Destination Unknown

I turned 35 this year, at the beginning of September. I was a little anxious about my birthday this year and undecided about how to celebrate.  But all anxiety and indecision was thrown out the window when my friend, James, took me on a surprise road trip for my birthday weekend. James didn't tell me anything about where we were going! We loaded up the car on Friday morning and hit the road...

Four hours later {in record time} Destination #1 became known: NYC!!!

James got us tickets to the Electric Zoo concert on Randall's Island where some of our favorite DJ's were performing live: Carl Cox, Benny Benassi, Victor Calderone, MSTRKRFT, and TIESTO, just to name a few.  I didn't do a great job taking pictures at Electric Zoo :( TIESTO's set - one of my all time fav DJ's! More TIESTO Carl Cox and Victor Calderone turned out amazing sets too.  We danced our asses off, and the next morning we were back on the road for Destination #2 Unknown... We drove North through Pennsylvania and New York and marveled in how beautiful the hills and trees are as Fall is starting to set in.  Several hours later we crossed the border to Destination #2 known: TORONTO!! Toronto skyline CN Tower Retro graffiti Cool street art Toronto's Old City Hall Random bagpiper on Queen Street Toronto is a cool, hip city. I'll definitely be going back.  We ate great food, heard great music and danced til we {I} literally couldn't stand any more.  On our last day, we decided to rent bikes from BIXI, Toronto's bike share program.  We rode all over the city starting with Toronto's Distillery District.  And as we ride up, this is what we see! This is Michael Christian's Kolios art sculpture.  Michael Christian first made this sculpture for Burning Man in 2007.  The Destination Unknown trip that James planned was, in part, a Burning Man alternative for me as I was pretty sad that I was not able to go this year. I have gone the last four consecutive years, with my virgin year being in 2007 when Kolios first graced the playa.  Check out Michael Christian's website--you can see Kolios both in Toronto's Distillery District as on the playa at Burning Man Festival. Chilling at Balzac's Coffee Roasters in the Distillery District.  The Distillery District is a really cute area.  Local vendors come out selling art and crafts.  The area is pedestrian only and full of cute shops, cafes, restaurants and lounges. And terrific people watching. Distillery District shops James, captain of el road trip! We stopped at Fuzion restaurant for a late afternoon drink and this bee was chilling on our table for the longest time!  He was just walking around the table checking stuff out.  I've never seen a bee behave that way before; I must have taken over 20 pictures of him. Regretfully our trip had to come to an end, but on the way home we took a detour to visit Niagara Falls.  James and I had never been--it's really pretty impressive! It's incredible how close to the falls the lookout points are on the Canadian side of the falls.  This photo isn't zoomed in at all and the water is probably only 20 feet away... and it's surprisingly green. View of the falls from the Canadian side, looking towards the US side.  James and I at Niagara Falls.  {look I'm sporting the hair halo. :) James, you are an amazing friend, travel companion, dance partner, co-conspirator of fun and craziness and an overall amazing person.  You bring so much joy, laughter, fun and silliness to people's life.  Your generosity and love for your friends knows no bounds; and even though you lied about the marshes of ptown that one time, I'm still grateful that you are my solid!  You are beloved, by me.

* Title: road trip theme song Destination Unknown by Alex Gaudino Feat. Christal Waters - Destination Calabria

Happy Friday, my beloved!!