July 9 - Travel Days

Yesterday morning, we bid a teary farewell to Kathy.  Ric had left earlier in the morning to beat traffic before a long work day that would end in Washington DC. 

We spent the day driving from Virginia Beach to Atlanta.  We didn't have any travel troubles, but it was a LONG day in the car.  We arrived a little while before Scott and Shelly made it home from work, so I took the opportunity to take a nice walk in the park down the street from their house.

They live in a great neighborhood that is right near midtown but hidden among lots of trees.

Once they arrived from work, we had a snack of cheese and crackers and ham and olives (very Spanish) while we visited.  Then it was time for dinner in a Mexican restaurant close to their house.  We have really missed Mexican food and thoroughly enjoyed it.

After dinner, we headed back to the park for a walk - this time with their new dog - Bean.

Then to bed to prepare for the next day of travel.  

This morning, we woke up early, played with Bean said goodbye to our hosts and hit the road again.

Today's drive took us from Atlanta to The Villages in Florida where my mom lives.  She was making dinner when we arrived (yum Corn on the Cob).  After dinner, Albert headed over to the gym while Tom and my mom and I rode over to one of the town squares to listen to some live music.

After the concert, Mom and Tom headed home in the golf cart, and I took a nice walk.

No big plans for tomorrow - maybe we will even sleep in....

July 7 - Sunday Rainday

This morning, Albert and I took a walk down to the Walgreens to pick up a few things.  We have been trying to buy as little as possible since we still have two plane trips before we get back to Walla Walla and our suitcases are pretty much maxed out, but some things (like toothpaste) just can't wait.

We made it home just in time to settle in to watch the final game of the Women's World Cup (soccer).  Kathy had boiled some shrimp and made cocktail sauce and she had put out some cheese and crackers.  Along with the leftovers from last night, we had LOTS of food.  And, the US women won 2-0!!!!

This afternoon, I took another (longer) walk.... down to the beach, along the sidewalk art show, around to lots of the statues of the Norwegian Lady, Seashells, King Neptune ....

I headed in a little earlier than I planned making my walk a little shy of 5 miles because the clouds were looking very dark.  I made it home just as the first drops were falling.  

We went out for dinner and then headed home for an evening in.  With the rain continuing to fall, we skipped ice cream tonight.  Instead we just hung out for a nice evening at home.  We said goodbye to Ric before he headed off to bed, he will likely be gone before we get up in the morning.  Our plan is to leave at around 7:30 with the hope of arriving in Atlanta in time for dinner.

July 6 - Beach Time

Today was about as vacation-y as we have been in a while.  I walked to the grocery store this morning while Albert did laundry, but this afternoon was beach time.

After our afternoon on the beach, we headed in and had an amazing dinner that Kathy and Ric made.  Mmmm flank steak, couscous, and asparagus.  I ate way too much.  But, when it came time for after dinner margaritas, I made room.

And, what summer evening would be complete without ice cream... so Albert and Kathy and I headed out to the beach for a short walk and the two of them had ice cream- after the dinner and margarita, I was too full - maybe tomorrow night.  Tomorrow, the plan is to watch the world cup final game.

July 5 - Virginia Beach

This morning we had a bit of a lazy start.  I took the opportunity to review a little Spanish grammar in bed.

Although we hit a lot of volume.  We had a relatively uneventful drive down.

After visiting a bit, we walked along the beach.  There are lots of new art installations.  I like the different "LOVE" paintings - this one was done by a local high school student.

We went with Ric and Kathy and met my Dad and brother for a really nice dinner.  It was nice to catch up and hear all about the classes that my Dad has been teaching at a local community college.

Tomorrow we are hoping for good weather and maybe some beach time.

July 4 - Baseball, Hot Dog, Rain Rain Rain

We headed out from Jimmy's house this morning.  With the exception of one traffic backup, the trip was pretty good. 

We met up with Megan and Meredith for lunch while Kris was working at a local pool.  After lunch, Albert and I headed over to check in to our hotel and do a quick gym visit.  Afterward, we headed over to visit - it had started to rain and thunder so Kris had gotten off early with the closure of the pool.

After a couple of hours the rain let up and we headed over to the ballpark.  Sadly, the rain had delayed the 4th of July minor league baseball game for nearly two hours.  We hung out and ate a little ballpark food while we waited for the crew to get the field ready.

After the long delay the field was ready, the pre-game festivities were done, and the first pitch was thrown out.  Sadly, at that moment the sky opened up and all of the field prep turned out to be for nothing.  We waited for a little while under cover until things lightened up a bit so that we could get to the car without getting soaked.  While we waited we watched some of players and grounds crew make the best of a bad situation, using the field tarp as a HUGE slip and slide.

We went back to the house for a few minutes to say goodbye before heading back to the hotel.  Tomorrow, off to Virginia Beach.

July 3 - Bears, Booze, and Brother

Yesterday we enjoyed our last full day in the mountains with Betty.  We did a lot of walking and reading, but we also "enjoyed" a visit from a couple of bears.

Later we taste tested some of the "wine" that pop made nearly 15 years ago.  Most of it was now more like vinegar - but one of the whites still resembled wine.

Then, one last walk in the woods.

And one last walk down the road.

This morning, we headed out toward Philadelphia.  We stopped off at the Penn State campus where Albert and I met.

After that we headed over to Jim's house.  After visiting awhile, Albert and I went for a walk down to the river.

Then we went out to dinner and with Jim and Cindy before heading home.  Albert and Jim spent some time doing some computer updates while we visited.

July 1 - The Difference

On July 1st last year, Albert and the girls and I were enjoying our last day together before Albert and I headed off to Madrid.  We went to a museum, went out to lunch, and the girls dropped us off at the airport for an overnight flight.  It was a very busy day.

July 1st this year, Albert and I are hanging out with Betty.  We did go out to lunch but otherwise, mostly we just hung around and relaxed.  I did a good deal of walking, lots of dear out and about.  Luckily tonight there was no bear (they came around the house last night while Albert and I were out on our walk - Betty called on the cell phone to warn us to be careful as we came back up the road - luckily we missed them.)

Tomorrow is our last full day here in the mountains.  We are looking forward to another peaceful day.