One of the places we have been planning to visit is the archaeological site of Pompeii. As you likely know, Pompeii was the city which suffered the devastation of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. The eruption resulted in preserving this city, so that today it is in such a preserved state which allows greater knowledge of life in that time period. At the time of the eruption, Pompeii had about 20,000 inhabitants and surprisingly only about 2000 were killed. After lying undisturbed, excavation of the ruins began in the mid 1700s.
So following a little research we hopped on the Easy Jet airliner and flew to Naples on 18 Feb. It was a simple 2 hour non-stop flight from Berlin. After making hotel reservations at the Motel Villa dei Misteri, we learned that this family owned and managed motel would pick us up at the airport in Naples, thus simplifying our plans on how to get there from Naples. Since we were visiting in "off-season" their restaurant was closed. They then drove us to another restaurant in town, Restaurant Presidente, for dinner following our arrival. The service we received at the motel and the restaurant was exceptional and this made us have a very pleasant weekend. On the morning of the 19th, we walked the short distance to the archaeological site and began our excursion. We walked till we dropped returning to our motel about 3:00 pm. After resting we ventured out to modern Pompeii and located a Pizzeria and had Italian Pizza for dinner.
On the 20th, we took the train back to Naples and visited the Archaeological museum there. Our cab driver informed us we had to eat Pizza in Naples as that was the birthplace of Pizza. So... after our museum visit in the morning we found a Pizzeria and ordered the famous Pizza Margherita. We then returned to the airport for our flight to Berlin. It was a delightful weekend, and we felt we honored the American President's Day Holiday weekend as we ate in the Restaurant Presidente!
Here are the photos, sorry I had a hard time cutting them down to a reasonable number. There was just too much to see and remember with photographs.
Arrivederci!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Orlando
The final leg of this trip is Orlando. Orlando is the home of Craig's Mom who at age 93 continues to live independently. Also Orlando is the new home of Timothy and Milenda as Tim was hired to work at the Golf Channel as an on Air Graphics Editor about 2 months ago. So going to orlando was the conlusion to check on Oma Lee and also meet up with Tim and Milenda as they returned from their honeymoon to the Dominican republic.
On Thursday, 2 February we flew to Orlando. We arrived about 4:30 and planned to stay in Tim's apartment. However when we arrived there the key they gave us didn't fit, so we headed to our favorite Hampton Inn and secured a room for the night. After a quick bite to eat we stopped by and visited Oma Lee.
ON Friday we spent the day taking her around to visit all the places she wanted to go. Then we also checked in our resort we had rented for he week. We stayed at the Wyndham Cypress Palms Resort which was conveniently located between Tim's apartment and Oma Lee's RV abode. Tim and Milenda returned on Saturday afternoon and we made plans to meet them on Sunday morning.
Another bonus of this trip to Orlando was that our dear friend, Debby Sheets drove over from her home in Tallahassee and visited us. She arrived Saturday afternoon and we were able to talk and visit the afternoon and evening away. Sunday we all met up for church and then went out to eat after church. Following that meal Debby had to head back to Tallahassee. Then later we went back to Tim and Milenda's apartment where Milenda had prepared dinner and we wacthed the super bowl together.
Monday we spent the day with Oma Lee and Tuesday Tim and Milenda came down and we lunched and visited together. Since Tim had Tuesday and Wedneesday off, we enjoyed visiting those days. Monday night Craig and I went out to the AMC Theater at Downtown Disney and saw the movie, War Horse. All in all the visit went well. Oma Lee continues to fight for her independence so there is little we can do to help her at this point. We pray our Lord will continue to bless her and keep her safe and healthy.
Here ae a few photos of Tim and Milenda in Orlando.
On Thursday, 2 February we flew to Orlando. We arrived about 4:30 and planned to stay in Tim's apartment. However when we arrived there the key they gave us didn't fit, so we headed to our favorite Hampton Inn and secured a room for the night. After a quick bite to eat we stopped by and visited Oma Lee.
ON Friday we spent the day taking her around to visit all the places she wanted to go. Then we also checked in our resort we had rented for he week. We stayed at the Wyndham Cypress Palms Resort which was conveniently located between Tim's apartment and Oma Lee's RV abode. Tim and Milenda returned on Saturday afternoon and we made plans to meet them on Sunday morning.
Another bonus of this trip to Orlando was that our dear friend, Debby Sheets drove over from her home in Tallahassee and visited us. She arrived Saturday afternoon and we were able to talk and visit the afternoon and evening away. Sunday we all met up for church and then went out to eat after church. Following that meal Debby had to head back to Tallahassee. Then later we went back to Tim and Milenda's apartment where Milenda had prepared dinner and we wacthed the super bowl together.
Monday we spent the day with Oma Lee and Tuesday Tim and Milenda came down and we lunched and visited together. Since Tim had Tuesday and Wedneesday off, we enjoyed visiting those days. Monday night Craig and I went out to the AMC Theater at Downtown Disney and saw the movie, War Horse. All in all the visit went well. Oma Lee continues to fight for her independence so there is little we can do to help her at this point. We pray our Lord will continue to bless her and keep her safe and healthy.
Here ae a few photos of Tim and Milenda in Orlando.
Wedding Timothy and Milenda
We arrived in Colorado on Saturday 21 January. We were so pleased that Larry and the boys were waiting for us at Scott's house. After a few minutes of unwinding we all headed out for dinner and Amy met up with us there. It was great to get those initial hugs from Elliot and Reid as I hadn't seen them for a year and a half.
Timothy flew in from his new home in Orlando early Sunday morning. Milenda picked him up and they met up with us at church. After church we all went out to eat at the Red Robin restaurant and that is where all the photos started. The whirlwind of the week was about to begin. Ater eating Tim, Milenda and I went home with Larry and Amy to see their new home and have some more grandchild time. Scott and Craig went back an ended up unloaading the entire truck into Scott's garage!
Monday got off to a busy start as we decided to visit the Opa Grill and firm up all the plans for the Friday night rehearsal dinner. We stopped at the Tux place to make sure Tim's tux was ready and fit correctly. We delivered one piece of furniture at larry's house and then managed to turn in the UHaul truck.
We seemed to be running back and forth between the two houses. The week continued to progress with activity. My brother called and he was driving in from Dallas on Wednesday to get ahead of a possible rainstorm. So we met up with Chuck and Mary for dinner on Wednesday.
Thursday morning Craig had movers coming to rearrange some furniture in Scott's house and accomodate our haul in. While that was happening, I made an airport run to pick up Jeremy, a friend coming to MC the reception. Thursday night my sister Margaret and her husband arrived. Her son, Rodger lives in Denver so he picked them up. Thursday also Craig and I moved to Larry's house so Scott's house could accomodate all the single guys.
Friday morning we met Milenda at the church to decorate. When we saw the trailer load of rental items delivered we knew our day was set with only about 6 people helping. We worked to decorate the auditorium and also the fellowship hall for the reception. Milenda's maid of honor, Maggie, and her Mom, Laurie, deserve innumerable accolades for holding this decorating process together. They were the heroes of the day! Craig and I left with a few minutes to catch our breath, change our clothes, one last stop at the Opa Grill, and made it back to the rehersal at the church at 5:00. After two hours of rehearsal confusion and hopes for a smooth wedding we all headed to the Opa Grill for the dinner. It turned out beautifully. There we met up again with my brother and sister and two nephews with their ladies.
The wedding was Saturday morning at 10 so we were all up and out early. The wedding came off beautifully. Tim was so handsome and Milenda so beautiful. the love of this young couple is sincere and we all are so proud of them. They seem like a perfect match. We enjoyed meeting Milenda's family and look forward to time in the future to visit in a relaxed setting. We enjoyed our long time friends Larry and Carol Wilterdink who live in Aurora as we hadn't had time to see them. Everything went so well. Tim and Milenda got off in time to catch their plane to Orlando. After all was cleaned up, Larry and Amy invited all my family over for sandwiches and relaxation. It was so nice of them to open up their home so we could all visit until we dropped that night!
Sunday afternoon Craig and I moved back to Scott's and spent the next few days enjoying visiting with Scott and our dog, Gus! Monday night we went out with Scott and saw the movie, Red Tail. Larry called Tuesday morning and needed a sitter for Reid, so we went over and played with Reid. We also went back to Larry's Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Thursday was Larry and Amy's 10th wedding anniversary so we kept the kids Wednesday night so they could go out! It was sad to leave everyone there, but we had to fly on to Orlando on Thursday. Thursday morning Amy and Reid drove us back to the airport.
Enjoythe photos!
Timothy flew in from his new home in Orlando early Sunday morning. Milenda picked him up and they met up with us at church. After church we all went out to eat at the Red Robin restaurant and that is where all the photos started. The whirlwind of the week was about to begin. Ater eating Tim, Milenda and I went home with Larry and Amy to see their new home and have some more grandchild time. Scott and Craig went back an ended up unloaading the entire truck into Scott's garage!
Monday got off to a busy start as we decided to visit the Opa Grill and firm up all the plans for the Friday night rehearsal dinner. We stopped at the Tux place to make sure Tim's tux was ready and fit correctly. We delivered one piece of furniture at larry's house and then managed to turn in the UHaul truck.
We seemed to be running back and forth between the two houses. The week continued to progress with activity. My brother called and he was driving in from Dallas on Wednesday to get ahead of a possible rainstorm. So we met up with Chuck and Mary for dinner on Wednesday.
Thursday morning Craig had movers coming to rearrange some furniture in Scott's house and accomodate our haul in. While that was happening, I made an airport run to pick up Jeremy, a friend coming to MC the reception. Thursday night my sister Margaret and her husband arrived. Her son, Rodger lives in Denver so he picked them up. Thursday also Craig and I moved to Larry's house so Scott's house could accomodate all the single guys.
Friday morning we met Milenda at the church to decorate. When we saw the trailer load of rental items delivered we knew our day was set with only about 6 people helping. We worked to decorate the auditorium and also the fellowship hall for the reception. Milenda's maid of honor, Maggie, and her Mom, Laurie, deserve innumerable accolades for holding this decorating process together. They were the heroes of the day! Craig and I left with a few minutes to catch our breath, change our clothes, one last stop at the Opa Grill, and made it back to the rehersal at the church at 5:00. After two hours of rehearsal confusion and hopes for a smooth wedding we all headed to the Opa Grill for the dinner. It turned out beautifully. There we met up again with my brother and sister and two nephews with their ladies.
The wedding was Saturday morning at 10 so we were all up and out early. The wedding came off beautifully. Tim was so handsome and Milenda so beautiful. the love of this young couple is sincere and we all are so proud of them. They seem like a perfect match. We enjoyed meeting Milenda's family and look forward to time in the future to visit in a relaxed setting. We enjoyed our long time friends Larry and Carol Wilterdink who live in Aurora as we hadn't had time to see them. Everything went so well. Tim and Milenda got off in time to catch their plane to Orlando. After all was cleaned up, Larry and Amy invited all my family over for sandwiches and relaxation. It was so nice of them to open up their home so we could all visit until we dropped that night!
Sunday afternoon Craig and I moved back to Scott's and spent the next few days enjoying visiting with Scott and our dog, Gus! Monday night we went out with Scott and saw the movie, Red Tail. Larry called Tuesday morning and needed a sitter for Reid, so we went over and played with Reid. We also went back to Larry's Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Thursday was Larry and Amy's 10th wedding anniversary so we kept the kids Wednesday night so they could go out! It was sad to leave everyone there, but we had to fly on to Orlando on Thursday. Thursday morning Amy and Reid drove us back to the airport.
Enjoythe photos!
Elliot and Reid
One of the hardest things about living is Berlin is missing these precious years of Elliot and Reid's life. We keep in touch as much as we can with skype and my office is plastered with their photos. So, the biggest bonus of going to Tim's wedding was the time to visit and play with Elliot and Reid. Just in case you haven't kept up Elliot is now 6 and in 1st grade. Reid is 2 yrs 10 months. I decided to devote this post to the photos I took of them during the days we were in Colorado. Elliot was the ring bearer in the wedding and he took that job very seriously. Being the grandma, I must say these two little boys are the cutest and smartest little boys around! Elliot can find everyplace on the Smart Globe we bought him for Christmas. And Reid can manipulate the mouse on the laptop to watch the Thomas videos on UTube. This new generation is so amazing and exciting it is impossible to know what the future holds for them. We are just so proud and happy that their parents are giving them such stability and loving guidance in their home. We look forward to retiring to Coloraado to add much more grandparental love to their lives.
Texas... Memories of 1612 Centenary Drive, Longview
After Christmas and a few weeks at home, Craig and I left Berlin on January 16 for 4 weeks of travel in the States. This would be a full time which would begin with a flight to Dallas and a drive to Longview. I needed to go to Longview to meet with the lawyer and settle Mother's estate. Of course this involved a meeing with the lawyer, the accountant, the banks, and the financial advisor. Margaret and Chuck had been working to clean out the house and Craig and I needed to pack things we wanted to keep. This house holds so many memories for us. It is not the house we grew up in, but has been "Grandma's House" where we always brought our children to see Grandma. Dad built this house after they moved to Longview in 1975 and he built only a few other things after that time! He did build a lake house near Pittsburg on Bob Sandlin Lake, however that was sold quite a few years ago as it was too much for Mother to manage as Alzheimer's disease took away Dad's abilities. Mother worked faithfully to keep up the house in Longview until she moved to assisted living in November 2010. Margaret, Chuck and I kept the house pretty much intact for the past year, but gradually were rearranging and making decisions on the family belongings.
This was now my final trip to pack up items. Fortunately, Craig was so helpful and managed the vast majority of packing. Those summer jobs of working for movers during college have paid off well in our lifetime. He never complained about the number of things I wanted to keep. Craig gathered all the packing materiels while Margaret and I settled all the business affairs. It was exhausting, but we got it all completed in 3 days.
On Friday the 19th, Craig and I left Longview with a fully loaded 17 foot U-Haul to drive to Colorado where we are storing the items until we move there to retire in 2013. We drove on Friday to Amarillo and on Saturday drove on to Colorado. We were blessed with wonderful weather. We had only a 1 1/2 hour delay with a bad tire in Dalhart, TX. We were so fortunate the gas station personnel spotted the tire problem as we pulled into their station. They gave us free coffee as we waited for the U-Haul designated service to arrive and replace the tire. The rest of the trip was uneventful. Here are photos of the house I took as we were packing and the drive to Colorado. We saw freeways, Texas Red Dirt, Tumbleweeds, and Rattlesnake warning signs. All so familiar to anyone who has driven through the Texas Panhandle. We crossed a corner of New Mexico and realized how close we were to Philmont Scout Ranch when Timothy had his High Adventure Camping in 1998. Now we are heading to Colorado to attend his wedding.
This was now my final trip to pack up items. Fortunately, Craig was so helpful and managed the vast majority of packing. Those summer jobs of working for movers during college have paid off well in our lifetime. He never complained about the number of things I wanted to keep. Craig gathered all the packing materiels while Margaret and I settled all the business affairs. It was exhausting, but we got it all completed in 3 days.
On Friday the 19th, Craig and I left Longview with a fully loaded 17 foot U-Haul to drive to Colorado where we are storing the items until we move there to retire in 2013. We drove on Friday to Amarillo and on Saturday drove on to Colorado. We were blessed with wonderful weather. We had only a 1 1/2 hour delay with a bad tire in Dalhart, TX. We were so fortunate the gas station personnel spotted the tire problem as we pulled into their station. They gave us free coffee as we waited for the U-Haul designated service to arrive and replace the tire. The rest of the trip was uneventful. Here are photos of the house I took as we were packing and the drive to Colorado. We saw freeways, Texas Red Dirt, Tumbleweeds, and Rattlesnake warning signs. All so familiar to anyone who has driven through the Texas Panhandle. We crossed a corner of New Mexico and realized how close we were to Philmont Scout Ranch when Timothy had his High Adventure Camping in 1998. Now we are heading to Colorado to attend his wedding.
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