Countdown to Departure: Week 46

We picked these up at Barnes and Nobles, but I'm sure you can find them where most books are sold.

This week Sarah and I have added a couple of books to our traveling arsenal for when we put wheels to the road, National Geographic's Guide to State Parks of the United States and Canadian Province Parks and Guide to Scenic Highways & Byways. When we're out on the road we intend on seeing all we can. Scenic routes intrigue the both of us. Seeing the country side and scenic America is something that is important to us, and I think National Geographic are just the folks to help us do that.

Guide to State Parks of the United States and Canadian Province Parks is a great addition to our travel library. One reason being that it includes Canadian parks which will be very helpful once we cross the border. Canada has a beautiful landscape, and I have some great friends that live there that I'm really looking forward to seeing. They'll be joining us on some of our experiences while visiting.

Scenic Highways & Byways features 275 of the best drives in the U.S. that offer amazing views and some great americana experiences. I really want to get to know the country in which I was lucky enough to be born. I can't wait to see the places in person that I've always been mesmerized by in photos and on tv. The Statue of Liberty, the Seattle Space Needle, and Mount Rushmore are just some of the places that I want to visit while on the road.

If you're looking for some great material for when your out on the road, than I highly recommend these two titles. You can follow National Geographic on twitter by clicking here, and on Instagram by clicking here. Hope you'll check these books out at some point and maybe add them to your travel gear.

The Wild Wild West!

One thing that I'm most looking forward to when Sarah and I finally put wheels to the road is visiting the Western United States. I'm a bit of a movie buff and collector, and one of my favorite genres is Westerns. Tombstone, Wyatt Earp, True Grit (both versions), Open Range, and 3:10 to Yuma are just some of my favorites. When Sarah and I get out West we will be visiting places like Tombstone, AZ, Dodge City, Kansas, and all those places made famous by gunslingers - good or bad. I can't wait to see where the gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place, or Deadwood, South Dakota where Wild Bill Hickok was murdered by being shot in the back. The way of life during the Wild West always has intrigued me, especially the honor and courage of the lawmen who tried to keep everything from crossing the line into chaos.

The history of the Wild West is not the only thing I'm excited about. I am eager to see all the wildlife in the West. I love animals. Ugly or beautiful, dangerous or safe, it doesn't make a difference to me. I can't wait to see a tarantula out in the wild and not in an aquarium, or a gila monster walking across the hot sand. Scorpions will be very cool to see up close and without a sheet of glass between us. I find snakes to be beautiful and intriguing. They almost have a mythical god like appearance to them. It is almost like they are just as intelligent as we are.

I love reptiles so much that I own one. I have a Bearded Dragon named Jerry. He is one of the most peaceful creatures that I've ever been around and has an amazing personality. I love how he lifts his head and looks at me every time I speak to him or say his name.

This is my Bearded Dragon Jerry just hanging out on his piece of drift wood that I found for him.

Just Jerry having lunch.

Got to hold this beauty when a reptile show was held where I work. Just look at those amazing colors!

After being very afraid of spiders for most my life, I got to meet this gentle and not very heavy gal. She was pretty amazing.

The Western United States is so beautiful and full of amazing landscape and wildlife. I'm sure that Sarah and I will be spending several months out West so that we can see everything that it has to offer. I can't wait to boondock (camping without hookups) way out in the middle of the desert and look up at the beautiful night sky while listening to nature and the peaceful silence. There won't be any sirens or sound systems, just me, Sarah and nature.

What region of the world or place are you looking forward to visiting one day that you haven't yet. Please let us know. Leave a comment below and share with us. We love to hear from people like us that just want to experience life!

Hidden within Detroit

Three weeks ago, Sarah and I took a road trip to Detroit, MI. We stayed in historic Greektown at the Greektown Casino and Hotel. Greektown is beautiful with great places to eat and is located right in the heart of downtown. Now, we all know that Detroit is known for crime, being broke, and abandoned buildings, but I would like to set the record straight. There is a lot about Detroit that is beautiful and very unique. Let me start with the architecture of the buildings downtown. The period in which they were erected shows through beautifully. You can see the proof that Detroit was once an empire. Walking downtown you can be in a modern part and the next second you feel as if you are in Gotham City where Batman is about to swing above you overhead. You can also see that there is life in the city. There are many restaurants and coffee shops that confirm that business is still alive in the city.

An amazing pic of Detroit from Belle Isle.

Another beautiful pic by Sarah of downtown Detroit from Belle Isle.

This is a pic of our view from our hotel room taken by Sarah.

We also were able to spend time with our good friend Matt who lives in an area of Detroit called Hamtramck. Hamtramck is 2 square miles and has its own local government including a Mayor. Hamtramck is a little hidden jewel within Detroit, filled with unique shops, restaurants, and many, many bars.

Rock City Eatery should be the most popular restaurant in Detroit. It has unique recipes that pack a huge taste for an affordable price. You can order their Swiss Chard or a plate of their locally famous BBQ Pork Mac+Cheese in a Parmesan bowl with an order of their duck fat fries. They are also known for their amazing pies and recently won the title of "Michigan's Best Pie" from MLive. And trust me, I've had their pecan and cherry pie and they were amazing!

This is the 1/2 LB RCE Burger with Duck Fat Fries that I had when we ate there.

Another hidden jewel within the hidden jewel is a little cozy hole-in-the-wall bar called PaintedLady Lounge. It has great service with a great atmosphere and a large age group demographic. When I was there I saw patrons in their twenties all the way into their fifties and sixties. There were hipsters, preppies, and goth people all hanging out with their friends having drinks, smoking their cigarettes, and having a good time. PaintedLady has a lot of character and a rich history. Oh, and if you ever do go there, make sure you order the Liquid Valium. Trust me, you'll be glad you did.

We also visited a little vintage shop called Tekla Vintage where we purchased a very cool vintage suitcase from 1955 and a 1960's gold women's purse. It should also be noted that the shop is owned and operated by Hamtramck's own Madam Mayor Karen Majewski.

I also want to mention that Hamtramck is home of one of the only remaining Negro National League baseball fields. It sat forgotten for years except for by graffiti artists until 2012 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you do visit Detroit you should make time to visit Hamtramck and experience the uniqueness of this great little town. I had a absolute wonderful time, and was delightfully set straight on the stereotypes of Detroit.