Travels

There are 246 posts filed in Travels (this is page 18 of 25).

Greetings from 2,756 feet

We’re on Gateway Mountain now, just outside of Old Fort, NC on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Old Fort is exit 73 off of I-40, about 220 miles from Raleigh pavement-wise. We’re in a house overlooking the gorgeous mountains. Its surrounded by woods and up a quite-steep one-lane road.

I’d tell you how quiet it is here but the truth is the cicadas made a big racket last night. We must be surrounded by them. Even so, I think we’ll try sleeping with the windows open, because country noises can be soothing, too.
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Weather (and gas pump) avoidance

It should top out above 100 degrees today. That heat and my cold didn’t keep me from biking today, though. I’m proud to say I’ve kept two-wheeling in whenever I can.

We’re looking to duck out of the heat this weekend, though, when we stay at a Black Mountain cabin for a few days. We then will return home before heading out to Carolina Beach for another few days. One of these places, I suspect, will be cooler than the other.

On a related, biking-to-work note. Today’s N&O told of people trying to live near where they work. Imagine that: people not driving all over creation to get to their jobs! What a concept! I had to chuckle when I read that and thank my lucky stars that we’re living downtown and I’m working downtown. My guess is we’re saving about $300 each month on gas.

California dreaming

Since our San Juan Islands trip didn’t work out we’ve been recalibrating our vacation plans. I’ve always wanted to visit Northern California and its ancient redwood forests. Its well off the beaten path (a 6 hour drive from either Portland or San Francisco) so I’ve never had the chance to “drop by” on a business trip.

We’re checking into where we might find a cabin near the area’s national parks. Hopefully things will fall into place soon and we can visit these wondrous forests.

What’s in the soap at RDU airport?

At RDU airport two weeks ago I was taking Travis to the men’s room one last time before our flight. I know now that I was just starting a cold at the time, so my sense of smell might not have been at its peak, but I did a double-take when I smelled the hand soap I was putting on: it smelled like marijuana!

There was a guy in a nearby stall who could’ve been lighting up, but that would’ve be extremely unlikely. I checked and rechecked the smell of my just-washed hands and I’m convinced its the soap.

Next time you’re at the airport see for yourself. And avoid petting any K-9 units that might wander by.

Change of vacation plans

Well, it looks like we’re not going to Orcas Island after all. The Southwest tickets I’ve earned are not valid for the days we want to leave. Since we’d be renting a house we wouldn’t be able to coordinate flights with rental times.

Up next is picking another destination known for cooler weather, or bagging the vacation plans altogether. We’re hoping we can make something work but we’re really sad the San Juan Islands won’t be it.

Fessing up

Ok, so although my goal in Chicago and Milwaukee was to not set foot in an automobile I came up short. There was light rain the last morning of our Chicago trip and though we only had 6 blocks to go (and I had an umbrella), my coworker wussed out and talked me into taking a cab.

That short trip cost us $10 and me the goal of a automobile-free trip. Bah.

Wall of heat

Getting off the plane from Chicago yesterday was like walking into a wall of heat. I’d been spoiled by the dry, upper 70s weather I enjoyed in Milwaukee and Chicago. Nothing says “welcome to the South” like summertime heat!

The heat takes getting used to. Before I left, the 78 degrees we’ve kept the house felt quite comfortable. Then I stayed north for a week and kept my hotel AC set to 68 degrees. Now I have to get used to 78 again.

The funny thing is, I will get used to 78 again. And it will feel normal. The human body has an amazing ability to adapt. My body, too. 🙂

Vacation time + tax “rebate” = Orcas Island trip?

No sooner did we get off planes than we begin thinking of getting on them again.

We’re getting our tax … uh, “rebate” and thinking of applying it to another trip to the lovely San Juan Islands. Looking for a decent place for a week in August. Haven’t nailed anything down yet but the idea of being in the Pacific Northwest when Raleigh will be baking in 100-degree temperatures is pretty darn appealing.