A Trip Down Travel-Memories Lane Part One
Saturday, November 7, 2015
I thought it would be fun to think about all the trips I have been on and see what pops into my head as "moments."
Des Plaines-First trips as little kid--to Gatsis' in Des Plaines, IL from west side of Chicago--seemed very far. We arrived with our own bottles of water because they had well water, and then spent the week fishing, playing at Lake Park, and watching the 4th of July fireworks. Another was a trip to Wagon Wheel hotel/motel in Des Plaines with Mom, Dad, & Kathy, so that Dad could swim all he Highlight-Meeting Michael Landon there, and Kathy being so excited that she forgot to put her pants on before going to tell cousin Renee about it.
wanted on his one weekend vacation a year.
Washington DC with Mom, Kathy, and the Thermos family. Mom, Kathy, and I took the train and I haven't been on one since and hope not to ever have to take one! Highlight-seeing the Lincoln Memorial and how President Lincoln sat solemnly looking at us and realizing that he wasn't just someone I read about but that he was a great man who changed the course of our country. The FBI tour was awesome as well.
Florida--When I was probably in 6th or 7th grade I went with the Thermos' on a driving trip to Florida, but I don't have lots of details in my head although I remember going through the Smoky Mountains. Highlight-going into my first cave with stalagmites and stalactites.
Since then, I have been to Florida several times...during early teaching years I drove with Chris Jakicic several years in a row on spring break to St. Petersburg. Highlights--music, frozen strawberry daiquiris, and beach time.
Disneyworld in Orlando Florida--Kathy and I took Christina and Nikki to Mickey land. I believe Christina was 10 and Nikki 8. It was the first time that they both had been on airplanes. We stayed at the Polynesian Hotel, took the monorail to the parks, rode all the fun attractions. Highlight--watching the girls' reactions when they saw a character and had their little autograph books signed and Nikki yelling "we are going to die!" on Thunder Mountain. Of course, Christina will tell you that this is the trip that we weren't allowed to drink or pee, because Auntie Kathy would not be happy if we lost our places in line.
Kathy Giancola, Kathy Creely, Heather Hopkins and I went to Disneyworld for a NCTE conference to make a presentation for our now-defunct School Leaders Solutions business. That went well, but the Highlight--all the parks lit with Christmas lights and decorations.
In 2014, Kathy, Kathy Creely, Barb, and I went to Disneyworld to watch Christina and Nikki participate in the the Princess Half-marathon...and actually Christina Barb, Kathy Creely, and I were supposed to do the half marathon as well. Barb was injured but completed the 5K. Kathy C and I tried our best at the half marathon, but my pace was too slow and after 6 miles we ended up on the "special bus" that returned us to the park. The girls did amazing. Nikki completed her first half marathon, and Christina completed the Glass Slipper which was the 10K and half marathon, not to mention her coast-to-coast, having also completed a half marathon in Disneyland. We all had dinner together including our biggest fan John. Highlight-taking a picture of Christina decked out in her 5 medals and standing next to Walt Disney statue.
Now Barb and John live in Florida for the winter, and I have been several times to Bradenton, Florida. Every time I go, it is a new experience, not that it has to be but somehow it turns out that way. I've been to the Venice Rookery, Myakka Park with all the alligators, the Tampa Electric manatee viewing, peacock city, the mangroves. Highlights-unknowingly sitting next to the alligator on Barb's lake, walking the shallow waters of Lido Beach and seeing one starfish after another, and the boat nature tour. (I have an entire entry on my last trip there...check it out).
California with Maids of Athena (the Maids strive to achieve the ideals of Athena, as well as promote the Principles of our Order: Sisterhood, Service, Citizenship, Hellenism, Family and Arete) and Sons of Pericles groups. Kathy, Debbie, and I went on this trip. Met our Mormon, blond-haired cousins for the first time, not to mention all the other members of our groups from all over the United States. Highlight...riding the bus and singing the Beach Boys song California Girls and every time it talked about a section of U. S. like the East Coast girls, Midwest girls, all the people from those areas sang their parts and everyone sang chorus---Hey, that was my first participation in a Community Sing!
San Diego, California-Kathy Creely and I went to San Diego for the brain conference which was a stimulating experience, to say the least. Highlight...Kathy and I going to the Wildlife Park, taking the tour, and the giraffe coming up to us and licking us with the longest tongue ever. Also, seeing the redwoods was glorious. I wish I could have just sat there and looked up and those monuments to the natural world.
San Francisco, California-Kathy Creely and I traveled here. So many good memories like sitting at the outdoor restaurant, soaking in sunshine and talking. Highlight...Kathy and I "Biking the Bridge"..omg so funny. Just getting the bikes to and from the bridge provided great entertainment. Then once on the bridge where it was so windy, we took off. Kathy was ahead of me, and as we approached a turn it was like a slow motion picture as Kathy slowly leaned to the left and before I knew it was down on the ground. Not funny that she fell--but the process was priceless. Oh, and there was the redwoods--the glorious redwoods
Michigan-Canada--Barb and I took a driving vacation around Michigan and Cananda........We saw so many amazing sights along the way. Highlights-- seeing all five of the great lakes--Lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario; watching our little otter build his home; listening to my first audible book Scarlet Feathers while we drove this journey;
New York-Barb and I went to New York for a long weekend. This was before 9/11, so it has changed since we were there, but for us there was so much to see. Highlights...Ellis Island and the tenement museum when, for the first time, I truly realized how strong the people were who came to America to find a better life; seeing the play Aida where we witnessed who would become the Tony award winner, Heather Headley sing (Check out the separate post of one of her songs), and of course Times Square and Barb becoming paralyzed by the crowds.
More travels to be continued...
I thought it would be fun to think about all the trips I have been on and see what pops into my head as "moments."
Des Plaines-First trips as little kid--to Gatsis' in Des Plaines, IL from west side of Chicago--seemed very far. We arrived with our own bottles of water because they had well water, and then spent the week fishing, playing at Lake Park, and watching the 4th of July fireworks. Another was a trip to Wagon Wheel hotel/motel in Des Plaines with Mom, Dad, & Kathy, so that Dad could swim all he Highlight-Meeting Michael Landon there, and Kathy being so excited that she forgot to put her pants on before going to tell cousin Renee about it.wanted on his one weekend vacation a year.
Washington DC with Mom, Kathy, and the Thermos family. Mom, Kathy, and I took the train and I haven't been on one since and hope not to ever have to take one! Highlight-seeing the Lincoln Memorial and how President Lincoln sat solemnly looking at us and realizing that he wasn't just someone I read about but that he was a great man who changed the course of our country. The FBI tour was awesome as well. Florida--When I was probably in 6th or 7th grade I went with the Thermos' on a driving trip to Florida, but I don't have lots of details in my head although I remember going through the Smoky Mountains. Highlight-going into my first cave with stalagmites and stalactites.
Since then, I have been to Florida several times...during early teaching years I drove with Chris Jakicic several years in a row on spring break to St. Petersburg. Highlights--music, frozen strawberry daiquiris, and beach time.
Disneyworld in Orlando Florida--Kathy and I took Christina and Nikki to Mickey land. I believe Christina was 10 and Nikki 8. It was the first time that they both had been on airplanes. We stayed at the Polynesian Hotel, took the monorail to the parks, rode all the fun attractions. Highlight--watching the girls' reactions when they saw a character and had their little autograph books signed and Nikki yelling "we are going to die!" on Thunder Mountain. Of course, Christina will tell you that this is the trip that we weren't allowed to drink or pee, because Auntie Kathy would not be happy if we lost our places in line.Kathy Giancola, Kathy Creely, Heather Hopkins and I went to Disneyworld for a NCTE conference to make a presentation for our now-defunct School Leaders Solutions business. That went well, but the Highlight--all the parks lit with Christmas lights and decorations.
In 2014, Kathy, Kathy Creely, Barb, and I went to Disneyworld to watch Christina and Nikki participate in the the Princess Half-marathon...and actually Christina Barb, Kathy Creely, and I were supposed to do the half marathon as well. Barb was injured but completed the 5K. Kathy C and I tried our best at the half marathon, but my pace was too slow and after 6 miles we ended up on the "special bus" that returned us to the park. The girls did amazing. Nikki completed her first half marathon, and Christina completed the Glass Slipper which was the 10K and half marathon, not to mention her coast-to-coast, having also completed a half marathon in Disneyland. We all had dinner together including our biggest fan John. Highlight-taking a picture of Christina decked out in her 5 medals and standing next to Walt Disney statue.
Now Barb and John live in Florida for the winter, and I have been several times to Bradenton, Florida. Every time I go, it is a new experience, not that it has to be but somehow it turns out that way. I've been to the Venice Rookery, Myakka Park with all the alligators, the Tampa Electric manatee viewing, peacock city, the mangroves. Highlights-unknowingly sitting next to the alligator on Barb's lake, walking the shallow waters of Lido Beach and seeing one starfish after another, and the boat nature tour. (I have an entire entry on my last trip there...check it out).
California with Maids of Athena (the Maids strive to achieve the ideals of Athena, as well as promote the Principles of our Order: Sisterhood, Service, Citizenship, Hellenism, Family and Arete) and Sons of Pericles groups. Kathy, Debbie, and I went on this trip. Met our Mormon, blond-haired cousins for the first time, not to mention all the other members of our groups from all over the United States. Highlight...riding the bus and singing the Beach Boys song California Girls and every time it talked about a section of U. S. like the East Coast girls, Midwest girls, all the people from those areas sang their parts and everyone sang chorus---Hey, that was my first participation in a Community Sing!
San Diego, California-Kathy Creely and I went to San Diego for the brain conference which was a stimulating experience, to say the least. Highlight...Kathy and I going to the Wildlife Park, taking the tour, and the giraffe coming up to us and licking us with the longest tongue ever. Also, seeing the redwoods was glorious. I wish I could have just sat there and looked up and those monuments to the natural world.
San Francisco, California-Kathy Creely and I traveled here. So many good memories like sitting at the outdoor restaurant, soaking in sunshine and talking. Highlight...Kathy and I "Biking the Bridge"..omg so funny. Just getting the bikes to and from the bridge provided great entertainment. Then once on the bridge where it was so windy, we took off. Kathy was ahead of me, and as we approached a turn it was like a slow motion picture as Kathy slowly leaned to the left and before I knew it was down on the ground. Not funny that she fell--but the process was priceless. Oh, and there was the redwoods--the glorious redwoods
Michigan-Canada--Barb and I took a driving vacation around Michigan and Cananda........We saw so many amazing sights along the way. Highlights-- seeing all five of the great lakes--Lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario; watching our little otter build his home; listening to my first audible book Scarlet Feathers while we drove this journey;
New York-Barb and I went to New York for a long weekend. This was before 9/11, so it has changed since we were there, but for us there was so much to see. Highlights...Ellis Island and the tenement museum when, for the first time, I truly realized how strong the people were who came to America to find a better life; seeing the play Aida where we witnessed who would become the Tony award winner, Heather Headley sing (Check out the separate post of one of her songs), and of course Times Square and Barb becoming paralyzed by the crowds.
More travels to be continued...
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