Home Sweet Home

I along with the throngs of NJ SUV's (about 70% of the cars on the road were from NJ!) braved the dark and rain to make the push to our familiar surroundings. I left at 5am and so did many on the outer banks. Rain kinda does that at the beach. I spent the time thinking about the trip. It was therapeutic mentally for sure, but also physically. Never have I given my body time to just be. I have spent my life as an athlete, with aches, pains, hurts. As I have gotten older these have become a frequent nuisance. Well my body must be thanking me because despite a blowup mattress, my aches and pains are gone and I feel great. A 10,000 mile trip is the best snake oil around. And actually it is 9638.9 to be exact!!. Little milestones were hit on this last day that made me very excited to get home. Picking up WXPN in Delaware, seeing the checkered flag on the GPS, clicking off state welcome signs like a countdown clock, Virginia.....Marlyand.....Delaware..........Pennsylvania...................Jersey. hearing Bruce Springsteen's Badstreets, oh yes were in Jersey.

NJ was much the way I left it, cool and damp. My yard needs a little tending but thanks to my parents the damage was minimized. I unlocked the door and stepped into my old life with new memories and perspectives. I sat for a few and thought....now what?, I even got a little bored after a few hours. It will take some time....

As I wrap up my trip and this blog I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who logged on, registered and viewed my comings and goings. I cannot express to you how your support and this blog got me through. It wasn't all puppy dogs and ice cream on the road and to see your face under the registered section of the site was all I needed to keep going. It was my mission day by day to deliver pictures and commentary to the many people who followed. It was my lifeline to home. Your texts, emails and responses to the blog were amazing, I took pictures thinking all of you might like them. I am humbled by your dedication to the site, my trip and our friendship, from the bottom of my heart, thanks.

I dont know what is next, but I sure hope its as good as the last 8 weeks. Chris

OBX-The Final Week

As I drove the 500 miles from Central, SC to the outer banks of North Carolina my mind was reflecting on the weeks I have enjoyed out on the road. The 9000+ miles have really been a breeze (really!) But the 500 miles to the outer banks was some of the easiest driving I have done. It was easy because I was going to see my family and enjoy my final week with them. As I came over the bridges to the barrier islands my pulse ticked up a bit in the anticipation of seeing them. But I also had a sense of sadness that my solo Odyssey was coming to a close. No more searching for places to stay, eat and see. The solitude of the trip would end with my car pulling into the driveway. In a way I was sad to see that go, but also happy that I accomplished the trip and experienced so much. So when I heard my 4 year old niece Emily say "hi uncle Chris" from the third floor deck of the beach house, all was right. There has been a small adjustment to getting back to "civilization", I am not used to all of the conversation and noise that 15 people can generate, let alone 2 small ones.
The week so far has been great, going to the beach, deep sea fishing, and hitting one of my favorite spots to eat. Tortuga's lie has THE best fish tacos in the world. Its no frills decor, locals, and great food are things I have looked forward to for a while. The week has been spent with great people, cold drinks and good times. The time is winding down on this trip, as I will be back home on Sunday. Work is starting to creep back into my mind as the lesson plans and such are out on the computer and table, but that is ok, Ive got a few more days and a life time of memories to fall back on.

South Carolina

I have been staying with Rob, Cori and their great kids, Braxton and Avery for a few days. It is nice to get back to SC and see one of my oldest friends. We toured Clemsons stadium, hit the lake for some boating time and had some great food. I will head to Outer Banks in the morning, the final leg of my trip. It is about 500 miles but the payoff is my family and some downtime.

New Orleans -Day Three

Chris, Caryn and I headed out to a few of the historic cemetaries in New Orleans. All deceased are "buried" above ground and it was fascinating to see the names, dates and disrepairf the cemetaries. While we were there it was the hottest weather I have encountered, not in terms of temperature but the combo of humidity and temp. made it nearly unbearable. We continued our eating and having some of the signature drinks. We made it back to Yo Mamas for another late night dinner. I had the peanut butter burger (again) while chris went for the 1lb burger, which he did finish! I had a great time with great friends. New Orleans has a strange mix of frat type bars, gourmet restaurants and eclectic art. I really enjoyed it, but as we agreed we are a little old for the knock down drag out nature of bourbon. Sure, its a great place to get started, people watch, and get cheap drinks, but we really enjoyed the smaller, lower key places that were more personal and had more character.

I dropped them off and headed to Montgomery, Alabama. Umm... I dont recommend the town. Nearly carjacked or something like that and run off the road in two seperate incidents, its all good though. This is a place to stop before I head to my life long friend Rob's place in South Carolina. Then it is off to NC to see my family and enjoy my final week. Which made me ponder the thought that this is the last night I will be by myself on the trip. I am thinking about how I have grown, the things I have seen, and the people I have encountered. I am a little sad that this is the last night of a personal adventure, but I am ready to see friends and family and get back home (kinda). It will be a good night

New Orleans -Day Two

The dry southwest heat has given way to the tropical humidity. I hate humidity! We have been walking, eating and drinking it up here in New Orleans. The hurricanes are great and cold at Pat Obriens while listening to dueling pianos. We went to a place for a late night snack, the place is called Yo Mamas, and they have a great menu and vibe. It feels like a bar that is not on bourbon street, but it is. We hit the casino and played some poker and roulette. Being teacher nerds we hit the National WWII museum and they do a very good job documenting the war. Oh and the picture of the menu and burger......that's not cheese people...that is grade A peanut butter........on a hamburger! How is it you ask?......I may have another tonight!

New Orleans- Day one

I arrived to New Orleans amid a strong thunderstorm, the first rain I have seen for quite some time. I picked up my friends Caryn and Chris,(it is good to see a familiar face) went to the hotel on Bourbon, which is great, and headed out for some lunch. The town is what I expected, old architecture, tight streets and many many bars. Even for a Monday there were plenty of people walking the streets enjoying the beautiful night. Found some good places to eat, like a nice greasy spoon that has great hamburgers and breakfasts (yes we have eaten there twice already) Today we will venture out and hit some attractions.

Austin to Johnson Space Center

Its been a while hasnt it. Had a blast in Austin, the people are great and so is the music and nightlife. I will be returning soon. Too many stories to put in this forum, (I will speak to you individually) But before that I went to Houston and checked out the Space Center. They have a section that is like the Science Center, but I took a tour of mission control and the old rockets, pretty cool. After a much needed nights sleep I am off to New orleans. I am picking up Chris and Caryn and we are staying on Bourbon street. We will hit the sights, eat, drink and have a great time. I only have 2 weeks left on my trip, my head is dizzy from the experience, but it has been great. Everyone should do it

Austin Texas

Hello from Austin! I have been here for just over 24 hours and I have had a good time thus far. Last night I headed to a bar that was next door to my hotel (oh sweet hotel), and had dinner and made my game plan. I went downtown to see some bands, I saw Our Lady Peace and a band called faceless werewolves. Both great shows. Austin is not what I thought, It is more city than I imagined. But 6th street is amazing. There are tons of bars, places to eat and music. aaannnddd throw in the University of Texas which is intertwined in the city and youve got gold. It is super hot here, over 100 both days with some humidity. So much so that I think that is the reason that my beloved camera quit. It started activing funny, no focus, no taking pictures, and then just crapped out. I talked to the panasonic people, they send send it in, if its before the year warranty (which it isnt by 2 weeks) we will replace it. Just send the manual, cords, batteries, etc. Ummm Im in Austin texas....I cant do that...... I guess I will head out tomorrow and try to replace the best camera I have ever had. Remember the old days of pre computer software cameras, when it was only mechanical? but its only money right!? The pics were pre crash. Will report back with day 2 and 3 soon.

Carlsbad to Junction

Good God west Texas is boring. Today was one of my longer travel days in a long time. And let me tell you there is nothing out here. I took a "ranch road" from Carlsbad caverns to get to I-10 (which has an 80 mph speed limit, giddy up) 50 miles no cars, no houses, no animals, I felt like mad max flying through a post apocalyptic world. It was almost scary, no phone service, no gas stations, people. I could of been still out there. Anyway I am in Junction Tx, for you sports people this is where the Junction boys got the crap kicked out of them by bear bryant. It is a small town and there is nothing to do here except sweat. I did do something cool today, I hit Carlsbad caverns. 800 feet down, huge caves with stalagmites/tites. I got there in the morning and was the first down and I had the place to myself for about an hour and a half, it was so cool. It is hard to take pictures in relative darkness, but I did my best. The camera cant focus because its so dark, and you cant manually focus because its so dark. Cant wait for tomorrow, 3 days in Austin Texas, in a hotel, for about the same price as some of the campgrounds. Gonna see some bands, have some food and drink and get ready for the trip to New Orleans. Checked the odometer today, Ive traveled 7200 miles!

Sights, Signs and obervations

Not signs that you typically see in the northeast. The multi arrow sign is for a circle, they have circles in Sedona! But they are very small and tight. The sun went down in AZ at 7:15 (they do not observe daylight savings in AZ). So in just under a month I have lost nearly 3 hours of daylight compared to the northern latitudes of Montana, that is crazy. People continue to be great, this country is filled with generous, good willed people. I have driven around 6300 miles thus far, and Iam not really tired of driving?! In my next life I will be a long haul trucker. $1.99 all you can eat pancakes is bad for me.... and the KOA that offered it. Not much in the way of pictures traveling through New Mexico, perhaps tomorrow when I go to Carlsbad caverns.