Finale, Conclusion, The End...

So I apologize for the lack of posts this last month. I just couldn't bring myself to write anything because it was always going to be "the last time we _________...." It was simply too depressing. I've been told that I have to post one last time - so here I am writing from my family's kitchen table back in Illinois.

Our last month in North Carolina involved some pretty exciting times, but most notably:

My sister's wedding at our family's pond. (My brother and his fiancee are on the right side of the picture).

The purchase of our new (yet-to-be-finished) house in Washington, IL.

The graduation roast (where Dr. Thornton is hilariously making fun of Chris' country ways and social skills that everyone thinks will translate into the political world someday).

The graduation ceremony

The parents' rooftop farewell post-packing (from two-bedroom apartment to trailer in less than 3 hours!)

My final (and very sad) goodbye to our building

And... a trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville on our way home (via my sister's new home in Corbin, KY.)

Our Nights in Rodanthe (and Other Outer Banks Locations)

Whether or not you're a fan of Nicholas Sparks' novels (hence the post title), you've surely heard of the Outer Banks, probably most fabled for the "wild ponies" that roam there. Luckily, we were informed well in advance that the horses were now in fenced pastures (thanks, Kate - that saved Chris a great deal of disappointment), but it was still cool to learn that genetically these horses are different from horses seen in everyday America (something about an extra sixth lumbar vertebrae).

Chris and I decided to spend a week camping along this "mile wide and a hundred miles long" set of barrier islands on North Carolina's eastern shore. By the grace of God, we had reserved a cabin at the first place we were staying (thinking it would be late when we arrived Sunday night and wouldn't want to set up a tent.) Little did we know that it was going to be pouring buckets and gusting 40 mph!

The weather conditions required a slight change of plans for the start of our week, but it actually worked out really well. We spent the first day gathering info/formulating a plan, touring the "Graveside of the Atlantic" museum (lots of lighthouse/shipwreck displays), and driving the truck on the beach.







Chris thought it was unnecessary to follow the posted signs and explicit written instructions in every Outer Banks guidebook to lower the air pressure in your tires to 20psi - and when we got stuck, boy, was I not a happy camper! We ate our picnic lunch while he squirmed in his seat trying to figure out what we were going to do....luckily, the solution was as simple as PUTTING THE TRUCK IN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE!

We had our first (and only) dinner out at the Breakwater Restaurant - seafood bisque, steamed seafood appetizer plate, seafood stew, and seafood al greco. Mmmmm!




On Tuesday, we took the 40-minute ferry ride over to Ocracoke Island (where the infamous ponies live). Touring the whole village on bike, we saw the lighthouse, hiked a nature trail, bought a book on the legends of the Outer Banks, stopped off for some peel-n-eat shrimp at a happy hour, and only had one heart-sinking moment when we realized Chris had lost his wallet! Fortunately, it had fallen out while we were sipping our drinks on the porch at the coffeehouse and some kind person had turned it in - BIG THANKS to that anonymous soul! (Still a little cold and rainy - hence the hood - and even though you can't tell from this picture - the green, full-body rain suit I'm wearing!)



The next day we traveled up Cape Hatteras National Seashore to the famous swirled-patterned lighthouse. The most remarkable thing about this beaconing building is that it was picked up off the ground and moved nearly 3000 feet over 23 days because it had become too close to the actual shoreline. During our adventure to climb to the top of this lighthouse, we had a humbling example of "bad luck." The balcony at the top was closed due to high winds when initially went to purchase our tickets, but they said that it was made on an hour-by-hour basis and could change anytime. We toured through the museum, watched the video on the move, ate our lunch and then went to check back. Still closed. We bought our tickets climbed to the top and peeked our head out the door (but couldn't actually walk out and around the top.) As we were walking back from the old sight, what do you know? There were people circling the top deck! It was opened! If only we had gone to the old site first...



Later that afternoon, we arrived at our tent-camping site and set up shop - at the BEST site they had (because it was the only one with its own firepit!) Seriously, that was our view from our front door! Beautiful!



Stopped by the third (and final) lighthouse of the tour, Bodie Island Lighthouse, and got to hear some great stories from one of the volunteers - who happened to LIVE there in the 1920's because his dad was the lighthouse keeper! (Yes, he was 94!)








Our day in Kitty Hawk/Kill Devil Hills with the history of flight was absolutely fantastic! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.























That evening was topped off with a sunset from Jockey's Ridge State Park, which contains the largest sand dune in North America and the only hang gliding school in the country as well. It's really NOTHING but sand! Pre-sunset = ate a mango; Post-sunset = Chris jumped off the edge of the dune with a blanket over his shoulders (at some strangers' encouragement to "Fly, Batman!" - but in all honesty, he really was planning on jumping/somersaulting/flailing/etc. before they even said anything.)

We spent two days just chilling at the beach and riding our bikes around Rodanthe. Got some great ice cream; Scoped out the beach house used in the post-titled Richard Gere/Diane Lane movie; Practiced my BodyFlow class (yoga/Pilates/tai chi) on the beach (and naturally got some really weird looks).

Our last day was spent checking out one of "history's biggest mysteries" - the Lost Colonists at Roanoke Island. VERY interesting - especially because I get to teach about that part of America's past in Social Studies. There's a great interactive, hands-on park and the longest-running outdoor drama (since 1937), which unfortunately didn't start performances until after Memorial Day.



And - just for crazy fun - a squirrel who we saw running around with a sippy cup in his mouth!






Here we are at the end of our trip... a little sunburned, and a little tired, but very pleased with the week.

One more ironic story: Before we embarked on our five-hour drive home, I had commented that I could use a Diet Dr. Pepper. On our way home, we got stuck in this huge traffic back-up due to a bridge accident. Chris suggested to the kids who were standing by their homes that they should set up a lemonade stand....After checking with a couple neighbors and only coming up with sugar, what do you know, they came walking back with a 2-liter of Diet Dr. Pepper! God is awesome!

Anyway - that's the story. That's the trip. Two more trips very soon ... one back to Illinois for a wedding (and hopefully to find a house) and then back to Illinois for good. See you soon!

Spring Festivals and Friends

While we unfortunately don't have any great photos to share, this weekend was spent partaking in some fantastic Winston-Salem festivals and hanging out with friends. Friday night started with the Celtic Festival and Highland Games held at Bethabara Park. Chris was completely bummed that they didn't start the competitive athletic events until Saturday morning. I know he was tempted to try throwing one of the huge cabers (telephone-pole-looking items) that were on the field for the next morning. It was a perfect evening to sit on a blanket at the park with a group of friends and listen to the Celtic band. However, when the "Irish dancers" (who were more like little old ladies square dancing) came on, we decided to find the Irish mood with some fish and chips (and Guiness for some) at good old Finnegan's Wake.

Then, Saturday afternoon was the Salute! North Carolina Wine Festival. Thirty-two wineries from the state set up tents up and down the streets of downtown for an afternoon of absolute fun! I have some new favorites for sure - including this amazing Dark Shadow that tastes like chocolate and Sandy Cross, this great organic muscadine wine. Good thing Illinois doesn't have a ban against shipping alcohol across their state lines!

We missed the post-party fun because we had been invited to the North Davidson High School athletic banquet (the high school that Chris covered in the fall for football). He became quite close with one of the families after sewing up their son's face in the locker room one night, so it was heart-warming to find a framed photo of the player including a needle addressed to "Dr. Stitch" waiting for us at our table. While it was a rather long five-hour affair (as it was for ALL of the sports), it was worth the wait to find out that this particular player won MVP of both basketball and football, and was named the school's Athlete of the Year. And, as another interesting side note, their girls' softball team is ranked in the USA Today's Top 25 teams!

We finished the night off with a quick stop at the wedding reception on the roof for some friends who live here, and then enjoyed a much-needed good night's sleep.

On Sunday, Chris and Suzi played tennis while I lounged on the side of the court planning our trip to the Outer Banks next week. And, then we spent the rest of the afternoon at the W-S Dash's, (the minor league baseball team here) doubleheader. (Their mascot is "Bolt, the Bleacher Creature"...there's not much you can do with a dash - ....) Disappointingly their new, multi-million dollar stadium, which was supposed to be ready for the opening pitch of this season, is being stalled by the ugly divorce dealings of one of the co-owners apparently. Still fun, just back at their old stadium (which they had already sold to Wake Forest - I bet it's not fun paying rent back for something you used to own...)

Anyway - pray for good weather as we are camping all along the Outer Banks this next week! If it keeps raining like this, it may make for some interesting sleeping arrangements I'm afraid!

Sports Medicine Conference in Tampa Bay

I accompanied Chris to his sports medicine conference in Tampa Bay last week. Most of my days were spent lounging by the pool at our hotel (but if I'm really honest, I spent entirely too much time online looking at homes to buy in Illinois.) In addition to the academic learning that took place, we got to network with a lot of great people and have some fun as well.

Chris and Suzi's team dominated the fellow's quiz bowl, which was entertaining to watch as a spectator; we went to the aquarium one night for a reception (and saw the coolest leafed sea dragons, ever!); we went to Clearwater Beach - and had one of the worst sunscreen application performances ever - oops!; we ate at one of the oldest restaurants in Florida that had a Spanish/Cuban influence, complete with flamenco dancers; and ran a 5K with a running club sponsored by the Four Green Fields Irish pub (which Suzi said was the most authentic pub she's ever been to in the U.S. - which says a lot!)

A very entertaining, yet relaxing (at least for me) week!

Easter Weekend

How appropriate that my college roommate was here for Easter weekend (since she came with me to Piper City almost every year for the holiday as well!) I was so excited that Jenn and her friend, Anna, were able to swing through Winston-Salem on their road trip from New York to Charleston! They got to see several of the downtown bars as we celebrated a friend from our building's birthday - and I even broke out my dancing shoes for the occasion!

I did make Jenn work a little on Saturday though because I was in charge of picking up all of the flowers for the "awakening of the cross" on Easter Sunday. Thankfully Jenn's sister worked as a florist for awhile and we were able to call her when we weren't sure what to do with all of them when they didn't fit in the refrigerators at church! In case you're ever in the same predicament, food (especially fresh fruit and veggies) will kill flowers so a bucket of water and a cool, dark room will suffice if you run out of empty refrigerators. As Stephanie assured us they would, the flowers still looked fine the next day (and I didn't lose my job.)


My coworker took some pictures - most were of the different stages of the cross being filled with flower, but there was (ironically only) one posed photo of a family (who happens to be friends of theirs). Does the guy look familiar to anyone? One Tree Hill fans? He's the actor who plays the semi-pro basketball coach that Nathan plays for now on the show! And he goes to my church! How crazy is that?


After Jenn and Anna left, Chris and I rode our bikes out to the baseball stadium and watched a great game in practically perfect weather. Then after a quick shower, we went up to Suzi's place for a "traditional Irish" meal of "bangers and mash" - which is (at least in this case) a bratwurst on top of mashed potatoes covered in peas and grape tomatoes.

A little different from Easters of the past - I was totally bummed by the lack of competitive family egg and basket hunting... (I had planned on hiding the endangered species chocolate bars I bought for everyone, but Jenn was sleeping on the couch in the living room, so it didn't work out...) but as usual - a great day nonetheless.


By the way, now that I've entered the facebook world, I've noticed I've been neglecting my blog. So much social networking to do, so little time. (Chris' new theory is that facebook is the root cause for the demise of our economy - it's complete with statistical analyses of time/productivity/etc.) Anyway, we have less than two months left here (if you take out weeks of vacation where we're gone...)! So sad!

Marathon Success

Five years ago I ran the Green Bay Marathon in a (somewhat) disappointing 4 hours and 41 minutes. I mean, it was exciting to run around the inside of Lambeau Field, and I was pleased that I crossed the finish line, where I was then greeted by cheese, bratwursts, and beer (all seemingly disgusting at that point), but I definitely "hit the wall" around mile 21 and had to walk awhile. That total time divided out over 26.2 miles makes for a 10 min-44sec per mile pace. I've always had that little urge to try just one more time because I thought I could do better - and this year provided me with the perfect opportunity to have the time to train to do just that.

Back in September, I found this quaint marathon online with great reviews in Abingdon, VA. (And by quaint, I mean trail course in backwoods Appalachia that caps at the first 100 people registered.) It is advertised as a "low-frills" event - no timing chips, no medals, not even a T-shirt (but you do get a handy paperweight instead) - all for the "low-frills" price of $10!!!!!! That's right, it's not missing a zero, the cost for the marathon was $10! For those of you not familiar with marathon prices, that is unheard of! Most cost $75-100!

Not only that, but they also have a pretty sweet deal with the Days Inn so that "packet pickup" is when you check in, and you get a 4:00 check out the next day. Granted, the hotel is ...well... let's just say less than "low-frills" (aka old and run-down), but I guess it sleeps and you get a hot post-race shower in the privacy of your own room. They even think to put you in a first floor room so you don't have to climb the stairs afterwards. (However - our room had two twin beds and first floor rooms honestly freak me out a little - easy access for perpetrators and what not...paranoid, I know!) So anyway, I did manage the stairs - albeit ungracefully!

Abingdon is a cute, historic town with attractions such as the Barter Theater and the Martha Washington Inn. We had a fantastic pre-race meal at Withers Hardware Restaurant the night before. It had a great atmosphere (as it really was once a hardward store), and a great menu - so I was utterly sad when the host said we were the only people with reservations for that evening. (I guess it's just the bad economy...)

The marathon is run on the Virginia Creeper Trail, an old railroad bed that winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RACE ever! If you're afraid of heights or bridges though, this is not the best option as you run over 9 different wooden trestles (that are nowhere near the ground) as you cross valleys and rivers throughout the countryside. (Check out these pics!)

The trail runs alongside pastures of horses and cows and between these great moss-covered rock formations...It's unreal! And you don't have to take my word for it, you can read the reviews from past runners as well if you're interested in more.

It's been raining here so much this week that I contemplated wearing my old shoes with the fear that I would have to throw away whatever I wore after the race was over. (Fortunately, that was not the case!) The weather was definitely less than ideal: temperatures in the 40's and wind speeds in the 16-20 mph range. Luckily, several portions of the trail were protected by those aforementioned rock formations, mountains, and trees, so it wasn't horrible the entire way.

Running in the mountains, you would have thought that perhaps elevation changes would be a factor as well, but honestly, I found them to not be an issue at all. My training runs here in Winston-Salem involved several 3-4% grade changes and one major 6% grade hill that was killer. (Data which was garnered from one of my favorite websites ever: http://www.mapmyrun.com/. It's an absolute must if you are a runner, biker, or hiker). I would have been happy with anything faster than 4 hours and 20 minutes (a 10-min pace), but my high goal was as close to 4 hours flat as I could get.

I started out fast (which for me is ~8-minutes/mile) - I know that's anti-runner advice; they always say to start out slow. But my logic is that I'd rather get a cushion of time faster than my goal so that I have some room to work with because no matter what, I'm going to get slower eventually (and my tiny bladder means I have to stop at least once to pee). I was at 1 hr 52 min at the halfway point, but I knew the infamous "wall" would hit me at some point in the next half. Miles 17-21 I ran close to 10 minutes per mile, and I was definitely getting loopy (or grouchy if you ask Chris) but I didn't ever feel the moment where I couldn't go on.

The course is laid out so that you cross over the start/finish line four times before you finish on the fifth time through (down and back, left and back, right and back, left and back, and then a really short right and back for the finish). That frustrates some people; but some people (including me) like it because you can really think about the run in sections). This also makes it handy for spectators to see you at different points on the course. Chris was able to see me at the line all of those times plus was able to drive to one of the turnarounds as well. At mile 18, he decided to join me for miles 18-25. I was thankful for his company and pace to urge me on, but I was in no mood for conversation and (bluntly) told him so (hence the grouchy comment by me).

Thankfully miles 22-25 were part of the slight downhill portion, so pyschologically, I felt more confident in my ability to pick the pace back up. The very last 1.2 miles involved a really windy section, which made it tough to breathe (especially because one of the cabins on the side of the trail had a fire going). But I had a pretty respectable kick at the end and finished at 3 hours 55 minutes 43 seconds (My cameraman was a second slow...). Which calculates to a 8 min/59.89 sec pace (I say no need to round to the nearest whole number in this case!) YEA! YEA! YEA! Sure, this is a really small race, but it's still fun to be able to say that I finished 2nd in my age group, 6th out of all of the women, and 28th overall!

Post-race is not pretty sometimes... but those shiny, aluminum foil blankets are the best! (My new favorite warmer-upper - I'm thinking about keeping it... )

I've always said that I wanted to try - "just one more time" - to see if I could I could do better than that Green Bay time. And honestly, I am very happy to never run another full marathon again. (And I say that with great certainty a mere eight hours post-race...) I guess there's a chance that might change someday, but I really do think I'll be quite happy to run every half marathon in the country instead - Rock-n-Roll Half in Virginia Beach September 6 anyone?