TOP 5 OF: 2007

With a couple weeks gone by, it's a good time to reflect on last year. After [read #1], it would be easy for everything to revolve around that. But I'll try to incorporate more of the year than just that.

5.] Unofficial "Sabbatical"

Finish one job. Wait a month until the next starts. Read a lot of books. Go to [see #3]. Family vacation in Emerald Isle. Get [see #1]. See where they film One Tree Hill (if you're wondering, I am not a fan. Yet. I'm sure someone will be working hard to change that in the next year!). I'd say that month-long break was a great experience, and well worth it!


4.] Spiders vs. VT: January 3

Jacob and I ventured out to Tech for a big basketball game against an ACC school. The trip was well worth the effort, even if the Spiders lost...without it, [#1] would never have happened.


3.] Myrtle Beach, SC/Greenville, NC

After finishing up work on Wednesday, I left for a beach/mission trip with a friend's church on Friday for a week to lead worship. It was a nice, relaxing trip, good food, good times. Then after a long trip back to Greenville, NC with that group, I went back to Myrtle Beach with Kim's family for a few more days on the beach.


2.] Loose Change Benefit Concert

We worked with the youth at the church to pull off a benefit concert to raise money for Loose Change to Loosen Chains. The event raised over $2,000 (I think? I can't really remember now...) and had some great music.


1.] Emerald Isle
I told her I needed new tires. She thought I had an itch. The "tires" was the ring, and the "itch" was pulling it out of my pocket. We have just over 5 months til the wedding now (and Kim could tell you to the day!), and the anticipation grows every day. That was another great, relaxing week at the beach with my family and we got to un-officially welcome her in as part of the family. I guess the official part comes in July.

I kind of went back and forth on what should be #1, but in the end it was the engagement. Actually, it was the #2-5 that were so hard. I could have included my first trip to Blacksburg for Hokie football. Cameron's choir singing the National Anthem at Oriole Park. Or the trek to Clemson to watch the Hokies beat up on Daniel's Tigers. 2007 was a good year.

TOP 5: PLACES IN VIRGINIA

I've never lived outside Virginia, and I'm amazed that I can turn around and find something new in the nooks and crannies of the great Commonwealth. From the state's capital, drive less than two hours and have your pick: the beach, the nation's capital, the mountains. Out of my travels around the state in the past few years, here's my top 5 places in Virginia:

5. Eastville, VA: This small town represents the entire Eastern Shore. The Shore, making up the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula, hasn't been tainted by big chains (WalMart) and still acts and feels like yester-year. From the southeast Virginia end, the only entrance to the Shore is by way of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, a series of three bridges and 2 tunnels. The Shore has a great hospital too.

4. Monuments, Memorials, Statues and Museums: Apologies for being ambiguous and all-inclusive, but Virginia is home to some fantastic history that shows itself in "The City of Monuments" (Richmond), the National D-Day Memorial, Civil War historical sites across the state, and countless others throughout the state.

3. Blue Ridge Parkway: I've only really spent time on the Parkway around Roanoke, but it is always a great drive. The scenic outlooks give you a chance to hike, take a picnic or just relax along the drive. But watch your speed, the National Park Police are watching!

2. James River Park (Richmond): Home to the nation's only urban Class IV rapids. The park is a great getaway in the
middle of the city, from the westernmost Pony Pasture through downtown in the east. Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, tubing, hiking, biking, walking or running, it's all there. And it's incredibly peaceful early in the morning around sunrise.

1. The Breaks Interstate Park: I took the youth group to the park on a trip a few years back, and it is absolutely a hidden treasure. Nestled well off the beaten trail of Southwest Virginia, the tour guide led us to the newest acquisition of the park, not even on the map yet. The river's rocky bed made for a great slide and swimming area, and people jumped the cliff around the bend under a railroad bridge. Make a stop at the Pikeville's Rusty Fork Cafe just outside the park's Kentucky side for some good eatin'. Also home to our former senator's infamous "macaca" comments.