The Great Smoky Mountains

Since we arrived in Charlotte, we had wanted to make the trip to the Smokies (http://www.nps.gov/grsm/). We realized our weekends were quickly booking up for the rest of the fall, so we made a short-notice trip this weekend --- and it was well worth it.

After saying hello and goodbye to Margaret (Megan's Mom) who flew out of Charlotte to Cali before sunrise on Saturday after arriving from Lynchburg on Friday after 11PM (yep --- she didn't get much sleep), Megan and I planned our trip over coffee and dueling computers. We decided that we would rough it --> (http://www.galvladi.com/). Ok, so not exactly roughing it, but the weather looked a little questionable. Turned out to be an outstanding decision! If you're looking for a remote bed and breakfast around Asheville, look no further: 250 acres and 4000 ft elevation.

The pic just doesn't quite do it justice.

Didn't take Megan long too lay to claim the property.

Enjoying some wine and a good book.

Dave and Terry were great hosts. Turns out Dave was a pilot in the Air Force then started his own charter service. Actually, quite random that each of the other guests had ties to the Navy, Army and/or Air Force.

After an unreal breakfast, we drove down the mtn and headed for the park. We jumped on the Blue Ridge Parkway (http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/) and drove it to its origin just outside Cherokee, NC.

Notice Megan trying to hide her prosthetic limb.

After checking out the park's visitor center, we headed in to explore a little and hike. We decided to try out the Hemphill Bald Trail --- which was a beautiful hike, despite the weather.

A little wet, but fun nonetheless!

We enjoyed our brief trip and look fwd to our next --- both to the park and to the Galvladi. During our hike we decided we'd like to tackle the 69 miles of the AT in the park next year --- definitely something to look fwd to!

The King's Make It to Charlotte!

Last weekend, my parents took a few days off and made the drive down from Butler (about 8 hours in total --- and a beautiful drive from what I hear. Right over the New River Gorge Bridge in WV). http://www.nps.gov/neri/

We had a full weekend --- I took Friday off and we made the trip up to Hendrick Motor Sports in Concord, NC (http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com). Dad's a Gordon fan, as am I, so it was cool to check out the history of the organization. The pics are a little blurry --- didn't realize my Mom and I were hammered when we took them.

Nothing like a little "Days of Thunder" action!

After viewing the autos, we walked around uptown, toured the BofA Heritage Center and store, then had a drink at McCormick and Schmick's till Meg got off work.

On Saturday, we drove to Boone and also visited Grandfather Mountain. http://www.grandfather.com/ Within 2-3 hours of Charlotte you can find some beautiful landscape. I'm really glad we took the opportunity to make the drive --- by lunch we were above a mile and enjoying some terrific panaramas:

The Mile High Swinging Bridge

Check out the goatee on Frank! Wish I could grow one!

A nice self portrait group shot --- Megan appears to flashing her West Coast symbol to represent.

Megan's "too cool for school" pose

Even got to check out some widlife. Get a load of the black bear kickin' back!

If you ever make it to Boone, NC we recommend you dine at Mulberry Street Trattoria. We snacked on some pizzas while enjoying the eccentric festival on mulberry --- some great people watching.

http://www.askwatauga.com/Businesses/mulberryStreet/mulberryStreet.htm

ND vs. Michigan...

was a terrible football game, but was still well worth the trip to South Bend to see our friends and the finest institution in the land.

As usual we had the enjoyed the gracious hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Lutterbach at their tailgate and caught up with quite a few friends: Ryan & Ann, Nate & Colleen, Hardy, Norm and Sara, Chase, Tom (Doughnut). Norm and Sara are now married and looking to head back to Cleveland after he wraps up with the Navy soon. Chase is in LeMoore still flying and Tom is in DC working in intel.

We also visited the Cholis family tailgate and had a chance to catch up with Billy and Margaret after their recent wedding in DC. They will be in London within a month, where Billy is working for the State Dept as a Foreign Service Officer. We look fwd to visiting them.

We also took the opportunity to take a spin around the Mongram Club --- Megan doesn't mention it much, but always cool to check out her name up there with all the other letter winners. I'm proud of her!

A busy weekend flying in the morning of, but well worth the effort. We always enjoy heading back to visit ND and plan to make it back for at least a game per year. We may not get to hoist the crystal football this year, but at least we'll win the Commander's Cup! Go Irish!

Happy 6th Birthday Elizabeth!

A week before Elizabeth's birthday we made the short trip to Raliegh (2.5 hrs) to visit with Matt, Kristine and the kids (Elizabeth, Ted and Ben). Always good times to see the Lewis's, plus it gave Megan and I an opportunity to do some toy shopping (which is probably more fun for us than the toys for the kids!)

The trip was a truly a victory for Megan, as we made it to Foster's Market for lunch. Check out the armful of goodies!

After lunch, the kids showed us how it was done --- Elizabeth hit it off the wall behind me. Not sure what kind of "supplements" Matt has her on.

We even got to launch some missiles!

Dad showing the boys how it works.

Will even made the show --- who's the Doggie?!?

Megan and I had an unreal weekend --- we look fwd to the Lewis's visiting us in Charlotte!

My First NASCAR Race

"Don't knock it till you tried it" would be my word of advice on this topic --- kinda like ND; those that dislike the place most likely haven't been there to experience it. So when Matt Lewis offered me the opportunity to attend the night race in Bristol (arguably the best race to attend and one of the hardest tix to get), I accepted with a smile. Who would have known h0w much fun it would be to spend a weekend with 160,000 of your closest friends?

Megan and I drove up on Friday to watch the Busch race, camped out, then transitioned the next day when Matt was able to free himself up from his medical rotation. Megan had a blast, although her favorite driver (actually favorite car) sponsored by M&Ms, is no longer competitive because Elliot Sadler moved on. Defintely not the last race for her, especially since the Bank is sponsoring the Charlotte race in October.



Matt and I also had a great time. We tailgated, soaked up the TN sun and people watched all day long --- because there is plenty of it. Where else do you get to sit on a tractor while racing it in a video game?

Truly an experience. Patriotism is everywhere along with the booz (which you can bring anything into the track as long as it's not glass --- people literally wheel coolers up the grandstands. No wonder why the sport is so fan friendly).

Our seats were great --- could see the entire track from our vantage point.

Even got to see a burn-out!

Trip to DC

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A Fam Visit & Competitive Bicycling

The last week of July and first week of August turned out to be a great time, but there are no pictures to prove the revelry unfortunately.

First we had the pleasure of welcoming Melissa and Jason to Charlotte for a few days of vacation. It was great to see family and enjoy a relaxing weekend --- we toured Charlotte, grilled out and tossed some bags (cornhole, aka bean bag toss). The weekend flew by far too fast, but was a blast none the less.

The next weekend, Megan and I volunteered to help out with the Bank of America Criterium --- known as the richest cycling event in the national criterium series ($25K to the winner). Besides hanging banners and answering a few questions, we enjoyed two outstanding races near the start finish line in the heart of Uptown Charlotte (known as downtown in most any other city) . The women's race demonstrated perfect teamwork, with the favorite passing the leader with a few yards left.
The men's race had it all: a break-away that lasted 25 miles and withstood by a few feet at the line; an ominous thunderstorm that sheeted rain for the last 10 miles and wrecks worthy of the tour taking out 20+ racers. Good times.

Lots to catch up on!!

So, we started this blog- and have been very unbloglike! Sorry, we promise to do better moving forward and will try to keep this up to date- so we don't find ourselves on a Sunday afternoon trying to recall all that has happened in the last 2+ months-

First- we did our very first home improvement job all by ourseleves (my parents helped with the initial moving in stuff- hanging ceiling fans and lights, and the tv and the closet organizer- wow!!) Anyhow- we decided we needed to paint the back of our built in bookshelves- and we were also supposed to build a library imn one of our closets (the closets are huge- as they are really an elevator shaft- just in case we had wanted an elevator) After 3+ hours sepent in Home Depot (as much as we would like to shop at Lowes- the Depot is actaully much cheaper and has had eveything we needed - so- while we are now in the south, surrounded by NASCAR and would rather not support Tony Stewart- the Depot still wins out- plus their military support wins out over NASCAR anyhow!!) and then a another trip to the Depot, Michaels and Walmart - the painting turned out great (In the words of a true geniius "No, she's a full-on Monet. It's like a painting, see? From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess") Only kidding- they are great!! But we did learn that I am not too great at keeping the paint even!
(The pain is the same- more natural light makes it look brighter on the right) Please also notice our growing sports collection on the left)

Oh, and we will let you know when we finish the library!!