The End

Finally, after more than 40 miles of walking, talking, laughing, and eating Armand's pizza Glenda had experienced the trip of her lifetime.

Glenda in Washington More Pictures

These historic sites were made even more famous by Glenda's hysterical (oops, historical) visit.

Glenda Goes to Washington

Well, finally after three years of leading school groups in Washington, DC, Glenda was able to make the trip herself. We flew from Bend to Portland to Denver to Baltimore, where we picked up our school from Longmont, Colorado. I had been with them two years earlier and had a wonderful time.

Now it was time to hit the road again and share my adventures with my loving wife, who has supported me throughout. She allowed me to lead and teach as I do on all my trips, which gave her the opportunity to see me in action. She blended well with the school, and she kept up admirably. I think she was awe-struck as she experienced all the historical sights in and around Washington.

What delighted my heart the most was that when we got home, she told everyone that she had the best tour guide. She was just tickled pink that she had a private, one-on-one guide throught the Smithsonian museums we visited. One of the pictures shows her gazing at a large dollhouse, which just delighted her to no end. (This is one sight I normally skip, but I was really glad to be there with her.)

All the pictures display Glenda in various stages of wonderment. Enjoy.

Yes, I Was There--Here's Proof!

To be in Washington, DC and see history made was incredible. Here the Capitol is decked out in preparation for the Inauguration. The temperature at the time was about 12 degrees.

On the Road Again

Inauguration Morning on the Metro at 4 a.m.

The Swearing In January 20, 2009

Academy of the Canyons from Santa Clarita, California

Well, Jim begins his fourth season as a course leader for WorldStrides/Christian Discoveries. He made his first trip this year during the Inauguration. What a week it was! The temperature only got above freezing once. The celebratory mood was one he had never witnessed before. The crowds were like a Super Bowl for each of the five days he was there. On a Monday in January that may see a couple hundred visitors to Mount Vernon, he encountered over 17,000. The whole week was filled with closures, reroutes, long lines, and cold weather. The students were a blessing to be with. They were all seniors (just like Jim :)) and very responsible. Leading any group of 41 individuals through a throng of people is a test of patience and courage. The week was successful, and the students were able to witness a moment in history never seen before. Jim's heart filled with joy as he saw older black men and women filled with pride as they witnessed the inauguration of the first black President when during their lifetime they had been denied some of the services we take for granted, even sitting on the same bench with a white man. With all of the tensions and wranglings of the campaign, here the kids got to witness once again the peaceful transition of power. Now no matter what our personal political feelings are, the Scriptures command us to pray for those in authority, which Jim did as he stood on the National Mall at 23 degrees for 6 hours on the Inauguration Tuesday.

Winter Wonderland--a Vacation for Glenda

Well, this is the last vacation for Glenda for 2008. She won't be going to work until next year! We have been busy buying warm!!! winter clothes for me since I will be attending the Inauguration this year. We must prepare for the coldest weather. On Inauguration Day my day will begin at about 4 a.m. I will pick up my group at 5:30 a.m. at a Metro stop; then we will travel to the National Mall--no, not a shopping center. After we pass through security, we will be outside for the next 8 or 9 hours. Pray for warmth and no rain or snow. Anyway, one of the purchases online was a snow rake to help prevent ice dams on the roof. You will see a couple action shots taking by a rookie reporter for the Backyard Review, a widely read magazine for outdoor enthusiasts.

B-u-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!

Well, our unseasonably warm Fall came to a crashing halt. In a matter of two days we went from upper 40's to stuggling to reach 20. The new wood stove got a true workout. It did really well. One day Glenda and I both went to work, and I got home around 2:30 p.m. The house was around 58 degrees inside, and it took a while to get our temperature up. Our wonderful bed was gloriously warm for us even though the weather outside was rather frightful, inside it was quite delightful. We even had some snow.