Louisa I look forward to hearing from you...and Hannelore, be safe and have a wonderful vacation.

Wow.. what wonderful travel plans! Also can't wait to hear of your travel adventures.

I took a wonderful trip in June - via Amtrak from San Francisco to Washington DC and back - just me and my laptop. My son just started working so couldn't get any time off. It was the very first time in 20+ years that I went on a vacation by myself.

I loved the destination and the journey. Wrote alot and met a lot of wonderful people on the train.

Washington DC is a wonderful place - wish I had had more time to see everything!

Donna

I'm baaack! We've been gone 10 days - did you miss me? Oh well, anyway....

We attended my nephew's rehearsal dinner and wedding in Ada Oklahoma, then traveled over to Batesville Arkansas to visit my niece at Lyon College. Then up to Branson Missouri and stayed at Sill Waters Resort.

We saw LOTS of beautiful country. It's so green and pretty through Arkansas and Missouri. However, my hubby likes a glass of wine with dinner and we encountered several "dry" counties. So different from California!

It was a wonderful, relaxing time, and through all that driving around - my hubby and I got along! Amazing.... We usually do, but this was the first trip we've taken in 19 years (since kids...) that we were all by ourselves for any length of time. I truly wasn't sure how it would go.

JJ, when do you leave for Ireland? That's a place we really want to visit, since my hubby's dad came from Ireland to America when he was in his early 20's. Have a wonderful time!

Kathy

I know exactly where Batesville is. My Daddy was originally from Blytheville, AR. So glad you Mr. Man had a good vacation. And yes, you were missed.

I leave on the 21st, Sept. Not much time to pack, get a new "do" and lose 50 pounds...hmmm...oh well, Ireland will just have to settle for WYSIWYG...eh?

Kathy, How was Branson Missouri? It's one place hubby and I have talked about going? Did you see Bobby Vinton? Doesn't he own or perform in a concert hall there?

Hi Pam,
We hit Branson mid-week after Labor Day, so there were no big names playing. We were there three nights; didn't have time to see anything the first night, then lots of shows are dark on Wednesdays, and Thursday the ones we wanted to see were only playing in the morning which didn't work out with the rest of our schedule.

So... we pretty much read, relaxed, dined out, paddled around the lake, etc. It was very nice, actually.

If you are going, and are planning to see shows, I'd check the schedule first and then plan your trip.

You know, the Still Waters Resort was only $69 per night - 30% off because of staying three nights. We had a one-bedroom condo with a washer/dryer, view of the lake, etc. Much better than a cramped hotel room. I'm sure it's more during the "season", but it worked out great for us.

Let us know if you go and who you see!

Kathy

Thanks so much Kathy for info. I will check things out for late fall if we can catch a few days away.

Chatty, did you get my email? It was so nice talking to you. I miss Vegas already, but it was good to get home. we had a great trip (once I got that room situation straightened out). We went to the Bellaggio for a couple of hours before we left Thursday. My husband walked over to MGM Wednesday while I was shopping and then he went over to Hooters too. After I talked to you, I walked over to Aladdin, did those shops, had a lovely lunch, played in their casino and went back to my hotel in time for dinner.

Louisa