Archive for February, 2009

Many of you might have seen the tragic bushfires that have killed over 180 people in Australia and left over 750 families homeless. A lot has been said about the families but not much has been said about the courageous fireman that themselves have lost homes, friends and family members. Despite this they keep going and fighting the fires trying to make sure others are safe. They do not get paid for what they do their actions are completely selfless.

I spent the better part of two years in Melbourne and the areas where the fires are burning were a stones throw away from where I lived and my old stomping grounds. I have wonderful memories of spending Saturdays at the St Andrews Markets and having a beer at the pub before heading home. St Andrews was one of the areas that was hard hit and this beautiful little town was nearly wiped off the map. The area that this bush fire covers is huge, it was gorgeous rolling hills, paddocks with horses grazing and beautiful forest. The pictures that are being shown on the news are difficult to look at. I spent a lot of time on the back roads exploring these little country towns the suffering they are experiencing is heartbreaking.

I received an email from an old friend who is a volunteer fireman and has been out fighting the fires since Saturday. He is a strong man who has been doing this for many years and just by his email I could tell that he is suffering emotionally. I can not imagine the strength that these men and women possess to be able to keep going under the circumstances.

There is a wonderful picture currently in circulation via email and even on news websites of a Country Fire Association Volunteer Firefighter giving a Koala injured in the bushfires water. I love this picture, out of all this tradgedy the true blue Aussie spirit came shining through. An Australian Newspaper is now offering this picture for sale for $18USD; the proceeds will benefit the Country Fire Association. If you can please support this great cause. I purchased mine tonight and it will be given a special place in our home when it arrives.

Fireman Gives Koala a drink – PURSCHASE THIS PHOTO

Picture by Mark Pardew-AP Photo

In my travels across the Internet I came across the Accelerated Retirement of Inefficient Vehicles Act. I read it a few time to make sure I really understood what it was saying. They call it “cash for clunkers”. The way it works is they give you a voucher to put towards the purchase of a new or used fuel efficient car; you in return hand over your vehicle for them to CRUSH. If they were really after true clunkers, fine no issues. The problem is in what they define as a clunker, any SUV or truck that gets less than 18MPG. That means my beloved Jeep Wrangler would be on the list of cars to crush. I pity the person that tries to take my Wrangler off of me. The Jeep defines our lifestyle and she is going to be sitting in my driveway for many years to come.

SEMA is opposing an effort by lawmakers to have this included as part of the economic stimulous package. Please visit their site, read about what lawmakers are trying to pass and support their efforts opposing this legislation.

Anyone that knows us knows that we like the open road and the road less traveled is where you are most likely to find us. We love the back roads and in our travels have found that is where all the great scenery that takes your breath away is hidden. Vacations are not about speeding down the interstate making good time, they are about taking the slow route, stopping and enjoying the beautiful scenery and smelling the fresh air. In my travels over the years I have jumped on more airplanes than I can count on my hands and feet. I would sit in the airplane looking down at the ground and wonder what all I was missing. Over the years I have started taking road trips and filling in the gaps. I have been guilty of saying why fly when you can drive now my feelings are completely opposite. If you can drive, do it! Stay off the main roads, don’t look at the clock, don’t plan every trip to the last minute. The planet we live on is amazing and needs to be seen and enjoyed, not looked at from 15,000 feet.

When we first came to the US two years ago we started collecting magnets for every state that we’ve driven across. These are the states that we have traveled together, states that we traveled alone and before we met don’t count. In the two years we’ve been to the US we have visited 18 states and we are looking at adding seven more by the end of 2009 to make it to the half way point.

Here’s the states we have traveled so far. These are on our fridge as a constant reminder of all we have left to see and enjoy.

Last weekend my wonderful husband and I made the trip back to Memphis to pick up the Jeep. It is so good to have her home with us. With predicted highs this week in the high 60′s and low 70′s all I can think about is dropping the top and getting a bit of bonding time in with her. As much as we missed out Jeep in the end we were really happy she wasn’t with us for the massive storm that hit this area last week.

We’ve started getting our summer gear for the Jeep back together and remembered that we lost the insert that seperates the windows for our window roll. We have the outer cover so I’m going to go to a local fabric store and see if I can find a large roll of felt and make my own insert, how hard can it be?

With the Jeep being home with us and the weather starting to get nicer this blog is coming out of its winter hibernation.