New York City - Late Summer 2009

Three friends and I flew up and we spent three days in NYC. We did the major tourist things and saw two plays. It was a fast paced visit but we had fun. We went to see Lady Liberty but we did not even try to get into her head. (I know I could not have climbed all those stairs.) It stills makes my eyes water and my blood boil when I go to Ground Zero.

It was fun sitting in the lawn chairs in the middle of Times Square. It was not like the last time I was there.

 

We saw the Naked Cowboy. Someone said he may run for mayor of NYC.

 

 

The New Home of Brian and Laura

When Brian went to law school in Atlanta he bought a condo. He married Laura they continued to live there until Aug. 22, 2009.

Above are pictures of their new house. It is a beautiful home. I took Gan'mom to see it on Aug. 29. (Brian's parents went with us - my sister and brother in law.)

We had a great visit. We are so happy for them.

Washington, DC - Summer 2009 Trip

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

 Newseum

 

Other DC Stuff

Flew up to DC for a couple of days with friends. I was their "tour guide" since I have been to DC so many times. It was hot and humid but we had fun. They got to see most of the major sites. It was fun to see the renovated Ford's Theater museum.

Since I Retired I Have Been To: (2009)

2009

 

 Catawba Queen

 

Above is the shop when we visited

Below is the current shop. They moved to the square.

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Paul Thomas Chocolates -

Dahlonega, GA

Obama Inauguration

 Chinese Terracotta Soldiers

This list does not include the trips that have their own post in the blog.

 

Washington, DC – Obama Inauguration - January 18 – 21, 2009   (Sunday - Wednesday) (GNT) Monticello, most major DC attractions, Day of inaugurations: went to RFK.  The loading onto the shuttles was a slow process. When we got into DC they dropped us off and we walked toward the mall area.  When we got to 14th Street they said go left. I asked where we were going and the guard said the next open space was at the Lincoln Memorial.  They were hundreds ahead of us so Glenn and I decided to not go that way.  We walked up toward the Capitol so at least we could hear what was going on.  When we got to Air and Space we went inside.  We ate in the upstairs part of the food court (all glass) and could see the crowd on the mall and could see the left side of the platform.  Trees blocked Mr. Obama.  There was a TV at the coffee bar next to us so we sat and listened to the ceremony and ate lunch.  We left not long after the speech to head back to RFK.  The shuttle loading in DC was not organized.  It was a little on the wild side.  We sat on the bus waiting for all to return – the magic time to be back was 4:45.  At 6:22 all were on the bus and we began our journey out of the parking lot at RFK.  There was NO organization.  NO ONE was directing traffic out.  ALL the buses were trying to leave at the same time.  (We were 3 buses from the exit of the parking lot.)  Police did come by and our driver opened his window and waved them down but they just smiled and drove on by.  We exited the parking lot at 7:29.  GNT had an Inaugural Ball for the kids.  Next day we went to Congress Gresham Barrett’s office and he took them to the Capitol and showed them around, they ended the tour by visiting the new Capitol Visitors’ Center.   

Alpharetta and Dahlonega, GA - February 7, 2009   (Saturday) Went to see Brian and Laura then on to Dahlonega. Had lunch at the Smith House then walked around the town square looking in the different shops.  Went to Laura's parents' chocolate shop.

 

Washington, DC  - February 11-14, 2009   (Wednesday-Saturday)  (GNT)  Did all major DC attractions,  National Archives.  We were able to see the original Emancipation Proclamation.  It was on display for four days – because of Lincoln’s 200th birthday.  We went the Kennedy Center was the last activity of the day. (Shear Madness), Monticello, We had a beautiful drive through Virginia – Shenandoah Valley.

 

Atlanta, GA - March 20, 2009  (Friday) (GNT) MLK Site, High Museum -- terra cotta soldiers from the First Emperor of China’s tomb.  They also had terra cotta horses, GA Aquarium had a Titanic exhibit, the King Tut exhibit at the Atlanta Civic Center, Hard Rock Café - a busy day!

 

Washington, DC - April 21-24, 2009  (Tuesday-Friday) (GNT)  All the major DC attractions.

 

                               Land Tour/Cruise – Alaska  

June 1 – 12, 2009   Celebrity Cruise Lines - Millennium

 

Sunday, May 31 - I drove to Atlanta and spent the night withBrian and Laura. Brian took me to the airport Monday morning – he kept my car for me. 

Monday, June 1    Flew from Atlanta (8:45 AM) to Seattle then to Fairbanks, Alaska (3:37 PM).  We arrived in Fairbanks and Celebrity was there with a bus to take us to the Sophia Station Hotel – Fairbanks

Tuesday, June 2  First part of the trip is a land tour.  Began in Fairbanks with a ride on the Riverboat Discovery then took a tour of the El Dorado Gold Mine.  We panned for gold –I got $41 worth and had it put in a locket and gave it to Mom.  We stopped to see the Alaska Oil Pipeline too.  We also toured downtown Fairbanks.                                                                                        

Wednesday, June 3  Morning railroad trip – rode in Celebrity’s glass domed car – had breakfast downstairs during the ride  - from Fairbanks to Denali National Park - Tundra Wilderness Tour – 8 hr. ride in a park bus (like an old school bus) saw all kinds of wildlife – Denali Park - Stayed the night at the Grande Denali Lodge.

Thursday, June 4   Went by motorcoach from Denali to Talkeetna. Stayed the night at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge.  We rode the lodge’s shuttle into the small town and ate at a “bar” on their outside patio – warm night. 

Friday, June 5    Went by motorcoach to Seward.. We stopped in Anchorage for breakfast/lunch.   Boarded ship – Celebrity – Millennium – Room #: 3064 Plaza Deck  Category 06.  Set sail at 9:00 PM   

Saturday, June 6  Hubbard Glacier (cruising)  (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) 

Sunday, June 7  Juneau, Alaska  (8:00 AM – 9:00 PM)   Took a tour of the city.  Only way into the city is by sea or by air – there are no roads into the city.  

Monday, June 8    Skagway, Alaska  (7:00 AM – 8:30 PM)  Took train to Yukon and bus back to town.  Had to have passport.   

Tuesday, June 9  Icy Strait Point, Alaska  (7:00 AM – 4:00 PM)  Took tour of the island and saw a “show” about the Tlingit Indians folk life.

Wednesday, June 10  Ketchikan, Alaska  (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)  Walked around the town and went to the Lumberjack Show. 

Thursday, June 11 Inside Passage Cruising  

Friday, June 12   Arrived at Vancouver, British Columbia (7:00 AM)  We got off and got on a bus to the airport – our luggage was taken to the airport and we claimed it there.  Went through US customs there too. Departed Vancouver 12:50 PM - Arrived Salt Lake City 4 PM/Departed 4:55 PM - Arrived Atlanta 11:05 PM (supposed to be there at 10:36 PM but storms in Atlanta delayed us.)  Brian and Laura  picked me up.

Saturday, June 13 Got back to Spartanburg

 

 

Lake Norman, NC - The Catawba Queen – a paddle wheeler - July 20, 2009    (Monday) (Joy Club) Cruise on lake and lunch on board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costa Rica

Summer 2009

A group of friends went to the Manuel Antonio National Park area. This is on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. They rented a villa and it was beautiful. It was located within Manuel Antonio, right off the main road between the nearby town of Quepos and the national park. The lush jungle setting and breathtaking ocean views were out of this world. They asked me to go - it was free - so I said YES.

We enjoyed the area even though it was the rainy season. It rained usually in the afternoon. I went to rest and relax - and I did!

The pool was wonderful. We did take a zip line ride through the forest. Glad that wire could hold this body!!