Courtney and I have been going non-stop since we landed in Dallas. Courney’s aunt and uncle, Bobbie and Bill, invited us out to be part of a charity clay shoot and to attend the NASCAR events at the Texas Motor Speedway this week. We have been on a few trips with Bobbie and Bill this year and they have all been amazing, and this trip has lived up to that standard so far.

From the airport we headed straight to The Mansion, a very nice spot in the city, for pre-dinner drinks, then off to Charlie Palmer for our actual dinner.  I have never been to any of Charlie’s restaurants, but have heard great things about them and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Charlie was even there, greeting us and even signing bottles of his own wine. That really made it such a cool experience.

Then next morning, after a quick run with Courtney, it was off to the Rough Creek Lodge for some more activates. As soon as we check in it was time to go horseback riding, then Bill and I headed to the shooting range while the ladies checked in at the spa.  After hundred shots and, for me, a pretty sore shoulder we all met back at the lodge for a great dinner to close out the night.

Now we are all driving back to Fort Worth to try to squeeze in a quick ride while my parents and Courtney’s are flying in for the rest of the week’s events. Should be some good family vaca times ahead.

I am traveling to Mendrisio today, and tonight actually.  I love flying out of Greenville as it only takes five minutes to check my bags and get to the gate, it doesn’t get any easier than that.  And today I was lucky enough to avoid the bike charge somehow.

Of course, this morning was the first day that I woke up and it wasn’t raining since I have been home, perfect timing as always.  I heard on the news that one town close by had had so much rain fall that it’s water lines were broken and they now have no running water.  Flooded with no running water, doesn’t sound like so much fun.

It should be another long day and night for me.  I have six hours to kill in Newark before my flight to Milan.  I should probably just grab a taxi and head into the city, but that might be a little too stressful.

This trip to Europe will be my fourth for the year and I still have one more to go in December for a training camp with the team.  I am hoping this one treats me a little better than my last transatlantic flight from Ireland.  Hopefully, once I have had H1N1 I will not get it again.