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Where are Paul and Donna
Where are Paul and Donna
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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 18: Everglades National Park (1:2)

    7. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We checked out of the Hollywood Beach Tower and did MacDonalds for breakfast then headed to the Everglades National Park.

    Since the Junior Ranger booklets were combined with other parks we went to the Ranger desk and got sworn in and received our badges. The ranger gave us some tips on where to drive and what to see. We saw manatee’s, all sorts of birds and watershed plant life. We even visited one of the old Nike Stations, which was closed down in 1979.Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 17: Big Cypress National Preserve

    6. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Big Cypress National Preserve is not one of the 63 major National Parks. It is a very important piece of the ecosystem in southern Florida. It was under a 90 min car ride from our hotel. Also, from a Junior Ranger perspective, the three parks all share the same Jr. Ranger booklet, so we had completed the Big Cypress pages yesterday while doing the Biscayne pages. Muck to our surprise the National Park Service has also just introduced Junior Fire Ranger Certification badges. Which we were also able to earn. Personally, I am happy they did not do a background check on me, when I burnt down the field that was next to our home when I was in fifth grade.

    At Big Cypress they have a very nice boardwalk where we saw alligators, birds, turtles, and tons of fish. It was a nice ride out to the preserve and a nice visit once we were there.

    Emily Gamboa the ranger who swore us in was great, she is a part time ranger, sic months on, six months off. Emily has tons of passion and energy for the parks, Listening to her talk with the kids - she is so good with them. The park service is fortunate to have her. Most all of the Park Rangers we have met are great. They really go the extra mile to make sure everyone gets the most out of their park visits.

    So, if you are in Florida - do not pass up the opportunity for a visit to Big Cypress National Preserve    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 17: Low key day at Hollywood Beach

    6. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Good morning. Not much will be happening today. It’s 7:30 AM I am up and trying to get caught up on my FindPenguins posts. Also promised I would let Donna sleep in. We also have laundry to wash, and I have some Art History homework to complete and turn in today.

    We are staying at the Hollywood Beach Tower Hotel, 301 Harrison St. - It’s an older hotel - not a nice Hilton or Wyndham Suite - but it’s okay - it is on the beach and has a nice view. I am on the pool deck as the sun is rising, it’s 68 degrees right now, and should get into the high 70’s by mid day.

    Hopefully, I can fill in the blanks of the missing few days of posts and get my homework completed.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 16: Park #5 Biscayne National Park

    5. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Today is a busy day -

    First we had to get up early to find breakfast down the boardwalk. A short walk we found “Mamacitas” right there on the boardwalk with a nice view and a decent breakfast.

    Next, we had to be back at the hotel at 8:30 for the ‘sales pitch’. I had gotten the hotel through Booksi.com for $159 for 4 days and 3 nights and they gave us a $150 prepaid credit card for listening to their pitch. We opted not to spend the $54,000 for the Capital Vacations membership. They go through the typical sales pitch process - You must buy it today to get this great deal. The initial price was $104,000 which quickly got cut in half. It’s worst than buying a new car. We survived.

    Then it was on the road, about 90 minutes to get to Biscayne National Park. Waze took us through back roads through palm tree and other tropical plants farm land. The roads were horrible having to navigate all the pot holes.

    Once again the National Parks continue to never disappoint us. We got our Junior and Adult Ranger Booklet’s and got to work completing the pages. We sat on a bench at the visitor center overlooking the Biscayne Bay. The cool breeze and lovely blue sky made for a peaceful time. We watched the informational movies in visitor center - you really get a nice overview of the park and answers for your Jr. Ranger badge.

    Like all the parks you can’t see it in one day and get everything. It would have been great to take a boat tour or a paddle a canoe throughout the park.

    After the park we headed to the hotel and had a nice meal at a local restaurant.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour
    Great dinner with Rosalee & Steve
    Flanigan's does a great job, good eating here.

    Day 15: Catching up with friends Part 2

    4. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Continuing on the theme of great friends I met while Working at Yale.

    Once we left Rod & Bob’s, around noontime. We had a bit over three hour drive from Orlando, FL to our Hotel in Hollywood, FL. I had been messaging Rosalie on FB to plan to get together with her husband Steve. They picked us up at the hotel and we went to one of their favorite hangouts - Flanigans. Rosalie and I worked at Yale in the early days circa Y2K. She and Steve moved to Miami over 14 years ago - once again through the miracle of technology even though we had not seen each other for so many years, Facebook kept us connected. You know a “like” or comment here or there, a birthday wish when those reminders pop up.

    Funny story while Donna and I were on the Viking Neptune heading out on our world cruise last year, Steve and Rosalie sat on the deck of their condo and waved to us as they watched our ship go by. She sent a message “We are looking at your ship go by right now.”

    I had never met Steve, and Rosalie had never met Donna - even though back in the day we knew about each other’s spouses.

    The Joe’s Beer Ale at Flanigan’s is great it was a great paring with the BBQ ribs.

    The visit was short, the dinner was filling, and the conversation great.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 15: Catching up with friends Part 1

    4. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    Back when I had to work for a living at Yale, I developed some great friendships over the years which still stick to this day. Rod & Bob are one of those couples which we will always remain friends. Rod and I worked side by side and even for a while he was my manager (one of many). Bob (KB1 HRH) and I connected through Ham Radio interests. Of course Facebook allows us to keep connected with people easily. Since we were in Orlando only 15 minutes away from their home - and since Bob offered a French Toast and bacon breakfast - it was a no brainer to stop by and catch up. Bob is a great cook and loves preparing a nice meal.

    We did insist on golf cart ride through their community. Which they were happy to comply We got the full tour. Watch the 20 second video.

    We all have friendship which you just pick up where you left off at even if it has been years since you last got together.

    Bob & Rod thank you for your hospitality and to get to catch up with you both. Yes, please stop by East Windsor on your route back up to your Maine basecamp and plug in for the night.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 14: Low Key Day in Orlando, FL

    3. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    We are about halfway through our four week adventure. We have travelled through 12 states and visited four out of the planned ten National Parks for this trip. We have landed at a Home2 Hilton Suites, have a huge corner suite with living room, bedroom with King size bed, tons of work space and tables, huge 2 sink bathroom. It makes up for a couple of the not so nice places we landed in. It mixes it up.

    Breakfast was crazy in the morning. It is vacation season in Orlando - aka Disney. Tons of families getting ready to go to the parks for the day. All the kids are excited and loud. We thought about doing Adventure Kingdom but opted out - deciding we need to just chill out. Paul had two assignments due for the Art History II class he is taking while traveling, while Donna finished up making some overdue Christmas cards.

    For lunch we went to Applebee’s; had salad’s - then Walmart & Target for some supplies. So studying, crafting, and reruns of the Rookie in the quiet of a very nice suite was perfect.

    At this point in the trip (2 weeks) we have developed a pretty decent routine of how to pack the back of the car, and what stuff we need to take into the room on certain types of stops. If it is a one-night quick, sleep stop - we call this our “go-bag” stop. If we need stuff in the bigger suitcases then we need the hotel cart. And we reorganize - do laundry etc.

    This trip is Phase One of an experiment. This is the hotel/airBnB phase. Paul is taking costs and we are figuring out what works and doesn’t work. Phase Two (tentative) is to purchase/rent a small popup or teardrop camper and to do a similar 4 week trip to trying camping while doing the National Parks across the Northern part of our country, MN, SD, MO, WY, ID etc. We know we are not campers, but we can do anything for 4 weeks. However one of us might end up at the “Train Station” in Wyoming (“Yellowstone” TV show reference).

    The research questions are:

    1) Which type of travel works best for both of us?
    2) Can we do (enjoy) camping?
    3) What is the cost differential camping over hotels/airBNB?
    4) So basically a cost benefits analysis.

    The more we talk about it, the possible financial savings of camping might not be worth all the extra work of setup and tear down. As well as, the concern for pulling a trailer on the road. So this is still to be determined.

    Because than we have all the West Coast and South West National parks to explore. As for doing Alaska there are several tour company’s who will organize a complete trip 3 weeks and you can visit all 8 National Parks. We don’t want to have to worry about anything when we go to Alaska.

    Well that gets you up to date.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 13: Catching up with family

    2. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    The night before, the goal was to make it through Georgia and get a hotel once we crossed the state line into Florida. Then the next morning we would head towards Orlando.

    On the way to Orlando, we took a slight detour to visit my step-father (Donald), my nephew (Clayton), and my sister (Reana) who came over. My sister Ruth was working so we didn’t get to see her. After a brief visit, from there we headed back on the road towards Orlando to a Home2 Suite by Hilton - These are AMAZING suites.

    Around 6:00pm Reana’s kids, Tj and Sarah, picked us up at the hotel and we went out to dinner. We are very proud of my niece & nephews. It was good to connect with everyone.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 12: Quality Inn, White Springs FL

    1. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Our goal was to get through Georgia and find a hotel once we crossed the line into Florida. By the end of the day we were getting tired and saw this Quality Inn, White Springs FL. - Not so quality.

    The staff was very nice, and we slept well on the king size bed.

    When I opened the door to the room the lighting was dark, reruns from the Twilight Zone were playing on the turned on TV. That should have been a clue!

    Basically, it was a room for the night - we survived. If they would renovate, upgrade their linens, and improve the lighting - it was okay. It was clean no mold etc. We would have left if it was that bad.

    We watched a few episodes of the Twilight Zone, turned off the lights, and went to sleep with one eye opened wondering if we were in “The Twilight Zone” and what was going to happen to us.

    In the morning, we had breakfast, it was limited, typical, but okay. Again the staff were very nice.

    Then on the road the again. Of course, the next exit had all the nice hotels. What can you do?    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 12: Georgia - Doggies & Birthplace

    1. januar, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Last night we made it into Georgia. Stayed at an Avid Hotel in Ringgold, GA. Rooms are small, but everything is up-to-date, modern and clean. This is a travel through hotel. We a had decent typical hotel breakfast and then we had a day of driving to get through Georgia.

    Donna had two stops she wanted to make.

    First, to meet Kat, at Airsongs Angel’s a Vizsla rescue in Georgia. Kat and Ray were very welcoming and we got to learn more about the rescue program they run. We got to meet and play with many of the dogs they care for.

    From there we headed to Turner Air Force Base in Albany Georgia. Donna was born there when her father was station there back in 1960. The Air Force Base has long been shut down and is now a Miller Brewery factory. Paul decided, against Donna’s better judgement to go down the street marked “Private Property.” It gave an eerie feeling, as we might imagine ghost planes taking off and landing on what once might have been the runway.

    When we got to the gate, we turned around and headed on our way. It was dark and getting late.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 11: Mammoth Caves (3:3)

    31. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ 🌬 45 °F

    So, many of you know I have kissed Donna 633 feet above the ground in the Gateway Arch, and have kissed her 105 feet below sea level in a submarine, this events of passion have been well documented. Today, it was 330 feet below the earth’s surface we shared a quick kiss.

    After a day of spelunking we got to the hotel and welcomed in the New Year 2025 with some Pinot Grigio.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 11: Mammoth Caves (1:3)

    31. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ 🌬 50 °F

    We enjoyed a full day at Mammoth Cave National Park. We could not get tickets online, the website said it was fully booked. However, the park was not overly busy at all and we were able to get tickets to two cave tours easily. Also, on the bus ride to one of the caves a gentleman said, that the website had it marked as fully booked for the last three months, and they arrived very early to get their tickets.

    The caves are a mysterious place. You are 330 feet under ground inside a mountain. Miles and miles of caves cover a huge area. It was very peaceful and spooky at the same time.

    It is hard to imagine the early people touring the caves without all the path ways we got to walk. Our Ranger guide was excellent very passionate and knowledgeable about the caves and the history. He made the tour very interesting.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 10: Mini Golf in Arkansas

    30. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Donna found a mini golf place as we were heading out of Hot Springs towards Mammoth Caves. It was a typical “fun park” with different things to do. Donna won this round! Then we were on our way, driving through Tennesse, towards Mammoth National Park. We landed in Cave City late at night and got a room.Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 10: Hot Springs Beer!!!!!

    30. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    The Hot Springs National Park is the ONLY park to have its own brewery. The Superior Bathhouse is a pub like environment, with GREAT smash hamburgers and craft brew beer. We did a small flight of 4 beers. For $40 they have a the full flight which had we not been driving we would have enjoyed flying through those various flavors.

    The beer is made with the Hot Springs mineral water. There is a richness of flavor unlike other beers with this beer. If you are a Craft Beer person this is a must add to you list of places to go.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 10: New Hot Springs Junior Ranger's

    30. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Continuing our goal to earn our Junior Ranger badges at every park. Ranger Lissa Allen swore us in after we completed all the tasks in our booklet.

    The last photo is a picture of the tour on top of Hot Springs Lookout Mountain. It was too overcast - not worth going to the top. However, the 3 mile drive on the one-way mountain road is very pleasant.Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 10: Hot Springs National Park

    30. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    We really enjoyed our day at the Hot Spring National Park in Arkansas. We took a tour with Ranger Lissa Allen. She knew her stuff and gave us a great tour. The water coming out of the pipes throughout the city was so hot. The buildings very early 20th century design with Art Deco flare.

    What is interesting is that many of the treatments of the Hot Springs back in the late 1800’s and 1900’s are the forerunners to a “Spa Day” today. People were afraid to go to hospitals back then. You went to the hospital to die. You go to the bath houses to feel better, even if they just help relieve the symptoms you felt better for a while.

    Money, power, control, male dominance, racism, social disparities continue be a strong part of our history in America even here at the Hot Springs. As we hear these stories we can’t help but ask “When will we ever learn?”    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 10: Breakfast Hot Springs, Arkansas

    30. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ 🌙 48 °F

    It’s 7:40 AM - I am up in the breakfast lobby having my morning waffle & coffee. Donna is still in bed - our normal routine.

    Donna drove from the Gateway Arch to the Arkansas border. After filling the tank I drove us into Hot Springs, we got in about 8:45 - Drove around the city just to see where the visitor center was and get our bearings.

    We pulled over, on Expedia found a Hilton Home2 suite for under $120 (You can get cheaper hotels in the area, but this one is very nice) — It was 5 miles outside of town with a nice lake view from there 4th floor. Back in the days when I was consulting this would have made an excellent home base for a long stay. Queen size bed - and pull out couch (for the kids) tons of space and moveable work surfaces tables, etc. I am sorry to my Neptune friends this was three times the size of our room on Neptune. I would recommend this hotel to any one. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hotcaht-home2-…

    I think our plan is to do the basic Hot Spring’s tour and then head out towards Mammoth Caves - if we had more time I think we would stay another night - need to make up for the extended stay in St. Louis. But, we are okay. It is great to be feeling much better.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 9: On the Road Again

    29. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Today is a long travel day the goal is to get to from the National Arch in Missouri to a hotel in Hot Spring Arkansas for the night.

    Only in Missouri - watch the videos!

    The weather and travel was uneventful. We like uneventful when driving. Please enjoy some snaps from out the car window.Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 9: Mini Golf Tournament Continues

    29. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    After making it to the top of the Gateway Arch and earning our Jr. Ranger Badges, I was ready to continue on our journey and get out of St. Louis.

    Donna suggested mini golf - at that moment in time - I wasn’t in the mood for it. We did pack our putters in the car when we left home. I just wasn’t in the mood. We do like to try to get mini golf in every state we visit. She found a place about 20 minutes outside the city called Aloha Mini Golf.

    We did a round of 18 holes - it was nice to be out of the city, the weather was great. It was a needed stretch of fresh air …. After the game we headed on our way to Hot Springs Arkansas. We have a 6 to 7 hour drive ahead of us.

    Please do note the final score. I don’t always do so well.

    #alohaminigolf    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 9: We are Gateway Arch Jr. Ranger’s

    29. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    This is the hardest Junior Ranger Badge we have ever had to earn. Even the ranger agreed. They are planning on redoing the booklet so it is not as hard. But, we did complete it! The museum is wonderful. We learned a lot about the role of St. Louis, slavery, racism, and how Christianity driven politics made it illegal for Native American’s to keep their own religion. Les’t we forget we were founded on the principle of “Freedom of speech and religion”.

    As we left the Arch I took some fun parting photos.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 9: Gateway Arch - At the top

    29. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    After a couple of days of being under the weather, we finally felt well enough to make it to the Gateway Arch. Yet another example of the variety of amazing things our country has to offer.

    Every National Park we visit is unique; when asked which one is our favorite, you can’t easily pick just one. I do wish we had more time to stay at each park to really dig in deeper to see everything each park offers. We just scratch the surface. This is why doing the Jr. Ranger Badges is a helpful activity. It directs you to key points and things to learn about in the park you are visiting.

    Last year, off the cost of Cozumel, Mexico inside a submarine, I got to kiss my wife 105 feet under the ocean. Today, I kissed her 633 feet above the ground at he top of the Gateway Arch.

    The design of the tram cars is a mechanical feat. Also, they built the arch with enough space to create a way to transport people to the top - but they didn’t have a plan on how they would do it. Very interesting details in the museum on the whole history and process of building this iconic symbol.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 8: Still on the mends

    28. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    It’s Saturday, we are still not at 100%. We wanted some soup the hotel only had “Spicy” Ramen - Not good choice given our current condition. About a 4 block walk is a city fast food restaurant called “Snarf’s”. We split a turkey sandwich and had some minestrone soup. Nothing to right home about, but, it was okay.

    I walked Donna back to the hotel.

    There were several homeless people on the route and their begging for $$ and trying to get into our faces (a bit) does make a person feel very uncomfortable. We got to the hotel with no real issue. We have seen homelessness and poverty all over the world. We continue to struggle with what is our role in helping the poor? If we took all of our investment money, everything we own and gave it to the poor - The poverty issue would not be solved - and we would be poor.

    We worked hard to be able to enjoy the luxury of travel. We are enjoying the fruits of our labors, well deserved. I just don’t know where the right balance is.

    We did wash some clothes…. There’s an App for that! …. I hadn’t see this before — I had to download the “PayRange” app and then load $25.00 on it. So, I could do a $3.00 load of laundry. I guess we will be ready for the next time. It does make it easier.

    After dropping Donna safely off at the hotel, I headed to the Arch. First, I want to get our Arch Tram tickets exchanged for Sunday morning (with no problems), and more important picked up two Jr. Ranger booklets so we could start filling them out and seeing what we needed to do to earn our Jr. Ranger Badges for the Gateway Arch.

    Pretty much the rest of the day was low key in the hotel room. We hopes to get to visit the Gateway Arch on Sunday. We are a couple of days behind our initial planned schedule but there is built in wiggle room for this very reason.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 8: Getting better, Not Great, Better

    28. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Last night we were up hourly. Just felt totally wiped out. I got up around 7:00am to get a waffle in the breakfast area. Donna slept in. While having breakfast I got caught up on my FindPenguins posts. Brought Donna a banana.

    We are both up now. Feeling better - just not great.

    The plan was to visit the Arch yesterday, then take off this morning toward Hot Springs Arkansas. When I checked in yesterday I knew that wasn’t going to happen. So, I booked us for a second night. We will see how we feel maybe later today we can visit the Arch … if not today then on Sunday before we leave. Our health is important and we don’t want to push ourselves seeing something so cool, and not feeling well enough to enjoy it.

    Donna just commented “She’s got now energy.” I feel the same, I am not sick like yesterday, just no energy. We are on the road to recovery.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 7: Our Adventure Continues — Uggggh!

    27. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Our plan was to get up early and head from Lafayette to get to St. Louis by 1:00 PM and do the Arch Tram at 3:00 (we had tickets). But, instead we both work up with a bad stomach bug. We were like Roller Derby players rushing to get to the bathroom. We were sick.

    We did leave about 10:00 AM still under the weather, with hopes that we will get better. Not so lucky. Donna really got the worst of it. We finally made it to the hotel und 4:00PM.

    The picture is the Gateway Arch from our Hotel window. Donna and I went directly to bed - we felt horrible. About 6:00pm I got up and went to the lobby to work on homework I had due this evening for an Art History II class I am taking. Then I went back to bed.

    It stinks to be sick, but when you are traveling it is even worst. We are in St. Louis locked up in our room, trying to recover.    Les mer

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  • USA National Parks East Tour

    Day 6: Indianapolis Zoo

    26. desember 2024, Forente stater ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    We spent the day after Christmas with the kids - took a ride to the Indianapolis Zoo - It is really a nice Zoo. Because of the season many animals were not out and about. It was just nice to walk around look at everything and enjoy the day.Les mer

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