Journey South

So in spite of MapQuest's estimate of 12 hours, it took us 18 to get from Upstate New York to the Outer Banks.  But to give ourselves some credit, we learned to never, ever take back roads if you have any time frame for arrival at all; and three hours of the trip were spent on back roads hunting down the elusive Amish.  Not really elusive, just hard find on the east side of Lancaster amongst all the ridiculous tourist trap stuff.  (I guess by driving hours out of the way to see them includes us in those I just bashed.)  Contrary to our naivety, the Amish do not live by major intersections or 7elevens and there is NOT a sign  that says, “Welcome to Amish country” with fields being plowed by  literal horse-power behind the sign.  We finally found some real Amish; they’re in the beautiful, rolling hills outside and in between all the built up hoop-la of the towns. 

Some observations/questions from Pennsylvania Dutch country:

1. The air has a very distinct and invasive smell of cow dung.  2. It seemed almost a mockery how modernized and dollar-driven it has become when the driving “site” to be seen is the simple and separatist lifestyle of the Amish.  They must feel so invaded.  3. Who pays over $1000 for a quilt???  4. Their homemade bread is wonderful…but expensive.  5. We saw no “work smarter, not harder” bumper stickers.  6. Can anyone really visit Intercourse, PA without a snicker and picture by the sign?  7. Do horse and buggy’s have insurance?  8. We’ve never seen so many mules and so few horses and donkeys (for those slower ones of you…mules are the offspring of a donkey and a horse).  9. Wi-Fi in Amish country just doesn’t seem right.  9b. Do Amish teens secretly have facebook accounts?  10. Is all that corn (and I mean ALOOOOTT of corn) really planted by hand?

Enough of that.  We then took HWY 13 through Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia…finally to arrive at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge where we had to pay the $12 toll!!  By this time it was so dark we couldn’t even enjoy it.  We were impressed though by the construction:  probably 10 miles of bridge and tunnel. 

Just before midnight we welcomed the site of Nags Head, NC where we pulled in and crashed…18 hours later. 

Southern Take on a Northern State

  The deep south has always been home and like camp folklore we grew up on stories of the dreaded north complete with stereotypes of disgruntled northerners.  Somehow we thought New Yorkers would definitely fit the mold.  But to our surprise, whether to be attributed to the beautiful St. Lawrence River many live on or the amazing 70 degree weather, we found these New Yorkers cheerfully hospitable.  So gracious, in fact, they’d put many a southerner to shame! 

And who said we eat so wonderfully terrible in the south with our homecookin’?  New Yorkers aren’t so different.  Anyone ever heard of poutine (french fries covered in cheese and brown gravy) or Jdrecks subs (half a cup of mayo per sub) or the ice cream shops located every two miles?!  Northerners have their own secret indulgences we see.  And we so enjoyed them too! 

Thank you McGrath family for totally taking us in like your own and giving northerners a very good name!

If You Ever Take a Trip

If you ever take a trip, and your trip will be of length

We offer here suggestions to give fortitude and strength

Make bladders a priority and hydrate really well

Walk around and limit munchies or your feet will surely swell

Take lots of funny pictures to commemorate the trek

Feel better in just knowing everyone’s a wreck

Make a space for comfy sleeping and let drivers take their turns

The driver plus a buddy ensures fewer crash-and- burns

If you’re needing snacks and coffee, better stop before 11

Coffee frosties just won’t cut it, and no Starbucks till almost 7!

So if you ever take a trip, and you travel with your friends

Keep a happy, cheerful outlook.  On this the trip depends!  Looking forward to some sleep then the sites of Upstate New York and Canada.

Journey North

It’s happening in less than an hour and thankfully in a minivan and not the planned two door compact car.  The four of us are in for an all night road trip to the border of Canada!  What fun! 

We’ll post again when we get there...16 hours down the road!

It’s early Thursday morning just before heading out to work then road-tripping our way down to see Georgia family.  Soup’s on in the kitchen (thank you How to Cook Everything whose name really is all it implies) and personal pizzas are lined up for supper.  We just wanted to recap a few events from the weekend before heading out.

Charite, that’s Creole for giving alms.  Jason took part in a 5k this weekend that was organized by his brother who’ll be living in Haiti for a year.  The race was a success intertwined among SC’s Botanical Gardens and money was raised to support work in this Caribbean nation.  Not to mention, Jason finished 3rd in record time!

Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters took us by surprise.  Driving up to visit a friend who’s working there this summer, we were amazed at this well done, uber focused camp!  There’s nothing like jumping into frigid rivers, swimming under waterfalls and sliding down white-water-covered rocks!  Kelley conquered a few fears that day!

   Aldi.  We’ve found a great way to lighten our/your load.  This supermarket was a great find.  Imagine an 8 oz. cheese for $1.29!  Saving .50 to 1.00 or more on each item really adds up.  See if there’s one near you and check it out.  For you green guys and dolls, there are no bags so bring your own eco-friendly, and don’t forget a quarter (which you get back) for your cart!  

Enjoy the weekend!  We’ll be back next week to give a preview of our upcoming road trip to New York state!

In Between

Yes, we are still here. No, we haven't given up on blogging. We still fully intend to keep blogging life if only for our faithful four readers.

It's just that we've been in between. In between semesters and smack dab in the middle of evaluating last semester in hopes of improving the next. In between deep, soul questions and in the middle of discussions with those we respect most for answers- namely God. And in between any significantly humorous, challenging, educational, or interesting tidbits.

But maybe there are a few. Perhaps noteworthy is the incredible dedication service we attended last night for a family completing the adoption of their little boy. Adoption is a high, beautiful calling!

Or the fact that our house is in the middle of a makeover. Pictures of that later.

Or maybe the challenging post I read recently about making a difference in small ways, right here, right now. Check it out.

And finally but most definitely the dog attack Jason survived Monday. When two dogs were barking as he passed, Jason used his trusty method of stomping and yelling for them to retreat. But, this time, they didn't. Provoked to attack? Maybe. I'm sure the yelling and stepping to the edge of their property didn't help. But as they got to him, teeth and all, he "kicked the fire" out of one dog's head. "I got him in the sweet spot," Jason brags. However, Jason lost his balance as he kicked and fell to the ground barely making it to his feet before the other dog took a bite. Getting ready to kick the second, they retreated and Jason made it out with only a sore ankle, hip, skinned hand and leg. (from the fall, not the dogs). Not sure what will happen today when they all meet again (Jason runs the same route most days), but this time Jason assures me he will have a stick. Pray, today, for the dogs survival and no angry neighbors...

Days with Elnur

He's here from Michigan, and we're making the most of every minute.

Day 1
Pick-up at the airport
Lunch with Jason's brothers at the mall
Grand tour of home
Mountain drive and a picnic
Drive through exclusive community
Off-roading courtesy of the Tegen family van
Trek into risky territory
Guy entertainment
Dessert over a 150 foot drop

Day 2
Sleeping in
Luggage, finally!
Church
Tegen lunch and birthday party for younger brother Travis- 20!
Manly exercise- Jason on foot, Elnur on bike
Homemade everything- Central Asian dishes
(Mimosa salad, Stolichny, Toyuq kebob and Baklava!)
Friends from previous Central Asian trips