North Carolina Trip

Ok! There were suposed to be pic' but I am having some issues with them So here is the story.

I had a nice little trip to North Carolina over the weekend. I went with Becky and Kyle to see their friend Lindsey who is a veterinarian in North Carolina. North Carolina doesn't sound like it would be that much fun, but it is! In just a short weekend we had planned to visit the Biltmore, Ride the Dragon, and travel along the Blue Ridge parkway. It is quite a drive from Illinois to North Carolina, so we left bright and early in the morning and only stopped to switch drivers, gas, eat, and use the restroom. The drive seemed even longer than usual, because I had to sit in the middle on the cup holder. I told them I could not safely wear my seat belt this way! Kyle told me to get used to not having a seat belt because we were going on a motorcycle ride in a couple days and there will be no seat belts. You don't have to get too far out of Illinois for the scenery to change and the southern accent to start (welcome yall). I am glad to be looking at something different than just cornfields…..even if I am stuck sitting in the cup holder. We reached our final destination on Thursday around 9 p.m. It was a long day in the truck and we were exhausted. Lindsey ordered out for pizza and we just relaxed. We didn't waste any time on Friday. With it being only a weekend trip we headed to the Biltmore first thing Friday morning. I was totally impressed with how big this place was. I need to move out of the chicken shack and into something more like this! Here I am on top of the lion in front of the Biltmore. King of the Jungle isn't so scary. I included a picture of all of us with the lion too, but you can't see me very well because Lindsay's leg is blocking me. Thanks Lindsay! The detail was just amazing! I wish they would have let me take pictures inside, but I would have ended up in the Federal Coop if they caught me. I feel like I should know who this is, but I don't and it seemed like someone important so here we are! After walking through the 250 room home that included some interesting pieces of history we ate some lunch at the stables. They use to keep the horses here, but have now turned it into a restaurant. After lunch we walked over to the Biltmore Gardens.
The Biltmore Greenhouse. I know we just had lunch, but that one looked pretty tasty! This chicken is definitely not a vegetarian. After seeing over 250 types of roses and all kinds of green stuff it was time for something else. We decided to hop back in the car and drive over to the Deer Park. One last look at the Biltmore. When we got to the Deer Park it was quite a surprise. What do you mean there are no deer here? Who would have expected to find Horses at the Deer Park? Thankfully Mr. Ed was friendly, but I still put a note in the suggestion box about changing the name of this park. After visiting the Deer Park we made one final stop within the Biltmore estate at the winery. We skipped the tour and headed straight for the sampling. Like I want to know how they make it! I'm not sure how many wines we sampled, but you will notice the deer park was the last picture taken. I think it is because the rest came out blurry! After our fun filled day at the Biltmore we left Asheville and headed back to Hickory where Lindsay lives and to get some dinner. We decided to try this Mexican place that Lindsey recommended. Looking back I am wondering if she recommended it for the food, the waiter, or the margaritas. After dinner we went back to Lindsey's watched some TV and Kyle and I went to bed because we had to get up early to ride the dragon on Saturday, while Becky and Lindsay have a girls day shopping or whatever girls do. Saturday at 7 a.m. Kyle and I got up and headed to find and ride the dragon. We had to get gas in Hickory and then hit the road. The dragon starts over by US129 Deals Gap which is about a 2 hour drive from Hickory. Normally with Kyle driving we would get there much faster, but we took the scenic route on the Blue Ridge parkway. Although this added sometime to getting to where we wanted to be, it was well worth it! Here I am at the highest elevation east of the Mississippi. Driving in all these hills and mountains made Kyle very anxious to unload the bike, so that we could ride. He just couldn't take it anymore and had to pull off the road and unload even though we had not yet reached our destination. He was mumbling something to the effect that we were missing out on a bunch of really good riding. Kyle pulled off the road at some random horse stable and we unloaded. It was good to get out of the truck and get on something more suitable for these kinds of roads. We arrive at Deals gap. This is where the Dragon begins. The Dragon is an 11 mile stretch of road that has 318 turns in the mountains. I wanted to buy T-shirts right away, but Kyle insisted we eat, ride, and then get our shirts as he heard it was bad luck to buy your shirts before you actually ride the dragon. Wild Hogs all the way! We saw many Dams along this ride. I am told that the movie The Fugitive was filmed at one of them and along this stretch of road. After going down the Dragon one time we headed back to where it all starts at Deals Gap and to buy our shirts. Kyle made me ride in the pack on the back of his bike, since I didn't have a helmet. I don't know what he was doing, but it seemed like quite a ride! After our conquering the Dragon we headed back to the horse stables and loaded up. We decided to take the Blue Ridge Parkway drive back instead of taking the shortcut. We thought we might have some good views at night as well. On the way home that night Kyle and I just grabbed some McDonalds. We were going to join Becky and Lindsay at cook out / bring your pet party, but we didn't make it back in time. It would have been fun to mingle with the other animals, but I am not looking for a long distance relationship! On Sunday we decided to hang out in Asheville. We ate lunch and walked around town. It is a very artsy kind of place. I think I saw a shirt that said "if you're too weird for Asheville your weird" or something to that effect. As we walked around I found that statement to be completely true. Nobody even gave me a chicken a second look while walking around town. While eating we were deciding what we would do for our last day in North Carolina. Lindsey was feeling pretty run down from catching a cold just before we came and running around. We all decided that a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway would be a fine relaxing way to end the trip. Kyle and I had already seen it, but we thought Becky and Lindsay would enjoy it too. We stopped and hiked along a creek and saw this waterfall. After our nice little drive we went back to Lindsey's and Lindsey finally realized that maybe she should go and see the doctor. She was feeling really run down. While she went to get checked out by doc in the box Kyle, Becky and I went and ate at Buffalo Wild Wings. After dinner we hung out one last night together and hit the road first thing Monday morning. We got back to Bloomington, IL around 5 p.m. It was another fun trip!

Wakey wakey, Benny!

Benny has been strangely silent lately. Is he hibernating for the winter?

Egypt - Day 14 and Day 15 - Thursday and Friday, August 14th and August 15th

Today was definitely bittersweet. We were saying good-bye to Luxor and heading to Cairo. Today was our last official day in Egypt! Tomorrow morning we leave for the States. I think I'll shed a tear!

But not before I peck on John's hands and feet! He has been a horrible chaperone! Note to self: bring birdseed with me whenever I go on a trip with John. He never feeds me! Also, don't forget my own ticket!

We flew back to Cairo (John in his luxurious seat, me confined to his carry-on luggage - AGAIN!) and headed to our hotel. Finally, we could relax. Nothing on the agenda today except for dinner tonight. Hopefully I get something to eat! But first, sleep. John and Ellen wandered around the grounds while Mr. S. and I got some sleep. He looks like a mummy when he sleeps!



When Ellen and I got back, I asked her to take pictures of me with everyone from our bus. (I would've asked John, but the stupid human got his camera wet in the Nile!). We got pictures with everyone on the bus.

There was Pam and Larry:



And Valerie and Joyce:



And Mary and David:



And Jose and Lupita:



And Bob and Carol:



And Mary Ruth and Barb (wait, where is there picture? I know we took one! John, you better find it and update it when you get the chance, OK)

And of course, our fearless leader (aka - Tour Guide), Ahmed:



We had dinner that night at an Asian restaurant on a floating boat in the Nile. John learned how to use chopsticks, and I learned that JOHN IS HORRIBLE PERSON WHO DOESN'T FEED CHICKENS AS OFTEN AS HE SHOULD!!! Maybe I'll get some dinner at the hotel when we go back? Nope. They went to bed early so they wouldn't be tired the next day.

The last day (travel day) to the US was uneventful. By uneventful I mean LONG. I was stuck in the overhead compartment listening to young children SCREAMING. I thought for sure John was torturing them, they were so loud. But it was just the air pressure getting to their little ears. If you let me out of this bag, I'll peck their ear drums out for you! Really. No one got me out of the bag.

I assumed we made it through customs at JFK, even though John didn't declare me. I'm giving him the cold shoulder when we get back. He'll be sorry! But first, we have to get to Minneapolis and then the QC. We got through each airport safely and arrived at the Stephenson household around midnight. Kathy was up and ready to talk with us about the trip. She was fine (sad, depressed, upset and angry about not being able to go, but physically better) and I was tired from all of the traveling. John went to bed that night, and the next day we came to Home Sweet Home. Where I promptly ate some popcorn kernels I scrounged out the lounge chair. John, you got some 'splaining to do!

All in all, Egypt suited me. I would've enjoy more freedom and more food, but the locals were friendly (sometimes too friendly) and the climate was perfect (hot and dusty). Too bad I couldn't have stayed with the nice, young kindergarten teacher! Maybe next time ... when I travel alone!

Egypt - Day 13 - Thursday, August 13th

Today we were up before the birds! Apparently, we left early to beat the heat. All I can say is - John looks HIDEOUS in the morning! And he's grumpy, too. Remind me never to tick him off in before noon.

On the itinerary today: Queen Hapshutsut's temple, the tombs of King Tut and other pharaohs, and then the chicken farm! I can't wait!

First up: Queen Hapshutsut's temple.



It was totally cool! Apparently, it was buried under sand for years and was only recently excavated. A very royal, regal place. Very spacious. I would've stayed all day, but we had tombs to explore. Onward!



When we got to the Valley of the Kings, it was a scene straight out of "The Mummy". Trails led to outcroppings and hills that were most likely tombs. We were allowed to go in three. We went into some AMAZING tombs! The coloring on the tomb walls were awesome! As an added bonus, we got to visit the Valley of the Queens. Less visited, it was just as fun. I even got to explore an unnamed tomb.



The guard yelled at John. I laughed to myself. This day is perfect.

And then it wasn't. As we boarded the bus, John put me in his bag. I didn't mind, because I knew in a few minutes we'd be at the farm. I wanted to mingle with the hens and chicks of Egypt. The bus stopped, I heard voices, and then silence. Where did everyone go? OH, MY, GOD!!! HE LEFT ME ON THE BUS! He knew I was looking forward to this visit. HE IS SO DEAD! I plotted his death while he was away. I could push him off the balcony at the hotel. Or I could throw his passport in the Nile so he would be stuck in Nile forever! Or I could peck his brains out. I was still plotting when he got back. He apologized but I ignored him. I gave him the silent treatment for the rest of the day. Not like he noticed!

After dinner we took a tour of Luxor. It was GREAT! First we got in a horse-drawn carriage. I said "Hi" to our horse and then we were off. It was night so it had cooled off. However, it was very dusty. Just the way I liked it. We went through the back streets of Luxor. We saw toy shops and fruit stands and butchers. "Help me! He's going to murder me!" Before I could help the CHICKEN held up by his neck in front of our carriage, we had moved on. John, of course, took a picture of the chicken and the butcher! This is the last time I go on a trip with John! Maybe if I smoke on this hookah, all will be forgotten.



Nope, I still remember!

We went back to our room and started packing, as tomorrow was our last day in Egypt. I was sad. However, I perked up knowing that I won't have to be around John much longer. He is such a heathen! I slept great, thanks in large part to the hookah. Apple-flavored tobacco is a great relaxant!

Egypt - Day 12 - Wednesday, August 12th

Today we had to leave our boat. I was sad to leave because the service and food (what little I had) were excellent! I will especially miss Hani, as he was always kind to me. He liked me so much that he wanted his picture taken with me. Wait? How did John get in there?



John even gave him his bag of Oreos to share with the crew. Wait a minute - Now what will I eat when I'm stuck in the bag?

We disembarked in Luxor and headed to the Steingenberger Nile Palace, our hotel for the next two days and nights. It was a very large hotel and our room was on the top floor. We even had a little balcony to view the courtyard below.



I thought about flying across the river to visit the tombs of King Tut and his friends, but the heat had me broiling! Thankfully, John left me in the nice, cool room while they ate pizza in the restaurant below. I'm sure he'll feed later. Right?

Wrong! He came back and put me in the bag. Not the bag again! I would've fought him, but I was so tired that I didn't realize it was him until I heard the bus start up! I better get to see this temple!

I did. John took me out when we got to Karnak temple. The grounds were huge! There were statues



and monuments



and pillars!



I so wanted to fly up there and scout out the area. But John had a tight grip on me.

I also wanted to peck his hands off me when we got to the scarab statue.



If I fly 7 times around it clockwise, will that get rid of John? Apparently I was not allowed a chance to do that. I left with John, disappointed I was still with him. Will I ever be a free bird?

We went back to the hotel, where John chatted with Kathy on-line and I did nothing. I eventually fell asleep, saddened by the fact that tomorrow was our last "real" day in Egypt. And we get to go to a chicken farm! Yay!

Egypt - Day 11 - Tuesday, August 11th

According to our itinerary for today, the early riser coffee was to be served at 7 AM. No one told the man with the loudspeaker who did a call for worship at about 5 AM. It was the dawn call, but wasn't even dawn! And did he have to be so loud? I saw John and Mr. S. rustle in their sleep. John went back to bed while Mr. S. chose to go up on deck. I went back to sleep. It is vacation, after all.

John woke up and went to breakfast around 8 AM. Did I get breakfast? Of course not! I am gonna have to lode a complain with our waiter. Where is Hani? Before I could find him, John took me up to the sun deck. I'll have to let Hani know about my problems later. He'll understand, I'm sure.

While up top, we got to watch as the ship went through the Esna Lock. Once we through, we got to experience more lush and verdant shorelines. There were children playing and swimming. I even saw some cattle and water buffalo. They were mingling with some native birds. Egrets, I think. I couldn't verify for sure because none of them came to visit the boat. Before I could fly out to meet them, John took me inside. It was time for our lecture.

Our guide, Ahmed, talked about everything and anything Egyptian. The education system, the police system, the court system. I was not really paying attention because I was HUNGRY!!!! When's lunch? Right now? GREAT!!! John took me to the restaurant and proceeded to eat in front of me. NOT NICE!! I will get my revenge. He better sleep with one eye open!

When he was done with lunch, he took a nap. Did he sleep with one eye open? I don't know because he stuck me in the bag. Stupid bag! I really should figure out how to get out of here. Oh, look - Twizzlers! I spent the rest of the time in the bag trying to open the Twizzler's bag. Just when I had figured it out, John took me out of the bag and said we were going to the Temple of Luxor. I don't wanna! I clucked. He didn't notice. Stupid human!

The Temple of Luxor was very big. And also kind of cool. I got to hang out with Ramses II (insert pictures) as well as with a sphinx (insert picture) There were a lot of sphinxes to hang out with and I would've visited with all of them. Unfortunately, I ran out of time, as John took me to dinner. Would I finally get fed?

Of course not. John and the other others enjoyed their last dinner on the boat without me. I would've raised a ruckus if it weren't for the celebratory desserts they presented. Apparently Ellen had her birthday early this year! The guide told the cooks that her birthday was August 2nd; it's really November 2nd. The look on her face was PRICELESS!!! I forgot about being hungry. Now that I've embarrassed Ellen, how do I embarrass John?

I pondered that thought while I got dizzy watching the Whirling Dervishes (insert video) How do they spin for so long and not get dizzy? My head was spinning just from watching them. I had to close my eyes to keep from getting dizzy myself. Bad mistake. I never opened them again the rest of the night.

Egypt - Day 10 - Monday, August 10th

I was up early, despite the fact that the galabaya party wore me out! Let's get breakfast! Oh, Johnnnnnn! Take me to breakfast - I'm hungry! He didn't take me to breakfast with him. Again. That's not very nice! Come back here! FEED ME!

John came back after eating his breakfast (I could smell the eggs on his breath!) and took me outdoors. Hopefully they feed me later on! However, I was able to ignore my hunger by looking at all of the beautiful scenery along the banks of the Nile. It sure was lush! I was ready to spread my wings and fly over to a palm grove when we arrived at Edfu. Maybe I'll get a chance to get some food here.

We took a horse and buggy ride to a local temple. Our driver informed us that our horse was pregnant! I thought she was glowing! What, John? That glow was from the sweat on your forehead? Oh, sorry.

The temple at Edfu was officially called the Temple of Horus. I wonder if he's here. Well whaddya konw? He is here!



How you doing, Horus? Again with the silent treatment. Are you mad at me? I didn't do anything - I swear! Did you want me to do something? Is that what the problem is? Well, what do you want me to do? SPEAK TO ME!! Nothing came out of his mouth. It was like talking to a brick wall. FINE! See if I talk to you ever again! I walked closer to the temple. Hey Horus - Who are these people on the wall?



Again, nothing came out of this mouth. Man, he is stubborn!




I ignored Horus. Two can play this game! In fact, I decided that I would "Walk like an Egyptian".



It was very uncomfortable. John, let's get out of here! See ya, Horus! Again no sound. Well, I tried to be nice to you!



We went back to the boat and John promptly fell asleep in the room. I couldn't go anywhere because he locked me in his bag. Again. What if I wanted dinner? Well, apparently NOTHING was on the menu that night, because that's what I got for dinner. In fact, I had no idea what time it was until John opened up the bag. He got out his Twizzlers, Oreos and me and went upstairs to the TV Lounge. I smell POPCORN!!! Give me some!! I used my "I'm a sad, pathetic, unfed chicken" look on him; it didn't work, as he set me down and didn't feed me. HOW CRUEL! He did give an Oreo to Hani, our nice waiter/bartender/DJ/turban-maker. He loved it. Where's my Oreo? Shoot ... I'd even take a Twizzler. Instead, he made me sit there and watch "Death on the Nile" on the TV. I fell asleep before the first death. Wake me when it gets good ... or when you're going to FEED ME!!! Alas, I slept through the night.