Sometimes it doesn't pay to be an optimist

So, we started this day in Roanoke, Virginia, expecting to fly to Philadelphia then on to Manchester, England.  Unfortunately, when Rudolph landed in Roanoke, his nose wouldn't light.  As a result, US Air decided our best option was to jump on the flight south to Charlotte, NC, then to Frankfurt, Germany, and then back west to Manchester.  It only added a few hours to the trip...something like nine.  I learned why this flight was $200 per seat cheaper than the British airlines...no free beer and wine.

Of course, always optimistic, for seventeen hours I wait expectantly for the best frankfurter in the world, which I'm sure I'm going to get when I arrive in Frankfurt.

Thankfully, I found the Virgin convenience store, where the Paulaner was €3 cheaper than in the restaurant that robbed me and gave me this hot dog and potato salad in return.

McAfee's Knob - Catawba, VA

Probably the most-photographed point on the southern Appalachain Trail - so I had to hike up this hill, hang the camera in a pine tree, and get one picture.  As it was pushing 95 degrees F on the day of the walk, I went alone...except for the black snake that crossed the trail in front of me.

Cascades Trail - a quintessential Virginia trail - Pembroke, VA

The Cascades Trail in Pembroke, VA - just between Blacksburg and Roanoke - offers a combination of the quintessential Virginia creekside hike and a short, easy trail.  At only four miles round-trip, with a deep, cold swimming hole at the trail's end, this is one of the best summer hikes to be had in the area.  You're sure to run in to numerous college students from Virginia Tech.

Look at the pictures below - stunning!