Book Note and Road Trip

If you enjoy Latin American literature, read Isabel Allende's Maya's Notebook. I haven't read her in years. One morning, she was being interviewed on NPR about her new book. When I walked into the library that afternoon, there was the book, perched on a wall with five other new "staff-pick" books. Fate? You decide, but you should read it.

My week-long road trip was tame compared to Allende's book, but it was packed with wonderful, exciting events. We drove to NYC early Tuesday morning to attend my son's graduation from Columbia. Usually I recognize Mark from afar, but not when every tall male is wearing a mortarboard. I did see him though during the walk and again, receiving a graduation pin from various dignitaries.

Proud Parents

We drove through NYC nightmare traffic to Bethesda, MD where we stayed overnight with Renee and Sam, friends from RI. Then we headed for Asheboro, NC to see our daughter's new house, which she shares with her boyfriend, Levi. It's very cute, but too tiny to allow us to stay over, so we went to his mom's house which is so beautiful, it was like staying in a 4-star country inn.

Southern Hospitality

The next day, we watched Mark in the NCAA East regionals in Greensboro, NC. He lost the bid for the Finals in the 1500 meter run by two hundredths of a second, upsetting to say the least.

We toured the area and tried various southern dishes. I've decided I don't really like the cuisine much, though I didn't have any fried chicken. Everything has bacon in it, although I had the best bacon cheeseburger one night at a restaurant in downtown Greensboro. We drove down to Sea Grove, NC to see Levi's dad's pottery workshop, which is amazing and much bigger than Pottery Barn. North Carolinans are truly gracious and patient with Yankees. If you go into a restaurant and the entire staff doesn't make at least 3 sweet welcoming statements, turn around and go.

Mariel and Mark Watching Mike Murphy Race in the Rain

The highlight of the trip though was watching Mark run the 5000 meter race. It was priceless. Mark shifted back and forth between 4th and 7th place. He needed to get 5th to go on to Nationals in Oregon. With 100 meters to go, he made his move, edging into 5th by a nose, or the chest as they measure it in running. We were all reeling with happiness. I felt I'd personally run the race, feeling breathless and wobbly when it was over.

But there's more. We left Asheboro for Great Falls, VA where we stayed with friends we met in Costa Rica, Tina and Mike and one of their daughters, Kimberly. The next day we drove to visit our nephew, Mark and his wife, Brie in Gaithersburg, MD. They served us a delicious lunch of felafel, salad and a yummy homemade garlic-yogurt dressing.

Then, it was off to NYC to pick up our youngest child, Harry at the airport. He'd spent the last 4 months on a semester abroad in Copenhagen, traveling all over Europe as well. We were naturally trapped in traffic, it being Memorial Day. After snailing our way to JFK, and going to the wrong terminal, we finally found him. Imagine, he didn't have a cell phone to call us when he arrived; he used a pay phone. Old school

After a late dinner at a diner, we drove home, arriving at 1:30 am.

What a trip!