Thursday, April 24, 2008

Thursday Thirteen: Where in the World is Kat?

Today’s Thursday Thirteen actually has a theme. One of the things I really liked about TT was that there were no rules. Except for the 13 part. Now it’s almost like the Ten on Tuesday. Plus three. But, that’s okay. I can sorta deal with change. Just ignore that twitch in my eye.

Today’s topic is Thirteen places I’ve visited. I actually did a similar list for a Ten on Tuesday theme of 10 places I would take a visitor in my town. And then with all my blogging over the past week about our cruise to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Honduras…you don’t need to read about those again. I’ve also done a Wordless Wednesday about Mayan ruins…so we’ll skip that, too. I have not traveled a lot…but I’ll see what kind of list I can cobble together:

1. Baltimore, Maryland – Usually one of our unwritten rules for traveling is to know someone that lives there. So that we have somewhere to stay. My friend Kelly and her husband Darren live in the suburbs of Baltimore and we have been a few times to visit. Downtown Baltimore is really neat – and there is a lot to see and do around the Inner Harbor. We have been to the aquarium, taken a boat ride to Ft. McHenry, and seen a baseball game at Camden Yards (not in the inner harbor...but not too far away).
2. Amish Country – on the same trip to visit, we went to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. What a gorgeous area. We took a buggy ride through Strausberg, went on an Amish house and farm tour, and then went to a Smorgasbord in Bird-in-hand. 3. Washington, DC – as Baltimore is only a little over an hour outside of DC - it equals another day trip. We have done the Smithsonian museums – American History, Natural History, and Air & Space; We have walked around the mall…seen the Washington monument and the White house (from the outside); we have gone to the National Zoo; And both of my grandfathers are buried at Arlington – which is a very cool place to walk around. What is really great about DC is that most everything is free. What I still want to do: go inside the White house and go to the Holocaust Museum.
4. San Antonio, Texas – Another trip to visit a friend…and this time to my best friend, co-conspirator, and college room mate, Cindy Sue. This trip was just me and Katie – and Katie’s first trip on an airplane. Madalyn was not born yet – but she has looked at the small album I made of our trip here, that she is convinced that she went, too. Most of our time was spent visiting...but we did venture out one day to the Alamo and the River Walk. I don't suppose Chuck E. Cheese counts as a place to see in San Antonio...but we did go there!
5. St. Louis, Missouri – my aunt and uncle (and my 7 cousins) live in the very small town of Perryville – about an hour south of St. Louis. One of my favorite excursions was to a place called Johnson's Shut Ins. The shut-ins were formed over millions (and millions?) of years ago by the Black River running through volcanic rock...and carving out this mini-natural water park. So, it's like a huge rocky water fall that you can climb, swim and slide down to the bottom.

And then...what is St. Louis without a visit to the Gateway Arch?

6. St. George Island – this is where we go to the beach most summers. And it is fabulous. The island is not commercialized at all…there is one small hotel there, otherwise it is just houses. There is no fast food or grocery stores…you have to drive 20 minutes to Apalachicola to find a Burger King or a Piggly Wiggly. We are counting down the days to our trip in July. (the first picture is the view of the beach from the Widow's Walk in our house) 7. Asheville, North Carolina -- When I was a teenager, my family visited Biltmore estate...but I appreciated it much more as an adult. Michael and I went for our first anniversary. The home is amazing...and you have to walk around and admire the gardens. They even have their own winery. When we were there, we took a behind the scenes tour - which I would highly recommend if you decide to visit.
8. Boston -- We did a crazy thing right before Katie turned 3. We drove to Boston. From Atlanta. See? Insane. Michael was born right outside of Boston...so we had family to stay with. And Baltimore is a half way point - another place to stay. The trip was in the stars. I wish I knew exactly how many miles we put on my car this trip! While in Boston - we did day trips to Ipswich (when they were filming "The Perfect Storm"), drove all the way Cape Cod to Provincetown, drove the entire Mohawk Trail into New York, and finally we went into downtown Boston - taking the Ducks tour and then walking around Boston Common, Trinity Church, Boston Public library, the Freedom Trail, and finally ending up in Chinatown for dinner.
9. Minneapolis -- I have only been here twice - for my Creative Memories conventions. But what a beautiful city. I was there in August...and the weather was so nice. I had just bought new make up before my trip - and I remember thinking that it was just great makeup - it really did a great job. Until I got home and realized it was just that Minneapolis doesn't have the humidity that Atlanta has. Another place to go in Minneapolis: the Mall of America - complete with an amusement park inside the mall!
10. Chicago -- When Cindy and I were in college...her parents moved from Columbia, SC to Naperville, IL - so it was a new place for both of us to visit. We went to: the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, the water tower for shopping, and even to Comiskey Park to see a White Sox game. What we didn't do was see Oprah.
11. Chattanooga -- This is one of the few places that we go to where we actually stay in a hotel! And if you are going...you need to stay at the Holiday Inn in downtown Chattagnooga - at the Chattanooga Choo-choo. The lobby of the hotel is an old train station/depot...and you can even stay in train cars if you want. There is a beautiful indoor pool here, complete with waterfall, gorgeous gardens, and free electric bus transportation to all the sites downtown. And downtown, you can go to the aquarium and to a great children's museum. We also like to drive up to Rock City Gardens and Ruby Falls.
12. Bahamas -- Katie and I went on our first cruise together - just a three day trip to the Bahamas. It was my first experience with the warm, blue waters of the Caribbean and with snorkeling.
13. Disney World -- If you have been to Disney World...you've been everywhere, right? We had annual passes two years ago...and made three trips to the World...for a total of over 21 days in the parks. And I still don't think we saw it all.

post signature

40 comments:

Melanie said...

I have to all but four..great list!

Unknown said...

What a great list! there are a couple I have never been to, but would love to visit some day!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Monday and Patty -- Thanks so much for coming by. I have a lot on my "someday" list!

Nicole said...

Wow! You're quite a traveller! Thanks to you, now I have some new places I'd like to visit! Awesome TT!

Thanks so much for stopping by my TT and leaving a comment! =)

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Nicole--It's all a matter of perspective! I would consider myself as quite "untravelled!"

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've visited enough places to make a list of 13, but I hope to, someday. Anyway, great TT. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a good day.

GBK Gwyneth said...

Fun to read your list! I've been to all but three of your places -- Biltmore is one of those that I haven't been to -- Camille went in January with my parents and LVOED it. I don't think I would like it, though.

Okay, enough of a break, back to work for me. We're almost there! Once this is done, I am taking a LONG break. And then we're going to the Big Apple!

YellowRose said...

Amish country, been there but in Kansas...also to a wonderful family style restaurant there that was wonderful! Been to D.C. and loved it! The Holocaust Museum is a must, unforgettable! Lived in San Antonio for awhile, fun town! St. Louis, been there several times. Was born and raised in Chicago, best city ever! The museums the best! Love that city! Chattanooga, can't count the times I've been there, it was near my grandparents. Bahamas, one of my favorites places in the world. The Atlantis is paradise! And I've been to Disney World!! So, who knows we may have been at the same place one time or another! ;)

Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

AWWWW...those trips to San Antonio and Chicago were pretty great. now you've got me reminiscing...
cindysue

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Misty--I didn't think I'd have a list either unless I counted the places I've cruised to. After thinking about it awhile...I managed to come up with 13. Now...you have to realize that four of them were in one vacation trip!

Gwyneth--That is so cool that Camille loved Biltmore. I wouldn't think my kids would like it...but who knows! Why don't you think you will like it? And New York...it's on my list to go to...I have just passed through on the way to Boston. My car broke down in Brooklyn :-)

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

YellowRose--we may have crossed paths at some point!

CindySue--I *almost* got out the pictures from that Chicago trip to scan and include. But I got lazy. We took some crazy pictures at the Field museum. Remember our Nanook of the North jackets?! Who'da thunk it might be windy in Chicago?!

Rhea said...

Kat, I'm ignoring the twitch in your eye. lol You know, you don't HAVE to follow the Thursday thirteen rules...

Fun list! You've been some cool places. I've never been to Amish country, that sounds like a neat trip.

I've got the traveling bug right now...I haven't been anywhere in a year! But, next week I'm heading to Wisconsin...

Sissy said...

I have actually been to St. George's Island in Florida. My brother was married there at the little teeny-tiny church there, and we stayed at that one hotel. It was a lovely weekend.

Loved the rest of your places. The Biltmore is definetly a must to visit in NC!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Rhea--I think I always have that traveling bug. I was thinking about doing a list of places that I want to go for next week. And that would be breaking from the theme. That might give me a twitch, too :-)

Are you going to get to do any touristy things in Wisconsin next week...or will you be in a conference room the whole time? Are you blogging from there?!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Sissy-Welcome! St. George is great isn't it?! Have you been back since that weekend? We have been going every summer for a while now. I can't wait to go again...

John Deere Mom said...

Sadly, I have only been to one of the spots on your list...St. Louis. Eh. I think I will steal your idea though and head over to post my 13 places...if there are even 13 places I have been to. :)

Debbie said...

What a fun post! Ok lets see, I have been to Baltimore because I live near it. I have been to DC because I live in a suburb 25 miles west of it. I lived in San Antonio for three years. Been to the airport in St. Louis. (Does that count ;) I have never been to the Bahamas, Chattanooga, Diney World (been to Disneyland) or Boston or St. George or Asheville. But I have been to Minneapolis and would love to visit friends of my in Chicago that moved there last year. My husband is from Staten Island so we always have a place to stay when we go to NYC. So much fun and nothing like it. It sounds like you have done some fun trips. Now I want to go on vacation...sigh...

Anonymous said...

We have a couple in common ... St. Louis and Disney World. I live near Asheville and have been often. I don't know why I didn't think to put it on my list.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Cynthia- welcome! Asheville is a neat place isn't it?...lots more to do than just the Biltmore...but that in and of itself is worth the trip.

Angie--I will look forward to your list! I am working on my lists for the next Thursday Thirteens of places that I want to go...those are proving very difficult to narrow down!

Debbie--I don't think the airport counts as a visit :-) I would love to go back to all these places and spend more time there. If only I had an endless stream of cash...

Brenda said...

San Antonio TX was the only one for me. I'd love to head to some of the places you've mentioned someday. Thanks for sharing.
Brenda :)

Rhea said...

The conference is at a lodge, so we will spend most of the time writing in our rooms or outside or wherever we are most comfy. I will probably be outside...and we will have a couple of lectures and some workshop stuff. No real time for touristy stuff, unfortunately.

I most likely will not be blogging. I don't have a laptop and I don't know if they even have internet access at this lodge. I'm only gone Friday through Sunday though.

Firefly Mom said...

Yeah, I forgot there was a theme for TT now - but I'm a rebel so I'm keeping on with my own theme ;)

Well, I've been to everyplace on your list except the Bahamas, but all before the age of 10 - does that still count? We need to get you out here to the west coast sometime - oh the things I could show you!

Anonymous said...

I swear--we need our own blog the likes of which the world has never seen! we could do a whole story on that Chicago trip and the pictures at the Field Museum and how you ate all my ice cream, sob, sob...good times:)

Anonymous said...

i've always wanted to check out amish country...i'm like...right there too but i've never gone.

Skeller said...

Ooooh, St. George sounds & looks heavenly...
Envy-ingly, Susan

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

It's all good & Jenny -- Thanks so much. I think that this theme has made all of want to travel more!

Rhea- Seems like you will get a lot of work done while you are gone. Are you working on a novel or more short stories like the one you had published? What do you like to write?

FM--The west coast is on my list! The furthest west I have been was to see Cindy when she lived in Albuquerque. But I was pregnant at the time...and we didn't do much touristy stuff. I would love to go back there sometime for the balloon fiesta.

Susan--St. George is heavenly. We are going for the first two weeks of July. It's soooo different from the beach pictures you have posted on your site!

Cindy Sue -- I'm not sure if the blogosphere is ready for photographic documentation of our adventures! But I might have to dig them out and scan them. Or not!

Heather said...

You and I are spookily connected musically. I had this song on my blog a couple of weeks ago!!!! I also love the song "How We Operate". Love Gomez.

This was such a fun post!! My dad and his wife went to the Biltmore Estate last summer and can't quit talking about it. I'll have to go one day.

Rhea said...

I'm a short story kind of gal, but one day I'd like to try a novel. I write fiction...mystery, lierary romance, fantasy, whatever!

Rhea said...

So, it's Friday, and I still wondering "Where in the world Kat is"???

Where's our Friday wrap up?!

Debbie said...

Dr. Princess Kat, let me get this straight, your Mom is your built in helper AND she gave you a cruise for Christmas? Spoiled. Rotten. My next question is this, will you do the same washing and ironing for your girls??? ;)

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Heather--I do have really eclectic tastes. And I am not as organized as Debbie. I always think of the songs to go with my posts when I am ready to put up a new one. But this one...I was on the ball with "See the World." First time for everything :-)

Rhea--Yeah...I'm a slacker today! I was going to do the wrap up...but Katie was still piddling around with school work at 5:30 when I *finally* got into the shower and went scrapbooking tonight.

Debbie--See, I am a princess. (shhh...but we have a housekeeper,too. :-) - and my mom even works full time. She loves laundry. We even call her the laundry queen. It's her thing...who am I to argue. And, nope. Not doing it for my girls. I think that they'll like laundry. That gene has skipped my generation. That's my story. Works for me!

Rhea said...

I'll admit, I missed your presence today, but I figure you must be actually having a real life this evening, and not stuck at home like I was. hehe

What was this scapbooking thing you went to?

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Rhea--It's very nice to be missed! A real life? Not so much. I spent my day trying to figure out where I put pictures that we had printed. Today was National Scrapbook day...so I spent my evening working on my Disney albums. And I get to go back tomorrow, too...getting lots done!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kat! I never post, but always lurk. I loved your 13 on Thursday list this week. If you ever want to take the girls on trip to the American Girl store in Chicago, you just happen to have a relative who lives in Naperville. Just a thought. :)

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Anon/cousin Jennifer -- you don't have to be anon you know! :-) You should post. Comments make me happy. And you know I *love* a place to stay trips. We need to come...I would love to take the girls to Chicago. Do you all really have room for us? I wonder how long of a drive it would be for us...and with the cost of gas...ack! Hmmmm....

Nissa said...

It makes me want to travel! :)

I've never been to St. George Island! Am I missing out??!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

St. George is the best. Because there is NOTHING to do there. It's beautiful! Just houses and the beach and the bay. Oh, and there is a bicycle path that runs the length of the island. If you like a serene, laid back vacation, this is the place to go. It is the opposite (as far as atmosphere) of Panama City Beach.

Rhea said...

Go back where? Where are you doing this...like a store or a conference or what?

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Rhea--my Creative Memories consultant did a two day National Scrapbook Day event. It was Friday night from 7-midnight and again on Saturday from 9-3. That is where I went back to. It was at her house...in her basement. I have been to others that were at churches, or gymnasiums...and even one at a convention center. I am almost done with my Disney album from Sept 06 - that is what I was working on. I need to finish my 06 family album, 07 family album, and another Disney album of our two trips there in 07. Starting this year, I am going to do all digital scrapbooks. I won't even print my photos. I have a Creative Memories software program so that I can scrapbook with that. And then when I am done, I'll upload it and have the whole thing printed in a bound book.

Unknown said...

When I went to DC when I was 9, I thought it was the "Aaron Space Museum"