Blogs from North America - page 8019

ok so i get to my hostel around 11:30pm, just in time. in time for what you ask? just in time to make it to a bar of course. so i check in, go to my room and open the door, i'm expecting a bunk bed. but of course that wasnt the case, there's 3 bunk beds in one small room and 5 guys w/ no shirts. i'm like no mames, they're all sleeping. so i pretty much just toss my stuff in there and walk to a bar near by, about a block away. i just walk set up shop at the bar and start convos w/ the bartenders. they were pretty cool, they actually served my last beer at 2:03am! shit that never happens in sd, their trying to kick you out at 1:30am!! ... read more

Welcome to TEAM ZOIC TravelBlog... After a stressful morning of making sure we had everything we need for this bicycle tour, after a long drive from P-Town, and after experiencing Seattle rush-hour traffic, we're finally here! Seattle, the point my friend Rene and I both chose to start our accumulation of miles (kilometers in Canada, of course) travelling on our aluminum steeds, our bicycles, to experience multi-day touring, "roughing it" and sometimes, "hostelling" it :) Since 2000, Rene and I have ridden countless miles together including the yearly classic, Seattle to Portland ride. This year, instead of riding the "double century" STP, we have decided to at least double the "double century"(400miles instead of 200). We have decided to ride to Vancouver B.C., and depending on the amount of time we have, we might even ... read more

On the morning of the day that he died, Fidel Castro woke up in a cold sweat. There had been dreams and nightmares before, but those, he knew, were only dreams and night mares. This morning his thoughts were filled with the encroaching American Economic Imperialism. He had dreamed of men in black suits and brief cases storming Havana's beaches Their faces, he noted with disdain, resembled the agents of The Matrix from a recent hollywood film he had watched. the American popculture machine had penetrated so deep into his psyche that even his dreams were filled with Hollywood actors. He got up, put on a housecout, and opened the French doors of his bedroom which opened onto a balcony. He sat down in his favorite armchair, looked to the small table to his right ... read more

We got to Three Hills, Alberta this afternoon. The other two couples are already here, and are very welcoming. They’ve been with RVICS for several years, so they’re able to answer our questions about RVICS, as well as questions about the motor home. We will be working at Prairie Bible Institute…a high school as well as a two year college. The college kids have gone home, and the high school will be dismissed the end of next week. (The elementary kids are still in school in Canada too!) The women will be working in the library, and the men will be building some props for the school. We don’t know for sure what that means, but will get more direction on Monday. We’re excited to be here, and to be beginning what we’ve waited soooo ... read more

First stop on the Redwoods tour was Albee Creek campground in Humboldt Redwoods state park….one of Shane’s favorite campgrounds of the whole trip. Perfect summer weather here in mid-June. We successfully tried a new camping experiment, grilling a pizza on our Weber grill (thanks Devon!)….a welcome treat after a long backpack (and apple pie for dessert!). The next day we did a long 14 mile hike up to the mountain ridge and down into the big Redwood Grove. Passed through lots of mountain meadows and more wildflowers along the way, interspersed with some really giant trees. The old growth grove was truly enchanting. We saw the biggest Redwood in the state (based on both height and volume) as well as the tallest tree. Sad that only 4% of the redwoods remain from the original forests. ... read more