Damion left for work out of town the last Monday of July. He was headed for a project in New York City, but along the way, he stopped off to work in Atlanta and Baltimore (a day or two for each one), then landed in the city. I say 'landed,' but they drove, of course. He and his co-worker, John, were able to break up the trip with these other job stops, so that was a good thing. Being in the car for 1,500+ miles is a daunting task, huh? Keep reading...
Along the way, the guys detoured over to Washington DC since Damion had never seen it:
And then... on to NYC.
After he was settled in to the apartment and into a normal schedule for work, I loaded up my car, and headed off to join him! My Mother-In-Law and Grandmother-In-Law joined me for the car ride up! I am SO thankful for that! It is a LONG way from deep Southwest Louisiana to New York City. We made a few stops along the way, but only for brief rest and food. We did sleep one night in Conyers, Georgia at a little hotel, but we made the trip in two days. We arrived in the city around 10 p.m. on a Friday night. Thankfully, since I was going to be staying with Damion at his apartment, we were able to find a hotel room at a decent price just a couple of blocks away for the ladies to stay in. He met me there when we arrived and helped get them settled in, then rode with me back around the block to his apartment. If you've ever traveled to NYC, I'm sure it's crossed your mind that you would never think to own a car or drive there. You're not completely unreasonable in thinking that... but, thankfully, I didn't have any major trouble. In fact, in a very short few minutes, we were able to find a little 1/2 block one-way street about two blocks from his apartment (right in the center of Little Italy!) that had no parking restrictions! And there was an open spot! So, we snuggled right in against the curb and left my car there. :o) We walked back to his place and pretty much immediately crashed for the night. He had to go to work early the next day, and I was exhausted from driving.
His mom and grandmother were able to stay a few days in the city before heading back to Louisiana by train. You'll have to ask them about their fun adventure! I'm pretty jealous that they got to take a journey like that! :o) How fun!
I was able to stay a couple of extra days there with him, and then I headed down to North Carolina. My family had planned a beach vacation for the week in mid-August. So, back to the pavement I went. I took this shot as I was driving down the mountain into North Carolina. So pretty! (I know I shouldn't have taken a photo while driving, but since it was a pretty steep road, most vehicles were taking it easy on the speed. I did this as quickly as I could! Where we live in La is flat! I have often joked here that if you're on a hill, it's probably just a bridge. ;o))
It's always good to see my family. Here's my dad making sure that the new beach hat my mom picked up before the trip was going to work out. :op
And off to the North Myrtle Beach, SC we went! It's only about 4 hours from my parents house; that seemed like a piece of cake after driving from LA to NY, then to NC! :o)
What a view! We were on the top floor of the condos we stayed in. It was pretty windy up there, and a little bit scary to look over the edge.. ha... but so beautiful to see the expanse like that!
My Mama in her fabulous hat alongside my Granny.
Another activity they enjoy, other than the sun and water, are puzzles. As long as I can remember, my granny and her daughters have worked on them at the dining room table. They're so methodical!
We also really enjoy yummy seafood when we go to the beach! (most of us, anyway! :o))
I always enjoy getting to see my nieces and nephew, too..
even if one of them is becoming an embarrassed pre-teen. :op
And the almost finished product. What a bummer, huh?
Where did those two pieces go?!
I don't know why I forget to take more photos of things like this, but after our beach trip was over, I headed east to Raleigh to visit a few friends for a day or two, then back on the road I went to go back to NYC to be with Damion again. I spent a LOT of time in the car in August, that's for sure... but I wouldn't give up any of the great family, friends, and sweet new babies I got to spend time with for anything!
Sweet baby Luca! His mommy, Alicia, writes here.
