[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]
2009
2009
This is a recap of our year’s events. (You can read the
Christmas letters from ‘08 – ‘15 for more details.) We attended Vivian's +
Erich’s wedding in R.I. Our return trip included a visit in N. Car. visiting
our nephew Bob H and his wife Beverly. We’re fortunate to be able to
visit both Mike and Donna (Largo) families + Kent + Tamiko’s in Jax - both within
driving distance. (We don't like flying.)
7/7/09
Pensacola – Knoxville
Mileage –
91,691 on the van
We started
out on our long trek to Providence for Erich + Vivian’s wedding bright + early
with our destination today, Knoxville, Tenn.
Rt. 113 –
Flomaton – much improved. We had a real downpour enroute to M’gomery + we got
drenched at the rest area in Greenville. I had the pleasure of driving as it
was my turn.
From
Montgomery to Birmingham it was nice + shiny when Bert took the wheel. Our
lunch at Chick-fil-a in B’ham was so good I had to bring half of it “home.”
Home
tonight is at the Clarion Inn in Knoxville, and as usual, we had a difficult
time following the directions on Map-Quest. After getting directions from the
local gas stations + finally found our inn!
The
Clarion is another Choice Hotel + we’re supposed to get points (?) for staying
in 3 enroute to Providence. We’ll see.
Gas all
the way up here from Fla. was less than at home – under $2.50 gal. Mileage 505.
7/8/09
Knoxville – Staunton, Va
Mileage
854
We had a
short delay after leaving the motel determining which direction to take on
I-75. We soon picked up Rt. 40, then 640, connecting to I-81 the rest of the
way to Staunton.
From
Bristol to Roanoke the countryside is beautiful! We had lots + lots of truck
traffic, but everyone used good sense + obeyed the speed limits.
We stopped
for lunch at Wendy’s in Wytheville in a new well planned shopping area. Every
store + restaurant are here but no time to check it out.
Gas today
was $2.38 + we filled the tank for $47.86 – quite less from last year + we
averaged 25 miles to the gallon.
We checked
in at the same Comfort Inn as we had last year, but it was in 2 hrs less time
that it took to get here than last year.
Had a
delicious chicken salad at Cracker Barrel for dinner, then filled the tank @
$2.29 = $30.97.
26 mpg –
not bad for a 10 yr old van.
Staunton
is a beautiful city + we’ve had ideal weather all day.
7/9/09
Staunton, Va. – Danbury, Ct.
We left
today at the usual 8:00 AM after a good night’s sleep + hearty breakfast.
It was
another beautiful sunny day and a steady line of traffic on I-81. We followed
this route through beautiful Shenandoah Valley past Harrisonburg, Winchester,
then a few miles into W. Va. + Md. before driving north, still on Rt. 81 to
Harrisburg, Pa. We had quite a distance yet to travel on Rt. 81, so we didn’t
take time to tour the capital. Instead we continued on to Hazelton +
Wilkes-Barre where we stopped at McDonalds for a quick lunch before going on to
Scranton + Rt. 84.
From Scranton
to Newburgh we had a lot of traffic, but steadily made good time on to Danbury –
a total of 1315 miles.
Our
accommodations here are a little classier at the Comfort Suite + a few more
bucks. We ate at Bambina’s – had soup + salad + Bert had a philly cheese. Good
choice.
7/10/09
Danbury – Providence
1467 miles
We left
the lovely Comfort Suites at 8:40 and what seemed like an easy 3 hr trip was
more than five hrs.
In
Hartford we stopped at AAA’s to get directions for our trip back to Fl. That
was our first delay.
We
followed Rts. 84 + 384, then Rt 6 into Providence through hilly scenic villages
with loads of beautiful flowers everywhere.
We stopped
in Brooklyn, Conn. to get gas + it was the cheapest we could find + the first
since we left home that was over $2.50 gal. We filled the tank @2.63 + it was
$56.25. Lunch today was McChicken sandwiches + sundaes.
We finally
found 213 Taunton + Johnson + Wales Inn + unpacked for our 3 day stay.
Kent,
Tamiko, Brynne, Mike, Ryan, Bert + I all rode over to Mary Jane + Barney’s
together for a wonderful time overlooking the water – great food + lots of fun
loving people. The wedding is tomorrow.
7/11/09
Johnson + Wales Inn Sekonk
We slept
in today, then met Kent, Mike + the gals for a full Continental breakfast. Kent
took Mike to the airport to turn in his rental car + Tamiko took Brynne to the
hairdressars.
Going to
Tiverton to the wedding was a race against time as we had to be there by 4 pm.
We just made it!
Vivian +
Erich looked elegant in their formal attire – she in a full length white
organza gown + Erich in a handsome beige suit. Even little Dylan + cousin “Evie”
were in formal clothes as were the best man, Kyle, and Denise, maid of honor. She + Brynne wore navy J. Crew cocktail gowns.
Mary Jane
+ Nicole LaC gave the couple away, and played an important role in the
ceremony. Barney’s band played for the lively dancing afterwards + we were
given special treatment at table #1, all 7 Ss. State of the art food +
beverages before + after our dinner. What a wedding. Fun!
7/12/09 Johnson
+ Wales Inn – Seekonk
Sunday –
the day after the wedding + we took advantage by sleeping late.
Ate a CBreakfast
in the lobby, then had some free time for catching up on reading, etc. before
going to a Pizzeria for lunch.
We killed
time by showing Ryan and Mike around Providence before putting Ryan on the bus
to N.Y.C. where he’ll spend the night with friends before going back to L.A.
then on too Greenland for filming the Shamen.
Kent picked
up Kyle who came out for a visit and dinner at a fine upscale Italian
restaurant called Vinny’s.
It’s been
a wonderful trip + visit, but we now have laundry to do + it’s time to say
adieu to all our loved ones + head south.
Mileage –
93,309 + 1618.4 starting out to Fla.
7/13/09
Providence – Chambersburg, Pa.
2,049.4
miles
We bade
farewell to Kent, Tamiko + Brynne + departed a little before 8 a.m. after a
good night’s rest + another hearty breakfast.
It didn’t
take us long to get through Providence with all the a.m. traffic. We followed
Rt. 6W to Hartford + then rt. 84 to Matamoras. From there we stayed on 209 to
Milford which is a tourist center for arts + crafts. A very interesting +
historical city. We ate an energy bar + kept driving because of a detour on 209
+ we wanted to save time. The scenery through the Poconos is awesome.
At
Bushkill we filled the tank – 20 gal. @2.35 for $45.14. We then treated
ourselves to a dish of ice cream at Friendly’s. Yummy!
I drove
the final stretch but Bert did most of the driving today. Chambersburg was an
excellent choice for our overnight here, and we enjoyed another Cracker Barrel
meal which is located across the highway from our new residence, Quality Inn.
7/14/09
Chambersburg, Pa. – High Point, N.C.
We left
about 8 a.m. after a delicious “expanded” breakfast. We stayed on I-81 through
four states – Pa., Md., W. Va. + Va. in 50 minutes.
At the Va.
Welcome Center near Winchester Va. we’ve never seen such a clean well-kept
restrooms. This was especially scenic area viewing the Smokies.
After a 7
mile turn around toward Lynchburg, we enjoyed the first leg of Rt. 29 on a
scenic curving ride.
At
Lovington we stopped at a McDonalds for our usual McChicken sandwiches + hot
fudge sundaes.
At 29S – Lynchburg/Danville
we were on Jerry Falwell Pkwy + saw Liberty U.
We had
trouble finding Butch + Bev’s home, but Bev’s instructions were fine. We got
here around 5 pm. They’re brave having us for 2 nights + then their
granddaughter’s coming this weekend. Their new home is lovely + it’s good to be
in a home for 2 nights!
7/15/09
High Point, N.Car.
Mileage
832 – 94,154
Today we
started out to see the area. We turned left at the light, then left on Johnson
+ right on 311 to Winter/Salem to 40W.
We
traveled to Reynolds Village at Winston Salem + took pictures on the campus of
Wake-Forest U. in front of the chapel.
Lunch at
the village Tavern was very good especially my clam chowder.
Then we
traveled a short distance to Old Salem Village, the site of the Moravian
people, Salem College for Girls + the North Carolina School of Arts (NCSA).
On the way
back to Bob + Bev’s we stopped at Kernal Kustard for what else? A cup of
custard.
XXXX Navy Place,
High Point 27265. We had some DiGiorno Pizza + discussed all Hamilton events
for the past 50 years. Fun to be together.
7/16/09
High Point
– Chattanooga
1196 – 94,518
After
another nutritious breakfast with Bob + Bev’s B+B, we took off at
our usual time with excellent driving instructions.
We
followed their directions, taking rt. 311N to 40W + followed that to
Statesville. We had light traffic for 32 miles where we stopped for a rest area
+ I drove.
We had
lunch at Wendy’s in Sylva + took the scenic drive through Cherokee land.
At
Nantahala National Forest we followed Rt. 64 + 74 through scenic winding hilly
roads where white water rafting was enjoyed by hundreds of boaters.
Whitewater
sports – World class kayaking, rafting, + canoeing or tubing on the Nantahala
River of the Ocoee – site of the ’96 Olympics + the great Smokey Mtn R.R. were
scenes of the area.
We were
glad we took the time to see this historic Cherokee land. Exit 5 on I-75 +
Comfort Inn were welcome sites.
7/17/09
Chattanooga – Pensacola
Mileage
1595
We called
Bob + Bev, Kent, and Mike + told them of our last lap of the trip. All’s well +
we’re now to Cracker Barrel. The meal – turkey + dressing very good! We watched
the Braves beat the Mets 5-3, then retired.
We slept
in an hour, so got a late start, but we gain an hr. going into Central time
today.
This has
been a wonderful 3700 mile trip with beautiful weather, except for part of one
day going from Montgomery to Birmingham on the way north.
We got
home from Chattanooga about 3 pm, an 8 hr drive. We unpacked, showered + went
down for our usual Fri. night catfish. It’s good to be home + we thank God for
a safe trip!
