From Tennessee to Extreme Blue Austin!!!

So here goes the rest of the trip. Saturday we drove through Arkansas to Sulphur Springs, TX. We stopped briefly in Little Rock to see the Clinton Presidential Library; however, we didn't go upstairs because it was $7 a person (sorry Bill, can't spare it). Anyhow, the highlights of the day were crossing the mighty Mississippi River into Arkansas, something I had never seen before and passing into the gorgeous state of Texas for the first time.

Once we got to Austin on Sunday, we set up my room and drove around Austin just checking out the sites. Not too much, kind of a low key day, oh yeah we got cowboy hats too.

Monday, we went on a scavenger hunt looking for sights around Austin, it was truly an awesome experience. Driving around the beautiful city of Austin was a blast and seeing the statue of Stevie Ray, the six flags of Texas, and a 35 foot tall Star cannot be beat. Well this was a real quick one, sorry I was so brief, I'm just really tired and I need to get to bed. Good night from Texas y'all!


Crossing the mighty Mississippi


Entering Arkansas over the Mississippi


Entering The Lone Star State (Yeeee-hawww!!!!)

Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top

Well we drove through most of Tennessee today and we had a good time, not too much to talk about other than mountains, mountains, and then some more mountains. Oh did I mention there were mountains, yeah so enough with that. Not too much to see other than the country music hall of fame which we skipped over because we just wanted to get to Jackson, TN. Anyhow, we arrived in Jackson around 5:00 CT and we decided to see Kingdom of Heaven at the local theater. Not a bad movie, actually I was rather impressed with Orlando Bloom in this movie and I definitely have a much higher opinion of him as an actor after seeing this movie than before. Anyhow, below are a couple of pictures I took from our 9 hour drive from Blacksburg, VA to Jackson, TN.

Greg singing "Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top" (I think this picture really captures the Tennessee spirit)


The Nashville Skyline

A NASCAR Pilgrimage

Today, I reached the first milestone in my NASCAR pilgrimage. The NASCAR pilgrimage is different for every fan, for some it is as simple as going to see one race or just visiting a track. However, for me it is a life long goal of visiting every NASCAR track before I die. My first major milestone was reached today as Greg and I visited Bristol on our way to Texas. We didn't stay long, but the sight of the massive stadium (gigantic, bigger than many football stadiums) almost brought a tear to my eye. Anyhow, my pilgrimage has become let us hope I have the dedication to finish it.

Greg in front of the Bristol Track


Note: I am really not that serious about this whole pilgrimage thing, I'm just bored and I felt like writing something non-serious.

Baltimore to Blacksburg

Well we had our first part of the trip from Baltimore, MD to Austin, TX today. We left around 3:00 PM and got down to Blacksburg about 8PM. We went over to Nick's and then got pizza and watched Team America over at Chong's. Overall, an uneventful day, the drive was especially boring, because Greg slept almost the entire way down. Anyhow, we ended up crashing at Chong's and I slept ok considering I was woken up by the drunk LunchBox and James eating Pizza at 2AM. Don't get me wrong, drunk pizza eaters are hilarious, especially when they are saying the other is more drunk. =)

My Sub-cubicle

So today was my last day at Chesapeake for the summer. I've only been back a few days but I am already back into the swing of things, and now I have to up and leave. Oh well, I guess that is how life goes sometimes. Well I made sure to get some pictures on my last day, especially of my desk. Considering I have the smallest desk in the office people always make joking comments about how I'll get my own office someday, but for some reason I've grown attached to my "sub-cubicle". As small and unimpressive as it is, it the first space I got at Chesapeake that is actually mine and I didn't have to share with another co-worker (not that I minded) or stacks of computer junk (that I did mind). Because of this attachment I am sad to see it go, but I know I'll be back to visit my "sub-cubicle" in the winter, until then so long Chesapeake co-workers and my "sub-cubicle", and don't worry I shall keep in touch.

My Sub-cubicle (notice the tile floor, I'm the only one at Chesapeake with tile floor in my office =))

Grandaddy's 90th Birthday

Yeah, my grandfather is 90 and still going strong. I can only hope to be in half the shape he is at his age. Almost my entire family was there for the event, except for Emily =( , and a great time was had by all.

Now about my grandfather, Herbert J. Fivehouse, known to me as "Grandaddy". Grandaddy is the greatest and most Godly man I have ever known. He is wise and even at the age of 90 has not lost his wit or charm. He has blessed my life so much with his constant encouragement and advice. From everything about my walk with God to my relationship with Emily, he always has a wise word. I can only hope that someday I will become even half the Godly man that he is today. He is my wisest mentor and friend, and I love him with all of my heart.


Herbert J. Fivehouse (90th Birthday Party)