Travels

There are 246 posts filed in Travels (this is page 16 of 25).

Back from New Hampshire

We got back from New Hampshire last night around 10 PM. Our flight from Baltimore was delayed about two hours by a late incoming connecting flight, mechanical issues (ignitor in left engine wouldn’t start), and weather (thunderstorms in Raleigh). Still, Kelly and I were just happy to be getting home.

As I waited to fetch our bags from the baggage claim area, another passenger behind me was picking up his bags. He was in his late 50s, grey hair, and had a Bluetooth headset stuck in his ear. As he hurriedly grabbed his bags he was cursing up a blue streak. I never will understand how some people have so much anger that they’ll fly off the handle over something that is completely out of their control.

In spite of Mr. Self-Absorbed Jerk, I’m still in awe of the miracle of aviation. It never ceases to amaze me how I can walk on a plane in one city, fly at great speed over all obstacles, and arrive safely in another city. In spite of my love of rail travel, nothing yet invented can take the place of the airplane.

Day trip to Portsmouth

As promised, we spent most of the day in Portsmouth and Kittery, having a great time looking around these two towns.

The Red Arrow Diner, Manchester, NH

Before we left, we had to get “breakfast,” though it was already past 11 AM. The hotel manager suggested a few places, one of which is the Red Arrow Diner, a shoebox-sized diner that really packed ’em in. We waited patiently with a line of 20 other people to finally get two seats the bar. And you know what? It was worth it! People gladly wait however long it takes to get seated. We both enjoyed our meals and signed the guest book for good measure. If you’re ever in Manchester and are looking for food, check out the Red Arrow Diner: open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Rain in Manchester

Rainy Manchester

Rainy Manchester


We awoke after a good night’s sleep to find it raining, as expected. Makes walking around a bit less appealing but we’re still up for looking around.

Today we’ll spend some time at the coast, checking out Kittery, Maine and the area around it. We spent a night at a Kittery bed and breakfast early in our marriage and are looking forward to seeing the town again.

Manchester and Lincoln

Flume Gorge entrance

We’ve had a fun day in New Hampshire! Our flights went off without a hitch and we landed at about 10:30 AM in Manchester. The temperature in Manchester was reported to be 50 degrees but by the time we left the terminal it was noticeably warmer than that. Still it was cool enough for me to switch my shorts for jeans. Getting our car from Enterprise proved a long wait, as there were many in line in front of us who didn’t have a prepaid rental as we did. Eventually, though, we were on our way, destination: Lincoln.
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To New England

Kelly and I are on our way to New Hampshire for a three-day anniversary trip. We’ll try to do as much as we can during that time, though the weather won’t be cooperating. Rain is forecast for all day Sunday, which is a wicked pissah.

We’ll check in when we can along the way.

Back from Boone

We had a wonderful time in Boone the past few days. The weather was great, especially knowing how hot it’s been in Raleigh.

Grandfather Mountain was a fun diversion Monday. I was a little worried the kids would not handle the (0.4 mile) hike up the mountain but they did very well. We even tiptoed across the bridge and rocks to the other end for some photographs. The kids didn’t flinch a moment.

We stopped by a Boone burger joint for dinner before heading back home. On the way back up our mountain I got carsick and took a nap upon returning, which seemed to help me feel better.
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First two days in Boone

We arrived in Boone Saturday afternoon after a leisurely trip west along I-40. Our friends Craig and Lisa are sharing the vacation home with us, and we divided our group by gender between each minivan.

We stopped for a picnic at an outdoor playground outside of Wilkesboro, where the kids got to stretch their legs. It was a welcome break, and quite pleasant – just the kind of place we were looking for.
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In Boone

We’re spending a long weekend in Boone, which is nice. It’s good to get away from the near-100 degree heat in Raleigh today. Our weather is cool and breezy, with a high of 84.

We’re in a house up the hill from the Boone Mall. Not only is there no Internet access, but there’s no cellphone signal nor telephone in the house. I’m in the Boone Mall’s Panera now typing this before I head over to the grocery store.

I forget how quiet it is in the mountains. Quite peaceful and very relaxing. Wish I had a phone connection at the very least, though!

We’ve not no specific plans here other than to have fun. Maybe we’ll get out on a hike later today, as getting deeper into the woods really appeals to me.

Check in with you later.

Warrenton caboose tour

While we were visiting Kelly’s parents in Virginia we decided to take a bike ride on Warrenton’s greenway path. At the start of the greenway is the Norfolk and Western Railway Caboose 518554, a restored caboose on freshly-laid track where thirty years ago freight trains once served the town. We happened to pass the caboose right as a gentleman appeared to be locking it up, so being the curious sort I asked him what he knew about the caboose.

It turns out the gentleman was Ron Scullin, one of the three main volunteers responsible for obtaining the track and caboose and restoring both to like-new condition. Ron had just finished up with tours of the caboose, which are held once a month, but hearing that we were from out of town, he graciously volunteered to provide a personal tour.
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Gone forth for Fourth

We’re spending day three at Kelly’s parents’ home for the Fourth of July weekend. It’s been a fun one, with lots of bike riding (we brought them with us), bubble blowing, and just having fun. Our bike rack served us well in getting the family’s bikes to Virginia, with the kids’ bikes packed in the back of the van. Even Rocket was comfortable in the back of the van, with the seat down so he could actually see out the window. Never heard him actually wag his tail while in the van before.

The bubble blowing was the biggest hit, though. Kelly’s mom Linda found a recipe for “bubble juice” and made a big bucket of it. We’ve used sticks with straps on them to create enormous bubbles – some 3 feet wide by 20 feet long! It’s been so much fun that we’re going to get our own bubble kit when we get back home!

Today we’re heading to a friend’s stable so the kids can ride the horses. Then it’s off to the pool to cool off. The Virginia weather’s been markedly cooler than North Carolina’s but a swim will be just as welcome this afternoon!