And We're Back...

Sara and I spent most of Easter Sunday on the road driving back from North Carolina. We had a wonderful time. As I predicted it was a much needed and appreciated break from our everyday lives. It has been years since I visited this area of the country and I forgot just how much I enjoy it.
1st let me say a few things about my friend, Justin. He is one of the most genuine, and caring people I have ever known. He's been this way since we were roommates back in college. He opened his home to us this past week, chauffeured us around Asheville, and was a giving host. Our good feelings about Asheville are reinforced by the knowledge that we have such a good friend there.We enjoyed the Asheville. It's a cool little mountain town with a city-like atmosphere. You can walk the streets, catch a bite to eat outside on a patio, and look up and see mountains a few miles away. It has a great variety of restaurants, cool shops, attractions, artwork and beautiful scenery.Then there was the cabin. Our friend Heather got us access to a cabin in the mountains on the Tennessee border. The mountains were beautiful, the cabin was rustic, and we enjoyed our time up in the woods. The cabin was on what used to be a Woman's Retreat, had a few spring-fed watering holes, some friendly dogs, and was extremely close to the Appalachian Trail. It was the perfect way to end the vacation.Now we're back from vacation wondering when we can go back. I've uploaded a lot of pics between this page and facebook and there's probably still more to come.

Cheerio Adam!

Just got off the phone with my best friend. He's sitting at the airport waiting to board his flight to England. He's never enjoyed flying or been out of the country, as far as I know. He's heading over for a classic automobile race or something, and is anxious to drive on the 'wrong side of the road'.

I am so jealous.

And We're Back.

Not even 3 hours back in the state and my cracked radiator gushes coolant all over the newly-paved driveway. Not the ideal homecoming.

Here are some of the highlights from our trip to Minnesota!

We all went to the Gausthaus to celebrate my In-Laws' 40th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday. Friends of theirs were playing out on the lawn so we sent out invites for people just to come and listen to the band and congratulate the couple. It was a beautiful day and lots of friends and family showed up to celebrate.

Then we headed of to visit the niece and nephew for a bit. Sara's brother and his family live in Stillwater, MN and we went to spend sometime with the family. Moraya is a charming little girl with a beautiful smile and Nathan is a whirling dervish. We giggled, we colored, we decorated the driveway with sidewalk chalk, and just enjoyed seeing each other. We went down by the river and enjoyed a small lunch, cotton candy ice cream and then rinsing off in the river.

On Tuesday, it was my Mother-In-Laws birthday. We met up in White Bear Lake and went to the beach. The lake apparently is losing water every year and the water level is drastically reduced. I didn't know. We waded out in the water, chased minnows, chased Nathan and had a mini-picnic on the beach.
Thursday we hit the state fair. The Minnesota State Fair! We wandered the fairgrounds for hours people-watching, snacking on fried foods, visiting agricultural attractions, thrill rides, and ate more food. It was quite the experience. Fried cheese curds are every bit as good as I have heard!
The rest of the time in Minnesota we hung at the Patsy family home/resort. I am a big fan of the pool/hot tub/sauna combination they have going on. We visited with family and friends as much as we could. Unfortunately we still missed a few here and there. We tried to jam as much into the week as we could. I always enjoy visiting the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and I will miss seeing that side of the family. We will try to make it back as soon as possible.

Off To Minnesota!

Sara and I fly out tomorrow to go up to the St. Paul/Minneapolis area. We're visiting the In-Laws for a Wedding Anniversary and a Birthday. I have not been back in awhile. Unfortunately, next week is the 1st week back to school for teachers. I'm supposed to be setting up our classroom and sitting through countless meetings before the kids come back. Instead I will play with the niece & nephew, steam in the sauna and float around in the pool. 1 last getaway before the school year starts.

Passports Cost $, Don't They?

Here I am, 2 days into my 2nd week of vacation, or as I like to call it 'school is out but I have nowhere to be or go, and no money to get there anyway'. As I previously stated, money is tight. I've been sticking pretty close to home; walking the dog, watching some movies on DVD or netflix.com, reading a book or 2, and cleaning the house little by little. The days are starting to bleed together, the house resists my cleaning efforts at a more vigorous pace than I can keep, and the cabin fever is setting in.

This morning I cued up my netflix and watched The Motorcycle Diaries. Bad movie choice. EXCELLENT MOVIE! Unfortunately, it has just made me feel like more of a lump on a bump on a log. 2 men travel across South America on a crappy old motorcycle, on foot, boat, and even raft while I sit on my porch counting loose change so I can buy cheap beer. How very depressing? These young adventurers repeatedly wrecked, went with out food, walked many miles, and even spent time working at the San Pablo Leper Colony. They kept on going. They persevered. I get overwhelmed when it's time to pay monthly bills, or figure out how we're going afford to move closer to our jobs.

I should be on a motorcycle wandering the Andes. I should be actively struggling against adversity -

SHIT! I just overcooked some boiled eggs because I wasn't paying attention! I forget boiling eggs on the stove top all the time.

Where was I? Oh yes, feeling sorry for myself.

The truth is that I have traveled. I've been abroad on a few trips, out of the country even. A few weeks ago we took a road trip to Chicago. In a few weeks we'll be in Minnesota. It's not the same. I watch a movie like this and it makes me long for 'adventure'. It makes me want to broaden my horizons. Horizon broadening, at least when it comes to travel, cost more money than we currently have.

I get jealous when I see friends on Facebook posting pictures of their travels to Thailand, or Jamaica. I am envious when my best friend announces he'll be spending 6 days in England... that guy doesn't even like to fly! When my brother and his wife go to Peru to stay with her family I wish I could hide in his suitcase.

For years now we, Sara & I, have talked about going to the United Kingdom. I've always wanted to go back to Europe especially Spain. I hope one day to be able to take my wife traveling to exotic locals, bear witness to unbelievable sights, and meet interesting people but for now I am going to walk the dog, pay the rent, and make myself an egg salad sandwich.