2025 Oct 30-Nov 5: Bus Trip to Washington, DC with The Club/Diamond

 Bus driver Mistie Byrd is on First Class Charter Bus #G220.

Day 1: Thursday, Oct 30 - Travel day, 

We stopped at Jack's to get two sausages and biscuits for breakfast. 

We rode to the Club, went inside to get our new blue shirts and name tags, Hubby helped load the coach, and I helped load the snacks. Everyone was on the coach by 8:30, and we set off.

Our first stop was at Loves in Columbia, TN, to pick up a couple and for a restroom break. Hubby spent $15.08 for two Mountain Dews, cheese crackers, and snacks. 

We stopped in Cookeville, TN, for lunch break, where there were several restaurants to choose from. We went to Panera Bread,1255 Interstate Drive, Cookeville, TN, where we bought a grilled cheese, a cup of chicken noodle soup, and wild rice soup with French Bread. We spent $21.92.

We stopped for dinner at Fiddler's, where we enjoyed a buffet meal. We spent 43.21. I got Mac & Cheese, creamed potatoes, fish, fried apples, and Blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

We arrived at our hotel, Garner (formerly La Quinta Inn), 1800 E. Main St, Wytheville, VA. Room 410, at 8:43 P.M.

Iphone photos

993- Photo of the bus

994-995 Panera Bread Cookville, TN

997-1006 Fiddler's Wytheville, VA

1007-1008 Photos of our room 410

1009 Receipts 

Steps 8,295 Cal 1,556, 3.15 Miles, zone 37 

Day 2: On Friday, Oct 31, 

I walked around the hotel before breakfast and had a blueberry yogurt. Today, we will continue our journey towards Washington, D.C. 

We stopped at Cracker Barrel in Fishersville, VA, for lunch, where I ordered pinto beans, fried apples, cornbread, chow, and iced tea. I forgot to pack pajamas, so I bought a pair at Cracker Barrel and spent $35.60

We stopped at Pilot in Tom Brocks, VA, for a restroom break and snacks.

We arrived at our hotel, the Hampton Inn, 4050 Westfax Drive, Chantilly, VA, room 418. We will stay here for four nights.

We rode to Texas Roadhouse, 4993 Westone Plaza, Chantilly,
VA, for dinner. It was a prepaid meal. I ordered a grilled pork chop with rolls and a sweet potato. 

Returned to the hotel and rested.
Iphone photos

1010-1017 Walking around Garner Hotel, Wytheville, VA

1019 Cracker Barrel Fishersville, VA Car

1020-1021 Loves Tom Brook, VA

1022 Hampton Inn Chantilly BA 

1023-1025 Texas Roadhouse Chantilly, VA

Canon EOS R6 Camera

5724-5729 Travel Virginia

5730-5745 Travel Virginia

Walked 8,112 Steps 1,519 Cal, 3.08 Miles Zone 33

Day 3: Saturday, Nov 1,

For breakfast, I ate a yogurt and two pastries with kiwi juice. 

We loaded onto the bus at 8:30 and picked up our guide at 9 A.M. (Sondra)

We visited the Korean War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

We stopped at the Fashion Centre Mall at Pentagon City for lunch. 

Hubby and I ordered the bigger plate of walnut shrimp, Broccoli, and beef with Chow Mein and three rangoons, which we split. We spent $17.87.

I also bought a pink sweatshirt for $42.39. 

We loaded back onto the bus and went to the Roosevelt and Martin Luther King memorials. 

We went to dinner at Mount Vernon Restaurant, 3200 Memorial Hwy, Mount Vernon, VA. I ate chicken, potatoes, Cherry Pie, and iced tea. 

After dinner, we rode through Washington, where we saw the Air Force Memorial, the Pentagon, and several Smithsonian museums.

We stopped at the Capitol building at night (which was closed). Several of us walked up to the front of the Capitol building to take photos. We stopped at the US Marine Corps Memorial to take close-up pictures. We dropped off our guide, Sondra, and rode back to the hotel. I took a hot bath and wrote in this journal. 

Iphone photos:

1028-1031 Korean Memorial 

1032-1038 Arlington, VA

1042-1046 Franklin Roosevelt Memorial

1055-1057 Lincoln Memorial 

1058-1067 Washington Sites 

1068-1075 Mount Vernon Restaurant

1076-1077 Newington, VA

1078-1081 Arlington, VA

1086-1090 Washington, DC

1091-1120 Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

1124-1146 Us Marine Memorial 

16,293 Steps, 1,985 Cal., 6.01 Miles, 103 Zone 

Canon EOS R6 Camera Photo 

5746-5759 Washington, D.C.

5760-5764 WWI Memorial

5765-5802 Lincoln Memorial

5904-5812 Vietnam Memorial

5813-5817 Lincoln Memorial

5818-5823 travel DC

5824-5861 FDR Memorial

5862-5868 MLK Memorial 

Day 4: Sunday, Nov 2,

Breakfast consisted of an omelet, sausage, patties, and kiwi juice.

We picked up our guide at 9 A.M. at Arlington Cemetery, where we went through security and took a trolley tour. 

We stopped at the Changing of the Guards and JFK burial site. We used the restroom at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and took a group photo. 

We loaded on the trolley and headed back to the bus. We rode to the Fashion Ctr at Pentagon in Arlington, VA, to eat lunch.

Hubby and I ate at the Villa Italian Kitchen, where I ordered Mac & Cheese with garlic bread. Hubby ordered a slice of pizza with a bowl of mixed veggies. We spent $26.31.

We stopped at Lego Land, where I bought some Christmas presents for the grandkids and spent $69.93.

After lunch, we rode into D.C., stopping at the People's House, a White House Experience. Then we all walked to the White House, stopping to take photos along the way. 

One of our members danced to a Tennessee Song. We made another group photo in front of the Secret Service Car. People were gathered outside, enjoying the day. The DJ played "Rocky Top" and "Tennessee" for our group. Hubby stayed on the bus. We dropped off our guide and rode to Oak Grove Holiday Inn in Sterling, BA, for a buffet meal and entertainment. One of the women at our table was brought a plate of food, while everyone else had to get their own. We all kidded her about being special. At the end of the program, one of our group members announced that she would honor her. I ate creamed potatoes, fish, red Velvet cake, and water.

There was dancing, and the Ohio group said they enjoyed our entertainment. That was the most fun they had on their trip. (Another Diamond Group that joined us)As we were leaving, a couple asked us where we were from. We returned to the hotel, took a hot bath, and went to bed. 

Iphone photos

1147-1175 Arlington Cemetery 

1176-1177 Lunch at Villa Italian Kitchen

1178-1204 Washington, DC

1205-1225 The People's House 

126-1233 Washington Penn AVE

1234-1254 The White House outside the gate

1255-1263 Pumpkin Display at Holiday Inn 

Steps 12,632 Cal 1,814 Miles 4.66 Zone 56 

Canon EOS R6 Camera photo 

5869-5940 Arlington Cemetery 

5941-5946 Group Photo 

5846-5980 Arlington Cemetery 

Zone 56 miles 4.66 cal 1,814 Steps 12,632

Day 5: On Monday, Nov 3, 

Breakfast consists of an omelet, pastries, and kiwi juice.

We were on the bus by 8:30, and picked up our guide at 9 A.M. Our first stop was the Jefferson Memorial. Next, we stopped at the WWII Memorial. 

Lunch was at the Kennedy Center, where I ordered a berry yogurt, croissant, and Coke. Hubby ordered a smash burger, fries, and Coke. We spent $22 and $16.50.

When I finished eating, I walked out onto the balcony, which wrapped around the entire building. It overlooked Washington, DC, and Virginia. I got some great photos. We walked through the Kennedy Display inside the building, then loaded onto the bus and rode to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. We were met by our host, given a speech, and guided through the main chapel. We were told we could visit all the chapels inside the church. 

Everyone met outside, this is where we said goodbye to our guide, Sondra. We loaded onto the bus and headed to Manassa for dinner at the Great American Restaurant. Here I ate Shrimp, onion rings, fish, hushpuppies, and tea. It was a buffet meal. 

We boarded the bus and headed for the hotel, about 25 minutes away. We arrived a little after six P.M. I wrote in my journal, watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and went to bed. 

Iphone Photos

1264-1280 Washington, D.C.

1281-1285 Jefferson Memorial 

1286-1303 Washington, D.C.

1304-1324 WWII Memorial 

1325-1357 JFK Center 

1359- 1406 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 

1407-1424 Washington, D.C.

1425 Dinner 

Canon EOS R6 Camera Photo 

5881-5990 World War I Memorial

5991-6020 Travel DC

6021-6043 WWII Memorial

6044-6086 Kennedy Center Roof Top View

6087-6105 Kennedy Display

6106-6119 Travel DC

6120-6202 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

6203-6235 Travel DC

Steps 10,884 1,686 Cal, 4.1 miles, Zone 34

Day 6: Tuesday, Nov 4: Travel Home & Woodrow Wilson Museum

For breakfast, I ate yogurt and a muffin and drank Kiwi juice.

Hubby filled the ice chest full of ice for our water, and snacks were added for the day's adventures. 

There was a misunderstanding about loading the luggage onto the bus. So I went to each floor to check whether the luggage had been collected, but it had not. 

The man loading the luggage had only done the 5th floor, so I asked several of the men if they would help.

We loaded onto the bus and were on our way by 8:30 A.M. 

Our first stop was a Rest Stop in Timberville, VA. 

Our next stop was the Woodrow Wilson Birth Home and Museum in Staunton, VA

We stopped at Chick-fil-A for lunch. I ordered five chicken minis, fries, Coke, and ice cream.

Our next stop was a rest area in Staunton, VA.

We arrived at our Hotel, Garner, room 410, unloaded our overnight bags, and went to our room until 5:15. We loaded onto the bus and went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Several people ordered pizza from a local Pizza Hut, while others went to a local restaurant. At Cracker Barrel, I ordered Mac & Cheese and okra with cornbread, chow, and iced tea. Spent $29.30. Hubby ordered a big breakfast.

I also bought three Christmas bags for $5 and two candy bars, for a total of $13.62. 

We rode back to the hotel and packed for our travel home tomorrow. 

1426-1430 Rest Stop Timberville, VA

1431 Staunton, VA

1432-1509 Woodrow Wilson Birth home and museum

1510-1520 Staunton, VA

1521-1527 Rest Stop Christianburg, VA

Steps 4,232, 1.62 miles, 1,372 Cal Zone 1

Day 7: Wednesday, Nov 5. 

For breakfast, I ate Raspberry yogurt, apple pastry, and apple juice.

I walked down the hill to the sidewalk to take a photo of the historic marker of Walter Crocket and the Welcome to Wytheville, VA sign. 

We loaded onto the bus and were on the road by 8:30 A.M. 

Our first stop was the Davy Crockett Travel Center, Baileyton, TN

We ate lunch at Buc-ee's. I bought a berry parfait and cheese chunks. Everyone ate on the bus. 

Our last stop was at Love's in Columbia, Tennessee, to drop off a couple and to use the restroom.

We arrive at the Club around 5:30 P.M. Everyone unloads the bus, and we are home a little after 6 P.M. I have an online class every Wednesday at 6:30 and just made it. Hubby unloaded the car.

We did not stop for dinner.

Iphone Photos 

1528-1534 Walter Crockett Historic Marker 

1535-1537 Water Tower Wytheville, VA 

1538-1548 David Crockett Travel Center, Baileyton, TN

1552-1557 Buc he's Crossville, TN

Steps 4,545 1,435 Cal 1.72 miles Zone 15  

2025 Oct 11-19, NCL Getaway Cruise 7-Day Canada and New England Round Trip New York, Bar Harbor & Halifax Part 1

 Day 1: Oct 11, Saturday, Flight to New York 

We stopped at Jack's in Athens for breakfast and ordered gravy and a biscuit.

We drove to Huntsville Airport and boarded United Airlines Flight 4240, Group 3, at 7:33 A.M., Gate 2, Seats 4c & 4b. We flew into Washington Dulles, IDA, and arrived at 10:52 A.M. 

We loaded @ 12:17 IAD on flight 3704, gate A63, group 3, Seats 22 B and 22 C. Arriving in New York at 1:49 P.M. 

On the plane, we met several people going on the cruise. Mike and Rhonda Flippo, Mickey and Shelia Hines, who was a retired police officer who worked with my Hubby's brother-in-law. 

We followed our guide to the shuttle, which took us to the Marriott Marquis. 

We took our luggage to our room, R3911, and then we went looking for a place to eat. We stopped at Junior's Restaurant, 1515 Broadway St., which was just across the street from the hotel. 

We ordered Fish and chips, two drinks, and a raspberry swirl Cheesecake, and spent $47.58. Our server was Kevin. 

Walking the Streets of New York 

After dinner, we walked several blocks in the crowded streets. Vendors covered half of the sidewalks. We stopped inside the Disney Store. Took several photos. We came back to the hotel, took a hot bath, and fell asleep. Woke up, watched some TV, then fell asleep. Awoke around 4 A.M. and wrote in my journal.

Check-out time is 11 A.M.

Photos

245-7A.M. Huntsville Airport

246-249 8:14 A.M. Leaving Huntsville Airport

250-262 @10:38 A.M. Flying into Washington Dulles Airport

263-270 @12:30 P.M. Leaving Washington Dulles Airport 

271-275 @1:37 P.M. Flying into New York Laguardia Airport

277 @2:28 P.M. Leaving Airport in Shuttle 

278-296 @2:50 P.M. Travel Long Island, Murray Hill, Turtle Bay, New York 

297-301 @3:45 P.M. Our room 3931 

303 @4:16 P.M. Juniors Restaurant 

Fish and Chips from Juniors 

304-331 @5:03 P.M. Walking the streets of New York 

Day 2: Oct 12, Sunday, Boarding the Ship NCL Getaway.

We bought a Blueberry Parfait and a pastry in the hotel store for breakfast. 

We met our NCL Guide and checked in for our ride to the ship.

I walked around on level 39 for two miles. We went downstairs to the outside covered breezeway to wait for the bus to take us to the ship. It did not arrive until after 12:30 P.M.

We talked to a couple from Indiana that was going on the cruise. The wife was a teacher and on fall break.

Everyone loaded onto the bus, which took us to port 90, where the ship was docked. We went through security, got our key cards, and boarded the boat. 

Our first stop was the American Diner, where I ordered three sliders, fries, and bread pudding. Hubby ordered a salad, spaghetti, and a slice of carrot cake. I could only eat one of the three sliders. 

We walked to our cabin 13168, where I took a nap. My sister called to wish me a happy birthday. I talked to my daughter. She had been cleaning her RV in preparation for a trip to Universal Studios. 

At 5:00 P.M., we walked down to Cagney's Steakhouse and ate dinner. I ordered shrimp skewers, baked potato, sautéed mushrooms, grilled asparagus, and vanilla ice cream.

Hubby ordered steak, shrimp cocktail, broccoli, mushrooms, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

After dinner, we walked around the ship. We went to the theater to watch the comedy show. 

After the show, we returned to our cabin, hung up my clothes, and wrote in my journal. 

We watched Hocus Pocus 2 on TV.

The Big Apple 

Photos

332-334 @8:09 A.M. Photos Hotel Big Apple, Wonderful

335-358 @12:26P.M. Port and Ship

359-360 @2:06 P.M. Lunch at American Diner

361-365 @5:42 P.M. Dinner at Cagney's 

366-367 @6:37 P.M. Hotel Lights

368-374 @8:59 P.M. View of New York from the ship

Day 3: Monday, Oct 13, Port Day (the ship had to stay in the port because of bad weather) 

The ship was supposed to leave the port at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, but New York closed the port, preventing any ships from coming in or leaving. So we had to stay on the boat until 5 A.M. Tuesday morning.

I walked around our room area, then went upstairs for 3 miles. I could not walk outside because it was raining. 

We went to breakfast at the Garden Cafe, where I had blueberry yogurt, a pastry, sausage, and cranberry juice. 

We went to deck 6 (Atrium)to watch game shows and trivia. 

We ate at O'Sheehan's for brunch. I ordered French Toast with whipped butter, syrup, and seasonal fruit. We walked back to our room, where we watched The Lion King and took a nap. 

At 5P.M., we went to Teppanyaki for dinner, where we watched our chef prepare our meal while entertaining us. 

Our Chef 

Steak and Shrimp 

The chef cooks our food.

We were served Miso Soup with mushrooms, dashi, tofu, and wok-me.

Next, we were served a seaweed salad with ginger salad dressing.

We watched our cook prepare garlic-fried rice with eggs, served with grilled vegetables and a creamy mustard dipping sauce.

Our main course was grilled shrimp and New York Strip (ASUKA)

For dessert, we were served Green tea cakes with cashew nut butter.

After dinner, we returned to the Atrium area, deck 6, where we were entertained by Voices & Keys Duo.

 Returned to our room, where we watched Ghostbusters on TV.

Photos:

375@7:30 A.M. Replica Getaway

376-377 @8:04 A.M. View from Ship (rain)

379 @10:41 A.M. Brunch (French Toast, fruit, yogurt, pastry, sausage)

380-381 Photos taken at Teppanyaki 

382-397 5:12 P.M. Dinner at Teppanyaki 

398-404 @7:29 P.M. Show Voices & Keys Duo 

Voices & Keys Duo 

405-408 7:52 P.M. View from our room 

409-411 @8:21 P.M. Receipts 

Day 4, Oct 14, Tuesday, Leaving New York, Sea Day 

Got up early and went to Deck 16 to see the Statue of Liberty as we sailed by. 

Statue of Liberty (cloudy early morning )

I talked to several people waiting to take pictures of the Statue of Liberty. It was still dark and overcast, so it was hard to take a clear picture. 

I met Hubby in the Garden Cafe, where we ate breakfast. We watched people come and go through the electric door. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

It was funny watching how everyone acted when the door didn't work. 

We went to Deck 6, the Atrium, where we met a couple from California, Susan and Kevin.

Next, we walked through the shops where I bought a bracelet and charms. 

We walked to the Harry Houdini area, where we met up with Shelia and Mikey. We sat and talked for a while. 

At 11:26, we ate lunch at O'Sheehan's. There, I ordered cheese & spinach dip with chips and avocado dip. 

Hubby ordered a coney hot dog with fries and hot wings. 

At 12:30 P.M., we went to the Getaway theater, Deck 7 FWD, to the Amulet of Adventure, The Port, and Shopping Talk. 

There, we each got an anchor and a necklace.

At 3 P.M., we went to Sydney Normas Deck 8, forward, where we watched the last 30 minutes of Carryoaky.

We watched the Amulet of Adventure, Diamond and Gemstones Seminar, where we each received a Nahla Amulet. 

We rested in the hallway where we saw our friends from New York.

We returned to our room until 5:30 P.M., then went to dinner in the Manhattan Room, where we sat with a couple from Virginia. 

For dinner, I ordered baked Fish with creamed potatoes, a Waldorf salad, and a brownie with ice cream.

We returned to our room and wrote in my journal.

At 8 P.M., we went to the Effie Celebration Party at the Effy Boutique store on deck 8 aft, where we received a champagne glass amulet and drank a glass of champagne. 

Photos

412-416 @5:42 P.M. Leaving New York and passing the Statue of Liberty 

417- @ 7:15 A.M. Breakfast in Garden Cafe 

418-420 Sea Day 

426-429 @ 9:54 A.M. Houdini Hallway

Canon EOS R6

5203-5249 @4:15 AM Leaving New York

Houdini Hallway

430-434 @6:15 P.M. Dinner in Manhattan Room 

435 @7:04 P.M. Chandelier 

436-439 @7:17 P.M. Our photos that were taken at Teppanyaki 

Day 5, Oct 15, Wednesday, Bar Harbor, Maine 

Breakfast at the Garden Cafe: I ate French Toast and yogurt. We walked to the Manhattan Room, and at 7:15 A.M., we boarded the tender boat and were taken ashore, where we met our bus driver and guide (Herman).

We rode through Acadia Park for a couple of hours and were dropped off downtown. We walked up Main Street to the Lobster Restaurant, but it was closed. 

We walked through several shops and bought seven postcards, a hat, a boggen, and a sweet shirt. 

We ate lunch at Stewman's along the pier. We ordered lobster, potatoes, corn on the cob, and clams with blueberry pie topped with vanilla ice cream, which Hubby and I shared. We saw the couple from California at the pier. We came back to the ship via tender. Went to our room and wrote in my journal.

Our ship didn't leave the port until 5:30 P.M., and the sunset was beautiful. We sat in the lobby above the atrium and watched them make flowers. My stomach started hurting, so I went to the restroom, but that didn't help. I felt sick to my stomach, so I went back to our room. From our room, I watched the ship leave port. I got sick, took a shower, went to bed, and slept all night. Hubby went upstairs to get dinner. I couldn't eat anything. I just went to bed. 

Photos 

440-442  @6:12 A.M. Sunrise Bar Harbor 

443 @ 6:27 A.M. Breakfast 

444-446 @ 10:16 A.M. Moose Store Bar Harbor

447-445 @10:30 A.M. Wood Store 

Canon EOS R6 

5255-5359 @7:11 AM Acadia Bar Harbor, Maine

5360-5387 @8:21 AM Town Bar Harbor, Maine 

The Wood Store 

446-477 @10:42 A.M. Main St Stores Markers park 

478-481 @11:28 A.M. Lunch at Stewmans along the pier

Blueberry Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream 

Potato and Corn on the Cob 

Lobster, Corn on the Cob 

482 @1248 P.M. Whale at Pier 

483 Receipts 

484-491 @446 P.M. Port Bar Harbor

492-440 P.M. Inside Ship Chandelier 

494-497 @525 P.M. Leaving Port