Day 17 - An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

We met Peter today. He is from England and is on a biking tour
from Yorktown to Seattle. This is his first serious cycling adventure - brave young man. He sleeps each night in a tiny one-man tent and makes friends along the way.

We left Richmond this morning after a wonderful visit to that grand old city.  What a gem it is.  We missed seeing two friends and a cousin.  Next time!

The rest of the morning and some of the afternoon was spent in Short Pump, VA waiting for our new hard-drive to be installed.  When we bought the computer we also bought 2 years of “Apple Care”, which is paying off big time.  After 2 geniuses, 1 specialist and 1 phone call, I believe the problem is solved; at least for now.  When did we become so dependent on technology?  It happened so fast I didn’t see it coming until it hit me in the face, just now!

The token "pumps" at Short Pump.
If I had my way I'd have my feet in the fountain!

I remember Short Pump as a bump in the road, a dot on the map, now it has one of the largest and fanciest shopping mall-like town centers I have ever seen - all designed to look like a town with all outside entrances to the stores, gardens, trees, fountains - the works.  The parking lot was full, but inside it didn’t look very busy at all - it was that big.

We traveled to Culpeper to see my great cousin, William.  William and I have been e-mail buddies for a while, but haven’t seen each other for so long, I must have been a baby the last time, if ever!  It was really great to see you, William, you remind me so much of my dad; there is so much to be said for family - and we both feel the lose of so many of ours. 

William Arivn, my father's cousin. There is nothing quite like family

How beautiful are the Blue Ridge Mountains,
and how very like our Oregon view.

Then we got a call from Davis‘ cousin Bill who lives in Missoula, MT.  I’m not much into camping in the snow, and neither is Davis, so we will not be doing the USA by the Northern route after we have visited a few folks in the Northeast and Brian’s in-laws in Madison, WI.

Nice to hear from you, Dana, Angela and Ed.  We talk about our good friends as we travel and reminisce.  (Big sigh here).  Libby, girl friend, sister chick; what can I say but that I miss you and glad you are with us on our journey.  The decals on our vehicles say it all - “Cape Life”  and “Carolina Girl”.  (Start singing here) “Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina, in the morning”, except if we lived close enough to our boy and his love to have dinner with them every now and then!!

I’ve just about had it for today.  It’s time to post this and move on to putting the pictures in place.  Thank you for all of you!

Shalom,  Heather . . .

Some notes from Davis, “After Hours”:

It’s a little chilly here in Maryland, but whatever the weather, when we are settled in at a campsite (and here you have to divest yourself of the picture of the wilderness and outdoor “Johns” ) the coziness and warmth of our little Casita and a glass or two of wine and the presence of each other make each evening just the best we have ever had!  This is a vacation/life experience/amazing trip all rolled into one, and we are truly grateful to all who have made this trip possible; from Dick Henry to Art/Jan/Rene to Brian and Margaret and everyone in between, we thank you.

Shalom,  Davis