Donkey Ball '05
Day #15
Only in NC. Yup...those are donkeys. As a fundraiser for Franklinton High School (where both Lesley and Deran work) the teachers played a game of Donkey Ball against their students. Donkey Ball is very similar to basketball. The players ride on or pull their donkeys as they attempt to pass, score and defend. It was definitely a sight to see. Unfortuantely the teachers lost by a score of 12-11.
Below Lesley can be seen on the floor. Deran did not play.
Down goes Bender! 
Williamsburg
Day #10
Tripometer: 983.6
I spent the day in Colonial Williamsburg, a place that I have never been before, which if you know my parents is a little strange. Again, due to the season, there were not a lot of people there and many of the buildings were closed for renovations (noticing a theme?) which ended up being a blessing. I walked around for almost 6 hours and still didn’t get to see everything. If you’re ever planning on visiting Williamsburg it is definitely a weekend trip. There is no way to see it all in only a day.
The Capital
"Can I help you, baby?"
Day #9
Tripometer: 817.1 miles
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN!
How many times can a person be called “baby” in one sitting? To answer this question just go to the Pink Cadillac Diner in Glasgow, VA where I had dinner last night and have Freda be your waitress. This place was fantastic. The sign on the door says it all (see photo below). There was Elvis everywhere. Of course I had to order the one thing one menu that stood out, the Elvis Burger.
The highlight of the day had to be the National Park I stumbled across this afternoon. I past a few signs for the Booker T. Washington National Park and decided that I needed some exercise. The park was located on the plantation where Booker T. Washington was born and spent most of his life as a slave before he was freed at the end of the Civil War. There was a 3 mile trail though the woods. Along the way there were various plaques with information about Washington and various quotes regarding his views on education and nature. It was a really great trail. I’m glad I decided to stop.
Pink Cadillac Diner
'Tis the season to be traveling
Day #8
Tripometer: 608.1 miles
Mile # 500: Elkton, VA
State: Virginia
Capital: Richmond
So I’ve been a little disappointed by the weather. There have been a few things that I have been unable to do because of the icy conditions. I’ve been wondering if it would have been better to do this trip in the spring or summer. And then there was today. I went to Luray Caverns this morning and had a really incredible time. I was the only one there and was basically given a private tour of the caverns. The tour guide took me places that were slightly off the path or were places that used to be part of the tour but for various reasons were not any more. I would not have been able to have this experience at any other time. I guess there are good things about traveling in the winter.
I then went to Monticello which is an incredible place to visit from an architecture point of view. I toured the Jefferson’s house with a small group of people. There was a couple from England and another woman. This woman was really something. Apparently she has been to every presidential historic site in the U.S. and has read every book about every president. She knew more about Jefferson than our tour guide did and seemed to be asking questions that she knew the answer to just to prove to everyone that she knew it all. Towards the end of the tour she asked the following question…”Did anyone think that Jefferson was a bit of a um…you know. A dandy? Did anyone ever question that about him?” WHAT?!?! Where did that come from? I wish I had been able to take a picture of the tour guide (who was this little woman in her 70’s). She very politely told this woman that she had never heard anything like that and quickly moved the tour along.
Inside Luray Caverns
Harper's Ferry
Day #7
Tripometer 448.2 miles
State: West Virginia
Capital: Charleston
Today was a wonderful day. I drove to Harper’s Ferry, WV and spent the entire day walking around. The town of Harper’s Ferry is where the Potomaic and Shenandoah Rivers meet. As you can imagine the scenery was absolutely amazing. Harper’s Ferry is the known as the town that John Brown led an unsuccessful raid in an attempt to free slaves that resided there. He was captured and later hanged. The town of Harper’s Ferry is a combination of a modern town and a National Park. The national park has restored some buildings and developed many little museums. There are some museums dedicated to telling the story of the town. Other museums are dedicated to the history of African-Americans in West Virginia and specifically in Harper’s Ferry. Other museums describe John Brown’s raid.
Where the Potomaic and the Shenandoah Rivers meet
Moving on
Day #6
Tripometer: 292.3 miles
State: Maryland
Capital: Annapolis
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD & GRANDMA!
So I finally left Delaware and in the middle of a snow storm made my way to Baltimore where I spent the morning. I walked around the Inner Harbor enjoying the snow before I made my way inside to warm up. The highlight of the morning was the singing fudge guy. I’ve been to Baltimore many times so I knew what to expect at the fudge place. I was a little disappointed when I realized that it was a Saturday and there weren’t as many singing fudge makers as I was used to but the guy was having such a great time that my disappointment did not last long. For those of you that have never been to the Inner Harbor I highly recommend seeing the fudge makers.
After spending a couple of hours in Baltimore I VERY SLOWLY proceeded to Washington D.C. The snow was falling very steadily and the roads had become very icy but I was determined to see at least one thing in D.C. that I had never seen before, so I went to the National Archives building. The temporary exhibit was photographs of past presidents. The permanent exhibit displays various important documents such as the Declaration of Independence. Across from the National archives I found a little sculpture park. In the middle there was a skating rink. It was really cold but there were lights up and everyone was having a great time. No one realized how cold it was.
Back on the road…but not for long. It was still snowing very hard and the roads were awful. After a few too many close calls I decided that I had had enough and got off at the closest exit, found a Days Inn and called it a night.
Baltimore Inner Harbor
On the road
Day #1
Tripometer: 153.7 miles
State: Delaware
Capital: Dover
To quote the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty I am free at last!"
As you can probably guess my road trip has officially started and I am very excited, a little nervous but mostly excited. On my very first day of driving I made it all the way to the wonderful (well...there's really nothing so spectacular about it) state of Delaware (after a couple of brief, but important stops in Highland Park, NJ) where I will spend a day or maybe two spending time with friends.
Right now I'm in my friend Jen's office at the University of Delaware where she is studying to become a dirt doctor (I don't know...ask her). Earlier today we remembered that a blast from our past also attends the University so we emailed him (Matt Bender) and now we are all having dinner together. I'm going to have to get used to all the spontaneity ( I have no idea how to spell that) and flexibility that comes with this trip.
Preparations
Tripometer: 0
State: New Jersey
Capital: Trenton
So as all of you know I'm hitting the road. If you did not know that you wouldn't know to be checking out my blog (which I'm very glad you did). Anyway...I'm in the last stages of preparing for my trip. I have mapped out a general route (basically I'm planning on heading south, turning right, driving until I hit the ocean, making another right, heading north, making yet another right and heading back east). I have made trips to my local AAA office to pick up some Tour Books and have come up with quite an extensive list of things I want to see. Of course I don't expect to see all of them but it's nice to have options. I have all the clothes I need, except for a good pair of sneakers which will be purchased shortly. I am trying to see as many (local) people as possible and plan on seeing a lot of people during my trip. My car has just returned from the mechanic and has been given a clean bill of health. I guess all that's left is to get in my car and go...which will happen soon enough.
DATE OF DEPARTURE: JANUARY 17TH
