tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-368002592024-03-21T07:42:01.700-04:00Patrick and Katrina do the USAFollow our travels as we explore the country!Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-17006127291489445182008-01-24T11:19:00.000-05:002008-01-24T11:21:34.550-05:00New Blog!As we travel the globe we decided to document those adventures as well. Please visit our new sister blog <a href="http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com">Patrick and Katrina do the Globe!</a>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-14353812607273766362007-02-14T19:39:00.000-05:002007-02-14T21:27:37.772-05:00Sojourn SuperlativesAfter nearly 70 days on the road, we spent a few days reflecting on our journey. Below are some of our favorite memories from the trip.<br /><br /><strong>The Numbers:</strong><br />Miles Driven - 11,775.9<br />Gallons of Gas Used - TBD<br />Average Miles Per Gallon - TBD<br />Interstates Travelled - 39<br />States Visited - 34<br />Countries Visited - 6<br /><br /><strong>Hotel Room: </strong><br />Best - MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV<br />Worst - Economy Inn, Las Cruces, NM<br /><br /><strong>Meal:</strong><br />Best Overall - Via Cavour Ristorante, Rome, ITA<br />Worst Overall - JB's, Hurricane, UT<br />Best Value - Spaghetti Warehouse, San Antonio, TX<br />& Waffle House, any Interstate exit in the South<br />Worst Value - Sharky's, Waikoloa, HI<br /><br /><strong>Dessert:</strong><br />Best - Brownie Sundae, Ghiradelli's, San Francisco, CA<br />Worst - Ice Cream and Cookies, Golden Buffet, Carlsbad, NM<br /><br /><strong>Cocktail:</strong><br />Best - Strawberry Margarita, Margaritaville, Las Vegas, NV <em>(Bonus points awarded for being to-go)</em><br />Worst - Fuller's Beer, London, ENG <em>(Negative points awarded for being warm)</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Natural Attraction:</strong><br />Best - Carlsbad Cavern, Carlsbad, NM<br />Worst - Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, HI <em>(Negative points awarded for inactivity)</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Historical Attraction:</strong><br />Best - Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA<br />Worst - Spanish Governor's Palace, San Antonio, TX<br /><br /><strong>Best Free Attraction:</strong><br />St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican, Vatican City <em>(Free only on the last Sunday of every month)</em><br />Best U.S. - The Alamo, San Antonio, TX<br /><br /><strong>Worst Value Attraction:</strong><br />Westminster Abbey, London, ENG <em>(Though it was fascinating and we are glad we went, the cost was an astronomical $30 apiece)</em><br /><br /><strong>Museum:</strong><br />Best - Vatican, Vatican City<br />Best U.S. - Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY<br />Worst - Miami Art Museum, Miami, FL<br /><br /><strong>Wildlife Experience:</strong><br />Best - Everglades National Park, FL<br />Worst - St. James Park, London, ENG <em>(Home to hundreds of fearless pigeons)</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Beach:</strong><br />Best - Puako, HI<br />Worst - Santa Monica, CA<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Attraction Surprises:</strong><br />Most Pleasant Surprise - Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX<br />Most Disappointing - Central Market, San Antonio, TX<br /><br /><strong>City Hall:</strong><br />Best - Montreal City Hall, QC<br />Worst - Rapid City City Hall, SD<br /><br /><strong>Public Transportation:</strong><br />Best - Denver, CO<br />Worst - Toronto, ON<br /><br /><strong>Drive: </strong><br />Best - Pacific Coast Highway, CA<br />Worst - Interstate 69, MI<br /><br /><strong>Traffic:</strong><br />Easiest - Ranch Route 652, West TX<br />Worst - Malibu, CA to Westwood, CA <em>(An hour and a half to go 10 miles)</em><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Billboard:</strong><br />Best - Wall Drug's 100+ billboards on Interstate 90, SD<br />Worst - "Support Hunters, Wear Fur", Interstate 90, SD<br /><br /><strong>Gas Prices:</strong><br />Best - $1.74, Upstate SC<br />Worst - $2.69, Northern CA<br /><br /><strong>Elevation:</strong><br />Highest - 11,013 ft above sea level, Eisenhower Tunnel, Interstate 70, CO<br />Lowest - 6 ft below sea level, 9th Ward, New Orleans, LA<br /><br /><strong>State Sign: </strong><br /><strong></strong>Best - Wyoming<br />Worst - New Hampshire<br /><br /><strong>Road Trip Item:</strong><br />Most Useful - 2007 Rand McNally Atlas<br />Least Useful - Collapsible snow shovel<br /><br /><strong>Road Trip Snack:</strong><br />Best - Trail Mix <em>(Unsalted peanuts, raisins, reeces pieces)</em><br />Worst - Bananas <em>(Too temperature sensitive)</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Weather:</strong><br />Best - Big Island, HI<br />Worst - Grand Canyon, AZ <em>(Camping in 19 degrees made for a long night)</em><br /><br /><strong>Temperature:</strong><br />Coldest - -9 degrees, Caribou, ME<br />Warmest - 80 degrees, Miami Beach, FL <em>(Bonus degrees awarded for humidity, edging out Hawaii)</em><br /><br /><strong>Best Sunset:</strong><br />Hapuna Beach, HI<br /><br /><strong>Skyline:</strong><br />Best - New York, NY<br />Worst - San Diego, CA<br /><br /><strong>Timing: </strong><br />Best - Happening upon the Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace, London, ENG<br />Worst - Just missing the Three Kings Day Parade, Little Havana, Miami, FL<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Overall City/Town:</strong><br />Best - San Francisco, CA<br />Worst - Los Angeles, CAPatrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-74449377441751952932007-02-07T22:11:00.000-05:002007-02-08T10:44:45.338-05:00Day 69: End of the Road<strong>Start: Cambridge, MA</strong><br /><strong>End: Caribou, ME</strong><br /><strong>Miles Driven: 415.7 (11775.9 total)</strong><br /><br />Today we reached the end of the line for our US road trip. (If we drove any further north we would be in Canada and starting the trip over again.) Greeted by the lowest temperatures we have yet seen, we arrived in Caribou to spend a few days with Patrick's family. We got to celebrate our third Christmas of the season and our first with snow on the ground.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5029557266312467378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRFLBTx9nMWTgxMkkHgwNN4KNOWD-q_jeypIqvUrJxLt5qgFHzPCGW9D8fD00LyalSwhnLjU5lCIbfoW2K82Px1kuh6hTwHmTUmLHkd4VrhDd5jRhVk5ycuPSBx-azz260xnB/s320/pandk+013.jpg" border="0" />With that we bring the blog to a close. Stay tuned in the next few days as we post a "Best Of" entry.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-40538586426194781572007-02-06T21:45:00.000-05:002007-02-08T10:16:36.891-05:00Days 67-68: Familiar Territory<strong>Start: New York, NY</strong><br /><strong>End: Cambridge, MA</strong><br /><strong>Miles Driven: 245.6 (11360.2 total)</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_e50dxLPp0_49E9XZ9Tr8Oty8dCZ6zYvL_XpLE8BNrpufCgjp4_bVdzUio7LZHPrfC7LJ_w7Cf1YW4twKuXzy8cJGAV8Eck96NP7x3gC0JcuW3XLWF7QU7C4qoxwOgDs5oWa/s1600-h/pandk+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5029186855447958434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="186" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_e50dxLPp0_49E9XZ9Tr8Oty8dCZ6zYvL_XpLE8BNrpufCgjp4_bVdzUio7LZHPrfC7LJ_w7Cf1YW4twKuXzy8cJGAV8Eck96NP7x3gC0JcuW3XLWF7QU7C4qoxwOgDs5oWa/s200/pandk+002.jpg" width="144" border="0" /></a>Yesterday morning, we made our return to New England and were greeted by frigid temperatures in the teens. We finally saw a Rhode Island license plate in Connecticut; it was the only license plate we had yet to see on our trip.<br /><br />Tuesday's highlight was a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts. Parts of the museum are under construction, and there were also hordes of young children on field trips, but we still were able to enjoy extensive collections of paintings, sculptures, and a special exhibit on Paris runway fashion.<br /><br />The rest of our time in the Boston area was spent riding the T, hiding from the cold, and eating lots and lots of Katrina's grandmother's cooking.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-63995697756130610622007-02-04T23:26:00.000-05:002007-02-06T14:44:59.410-05:00Day 66: Super Sunday<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Berwyn, PA</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />End: New York, NY</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Miles Driven: 116.9 (11114.6 total)<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_uX-drE98r79LXYZniotBGSjKWfIVsLQZ5Ne75haqGlhxXoymxSidp1VriKeY_YchpoV0naw05zusJSj6JyLfpl7agrQtOP9ixlFg_T4qZfArJbh340yN-tD1Bgc2cynhJOq/s1600-h/DSC02583.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_uX-drE98r79LXYZniotBGSjKWfIVsLQZ5Ne75haqGlhxXoymxSidp1VriKeY_YchpoV0naw05zusJSj6JyLfpl7agrQtOP9ixlFg_T4qZfArJbh340yN-tD1Bgc2cynhJOq/s200/DSC02583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028508518696599218" border="0" /></a><br />This morning we hit the road again and were in Manhattan in an hour and a half. It took almost as long to find a parking spot. We joined Katrina's friend Olivia for brunch and then all hopped on the subway to the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art). Of the many museums we have visited on this trip, this definitely held the most abstract exhibits and featured works from artists ranging from Picasso to Andy Warhol.<br /><br />Only a few blocks away is the world's premier toy shop: FAO Schwarz. We went inside to play and see piano dancers, lego wookies, and enormous (and expensive) stuffed animals.<br /><br />After masterfully navigating the expansive New York City subway system, we landed in Greenwich Village. As we hopped from bar to bar we took advantage of superbowl drink specials and complimentary wings which made the usually expensive nightlife scene surprisingly easy on our wallets.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-69208829747906042762007-02-03T22:59:00.000-05:002007-02-04T09:06:40.695-05:00Day 65: Amish Paradise<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Berwyn, PA</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: Berwyn, PA</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Miles Driven: 126.6 (10997.7 total)<br /><br /></span>Pennsylvania Dutch country is only an hour west of Katrina's house so we drove out for the day for an Amish adventure. The road took us through snowy fields and farmlands and the journey was made a bit slower when we encountered more than one horse and buggy along the way. We stopped often at the many roadside farmers' markets to sample the array of homemade cheeses, jams, and fudges for which the region is noted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDV9ThFxxDARNveoSvpKoyas8zVU6pBa83cyiwxxBtC5YzWaivGY8whfV7JGoQJXv_cwoNMvdCkSE44wPyLb284Q5D9nIN_ABo4JRef4z3doIc5BN-qi5EiKkzxKaxfcTBLzL7/s1600-h/DSC02566.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDV9ThFxxDARNveoSvpKoyas8zVU6pBa83cyiwxxBtC5YzWaivGY8whfV7JGoQJXv_cwoNMvdCkSE44wPyLb284Q5D9nIN_ABo4JRef4z3doIc5BN-qi5EiKkzxKaxfcTBLzL7/s200/DSC02566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027678722425077410" border="0" /></a><br />The highlight of the trip (for Patrick at least) was our lunch at the Bird-in-Hand Smorgasbord. Here, we were able to get full size samples of the local specialities including Shoofly Pie, the famous sugary and gooey Amish dessert. The pie was the first time on the trip we found something that Patrick would eat that Katrina didn't.<br /><br />Before calling it a day we visited nearby Valley Forge, the site of the Continental Army's winter encampment under Gen. Washington in 1777-1778. It was so windy and cold that we had trouble spending 5 minutes outside there...we can't imagine spending an entire winter.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-1512023075792287702007-02-02T23:12:00.000-05:002007-02-03T22:44:21.629-05:00Day 64: Freedom (Fries) for All<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Berwyn, PA</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: Berwyn, PA</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 19.8 (10870.7 total)<br /><br /></span><span>In need of some brotherly love, we spent the day in downtown Philly. At Independence Hall we brushed up on our US history and saw the room in which the Declaration of Independence was debated, edited, and signed.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWidnZsOFSN5gk-7zgWNMG5-G6U11RNuDjr9lhjfcB9lXqG7ZChOoqHxdzaXGwn-9NIAhspxozstJWbK2mlZIPBbTk2awzUZTeFb46qlc05hD68vZPawe3fveeWK4gQRMSGyU/s1600-h/DSC02531.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWidnZsOFSN5gk-7zgWNMG5-G6U11RNuDjr9lhjfcB9lXqG7ZChOoqHxdzaXGwn-9NIAhspxozstJWbK2mlZIPBbTk2awzUZTeFb46qlc05hD68vZPawe3fveeWK4gQRMSGyU/s200/DSC02531.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027519014066175634" border="0" /></a><br /><span>Across the s</span><span>treet is the building that houses the Liberty Bell, which is normally packed with people in line</span><span> to see the American relic. Luckily, we were in and out in five minutes. We are not sure if this w</span><span>as because it was a weekday</span><span> in February or because the entire building smelled like a bathroom.<br /><br />Philadelphia is home to one of five US mints in the country. Its focus is coins and medals, and we found the free tour very informational. A little too informational in fact as Patrick is still contemplating a quarter counterfeiting scheme.<br /><br />We couldn't leave Philly without getting a real taste of the city: cheesesteaks of course. The only question was Geno's or Pat's. In the end, we opted for Geno's cheesesteaks and freedom fries due to better celebrity photos. If it's good enough for Justin Timberlake it's certainly good enough for us.<br /></span>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-80586098515220670412007-02-01T20:26:00.000-05:002007-02-01T20:49:03.200-05:00Days 62-63: Back Across the Pond<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Frankfurt, GER</span><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">End: Berwyn, PA</span><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 0 (10850.9 total)</span><br /><br />Yesterday, much to our chagrin, our time in Europe came to an end. We spent most of the day in the air, and most of today recuperating and readjusting. We were able to upload the photos from our week in Europe which you can find on the left.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-85798188006418171882007-01-30T20:53:00.000-05:002007-02-01T15:52:06.759-05:00Day 61: Wurst City<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Rome, ITA<br />End: Frankfurt, GER</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 0 (10850.9 total)<br /></span><br />We caught our early morning flight from Rome without a hitch and were in downtown Frankfurt by noon. Immediately we stopped at a stand to sample the finest German meats, a bratwurst and rindwurst, before sampling what Frankfurt had to offer.<br /><br />Our first stop was the Kaiserdom, the church where the Holy Roman Empire's emporers were coronated. The suprisingly simple interior was much different than that of the other coronation spot we visited, Westminster Abbey. Other highlights included the Romer (City Hall) and St. Paul's Church, which served as Germany's first Parliament building. Thirsty for more sightseeing we stopped to read a guidebook for the city and found that we had covered everything in an hour and a half.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVmzGQgP5mB1so0erNP_hkHsyU4ihQNH013XaJsaqrRjZ5iUQr_Myd5lBHyS0I839Dp5QmG8z-U_ZYcZYdQqGlDyXLHaMLmVx6hEvgPXBmqENbUfuQmmTUPQHMXE-D3ZqDCJ2/s1600-h/DSC02483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVmzGQgP5mB1so0erNP_hkHsyU4ihQNH013XaJsaqrRjZ5iUQr_Myd5lBHyS0I839Dp5QmG8z-U_ZYcZYdQqGlDyXLHaMLmVx6hEvgPXBmqENbUfuQmmTUPQHMXE-D3ZqDCJ2/s320/DSC02483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026671024313187970" border="0" /></a>In search of a traditional German restaurant for dinner, we found more Italian and Indian food being offered than the national fare. We finally found a place in the square in front of the Romer where we enjoyed beer, Handkase, a local cheese specialty that is rather pungent and only tolerable in small quantities, and apfelstrudel.<br /><br />Our hostel was conveniently located across from Frankfurt's main train station, and directly above one of the many strip clubs in the area. We prepared for a cozy night in our bunks to the soundtrack of our roommate who sereanaded us with the sounds of his sweet snoring mingled with "dance" music from below.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-6368223831785746642007-01-29T22:47:00.000-05:002007-02-01T15:49:10.651-05:00Day 60: Rome-ing Around<strong>Start: Rome, ITA</strong><br /><strong>End: Rome, ITA</strong><br /><strong>Miles Driven: 0 (10850.9 total)</strong><br /><br />Our third day in Rome began with a visit to one of the most popular sites in Rome, the Colosseum. Two thousand years ago, the Colosseum hosted day-long spectacles of wild animal scenes, plays and contests--each performance usually ending in a slave, actor, or gladiator being slain in a gruesome manner. Thousands of Romans would gather for the events and admission was free, a tradition we wished they had kept up for current visitors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBD4XD84D84p9skrfBua9loV031pw273KvuBhVOT6Yl9Nsa2JUNknaQ4B-kIbJcu63dz1soUjCxAUgu3iU67kT9v93CXu20AHlKyEG9wWIS6mHnbIctbFQMmd-l1Zeg4f8whit/s1600-h/DSC02399.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBD4XD84D84p9skrfBua9loV031pw273KvuBhVOT6Yl9Nsa2JUNknaQ4B-kIbJcu63dz1soUjCxAUgu3iU67kT9v93CXu20AHlKyEG9wWIS6mHnbIctbFQMmd-l1Zeg4f8whit/s200/DSC02399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026669808837443170" border="0" /></a><br />Continuing our tour of Ancient Rome, we made our way to the Palatine and Roman Forum. Walking around the ruins was amazing. We saw columns and arches, the remains of temples and even an athletic stadium.<br /><br />Next we set out in search of the Catacombs of St. Domitilla. We took the bus to the southern edge of the city...and then got thoroughly, utterly lost. The excursion included dodging crazy Italian drivers, hiking through a muddy field, and narrowly escaping angry guard dogs. Finally making it back to the outskirts of Rome, we were relieved to hop on a bus headed downtown. Unfortunately, five minutes into the drive, the bus driver seemed to be having trouble with the ignition. He put his hands in the air exclaiming "Morto!" and all us passengers were forced to disembark. While trying to decide our next step, we were approached by an Italian woman who insisted on helping us. She dragged us on a bus with her, then pulled us off and dragged us on another, and gave us further detailed instructions of which we did not understand a word. Luckily, Patrick eventually spotted the Colosseum and we hopped off the bus to make our way downtown by foot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZG9cXdRYN0CD2ozBgvRGRONrOVNYwA40-Mes1I0vODFMplNGGJYd2_WLcWK_MsaCJAvix51FEhvA-W9TiBMH1a82KsRtQLnMcw_5mV0QIllq4c3AjCvowx-2uqbntdDiFv8T/s1600-h/DSC02438.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZG9cXdRYN0CD2ozBgvRGRONrOVNYwA40-Mes1I0vODFMplNGGJYd2_WLcWK_MsaCJAvix51FEhvA-W9TiBMH1a82KsRtQLnMcw_5mV0QIllq4c3AjCvowx-2uqbntdDiFv8T/s320/DSC02438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026670272693911154" border="0" /></a>In need of rejuvination, we stopped for a taste of our first Italian gelato--which was absolutely delicious--before finding a restaurant for dinner. We savored every bite of the fresh pasta and bread at our last Italian meal.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-21129619154386450942007-01-28T22:38:00.000-05:002007-02-01T15:44:19.193-05:00Day 59: Observing the Sabbath<strong>Start: Rome, ITA</strong><strong><br />End: Rome, ITA</strong><br /><strong>Miles Driven: 0 (10850.9 total)</strong><br /><br />We woke up bright and early this morning in order to get to the Vatican, which opens at 9am. The museum is free the last Sunday of every month so we thought this would be a good day to go. Unfortunately every other tourist in Rome thought the same<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMILOkqpOJ2FpRR6xzQxKjl0wprZ4eeWcLNPzjB5GkCSNryStLIHpbpI6kPxgS28WosnzhY2j3FC0T02Jgr_ycX-Vql-Jd9rECyzxdjgUMhm9xHlzX5RkW4jp7HwioILELG1W/s1600-h/DSC02236.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMILOkqpOJ2FpRR6xzQxKjl0wprZ4eeWcLNPzjB5GkCSNryStLIHpbpI6kPxgS28WosnzhY2j3FC0T02Jgr_ycX-Vql-Jd9rECyzxdjgUMhm9xHlzX5RkW4jp7HwioILELG1W/s200/DSC02236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026668619131502146" border="0" /></a> thing. The line was 4 city blocks long and growing when we arrived, but thankfully it only took us an hour to get inside. The highlights of the visit were Raphael's vibrant frescoes and the magnificence of the Sistine Chapel.<br /><br />A trip to Vatican City would not be complete without a stop by St. Peter's as well. As we came upon the piazza in front of the basilica, we were met with an enormous and lively crowd. Turns out the liveliness was in response to the Pope, who was addressing the masses from his apartment window high above the Piazza San Pietro. We still have no idea what he said.<br /><br />After the Pope spoke, we joined the masses on their pilgrimage inside the basilica. We saw the tombs of many popes, inlcuding John Paul II, and also the ornate shrine where St. Peter's remains rest. The basilca itself was breathtaking.<br /><br />Next we headed back to the city center and happened upon the Piazza Venezia, where a gigantic shrine to Italy's first king Victor Emmanuel stands. We thought for sure the structure which contains giant columns and statues of chariots dated back hundreds of years, but it turns out it is modern by Rome standards as it is only a century old.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mvcsAqWtIxVKvfXMTODoPNIM1B0ppAfCYvliC1oGt9Y-OrEK6TW02_BFLllNuIIyO0xgfKAGXTNTu2Hb2bfMkpAkbRr9NI7WWp0aj5A-AgW3gqTbxEa8AaEpKcs3pfy9AG-v/s1600-h/DSC02305.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mvcsAqWtIxVKvfXMTODoPNIM1B0ppAfCYvliC1oGt9Y-OrEK6TW02_BFLllNuIIyO0xgfKAGXTNTu2Hb2bfMkpAkbRr9NI7WWp0aj5A-AgW3gqTbxEa8AaEpKcs3pfy9AG-v/s200/DSC02305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026669203247054418" border="0" /></a>Our last sightseeing stop for the day was the historic Pantheon, the most well preserved structure from Ancient Rome. Over the centuries, it has served as a temple to the gods, a Christian Church, and now a tourist attraction for all.<br /><br />Dinner was a feast of exquisite pasta dishes and Italian chianti. It was so good in fact, we had a second dinner down the street immediately after our first. Our new motto has become...when in Rome, eat dinner twice.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-10585952650273258922007-01-27T21:29:00.000-05:002007-02-01T15:37:44.302-05:00Day 58: Nuovo Post da Italia<strong>Start: London, ENG</strong><br /><strong>End: Rome, ITA</strong><br /><strong>Miles Driven: 0 (10850.9)</strong><br /><br />Though we were sad to say goodbye to London and our new friends at the hostel, we had to catch a flight to Italy. Our flight on Ryan Air was much smoother this time, with only a 30-minute delay in take off due to an "unidentified traffic in the airspace". There was even in-flight entertainment...a gorgeous bird's eye view of the Alps below.<br /><br />Upon arriving in Rome, we took a bus to the city center and enjoyed the sunset over ancient ruins along the way. To find our hostel, we enlisted the help of an Italian woman at a local pizzeria, but Patrick really just wanted an excuse to buy a piece of pizza. Both the directions and pizza were satisfying and delicious. But not as satisfying and delicious as our "hostel" room at Residenza Don Bosco, where we have a private room, private bathroom with bidet, and towels provided! We even have a small TV suped up with Italian cable stations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlELCcqPEdBQIp1xcOiqpEMvuF0JmVPHI93kxU8QpwLUvgNHly2lPAlLJDikcj5upr9hY04s1efdBxDzog6Py4iUoBJfYRXSxuBdzc6ZThMgb-GiIgiWtndvyXxR4EE4zCLwkN/s1600-h/DSC02176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlELCcqPEdBQIp1xcOiqpEMvuF0JmVPHI93kxU8QpwLUvgNHly2lPAlLJDikcj5upr9hY04s1efdBxDzog6Py4iUoBJfYRXSxuBdzc6ZThMgb-GiIgiWtndvyXxR4EE4zCLwkN/s320/DSC02176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026667352116149810" border="0" /></a>We had dinner at Ciao Bella with possibly the best lasagna we have ever tasted. As we wandered the streets of Rome looking for Trevi Fountain (above), we stumbled across the Spanish Steps. Despite our fortuitous find as a result of being lost, we decided to continue our search for Trevi Fountain after we bought a map. The search was well worth it as the glistening grandeur of the fountain by night was magnificent.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-13062485212387697942007-01-26T23:51:00.000-05:002007-02-01T15:33:36.321-05:00Day 57: Taking London By Storm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh848LdCKzz6woFgRKHkGTyPBNjxK9LH_-BIsNRnflL0PPyuSNALImNUokQt7g3LiNUxf-iBVLDx1_xRe2HH8o1NoRpV4cFJjuuFrvV8xVJcEdrir-5zrQtoLpr7KbOgUbXdGc/s1600-h/DSC01993.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh848LdCKzz6woFgRKHkGTyPBNjxK9LH_-BIsNRnflL0PPyuSNALImNUokQt7g3LiNUxf-iBVLDx1_xRe2HH8o1NoRpV4cFJjuuFrvV8xVJcEdrir-5zrQtoLpr7KbOgUbXdGc/s200/DSC01993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026666085100797458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: London, ENG</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: London, ENG</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 0 (10850.9 total)<br /></span><span><br />Our day in London was jam-packed with attractions. We started off with a visit to Buckingham Palace, and to our delight, we had arrived 15 minutes before the Changing of the Guard! It was like nothing we had ever seen.<br /><br />Walking through St. James Park and by 10 Downing Street (the Prime Minister's residence), we arrived at the House of Parliament. Not only did we see the beautiful interior halls of the historical building , but we were permitted t</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnKZje5zZfWNsxU8V6s5nnMM1SZOy8KxzaegJDbBolrLm47nyHuj3wpDtmjq-yNSa-0XSpJu7skkDajUCJ4Os95furwn01bHh-IrtD0J7jIt6Z8EGe8Rfi_eR9o5bbxFiz1z5/s1600-h/DSC01999.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnKZje5zZfWNsxU8V6s5nnMM1SZOy8KxzaegJDbBolrLm47nyHuj3wpDtmjq-yNSa-0XSpJu7skkDajUCJ4Os95furwn01bHh-IrtD0J7jIt6Z8EGe8Rfi_eR9o5bbxFiz1z5/s200/DSC01999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026666282669293090" border="0" /></a><span>o watch the proceedings in both the House of Commons and House of Lords.<br /><br />Westminster Abbey is just across the way and touring the historical church is an </span><span>amazing experience. Many former kings and queens are buried there, and almost all have been coronated there.<br /><br />We finished the day with stops by St. Paul's Church, Trafalgar Square, and the National Gallery of Art before an evening of pub-hopping.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-21186142985529598392007-01-25T22:32:00.000-05:002007-02-01T15:29:52.977-05:00Days 55-56: Planes, Trains and Buses<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Berwyn, PA</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: London, ENG</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 0 (10850.9 total)<br /><br /></span>On a whim, and in an effort to extend our trip longer, we decided to go to Europe. After 27 straight hours of travelling--including 3 plane rides, 2 train rides, and a bus ride through the German countryside--we finally made it to our first destination: London. Along the way we encountered a cancelled flight, a child bride, and a new roommate named Chako "who's just laying low for a while".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGEU0ewO2GDCPyZ1aGl9YQoJRX77zwRxMUOa5oq4Dyhe-aGxOHtMdAObG6kz52skK9b8sizbowvFQdqM0pDjBDhQ9GOeLxfu8nyLh4VlC3XGMPtWFzTOtLR5Fwi5BRMDDlHhW/s1600-h/DSC01845.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGEU0ewO2GDCPyZ1aGl9YQoJRX77zwRxMUOa5oq4Dyhe-aGxOHtMdAObG6kz52skK9b8sizbowvFQdqM0pDjBDhQ9GOeLxfu8nyLh4VlC3XGMPtWFzTOtLR5Fwi5BRMDDlHhW/s320/DSC01845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026665196042567170" border="0" /></a><br />For our first night in London, we scouted out London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and the surrounding area. We had dinner at a pub on Gracechurch St before checking in to our hostel for the night. We are unable to upload photos now so pictures to come later.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-42432369539839857552007-01-23T22:44:00.000-05:002007-01-24T09:17:06.103-05:00Day 54: Berwyn...Where Every Day is a Holiday<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Berwyn, PA</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: Berwyn, PA</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 28.7 (10850.9 total)</span><br /><br />Happily back in the kitchen, the morning began with a big crepe breakfast in honor of Katrina's mom's birthday. We spent the afternoon seeing some of the Berwyn area landmarks: the township building, the thrift store, and the King of Prussia Mall (incidentally the <span style="font-style: italic;">second</span> biggest mall in the US--no rollercoaster in this one).<br /><br />For dinner we met up with Katrina's best friend Ali at their old favorite restaurant from high school. Chili's was as delicious as ever, and this time they were able to get away with ordering beer!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ldr1iCJUdJQFwczWkf0AdMZjJoHFh14Fue6xmUq6EmhZ08S9JmfPtsMwXDIYw1Eyr3aBHvlpW5R3bJoMOoSzIs6LHSthfPYpvaGxO4iV-5Ig0GhVfs7nyCvMZMvG9DKhSFBU/s1600-h/DSC01817.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ldr1iCJUdJQFwczWkf0AdMZjJoHFh14Fue6xmUq6EmhZ08S9JmfPtsMwXDIYw1Eyr3aBHvlpW5R3bJoMOoSzIs6LHSthfPYpvaGxO4iV-5Ig0GhVfs7nyCvMZMvG9DKhSFBU/s200/DSC01817.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023472863049517986" border="0" /></a><br />Once Katrina's mom got home from work, we squeezed some limes and mixed up fresh birthday margaritas. Patrick also got his first experience with the family rhumtopf. Also know as boozenberries, the deadly concoction of blueberries, rasberries, strawberries, and 151 rum always ends the night on a good note.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-47200039707770550332007-01-22T21:26:00.000-05:002007-01-24T01:15:26.888-05:00Day 53: Merry Christmas...Again!<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Washington, DC</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />End: Berwyn, PA</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 158.6 (10822.2 total)</span><br /><br />Today we officially left the South. We did cross the Mason-Dixon Line, but the real marker was the end of Waffle Houses off every interstate exit. The final meal included all the favorites: double waffle, double hashbrowns and a bacon cheeseburger--and that was just for Patrick!<br /><br />It was Christmas in January when we arrived in Berwyn. Katrina's mom had left the tree up for us, and Patrick got to take part in his first Christmas present scavenger hunt. Our hard work and detective skills were rewarded with his and her rocking chairs that we imagine will fit perfectly in our next apartment.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qkr3etc_Rkx5ZK_wB-CsoMKapcg-u_upxoUDeWLjOi8Hj2q7aaPg-PpYUwzBV-uEEgU3igNGBpTMRPdXMfn9ZZCPzX5qziUeZ5NZLSWWznGwtY0pg9e6v0yVpJ0sQoWZBKbq/s1600-h/DSC01806.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qkr3etc_Rkx5ZK_wB-CsoMKapcg-u_upxoUDeWLjOi8Hj2q7aaPg-PpYUwzBV-uEEgU3igNGBpTMRPdXMfn9ZZCPzX5qziUeZ5NZLSWWznGwtY0pg9e6v0yVpJ0sQoWZBKbq/s200/DSC01806.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023467936722029458" border="0" /></a>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-90950359080782018732007-01-21T23:30:00.000-05:002007-01-24T01:11:50.687-05:00Day 52: Museum Hopping<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Washington, DC</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />End: Washington, DC</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 0 (</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">10663.6</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> total)</span><br /><br />The National Archives opened at 10:00 AM and we were first in line. The famous documents including the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence and US Constitution were not in very good shape, but the new exhibit exploring America's past through the thousands of documents, recordings and videos of the Archives was fascinating.<br /><br />We raced through the eerily empty National Art Gallery (with special attention to the Impressionists) prior to meeting up with Patrick's DC grandparents for a delicious brunch at Clyde's in Chinatown. Before returning to the Mall, we swung by Ford's Theatre to see the site of President Lincoln's assassination.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGWpLDzyMpY-CTT_v3HeeIRRhiZNk3bawZz1I71QoWu3-2ymowViEMr1hbF_uk3wKdMDSrqm9P3DPC-hS7Eb210UX9qHkxBIeo3JJqV1FXY_yQjCFI80CcIHYnTak4CY_1n4l/s1600-h/DSC01782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGWpLDzyMpY-CTT_v3HeeIRRhiZNk3bawZz1I71QoWu3-2ymowViEMr1hbF_uk3wKdMDSrqm9P3DPC-hS7Eb210UX9qHkxBIeo3JJqV1FXY_yQjCFI80CcIHYnTak4CY_1n4l/s200/DSC01782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023093862250417010" border="0" /></a><br />As snow began to fall on the nation's capital, we took refuge at the Museum of Natural History. Patrick enjoyed the many interactive exhibits including designing his own volcano, creating his own earthquake, and even a virtual archeological dig.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlwSHcnfTtqzC-HIIuc-NmTRX2VIlBb79LVBoTj9cDcyQyPX44tyvJFFCUt5rld1wOL5yXCqbh8WLcBlfk6zGxnKENdW0PNjx6rdwBFEkTBxj4vQefYoFN4GdXW3AuUj0QnhA/s1600-h/DSC01792.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlwSHcnfTtqzC-HIIuc-NmTRX2VIlBb79LVBoTj9cDcyQyPX44tyvJFFCUt5rld1wOL5yXCqbh8WLcBlfk6zGxnKENdW0PNjx6rdwBFEkTBxj4vQefYoFN4GdXW3AuUj0QnhA/s200/DSC01792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023094124243422082" border="0" /></a><br />The last stop on the museum tour was the American History Museum, which was interesting and fun...if by interesting you mean closed and by fun you mean not reopening until 2008. We disappointedly settled for the Air and Space Museum instead...where we were overjoyed to find some of the American History Museum's treasures on visiting display!<br /><br />After a day on our feet, we settled in at the ESPN Zone to watch the Pats-Colts game. And that is all we are going to say about that.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-64888577352794968172007-01-20T21:09:00.000-05:002007-01-23T00:04:01.170-05:00Day 51: The District By Dark<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Asheville, NC</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />End: Washington, DC</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Miles Driven: 488.1 (10663.6 total)</span><br /><br />The drive from North Carolina, through Virginia, to Washington, DC took us surprisingly little time. We made it downtown before dark--which was particularly helpful since there was a blackout at Katrina's cousin Gabby's place (where we were staying).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMcygxWxZ7KmSudczcRxDO5euavP-snfXTo9fHqYvuXpEOJeRSKyJgFWt2JhIDvaqNEFCNSNdCGLxx4oefW9DBPWwJp2pGADLrnBp8vSZkwjBh5Gjg1fLKAoxZRRkCDFgOyVQ/s1600-h/DSC01776.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMcygxWxZ7KmSudczcRxDO5euavP-snfXTo9fHqYvuXpEOJeRSKyJgFWt2JhIDvaqNEFCNSNdCGLxx4oefW9DBPWwJp2pGADLrnBp8vSZkwjBh5Gjg1fLKAoxZRRkCDFgOyVQ/s200/DSC01776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023085865021311842" border="0" /></a><br />Though the museums were closed for the day, we took the Metro down to the National Mall for sunset. We finally felt ready for Mexican food again so we ventured down the cold sidewalks of U Street to Alero's. (Not sure if you noticed, but we had ALOT of Mexican food while in the South.) Keeping our fingers crossed for power, we arrived back at Gabby and Chris's to find a still-dark apartment. Just as we were settling in for a night of cards-by-headlamp, the lights flickered back on and the electricity returned!Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-746674645945123142007-01-19T22:05:00.000-05:002007-01-22T23:41:44.933-05:00Day 50: A Trip Down Memory Lane<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Columbia, SC</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />End: Asheville, NC</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Miles Driven: 188.3 (10175.5 total)</span><br /><br />The day began with a milestone; we surpassed the 10,000 mile mark just north of Columbia. Other than that the ride was uneventful as we climbed from the foothills of upstate South Carolina to the mountains of western North Carolina.<br /><br />Today's destination was Asheville, where Patrick grew up. The first stop was Roberson High School and we arrived just as school was letting out. The building was just the same as Patrick had left it six years ago, complete with dirty bathrooms and mean librarians. As we prepared to leave, we realized that neither of us had our car key; we had to make our first call to AAA of the road trip. Luckily, they dispatched "Key Man" and he had us out of our jam in no time at all.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsabCWg06sGlbD3tczZjbmEsoSOUxSGfrIA6VzD97BIjTfs8PSg2iBzFfYdRvCTKmLnQH2fLy-Kd3UEGoTWQovmbdz5ZSh9O_IkfWmbamqLXnIruIAPBVlvN1wdCYoUYAs8F5/s1600-h/DSC01675.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsabCWg06sGlbD3tczZjbmEsoSOUxSGfrIA6VzD97BIjTfs8PSg2iBzFfYdRvCTKmLnQH2fLy-Kd3UEGoTWQovmbdz5ZSh9O_IkfWmbamqLXnIruIAPBVlvN1wdCYoUYAs8F5/s200/DSC01675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023080315923565394" border="0" /></a>The next stop on memory lane was Patrick's old house on Muirfield Drive. We then drove to downtown Asheville to take in the sights: art galleries, book stores and restaurants. Dinner was at Barley's with local beer and half pepperoni-half tofu pizza.<br /><br />A drive through the dark backroads of Asheville delivered us to the Grove Park Inn, where famous guests over the years have included F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry Ford, Harry Houdini, and six US Presidents. Sitting by the huge fireplace of the inn and taking in the century of history around us capped off our evening.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-83273243848784824202007-01-18T21:18:00.000-05:002007-01-18T23:28:58.539-05:00Day 49: The Soggy South<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Charleston, SC</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: Columbia, SC</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Miles Driven: 165.1 (9987.2 total)<br /></span><span><br />An ice storm in North Carolina prevented us from driving to our next destination today, so we were stranded in South Carolina for a cold and rainy day. </span><span>Luckily, we found some good indoor activities for the day which started at the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Karpeles</span> Museum just as it was opening. David <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Karpeles</span> holds the world's largest private collection of manuscripts, and today on display was a special exhibit of maps of the United States from as early as 1507. We also visited <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gaillard</span> Auditorium to see a powerful collection of photographs taken by children reflecting the <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dilapidated</span> conditions of schools in the state's poorest school districts.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy_hD1eLAlviYyaHs9YxrDbp-DEmpgskqYtkww_EiKCF6X6OoUMoLBV85ApmTtlTh7A3QOUJCn-31GHpRpMocJXTTrk1mIjntm38rGyra7QpsUOZ6r7TZvFx7OQRnoxrVJ7gJ/s1600-h/DSC01610.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy_hD1eLAlviYyaHs9YxrDbp-DEmpgskqYtkww_EiKCF6X6OoUMoLBV85ApmTtlTh7A3QOUJCn-31GHpRpMocJXTTrk1mIjntm38rGyra7QpsUOZ6r7TZvFx7OQRnoxrVJ7gJ/s320/DSC01610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021586515923286002" border="0" /></a><br /><span>Our next stop was the home of former Governor and Declaration of <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Independence</span> signer John Rutledge. While most of the historic houses in Charleston charge <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">entrance</span> fees to tour the building, the mansion is now an inn so we were free to tour the lobby and ballroom to see beautiful chandeliers, antique furniture, and intricate woodwork from the floor to ceiling.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-O8DuXtguItom_vGuXYszXrtsyoc5KakGcWwFkPGjtXNowhUJaVMsGV_F2XpawydzSlmdThAipe9nqX8LrkgWgz0WphIIVP-Zqe_H1JX1PpQY7x3d3xyG9muay6sPNwwjADc/s1600-h/DSC01658.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-O8DuXtguItom_vGuXYszXrtsyoc5KakGcWwFkPGjtXNowhUJaVMsGV_F2XpawydzSlmdThAipe9nqX8LrkgWgz0WphIIVP-Zqe_H1JX1PpQY7x3d3xyG9muay6sPNwwjADc/s200/DSC01658.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021587495175829506" border="0" /></a><br /><span>Having run out of free, indoor activities in Charleston, we drove to Columbia to see <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span></span><span>e State House. As we entered the lobby we saw a group of people gathering, waiting for what </span><span>we assumed was the 3:00 tour. Turns out we actually happened upon a presentation of</span><span> surveying licenses, and the other people with cameras were not fellow sightseers, but rather proud family and friends. We <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">snuck</span> away and took a self-guided tour instead, seeing the House and Senate Chambers, the </span><span>points of the State House facade struck by General Sherman's <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">cannon fire</span> during the Civil War, and </span><span>statues of George Washington, John C. Calhoun, and South Carolina's favorite son, <span onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Strom</span> Thurmond.<br /><br /></span><span>Today was also the day we saw our first New Hampshire license plate outside of New England. We really are getting closer to home.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-66786610966799714372007-01-17T19:19:00.000-05:002007-01-17T20:59:18.254-05:00Day 48: Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Melbourne, FL</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: Charleston, SC</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 408.5 (9822.1 total)</span><br /><br />We left 80-degree Melbourne this morning heading north, passing through Georgia, and arrived in Charleston six hours later. A 48-degree chilly afternoon awaited us, causing us to recoil as we stepped outside the car. Looks like we have seen the last of flip-flop weather on this trip. That's not the only thing that is different about South Carolina. Gas is a steal at $1.99/gallon, and we also noticed this strange-looking red flag waving with blue bars and white stars on it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao60hN6WlwgD0-4in0FQmARWgyjH6i6oN5B3TlD-czZq-4njxhhAQSyuCWwnBi5tiV-Il3xqvdtzbZ67iqJC8tdA9idTfEqDBCa6d3rJkuCwsDYE38rWtnvw4GLIpweADrYF9/s1600-h/DSC01588.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgao60hN6WlwgD0-4in0FQmARWgyjH6i6oN5B3TlD-czZq-4njxhhAQSyuCWwnBi5tiV-Il3xqvdtzbZ67iqJC8tdA9idTfEqDBCa6d3rJkuCwsDYE38rWtnvw4GLIpweADrYF9/s320/DSC01588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021182977976022994" border="0" /></a><br />We took a walking tour of The Battery and saw many beautiful historic houses, including the mansion of Vice President John C. Calhoun. Many of the houses are still privately owned and inhabited today...which made it awkward when Katrina took pictures as local Charlestonians pulled up to their homes at the end of the day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHPss53a5nYJQ52UZCHCSWPhO6-0ITR18_BjBGenb6XHaR7GgPA55nzZkmhGrD3T1GL0VTRnua-C3jcaxMppHVCSyad9kGcN2cfpLIMTah-iYpIxujLK-ve6334qHR4dNG8c2/s1600-h/DSC01603.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHPss53a5nYJQ52UZCHCSWPhO6-0ITR18_BjBGenb6XHaR7GgPA55nzZkmhGrD3T1GL0VTRnua-C3jcaxMppHVCSyad9kGcN2cfpLIMTah-iYpIxujLK-ve6334qHR4dNG8c2/s320/DSC01603.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021183549206673378" border="0" /></a><br />For dinner we ate at Jestine's Kitchen, a local institution that serves up classic low country cuisine. We dined on fried green tomatoes, shrimp creole and okra gumbo followed up with pineapple bread pudding for dessert.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-61770728033198654652007-01-16T22:20:00.000-05:002007-01-17T08:47:27.547-05:00Day 47: Gator Bait<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: Flamingo, FL</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: Melbourne, FL</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 284.6 (9413.6 total)<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxON6b8quYBBB8WPjib_AbFsibp1FIfaRxyzeU-CzD3RsWyK-LcY838on2NwIIhisJ1VQpBS1OoTTtFeLikesf3KEcX92U8MZMcNXOzoOJjqL78GWnCWCTz5whtru-KrNuvHM/s1600-h/DSC01530.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxON6b8quYBBB8WPjib_AbFsibp1FIfaRxyzeU-CzD3RsWyK-LcY838on2NwIIhisJ1VQpBS1OoTTtFeLikesf3KEcX92U8MZMcNXOzoOJjqL78GWnCWCTz5whtru-KrNuvHM/s320/DSC01530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020995103221594050" border="0" /></a><br /><span>The sky was clear and sunny as we awoke in Flamingo this morning. W</span><span>e packed up our tent and made our way back to civilization, but not without stopping at Ro</span><span>yal Palm to hike on the park's most scenic trail. There were countless species of birds (the Ev</span><span>erglades boasts more than 300 species in all) and alligators at every turn. One was not hap</span><span>py when Patrick got too close: he winked and made an aggressive gesture with his head. Pat</span><span>rick got the hint and maintained a safe 15 feet from all alligators from that point forward.<br /></span><br /><span>With no accidents or rush hours to impede us, we made it back to Melbourne smoothly. Patrick's grandmother made her famous lasagna, and we enjoyed a leisurely evening of feasting and looking at baby pictures of Patrick.<br /></span>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-31279736293046368932007-01-15T21:37:00.000-05:002007-01-16T22:19:18.822-05:00Day 46: Swamp Excursion<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: S. Miami Beach, FL</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: Flamingo, FL</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Miles Driven: 108.2 (9129.0 total)</span><br /><br />Before leaving Miami we took a goodbye walk on South Beach and strolled the Art Deco District.<br /><br />The weather was overcast, warm and muggy: the perfect setting for a day in the swamplands. We made the short drive from Miami to Everglades National Park. Once there, we hiked through the Mahogany Hammock, a natural canopy island in the middle of the swamp, and watched alligators lurk at Paurotis and Nine Mile Ponds.<br /><br />Our final destination for the day was Flamingo, Florida at the very southern tip of Florida in the Everglades. We set up our tent in the middle of three palm trees and watched yet another dramatic sunset, which was only topped by the crystal clear starry night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78MriqufWLYS9mOaOojDO69vLmv_DrCP9UF6mpZax_Buy-dVI1buFrs2fy63qJBrtSmGf3N1X30I-mfpCLVb7wEAYI8-nD3nu6sTCkuqZXMJ6jymdf0db7SCZVAoeEeeDZbnq/s1600-h/DSC01441.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78MriqufWLYS9mOaOojDO69vLmv_DrCP9UF6mpZax_Buy-dVI1buFrs2fy63qJBrtSmGf3N1X30I-mfpCLVb7wEAYI8-nD3nu6sTCkuqZXMJ6jymdf0db7SCZVAoeEeeDZbnq/s320/DSC01441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020830696168470450" border="0" /></a>Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-37819478184805239922007-01-14T22:09:00.000-05:002007-01-15T10:39:31.549-05:00Day 45: Happy Three Kings Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYhE82vGi0Zvg-hg6yfQcUl7yS1fAD1Dw58fNDFmvdiizp2pLC2Aj2Z7NbDb-nT0IRKLJ8vhfT6fmpvcXW1Js6QiK-eGQZPioQfuK1RvZVXjFUisM8Cbbb036drQrayjgBQJf/s1600-h/DSC01303.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYhE82vGi0Zvg-hg6yfQcUl7yS1fAD1Dw58fNDFmvdiizp2pLC2Aj2Z7NbDb-nT0IRKLJ8vhfT6fmpvcXW1Js6QiK-eGQZPioQfuK1RvZVXjFUisM8Cbbb036drQrayjgBQJf/s320/DSC01303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020281056318699410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: S. Miami Beach, FL</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />End: S. Miami Beach, FL</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Miles Driven: 34.0 (9020.8 total)<br /></span><br />Today it was back to Coconut Grove for the 17th Annual Great Taste of the Grove. The event showcased menus from 20 local restaurants as well as live jazz bands. After taking in our fill of food, we headed downtown to the Miami-Dade Cultural Center to check out the Miami Art Museum (which is free on Sundays).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r9jPWSW8_Yhyphenhyphen_v0KMF4UcwSe3pb7jPAjnwWLIV1ICehdLm8CXAvtma6d-AGNbwy1EQnDuip6WysSMgfkxgRDL9dD6vUwbw50H-ZNFgTRpQV7xcinYewzR0Sy30zWcvsEgHir/s1600-h/DSC01312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r9jPWSW8_Yhyphenhyphen_v0KMF4UcwSe3pb7jPAjnwWLIV1ICehdLm8CXAvtma6d-AGNbwy1EQnDuip6WysSMgfkxgRDL9dD6vUwbw50H-ZNFgTRpQV7xcinYewzR0Sy30zWcvsEgHir/s320/DSC01312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020281803643008930" border="0" /></a><br />We continued our afternoon of culture by heading over to Little Havana. Unfortunately, we had just missed the Three Kings Day Parade down Calle Ocho, the main street through Little Havana. Three Kings Day celebrates the three wise men visiting the baby Jesus after his birth. We actually thought they were celebrating Cuban Independence Day until we came back and researched what the celebration was. Though we missed the parade, the neighborhood was still lively and cut-throat domino players were the new attraction at Maximo Gomez Park.<br /><br />At 4:30 the Patriots-Chargers game began so we settled in at an outside table at a Lincoln Rd pub to watch the game. Surrounded by other Patriots fans, we enjoyed a rowdy viewing of the victory.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36800259.post-47574928624285493842007-01-13T21:12:00.000-05:002007-01-15T10:08:33.408-05:00Day 44: Back to the Beach<span style="font-weight: bold;">Start: S. Miami Beach, FL</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">End: S. Miami Beach, FL</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Miles Driven: 39.3 (8986.8 total)</span><br /><br />After seeing Catherine off for her jaunt to Key West, we headed out to check out Coconut Grove, a popular eating/drinking/shopping neighborhood. We grabbed a bite to eat and some fresh-squeezed orange-mango juice, and then discovered that tomorrow is a big street festival. So we cut our visit short and headed to the beach with plans to return the next day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjSftVhWDPhNZeXVf5FS7nJl_dtggFohv5h-lBV_8Hwv70UgSvH-rIwwj0b9HA0RRXTCbZA0X31H78IVEeDMdZqrak5iOTAMlDBBurrQLJ-uko6u-QeM8FMSQUwp1jj-kIPTu/s1600-h/DSC01262.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjSftVhWDPhNZeXVf5FS7nJl_dtggFohv5h-lBV_8Hwv70UgSvH-rIwwj0b9HA0RRXTCbZA0X31H78IVEeDMdZqrak5iOTAMlDBBurrQLJ-uko6u-QeM8FMSQUwp1jj-kIPTu/s320/DSC01262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020273823593772930" border="0" /></a>Key Biscayne is an island further off the Florida coast that is known for its stunning beaches. The weather was 80 degrees and sunny and the water was a brilliant green. We spent the afternoon lounging in the sun knowing this would be the warmest weather we would see for awhile.Patrick and Katrina Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15438207071671209772noreply@blogger.com0