Washington, DC, Our Incredible Nations' Captiol

Each time I travel here, I am in awe, goose bump, tear-up awe.  I (in my own head) am transported back to Washington during the time of the great men walking the 'halls'.  When we went to the Smithsonian and walked through the display where the very Flag that inspired Frances Scott Keyes to write, while on a Naval Ship, the Star Spangled Banner....tears were running down my face. Yes, I am that person at sporting events, or even watching the event at home...will stand and get goose bumps when the song is sung.  Keyes, was standing on the deck of the ship, watching the town burning, smoke billowing, and through the haze of smoke, there the flag stood, waving proudly, WHAT a sight that must have been!!!

Next, to the Air and Space Museum, again, seeing the Wright Brothers plane to the Space Shuttles, how far we have come in this great world.....there was so much in between!  Loved this museum too!

This morning, we headed to the White House, although, you can only take 'tours' if you call your representative ahead of time, we enjoyed walking around and even saw the Obama motorcade speed by us.  Next to the White House Visitor Center, nice, not the same as going IN the White House, but gives a perspective of the changes that have occurred with each administration.  N E X T, we went to Ford Theater where President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, and later died across the street at Petersons' Boarding House (still being renovated).  Very interesting tour, and included the actual seating that the Presidential party was using.  The theater was destroyed soon after the assassination of President Lincoln, and has, over the years been rebuilt to resemble the theater, and holds plays there continually. After this?  Hard Rock Cafe for some Lunch....

Our last stop of the day was the Capitol Building, where Congress was in session and it was interesting during the tour to see Congressmen and Senators walking the halls.  It is gorgeous and well worth the tour fee....free..... to get an interesting 'view' and some insights to a place 'where it all happens'!  We had a funny tour guide, and because our group was really small, we actually got to go into a spot that is usually not open, the area where, for one hundred years, the Supreme Court held it sessions, what a treat!

It started to rain, and I was ready to call it a day....we stopped at a supermarket, got some goodies, and are in our comfies, warm and dry....

Tomorrow is our last day here in DC and I will let you know what adventures we decide to embark on...including the 'ever interesting' subway..lol

love to all

Goodbye Chicago, Hello Washington, D.C.

Still trying to figure out how to add the pictures, used to be easier, I am trying to find the time.  Now that I am on the train, I should be able to 'look into it'.

Today in Chicago we went to the Field Museum and it was really incredible.  We spent some time in the morning searching through the dinosaur exhibit, then we went on to the Egyptian exhibit, some incredible mummies, then on to the nature exhibit.   Went back to the hotel to check out, store our bags, then hopped back on the EL for some more museum time.

We then had our first taste of authentic deep dish pizza, which to my surprise, was quite good, the crust wasn't too thick and it was STUFFED with cheese, sausge, and just a hint of sauce...YUM...I was good, I only tasted the crust and ate the 'stuffing', with a enormous salad on the side.

The day flew by and before you knew it, it was time to get to Amtrack for our overnighter to Washington, D.C.  All in all, a great day....and here we are....on the 'road' again..

love to all

Lovely, Windy Chicago

If I won the lotto, this is one place that I would spend some money, on a penthouse with a view of Lake Michigan.  Such a vibrant and diverse city, so much culture and ambiance.....  I love that on a Saturday night, you can go into a popular Italian restaurant (Marcianno's), where people are dressed to the nines (date night, you know), wear jeans and feel totally at home.  Good food, not the 'best' as people tout, but good.   Come Sunday morning, you walk down the streets of downtown Chicago in the shopping district, (still in jeans)  Macys, A&F, you name the store, it is here and you see men, dressed impeccably in suits, ties, the women in their finest furs and heels right next to the young men and women with dreadlocks and "dropkick murphy" boots...very eclectic group of people.  You honestly can feel the electricity in the air, people are vibrant and walk with purpose, so different from So. Cal., where you k n o w people have something to do, somewhere to go, yet, the pace is slower.  I imagine when we get to New York, I will have the same feelings.

Today we went to the "Water Tower", the only building to survive the 1871 fire, and it is gorgeous, then to the John Hancock Center, where we took a 40 second elevator ride up 94 stories.  I will be posting pics, hoping to download some tonight, then I will start sharing those too!  We then took a ride on the "EL", just for fun, then went to the "Billy Goat Tavern" for their "Cheeseborger, Cheeseborger, Cheeseborger, No Pepsi, Coke, No Fries, Chips".....and they say this with each new customer.... This is ONLY going to register if you are an "OLD" like me Saturday Night Live fan......Jim Belushi helped to make this line, and this restaurant famous. My rating?  1 out of 5?  2  I know, it burst my own bubble, but well, "should have left the words 'untasted'. "

Well, gonna see about downloading the pictures.....Tomorrow, another day of Chicago, then we head to Washington D.C.  at 6pm....that will be an overnighter on the train.....more adventures to come.

love to all

Up Up and Away

We are at the San Francisco International Airport, this place is AWESOME!....Trams that are more like subways to get from place to place...and speaking of 'subway'...Sean had his first experience on BART.  I must admit, I enjoyed relaying the fact that we would be going under the bay for a short bit!

So far, so easy, checked in, went through security, the only problem was getting Sean to take off his shoes..."But why?", didn't want to go into detail, I said, they want to check your socks, and that is why you are wearing a new pair, no holes for that big toe to peek through :D.   Scott and Sean breezed through, they 'of course' wanted to 'see me naked'...lol, yes, I went through the 'naked scanner'.   I have absolutely NO problem doing this, is is for safeties sake, right? (And hey, the cheap thrills are free!)  Scott and Sean, of course, had a great laugh over this one, course, they missed the 'pole dance' I did inside the booth....

So, here we are in San Francisco, another cloudy, rainy day, another great day for travel!  Waiting for our plane to arrive, we leave at 2:05, our time and arrive in Chicago alittle after 8pm their time.

Will update from Chicago.....

love to all

March 25th continued

We have booked our plane flight, from Sacramento to Chicago and will have an extra two days for that great windy city!  Ahhh, the deep dish pizza that I could devour with an extra two days!  Sean, seems a bit concerned about the flying part, me?  The luggage situation, packed for the train, will have to reconfigure some of my items for flying.....will keep you posted!

love to all

Journey Begins

And away we go!  The first leg of the trip, it is a raining So. California day, perfect for traveling! 

Our day started early, we stayed the night at a Hilton in Anaheim, to get a good start without fighting the freeway traffic.  The Hilton was beautiful, reminded us of Vegas, everything you could want included in one place.  Starbucks and a good bed, I am one content woman :D.  We hopped on the northbound train to Los Angeles, and are now awaiting the train to take us to Emeryville.  This train will take at least 10 hours, so I will get in some quality ‘kindle’ time. 

I have decided that traveling in this century is obviously so much easier then when our ancestors made the trek.  I have my Starbucks, my Kindle and my Apple Devices.  As long as I have electricity to power these babies up when I run them low, I can survive…lol.

P.S. I have just been informed that due to an avalanche, they have closed down part of the track from Emeryville to Chicago.

The adventure continues….

Love to all

March 25, 2011

Continuing our saga…..two and ½ hours into our train trip, they are telling us that the track will not be opened for DAYS.   Looks like Sean may have his first airplane flight too!  This is a trip of firsts!  To e4?be continued…

California Glow

Well, up until last week, I thought I would be traveling with the California Glow, you know, the springtime bronze, not too much, but a sun-kissed look.  I was loving not wearing any base, just my moisturizer, then, here we go...the 'spring storms', that are, in my book, more like winter.  Darn!  Was enjoying the sitting in the backyard in the afternoons, relishing the Vitamin D that I was getting, and losing the 'pallor of winter death'......We are leaving for our trip tomorrow, and I guess I will be packing the 'color enhanced makeup'...lol....just one more thing to throw in....I do hope that when we arrive on the 'Right Coast'....that it will be a perfect 70 and I will come home with the New York Glow.....possible?  I hope so :D

love to all

Travels of the Adventurous Sort....

It is countdown time before our trip across the United States.  This is a trip we have taken a few times before, all times with young children...adventurous you say?  You bet!  Each time had it own stories, ups, downs, and a few meltdowns (mostly by me), but all in all, something the kids still talk about, and they are in their, ahem...30's....

We will be venturing across these great United States with our 11 year old (so close to 12, he reminds me each time I say 11, remember those days?).  He is so excited, our itinerary includes many historical sites, and one Broadway Play.....A stop at the White House, the Smithsonian, and so many other places, that I can NOT wait to share with you.. He has been to 10 states, and loves to travel as much as we do....he is good at it too, a real trouper!

This is the beginning of a great adventure.....join us and we will take you along!

love to all