OUR TRAVELS

  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Just a quick post to wish every one a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  We hope you are enjoying the holidays, spending time with family, eating holiday treats, and relaxing in front of a warm fire or a televised football game. Here we are at the Capitol in front of its annual Christmas tree - no photoshopping, we are indeed at the Capitol! This year the tree came from the Six Rivers National Forest in California.  The tree's 3000 mile journey to DC started in late October.  The 84 foot white pine is nicknamed "Sugar Bear".  Way cool! We are awestruck at the number of Christmas trees and decorations both inside and outside of office buildings around town.  Many trees have been upwards of 30 feet tall in the lobbies.  They're so beautiful.  Viewing them has put us in the holiday spirit. Here we are in front of the National Christmas Tree by the White House.  It is surrounded by 58 decorated state and territory trees.  The Nati

Bet you thought we dropped off the face of the earth.  It's been awhile..... we've been busy.  On our way out of Tennessee we were struck again at the miles and miles of white fence surrounding the horse ranches in the countryside. How do they stay so white - must cost a fortune to maintain. Made it to Madison, AL.  Kalen and Amber were wonderful hosts - spent time eating homemade meals, chatting, hiking, and eating ice cream and donuts.  Life couldn't get any better. Glad we saw this spider before it attacked us! It was huge! Their cats love donuts too and have been known to get into the box when no one is looking.  Naughty cats! LOL! Left our belongings except for a suitcase of clothes each and our laptops with Kalen and Amber as well as our trusty ride.  It felt strange getting on an airplane for the first time in nearly two years.  We flew to Washington DC.  Everything went smoothly.  It wasn't too bad wearing masks in the airport and on the plane. For the next thre