Days 38-43

Wow!  We have seen so much lately, it's hard to choose what to share with all of you!

The last time I posted our daily photos we were in Raleigh, NC, just about to leave for the Outer Banks.  The Outer Banks is basically a large sandbar(s) on the coast of North Carolina.  They are about 2.5 hours away by ferry (roughly 30 miles) & they protect the mainland from hurricanes; although they are known as North Carolina's "Graveyard", because they get the brunt of all the storms & have a history of many shipwrecks, they are absolutely gorgeous & well-known, aka a bit touristy.
We set off in the afternoon to the southern-most town of Ocracoke.  The ferry was long & hot, actually pretty miserable, but the views: amazing!

Day 38: On the road to the Outer Banks, NC.  Here Bailey is showing off her personal air conditioner, a wet bandanna.  

We saw all the local sites of the islands, not hard to do considering some parts of the sandbar are less than a mile wide!  Below is the most famous of the many lighthouses on the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.  Crazily enough, this lighthouse has been moved from its original location, while still intact.  I'm sure it was no easy feat to move the tallest brick lighthouse in America!!

Day 39: Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  

After too many days & nights of sweltering heat & humidity, paired with the constant bombarding of biting flies & mosquitoes, we finally paid for a peaceful night in a hotel.  Unfortunately when you get a hotel at the last moment, you don't always find a pet-friendly hotel...We had to sneak Bailey into the room by stuffing her into our duffel bag!  She was such a good girl though & never made one peep!

Night 39: Newport News, VA.  Our Stowaway.

Ahhh...One of my favorite cities in America!!  We finally made it to Washington DC after lots of hours on the road & truthfully lots of arguments, too.  (Life on the road it not easy.)  We finally got to stretch our legs though & had a wonderful long walk to the White House.  Because of the high humidity that evening, the three of us happened upon an almost empty sidewalk in front of this landmark.  Such a site!!

Day 40: Washington DC.  

Having traveled to DC before, I insisted our first day should include the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum.  I just love how you walk through the doors & see full-size planes hanging above you!  There is so much history at all the Smithsonians--where else can you stand next to a Hubble telescope, then see one of Amelia Earhart's record-setting planes?

Day 41: Air & Space Museum, Washington DC.

Our final day in DC began with a sobering tour of Arlington Cemetery.  We watched the Changing of the Guards twice & Mike was amazed at the precision of the Army men: every step between three men is synchronized with utmost accuracy & its unreal that they perform this ceremony 365 days a year, 24/7.

Day 42: The Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

After a crazy thunderstorm, which thankfully we did not get stuck in, we ventured out late in the evening to walk the memorials.  We probably arrived at the World War II Memorial around 10:30 at night & we were surprised how many couples & families were still out as well.  The paths connecting the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial are so well lit & with secret servicemen constantly roaming around, one feels so safe.  Plus, with the lighting & the lack of crowds, nighttime seems like the ideal time for such a stroll.
Below, one of Mike's favorites..

Night 42: The Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC.

With so many wonderful things to see, Mike & I have decided to make a separate trek back to Washington in the near future.  Although we saw a lot in our two days, I know we missed too many sites.
Mike made a really good point about DC that I want to share with you all: Every American needs to come visit this wonderful city.  The endless history, the memorials, the architecture...everything in this city makes you want to learn more about your country & the key people & events that have made the world what it is today.  Please, please, plan a trip with your family!!


After tearing ourselves away from DC, we made the not so long trip to Philadelphia.  After seeing so much in DC, I have to say I didn't find Philly as exciting as I thought I would.  Maybe I have a biased opinion though...I did get yelled & honked at one too many times.  Hmmm, the City of Brotherly Love really doesn't have much love for Californians.
And hence the photo of the drive to Philly instead:

Day 43: On the road to Philadelphia, PA.  A fellow Silver Eurovaner!!

And the next post, New York & beyond, with some special guests...

Special Edition: Life on the Farm

Hello friends!  We are so sorry for our lapse in posting.  I can happily say that we've been having so much fun that posting is not our priority :)  We've been to some beautiful areas & amazing cities this past week, all of which I'll post about soon, but this is a special edition....

We are currently with our good friends & neighbors from Chico, the Parker family, in Walden,Vermont.  Julie is originally from Vermont & with her family still in the area, Julie, Ryan & their 3 children plus 1 dog, try to spend the summers in this quaint, lush area when they don't have a Chico home-improvement project underway.  (We like to joke that we're constantly "keeping up with the Parkers" due to Mike & Ryan's similar "can-do-it" home improvement attitudes.)

Anyway, we are here in Vermont, taking in the gorgeous scenery, the wonderful weather & the top-notch hospitality.  Our van has made it's home amongst the other campers & I'm getting a little worried that none of us will be making our way west anytime soon.  Bailey has taken on the role of professional pond swimmer & has even taught the Parker's golden retriever, Maisey, how to jump in, too.  Mike is busy helping with the basement renovation & I am taking on the role of van-wife: doing laundry, cleaning the van, paying the bills, blogging...oh, and relaxing.  I'm taking that role very seriously.

Here is a little glimpse into our life at "Froggy Pond"...

Our morning view I.

Our morning view II.

The campsite.

Our home away from home.

The outhouse: the first of many new buildings to the property.

The new tractor: helpful for all the trees that recently fell over in a big storm .

Ryan & Maddi mowing the lawn.

Mikey doing his part. (You can see Bailey swimming in the background.)

Ryan & Julie relaxing in the shade with Maddi still chilling on the mower.

BFFs Bailey & Maisey.

Bailey doing her "thing".

Days 35-37: Celebrating America

Happy Birthday America!!!!
To celebrate, Mike, Bailey & I headed to Raleigh, NC, to spend the holiday with Darryl, a friend from Mike's grad program and his girlfriend Hillary.  Upon arriving in Raleigh, we met up at a great vegan/vegetarian restaurant in downtown Raleigh, conveniently located just a few blocks from their great apartment in a historic neighborhood.  Drinks & apps turned into a true Southern meal of shrimp & grits & fried green tomatoes.  I just had to have that meal before we left the South!!
We spent the Fourth of July relaxing & taking advantage of all the beautifully preserved nature that we're lucky to have as a country.  We took Bailey, loaded up the car & headed to a state park swimming hole, which is actually an old quarry.  The water was perfectly warm in some places, cold in others & minus the sharp rocks beneath our feet & the threat of snakes (eek!), it was a great swim hole.  The day was completed with a walk downtown to take in the craziness of a (huge) community festival & of course, fireworks.
Today we allowed ourselves a lazy day: a late morning wake-up, some necessary computer work, a yummy lunch & a walk around the neighborhood.

Day 35: Raleigh, NC.  A necessary grooming appointment.  The Berkeley boys with Big Mike at Capital Barber Shop.

Day 36: downtown Raleigh, NC.  The chaos of the downtown festivities.  Hands-down the largest Fourth of July party I've partaken in.  At the far end of this photo, the fireworks were shot off, giving all of downtown a clear view.

Day 37: Oakwood neighborhood, Raleigh, NC.  The governor's mansion is just a few blocks from our friend's home.  An amazingly well-kept home from the late 1800s that the governor actually lives in to this day.

Tomorrow we head out early to catch the ferry to the Outer Banks!  But first, a bite at a Southern favorite...

Days 33 & 34: Friends in Charlotte

These last two days have been spent with our good friends, Nanda & Matt.  Mike & I went to UO with Matt & since him & his beautiful wife now live in Charlotte, we don't get to see them very often.  We were thrilled that they were able to host us & even more excited that Bailey & their two adorable pups, Mel & Gordon have been getting along so well.  It's been non-stop puppy time here & we all couldn't be happier, or more tired.

Day 33: "Uptown" Charlotte, NC.  Charlotte is nothing that I would've expected--a clean, modern town in the middle of  a endless forest of Sweetgums & Live Oaks that make up the Deep South.

Day 34: US National Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC.  This is a playground for adults!!  The largest man-made recirculating whitewater river in the world, the center has tons of activities for people of all ages.  We spent the morning kayaking & stand-up paddle boarding,  then finished it off by jumping off a 50 foot tower & zip-lining 1100 feet over the rapids.  (Yes, I participated in it all--I can keep up with the guys!)  I only wish we had more time to do the ropes course!  Unfortunately I'm probably going to be really sore tomorrow...

Days 26-32: the Deep South

Sorry for not posting recently everyone!  We've been super busy & having fun!!
So, as one can tell from the title, we're in the Deep South...which means yummy fried food, hot days, nice locals with accents we cannot understand, lots of dead armadillos on the side of the road & gorgeous Spanish moss hanging from hundred(s)-year old oak trees.  And while its been crazy hot & humid (& according to the local newscaster, "downright miserable"), there has been so much to see & experience.  Here's what our last week has entailed...

Day 26: Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, LA.  Recognize this famous image?  Think "Interview with a Vampire" with more Spanish Moss & everything a little creepier.... Overall a beautiful drive to New Orleans.

Day 27: New Orleans, LA.  Here is the view from our trolley ride up St. Charles Ave.  The most gorgeous homes you've seen!  We kept asking ourselves, "Who lives here???"

Day 28: 5 states in 1 day!!  We left Louisiana, drove through Mississippi, Alabama & Florida,  & ended in  Georgia.

Day 29: Skidaway Island State Park, GA.  Although the whole Deep South feels like the Disneyland restaurant "The Blue Bayou" to me, this campground took the cake: noisy crickets, a pleasant & warm breeze, draping Spanish Moss from lush palm trees, the threat of alligators in the swamp behind us...(eek!)

Day 30: Savannah, GA.  We took a great historical tour through the gorgeous, beautiful, amazing city of Savannah & came upon this famous "bus stop" from Forrest Gump (see below).  We 100% recommend a visit to this spectacular town, which is a feast for the eyes!

Day 31: Hollywood, SC.  The view from "our" dock for the night.  

Day 32: Charleston, SC.  Unfortunately a horrible weather day to explore this town.  We had big plans for another historical tour, a recommended stop for "the best pie ever" & the opportunity to explore the 2nd most beautiful town in America (Savannah being the 1st).  Due to the weather though we were in & out in & back into our air-conditioned car in about 3 hours.