Shall we continue our trip? We left off on the western edge of Pennsylvania, which really is a lovely state. It's surprisingly hilly and surprisingly rural (other than Pittsburgh, of course).
We ended up very close to Shanksville. The fields there look like this, and Flight 93 crashed in a place just like it on 9/11. It's very pretty.
We ended up at Gettysburg, high water mark of the Confederate army during the War Between the States. This is one of the most peaceful places you can go, and it's hard to imagine it as the site of such fierce fighting. I have heard people say it's one of their favorite places to visit, and I can't recommend it enough.
There was a tower you could climb with signs explaining the troop movements and the landmarks. There were also monuments to the various armies and units from each state here. A warm summer evening, the breeze, and the crickets made it a reflective place to visit.
Pickett's Charge ended here in hand to hand combat.
After driving through Gettysburg we ended up on some REALLY rural, extremely pretty back roads on our way to Baltimore, MD. The result was that there was no sign telling us we had crossed into Maryland. I had to content myself with this sign announcing the Maryland State Route 140.
We spent the night with Nancy, Caleb, and kids in Baltimore. Andreas did not want to go to bed. Nancy took advantage of the free babysitting to run a few quick errands the next morning, but I'm afraid the kids used up all their good moods playing with me! Naps were in order after we left.
We crossed the Chesapeake Bay and drove down the Atlantic Coast, stopping for seafood on the way. Yummy!
Here we are near Chincoteague Island, a place near and dear to the heart of every horse lover. We were on rural highways, so the signs for VA and NC are not great pictures.
We spent the night in New Bern with Grandma and Grandpa, and I have to say it was a truly wonderful visit. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I'd been there--10 years! It was far too short, but we enjoyed every precious minute with you. We were too busy hanging out to take pictures.
North Carolina is of course home to the best university ever. No trip is complete without a stop at Duke University. Go Devils! It was fun showing Gus around the campus and revisiting all of my old dorms, Cameron Indoor, the Bryan Center, and of course the bookstore. I could have stayed far longer. The trip down memory lane was fun, but it was also a good reminder of how life moves on (there are quite a few changes to campus) and that memories of a place are only special because of the people with whom we share them. It wouldn't be Duke without all of my dear friends.
We continued west on I-40 to camp, arriving during the evening free swim. We were invited to stay for dinner, which was also neat. I enjoyed it, and Gus was a great sport. Very few of the people I knew were around, but it was good to see the folks I did and to show Gus this important place in my life as well. We stayed longer than originally planned and spent the night in Black Mountain. I ducked out for a quick trip to the Dairy King, a haunt of camp staff members on summer evenings.
We stopped briefly in Greenville and met the newest family member. Linda, Sam, and Bennett were just behind us (though we had some of their stuff).
We have finally entered Georgia!
The Varsity!
Life in the Bubble--Peachtree City's famed golf carts and of course Chick-fil-A.
Driving through South Georgia there is NOTHING but flat, hot, scrubby land for miles--except this enormous KIA plant. I wonder why they picked this place for their plant.
We arrived here Thursday, June 28th and watched the taped German soccer game with everyone. Unfortunately Germany lost, but it was still a fun evening. We headed out the next morning for Lake Martin, where we had fun with the jet ski and boats--but also fishing!
Gus is tired from all the driving
His partner in crime is all smiles.
Maria and Sadie
Onkel Caleb und Bennett
His partner in crime is all smiles.
Maria and Sadie
Onkel Caleb und Bennett
This was in GA just before we got to Florida. I had to put it in, of course!
We arrived in Ocklawaha Monday evening, July 2nd. We departed on my birthday, Friday, July 6th for the shortest of our drives--down to Altamonte Springs to visit friends.
Dunn relaxes at Grandma's house.
We enjoyed playing with the goats and horses--we worked on jumping Dreamer (pictured) and Virgil. They liked the attention and the baths afterward!
Virgil and Joey
Jenny and her dogs enjoy having Gus around.
We arrived in Palm Beach Gardens on July 7th. Our engine started making funny noises as we left the interstate. Sarah, our faithful car, made it the whole way--4950 miles.
This was not technically our last exit (that would be exit 77), but Jupiter is where Gus grew up.
Typical south Florida strip mall
Sarah made it and so did we!
From here we caught a flight out to Munich on the afternoon of July 11, 2012. Air Berlin was a good airline, the flight was smooth, and we're now two months in. Munich rocks!
