December CD Calendar

Well another year is almost over. I hope it’s been a good one for you. It has been for me for the most part. I was fortunate to take two big trips this year. The first to France to see my nephew and his wife and to meet their new baby. It’s been years since I held a baby. I remember my mother saying that as you get older women miss having a baby to hold. Some nursing homes even have women bring in babies so they can hold them. She also said it’s why so many elderly women like stuffed animals. Something to cuddle. I actually understand as I found myself wishing I had a baby in the family so I could hold it. Turns out I had to go all the way to France but so worth it. Baby Harry just turned one year old last month.

When I was there Harry was not crawling and couldn’t sit up. So many changes in just a few months time. 

In October a friend and I went on a Tauck coach tour called Freedom’s Footsteps. It started in Philadelphia where we saw the Liberty Bell and more. Then on to Gettysburg, Amish Country, Richmond, Charlottesville, Williamsburg and ending with three days in DC. It was a fabulous tour, my first on a bus, and only 16 people on the tour. But after 11 days I was ready to get home. Not only physically exhausting but also so much history that my head was full of information. Here are just a few highlights.

We were hoping to see color and were not disappointed with trees of red, orange, and yellow.

 

I had been to Philadelphia many years ago for a work conference and saw the Liberty Bell but it was great to see it again.

 

George Washington’s actual tent. Before the curtains were opened I imagined that it would be green. As you see it is not. It is in a museum and very protected from elements that could hurt it. After the war the tent changed many hands and wasn’t really taken very good care of. Eventually a minister bought it and donated it to the museum. One of the favorite things I saw.

I had been to Colonial Williamsburg about 35 or 40 years ago so it was almost like seeing it for the first time. Our tour director surprised us with tickets for a carriage ride.

Such interesting patterns on the wall made with the swords and guns. This tour guide was so dramatic and played the part well at the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg.

 

Our hotel in DC was right across the street from the White House. 

The Korean War Memorial. Since I had been in DC a few years ago I had seen most of the memorials and museums. I decided to post this picture because of the beautiful trees behind.

Included in our tour was Monticello and Mt. Vernon, a tour of a recreation of an Amish home followed by the most amazing Amish buffet. Anything and everything you could think of to eat. 

Tauck is known for all of the fine details, stays in 5 star hotels, and amazing food. Because of our DC hotel being right across from the White House it is said that when dignitaries come to town that is where they stay. I kept looking for anyone important but probably wouldn’t recognize someone if they were standing right in front of me.

I collect snow globes from places I have traveled. I already had one of the Liberty Bell and one from DC so these are my newest ones from this trip. 

 

Coming in January there will be a new mini catalog out and it will be Sale-a-bration so look for links to those catalogs in January. And if you want the catalog let me know. I will have them soon.