Looking back

Originally posted on MySpace on March 25, 2008.

It’s been about a week since my amazing road trip came to a reluctant but necessary end. Since then, I’ve spent some time reminiscing the good times...and bad...spent during those 17 days putting miles on the odometer of my beloved groupie mobile. Some things I’ll never forget, while others, I’d LIKE to forget!

Best meal with a Food Network influence: Willie Bird’s Restaurant in Santa Rosa, CA. Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives sold me when he had their turkey dinner. As Rachel Ray would say, "Yummo!"

Coolest animal encounter: Playing with Solo, the 5-week-old cougar kitten at West Coast Game Park in Bandon, OR. It’s one of those moments that I’ll always remember and cherish forever.

Most humorous experience: Being mistaken for someone else not once but TWICE in the span of two weeks. Everyone supposedly has a twin somewhere in the world, but I seem to have two of them...or, the same person was scouting ahead of me!

Most inspirational moment: Meeting Augie Nieto at the Beach Bash for Augie’s Quest. By presenting a human face to ALS, he teaches us all that there is always hope, and to never give up. I, for one, am proud to be in his corner in this very real fight.

Greatest source of frustration: My auto GPS. It was great when it worked right, but it was aggravating when it didn’t. No, one cannot drive on a footpath or over a median to turn left. I never got truly lost, though, because it would ultimately ALWAYS point me in the right direction!

Biggest "what am I doing?" incident: Backing my Blazer into a wall at my San Luis Obispo hotel. I misjudged the distance and gouged my rear bumper a bit. It’s a good thing I wasn’t going very fast...and that I have a hard bumper!

Pissed off to the max moment: Checking into my hotel in Newport, OR, only to be told that all room internet service was out-of-order. And, MAYBE the wireless access MIGHT work in the hotel office area. MOST unacceptable! I got a refund and got a room at the adjacent hotel...with WORKING internet!

Best unexpected surprise filling my tank: Finding a gas station in the tiny town of Selma, OR with prices CHEAPER than the bigger town I just left. AND, the nice man working there cleaned my windshield, too. Note: you can’t pump your own gas in Oregon.

Nicest surprise at a hotel: Free chocolate chip cookies at the Best Western in Astoria, OR. And, we’re talking about the warm, fresh-baked, delectable kind!

Most disgusting place encountered on my road trip: Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo, CA. It sounded interesting when I heard about it, but in reality...it was gross. And, no, I didn’t leave my own contribution to its walls.

Tastiest repeat food destination: Neptune’s Net in Malibu, CA. Hot, fresh and oh, so delicious! Might I suggest the fried scallops and shrimp basket? There is good reason John eats there and included this local landmark in his song California Justice!

Most disappointing repeat food destination: Okay, maybe it was the particular location, but I sure wasn’t impressed by my burger from the Northridge, CA In N Out. I’ve had better at In N Out’s in Hesperia and Las Vegas. Sorry, John, but this In N Out was down and out for the count!

Craziest (and most humorous) road signs: The speed limit signs at the Borax Visitor’s Center in Boron, CA. When you’re used to seeing the standard signs, but then encounter 14, 23...and 37 1/2, you can’t help but laugh, and applaud the company’s ingenuity.

Most interesting museum visited: A tie between the Petersen Automotive Museum in L.A. and the National Automobile Museum in Reno, NV. I don’t know what it is about cars, but between the special exhibits on low riders at the former and the Great 1908 N.Y. to Paris Race at the latter, and the early automobiles, these museums captivated me. They just don’t make cars like they used to...form AND function brought together to create truly beautiful machines.

Coolest moment during the Warner Brothers Studio VIP Tour: Seeing the trailer of actor Danny Pino, who plays the character Scotty Valens on the TV series Cold Case...one of my fav shows! He was somewhere on the lot...maybe even INSIDE that trailer...but, I never saw him, unfortunately. He is HOT! (sorry, John! lol)

Nicest planned encounter: Meeting not one but TWO MySpace friends during my road trip. I attended the Beach Bash for Augie’s Quest with Johnny, and my first NHL hockey game with Lynne, And, they were both as wonderful in person as they are on MySpace, not to mention BIG Five For Fighting fans, too.

And, last but not least...most rewarding and memorable moment. Of course, it would have to be getting up close (and somewhat personal) with John Ondrasik at the Beach Bash. He was SO NICE, and just reaffirmed what I always knew...he truly IS one-of-a-kind. I...we...are SO fortunate to have been touched by his music and his ideals. His is one bandwagon I’ll certainly never get off of. And...that was one GREAT hug!