NOTES FROM THE ROAD: KELLEY AND DAVE’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE 2009 WEEK ONE: SARASOTA , FL TO PASADENA , MD We’re on the road again! We left sunny Sarasota on Tuesday, May 26 heading for Maryland and a Family Gathering with 23,100 miles on our car (last year we left with about 1,000 miles on our then new car and came back with 10,000 miles on the odometer!) Rain is typical in May and June and especially so this year. Our two-day drive was no exception for after we hit Georgia the rain came alternately in buckets and drizzle which lasted almost through the weekend including a side trip in the pouring rain to Annapolis . Family: In Pasadena , MD we were proud to have attended Megan’s 8th grade graduation on Thursday where she received a ... read more

KELLEY AND DAVE’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE The Big Trip West…Notes From the road: WEEK SIX. Thursday, June 26. We ate our breakfast on the balcony of our room overlooking 5th street while listening to the insistent whistle of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train calling passengers to board for the 3 ½ hour ride to Silverton. Large, billowing black clouds of smoke marked the progress of the train as it headed north along the Animas River toward Silverton. There was a metallic taste to the air that landed on the tongue and the soot and smell permeated our room long after the train left town. In the brisk Durango mornings I needed long pants and a sweater because for me, 63 degrees is invigorating but still a bit brisk for my Florida sensitivities. Before leaving ... read more

KELLEY AND DAVE’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE The Big Trip West…Notes From the road: WEEK FOUR. Thursday, June 12, Zion. Our peaceful night in the campsite with flute compliment turned into a cold and windy early morning that, because of the buffeting winds, allowed me only 5 hours sleep. In addition, some flute enthusiast began playing their flute at sunrise. At 6am I went into the camp showers and heard other women grumbling about the noisy flutes and cold, howling wind that ended their sleep far too early. Apparently there were many flutists in the campsite and I later found out there was a weeklong series of Indian flute concerts culminating in a “Flute Extravaganza” this coming weekend. Our camping experience has not been the most ideal since we have yet to stay more than one night in ... read more