August 17, 2012

Will be heading across country once again. Next week three friends and myself will head out for a 3-4 weeks adventure in an RV. Planning to see some places I saw in 2009 as well as places not seen. Looking forward to it and will keep you posted.

Catching Up

Friday, January 21 -Monday, January 31, 2011

Day 30 - Home Sweet Home

It was only a three hour drive from Berkley, WV to Charlottesville this morning. We arrived shortly before noon and it was such a GOOD feeling to unlock the door and walk into my "home sweet home". Linda had another two hours to drive after dropping me off though.

It's mighty quiet here. The dogs are with Stephanie and family in Raleigh. I'll rest up a couple days, then get on the road to get them (it's a four hour drive to the minute from my home to theirs).

Thirty days on the road, 7,000 plus miles. We shared the driving of course but still we were each behind the wheel quite a bit. For all that distance and time on the road, we had two days of travel with some rain (not a complete washout either of those days, and not the entire day--just summer time downpours, then clearing), we did not see any accidents, and road work areas only reduced speed and never had to come to a complete stop --- except --- in Yellowstone National Park! I'm afraid to step on the scale though. We ate some mighty good food most everywhere we were; I tried some food I'd never eaten before. We saw so many wonderful sights, did so many interesting things, travelled through quite a few states (I'll have to sit down sometime and actually count them).

One thing I did before leaving was to go up to the Parkway and paid $10 for a National Park senior pass. That saved us about $200 -- the pass was for myself and up to three other people. So, all we did for the national parks we visited (most of them were $25 entry fee per person) was to show the pass and we both got in on that one pass. I can't remember who told me to check into it, but whoever you are, thanks.

I saw sites I'd never seen before, but had dreamed about for years. Especially the Grand Canyon. So many friends offered suggestions of things to do and see. I am grateful for every suggestion you made. I got to do many of them, but not all of them. (maybe next trip) :)

The trip had some emotional moments for me ... the museum in Oklahoma City that paid tribute to those innocent lives that were lost in the 1995 bombing of the Federal Building, the moment my eyes saw the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, to the playing and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at Crazy Horse monument on July 4. It's a great land we live in folks. The freedom we have has come with a cost to many who have given their lives for this nation. I would not give up the opportunity I've had these past 30 days to see all I've seen and do all I've done.

I thank God for the opportunity for this trip, for safety for us and those around us and the blessing of good weather.

One thing I've learned is I can travel far and wide, see sights that have been made by man, such as Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse monument, cityscapes, and see sights that have been created by our awesome God, such as the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone and Zion National Park. But when it all boils down to it, the truest beauty is found in my own backyard, in God's creation of the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the beauty of my home state Virginia, in the blessing of each member of my family and in each and every friendship I have.

Thanks for riding with me. I felt your presence along the way.

Day 29 - July 10 - Beckley, WV

I just realized I'm a day off in posting -- this is Day 29 and on July 2 and 3 I typed in Day 21 for both days ... so tomorrow in fact will indeed be Day 30 of the trip!!

We are stopped for the night in Beckley, WV ... 4 1/2 hours on the road today ... was more than enough. With several 9+ hour days earlier in the week two short days on the road has been nice. It's a three hour trip from here to Charlottesville and another two hours for Linda to Fairfax ... we'll be at our homes tomorrow!!!!

Linda's at the pool right now and I'm just relaxing a bit. We'll have an early dinner then hopefully an early night to bed AND early getting up. It would be nice to be home by noon tomorrow!!

Day 28 - July 9 - Indiana

We are in Indiana tonight, near Louisville, KY. The drive today was 4 1/2 hours long ... shorter than the past several legs of the trip. As tired as we both are from the recent long hauls on the road the decision was made to travel only 4 - 4 1/2 hours each day, getting away a little later and stopping a little earlier, until we get home. Tomorrow night we're guessing we'll stop around Charleston, WV. We have no plans to do much of anything in the places we stop, just rest up. I'm sure once I'm back in Charlottesville, the first few days will be spent catching up on my rest.

So tonight and tomorrow night on the road, then home.

Once home I'll do a little summary of the trip. Thanks to all of you who have been following this blog the past four weeks!! I hope you've enjoyed it and it's even brought a smile or two to each of you. I'll be posting a good number of pictures on something like Snapfish or Clark Color so I can order copies and will let you know when they're up if you want to see more than I've posted here.

We're about to go get something to eat then back to the hotel and hopefully a good night of rest before travelling again tomorrow.

Day 27 - July 8 - Chicago, Illinois

A chilly July day in Chicago. At 2:00 it was 53!!! and a slight rain was falling. We walked again to the Navy Pier and decided to take an architecture boat tour. (My friends at the A-School would be proud I did.) Quite interesting and picturesque. Afterward Andrew (Linda's son) phoned and we caught up with him around 3:30. We drove down Shore Drive then to a Indian Restaurant for dinner. It sure opened my sinuses!!!

Afterward we went to see Mary Poppins (a touring Broadway show) and it was wonderful. The acting, singing, dancing were superb and the lighting and everything was wonderful.

Tomorrow we get on the road and head toward home. It will be Saturday before we get there after all. Linda doesn't want to rush and feels two days of 7 hours of driving will be too much. Oh well ... we'll be home soon. That makes me a "happy camper." I'm ready to get back to my daily routines.

Day 26 - July 7 - Chicago, IL

We are in Chicago. The last leg of the trip. We'll leave the windy city Thursday morning and stop somewhere en route to Charlottesville for the night and arrive home Friday!!! Yippee!!

We walked quite a few blocks to The Navy Pier. Don't know how to describe it other than it is for tourists ... boats to take scenic rides around, lots of restaurants.

Tomorrow night a play, "Mary Poppins," then Thursday morning start toward Virginia, with a night on the road and home Friday.

I'm so looking forward to that.