of the main reasons for my relocating to Johannesburg, South Africa fifteen years ago was the climate. Summers are warm, but not too hot, although we do have the odd scorcher every now and again. And although it can be humid while a good rain storm is brewing, it is not the norm. This means I can wear my long, thick mane down most of the time - just the way I like it - and no frizzies! I wasn't blessed with 'wash-and-wear' and humidity does not exactly bring out my best hair fashion statements ;)

Winters can be cold enough but it is manageable most of the time. I'm not crazy about the cold temperatures - although I've changed my mind a little after my recent visits to the United States with their snowy winters - but I do think that winter is a beautiful season! It is as if the sun shines brighter and there is something comforting about letting it warm your face on a cold day.

Autumn has never been a very pronounced season for me. Maybe because I haven't seen too many trees exchange their green jacket for flaming reds, orange and yellow. This perception changed once again as fall is somehow a lot more prominent in the US. People flock to specific areas merely for admiring the beautiful colors; in the really beautiful parts like Pennsylvania and Colorado (only two of many) it is almost part of a tourist attraction. We even took a trip to Colorado in 2011 for the sole purpose of

Is this what 'forgotten' looks like?

We had one more day in Pennsylvania after my day trip to New York City. We mostly spent it packing and saying our good bye's. It was going to be a long trip back home. G also wanted to make a trip to the cemetery; it’s been a while.

These graves were the first ones I saw as I got out of the car and the first thought that crossed my mind was Is this what ‘forgotten’ looks like? It was clear that no one had visited these graves in a very long time.

What happened to their loved ones? Did they move far away? Were they even still alive? Or are these people who cherish memories of their loved ones in their hearts wherever they go?

(8) PA - A long, EXCITING day in NYC

Once I heard that Pennsylvania is not that far from New York City I felt excited. Maybe, just maybe, we could squeeze in going there then? I hoped. A few suggestions were made, one of which was to check with my friend, Nancy, whether she would be up to spending a day in New York with me and showing me around a little.

Nancy and I 'met' on Facebook. We have been e-mailing back and forth for about eighteen months but I have never met her in person. As excited as I was about the prospect of seeing the Big Apple I wondered if we would hit it off as well in person as we did in writing. The thought even crossed my mind, "What if we don't quite gel?" But then again, we had been chatting for eighteen months. Come one! The girl simply adores me! (*giggle*) I made up my mind that we weren't only going to be just fine, but we were going to have a blast - and we did!!

Initially when I found out that we were going to Pennsylvania I really wanted to make use of the opportunity to meet with Nancy but I didn't quite know what we should do for our memorable occasion. Initially I thought maybe just a simple meal at a restaurant or maybe just coffee. However, I have to be honest: those ideas were nothing compared to seeing New York!! Who would want to go for a breakfast if you can take a bite out of the Big Apple instead?!

Once I had mentioned the idea of NYC to Nancy she was in - boots and all! Within a day or two she had

(7) PA: the day before New York City

Nothing like working up a good appetite walking in Lackawanna State Park before going to dinner: All you can eat clam special. It was a fun day.

We went for a walk in the Lackawanna State Park. Under the canopy of the beautiful green tree tops you can walk for miles in the beautiful woods.

(6) PA: Explore, explore some more with me

So... we had finally arrived in Pennsylvania. Now what? It was time to start expl-o-ring. Join me for a bit of sightseeing, why don't you (*smile*)

What's that strange looking "thingy magic"? If you haven't guessed it... It's a jukebox in a diner booth. Cool! right? What makes this different is that it's not a jukebox for the whole diner. This is only for the occupants of this particular booth. The question that rose in my mind was, "How does each booth listen to their own selection? A bit of a mad house, don't you think?" Apparently not so. This is listened to at a volume only loud enough for your own booth. Hmm... Stereo speakers...? Maybe that is to make the soft music more clear? It certainly can't be to make it loud, right?

From what I gather it works similar to a vending machine. It uses quarters (25c) and your selection is made using the letters and number, e.g. D7 - almost like selecting your favorite chocolate or drink. I only saw these in the one diner where we ate.

(5) PA: Red means stop (for now anyway...)

Now! Now! I know some of you must be anxiously looking forward to the New York City pics but we're getting there... Remember, we had to drive to Pennsylvania first. I've taken so many pictures and I'm still processing them. 500 just in NYC! Remember, see what I see, yes?

Not even the uncomfortable car seat could ruin a beautiful morning like this one. I had no idea what we were driving throught the night before while it was dark. I've heard so much about the mountainous landscape of Pennsylvania, but it was more beautiful than I imagined.

(1) Road trip to Pennsylvania: H-e-r-e we go!

Don't you just love that early morning feeling before a long road trip? I'm not sure if it's the freshness of a new morning, the smell of fresh coffee or the anticipation of the adventure ahead. Needless to say we had all of those wrapped up in one as we set out on our drive from a small county in Kansas to Pennsylvania.

Distance: 1245 miles (2003km) - one way

We opted to drive for a few reasons but one was so that I could see more of the United States; quite a big deal for a girl from South Africa - a country considered rather small in comparison to a few around the world. A huge place to me, of course, but hey! what do I know, right?

Every little bush and tree had me all excited, so I've decided to "show and tell" right here on my blog. Granted not all the bushes and trees were exciting enough to make me grab my camera but heck! this is the U.S of A and I was going to take it a-l-l in! This blog is after all about the way I see it, yes? (*grin*)

Join me if you like and see what I saw. H~e~r~e we go! (Just before we do, though, just note that these are what I like to call 'drive by shootings'. That is when you have one moment to take a picture and you seize it... from a moving vehicle.)

Sunrise on the morning of our departure

We set out at 5:30am. The weather was ideal and it looked like it was going to be a perfect day for driving. Garett and I had been at it for two days over who was going to do how much of the driving but alas I had to make buddies with the passenger seat for most of the way there. A little way along I actually ended up feeling a little bit relieved - note I said a little bit (*wink*).


Animals are not fenced off from the highway and (especially) deer runs across the road all the time, mostly at dusk and dawn (the cooler time of the day hence encouraging deer movement). If you don't see it coming you could end up with some serious damage to your car or someone could even get killed. It could be rather strenuous driving as you can imagine, I'm sure.


Saying that I stepped aside gracefully would be a lie, so let's just say I could understand that he's had a lot more practice in knowing what to look out for, ok? I decided to use the opportunity to take as many pictures of a country that I really haven't seen yet. Always look for the win-win, I say!

A little more sun rising... I just love the way the light reflects on the clouds! I love clouds period. The most beautiful sunrises and sunsets (for me) are ones with clouds.

The first city we pass by is Topeka. Kansas City is next. And, of course, at this point whoever is not driving starts digging around for the change for the toll gate (or the garage card, whichever you use). Guess who did the digging... ;)

Ah! There's the toll gate and I was ready!

The windscreen is not scratched. I've added those funny looking lines to a few pictures as an artistic touch (*wink-wink*)