America's Storm Warriors

While I was in the Cape Cod area, I was sure to check out the beach before heading back to Rhode Island. The Cape Cod National Seashore is featured in two of my books: "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" and "10 Best of Everything: an Ultimate Guide for Travelers." (Some of the entries in the books aren't my cup of tea, but this area has earned the right to be on any traveler's life list.) Henry David Thoreau described the area in the 1800's by saying "A man can stand there and put all America behind him."

Along Cape Cod and other parts of the East Coast, there are old houses that used to serve as Life Saving Stations. The Life-Saving Service was the predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard (the Life-Saving Service merged with Revenue Cutter Service in 1915 to create the U.S. Coast Guard) and was formed to rescue sailors and passengers from nearby shipwrecks. Stations were classified as life-saving, lifeboats, or houses of refuge. Each manned station was run by a Keeper (manager) that ran a tight ship (no pun intended). On the East Cod, the stations were generally manned from November to April, when shipwrecks were most likely to occur. Below is a short description from the US Life-Saving Service Heritage Association:

"The Keeper and surfmen had a daily rigid schedule that was standard throughout the service. The primary responsibility was to be on constant watch for ships in distress and to keep a record of passing vessels. On clear days, from sunrise to sunset, a surfman on day watch always manned the lookout tower. At night and on foggy days, the men walked beach patrol. They would light coston signal flares to warn off ships straying too close to the shore. While men with small-boat-handling experience were wanted in the service, it took extensive training and continual practice to be able to successfully launch a lifeboat or surfboat in heavy seas and shoot the Lyle Gun to a ship offshore to set up the breeches buoy. Just about every day required some sort of practice to be performed. Along with these practices were cooking, cleaning and maintenance and keeping things in good order. The men took turns serving as the cook."

This Life-Saving Station at Raceway Point was one of the initial nine station in the Cape Cod area. It was built in 1872 but was to Raceway Point in the late 1970's to accommodate more staff. The original building (shown) serves as an education center, but there is a working station less than 1/2 mile from this location.

A boat used to rescue sailors and passengers... It's named Nauset, which is the marsh I kayaked in the same weekend

The Lyle Gun was shot out to the ship like a cannon ball. The metal "bullet" was meant to serve as an anchor to assist in bringing men ashore.

The "Breeches Buoy" was passed back and forth between the boat and land using a rope and pulley system. The man being rescued put his legs through holes in the lining (you can't see these) and wore the life-preserver like a pair of pants.

The entrance to the beach

You have to be careful where you walk. There are lots of protected nesting areas for the piping plover, an endangered series of birds found both in the Great Lakes and along the Atlantic Coast. Their eggs are camouflaged so well you wouldn't know you saw one until you stepped on it. Click here to see piping plover pictures (say that five times fast!).

It was a little breezy and cool... perfect weather for enjoying a quiet day at the beach

Definitely not your typical "beach scene".... there are lots of marsh grasses and reeds

We only saw a handful of people on this part of the beach (most of them were walking with their dog- Izzie would have a blast here). Along with not being the warmest weather, we were at the very last beach at the tip of Cape Cod.

Just in case you're suspicious.... Yes, I was actually here and took these pictures

The water was much colder than what it looks like here

Last but not least, my new favorite picture (and currently my computer background)

It's taken me almost a year to get comfortable with Rhode Island and New England (but mainly RI), but now that I'm ready for some real exploring, it's time for me to pack up and leave (only 7 weeks left of my residency!). My adventurous solo trips have been part of what has made this year so special, and Cape Cod was no exception.

Do What You Love and Love What You Do

During the middle of last week, I decided that I should take advantage of the positive forecast for the weekend and spend some time outside. After a bit of research online, I learned about Maritime Days, a month-long series of events designed to celebrate Cape Cod's rich maritime history. I was especially intrigued by a listing that featured an opportunity to kayak the lower waterways of Nasuet Marsh in the Cape Cod National Seashore led by Dick Hilmer who runs Explore Cape Cod.

Explore the maritime past by paddling Cape Cod’s storied coastal waterways with local science teacher and longtime kayak guide, Dick Hilmer. Kayak instruction is included during these natural history tours. Paddle through sheltered creeks, into bays and marshes, and towards islands rich in cultural history. No experience is necessary. Perfect for novice or experienced paddlers. All equipment is provided including kayak, paddle, life jacket and instruction – just bring a smile and a bottle of water, and $30 per person.

I mean, anyone who says "just bring a smile" has got to be someone I'd get along with pretty easily. I didn't really know what to expect, but I e-mailed the trip coordinator and was surprised when I received a phone call shortly thereafter. As soon as I started talking to Dick on the phone, I knew that this was going to be an amazing experience. (He's one of the few people whose enthusiasm is even contagious over the phone!) (FYI--the title of this blog post is his motto.)

Thanks to my new, handy GPS, I was able to find the location fairly easily. I met Dick and his wife Linda, our kayaking guides, near Eastham, Massachusetts. When I had talked to Dick earlier in the week, it sounded like it was going to be a small group of 6 participants, but I was happy to learn that some additional people had signed up at the last minute. There was a range of age and experience, but most of the other attendees had never kayaked before. I had never been, but it was always something I've wanted to do. When I normally think of kayaking, I think of going down a raging river and wearing a helmet, struggling every foot of the way to keep upright. This was much different.

We were kayaking in Nasuet Marsh, an area that our guides knew very well (they have been doing this for some 12-15 years). Their experience was definitely an advantage- we were able to base our route and timing to go along with the tide and weather. Dick and Linda helped to get us fitted into our boats (my model was called the Avatar!), and after some dry land instruction, we entered the water to do some simple practice before heading out into the water.

Our meeting spot... I guess this would be a public access point to the marsh, but no one else was there.

A close-up of the natural grasses on the mud flats in Nasuet Marsh

A lobster boat headed out to set their traps

Another lobster boat... they travel in pairs (but I'm not exactly sure why)

Part of our kayak group, with two of the friends I made in the tandem (2-person) kayak

A part of land with sand dunes that stretches out into the Cape gave us a place to pull up our kayaks and take a break.

Dick taught us everything you could ever want to know about the area, from wildlife to changes in the tide

The Atlantic Ocean from land...

... and from the sea. I was only 30 yards or so from entering the Atlantic Ocean

After a brief break near the entrance to the Atlantic, we headed to another area of the marsh, where Dick said he had a surprise for us. I was a little confused as to why we were stopping a second time, but I was getting hot and needed to take my jacket off (I didn't dare risk taking it off while kayaking--that is asking to fall into the water). We pulled our boats onto a sandbar, and Linda showed us how to go clamming! I had never seen or done this before- I was amazed at how fast the clams dive down into the ground. You first look for holes in the sand. When you think you've found a fresh hole, you start digging like crazy! (Picture your dog digging dirt in your backyard... Izzie would be a very good clammer.) When you start making your hole, the clam somehow goes deeper into the ground, so you have to chase after them.

Linda giving us instructions on clamming

Well, there's a first time for everything... I decided to dive right in. (I can't believe someone took this picture and actually kept it!)

I caught one on my first try! Guess what I said after I caught it? "I'm as happy as a clam!" (No joke, what a nerd.)

Although these clams are edible, it wasn't safe for us to eat them. When the water temperatures are below 60 degrees, a red algae (I forget the exact name) produce a toxic chemical. This is referred to as the "Red Tide." You can harvest and eat the clams in July and August when the water is warmer. (Too bad I'll be gone by then!) Linda said her favorite way to serve them was steamed with a side of butter.

Our kayaks waiting for us while we clam

The kayak tour stands out as a highlight of my entire year out East. Thanks to Dick and Linda for an amazing experience. If you are going to be in the Cape Cod area, this has to be a must on your list.

My Favorite Squeeze

Every once in a while, I get a craving to have breakfast for dinner. It wasn't a regular event at my house growing up because my Dad isn't a huge fan. Instead, when he would go out of town, we would feast on pancakes and bacon. Pancakes are by far my favorite breakfast food (when they are done right, of course), but I also enjoy French toast. I found the following recipe in Good Housekeeping magazine. (I am not a regular reader of this publication, but it was the only decent reading available at my doctor's office. And yes, I am that person that tears things out of the community magazines.)

French Toast

-2 large egg whites

-1 large egg

-3/4 cup low-fat milk

-1/4 tsp vanilla

-1/8 teaspoon salt

-butter or butter spray

-8 slices whole wheat bread

In a pie plate, use a whisk to beat the egg whites, egg, milk, vanilla, and salt until blended. Dip bread slices into egg mixture, and press the bread lightly to coat both sides well. Place 3-4 slices in a skillet, and cook 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides. Top with fresh berries and maple syrup.

Nutrition info (per 2 slices): 300 calories, 12 gm protein, 46 carbohydrates, 9 gm fat, 6 gm fiber, 56 mg cholesterol.

Now, I know that I'm no cooking genius, but how hard can this recipe be? This is the second time I've made this recipe, and both times I have ended up with bread that is too burnt on the outside and still soggy on the inside. The first time I blamed my pan/skillet (it does the job 95% of the time, but how good can a $5 pan from IKEA be? It serves my current purposes, but I would eventually like to upgrade.), but now I'm starting to think I don't have the heat set correctly. Any tips?

To go along with my breakfast for dinner, I made fresh orange juice- YUM!

FLASHBACK: (Since I did such a poor job of updating during the holidays, I am going to be using these "flashbacks" to bring everyone up to speed.)

On Christmas Eve, I got a call from Nick, who had just finished opening up some of his Christmas presents. When I asked him what he received, he immediately said, "My mom got me a juicer!" to which I replied, "Really?!" He was excited (by his standards) and went on about how he couldn't wait to use it. I would have been more excited for him, but I got him a juicer, too!!

During our Europe trip, Nick raved about the fresh juice we would have in the mornings at our breakfast spots, so I made a mental note (along with a note in my Blackberry) to get him one later. (Note to self: write blog posts about the trip to Europe in the near future.) We imposed a $20 spending limit on Christmas presents this year (a chance to save money and be creative), which was perfect- I had seen a Black and Decker juicer at Target for $19.99.

It turned out that Nick got a much fancier juicer-a Jack LaLanne juicer. (I'm sure you've seen his commercials on T.V.) His Mom got a good deal on one at a garage sale, so it couldn't be returned. However, I'm not sure Nick would have wanted my wimpy juicer. During my Christmas vacation, he made me several good juice combinations, including grapefruit, oranges, apples, and carrots. I liked the juice, but I have 3 qualms with the juicer:

1. It is *huge.* Unless you have a lot of storage space in the kitchen (or can hide it someplace else), it stays on the counter.

2. The parts can't be put into the dishwasher. I mean, I don't mind hand washing some dishes when it's absolutely necessary, but I can't see myself cleaning this thing by hand every morning (or see myself making juice every morning).

3. The pulp is separated from the juice- this can be both a pro and con. It allows you to put fruits and vegetables you might not otherwise consume (I don't know whether to say eat or drink here), and you can use the pulp in muffins and other recipes (but how many people really do this? Seriously, fresh juice and muffins every morning? Who is this person? Betty Crocker?). I personally love the orange juice with 'lots of pulp."

Here is where my juicer comes into play...

1. All of the parts (except the base with the power cord) can be put into the dishwasher!

2. It is small enough to fit under the kitchen counter.

3. You have the option of having high or low pulp juice.

But, at the same time, you can only use it for citrus fruits. I guess it depends on what qualities you are looking for in a juicer. :)

My new favorite kitchen appliance...

For those of you who are wondering, I ended up getting Nick a combination Christmas and anniversary gift (We were at Pat and Sarah's wedding on December 27 when I just started introducing myself as his girlfriend). I didn't stay under my $20 limit, but Nick got me a coral-colored cashmere scarf and glove set (love it! It's the very first things I've ever owned made of cashmere), so we were even in the end. At Details, one of my favorite gift stores in Indy, you can buy pictures of letters from around the state, including IU, PU, and Indy. I used pictures taken from downtown Indy to spell his last name.

Here is the full picture.

The first 3 letters- the "K" is from the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium. The "L" is from the top of the Indianapolis Museum of Art building. The "E" comes from the of Conseco Fieldhouse, where the Pacers schedule is posted.

The last 3 letters- The "M" is from the Indiana State Museum, which is just a short walk down the canal from Nick's apartment. The "E" is from part of a building downtown that houses Hard Rock Cafe. I think the "N" is from a random parking sign, but I'd have to look at the back of the picture to be sure.

As for this year, there might not be any holidays on the near horizon, but I'm going to call Julie soon to start planning birthday and Christmas presents.

Viva Las Vegas: Part I

Last Saturday morning I left for Las Vegas with Debbie to attend ASHP's 44th Midyear Conference. We flew on a direct flight from Providence to Las Vegas- the flight was six and a half hours! (Thank goodness we didn't have a layover.) I was really surprised that there was a direct flight out of Providence- nothing against Rhode Island, of course. (Sidenote: On my last two trips back to Indy I flew with Southwest and had great service and no issues with delays. I was using U.S. Airways prior to these trips, but I would need more than two hands to count the number of delayed flights in the past six months (and not to mention the night I spent in the Cleveland airport!).)

The flight was only half full, so we had plenty of room to spread out. I did some work work and then a logic puzzle (*love* my puzzle book... Not only are they challenging, they are (in theory) helping me prevent dementia). Not too long after I started my puzzle, I started to get sleepy and decided to take a nap. Sleeping on a plane can be tricky business... I mean, you don't want to touch the person next to you, but unless you're used to sleeping sitting up, it's difficult to fall asleep. I'm in the group that puts their head down on the tray table. I know this probably not the most sanitary option, but what else can you do? I spray it down with hand sanitizer and use a scarf so at least my fact doesn't touch it. How do you sleep on the plane? Any suggestions for future flights? (Sorry about the tangent...)

This was my first time in Las Vegas, so it was a little overwhelming when we were taking our shuttle from the airport to the hotel. There are so many things to look at and take in! The conference was at The Venetian and Sands Expo Center, and Debbie was smart enough to have us book our rooms well in advance so that we could roll out of bed and not worry about staying in another hotel. (I initially did not think this was very important but quickly learned that even though the hotels are across the street from one another, it could take you thirty minutes or more to get from your room to the conference.) The lobby of the hotel was gorgeous (it even smelled nice!)- it looked like what I think someplace in Italy would look like (I can't wait to visit someday.) I don't think my pictures capture it very well, so I've included some pictures from the hotel's website, as well as some pictures that I took.

A view of the outside (more like a complex than a hotel) (courtesy of the Venetian)

I wish the weather had been warmer.... they have gondolas you can ride that go inside and outside of the hotel (courtesy of the Venetian)

I want a fountain like this in my front yard (hey, I can dream, can't I?)

There were several other places in the hotel that had the ceiling painted to look like the sky

The corridor leading you from the lobby to the casino (another Venetian picture)... I loved all of the detailed flooring

I was shocked when I saw my "room" because it wasn't much of a room at all. Technically the name of it was a "Luxury Suite," which was the least expensive option at the hotel. I'm pretty sure that this suite was almost as big as my entire apartment. There was a sunken living room (love that!), three flat-screen t.v.'s (one was in the bathroom), a fax machine/copier/printer combination, and remote-controlled Roman shades on the windows. The bathroom was done in marble and had a vanity, double sinks, a whirlpool bathtub (I don't really like baths, so this wasn't a big deal to me), a shower big enough for a small village, and a separate water closet (this is *definitely* something I want in my house!).

A bed fit for a king (I don't remember ever sleeping on a king bed... And having slept on a twin bed until I moved to Rhode Island, I am not used to so much room!)

Want to watch the morning news while you brush your teeth? Yes, you can!

This sitting area reminds me of my Grandma and Grandpa's house in Pigeon where my Dad grew up... there is a small stool and a matching mirror that I always loved as a young girl

Another bathroom view

After dinner on Saturday night, I waited in my room until a special someone arrived! Nick came to stay for a few days in Vegas. We both knew I'd be busy doing recruiting for a pharmacist to fill my shoes next year, but how could he pass up a free room right on the strip? (He didn't.) Debbie and I interviewed several candidates on Sunday, but Nick joined us for lunch. I'm glad Debbie got to meet him. After hearing so much about him, I think she felt like she already knew him. I'm interested to hear what someone thinks after he or she meets someone they've only heard about.... your mental image of someone isn't always accurate.

I couldn't help but smile when I saw Nick's garment bag... a trash bag (He is so practical! Thanks, Mrs. K!)

On Sunday night, a company that we do business with took a small group of us out to dinner at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Hotel. Debbie, Amy, Ron, Minh, Papatya, and I were treated to a three-course French meal. I did try a piece of meat that someone said was similar to salami, only to find out it was some kind of raw beef. I also tried a small piece of the blue cheese souffle (eeee!), but I wasn't a fan. For dessert I ordered an apple tart complete with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce. While it might have sounded like a knockout dish, I was disappointed with the real thing.... I whispered to the people closest to me that I thought the apple pies at McDonald's were better than this!

At least it was pretty!

After dinner, the company bought us tickets to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower (unfortunately not the real one) to look out over the city. They knew that Nick was waiting for me in the casino downstairs (well, I told them), so they invited him to join us. When he met us at the restaurant, the only place to sit was at the complete opposite end of the table from where I was sitting. He was such a good sport about it, even if I did kind of throw him under the bus.

The view from the top! I am still not sure what setting to use on my camera for these pictures, but this one was decent

I saw my first show of the Bellagio water fountains (a feat of engineering, as my brother says)- isn't this perspective wonderful?

I wish I could have heard the music a little better, but you can't beat this view.

It was cold and windy being up so high, but it is never too cold for a photo op

It is one-third the size of the real Eiffel Tower (on my list of places to see before I die)

After dinner, Nick and I decided we'd try our luck in the casino. Most of the tables at the Venetian were pretty expensive, so we took the opportunity of being at another hotel to our advantage. I've one been to one casino before, which was in the summer of 2006 in Arizona during my internship. I had never played any of the live games, so Nick helped to explain a lot of the rules to me. We ended up joining a roulette table, which I really liked (I think I might have done more talking to our dealer than actual gambling).

We ended up winning $50! Go lucky number 18!

To be continued...

There's No Place Like Home

Although I've never owned a house, I can't imagine any purchase more exciting that buying your first home. (I mean, I'm not even close to making that commitment, and I have a 2-inch binder filled with ideas of what I want to put in it!) So, when Lisa announced that she closed on her house, I was thrilled! She had looked at the house when she was home visiting just a couple of months ago, and I think she fell in love with it (who can blame her?! it is adorable!) When she found out she had gotten her job at the hospital, she bought the house. The owners were selling it themselves, and they were pretty flexible with her about the timetable. (But then she couldn't close on the house until she actually started her new job because of the mortgage... so many rules! I am going to need a lot of help...)

When I was home over Thanksgiving, Nick and I went over to Lisa's new house. I had never seen any pictures of it, so everything about it was a surprise. I liked it so much that I think I screamed or made some "ahhh" noise the entire time I was there.

Here are some pictures from our tour...

Isn't this adorable?!

The kitchen is actually really big for a house this size

I love the glass doors on these cabinets

This bonus room in the basement would be perfect for crafts!

The last owners accidentally left the faucet that once hooked up to the washer on. When Lisa moved in, there was a huge puddle in the basement, which had actually gone beneath the tile that the previous owners had laid down. Lisa's mom, Karen, spent the day tackling this project. I was very impressed with what a good job she did- moldy water smells are hard to remove!

You might have to watch your head on the stairs

Looks like this fenced-in back yard needs a dog! :)

The dining room, which will be painted soon... Lisa says it looks like the color of dried blood! (She would know, too- she's an ER nurse)

Lisa's bedroom

How charming- the curved archways add that something extra (there's a mantle and fireplace that I *love* in the living room, but naturally, I was so enamored I forgot to take a picture of it)

The porch is wonderful- not only is it big, it has a swing!

Maybe this is nostalgic (that or I just lived in the suburbs for too long), but I love this type of mailbox

I will be sure to keep you posted on any updates she makes. :)

Lisa, congratulations on your new house! I am so happy for you!