Brian began driving again in 2001. He volunteered to drive the International Club up to Old Bedford Village's Celtic Festival on Saturday, 16 June 2001. He rented a car the following weekend to visit his aunts, uncles, brother, and nephews.

He also rented a car the weekend of Saturday, 28 July–Sunday, 29 July (and Monday Morning, 30 July) 2001.

Brian rented a car to attend his high school reunion the weekend of 13–14 October 2001. He fell in love with Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, site of the reunion picnic.

He rented a car again over Thanksgiving Break 2001 to visit family, including his Aunt Audrey.

Brian rented again this Christmas Break—sadly his first drive was to his Aunt Audrey's funeral.

Brian took a "micro-vacation" on Sunday Afternoon, 27 January thru Monday Afternoon, 28 January 2002, staying overnight in Bridgewater, WV and visiting Philippi, WV and Tygart Lake State Park, WV.

He again rented a vehicle from Thursday Evening, 28 March thru Monday Midday, 1 April 2002, visiting his aunt, uncle, and cousin's family in Berkeley Springs, WV and his family in Anne Arundel County, MD.
 

Brian explored his own Creation Myth over a long Memorial Day Weekend: he went back to where it all began, Manteo, North Carolina. He stayed his first two nights (Friday, 24 May and Saturday, 25 May 2002) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, then spent two nights in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina—where his private balcony overlooked the dunes, the swimming pool, and that big pool called the Atlantic Ocean. He put 1,038 miles on the rental—his personal best. He drove for 6+ hours at one time too—another best. Trip highlights... Elizabeth City -- Bought first pair of true sandals -- The Potato Festival of Elizabeth City on Saturday -- Got a hair cut -- Froze in the pool first night -- E-mailed folks from hotel computer Manteo -- Found my birthplace (one of two government buildings—Saturday) -- Walked about Festival Park (Saturday Afternoon & a little Monday Evening) -- Elizabethan Gardens (Saturday) -- Magnolia Grille for lunch (Saturday) -- Waterfront Park (Monday Evening) -- Sailed aboard the Downeast Rover (Monday Evening) Kill Devil Hills -- Had a nice meal, including freshly-caught Gulf Stream tuna steak at the Port of Call (Sunday Afternoon) -- Walked along the beach -- Played in the pool -- Walked over to and all about the Wright Brothers' National Memorial (Monday Morning) -- Walked all over Jockey's Ridge State Park—the largest (tallest) natural sand dunes of the East Coast (Nags Head, NC on Memorial Day, Monday Afternoon, 27 May). It has a very nice visitor's center. -- Also drove to Wanchese, NC, and thru Manns Harbor, NC. -- Stopped at the Chowan Arts Council Gallery in Edenton, NC on Saturday Morning. Nice local glass and photography. (Sorry I didn't check out historic downtown Edenton.)

Although I've done a variation of these drives before, I record:

Monday, 14 June 2004:
From Hagerstown Community College, at 10:17 am, to Robinwood Drive north to MD 64 East to MD 41 East to Fort Ritchie Road to PA 16 East to PA 116 East to PA 216 East to PA 516 South to PA 851 East to PA 24 South, which become MD 23 South to MD 136 South to MD 440 East to US 1 North, across the Conowingo Dam to MD 213 South. After eating at Wendy's at MD 213 and US 40 in Elkton—and my interview—I went south (west) on US 40 to MD 272 South to Turkey Point State Park.

MD 272 West to US 40 south (west) to MD 22 West to I-95 South to I-695 West (a tunnel was closed) to I-97 south to MD 100 East to Bill's, then to Celeste's.

MD 100 West to US 29 North to I-70 West to New market (where, at 11:17 pm, I almost ran out of gas). From New market, back on I-70 West to US 40 West to home, at 12:21 am.

Saturday, 19 June 2004:
Mount Aetna Road to MD 66 South to I-70 West to I-81 North to the Pennsylvania Welcome Center. I-81 north to US 11 South to Ben's. From Ben's US 11 North to PA 16 West to PA 75 North to PA 274 East to an accidental bypass of Big Springs State Park. After returning to Big Springs, I decided to not hike there, but to try Colonel Denning State Park: I continued on PA 274 East to PA 850 South (at Loysville) to PA 233 South (at Landisburg) to the park.

About three miles south, I stopped as a large, stately gray wild turkey crossed the road with her chicks. Some flew a bit, and safely crossed the road.

I followed PA 233 to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, where I bought a PowerAde and then walked to the path between the lakes.

I followed PA 233 South to Shippensburg Road North to US 11 (at Shippensburg) to Ben's to Hagerstown.

The following trips are interesting in that the first—a variation on my first weekend with a rental car in the summer of 2001—provided the impetus for the second trip, which was planned to celebrate my friend Rita's 30th birthday.

Saturday Afternoon, 23 July 2005:
Williamson Road to PA 995 North a road that heads northwest to St. Thomas, PA. US Route 30 West to PA 75 North to PA 850 west (no lines and fresh oil and chips) to PA 35 north to Mifflin to US Route 322 past State College to US 220 South to US 22. I stopped at a Giant to get a 35-cent orange cola—my only stop. Drove around Hollidaysburg, PA to see historic homes then on to PA 36 South to PA 164 West to US Route 220 South to Bedford, PA to US Route 30 East to East of Chambersburg to the Wal-Mart. I noticed the heat had dissipated as I got out of the car. US 30 East TO US 11 South to home. 291 miles.

Sunday, 31 July 2005:
From Rita's north on US 11 to Orchard Drive to PA 316 to Blockbuster's. From PA 316 north to US Route 11 north to US Route 30 West to US Route 522 to northern McConnellsburg, PA. Stopped at The Shak, LLC for lunch, where we each had a pork barbeque sandwich. She also had a baked potato. I also had gravy fries.

North on US 522 to PA 994 west and parked at the East Broad Top Railroad. While there, also walked across the street to the Rock Hill Trolley Museum.West on PA 994 thru Raystown Lake. South on PA 26 to east on PA 164. North on PA 36 to Hollidaysburg. Drove around Hollidaysburg. Then west on US 22 to 6th Avenue to US 22 to south on US 220. Drove west on US 30 to PA 31 and ate in the Dining Room of the Jean Bonnet Tavern. US Route 30 east to US 522 north to PA 16 to Rita's.

Sunday, 19 February 2006:
PA 16 East to PA 316 South to 2nd Street to Rutter's for gas at $2.199/gallon (at least 6¢ cheaper'n my local places). PA 316 North to PA 16 East to Old Forge Road to Mentzer Gap then left into Country Club Estates then Old Forge Road South to Washington Township Boulevard East to PA 16 East to PA 116 East to Business US Route 15 North to US Route 15 North to PA 114 West to Mechanicsburg. I stopped at the First Floor Shops/2^nd Floor Gallery at 105 South Market Street (PA 114), as it was about 3:30 pm and I had stopped there on a previous Sunday trip by their "open" sandwich board at 5 pm or so--only to discover they close at 4 pm on Sundays. Alas, they have no Sunday hours in winter: foiled again.

PA 114 north to PA 641 West to PA 174 South. I drove around the Boiling Springs park, then headed north on PA 174. Turned left onto PA 74 West (North). Picked up PA 641 West in Carlisle, PA and drove to Newville. Turned south onto PA 233 then turned right at PA 533 West (South) to US 11 South to Shippensburg.

The point of this trip: it was too cold to walk, but was sunny--and I had the day off. I was curious what US 15 was like as it approaches Harrisburg. Conclusion: the road needs to be improved--even at its improved parts, as do so many roads in this state.
 
Sunday, 20 August 2006:
I celebrated my birthday with an overnight visit Sunday and into Monday (a comp day) to the Laurel Highlands of PA. I began with a tour of the two caverns (Lincoln and Whisper Rocks) at Lincoln Caverns, and then stayed at the Cottage Inn in Ebensburg. It was September-like weather in that valley! I walked the downtown of Ebensburg Sunday evening.

Monday, 21 August 2006:
Monday morning, after a nice breakfast at the adjoining restaurant (partially complimentary), I journeyed back thru downtown Ebensburg, then drove onto Loretto (summer home of the original Charles Schwab) to see the sunken gardens of Mt. Assisi (by a monastery).

I walked around St. Francis University across the road to see the Museum of the Southern Alleghenies, but it is closed on Mondays. As was the library (for special in-service training). Luckily, there were coeds to ogle. And I had on a new, bright red shirt�a school color. So I was camouflaged as one of their own alumni.

I then drove to Hollidaysburg, parked and walked their downtown. Breakfast was still keeping me going, so I put off eating lunch. I headed from there to Indian Caverns, and enjoyed the view there. (But enough about Jean, the tour guide; she presented well.)

From there, I got gas in Mill Gap, then stopped off in Orbissonia, where I missed the street car museum�s last ride by 15 minutes. I had an early dinner of pulled pork barbecue at The Shak, LLC in McConnellsburg, then went to see my former Ryan Homes boss in Chambersburg. From there, it was ice cream in Mercersburg, and then home.
 
Wednesday, 6 September 2006:
After postponing my Outer Banks Getaway for several days (or four-plus years), I headed down on Wednesday afternoon, 6 September driving a rented, white Ford Focus ("Amy"). Ever since May 2002, I have wanted to replicate that eventful trip.

My growing bridge anxiety was heightened [pun] by the I-295 James River Bridge. I knew this did not bode well on what was to come.

I once again got lost in Suffolk, VA, then headed thru the swamp at night. Full moon or no, it was creepy.
As it was dark this time when I arrived in Elizabeth City. After not finding my old motel, I stayed right next door, then went over and used there Net access. The next day, I visited the Museum of the Albemarle, which just opened this past May. I walked about the harbor park across the street, then drove over the drawbridge and headed east.

After thinking the heavily arched Intercoastal Waterway Bridge way the only bridge left, I almost gave up at the real sound bridge, Wright Bridge. But my minimal Scots blood would not allow me to forego a two-night $145 deposit, so I braved (or endured) it.

This time, I headed to Corolla, and did not get sidelined by a car wreck. I drove thru the town, up to the pavement's end. After eating at a new eatery--where was old-town Corolla?--I stoppeds in the library, and an amused librarian—bridge phobia? What part of 'island' don't you understand?—offered info on the "old village."

I took her good advise, touring The Whalehead Club, the maritime museum, and walking the Corolla lighthouse grounds. (It was too late to ascend the 214-stairs and go out on the deck. My heights fear was relieved. I touched the lighthouse building. That was enough.)

I checked into my Nags Head digs--with it's own patio, ocean/dune side, then walked the beach at dusk.

But waiting at the Kill Devils Hill Grill, I began to dread my bridge-filled return trip. What an awful way to spend any time on a vacation. My salmon steak, cheese grits, and basil-ed tomatoes were great; more delicious was the strawberry shortcake.

I then sat on the deck watching the waves come to shore under full moonlight. A cool sea breeze almost chilled me.

Friday is dreary. I again dread my escape home. Will Jockey Ridge comfort me, in the rain? Will I find good barbecue? So many questions and concerns. I should recreate.

More Later... but I did return home—after stopping off to see someone....