Virginia Beach, VA (USA)

[went to performance at Virginia Beach Pavilion Theatre with (Tori ?) - "Funny Girl"]

Virginia Battlefield Trip - Day 3

Up at 0815. Left to tour battlefield at 0845. North on VA-24 - found Appomattox Courthouse village. All buildings closed, though! Still walked around with park map and found McClean house where surrender occurred. Ran out of film, so headed back into town to get more. Explored near park and found home of the inventor of the banjo! Back on US-460 after more photos (1000). Stopped at Sayers/Sailors Creek Battlefield on the way home. On VA-307 and US-360 until near Richmond. Changed to VA-10 and then doubled back when I saw a sign for a new part of I-295. Crossed James River again and got off on VA-5. Getting very cold! Toured Richmond Battlefield Park - including Fort Johnson, Fort Harrison, Fort Hoke and Fort Brady (1300). Used I-295 and went to Petersburg. Found Battlefield just after changing to VA-36. Saw visitor's center show (good) and then walked around: Battery #9, Fort Stedman, Crater Battle Site (Union soldiers dug a tunnel under Confederate lines and then set off a huge explosion - everyone so surprised it worked that nothing was actually accomplished in the confusion!). Took roads on the south side of the James River to get back to Norfolk. Saw lots of huge mansions and peanut farms. On US-460, US-58 and I-64 back to apartment. Home at 1745.

Virginia Battlefield Trip - Day 2

Woke at 1100. Met Dave's family and had a nice breakfast. They thanked me a lot for bringing Dave home - he has been gone for awhile. Left around 1230 and drove out on I-495 until I reached I-66. Got off at US-29 so I could located the sites of the First and Second Bull Run (Manassas) battles. Didn't have a good battlefield map and missed a few important places - finally found visitor's center (1345). Saw movie and good presentation - then walked around. First Battle sites: Stone Bridge. Second Battle sites: Chinn Ridge, Hazel Plain, Fletcher Webster's Memorial, Battery Heights. Left after about an hour- drove south on US-29. Came upon a lady with a broken down car - she needed a ride. Her name was Susan and she asked me to take her to her parents home just down the road. Her father turned out to be an airplane wing-walker and I got a good look at their plane and some videos of the family taking part in a "Flying Circus." They gave me tickets they said were good at any of their future performances. Left around 1530 and continued south on US-29. Eventually came across Liberty University in Lynchburg. Called Johanna, but she wasn't in town. Decided to continue to Appomattox. Took US-460 and got hotel (Travelers Inn, 1900). At dinner at Subway and then explored town. TV until 2300 - then bed.

Virginia Battlefield Trip - Day 1

Left Norfolk at 2200. Very rainy. Dave paid for my fillup and we headed up to DC on I-64, I-295, I-95 and I-495. He lives in Bethesda, so I had been in his town before. He actually lived really close to Tori's. When we got to his place, he offered me a room (my regular hotel was probably full by this time - 0145...). Decided that I'll take a look at nearby Civil War Battlefields for the rest of the weekend (President's Day!). Bed at 0230.

Househunting Trip - Day 10

Woke up at 1100 and packed. My flight was late this afternoon, so watched TV and even went to see an early movie ("Wayne's World"). At Bob's apartment again, had Dominos for lunch and then got dressed. Bob took me to the airport at 1700 - but my flight was cancelled! Luckily, there was another one across town and I made it just in time for my flight back to Norfolk (left at 1845). Rain started as we took off (lucky me - first time all trip!). Arrived back in Virginia Beach at 2015 - my car over in Norfolk. I was sitting in the terminal, waiting for a taxi, when one of the other passengers (Dave) said he wanted to get up to DC. I offered to drive him (since it is the weekend). He was really grateful and paid for the cab to my car. Then we made a quick stop at my apartment so I could get a few things for the trip.

Househunting Trip - Day 9

Up at 0715 - going to work with Bob again. At his office at 0745. Read newspaper and checked out books on T-34. Had lunch at TD Hoops and then went over to F-18 simulator. Once inside, flew in a huge dome. Got to shoot down another aircraft and flew head-to-head with Bob (he shot me down three times). Figured out that I could only keep him from getting me at military power (the sim instructors were pumping fuel into my plane throughout or I would have run out of gas...). Left around 1400 and went back to Bob's (nap from 1430 to 1700). Watched TV and "No Way Out." Then watched "Kindergarten Cop" while Bob butchered dinner - we didn't eat much... Went out to Jax Beach around 2300 - started at Ragtime Tavern. Had late night snack at Taco Bell (0045). Back to Ragtime but people had all left (boring) - then went to Baha's (more fun). Stayed until it closed and then went back to Bob's apartment. Watched TV (should have gone to bed) but ended up watching "Life of Brian" from 0200 to 0400. Then slept.

Househunting Trip - Day 8

Up at 0720 to go to work with Bob. Took tour of his office - lots to see and met lots of people. Went over to training wing to get a flight suit - they had one. Learned about the T-34 and tried on flight equipment. Lunch at Ace's (buffet). Looked into flights back to Norfolk and found one on Saturday. Went back to Bob's office with plans to fly F-18 simulator but learned that I could go flying instead! At 1300, Kempel took me up and we flew south towards St. Augustine. Flew over Lake George - he let me have the controls and we did some simulated runs on targets in the Pine Castle MOA. He demonstrated aileron rolls, barrel rolls, 1/2 Cuban Eights, loops, wingovers and Slit-S. He even showed me a simulated emergency landing. Great time!! Home by 1630 after some touch and gos. Had dinner (shrimp) at Bob's again (1830). Beers at Bennigans around 2230 and then went to see "Terminator 2." A little indoor workout at 0100. Bed at 0215.

Househunting Trip - Day 7

Slept until 0730 - called Bob to make sure about when we would be leaving for Jacksonville. Ended up leaving town around 0900. I-110 to I-10 and played with Bob's radar detector. At lunch east of Tallahassee (1345). Girls passed us in a jacked up pick-up, waving at us... In Jax by 1530. Watched Olympic hockey at Bob's apartment and took a nap (1630-1730). Went to Jax Athletic Club for awhile - ran on treadmill and biked in a computer race (big screen). Went back to Bob's and he made Chicken Rice for dinner. Ate while watching "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey." More TV until 2330 and did some pushups and situps. Worked out money for new house. Bed at 0100.

Househunting Trip - Day 6

Up at 0830 - called Bob. Left at 1000 to pick up Frank - he wanted to change our lease a bit to include some other details (who cares?). He couldn't get out of work, so Bob and I picked up the paperwork and brought it to him to sign. Went back to new house and had a home inspection done (finished at 1130). Lunch at Wendy's. Got a haircut. Finally got call back on new job (none available, though). Took a look at the aircraft near our new place - it won't be long!! Wanted to go swimming, but pool is closed until May. Drove back over to Perdido Bay on the way back to the hotel - Frank finally done with work around 1630. Watched TV until 1800. Had dinner at Country Buffet on Navy BLVD. Got lease paperwork finalized around 2000. Went to Cordova Mall and walked around for a bit - only one movie showing ("Grand Canyon") but we decided to see it. Done around 2300. Packed before bed.

Househunting Trip - Day 5

Woke at 0845 (Bob called...). Decided to go golfing. Found a good course with good price for all-day golfing. Rented clubs and practiced putting for a bit - then started playing at 1000. Bob and I kept laughing to each other all day because we ended up golfing with a guy who looked like Jonathan Winters - even his mannerisms. Bob shot a 96 on our first 18 and I shot a 101 (finished at 1300). Had lunch at Hardees. Started on another course (place has 72 holes) around 1400. It was great: no line, no waiting. Got through course at a nice pace. I shot 95 and Bob a 98 and we finished at 1700. Turned in clubs and went back to hotel. Tried again to call about a potential job in the area - no luck. Was going to go out for dinner but guys next door had pizza and beer and had me over for that (nice of them). Called Bob and Frank to see about later plans - they had none. Ended up staying in and watched more TV (Tyson trial on - and Winter Olympics). Reviewed some stuff to make sure I could leave town on Wednesday - bed at 2245.

Househunting Trip - Day 4

Up at 1000 and took Bob's camaro for a drive around town. Only 32 minutes from work to the new house using Barrancas, Garden, I-110, I-10 and Avalon BLVD. Explored other routes (through Baghdad). Drove east on FL-87 and then south towards the beach. Took FL-399 on the peninsula and then drove west along the water - found US-98 and went over to Gulf Breeze (1230). Witnessed big accident just before bridge to Pensacola - stopped to help. Drove back to hotel and met up with Bob and Frank - watched TV. We went together to look around on Perdido Key again - had lunch at KFC. Went over to Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum - it was interesting. Back at hotel around 1630 - went running again (this time with Bob). We got cleaned up and then drove back to Milton to sign the lease and figure out living arrangements - picked my room. Our house is on stilts! Called Dad to tell him the news. Dinner at Taco Bell (2030). Went over to Frank's to drop his car off and then drove back to Pensacola (110 miles per hour on bridge in Bob's car!). Watched movie "Medicine Man" and then dropped Frank back at his house (2330). Drove back to hotel on back roads. Watched TV until 0045.

Househunting Trip - Day 3

Up at 0800. Called Bob and he came over to see what Frank and I had done yesterday. Bob drove us over to Frank's and we looked at some places on the way. At Frank's at 1000 - he was on the phone until 1130 (!!!). Had lunch at McDonalds. Drove over to a place on Pebble Ridge we had seen yesterday - not furnished (we'll wait a little longer to see if we can find one...). Explored Milton some more and then saw another place on Pond Creek (it was OK and we could move in right away). We all decided this was the place - the landlord even gave us the keys! Returned to Frank's and called Shannon and Fred to find out about the night life around here. Drove back to Pensacola around 1800. Left hotel again at 2000, looking for a restaurant - ate at Greek Pizza restaurant and then drove over to Seville Quarter (seven bars in one!). Walked around and had fun - saw lots of rowdy people. There until 0030 - Frank drove us home. Watched TV with Bob until 0100. Bob said I can borrow his car tomorrow. Debated about going to church, but I don't have anything good to wear for that...

Househunting Trip - Day 2

Up at 0900. Had to stop by the hospital to work out some details on my medical record before I come down here - don't want to be disqualified before I even start! They helped me and said everything would be good. Tried to get an early transfer and temporary job - even an early class date (not looking good). Waited for Frank for awhile - he didn't show. Went over to the housing office for more information (could help later...). Frank finally showed up and we took I-110 and I-10 over to Milton - checked out their housing office too. Frank took me over to his place and we called several of the people who had homes for rent. Drove around Milton and Pace looking at the quality of places available (1600-1730). Even looked in Baghdad on Garcon Boulevard. Took US-90 back to Pensacola to check distance/time. (Dinner at Pizza Hut.) Did some more home searching in the paper - done with that at 2230 - Frank left. Spent some time watching TV - called Bob's to see if he was enroute. He called back at 2300 and said he was in town. Went to bed at 2330.

Househunting Trip - Day 1

Got up at 0800 and packed. Heard about a flight to Florida, but I had to wait on Standby at the Norfolk Terminal. It actually showed up and we left around 1115. Flew down to Florida and made one stop near Fort Walton Beach before we got to Pensacola (1400 with the time zone change). Met some guys who gave me a ride to the hotel - they told me where we should live (Perdido Key...). Read up on Pensacola in my room from 1500-1630. Called Frank later and got ahold of him. Went running just before sunset. Watched TV and met some people in the lobby - more opinions on where to live... Frank called back just before dinner and came to pick me up - he has been looking around for a place already. Ate at McDonalds and drove around on Perdido Key for a little bit. Back at the hotel at 1945. Watched TV and felt tired at 2030 - bed early...

[Hampton Roads], VA (USA)

[location uncertain - rode motorcycle]