Archive for the 'travel' Category

Another Blog … Another Road Trip Plan

Published
by
Ehren
on May 27, 2008
in Aspirations, Interests, Ponderings and travel
. 0 Comments

This post came into mind because I had been speaking with a co-worker about my blog and we seemed to both come to the conclusion that everything that I talk about is connected to work. Sad. Sad. Sad. I know!

I could talk about other people and their lives, but honestly — that’s rather dull in my opinion. Can you already tell that I don’t read biographies? I like talking about ideas or actions. Ideas and actions that you, myself, and any other person can take on.

So let’s talk about road trips. I’m planning another road trip for this summer. The question is … where?

The funny thing about this trip is that it started off as a mere trip that would be about a week (okay, more like 10 days) but because it costs me just as much to rent a car for two weeks, I’m now re-thinking the road trip.

Road Trip in California by Ehren Cheung

Funny… I can’t remember taking this photo as I was entering San Francisco…

Last year, my friends and I went to New Hampshire hoping to hike across the White Mountains over a period of three days. Unfortunately stormy weather prevented us from getting to our destination for day 2 and we were forced to descend from the mountains. We however attempted an alternate trail — only to run into plenty of boulders and in my case — a hiking pole that snapped which resulted in me getting wedged between a tree and a rock. For your enjoyment, I’ve outlined our original plan (blue) and what really happened (red). Despite the setback, we went back the way we came and descended down the mountain. Of course, that was not before I decided to take another tumble down the rather steep hiking trail.


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So this year, I figure there are a couple of places in mind. I haven’t really discussed the ideas with friends that may want to come along yet, but perhaps someone out there may have a suggestion or two for me.

Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. A beautiful place — I haven’t been there since the late summer of 2000. Apparently the National Park Service even has a webcam of Old Faithful now. Spiffy. Ideally I’d like to visit the little town of Cody and along the way from Toronto, check out many other touristy and off-beat phenomenons as I refer to them.


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While I’ve visited a large number of different states, I have yet to visit the state of Colorado, home of the Quebec Nordiques, now the Colorado Avalanche (I know I will get flak for that…). Definitely would like to check out the US-550: the Million Dollar Highway and drop by the Royal Gorge.


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Ideally, I’d like to do some hiking in both states but I don’t mind just purely checking out a wide variety of must-see sites and some off-beat stuff that I stumble across.

IF not going down to travel around the United States, then I am pondering driving east to Newfoundland and Labrador, also referred to fondly as the “Rock” by many Newfoundlanders. It’s the only province in Canada I have yet to visit so I feel it’s somewhat of my duty as a Canadian to at least journey over there.

More details to come. In the meanwhile, feel free to fire suggestions my way in the comments. I’ll be one happy camper once I’m able to put together a list of recommendations from people who have been there, done that, and firmly believe that certain places are worth stopping for.

the curve by Ehren Cheung

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On the Open Road Trip

Published
by
Ehren
on May 17, 2008
in Aspirations, Mentions, Ponderings, marketing and travel
. 0 Comments

Thanks to Ellen Ewart who pointed out today’s article in the Toronto Star on road trips — I just wanted to make an official statement that was most likely very obvious:

I love road trips.

That was it. Of course … I have more to say.

Photography by Ehren Cheung

Almost everyone I know enjoys a road trip — but there are differences between those who merely enjoy the experience and those like myself who thrive. What type of road tripper are you? I’m the type who starts the engine, crank up the music (not to a deafening level), and I am one very content human being — then take my car on a road trip and I am bursting with energy, ready to seek out new and unexplored places — stuff unknown to me. Example: bouldering in New Hampshire (see short video from my trip last year)

I don’t necessarily care where I’m going — as long as I’m going in the right direction. What’s the right direction? Well I guess it can be anything! This can be a city that we really want to visit or a lemonade stand that we happen to stop off at along the way to the state of Oregon. Anything we consider as a positive influence or experience on ourselves.

Photograph by Ehren Cheung

Do you plan ahead or do you just like to hit the road with a goal in mind? The amusing thing is that I have a feeling that most people would love to just hit the road with a goal in mind and take in whatever hits them (figuratively speaking…) — only to be hindered by our own fears and limitations imposed by our own mind and lifestyle. When we travel with others, we add to that struggle with the fears and limitations imposed by those we decide to travel with. What do we do then? We impose a schedule, create an extraordinary itinerary, and make reservations at hotels and motels with the hope that this route or path will lead us to a higher level of satisfaction — or in other words, happiness!

But how do we become more satisfied? When we plan and plan and plan for all of our destinations and stop offs, do we really get the best experience? Is this making the best use of the tiny bit of time we can get from our vacation time? From my own journeys, I’ve enjoyed a tremendous amount of satisfaction by noting the goals (i.e. must-see points) but mainly enjoying the road as it is — stopping whenever I or someone I travel with wants to stop to check something out. It can be anything from a long-deserted drive-in theatre, dilapidated barn or rustic-looking shed to the flowers growing along the road, and in some cases some random billboard that has a brilliant message.

Photograph by Ehren Cheung

Sometimes you find yourself in the middle of nowhere. And sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.

So what am I really trying to say? The point is NOT that we need to go out there and find ourselves. I think the way we travel is a reflection on how we treat ourselves or take in new experiences. We can choose to place the utmost importance on the destination or we can choose to balance the importance of the destination or goal with what’s between point A and B. We could also even forget the destination and just merely keep a goal in mind and just go from there. Let’s flip this over to businesses, particularly those that are trying to increase their presence on the internet — the travel industry is a good one to keep an eye on as there are so many puzzle pieces to the big picture, small and large.

Similar to the travel, people are on the road and on the web, taking their own paths and weaving their own experiences in a manner of speaking. Along the way, people stop and take photos of anything they find really interesting which they then share — similarly people on the web share links to content and video that they find interesting. So let me pose a question — what are you doing for your business or website that makes it worth sharing? I’m not talking just about your product that needs to be what I refer to as share worthy — I am pointing to everything about you and your website/business.

So when I’m travelling down the road enjoying my experience towards my destination; between point A and B; or just wandering — what’s going to make me stop? Will it be you? Will it be someone you’re travelling with? Or will it be this magnificent tree?

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An Earthbound Update

Published
by
Ehren
on November 11, 2007
in Interests, Mentions, magazines, photographs and travel
. 0 Comments

I just ran across Earthbound Magazine, and I noticed a photograph of mine was being used (they asked for permission).  Surf on over and check out their latest November/December issue.

Are you able to figure out where the photograph was taken?

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Some Squirrel Marketing

Published
by
Ehren
on November 11, 2007
in Interests, Mentions, Ponderings, applications, fun, marketing and travel
. 0 Comments

Have you ever noticed how mainstream media, animated movies, have embraced and promoted the personification of squirrels? Of course they are nearly adored in all parts of the world … I am sure some may consider them larger rodents. Nevertheless … the cuteness of the squirrel never ceases, particularly with photographers. Tourists come to Canada to run around chasing after squirrels, trying to photograph them. Does that mean we should start promoting Canada as a squirrel-filled destination rather than only focusing food, culture, and the CN Tower? Well one little town in Ontario has done so — Exeter has been promoting that they have white squirrels.

Even the squirrels know that a little marketing on their behalf won’t hurt!

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Some Rocky Inspiration

Published
by
Ehren
on September 18, 2007
in Mentions, Ponderings, fun, history, philosophy, travel and video
. 0 Comments

In a good sense that is …

During my recent trip to Pennsylvania, we explored Philadelphia for a couple of days. Philly is quite the city full of political and labour history. Definitely would go back to check out what I didn’t have time for. One thing I did get to do is visit the Museum of Art.

First thing I knew of and noticed was the constant flow of tourists who flocked to the statue of Rocky. Posing with Rocky Balboa was one of the primary attractions but not only did it seem that Rocky inspired people to pose, people ran up the stairs of the Museum of Art reenacting the scene in Rocky, and people would applaud and smile each time a group of people raced up the stairs. Some people were so enthused that they almost fell down the stairs!

Nevertheless, I find it interesting that Rocky inspires so many … for better or for worse … the character appeals to the nature of many Americans as well as those around the world who have watched the movie. I didn’t run up the stairs though … I just walked up and enjoyed the view at the very top of the stairs.

On the topic of inspiration … I’ve somehow found the inspiration to dive into linux and experiment with Ubuntu. I have to say I haven’t tinkered with command lines since DOS on PCs, but I am enjoying the opportunity to play around and explore the Linux environment which I have not yet done before. Hopefully my patience will still remain after a week …!

Now since we’re on the topic of inspiration, a neat little site called Should Do This has come up. Feel free to wander on over and suggest what Ehren should do :)

Here’s to Rocky!

Rocky Statue in Philadelphia

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Back to School-ing

Published
by
Ehren
on September 3, 2007
in Aspirations, Interests, Mentions, Ponderings, Unthinkables, fun, marketing, philosophy, policy, politics, travel and work
. 0 Comments

I just got back from Philly yesterday night after dropping by Buzzy’s on the way home.  Buzzy’s is THE best place for buffalo wings and pizza if you are passing through Niagara Falls, NY.  It’s a small family-owned restaurant that isn’t exactly the most smoothly-run restaurant in the world, but the food makes it all worthwhile!  I wish I had a photograph for you but definitely recommend a slice of their chocolate peanut butter smoothie.  Among all the desserts that my sweet tooth aches for, that ranks number one on my chart.

Top Five Favourite Desserts

1.  Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie (Buzzy’s)

2.  Fried Ice Cream (ranks slightly higher than pretty much any other ice cream related item)
3.  Sweet Potato Pie

4.  Soft-baked Chocolate Chunk Cookies (Farmer’s Market)

5.  Pecan Pie (ranks slightly higher than the rest of the other pies and all other desserts which I find amazing regardless)

What does this have to do with schooling?  Well, nothing but I thought I’d start off sweet and then throw out the hard stuff.  I think funniest things about desserts and school is what I remember as a kid.  What I would do for some chocolate or something to soothe that sweet tooth.

Now what am I taking a school-ing for?  Because I love learning (sans the exams of course).  Of course this will mean that I am ultimately very busy for the next few months but hopefully it will all be for the best and I will come out with some newfound skills and abilities.

While I was travelling through Pennsylvania and its many beautiful cities and small towns, we often stopped for a bite to eat at diners, fastfood chains and the odd tourist attraction.  I admired the number of small businesses that were able to thrive in small town USA, many of which would not be able to in Canada.  These towns were only a mere one or two hours apart but the landscape was different as were the people.

Small towns in Canada should not need to depend on resources that larger cities demand.  One thing that I definitely noticed was the fact that people from all over Pennsylvania would travel through smaller towns, something that does not happen frequently in Ontario.  It’s the unfortunate consequence of our geography when a massive majority of our population lives within the core areas of southwestern Ontario.  There are major implications for Canadians and Ontarians in general when majority of employment is located in southwestern Ontario and people must live near where they work.  I look forward to the time when employers promote and consider telecommuting seriously.  Just commuting alone to downtown Toronto, I lose four hours a day.  That’s four hours I could do whatever else I wanted to keep me being happy me.

Back to school-ing.  Notice in school, we were graded by the exams we take, the projects we finish, and the assignments we hand in?  Perhaps there was a small participation mark but the large percentage of credit was given for work completed.  If school is like that, why isn’t work?  If employers and employees wanted to get the most of their work or free hours, being paid per project is the most efficient and effective manner of operating.  Add on performance measures and you’ve got an operation that will nearly ensure things get done on time or as efficiently as possible.  I wonder how long it will take for companies to start realizing that hourly and salary based work is not the best way to make use of time.

Now why the connection between desserts and school again?  Well, it means less time for me to enjoy and make the desserts that life brings to the table.  Only for the meanwhile …

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We’re … Earthbound!

Published
by
Ehren
on July 3, 2007
in Interests, Mentions, Ponderings, magazines and travel
. 0 Comments

I’ve been talking about traveling a lot these days and I’m bound to talk about it more as August is fast arriving with my two friends and I preparing for our hike up Mt. Washington, New Hampshire.  On a related note, a few months ago a fellow Centennial alumni contacted myself and other Centennial College graduates to see if anyone would be interested in writing for a magazine that her and her team were working on.  Now I don’t really write (aside from blogging) but I do enjoy taking photographs when I travel (well … who doesn’t??).  I did offer her the use of my photographs but they weren’t the right material for the first issue.  Point is … I got to meet Cindy Sosroutomo who has started a new online magazine for avid travelers!

Take a look at a new online magazine, Earthbound.  For those who are interested in travel writing or photography, and those who are simply interested in traveling (or in my case … wandering).  Surf on over to their website and check out what they have to offer.  So far so good!

To quote from Earthbound, the magazine was founded by editor Cindy Sosroutomo and her team to essentially provide “an online forum where independent travellers can not only learn more about their next destination, but also contribute their own stories of far-off places and kick-ass adventures. Earthbound is every bit your magazine as it is ours, written for and by travel-seekers who are happiest when far from anything ordinary.”

Earthbound Magazine

Sounds like a great magazine and I wish them the best.  I look forward to reading the upcoming issues!

 

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Preparing for Mt. Washington

Published
by
Ehren
on June 23, 2007
in Interests, Mentions, fun, hiking, nature, technology and travel
. 1 Comment

We have a month or so until a couple of friends and myself trek down to New Hampshire to hike in the White Mountains Region. As exciting as the trip is, it also takes its toll on the wallet with backpacks and new hiking boots. Nevertheless at least I don’t have to purchase new equipment.

A friend and I made our way to Mountain Equipment Co-op in Toronto thinking we could definitely find some good selection only to realize that they’ve turned the entire Toronto location into some trendy urban lifestyle environmentally friendly store with poor selection of backpacks, shoes and other hiking gear. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad at all but the store really has a big box feel to it that makes me feel icky. My friend and I then walked across the street to Europe Bound, a smaller store with a focus on traveling but with hikers and campers in mind. As soon as I walked in, I actually felt pretty comfortable, no big box feel. The selection was definitely better but then my friend suggested we go on over to Hiker’s Haven the following week.

So fast forward a week and this morning we ended up at Hiker’s Haven all the way in Oakville, Ontario. After some snail-paced traffic, we were finally able to check out a vast amount of hiking gear. The feel of the store was definitely pretty good with no corporate big box influences. Perhaps it’s just my instinct but when I see a mess (not literally) of hiking gear rather than simply wide-open spaces and neatly-stacked clothes, I feel more comfortable going through and finding what I want.

Anyways, thanks to a very kind and patient woman who helped two of my friends and I for hours, we were able to find what we were looking for and I was able to get an excellent Lowe Alpine pack and some good comfortable hiking footwear. There were more things but nevermind …

Lowe Alpine TFX Wilderness 65+15 Montrail - Torre GTX Classic

Click here to check out the Lowe Alpine Wilderness Pack and the Montrail - Torre GTX Classic. Not quite exactly what I got but it’s close!  I’ll let you know what I think of them in a couple weeks when I take them for a test run on a “pre-hike”.

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