Sunday, July 1
We attended First Baptist in Elk Grove with Lewis & Betty. Dean, Sue, Scott, Adrianna and her baby joined us for lunch. After lunch, we went back to Lewis & Betty's and played cards before heading back to Concord. We always enjoy a game or two (or more!) of Hand and Foot whenever we get together with the Pritten family.
Wednesday, July 4
Bob and Donna drove us to SFO because BART didn’t run early enough for us to make our flight to Denver. After renting a car at the airport and grabbing a quick lunch, we headed to El Colorado Resort in Manitou Springs for the Schaffner Family Reunion. Mom, Dorcas, and Debbie arrived just before we did. We shared one cabin--it was "cozy" with 5 us but we were mainly using it for sleeping. Because we had a small kitchen, some of the food would be kept in our refrigerator.
After we got settled, we went to the pavilion to find out who else had arrived.
Thursday, July 5
Mom, Dorcas, Deb, Kent and I went to the Miramont Castle Museum. A Catholic priest from France, Fr. John Baptiste Francolon, had this built for his home. Construction began in 1895. The sandstone walls are two feet thick, nine different styles of architecture are used, it is four stories, and built on the side of a mountain. It is over 14,000 sq. ft. and has over 40 rooms, including 8-sided rooms, a 16-sided room, a solarium, and arched doors and windows. Francolon and his mother (who had been living with him) returned to France in 1900. A few years later the Sisters of Mercy made changes to the home to use it as a TB sanitarium. Later it was used as a retreat center for clergy.
Leaving there, we drove through Garden of the Gods, a National Natural Landmark. The red rock formations are beautiful. However, we could see in the distance where the wildfires had been just a couple of weeks ago.
Friday, July 6
Bob & Mary Schaffner and Steve Heinebach joined us for breakfast. Later in the morning, Linda and Dale Thiemessen renewed their wedding vows. In the evening we went to the World Center Ice Rink to watch a demonstration by the Broadmoor Skating Club. When we got back to the resort, we joined Bob & Mary at DQ for a late night dessert.
Saturday, July 7
We packed up, said good-byes, and left Manitou Springs. We had breakfast at Rosie's Diner in Monument. Kent headed to Ft. Collins to spend time with his Uncle Albert and to see Dan and Sue. I went with mom, Dorcas & Debbie. In Genoa, CO we stopped to see the Genoa Tower & Museum. After taking a quick look around, we decided not to pay to go up into the tower. From the tower you are supposed to be able to see into 6 states.
Saturday, July 7
We packed up, said good-byes, and left Manitou Springs. We had breakfast at Rosie's Diner in Monument. Kent headed to Ft. Collins to spend time with his Uncle Albert and to see Dan and Sue. I went with mom, Dorcas & Debbie. In Genoa, CO we stopped to see the Genoa Tower & Museum. After taking a quick look around, we decided not to pay to go up into the tower. From the tower you are supposed to be able to see into 6 states.
We continued on to Burlington where we spent time at Old Town Museum. Twenty-one buildings were brought in to make up this town. We were the only spectators at the Can-Can Show. We thought it ironic that the girls who were performing had just returned from a missions trip. They told us that the others in the show were also on that trip and hadn't yet returned.
We then went to the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds to see the 100 year old carousel. Carousel rides are 25¢ and all of us, including mom, rode. Then we toured the Carousel Museum. There was an exhibit that showed how the animals are made. Another display explained the difference between a calliope and a band organ.
We spent the night in Colby, KS.
Sunday, July 8
We drove to Hays, KS to attend Hays Christian Church. After lunch at the Golden Corral, we continued our journey and stopped in Victoria, KS to see the Cathedral of the Plains (St. Fidelis Church). We had seen a sign on the highway that said it is listed as one of the "Eight Wonders of Kansas." This is a beautiful cathedral build in 1908.
Sunday, July 8
We drove to Hays, KS to attend Hays Christian Church. After lunch at the Golden Corral, we continued our journey and stopped in Victoria, KS to see the Cathedral of the Plains (St. Fidelis Church). We had seen a sign on the highway that said it is listed as one of the "Eight Wonders of Kansas." This is a beautiful cathedral build in 1908.
We drove as far as Overland Park and got there early enough that Deb, Dorcas and I had time to get into the indoor pool after dinner. That was really refreshing after traveling all day.
Monday, July 9
In Kansas City, MO we went to the Hallmark Visitors Center at the Crown Plaza Center. The visitors center showed the history and the making of Hallmark cards. We each made a mini ribbon with the ribbon making machine. We also had our computer generated photos taken wearing various crowns. Fun!
After the Hallmark Visitor's Center, we walked around the Crown Plaza Center which is a huge "upscale" shopping mall. There is a huge Lego store and this Lego man was adult size.
There was also a Crayola store and cafe.
For lunch we ate at Fritz’s Railroad Station also at the Crown Center. Meals are delivered by a train engine that runs on a track above the tables.
We then drove on to Hermann. Gary met us at Hardee’s to pick up Dorcas. Mom and I stayed at Debbie’s.
Tuesday, July 10
Emily (Deb's daughter) and Justin fixed breakfast for us. When we ate dinner at Wings-a-Blazing, John (Deb's son) waited on us.
Wednesday, July 11
Mom and I went with Debbie to her dentist appointment and then we stopped at the Warrenton Outlet Mall. All three of us found some good deals. Then we drove on to mom's and had dinner at Fazzoli's.
Thursday, July 12
We all slept in and then had a late breakfast at IHOP. Then we went shopping, went to the movies, and had dinner at DQ. It was a nice relaxing day after all of the traveling.
Friday, July 13
After breakfast at Cracker Barrel, we went to the Metro to find out of the schedule and get tickets. I used the internet at the library to print out my boarding pass.
Saturday, July 14
Debbie and mom rode with me on the Metro to the airport. I flew from St. Louis to Baltimore where Kent and Danielle met me.
Sunday, July 15
We attended worship with Danielle and Josh at Hughesville Baptist Church.
Wednesday, July 18
Danielle and Josh took us to Washington National Harbor. It was a beautiful day and we walked along the waterfront.
Then we went to the Gaylord National Resort to admire the 19 story glass atrium. These photos were taken inside the atrium which also has shops, a restaurant, and fountain.
For lunch we went to the Rosa Mexicano. Danielle wanted to take us there because of the atmosphere and they make the guacamole at your table. The food was really good.
Thursday, July 19
The four of us went to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (part of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum) located in Chantilly, VA.
Friday, July 20
Danielle and I took Megan to the park.
Sunday, July 22
We went to church at Hughesville Baptist.
Wednesday, July 25
Kent and I rode the Metro from the Branch Station to the Smithsonian Station in DC. Our first stop was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to reserve a tour time. At the ticket booth, we met a family from Modesto, CA. They had attended Christian Camps around Sonora & Twain Harte, but had not heard of HHCC. We visited with them while we walked to the Museum of Natural History.
A few blocks from the Library of Congress, we ate lunch at the Tune Inn (DDD). We overheard a conversation between a couple of men who couldn't understand why this place had so many tourists. It's a small place and doesn't look like much. Someone enlightened them and told them about DDD. Kent had a batter coated, deep-fried hamburger and I had the Tune Inn hamburger.
We had walked too far from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to walk back and make it in time for our tour, so we took the Metro. The tour was very interesting and we saw currency being printed.
Sunday, July 29
We attended the service at Hughesville Baptist Church.
For lunch we ate at Fritz’s Railroad Station also at the Crown Center. Meals are delivered by a train engine that runs on a track above the tables.
We then drove on to Hermann. Gary met us at Hardee’s to pick up Dorcas. Mom and I stayed at Debbie’s.
Tuesday, July 10
Emily (Deb's daughter) and Justin fixed breakfast for us. When we ate dinner at Wings-a-Blazing, John (Deb's son) waited on us.
Wednesday, July 11
Mom and I went with Debbie to her dentist appointment and then we stopped at the Warrenton Outlet Mall. All three of us found some good deals. Then we drove on to mom's and had dinner at Fazzoli's.
Thursday, July 12
We all slept in and then had a late breakfast at IHOP. Then we went shopping, went to the movies, and had dinner at DQ. It was a nice relaxing day after all of the traveling.
Friday, July 13
After breakfast at Cracker Barrel, we went to the Metro to find out of the schedule and get tickets. I used the internet at the library to print out my boarding pass.
Saturday, July 14
Debbie and mom rode with me on the Metro to the airport. I flew from St. Louis to Baltimore where Kent and Danielle met me.
Sunday, July 15
We attended worship with Danielle and Josh at Hughesville Baptist Church.
Wednesday, July 18
Danielle and Josh took us to Washington National Harbor. It was a beautiful day and we walked along the waterfront.
Then we went to the Gaylord National Resort to admire the 19 story glass atrium. These photos were taken inside the atrium which also has shops, a restaurant, and fountain.
For lunch we went to the Rosa Mexicano. Danielle wanted to take us there because of the atmosphere and they make the guacamole at your table. The food was really good.
Thursday, July 19
The four of us went to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (part of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum) located in Chantilly, VA.
Friday, July 20
Danielle and I took Megan to the park.
Sunday, July 22
We went to church at Hughesville Baptist.
Wednesday, July 25
Kent and I rode the Metro from the Branch Station to the Smithsonian Station in DC. Our first stop was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to reserve a tour time. At the ticket booth, we met a family from Modesto, CA. They had attended Christian Camps around Sonora & Twain Harte, but had not heard of HHCC. We visited with them while we walked to the Museum of Natural History.
A few blocks from the Library of Congress, we ate lunch at the Tune Inn (DDD). We overheard a conversation between a couple of men who couldn't understand why this place had so many tourists. It's a small place and doesn't look like much. Someone enlightened them and told them about DDD. Kent had a batter coated, deep-fried hamburger and I had the Tune Inn hamburger.
We had walked too far from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to walk back and make it in time for our tour, so we took the Metro. The tour was very interesting and we saw currency being printed.
Sunday, July 29
We attended the service at Hughesville Baptist Church.
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