November 10, 2007: Georgia/North Carolina Trip Day 8
	November 8, 2007: Georgia/North Carolina Trip Day 6
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The Drive to Jacksonville, NC

We checked out of our hotel on Friday morning, and went over to spend the morning with Judy and Patrick, having lunch with them before we departed for our next stop.

We were going to drive to Jacksonville, North Carolina, and the home of Joe and Barbara Buchanan. Joe is one of Fred's oldest friends going all the way back to grade school. Joe made a career in the military, and then when he retired went back to work for the government. His wife, Barbara, is a teacher.

Joe came to visit us in Dallas some years ago when my Mom was still living on High Hollows, and Fred has been meaning to go and visit him for many years now, so I am glad we are finally getting the chance. We headed east on I-40, and stayed on that highway all the way past Raleigh and down to US-258 which heads over towards Jacksonville.

Joe and Barbara live in the southern part of Jacksonville, NC, sandwiched in a nice neighborhood north of Camp Lejeune and the center of town.

Getting to their house was pretty easy, but I did have to call twice- once to confirm that we hadn't made a wrong turn about ten miles north of Jacksonville, and another to verify the exit we needed to take of the freeway south of his neighborhood.

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At Joe Buchanan's House in Jacksonville

The Buchanans live on Woodland Drive in a very nice brick colonial house on a beautiful double lot. When we arrived, Joe was home from his current job as a Realtor, and came out to meet us with his English bulldog trailing behind him.

Joe looked about like I remembered him if, as we all are, a little older and heavier. I took some pictures of he and Fred and, although they are repetitive, you can look at them here, here and here.

The house Joe and Barbara have is a really nice one, with five bedrooms (if I counted right)- four upstairs and one down. There's a nice living room, formal dining room, den and a large kitchen. It is all very nicely arranged and wonderfully decorated; Joe and Barbara have excellent taste. Before Barbara got home from her teaching position, Joe took us around the house and Fred got some pictures. I've put descriptions for six of the best pictures that Fred took below. To see the actual picture, just click on the description:

Breakfast Area		Dining Room
Doll Collection		Guest Room
Guest Room		Den

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Dinner with Joe and Barbara (and our hotel)

When Barbara got home, Fred, Joe and Barbara got a chance to catch up, since it has been a very long time since Barbara and Fred have seen each other. For dinner, Joe suggested a seafood restaurant about twenty miles away over east by Swansboro.

The restaurant turned out to be right by the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway at Swansboro, so not only did we have a wonderful meal, but there was a lot of nautical scenery to look at right outside our window at the restaurant. During dinner, I heard a number of interesting stories involving Fred and Joe, and got to know quite a bit about Barbara's career as a teacher. Like most teachers, she has a number of strong opinions about education, and they all seemed to be well-thought-out.

After dinner, we took the drive back to Jacksonville and visited for a while longer before we got up to head a few blocks away to the motel we'd reserved the night before. It was only then that Joe realized he'd just assumed we'd stay with them, but since we hadn't gotten an invitation, we'd gone ahead and reserved a room. He was a bit chagrined, but we assured him it was fine.

The Days Inn turned out to be a nice place, and it was not far away at all.

You can return to today's index or use the links below to continue to another photo album page.

	November 10, 2007: Georgia/North Carolina Trip Day 8
	November 8, 2007: Georgia/North Carolina Trip Day 6
	Return to Main Index for Georgia/North Carolina Trip