This weekend I spirited Katie away on a surprise trip to Abingdon, Virginia. She has been working hard on her master’s thesis so deserves a little R&R – even if I have to impose it on her! We stayed at the Martha Washington Inn, which began in the 19th century as a women’s boarding school,Continue reading “Weekend Getaway to Abingdon, VA”
Category Archives: Food, Wine, & Travel
First Trip to Oregon
This weekend I took a quick, but very active, trip to Oregon – my first time to visit that state. I arrived Thursday and was met with exactly what I expected from the Pacific Northwest: gray and rainy weather. One thing I didn’t expect, though, was that the drivers would not be very good atContinue reading “First Trip to Oregon”
Death, Remembrance, and Notre Dame
January 23rd is always a day of celebration in my family. It is not only the day that my wife entered this world but also the day my father did – many years earlier. On some January 23rds, however, the feelings of joy are tempered by feelings of loss – the conspicuous absence of aContinue reading “Death, Remembrance, and Notre Dame”
A Few Days en Suisse
After the grand weekend in Paris, I took a detour of just a few days in Lausanne, Switzerland, before returning to the States. The trip on the TGV was wonderful as always. There is just something so civilized about traveling by train: plenty of space, Wi-fi, more-than-decent meals, and the gorgeous French countryside streaming byContinue reading “A Few Days en Suisse”
Paris and Buffett v6.0 – Day 2
We woke up [very late] Saturday morning and seized the day. Katie met her friend for some touring about and I decided to go for a run. Once again the weather was absolutely perfect and I figured I could see more of Paris running than walking. Instead of following a predetermined route, I decided justContinue reading “Paris and Buffett v6.0 – Day 2”
Paris and Buffett v6.0 – Day 1
Last weekend Katie and I took a quick trip to Paris to keep up the annual tradition of seeing Jimmy Buffett there. This time our experience was enhanced by some family and friends! My mom was there already as part of a longer trip and two of our good friends managed to time their businessContinue reading “Paris and Buffett v6.0 – Day 1”
Authentic Mediterranean Food in Arkansas
Katie and I just returned from a long weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for my cousin’s wedding. Hot Springs is a small town about an hour outside of Little Rock, the state’s capital. You wouldn’t expect it to be a hotbed of international cuisine but, if our weekend was any indication, it most definitely is!Continue reading “Authentic Mediterranean Food in Arkansas”
Weekend in Minnesota
Last weekend Katie and I took off for a quick jaunt to the Twin Cities for our godson’s birthday. You know we love that part of our family because we left NC just as spring was springing, trading the gorgeous weather for the cold and snowy northern Midwest. It was very worth it, though, becauseContinue reading “Weekend in Minnesota”
Hill Running in North Carolina
Blogger’s note: I no longer use the term “Redskins” but am leaving my prior references intact in the spirit of learning. They don’t call it Chapel Hill for nothing. While the hills here in North Carolina’s Research Triangle are nothing compared to the steep slopes of Lausanne, which is built up the side of aContinue reading “Hill Running in North Carolina”
Rocket City, USA
En route to Chapel Hill, Katie, Max, and I stopped in Huntsville, Alabama, where I spent the first 10 years of my life. It wasn’t too far out of the way, and it warmed my soul to see some of my old stomping grounds for the first time in many, many years. Huntsville made aContinue reading “Rocket City, USA”