Wingate Inn - Concord

The journey home began at 6AM Venice time and even with only a one hour layover in Munich we arrived in Charlotte at 6PM est time (midnight Venice time!) a very long day. We had a trendous trip and Aunt Sue and Guido were the perfect hosts and tour guides. I almost feel like going right back but that will have to wait for now probably June 2011. The weather was cold and at times rainy so some of the things you would routinely do were just not possible.

Excited and ready to leave. The forecast does not seem very promising but it will be great to see Sue &amp; Guido again. We leave Charlotte at 5:30 PM and should be in Venice at Noon (Italian time) Wednesday. I will try to send photo's as we take them as well as update this blog. I loved this when Chris and Liana used it . <br>

After a long and hectic tech week in the not so glamorous land of Roxbury Community College, we finally hit the road on Saturday. Our first day was quite long. Anyone who's ever driven the I-95 route up and down the east coast knows that the triumverate of driving nuisances are Boston, NYC, and DC... and yes we were passing through all 3 in our first day of driving. Needless to say, 12 hours later we were VERY thankful to reach the hotel. <br><br>Sunday, we ...

I thought that I would post this picture of me and La Poderosa just before I left for the west coast a couple month's ago. She had to be sold in LA:( What an amazing bike for 700 bucks. She got me through one of the most amazing adventures that I've had to date. As soon as I can get my computer that has all the pics on it online I will have a boat load of stuff to post from this trip.<br><br>

... the eastern boarder of Iraq while I am there. Future travels with continue to take me across I believe. I am bringing the tent and sleeping bag for my days on the road so that I can stay cheap while i'm in transit. Though I have hostel reservations for the beginning and end of my trip in Istanbul.

... spots is very puzzling to my mind. You think "I KNOW you! I really KNOW you. And here you are. And here we are... and we're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!"<br><br>We have about a 2 hour wait before our evening flight across the pond. So, let's have a beer!

Given the title I'm sure you can guess what we have encountered today, and not just a little rain but a whole lot of it. Flash flood warnings in some of the areas we drove through. There hasn't been a break all day. <br><br>The day started with walking the streets of Gatlinburg, TN which is just another pretty cool touristy town with tons of shops. We were really looking forward to seeing the Smoky ...

WW and I drove across western NC. Got to a town called Statesville and went into J&amp;R Cigars, billed as the World's largest cigar store. They ain't lying. BIg ol' CHurchills for $3 (or less).<br><br>We camped at Lake Norman, land donated to the State of NC by the Duke Power company as long as the state let them leave their nuke there. No pics. Suprisingly nice campground.

... in my life. Life on the road is what you make of it. Being in a hotel room all of the time will get old really quick. During this trip I am going to go out and experience as much as I can even when I am working. The people, places, and culture sure add that little spice to life. On a side not, I feel like Doogie Howser right now typing on a computer putting down my days thoughts. Just thought I would share that one with you.

... varied as life. I met a lot of nice people last night. The only downside is that everybody smokes. I came back to the trailer smelling like an ashtray. I got up early to bring my truck to the Ford Dealership. It was time for an oil change. It was also time I had my rear shocks changed. One got busted a while back and all the fluid leaked out. The tires were also due to get rotated. And finally, that grinding noise coming from the rear axle ...