We're Ba-a-a-ack!

We're home. Twelve days, 2500 miles, 15 relatives. And a desk buried in mail when we returned. Not to mention about 200 emails.

We spent two days at my in-laws sorting old pictures with my mother-in-law and my daughter. Three generations listening to stories of a wooden shoe factory in Sweden, her father's arrival at Ellis Island, and growing up in the 30's and 40's in New York.

It was fascinating.

Go. Visit your oldest relatives while you can. Hear their stories. Preserve your family's history. A family tree is great, but it just knowing the names can't tell you the tales. So do it while you can.

It's the best use of your travel time, especially if you can get three or four generations together.

Remember, life is a journey - travel first class!

Relative Vacations and Restaurants

Here we are, two weeks into the New Year, and we've already been on one trip. We're heading out again tomorrow for a 'relative' vacation. We giggle and tell ourselves it's all relative – whether it's a vacation or not. Twelve days – fourteen relatives! Of course, they come in twos, so it's not quite so bad.

Actually, it's a grand semi-annual tour: dinner with my favorite aunt and uncle in Charlotte, followed by several days at Ed's parents. We'll see his brother's and my sister's families while we're there (Georgia). Then we round out the 1800-mile circle with a stop in Richmond to see his youngest brother and family. If we had time, we could catch two more in Newport News, VA.
Relative vacations are the greatest. The accommodations are usually free, so you can spend your travel funds on fun stuff. Listen to great stories about 'the good old days', do some sightseeing and shopping … and eat. In America, folks get together to eat! Food has become a national pasttime.

It's one of the best reasons to travel. Try local eateries, ethnic restaurants, diners, and regional favorites. To avoid adding pounds, here's some quick tips:

~Order a dinner to split. Most restaurant meals are big enough to serve more than one.

~Make a meal on just appetizers.

~Enjoy a salad. Studies show that salad eaters naturally eat less food during the meal.

~Drink a glass of water before dining and during the meal. It helps you to feel full.

~If you're ordering a full dinner, mentally draw a line through half the meal. Enjoy half – and 'doggie bag' the rest for lunch the next day.

~While on the road, pack flavored waters plus snacks like grapes, apples, nuts and dried fruit. Chips and pretzels are quick – but completely empty of nutritional value.

~Many menus feature low carb, low calorie and low fat meals. Try them.

~Set a goal to eat healthy at least one meal a day while you're traveling.

Till the next time – bon appetite!

A Journey of Politics

My dream is of a place and a time
where America will once again be seen
as the last best hope of earth.
~ Abraham Lincoln

The political primaries have started.
For us, it's touched off a new experience.

We both hold township government positions –
Ed as a supervisor and I as an auditor –
but we've not been very involved
in the whole political election process.

This year, we've decided to
dip our toes in the water, so to speak,
and help a state representative get re-elected.

Why now?

Perhaps it was our trip to the state capitol last spring.
Standing in the massive rotunda …
absorbing the history …
knowing that important decisions and commitments
have been made there to steer the course
of our state and nation.

Perhaps it was our tour of Washington DC …

The Lincoln Memorial …
the most inspiring monument in DC -
(the words of President Lincoln etched on those walls
still speak to our national well-being).

The Vietnam Memorial …
all those brave soldiers who have earned immortality
with the carvings on that Wall
(and who should be my age by now).

The Constitution … The Declaration of Independence …
The Capitol Building and the White House.

Perhaps, as I suspect, the older we get,
the more we realize what a great nation we are.
And how dearly we should value and support
the institutions that keep us great.

We need to honor the Office,
regardless of our political view.
We need to pray for every elected official –
for wisdom, integrity and restraint.

And we need to make time
to visit the monuments of our history –
To remind ourselves of the high price
so many have paid for us to be
One Nation Under God, Indivisible …
with Liberty and Justice for ALL.

An Enjoyable Prescription for Stress: Travel

I read an article today that asked if I was 'burned out'.
Irritable. Low energy. Headaches. Upset tummy.

The 'prescription' was a trip to Italy!

OK – sounds wonderful.
But totally impractical.
Usually our day-to-day workload won’t allow
running away for a week or two.
And who wants to fly all the way to Italy
for just a day or two?

So here's my alternate suggestion –
Take a mini vacation!

How about a long weekend at the beach.
A quick trip to a mountain resort.
Theater in the city …
Try a day-spa to relax and rejuvenate.
If you're really pressed for time,
do dinner and a movie!

Anything that gets you away
from your normal routine
refreshes your mind and emotions
and relaxes your body.

The article went on to say that your health
and work performance will greatly improve
after your stress-free 'get-away'.


So don't feel guilty.
Travel is not a reward,
it's a healthy benefit for your life.
Plan mini-vacations into your schedule.
Make a date with your spouse, friend or companion.
Get out, get going, get away.You'll be glad you did!

Quick Tips for "Green" Travel

Reduce, reuse, recycle.
You've heard it for years.
But what can you do
to help the environment when you travel?
Here are some tips to make it easy
for your trips to be eco-friendly.

More than two-thirds of air pollution
in US cities is from auto emissions.
Use public transport, rent a bike or take a walking tour.

Fly Southwest or Virgin Airlines –
the industry leaders for eco-friendly travel.

Reuse sheets and towels if you're staying
more than one night.

Take shorter showers, especially if you're staying
in an area where water is a limited resource.

Pick eco-friendly activities – local markets, native sites –
and always leave it better than you found it.

For more ideas, see the full article at
http://www.touringwithus.com/imarticle.php?articleid=177928

Travel well.

Trips and Tales of Long Ago

I apologize, dear Reader,
for neglecting you yesterday.
An unexpected business trip
threw my schedule completely out of kilter.
I've only just gotten home and unpacked.

You know by now that I'm a fan of mini-trips.
Any excuse to travel is a good one - even business!

After our morning meeting, we enjoyed lunch
with a contemporary of my father's.
I don't know which was more enjoyable
– the food or the stories.

He talked of his father,
who graduated from Penn State in 1903.

His dad helped to develop the first airport in Pittsburgh,
where Lindbergh landed during his good will tour;
and of trying to build a business during the Depression.

He told us of his own experiences during WWII in the Air Corps,
and what life was like after the war - the myriad changes
in his family and businesses through the past century and more.

One of the best reasons for travel is to visit with family …
meet old and new friends … and share life's experiences.

So many of the stories told by the veterans of WWII –
whether they served overseas
or supported the troops from home –
(and the stories they remember about their ancestors)
are doomed to be lost if they aren't captured soon
with audio, video, or pen & paper.

So here's my travel suggestion for you today.
Sometime in the next few months,
spend a few hours or a few days visiting
with the most senior members of your family.
Ask them for all the stories they can remember
about their story – your history.

I wish you great stories and happy travels.

A Tale of Two Towns ...

Genealogy is a hot topic for a lot of families.
Finding ancestors and learning their stories
is fascinating as well as satisfying.

We all have a story to tell, a book to write …
and someday – whether in the near or far future –
someone will be researching us.
They'll want to know who we were and what we did,
where we lived and where we are buried.
They'll want to know whose lives we touched
and how they are linked to us.

A year or so ago, we traveled to a town
about two hours south of 'home' …
to try to find the house where my dad was raised.
I only knew it as '208' …
that's what it was called while I was growing up.

To read the rest of the article, click the link below.
I'll tell you the tale of searching for our ancestral homes.

http://www.touringwithus.com/imarticle.php?articleid=198236

I never knew any of my grandparents;
Ed had the privilege of grands and great-grands
on both sides of his family.
His great granddad even had twin sisters,
Annie and Fannie.

It seems the older we get,
the more we want to find with our history ...
To know something more about our connections
with past generations.

Both of our trips were completely enjoyable –
and a great excuse for a mini-vacation!
Both were successful as well.
Read all about it …
http://www.touringwithus.com/imarticle.php?articleid=198236

If you've not done it yet, plan a weekend or more
on the trail of your family.
I've written to cousins that I haven't talked with in years.
And they responded with stories I'd never heard before.

I hope you have the same wonderful experiences.

Until next time, remember -
Life is a journey. Travel first class!

A Lesson from Dad

I travel a lot;
I hate having my life disrupted by routine.
~Caskie Stinnett

My dad loved to travel.
Any time … anywhere …for any reason.

At least once a month, Sunday afternoon was a family adventure.
After church, we'd pile in the white '58 Chevy station wagon
with the rear-facing back seat. Boys in the back on the way out;
girls in the back on the way home or vice versa.
'Lunch' might be in town or hours away.

The 'Castle' Restaurant in Olean.
A wonderful Chinese buffet in Buffalo.
The historic Peacock Inn in Mayville NY.
Hot dogs and ice cream cones at a local Tastee Freeze.

After lunch, we'd hike the Allegheny National Forest or a state park.
Sometimes, we'd don swimsuits for splashing in a nearby stream.
Many times we walked the historic streets of Chautauqua Institute
Or roamed around Goat Island and Niagara Falls.

No matter what we did, it was always fun, and we looked forward to the next adventure.
Sometimes our family 'explore' cost almost nothing –
other times, I'm sure Dad must have budgeted for it.
Regardless, we four kids got a 'live' education about the world around us.

It's a great tradition that my parents gave me.
It's something that we've adopted for our family.
Why not join us?

Mini-adventures are a wonderful break in your day-to-day routine.
An oasis of exploration and relaxation that helps recharge your batteries. Adapt the concept for your family and enjoy your world!

Computer Maps and Cross-Country Routes

We attended a wedding today.
Our daughter's best friend from college.
It was several hours away from home,
so we headed out yesterday –
map and computer mapping route in hand.

There's only one problem with computer mapping.
It can't determine that the roads on the recommended route
are not necessarily the best way to go.

And unless you're a topographic expert, there's
no way to know that the 'most direct route'
is actually up and down over a couple of mountains,
with 10 mph hairpin turns and a dozen switchbacks!

An extra twenty miles or so would have kept us
on high-speed interstates and made the driving easier.

Regardless, the trip was worth it. The views from the
mountainsides were exceptional – a once-in-a-lifetime
look at a route not to be taken again.
And the wedding was wonderful!

As often happens in life, we learn from our 'mistakes'.
There's always something good to be found in every situation.
There are several hotels we'll not stay in again.
We've found several roads that we probably won't drive again.
We've seen movies … eaten at restaurants …
visited' tourist traps' that we'll not do again.

We've also found some delightful places to revisit – like
Virginia Beach and Corning NY, Chicago, Atlanta and St Maarten
(all of which we'll probably tell you about later …)

The point is – you'll never know if you don't go.
The world is out there - waiting.
Pick a place and GO. Experience Everything you can.
Your life is a journey. Travel first class!

A New Year's Blessing for You

May peace break into your house
and thieves steal all your debts.

May the pockets of your jeans
be a magnet for hundred-dollar bills.

May love stick to you like honey
and laughter assault your lips!

May happiness slap you across the face
and may your tears only be those of joy.

May your problems forget your home address
and blessings come to roost in your rafters.

May you travel often
and meet good friends along the way.

May 2008 be 'a very fine year'
For you and your family.

Until next time …
Enjoy your life.
Travel well.
Be blessed.

Life is a journey … travel first class!

Look for the Silver Linings ...

Too many people miss the silver lining
Because they're expecting gold.
~ Maurice Setter

I've taken down the Christmas decorations.
There's scattered across the spare room,
until I have time to pack them away.

It's early, I know. The living room looks bare.
But we're going away this weekend,
and I didn't want to wait until we get home again.

It's not a spectacular destination,
But I'm sure we'll have a great time.
I'm going to look for the silver lining –
Something wonderful is going to happen, I just know it.

Actually, just putting things in a suitcase
and heading out in the car is exciting.
Being healthy enough to travel …
Being able to take the time off …
(I worked extra hard to get my To Do list to Done).
Having a wonderful husband to travel with …
Knowing we'll see good friends …
And the weather is even going to cooperate –
(no major storms, temp above freezing!)

My life is so blessed. I pray that yours is too.
Whatever you'll be doing this weekend,
look for the silver linings.

Someone once said there's a 'strawberry' in every situation.
Don't overlook your blessings, your silver linings.
God has a good plan for your life.
So … live well.
Be grateful.
Smile. Be someone else's silver lining!

Until the next time … be blessed.
And remember,
Life is a journey – travel first class!

Color Your World

If you don't like the way things are going,
change something.
Start with your thinking.
~ Author Unknown

Here we are at the beginning of a new year – a clean page.
Color it any way you want!
Dig out your crayon box of life tools.
Find the ones you want to use to color your life with value.

RED – add excitement! Do something new each day,
each week, each month.
Feeding your spirit with new experiences
is a great way to keep your page – your life – fresh and vibrant.
Travel. Try a new restaurant. Or a new entrée at your favorite place.
Experiment. Explore.

BLUE – add peace. Make time for quiet reflection,
soft music, an upliting book, a walk in the woods.
Get up a few minutes before everyone else.
Pick a day or two a month to get away from your usual routines and pressures.

GREEN – add healthy foods into your diet.
Living foods help you stay healthy and looking good!
Add an extra fruit or vegetable to each meal.
Small changes in your diet is a great investment in your future health.

YELLOW – add joy! Smile. Compliment someone.
Write a note to a friend. Adopt a 'secret pal'.
Give something away. Bless someone without them knowing.
Whatever you give away, you'll get back. Be happy. –
And get outside in the sunshine as often as you can.

PURPLE – add comfort. Get rid of clutter.
Simplify your life – your closet, your house, your schedule, your workday.
Purple is the color of royalty. Treat yourself like the special person you are.
Create a special place for yourself to relax and enjoy your favorite things.
(Maybe that extra room, now that the kids are gone … )

ORANGE – add creativity. Carve a pumpkin? Well, maybe not.
But why not try a new craft, write poetry,
start that book you've always wanted to write.
Learn something new. Stretch your mind.
Staying active mentally (and physically)
is the secret to living well and long.

There. We've created a rainbow of colors for your world.
Someone said the definition of insanity is
doing the same thing over and over again –
and expecting different results.
Making small daily changes will help you construct the life you dream of.

You're valuable and unique.
Share your specialness with the world.
And remember …
Life is a journey, travel first class.

Beginnings and Reflections

Happy New Year to each of you!

Beginnings are a time of reflection as well as making resolutions.
We must remember where we've been
and acknowledge where we are,
in order to plan where we're headed.

I received this link from a friend – it's definitely worth watching.

http://www.trdaniel.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm

Let's remember why our nation is great and
acknowledge what we need to do to stay great.

Our troops today are dedicated to defend the cause of freedom,
just as the soldiers who fought in the Civil War
when the Battle Hymn of the Republic was penned.

Union soldiers inspired Julia Howe
when she visited their camp along the Potomac River.
They were singing the camp song, "John Brown's Body".
The tune stuck in her head.

Through that February night in 1862, she composed the lyrical poem.
Part tribute … part prayer, the Battle Hymn of the Republic
acknowledges God's involvement in the Civil War and its outcome.

Ed and I have been to Washington DC several times.
We've stood at the Lincoln Memorial and read his immortal words.
We've touched the names recorded on the black walls of the Vietnam Memorial.
We've seen the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence
(without Nicholas Cage anywhere in sight, unfortunately!)
We've been privileged to take a private tour of the Capitol Building.
We've felt the aura of peace and honor at Arlington National Cemetery.

Music is powerful.

Travel is powerful.

Prayer is powerful.

Let's make a resolution for 2008 to pray daily for our nation,
for its leaders (regardless of political party),
and to explore the places in America that symbolize all that we are.

Reflect … Acknowledge …Resolve.
And make time every month to see a part of our great country.
May 2008 be your best year ever!