Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Excitement is Building!

Welcome to the Road Dust and Wanderlust blog! Two friends (Ann and Carolee), two to three months, one vehicle, about twenty five states, visiting artist friends and their studios along the way, and documenting it all as we go!


The idea came about when I randomly posted on facebook I was feeling the need for a road trip, and my friend Ann responded. Things sort of snowballed from there, as we discovered we both shared the same dream vacation; see the US at a leisurely pace largely via two lane back roads, out west one route, all the way up or down the coast highway, and back another route. Ann has actually seen most of the states, with the exception of seven in the Pacific Northwest, and they're all on our list. I haven't seen quite as many, but I'm getting there!

Granted, the trip is ten months away, and I'm normally a "wing it" kind of gal, but something of this proportion deserves some advance planning. And the planning is a big part of the fun, yes?!

Soooooo, I have this map. It's big. As in don't-have-a-wall-big-enough big. So for now, it's taped to the dining room table. Which we never use unless we're entertaining, so it's fine there...

And as with ANY new surface in the house, Gwennie (or as we like to call her, The Cat Who Knows No Boundaries) has claimed it as her own.

Travel guides are arriving almost daily now, most of them FREE from tourist bureaus across the country. So many possibilities!

And I must share this incredible birthday gift from Ann - a Winsor Newton travel watercolor set. The entire thing is about half the size of a paperback novel, so can fit in almost any purse or tote...

Inside are a complete set of watercolors, a brush and two palettes. How cool is this!!? (Thank you, Ann!)

I want so badly to dive into them, but I'm being good and waiting, hehe. The plan is to keep a travel journal filled with watercolor sketches. :)

To that end, I've purchased a guide to art journaling - no time to really delve into it yet, but hopefully soon!


As the months pass, we'll be posting our approximate route as it evolves, and pinpointing "must-see" sites and stops along the way! We'll see friends and relatives, art acquaintances, as well as plenty of quirky, offbeat attractions.

We'd would also like to invite you to "follow" our little adventure here, and feel free to comment! (Feedback really does fuel a blog, hehe!)

Back very soon....

♥ Carolee

13 comments:

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Okay Carolee...I am following you...and now I have that song...I will follow him ..in my head...Petula Clark?

Lee said...

What FUN! I look forward to follow your planning and the adventure....sure hope you plan to post from the road! Maybe you need an iPad?! (There's always something you need...). And perhaps I can get a good friend to start planning a trip of our own!
Thanks for sharing your excitement!

Folk Heart said...

I'm on board, and very excited to tag along. Thanks! Looks inspiring and fun.

Suzie said...

How exciting for you! And how nice for the rest of us, that you want to share your adventure!

And what a perfect gift for you! I'm sure that you are going to put it to good use!

Unknown said...

Hi, Carolee! I'm so excited to have found your blog. Love the concept and will be following along, for sure!. Great graphics on your blog, too!

Lynda said...

Wow! What an adventure! Look forward to seeing how the trip progresses.

Unknown said...

I'm so excited for you! Hope you show us lots of pics of the planning and getting ready as well as from the road!

Trish Stover said...

I've seen this trip materializing on FB. Wish I was on your route. Would love to be part of your journey.

Karla said...

Oh my Carolee!! I can't wait to read more. I have been wanting to do a roadtrip my self too! I have ALL of the Travel guides from all the US states.. I just need time lol Great thing you and your friend are doing!

Cobblestone Creations said...

Will keep a candle in the window. :)

Cindy Lew's Studio said...

I am so excited for you, it sounds like so much fun. I love the new blog and the way you set it up. I'm in for the following:-) I can't wait to see the pictures and your journal. It will be amazing. Just going from one end of the Pacific North West to South end is a trip in itself. I live in So. Cali and have always wanted to make that trip on the train, but have not done it yet. Best Wishes

Love, Light, & Harmony ~ CindyLew

Enchanted Productions by Joyce Stahl said...

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! You two are going to have so much fun!!!

Sandy Sandy Art said...

O. M. G. Carolee! I am sooo excited to meet you and your wonderful blogs!! Love the leather cased watercolor set. I think you should dive into it right away!