Day 58: Back in Hopkinton!

Arrived safely back home, after 9823 miles to snow in October-what is going on???

Day 57: Monuments in NYC

Visited Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty on her 125th birthday.  Turkey Hill celebrated by providing free Liberty Island ice cream.  Steph loved it!

Then visited Ellis Island.  It was powerful to be in the actual building where many of our ancestors entered the country.

A beautiful day!

Day 56: Museum Day

First I visited the New York Historical Society Museum, where I saw an exhibit on the impact of 9/11, ten years later.  Personal and professional photos were collected and displayed along with letters to firefighters and other service personnel.   It was very moving.
I then met Steph at the New Museum for a different experience, specifically Carsten Holler's "Experience".  This included sliding down from the 4th floor to the 2nd floor, through a cylindrical slide.  Weird, but sort of cool.  We also viewed a fish tank (with live fish), from underneath, listened to real songbirds in birdcages, and experienced the sensory experience of phenylethylamine (the mood-enhancing chemical found in chocolate, also known as the love drug).   Again, weird but sort of cool!
I then headed over to Brooklyn for a cooking class, where I learned the advantages of using farro, an Italian grain, in everything from soup to salad to dessert.  I had a blast, enjoying some delicious and healthy food and meeting some interesting people, including the instructor, who grew up in southwestern Virginia (Roanoke).   Small world, eh?

Day 55: Shopping in the Big Apple!

Checked out a new store called Uniqlo, described as a Japanese version of the Gap store.  Just launched here in the city.  Cool, trendy, clothing.  Steph made out well and will be sporting some new togs.  Wandered in and out of ABC Home but there were way too many zeros on the prices!
Also had a bit of a spa day and met some very interesting women, including one who is moving to Florida to launch her second CD of folk ballads.  Who says New Yorkers aren't friendly?

Day 54: High Line

A beautiful fall day in the Big Apple.  A new bike share program is being introduced to New York, and I tried it out!  Turns out it is run by the same group that does the program in Boston, so I rode a Hubway bike along the Hudson for 40 blocks or so.  Fun!

I then strolled along the High Line, an elevated park along an abandoned railway line.  Beautiful art and plantings.  You almost feel like you're not in the busiest city in the world:

This poster that Steph is contemplating is a photo taken at night, during a full moon.  The shutter was left open for 15 minutes.  Very cool!  The cars parked in the lot provided juxtaposition (to quote my articulate daughter!).

Day 53: DC to NYC

Traveled Interstate 95 from DC to NYC, pausing in Delaware to visit Adrian's girlfriend, Allison, who is at school at the University of Delaware.  What a different campus than JU; so much bigger and more spread out!  While there, visited a quaint village on the Delaware River, called New Castle.  Like a miniature Williamsburg, but without a single tourist (except me!) in sight.  I loved it!  Cobblestone streets, colonial buildings and, just in time for Halloween, a cool cemetery:

Made it to Manhattan, picked up Steph and had a fantastic dinner at an Italian restaurant, with delicious cheeses, pastas and salami.  Crashing at Pat & AJ's (again)-what great friends they are!  Saw part of Timmy's dance performance (on dvd) and visited with Anna; sharing with them some of my experiences from their grandparents' farm in Kansas.  A good day!

Day 52: Washington DC

Spent the day with Janet, touring the Mall and seeing all the monuments.  A beautiful day, with a great tour guide!

Then another fantastic meal, lamp chops and asparagus; grilled to perfection-thank you Janet!

Day 51: Driving across Virginia

On the road again!  Traveled across Virginia to DC, stopping in Appomattox and Richmond.  Probably my last visits on this trip to Civil War monuments.  A very cute, if that's appropriate, Confederate soldier cemetery:

Then toured the Capitol Building in Richmond.  Probably the smallest capitol building in the US.   Interesting since I had visited the largest (Texas, of course!).  Still, it was an impressive building, designed by Thomas Jefferson:

Arrived in Great Falls, Virginia (outside DC) to stay with the Nordens.  Had a nice dinner with June and Sarah.

Day 50: Floyd

Last day in southwestern Virginia.  Tried to hit the gospel music scene at the Floyd Country Store, but they had sold all 95 tickets in the first 5 minutes!  Who knew that country music was so popular?
Headed north again tomorrow.

Day 49: Quiet Time in Floyd

Spent the day doing errands and exploring Floyd.  A quiet town of only about 400 residents but one that swells to many thousands when Floyd Fest occurs.  An integral part of the Crooked Road (Virginia's Heritage Music Trail).
Still keeping the dogs busy, when they're not playing amongst themselves:

Day 48: Rainy day in Floyd

Spent this rainy day cleaning out my mom's basement.  When we moved her in March, we just shoved the boxes of stuff she didn't need right away downstairs in the basement.  Got through lots of them today.  Now maybe it will inspire me to do the same at home!

Day 47: Virginia Wineries

Who knew that there were so many decent wineries in Virginia?  First I visited Villa Appalaccia, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Owned by a couple from Finland (who knew?) for 20+ years, with a love for things Italian.  So their villa (and bocce court) are both Italian-inspired:

 Then I visited an even more established winery, called Chateau Morrisette.  They've been around even longer and their story is that the couple that started it had a son who brought home a dog from college named Hans, who loved wine.  Turns out he was a black dog, so that tradition continues.  Not sure they are aware of the "other" black dog:

The Blue Ridge Parkway is so picturesque during the fall season.  Even though I grew up down here, I forget just how pretty it is...

Day 46: Floyd

Spent the day painting my mom's bedroom, Lavender Sachet.  Sounds pretty and it is very feminine.  But now I'm trying to get it off my fingernails and knees.  How do I get myself into these things?

Day 45: Blue Ridge Parkway

Took a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Mabry Mill, a grist mill built in 1910 by a local miller.  It is the most photographed thing on the BRP, and you can see why:

We didn't stay long since it seemed like all of southwestern Virginia was there, enjoying the beautiful weather and we had all 4 dogs with us:

It was even funnier when I tried to walk all 4 tonight, after dark.  It's surprising that we all made it back intact!

Day 44: Southwestern Virginia

Breezy, sunny day here in Floyd.  Spent the day trying to wear out 2 miniature dachshunds.  For such little animals, they have a lot of energy!  And we have them all week while my brother, Russell & his friend, Joyce are at the beach.  Fortunately they get along well with my mom's two little dogs.  Should be an interesting week!

Day 43: Driving into Virginia

Left Charleston and drove into North Carolina.  Stopped at South of the Border, mostly because I couldn't resist all the billboard advertising.  Put "The Thing" to shame.  This place outdid itself in kitsch!

Then stopped in Raleigh, NC to check it out.  My friend, Robert Stiles, showed me around.  He and his wife re-located here in July, so I knew I'd get the real scoop from a non-southerner.  Although this small city is located in the south, it doesn't feel too southern, which Robert re-iterated.  Probably due to the location of so many fine universities, which has attracted lots of hi-tech companies.
I then headed to Virginia.  My GPS led me through some of the most scenic and windy roads I've driven during this trip.  I forgot how lovely the mountains and changing seasons are in SW Virginia!

Arrived in Floyd, VA, at my mom's house, after 450 miles of driving.  Will spend a few days here before I hit the road again!

Day 42: Charleston

Spent the day exploring Charleston.  Started at Magnolia Plantation, where I took the Swamp Garden Walk, along the boardwalk into the swamp.  Spied lots of birds and reptiles, including my first glimpse of an alligator:

Then headed into Charleston and took the Carriage Ride through the city, learning so much more of the history of this fascinating southern city.  This shows the typical situation, of a side piazza, with a false door along the street, where the owners would allow visitors, based on whether or not the door is open!

I then had lunch at S.N.O.B. (Slightly North of Broad).  Apparently Broad Street delineates the city between the "have"s and the "have more"s.  South of Broad is more desirable but slightly north is okay as well.  A lovely lunch, either way!
I then walked all over the city, from the Market area to White Point Gardens.  Met up with my new friend, Linda Klumpf, at her job at the Charleston Library, to thank her for our great dinner last night.  
Tired from all the walking, I headed to the beach.  I stopped by Fort Moultrie and then the Isle of Palms, where I enjoyed a lovely sunset:

Dinner was from the Glass Onion, a restaurant that I had read about in a local food magazine.  Beet salad with goat cheese and terrific crab cakes!
Enjoyed Charleston and surroundings.  Lots of history and food choices and friendly people!

Day 41: Savannah

Walked all over this beautiful southern town, exploring as many of the squares and parks as I could.  The hardest thing was to pick one photo that showed what I liked best.  This might not be the best but it does show some beautiful architecture:

I then headed out to Tybee Island, where there is a wonderful lighthouse and fabulous beach.  Of course, there are t-shirt shops and fried seafood shacks, so I was so glad to find the Sundae Cafe, where I had a fantastic salad.  Thank you, yelp.

I then started for Charleston, but noticed a sign for Beaufort, so took a detour.  So glad that I did.  What a cute little town, right on the river, with lots of shops and stunning old homes!

Arrived in Charleston in time to meet Jane's friend, Linda and her husband Mike for dinner.   Off to join them for Oktoberfest.  Prosit!

Day 40: Florida to Georgia

Spent the day in Jacksonville, enjoying the nice weather and some art!
Kingsley Plantation was on the way from Amelia Island to Jacksonville, so we stopped to check it out.  Hard to believe that this was once owned by a very progressive free black, who owned slaves and gave them their freedom!
Then toured the Cummer Museum.  Reminded me of the Isabella Gardner Museum (sensing a theme here?).  The Gardens were fantastic, including this 100-year old (plus) oak:

Then headed into Avondale and nearby Roosevelt for some soft serve.  Apparently Dreamette has been around since 1948.  Great toppings (including my favorite, toasted coconut!):

Then dropped Steph at the airport and headed to Savannah, a mere 2 hour drive away.
Had a fantastic dinner at the Pink House, shrimp and grits!  And a lovely walk through the many parks/squares that this city is famous for.  Will explore more tomorrow,  in the daylight!

Day 39: Amelia Island

Spent the day at the Fort Clinch State Park, which included a fabulous walk on the boardwalk:

 And along the beach, scattering the terns, pelicans and seagulls:

The sun came out and the day got even better...

Day 38: Jacksonville

Another soggy day here in paradise!  I noticed, during the Patriots game, that Foxboro looked pretty clear, so what's up with that?
Headed up to Amelia Island, north of Jacksonville for a couple of days.  Windy on the beach, but that didn't keep us from taking a nice long walk:

Day 37: Jacksonville University

A wet and soggy day here in Jacksonville, but that didn't stop the Dolphins from showing their school spirit:

And by Dolphins, I mean everyone wearing the green & white!  Family Gathering here at JU was a subdued event, but the football game against Dayton University was a victory for Jacksonville University.
Adrian then gave Steph and I a tour of Jacksonville, the city, through the rain...

Day 36: Tallahassee to Jacksonville

Toured the Capitol Building in this quiet capitol city.  Beautiful, historic building, full of Florida facts:

Then took the elevator up to the top of the 22nd floor of the new building and could see far across the panhandle.  When I realized how close Florida State University was, I decided to check out the rumor that my neighbor's picture could be found there, in the Psychology Department, from his days teaching there.  After some investigative work, I found it!

Jumped back into the car and headed to Jacksonville, where I met up with both my kids to enjoy Parents Weekend!  Adrian is happy at school there, and Steph flew down for the weekend.  We had a great tour of JU and a nice dinner.  Football game and tailgate party tomorrow!

Day 35: Driving

Drove 450 miles today, phew!  Left Louisiana, swept through Mississippi, then Alabama, and finally hit  the Florida Panhandle.  And then continued to drive!   Tried a bit of the coast highway (I think it's called the Beach Highway) but with all the traffic lights and traffic, decided to go back to the interstate. Arrived in Tallahassee, at dinner time and found a hotel.  Will explore some of the history of this capitol city and then head to Jacksonville tomorrow.  I expect to see the Atlantic by this time tomorrow, and my trip isn't even over yet, another 1200 miles to go (give or take a few)!

Day 34: New Orleans

Another busy day!  Fabulous cooking demonstration at the New Orleans School of Cooking.  Nothing fancy; just gumbo, jambalaya, bread pudding and pralines, but the instructor, Sandra, was great!  And we got to eat everything she made and it was delicious!  In addition, she threw in so much historical background on New Orleans and the people who settled here and what they brought with them, it was great!  She suggested we check out the funeral of the local archbishop, who was loved by many, so I got to see the procession, with a full marching band, bagpipes and hundreds of dignitaries.  It was not solemn, just very cool!

I then checked out the St. Louis cemetery, where everyone is interred above ground, and saw the third-most viewed gravesite in the US (Marie Laveau-a voodoo queen).

I then wandered over to Lafayette Square, where they were having a free concert, featuring Irma Thomas, a fantastic vocalist.  More great music, and good food, as well!
And to top off the evening, I ended up at Cafe du Monde, where I indulged in beignets, covered in powdered sugar, what a sweet ending!
And speaking of sweet endings, I want to wish my niece, Molly, a very Happy Birthday!  It's not midnight here, so I'm not too late!  Hope it was a great day!

Day 33: Driving through Louisiana

Drove more than 400 miles today, through the bayous of Louisiana.  I decided not to do the highway, which put me on some beautiful country roads.  First, I drove through the Sabine Wildlife Refuge, past many bayous containing birds of all types and then drove past some homes raised high above the flood zone; some of them looking like they were suspended on stilts!  I then passed by fields of sugar cane, and visited Oaklawn Manor, a 1827 antebellum home built by one of the founders of Louisiana.  It is surrounded by centuries-old oaks, draped with Spanish moss:

I arrived in New Orleans in time to have a fabulous dinner at Bayona, a Susan Spicer restaurant.  Walking around Bourbon Street, I stopped by a jazz bar and heard a fun band play some old favorites.  What a scene!  And I still have tomorrow here!

Day 32: Galveston and environs

So, decided that I didn't want to hang on the somewhat tacky, touristy, Galveston beach, so took a ferry over to the Bolivar Peninsula to visit the Anachuac Wildlife Refuge.  Little did I know that the ride over and back on the ferry would give me an up-close view of dolphins and pelicans.  The engines on the ferry stirred up lots of bait fish, that brought in at least 2 dozen pelicans.  Very cool!  The dolphins were further away, but frolicked in the waves, just a few yards away.  Hard to catch on film, though!

I then made my way to the wildlife refuge and saw lots of birds, not sure what this one is, do you?

Then walked on a secluded beach on the Bolivar Peninsula, littered with shells (mostly oyster) and with very few people.  Lovely day!

Day 31: Southern Texas

Drove only 200 miles today to arrive in Galveston.  Along the way, stopped outside Houston to see the Space Center.  Reviews of the Space Center were negative, but suggested that the Rocket Park was worth a stop, and I'm glad that I did!  I take back what I said earlier about how the local space museums were somehow as complete as the "big" ones.  This building houses Saturn V:

Which is impossible to fit within a frame:

This is a stop (and I think probably the best one) along the tram from the Space Center and is free to visit.  By the entrance to the Space Center, you can also see these fantastic aircraft:

I think they are Northrop T-38 Talons, correct me if I'm wrong.  It was cool to see these aircraft, knowing that some might have been tested at White Sands Testing Facility.  Cool circularity, eh?
I then arrived in Galveston and was under-whelmed!  The beach is gritty and full of fast food joints and every chain hotel.  Oh well, not quite what I expected, but I will make the most of it and report tomorrow what fun I have managed to find here!

Day 30: Austin

What a busy city!  Seemed bigger and more crowded than San Antonio, although I know it isn't.  It's just more sprawling and full of construction and traffic (as well as music and food!).

Tried food from three different food trucks (or trailers, as they are called here) and all were fabulous!  Sampled a couple of venues for music: The Continental Club, where I heard Redd Volkaert, who used to play with Merle Haggard, and The Broken Spoke, where I watched Cornell Hurd (country music's worst nightmare-self-proclaimed) and the most fantastic array of dancers I've ever seen.  From awkward teenagers, shuffling along during the waltz, to older folks, who seemed to glide across the floor, effortless.  It was magical!

I checked out the Capitol Building (yes, everything in Texas is bigger than life):

 and then a couple of museums of sculpture.  This haunting image is from the Umlauf Sculpture Garden:

So, I think I've had enough of Texan cities.  I'm headed to Galveston tomorrow.  (must be a country song there somewhere, right?)