(3) Colorado: Breakfast beauty... lunch, sunset, dinner

Yesterday was somewhat overcast and some really cold weather was blowing in by the time I took the picture of the mountain in the back yard - I mean chilly! I was all too grateful to be cosy inside with roast chicken and salads for dinner, a nice chunk of red velvet birthday cake for dessert and a hot shower! 

We certainly woke up to a beautiful morning! After an early breakfast we headed out to Mueller State Park, which we had stumbled across around sunset the previous day.

Standing here, breathing in the fresh morning air, I just wanted to reach for a thermos with hot coffee. I can't say I love coffee but I most certainly get caught up in the smell of coffee early in the morning. There is just something about the way it announces the break of day.

(2) Colorado: From barren to beauty

If you are just joining me - welcome!

We have been driving west from Kansas to Colorado. Most of the way - until we crossed the border anyway - there wasn't a lot to see but the closer you get to Colorado the more the topography changes to look a little more like this (below). Beautiful, isn't it?

These iconic Rocky Mountains was formed between 55 and 80 million years ago and stretch more than 3,000 miles from the northernmost part of British Columbia (western Canada) all the way to New Mexico in the southwestern United States. The mountains can be seen from about 100 miles away and they are truly spectacular - with or without snow!

(1) And then we were off to Colorado

My day trip to New York city was just a few days premature for a birthday present but who cares, right? By far one of the best birthday presents yet! Now it was G's turn. He wanted to photograph the fall colors and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I wonder why some call it autumn and others call it fall? Either way, October is the perfect time for it!

After driving the 1,200 miles to Pennsylvania, the 600 mile drive to Colorado was a breeze but with one very distinct difference: the scenery. Now, I've heard people describe Kansas in two main ways: (1) the place where the Wizard of Oz plays out, and (2) flat, wide open spaces with not even a tree in sight. Firstly - and I'm unsure whether I should feel ashamed or not - I haven't seen The Wizard of Oz. I've heard of it often but I haven't seen the movie, and secondly I haven't seen enough of the States to make an accurate topographical comparison. This trip gave me a whole new insight but how about you judge for yourself:

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?

YADA YADA FISHPASTE has a new name and a new look!

A new name, a new look AND A NEW ADDRESS!

Hey there everyone!

I have been giving my Yada Yada blog some thought and I've decided it is time for a change. Not only am I trying out a few new ideas but I also feel - well, almost feel - as if I've finally decided what I want this blog to be about. 

I want it to be about my photographs and my stories of the places that I've been, the things that I've experienced, the lessons that I've learned and the things that I've realized on the journey. And no, it is not insignificant - yada yada fishpaste - it is travelling the journey with me: seeing what I see and reading my stories. 

I'm inviting you to join me on my travels - in the world and in my life - and to enjoy the beautiful pictures with me, but instead of finding me on the old address (www.yadayadafishpaste.blogspot.com), it is now www.postcardsandpictures.blogspot.com, so please save the new address to your favorites ;) 

The name and the look might be different but it is still the same old "Yada". If you've enjoyed my blog before, I hope that you will continue to do so with me through Postcards and Pictures. And please feel free to let me know your thoughts on the new name, layout, color scheme, etc. I would love to hear your input. After all, the idea is to keep you coming back ;)

Hugs

"Yada"

(12) PA - Introducing Lady Liberty

Time has simply run away from me since my last post. Finally today, after a trip down the Hudson River, you get to meet Lady Liberty.

Even though I've visited New York City in the latter part of August it still stirs my heart with fond memories of an awesome visit to New York City. If this is the first time you join me on the journey, welcome! If you've been chewing your finger nails in anticipation of the next leg of the journey, then I hope that you are not disappointed.

I invite you to share your thoughts. I always enjoy hearing from you :)

A glimpse on the inside of the Zephyr. Everywhere I looked there were men with yellow t-shirts.  What the?... And not just yellow, but a real 'in your face' sunflower yellow. I simply couldn't rest till I knew what it was about, and just as I was about to ask outright, I caught sight of the embroidery on the shoulder: It turns out it was a choir.

(11) PA: A trip to the pier - don't want to miss the boat!

Today we take a trip to the edge of the pier where we will board the Zephyr for a tour of the city along the banks of the river, and right to the feet of Lady Liberty herself. For some reason I thought the water in the skyline images of New York City was the ocean, but no, it's the great Hudson river. Join me, why don't you?

The Flat Iron Building was completed in 1902 and is seated on a triangular island formed by 5th Avenue, Broadway and East 22nd Street in Manhattan, New York. From looking at it, it must have been a very spectacular structure more than a century ago - impressive, wow! It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989.

(10) PA: 5th Avenue and the Rockefellers: what a combination!

It's been a while since my last post. For those of you who don't know, I've been spending much of my time on my first attempt at writing a book. As much as I've been enjoying it, it is also hard work, and I've also missed writing my blog. So today I'm taking some time out to have fun. Anyone reading my blog for the first time - I've recently had the most amazing visit to the Big Apple and I've been doing some 'show 'n tell'. Please feel free to read up on previous blog posts at your leisure. As for the rest of you, I hope you've enjoyed your breather, because we've not even gotten to Lady Liberty yet. Let it give you something to look forward to, yes?

Stop! You are about to enter (one of the) hoity-toity shopping strips of New York City - 5th Avenue. At this juncture you might want to reconsider who is in possession of the wallet with credit cards and cash or you may just be heading one way - straight towardsbroke.Don't say you haven't been warned... haha

(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.

(2) Road trip to Pennsylvania - A-N-D we're still going...

OK... So we're still cruising along. We haven't had breakfast yet and the coffee is finished, but we're still smooth sailing on adrenaline! It's not hot and we've not needed to turn the airconditioning on, and at this point (I'm happy to report) I'm still best buds with the passenger seat - lucky for Garett (*wink*). So let's get back to 'show 'n tell', shall we?

I just threw this one in because I loved the silhouette of the truck on the bridge. Cool! isn't it?

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Obviously we did not pass through here during rush hour...

Kansas City from a distance. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of familiarity from some photographs I've seen of Johannesburg's skyline.

Some more Kansas City. Driving through here I got a sense that I might feel right at home.

Kansas City in hindsight. Doesn't that just remind you of driving into Johannesburg or Cape Town?

Just to show you a little what the roads look like. (This is just outside of Kansas City of course.)

A little bit more on what the roads look like. This is called an interstate highway. The speed limits on most of them were typically between 60 and 70mph (97 - 113km/hr). With the GPS on the dash Garett made sure we stuck to the limits. He watched me like a hawk.

Uh oh! You know what this means...

...Roadworks! We had quite a bit of this along the way but seldom was it cause for standstill traffic. We were backed up a few times on the way there but maybe only once on the way back. Typically in these zones the speed limit is 55mph (88km/hr) but - as usual - you have those who either can't read or think they're invincible. Who knows what I'm talking about?

R-i-g-h-t! Columbus is a city in the next state: Missouri. They also have 'Toys R us' - a little something familiar... again :)

(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*)