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Damn, that takes a long time. I’m on dial-up in a hotel, and I’m sorry to say you’ll be gettin’ no more pics. This was a very cute yarn shop in Williamsburg, however.

Cari’s comment about me surfing the blog-ring in person cracked me up. It’s true, I’ve totally been doing that. But I wish I had MORE time. I want to hook up with Maryse and Amber in Boston and Christy in Philly and about ten others I can’t remember. I swear I need another trip. Or y’all need to come out west. Yeah, I like that one. And Joanna, geography was never my strong point. Heh. Is it that obvious? I’ve seen a LOT of the east this last week…..

We drove today. We drove a LOT. We’re in Delaware right now, and I can honestly say this is the first time for me. So far, no offense to Delawarians, but I’m not very impressed. Of course, we’re on the interstate, and that’s something I should remember. I’m sure Delaware isn’t all Arbys and Exxons. We haven’t even made it to Dover yet. We’re in a smoking-room (sigh) Super 8 and Bathany’s in the bath, as per usual.

Today we left Richmond and went deep into tobacco country. We actually saw tobacco growing, something I didn’t even really know still occurred. Isn’t that stupid? Maggi said something humorous about us being so easily awed, but really, I am. I don’t know anything about these areas, and they’re so new and exciting! And the brick of the buildings is the most perfect red I’ve ever seen.

We went south to Jamestown and east over to Hampton and then up across the Chesapeake. I put my toes into the Chesapeake waters! And that’s technically the Atlantic, so I killed two bodies of water with one foot. It was cool. And actually, pretty damn cold, too. We crossed on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which is 17 MILES of bridge and tunnel, up and down. Friends, that’s not a joy ride to me. Give me a nice easy plane ride. I hate tunnels. Especially deep ones where the traffic is oncoming, and there’s a person who slows suddenly coming at you in the other direction, and the traffic behind her has to brake so quickly that the semi four back is suddenly in your lane, and your sister is braking and doing an absolutely beautiful job fitting her little pickup truck body between the walls of the tunnel and semi’s wheels, and you look in the rear-view mirror to see another big-rig barreling down, trying to brake to accommodate your sister’s necessary slow-down.

I was so shaken I cried. Bethany was reassuring and cool, and I loved her. She said, “I knew I could handle my truck and that I would do the best I could do, and the rest wasn’t up to me.” She rocks.

After that little three second scare, the rest of the day was charmed. We drove north from the bridge, all the way up Virginia’s east shore. We left the regular small road and drove up the unlined road that went through old fields and past houses that haven’t been rebuilt after falling down and just rest there, in the middle of their overgrown trees, brick and wood sagging into the greenery. We saw almost no one else all the way up. At one point, we looked right and a little old lady was sitting on the tailgate of a pickup truck, swinging her legs, her hair in a pink net. She waved. We waved back.

We went out to Chinkateague and saw the lighthouse and the NASA station. We tuned to their AM station and listened to their public service announcements about “Puppets in Space.” We ate a lot of Zingers bought in a rest-stop where they sold fruit and tee-shirts with pirates on them. (Shhh. I bought Bethany one.)

Tomorrow we’re booking up to Rhode Island and Providence. We’re realizing that we have almost no time left, and we really want to see Nantucket. Man, remember Wings? I loved that show. Can’t wait.

We’re at the fabulous Maggi’s house, and I just read Wee C my favorite book ever, Bread and Jam for Frances. This is my first time in the South, and I’m in love. (You might notice a trend. It’s like with people. I fall fast and hard. And often.) Richmond is the ideal city. (Don’t burst my bubble. I like my romances to be sweet for a while….) And who wouldn’t love it? Red brick everywhere, the azaleas blooming, a hot tub and wine and knitting? Sigh. If only Greta had made it to our slumber party, as had been originally planned. But life gets in the way sometimes, and there will be other trips.

Bethany and I had a great drive down from DC. She had a little black cloud hanging over her head while we fought the 95 traffic, and as soon as we hit the blue highway again, she became yellow and sunny. One should never tell a sister really good news at a confusing intersection, though. We saw way more of Fredericksburg than we ever planned because I told her that our friends Kira and Rachel (getting married on Sunday) are flying her out with ME on Saturday! She’s going home for six days! Wheeeee! I suppose a wrong turn was inevitable. I had totally been convinced she already knew, that someone had spilled the beans (everyone knew but her), but she was overwhelmed with surprise. It was fabulous.

Maryland? Sheep and Wool? I’ll show you my haul when I get home, and pictures, too, but suffice it to say that I don’t have enough arms to carry it all. That’s the real reason I’m bringing Bethany home with me. And I met (let me see if I can remember): Bonne Marie, Carolyn, Theresa, Froggy, Anna, Christy, Jodi, Stella, Christina, Silvia, Claudia….. It’s late and I think I’m leaving about four others out. Remind me in comments. I’ll add links later. Want to get downstairs and knit more with darlin’ Maggi. We called Threadbear Rob earlier and he just told me to go home. “No one is allowed to have that much fun.” I know it.

We’re hitting the highway tomorrow, heading up and out to Boston. We have a Nantucket stop on the way, which we’re really looking forward to, and a lot of good snacks in between here and points north. Absolutely no time (or really, inclination) to check email (or even to proof this post), but know that I love y’all (see? Southern!) and kisses are sent your way. Mwah!

Our first meeting with Em!

In’int she gorgeous?

At the March!

The Cutest Marcher:

The next day, lunch with Wendy!

Our lovely Lady:

And how she sometimes appears:

Don’t tell his mom, but Scout sometimes sleeps on sock yarn.

Knit NY!

Cashmere at School Products….. I love Michelle.

I love Cari.

And I love Alison, too.

Bethany found that Central Park has good swings!

Up in the castle:

Cherry blossoms are in season:

Tulips are, too.

In front of the Chelsea Hotel, the home of poets, writers, and artists of all sorts. Bethany’s trying to look inscrutable. I think she succeeds:

Very happy:

Cari is proof that yes, knitting IS sexy.

A goodbye kiss (note that gorgeous Rosedale….)

Whew. Deep breath. Now the post. But all I have to do is pretty much cut and paste, so here y’are, m’dears.

Friday, April 30th

We just left New York. I’m on a bus that runs between the New York and DC Chinatowns. Beth’s sitting across the aisle from me, knitting, and I’ve decided to hope that I’ll be able to download this post from my very own computer when we hit the hotel in Maryland later today. So far, carrying the computer hasn’t been the best choice. I’m still hoping it’ll pay off, though….

I’m semi-heartbroken to leave New York. It’s not a full heartbreak, though, because I know I’ll be back. When I leave a city like Prague or Paris, I have a vague hope that I’ll return. But cities like Venice and New York, my return is assured. Completely.

The best part of the trip so far? Being with my Brooklyn girls. I already loved them, you knew that. But actually being with Em and Cari, in the flesh, was a different and wonderful thing. I think I was only able to articulate it when I met Cari’s dogs for the first time. I had heard stories about them and seen pictures of them for so long, but when they were before me, in three dimensions, I finally met them. I finally knew them.

Actually, that’s how this whole trip has been so far. The flat, two-dimensional New York of books and movies became fleshed out in front of me. I understood the spatial relations of sidewalks against walls. I discovered how long it took my particular feet to cross Central Park. I tasted that knish, bought from a street vendor, that every newcomer has to taste. (Actually, I was way cool when I ordered our snack. “Two knishes.” “Mustard inside?” “Yeah.” Took the knish. Nodded at the vendor. Then turned back into Rachael and leaned in and told him, “This is our very first knish ever! We’ve never had one! I’m so excited!” And man, was it worth it.

Yesterday Bethany and I had the most marvelous New York kind of day. We took the subway in from Brooklyn and went to the Chelsea Hotel. We goggled a little. Then we ate Krispy Kremes across the street. I believe I inhaled three of them without exhaling once. Then uptown to the Park. Well, we thought we were going uptown, but by then we were both getting cocky. Yeah, this subway system is easy. We got it. We know it. Uh-huh. Oh, shit, we’re across the river and not in Manhattan anymore. We really did go uptown via Queens (which is kinda like going from Fisherman’s Wharf to North Beach via Oakland), but the subways are so damn fast and efficient that we were back uptown in a flash.

Central Park was insanely beautiful. The sun was shining, and the cherry blossoms were in bloom. We climbed the castle and rambled the Rambles (I know, but it was daylight – we saw no illicit sex going on, darn it). For Christy, we found the Dakota and went to Strawberry Fields and watched the nations throw flowers at John Lennon’s circle. We kept passing places that rang those 2D bells. Oh! What show were these benches in? (Sex and the City.) Where have we seen this bandstand before? (Breakfast at Tiffany’s.)

Bethany travels at the same pace I do. Lots of walking followed by prolonged periods of eating, resting, and people watching. After a quick tour of Madison Avenue, we went back to the East Village, which is by far my favorite section of New York. We drank beer on the sidewalk in the sun and watched the clothing/hair go by. I have now realized that Californians really don’t know crap about dressing. They think they do, but New Yorkers have that confidence that just makes ‘em look GOOD, no matter what they’re wearing.

I was just talking to Bethany and realized we really hadn’t bought any souvenirs. We didn’t shop at all, actually (you leave that cashmere outta this). I did buy a crappy NY tee shirt that I plan to sleep in, and yesterday, after our day out, I took Bethany back to Knit NY to have a cup of coffee and to knit for a little while. I bought one of their shirts, and I’m glad. After my all-day yarn excursion on Wednesday, and our knit-night at Cari’s, I can now say, Yes. I did Knit New York.

** Friday night: Now at the high-speed internet connection at the Sheraton, I’m glad I brought the computer. Still no time to catch up on blogs or email, I’m sorry, but I’ll do that when I get home. The bus ride was uneventful, but rather miserable. They put on a Chinese kung-fu romance at an amazing volume, and I couldn’t stop watching it. I was also pretty stoned on Aleve because in the subway in Chinatown NY, I pulled a muscle in my back. I was trying to go through the turnstile while reaching for my heavy suitcase on the other side. I scared poor Bethany to death because I found myself still leaning over the turnstile, only able to say, “Stuck. Stuck. STUCK!” She ran all around me, trying to get me unstuck from the mechanics, but it was just my body that wouldn’t move. She carried my suitcase the six blocks to the bus, and I tried to keep still for the rest of the ride. Ever tried to do that for four hours on a swaying bus? Oy. But the drugs helped, and I’m in the hotel now, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be good as gold tomorrow for the Sheep and Wool Festival! I can’t stand it! See you there?

I’m in School Products in New York. This was our last stop on our Yarn Crawl of New York, and yes, behind me is Em and Cashmere. Not shown are Cari and Iris of Unfurnished Brooklyn.

CAN YOU TELL HOW HAPPY I AM?

It’s ridiculous. Yesterday I had cashmere (a 2lb pound of lovely green and 2 small hanks) and pierogis (both potato and spinach) and an egg cream (?) and a gander at a lot of the City. Today, Bethany and I will tackle the City on our own. We leave tomorrow, but I don’t want to!

I have so much more to write. You know I do. I can write reams on the way I buy toilet paper, but today there are things to do (and eat). Ciao.

From this:

and this:

(thanks, Maureen, for the photos), to THIS:

Sigh. I love New York. Doy. Didn’t I know I would? I think I was a teensy-tinsy bit worried that I might not, but I do. Falling head over heels already. Yesterday found us waiting in line on a busy street in the East Village. I felt so cosmopolitan. Waiting, with all the other busy New Yorkers. Oh! What were we waiting for, you ask? Tickets to the Producers? Waiting for entry to the hot new club? Oh. Uh. No. Free cone day at Ben and Jerry’s.

We went to the Statue of Liberty first thing. I met the Manhattan skyline properly, with the polite handshake followed by the kiss on the cheek which she deserves. But by the time the ferry pulled back in to Battery Park, I was flattering her with my most effusive compliments, hoping that she’ll love me back. The rest of the day was just spent wandering with our fantastic and lovely tour guide, Em. Then we had dinner with Cari. I can’t even TRY to describe her. She’s all I thought she would be and more. Double sigh. I’m totally, wonderfully happy and satisfied.

Especially since today is our Yarn Crawl. We’re meeting at Knit NY in less than an hour, and then it’s ON. Yarn, the whole day. Expect exhaustion later. Bethany’s out meeting the city by herself this morning. She likes yarn, but maybe not QUITE as much as we do.

I’m sorry I’m not checking email, but I am thinking about you. Really. In and around the yarn fantasies. From New York City, MWAH!

https://rachaelherron.com/from_this_and_t/

My favorite sign slogan. Damn, I love that.

Yo. I’m sittin’ in Brooklyn. Yes. Yes, I am. I brought my laptop with me, and I’ve been writing just a little bit, but it’s been soooo hard to find the time to write what with all the marchin’ goin’ on. At some point I’ll get to a point on this trip when I can download all my pictures and show you a photoblog, but for now, just go read Em. She writes about the day so beautifully.

Seriously, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. To sum up incredibly briefly: We marched. We were at the beginning of the march, but still hit walking traffic — those bottlenecks that prevent motion but promote talkin’ to your neighbor. We were all the best of friends. Walking past the White House, the chanting and yelling got exponentially louder (that’s actually how I knew to look over and see the little manse). Darling Maggi was there, with her extra-darling Wee C., who thankfully slept in her backpack while we marched past all the bloody signs the opposition were holding. Whew. I mean BLOODY. But we didn’t look. Instead, we chanted, and the chanting got louder as the screams from the Pro-Lifers got more vitriolic. At one point, I found myself leading one: Picking it up from a woman next to us, I would yell, “Keep! Abortion!” and the people around me would yell, “Safe and legal!” I felt frightened and strong at the same time.

Our knittin’ group (about eight strong, see Em for details) marched into the Mall and set up camp. We broke out our knitting and shared our sandwiches (I can’t wait to show you the snaps of C diving across the lawn for mouthfuls of my turkey). SO MANY people wanted to know more about Knitters Against Bush and where we got out tee shirts. Older women were gratified to see people still knit, and younger people just thought we were cool. (Maureen, you rock.)

We walked out of the Mall, after sitting and listening to speakers for almost three hours (like Madeleine Albright, Gloria Steinem, Whoopi Goldberg, Camryn Manheim, Ashley Judd — not to mention THE INDIGO GIRLS!), only to find to find that people were still streaming in, full force. We stopped, astonished, and asked someone, “You’re not actually still marching?” This was FOUR HOURS after we had started walking. When they said Yes, Em and I burst into tears. It was overwhelming.

I didn’t mean to write this much. I only meant to say hi.

I’m sitting at Michelle’s computer, and it’s a sunny day in Brooklyn, and this is my first day EVER in New York. So I have to go. But here are a few pics I was able to get off my camera phone.

Bethany behind Tach, in front of the Watergate.

Me, on the lawn of the Mall.

Me! Em/Michelle! Maggi!

Knitting has been all around us. Yesterday, we knit, like, ALL day with the lovely Maeve and the fantastic Wendy (hi, girls! Pictures to follow at a later date!). Drank some beer. Took the bus that runs between DC and New York Chinatowns. Today is for exploring, tomorrow is for yarn shopping and more knitting (with the lovely CARI). After that, no plans. Ramblings with Bethany.

Keeses to all.