Christmas Trip - Day 10

Left hotel at 1030. Stopped at TN info center - weather was great! Figured out how to get into Great Smoky Mountains National Park - at Visitors Center by 1415. Saw some great sites - even with snow and ice in the park. Checked out Gatlinburg... Also explored a frontier town on the Cades Cove auto tour. Drove over to Athens, TN, for gas and a late lunch (early dinner?). Nicky wanted to drive, so I let her. She freaked out in Birmingham - couldn't get merged and stopped in the middle of the road (blocking traffic). She wanted me to get out and switch seats, but we made it through OK... Pulled over just outside of the city, though, and I drove the rest of the way home. Took I-59 all the way to Tuscaloosa before stopping again (dinner at Taco Bell) - Nicky called home. Made it to Meridian by 2315. Dropped Nicky off at home and headed back to the house. Bed after midnight.

Christmas Trip - Day 9

Left Dennis at 0730. Made good time to Warwick, RI - had breakfast at Burger King. Nicky enjoying the ride on I-95 (she wanted to stop at places all day long...). Drove across the Hudson at the GW Bridge again (hardly any traffic) and I tried to show Nicky that you can sometimes see some of the buildings down on Manhattan - she got mad at me for looking outside too much! Lunch in Ashmont, NJ - then had to take a 54 mile detour for construction. Back on I-78 eventually, and stopped at Hershey, PA, for some information on the park and chocolate factory (couldn't stay). Using I-81, made it to West Virginia border by 1800. Stopped in Christiansburg for gas and then decided to get a hotel there. Not too bad of a day - will help us get home earlier tomorrow...

Christmas Trip - Day 8

Took Nicky around Cape Cod... [drinks at Oliver's ?]

Christmas Trip - Day 7

Took Nicky around Cape Cod... [lunch at Burger King]

Christmas Trip - Day 6

Nicky flew in today, from Meridian. She arrived in Hyannis around 1400 and I took her around town for a few hours. Introduced her to Grammy and the family. We had dinner at Dad's and then went out with Katie and Carolyn (movie, drinks). Bed after midnight.

Christmas Trip - Day 5

Carolyn got me up at 0800. Had breakfast and opened presents with the family. One of the gifts was from the whole family - to me - a "Sega Genesis Game"! It was a great present for me and we all took turns playing until lunch time. Watched sports and other festivities on TV with Carolyn and Katie until 1400. Drove together to Gerard's for Christmas dinner. He threw a great party, as usual, and we didn't leave until quite late (Dad and Beth left with Grammy much earlier...). Katie, Carolyn and I left around 2100 and drove around looking at Christmas lights (kind of a tradition?). Bed around 2330.

Christmas Trip - Day 4

Woke up at 1000. Went over to see Grammy again and then drove by to see Bryan's mom. Visited a few other friends until late in the afternoon. Home around 1700. Had an early dinner with the family, including opening some presents. Went to EDCC for Christmas Eve services. Also got to go to Damien's party again - didn't stay as long this time. A lot fewer people are around this year than last... Home around midnight - and bed "early."

Christmas Trip - Day 3

Slept until 1030. Drove down to see Bryan at the service station - got my old changed. He liked the Probe GT and I let him drive it. He told me to come by the house later. Went to the Cape Cod Mall to get presents for everyone - it was crowded! Glad I didn't wait until tomorrow!!! Visisted Aunt Irene and Grammy. Back at the house just before dinner. Went out with Katie and Carolyn to a movie later. Slept around 0100.

Christmas Trip - Day 2

Up by 1000 and on the road by 1100. Continued on I-78 and stopped just after noon in Morristown, NJ, for gas. Crossed GW Bridge at 1315 - traffic not too bad! Good drive through CT and RI on I-95 and I-195. Made it to Cape Cod around 1800. Visited for a little while with Dad, Katie and Carolyn. Watched movies until after midnight.

Christmas Trip - Day 1

Left Marion at 1230. Took US-45 down to I-20/I-59 and drove east towards Birmingham, then on I-50 towards Tennessee. Made good time to Chattanooga (1700), but hit a huge traffic jam! When I finally got out of the stop-go, headed up I-24 and I-75 to I-40 (gas in Athens, TN). Called Carolyn around 1830. Finally on I-81 - saw snow near Bristol. The most amazing thing was that I was listening to the radio and caught WBZ (Boston!) near the NC-VA border! Gas in Fairfield, VA, at 2330. Called Nicky just before midnight. Got to I-78 around 0300. Stopped for the night in Frystown, PA. Tired!

San Diego, CA (USA)

[slept in a little - checked out of BOQ - flew back to Meridian on airlift (departed 1200L) - home around dinner time]

San Diego, CA (USA)

[up very early - finished CQ - crappy weather (low ceilings) - (found lead safe) form flight back to Miramar - lunch at McDonalds - John picked me up later and we went exploring around San Diego (book store) - dinner - back to room - (calls to Nicky, Aunt Nelle, Dad) - pack and bed]

San Diego, CA (USA)

[first trap at ship (Kitty Hawk) early in day - weather wasn't good enough to finish (pitching deck) - back at Miramar after noon - lunch at McDonalds - didn't do much in the evening (called Nicky) - bed early]

San Diego, CA (USA)

[weather on the ship wasn't good today, so a group of us rented a car - went to San Diego Zoo - later drove over to Cabrillo National Monument (Point Loma) - dinner at Acapulco (Mexican) Restaurant]

San Diego, CA (USA)

[flew FCLP check flight early in morning - quick lunch at McDonalds - left on airlift for CQ trip (1030) - arrived in San Diego in the afternoon - stayed at Miramar (BOQ) - phone calls to Dad and Nicky]