Hand dryers

Erika and I were exposed to many different forms of hand dryers throughout our trip. Some were definitely better than others. Here I will list all that we could remember and the positives and negatives:

- roll of paper sitting on counter (not the cleanliest, as they are damp and just sitting there...also not easy to use because they give no aid in tearing the towel)

- towel dispenser that looks like an upside down baby wipe container with the towel coming out of a small hole in the middle (not bad, wastes paper, but only need to touch the paper towel)

- towel dispenser with pre-cut towels, pull down on towels to retrieve (simlar as previous, except that these are sometimes difficult to pull, and don't give a lot of paper)

- folded paper towels in dispenser (sometimes hard to reach in to get, and I feel like it ends up being a waste of paper)

- Push down lever for towels with hand (can be gross because other people's wet hands have touched the lever too)

- Push down lever for towels with forearm (Erika kind of liked, but the men's bathroom one was gross, because it was wet, and I didn't want my forearm gross with other people's wetness)

- Automatic towel dispenser (two types)
1. Only dispenses a small amount of paper, and you have to wait a second to get another sheet, annoying and probably end up taking more than you need.
2. This one at the theater where we saw A Christmas Carol dispensed slightly longer sheets of paper, perfect amount for drying, definitely one of the best ones

- Classic blow dryer with push button (seems ineffective because it doesn't dry very well so probably a waste of energy, does not waste paper though...button is rusty sometimes though and wet)

- The best one we saw was in Water Tower Place in Chicago. It supposedly used less energy and was more efficient. Basically, you would lower your hands into a slot where there was air coming from both sides. As you pulled your hands out, they would dry so by the time you removed them completely, you were set to go! These were clearly a new invention, and seemed to be the best that we saw, of course, we only had that one opportunity to see them.

Are there other types of drying devices out there? Some of the bathrooms, it seemed better to just wash your hands and touch as little else as possible... I also wanted to add, that some urinals are now apprently water free. Sounds like it is better because there is no water waste, but come in, do those really work?

Signs of the recession

Erika commented on our drive from Atlanta to Florida, that she noticed there were far fewer billboards filled with ads. She figured, and I agreed, that businesses were probably holding back on buying ads.

Of course, what were the ads that Erika noticed were missing? The apparently well known "bare-all" clubs!

Road trip route

Google reports that this route is 2,959 miles and takes 1 day, 23 hours to drive. We pdrove a bit more here and there, and of course didn't go straight through, but pretty good nonetheless.

Longest drive: the first leg from DC to Kalamazoo - 614 miles and 10 hours 7 minutes.

Back in DC!

After around 3000 miles of driving and going from snow and cold to sunny and warm, we have arrived back in the District.

More debriefing to come in the next couple of days, including pictures that Erika took, which of course, are much better than mine.

Thanks to everyone for their generosity in housing, food, etc!

Erika drawing Marley

Notice she is orange and blue!

Beer sampler at charleston restaurant

Grave of john Rutledge, signer of the constitution

Uploaded - 12\28\08-11

Grave of Charles cotesworth pinckney, signer of the constitution

Uploaded - 12\28\08-9

Second south Carolina regiment, army of the revolution, organized June 17, 1775

"to the defenders of fort moultrie June the 28th, 1776"

Battery park

I'm sure dad would like

Uploaded - 12\28\08-7

Rainbow row

Cobblestone road

Downtown charleston from the water

Uploaded - 12\28\08-3

Uploaded - 12\28\08-2

Uploaded - 12\28\08-1

Water around charleston

In Charleston

This morning's plan was to wake up at around 8, pack and leave Tampa at 12 at the latest. We failed to set an alarm though, and ended up waking up at 10. Somehow, my inner alarm clock didn't wake me up for the first time this vacation...must mean I'm finally relaxed! We ended up leaving at about 1, after a nice breakfast, which still was fine.

Our trip was further delayed because there was massive traffic just outside of Orlando. No, it wasn't because of construction, and it wasn't even an accident. There was a 15 mile backup, that cost us at least an hour, because of an outlet mall. Oh, the consumerism of the US...so annoying.

Anyway, that cut Savannah out of our trip, but we started listening to a cheesy mystery novel and made it to Charleston successfully. Tomorrow, we'll check out the city and then head up to DC.

Once we got to the Days Inn, I had the weirdest craving. I know it's unusual, but I really wanted pizza! So Pizza Hut is lucky enough to be graced by my presence tonight :)

We left another beautiful day in Florida to begin our trek back to the cold.

Thanks so much for all the fun in Florida...we only forgot marley's bowls this time! Poor marley seems to be the victim here on this trip...she could stand to lose a few though.

Now on our way through the I-4 corridor then up to savannah and charleston.

Last night in Tampa

Today, we began by visiting the beach! It is certainly strange to have this sort of weather in the middle of winter, but it was definitely understandable to see why it was so crowded there too.

Once we got back, we had delicious spetchla and leftovers. Then we made sure that the car was god to go, thanks to Erika's friend DJ. After we hung out with some of his coworkers for a while, and we were reminded of some of the different world views that people tend to have. Of course the most interesting one to me was that a group of mechanics would even partially blame unions for the troubles that the auto companies have been dealing with. Where is the solidarity? I mean really!!! The politics was bound to come out at some point, but I think that was the first reference.

Tomorrow, we start our trek back. We will be stopping in Savannah, GA and the Charleston, SC and spending the night there.

As nice as it was to go from freezing Chicago to warm and sunny Tampa, the thought of going back to cold is not first on my list right now...so we'll milk these last couple days.

Going to the beach...in December...crazy!

We opened presents this morning. It was very nice to sit around and enjoy everyone's company. I found out that bodri knows how to take the wrapping paper off of presents. He always made sure not to bite the actual paper and used his nose too! Pictures to come.

Then we went swimming...in December...outside! Crazy here in Florida! After much coaxing, marley finally joined us for a dip and eventually learned to like the water, sort of. I have a few scratches on my chest to remember the fun by. Video to come of that adventure later.

Now we are preparing dinner to close out a relaxing day!

Erika on the piano

Marley chasing a lizard

Today's agenda

- breakfast
- see a christmas carol play
- Christmas eve events

It's a wonderful life

Celebrating tradition, we ended the day watching it's a wonderful life while drinking glögg, which put some hair on my chest

I found nemo!!!

Penguins!

At the aquarium

Marley and bodri on a walk

Finally nice weather!