Road Trip Day One: Strong Island to Chapel Hill

I commenced my road trip around noon Thursday departing rainy, 60 degree weather in hopes of finding bluer skies on the South side of the Mason-Dixie. Sure enough things heated up the further South I traveled, and soon I was stuck in the middle of DC rush hour traffic.

Luckily, I have family in the area, so to kill some time and catch up I looked up my brother, Officer O'Brien and we decided to do dinner (at Macaroni Grill). I totally forgot that Officer O'B had recently welcomed a new addition to the family, but was reminded soon after I entered his apartment.


Meeting my Nephew

That's me and my nephew, Barnabas "Barney" Hasinger-O'Brien. I still love Homer, but Barney's pretty cool.



After dinner, I continued my trek, ending up in Chapel Hill, N.C., home of my alma mater and generally considered the Southern part of Heaven. I checked in to a Courtyard by Marriott, which is also hosting members of the Kansas and Dartmouth baseball teams, who are both here for the Super-Regionals of the College World Series. The Road to Omaha starts here!

A fire alarm roused my awake at about 7:55, so I decided to run up to campus. Of course, I forgot to pack workout clothes, so I had the pleasure of running in cotton in 90% humidity. Ah, the days before moisture wicking, how I don't miss thee.

There's a ton of construction going on up on the campus, but I also noticed that a lot of the guys here bear a striking resemblance to Kenneth from 30 Rock. Just saying.

I'm going to keep heading South, looking to end up in Tampa. I don't think I'll make it in time for tonight's game, but should be able to catch Tropicana Field on Saturday morning and add it to my list of ballparks visited.