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With hugs that didn’t want to let go, we headed to Spokane with Rob and Susie Bierman to sightsee and have dinner at the jewel of the city-the Hotel Davenport.
We did a walking tour of the ol’ girl because Susie has roots in the area and her grandmother had her Debutant Ball there iin the early 1900′s. We stayed at the hotel rather than backtrack our way to Seattle.
We also checked out Whitworth cause Robbie got accepted there for college but chose Westmont, and Gonzaga just because.
Mosied out to Western Pleasure Dude Ranch with Bill and Benita to see Brad, Susan, Heather and Josh Yunek. Their life is on the ranch where Brad handles the horses, trail rides, etc, and the campfire sings! Brad has always been so musically gifted and his songs are being noticed in Nashville.
What a great time we had sitting around the campfire and listening to him play his guitar and his daughter play her fiddle!
What a beautiful town whose focus is life around lakes and rivers. Couer d’Alene! And because there is so much water, owning a place lakeside is not for the very rich. But it is rich in friends; Bill and Benita Yunek, Dan and Marsha Shupe, Brad and Susan Yunek and Fam, Rob and Susie Bierman, and a surprise from Jon and Janet Woerner.
We enjoyed Bill and Benitas wonderful hospitality and they, the Woerners, and us were part of a great group of friends from Huntington Beach at the Methodist church 73-’81. Us friends would still do anything for each other and are close to this day tho’ we are scattered.
Fabulous fireworks, fine food, inspiring views and FOREVER friends!
Our buses were not allowed into Jericho. We had to transfer to Palestinian buses and drivers to see what we saw. Can you imagine, we crossed a border with hugs and entered a third world country of desert, filth, fear and hatred. And it was in the middle of Israel???
Saw some digs for the Walls of Jericho, but it was just a pile of rocks (stupid) since the walls fell down and the city was destroyed!
Then we visited Zaccheus’ house (turned into a church, of course) and then around the corner to see the sycamore tree ( I’m a little skeptical on this). But EAGER to get back on our own buses and get away!
Well up until now, my infant baptism had done me just fine! But being baptized in the Jordan River was too special to pass up.
About 2/3 of the group were immersed in cool running water where the Sea of Galilee empties into the Jordan. Special outfits, singing, 3 pastors, supportive friends, tears, wet hugs, photos, little fish, loud Alleluias…and then the commemorative gift shop!
We have arrived and are being overwhelmed with the incredible sights. Unfortunately we haven’t had internet for me to be current.
Tiberias, Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, Samaria…
We (100 folks) invade (in 3 buses) and overwhelm an area, have some praise songs, some history, a little message from Pastor Ray Bentley and then back on the bus!
What’s better than being in Italy? Being in Italy with a fun friend who speaks fluent Italian!!! Now all the folk in Montalcino know more of my heart cauz she can translate for me! I can tell them how special they are to me and what a pleasure it is to be in their country again.
Carol visits Italy twice a year (6-8 weeks each time). We met at an Italian class in SD’s Little Italy, but she lives in RB and plays a mean game of golf . She leaves hubby at home cauz he’s been there, done that. But Italy gives her life such dimension (and it’s her heritage), that it’s like coming home to her. She has spent time with us in Tuscany and now we are on a 5 hour train to enjoy Pavia and Milano with her. God is so good to bring us together!
The most pleasant of English country towns you will ever find! The Kallas’ and the Morales’ dropped in on friends, Gail and Karl, and cousins Carol and Chris…friends and family!
Picture rolling lush green hills, dotted with fluffy sheep and frolicking lambs, stack stone fences and corner pubs, steak and kidney pie, and puddings, pints and pubs. “oh to be in England, now that spring is here (name that author).”
Daffodils line every lane and drizzle freshens each morning. Tho’ we still bundle up as it’s in the 40′s and 50′s, inside it is cozy and the aromas of Karls cooking warms the soul.
Hoping to help Gail during her (English) Mothers’ Day rush,we found we were of most help staying out of her way in the teeny flower shop. Steve was a “runner” for some deliveries but we depended on Karl to show us more of his neck of the woods.
We finished the Pfizer year with a convention by the bay. We had a great view high atop the Westin in the center of everything. The weather was blustery but it did not keep us from seeing the town and having a Montalcino reunion with the Rutters: Tom, Donna, and Justine!
Once again it was the HopOn Hopoff bus for me as I was on my own this trip. I rode the whole circuit before hoping off on the second go-around. Ghiradelli, Union Square,AG Ferrari’s,Williams Sonoma all enticed me.
But it was great to pick up Ken and Donna Kalla at the airport and journey up to Napa Valley. We had a super time and the wine wasn’t bad either! Since we had driven instead of flown, we had a car to go and see so much. Great food, good company, tasty wines and beautiful changing colors.
Steve and I had a magnificent year of travel, and the locations were made that much more special by the people we saw and spent time with. To God be the glory for being a great travel agent and guide.
I got to go with Steve to a medical convention in Chicago; a first for me seeing that amazing city! I rendezvoused with Elaine Faille and Pam Hasbrouck ( who was visiting her daughter Beth) The first “must” on our agenda was taking the Architectural River Cruise. It was so amazing to have ones eyes opened to all the various styles of building in this town and some of the familiar names…Wrigley , Sears, Montgomery Ward, State Street that great street, the Navy Pier, etc. It was a very enjoyable learning experience. We did the HopOn HopOff bus and of course Beef, and Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. And did I mention the “American Girl Doll” store? Our weather was great and made for much walking . Some big cities are intimitdating but I found Chicago embracing — even if we couldn’t get into the canceled taping of Oprah.
