Holiday Inn Express Harrisonburg, Virginia

... you are really interested in a timeshare, don't waste your time; not even for the promised $100, which is given to you in "Massanutten Bucks" at the end. The representative that drove us around and showed us every inch of the place was nice and personable, but the heavy handed approach began when we returned to the main building and was taken into a room to meet another representative. This lady was pushy and once she knew that she was NOT going to make a sale, she became quite ...

... I had known prior to this trip was the now "former" natural bridge of Aruba (former because it collapsed) I have to say that this was an impressive site. We spent about an hour there and then looked at the map for some nice curvey roads to spend the rest of the day on.

Our choice of roads proved succesful, but upon ...

On the way for our rest and relaxation stop in Black Mountain NC Rode Skyline Drive which becomes in NC the Blue Ridge.  The views are amazing.  So much beauty.  Lots of trees, wildflowers, mountains and deer.  Yes lots of white tailed deer.  We got some good up close pictures of them.  The girls were ecstatic.  Entry to Shenandoah National Park was free for Father's Day.  Nice treat for daddy.  Went in the Big Meadows picnic ...

... Millboro Springs we continued northeasterly on SR-42/39 (Maury River Rd) headed for Goshen. Along this route we found out where the kids and others come for relaxation, fishing and just plain having fun in the river. Very nice area.

When we left Goshen we stayed on SR-39 to the southeast until we got to SR-252 junction and took that to Brownsburg, Newport and Middlebrook. Then we took a right on SR-701 that took us over to the interstate I-81 area and decided ...

... and lungs acting up. But we took lots of pretty pictures of the water and the gnarled tree roots and the many layers of mountains. We played peekaboo with dozens of deer, the most domesticated I've ever seen outside of captivity. We startled a rabbit in the underbrush by the side of the road. We even encountered some ...

... After a while we are ok. We decide to go through the 64 after Richmond. Obviously more rain. We make the 81 around 6 p.m. More rain. We decide to stop around 6:30 p.m.  We have supper in the room (stuff we had at the villa and that we made in the microwave). Tip: if you can get some meal prepare and freeze it. We had glad containers ...

... in-law Kelly, and niece and nephew Sohie and Ryan. Brad spent Thanksgiving with his aunts, uncles, and cousins in Knoxville. We also had opportunity to visit with many long-time friends. Overall, the time healed me as much as my mama. Thanks to everyone, and I am looking forward to the upcoming journey with Brad!

I woke up and was surprised to see that it was -31 degrees Celsius. Amazingly, my car did start. Love those Hondas!! I then strapped the bike down in the trailer, loaded the many bags into my car, and got underway at 9:00 am. After an hour or so I arrived at the US border at the Thousand Islands and was given the third degree by a very abrupt female official. She wanted to know where I was going, why, how long, what is my son's status, how much money I have with me, looked at the ...

... I can't wait to start working tomorrow, meet the people. Hear more country and blues music, experience the Deep South - and perhaps even see some more of those redneck bumper stickers.   But first, I have a few more hours of driving. And with weather like this, a car like mine, country music on the radio and another refill of Starbucks, that's not the worst thing to spend your Sunday doing. Although some around here would opine I should be in church...

... and fears, discussed many big issues, and we've had a lot of laughs together. I think I'm too close to process it all, the main thing I take away is the humanity of the people of this globe. No matter the barriers - cultural, religious, language etc - we've shared so much...I think I'll find it hard to express to folks back home what it's been like. Maybe my photos will demonstrate something of the diversity and the sense of, I don't know how to put it ...