Spring trip

On Saturday, I took a Delta flight to North Carolina to help my son with some home repairs, babysit the dog while they were away, and again when they ran their first 50K trail race. The weather in Minneapolis was 35 degrees and sunny, and I was headed to 70 degrees and sunny. The flight was smooth until the end. They warned of turbulence; I had only flown once before where I thought I would get sick. This flight almost made me vomit, and it took about an hour to feel better again.

I arrived shortly after 6:00 PM and reached Jordan's by 7:00 PM. For some reason, this trip left me very stiff and sore. It was hard to walk without some minor pain. I went to bed early but slept poorly.

I was awake at 8:00 AM, and we moved the shelving into the garage, lubricated, and repaired the garage doors. They were very noisy, and we attributed it to loose chains. Some bolts were loose.

North Carolina VS Louisville softball game

I attended the University of North Carolina vs. Louisville softball game at noon. They split the earlier games, and this was the third game to determine the series winner. It was a one-sided slugfest, with North Carolina hitting five home runs to win 14-3. While I have attended many games and watched North Carolina play in other sports, this was the first time I saw the logo at the bottom of a foot on the helmet and a black heel. It made me wonder how they came up with that mascot.

Familiar logo

Logo on helmets today

I discovered that the term “tar heel” dates back to North Carolina’s early history when the state was a major supplier for the naval industry. Workers who distilled turpentine from the sticky sap of pine trees and burned pine boughs to make tar and pitch often went barefoot during hot summer months and probably gathered tar on their heels. Calling someone a “rosin heel” or “tar heel” was to suggest they worked in a humble job.

During the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers redefined the term's meaning and transformed an insult into a badge of honor. They called themselves “tar heels” as a source of state pride. Others adopted the name, and North Carolina became known as the “Tar Heel State.”

After the game, Jordan ran 14 miles while I biked 20 miles and handed out water at various points along the route. It was warm, and he needed more than 20 ounces of fluids. I’m glad I grabbed an extra bottle!

I'm debating whether to take any sleep aids or try sleeping without anything again tonight. After last night, a second poor night of sleep isn't a good idea!

Carry on my friends!