Day 19-20, Mammoth Caves National Park – March 12th-13th, 2011

Jeep Mileage: 270345 km

We checked out the short hikes available in the Mammoth Caves National Park and picked up our tickets for the 6.5 hour wild cave tour that we had booked for the next day. We spent the evening camping in the park, and enjoying the early spring weather we had. We spent Saturday night, around the camp fire reading, and updating our blogs, sorting photos and planning the next legs our journey. I thought about most of my friends back in Greenville, which were out enjoying the pub crawl. Part of me wanted to be back there with them, but I know deep down this trip is something I need in my life.

This would be only the 2nd time I had ever been caving, the first was in Budapest in 2009. This would be Rose’s first experience with caving so we were both very excited. We arrived and suited up in our coveralls, helmets, and headlamps. The guides took us on a 6.5 hr adventure called the Wild cave tour. We crawled, climbed and squeezed through some pretty tight spots. In fact a couple places we could only squeeze through by lying flat on our bellies, turning our head sideways and then pulling ourselves through with our arms. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun.

After a quick shower we got on the road late and headed for Memphis. We had a couch surf lined up there for the night.


Full album:  Day 19-20

Day 17-18, Nashville, TN

Jeep Mileage:  270475 km

Leaving Greenville, I headed for Asheville, NC to pick up Rose. She had been staying with a couch surfing friend. After much deliberation, we decided only to drive through the Smoke Mountain National Park and not stop and camp for 2 days, as we had originally planned. The weather forecast was for heavy rains, and possible flood warnings and snow, not exactly ideal camping weather. So we merely drove through the park on our way to Nashville.


We arrived in Nashville in time for dinner and met our Couch surfing host Todd. He is a semi professional photographer that lived in a small cottage, with a loft in east Nashville. He was very interested in Portland, as he is planning to make it his next home some, he and rose had a lot to talk about. I was battling a bit of a cold, so I took it easy.

The next day Rose and I got up early and ventured into the city for some sightseeing. We headed straight for Centennial Park and the Parthenon. The morning light and the blue skies made for some great photographs, next we walked over to music row, and then back downtown for some lunch and to check out all of the touristy music bars. Later we went to the State Museum, and finally the state capitol building before heading back to our hosts place for nap. In the evening we hit a local bar/restaurant with Todd for dinner, then Rose proceeded to school me on the great art of foosball. Final scores were 5-1, 5-0, 5-2, and 5-2. Rose won all of them. I am hoping over the next few months I can improve, otherwise she may grow bored of even playing me.

The next day we took advantage of the nice weather (high’s of 68F), and carefully repacked the car, while searching for my Iron Ring which I had lost a few days earlier. Unfortunately it did not come up but I am hoping it will turn up in the next few days, we’ll see. Once all packed up we headed for Mammoth Caves, Kentucky.

link to Photo Album:  Day 17

Day 16 - Greenville, SC

Jeep Odometer:  269 547 km

Upon arriving in Greenville, SC I went straight to the hospital for a CT scan. Doctor Frazier reviewed the results and determined the cyst was growing on the end of the mastoid. He told me that he did not feel he was experienced enough to work on it. He said the risk was permanent damage to my facial nerve, which would mean I would look like a stroke victim for the rest of my life. We discussed my options, and he knew I was travelling for some time so he agreed to help me find a doctor in Colorado that could work on me while I was there.

I spent the evening catching up with friends at Happy Hour and dinner afterwards at Nose Dive. Although I had been gone for only 2 weeks it was great to see so many familiar faces again. I know this is probably the last time I may see some of them ever, or least for a long time. I will miss the friends that I have made, and hope that our friendships can span the distances between us. I also hope that many of them will make an effort to join me at some point, even if it’s only for a few days of camping in California, or sightseeing in a the city, it would be great to see them again.

FTF Day 14-15 Fredricksburg, VA to Boone, NC

Monday we drove 400 miles from Fredericksburg, VA to Boone, NC.  We had stayed with Rose’s friend Tamika in Fredericksburg and were heading to Boone to stay with another friend, Kelly for 2 nights.  Along the way we tried to drive along skyline drive through Shenandoah National Park, but it was closed due to a recent snowfall.  Later we stopped at the famous Foamhenge, a life size replica of Stonehenge, made from Styrofoam.  Complete with a wizard to demonstrate one theory as to how it was made. 

Once in North Carolina we drove the last 80 miles of the Blueridge parkway, this is where Rose took her first turn at driving the Jeep, she did well and I got a chance for a short nap.  The weather was clear and cool great for driving.  When we arrived we headed out for dinner, drinks and trivia at a local Pub with Kelly and some of her friends.  The next day we headed out for a short 4 mile hike to the top of the 5520’ Elk Knob near Boone.  Tomorrow I will drive Rose to visit a friend in Asheville while I head back to Greenville, SC for minor surgery on my ear to remove a cyst.

Complete Album:  FTF Day 14-15

FTF Day 13 - Washington DC

Rose and I spent the day touring the City with our host Tiffany.  We visited the National Gallery, Chinatown, the Jefferson Memorial and the Air space Museum.  We knew one day was not enough to take in everything in the city but unfortunately our schedule would only allow for one day.  Luckily I had visited DC about 4 or 5 years ago and got to take in most of the city then.  So despite the rain, I felt we made the most of the day.

Complete Album:  FTF Day 13 - Washington DC

FTF Day 7-12 - New York City!

I was excited to visit New York City again, this trip was my 3rd trip to the big apple. The last time was briefly in 2009 for Halloween, and then in 2008 for the marathon. I had a list of museums and sights I was hoping to squeeze, as well as a number of friends to catch up with.


Arriving by bus in NYC from New Jersey I made my way to Rose’s parent’s place, to meet with her and finalize some trip plans, and catch up since I had not seen her since November 2010. Since the weather was cold and rainy we got a lot accomplished. Monday night I headed to my friend Keith’s place where I would be staying for the week. He lives on the Upper east side of the city and has a great apartment overlooking the 59th Street bridge. I spent the next 4 days taking in the sites during the day and spending my evenings out with friends. I was lucky enough to catch up with Keith quite a bit, met some of his friends and went for a very fast run with him through Central Park. I also visited Rick and Gabrielle, my close university friends and met there adorable son max for the first time. Unfortunately he went to bed before I had a chance to get a photograph, so you’ll have to take my word for it.


The photos will give more detail, here’s a quick list of what I saw and did:


• Williamsburg
• Chinatown
• Little Italy
• SOHO
• Greenwich Village
• MoMA (Modern Museum of Art)
• The Natural History Museum
• The NYFD Museum
• Central Park (ran there several times)
• New York City Public Library
• The Soup Man (inspiration for the Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi)
• Washington Square Park
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Friday night Rose had a party to say goodbye to New York, friends and family from Connecticut, Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York attended. Mrs. Grech fed us all very well, and the night was a big success. This was a perfect end to another great visit to NYC. I did not find the time to enjoy too much nightlife, but made the most of my days and evenings.


Complete Album: FTF Day 7-12

Day 4-6

Jeep Odometer


Day 4 = 267028 km
Day 5 = 267298 km
Day 6 = 267388 km

I drove from Richmond to Luray, VA to meet with 14 friends from Greenville, for a weekend of fun.  Along the way I managed to drive about a 40 mile portion of skyline drive through Shenandoah National Park.  The drive was spectacular, with a series of overlooks and one breathtaking view of the Shenandoah Valley.  The valley is made by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and just west is the Alleghany Mountain range.  I met with the group at Luray Caverns, one of the largest cavern systems in the eastern United States.  The guided tour takes you along a lit path that is over 1 mile long.  It includes an organ someone built in the caverns that works by tapping different stalactites and stalagmites with a series of solenoids. Each ‘pipe’ resonates with a different sound creating a musical tone.

In the evenings we cooked, ate, enjoyed the hot tub and a few beverages.  Saturday morning some of the brave souls got up early to ski at the nearby Massanutten ski resort.  Others went off hiking for the day.  Everyone had a great time and celebrations continued into the evening Saturday night.  This was a great way to kick off my trip

Sunday we parted ways, everyone else went back to Greenville, while I drove on to Bloomingdale New Jersey.  I had dinner with Tom Mirabelli’s Parents, and spent the evening there.  They were great hosts and it was nice to have a sit down dinner with them and Tom’s grandmother.  A true New Jersey family experience, full of “forget about it” and all the proper lingo.   They were also kind enough to let me leave my Jeep in their driveway for the week while I visited NYC.

Full Albums for each Day:
FTF Day 4
FTF Day 5
FTF Day 6