I am back at work after a wonderful week visiting my sister in North Carolina. I had such a great time with her. I miss her already. The flight out wasn't too bad. When I made my reservations I was told there would be a breakfast to purchase but once we were in the air it turned out we could only purchase a snack box. Someone was supposed to meet us at the gate in Detroit to help us to the next gate but no one was there. (Both hubby and I are hearing impaired.) We got on the plane and ended up sitting on the runway for ever. (Computer problems.) Finally got to NC. Something happened to my ear while in the air because when we got off the plane I was so dizzy that I couldn't keep anything down. On Sunday I was still dizzy but managed to get by and keep food down. We went to Elkin to my sisters inlaws for a birthday party. It was so peaceful there. On Monday we hung out at my sister's house and relaxed. On Tuesday I was still dizzy when turning my head a certain way and realized I had an ear infection. So I called my doc and they phoned in an antibiotic. My sister lives in such a small town that they don't even have a Walgreen's there! We had to drive to Winston-Salem to pick it up! On Wednesday we went to Pilot Mountain and Mt. Airy. If you are a fan of the Andy Griffith show, you will know that Mt. Airy is where Andy Griffith is from and Mayberry is really Mt. Airy. We ate at the Snappy Lunch Cafe which Andy talks about on the show. I bought candy at Opie's Candy Store. I even got to sit in Floyd's barber chair. The original! We went to the Andy Griffith Playhouse and got a picture of the bronze statute of Andy and Opie. My husband, who is a big fan of the TV show was in all his glory. He smiled the entire day. Thursday after my brother-in-law got off of work, we went to this lake not to far from them for a barbecue and fishing. Shortly after starting the fire in the grill we were informed that the park was closed and we were "trespassing"! So we had to put the fire out and leave. We went to a McDonald's in the town of Welcome. We walked in and I kid you not, it had to be 60 degrees in there! I was so cold my teeth were chattering!!! Ate fast and left! Friday we went to Old Salem. The Morivians were given 100,000 acres of land there in the 1700s. They started a church and a women's college. The town has all the original buildings there and the people who work there are dressed in the costume of that day. It was so interesting to learn the history of the church. I really enjoyed it. I love history and historical buildings. (Hubby said he enjoyed Mayberry more!) Saturday we left to catch a plane home. It was aweful. Our flight was delayed and then cancelled. I stood in line for 2 hours to find out what we needed to do. The poor gal working at the gate was having to put everyone on different flights. She had no one there to help her. So some people stood in line for 3 or more hours before they knew what would happen to them. My hubby and I were lucky. We got put on another airline with a straight flight from NC to Phx. Even though we left 3 hours later than our original flight, we still got home a half hour earlier! I will never fly that airline again though (Northwest Airlines). Not only was every flight late (or cancelled), I was told we would have a meal on the plane which was important because my husband is a diabetic. I was told someone would meet us at the gate to make sure we were able to get to our connecting flight. When we were trying to catch a flight out on Saturday I was told that someone would come talk to me and my husband to explain what was happening and no one came. When I tried to find out what was going on, the lady I talked to was very rude to me and basically turned her back on me. I had a lot of people telling me that this is typical for NWA. So, I have decided I will never fly them again. OK, anyway, enough of that! The vacation was for the most part wonderful. I was in a great deal of pain the entire time, but I have learned to push it to the back of my mind and ignore it as best as I can. I wish I could have been there longer than I was. One week was not enough. Anyway, I am back to the real world. I have the pics of my vacation online. They can be viewed at http://www.picturetrail.com/photos/nctrip2006