Two Great Weeks!

On January 7, we left for a post holiday trip to the east coast. We flew to Raleigh, NC and rented a car and drove to Blacksburg, Virgina. While in Blacksburg we walked around the Virgina Tech campus, visited Mike's research lab, and Diane's employment.

Friday, even though the weather was 32 chilly degrees, we donned warm clothing and hiked four miles to McAfee's Knob. The trail to McAfee's Knob is part of the Appalachian trail, which is 2,000 miles long! Although there was a chill in the air, we had a great time. Koa is a great little hiker and protected us from any ferocious creature we may have passed along the way!

Monday morning we drove back to Raleigh as we eagerly anticipated a phone call from Elder Rose! Jeff received permission from the MTC to call when he arrived at the Salt Lake airport. It was great to talk to Jeff while he waited for his departing flight to Argentina. Jeff sounds very happy and is very excited for the opportunities that await him in the mission field.
We love you Jeff! You are setting a great example for us all.

While in Raleigh we stayed two and half days with Joan Harper. While Floyd worked, Joan and I visited, went shopping and attended the Raleigh temple. Before going to Joan's we drove by our former homes. The Leland trees next to our Pike Road home are enormous. and the vacant lots next to our home are no longer vacant!

Although the Research Triangle area is still very familiar, Raleigh has grown by leaps and bounds. Many once desolate areas have now been developed into housing and shopping areas.

Joan hosted an evening at her home for us to see as many of our former friends as were available. We were able to see Ruth and "Baby" George West, Jim and Kim Golden, Bob and Brenda Krallis, Nancy Ogarek, Jerry and Willie Burgeon, and Donald and Jan Gilreath. Although we have been gone from North Carolina for nine and a half years, the years melted away as we reminisced about the many memories of former days.

Wednesday evening we flew to Hartford, Connecticut and spent five days with Kristen, Shawn and Parker. The 32 degree temperatures we had in Blacksburg were a heat wave compared to the 15 degree temperatures in New Britain! Needless to say, we spent a lot of time inside! We visited a carousel museum, Chuckee Cheese's, and Imagine Nation (a children's activity center). Our time with Kristen and Shawn revolved around what would be fun for Parker. For playing with Parker was the highlight of our visit with Kristen and Shawn. He is so cute! Parker melted our hearts and warmed up to us very quickly.

Our visits with Mike, Diane, Kristen, Shawn and Parker was way too short and keeps us longing for our next visit.

After an eventful trip at the Raleigh airport we have returned home. Raleigh received five inches of snow during the night prior to our 8:00 am flight. If you remember, snow cripples Raleigh. Everything shuts down and store shelves are depleted. However after two failed attempts of sitting on the runway for 3 plus hours each, we arrived home safe and sound January 20 at midnight.