Southbound

On our way to NC we stopped at Brother Ryan's place in Washington, D.C. for a night. Abby had her first trip to the House of Representatives (well, the Cannon House Office Building where Congressman Heath Shuler holds office....hopefully for another term) where she was much more popular than a politician. She lobbied for pets and treats and drank water from a cut crystal Old Fashioned glass. Lucky dog.

The next day we drove to Asheville and arrived just in time to make Abby's appointment with the veterinarian there. She had a growth on her tailbone that rapidly and exponentially enlarged in a matter of a couple of months and was a source of constant worry for me, particularly while our vet in Albany was between clinics at the moment. Dr. Riggle did a thorough examination and aspiration of the growth. Abby was plied with spray cheese atop dog biscuits and then spent the next several days being spoiled and smothered by my dad while I drove east to visit friends.


My next stop was Apex, NC where I met the adorable and well-named Graham. He is the baby of my friend Ashley. The last time I "saw" Graham was when he was curled up in utero at Ashley's baby shower...just waiting to use all of those baby products he scored that day. While he didn't seem nearly as ecstatic to meet me as I was to meet him...we weathered the storm and eventually became buddies over biscuits and pancakes and Sophie the giraffe. Our friend Charlene came from Raleigh for some much needed girl time even though she had a million things going on that she could have been tending to. The girls surprised me with a little early birthday celebration with some decorations and lovely gifts.

From The Piedmont I headed to the coast to surprise my very pregnant friend (now just a little over 1 week 'til her due date!) with a visit while her family was together on a trip to the beach.  I knew that I wouldn't be able to make a trip to NC anytime soon once I started my fellowship, so I wanted to be sure to get some time with one of my favorite people before her life completely changed forever!  Somehow her family managed to keep my visit a secret and Kari was completely surprised when I showed up at the beach house.  It was truly amazing to see her with this pregnant belly and to hear her give people the "what for" when they try to stop her from going on with some of her superhuman ways.   It was so hard saying goodbye to her when I had to get back on the road a couple of days later...knowing that the next time I will see her she will be a mother.  These are the times that make me feel so far away from home.  The distance should be a little more tolerable with webcams.  Now at least I'll be able to see Baby Silas all the way from Albany.  I can't wait. 

As hard as it was, I got back in the car and headed west to meet my dad and Abby in Durham.  After lunch and another difficult goodbye, Abby and I headed up north toward home with an overnight stop in D.C.  The next day we made it all the way back to Albany, both of us ecstatic to see Ian.  What a trip.