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Donna M. Byrne
  • Donna M. Byrne

Donna M. Byrne

50/50/50
50th Wedding Anniversary
50th State Visited (Hawaii)
50th State Added to Union Read more
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  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Sparks, Nevada

    May 4, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    The beautiful State Capitol Building in Sacramento took about 11 years to construct. Started in 1860 it was modeled after the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

    Major renovations took place between 1975 and 1982 when it was restored to its original appearance with some added earthquake proofing.

    We roamed all over the place today marveling at the architectural beauty on display. Even noticed a familiar face hanging in one of the hallways.

    Denny and I said goodbye to California by means of Interstate 80. We traveled through Donner Pass on our way to Nevada and were amazed at the amount of snow still on the ground.

    Turns out Donner Pass is one of the snowiest places in the contiguous United States. It averages 411 inches a year and recorded 800 inches in 1938 and 1952.

    Beautiful Donner Lake sits right below the summit for all to see. A jewel to behold.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler
    1

    Elko, Nevada

    May 5, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Interstate 80 runs along northern Nevada and pretty much follows the California Trail which pioneers used to travel west. The Interstate also runs alongside the First Continental Railroad.

    The land is stark but beautiful. The drive is long with not a lot to see. A few small towns pop up now and then. And salt fields in evaporated river beds. The occasional snow-capped mountain appears in the distance. Nice.

    We had a picnic alongside the Trail (Interstate) and tried to picture what life was like for those pioneers traveling to California seeking a better life.

    Our room in Elko has a perfect view of those snow-capped mountains.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler
    1

    Salt Lake City, Utah

    May 6, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Magnificent mountains accompanied us all along our drive from Nevada to the Utah border.

    Then bam. Desert.

    The Great Salt Lake Desert.

    White salt as far as the eye could see. The Bonneville Salt Flats were about six miles in the distance, according to the sign.

    The landscape went back to mountains as we approached Salt Lake City.

    What a day of dramatic change!    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler
    1

    Rawlins, Wyoming

    May 7, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    As we drove out of Salt Lake City this morning, Denny and I reminisced about past visits to the city. Many, many , many years ago we floated in the Great Salt Lake. Then we boarded a boat on a "fishing expedition" for the only animal that lives in the lake. We laughed and laughed when they handed us long poles with paper cups attached. The only "fish" that could survive in this salty environment is brine shrimp. We dipped our cups in the lake and "landed" our catch.

    We continued our journey along Interstate 80 crossing into Wyoming. In addition to this being the pioneer trail to California, it also carried Mormons going to Salt Lake City as well as folks headed to Oregon.

    Many of these travelers stopped at Fort Bridger in Wyoming to resupply for their journey west. This fur trading outpost was established in 1843 by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez. The Bridger and Vasquez portion of the fort has been reconstructed by the state of Wyoming.

    The Mormons took it over in the 1850's and built a protective stone wall. Some of the original wall is still standing.

    Eventually, the army established a military post in 1858. Many of the original buildings from that occupation are still there. The fort was closed in 1890. It reopened as a museum in 1933.

    Our drive east crossed the Rocky Mountains and the Continental Divide. The sign told us to watch out for antelope, elk, deer and other forms of wildlife. Apparently they are very fond of the sagebrush that covers the land.

    We saw some animals along the side of the road and told ourselves that they were indeed antelope.

    So much cooler than deer.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Sydney, Nebraska

    May 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C

    When life throws you lemons - make lemonade.

    Today was one of those days.

    The weather forecast was glum for the mountains. Snow. Wind. Cold.

    The original plan was to go to Register Cliff in Guernsey, WY to see the ruts cut into rock made by pioneer wagons on the Oregon Trail. Then on to Fort Laramie to tour this famous frontier army barracks.

    This was going to be our second attempt at both of these sites. Timing on the first attempt a couple years ago was off and they were both closed.

    Second attempt. Failed. Weather.

    So on to Cheyenne, Wyoming.

    The Union Pacific Railroad basically made this town on its way to meeting up with the Central Pacific Railroad at Promontory Point in Utah to complete the First Transcontinental Railroad.

    The restored railroad depot acts as a visitor center and museum and one of their Big Boys is on display in a local park.

    After a stick-to-the-ribs lunch at The Albany in downtown Cheyenne, we headed to Nebraska away from the snow. But not the wind.

    Winter coats, hats and gloves were the order of the day.

    This is May. Isn't it?    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Grand Island, Nebraska

    May 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    "Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred. "

    If you met these qualifications you could be employed as a Pony Express rider making $100.00 a month. Unfortunately, it was a job that lasted only 18 months (April 1860 - October 1861) because of the completion of the Transcontinental Telegraph.

    We visited an impressive monument in Sydney, Nebraska dedicated to these fearless young men.

    William Cody (Buffalo Bill) started out his young life as a Pony Express rider. He went on to join the Union cause in the Civil War. Later he acted as a civilian scout for the army and helped feed the workers on the Transcontinental Railroad by shooting many bison that roamed the Plains.

    We all remember him for the Wild West show he put together along with Annie Oakley and hundreds of other performers. They toured all over the United States, Great Britain and Europe.

    Bill had a beautiful ranch built in North Platte, Nebraska to use for relaxation. We visited there today and stood next to some modern day buffalo.

    I wonder what their thoughts would be if they knew how William Cody got his nickname.

    You can't swing a dead cat - as the expression goes - without seeing a Union Pacific train out here. And North Platte was/is the center of it all.

    We rode an elevator to the top of The Golden Spike Tower to view the world's largest rail yard - Union Pacific's Bailey Yard. It is a Hump Yard - Google it - where they Sort, Service and Repair the trains. It covers 2,850 acres and is eight miles in length.

    Pretty darn impressive.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Grand Island, Nebraska (Part Two)

    May 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    We saw a T-Shirt that had a BIG ear of corn on the front and on the back it said:

    There Are More Ears Of Corn In Nebraska Than People 🌽

    This is true.

    We passed corn field after corn field that had been harvested last season and field after field that had been plowed ready for planting this season. Beautiful black Nebraska soil.

    And cattle. Field after field of grazing cattle.

    And feed lots. We didn't want to think about that.

    So here are a few more pictures from the Cornhusker state.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Grand Island, Nebraska (Part Three)

    May 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    Annie Oakley's trademark shot was a hole in the Ace of Hearts. When Buffalo Bill built his barn in North Platte he memorialized the shot in wood in the peak of the roof.

    It's still there.

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Omaha, Nebraska

    May 10, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    The Historic Haymarket section of Lincoln, Nebraska is a great stop for lunch. It's very close to the University of Nebraska and the energy of young people fills the air.

    This old warehouse district was brought back to life and is filled with restaurants, gift stores, condos and great ice cream shops. 😀Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Marshalltown, Iowa

    May 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    The Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge spans the Missouri River. You can walk from Omaha, Nebraska to Council Bluffs, Iowa and back again - which is exactly what Denny and I did today.

    We were entertained as we walked by military skydivers and planes performing a flyover. Omaha was having a special event to honor first responders and military personnel.

    A beautiful day on the river.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Dubuque, Iowa

    May 12, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    General Ulysses S. Grant was born in Ohio but he and his family lived in many different towns throughout his life including Galena, Illinois.

    The family was living in Galena and Grant was working in his father's leather goods store right before the Civil War broke out. Grant rejoined the army - long story - and went on to greatness.

    The General looked upon Galena as his adopted hometown and after the war the town presented him and his family with a newly built and completely furnished home as a thank you for his war service.

    Denny and I toured the home today. And then spent some time in Grant Park and walked across the Galena River. We found a neat Italian restaurant in the historic section of town.

    We crossed back into Iowa - Dubuque - 'cause that's where our hotel is located - another long story. The Mississippi River is looking quite high.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Northbrook, Illinois (Day 1)

    May 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Denny and I were married in Pennsylvania in 1969 and immediately moved to the Chicago area. We lived here for five years before moving back to the East Coast in 1974.

    We loved Chicago and all that it had to offer.

    We decided to end our long 50th Anniversary road trip by visiting some of people and places that were a part of us at the very beginning.

    Hackney's Restaurant in Glenview, Illinois, is one of those places. It is very close to Willowbrook School - the school where I taught fifth grade. Willowbrook was a brand new school at the time so the entire staff all started out together. We became very close and frequently socialized outside of school. Spouses included.

    One special memory for Denny and I involves Hackney's. Joan, one of our teachers, loved sports, especially college basketball. She organized pools for the games and for one special playoff involving UCLA we all got together in a backroom at Hackney's to watch it.

    Joan brought a small portable TV and we all sat around eating the house specialties - onion loaves and French Dip sandwiches cheering our heads off.

    Did I mention that Joan was a former nun? 😀

    Denny and I ate an onion loaf and French Dip today.

    Wish Joan was here with us.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Northbrook, Illinois (Day 2)

    May 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Sandy and I taught at Willowbrook School at the same time. She and her then-husband, Jack, and Denny and I became fast friends and shared many wonderful years together.

    We shared many interests including a love of books and Harry Chapin.

    Today we flipped through photo albums in the house on Oak Avenue in Northbrook, Illinois, and smiled and laughed at the memories preserved on those pages.

    We explored around the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe with Sandy and her new friend Jack where the tulips were in full bloom and the Corpse Flower was just getting started. Then we had one fine meal at Jolene's.

    What a wonderful day!    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Northbrook, Illinois (Day 3)

    May 15, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    As newlyweds in 1969, Denny and I moved into a small third floor apartment in Skokie, Illinois. Directly below us were Barb and Glenn, also newlyweds. The four of us were together all the time.

    For one thing we all loved Jeopardy.

    We had the home game and played it several times a week. We played it so often that Glennie T (that's what we called Glenn - Glennie T) asked the electricians at his place of business to design and build a light panel for us so we could "ring" in if we knew the answer. The hand clickers that came with the game just weren't getting the job done. The light panel worked perfectly. Plus it was a lot more fun.

    Barb and Glenn were all about fun. And did we have fun.

    Fun on their boat - the Miss Jan.

    Fun camping out at the Octoberfest in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

    Fun starting out married life together.

    Denny and I left Chicago in 1974 but we never left the friendship with Barb and Glenn. We visited from time to time and were there when their daughter Dina was married.

    We spent today visiting Barb at her home in Fox River Grove looking at much younger versions of ourselves in photo albums and marveling at the beautiful handmade quilts hanging on the walls - one of Barb's passions.

    Then we went to see Glennie T. We lost him in 2017.

    A good, kind, fun friend.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Northbrook, Illinois (Day 4)

    May 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Who are those people?

    Flipping through photo albums in Jack's living room today, Denny and I saw ourselves on so many pages. Not just pictures from the 70's when we lived here but also from Jack's visits to see us in DC after we moved.

    We were really close.

    Good, rich, deep conversation always dominated our times together. Which happened again today.

    While Jack's wife Sharon was at work, we spent the afternoon in their lovingly restored 100 year old house in the city of Chicago. Beautiful woodwork and hardwood floors everywhere.

    We ended the day with a delicious meal of Veal Picatta at a local neighborhood restaurant - Noona Silvia.

    It was not easy to say goodbye.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Northbrook, Illinois (Day 5)

    May 17, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    The reason we moved to the Midwest right after we were married was because Denny took a job writing for Sears at their headquarters on the West Side of Chicago.

    To get to his job in the morning from our apartment on Louise Avenue in Skokie required rides on two buses and three trains. It took him an hour and a half.

    One of those trains was the Skokie Swift - neat name, right? - which we visited today. It was still moving right along even though Denny has been gone for 45 years.

    After Denny moved into the Sears Tower his commute was cut to just an hour. Nice.

    We checked out our Louise Avenue apartment, where we lived for two years, and then headed over to our Knox Avenue place which we called home for the next three years.

    Today was a good walk down memory lane and a reminder of where these 50 years all began.

    P.S. We passed by the Sears store where we did much of our shopping.

    It was closed down.

    Sad.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Sturgis, Michigan

    May 18, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Our kind of town
    Chicago is . . .

    Gosh, we loved this city.

    We were only here for five years but we have so many wonderful memories of this place.

    For old times sake, we rode up to the Skydeck on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower passing the 21st floor on the way up - Denny's office was on the 21st floor. (I know it's the Willis Tower but we don't acknowledge that fact. In our hearts it will always be the Sears Tower.)

    Somewhere over our heads above the 110th floor is the topping off beam with our names on it. Sears management brought the beam down to headquarters and invited employees to sign it, which Denny did .

    Denny and Donna Byrne - Skokie, Illinois.

    As we exited the building, the skies opened up and poured down torrential rain. We drove around the Loop a bit and headed out of town. The plan was to stop at the Indiana Dunes National Park but the rain followed us into Indiana so we pushed on to Sturgis, Michigan.

    Denny found the Nats/Cubs game on TV. 😀

    Thank you Chicago.
    Thank you Sandy and Jack.
    Thank you Barb.
    Thank you Sharon and Jack.    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Wheeling, West Virginia

    May 20, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Today we crossed the Ohio River into Wheeling, West Virginia, where we are spending the night.

    Our last night on the road.

    We walked Oglebay Park - one of our favorites - and ate fish sandwiches at Coleman's Fish Market. We try to include Wheeling in our itinerary whenever we can because of these two places.

    Great place to walk.
    Great place to eat.

    Tomorrow - Virginia!    Read more

  • Donna M. ByrneDonna M. ByrneTraveler

    Cross Junction, Virginia

    May 21, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    For some reason "Find Penguins" decided that we arrived home yesterday but of course we didn't. We arrived home in Cross Junction, Virginia, today. So I'm not sure you will get this post but here goes.

    Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Moundsville, West Virginia is a conical burial ground of the Adena people. It was constructed between 250 and 150 BC. Standing 60 feet tall with a diameter of 295 feet at its base it is quite an impressive site sitting in the middle of a residential neighborhood!

    After touring a very informative museum, Denny and I climbed to the top of the mound marveling at the structure each step of the way up. Apparently, it was built by the Adena one basket full of dirt at a time.

    The imposing structure across the street from the cone is the West Virginia Penitentiary. It closed in 1995 but is open for tours. We were told that Charles Manson's mother was once a resident of the place and that Charlie asked to serve his time here but his request was denied. Manson grew up in a small town near Moundsville and I guess he wanted to feel close to home.

    Unfortunately, we didn't have time today for the jail tour but we will be back!

    So. We are home.

    The 50/50/50 Adventure looks like this:

    Land Miles: 7,794
    Nautical Miles: 5,142
    States: 21 (including number 50 - Hawaii)
    Countries: 1 (only port of number 2 - Mexico)
    National Parks and Monuments: 6
    National Battlefields: 3
    Presidential Gravesites and Museums: 4
    Historic Sites: 8
    Rock and Roll Gravesites: 3
    Friends: 10
    Atomic Bomb Sites: 1

    What a Golden two months!

    Thanks for coming along.    Read more

    Trip end
    May 21, 2019
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