MissDTravels

Ithaca Falls at twilight.  I am so fortunate to have friendships with other musicians that span generations, genres, gender, and the globe. They tend to fair well over time, I'm sure partially because they are founded on a deep mutual interest but also because I find these people so darn amusing and interesting (so I like to keep them around). Musicians (amateurs, students, and professionals alike) create my largest and most diverse network - I've got them practically everywhere  - and I like to think this is because musicians are fairly nomadic people. We tend to take gigs where we can get them, we enjoy travel, and we (well, at least me) don't settle easily. One of my oldest (not in age, but in length of time that I've known this punk) musician friends is conveniently located in Ithaca between my childhood home and my aunt's home north of Lake Seneca, so I planned a short stay at his place while heading to a family reunion this past weekend. Ithaca is a fa...

The morning after my wonderful "Farewell to Birmingham" dinner, I woke up bright and early to start the 14 hour drive from Alabama to Pennsylvania. When you're planning a long drive, make sure you pack some solid tunes to keep you alert. Along with a healthy dose of Maroon 5 courtesy of my iPhone, I would also like to give my good friend Phil a shout-out for his mix CD. I laughed, I cried, I got Rick-Rolled. Thank you, Phil! Also, make sure you plan stops along the way. They're good for stretching your legs, grabbing a bite to eat, or taking a rest - and even better when you get to spend them with people you care about. I planned an overnight stop at the 12 hour mark and want to give a huge "Thank You" to my long time college friend Catriona for hosting me and making a wonderful breakfast casserole and peppermint coffee the next morning. Thank you, Catriona! Fully caffeinated and satieted, I got back on the road to finish out the last two ho...

It's a good thing running and walking are my number one way to see the world because sampling local cuisine comes in at a very close second. So, to finish out my Best of Birmingham posts (at least for now... a mind altering post on Urban Renewal is sure to be in the works after my next visit), let's take a look at my favorite establishments for food and drink. (Also, I'm getting better at this whole blogging thing... so you'll begin finding links to the places I mention.) You're welcome. :) First, if you know me at all, you probably know that my most widely consumed food or drink is, by far, coffee. I love it. I can't get enough of it. And I metabolize it quickly so I can drink it all day long without getting crazy (crazier?). In Birmingham, it just so happens that my favorite cup of coffee can also be found at my favorite - EVER - brunch spot. Chez Lu Lu . Maybe it's just the Parisian decor, the mismatched tea cups, or the velvet cushioned ...

I'm a runner.  Actually, I suppose I'm really more of a jogger. BUT sometimes I do go fast (I swear) - so we'll say that I am actually a Rogger. Or a Junner. Either one.  Walking is also cool and I do that too, but I can't figure out a witty way to combine all three of those words, so.... I digress. In my opinion, Rogging/Junning serves two distinctly different purposes.  First and foremost, of course, is fitness.  Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly, is to get in touch with the world around me. Moving about at a 6 mile/hr. pace allows you to see practically everything and anything. And the best part is, when you see something really great, it doesn't take much effort to stop, ponder, and perhaps even take a picture. This is the biggest difference I see between driving and rogging/junning/walking - when you're in a car and you see something amazing (like that absolutely crazy billboard on I-10 or the picturesque windmill that cam...