'Tis the season....

For 55 degree nights in December, dinner with great friends and Christmas carols with the Santa band.



Eric and I spent the weekend leading up to Christmas in Virginia Beach with his mom and sister. We got to have dinner with our dear friends Bryan and Meredith (and soon to be babygirl Lewis). We met them for dinner at Bravo Italian (http://www.bravoitalian.com/) which is located at the Virginia Beach Towne Center. We had a wonderful dinner filled with lots of conversation, laughter and my opportunity to give them the gifts I made for babygirl. We gave them the crocheted blanket that I made an a breast feeding reminder bracelet. They were both totally blown away by the thoughtfulness of the gifts and the fact that they were all hand crafted.

After we ate we headed outside and were greeted by this 4 man Santa band.



They filled the warm (but breezy) night air with sounds of Christmas. It was so fun listening to them play (and made me want to dance).

The court yard that we were in had all of these fun sculptures of reindeer. They were all shaped differently and some were holding shopping bags from various stores there.



It was such a good evening and one that I didn't want to end. It is so hard being a good distance away from those that you want to surround yourself with. Eric and I are blessed to have Bryan and Meredith as friends. I love the friendship that we have with them because it is more like being with family with them and that to me means so much.

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures." -- Kahil Gibran

Reflections on the Ohio Turnpike

** backdated entry **



I love how the sun breaks the clouds both in the early morning and during a storm. This is a shot of the sky and the traffic behind us along the Ohio turnpike. I've always seemed to have a love/hate relationship with the Ohio turnpike, but today I have a love for it as it is taking me home. Though our journeys this weekend will have some good times the purpose of our trip is to join my family in a celebration of my Uncle Tod's life. When we went to Michigan in September it was to visit with my Uncle who was battling cancer. Little did we know it would be our last time with him. On the morning we were to head home he passed away. So today we are on our way to be with my family and to have a memorial service for him and celebrate his life.


But before we get to Michigan we are making a pit stop in our new found spot for some serious railfanning, Deschler, Ohio. We'll be meeting my parents there for some train watching and who knows what else.

Can I just say that one thing I love about my parents (and one of the things I love that they taught me) is that it is never too cold to do anything. That's right my friends...we had a cookout in the park right along the tracks.



This park is for all railfans and you will find people camping and just hanging out at all hours of the day to catch some trains. It was windy and cold at times but it was so worth it. We built ourselves a perfect fire and it kept us very toasty.

We had some good train action and even caught some engines and trains from lines/companies we've never seen before. I think my favorite (behind Norfolk Southern and BNSF) is Union Pacific. I can't give you a real reason as to why they are one of my favorites but they just are. :) Here is a shot of 3 UP engines heading East through Deschler.



After a full day of train watching we headed towards Michigan to my parents to get ready for Saturday and my Uncle's memorial service.

"We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way." - unknown

Amish Country, train watching and some soft serve to go.

Shipshewana buggies September 2007
Originally uploaded by jobean98

We woke up early this morning and got a start on the day. Holy cow was it chilly. I was beginning to think I should have packed differently. :) We headed out to Indiana today - Shipshewana and Elkhart to be exact. The road took us first to Shipshewana were we stopped in at Bread Box Bakery & Cafe for some homemade goodies. Everything is so good and just like I remembered when we visited as kids. We strolled around town a bit and then piled back in the car to drive over to Elkhart and the New York Central Railroad Museum.



As soon as we pulled into the parking lot we saw a train sitting on the tracks and then realized that he was actually moving along at a snail's pace. We waited for it to go through and then headed into the musuem. This is a very good museum for families as they have some interactive areas for kids (of all ages) and a playroom with toys and train videos. After strolling through the museum we headed out to the train yard to take a look around.



Not to long after we got into the train yard a few more trains came rolling through for us to see. I always find it interesting to see the various graffeti on the train cars. Some will say that it is defacing someone's property, which yes it is, but I like artistic side of it and wish that those that did the defacing had a place where they could do it in a legal way to display their talents.

After awhile we headed to Middlebury, Indiana and Das Dutch Essenhause for an Amish style family dinner. This is very similar to the Bavarian Inn or Zehender's in Frankenmuth (for you Michigan folk). the food was so good and well worth the trip. After we filled our bellies with some seriously delicious and homemade goodness we headed back towards home.

On our way back through Jonesville, Michigan we stopped in to the Udder Side for some soft serve ice cream which I think is hands down the best I've ever had.



Stay tuned as we take on Ohio.

"One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." –- Henry Miller

Home again.

Chick Inn
Originally uploaded by jobean98

Nothing says home like a trip to a Michigan classic, the Chick-Inn Drive-In in Ypsilanti (Ypsi for you locals). This has to be by far one of the best drive-in restaurants around. We stopped in to eat after my parents picked us up from the airport. Yes, sometimes the road best traveled is by air so technically it is the air best traveled. ;) We had a good flight back to the mitten state and will full stomachs we headed to my parents to rest up for the travels ahead.

Check out the prices on the menu!!!!



You can't beat those prices. Let me tell you.

Stay tuned as more trips from Michigan are to follow.

Pere Marquette 11

Pere Marquette 11
Originally uploaded by jobean98

Alllllllllllllll Aboard!!!!!!!!

We headed out today with no real destination in mind. We headed up 495 to 270 and then got off on some state highway in Maryland. Ventured through the countryside and wound up in Baltimore. We made a stop at the visitors center which is right at Inner Harbor. We picked up some brochures on things to possibly do and then strolled along the harbor and back to our car. We punched in the address for the B&O Railroad Museum and made the 5 minute drive over there. We pulled in and were welcomed by engines and train cars. We found some parking and then entered the museum. We had a coupon for buy 1, get 1 free which was very helpful.

We strolled through the different exhibits and out into the roundhouse where we looked at engines and train cars from the stage coach era to modern time. We walked out into the train yard and into another building that houses the largest and most powerful engine ever built. That thing was HUGE!

We had a great time there and ended the day with a train ride on the first set of commercial tracks ever laid. Very cool.

We took US-40 home through Frederick, Maryland and then down US-340 and US-15 to Leesburg.

A lot of miles were covered and a lot of neat places were explored.

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

I say potatoe you say potato

Summer in PA 013
Originally uploaded by jobean98

Ahhh...what a beautiful day to get out on the open road. It's been awhile since we've hit the road and what better day than today to get out there and cruise the countryside. We headed up US-15 towards the Keystone State (Pennsylvania for those of you not down with the state nicknames). We cruised past Gettysburg and then pulled off onto a state route shortly after. We wound around the curves and dipped up and down the hills with no real destination in mind though the signs kept leading us towards Hanover. No matter which way we turned the road would always lead us back to a sign that said Hanover x miles ahead. We gave in and slowly made our way there. As we cruised around Hanover we slowly came across a sign that looked ever so familiar. Utz Potato Chip Co. Could it be?!? Is it??? Why yes, yes it is. It is home to Utz Potato Chips which offers daily tours (week days only). We were bummed that we wouldn't be able to take a factory tour that day but did hit up the factory store to see what goodies they had. We picked up a couple bags of chips that we know we liked and then small bags of some we weren't sure about but looked good. One of those being gucamole chips. Wow were they good.

We left Hanover and drove by the same Mc Donald's about 3 times (Big Ben...Parliment) before we got on the right path. We headed out PA-94 and came across a mileage sign that said Baltimore 40 miles. We thought we would make a trip there but couldn't figure out exactly how to get there (aside from the not so obvious road signs). So we headed down 70 to 29 and then down through our Nation's Capital.

We ended our evening on our balcony with some wine, beer and some great conversation.

Explore the back country....you never know where you'll end up

Let Freedom Ring...and have a bbq too.

fireworks
Originally uploaded by jobean98

Happy 4th of July to all our loved ones out there!

While normally we would take advantage of a day off to hit the road we've decided to stay close to home this 4th of July. Partly due to the fact that we have to go back to work tomorrow.

We hope that you all are having a safe, relaxing and ejoyable 4th wherever you may be.

Throw some dogs on the grill for us and toast one to those fighting for our continued freedom!