RoadHug

10 Questions With Darla

1. Why do Julia and Sammy say you were a race car driver in a past life?

I got my first speeding ticket when I was 16. I was going 50 miles per hour over the limit. I haven’t slowed down since. I love fast cars and faster motorcycles. Do RVs come in six-speeds?

2. So, I hear you’ve been around the block …

Oh, and I have been around the block. I just returned from a couple months in Dubai and before that I was in India a few times. I’ve tripped through the Middle East, Turkey, Scandanavia and dipped my toes in Canada and Mexico too. I adore world travel, but there’s nothing like throwing a tent in the back of the truck and hitting the American road.

3. Why did you move from Philadelphia to Utah of all places?

One word: snowboard. For two glorious years I worked from my couch and chased powder storms.

4. What’s “The Creek?” You live in a body of water?

For a girl that spent 10 years living in Philly, I do talk a lot about some random creek. Until I moved onto the road (check out the Cricket Chronicles posts) I lived on a nature preserve affectionately referred to as “The Creek.” I listened to wild turkeys gobbling when I fell asleep at night and families of deer greeted me in the morning. It’s still my little slice of heaven.

5. How much can you deadlift?

A whole helluva lot! Until a litany of injuries took me out of the game (see the post on my recent x-rays), my love and obsession was CrossFit. I bike, hike, board, and even rock climb, but for the first half of 2010 nothing got me pumped like a 7AM session at CrossFit Generation. I kicked it to the gym and box jumped, pulled-up and Olympic weightlifted my way to pure bliss. Oh, and to answer the question: 235 pounds.

6. What’s that poking out under your shirt?

Ah, you’re probably talking about the tattoo on my lower back. No? The one on my shoulder? Mid back? Stomach? Oh, whatever … I have a couple more than a few tattoos, but they hide nicely, don’t they?

7. What did you eat for breakfast?

Breakfast this morning was amazing! I had a fried egg, some juniper-smoked bacon and baby spinach coated in olive oil, ground pepper and sea salt. The egg and spinach are from an organic farm a couple hours outside Philly that makes weekly deliveries and the bacon hailed from another farm — an hour-long trip I make every couple of weeks to get my grass-fed meats.

8. What’s your most recent food craze?

I like to mess with my diet and right now I’m all about finding high-quality, locally-grown organic foods. I also love introducing people to the foods I’ve had while traveling the globe. Nothing like taking a first date to a local Lebanese spot to have minced lamb and fattoush.

9. I just found out that my next meal is my last…what would you make me?

I’d make you lots of fresh avocados and beets, some peppery arugula, silky smooth chicken liver pate and final blissful bites of flourless chocolate torte.

10. What’s one more thing I should know about you?

For 10 years I worked in law firm management. Then I decided to break free, go back to school and get my degree.

10 Questions With Sammy

1. You’re 5’9” … flats or heels?

I’m all about the heels. I love walking into a party rockin’ a pair of 3-inchers knowing I’ll be the tallest female in the room. Added bonus: I can look any man straight in the eye.

2. What are you wearing right now?

It’s so eclectic, where do I begin? I’ve got a pair of high-waisted hot pink pants stolen from my mother’s closet, a blouse with the original shoulder pads a la 1985 and a man’s black tuxedo vest given to me by a friend. Just trust me, it works!

3. What’s up with all this running?

What do you mean, what’s “up” with all this running? Cause I’m not running up … I’m running past you and right onto the cover of Runner’s World! Did you hear that, Runner’s World? I’m volunteering my long legs for your next cover.

4. Hey, @SammyD22: Describe yourself in 140 characters.

Oh, this one’s easy. If anyone rocks social media, it’s me. OK, here goes: “@sammydvintage is a @fashion_green girl living @NYC repping @lancpride. Ready 2 @roadhugusa –> #followme 4 RT & DM <3! http://bit.ly/aqYZGF”

5. If you’re fleeing Manhattan, where are you going?

I’m headed 100 miles south to Philadelphia — my second urban crush. I fell in love with the city at 17 and spent my four years of undergrad there. I know I can always return, and just like home, feel like I never left.

6. What was it like growing up among the Amish?

I was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania — home of a large sect of the Amish, a community of people who live away from mainstream society and without modern conveniences, like electricity and plumbing. I get asked if I’m Amish all the time — but since their simple wardrobe is clearly more conservative than mine, you’d know I’m not. But then again, I may just bring back the bonnet.

7. When was the last time you stood still? Has it been days, weeks or months?

I tried standing still once … it didn’t really go with my outfit.

8. You’re into “green” fashion — but what does that mean?

Green fashion is a conscious awareness of what you are wearing, how it was made and where it came from. It’s like a healthy diet: Don’t put fast fashion on your body and you’ll begin to feel a heck of a lot better.

9. Darla’s driven to California, Julia to Miami, how many miles have you logged?

Until we hit the road, the farthest distance I’ve driven is from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. During the trip I managed to put my car into neutral while driving and accidentally go through EZPass without a pass. But, on a positive note, I’ve never hit an animal.

10. What’s one more thing I should know about you?

Most people dream of spending their retirement by the beach, but give me a thrift store and I could spend the rest of my life there.

10 Questions With Julia

1. What was the first song you wrote?

I started writing songs in grade school, and I wrote my first full-length song at age 12 while I was grounded. While “serving time” in my room, I used permanent markers to write song lyrics on the inside of my closet walls and recorded the melody onto a blank tape. I think it’s safe to say that song will never be a Top 40 hit!

2. You have a fear of heights — so how did competing as a collegiate high diver work out for you?

I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years and made the transition to springboard diving when I was 15. A year later, I jumped up to the three meter board and later competed as a Division 1 diver for the University of Miami. I used to have so much nervous adrenaline before practice. My palms are sweating right now thinking about it!

3. Sunny beach or snow-capped mountains?

I grew up in upstate New York so I’m an avid skier, but I LOVE warm weather. My ideal day is sunny, humid and 85 degrees. Bring on the HEAT!

4. If you weren’t a touring musician why do you say we’d see you on the nightly news?

“Good Evening, I’m Ron Burgundy!” I majored in broadcast journalism and would definitely be a local news reporter if I hadn’t fallen in love with music.

5. Where is the strangest place you’ve ever performed?

I once played at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike during dinner rush. I set up my keyboard in the middle of the dining area, put on a show and won over a traveling audience.

6. Who is your musical idol?

I grew up listening to everything from The Eagles to Gloria Estefan; Edie Brickell to Madonna; and even The Moody Blues to the New Kids on the Block. Just like men, it’s hard for me to pick just one – I love them all!

7. What was your first CD?

Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill.” I remember it vividly because my father took it away and hid it after he heard me blasting “You Outta Know,” where Alanis clearly yells the “F” word in the second verse. I spent days after school searching for that little bugger to no avail.

8. Why do Darla and Sammy roll their eyes every time you say you’re in love?

I am a hopeless romantic and if a guy charms me, I’m totally smitten … well for about a week anyway.

9. My playlist is as tired as a hiker on the Appalachian Trail … which artist will revive it?

I’ve got lots, but for now I’ll give you my newest favorite song: “Starry Eyed” by Ellie Goulding. Her voice is raspy and meshes beautifully with the spunky electro-vibe dance feel of the song.

10. What’s one more thing I should know about you?

When I was a toddler I got kicked out of preschool for eating dirt. Apparently they didn’t appreciate feasts of dirt with the same enthusiasm that I did. Hopefully on the road Darla will find some more enticing meals for me to try.