Our semi-surprise trip to visit HT’s family has been full of unexpected developments. Two really big ones were the huge storm that swept through the East Coast crippling all forms of transportation and the reappearance of Zombie Frank! More about his triumphant return later.

You can imagine that both events filled us with glee but when it was time to leave HT’s bags got unpacked once our flights were canceled and the earliest return trip to Boston was five days away.  FIVE days!!  That is right, even going to the airport in person didn’t change that unless she wanted to sit in the airport on standby for three days she had to accept we were staying until next Sunday.

I was happy, her family was happy, even the airline counterman was happy but HT had to be convinced since she was worried about work.  After talking to her boss she was happy too.

So today to celebrate we walked down Historic Elm street in Greensboro, North Carolina, took more pictures and got threatened by hoarders in a trash store because of her picture taking.  I swear you can’t take her anywhere.

Whether you’re in the snow or not enjoy your last few days in 2010 and we’ll see you in 2011.

We arrived back in Boston earlier today but it was while on our direct flight, between the snacks and a Blue Moon that my Human (HT) realized that Zombie Frank was not with the rest of the motley crew. At first she wasn’t concerned, this could have been due to the Blue Moon or her haphazard packing the night before and she just assumed he’d turn up.

I am not too concerned myself after all he is a zombie finger puppet- it isn’t like he can die. On this trip along with 1up, Mr. Big, Anti (my ant stunt double) and Zombie Frank, HT brought along Star yet another Mario Brothers creature. They all got a picture or two but it was Zombie Frank’s time to shine; he got special treatment in Saint Augustine in front of some old fort, meeting and conversing with a ten month old baby as well as hanging out at the Asian gardens in the Jacksonville Zoo.

One-  Still lounging by the koi pond at the Jacksonville Zoo

Two-  Rolling around on the floor of a jetBlue plane

Three-  The new best friend of a gorilla

Four-  Eating that last piece of addictive cake back in Jacksonville

Five-  Hitching a ride back to the yummiest ice cream place on St. George’s street in St. Augustine

Six-  Inside Mr. Big… he sometimes gets a hankering for zombie meat

Seven-  Mistakenly thrown in the trash

Eight-  Left in the airport

Nine-  Dropped into a toilet and now surfing through underwater streams

Ten-  Kidnapped by aliens who are now going to teach him how to take out the evil Dr. Rush on Stargate Universe (Okay the last one can’t count since Dr. Rush could clearly take out all the aliens and Zombie Frank with just a glare from his piercing eyes)

Really Ten but technically Eleven-  A new chew toy for a rather adorable Chihuahua

Photo Credit: Jim Shank via Flickr

No sad attempts at poetry this week HT & I are too busy gearing up for our K-Town trip via the Fung Wah bus.

You know you’re jealous.  Exploring a small corner in New York City for the day, shopping and eating.  That is if we survive the bus ride.

While we’re out eating live octopus and playing the ultimate tourist you can catch up on some of  our adventures this year.  Salem Willows, and our Texas vacation are the most recent from Explore 2010.

“I think Fung Wah may be inspiration for some more badly written poetry.”

What would you like us to bring you back?

Recently we went to the family friendly park in Salem, Mass and I became so intrigued about its past that I made Human Translator look it up. In 1801, decades before it would become a park white willow trees were planted to cheer up the patients being treated at the old smallpox hospital. Later, its grounds were filled with restaurants, rides and jazz concerts. The first ice cream cone was offered there in 1901. Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong all performed in the Charleshurst Ballroom. Now that you have an idea of what Salem Willows was like in its heyday explore it through my eyes.

“Really Eliza? I don’t think they’ll ask you about the carousel ride since you didn’t make the height requirement. He he he!”

Really HT, you want to go down this road? It’s a short one. Ha ha ha! Enough! We can trade insults later.

Salem Willows is for Family

Parents, couples, young and old flock like a bunch of seagulls to the seaside park.

“Flock like a bunch of seagulls. I think I just threw up in my mouth.”

Swallow it and keep writing.

Mature couples on a date and people enjoying their lunch break. With swimming, plenty of benches and an arcade, families of any size can find plenty to do on a summer afternoon.

Salem Willows is for Fishing

There is a pier at the park which while we were there had plenty to see and do. A private party boat was loading their musicians and beverages both of which my human seemed particularly curious about. But I had bigger fish to fry, mainly the one in the pictures below.

Some called it a striper others a bass but whatever it was kept me and at least the fifteen people watching it get caught entertained. The fisherman and an assistant ended up dragging to the rocky shore since it was too heavy to be hoisted on its hook. Regardless, everyone but the fish was satisfied with the catch.

Salem Willows is for Food

After working up an appetite watching people fish we decided to hit the row of carnival like food counters. We got to choose from ice cream, hot dogs, ice cream, popcorn, ice cream, and Chinese food. Yes, you can get ice cream at almost every counter and there is a Chinese takeout place, complete with a Chicken Chop Suey sandwich for less than 2 dollars. This worm look-a-like sandwich, an ice coffee and small ice cream all came in for less than 5 dollars. That’s right… a bargain.

Our visit was cut short but in retrospect instead of disappointing us that we didn’t get to ride the carousel, it just whetted our appetites for more.

Written on the plane to Houston on 7/30/2010

The cab quickly took us to Logan and once we walked inside we were greeted with a list of delays… miraculously our flight was not one. But all other flights to and from Baltimore were delayed so hope was a fickle friend. We people watched, HT tried to superstitiously to take candid shots, and she shared her amazing tomato, basil, and fresh mozzarella sub with me.

This is the first time HT rode Southwest so standing in line by letter and number was a novelty for her. It wore off quick for me when they teased us by making us get in line and then telling us there was a delay. People grumbled, some huffed but HT skipped in glee to the nearest restroom after effects from downing a liter of water. Back in line we got a window sit and then we waited in line on the runway. All these delays are unavoidable when nature decides to grace major airports with thunderstorms and rain.

We made it to Baltimore about a half an hour late but still plenty of time for HT to use the bathroom, again, and Bebe to run around like a flustered chicken looking for some feed. Again this plane was delayed, indirectly due to the weather and the backups it caused.

Now on route to Houston our estimated time of arrival is 10:45 PM. Just in time for HT’s next potty break.

HT Update:

“We arrived in Houston a half an hour late and headed straight to Taco Cabana’s which was… yum!”

This day of travel: Still Thursday & Still Waiting

eL post trip update:

Our adventures on the plane ride there and back were varied.  That is another tale in itself.  I feel an opinion piece coming on human so go drink some coffee you’ll be typing tonight!

For more pictures head over to Flickr and browse the Texas 2010 tag.

Written while waiting at Logan Airport on 7/30/2010

We caught an early express to North Station this morning. People were a bit pushy, but that is the norm. The conductor was very amusing, and recognized Bebe (who is a regular).  He was stationed in San Antonio years ago and was excited to hear we were eventually headed there.

He didn’t talk to me, but if he noticed a large ant with lip stain on her face on HT’s hat he gave no sign. Bebe and HT were trying not to giggle when they overheard one young professional asking a lady if she had ever seen Firefly. They were not laughing because of the show- that was the best ever- but because the girl had no clue and later I had to wonder if that was him making conversation or a pickup line. Either way I wish we had packed Serenityinstead of New in Town. Yes, I’m shuddering.

HT wasn’t walking for very long before she started to whine. Her bag was heavy and her shoes hurt. If she didn’t insist on bringing two cameras, an external flash and a laptop then maybe she would’ve been traveling light. And if she wore shoes other than flip flops that were too big for her than her feet wouldn’t already be blistering. Pansy.

Around 2:00 we took a cab to the airport since Bebe couldn’t be bothered walking to the Orange line, taking the Blue line and a quick charter to the airport. Instead, we hung out at the office until closer to take off time.

HT’s thoughts:

“Getting to Logan was a breeze.  The cab was quick, easy and cheaper than I expected.  Finding out all the flights to Baltimore, were our connecting flight was, except ours was nerve wracking.  Not knowing until the moment we lined up by seat number that our plane would be late too was torture.  But Eliza Leigh talks all about it in our next Texas 2010 post so I won’t bore you with the details.”

This day of travel in one word: Waiting

For more pictures head over to Flickr and browse the Texas 2010 tag.

Human Translator and Bebe were infected with the travel bug and are headed to Texas for a long weekend. After much persuasion, i.e. nagging, she agreed to bring the motley crew along. Naturally, I too am going, HT’s wearing her lovely wide brim hat that totally clashes with her outfit just for me so I can enjoy the trains, cabs, and planes with an unobstructed view.

The motley crew consists of Mr. Big, my stunt double Anti, Zombie Frank, and 1 Up. Don’t be surprised to see pictures of them throughout their trip.

The crew

Mr. Big. Often overlooked for his 1 Up cousin, Mr. Big is serious about kicking Koopa shell even if his contribution is always a bit painful.

Anti. Recently purchased from Deal Extreme, she is my stunt double. I am able to communicate with her the good old-fashioned way, through pheromones but this weekend trip is her trial period.

Zombie Frank. No ordinary finger puppet, Zombie Frank has literary leanings and a sensitive side. Just keep him well fed on bean sprouts and he won’t revert to his zombie instincts.

1 Up. He’s been traveling with HT for sometime but he’s happy to have his cousin visiting. Fearless and adventurous he typically ends up on ledges without a backup plan.

The gear

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10
Water damage has reduced this brilliant Point and Shoot to a glimmer of it’s former self but if you’re careful when zooming it still takes a nice shot.

Canon Xsi with 18-55mm lens
New camera’s are exciting but only if HT can remember all the settings.

The Locations

Expect to see the crew hit the lone star state. Their wish list?
Eating pizza,
Drinking wine,
Maybe sliding down a water slide.