RENTAL CAR IN EUROPE

1997: RENTAL CAR IN EUROPE


After two days sightseeing in London, we took the chunnel train to Paris where we rented a car for two weeks, got a map of France and just started driving.
We first drove to Reims, (sight of WWII German surrender). Then drove the Champagne wine country, then to Nancy for a nice picnic with "fromage de tete" (hog-head cheese).  Afterward, we drove to Karlsruhe, Germany, had a police escort to our hotel and saw a huge parade where they were celebrating the 900th anniversary of the town. Then drove back to the west coast of France to the Normandy coast to visit the D-Day area. Then down the coast to Mont St. Michel and then stayed at a "MinHotel" in Evers-Merzanger.
Then drove across France again to Milan, Italy to visit our dear friends Betty and her family. Then to Florence, stayed at the Malaspina Hotel, then to Vienna. Visited all the sights we could including the Prater, (a large park where we ate "Schwein-stelzer- a huge roasted pig knuckle with beer), and rode a giant ferris wheel.
Returned to Paris, turned the rental car in and flew back home.



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1997: 50th ANNIVERSARY CRUISE WITH ENTIRE FAMILY


There was David, Charlene, Kari Lynn, Patricia, Willis, Craig, Mary Claire, and Benjamin, with us on the cruise.
We took a bus from Baton Rouge to New Orleans where we boarded a Holland America cruise ship for 7 days in the Gulf. We had stops in Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Porto Rico. We swam in the Gulf, and really enjoyed the entire trip and the sights all the while enjoying our 50th wedding anniversary.





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2001: ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND WITH WREN AND HIS VIRGINIA





We flew into London for two days of sightseeing before we met Wren and his Virginia. Stayed at the Park Thistle Hotel and saw a big parade with Queen Elizabeth. (She waved at me).
Then we boarded a Globus Tour bus for a 5 day trip to Scotland. Went by Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews golf course, and Balmoral Castle. We at haggis (YUCK) at a nice restaurant with a big loud bag-pipe blaring in our ears during dinner.
Then visited York Castle, Cambridge, and Plymouth. Then took the train from Paddington Station down to Devon, England where we visited with Ted and Sylvie Breach (some of Wren’s friends).

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2002: CRUISE TO ALASKA

We flew into Vancouver, spent the night and the next day we boarded Holland America cruise ship for 7 days to Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau, Alaska.
Saw salmon hatcheries, bald eagles, orca whales, and glaciers.
Met two real nice guys on the ship - Lynn Searfoss and Buzz Cofrances who live in Scottsdale, Arizona.








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1998: LONDON WITH PATRICIA AND HER FAMILY


Virginia and I took Ben and Christopher on one plane, and Patricia and Willis brought Mary Claire on another, where we met in London.
We all went sightseeing and to several theaters. Saw "Starlight Express". Then we all took a boatride on the Thames River down to Greenwich. Visited the Royal Naval Academy and prime meridian. Christopher ordered garlic toast and capuccina coffee at a restaurant.
Back in London, we all rode on a double-decker bus and had a great time.







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1998: BALTIC SEA CRUISE


This time, Virginia and I flew into London. Took Norwegian Cruise Line ship from Dover through Kiel Canal all the way to St. Petersburg. Saw Winter Palace and Pushkin Castle. From there we cruised to Helsinki, Finland and visited a beautiful Church built right into a huge rock on the side of a mountain. Then to Stockholm to see the little mermaid’s statue. After a short stop in Copenhagen we arrived back in London to visit Princess Diane’s memorial and the Barbican Theater District. Then to Warwick Castle and Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.






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