Obama...hello...I'm here!

We made it to DC today and I'm very pleased to say, we made it without any mechanical issues. Ol' Betsey got us through very solidly and even managed the Skyline Drive through Virginia and the Blue Ridge moutains. To say it was a beautiful ride doesn't do it justice....

Unfortunately we said goodbye to everyone in WV today. Boy, what a trip it was. It was awesome to see so many family members that we haven't seen in ages and to also catch up with the aunts and uncles and cousins. Being with my dad's siblings is just like being with my dad. I swear - when I sit down to a meal with them it is like I'm sitting across from my dad. I hadn't expected this...but it was so nice, makes me miss dad all that much more, but reminds me of what a great dad, brother and uncle he was. Sixty eight years were not nearly enough dad, but they were a great 68 years. Tomorrow would be mom and dad's 45th anniversary - Happiest Memories to you mom! Oh, and mom - we heard some great stories that you'll need to share your side of the story with us - specifically when Gram and Gramp went to WV to meet the Hindman's - something about Tom, Patricia and a butcher knife...or maybe a New Year's Eve and a black-eye or two.


Thanks to everyone in WV for welcoming us - and for making time to see us and to drive us around the state seeing so many great sites! On Wednesday we drove from St. Albans to Princeton (from Uncle Tom's to Aunt Martha's) - Mel, Maggie and I drove down with Aunt Trish - she apparently doesn't adhere to speed limits and the bigger and curvier the moutain, all the better! I shut my eyes for two seconds and when I opened them, we were in a total down pour - you couldn't see the car in front of you, next to you - the guardrail or the moutain - and there she is humming and driving along like it was sunny and clear and we were on a straight, flat road - not a winding moutain road. If you know Aunt Trish - this won't come as a surprise, right? She is a ton of fun to be with - I'm so glad she took the week and spent it running around the state with us. John and Jack took the RV and followed Uncle Tom and Aunt Diann in his little sports car (don't call it a midlife crisis car - I think he might be sensitive about that...oh, sorry, Uncle Tom, did you just read that???) hehehehe...I'm just busting him and he knows it.

We got to Aunt Martha and Uncle Bill's in mid-afternoon on Wednesday and the boys followed not far behind. And in a matter of hours we got to see EVERYONE - Rob, Jeannie and their three boys (Timothy, Max and Evan), Bev, KD and Shane and that beautiful baby girl Avery, and then Jeremy and Christina came over with the latest addition to Brown/Flanigan family - Jacob, who was just one week old. And his older brother, Joseph - well he was a hoot! He had us laughing all night. And the spread - well, let's just say, we were treated to more southern hospitality....between all the family meals we'd had all week, we certainly don't want to start cooking again!


Cousin Rob brought fireworks and while fireworks may be legal in WV - these might not have been up to regulations - but the kids loved, loved, loved them.

On Thursday morning - we piled into three cars and headed to the Greenbrier. Let's just say it is one of those old Southern (almost plantation style) resorts- but under the Greenbrier lurks the government bunker that stood at the ready for over 30 years during the cold war (and many years thereafter). It wasn't blast proof, but could protect from chemical attacks. It was equipped to serve 1000 people for 60 days. And while this bunker never had to be used, it was stocked and staffed year round for a few decades. It was to be the secret hiding spot for the president and congress should they come under attack. It is actually a fascinating story....the resort existed, then the government proposed building this bunker and paying for and constructing a whole new wing of the resort to go over the bunker and keep it hidden and secret. That worked well until the early 90's when someone published a detailed article about the bunker and government agreed to stop staffing it since the cold war was long over.....



It was really great - great tour, great story and of course, we had great company! Afterwards we had a nice picnic on the grounds of the Greenbrier - another great meal with great company. Oh, and I forgot to say - the resort itself is awesome - huge, fancy sitting rooms, decorated like the mansions in newport, with better colors schemes. There is a huge hallway with many exclusive stores and I hear staying there will set you back a pretty penny. On the ride back, with cousin Bev in the lead, we went to this great covered bridge and got out to take photos and stretch our legs.



When we got back to Aunt Martha's - she had homemade sauce and meatballs waiting for us! It was sooooo.... good - everyone ate it right up. I got the kids settled in by 10pm while John spent a little more time with Uncle Tom and Uncle Bill. This morning, we got up the earliest yet and got ready for the treck and went out to Bob Evan's for our last meal with everyone. Of course, Bob Evans never disappoints, but the goodbyes were very hard. I just wish we all lived closer - but I'm just so glad we got the time we did....and I hope we all get together again soon.



Thank you for being such great hosts and such great family! We love you and miss you already.

Oh, Barack...I'm here...give me a buzz and we'll pick a good time to meet up.....