New Digs Coming Up

I love moving into new places, it’s always such a thrill to me for some reason but the actual MOVING part sucks.

Third floor y’all.

Ah well. It’s going to be a change. Back to just me, in a one bedroom apartment. WITH a washer and dryer hookup. I’m getting a bit excited/nervous about it.

It’s still within walking distance of the gym, which is sort of a big requirement for me. My lease on current apartment runs out on the 31rst of March and I have officially sent in my letter of intent to vacate. Been approved for the other apartment already, just waiting to find out how much deposits will be. it’s a bit cheaper than what I currently pay so, that’ll be nice.

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RIP Diablo/Kilo/Kitty Boy/Fat Boy

Today I had to take my fat boy in to be put to sleep. Renal failure. He was approximately 15 years old and I’ve had him for 12 years now.

My world is so sad today.

1. He was BREATHING and alive then with a stroke of a pen, I signed the papers to have him killed. Nothing really makes that okay. No, it doesn’t. Yes, he had a great life with me and we had a lot of years together but now, he’s gone.

2. I will get past this but today I take the option to just be sad. I have cried and cried and cried. And somehow I still have fucking tears left. That sucks.

3. Chris couldn’t even console me and tell me that I was doing the right thing. Fuck him. He was too busy being selfish.

4. The lady at the vets asked me if I had any more pets in this hopeful voice and then that’s sort of when I started crying again. No, actually, no I don’t. I have no more pets.

My boy

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Christmas Day 2011

Christmas day was pretty decent. I slept until NOON. Hah! Nice. Chris woke me up because his Mom was there and they were doing their get together before his daughter left to visit other family.

His Mom got me a few things, random crazy stuff, which is totally not necessary and reminds me of my Gram in certain ways. A green chair, a green little rug, a yellow soft fuzzy blanket with my name embroidered in green on it, a pair of NC State flip flops (mens? size 7.8? huge), two little Christmas towels for kitchen/bathroom, and a laundry sack.

Caitlyn gave me a Starbucks Hot Chocolate gift set from store.

After that was done, they left and it was just me and Chris. He knows that I want to spend a part of the day outside when I’m not working. So we chose to do part of the Reedy Creek Trail (Capital Greenway) and walked over the pedestrian bridge over 440. Very cool.

on Meredith College property. Looks like an abandoned nursery but it's still in use. They just abandoned all the plants that they didn't use I guess over various projects.

 

I love the colors of this photo. Not the best camera on my phone but still pretty.

 

 

A piece of art out at the NC Museum of Art on Blue Ridge Road.

 

a beautiful end of the Christmas Day 2011. The sky was beautiful, it was cold enough that it felt like winter, and it was so quiet and peaceful. The perfect end to Christmas Day.

 

We drove around all through Raleigh afterwards. Through Downtown, just looking at the lights and the shops, and enjoying the very little traffic. All the way up Glenwood to Brier Creek area, then over 540 back to Falls of Neuse. We spotted an open restaurant and went in to try it out.

Asian Grill sounded sort of generic so was not expecting food of the nature and caliber that we received. Fan TAS Tic! Seriously. Won Ton Soup, Egg Drop Soup, General Tso’s chicken, and a steamed shrimp and veggies: $37.

Excellent food. The won tons in the soup were the best I’ve had. Very fresh and obviously made there in the restaurant.

Very small place, probably 6 booths, 2 large tables that can accommodate 8 people, and a few smaller tables.

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Cafe Tiramisu, Armadillo Grill, Kanki at mall

So this weekend was a lot of eating out. My most favorite thing to do. It was Chris’s 39th birthday yesterday and I took him to lunch at Kanki.

We both had the Business Lunch which included the awesome soup, the salad with the ginger dressing, and the hibachi cooking. Shrimp, chicken, and steak. YUM.

Unfortunately, our dinner companions at the table were a bunch of douche-bags. Sorry, not a nice word but just ridiculous. And NO FUN.

Whatever .The food was delicious and we ate way too much. Or at least, *I* did. Then, I had to go teach class about an hour after lunch. ERGH.

After class and after church, Chris mentioned he was hungry. I wasn’t really but wanted something sweet. So we ended up trying out Cafe Tiramisu in the shopping center.

Let’s just say: la di dah. Make sure you dress up and get reservations. We ended up sitting at the bar as it wasn’t a big deal and the food? In a class of it’s own.

We ended up getting a few appetizers, (coffee for me!), and dessert.

I had the Caprese salad and Chris ordered the Stuffed Clams. They were stuffed with pancetta, clam meat, spinach, and parmesean cheese. Something spicy too but it was super good.

For dessert: you will not find a better homemade Tiramisu. My God. So light, so perfect. And large portion. Definitely enough to share. Chris got the Peanut Butter Pie though and that too was phenomenal.

Don’t plan on dropping under $50 for a dinner for two though. It’s priced mid-range I’d say. Our bill was $35 not including the tip.

The setting very intimate. Probably no more than 10 tables plus the bar. So definitely get your reservations. Well worth it though if you’re looking for something romantic and fresh Italian. Good stuff.

Then, on the other side of the coin: Armadillo Grill.

Located on Glenwood in downtown Raleigh, I’ve driven by this place so many times. Chris talked me into going in and checking it out on Saturday evening.

Really casual setting but comfortable and affordable! We got so much food for $23 and no wait staff means no tip. Huge, huge, selection of Tequila and you place the order at the bar after filling in a piece of paper and choosing what you want. They do charge for every little thing, so if you get tomatos on a taco, you’ll pay for them.

Decent though and LOTS OF NEON. Plus a little crowd of (what looked like) newly minted Marines came in just before we left. So short! And young! My God. I felt pretty old. Hah!

http://fondaybirrieriajalisco.com/ though still has best authentic, affordable Mexican and it’s in the most hideous place: a random strip mall near the big Wal-Mart off of Wake Forest Road. Their menus are extensive: http://fondaybirrieriajalisco.com/menupages

So, if you’re downtown Raleigh, and craving some cheap, decent Mexican, hit Armadillo Cafe. They are open until 3AM too!

They call themselves Tex-Mex but in my definition, not so much. http://www.armadillogrill.com/

Easy and casual though and very inexpensive for the downtown area!

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Pressure!

So my blood pressure has been getting dangerously high.

I’m a little irritated….nope, change that to a LOT irritated about the whole thing. It’s not in my family history, I work out every day, cardio and weights, eat a pretty decent diet, and my blood pressure STILL sucks.

Not thrilled with my body at this point. It’s failing me! Whatever.

I see a chiropractor within the gym on a semi-regular basis but it’s been steadily creeping up over the past few years. I used to have readings of 120/72.

A week or so ago? A normal evening reading would be 196/98.

Oh, well hello imminent stroke!

After getting that kind of read out and the chiro telling me that I needed to do something, I sort of torqued off a bit. I was so upset that I just locked myself in the bathroom and cried for about 10 minutes. I left, trying not to run into anyone, and was going to just walk back to the apartment. It’s only 20 minutes and I enjoy it if the weather is nice.

Went over to Tribeca Tavern, thinking maybe eating out would cheer me up.

No, not really. I sat in a tiny booth in the bar and kept my eyes up to the tv monitor watching the music videos play through and trying not to sit there and cry. Poor waitress. Offered to get me a shot or something to make me feel better.

Ate, left, walked home. Sat in dark and cried off and on for about an hour and half.

Stupid emotional outbursts.

Refused to speak to the people who shared my apartment for several days. Just so irritated at Chris and irritated at having to deal with the tension between him and his daughter. Whatever. It’s not my problem and yet I’m having to feel the emotional stress. I hate that.

Finally, made an appointment with the doctor that can give me drugs.

She started me out on a baby dose of whatever it is, 5 mg and it seems to be working.

12/5/11 at 5:20 PM it was 156/92 with a pulse of 65

12/6/11 at 5:15 PM it was 163/88 with pulse of 64

12/8/11 around 5:20 PM it was 131/75 with pulse of 62

12/12 around 5:20 PM it was 144/87 with a pulse of ???

I can feel the pressure in my head is getting better. My forehead doesn’t feel like it’s going to separate from my head and skull as badly. It still gets higher in the evening after I go home from the gym but getting better.

 

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Gear and Sad Kid

My daughter is not happy with me wanting to do this walking thing. I don’t know many almost 19 years old kids that burst into tears thinking about their Mom NOT being around.

Sheesh. I thought it would go over a bit easier than it did. Poor baby. Alix is a Mama’s Girl all the way. I asked her why she didn’t miss me the whole time she was living in Montana. She told me she just didn’t know better.

I have no answer or response to that.

I need to get two of these. Redundancy is super important and water is going to be one of the TOP most priorities. I may also have some backup water purifying tablets but I don’t trust them as I haven’t had to rely on them. I have used this before and it’s awesome.

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/water-treatment-and-hydration/expedition-water-treatment-and-hydration/miniworks-ex-microfilter/product

I did request REI gift cards for Christmas but Alix said No. I am not funding anything for this trip. Heh.

I’m also debating on the cooking thing. I don’t want to have to deal with gasoline in canisters which means that I can’t use the MSR Whisperlite which I am familiar with.

http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/simple-cooking/whisperlite/product

So I will probably go with the jetboil or something of that nature since the gas is in a container that is easier to transport. Not less bulky and have heard that it’s not always easy to use in higher altitudes but I’m not going that high for it to become an issue. And that’s just random hearsay. It’s most likely just fine.

http://shop.jetboil.com/index.php/sol-cooking-ti.html

I don’t know that I would plan on every dinner being cooked but it would be nice to have that option and it’s going to need to be easy to deal with.

Walking poles. After two times out on the AT, if I backpack it and not go with that stroller option, then these will be an absolute necessity. If not backpacking, not needed.

Tent. Need something easy to assemble, rugged, but light. EASY To assemble is biggie. Will need to go to REI to check this out. Never really paid attention to tents as on the AT there are prebuilt shelters to stay in at regular intervals and tents aren’t allowed in the Smokies.

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Strange Brew (in my head)

My nightmares for the past couple of months have been sort of stressful. I’m not sleeping well and that sort of sucks because it messes up everything.

My social circle from knowing people at the gym is crazy awesome, we seriously have the best members ANYwhere. It’s obviously very community oriented and they draw new people in without any hesitations. Which makes the new members feel good and also feel welcomed. That’s so important for people to be a success and to keep coming back in.

Lots of new members lately too, I try to remember all the names and I mostly do and people are like, HOW DO YOU DO THAT!!!??? And that makes me happy. One of my members told me that I should have been a politician. Funny! Not with all these skeletons dancing in my closet. :)

 

 

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Envision It: Do It

People say, not sure who they are but, to be successful you need to picture yourself DOING whatever it is that you want to accomplish.

So I’ve been doing just that. Trying to imagine how the loneliness would feel, day after day after day, wondering how I would be able to re aclimate to society once I completed the journey.

I worry about that part a lot.

But I have dreamed a long time about traveling across the US. But it always was by vehicle.

I like walking better than I like riding. And it’s not the beginning or the ending, it’s the points in between that I long for the most.

Walking in blinding rain would be not fun. Walking in a dust storm would be not fun.

But you can always stop. You can. Just sit. Or hunker down, cover your head with your arms.

Why now though? obviously: i do not like where my life is at right now. It is not serving a greater purpose. And I’m getting older. Maybe it’s my mid-life crisis. I will be 40 next summer.

I think that’s a great reason though.

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Crazy Enough To Do It

I am planning.

Beginning in Raleigh, NC, or maybe flying out to California and walking back to the east coast.

Why not?

I have a crappy little sales job that I can replace any time I need to and well, group fitness is going to be there to int he future.

So, I would need to figure out my meds for the things that are non-negotiable like my thyroid stuff.

Then, I need to start packing away the things that I definitely don’t want to part with and giving the stuff to my kids that I always planned on doing.

Food and gear.

Places to stay.

A definite time line.

A mostly definite route.

http://media.icebreaker.com/index.php?s=64

 

http://imjustwalkin.com/details/

http://www.walkingman.org/

 

What I have is my backpack, what I’m thinking is the way the justwalkin.com guy did with a push cart.

 

clothing from one guy:

http://www.walkingman.org/equipment/clothing

Clothing List: Gore-tex jacket, lightweight wool dress pants, wool sweater, cotton dress shirt, two pairs black bicycle shorts, one bicycle shirt, two pairs polypropalene liner socks, two pairs hiking socks, one pair thick wool socks, wool hat, wool gloves, Tyvek coveralls, wide brim hat, bedsheet toga. All these clothes were either found, given to me or purchased at a thrift store for about twenty dollars. Salvation Army and Goodwill are my favorite thrifts stores. Sometimes small towns will have church run stores in the basement, just ask around, and keep you eyes open, if you need something bad enough you will find it eventually.

 

Walkingman’s Diet: Cost Calories
2 cups of oatmeal with sugar, milk, 2 eggs. $.40 500

6 bananas, 3 oranges, 2 apples, 1 carrot. $1.65 1040

4 peanut butter sandwiches. $.70 1400

half a pound of cookies. $.50 1000 cup of yogurt . $.50 250

4 liters of sun tea. $.20 750

1 multivitamin and mineral pill. $.04 0

1 cup of real coffee with sugar and cream. $.40 100

———————————-

Average daily cost and calorie intake. $4.39 5040

http://www.aaronhuey.com/walk/pages/aaronhuey/walk_index.html

http://www.mywalkingadventure.com/sponsors.htm

http://www.rungeordierun.com/

http://www.goallpower.com/walk/

http://www.trailjournals.com/walkacrosstheus

http://www.timothydesigns.info/c2cw/

http://imjustwalkin.com/2011/08/25/thoughts-on-the-red-line-the-extended-edition/

http://www.walkingman.org/roadbyyear/us2010

http://www.whereisgumby.com/gumby-s-writings/basic-camping

http://www.bergdesigns.net/

 

 

Head southeast on Carolina Beach Rd toward Fairview Dr
2 Turn right toward US-421 S/Carolina Beach Rd
3 Turn right onto US-421 S/Carolina Beach Rd

Continue to follow US-421 S
4 Turn right onto Fort Fisher Blvd S
5 Take the Fort Fisher – Southportferry to Southport

This road may be seasonally closed
6 Continue straight onto N Carolina 211 N/Ferry Rd SE
7 Turn left onto E Moore St
8 Turn right onto Yaupon Dr Exd
9 Continue onto Park Ave Exn
10 Turn left onto Holly Dr
11 Turn right onto Stuart Ave
12 Turn right onto N Carolina 211 N/N Howe St

Continue to follow N Carolina 211 N
13 Turn left onto US-17 S/Ocean Hwy W
14 Turn left onto US-17 BUS S/Main St
15 Turn left onto US-17 S/Ocean Hwy W
16 Turn right onto Hickman Rd NW

Entering South Carolina
17 Continue onto State Hwy 57 N
18 Continue onto S Carolina 90 W
19 Slight right onto Old Reaves Ferry Rd
20 Slight left onto S Carolina 905 S/Royal Tern Ct

Continue to follow S Carolina 905 S
21 Turn right onto Wright Blvd
22 Continue onto US-378 W
23 Slight right to stay on US-378 W
24 Slight right onto US-378 W/Clarence Coker Hwy

Continue to follow US-378 W
25 Slight right onto US-378 W/Myrtle Beach Hwy
26 Slight left onto US-378 E/Myrtle Beach Hwy

Continue to follow Myrtle Beach Hwy
27 Continue onto E Liberty St
28 Turn right onto Phelps St
29 Turn left onto Nash St
30 Turn right onto Henderson St
31 Turn left onto S Wise Dr
32 Continue onto Patriot Pkwy
33 Turn left onto Panda Rd
34 Turn right onto Cane Savannah Rd
35 Turn right onto S Carolina 261 W/S Kings Hwy
36 Slight left onto US-378 E/US-76 E
37 Turn right onto US-378/US-76/Garners Ferry Rd
38 Turn left onto US-378 W/US-76 W/Garners Ferry Rd

Continue to follow US-378 W/US-76 W
39 Continue onto Devine St
40 Turn left onto Saluda Ave
41 Turn right onto Blossom St
42 Slight left to stay on Blossom St
43 Continue onto US-176 E/US-21 S/US-321 S/Knox Abbott Dr
44 Turn right onto 7th St Exd/Still Hopes Dr
45 Turn left onto F Ave
46 Turn right onto 12th St
47 Turn left onto Augusta St
48 Slight left onto US-1 S/Augusta Rd
49 Turn left onto Kitti Wake Dr
50 Turn right onto State Rd S-32-70/Two Notch Rd
51 Turn right to stay on State Rd S-32-70/Two Notch Rd

Continue to follow Two Notch Rd
52 Continue onto Chinquapin Church Rd
53 Continue onto Bethel Rd/State Rd S-41-222
54 Turn left onto S Carolina 23 S
55 Turn right onto Monument Dr
56 Slight right onto S Carolina 121 N
57 Slight left onto Long Cane Rd/State Rd S-19-21

Continue to follow Long Cane Rd
58 Slight left onto US-378 W
59 Turn left onto US-378 W/E Gold St

Continue to follow US-378 W
Entering Georgia
60 Slight right onto Bethany Church Rd
61 Continue onto Prater Rd
62 Turn right toward Jones Chapel Rd
63 Slight right onto Jones Chapel Rd
64 Turn left onto Ohara Standard Rd
65 Turn left onto GA-44 W/Danburg Rd
66 Turn right onto Bradford Rd/Co Rd 132

Continue to follow Bradford Rd
67 Turn right onto Co Rd 132/Heard Rd
68 Slight left to stay on Co Rd 132/Heard Rd
69 Turn right to stay on Co Rd 132/Heard Rd
70 Turn left onto Delhi Rd
71 Turn left onto N Hulin Ave
72 Turn right onto Co Rd 184/Independence St

Continue to follow Co Rd 184
73 Continue onto Clark Station Church Rd/Co Rd 106

Continue to follow Co Rd 106
74 Continue onto Co Rd 107/Hollis Norman Rd
75 Turn right onto Callaway Rd/Co Rd 82

Continue to follow Callaway Rd
76 Continue onto Duck Pond
77 Turn right onto Centerville Rd
78 Turn left onto Wesley Chapel Rd
79 Slight left onto GA-77 S/Elberton Rd
80 Turn right onto Fairground Rd
81 Turn right toward GA-22 E/Comer Rd
82 Turn left toward GA-22 E/Comer Rd
83 Turn right onto GA-22 E/Comer Rd
84 Turn left onto Buddy Faust Rd
85 Turn right onto GA-10 W/US-78 W/Athens Rd
86 Turn right onto Bunker Hill Rd
87 Turn right to stay on Bunker Hill Rd
88 Turn left onto Old Mill Rd
89 Turn right onto Smokey Rd
90 Turn right onto GA-10 W/US-78 W/Athens Rd

Continue to follow GA-10 W/US-78 W
91 Slight right onto US-78 W/Lexington Rd
92 Slight right onto Lexington Rd
93 Continue onto Oconee St
94 Continue onto Oak St
95 Continue onto Oconee St
96 Slight left onto E Broad St
97 Slight right onto W Broad St
98 Slight right to stay on W Broad St
99 Continue onto US-78 BUS W/West Broad Street

Continue to follow US-78 BUS W
100 Keep right at the fork
101 Slight right onto GA-8 W/US-78 BUS W

Continue to follow GA-8 W
102 Turn left onto Murry Ave
103 Turn right onto Church St
104 Slight left onto Stanley Rd
105 Turn left onto GA-8 W/US-29 BUS S/Winder Hwy
106 Turn right onto GA-316 E/University Pkwy
107 Turn left onto Progress Central Ave NE
108 Turn right onto Airport Rd
109 Turn left onto Hurricane Shoals Rd NE
110 Keep left at the fork
111 Turn right onto GA-120 W
112 Slight right onto GA-120 W/Duluth Hwy 120
113 Turn left onto Cardinal Lake Dr NW
114 Turn left onto Hill Dr NW
115 Continue onto N Berkeley Lake Rd
116 Turn left onto GA-13 S/US-23 S/Buford Hwy NW
117 Turn right onto S Old Peachtree Rd NW
118 Turn left onto S Old Peachtree Rd
119 Continue onto Spalding Dr
120 Slight right to stay on Spalding Dr
121 Slight left onto Mt Vernon Rd
122 Continue onto Johnson Ferry Rd NE
123 Turn left toward Mt Vernon Hwy NE
124 Turn right onto Mt Vernon Hwy NE
125 Turn right onto Dupree Dr NW
126 Turn left onto Old Powers Ferry Rd NW
127 Turn right onto Northside Dr NW
128 Turn left onto Powers Ferry Rd
129 Turn right onto Powers Ferry Rd SE
130 Turn left onto Windy Hill Rd SE
131 Turn right onto Cobb Pkwy SE
132 Turn right onto Cumberland Point Dr
133 Turn right toward Cumberland Point Dr
134 Make a U-turn
135 Turn left onto Cumberland Point Dr
136 Turn left onto Cobb Pkwy SE
137 Turn right
138 Turn left toward Windy Hill Rd
139 Turn left toward Windy Hill Rd
140 Turn right toward Windy Hill Rd
141 Turn left toward Windy Hill Rd
142 Turn right onto Windy Hill Rd
143 Slight right to stay on Windy Hill Rd
144 Slight right onto Windy Hill/Macland Road Connector
145 Continue straight onto MacLand Crossing Cir SW
146 Slight right to stay on MacLand Crossing Cir SW
147 Slight left onto GA-360 W/MacLand Rd
148 Turn left onto Bullard Rd
149 Continue onto Florence Rd
150 Turn right onto Hiram Rd
151 Slight right onto Moon Rd
152 Turn left onto Poplar Springs Rd
153 Continue onto Cleburne Pkwy
154 Turn right onto Rosedale Dr
155 Turn left onto Roper Rd
156 Continue onto Powder Springs St
157 Continue onto Main St
158 Turn left onto GA-92 S/Hiram Douglasville Rd
159 Turn right onto Georgia 120 Connector W/Hiram Sudie Rd

Continue to follow Georgia 120 Connector W
160 Turn left onto GA-120 W/Buchanan Hwy

Continue to follow GA-120 W
161 Slight left onto Williams St
162 Continue onto Tallapoosa St
163 Turn left onto GA-120 W/Tallapoosa Rd

Continue to follow GA-120 W
164 Continue onto Broad St
165 Turn left onto Arbacoochee Rd
166 Turn right onto GA-8 W/US-78 W

Continue to follow US-78 W
Entering Alabama
167 Turn right onto 66 Spur/Co Rd 66

Continue to follow Co Rd 66
168 Continue onto Oxford St
169 Turn right onto Bedwell St
170 Turn right onto AL-4 W/AL-9 N/US-78 W

Continue to follow AL-4 W/US-78 W
171 Slight right to stay on AL-4 W/US-78 W
172 Slight right to stay on AL-4 W/US-78 W
173 Turn left onto Co Rd 27/Wolf Creek Rd S
174 Continue onto Co Rd 55
175 Continue onto Co Rd 43
176 Continue onto Bear Creek Rd
177 Turn right onto Co Rd 280
178 Turn left onto Co Rd 377/Mountain Crest Rd
179 Turn right onto Co Rd 11
180 Turn right onto Co Rd 52 E
181 Slight left to stay on Co Rd 52 E
182 Turn right onto Pelham Pkwy
183 Turn left onto Co Rd 52
184 Slight left onto 4th Ave/Co Rd 52
185 Slight left to stay on 4th Ave/Co Rd 52
186 Turn left onto Helena Rd
187 Turn right toward Co Rd 52
188 Turn right onto Co Rd 52
189 Turn left onto Co Rd 13
190 Continue onto Co Rd 12/Grey Hill Rd
191 Turn left onto Presbyterian Church Rd
192 Turn left onto Co Rd 12/Co Rd 97/Eastern Valley Rd
193 Turn right onto Coldwater Rd/Co Rd 27
194 Slight right onto AL-5 N
195 Turn left onto AL-7/US-11 N
196 Turn right onto Co Rd 32/Keenes Mill Rd
197 Slight left onto AL-216 W/Old Birmingham Hwy
198 Slight right onto University Blvd E
199 Slight right onto University Blvd
200 Turn right onto Lurleen B Wallace Blvd N
201 Turn left onto 10th St
202 Turn right onto Main Ave
203 Turn left onto 33rd St
204 Turn right onto 39th Ave
205 Turn left onto AL-6 E/US-82 E/McFarland Blvd NE

Continue to follow AL-6 E/US-82 E
206 Slight right onto AL-6 W/US-82 W
207 Slight right onto 1st Ave W
208 Turn right onto Co Rd 30/Loop Rd
209 Turn right onto AL-6 W/US-82 W/Co Rd 30
210 Turn left onto Doc Sanders
211 Turn right onto AL-6 E/US-82 E/Co Rd 30
212 Turn left
213 Turn right toward Co Rd 30
214 Turn right onto Co Rd 30
215 Turn left onto AL-6 E/US-82 E/Co Rd 30

Continue to follow AL-6 E/US-82 E
216 Turn left toward Co Rd 89/Hancock – Clemments Rd
217 Slight right onto Co Rd 89/Hancock – Clemments Rd
218 Continue onto Co Rd 30
219 Continue onto Hwy 182 E/State Hwy 182

Entering Mississippi
220 Slight right onto Alabama St
221 Turn right toward N 25th St/N Martin Luther King Jr Dr
222 Turn left toward N 25th St/N Martin Luther King Jr Dr
223 Turn right onto N 25th St/N Martin Luther King Jr Dr
224 Turn left onto N 7th Ave
225 Turn right onto Railroad St
226 Continue onto Bluecutt Rd Exd/Langford-Puckett
227 Continue onto Bluecutt Rd
228 Continue onto Holly Hills Rd
229 Turn left onto Section Line Rd
230 Turn right toward MS-50 W
231 Turn left onto MS-50 W
232 Turn left toward Pheba 4 St
233 Turn right toward Pheba 4 St
234 Continue straight onto Pheba 4 St
235 Turn left at Pheba St 9 St
236 Continue straight onto Billy White Rd
237 Turn right to stay on Billy White Rd
238 Continue onto Co Rd 191/Harpole Rd
239 Continue straight onto Co Rd 190/Hatcher Rd
240 Turn left to stay on Co Rd 190/Hatcher Rd
241 Continue onto Walls Rd/Webster 190
242 Turn left onto MS-15 S
243 Turn right onto 2nd Ave
244 Slight left onto Co Rd 141/Paige Rd
245 Continue onto Co Rd 139/Spring Valley Rd
246 Turn right onto US-82 E/West St

Continue to follow US-82 E
247 Turn right onto MS-182 W
248 Turn right onto US-82 E
249 Turn left onto Old Hwy 82 E
250 Continue onto Greensboro St
251 Turn right to stay on Greensboro St
252 Turn left onto N Union Ave
253 Turn right onto Liberty St
254 Continue onto Magnolia St
255 Turn left onto N Front St
256 Turn right onto Summit St
257 Continue onto Old Hwy 82 W
258 Turn left onto US-82 E/Middleton Rd

Continue to follow US-82 E
259 Turn left onto Co Rd 316/Skating Rink Rd
260 Turn right toward Co Rd 320
261 Continue straight onto Co Rd 320
262 Turn right to stay on Co Rd 320
263 Turn left onto US-82 E
264 Turn right onto Browning Rd/Co Rd 520
265 Continue onto Carrollton Ave
266 Turn right onto Lamar St
267 Turn left onto Carrollton Ave
268 Continue onto Wright Pl
269 Turn right onto Fulton St
270 Turn left onto Fulton St/Grand Blvd
271 Turn left onto W Claiborne Ave
272 Turn left onto US-49E S/US-82 E

Continue to follow US-82 E
273 Slight left onto Bayou Dr
274 Continue onto Main St
275 Turn left onto Front Ave
276 Slight right onto Westside Ave
277 Continue onto Heathman Rd
278 Slight left onto US-82 E
279 Turn left onto S Broad St/Old Hwy 61

Continue to follow Old Hwy 61
280 Turn right onto Black Bayou Rd
281 Slight left onto V F w Rd
282 Turn left to stay on V F w Rd
283 Continue onto Tennessee Gas Rd
284 Turn left onto Main Exd
285 Turn right onto Tampa Dr
286 Slight left onto Bayou Rd
287 Turn right to stay on Bayou Rd
288 Turn left onto Champion Dr
289 Turn right onto Guerdon Rd
290 Turn left onto US-278 W/US-82 W

Entering Arkansas
291 Turn left onto US-65 N
292 Turn right onto Co Rd 28/Jennie Cutoff Rd

Continue to follow Jennie Cutoff Rd
293 Turn right onto Co Rd 22/Jennie Cutoff Rd
294 Turn left to stay on Co Rd 22/Jennie Cutoff Rd
295 Turn right onto Co Rd 250/Pine Rd
296 Turn left onto Co Rd 251
297 Continue onto Co Rd 51
298 Turn left onto US-165 S
299 Turn right onto Griffith St
300 Continue onto N Railroad St
301 Turn right onto AR-160 W
302 Continue onto 69
303 Turn left onto 33
304 Turn left to stay on 33
305 Turn right onto AR-8 W/Ashley 182/Parker St
306 Turn left onto Co Rd 323
307 Turn right onto State Hwy 52 E
308 Continue onto US-82 W
309 Turn left onto US-82 W/E 1st Ave

Continue to follow US-82 W
310 Turn right onto Morgan Rd
311 Turn right onto US-82 W/Strong Hwy
312 Turn right onto Industrial Rd/US-82 BUS W
313 Turn left onto Molnaird Park Ave/US-82 BUS W

Continue to follow US-82 BUS W
314 Turn left onto S Flenniken Ave
315 Turn right onto W 2nd St
316 Turn right onto Robert E Lee St
317 Continue onto Haynesville Hwy

Entering Louisiana
318 Continue onto LA-161 S/Union Rd 251

Continue to follow LA-161 S
319 Continue onto LA-2 Alt W
320 Turn right to stay on LA-2 Alt W
321 Turn left to stay on LA-2 Alt W
322 Continue onto LA-2 W
323 Continue onto LA-2 Spur
324 Turn left onto US-371 S
325 Turn right onto LA-2 W
326 Slight right onto E Mary Lee Ave
327 Turn right onto LA-2 W/LA-3 N
328 Turn left onto LA-2 W/W Mary Lee St

Continue to follow LA-2 W
329 Turn left onto US-71 S
330 Turn right onto LA-2 W/Hosston Vivian Rd
331 Turn right onto S Pardue St
332 Slight left onto E Arkansas Ave
333 Turn right onto S Pine St
334 Turn left onto W Tennessee Ave
335 Turn left onto LA-170 W/Upper State Line Rd
336 Turn right onto Cass County Rd/Par Rd 105
337 Turn left onto C C 4455

Entering Texas
338 Continue onto Co Rd 4455
339 Continue onto Co Rd 4449
340 Continue onto Co Rd 4455
341 Turn left onto Co Rd 4448
342 Turn left onto Farm to Market Rd 125
343 Turn right onto Farm to Market Rd 125/S Main St
344 Turn left toward W Foster St
345 Continue straight onto W Foster St
346 Turn right onto S Foster St
347 Turn left onto TX-11 W/W Houston St

Continue to follow TX-11 W
348 Turn right onto TX-11 W/TX-49 W
349 Turn right onto Co Rd 2100
350 Continue onto Co Rd 2110
351 Turn right onto TX-11 W/TX-49 W
352 Turn right onto State St
353 Turn right onto Jefferson St
354 Turn left onto Sanders St
355 Turn left onto Nichols St
356 Continue onto E Hughes St
357 Turn right onto Coffey St
358 Slight right onto TX-49 W/US-259 N

Continue to follow TX-49 W
359 Turn left onto W 1st St/Farm to Market Rd 899

Continue to follow Farm to Market Rd 899
360 Turn right onto Interstate 30 Frontage Rd N
361 Turn right onto Cleveland St
362 Turn left onto US-67 S
363 Continue onto Co Rd 1010
364 Turn right onto US-67 S
365 Continue onto Old US Hwy 67
366 Turn right to stay on Old US Hwy 67
367 Continue onto Jefferson St E/State Loop 313
368 Turn left to stay on Jefferson St E/State Loop 313
369 Turn right to stay on Jefferson St E/State Loop 313

Continue to follow State Loop 313
370 Turn right onto US-67 BUS S/Main St/State Loop 313

Continue to follow US-67 BUS S
371 Continue onto I-30 Frontage Rd
372 Turn right onto Lee St
373 Continue onto US-380 W
374 Slight right to stay on US-380 W
375 Slight left onto US-380 E
376 Turn left onto US-380 BUS E
377 Turn right onto Farm to Market 51 S/E Walnut St
378 Turn left onto Farm to Market 51 S/N Washburn St

Continue to follow N Washburn St
379 Turn left onto US-380 E/US-380 Bypass E

Continue to follow US-380 E
380 Slight left to stay on US-380 E
381 Turn right onto Causeway Rd
382 Turn left toward S Main St
383 Turn right onto S Main St
384 Turn left onto Hull St
385 Turn left onto W Mesquite Dr
386 Turn right onto S 2nd St
387 Turn left onto Mesquite Dr
388 Turn right onto S 3rd St
389 Turn left onto Mesquite Dr
390 Turn left onto S 11th St
391 Turn right toward US-380 W
392 Turn left onto US-380 W
393 Continue onto 7th St
394 Turn right onto Farm to Market Rd 61
395 Turn left onto Short Ln
396 Turn left onto Hardin Ln
397 Turn right onto Miller Bend Rd
398 Turn left onto US-380 W
399 Turn left onto Ranch Rd 610/Swenson Ave

Continue to follow Swenson Ave
400 Slight right onto Farm-To-Market Rd 2211 W
401 Slight left onto C R 421
402 Turn left onto C R 423
403 Continue onto County Rd 430
404 Turn left onto County Rd 438
405 Turn right onto County Rd 428
406 Continue onto Co Rd 428
407 Turn right onto TX-70 N
408 Continue onto US-380 W
409 Turn left onto US-380 W/S Broadway St (signs for Farm to Market 669)
410 Turn right onto US-380 W/W 8th St (signs for Farm to Market Rd 669)

Continue to follow US-380 W
411 Turn left onto US-380 W/US-385 S/US-62 W/US-82 W/Lubbock Rd

Continue to follow US-380 W/US-385 S/US-62 W/US-82 W
412 Turn right onto US-380 W/W Main St

Continue to follow US-380 W
Entering New Mexico
413 Slight right to stay on US-380 W
414 Slight right onto US-380 W/US-70 W/Co Rd E022
415 Turn right onto US-380 W
416 Turn left toward US-380 W
417 Continue straight onto US-380 W
418 Turn left
419 Turn right toward US-380 W
420 Turn left onto US-380 W
421 Turn right onto NM-1 N
422 Turn left
423 Slight right toward US-60 W/Grant St
424 Turn left onto US-60 W/Grant St

Continue to follow US-60 W
425 Turn right onto NM-601 N
426 Slight left onto Catron Co Rd A001
427 Continue onto Catron Co Rd A009
428 Continue onto Catron Co Rd A001
429 Turn left toward Catron Co Rd A001/State Route 191
430 Turn left onto Catron Co Rd A001/State Route 191

Entering Arizona
431 Continue onto County Rd 6040
432 Continue onto Co Rd 6040
433 Turn left onto Cleveland St/Commercial St

Continue to follow Commercial St
434 Turn left onto AZ-61 W/US-180 W/W Cleveland St

Continue to follow AZ-61 W/US-180 W
435 Turn right onto US-180 W
436 Turn right toward US-180 W
437 Turn right onto US-180 W
438 Slight right onto S Apache Dr
439 Turn left onto W Romero St
440 Turn left toward S Whiting Ave
441 Turn left onto S Whiting Ave
442 Continue onto McLaws Rd
443 Continue onto McClaws Rd
444 Continue onto Mc Laws Rd
445 Turn right onto AZ-99 W
446 Turn right onto AZ-87 N/AZ-99 W (signs for Winslow)
447 Turn left onto E 3rd St
448 Turn right onto N Berry Ave
449 Slight left onto N Park Dr
450 Continue onto Indn Route 2
451 Continue onto Indn Route 71
452 Turn right onto AZ-99 W
453 Turn left onto Indn Route 15
454 Continue onto Co Rd 419/Leupp Rd
455 Turn right onto Co Rd 394/Townsend Winona Rd

Continue to follow Townsend Winona Rd
456 Turn left onto US-89 S (signs for Flagstaff)
457 Turn right onto N Steves Blvd
458 Turn left onto E Lakin Dr
459 Continue onto N Patterson Blvd
460 Continue onto E 7th Ave
461 Turn right onto N 4th St
462 Turn left onto Rose Ave
463 Turn right onto N Rose St
464 Turn left onto E Cedar Ave
465 Continue straight to stay on E Cedar Ave
466 Continue onto E Forest Ave
467 Turn right onto N Fort Valley Rd
468 Slight right onto Flagstaff Urban Trail
469 Slight right onto US-180 W/N Fort Valley Rd

Continue to follow US-180 W
470 Turn left

This road may be seasonally closed
471 Turn right
472 Turn right toward Brannigan Park Rd
473 Turn right toward Brannigan Park Rd
474 Slight right onto Brannigan Park Rd
475 Continue onto Old 66/Park Rd
476 Continue onto Parks-Wagon Wheel Rd
477 Continue onto Old Hwy 66/Wagon Wheel Rd

Continue to follow Old Hwy 66
478 Turn left onto Deer Farm Rd
479 Continue onto Circle Pines Rd/Forest Service Rd 146

Continue to follow Forest Service Rd 146
480 Turn right onto Forest Service Rd 51A/E Mountain Man Trail
481 Turn left to stay on Forest Service Rd 51A/E Mountain Man Trail
482 Turn right toward Historic U.S. 66 W
483 Turn left onto Historic U.S. 66 W
484 Turn right onto E Rodeo Rd
485 Turn right toward E Frank Way
486 Turn right toward E Frank Way
487 Turn left onto E Frank Way
488 Turn right onto Airport Rd
489 Slight left
490 Turn right toward Forest Service Rd 6
491 Turn right onto Forest Service Rd 6
492 Turn left to stay on Forest Service Rd 6
493 Continue straight onto Forest Service Rd 525
494 Slight right
495 Turn left toward AZ-66 Scenic W
496 Turn right onto AZ-66 Scenic W
497 Turn left onto Fort Rock Rd
498 Continue onto Jolly Rd
499 Turn left to stay on Jolly Rd
500 Continue onto Fort Rock Rd
501 Continue onto Cross Mt Rd
502 Turn left onto Fort Rock Rd
503 Turn right
504 Turn left
505 Turn left toward Frontage Rd
506 Turn left onto Frontage Rd
507 Turn right to stay on Frontage Rd
508 Turn left onto Hackberry Rd
509 Turn right
510 Turn right toward Hidden Valley Rd
511 Continue straight onto Hidden Valley Rd
512 Hidden Valley Rd turns slightly left and becomes Windup Trail
513 Turn left toward Co Hwy 193
514 Turn right toward Co Hwy 193
515 Turn right onto Co Hwy 193
516 Continue onto Blake Ranch Rd
517 Continue onto S Dw Ranch Rd
518 Turn right to stay on S Dw Ranch Rd
519 Turn left
520 Slight right toward El Camino Dr
521 Turn right onto El Camino Dr
522 Slight left
523 Turn right
524 Turn left toward Airway Ave
525 Continue straight onto Airway Ave
526 Turn left onto E Andy Devine Ave/B-40
527 Slight left to stay on E Andy Devine Ave/B-40

Continue to follow E Andy Devine Ave
528 Turn left onto W Andy Devine Ave
529 Continue onto Historic U.S. 66 W
530 Turn right to stay on Historic U.S. 66 W
531 Continue onto Shinarump Rd
532 Continue onto Prescription Rd
533 Continue onto Shinarump Dr
534 Turn right toward Colorado Rd
535 Turn right onto Colorado Rd
536 Turn left onto Unkar Dr
537 Turn left onto Don Luis Rd
538 Turn right
539 Turn right
540 Turn right
541 Turn right toward AZ-68 E
542 Turn right toward AZ-68 E
543 Turn left onto AZ-68 E
544 Turn right onto AZ-95 N

Entering Nevada
545 Continue onto NV-163 W/Laughlin Hwy
546 Slight left toward US-95 S
547 Continue straight onto US-95 S

Entering California
548 Turn right
549 Turn right toward Old Government Rd
550 Continue straight onto Old Government Rd
551 Slight right
552 Turn left toward Old Government Rd
553 Slight right onto Old Government Rd
554 Continue onto Cedar Canyon Rd
555 Turn left onto Kelso Cima Rd
556 Turn right onto Utility Rd
557 Continue onto Utility Access Rd
558 Slight right onto Kelbaker Rd
559 Turn left onto Old Government Road
560 Slight right onto Brannigan Mine Rd
561 Continue onto Kelbaker Rd
562 Continue onto CA-127 N/Death Valley Rd
563 Turn left onto Powerline Rd
564 Turn right onto Silver Lake Rd
565 Continue onto E Range Rd

Restricted usage road
566 Slight left toward Barstow Rd/Camp Irwin Rd/Fort Irwin Rd

Restricted usage road
567 Turn left onto Barstow Rd/Camp Irwin Rd/Fort Irwin Rd

Restricted usage road
568 Turn right onto Langford Lake Rd

Restricted usage road
569 Turn left onto Goldstone Rd

Restricted usage road
570 Turn left toward Goldstone Rd

Restricted usage road
571 Turn left onto Goldstone Rd

Partial restricted usage road
572 Turn right to stay on Goldstone Rd
573 Turn left
574 Turn right at Old Copper City Rd
575 Turn left toward Granit Wells Rd
576 Turn left onto Granit Wells Rd
577 Slight left toward California Aqueduct
578 Slight left onto California Aqueduct
579 Continue onto Trona Rd
580 Turn right onto US-395 N/Broadway Ave
581 Turn left onto Oompaul St
582 Turn right onto Mountain Wells Ave
583 Continue onto Butte Ave/Randsburg Cutoff Rd

Continue to follow Butte Ave
584 Turn left onto County Rd 797/Redrock Randsburg Rd

Continue to follow Redrock Randsburg Rd
585 Turn left onto CA-14 S/Midland Trail
586 Turn right onto Jawbone Canyon Rd

Partial restricted usage road
587 Slight left toward Back Canyon Rd/Black Canyon Rd

Restricted usage road
588 Continue straight onto Back Canyon Rd/Black Canyon Rd

Restricted usage road
589 Continue onto Zachery Rd

Restricted usage road
590 Turn right onto Back Canyon Rd
591 Turn right to stay on Back Canyon Rd
592 Turn left onto Caliente Creek Rd
593 Continue onto Caliente Bodfish Rd
594 Turn right to stay on Caliente Bodfish Rd
595 Continue onto Bena Rd
596 Continue onto Edison Hwy
597 Slight left to stay on Edison Hwy
598 Continue onto E Truxtun Ave
599 Slight right onto Sumner St
600 Slight right onto Golden State Ave
601 Slight left onto 24th St
602 Continue onto 24th St Frontage Rd
603 Continue onto CA-178 W/24th St

Continue to follow CA-178 W
604 Continue onto CA-58 W/Blue Star Memorial Hwy/Rosedale Hwy
605 Turn right onto Main Plaza Dr
606 Turn left onto Hageman Rd
607 Turn right onto Santa Fe Way
608 Continue onto CA-43 N
609 Slight left onto E Lerdo Hwy
610 Turn right
611 Turn left
612 Turn right
613 Turn left
614 Slight left
615 Turn right toward CA-46 W/Paso Robles Hwy
616 Turn left onto CA-46 W/Paso Robles Hwy

Continue to follow CA-46 W
617 Turn right onto Cholame Valley Rd
618 Continue onto Cholame Rd
619 Continue onto Vineyard Canyon Rd
620 Continue onto Slacks Canyon Rd
621 Continue onto Big Sandy Rd
622 Turn left onto Indian Valley Rd
623 Turn right
624 Turn right toward Sargent Canyon Rd/Sargents Rd
625 Sharp right onto Sargent Canyon Rd/Sargents Rd
626 Slight left to stay on Sargent Canyon Rd/Sargents Rd
627 Turn right onto Short St
628 Turn right onto Railroad St
629 Slight right onto Cattlemen Rd
630 Turn left onto CA-198 W
631 Continue onto Lockwood San Lucas Rd
632 Turn right
633 Turn right toward Oasis Rd
634 Turn left toward Oasis Rd
635 Turn right onto Oasis Rd
636 Turn right onto Co Rd G14/Jolon Rd
637 Turn left onto Central Ave
638 Turn right to stay on Central Ave
639 Turn left onto US-101 S
640 Turn left onto Central Ave
641 Turn right to stay on Central Ave
642 Turn left toward Co Rd G16/Elm Ave
643 Slight right toward Co Rd G16/Elm Ave
644 Turn left onto Co Rd G16/Elm Ave
645 Turn left to stay on Co Rd G16/Elm Ave

Continue to follow Co Rd G16
646 Continue onto Arroyo Seco Rd
647 Continue onto E Carmel Valley Rd/Co Rd G16/Jamesburg Rd
648 Turn left
649 Turn right
650 Turn right
651 Turn right toward E Carmel Valley Rd/Co Rd G16/Jamesburg-Arroyo Seco Rd
652 Turn left onto E Carmel Valley Rd/Co Rd G16/Jamesburg-Arroyo Seco Rd

Continue to follow E Carmel Valley Rd/Co Rd G16
653 Slight right onto Carmel Valley Rd/Co Rd G16
654 Turn right onto CA-1 N/Cabrillo Hwy
655 Turn left onto Atherton Dr
656 Sharp right onto N Mesa Dr
657 Turn left onto Hatton Rd
658 Turn left toward Crespi Ave
659 Turn right onto Crespi Ave
660 Turn left onto Mountain View Ave
661 Turn right onto Junipero St
662 Turn left onto Ocean Ave
Arriving at Ocean Ave
Total: 2,932 mi – about 39 days 23 hours
So everything I learned from the AT is starting to go back on a loop through my brain.
I don’t plan on walking that route in 39 days. That’s way too fast. I don’t want this to last forever but I do want to have a general idea. I figure that I can give myself up to 9 months from start to finish. I mean, come on, gestating a human being takes at least that long.
I want to go fast enough to cover the miles but not too fast so I end up hurting my knees or something else equally as crappy as that. So on the AT, 12 miles a day was do-able but I went to fast and my knee ended the trip for me. two days early.
So, I am debating on the backpacking vs. the nothing vs. the push stroller. There are pros and cons to all options.
I also have decided that the first couple days to 2 weeks will be mild to moderate miles to become conditioned to the walking. Then. After about 2-3 weeks, we’ll start pushing a bit for more distance.
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Seoul Garden

Chris and I went out to eat on Friday night and we ventured into a restaurant that neither of us have tried before and it was a completely new food experience.

Seoul Garden on Millbrook Road, right down the road from the apartment.

I was a little hesitant to try it but wow, so so happy we did!

I’ve never eaten Korean before and while the menu had English writing, it was still a bit strange. The majority of the diners were Korean.

They started out by bring out a bunch of little white bowls with all sorts of stuff in them. This, as I later found out, is the banchan. The fancier the meal, the more banchan you have to share with your fellow diners. I took a photo of them but I looked them up and found that we had the following:

Miso soup

Kkakdugi (Korean Radish Kimchi)

Yongeun Jorim (Seasoned Lotus Root)

Sigumchi Namul (Seasoned Spinach)

Kongnamul Muchim (Seasoned Bean Sprouts)

We had 3 or 4 more other side dishes that I haven’t been able to track down yet. But SO YUMMY!!!!

I also ordered the Steamed Dumplings (beef) and they were the best dumplings I’ve ever had in a restaurant.

Chris had the Dduk Bok-ki which was very spicy and you could tell just by looking at it that it had a lot of red pepper in it. The color and the shape of the “rice cakes” can be seen here: http://koreanupdates.com/2010/04/08/random-thursday-food-of-the-week-dduk-bok-gi-spicy-korean-rice-cake/

The rice cakes are actually made of rice flour and have the texture of a large beefaroni or pasta like gnocchi.

I went a “safer” route and tried the beef Dolsot bibimbap :

“Dolsot bibimbap is another variation of the traditional dish. It is served in a hot stone bowl in which the rice is cooked, topped with vegetables, seasoned beef soboro, raw egg and mixed with hot red pepper paste. It is also fun, and rather tasty, to scrape off the lightly scorched rice stuck to the bottom of the bowl. “(description from here: http://saykimchirecruiting.com/newsletter/?p=470 )

It was absolutely amazingly good. I was very pleased with the food and the prices were ridiculously good as well.

If you’ve never eaten in a Korean restaurant, check one out. The banchan come with the meal and are not charged extra. I think the total was around $45 with the tip. $6 for the dumplings, the Dduk bok gi was $10, mine was $13.

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