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Mile 2363: my bed

Gloriously nice to rest my head on my pillow, on my bed, in my house, in my home town. It's not really home yet because Mike, Josh, and Cami aren't here but that will be reality shortly.

So 44 hours in the car,  95 gallons of gas, 8 states, 2363 miles, twice as many gas stations as restaurants, no speeding tickets, no injuries, no breakdowns, and only a splash of rain the whole 8 days... pretty damn good. 

So where should I go next week?  Who's on board?

Mile 2205: Bond, Jayson Bond

Landed in Columbia, MD, the Bond household.  They have a beautiful tree up but it is overshadowed by young Master Jayson.  Nothing brings peace to a house like a newborn.  And that new baby smell - gotta love it!

Again and Again

It doesn't matter that I have Holocaust museums in several other cities. It doesn't matter that I have seen Holocaust memorials in even more cities, across the globe. It doesn't matter how many books I read or courses attended. It doesn't matter that I know not a single ancestor's name who fell victim nor even survived.   It doesn't matter that I already will never forget.

Again and again I search out these reminders.  It reminds me of who I am.  Of who I will never be.  And of who I strive to be.  Jew or not, I encourage you to experience these lessons of life, death, faith or lack thereof,  courage, humanity, and the horrible absence of it.

The Richmond Holocaust museum is as good as any I've seen. 

Mile 2057: A Tribute in Richmond, VA

It may jinx myself,  but I am going to pay a brief tribute to my Acura TL. In just less than a week it has carried me over 2000 miles with not so much as squeak. It has maneuvered through pot-hole covered dirt roads at 10 MPH, through traffic at 80 MPH, and down empty highways at well into 3 figures.

I spent 39 hours so far sitting in its seat, sometimes with my bum-warmer on, and sometimes with the windows wide open for the chilly air to greet me. I have chatted with friends on the Bluetooth, and been guided by the Navigation although sometimes in quite interesting paths!  I have spent hours listening to songs, happily belting out many  tunes to the steering wheel, and even shedding some tears for love lost.  And finally have expanded my understanding thanks to Wiesel's book on tape.

And while I was typing this sitting in the very parking spot in the picture, a nice woman stamped by bumper with the two hex screws holding her front license plate on. While I would love to have her insurance replace my bumper cover (effectively fixing an assortment of other aesthetic scratches), I chose to just forgive her and keep the two hexagonal dents as a souvenir for the car. Bet you can't wait to see what souvenirs I got for y'all!!!

Mile 1796: Bading Badin Lake Farewell

As I drive out of the Badin Lake area, I can't help but miss the trip already. My free schedule is over.  Like the rest of us I add back into my days responsibilities to friends, family, community and my employer. For almost a week I needed worry only about where my head will rest at night. My good fortune to be able to make this trip is not lost on me, nor do I dread returning to my more routine life.

I am looking forward to seeing the familiar faces of my friends and feeling the embraces of my family; hearing the good and bad of their days and trying to make them better. I welcome the chance to make headway with my 2010 work goals and to give and get ribbing with my colleagues.  I enjoy seeing the faces of the same shop keepers in my hometown and being part of a community.

But I also look forward to the next chance to escape to nature, to explore the corners of the mind you rarely have time for, and to appreciate all aspects of our lives. But maybe next time you can come with me?

Fires are nice but...

Well the fire was nice, but when the winds start blowingz only my tent and double sleeping bag take out most o the chill!  But the fire did heat up my camper's stew. You know my stew I'm sure. Whatever is around you throw it in the pot. I had a can of beans, some peanuts, and an inch of summer sausage left. Not bad. Believe it or not an inch really is enough. (-;

When I first set up camp it seemed deathly quiet and pitch black. But after 5 minutes somebody switched on the lights. The old man in the moon has this place glowing. Not saying I would sprint through the woods but hike it, sure. The sounds started too- wind rustling the few leaves hanging onto Fall, planes out of the Charlotte airport about 50 miles away, and of course the sound of the werewolves' claws scraping across the fallen trees as they snake their way toward me. (What campfire is complete without a scary story!?)

I think I will let the fire burn down and hike down to the lake to see what cool sights the moon has in store for me. Maybe my camera will even capture some of it?