Highlights were a tasty dinner at an English Pub and a visit to the Carolina Raptor Center where their main job is to treat injured birds. They also have a large educational program for area schools.
Sunday featured a get-together with my nephew, his wife, and his family. Their three girls have grown quite a bit since we last saw them.
On Monday we set off for Greer, SC to spend some time with an old friend Tom Kent.
We go way back with Tom who came to Monmouth to work on an engineering project and met and married Anna Marie Davison, one of our college librarians. Some years later, Tom was assigned to a large water project in Egypt and we were able to visit them and do the big Nile Cruise experience. Anna Marie passed away some years later, but we have kept up our friendship with Tom and his new wife Katie. Again it had been three years since we had seen them and our two days there were filled with all sorts of re-living old times as well as discussions of the new political world.
Back on the road again Thursday morning. Sunshine and clear views made the scenic drive through the Blue Ridge on I 40 a true delight.
Wednesday night saw us settled in at a motel in Shelbyville, IN. We were lucky to have a tasty dinner at an Italian restaurant within walking distance. We both took boxes back to the motel to deposit in our cooler.
We were up and at em Thursday morning for the short three hour drive to Urbana, IL to visit George Waltershausen and his wife Cindy. They have just recently moved there from La Crosse, WI to be nearer to their daughter Peggy and her family.
It just happened to be George's birthday so afternoon cocktails were followed by a visit to a nearby eatery for a lovely meal. Friday morning saw us continuing to eat well with a visit to a renown Urbana bakery. The Walterhausens had Omelets; I had an Almond Croissant and Jan a Blueberry Lemon Scone. We washed down our sinful sweeties with Cappuccinos.
Then it was off for the last three hour trip back to Monmouth. Thanks again to all our hosts. And right along with Rick Steves we urge readers the world over to "keep on traveling."
