Asheville

The rain finally stopped and we were feeling better and ready to explore after spending 48 hours inside a 29-foot tin can. No seriously, Tuesday we finally made our way off the mountain into the town of Asheville. We explored the town the last couple of days but have been unable to do what brought us here in the first place and that was to visit Mount Mitchell, the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains and the highest peak in mainland eastern North America. After the rains and strong winds passed through the area, the Blue Ridge Parkway was closed due to downed trees and washed out roads. Mount Mitchell is accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tomorrow we have to leave the campground. Couldn't stay on even if we wanted to because they are full.

We did have a nice time exploring downtown Asheville. It is an eclectic, earthy, artsy type of town. It is known or many things, one of them being their breweries. Jim was in heaven. Our first stop was to a place called Wedge Brewing Company. It is located in the River Arts community, an area known for the large graffiti murals all along the buildings, boulders or anything an artist decides to paint. Apparently some of the nations top muralists go to Asheville to create their murals.

Yesterday morning the weather was a little nicer, bluer skies and warmer temperatures. It has been chilly at night and the heat hasn't worked too well in the Airstream. Jim thinks we just need a new thermostat. Hopefully that is all it is. We are discovering a few needed repairs when we get back to Virginia but that can be expected. After all the trailer is 25 years old. We felt sorry for Boo and gave him one of our lightweight fleece throws. He likes being all snuggled at night. I know..spoiled dog.

We drove through Montford Historic District, a neighborhood with a variety of houses built at the turn of the 20th century. Some where enormous and some where romantically quaint. We got out of the car and walked Boo through a park only to come upon one house that was eerily haunting. It was an old home now split into several apartments. I bet there are some stories to tell about this old establishment.

One of the highlights of the day for me was finding a farmer's market with a woman selling gluten free breads and scones. I bought myself a scone and baguette. Then I found a stand where I bought sourdough bread for Jim.

We went to dinner at a vegetarian restaurant and sat outside with Boo. Asheville is an extremely dog friendly town. There was a ceilidh going on at a bar around the corner from the restaurant. We sat outside and listened to them for a bit. A ceilidh is a social gathering where different musicians come together to play Scottish or Irish folk music. It reminded us of our visit to Ireland.

We have met some nice couples at the breweries and here in the campground. Tomorrow we have to pack up and move on. Our destination will be Greenville, SC. We may come back here on our way back home so we can visit Mount Mitchell but that is still under discussion.
Good night from Asheville.

Wet Mess

This will be a short post. We stayed in the Airstream all day with the exception of going to the bathhouse to shower and to walk Boo. It has rained the entire day. Jim is starting to feel a little better. He may have a sinus infection or a bad cold. Thank goodness no fever. We have extended our stay here at Moma Gertie's for a couple of more nights. After all we haven't even visited any of the sites around Asheville. We have also decided not to travel all the way to the Smokies as originally planned. Instead we'll spend extra time here around Asheville and then to Greenville, SC.

It is almost 9:00 in the evening and the wind is very loud. There are squalls of driving rain and it is expected to continue through the night. Winds now are 20 mph and are expected to get to 30 mph. Boo will be sleeping in our room tonight. He gets nervous when the gusts hit up against the door. Unfortunately I have to take him back out in this.

We have spoken to Jim's parents and they are still in the Hampton Inn in the middle of the state. They have tried to contact their condo in Naples but have yet to get a hold of anyone. They will stay put until they know what to expect back in Naples.

September 11th - such a somber day. Such sadness in the world but yet so much to be thankful for.
Have a good evening all.

Moma Gertie's

Yesterday we left Grayson Highland and drove to North Carolina. We took some beautiful scenic roads passing the town of Boone, home to Appalachian State University. We also drove through the charming town of Blowing Rock. Along the drive there were quaint shops and road side stands that we would have loved to stop at but it's not easy to pull into a parking lot towing the trailer. We did stop to get gas along the way. After making our way into the tight spot at the pump we noticed the only gas available was premium. The station was packed and we bit the bullet along with everyone else and paid $3.09 a gallon. Afterwards we pulled into a Walmart parking lot to take a break and Jim called his parents. I went into the Walmart and bought more water, ice and a few essentials. There were no gallon jugs of water available and the smaller bottled waters were dwindling. People are just being cautious, even in North Carolina. Later in the afternoon we arrived at Moma Gertie's Hideaway Campground located outside of Asheville, NC. Our site sits high up on the mountain overlooking beautiful vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our plan is to stay here a few nights, unhook the truck and explore the surrounding area. We have to pay attention to the forecast and be on top of what is happening with the hurricane. Luckily this campground has WIFI.

Last night we sat outside until nightfall and watched the different shades of blue and grey on the mountains.

Today (Sunday) we have been checking in with the weather channel. As of now the rain and high winds are predicted to come in tomorrow midday and last through Tuesday. The campground workers came by and suggested everyone fill their water tanks in case we lose power. Right now we are hooked up to the campground's water and sewer. Jim unhooked the propane tanks and drove them down to the store to have them filled. We were running low. Propane is needed for heat and hot water. When he got back he started filling up our water tank only to discover we have a small crack somewhere and it leaks. Fortunately we have a case of water bottles and I have a bucket and many travel tumblers that I filled up for now. If the weather gets too scary we can take the truck down the road and stay inside the office basement. 

Jim wasn't feeling well this afternoon so we stayed at the campsite. Lots of people left and a few new neighbors arrived. I did two loads of laundry and took Boo for a walk. We passed a very large RV with three little dogs barking at us from the dashboard of the Winnebago.

Later I was able to stream the weather channel on my computer so this evening I have been glued to what's happening in Florida. The sunset tonight was outstanding. It's hard to believe tomorrow will be such a bad weather day.

Good Night All.

Long Awaited Vacation

It feels like an eternity since I’ve written about life and my search for that silver lining. When I started this blog it was to journal our day to day life in New York City and to keep our love ones informed on Jimmy’s condition and progress. That was over a year and a half ago. I can say with much joy that Jim is doing well. Life is finally getting back to normal. We don’t worry as much about every little thing. The doctors are pleased with his progress. We still go up to Memorial Sloan Kettering every three months for testing and/or a checkup and in-between visits he is followed by a wonderful doctor at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

Back in June something wonderful happened. The organization Be The Match flew Jim, Sara, Skye and me to Minneapolis, MN to meet his donor. Debby, Jim’s sister, also flew up for the event. The reunion took place at the headquarters of Be The Match during a staff meeting of over 200 employees. We were invited on stage and the doctor running the meeting asked Jim a lot of questions. Next they invited Mike and his lovely wife, Molly, to join us on stage. Hugs all around. It was an incredible experience. Mike was then asked to talk about what it was like being a donor. After the meeting we went to Mike’s parents home and had a barbecue. We were able to not only meet his parents but also his siblings and extended family. Unfortunately the girls had to cut the evening short and fly back home. It was wonderful getting to meet everyone. We have gained an extended family. They were so gracious, fun and down to earth. Our kind of people. Mike’s generous gift of life has forever formed a bond between our family and his.

On to September. Wednesday the 6^th we set out on a three-week adventure in the Airstream. We have been looking forward to vacationing in it ever since we were in NYC. Our first destination – Grayson Highland State Park in southwest Virginia. It is the highest region in Virginia (Mt Rogers mountain). I can’t say it was easy getting here. It rained almost the entire drive but the worse part was as we got closer to the park it became more difficult to pull our 29-foot loaded Airstream. The hairpin turns on the last few miles of the trip were extremely frightening. I had to basically look down at my lap, take deep breaths and pray. Jim did remarkably well alternating gears and speeds maneuvering the curves. We pulled in after hours and set up camp.

Thursday was beautiful. The rain had stopped and it was partly sunny. Two wild ponies were in the field behind our campsite. There are around 100 adult ponies living in this area. According to some literature I read they live in herds of 10 to 20 with one stallion per herd. The ponies graze freely on vegetation which helps keep the alpine vistas and grassy balds open and clear, providing a better view for everyone. 

After a slow start to the day we took a drive around the park, stopping at the visitor center. We took turns outside with Boo while one of us went into the visitor center. It was very nice inside and they had a great display of the history of the area and examples of the animals and vegetation that inhabit the park. The visitor center is the only area in the park where our cellphones worked. Jim called his parents to check on them and the status of Hurricane Irma. They were in the car driving inland a few hours from their home in Naples, Florida. At this point no one knows exactly where Irma will make landfall. We were also able to check our emails and Jim checked in with the office.

From the visitor center we took a walk to Little Pinnacle, the highest point in the park (5,089 feet). The views were stunning even with it being partly sunny. In the distance we could see North Carolina and Tennessee. I’m not sure Boo liked it so much. It was windy and rocky but otherwise a short, easy hike. On our way up a fighter jet flew overhead low enough that the sound from the engines actually hurt our ears. I can only imagine what that sounded like for a dog.

Friday morning we woke up to the ponies in “our yard”. They were actually right outside of our campground. Some people do not abide by the rules and they let their children pet the ponies as if they were at a frickin petting zoo. They are beautiful to watch but should be left alone.




After breakfast we walked the Wilson Creek trail. It was supposed to be a 1.8 mile “difficult” hike to a 25-foot waterfall. We started at what we thought was the trailhead but when all was said and done we started at the wrong trail further back which looped into the correct trail so our distance was longer. It was unbelievable that Boo made this journey. My 10 ½ year old lab went down rocky crevices barking a lot of the journey. The waterfalls were beautiful. The sky was blue and we were the only ones on the trail. For Jim to be 17 months post-transplant and to have hiked this trail while helping Boo along the way was an accomplishment to celebrate.

 Friday night the campground started to fill up. We have had pretty much privacy until now but the weekenders are here. We’ve met a few families that live within an hour’s drive of the park and they have been nice to talk to. Jim and I reminisced of the days when we took the girls camping and how they met friends and ran carelessly through the campground. Good times.

Saturday we left Grayson Highland State Park. Maneuvering the Airstream was not as difficult descending the mountain but you could smell the brakes on the truck struggling. Jimmy is already planing on purchasing a diesel truck before we tow through the mountains again.

Celebration in Order

April 30^th, my mom’s birthday. I think she would have been 81. Oh how I miss her. Hard to believe she has been gone for 15 years. One thing I do know is that she has been with me in spirit and I believe she has pulled a few strings with the man above. Thanks mom and Happy Birthday.

Since returning from our last trip to New York we have been busy. Last weekend we spent the time in Charlottesville to celebrate Jim's one year post transplant. Sara and Richard stayed at Skye’s apartment and Jim and I booked a hotel close by. One of the main reasons we celebrated there was to go back to Barboursville Vineyard. You see back in May 2015, Jim, Skye, Sandy and I did a wine tasting at Barboursville. We struck up a conversation with Dawn, one of our wine pourers. Dawn had an intuition that Jim was sick and although we gave her little information about him she said “you are going to be just fine”. She said those words with such confidence and know-how. After the tasting we had our picnic and a bottle of wine outside. When Jim returned to the tasting room to give back the glasses Dawn approached him with a bottle of wine in a wrapped bag. It was Barboursville’s most expensive bottle of red. She told Jim to save it until he has beat cancer and then open it for a celebration. Last weekend we opened that bottle and toasted to Jim. I called the vineyard a few days before and was able to track Dawn down. She now is the event coordinator. She met us and did the honors of opening the wine and even poured it in proper glasses. Before we left we had her sign the empty bottle AND she gave Jim another bottle to save for when he is 5 years out or if he overcomes a difficult hurdle in the future. What a special woman. She gave us hope before we had it ourselves. 

The weekend was also filled with going to a concert on the downtown mall Friday night and the Farmer’s Market Saturday morning where I tasted my first doughnut in about 5 years. There is a woman who makes gluten free and dairy free doughnuts. I should have bought more than one…YUM. 

We saw a parade in town called the Dogwood Parade and on Sunday before we returned home Skye brought us to a cool little restaurant for breakfast burritos and then to a nitro brew coffee house. It was wonderful spending time with both girls and Richard and Zach.

One Year Check Up

After checking into our hotel we took a walk to the Jeffrey, a little pub that has 30 craft beers on tap. Jim has two favorite pubs in New York that he liked going to prior to transplant. Of course after transplant Jim was not allowed to drink alcohol or enter bars and restaurants. We had fun calming the nerves by exploring a couple Monday night. The second stop was City Hops. It is teeny tiny with a few chairs by the window facing the street. It was very entertaining watching the hustle and bustle of the city walk and drive by. For dinner we ate at Rosa Mexicano which was delicious but probably not the best choice of food to go to sleep with on a nervous stomach.

Tuesday was chocked full of tests for Jim. He had to be at the hospital early for blood work and was not allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight with the exception of water. They took 14 vials of blood. He had a CT scan, PET scan and lung scan. There was no sense in me going to the hospital with him until it was time to meet with Dr Sauter.  I hung out in the hotel room then went to a nice coffee shop next to the hospital where I waited for him to be done. 

We met with Dr. Sauter around 1:30. He came into the room with a smile and asked Jim how he was doing. Jim's response was "You tell me" Although the radiologist had not had time to read the PET scan, Dr. Sauter reviewed it and said it looked good. Music to our ears. I cannot describe the feeling we have right before the doctor comes into the room but I can tell you the feeling of pure joy, relief and euphoria after we hear the words that everything looks good. Jim has some minor complications from transplant but all in all Dr. Sauter is very pleased with his progress. He will continue to be followed at Georgetown Hospital and we will return to New York in July for his next check up. 

Floating on cloud nine we went back to the hotel and I contacted the family. Jim actually worked a little and we grabbed some groceries for a quiet dinner in the room. 

We thought the day couldn't get any better until Jim's phone rang. On the other end was Mike from Minnesota, Jim's donor. We asked for him to call on my cell so we could put him on speaker phone. His wife, Molly, was also on the other end and we had a very long wonderful conversation with them. This man saved Jim's life by his selfless act of donating his stem cells. He described what he had to do prior to the collection of his cells. We talked about family and hopes of meeting them in the near future.

It was a great night.

It's Wednesday now and we are on the Vamoose bus back to Virginia. We are taking the upgraded version (the gold bus). There is more leg room and it is not at capacity. Maybe I can get Jim to take it again in the future.   😏😉😍😍

So Much News to Share

This past weekend we celebrated an important milestone. Friday, April 14^th, was Jimmy’s one year birthday. In the transplant world you celebrate two birthdays, the one your mamma gave you and the one your donor gave you. It was one year ago at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City where Jim, surrounded by nurses and doctors, received the strong, healthy cells of an anonymous 29-year old donor. This weekend we learned who that wonderful person is. Be the Match (and please get on the list if you haven’t) arranged the transfer of information between donor and recipient. His name is Mike and he lives in Minnesota. Jim called him and left a message on his work voicemail. We hope to talk with him soon.

To celebrate his one year Jim took the day off from work and we headed to the river. On the way, he wanted to stop at this brewery near Front Royal. It’s your birthday- OK. Breweries are not as exciting to me because I am gluten free but Jim loves trying different micro beers and he must own 5 or 6 types of growlers. Luckily, they allow dogs in the outside building so we sat out there while Jim tasted his flight and Boo chased after a couple of bumble bees. We spent the evening relaxing at the river.

Back in December we sold the main house at the river but kept the little house which we refer to as “the barn”. Jimmy wants to change the name to “The Love Shack”. It is a tiny little structure (only 480 square feet) but it overlooks the small rapids of the Shenandoah River. We actually have a better view from the barn than we had at the main house. Upkeep is very simple because the living space is so small. Besides we are used to living in tight quarters…hello…the Airstream. 

On Saturday, we drove to Harrisonburg to eat breakfast at the Little Grille. It is our favorite place to eat when in Harrisonburg. Afterwards we hit the farmer’s market which is one of the best ones in Virginia. We stocked up on veggies, plants and eggs. I bought a hanging strawberry plant which I hope to keep alive and hopefully it will produce fresh strawberries. We’ll see. Before leaving Harrisonburg, we took Boo to Purcell Park and walked around. The pollens have been kicking my butt. My eyes are red, itchy and swollen and you know that intense itching you get in your inner ears and throat from allergies? Well I have that too, but the day is beautiful so I down a Claritin, put in eye drops and continue on. I guess it didn’t help that I cut a little grass Friday. Jim still does not have clearance to cut grass and work in the soil. He is still on anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial drugs. He showed me how to ride the John Deere and I timidly attempted to maneuver around the trees and bushes. It wasn’t pretty but better than not at all. Luckily, I did not have to mow down by the river or I may have ended up in it.

Fast forward to today, April 17^th. We are in New York for Jim’s one year check-up. I convinced him to take the Vamoose bus instead of driving. The bus leaves from Lorton, near our house, and drops passengers off at Penn Station in New York City.  It is reasonably priced and gives Jim a break from driving. The trip up was quick and uneventful. The bus was completely full. Luckily Lorton is the first pick up spot so we had our choice of seats. Unfortunately, I don’t think Jim will be doing it again. The seats were too small and he was trying to conduct business on his computer with spotty service. There were lots of smells and people coughing. He is not a fan.

After arriving in New York we took a cab to the Bentley Hotel, just a few blocks down from Memorial Sloan Kettering. Funny how we know our way around the city and are totally comfortable hailing a cab. I have so much more to tell you but it will have to wait until the next blog post. :)