Europe Trip 2011

EUROPE TRIP 2011


Saturday, May 21,
I left home about 7:15 a.m. for Mark’s house. He and Sharon dropped me off at the SLC airport. I checked my largest bag, and since I was in group A on Southwest Airlines. I got on board fairly easily. There is no assigned seating with Southwest but I found an empty luggage bin over an empty seat which worked out well.

For some reason, the flight first flew to Seattle, and almost everyone got off, only 2 or 3 remained on board; including me. Then lots of people got on to fly to Kansas City.

In SLC I bought a burrito as no meals are served on Southwest. The price listed was $7.89 but with the tax it was $11.07. I was astonished at how much it was.

I arrived in Kansas City about 6 p.m. and Lauren picked me up. We then drove to her house, a very nice one, and joined Ross and their two kids and went to IHOP for dinner. I read some books to Ethan and Leah and then, after a little visit with Lauren and Ross, went to bed. A very comfortable bed. Very cute kids.

Sunday, May 22
I went to church with the Terry family. After Sacrament meeting, Lauren went to teach the eight-year-old kids in Primary and Ross went to do Financial Clerk business. I went to Sunday School then the Priesthood and Relief Society were combine talking about preparing for the Kansas City Temple, which should be ready later this year.

After the block of meetings, we returned home and Alan, Peggy, Sam and Will came about 12:30 p.m. After lunch, Sam drove us to the airport.

The first plane was small, two seats on either side. We flew to Philadelphia, a very large airport. The second plane was huge. Two seats, then four across, then two more. We always lucked out getting an empty bin by an empty seat. The night was very long and I didn’t get hardly any sleep, though I took a sleeping pill thinking it would help.

Monday, May 23
We arrived in London about 9:30 a.m. their time. After going through customs, we took a taxi to our hostel to leave our luggage, as it was too early to check in. The hostel is the King William IV, part pub and part hostel. We took two buses and visited a museum at Somerset House. They had Van Gogh, Gaugain, Renoir, Cezanne and others but those were my favorites. We then found a sandwich shop and ate our food outdoors in a big courtyard that had a water fountain going. I had a Cornish pasty, meat, potatoes and veggies, fried. Good.

We then went back to the hostel. Our room is small with four sets of bunk beds, two showers and one toilet. We have a balcony overlooking the Thames River but too windy and cold to enjoy. Tomorrow we have to change to another room, no sé porque.

Everyone else went out this evening but I enjoyed being by myself. Had a shower and washed hair but no good mirrors; hard to see to do my hair. Most of the 22 girls and 1 boy have arrived.

Tuesday, May 24
Breakfast consists of cereal, hard boiled eggs, toast, juice etc. We went to Westminster Abbey, but it was closed due to Pres. Obama’s visit so we went to Sir John Soame’s Museum. It was chuck full of paintings, statues and whatever. The originals of the series of paintings “The Rake’s Progress” by Hogarth were there.

We then visited the Banqueting Hall. It is the only building left from Whitehall Palace which burned down in 1622. The ceiling has paintings by Rubens. Charles I was beheaded there. It is a beautiful building. I bought a book about it.

The four of us went to ride on the London Eye. It took about 30 minutes for it to complete a circle and we had great visions of the city. We then went to the British Museum and I spent my
1 ½ hour in the Roman Britain section. Loved it.

We bought our supper at a “Pret a Manger” sandwich shop and ate at tables out-of-doors by St. Martin in the Fields church. Windy and cold. When we returned to the hostel we had to change to another room and make our beds again. We get a bottom sheet, a cover for a comforter or duvet, a pillow case and a towel. We have a large nice bathroom but no plug to use in it. A little tired.

Wednesday, May 25
Visited Westminster Abbey. Next to it is a large building called Sanctuary, I don’t know if that is the name of the building or of the area. There is an opening to a large open space called the Dean’s Ward. Beautiful buildings. Loved seeing Westminster Abbey again but a little difficult doing it with 26 other people as we were supposed to stay together. Next was the Tower of London and I admired the Crown Jewels again. So beautiful and sparkly. I walked up some very narrow steep steps to the Bloody Tower. I sat awhile while Alan, Peggy and Will saw more.

We, the four of us, walked across Tower Bridge, then visited an old church. Saw a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship The Golden Hind. Returned to the hostel for a rest, then went to Victoria Station and found a good Italian restaurant , Il Posto, then back to the hostel.

Thursday, May 26
We walked to Pimlico train station and took the tube to Kings Cross station. Some students were late so Alan and I waited for them while Peggy, Will and the rest of the students went on. When the others finally arrived we took a train to Petersborough then changed to a train to Stamford and took taxis to Burghley House. It was built by William Cecil, later treasurer for Queen Elizabeth I. It is a lovely, elegant home. What was most impressive was the huge kitchen. It had a vaulted ceiling, huge table and very large pots and pans. The state bedrooms and great hall were also very impressive.


After lunch, we then took the taxis back to Stamford, took the train to Peterborough and walked into town. We visited Peterborough Cathedral. It was beautiful; Katherine of Aragon is buried there. Mary Queen of Scots was also but after 25 year, her son James I moved her to Westminster Abby.

When leaving Pimlico station we experienced a huge downpour. The rain was pouring down the entrance like a river. The one day I didn’t have my umbrella but Alan shared. We were within walking distance of the hostel but took the bus. I get tired with all this walking.

Friday, May 27
The whole group went by train the Cambridge. We had a great tour with a great guide. Saw Kings College, its Chapel which was beautiful, and other parts. We then saw St. John’s College, also great. It was endowed by Margaret Beaufort, descended from John of Gaunt.

We ate lunch in a restaurant in a restored church and then went punting on the River Cam. Our man was half Portuguese and half from Sri Lanka but didn’t speak Portuguese. He said he was dark on the outside but white on the inside. He was very handsome.

We took the train to Ely and visited the cathedral. It is magnificent!!! We attended an evensong service with lots of plain song then other hymns by a male choir of six men. Took the train back to London, tube and bus to hostel.

Saturday, May 26
Alan, Peggy and I did laundry at a laundromat. It is so good to have clean clothes again. We then took the bus and tube to Portobello Market. Too many people and it looked different than what I expected..

We took a taxi to Wallace House. A huge home filled with great paintings: Rembrandt, Velazquez, Cannaletto, Romney, Reynolds, Gainsborough, etc. One of the paintings I recognized was “The Laughing Cavalier” so I bought a postcard of it. On the way back to the hostel, I sat by a very friendly lady and visited with her. We went to eat at Il Posto again.

Sunday, May 29
We had planned on riding the tube to church, which was clear across town but found out the tube stations near the church were closed down for repairs. It seems that on Sunday is when they shut down places for repairs. So the four of us opted for Hampton Court. King Henry VIII took it from Cardinal Wolsey. The last monarchs to live there were William and Mary. Loved seeing the huge kitchens. People in costume were kneading bread, chopping meat and doing other tasks while staying in character. There were several rooms, all interesting with huge fireplaces and ovens for cooking. 600 people were fed twice a day from them.

That evening, the four of us attended an organ recital at Westminster Abbey. It was glorious! Cathedrals and Abbeys are what organs are made for. The music was so grand!


Monday, May 30
The group took the train to Salisbury where four large passenger taxis took us to Stonehenge. We each had individual hearing devices so we could hear all about it. We walked all around it in the rain. It was awesome.

The taxis then took us to Walton House, the home of the Earls of Pembrooke. I saw the riding stables where horses had been exercised but now housed a collection of antique cars. It also had about 15 dioramas of 17th and 18th centuries battles. Very interesting. Then I visited the Tudor kitchens. Very well presented with mannequins and samples of food. They also had a huge Victorian laundry room and a room with two large doll houses. That part of the place was my favorite though the house was very beautiful.

Taxis then took us to Salisbury Cathedral, very beautiful. A copy of the Magna Charta is preserved there.

Tuesday, May 31
Alan, Peggy and I went to St. Paul’s Cathedral which I hadn’t visited before. It is very large and spacious. Nelson and Wellington are buried there. Awe inspiring. We then took the tube to Paddington Station where we took a train to Bath. The country near Bath is very green with rolling hills and lots of trees.

We took a taxi to view the Royal Crescent, a row of 30 dwellings arranged in a semi-circle. #! Royal Crescent is a home restored to its Georgian days. Very interesting. One could see one of Jane Austin’s heroines in it.

Peggy and I visited the Fashion Museum but it wasn’t like what I had seen 25 years before. They did have a display of wedding dresses from 1800 to the present but lots of modern clothes. When I had visited it before they had clothing from 1400 to the present and was most interesting.

Alan, Will and I visited the Roman Bath. They now have audio so one can listen as we look at things. A man, dressed in Roman costume, visited with us. I enjoyed it a lot again and felt the water. It is quite warm.

We took the train back, ate one more time at the Italian Restaurant. It is still very good.

Wednesday, June 1
Alan, Peggy and I took a taxi to St. Pancras station, then took the train to Canterbury. Very old cathedral. Saw the tomb of the Black Prince, brother of John of Gaunt. I also saw the candle marking the spot where Thomas a’Becket’s tomb was before it was destroyed by Henry VIII. There were beautiful flowers in the cloister.

We ate at a Vienniese restaurant, a chicken, bacon and avocado salad. So good to have some vegetables. We miss fruit and vegetables as we usually grab a cibatta bread sandwich at various train stations.

Alan and Peggy walked to some other sites and I visited a Roman Museum. Loved it !!! A Roman town existed here in Canterbury, now well below street level. It had great exhibits with models showing how they dressed, worked: made shoes, fixed hair, etc. We met back at the train station and returned to London. Bought things for supper. A great day.

Thursday, June 2
We took a taxi to Kings Cross Station. On the way we passed the statue of Boudicca. I had wanted to see it but wasn’t sure just where it was. I was glad to have seen it. We took a 2 ½ hour train ride to York. Walked to the hostel through the Micklegate Bar; the hostel is a cut above the London one. It is a Georgian home but our room was up three flights of stairs on what would be our fourth floors!!! Our room has one double bed and two single ones with lots more room. The bathroom is very small.

We left our luggage and walked to York Minster. It is a beautiful cathedral with tons of stained glass windows. It is built on the foundation of a Norman Cathedral which was built on the foundation of part of the Roman Fort here at Eboracum, where the IX Legion was stationed. There is a Roman Museum in the crypt which I enjoyed.

We walked some more and ate at a “Slug and Lettuce” restaurant. Horrid name but good food.

Friday, June 3
Breakfast consists of cereal, croissants, fruit. We took a tour bus, Eddie Brown’s, to Harewood House. It is a lovely home set in a large park. John Carr designed the outside and Robert Wood the inside. The ceilings were the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. White plaster with lovely designs. The 6th Earl of Harewood, 88 years old, is the son of Princess Mary, daughter of King George V and sister to Bertie, George VI. One room had Chinese wallpaper from the 1700s.

We then took the bus to Fountains Abbey, which was destroyed by Henry VIII. It is huge. One has to walk one-half mile down hill to get to it. It took a lot of effort and time to walk back up.
I saw the remains of the warming room where the brothers warmed themselves before bed; the only room with a fireplace. I was disappointed that there were no signs explaining what we were seeing. It was in a beautiful valley. I’m sure it was a glorious abbey.

We ate at a pizza place for supper. My back hasn’t hurt these past two days and I’m very grateful.

As we travel through the country we see hedges (hedgerows) that separate fields instead of fences. Saw very few fences; once I saw stone fences.

Saturday, June 4
Traffic lights, in London and elsewhere, show red, yellow, green, yellow, red, etc. Yarrow grows by the side of the road in the country.

We visited Haddon Hall. It was started in Norman times, finished about 1600. It is an old home and was abandoned for 200 years so it was not modernized. There was a channel just outside the chapel. We were told that rain water would run down the channel to a garderobe or toilet, on the other side of the wall. When it didn’t rain, someone had to clean out the toilet. There were bats living in the old chapel and since they are an endangered species, they can’t get rid of them. The large doors were open with streamers hanging down to keep out the swallows. The most beautiful flowers were at Haddon Hall. The outside of one of the walls was covered in climbing roses in red, white, yellow and pink. There was also a lot of clematis and lovely flowers in the garden. I bought a book to be able to remember this place; my favorite.

We then went to Chatsworth, a huge, magnificent home. Really too over the top, so ornate. It is situated in a huge park. It had a very long water cascade, 24 steps, in the park.. As we were driving through one of the towns, we saw a tower that was twisted; it looked like a wizard’s hat.

Sunday, June 5
I did my laundry at 6:30 a.m. when no one else wanted to. There are only two washers and two dryers for the whole hostel.

Our Eddie Brown but took us to Hardwick Hall, home of Bess of Hardwick, the 2nd most wealthy and important woman after Queen Elizabeth I who was her friend. She had four husbands, the first was a Barlow, 2nd Cavendish, father of her children, 3rd Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewbury. Her old home was near by and is now a ruin. She built Hardwick Hall and it is a most remarkable building. Many glass windows, the theme was “more glass than walls” and she had very wide stairs built making it a very light and spacious building. Her initials ES are all over the building, Elizabeth Shrewsbury. ER was Elizabeth I’s initials, Elizabeth Regina. We had a lady give us a lecture before visiting the house which was very well done and interesting.

My lunch was soup, bread and scone with clotted cream and jam. The cream is consistency of butter but with a sweet taste.

In the afternoon we visited Keddleston Manor, another grand and magnificent home. One of the later owners was viceroy of India and held a Durbar in 1903. There were many Indian artifacts on display along with the gown his wife wore, the peacock gown. It was made with gold and silver threads made to look like peacock feathers with jewels. It weighed 10 lbs. and was made by Worth of Paris. She had to have help to put it on.

For supper we went to an Indian restaurant. It had Dankin (?) very good but only medium hot.

Monday, June 6
We traveled by Eddie Brown bus again to Whitby, a fishing town on the North Sea. Alan and I walked to where we could see the sea. It was great. Afterwards we traveled to Robin Hood’s Bay. One had to walk down a steep trail to the little village and I opted out. I spent the time visiting with a nice little lady from Lincoln.

We then visited Castle Howard, which Leon and I had visited 25 years ago. Another grand and glorious home. The movie “Brideshead Revisited” was filmed here and there were lots of pictures from the early version and a later one.

We travel by freeways sometimes but mostly by two-lane highways going through little villages and towns. Terrain very hilly and steep roads today. England is like a huge park, so green!

All the group was treated to a Spanish Restaurant in York. I had tapas for the first time. We also had paella and sundry dishes. I walked home early as I was tired. My ankles are swollen, as lately they are after every day.

Tuesday, June 7
I decided not to go to Edinburgh, though I had wanted to; my ankles are too swollen. Peggy and Will went but Alan also opted to stay in York. By myself, I walked to the Shambles, a very narrow street, visited York Minster again. One of the highlights of the Minster is a screen of statues of all the kings of England from William the Conqueror to Henry VI. They are divided with eight on one side and eight on the other; very impressive. I then visited Yorkshire Museum which had a great Roman Britain exhibit. Walked back to the hostel and ate a cheese panini from the bar. Relaxed, read and took a nap. Then Alan and I went to an Italian restaurant for supper.

Was able to call Sylvia and talk to her; it was great. I finally was able to figure out how to use the phone and international telephone card. My Wells Fargo Credit Card can’t be used to get money because it wouldn’t recognize my pin number but the Chase one worked.

Wednesday, June 8
The last day in York. I visited the Jorvick Viking Museum, pronounce Yorvick. It was very interesting. It had a ride like at Disneyland and it went around a Viking village with houses and models of working people such as a blacksmith, baker and shoemaker. A dig was covered over with glass and you could walk over it and see bones, coins, and pieces of pottery.

I visited another museum. Had a lunch of mushroom soup and bread, very good then visited the museum It had a Victorian street which was quite extensive showing shops, school, bank, etc. Then there were display of various eras of kitchens and parlors. They had a fridge like the one we had in Buenos Aires, with the motor on top.

All four of us ate at the same Italian restaurant. Will is traveling with some of the students back to London and Heathrow airport this evening to spend the night. He’ll fly home tomorrow.

Thursday, June 9
I visited the church across the street from the hostel. There had been a church at that site since 900 A.D. Students are going home today.

Alan, Peggy and I walked to the train station and took two different trains to East Midland Airport. RyanAir only allows one checked bag, 15 kilos. and one carryon, 10 kilos that includes purse, book, everything. My bags were o.k. but Alan and Peggy’s were too heavy and they had to buy another bag and paid $80 (pounds) for a second checked bag. This airline really rips you off. Flying over England was delightful; I could see all the little patchwork fields and little red brick spots that there villages.

We arrived in Venice about 8:30 p.m. and took a taxi to the hotel. Hotel Titian. Very nice! I have a little separate bedroom.


Friday, June 10
They had a great breakfast with cakes, cereal, lots of fresh fruit, milk (that tastes like canned). We took a bus into Venice as we were a few miles outside the city. We waked to the train station and checked our luggage and walked! We crossed the Rialto bridge and went to a beautiful old church “Glorious St. Mary of the Friars). Every once in a while we would see a stone well now coverded over but in the past each neighborhood had its own well. We ate a sidewalk café and I had vegetable soup. Hard to get enough vegetables and fruit. I shopped for glass ware, finally found something I liked. I hope it makes it home.

We walked to St. Marks’ Square. The ATM wouldn’t take my Chase card, which worked in England; had to use my Wells Fargo debit card. We went inside St. Mark’s, very old, 11th century. We took a Vaporetto (a boat that you travel on around Venice) all along the Grand Canal to the train station. Alan bought us pizza to eat and we traveled to Verona. Once again I have my own room. I have a very bad , red rash on both legs.

Saturday, June 11
Our hotel is Hotel Bologna. After another good breakfast, Peggy and I went walking, and we went through the Porta Borsani, a Roman Gate. We wandered around and saw the Arena, and old buildings, Piazza Erbe. The ruling family had other families tear down their towers so they would be the only ones with a tower. We visited Sta. Anastacia church, the largest in Verona. The organ was playing, mostly familiar tunes. Very enjoyable. After lunch, I rested, to let swollen ankles go down.

Alan, Peggy and I walked to a park by the arena and sat on a bench and enjoyed the good weather. We watched a little girl chase the pigeons. We ate dinner at a restaurant; both lunch and dinner were expensive.

Sunday, June 12
We took the train from Venice to Florence. We are at Hotel Olympia on the 4th floor but they have an elevator! We are all together in the room again. There is a bed and breakfast on the 2nd floor and a dentist’s office on the 1st floor. The hotel is across the Piazza della Repubblica, a great location. We can walk to everything. Rash almost gone.

I waited in line for an hour for the Uffizi Gallery but it didn’t hardly move so decided to just look at the David replica in the piazza. I wandered on my own. I visited the Pallazzo Vecchio,I had taken Leon’s picture in the entrance by the fountain 25 years ago. I visited the market and bought bracelets for the girls. After lunch, I went back to the hotel to rest, ankles very swollen.

We all then went to the Bargello Museum. Michelangelo’s statue of Bacchus and the Winged Mercury statue are there. It is great to see originals. We then went to Santa Croce church. Very big church and lovely. Michelangelo, Rossini, Dante and Galileo are buried there. Walked back to the hotel to rest and Alan and Peggy went to do laundry, some of mine too. After eating we stopped by a church and heard the organ play.


Monday, June 13
This hotel’s breakfast is so so. We walked to the Palazzo Davanzati. One of my favorite places. It is built around an open courtyard. several stories high. On the courtyard side of the building there is a well that can be reached from each floor. One can let down a pitcher and bring up water so easily. In two of the bedrooms, a little room is set off with a toilet. Quite modern for a 14th century medieval home.

We saw the courtyard of the Strozzi family, also the Medici’s. They were very large and impressive. We walked by the Duomo, (Cathedral) and the Baptistry and Bell Tower. Then visited the Museum of the Duomo which houses the original doors “Gates of Paradise”. The baptistry has replicas. We weren’t able to see the originals as they were being restored. In the museum I saw Michelangelo’s statue, another Pieta, which is of Nicodemus helping to lower Jesus’ body from the cross. Michelangelo used his face for Nicodemus. Another familiar work of art viewed in person. The courtyard in the building is where he fashioned the David.

We walked to the San Lorenzo church; outside is very rough, not finished. The inside is spacious and simple; ordered built by the Medici. We had lunch and then I walked back to the hotel by myself to rest.

Later we walked to the Ponte Vecchio and saw where the secret passage ran. It ran from near the Vatican, across the river to the Pitti Palace enabling the pope to escape in times of trouble. We ate at a very nice restaurant and while returning, went by the Palazzo Vecchio and saw two couples swinging from ropes from the top floor doing aerial tricks. It was fun to watch them; The bells were ringing as they were swinging out in space. We then returned to our hotel.

Tuesday, June 14
We took a bus, similar to a Greyhound bus, to Siena. We are staying at the Albergo Cannon d’Oro. It is very old; until 1262 A.D. it was a former palace. The man at the desk is from Peru so I enjoyed speaking to him in Spanish.

We ate lunch and then walked to see the Campo, where the Palio races are held every year. We visited the Baptistry, a very beautiful building with an elaborate font with bronze panels by Donatello and Ghiberti. I couldn’t take pictures inside and there were no postcard pictures; I was disappointed. Walking, we came by a building and Alan tells me is the world’s oldest bank, dates from late 1400s.

We climbed many steps and visited the crypt of the Duomo. Inside the church, all the columns are striped black and white. Saw some beautiful illuminated music manuscripts and beautiful frescoes. We next visited the museum that had early statues by Pisano; they used to be out-of-doors but are now inside. He lived about 1270 AD. I bought a pretty bowl at a shop.

Was able to talk to Sylvia and learn all well at home.

Wednesday, June 15
Today I am 80!!!
After breakfast, I walked down to the Campo for one last look. Alan and Peggy took a longer walk.

We took a train to Chiusi (Clusium in my “Eagle of the Ninth Book”) then transferred to another train to Rome. We took a taxi to our Hotel Adler; they also had an elevator. We took a taxi to the Roman Forum. I had not visited it before so it was a real treat. It is much larger than what I had imagined. Loved being there and seeing all the ruins and thinking of all that took place there.

Alan and Peggy treated me to supper for my birthday; we went to a very good pizzeria. While we were eating, on the sidewalk under umbrellas, two street musicians, a violin and guitar, came by and started playing. I immediately recognized the introduction to a song, it was “Alma Llanera” from Venezuela. I was thrilled. They then sang “Jalisco” another favorite from my childhood. I spoke to them and found out they were from Peru. They then sang “Malagueña” a beautiful song and then I requested “Flor de la Canela” from Peru. A favorite of my Dad’s and sister Nancy’s. We gave them 5 Euros. It was such a treat, the frosting on the cake! They both sang and played very well. What a way to celebrate my birthday. The man at the hotel desk kissed my hand for my birthday!

Thursday, June 16
Last full day in Rome. We took a taxi to St. Peter’s Square. We take lots of taxis as some places are too far to walk to. It is always a surprise to see how large the square is; enormous. St. Peter’s is still huge and grand with lots of people. We saw various other churches, the Fountain of Trevi, and was able to buy prints as gifts for the boys. We visited Piazza Navona and I was happy to see it as I had not seen it before. I had a good cream of tomato soup at the piazza.

After resting, I treated Alan and Peggy to dinner as a thank you; they took very good care of me. It was a very nice restaurant;; Peggy remembered just where it was located. She always knew where things were located and how to get there. The food was very good and Alan and Peggy had two different desserts and they were the best of the whole trip. I got to taste them and they were delicious.

Friday, June 17
We left the hotel about 8:15 a.m. and found out it was a little cheaper to take a taxi to the airport rather than taxi to train station and train to the airport. I enjoyed seeing more of Rome from the taxi window.

Our flight left about 11 a.m. and we flew to Charlotte, NC, a very long day. We had to go through security two different times which surprised me. Alan flew on to SLC to shoot a wedding and Peggy and I flew to Kansas City. Sam and Will picked us up and it was about 2:00 a.m. Rome time for us. We met Lauren at a Mall and I went with her to her home and Peggy and boys drove on to Manhattan.

I had told Lauren that I would be happy to sleep on the couch as their spare bedroom had company; her sister-in-law and husband. But Lauren and Ross gave me their bed, it was so soft and nice. I had their bathroom as well, no sharing like the past four weeks. So kind of them!

Saturday, June 18
Lauren drove me to the KC airport about 8:15 a.m. for a 10:00 am flight. I checked both bags, bless Southwest Airlines, and we flew first to Dallas. I ate lunch at the airport then flew on the Austin.
Alan and Tricia met me and we drove to their home. It is wonderful being back in familiar places. Alex and Russell and his two kids are there. Jillian is in Florida for a Volleyball tournament. Alex has put in miles of sprinkler pipes, 15 stations throughout their yard. Talked to Syl and Gina. Still on Rome time so very sleepy and went to bed at 8:00 p.m.

Thanksgiving 2010

I thought I would share with everyone the really nice Thanksgiving I spent with Nancy and her family.

On Tuesday, the 23rd, I drove to Mark’s house and he and Jessica drove me to the airport. My flight left at 1:20 p.m. I didn’t have to go through the full body screening or pat down, I don’t know how I lucked out but I was grateful. Since the plane is one of the smaller one, my luggage was taken as I got on and retrieved after landing. I landed in Redmond, just 16 miles from Bend. Kirk picked me up as he was off work that week. We drove to their home, a really nice one with three bedrooms and two baths upstairs and a half bath, living room, dining area and kitchen on the ground floor. The house has a very large pantry which Nancy loves. There is also a deep closet that the two little girls, Maddie 5 and Reagan 2, use for their toys. There is a laundry room as you go out to the garage. The back yard is fenced and good sized. The girls are darling. Maddie very smart and reading quite well and Reagan just a little bundle of joy. She looks just like Nancy did at that age.

Wednesday morning early, Kirk drove to Portland to pick up his parents, Kirk and Polly and Nancy, the girls and I drove to Pacific City where the Flannigans had rented a beach cottage for the holidays. Our drive over the Santiam Pass, 4,817 ft., was a little scary. Though the elevation is lower than Mt. Pleasant, about 6,000 ft. there were mountains, pine trees and LOTS of SNOW. We probably should have had chains on but Nancy drove very carefully in their 4-wheel drive car. The scenery was beautiful. We arrived in Pacific City about the same time and Kirk and his parents.

The cottage was very comfortable. It had two bedrooms upstairs with bath, kitchen, large living room and dining area. The kitchen was very well equipped. . Downstairs was a very large room with two bunkbeds with game table and another bathroom. The Flannigans slept downstairs. The cottage is right on the beach; one goes down some steps to a trail over the sand dunes and down to the beach. The water looked lovely. We saw some seals and a man in a wet suit riding his surf board. The water is really too cold to swim in, even in summer. A seagull visited our porch frequently, sitting on the railing.

I made pumpkin pies that night but the oven did not heat at the selected temperature and it took another half hour for them to get done. I don’t think the bottom crust got quite done enough. Next morning, when I put in the turkey, I upped the temperature by 25 degrees and the turkey turned out fine. We had tons of food. We had mashed potatoes, yams, two stuffings: corn bread and sausage, turkey, gravy, a great jello salad, green bean casserole and pie. We also had spinach dip and clam dip to snack on. We were stuffed, very happily so.

Friday, we drove south , in two cars, to Newport seeing beautiful vistas of the ocean: pine trees, rocks and, of course, the ocean. We visited a nature exhibit, I can’t remember what it is called. but we saw an octopus in a glass tank. He was right up against the side so one could see him so well. So fascinating. There were tide pools with anenomes that you could touch. We saw a film about whales and were told they could be seen frequently along the coast but I didn’t see any. We ate a seafood restaurant and I tried little clams, two of them. I also had clam chowder and a salad. It was very windy and cold. On the docks, behind the restaurant, were a big group of sea lions barking away. The little kids loved seeing them. The ocean was much more rough these last days but beautiful to see. We stopped at a light house, which was closed for the season, but walked down the trail to it. The vistas from the lighthouse were fantastic. It was about a quarter of a mile long down to the lighthouse, which was fine going down, but coming back uphill, I wasn’t sure I would make it, but I persisted and made it! That night we watched “Letters to Juliet” I enjoyed it.

Saturday, we drove north to the Tillamook Cheese factory. It was a fascinating place to visit. We looked through large windows down below where three conveyors belts brought out large block of cheese. Right in front of us we could see three different people cutting the blocks of cheese then placing them on other conveyor belts where they were covered in plastic, then taken to a thing that looked like an octopus that vacuum sealed the blocks. Then the belts took them back out of sight. We had nice little samples of their cheddar cheese. We all bought some little blocks of cheese to take home.

We then drove to the town of Oceanside where we ate lunch. The restaurant was right on the beach and I had a beautiful view of the water while eating. Oceanside was a nice little town. It reminded me of Lagoon. I ordered a hamburger that time. That night, after arriving, Nancy and Kirk had some time to themselves and they visited a place in town recommended by friends. The girls were put in bed and, Kirk senior went to bed, then Polly, and I wound up watching part of the Wizard of OZ but then I too went to bed.

Sunday morning, we packed up, picked up, and went our separate ways. The Flannigans and Kirk to Portland and Nancy, girls and I, back to Bend. The drive was much different than coming out. No snow; only a very small patch, which was really nice.

Monday, Nancy and I, after dropping Maddie off to Kindergarten, visited a Goodwill store. Nancy likes to buy me sweaters and I got a beautiful light blue one. I bought two videos: Jurassic Park and Pajama Game. Leon had played for that in Phoenix when we lived there. The movie features Doris Day and John Raitt. The female lead was different in Phoenix but John Raitt played the lead. We went to the library and printed out my boarding pass for the next day. We also went to Fred Meyer for Nancy to do some shopping.

Tuesday we took Maddie to Kindergarten, then picked her up and took her and Reagan to Day Care and then Nan drove me to the airport in Redmond. My flight was fine, no body scans or pat downs, and arrived in SLC a little before 4 p.m. Mark and Jessica picked me up. I left them at their home and drove on home arriving a little after 7 p.m. Glad to be home but I had had a very wonderful week.

Half of 2004

In January 2004, the family held a baby shower for Yi-chin at Sharon’s house. The women of the family were there: Sylvia, Erika, Julie, Sharon, Nancy, Leslie, Elann, Becky, Michelle, Stephanie, Rachel, Katie, Hannah and a friend of Yi-chin’s. Mark did a yeoman’s job and kept the other kids watching TV. She received a lot of nice and needful things.

Also in January, we held a surprise 50th birthday party for Sylvia at Los Hermanos. All her children were present as were her brothers and sister, except for Tricia and Alan who lived too far away to attend. Leon and I were also there and we all had a good time.

January was a really busy month. At the end of the month, Leon and I drove to Manhattan, KS to see Alan and Peggy. We got a tour of his studio and he also took pictures of Leon and me. My cousin Velma Skimore also lives in Manhattan and she and her husband took us to dinner and afterwards visited them in their home. A huge snow storm came Sunday with so much snow that only Sacrament meeting was held. All schools and Kansas State were closed Monday because of the snow. It looked like about a foot of snow on Alan’s back porch. We waited until Tuesday to leave for Texas as the roads were then clear and dry, though there as some fog.

In Austin, Leon and Tricia played in a concert called Abendmusick. It was a lovely concert with Tricia accompanying her Dad and also playing solos. They played very well. There were also other musicians on the program. While in Austin, Tricia took us to see a traveling large scale replica of the White House. It measured 60 feet long by 20 wide. It was so interesting. I had toured the White House in Washington D.C. and it looked just like the real thing. It was decorated for Christmas and it was fun to peer into all the rooms. It is always fun to visit our families.

On the way back home we stopped in Albuquerque to visit Tannie and Dan and their little son Austin. He is a darling little boy. It was fun to see them and find out about their life. They graciously gave us their bed and they slept on a large semicircular couch in the livingroom.

While we were away visiting family, the snow was 17 inches deep the day before we arrived home. Luckily for us, Brent arranged for our bishop to have our driveway cleared or we wouldn’t have been able to get to our house.

Back home in Utah, we visited with Gina and John in February. They were staying at Dean’s house. They have been called to serve in the Lansing Michigan Mission, the same one Gina’s son Shane served in. They will be working in the Spanish Branch.

David and Yi-chin’s little son Leon David was born 19 February 2004. I was able to stay with them a few days to help out and give him his first bath. I’ve done that for several grandchildren.

In April, Leon and I were privileged to attend the sealing of my aunt Lucy and her husband Lou in the Vernal Temple. It was a special occasion. The old Tabernacle was remodeled into a beautiful temple. We go to visit them a few times a year; it is a long trip from Mt. Pleasant, at least 3 hours each way.

More year 2003

In the summer of 2003 we held a great Smith Family reunion in Provo. We had family from California, Idaho and Arizona attend: Tolmans, Kaufmans, Williams, Morris and Blacks and, of course, Honeys were there. It was great to see everyone. First we all met on the steps of the Utah County building, across from the Provo Tabernacle, and had a group picture. Alan arranged all of us and his friend snapped the picture. We had a nice get together later at Fred and Carol’s house. It was fun to be together as family.

The city of Mt. Pleasant always has a big parade on the 4th of July. This year was no exception but we didn’t have a family band in it this time. Michelle and Stephanie upheld the family tradition and played in the North Sanpete School District band. Michelle played her baritone and Stephie a tambourine.

Later in the year we set off on another of our trips to Texas and Kansas. On the way to Texas, we stopped in Albuquerque to see Tannie and Dan. We went to a great Mexican restaurant called Garduños, then spent the night with them in their apartment. They graciously gave up their bed for us and they slept on the couch. Great kids!

I-40 was closed going east from Albuquerque so we went another way, crossing the state of New Mexico and going through Lincoln county. This is the home of the Lincoln County War with Billy the Kid’s involvement. It took place during 1876-79. There were some historic buildings in the little town of Lincoln that we photographed. It was an interesting trip but took a long time; just a two-lane highway all the way to get on to Hwy 285 and into Roswell and continue on our regular way.

We had a nice visit with Tricia and Alan and family. One of the highlights was Alex receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained an Elder by his father Alan, assisted by his brothers and grandfather. We then went on to Kansas to visit Alan and Peggy. David and Yi-chin were just finishing up their visit so we got to see two sons and their wives at the same time. Peggy showed us her classroom at Kansas State University where she works. Very interesting.

Later in the year, we went to Logan to attend a piano recital that Becky played in. She played beautifully. Thanks to Lonna, we were able to spend the night in the Anniversary Inn. What a “lujoso” (luxurious) place. I’d never been in quite that fancy a place before. James and Lonna, Ryan and Leslie and Becky spent some time with us there and enjoyed the ambiance.

December welcomed three new great granchildren: Cenna, daughter of David and Elann Barlow, Allie, daughter of Jenny and Garret Boswell, and Austin, son of Tannie and Dan Smith.

On a sadder note, December was when Brent, Sylvia, Chris and Becky were in a roll-over accident. They were on their way to see Jenny’s new baby when it happened. Brent was the one that received the most hurt. He had hit the top of his head and it was cut, scraped and full of gravel. He had bruises from his ear down to his shoulder and his ribs, sternum were also bruised but no internal injuries. Sylvia sprained her left wrist and Chris and Becky and a few small scratches We were so glad it was not worse, which it could have been so easily. We borrowed David’s new van and drove down to Barstow to pick them and bring them home.

Year 2003

On 11 January of 2003, Jenny married Garrett Boswell in the Manti Temple. His grandfather married them. Garrett is from Fresno, CA and Jenny met him there while working in the children’s library It was a lovely occasion and Leon and I were very happy for them. They will make their home in Fresno.

On 18 February of 2003 David married Yi-chin Lu in the Salt Lake Temple. We were very happy to have David not alone anymore.. Alan again was the photographer and Tricia and Alan were able to come plus the Utah family. It was a very happy occasion. A wedding luncheon was held at Mark and Sharon’s and Peggy hosted an open house at their home that evening. Tricia made the beautiful wedding cake, a gift from her and Sylvia. Yi-chin is a lovely person and we were happy to welcome her to the family. That same day we took a beautiful family picture, parents, siblings and spouses. We love it!

Mark and Sharon welcomed Joshua into their family, child #6. They now have three girls and three boys.

2003 is the year for weddings! Nancy and Kirk Flannigan were married May 3 in Springdale, UT. This is the entrance to Zion’s Park. Kirk is from Georgia and his parents, aunt and sister were able to come. All of Nancy’s siblings, other family members were there plus many friends of the bride and groom. Rob played some prelude music before the ceremony. A lovely reception was held afterwards. Kirk is a great person and a good addition to the family.

In 2003, Leon and I celebrated our 50th anniversary. It was April 7th but we celebrated it on the 4th of June. Our children were so thoughtful and planned a dinner for all of us at the Lion House in Salt Lake City. Before the dinner, we went to the Salt Lake Temple and took pictures on the same steps where we had had our wedding pictures taken. We had a picture with just Leon and me, and then one with all our children. We had a private dining room for our dinner, which was delicious. But the most wonderful thing of all was to have our children there with us. We spent the time visiting and finding out things we hadn’t know about our children. It was a wonderful evening. I think we spent three great hours there.

On June 9th, we had a celebrations with all the family, including grandchildren, at Palisade Park. We had lunch and supper there. We had prepared baby pictures of all members of the family and gave everyone a paper to see if they could identify everyone by name. I think Doug won. It was such a fun day.

In June, Leon and I went to Austin. On the way we stopped at Carlsbad Caverns. What a wonderful thing to see. Leon and been there before but this was a first for me. Awe inspiring. In Austin, Leon worked on two pianos at once. Tricia’s and another lady’s. He set up shop in the garage with piano parts on various tables. The dogs would keep Leon company all day while he worked. We also went to the Houston Temple and did sealings for 46 children and 20 couples with Russell, Tannie, Dan, Tricia and Alan and Leon and I. While Leon worked, Tricia, Tannie and I had fun sightseeing in various places. We were there about four weeks.v

First year home, 2002

Shortly after our return from our mission, Leon and I drove to Mesa for a Williams Family Reunion and to see Mom. We stayed at Gina and John’s condo. Fred and Carol, Greg and Mary, Jerry and Caryol, came. We spent time visiting and singing. We even were able to get Mom to sing a little. She really wasn’t aware of what was going on. Very feeble. On one night we had a big reunion with extended family members which was very enjoyable. From Gina’s family Debbie, Kevin, Steve and Shane and their families came. From my Uncle Orin’s family Myrna, Jeff & Nyla, Sharon & Harvey. From Etta’s family Don and JoAnn. It was great to see them; it had been years since I had seen some. John and Gina are caring for both their mothers. How noble and kind of them.

We had a great family get-together at Sylvia’s after our homecoming report. All the family was present except Tricia and her family. It was so nice to see everyone after being gone 18 months. We then drove to Texas to see Tricia and all the family there. We love to visit all our family.

On August 6, Ryan, son of Sylvia and Brent, married Leslie Davis in the Manti Temple. What a Blessing it is when grandchildren marry in the Temple. A beautiful reception was held in the Lindon Reception Center. She is a lovely girl.

Shortly after, my mother Corraine passed away. It was August 11, 2002 in Mesa, AZ. and Leon and I drove down. Gina, Mary and I were able to dress her. I had never done that before but was happy to do that for my mother. I was happy that she was now with Dad and in her right mind and healthy. The funeral was beautiful with songs sung that Mom had written. Also a tribute that Dad had written years ago was read by many of the women of the family. So many family members were able to come and pay tribute. I loved seeing all of them.

Leon’s brother Bill passed away; November 14, 2002 in Hacienda Heights, CA. Leon and I were able to attend the funeral. We then drove north to Merced, (I think that is the city) where he was buried. He and Katheryn had lived there many years. Joan was able to come to the funeral with Marla but had to fly home and not go to Merced. His three daughters were able to be there.

The last fun things for the year were the Thanksgiving dinner at Mark’s and the Family Christmas party. We love being with our family; they are our treasurers.

Latest Doings

Dear Loved Ones,

I thought I would let you know what I have been doing the past couple of weeks.

On Saturday, August 14, I attended a Smith Family Reunion at the Pavilion at Scera Park. It was wonderful to see some of my cousins. Some of those present were Mona Lue and Ron Ward, daughter of my aunt Mona; Alice and Rhett James, granddaughter of my aunt Edna; Mark and Dawn Smith and his brother Warren, sons of my uncle Howard. Warren very recently lost his wife to leukemia. Keith and Zona Smith, son of my uncle Don. There were also some children and grandchildren of these cousins. Gina and John, and Mary and Greg were there. David and his little boys were also present. It was so nice to visit with everyone.

Afterward, I went to Alicia and Brian Gates’ daughter Aspen’s baby blessing. It was held in their home in Cedar Hills and she was blessed by her father.. It was nice to see Melissa, Salem and Daniel besides Alicia and Brian. Their little girl is beautiful and their little boy darling and getting quite big. Syl and Brent, Mary and Greg, and their son Dee and wife Denise and boys were also there.

On Thursday, August 19, I drove to California with Mary and Greg to attend the wedding of young Jerry and Kim’s daughter Tara. We went in my car and Mary and I drove she in Las Vegas and L.A. and I in the desert areas. Greg has been having little seizures so he didn’t drive. We stayed at their daughter Becky’s home in Riverside. She and her husband Todd have a darling family: Ethan, Ava and Andrew. Ava gave up her room for me.

Saturday we drove to Newport Beach to the Temple. It is one of the smaller temples with limited waiting room space. Some people waited in the Stake Center across a small street, others outside. We all put on plastic white booties to enter the Temple and Sealing Room. It was a lovely ceremony with Tara’s father and her husband’s father as witnesses. Ryan Terry is her husband. Some of those attending were Gina and John, Robyn Brown (who drove for Gina and John), Mary and Greg, Jerry and Caryol, Jenae and David, Mitchell and Grace, some Tolman cousins, and grandparents and many friends.

After the ceremony and pictures, we went to the Olive Garden Restaurant and had soup, salad and breadsticks. I sat by Jerry (the older one) and across from Jerry’s nephew and his wife. They were very interesting people. He had served a mission in Germany and had met a young girl, Monica, and when she came to the U.S. to LDS Business College, they became very good friends and eventually married. He travels a lot, mostly to China and told of his adventures there.

Between the Temple and the reception we went to Sonia Williams’ home and had a great visit with her. Gina, John and Robyn stayed at her home.

The reception was held in the Valley View chapel where Sylvia and Tricia had their receptions but they never would had recognized it. Jerry and Kim had already moved to Idaho so they had a professional decorate and what a great thing it was. There was a white gauze gazebo built in the foyer with a large white sleigh to hold the presents. The doors into the cultural hall were covered with white gauze and a huge garland of multicolored flowers were over the door. There were gauze streamers with lights coming from all points of the room to a large chandelier in the center.. The walls of the hall were also covered in white gauze and the basketball backboards too with baskets of flowers in the hoops. The area between the chapel and cultural hall was also draped in the gauze.

All the people that were at the temple were there plus many more. Paul Tolman, his brother Tyler and wife and kids, Warren and Dorothea Williams and kids, Becky and Todd Nelson and kids, Dana and Ana Tolman, Sonia, Dana’s daughter Nancy and son DJ were also there. It was a very nice affair.

Sunday we went to Church at Becky and Todd’s ward where he is the bishop. He is a convert of 10 years and a very nice fellow. That evening Warren and Dorothea and kids came to visit, also Randy and Tammy, Mary’s youngest came to visit.

All told, it was a very nice visit and I got to see lots of family. Monday, we drove home and it was so nice to have a lovely place to come home to.

That’s what I have been doing.