Operation: Dano Quest - Part Three, The Final Leg of the Journey

(SORRY FOR THE DELAY! I forgot to Publish!!)

Something I keep forgetting to mention. I have a distant cousin who was in India Company with Dano! Yes, my cousin Tyler went through boot in a different platoon, but the same company. I got to see my older cousin Steven (his Dad) and meet my cousin Angela (Tyler's sister), but never  managed to meet up with everyone to meet Tyler and congratulate him. So... in case you see this: Congratz to you my distant cousin (4 times removed or something). Everyone is super proud of you.

Let's see... after the graduation, we fought our way through traffic and off of base. We went to get Dano is first off base eats. It was just Applebee's because it was right there and it had all the foods. We were not the only ones. Throughout our lunch we saw many others from India Company come through with their family and friends.

After this we decided to wander what is called in this area "The Water Front"

Agent B-Lightning and I quickly took up flanking positions to watch the back of our New Marine while he walked arm and arm with his Mum and Angie.
Wandering about. Agent B-lightning is off to my left here.

Beautiful view!

After a bit, Angie and I peeled off. We knew we would get about 14 hours in a car with Knobel, and his Mum and brother were headed back to the sands of Arizona the next day.

The shops on the waterfront were pretty awesome.
So many little shops!

Cool statue. Passed him a few time.

Don't mind if I do!!

These folks noticed Glass and were AMAZED!
 Only a few people noticed what was on my face. Above is one shop where I gave a little demo. (Also where the free cupcakes were.) The lady on the left was astounded. She makes glass beads and jewelery (yep, blows the glass, shapes the beads, makes awesome happen). Immediately she started talking about how she could use Glass for her work and art. How she could train others, watch or record videos on How To for certain techniques.
Google.. she is waiting for that public release!

Hodge-Podge. Angie really liked that plate.

Tin Everything!!!

After a few hours of shopping, trying on expensive clothing (woo!) and wandering we met back up for dinner. If we were going to make our last stop, we needed to head out of South Carolina by a certain time (I think we determined 7pm).

So, dinner was had at a local Outback. We ordered a round of shots and was amazed when our server came back and said "That round was taken care of. Congratz on your graduation, sir" to Knobel. Well, eventually the couple who did this revealed themselves. She and he were Marines back in the day. Super amazing couple.
We are a classy bunch!


After dinner we said our teary farewells. Really, Agent B-Lightning and Karen were awesome people. My life is more rich with knowing them, even a little.

We had one last picture taken all together. See? Totally classy!
In the parking lot Dano wanted to Change, so we stood guard... but then a funny thing happened.
His old cloths just did not fit!
It's amazing what a Marine 'diet' will do for you! He planned to donate a lot of his old cloths.
I mean... Look at those GUNS!!!
Totally Buff!
So, we headed out.
I took the first driving shift. I pushed all the way through as far as I could... which was through North Carolina. (Not a short drive!)
Per Angie we visited a place called "On the Boarder". Most of the compound was closed, but I got some crappy coffee, split a chilli with Dano and goofed off in the weird store.
Pedro! BAD TOUCH!!!
We drove, and drove, and drove... so much driving. And then, we made it! Western Massachusetts!! Who the hell wants to go there?! We did. We needed showers and clean cloths so we called friends who were gracious enough to let us shower, nap, and change. We then went for breakfast and off for our final destination... the Black and White ball!

*SURPRISE!!*
SURPRISE!
Dano was greeted with a lot of "Oh my god! You're here!" and "I almost didn't recognize you!"
I quickly pealed off and headed for the kitchen to attend my duties and help out. Angie and Dano went questing and I didn't see them for most of the day. Now and again I would pop out to see what was happening. What mattered was the smile on Dano's face, and the fun he was having.

Folkestone Family!
At the end of the night there was dancing, and hugs. Dano and I stole away late in my car and headed for the land of sleep. Over the next few days I worked (as I do), skated, and he went to see his Recruiter, old teachers, and worked his Recruiter Assignments. 

So... Dano Quest. An insane dream to drive 17 or so hours, crossing a dozen states from New Hampshire (via Vermont) to South Carolina with one purpose: Dano. Angie and I did it.
Nothing can take away the awesome experiences we had, the talks, the jokes, and the all around love of the mission.

Quest Success.

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