| Trip Journal |
Photos
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November 30 - -0001 - |
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January 15 - 2013 - Tuesday - It's the beginning of our trip to Florida and the Bahama's. Today was a sunny cold travel day all the way to Mount Vernon, IL. |
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January 16 - 2013 - Wednesday-It was cloudy and cool in Nashville as we stopped for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Warmed up when we arrived in Atlanta, up to 53 degrees. |
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January 17 - 2013 - Thursday - Rained throughout the day. Cool and dry in Orlando-low 60's. We all went to Universal Orlando for dinner at Bubba Gumps Shrimp Company. A most delicious meal. Tonight we stay at the all new Drury Inn for two nights. |
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January 18 - 2013 - Friday - another cloudy day as we spent our time at Sea World. The shows are great, well planned presentations of amazing animal abilities. It was a great way to spend the day. We also went to downtown Disney - a shopping area. |
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January 19 - 2013 - Saturday- We arrived at Kennedy Sapce Center for tours. Rockets, IMAX Movies, informative displays and a bus tour to a full size Saturn 5 Rocket. A short drive to Port Canaveral and we boarded the Carnival Cruise Ship Ecstacy for our 5 day cruise. After getting underway we may not be able to update our website until we arrive back in the USA. |
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January 20 - 2013 - Sunday-This morning we arrived at the Island Freeport. Sunny warm tropical day. Tours were available or we had the choice of lounging on the ship and dining at one of the elegant restaurants. |
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January 21 - 2013 - Monday- At Sea today it was a day of total relaxation. Warm and sunny, dinner and shows available in the evening. |
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January 22 - 2013 - Tuesday - At Half Moon Cay, our shipped docked at this private Island available only to Carnival Guests. Beautiful beaches, another sunny day with beachside activities. |
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January 23 - 2013 - Wednesday- Today our ship docked at Nassau. Many tours available here along with shopping at the Straw Market or one of the many exclusive watch and diamond stores. Casinos and beaches at Sandals Resort, city tours and a wild life park were all available before we left for our last night at sea sending us off with a cocktail party. |
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January 24 - 2013 - Thursday - arriving back at Port Canaveral to mid 70's weather today, disembarking from the ship was slow. Our highlight today was our stop at the fruit stand for purchasing oranges and grapefruit. They look very fresh and juicy. Tonight we'll stay on the south side of Atlanta, at the Country Inn & Suites. |
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January 25 - 2013 - Friday - It's cool in Atlanta , 33 degrees. We had a tour of the CNN Studios and walked around Centenial Park this morning. We continued driving into Nashville. We walked around the Opryland Hotel Complex. It's beautiful, warm and inviting. Tonight we attended the Nashville Nighlife Dinner Theater. Good food and some good country music. |
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January 26 - 2013 - Saturday - Sunny and 40 when we stopped in Paducah. At the National Quilt Musum, the quilts are amazing works of art copywrited so no pictures can be taken. Still, they are a sight to behold. Tonight we'll stay in Bloomington Illinois, our last night together. |
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January 27 - 2013 - Sunday - with icy roads in the forecast, we left Bloomington early. Our last day,we had lunch in Madison and are still ahead of schedule at Tomah, Sparta, and Onalaska. Our next stops are Winona, St. Charles and Rochester. It looks like we'll still be early or right on time. It was a memorable trip with wonderful tropical weather. Today made us appreciate it even more. |
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February 02 - 2013 - Saturday - It's a cold sloppy travel day. We're planning on better weather tomorrow and sunny skies when we arrive in New Orleans. |
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February 03 - 2013 - Sunday- Sunny and mid 50's in Memphis as we toured Graceland. Graceland has a lot of attractions all in one convenient location. The car museum, the jets, the meditation gardens and of course the mansion. Tonight we stayed at Harlows Casino in Greenville Mississippi - |
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February 04 - 2013 - Monday - this morning we toured the Vicksburg Military Park. It was a great tour, many of us did not really know much about the battle or the beautiful parks existence. It's a great way to start out our day on our way to the Paragon Casino in Marksville LA. |
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February 05 - 2013 - Tuesday - a warm day in the low 70's. We stopped at the Oak Alley Plantation with its magnificent oak trees. some are 302 years old. When we arrived in New Orleans, we went straight to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. It was fun. We are stayings at the Drury Inn for the next two nights. |
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February 06 - 2013 - Wednesday - A full day touring New Orleans. From the abandoned homes of the 9th ward to the St. Louis Cemetary the morning was very busy. At the World War II Museum there was an amazing film and a live 40's style dinner show. Later we saw where they make the floats for the parades and fun time trying on the costumes. At night we watched the parade. Rain arrived shortly after the parade started. Everyone was there and got a good feel for the spirit of Mardi Gras. |
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February 07 - 2013 - Thursday - Our highlight today was a stop in Canton Mississippi. With its picturesque town square and courthouse. We could see why this town was selected for filming Hollywood hits, "A Time to Kill" and "My Dog Skip". We toured the film sets and moved onto our evenings accomodations at the Sams Town Casino in Tunica. |
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February 08 - 2013 - Friday -Today we left Sams Town and arrived at the Casey Jones Museum in Jackson TN. After a short tour and film we had a Southern Style Buffet at the Old Country Store. Tonight well be in Effingham Illinois. |
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February 09 - 2013 - Saturday - we had lunch right on time in Rockford Illinois and began to drop off our first passengers. Looks like we'll be on schedule the rest of the day. It was a great time full of exciting places and sights. Visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras will always be something special to remember. |
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March 01 - 2013 - Friday- it was a good day for travelling. Lunch stop at Lakeside Casino in Osceola IA. Lots of snow on the ground, tonight we stay in Emporia Kansas. |
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March 02 - 2013 - Saturday - A sunny day and two big states, Oklahoma and Texas. At Oklahoma City we toured the National Western Heritage Museum. It's full of paintings, sculptures and a western town. When we arrived in Texas we checked into our hotel in Fort Worth and went to Billy Bobs - the worlds largest honky tonk bar. We had dinner and then watched the bull riding. None of the cowboys made it the full 8 seconds but it was an exciting way to end our day. |
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March 03 - 2013 - Sunday - now it's warm 74 degrees and sunny. After a big Sunday dinner we arrived in San Antonio. The Drury Plaza is a beautiful hotel located right on the Riverwalk. Outside our door we boarded our private boats for a tour of the city. Next to the hotel is a the San Fernanado Cathedral - beautiful inside and out. |
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March 04 - 2013 - Monday - another sunny day in the mid 80's. Today we started with a movie on the history of the Alamo Battle. We then walked next door to visit the original Alamo and walk the grounds. The Buckhorn Museum was our next stop, mounted trophies, Bonnie & Clydes automobile and lots of other neat stuff. We found lunch and souvenirs in the San Antonio Marketplace then toured the ground and church at the San Jose Mission. Tonight we had a private show at the hotel. a ventriloquist had us laughing all night long. |
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March 05 - 2013 - Tuesday - one more sunny day but windy -all ok. This morning we toured the Texas State History Museum good layout and an exciting film. After lunch we arrived at the Fort Worth Stockyards in time for the daily cattle drive. Shopping followed and a chance to sit on a bull for picture taking. Tonight we'll stay in Irving. |
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March 06 - 2013 - Wednesday - We had a city tour of Dallas. Stopping at the 6th Floor Book Depository Museum - tha place where Lee Harvey Oswald assasinated President Kennedy. On the lighter side, we went to the Farmers Market, Pioneer Park and drove by some of the richest houses (mansions) in Dallas. Tonight it's fun times at the Riverwind Casino in Norman Oklahoma. |
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March 07 - 2013 - Thursday- A good sunny day for a stop at the Oklahoma Murrah Federal Building Memorial. After a Ranger talk detailing the fafteful day, we continued onto to Wichita. At the Kansas Aviation Museum we had a nice tour of the Museum, Control Tower and ramp. Tonight we stayed at the Prairie's Band Casino. Evryone received $35 in slot play and $20 in food vouchers. It was a great day. |
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March 08 - 2013 - Friday - our tour comes to an end today arriving back home to snow and cooler temperatures. We should be close to on time getting back into Rochester, Winona and Onalaska. |
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April 11 - 2013 - Thursday- after departing La Crosse on Wednesday we drove all night and into Thursday through a steady rain. We arrived in New Orleans at noon for the French Quarter Music Festival. A few rain showers but it's looking good for the rest of the week. After watching a few bands Bubba Gumps was agood way to end the day before hecking into our hotel. |
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April 12 - 2013 - Friday-Sun and mid 70's for temperatures. Bands and song continued to entertain the folks at the French Quarter Festival. The Aquinas Choir and Band also performed at the Steamboat Natchex Pavillion. When done they boarded the boat for a buffet and cruise up the Mississippi. More time at the festival, then a BBQ dinner back at the hotel. |
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April 13 - 2013 - Saturday- Another awesome day weather wise and for sightseeing. Today a local guide showed us the homes and levees which are left from the hurricane Katrina. Empty building lots and abandoned homes. Then the beautiful homes in the Garden District and a trip to the cemetary. A tour of Mardi Gras World where they make the floats for the parades and back to the French Quarter to attend Mass at the St. Louis Cathedral. Tonight a pizza party at the hotel. |
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April 14 - 2013 - Sunday - Torrential rains last night and this morning, up to three inches in some areas. When we arrived for our Plantation Tour, the rain stopped and by the time we boarded the swamp tour, the sun came out. We plan on starting for home around 4:00 PM and will have photos later from today's events. |
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April 15 - 2013 - Monday - Continued driving home with arrival on time at noon today. |
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April 23 - 2013 - Tuesday - our travel day to Clinton Missouri. A cloudy day with a lunch buffet in Des Moines. Our hotel is in Clinton next to a variety of restaurants. |
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April 24 - 2013 - Wednesday - a beautiful sunny day as we arrived in Branson. Our first event - See the World. Inside a large tent is a cooking demonstration, boothes giving away trinkets and a chance to win some prizes. At the Welk Resort we enjoyed a buffet then attended the show. Over a dozen Branson Performers from differtnt shows gave us a sample of their regular shows. Featured performers included - the 12 Irish Tenors, Todd Oliver and his talking dogs, the Lennon Sisters, Oh What a Night, Doug Gabriel, George Dyer, JohnTweed, the Oak Ridge Boys, all hosted by Clay Cooper. After this 3 hour show, we checked into our hotel, had dinner and attended the Grand Jubilee for our final show of the day. |
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April 25 - 2013 - Thursday - Sunny and the low 70's. Silver Dollar City is a treat to enjoy. Free shows throughout the day with an International Theme. Great food and wonderful weather. This afternoon Jim Stafford entertained us then, dinner and closing out the night with the Dutton Show. Looking forward to a restful night and a good trip home tomorrow. |
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April 26 - 2013 - Friday- A rainy start to our day ended in sun and warm weather as we arrived home to Rochester, Winona, La Crosse and all the surrounding towns. |
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May 01 - 2013 - Wednesday- It's looks like a dry day to start out with. Our first stop is at the Norwegian Vesterheim Museum in Decorah. Following lunch we stopped at the Matchstick Marvel Museum. Truely a sight to see, all the sculptures are large, to scale and made entirely from matchsticks. Tonight we stay at the Meskwaki Casino for two nights enjoying a whopping $60 of free slot play. |
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May 02 - 2013 - Thursday- Our day started out ok as we made our way to Pella. Lots to see and do. As the rain set in the parade was cancelled and we went back to the casino early. |
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May 03 - 2013 - Friday - The rain continued but we still had a good time stopping in the Amana Colonies for lunch and shopping. |
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May 06 - 2013 - Monday - We had a nice day to start out our tour. The sun was out most of the day as we made our way east towards Michigan. On the way the grass got greener and fruit tree blossums emerged making for some nice sights. Tonight we are staying in Battle Creek and tomorrow morning we are off to the Ford Factory. |
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May 07 - 2013 - Tuesday - Today we had a tour of the Rouge Ford factory where we saw the assembly line of the F-150 Pickup Truck. After touring the factory we made our way over to the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. We spent the rest of the day learning about the history of trains, planes, automobiles and more at the museum. At Greenfield Village everyone had a transportation pass to catch a ride in a model T, a horse drawn taxi, and steam train. |
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May 08 - 2013 - Wednesday - Today we started off with a tour of the historic Meadowbrook Hall at Oakland University. Meadowbrook was the home of Matilda Dodge/Wilson wife of One of the founders of the Dodge motor company. Next we traveled onto Frankenmuth where we took some time for lunch and shopping downtown before we took a guided city tour. Our city tour ended at Bronner's Christmas World where we had more time to shop. After getting our fill of ornaments we made our way to Kentwood where we are spending the night at the Clarion Inn & Suites. Tomorrow we are off to Holland to see the tulips. |
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May 09 - 2013 - Thursday - It's Tulip Time! Today we had a fun and colorful day at Holland's Tulip Festival. We started the morning with a city tour of Holland and then went out to Veldheer's tulip farm. The fields were full of tulips and the weather was great. After the farm we had our lunch buffet at the Dutch Village where we also took in some more shopping and clog dancing. Then it was back into town to check out the parade. After such a full day in the sun we are ready to kickback and relax at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel in Michigan City. Tomorrow we finish our tour with the ride home. |
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May 10 - 2013 - Friday - Today is the last day of our trip. We woke up to cooler temperatures and cloudy skies, but had beautiful weather when it counted most. Our travels home take us through Janesville with a stop at Home Town Buffet for lunch. We are moving along well with limited traffic and no major delays. With this we should be arriving home slightly ahead of schedule ending yet another great tour. |
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May 17 - 2013 - Friday- Westward Bound! Today we started our long journey to California. The day started out with some rain but later on cleared up to blue skies and sunshine. Temperatures were up in the 80's as we made our way through Iowa and Nebraska. After a full day of traveling we are stopping for the night in North Platte, NE at the Fairfield Inn. |
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May 18 - 2013 - Saturday - On the road again. Today we departed and were back heading west. On the way we experience clouds, rain, sun, wind and even some leftover snow. Our lunch stop for the day was the Old West Museum at the Frontier Days fair grounds in Cheyene, WY. The Museum is a collection of old wagons of all types and styles. The weather was even nice enough that everyone could go for a walk in Lions Park across from the museum and check out the steam locomotive and stretch out a bit. The afternoon brought us into the Rocky Mts region and over the Continental Divide. Tonight we are winding up the day in Rock Springs, WY at the Hampton Inn. Tomorrow we are off to Utah & Nevada. |
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May 19 - 2013 - Sunday - Today we finished off our travels across Wyoming and made our way into Utah. Our first stop in Utah was at Buca Di Beppo for lunch. Here we enjoyed a nice italian meal. After lunch we went over and had a tour of Temple Square. After Temple Square we were on our way to Nevada past the Great Salt Lake and Bonneville Salt Flats. Tonights accomodation is the Red Lion Hotel & Casino in Elko, NV. |
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May 20 - 2013 -
Monday – There’s gold in them hills! Today we traveled to Carlin, Nevada and had a tour of the Newmont open pit gold mine. At the mine they showed us one of their 200,000+ pound trucks. It stood 23’ high and was capable of hauling 200 tons of material. After checking out the truck they took us to a platform at the top of the mine where we could look down on the 1,700 ft. deep hole that is the mine. We spent the remainder of the afternoon traveling to Reno where we are spending the night at the El Dorado Hotel & Casino. |
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May 21 - 2013 - Tuesday - Today we left Reno, Nevada for San Francisco, California. Our travels took us through the Sierra Nevada Range over Donner Summit. Once in San Francisco we boarded the Alcatraz Cruise to head over to "The Rock". Upon arriving on the island we took an audio self-guided tour and learned about the history of the island and the people that lived there. After touring Alcatraz we made our way back to the mainland and spent the rest of the evening exploring Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39. |
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May 22 - 2013 -
Wednesday – Today we woke up to yet another beautiful day. The sun was out and the skies were clear making for some great views and pictures. Our morning started out with a ride on one of the classic San Francisco cable cars. Afterwards we boarded the bus and our step on guide took us for a city tour through the highlights of the city. The tour ended with a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge. After that we dropped off our step on Guide and made our way south. We had a quick lunch stop at a Home Town Buffet and then it was on to the Cru Winery for a tasting. Our next drive brought us down to the Chukchansi Hotel & Casino and our accommodations for the night. |
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May 23 - 2013 -
Thursday – Today we started out with a cool 55-degree morning as we headed out to Yosemite National Park. Our first stop in the park was a tram ride through the great Mariposa Grove. This is a grove of Giant Sequoia Redwood. Next we made our way down to the valley floor to check out Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan & Half Dome. Our step on guide filled the day with lots of information on the history of the park and some good entertainment as well. Tonight we are back at Chukchansi for one more night. Tomorrow we head back out to the coast and Hearst Castle. |
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