http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/luckytravelgirl/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from luckytravelgirl en-us Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:43:51 +0000 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:43:51 +0000 Another vacation has ended for us and we're making the inevitably grueling drive home. When you're on the road headed for a weekend away the drive seems less taxing. You're going toward something you have an enjoyable goal and you're fresh with excitement and energy. But when the fun is over and it's time to hit the road for home the feeling is entirely different. Every mile seems to take an http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Carolina/Myrtle-Beach/blog-198871.html Today I learned what Myrtle Beach is actually about. Relaxation and cheeseWe woke up around noon to a slightly overcast day and Jerry of course assumed automatically that since it was so late we will make it nowhere. I'm still trying to figure out if that was a ploy to get me up and moving or if he really thought I was going to lie in bed all day. I was determined not to waste another vacation http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Carolina/Myrtle-Beach/blog-198858.html This morning began in a panic. After lazily rolling over and cuddling up with my nice warm husband snuggling further under the covers Jerry decided to look at the time. We slept all the way through checkout In a flurry of toothbrushes and suitcases we ran at top speed to get out the door. Luckily they didn't actually care that we kept the room for 15 extra minutes and we headed down the road. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Carolina/Myrtle-Beach/blog-198854.html Here we are again on the road headed for another fabulous weekend vacation I'm once more on my tiny new computer learning how to type anew. It's one thing to have to adjust to the miniature keys. It's quite another to try and compensate for the bumps in the road as we drive along.I woke up earlier than usual this morning and headed to the gym. I've been keeping up so good that I don't want to l http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/North-Carolina/blog-198853.html We drove to Parris Island today and spent time with our nephew for family day. Being there amongst all those recruits it was surreal. There's no other way to describe it. Batallions drilling soon to be graduates walking proud and tall moms fussing girlfriends completely starry eyed. And tomorrow will be even more fun as my husband is showing up in his Class A's. There will be pictures of my http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Carolina/Parris-Island/blog-198841.html Today Jerry and I got a lesson about progress. It was Ikea day in our household meaning a trip to Maryland through DC. Not normally frightening on the weekend as you aren't fighting with the whole of the district for your few feet of space on the road. After finding a coveted parking spot in the Ikea lot we headed into the insanity.We had three main things on our list bookshelf shoe storage http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Maryland/blog-198849.html My wonderful husband bought me that pretty camera and that pretty new computer so I could keep my travel journal up to date and what do I do Completely space and decide that I'm too lazy and busy to blog on myspace or my travel journal. And in truth I've been sleeping for the past week. It hasn't been pretty at all.Graduation went fine our nephew is a Marine He matriculated to VMI last weeken http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Carolina/Parris-Island/blog-198844.html We drove from Fayetteville to Charleston this afternoon and we are in probably the prettiest Holiday Inn I've ever seen. Jerry and I always get a suite because I'm not sure we could live without a minifridge. The room is huge the bed is so comfortable and the staff is so nice We had the absolute most wonderful time. First up was exploring Ft. Moultrie. You have to understand something. My h http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Carolina/Charleston/blog-183233.html Yesterday was probably one of the most fun days Jerry and I have had living here. Not that living here isn't fun in itself but we chose to get out of town a little bit. We were like all the other DC residents who escape from the rat race for the weekend and headed west. Of course our goals tend to be quite different.First we went geocaching in an old park. Yes Kelli I blame you for this addict http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Virginia/Reston/blog-183230.html For those who don't know me well I'm addicted to the idea of travel. Not so much traveling itself but planning and reading about exotic places. I'm even starting classes this fall to get my travel and tourism certification. Do I need it Will I ever use it Nope. Except to plan my own travel and maybe learn how to get someone who speaks English on the phone at the port authority in Puerto Rico.M http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Virginia/Arlington/blog-183228.html You know I love Florida. Orlando especially. Everytime I fly in I feel like I'm going home. I look out the window of the plane and see the stiff grass and palm trees and it's always comforting. I know that a few carefree days of shopping and comfort food are right ahead. And I was right. Once again another beautiful visit. I spent a small fortune on clothes and a new Coach purse and scarf. I http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Florida/Orlando/blog-183226.html Once again I am stuck in an airport. It seems to me I am always getting stranded though it doesn't usually happen this early in the morning. Or when I'm at home. Yes folks I'm stuck at Reagan. Delayed by over two hours now. Long enough for me to be able to go home and go back to bed. So what did I do Bought access to their wireless and booted up of course What else is a girl to do when stuc http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Virginia/Arlington/blog-183225.html Well tonight I'm packing for Florida. I'm off to visit my family yay It's been a long time since I've hopped a plane and gone down there and I'm looking forward to being in heat and sunshine. And the intense air conditioning.It's been a busy couple of days that have left me literally sick and tired. I had an upper GI series of xrays done and I didn't take so well to all the barium I had to s http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Virginia/Arlington/blog-183224.html Today is a lazy Sunday. My aunt and grandma were here and we spent three days running around all of DC. I finally got to see it all But after all that running we are content with laying in bed all day. Just for today. So we're on the bed he's got the Army Times I'm at the computer. We're eating and watching a program about morbidly obese people. Every few minutes we look down at what we're e http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/District-of-Columbia/Washington/blog-183222.html We got home last night after battling all the traffic coming back into DC. I spent some time uploading pictures and my blogs and basically just chilling out mostly because I knew today would be packed. But then I couldn't get to sleep I was absolutely exhausted and could not nod off. So my plans for today have been kind of scrapped because I'm just so wiped out.I did manage to get up and hit th http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Virginia/Arlington/blog-183221.html Day number three together. And we haven't killed each other In fact I'm starting to enjoy traveling around with my own personal historian. He is a never ending fountain of military knowledge which turns these sightseeing trips into learning experiences. Today we headed out once more to Fort Fisher. We'd wanted to actually tour the fort yesterday but it had been reserved for a wedding oddly http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/North-Carolina/Wilmington/blog-183188.html We got up late this morning and decided to head out. I guess I should make clear that Jerry comes down here for vacation a few times a year and he used to live in this area. He knows where he's going and it's not a huge disappointment if we don't see everything. So sleeping in was a much looked forward to point of this trip. Jerry coaxed me out of bed with the promise of the Fort Fisher Aquariu http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/North-Carolina/Wilmington/blog-183176.html In about an hour and a half my husband is going to walk in the door and a whirlwind of activity will ensue. Bags will be grabbed trash will have to go out the cat will have to be shoved into her carrier and off we will go Off for a weekend of fun in the sun in North Carolina.The problem is I'm still in my jammies and half packed. I have at least picked out what I'm going to wear. But ther http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Virginia/Arlington/blog-183173.html Today we left for North Carolina and discovered what true DC traffic really is. Even though we got out of town a full two hours before rush hour we were unlucky enough to leave at the same time as all the other long weekenders. You know sometimes we forget that Jerry doesn't work at the only place that releases early for government holidays. We'd dropped off Ginger at the cat clinic and head ou http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/North-Carolina/Wilmington/blog-183175.html Long blog warningAfter a busy day of running yesterday I decided it was time to drive home. I had finally accomplished everything I needed to so I could go and was eager to get here. So I packed up Ginger and headed for DC.First of all Ginger tried to commit kitty suicide. We're driving down 96 and she decides to explore the car. She pushed the back window button and it rolled down and here's http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Virginia/Arlington/blog-183169.html