November 1 - 30, 2002

Friday, November 1, 2002                                                                Charlotte, NC

I went out to lunch with Russ, a motorcycle buddy of mine, and I paid a visit to my old place of employment.  It was mostly a pretty relaxing day.  Christine had her regular checkup with her doctor, and it was her best ever of recent years.  I think she and her doctor actually hugged in recognition of how well Christine’s health has turned around.

We regrouped with Ken & Luma and we all went out for a great dinner at a new French Restaurant nearby.  It was such a quiet intimate evening together.

Saturday, November 2, 2002                                                    Raleigh, NC

Christine and I said goodbye to Ken & Luma and departed for Raleigh, but we didn’t get very far.  An unusual tire noise indicated a flat tire.  We turned around and returned to make some phone calls.  A Goodyear tire center was less than two miles away, and they said they would take a look at it—many service centers don’t want to tackle RV issues.  We spent a couple hours there waiting to get a new tire installed, and we finally got out of Charlotte.

We reached the apartment of Christine’s cousin, Megan by 5:30.  Megan and her roommate, Monique had just recently moved here from Milwaukee, just to experience a change of scenery.  They took us out for a fun meal at the Carolina Ale House.  Christine and I enjoyed sleeping in our RV in their parking lot.

Sunday, November 3, 2002                                                                Raleigh, NC

I woke early to get ready for motorcycle rides that I had promised Megan and Monique.  I got my bike off the RV and prepared all our warm riding apparel only to have a weak battery refuse to start the bike.  I made a few efforts to start it by popping the clutch, but finally determined that a ride just wasn’t going to happen this morning.  I owe them both a ride in the future.

I reached an old Appalachian Trail hiking acquaintance over the phone and arranged to meet her for brunch.  All four of us joined Rachel and her daughter Emily for a pleasant Sunday brunch.  It was interesting to catch up with her on the changes in her life and the progress of her home-based business.

We returned to the RV and said goodbye to Megan and Monique as we set out toward Washington, D.C.  We were overcome with a feeling of déjà vu as the sound of a flat tire revisited us.  I pulled over to learn that our brand new tire was already flat.  We turned around and caught Megan and Monique on their way out the door.  I made some phone calls confirming my fear that no tire centers were open today.  We encouraged Megan and Monique to continue with their Sunday plans and just let us hang out in their apartment.  Christine took advantage of their high-speed internet connection while I took the opportunity to enjoy some TV-sofa time.  Megan and Monique returned to cook us dinner with a friend, Ben.  We then left Christine behind and went to see a movie.

By Christine: Rachel runs an Internet based home business called Moondance Soaps & More.  She makes excellent natural soaps, lotions, chapsticks, and more.  I have ordered from her and really enjoy her products.  I encourage anyone looking for a baby gift or anything to check out her website at www.moondancesoaps.com. 

Megan and Monique

Monday, November 4, 2002                                                                Rockville, MD

We woke early and found ourselves at the Goodyear service center before they opened at 7:30.  I got jerked around a bit, but finally got some service.  Apparently the guy that installed my new tire in Charlotte had not inserted the new valve stem all the way into the wheel, resulting in a steady leak.  The problem was remedied at no charge and we were on our way.

We drove into downtown Raleigh to visit the State Capitol Building.  The North Carolina legislature moved out of the historic capitol building in 1963 into new more spacious accommodations.  The governor’s office remains in the capitol building, but the rest of the building was restored to its 1840 appearance, the completion date of the original construction.  The restoration looks good.  The building feels much more like a museum than a vibrant center for governing.

We left Raleigh and headed north into Virginia.  We stopped in Richmond to visit the Virginia State Capitol Building.  Virginia’s General Assembly first met in Jamestown in 1619, the earliest elective legislature in the New World.  The General Assembly later moved to Williamsburg and finally ended up in Richmond in 1780.  Thomas Jefferson helped design the now permanent capitol that has stood since 1788.  Significant additions went up in 1904.  A disaster occurred in the capitol in 1870 when an overcrowded room on the second floor collapsed onto the House of Delegates chamber, killing 62 and injuring 251.

One of our observations of the recent capitols that we’ve visited in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia is the abundance of Civil War era statuary on the grounds.  These state are doing their best to ensure that the Civil War is remembered as an honorable event in history.

We continued north around the Washington area to visit our friends in Rockville, Maryland.  We attended Heather and Gary’s wedding in Toronto last December.  We had talked about visiting them here, but had kept the plans tentative until the snipers were finally caught.  Heather cooked up a great dinner and then we all got to watch the Green Bay Packers beat up on the Miami Dolphins.

Tuesday, November 5, 2002                                                                Rockville, MD

Heather prepared a wonderful breakfast as we discussed what attractions we should visit today.  We took the Metro Rail into D.C. and first visited the new Spy Museum.  This is a private museum concentrating on the world of espionage.  The exhibits were very impressive, though our patience was tested by the unruly kids crowding the exhibits.  We enjoyed a great ADULT lunch at a nearby brewery after we escaped the museum’s mania.

We next went to the National Building Museum where a large exhibit displayed entries in a contest to design a memorial for the victims of the 9/11/01 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.  The variety and creativity of the entries were impressive.  A half-dozen finalists have already been chosen from the many submissions.  3-dimensinal models of the finalists will be on display in February.  It would be interesting to come back and see those.

We were greeted by rain as we left the National Building Museum.  We elected to go to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.  This is a massive museum with a far-reaching variety of exhibits.  We had a little over an hour before the museum would close, so we split up and explored areas of individual interest.  I spent most of my time in the Technology exhibit.  The topics covered in this museum could hold one’s attention for several days’ worth of visits.  We returned to Heather and Gary’s apartment and enjoyed a quiet evening.  By Christine: I enjoyed two exhibits in our time at the Smithsonian, an excellent exhibit on the First Ladies of America, and an exhibit that shows Julia Childs real kitchen from her home.

The National Building Museum

Wednesday, November 6, 2002                                                    Weston, WV

We left Rockville on another drizzly day and headed toward Cincinnati into West Virginia.  We encountered sleet as we crossed the passes of the central Appalachians.  We stopped for the day short of Charleston.

Thursday, November 7, 2002                                                    Bradford, KY

We got an early start and stopped in Charleston to visit the West Virginia State Capitol Building, our 30^th state capitol.  The capitol complex is a sprawling arrangement of complementary buildings along the Kanawha River.  The capitol building was completed in 1932.  It’s interior struck me as stark and minimalist.  There is hardly any art inside.  One of the few sculptures is of Senator Robert Byrd.  Other empty statue alcoves are being reserved for future important figures from West Virginia.  This doesn’t say much for West Virginia’s contributions to American history.

We continued west to stay at my parent’s house in northern Kentucky.  They are out of town for another week so that Christine and I can enjoy their quiet retreat in the country as though it were our own.

Friday, November 8 – Tuesday, November 19, 2002                Bradford, KY

We spent this time at my parents’ house involved in various activities.  We visited with many family and friends.  Christine and I enjoyed going through our belongings stored in my parents’ basement.  We were able to refresh our wardrobe with clothes that we hadn’t fit into in a while.  I picked up my new Yamaha FJR1300 and began breaking it in, preparing it for a long ride.  It was a very enjoyable stay here.

Wednesday, November 20, 2002                                                    Huntington, WV

Christine and I split up today and headed in separate directions.  She rented a car and began a trip up north by visiting her friends in Columbus, Ohio.  I packed up my motorcycle for a much anticipated extended ride.  I made arrangements to meet up with a motorcycle buddy from Charlotte, NC. Russ and I will meet halfway tomorrow in Virginia.

By Christine: I met up with a good friend of mine, Tina, at the Outlet Mall south of Columbus today.  Tina is a much better shopper than I, but I was able to keep up with her because she is very pregnant and due in about a month.  I enjoyed a really nice evening with Tina, her partner Lori, and their daughter Katie.

Thursday, November 21, 2002                                                    Bristol, VA

It was a cold rainy day as I rode the back roads of West Virginia toward my rendezvous point with Russ.  I was disappointed with the route I chose.  The coal industry here leaves a soupy mess on the roads that covered me and my bike whenever I came up to pass a slow moving coal truck.  My bike was filthy by the time I reached Bland, Virginia where Russ was waiting for me. We enjoyed a drizzly drive through rural Virginia before stopping for the night in Bristol.

Christine left Columbus and drove up to visit her friend in Madison, WI.

By Christine:  I spent tonight with Teresa in Madison.  We met up with a couple other friends and enjoyed an evening of beers and reminiscing.  

Friday, November 22, 2002                                                          Middlesboro, KY

We delayed our start this morning as we waited for the temperature to rise above freezing.  The forecast showed a snowstorm moving through the area to our north.  We drove southwest into Tennessee to skirt the edge of the storm.  We rode through some flurries but mostly enjoyed temperatures between 38-40 degrees … enjoyed?  We found some really fun roads and eventually ended up in the Cumberland Gap area.  We found a motel where we could clean up our bikes a bit.

Christine left Madison and continued on to Minneapolis to meet up with her aunts and cousins for a weekend get together.

By Christine: Today I arrived in Minneapolis with about an hour to check out the Tall Girl store in the Mall of America.  Afterwards I returned the rental car and met up with a group of women from my Dad's side of the family.  I will be spending the next couple days with them in Minneapolis.  My Aunts Sue, Ann, and Margaret; and my cousins Kristy, Debbie, and Cheryl; and I enjoyed an evening at a local German restaurant.  We even drank a couple boots of beer to toast our get-together.

Saturday, November 23, 2002                                                    Hazard, KY

We woke to a beautiful day of clear skies.  As soon as the frost thawed from our bikes we rode into the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park to explore its history.  This gap was the original gateway west across the Appalachians that pioneers took to reach the fertile land of Kentucky.  Daniel Boone is renowned for leading some of these first movements.

Russ and I ripped up the roads of southeastern Kentucky as the day warmed into the 60’s. We stopped in Hazard for the night.

By Christine: We enjoyed a cold and windy day of walking around downtown Minneapolis.  This evening we all went to Kristy's apartment and really enjoyed appetizers and quiet visiting time.  Afterward we took in the musical, Triple Expresso.  It was a very funny comedy.  We ended the evening with desserts and coffee drinks before heading back to the hotel.

From the top, Sue, Ann, Debbie, Margaret, Kristy, Christine, and Cheryl.

Sunday, November 24, 2002                                                                Abingdon, VA

Russ and I enjoyed another fine day as we worked our way back into Virginia.  We have passed many active coal-mining operations over the past few days.  This is a very different part of the country, but it made for some wonderful motorcycling.  We finished another long day in the saddle by stopping in Abingdon for the night.

Today Christine was dropped at my sister’s house in Minneapolis.  Kathy and Mary Pat have been very busy with their premature son, Eli.  Christine planned to spend a couple days there and help out.

By Christine: I really enjoyed seeing Kathy, MaryPat, and Sarah today.  We have not seen then since their son was born in September very premature, at only 24 weeks.  Elijah, or Eli, has been a little miracle in the Lustik family.  He is growing steady and I can't wait to see him.  Sarah has a bit of a cold so I was happy to spend time with her while Kathy went to the hospital to get another feeding in for Eli this afternoon.

Monday, November 25, 2002                                                    Bradford, KY

Russ and I said goodbye and split off in separate directions.  It had been a great ride, and Russ had been good company.  We were successful in not letting the weather inhibit our ride.  I returned to my parents’ house and gave my new bike a much-deserved bath before storing it away for a while.  I have already put 2000 miles on the bike.

By Christine: Sarah's cold was worse today so she could not go to day care.  This meant my introduction to Eli was postponed and I spent a very enjoyable day with Sarah while Kathy enjoyed some time at the hospital.  She was able to breastfeed Eli three time today.  This is a milestone!  Sarah and I made cut out Thanksgiving cookies in-between her many naps.

Tuesday, November 26, 2002                                                    Bradford, KY

I spent the day getting the RV ready for a ride up north.  Christine caught a bus ride from Minneapolis to Green Bay.

By Christine: Kathy and I headed out early today so I could get a nice visit in with Eli before she dropped me at the bus station.  What a little angel!  He was so precious and much cuter than his pictures.  In the pictures you are thrown off by the tubes.  He is just over 4 pounds which is pretty good since he was born at 1 pound 4 ounces.  I very much enjoyed meeting and holding Eli.  The bus ride to Green bay was uneventful.  It's been awhile since I've been on a Greyhound but not much has changed.  I buried myself in a book.  

It was good to see Mom in Green Bay, I am really looking forward to spending some time at home.

  Elijah Fredrick Byrn born September 2, 2002

Wednesday, November 27, 2002                                               Francis Creek, WI

I rose early and made the long drive to my in-laws in Wisconsin.

Thursday, November 28, 2002            Thanksgiving              Francis Creek, WI

We spent the entire day here at the Graffs.  There were about a dozen people here for dinner at 12:30.  We had venison loins as the main course.  Another dozen relatives arrived for supper at 6:00 where a tasty venison roast was served.  The pies were outstanding.

By Christine: Thanksgiving was spent with relatives from my Mom's side of the family.  I got to see most of my Aunts, Uncles and cousins on that side of the family today.  

One note that Joe didn't mention is he got new skis today.  If you remember at the end of last season Joe bent one of his skis.  He sent that ski back to the manufacturer from a Milwaukee store last spring.  He didn't really expect new skis but today my cousin Aaron from Milwaukee brought back a shrink wrapped pair of new skis that the company sent to replace his bent ski.  The slopes have been open for two weeks in Colorado and this got us excited about this ski season.

Friday, November 29, 2002                                                             Francis Creek, WI

I took advantage of a nice day to get the motorcycles off the RV and put them in storage for the winter.  I also pulled our skis out of storage and began setting up the RV for another ski season.  I am excited about the new set of skis that Head sent me to replace the pair that I bent at the end of ski season last year. 

Saturday, November 30, 2002                                                    Madison, WI

Christine and I drove the RV down to Madison for the weekend to visit with Teresa & Doug, and La & Bryan.  We enjoyed a long evening out with acquaintances from Christine’s old life in Madison.