• Sunday-What'sUP March 28 - 05:28 pm

Charlie is your regular host, but he had to be away this morning working on something he said was a "fiber project", and asked me to sit in. I told him, why not just try some raisin bran, which has plenty of fiber? Maybe he's not such a regular host after all.

It was during the month of March in 2003 that I suddenly got the urge to venture out across the country from Toivola in my Old Beater, pictured above (with the clothes hanger bumper reinforcement). My journey took me across the entire U.S., into Mexico, across each province of Canada, and eventually to Alaska. There I sold the old beater for a ticket to Hawaii (and you'r probably thinkin that's a lie) and instead ended up in New Zealand. In case you never found the three-month journal of my oddesea (sp?) you can re-live the adventure here. (You gotta click your mouse on the word "here" in that last sentence). You are welcome to find my TOIVO license plate from your state or province (or third world country) and download it to use as your wallpaper, or the back of your business card, or whatever. (Guess that applies only if your name is Toivo.)

Can you come back again? That was great fun to read!!

Oh! this was the best Pasty Road Trip ever to read each day! Fun reading! Let's do it again!

That was very nice Toivo! You make a good substitute host. All that chat about regular and fiber has inspired me.

Good morning all!

It was great to revisit your trip Toivo. It doesn't seem like it was 7 years ago that you first shared your trip.

I for one followed each day back in 2003 when Toivo was on the road. A few of my favorite journal entries:

Day 6 - 3/15 - Late evening check-in at Couer d'Alene. Reminded me of L'Anse. Not the towns, just their name (d'Alene - L'Anse - ya'Right) Woke up on St. Urho's Day. Not a grasshopper in sight.


Day 19-22 - 3/28-31 - Took many days to cross the state. Spent half that time on LA freeway. Always wanted to see Golden Gate Bridge, still like Mighty Mac best. Disneyland fun, but miss snowmobiling. Pacific has big waves, but Superior is much cleaner. Gave up wearing longjohns.


Day 33 - 3/28-31 - This state is really OK. Friendly people. Tried to tell one couple where I was from by pointing to my hands. They probably thought I was crazy. This is one of my favorite plates.


Day 62 - 5/11 - Turnpike is one giant dragstrip aimed at New York. Wandered down to Atlantic City. They told me it was my lucky day. It's always somebody's lucky day, and I think his name is "House". Shoot me if I ever go near Kewaydin passing through Baraga or Christmas. Statue of Liberty trip a much wiser and less expensive visit.


Day 66 - 5/15 - Funny sounding spots like "Woonsocket" and "Pawtucket", where I had some johnnycake in a diner. When you visit Providence, be sure to allow some time to see the zoo. Tell 'em Toivo from Toivolasocket sent you.

Holy wha man! Talk about travels! Way to go eh!

And here's da link for you's guys to vote, eh!

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_shelterchallengeconfirmation_sidetabs

Tanks, eh Toivo!!

He sounds just like Red Green, AY!

Donna, Thanks for putting in the link everyday. I know I would forget to vote if it wasn't there.

Toivo, Thanks to you as well for the link to read about your adventure.

Precious is going to retire in August and we are planning on taking a trip thru out the states. Looking for a camper trailer to pull behind the Grand Caravan. She wants to see the US while we are still mobile enough to enjoy it.

How do I get to read some of his stories? The ones I read with the plates are cute as heck. ;O)

Silly me, I clicked on here and it got me there.L.O.L.

Toivo this was a fun trip with you again. I had just discovered the pasty site then. Who would believe I'm still with it today? FPS (For Pete's Sake) wished I had known you were passing so near my place, Dixon Il. or Davenport, Ia, I could have had you over for supper...chicken and home made noodles! Next time hey?

Why is Toivo's real name a secret? I'm sure that he is actually a nice guy! :-)

He's a really nice guy named Toivo.

I especially liked the Kansas one!

Day 34 - 4/12 - Sailed the old beater like a prairie schooner across Kansas, till I got stuck in a line of traffic around Wichita. Now I know what it's like to be a Wichita Lineman. Wonder if Dorothy ever made it to the U.P.? Better than OZ.

How nice to hear from Toivo again! I followed your trip years ago. What have you been up to lately, Toivo?

Hei, Toivo, mitä kullu?

Ken ja Mimi from da UP (Kenjamimi):
"… mitä kullu?"
Mitä kuulu?

Hey Toivo! Nice to hear from you again. I can't believe your big adventure was 7 years ago! Where did all that time go? Hope all is well with you in da UP eh.

Hei, Toivo! How fun! I'm sending this link to my siblings. Our dad's name was "Toivo" -- a good, tough Yooper Finn. They'll get a good chuckle out of this.