Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Holiday Newsletter 2014

MerryXmasHNY

It is that time of year again to fill all my family and friends in with our activities for the year. This year was definitely a year to travel!

We took cruises in January on the HAL Ryndham out of Tampa to the Caribbean, June on the Carnival Freedom out of Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean, August on the Carnival Sunshine out of Cape Canaveral to the Caribbean, September on the HAL Maasdam out of Boston to New England and Canada, November on the Carnival Splendor out of Miami to the Caribbean and also the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam out of Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean.

Every April we attend the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Gatlinburg, TN for a week. This involves lots of hiking and outdoor classes. We learned about edible plants and herbs as well as identifying ferns and mosses. We look forward to this each year!

In May we went to Washington DC for a week and had a wonderful time visiting our favorite Smithsonian museums. Then we went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Pat enjoyed buying things and having Don as her Sherpa to lug her purchases around. Don even enjoyed seeing the animal shows and is willing to return next year.

Pat taught her graduate class that she teaches every July and once it was over, we headed north. We spent a week on Long Island with family and went into NYC for three days by the Long Island Railroad. It was great seeing the great nieces and great nephew too! Kids grow up so fast!

After the cruise in the New England and Canada, we got back in the car and drove back up to Nova Scotia for a week to see the Bay of Fundy and drive on the Cabot Trail. After that, we spent a couple of weeks wandering around Maine, NH, VT, and NY looking at the fall foliage. Right before returning home, we went to the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. Pat’s sister and her friends met them there for the festival. Plus many of Pat’s online friends were there in person so it was a wonderful gathering.

After the last cruise, we arrive back in FL just in time to celebrate Pat’s father’s 95th birthday! We are so grateful to be able to spend time with her dad and stepmom! Unfortunately we both got sick and left early to try to keep from infecting everyone else.

The end of the year finds us at home, resting and recuperating while we think of new adventures for the New Year. We hope this New Year brings you lots of fun and happiness.

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