Pensacola, Florida

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Chaz's mother, step father, and friends in Pensacola. This consisted of home cooked meals, wine, and fun games including trivia.

While it wasn't quite the swimming season, the beaches still made for great views

(Absolutely delicious and very inexpensive oysters!)

Learning how to use most of Chaz's arsenal at the shooting range

Nashville, Tennessee

Got the Nashville experience staying with Jake Bender, a good friend of Chaz.

We explored some of the nightlife and food.

Jake gave me another nick name, Young Will.

(Awesome Boxer!)

(Parthenon Replica)

Washington, D.C.

Finally after living so close to the Capital of the United States and for so long I finally made it here for a visit. 

One word to describe this place: 

Monumental!

(Lincoln Monument)

(Lincoln Monument from a distance)

(The all-mighty capital)

(The White House)

(Washington Monument)

(Thomas Jefferson Monument)

 Air and Space Museum

This place was truly impressive

(The original! First powered airplane piloted by Orville Wright)

After wandering around "The Mall" taking in the significance of what all the monuments represent you should definitely get some soul food! The night scene here in D.C. is also pretty awesome, but get ready to spend some serious money. D.C. seems to be even more expensive than New York City. 

(Delicious soul food)

Baltimore

Back on the road again reunited with my travel companion Chaz. Only this time, instead of Asia, we are traveling across the good old US of A.

Wandered in to this cozy and lively pub to have some shepherds pie. I had no idea I would find an ensemble of violinists.

 Fort McHenry

During the war of 1812, Francis Scott Key was a young lawyer that set off to negotiate the release of an american prisoner aboard a nearby british naval ship. Francis was accompanied by Col. John Skinner, an american agent of prisoner exchange. They managed to convince them to allow the release of the prisoner but would not allow them to leave until they had carried out a surprise attack on Fort McHenry. The bombardment lasted 25 hours. The following morning they could see the flag still blowing in the breeze. They then knew they had won the battle. This inspired Francis to write the poem "Defense of Fort McHenry" which would eventually be put to music and become our national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner. 

(Fort McHenry)

United States Naval Academy

(bad ass grave of John Paul Jones)

Boston

Visited one of my best friends on the planet in Boston!

It was so nice to spend quality time with Ore and Danielle and made some new friends in the process.

Unfortunately, I took no pictures of this little chapter in my travels. Still, I feel the need to add it to the timeline of this long Journey across the world. 

(Boston Marathon finish line)

Mahtomedi, Minnesota

Home for the holidays!

After 13 months of traveling Asia I got to spend Christmas with friends and family in Minnesota. The reverse culture shock was strange as I quickly rewired my brain to the familiar roads, people, food, weather, and the rest of the minute details of life. Within days, what had seemed to exist only in my distant memories like a dream world, had become full on reality. Driving in the snow, prancing through the Johnson's lake house, buying Christmas presents. Minnesota Christmas is the best!

Wish I had taken more pictures, but these are all I've got.