02/07/2010Tomorrow I'm going to Fayetteville NC to see my old friend Steve Ploog who has been in Afghanistan for about two years! I haven't seen him in forever so it is going to be really nice to catch up. In stead of flying to FAY I will be flying to RDU and he will be picking my up. There is a nonstop flight from PHX to RDU but its only once a day and in the morning. To make this flight I'll have to somehow get a seat on a full flight out of SBA. All of tomorrows flights are on US Airways. Wish me luck!
FAYETTEVILLE DAY 1 (02/08/2010)
Well today was the day of lucky flights! I first made it onto a full flight out of SBA to PHX (which is really hard to do!). Then I made it onto a full flight to RDU! Wow. Luck is on my side this trip. Well the flight to RDU felt like it took forever!!!! But I finally made it! Steve completely tricked me when he picked me up. I walked down the escalator talking to him on the phone and he was hiding around the corner and surprised me when i got down. What a tricky guy!
We had a nice long hug.
Sure was nice to see him after so many years! We drove around Raleigh for a bit. Saw a rundown hotel right in front of a factory. Looked like something outta a horror movie!! Steve wanted to take me to Smithfield's Chicken N Bar-B-Q. The cashier said that if i wasn't from the south I probably shouldn't get the BBQ because its "different from BBQ in California." He was right. I tried some of Steve's. Its was kinda vinegar-y. Wells after food we drove to Steve's girlfriend, Megan's, work. It was really nice to meet her. I had heard so much about her.
After meeting Megan we drove back to Fayetteville. We stopped off at the Food Lion, the local grocery store and stocked up on foods. They had eggs in a crate and I thought it was so smart of them. Eggs in a crate= no broken eggs!
I'm staying with Steve on the Army Base in Fort Bragg while I'm here because he doesn't have a roommate yet so he has an extra bed! It works out almost perfectly. When we drove through the entrance of the Base the guy looked at my ID and said "California. The land of shakes and quakes".... I guess thats what were known for out on the east.
FAYETTEVILLE DAY 2 (02/09/2010)
Today i was woken up by some sort of bugle horn! I guess that is what its like to be in the military. Steve had to work this morning but only for a few hours. When he got off we went for a ride around Fayetteville. It was a bit rainy but nothing we couldnt handle. We went to this coffee shop with free internet so that I could do some homework. Looked for a TV. Had the best Mexican food I've had in a long while! I told the host that I was from California and they are just getting lazy on their Mexican food out there. He told me he was from LA. haha. We saw Avatar. It was amazing. First
movie I've ever seen in 3D. It blew my mind. The only down side was the burning eyes after all that 3D action for nearly 2 hours! It was a great movie! That night we went bowling on the base. It was so much fun! Shared a pitcher of bud light. I think my favorite quote of the whole day was the "bar tender" (i put it in quotes because he was just the fat old guy that worked the whole bowling alley), said "Bud light is the only real beer!". He clearly hasn't gotten around much. They are pretty classy in NC. Checkout the formal dinging they offer for Valentines day!
FAYETTEVILLE DAY 3 (02/10/2010)
Bugal horn again this morning! UGH I would hate that if i was trying to sleep in (WHICH I WAS). Steve had to work again this morning but just for a few hours. I decided to go for a walk around the base area. Im so glad i bought that peacoat in Vermont last Oct because i sure needed it! I was so cold when i was walking it hurt to breath in!!!! soooo cooolddd! the wind chill factor probably made it like 10 degrees! Im from California! Im not used to thisss!!! The base is so huge! Its probably bigger than Carpinteria! there is a bowling alley, a bingo place, two malls! I found a little mini market and in the mini market i saw Santa Barbara Biscotti! Santa Barbara all the way in Fort Bragg, NC!!
Well today Steve and I went back to that place for free internet. He needed to take care of some
business about insurance so we went there. Just drove around and looked at the hoppin town of Fayetteville! Ran across some interesting stores. Had a bunch of food at this Texas grill place! It was very good but very filling. We told yourselves... ok lets get something light so we can have a nice dinner... but we went all out. potatoes, veggies, stakes, grilled chicken, artichoke dip! so much fooood!
That night Steve surprised me with a Peter Pan play! Peter Pan has always been our thing and it was so thoughtful and sweet of him. It was actually really good. The girl who played Peter was annoying, but i think thats how her character is supposed to be. It was so good to get to spend the time with him after a few years apart.
FAYETTEVILLE DAY 4 (02/11/2010)
Well today I took the adventure of crossing the US on US Airways. I dont understand why US Airways it always full. Well the flight from FAY to CLT were fine. Made that one no problem. It was just getting from CLT to the west coast period. I spent a lot of time while I was in NC trying to figure out backups. This storm up in New England is throwing everything off and making everything full. I figured I'd keep it safe and take the nonstop to LAX but then I'd be stuck in LA. Some how, miraculously the gate to PHX was right next to the gate for LAX. I checked the hub and saw that there was room (when yesterday there wasnt). I ran over there and they put me on it! The nicest east coast hub agents I've EVER met! People in PHL are just rude beyond all get out! I dont know how it all happened but i made the flight to PHX! AMAZING! I got a window and there was no one in the middle so that was good. The flight ended up having a ground delay and people were freaking out. All i could think was "I dont care how delayed it gets, just dont cancel!!!" It didnt cancel and I made it to PHX. Grabbed some Blue Burrito and headed to my gate. Sat next to this really really annoying guy who called me spoiled cus I fly alot and wanted the front row, but I made it home! It was a great adventure and one more added to the list
3 states down. 47 to go!
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