Day #361 - Sights on the way home...

The baseball water tower outside of Charlotte seems like an old friend; the beautiful vistas along Lake Norman, which I fell in love with at first sight many years ago, more than make up for the ugliest building on the east coast in downtown Charlotte. (Not bad photos for traveling along the road at 60 plus miles an hour!)

Day #354 - On the road again...

Getting pretty familiar with this and I 81. We travel through the Shenandoah valley and mountains on our way to the Carolinas.

Day #216 - Father and child reunion...

Our half-way, drop-off point is just outside of Roanoke, VA in a Long John Silver's restaurant. We've made this trip some dozens of times over the years and "our" booth/seats are always there waiting for us!! I think we've only sat somewhere else maybe twice. Anyway, everyone was happy to see each other... it was good to see a little sibling love going on!... and the boys are back home in SC.

Day #200 through Day #203 - A NY/NJ Weekend

Day #200 - Getting ready

suitcases pulled out, dust and all, before packing...

~ ~ ~

Day #201 - Into New York City

The boys had never been to NY, so we surprised them with a quick trip into the city after we arrived in NJ Friday evening for a quick look-see. Unknown to them, we would be going back the next day for some real sightseeing that would include ...

~ ~ ~

Day #202 - Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island as seen from the ferry on the way to Liberty Island.

The Lady herself. Not only was it a first for the boys, but for Lew and I too. I'd only seen her from afar aboard a ferry crossing the river before this trip.

Taking pictures

Viewing the Manhattan skyline from Liberty Island

Christopher and Michael with NYC behind them

New York City from Liberty Island

Brooklyn Bridge from Liberty Island

The original flame held aloft by the Lady before renovations in 1984 replaced it with the gilded one she now holds
A replica of the Lady's face in the museum, it was made using the same process as used on the statue. I don't know the kid picking her nose!! :D

The Statue of Liberty in all her glory...

...truly an awesome and impressive sight

After spending most of the day on Liberty Island, we went back into the city for a closer look at

The Empire State Building

The United Nations

and a lot of other buildings. All in all, it was a successful surprise and we had a great time. As you can see, the weather was spectacular too!

~ ~ ~

Day #203 - Winston's 1st Birthday

Adorable and yummy birthday cake

Appropriately enough, Winston's first ever taste of cake was his birthday cake - he liked it!

Off for a few days...

We're off to NJ for the weekend to help celebrate baby Winston's first birthday. Will be back next week... with pics, of course. Have a great weekend all!! :)

Day #97 - On the road again...

Loading the car...

My 3 guys...

And

then

there were none...

*sniff* :-(

Day #26 through Day #29 - Birthday and other things

Day #26 - On the Way

It was a beautiful day for traveling, cold but crisp and clear. I thought this cloud formation looked like God just took a swipe with His paintbrush.

A South Carolina welcome

Day #27 - Celebrating with a Crab Feast...

...at the Crab Shack Restaurant
(photo by Lew)

We pulled it off, and Christy was totally surprised!
I got the best hug and some happy tears.
(photo by Lew)

The teary-eyed Birthday Girl
(photo by Lew)

My daughter-in-law (Tammy)
and #1 grandson (Christopher)

My son (Jim)... and his
(Michael - #2 grandson)
(photo by Lew)

My guy, their Poppaw (Lew)

Friends - Corinne and Christy

Good food, great company
(photo by Lew)

Day #28 - R&R

Jim and one of his pair, Cher -
the other being, of course, Sonny

Day #29 - The Lake

Lake Norman, NC

Created by Duke Power Company, this immense lake provides water for hydroelectric, steam, and nucelar power plants. Fed by the Catawba River, this "inland sea" has 520 miles of shoreline - more than the coastline of North and South Carolina combined! - and a surface area of 32,510 acres. It's over 100 feet deep at it's deepest point, with an average depth of about 33 feet. Approximately 3,200,000,000 gallons of water fill Lake Norman - it took 11 months to fill it! It's an awesome sight, and one I look forward to seeing every time we drive down to the Carolinas.