March 8, 2019 - MacDill

Hi everyone.  The last couple of days we were on the road as we left the panhandle area and headed towards Tampa.  On the way, we stopped in Ocala for a visit with Maine friends. Chuck and Julie were glad to see Maine friends.  Sometimes you think to yourself, why do we have to drive 2400 miles to see them when back home they are only about 15 miles away.

Once we got to the Tampa area, we headed towards MacDill AFB where we spent 3 nights. But, when we got there, the computers were down and we couldn't check in. We had plans to meet with Charlene and Joel up in Clearwater  and then eat at Casear's.  Charlene lived in Tom's hometown which made the visit even more special, and the meal was great.
Back to MacDill for a very late check in.  We were given a room on the first floor.  People have often asked us where we stay when we are at military bases.  This building was opened in 2016.  It was probably one of the nicer bases where we have stayed.

With 2 golf courses and a beach area, no wonder the placed is booked.  We got there on the right day as they were offering different meals down by the beach, including prime rib.

The beach is well kept with plenty of space for laying in the sun.

Meanwhile out in the bay, the cruise ships were heading out.  

March 6, 2019 - Fort Walton Beach

Today, we took a drive in to town and found what appeared to be a local restaurant, but is really chain over 6 states.

The Tijuana Flats Burrito Co was a good choice. The back table had a display of what is available to go with your food.  Bottles were available to purchase to go with Your meal, or water, or bread or whatever, to cool down the taste.

View  Tijuana Flats

 

March 5, 2019 - Pensacola

The last that you heard from Grammie was while we were in Atlanta.  Since then, we stayed a night at Fort Rucker and then into the Panhandle section of Florida.  On Tuesday we went to Pensacola to visit the Naval Aviation Museum. The museum has a huge display of planes but includes ships that are a huge part the naval history. Each carrier of the Nimitz Class is designed to operate for about 50 years, requiring just one mid-life overhaul. The 1106 foot USS Gerald R. Ford  is the newest aircraft around.

 One of the important reasons that the war in the Pacific was won was because none of the American Aircraft carriers was a destroyed in the attack on Pearl Harbor and were instrumental in the sinking of 4 enemy aircraft carriers...in the Battle of Midway.

 Not the original but a good replica of one of the first airplanes.

 A panoramic view of only a section of the museum.

 The Blue Angels.

 During the Vietnam War, this showed how captives were able to communicate.

 When a plane comes in for a landing, the bolt that you see may determine whether you survive the landing on deck.  The "hook" on the back of the planes has been improved over the years.  The hook catches the cable on the deck of the carrier and brings it to an abrupt stop.

For more information...  Visit  Naval Aviation Museum. 

Thanks for seeing where Grammie has been.

March 2, 2019 - Atlanta

A trip into the city today.  Our focus points were to visit CNN, the MLK Jr. Birth home and monument, and walk the Carter-King Freedom Walk.

The 12 mile trip into the city to visit CNN went smooth.  We had already purchased our voucher online, made the reservation for the first tour, 10:20, with enough time to spare, however when we went to turn for a public parking area, the street was blocked because of an 8 mile test run for the Publix Atlanta Marathon in 2 weeks.
With a little extra time, we walked around a bit.  The Centennial Park was finished for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

 The Alanta Ferris Wheel

 Football anyone

 The Olympic Symbol still stands.

CNN was the first 24 hour network.

Just inside the door...

 The tour started with a ride up 196 feet, covering 8 floors
on the worlds longest freestanding escalator.

 It was nice just to sit a bit and catch up on anything important.

 Our 2 young assistant guides helped.  This showed how the green screen works.  Patti said that with the green screen, the meteorologists go without a script but widely use the noncommittal hand sweep. Ever wonder how Lt. Dan was filmed with no legs? 

On the walkway to the Martin Luther King National Historic Park there were many inscribed feet.  Thurgood Marshall, the Great Dissenter who successfully argued Murray v. Pearson, and Brown v Board of Education in support of the Constitution . "Compliance with the Constitution cannot be deferred at the will of the state. Whatever system is adopted for legal education must furnish equality of treatment now." He later became the nations first African American appointed to the Supreme Court.

 The Carter-King Freedom Walk connects the Carter Library with the MLK National Historic Park.

 A mural on an overpass wall along the walking path.  We got in a long walk on the trail.

 The Historic Birthplace of Martin Luther King.  Fortunately for us, we picked the right day to plan a visit. 

 The Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King Tomb.

The Ebenezer Baptist Church where King was a preacher.  MLK Jr was co-pastor of the church with his father from 1960 to 1968.

The sun was shining for a bit and it felt good.

A good day in Atlanta.

March 1st, 2019 - Atlanta

Hello Grammie watchers.
Catching up on a couple of missing days...

On the 27th, We went to see a high school classmate Lewie, and Kim. We try to see him whenever we are nearby and catch up on our classmates and memories of Winthrop.  Sometimes we even mention things that we never knew about each other. 

The next morning, 28th, we set off towards Charlotte, NC.  Somehow, a golf course was on the way and Alice couldn't help enjoying the day knitting while being driven around the course while Tom was humming the theme song to Driving Miss Daisy.

Tobacco Road Golf Course was originally land where tobacco farmers grew their crops.  It was later a sand quarry that finally was beyond is usefulness.  The course was established in 1998 and has been named as one of the top 100 Public US Golf courses.  The first hole is intimidating as the drive must be accurate.

There is really nothing flat about the course.  Somewhere up there was a green.

On the 13th hole, there was a 20 foot mound of sand to navigate from the fairway that was to the left.

 On the short par three 17th hole, there are no sand traps.  There are not even any rakes on the course.  The course is sand trap free.

Well, we finally made it to Charlotte NC after a longer that usual traffic filled ride.  The last 1.5 miles was about 40 minutes long.

Today we drove to Atlanta where we will be all day tomorrow.  We plan to do a tour of the CNN studio and a walk along the Carter-King Freedom walk.  We had dinner at a place called Sweet Tomatoes. There are several in the Atlanta area and more in Florida. 

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.

February 26, 2019 - Cary, NC

Hi everyone.
Today we drove to Cary North Carolina to see an old friend (previously student) that we haven't seen in decades.  It was fun to catch up with goings on, what's new in Newport, and just sharing.

 With only a while in the city to walk and talk, we went to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.  It was a warm day and the gardens have already made progress in coming alive for the season.

In case anyone is interested in renewing their marriage vows after almost 25 years...this would be the place.

Colors are well on their way.

The waterfowl viewing area didn't disappoint.

This really doesn't look like much, until you look at the newly fallen petals on the ground.

Grammie enjoyed her walk around the gardens.

For more information about the gardens, visit Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Thanks to Don and Patti for sharing this wonderful place with us...and taking the pictures.

February 25, 2019 - Virginia Beach, VA

Hi everyone.  One of the things in the planning is to stay a couple of days in one place when traveling.  That way the grind of driving a large portion of the day, getting dinner, and getting back up to do it again another day doesn't get too old.  It works well especially if there is a golf course across the street.  Can't complain about the person that does all the travel planning.

February is Virginia is for Lovers month with different events taking place during the month.  The sun was shining today although it was a little windy.  We went down to the beach area and had dinner at Waterman's Surfside Grill.  They have an outdoor room that is heated, but with the wind and all, we decided on an inside booth. 

Today's feature photograph...yup, it's Grammie.

Tomorrow, back on the road again.  North Carolina here we come.

Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.

February 23, 2019 - Dover, DE

Good evening all,
We are slowly making our way to warmer areas.  Last night we dined at the very busy Captain Daniel Packer Inne.  We were personally invited by Captain Dan (wink) who we spent the evening with. 
Today we have hopefully seen the last of the snow on this trip, what we saw was a little bit that was left on the side of the road by a plow.  As we headed into Delaware, there was a woman riding in her car with the top down but it was hard to tell if she minded at all as she was pretty bundled up.  It was only just under 50 degrees.  Must have been a Mainer, don't you think?

Grammie was seen down near the water so it was good to get her smiling face.

Later this afternoon we arrived at Dover AFB and spend the evening and a fresh start in the morning headed across the 17 mile bridge.  Almost $30 for 2 bridges in 2 days...Bob Marley would have fun with that one.
Have a peaceful day everyone and tomorrow, we hope to feature Grammie.....waving goodbye to her chummy on the way to the golf course.

February 21, 2019 - On the road again

Hi everyone.
We finally shut down the wood boiler, packed the bags...and golf clubs and headed out of town for a while.  On the way through Augusta, Tom decided that he would look up a friend in town.  After a short walk from a typically crowded parking lot, we happened to find his office. Thank goodness that he was free for a bit. 

After that we headed to our usual stopping place while passing through Massachusetts.  Tom's sister's place.  This night we got to visit the local Polish Club that didn't have any empty seats.  The clubs is one of the largest in the area.  With close to 1700 members, it is no wonder that the place was busy.  Tomorrow, further south and hopefully warmer still, not shorts weather yet, but working on it.  Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.

June 30, 2019 - July 1, 2019 - Bielin, Poland, a family gathering.

On this day, we drove up to Bielin where Wanda grew up. This just happened to be the day that an annual family gathering was taking place and there were dozens more of family to be met.
Tom was ready, notepad and camera at the ready.

The church where many Sunday mornings were spent.  Quiet and peaceful. An old church with wide walls about 18 inches thick.

And all of a sudden, dozens of people began showing up.  Notepad wasn't going to do any good here.  Take pictures and get names later.

We spent the rest of the day and evening at this wonderful resort out in the country.  It is a quiet part of the country of Poland where people go to just get away.  They have stables there where one can go do some horseback riding.  It would be a wonderful venue for an outdoor wedding, with a banquet hall also. 

 Later on in the day we spent time outside with relatives.  Fortunately, there were several who spoke English very well.

The next morning, we went to the local lake with the view of the town in the background. 

On the way back to Poznan, we were led by Bronek to some places nearby that brought back memories.


Today our plans were to get back to Krakow to catch the plane on a reverse trip from Posnan to Warsaw, to Krakow.  Little did we know that when we arrived in Warsaw from Poznan, late at night, we missed the last plane out.  I guess what happened to us happens often.  A lengthy walk to the place where we get new reservations for the morning flight happened after midnight.  Fortunately, the place where we had rooms waiting for us was just across the street. In the morning, we had a 7:30 flight to Krakow where we arrived plenty early enough to catch our flight to Zurich, and then home to Boston. 

A truly wonderful trip, a great time meeting relatives, plenty of food, great hospitality from those who were so happy to meet people from America...and memories of a lifetime.