We're back home after a great trip! Stopped in Atlanta at Trader Joe's before coming home. We didn't know there was one there -- I love that place!
Hopefully, we will go to Yellowstone in January. We'll keep you posted on our hippie travels!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Have Sweats, Will Travel
Cynthia and I did make it to the tearoom, but she forced me to look nice. Fortunately, she took me to a consignment shop where I bought an entire outfit, including shoes. She couldn't believe I went on a two week trip with three pairs of sweatpants. After we left the consignment shop, we were going back to her house for me to change, but we started talking so much we forgot that and ended up in the parking lot of the tearoom -- me still in my sweats. I had to change in the bathroom. While I was changing, Cynthia was loitering in the hallway when the hostess asked her if she needed something. She just said, "No, my friend is in the bathroom changing. She didn't have any nice clothes so we had to go buy her some so we could have lunch here."
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
What to Wear?
We're in Cleveland, TN, just outside Chattanooga, where we're visiting our friends Lee and Cynthia. We've just spent a great evening together, but Cynthia is determined to take me to a tearoom for lunch tomorrow. In fact, she's even made reservations. Here's the problem. I'm traveling light on this adventure -- when you only change clothes every three or four days, you don't need much -- so I've got exactly three pairs of sweatpants, a couple of t-shirts and my old lady, white, zip-up tennis shoes. And two of the sweatpants are filthy. I told her I'm not going to go out and buy an outfit (including shoes) just for lunch. Well, she's saying we'll figure something out. I may be the worst-dressed person ever to enter what has been chosen as the best tearoom in Tennessee.
Manhattan Project
Even though we lived in Tennessee for 23 years, we had never gone to Oakridge to see all the stuff there about the Manhattan Project. In case you don't know, this was the code name for building the atom bomb that ended World War II. Oakridge is a town just outside Knoxville that the government built for this project. It was a "secret" town that wasn't placed on any maps until after the war ended. Although thousands of people worked there, they had no idea what they were working on. It's hard to believe in this day of the internet, CNN and instant everything. They only knew they were working on something important.
There's a great museum there that explains how the town came about, with lots of interesting tidbits from the era. We also heard a talk by a gentleman who has just published a book of black and white pictures from Oakridge during the Manhattan project.
There's a great museum there that explains how the town came about, with lots of interesting tidbits from the era. We also heard a talk by a gentleman who has just published a book of black and white pictures from Oakridge during the Manhattan project.
Philadelphia
We spent a couple of days in Philadelphia, seeing the sights. The Liberty Bell, the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the first Congress . . . it was awe inspiring to walk where our founding fathers walked.
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we jumped up and down where Rocky jumped up and down. Gary ran up all 72 steps, just like Rocky. We also ate Philly cheesesteaks at the place the Food Network said is the best. They were okay -- I guess I just don't like Philly cheesesteaks that much.
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we jumped up and down where Rocky jumped up and down. Gary ran up all 72 steps, just like Rocky. We also ate Philly cheesesteaks at the place the Food Network said is the best. They were okay -- I guess I just don't like Philly cheesesteaks that much.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
A Slice of Americana
We saw a really great Norman Rockwell exhibition today; it was very well done. I've always loved his work because he could really capture average Americans. My favorite is the one where the grandma and the little boy are in a restaurant praying before their meal, and everyone is looking at them.
By the way, the exhibition was in the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia. It's the second largest mall in the U.S. And just think, only a few weeks ago, I went to the largest mall in the country, in Minneapolis. I actually liked the one today better!
By the way, the exhibition was in the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia. It's the second largest mall in the U.S. And just think, only a few weeks ago, I went to the largest mall in the country, in Minneapolis. I actually liked the one today better!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Soaking Up History
So much for seeing friends in Chattanooga. Due to a very contagious stomach bug in their house, they suggested we catch them up on the way back home. So, after driving for several hours in the rain, we spent our first night in a Wal-Mart parking lot somewhere in Virginia (along with several other cars and a truck -- all of us clustered around a sign that said "No Overnight Parking."
We then spent an unexpected and absolutely delightful day in the small town of Lexington, VA, home to Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University. Robert E. Lee was president of Washington and Lee from after the Civil War until his death. According to the helpful lady at the Visitor's Center, he took the job because after the Civil War he really needed a job. I've always admired Lee, and this visit only confirmed that. He was a man of character and integrity. He told his student he only had one rule: Always be a gentleman.
We also saw the grave of Lee's beloved horse, Traveller. Lee always kept the stable open and let Traveller graze on the yard. Today, the stable is still kept open so Traveller's spirit can roam freely.
Interested tidbit of trivia; Robert E. Lee was regarded as a traitor by the government because of his service to the Confederacy. He finally received a pardon from the federal government in the late 1970s by President Ford.
The town of Lexington is so pretty and quaint. We're not on a schedule, and it's was great to explore a place we would have never found if we hadn't jumped off the interstate.
Yesterday, we did Gettysburg, which was absolutely fascinating. It certainly brought out the UDC member in me. (For those of you who don't know, that's United Daughter of the Confederacy -- and to be fair, I'm a DAR, too.) We didn't know how close that battle actually was and could really have gone either way.
We also saw President Eisenhower's home there, which was not luxurious at all, and in many ways, quite spartan. We learned Mamie Eisenhower was addicted to soap operas, "As the World Turns" in particular, and if she had to miss it, she made a secret service agent watch and write down what happened. Remember, this was way before VCRs and TIVO.
Today, we spent the entire day at Valley Forge, where George Washington and his troops spent a terrible winter. And since it is very cold and snowing here today, the weather felt quite appropriate! We actually wimped out and are in a hotel tonight. We felt the need for a hot shower, and I just can't make myself rent a shower at a truck stop!
Tomorrow, Philadelphia.
We then spent an unexpected and absolutely delightful day in the small town of Lexington, VA, home to Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University. Robert E. Lee was president of Washington and Lee from after the Civil War until his death. According to the helpful lady at the Visitor's Center, he took the job because after the Civil War he really needed a job. I've always admired Lee, and this visit only confirmed that. He was a man of character and integrity. He told his student he only had one rule: Always be a gentleman.
We also saw the grave of Lee's beloved horse, Traveller. Lee always kept the stable open and let Traveller graze on the yard. Today, the stable is still kept open so Traveller's spirit can roam freely.
Interested tidbit of trivia; Robert E. Lee was regarded as a traitor by the government because of his service to the Confederacy. He finally received a pardon from the federal government in the late 1970s by President Ford.
The town of Lexington is so pretty and quaint. We're not on a schedule, and it's was great to explore a place we would have never found if we hadn't jumped off the interstate.
Yesterday, we did Gettysburg, which was absolutely fascinating. It certainly brought out the UDC member in me. (For those of you who don't know, that's United Daughter of the Confederacy -- and to be fair, I'm a DAR, too.) We didn't know how close that battle actually was and could really have gone either way.
We also saw President Eisenhower's home there, which was not luxurious at all, and in many ways, quite spartan. We learned Mamie Eisenhower was addicted to soap operas, "As the World Turns" in particular, and if she had to miss it, she made a secret service agent watch and write down what happened. Remember, this was way before VCRs and TIVO.
Today, we spent the entire day at Valley Forge, where George Washington and his troops spent a terrible winter. And since it is very cold and snowing here today, the weather felt quite appropriate! We actually wimped out and are in a hotel tonight. We felt the need for a hot shower, and I just can't make myself rent a shower at a truck stop!
Tomorrow, Philadelphia.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Mid-life Crisis
Our daughter says we're having a mid-life crisis. We didn't really think of it that way. Instead, it just seemed like a natural break since we moved. But maybe this is a mid-life crisis. What is it about these particular years that makes us want to change everything and do something completely different?
When you're young, it seems like you have all the time in the world to do whatever it is your heart desires. But after marriage and jobs and children and houses and dogs and cats . . . the time slips away and suddenly we realize there is an end to this ride. Anybody else feeling the same?
When you're young, it seems like you have all the time in the world to do whatever it is your heart desires. But after marriage and jobs and children and houses and dogs and cats . . . the time slips away and suddenly we realize there is an end to this ride. Anybody else feeling the same?
Rain Again
Last time we left, it was pouring down rain. Today, it's pouring down rain. And we still have to pack the car. I wanted to leave yesterday. Then I wanted to leave first thing this morning. But, at 11 p.m. last night, GB decided we needed to refinish our huge kitchen table. Those of you who know him will understand this is perfectly normal behavior.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Off Again!
We're leaving tomorrow for another hippie adventure. This time, we're going very simple. We basically have a mattress and two sleeping bags in the back of the mini-van, some clothes and a laptop. We're heading up to Chattanooga for GB to fly fish and to visit with some dear, dear friends there. Then, we're planning to drive up to Gettysburg. Not sure if we'll actually get there this trip. GB has a conference back in Chattanooga on the 10th, and I have to be back home for an event on the 12th.
Our friends can't believe we slept in Wal-Mart's parking lot, and our children think we've lost our mind. This is the most fun we've had in years!
Our friends can't believe we slept in Wal-Mart's parking lot, and our children think we've lost our mind. This is the most fun we've had in years!
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