chillanta

gazz and me at p'cheen

hutch, keiran, daphne and me at p'cheen
me and sweet aiya in athens
need i say more?
hutch, emmett and megan having yummy b-fast
greetings from atlanta!

i didn't really get a chance to finish my last entry in orlando, and now it's sunday and i've made it up to the atl... still my life is a whirlwind and i'm happy to have found a chill in the air as i've arrived to more northern climes! i had a great drive up here, driving fast with all the windows down and the music jammin'... a great jump start for this road trip! i got in here late last night to hutch and megan's spot with a lovely fire in the back yard. we went to athens today to catch up with an old friend from s.f. and made it back into town pretty late. earlier in the day i wrote on my facebook profile that i'd be at a friend's bar - p'cheen here in atl tonight...not realizing the time of driving and the true commitment that it would involve.  once again, i over committed myself- but with hutch's help i made it out to the bar and got to see some dear friends!! the cherry blossoms are stunning here, i'm excited to be driving north and having the privilege of beating the spring blossoms as i go northward! the only difficult aspect is my allergies, i was quite ill in orlando from the oak pollen, and really have that to look forward to on mv in a month or so! perhaps my body will have gotten over the initial shock and by the time it hits the vineyard i'll have an immunity built up?? one can only wish! these entries from n. america may not be as exciting as the polar adventures, but i believe that every place holds it's own mysteries to be explored and shared!! so, here we go!! sending lots of fun from this lovely road trip, take care and i hope you're all having a BEAUTIFULL spring day!  karengrace*

st. pat's in o-do

jaxson at the water park
sunset shuttle launch!!!
silly anna!
sweet christian!
SASSY!
betty, leslie (godparents) and me- st.pat's day
greetings from my folks back porch in orlando!

i wrote my 1st blog here on oct. 26th last year, and this completes my full circle.  my mom suggested that i begin-again from the starting point, and that makes perfect sense to me! i will maintain the name and premise of the blog, because it's from the 'ice and beyond'...

it's been quite a journey and life changing series of events since i sat here almost 6 months ago!   i am winding up my visit here with friends and family in the homeland and heading north to atlanta on thursday.  i'll be there for a few days, then on to asheville and end up on martha's vineyard... my island paradise.    xoxokg

coast starlight

Rossella, Melissa and i in front of the best brazilian sando shop in oakland!!!
Part of the winchester house in san jose- look closely at the door...
me on the steps of orchard lane in the berkeley hills
rossella, me, melissa and shan on shan's front porch in oakland
Greetings from la!

i had another lovely trip on the coast starlight yesterday-i absolutely love that trip, i prefer the southbound trip because there's more to see farther north, and the farther south the train travels it gets more developed.  i got in late last night and had a nice dinner with hank and a friend and now i am making plans for my final days on the west coast.  more pot lucks and dancing before i fly back to orlando on monday!  i am sad i was unable to make it up to orcas to see my lovely people there, funds turned out to be a bit tight, i'll just swing through on my way back!  i'm  off to get the day started here in downtown la... looking forward to seeing everyone in orlando!!! i hope this finds you all well and looking forward to the bounty of spring!! take care, karengrace

bay-time

Melissa on the ferris wheel at the santa monica pier

me and the jolly green giant
greetings from sf!

i apologize for my last entry, it was really sappy,  i was quite emotional and feeling the warmth of old friends.  but i'm better now, and back to my silly self!!!! melissa and i are going over to the east bay today to catch up with old pals and eat brazilian sandwiches- yummmm! tomorrow is another seeing folks kinda day and then monday is wine country and tuesday is the winchester house in san jose!!! we've always wanted to go, and now that mel has an augmented work schedule we've been able to do so many things that we've always talked about!!  i'll be boarding the coast starlight early in the morning weds. for my favorite w. coast train trip to l.a., it's a 12 hour trip, but there's no other way i'd rather journey between the 2 cities...if you've never done it...it's worth the time!!!  i ate amazing el salvadoran food thurs night, they do lots of pork and their own version of sauerkraut.... mmmmm! then yesterday i soaked in the rejuvenating baths at kabuki in japantown...always a must here in the city!  otherwise, i am just feeling the blessings of a good life!! (oops, more sap...) take care, kgrace