I just love making peoples' days:)

CRANE COUNT: 178

Well, we are nearing the end of our trip, which is sad, but also good in some ways. It will be nice to get home and see friends and get settled down before going back to college- get laundry done and all of that exciting stuff. I will, however, miss sailing every morning, the smell of saltwater in the air, being permanently sandy, wearing flip flops...actually I will miss pretty much everything about the ocean...

Yesterday, my dad and I went for a morning sail in Pensacola Bay, then we headed in to the historic district in town. Most the buildings were closed for the holidays, but we toured the outsides, enjoyed the weather, and had lunch at a little cafe called Dharma Blue. It turned out to be one of the best restaurants I've been to on this trip, with literally the crunchiest homemade fries I've ever had....mmmm.

All day I had been meeting people and forgetting to "crane" them, but finally I remembered at lunch. When I handed our waitress, Amber, the tiny slightly wrinkled crane made out of a travel brochure, her face lit up, she gave me a giant hug, and told me I had made her day. The fact that I had made her day actually made my day! Thank you, Amber. Here she is, smiling with her crane under the Dharma Blue sign.

177- Amber, Dharma Blue Cafe, Pensacola FL

Ok, I really want to do justice to explaining the new project I want to support, the Falling Whistles Campaign, an organization working towards peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I don't have time right now, so I'm going to have to ask for a rain check!

Right after this, going to the Pensacola Pelican Drop and seeing Andy Grammer! (famous for his song "Keep Your Head Up," of course!) I made quite a few cranes in advance, so I'm definitely going to give some away tonight!

Happy New Year!! Here's to a year of less natural disasters + more peace (and peace cranes) all around the world.

New states, new friends...Hello Alabama!

CRANE COUNT: 176

It's been about a week since we drove down to Florida, so the fam decided it was time for a change. How did we decide where to go? Google-ed the weather forecast for areas surrounding Pensacola and decided on the one with the warmest weather, of course. Hah! The winner turned out to be Gulf Shores, Alabama, which was supposedly about an hour's drive. I ended up behind the wheel, and what was supposed to be an hour's drive ended up being more like two...or three...it's debatable. However, I personally blame my navigator! 

The trip was going fine until we actually reached the Gulf Shores area. Somehow, we took the wrong road, and after miles of driving past the strange stilted beach houses Floridians call normal (and Alabamians (if that's a word) do too apparently!)....

...it finally came to the end. And literally the end. A developer had bought the entire rest of the island and made it into a gated neighborhood. So much for that... Actually, it was at this point that we realized we were, in fact, not supposed to be on the island, but were supposed to be on the mainland. Yep, great job, navigator!

By this time, it was about 3 pm and the crew was getting hungry. Which is where Bahama Bob's Cafe comes into the picture, and the first Alabama crane!! You might have thought otherwise, but I really could see a difference between Florida and Alabama...the architecture was a bit different, and I could definitely hear more of a southern accent. However, I found that people in both states have that famous southern hospitality...I don't think I have met a single rude or unpleasant person so far on this trip. 

172- Allison, Bahama Bob's, Gulf Shores, AL

We had planned on kayaking, but the weatherman lied...it started to rain in Gulf Shores as well. So, we headed up to the famous Tanger (pronounced, I now know, Tang-gur, not Tan-jer lol) Outlet Mall in Foley, Alabama to spend some of that Christmas money! There, while waiting on family members to finish trying clothes on, I made friends with some of the bored TJ Maxx employees...Caroline, Zach, Mary- Francis, and Des.

173- Caroline, TJ Maxx, Foley AL

175- Zach (aka "the awesome guy")- TJ Maxx, Foley AL

175, 176- Mary-Francis & Des, TJ Maxx, Foley, AL

And one of us all together! Awesomeness...I don't usually get asked to be in the picture too!

I just love how randomly folding pieces of paper can bring all types of people together...

If you guys are reading this, leave a comment and like my page on facebook so we can keep in touch! 

Check back soon for more pictures and stores:) My next project is to support the Falling Whistles Campaign. 

More on this in my next post...but please check out their website and watch the intro video about this war that is the world's deadliest currently, but that receives almost no publicity.

Crabby Cranes

Yep! I finally went swimming. This morning, I was out on the dock sketching when my dad walked out, swimsuit clad and bearing beach towels. He was about to jump in himself, but I of course said "hold up! I am so coming in!" 

The temp I would say was colder than New Zealand summer ocean, but warmer than Dripping Springs in New Mexico. Of course, being warmer than the second one is not saying much. Neither my dad nor I could talk for about 30 seconds after we jumped in there, and just about couldn't stay in much longer for fear of hypothermia. Hah. Today, it was a little bit of a shock, but after a couple seconds it felt great...I think a morning swim is in order for tomorrow. Later today, I saw a flyer for an local event in town- the "Polar Bear Plunge," held January first. I think I am all ready for that already, thank you very much. Evidence below:

Yeah, no biggie!

It was also my amazing sister's birthday today (or yesterday now, since it's after 12...). So, after our morning dip, we took her shopping, had a picnic on the beach, watched a movie at home (Soul Surfer), and then went out to dinner at Crabs- We Got 'Em. They did, in fact, have crabs. Many crabs. Including a giant plaster crab that looks like it's going to fall on top of you as you walk in. I felt like I was being attacked by monster crabs, which kind of reminded me of the end of this scene in Pirates of the Caribbean- At World's End. 

But anyways, I had completely forgotten to give any other cranes away today. What with having no paper along with me, and only those super skinny one-ply napkins (curse them...how do they expect you to make origami out of one-ply napkins?!), I was challenged to use the slightly greasy paper from our order of sweet potato fries. 

Note the look of disgust...

However, I soldiered on to make crane no. 171. The crane recipient, Richard, did say, and I quote now, "what is it, an upside-down frog?!" That's a new one. Oh well, it's made! He said he would hang it up in the restaurant, so if you ever go to Crabs- We Got 'Em, look for a slightly greasy red and white checked lying around. Oh, and also, I highly recommend the coconut shrimp. Very tasty!

171- Richard, Crabs- We Got 'Em, Pensacola FL. 

Check back soon for more. I seem to be on a roll lately!

It's gonna be another beach Christmas

My family specializes in vacationing to weird places during off-season. First Tortola, British Virgin Islands during the hurricane season, and now Pensacola Beach, Florida during the winter...

The thing is, I like it this way. Eliminate the crowds and heat, and you get miles of pure white sand beaches all to yourself! The native Floridians do look at me strangely from underneath their layers of sweatshirts, jackets, and parkas, but a Florida winter is, as predicted, very much like a New Zealand summer. Which calls for t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops. As for the swimming thing, it is yet to happen. I did, however, go on an early morning (hah, considering 8:30 early) sea kayak trip in the rain in which I got completely soaked! I have decided just about the most peaceful feeling in the world is sitting by yourself by the ocean in the middle of the night. Tell me I'm crazy, but if you get the chance one day, try it!

Since I've gotten here, I've made and given away three cranes. I call that success!

268- Grace at Sunset Lifestyles, Destin FL. This is where I finally got some Toms!  I haven't bought any before because...well, although they are cool and all, I am super cheap. And Toms are anything but cheap. However, I love the idea behind the company and I decided to finally look past the price tag... (http://www.toms.com/our-movement)

169- Lisa, Pensacola Visitor's Center 

George & Gisela, National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola FL

And here are a couple I didn't post earlier:

164- Abbie, 96th Street Steakburgers, Carmel IN

165- Mindi, Steak N' Sheak, Carmel IN

167- Megan (and the turkey!), Carmel IN

Well that just about sums things up! It is currently my sister's birthday, so happy birthday Jenny!! <3

On the road to sunny Florida

Deepest apologies for the relative inactivity of the the whole crane thing...college really does take a lot out of you! For a normal college student, you get to pick two out of a social life, good grades, and sleep. As an architecture student, you pick one....

But now, after good times and new experiences, meeting so many interesting people, and somehow managing to keep up with all my classes, I am finally home and the fam is off travelling again!

This time, we're headed off to sunny Florida. Pensacola to be exact- the sight of my parent's honeymoon. I have heard the beaches are some of the best in the world, with fine, pure white sand...we'll see what the situation is like during the winter!

The funny thing is, I looked up a weather forecast for Pensacola in the winter and Nelson New Zealand at the same time (during the summer of course). The turned out to be uncannily close. So, of course, I reasoned that if I could brave the cold water there pretending it was warm, the same can be done in Florida...stay updated on this prediction. I take it as a challenge. :)

It's a 13-hour drive to the 'ol Sunshine state. On the way, I plan to get ahead on craning.

Bon voyage!