North Carolina here we are!!!!!!

We arrived in North Carolina as planned albeit a few hours late. Konrad and I were exhausted after the almost sleepless night we spent in that nasty fleabag hotel in Virigina. But, we kept on driving. I texted my friend Sarah the whole way from south Virginia to let her know where we were on the path. It was important because she was my first visit of the day! And the only one :-) We checked into a classier hotel this time - splurging $100 bucks for something decent and NON-SMOKING!!!! Konrad took me to Sarah's house and dropped me off and then went to meet his UNCC college buddy Scott at a local restaurant. While they visited, Sarah and I spent a glorious several hours together revisiting some of old haunts (Chick Fil-A) and some new haunts (the mall). We also hung out at her house and took some photos and I got to play with her dog Scout. It was probably the best visit I've ever had with anyone....ever! No offense to my other friends, but Sarah and I just connect and even doing some of the things we always did is super fun!!!! I had a blast! I can't wait to hopefully see her again in February ;-) Thanks again Sarah! Love ya!

That night, I slept like a rock! I mean a nice big boulder sort of rock. Konrad pinched my nostrils shut several times that night to reduce the snoring. I think I tried biting his fingers at one point, but my memory is fading :-)

The next morning we slept in late and took advantage of the late check out. Thank God for the small things!!!! We then packed up the car, made the dogs go potty in the pouring rain, and then booked on up to Kannapolis in hopes of meeting with Patsy, my dog rescue friend. Patsy called in the nick of time and we all got together at the Pizza Hut Bistro (very classy appeal for Pizza Hut I might add) and we had the opportunity to sit and chat together for several hours. It was absolutely great! I wish we had more time, but the time we did have was truly quality time. After Patsy left, we drove up to our friends Elizabeth and John. They bought a house in Concord which we had never been to since they bought it after we moved from here. We arrived and were greeted by Rosie's long distance boyfriend Casey. Casey is a labrador retriever that Rosie has known since he was a baby. They loved, I mean LOVED each other when they lived in the same apartment building. Konrad and I had our own hackles raised at first expecting the worst - that Rosie would attack Casey and rip his face off pretty much like she does any other dog she ever meets. But, they met each other nose to nose and Konrad and I truly believe they actually rememebered one another!!!! Rosie loved on him and poked him in the back enticing him to play and everything. Then all three dogs raced outside to romp the yard together. I don't know who had more fun - the dogs or us! I believe I forgot to mention that Casey weighs 155 pounds and Rudi a mere 14 so when Rudi tried giving Casey hell, it was quite funny. Casey just smacked him on the head with his paw and that pretty much shut Rudi up :) I think Rudi realized what he was up against and decided just to stay out of Casey's way - you know, crushing factor. All little dogs are aware of this grevious situation I believe :) Casey is probably the most gentle dog anyone would ever meet and was so very tolerant of the little black noise making rat (Rudi) that was running around him and trying to bite his ankles. So, after our visit, we had to drive to South Charlotte to meet up with Konrad's former advisor from UNCC.

We went to his house and then drove over to our favorite American German restaurant ever - the Waldhorn Restaurant. Talk about delicious!!!! And we were so hungry! We had excellent conversation as always with Dr. Weldon and he offered us to stay at his place for the night, but Konrad being the all night driving maniac that he is, decided we should hit the road instead. So, we reluctantly said our goodbyes and departed - headed for the great land of South Carolina.