After a good night’s sleep at the Aloft hotel in Winchester, we packed up the car yet again and set out on our day. We had about 6 hours of travel ahead of us, so before we departed Winchester we had to fuel up the car and ourselves. We received a great recommendation from our good friend Andrea, who attended college in Winchester, about a gas station called Sheetz that had really great breakfast sandwiches. We stopped and I filled the car and Emily went in to get breakfast. It was of course at this time that I discovered that I had forgotten my Visa card at the restaurant the night before.
I went through as many curse words as I could remember under my breath before we could set out on the road again. After Emily called to cancel the card, we of course had to stop at the Starbucks for her troubles. Did you know Starbucks takes Mastercard, too? Back on the highway, we set the GPS toward Darien, CT, our destination. Our course today was creatively set up by Emily in order to avoid the busy interstates and to see a bit more scenic side of the north east. The drive was great and kept us moving.
When it was lunch time we went to the GPS to see what restaurants were close by and if there was somewhere new we could explore. We have not always had luck with this method as there is nothing to go off except the restaurant name. We didn’t have much to lose as we were in Grantville, PA. We landed on a delicious little deli called the Black Tie Deli. It was perfect because they had delicious sandwiches, and there was also a dump truck parked out front for Hunter to look at. The construction guy even came by and let Hunter sit in the cab!
After lunch, we still had a healthy drive ahead of us as we made our way to Glen & Diane’s house. The weather was still beautiful and we were very excited to see the Griffins. We ended up arriving in Darien, CT, about 5:00, and the kids were as excited to see Hunter as we were to see them. Their house is located on this amazing lot which provided a ton of space for the kids to run around in the back yard, which was exactly what Hunter needed. Diane set up a slip-n-slide in the back yard which Hunter, Sean, and Taylor (and Alex, in regular clothes!) played in until the sun was long gone. Where there are sprinklers and lots of people, there are also water fights, which made the night a blast. Diane made a delicious home cooked dinner, and it was exactly what we needed on our road trip. We also got to connect with Grandma Curly and Pop Pop Colonel so Hunter felt right at home.
What an awesome day!
Tags: Kennebunkport, Maine, ME, PA, Road Trip 2010
Today was our day to pack up the car and continue to head North. After Hunter polished off the box of chocolate chip waffles, we got the car packed, said our goodbyes and continued on our journey. Our destination for this Monday was Winchester, VA. The drive was roughly 5 hours, and Emily had a stop planned for us at the Route 11 potato chip factory in Mount Jackson, VA.
We started off our morning with a healthy breakfast of Bojangles chicken biscuits and hash browns. The drive was smooth as the weather continued to be sunny and warm. We arrived at the Route 11 potato chip factory hoping that they would be in production, but unfortunately, they weren’t making chips. We did get a tour from the lady that was working the gift shop which was very informative. All Hunter cared about was sampling the chips which we got a chance to do as well. His favorite was the dill pickle flavored chip. He must get this from his mother. The best tip we received from the potato lady was the location of a covered bridge that was just a couple miles away.
We decided to take the bags of chips that we bought to the covered bridge location and have a little picnic snack. After we ate our yummy chips we explored the covered bridge and the bank of the river where Hunter founds some great rocks to throw into the water. It was the perfect break for us to stretch our legs and get some fresh air.
After our break we got back into the car for our short drive to Winchester, VA, where we stayed at Aloft hotel. The room was really cool and looked like a New York City apartment, only newer and cleaner. We moved our bags and and got right back in the car to head to downtown Winchester to get some grub. Emily found a great spot called the Union Jack restaurant. It was a British pub located in this really cool historic district among all sorts of cool buildings. The restaurant itself was in an old bank building from 1878. The food was good, but the location was great as we explored before and after dinner.
On our way back to the hotel we took in the historic sites and sounds and also saw some green fire trucks that we needed to circle back to see a second time. A great stop on our journey to Maine. Little did I know that I had forgotten my credit card at the restaurant… to be continued.
Check out the photos from the first four days below!
Tags: Florida, North Carolina, road trip, Road Trip 2010
We woke to another oven of a day in North Carolina. Hunter decided that 6:30 a.m. was a perfect time to greet the day, and he thought that he should play drums to start the day. We helped him understand that
the neighborhood might not want to wake up to his concert but that he could play later in the day.
After a breakfast of chocolate chip waffles and cheerios we spent the morning on the back porch watching Hunter dig in the mini sandbox that Uncle Drew and Aunt Fran got for Hunter upon his arrival. He absolutely loved it because it had a mini excavator and dump truck that he got to zoom through the sand. Although it was fun to watch Hunter play, it was so hot I thought the sand was going to turn to glass.
Emily and Fran spent the afternoon shopping at Kohl’s and the grocery store getting the fixins for dinner. Drew and I held down the fort while Hunter took his nap. We finished off the night with a delicious salad that Emily made. Hunter of course had to end the night with a drum concert with Uncle Drew. After Hunter went to sleep Emily played the role of What Not To Wear host Stacy London with Fran’s closet. Out of respect for Fran I won’t repeat some of the phrases that Emily used to describe the items that were to be parted with.
Another great day in NC.
Emily here… I will repeat the phrases! My two favorite items in the closet were the boldly black and white striped silken blouse and the plaid flannel tunic with gold threading. The first I asked if she had bought at Arsenio Hall’s estate sale, and the second I thought was cute if you were a gay lumberjack. In my defense, I did warn her ahead of time that I have reduced my own mother to near tears while cleaning out her closet. Fran said she could take it (and she did)!
Tags: Holly Springs, North Carolina, Raleigh, Road Trip 2010
We awoke after a good night’s sleep (aside from Hunter waking up at 4:00 am) in North Carolina. We couldn’t have planned the North Carolina stay better being that we got to enjoy a mild first day of 101 degrees. Didn’t think that we would leave Florida only to find warmer weather, but what can you do.
After a quick breakfast we headed to town to run a few errands. Much to my surprise our first stop of the day was at this cute little coffee shop. I think it was called Starbucks or something like that. When Emily entered she was greeted by the staff who said “we were told you were coming!” We took our drinks on the road and headed to downtown Raleigh so that Drew and Fran could visit the local camera store and take care of some business. Emily was also in the market for a GorillaPod and we were able to locate one of those as well, so it was a successful camera adventure.
After we completed our shopping, which was surprisingly short being that Emily was in attendance, we headed off in search of lunch. We found a neat little restaurant in downtown Raleigh called Sunflowers which had really good sandwiches. The highlight of lunch was when the Raleigh fire truck pulled up outside the restaurant and firefighter Courtney came in to order lunch. Hunter did his usual questioning of everyone he meets these days:
Hunter: What’s your name?
Courtney: Courtney
Hunter: Do you have kids?
Courtney: Yes, I have two kids
Hunter: What are their names?
Courtney: Garrett & Elijah
Hunter: How old are Garrett and Elijah?
Courtney: 4 and 6
This happens often with Hunter, but Courtney seemed to enjoy the questioning. She took a menu out of the restaurant so the rest of the fire crew could decide what they wanted to eat. A few minutes later she returned and asked Hunter if he wanted to see the fire truck. He was excited so we headed out and she let him climb all over the truck. He got to sit in the driver’s seat and everything. There are some great photos below. As Hunter was sitting in the front seat of the fire truck they got a call, so we got to see the truck speed off to an emergency. Pretty awesome experience.
After lunch we headed back to Drew and Fran’s to give Hunter a much needed nap. Emily and Fran headed out for some shopping, and Drew and I played some Tiger Woods ’11. After our relaxing afternoon we headed out for a delicious Mexican dinner followed by some great ice cream and coffee. As is always the case we had a fun filled first day with Drew and Fran.
Tags: Fire Truck, Holly Springs, North Carolina, Raleigh, Road Trip 2010
It has been two years since our last road trip so we were eagerly anticipating our trip. Hunter and I are so lucky that Emily is such an amazing road trip planner. From hotel stays, to fun places to eat, and also having just the right clothes in each suitcase so we don’t have to take 5 bags into every hotel, she had us more than ready to go. A quick couple of photos of the packed car and we hit the open road!
We made it about 2 miles until we realized that we hadn’t set the house alarm so we ended up back home about 15 days earlier than anticipated. A quick fix of that situation and we were back on the road. Hunter was so excited to be traveling because we had talked about this trip for the past few months.
Our destination for the first day of traveling was Holly Springs, NC, home of Drew and Fran Griffin (Emily’s brother and sister-in-law) and, of course, Max the lovable dachshund! The drive was set to take 10 hours with a couple hours built in for sanity stops. The first stop of the day was for the traditional McDonald’s breakfast and then it was back on the open road.
The drive was pretty uneventful through Florida and Georgia. We stopped at the welcome center in Georgia, which was the highlight of that state. We stretched our legs and kicked the ball around a bit. We ended up getting to Drew & Fran’s around 6 pm, and after a quick hello, Hunter wanted to head upstairs and play the drums (which he had been talking about all day). Hunter completed his first jam session with a, “Thank You Raleigh”! After the concert was over we made some homemade pizzas, visited a bit and called it a day. Very happy to be in NC!
Tags: Florida, Holly Springs, North Carolina, Orlando, Road Trip 2010
At WalMart, to the cashier: “What’s your name?”
Cashier: “Delores.”
Hunter: “Well, bye Delores.”
Getting his hair cut, we were talking about Epcot, and the hairdresser asked him what he liked at Epcot. He listed a few things, and then informed her, “And they also have the Magic Kingdom, where you can find the People Mover. But I like to call it the Pooper Mover.”
At McDonald’s, chatting up our next-door-table-mate: “What’s your name?”
“Mike.”
“Are you having a Happy Meal?”
“Well, sorta… it’s like a big Happy Meal.”
*laughter* “A BIG HAPPY MEAL?!??! HAHAHA, you’re funny!”
I interject: “Okay, Hunter, let’s let him eat… he might not want to chat the whole time he’s eating.”
Hunter: “But Grandma always talks the WHOLE time I’m eating lunch!”
It is time once again for the Hayesvision.com March Madness tournament. If you want to join it is $20 per bracket entry. I will decide prior the tipoff how many places we will pay. I am hoping that we pay 2-3 places. All of the entry fees go into the prize winnings. Please sign up at the address below:
http://hayesvision.mayhem.cbssports.com/e
Password: Appleton
Please send you funds (prior to tip off on Thursday March 18th, 2010) to me via:
Paypal: patrick@hayesvision.com
If you aren’t able to fund your entry via paypal, please contact me at patrick@hayesvision.com.
Those of you wondering where I have been for the last five months, I have been locked away working on a website idea that I am very excited to be launching this spring. The website is called ConsumeU.com and the basic premise is providing user recommendations on items such as movies, TV shows, books, websites and more. Users of the website will provide ratings on items from the categories previously described and based on their ratings, the site will provided recommendations generated from preferences of like minded individuals. In addition to great recommendations, users will also be able to connect with the friends and family and share in the experience. This is where the site gets really fun because in addition to being able to ask your friends and family about items that interest you, you will also have a CU Score with all website users. The CU Score is a score from 0-100 helping identify who you have the most and least in common with based on all of your responses. Ever wonder how similar your preferences are with your friends, parents or children? You will be able to find out all of that here.
The ConsumeU website is themed around University/Education and has a cool professor that will help you out along the way. The more items you vote on, the more credits you receive and grade levels you complete. There are a number of fun features like the ability to share items via Facebook, invite friends and family, plan an activity section, fun Professor’s Blog and more. It is an entertaining website for all users and age levels.
Those of you reading this post I could really use your help. If this sounds like something you are interested in please help me out by doing one of the following:
1) Those of you on Facebook, please become a fan of ConsumeU.
2) If you are on Twitter please follow ConsumeU.
Invite those in your social network to become fans on Facebook and Twitter as well! There will be fun posts and giveaways after launch.
3) Check back at Hayesvision.com or ConsumeU.com for updates on the website launch.
When the site goes live if you can spare 10-30 minutes, sign up for an account and play around. I would appreciate any honest feedback on the site after it goes live. If you like the site, I would be forever indebted to you if you would share it with your friends and social network.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks in advance for your support!
Tags: ConsumeU
Round four of the 2010 Harvest Classic started at 7:30 on the Innisbrook – Highlands South course. As is tradition, the pairings were made based on the player performance during the previous three rounds. The final group consisted of Bob Hayes, Tom Hayes, Kevin Hayes, and Vern Shukoski. The collective group all played well but they were no match for the 2010 Harvest Champion, Robert Hayes. Bob scored +2 points to his quoted and was the only player to finish in the positive column for the tournament at +6 points. Tom Hayes, who always performs well at the Harvest Classic, just couldn’t turn his game on this week as he finished in second place at -4 points. Jim Hayes had the round of the day at +5 points which was also a tie with Bob Hayes for the best round of the tournament. Kevin Hayes had the second best round of the day at +3 points as he proved why he was worthy of his placement in the final group. Although Vern played a solid final round at -2 points, he had to skip lunch and take the trophy back to remove his late night engraving from the previous night.
After the tournament wrapped up in the morning, the 12 Harvest participants teamed up for the Saturday afternoon scramble. The teams consisted of the following players:
Don Hayes, Bob Hayes, Patrick Hayes, Patrick Toney
Tom Hayes, Kevin Hayes, Jeff Riester, Kent Dickson
Tom Duffy, Vern Shukoski, Jim Hayes, Terry Haack
As is tradition, after the 18 hole scramble, all three teams were tied at -8 par. With the sun setting and daylight running out, the 12 players headed to the practice green for 12 putts at a distant hole, closest putt wins. Tom Duffy saved his weekend by being the player who hit the closest put, locking in a win for his team.
Another great Harvest Classic has come to a close. The weekend was a great one, as it always is spending it with family and friends. Huge thanks goes to the Harvest Group and Vern Shukoski for sponsoring and putting on this great tournament. Until next year.
Day two of the 2010 Harvest Classic drew to a close as the sun was setting on Palm Harbor, FL. After 36 holes of golf, the field has separated but Bob Hayes remains atop the leaderboard. The first round of the day was scheduled to start at 7:30 at the Copperhead course but due to a frost delay, the round started at 8:30. After a cold round yesterday, the morning round weather was a welcome change as the temperature went up and the wind went down. Bob Hayes kept his strong play up scoring the most points at even as the rest of the field was unable to make a move. Vern Shukoski also was even vs. his point quota as he slowly crept up during the morning round. The highlight of the round was when the second group went to look for their
tee shots on hole #2 at Copperhead, there was a ball located right under the tail of a 10 foot alligator. Because none of the members of the group felt like verifying the ball type it was assumed that is was Patrick Hayes’ ball and he took a drop. Later to find out that Jim Hayes got the same benefit in the first group. See the picture to the left.
The afternoon round the Harvest Classic moved to the Island Course. Everyone grabbed a quick bite to eat and it was off to the first tee. The second round brought much of the same as more of the field moved south than north on the leaderboard. The best round vs. quota points belonged to Dr. Kent Dickson as he scored +2 points. Vern Shukoski, Kevin Hayes and Bob Hayes all scored -1 points as they held firm to their spots on the leaderboard.
Going into the final round Bob Hayes has an eight point lead over Tom Hayes but there are still 18 holes of golf left to play (see all scores below). Vern Shukoski has his game dialed in as he was talking smack about making the greatest comeback in Harvest Classic history. While the group was having pizza Vern was seen driving the Havest Classic trophy to a local engraving shop and having them engrave his name as the 2010 champ.
Stay tuned tomorrow for a recap off all the action and scores here at Hayesvision.com
Recent Comments