Flowing With the Go

We were so antsy to get on the road that we decided to get a head-start Thursday night, 9:30pm. As soon as we hit the interstate, we were suddenly in the middle of a way-too-long traffic jam, thanks to miles of road construction. Determined to make it to at least Kansas City before the end of the night, we continued to crawl along. Before much longer, we realized that all of the food we purchased at Sam’s Club in preparation for camping was still in the cupboards at home…bummer. No big deal, we’ll just be eating granola bars, peanut butter, almonds and cranberries for months to come.

By the time we made it to Erik and Stacey’s in Kansas City, we were exhausted and ready to soak up the last night of sleeping on a big comfortable bed for several days. Morning came much too quickly, but I made sure to wash my hair twice, just in case it was the last time to be washed for several days. We started packing up our stuff, anxious to get on the road, when Kyle came to a halt. We forgot the tent. At home. In Omaha. Three hours away. We couldn’t help but shake our heads and chuckle. I grabbed the computer to search for any last minute travel package deals. After all, we were already in Kansas City, we could just hop on a plane and fly somewhere…anywhere…if it was cheap. A four day cruise to the Bahamas, only $129 per person?! Oh. Passports. At home. So…plan C…call Sam, whom we were planning on visiting towards the end of the trip anyway. Success! A new plan!

Corn nuts in one side door, sunflower seeds in the other, hot tamales between us, and a SoBe Vitamin Water in Kyle’s hands, we were set for hours. About seven hours, actually. We stopped for gas, and hadn’t been driving for long after when Kyle’s ears turned bright red, and a splotchiness slowly crept up his neck, and scattered on his face. Hives. He quickly pulled off the road, I jumped in the drivers seat and fed him some Benadryl that I just happened to have in my bag. A few minutes later and he zonked out, the hives still spreading down his arms. I focused on the road, keeping an eye on him, and four hours later they started to disappear. The sunset cast an orange glow on everything around, and soon, all I could see was the shadows of the large trees lining the road fly by.

We arrived safe and sound and hive-less in Chattanooga, excited to see Sam, meet his crazy-fun friends, and crash on yet again, a big comfortable bed.

10 days to the coast

We’ve got 10 days to get to Savannah Georgia, numerous stops and limited access to the Internet.

However, we’ll do our best to give some updates on our trip along the way and with any luck upload a couple videos, though we can’t say that with much certainty. We will be making videos regardless and we’ll share them afterward.

Our route takes us straight south out of Omaha to southern Missouri near the Ouchita Mountains, then we are heading directly east through several state parks on our way to visit our friend Sam in Chatanooga, TN. Sam will take care of us for a day or two before we make our way to the coast. Once we’ve hit the coast, we are turning around and driving straight to St. Louis in one long trip and then back up to Omaha. We expect to have a lot of fun, camp a lot, and with any luck, make some new friends along the way and hear their stories.

This is a huge trip, but in essence, it is a practice run for some much bigger plans in the future. We’ve got all kinds of plans, some will work, some won’t – regardless, we’re going to be having a lot of fun, and that is our first priority. Anything else that comes out of it, is a bonus!

We’re still here!

We’ve taken a week to transition back to the idea of normal life and we are still having trouble getting used to it. After learning we weren’t selected to move to Orlando, we actually had a bit of a withdrawal period. We were so close and we felt like we just barely missed it!

We move on though, and we are indeed very happy and proud of our friends Kyle and Stacey and they will certainly have a most amazing time living the dream in Orlando! Check in with them as much as possible and see what crazy adventures they are up to. You might just find yourself thinking that your next vacation should include something unexpected… it’ll be fun to see what they discover!

But this blog is no longer about adventures in Orlando. Well, at some point it may include some adventures that occur in or around Orlando, but from here on out, this blog is about our adventures across America… and maybe, adventures across the world! Allow me to explain -

As I said, we’ve had trouble adjusting to the idea of doing… well normal things. Trina and I are too young to not take some chances and make opportunities happen where someone else may only see a risk not worth taking. We have too much energy to just sit, and we certainly have too many great ideas to let them only formulate as words. We want to pursue a passion, and do something tangible with all this earth that exists beneath our feet.

So the first thing we did upon our return to Omaha was try out for roles in a feature film being shot right next door in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The movie is called Lucky and we don’t know who has been cast in the lead roles just yet, but we’ve been told they are somebodies. The parts we’ve tried out for are small, only a couple days of filming, but we’d get paid SAG day rates and get acting credits at the end! Pretty sweet deal if we are cast!

If we do get the parts, it’ll be more for fun than anything, as well as experience to help us on our next endeavor.

Which for now, all I have to say is this map of our tentative trip is indeed ridiculous, which is the entire point!

More information to come as we work to get the attention and interest we are looking for. You could help if you have contacts at Discovery Channel, the Travel Channel, an outdoor gear company, a car manufacturer, Canon U.S.A. or any other company who may be after some product placement relevant to road tripping.

We will continue to divulge as we develop the plan!

P.S. Again, thank you so very, very much for all of your support and encouragement!

Continued Reflection…

Our final dinner at Ceviche was spent enjoying amazing food and reflecting on time spent with amazing people. I had the opportunity to meet a couple new faces, and was able to enjoy an excellent conversation with Shanon Larimer, the director of Orlando’s Downtown Arts District.

Certainly not the most important thing about Shanon, but one of the best, is he smiles exactly like Jim Carrey. With a smile that makes you smile, I learned this man’s passion in life is to learn what other people are passionate about. Think about that for a moment… what if instead of making the typical small talk, “what do you do for a living?”, we would ask “What is your passion?” … I bet we’d relate to each other a lot differently.

Shanon said the title of “Director” makes his job sound more impressive than reality. He explained how he helps artists find ways to market themselves and their art to make it possible for them make a living by following their passion.

What that says to me is that his job title isn’t impressive enough! What is the thing that you are truly passionate about? That one thing you were really good at in high school, or that hobby that you work on during your time off. Was there any point in your life where you had to make a choice between making a living and following your dreams? What if you were connected with people who made it possible for you to not have to make that choice? Orlando has that, and it is because of Shanon and people like him, who care about passion and love to see dreams fulfilled.

Orlando already proved it is in the business of progressive marketing by supporting a little social media campaign called 67 Days of Smiles which has been called the top social media job of the year by applicant.com. Additionally, Orlando is on the cutting edge culturally, not because it is unique by supporting the arts, but because of people like Shanon. His effort to share people’s passion is just one of thousands of reasons Orlando will continue to be one of the greatest cities in America.

From Desktop

Check out the Downtown Arts District if you’d like to see some of Orlando’s amazing talent next time you go. Be prepared to set aside at least a full day to enjoy all of what downtown Orlando has to offer. Hopefully, we’ll find out in the next couple of days if we’ll be the couple spending 67 days discovering, enjoying, and sharing our best experiences in this passionate city.

OrlandoSlice.com — A Juicy Twist to Orlando’s Arts and Culture Scene

An Influential City…

This is a quick story from my younger brother when his high school marching band was part of the parade at Magic Kingdom. We thought you would enjoy reading this, and thanks for sharing, Micah!

“I had an awesome experience earlier this year when my high school band took a trip to Florida with the main purpose of marching in Disney’s parade of lights at the Magic Kingdom. During the course of the trip we went to many theme parks, had dinner at Medieval Times, and even went to the beach, but the Magic Kingdom parade memory will stay with me for the remainder of my life. Dressed sharply in the blue of the Millard North Mustangs, we waited in anticipation as floats filled with Disney Magic filed past us into the night. Even though we were hidden backstage, the electricity filled the humid night air. Finally it was our turn to march.

The groovy beat of the Children of Sanchez began as the horn section pierced the air. Disney employees were the first to welcome us into the parade…dancing as no one has ever danced to a marching band. Bright flashes came from every angle as the crowd snapped photos. There was more dancing, and the crowd roared each time we finished a song.

I was trying my best to soak in the magical experience, while at the same time not forgetting that I was the one marching. We turned the corner onto the main street of the Disney parade route and there was Cinderella’s Castle, lit up like an emerald in sunlight. I had seen it all day long as we spent time at the park but this was an entirely different experience. Here was the icon of my youth, of my generation, of America…And I was at the center of it. It was one of those experiences where I felt as if there should be frame around it, so I could hang it up on my wall. It was as if I experienced the whole thing from a third person angle. It was a magical moment in time.”

As we continue to wait for the final word on our possible trip to Orlando, it’s been amazing to keep talking with people who have stories to share. It’s incredible how this one city has influenced generations, and will continue to do so as it grows and changes.  Let us know if you have a story about Orlando that you would like to share with us. We would love to hear it!

After Effects of 67 Hours in Orlando

Traveling is always incredible, but sometimes it’s not always about relaxing. It’s about getting out of a rut, enjoying a change of pace, and opening your eyes to the world around you.

Orlando did just that for Trina and I. The only question is this: Did it stick too much? …Check out this video to see what I mean.

Weekly Wrap Up

This a proof of concept for an idea we have called the “Weekly Wrap Up” if we were to win 67 Days of Smiles. The idea is to make a similar montage of each week’s events using this stop motion style, or a music video montage to a song from a lesser known band who wants to share their music with the world. It will allow the band, as well as their fans, to get involved in the process while receiving an opportunity to promote their music.

An additional way to get the people that we meet involved, is to invite them to “dance” with us, showcasing various attractions we visit. We would splice those bits together with random video of us jamming out inside the car, participating in events, and other such activities. The real deal will include more photos per frame, to help create a deliberate, fluid feel to the stop motion style. This is just another way to help raise maximum awareness and interest in the promotion.

Of course, this will be in addition to other videos we produce throughout the week, along with pictures and daily write-ups in our blog. What do you think?

A semi-Final-ist Word About Orlando

I momentarily startled myself when I caught my reflection in the mirror at Finnhenry’s downtown. My hair was completely matted, and there was no hope of even beginning to untangle it. For a split second, I felt a twinge of embarrassment, that I hadn’t realized how much of a mess I was, but that feeling quickly dissipated as I reflected upon the reason why.

We’d stopped into Finnhenry’s hoping to quench our thirst, enticed by the sign outside that read in chalk, “Come get happy!” We figured we’d get along great, as we were already happy, simply thirsty. Kyle and I had just spent an indefinite amount of time at the Orange County Regional History Center, engaged in learning about some of Florida’s history, so much so that we lost track of time. The wealth of information at the History Center is astounding. We couldn’t help but wonder what it would look like in another fifty years.

We were able to walk around downtown Orlando a bit and capture a few pictures, but we could have spent an entire day there, and according to the friendly bartender at Finnhenry’s, the entire night as well. She told us how they close down the street on a weekly basis for a block party right around the corner, and we learned later in the evening that Orange Street totally comes alive at night. We’d love to experience the nightlife in downtown Orlando, it seems to have a bit of an unspoken enchantment of its own.

I tugged on a few strands of hair, attempting to run my fingers through any portion at all, trying to find even a loose knot to untangle. I sheepishly admitted that I indeed made a mistake in forgetting to bring my trusty wide-tooth comb, or any comb at all. I did receive a little pocket brush from SkyVenture, but I hadn’t given much effort in pulling it through the mess. I had no other option than to leave my hair down during hang gliding at Wallaby Ranch Monday morning. I simply needed the wind to flow through my locks. When we went indoor sky diving, I pulled it back into a loose ponytail, to ensure that I could see what I was experiencing as best as possible, but immediately shook it out afterward.

One of the most freeing sensations of my life was when I was motioned to step towards the tunnel, arms in “hands-up” position, body relaxed, chin up, legs strong and back flexible…and simply lean into a forward-facing trust-fall. A trust-fall that resulted in not a fall at all, but instant ascension. I was taken aback at how intense the wind was, but how strong I felt pushing back against it. I was in a moment of pure joy, floating in the air, absolutely unaffected by the ground, free to exist without touching anything at all. There was, for those few moments, nothing dragging me down, nothing holding me back, nothing stopping me from being entirely free. The instructor motioned signals to me, helping me perfect my pose, and then, without warning, he grabbed my left arm and leg, and before I knew what was happening, we were spinning, rising, faster and faster, all the way into the top of the tunnel, back down, and up again, even higher this time. I completely trusted him and the air. It’s a powerful thing to be aware of air.

When I exited the wind tunnel, my body almost collapsed, as if it had forgotten the force of gravity. All I could do was shake, gasp, and laugh. The smile couldn’t be torn off my face all day. I felt as if I’d found my soul’s calling. I was made to fly. And I was also made to dance, which we were able to do for a couple minutes after lunch at Taverna Opa, a traditional Greek restaurant with indescribably delicious hummus that we mashed ourselves right at the table. I concluded that it is perfect for one with a traveler’s palate, and exceptional for one who enjoys different cultural experiences. We ended the meal with napkin throwing and around-the-table dancing. I hear that in the evening, a belly dancer even makes an appearance!

Back in front of Finnhenry’s window, I gave up trying to untangle my hair, and instead, loosely pulled it back, securing it with the black rubber band that often accompanies my wrist. I hoped that I didn’t appear too rough, as I was about to meet some important City Officials and dignitaries. After all, my hair had been through a lot that day. The free fall from the Tower of Terror left its evidence of causing the strands to literally stand on end, and the Rock’N Roller Coaster had given me a look that slightly resembled what I imagine a rock star’s to be. I preferred to think of it as simply wind blown. Even so, I flashed my reflection a self-encouraging grin and made my way to The Plaza Cinema Cafe with Kyle.

We were led to the top floor, where we were immediately impressed with what met our eyes. A beautiful spread of hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and a breathtaking view of the city. After witnessing a refreshing late afternoon shower, we mingled, conversing with each other and the dignitaries who helped put this all together. It was incredibly encouraging to meet City Officials who genuinely care about where the city is currently going, what direction they’d like to take it, and looking for creative, effective and progressive ways to carry that out.

We were given a balcony tour of the city beneath us, noting unique roof-top bars, restaurants, and special spots to explore, such as Eola Lake and the surrounding establishments. The Star Tower Condominiums are where the couple chosen to be Orlando’s ambassadors for 67 Days of Smiles will live. Gorgeous. It even has a rooftop pool and fitness facility!

We ended the night with more captivating chats at Ceviche. Kyle was particularly inspired by his conversation with Shanon Larimer from Orlando Slice, the Executive Director for the Downtown Arts District. He was impressed by Shanon’s passion for the cultural venues, the city, the artists, and that he is able to use his position in a way to encourage and advance the arts. Yet again, someone in the city, working with the city, who cares about Orlando’s future.

I rested my head on Kyle’s shoulder after boarding the bus, heading back to spend our last night at All Star Vacation Homes, barely able to keep my eyes open after a wonderfully fast-paced, jam-packed, inspirational couple of days. I made one final attempt to run my fingers through my hair, but I stopped, realizing that the tangles didn’t actually bother me. In fact, I embraced them, because I knew it meant that the Orlando wind had blown, the passion had set in, and that I had been inspired to continue adventuring, exploring, and talking with people who long to make a difference, whether it be in their world, their city, or their lives.

I wish there was a way to show my appreciation for the Orlando CVB Staff, the City Officials, and the other finalists for such an amazing experience and life-long impressions, but for now, all I can say is Thank You.

Public Displays of Confabulation

The word of the day -

• Confabulation – To talk casually; chat.

It’s the end of our last full day as a group in Orlando, and we could hardly believe it when we began talking about tomorrow’s schedule- all that is planned is a final interview and a ride to the airport. The trip has passed all too quickly, yet this morning seems like a distant memory. But we’re not finished, don’t you worry! We’ll continue to write and update our blog with follow-up stories, videos, and pictures from Orlando. Furthermore, this will be the home of whatever adventures we embark upon in the near or distant future.

For tonight, we want to share a very brief overview of the days activities.

-First and foremost, if you are in need of a quick, healthy, and delicious breakfast in Orlando, check out FirstWatch. FirstWatch provides a clean, open and refreshing atmosphere, excellent coffee, and superior service. It is truly a “breakfast place for breakfast people”.

-Second on the list: Disney. To be exact: Hollywood Studios. From what I understand, it is impossible to completely experience the Magic in four days, let alone a fast four hours, but we were determined to take advantage of the opportunity to try. Now that we’ve had a taste of the thrill and imagination, we’re already craving more. We encountered three of Orlando’s best rides: Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, and Rock’N Roller Coaster. We enjoyed chatting with fellow travelers while waiting in line, listening to their experiences and favorites, and sharing the energy of Disney. One such traveler was a man from Guatemala with his three sons. Although soft-spoken at first, they were intrigued by our potential 67 Days of Smiles mission, and despite frequenting the area, were curious about what could be done in Orlando besides theme parks. To start, I told them about our previous day of indoor skydiving at SkyVenture. The youngest of the group began to shine as his excitement built, hoping to make that adventure on their next trip to Orlando!

A look of terror From the Tower of Terror

-Downtown Orlando. Although Disney does indeed possess something magical, there is so much more to experience in Orlando than adrenaline, themes and shows. Orlando has a rich history, a developing culture, and an active night life. We spent an incredible amount of time at the Orange County Regional History Center, captivated by the stories of this city. We also had a nice chat with the bartender at Finnhenry’s, a welcoming and charming place, which seems to cater to a diverse crowd. We absolutely cannot wait to discover the Orlando that is off the tourist-beaten path.

-The highlight of the day was definitely the VIP Reception held for us at The Plaza with some of the Local Officials and Orlando CVB Staff. Complete with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a balcony, we couldn’t help but be astounded with how finely we were treated. We hope to continue the conversations started with those who have helped put 67 Days of Smiles together.

-We finished the night with dinner at Ceviche, a unique Spanish restaurant, complete with music that makes you want to dance flamenco. The tapas we shared were incredible, as well as the time spent conversing, continuing to get to know each other.

As my eyes begin to cross and my head repeatedly falls to my chest, I know that this must come to a close for tonight. However, be assured that come tomorrow, more thoughts and remarkable moments will be shared.

Check out more photos in our 67 Hours Album

*Insert Pirate Joke Here*

Tonight at the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure we were in the Orrrrange section, for one cut-throat family friendly show that included a hidden shout-out to our group. They worked in a bit where one Pirate annoyed the captain while twittering… which I think we all twittered about at that moment. I have a feeling we can thank the Orlando CVB for that little addition!

The most impressive aspect of the show was how involved the crowd actually was – especially the purple section next to us which was literally full of teenage girls. If you wanted a special treat for your teenage daughter in Orlando, it looks like this was the show!

Each color section had a specific pirate they were supporting throughout, and the purple section was hands down the most supportive, but they also did seem to have the most athletic pirate I’ve ever seen! His acrobatics were aerobatic, and always left us with our jaws on the floor. Don’t get me wrong, I loved our orange pirate, Andre, but he was only good at being enormously huge… granted, he did have that skill down to a science.

What a phenomenal day, with so many great experiences packed into it. Tomorrow promises to only get better with an early morning to talk with the local Fox syndicate at Sea World, then Trina and I are being sent to Disney World for a few hours of the day! I’ve never been and we are going to focus specifically on Hollywood Studios – expect plenty of tweets throughout the day, and we’ll try and slip in a blog if we can access the internet at the park before we leave, or later in the afternoon when we spend some time in Orlando’s downtown.

More to come on that… for now, I am once again reminded of the cutest Disney commercial I’ve ever seen… and Trina and I made our own quick rendition, coming nowhere near as close to this little guy’s cuteness.