Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Bloggy Meetup - the seven state adventure

The recap you've all been waiting for!

I can not possibly explain to everyone how amazing this trip was! What started out as an idea "heh, we should all try to meet sometime" actually became reality. All the planning, emailing, talking became real. After blogging with these wonderful ladies for 2 years, it IS like we know each other. The internet can be a wonderful tool, and I am grateful that none of you turned out to be serial blogger killers or worse!



Magnolia Sun , AM, me, Norman's Woman, Girlville, Aunt Sue, Pugposse, Ragus, Little Pugposse, 30Something

The adventure began for me on Thursday evening, or should I say...very early Friday morning. At 1:30 a.m. I finally got in my car and left for my long drive......



It was dark through the entire states of New York and Pennsylvania. When I got to West Virginia it was still gloomy and rainy, but I did try to get some pics of my drive.




What???? I have to drive through a TUNNEL?????

I would have taken some pics of all the freaking bridges I drove over, but come on, I had to close my eyes I don't like heights!

When I finally arrived at the hotel, some 14 hours later, I wanted to kiss the darn pavement. As I checked in the lobby I glanced over and saw Lisa standing. I yelled in front of everyone "Lisa", she looked over and came running! She and Tory walked with me to take my stuff to my room and we chatted for a bit before they went to rest. I went back to the lobby to make sure Norman's Woman had a key to our room and there next to me was Girlville...we hugged and were so excited! After everyone else had arrived we all met for our wine/cheese party before going out for dinner.






I unfortunately didn't get any photos of dinner that night. I think I may have been way too busy TALKING!!!! After dinner, back to the hotel for more TALKING around the non-working fireplace with the imaginary hot chocolate!

Saturday everyone decided to go to the mall. 30Something drove, Girlville was map reader and I relaxed in the back seat taking in all the beautiful houses. At the mall we split up into groups and went different ways. My group, Ragus, Aunt Sue, and Girlville looked at a lot of VERY expensive purses and shoes and then ended up in the lounge area TALKING!



We ate lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, again splitting into 2 groups due to seating. My group at lunch was AM, Pugposse, little Pugposse, and Magnolia Sun.





After lunch we headed back to the hotel and Norman's Woman and I decided a walk would be nice. We saw a few of the others in the lobby, told them and they joined us. It was a beautiful day to walk around.


That evening it was out for greek food and more TALKING.


Bless your heart joined us there for dessert and then came back to the hotel where we all TALKED MORE.

In the morning we gathered for our final breakfast together. As you can see we never seem to stop TALKING.



After breakfast we went back up to visit with baby Emma and get ready to leave. At 12:30 we had our goodbyes. I was thankful to be going to Norman's house for another day, so I wasn't too sad as I didn't really feel like I was saying goodbye yet!

The drive to Asheville was beautiful!




and Norman....well, he was wonderful!!! He tried on The Woman's wings for me and showed me his vegetable garden, flower gardens, and his beautiful house. The Mean One made us a fabulous dinner. After dinner he made us fabulous hot chocolate...the best EVER. We TALKED for a bit more and then off to bed. Norman got to share the futon with me as I was feeling very Pug deprived by then! We woke about 7:30am and Norman and I talked about Pug stuff.

Then it was time to say goodbye. We took some pics to remember our visit by and off for home I headed.

The drive home was awesome. The Mean One and Norman's Woman gave me some good directions and I made it home with no trouble.



I have to say these "run-away" strips for tractor trailor trucks are a little scary to see!



I HAD to get out of the car here to take a panoramic photo. It was breathtaking!
I pulled into my driveway at 11pm Monday evening, 1,682 miles later!!!!!
I do have other photos, but Blogger is giving me issues and I wanted to FINALLY post! As y'all (LOL) can see we had a great time and can't wait for the next get-together!
When are we getting together again?????

12 comments:

Priscilla said...

I am loving your puggy meetup posts. Keep them coming!

Pam said...

Great pics! The weekend went by way too fast. I loved meeting you and I'm looking forward to us all getting together again.

Goodboy Norman Featherstone said...

We're so glad you visited with us, and we can't wait to see you again. You should move down here and live with us :)

Sandy said...

I loved seeing all those pictures! I'm so glad you posted the runaway truck ramp because Aunt Sue and I have never seen that before! That is scary. The colors changing in the leaves are so pretty. I love it up that way. The Featherstones are the sweetest family...even the Mean One! That is a great picture of you and Norman on the front steps. I loved every minute of our time together. And going to the mall was fun even if we didn't buy anything (but candy)...it was nice just to sit and talk there. I sure hope we do this again and not before a long, long time has passed. I just wish our West Coast friends lived closer too. That was funny when you say "little pug posse"

kristie said...

honestly i still cannot believe that you drove that far just to meet me, lol! i had a wonderful time - loved every minute of it and am ready to do it again. your panaromic picture of the mountains is lovely.

♥Lisa and The Pug Posse ♥ said...

I Love your Post! Great Job! It makes me want to go back and do it all over again! Maybe our Fellow Bloggers ought to come up to our neck of the woods! I bet they would love to see the Foliage! Heck maybe we can have our Meet -up at the Pug social you and I plan to attend next September.... and everyone can bring along their Pugs too! LOL

Punchbugpug said...

Pam, the weekend sure did go by fast..too fast. Norman, do you think you have enough room at your house? The Mean One might not like having FIVE pugs!! Let us know if any houses go for sale in your neighborhood, and of course we'd need jobs....RPM, yes those Featherstones are great aren't they? We MUST get together soon! Maybe we should have 2 meetups a year..lol one in the south, one in the north! AM - Your comment disappeared???? Can you resend?

The Devil Dog said...

Wow! That sounds like a really great trip. The photos look like you gals had lots of fun. Mom loved reading about your trip.

Roxy

Magnolia Sun said...

Your drive was beautiful, we have the truck ramps here too - very scary especially if you are the one riding up it! Glad you made it home safely.

Pugsley, Buster, Cricket & Daisy said...

Great pictures. Glad you all had a great time.

Four Pugz

Shannon said...

Yay! A little Southern seeped into your lingo. I agree with Norman, move on down!

Kara (Turskey) Vaught said...

Ok what fun! If you do it again I must come!

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