My absence on the blog is just one manifestation of the incredibly long winter we’ve had here, a lovely welcome back to the East Coast for us.

With Abby and David in Sewanee for perhaps only this year, we wanted to take our opportunity to visit when we could. So, we flew to Nashville and drove down to “The Domain” to pay them a visit, and get a little warmth.

We had a nice time walking around the lovely campus, deserted thanks to spring break, and the girls enjoyed the opportunity to run around.

We also took to opportunity to zip over to Alabama and visit Unclaimed Baggage, which is just what it sounds like it is, massive store that sells unclaimed baggage, including display case after display case of iPods, iPhones, iPads, and so on, abandoned on airplanes.

We also spent a great afternoon on Chattanooga, where I’d never been before. It seemed like a great town, and we soaked up the great weather, walking around in t-shirts for the first time in months.

One of Grace’s enduring memories of Los Angeles is seeing the Space Shuttle, so when we had the chance to show her another Space Shuttle, in Alabama, of all places, we took it. The girls both enjoyed running around the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.

It was a great trip, a nice chance to see Abby and her family, and a welcome break from winter dreariness for us. Plus, two new states for the girls!