Trip to Washington DC

I got home Sunday night and turned right back around and flew out at 9am on Monday morning. This time, the trip is to Washington DC. I hadn’t been to DC since my rental car was stolen here from the Crowne Plaza back in the 90’s (the valet left the keys in the car in the ally next to the hotel – DOH). This time, I am staying in Arlington, and the purpose of the trip is to work with HITSP on the ARRA “meaningful use” definitions. It has been a long time since I have worked on anything policy related, and it has been eye opening again. I forget how process oriented things like this are.

 

Tony and I met up at the airport and shared a cab. The rooms at the Hilton weren’t ready yet, so we sat in the lounge and worked. Once the rest of the crew  arrived, we had a meeting to prepare for the meeting. I also had a late conference call, so I was late arriving to the group dinner. We had a great time at dinner, and it was fun to get to know some new people.

 

I talked Tony into working out with me at 11pm, so he did the treadmill while I did the elliptical. It was fun! Tuesday, the meetings were in full swing. After the meetings, we met Tom for dinner at Cashion’s Eat Place. It was awesome. I wanted fish, and I wasn’t so keen on the way the one I wanted came prepared as it was a whole fish. That whole fish thing just plain creeps me out. So, they generously offered to filet it for me so that I wouldn’t even know. J It was delicious. It had the best grilled asparagus I have had possibly ever, and the fish came with a tomato topping and sea salt. YUM. I also had some of the she crab soup, and it was as good as ones I get in South Carolina.  They had a good wine selection, and the atmosphere was great also. The walls have pictures of the owners’ families. Very cool place. Loved it. Had a blast. It was great to blow off some steam.

 

Trip to Camp Chattooga and the Tallulah Falls Gorge

Saturday was mainly a camp preparation day. We had to get physicals done for the girls, run to Target, pick up some forgotten clothes and shoes from Morgan's friend Alexis, go to the bookstore, and pack. We sighed with relief when the trunk closed with everything in it. Katie got everything in her bag except her sleeping bag. Victory!

We went to bed as early as possible as we had to get up at 4:45 to head off to the airport. FUN! NOT! We got the girls up and left about 5. Amazing! The girls read all the way to Atlanta, so I slept. J We rode the tram to baggage claim, and there were some military guys who were just coming home from Afghanistan. When we walked into the baggage claim area, there was a crowd of people greeting the soldiers who started clapping. Morgan and Katie were confused, so I explained it. They seemed very interested, but it was kind of funny to see them try to figure out WHY people were clapping (and to have them realize it wasn’t for them J ).

We went to the Avis counter for the very painful event of getting the rental car. I had reserved an SUV because I needed room for Morgan’s trunk and for Katie’s duffel bag. I am not sure what the issue was, but it took forever and I ended up with a different SUV than originally requested. It was some kind of Jeep Commander or something. For some reason, the girls were really excited to have a Jeep until I told them it wasn’t a little jeep. J

We then have to go on the bus to get to the rental car. I have the trunk on a smart cart, and we make it to the bus. We get to the lot, and I can’t find the spot for the car. I then realize it is up front. In that spot, there is some big vehicle, so we get in and load the trunk and duffle in the back. The girls are all excited, but I didn’t like it. As we are leaving the lot, the check out man says we have the wrong car. THANK GOODNESS I say. The windows are so small that I can’t see anything. So, I realize as I take it back to get the right one, I realize it is a Hummer. I cracked up. So, I know that I definitely don’t want a Hummer. J Here is the Jeep we ended up with

We start driving toward Tallulah Falls. The girls decide they want McDonald’s (Yuck) for lunch. I try to find something good, and I end up with a small cheeseburger and apple slices – could be worse. Somehow, I turned off the main road and ended up in the middle of nowhere. I finally had to ask someone how to get to Tallulah Falls. He tells me to go about 2 miles until I cross the railroad tracks and to turn left on “what used to be 197.” Hmmm….Then, I am supposed to go to a 4 way stop and then I will hit the 4 lane road. What he didn’t tell me was that it was almost 20 miles on the road before the 4 lane road. Katie had said she would know we were close when she saw the Kangaroo station. The amazing this is we are on this 20 mile road and I am thinking we have so missed a turn or something. Low and behold – the KANGAROO STATION! Whew. We actually were in the right place.

The girls wanted to be early in line so that they could get the bunk they wanted, so we went on to camp.

At 1:00 (an hour before you can go in), there were already around 10 cars in line. Very quickly, the line was very long. The girls are cramming chips down their throats since they know they won’t get any for the next week. J

As we drive into camp, MG was there. She was excited to see us and said, “The Gleasons are back!” I had to tell her that I wasn’t staying this year. I was so sad once I was there in the beautiful surroundings with all of the fun in front of me. Of course, the reason I didn’t go this year is because of the big cruise trip which is WAY more exciting. However, I simply LOVE camp. Next year. Here are the sites as we drive in

Morgan is in Wahi (3rd time), and Katie is in Maka (2nd time). The counselors take Morgan’s trunk, and Katie starts pulling her bag.

There aren’t very many campers this week, as the first session is always light. I think it is nice to have it small groups. The girls got their beds made.

After I got the girls settled, checked in, and happy, I headed out to go back to the airport. On the way out, I drove to look at the scenic overlook to Tallulah Falls Gorge. I always forget how breathtaking it is.

I made it to the airport, returned the car, and hung out in the Crown Room for a short while. It was so fantastic to travel without anything but a book. No laptop in security, etc. Wonderful. When I landed, I didn’t even have to do anything other than go straight to the car without dragging, heaving, balancing…Wonderful

Quebec Trip - Thursday/Friday

On Thursday, we got to walk around the city some before going to dinner at the Cafe du Monde on the water. The streets are very cool to walk around, and the buildings are varied in architecture. The hills are a bit rough to navigate up and down, but it was fun even with the torture to my legs. :) There is a vernicular lift that will take you up and down for part of it, but if you don't take it and you walk from the water up to the top, it is a steep walk on the street. Then, you get the reward of a LOT of steps. :)

The Cafe du Monde got mixed reviews on the food, but the view was spectacular. We sat outside, and it was a little chilly. However, our waiter brough us blankets to use to keep warm, and there was a heater. :)


View from Cafe Du Monde

Toilet Paper (sheets - not a roll)

Charlie After Dinner

Hmmm....isn't there a bar near here?

The beginning of the evil walk up the hill

Stop Signs Are in French

Interesting building art

Cute Cafe

That building is our hotel

Getting ready for the Vernicular

View down the Vernicular

I went to Quebec for a work meeting this week (a FANTASTIC meeting), and I was interested in seeing Quebec as I had never been to Canada.

My flight took me to Newark first, and then I was on a small plane from Newark to Quebec. We had to sit on the ground for about an hour in Newark before we could get in line for take off. Other than that, it was a pretty good trip. Our plane getting into Quebec had less than 10 people on it, so we had a lot of room to spread out. This also made Customs a snap as there weren't any lines.

My bag was the FIRST one out. WOW! The customs man spoke to me in French, and I was looking at him like an American who doesn't speak French. Thankfully, after I said Bonsoir, he spoke in English. When I walked out, there was a very nice cab driver waiting. He took my suitcase, and I was happy to be on my way!

We stayed at the Le Chateau Frontenac hotel, and it was very nice. It looks like a castle, and is a very cool old building. I got to my room, and I noticed that the bed was made for short people. :) I was cracking up as it was a good length for me. It is not as wide as the beds at hotels I usually stay in, but the beds were nice and comfy.

I loved the fitness area as it had a wonderful lap pool, weight equipment, treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals. It was a nice facility. Wednesday night, we went to eat at a recommended restaurant (one of the people had posted on Facebook that she was in Quebec and had a friend post a recommendation). However, it couldn't seat us for over an hour, so we went across the street to the Le Cochon Dinque (the crazy or silly pig). The manager/owner/person in charge was fantastic. She worked to get us a table where we could sit together, and she made recommendations of the menu. I had steak, but we had some ribs as an appetizer that were fantastic. My steak was also good (filet with blue cheese). Most people enjoyed their meal, but I think some thought the food was just good - not necessarily great. However, the atmosphere and staff were fun and had us all happy, fed, and entertained.

View of the street on the way to dinner
View of the water

The view out of my room

The friendly bartender

The view down the vernicular

The little person bed in my room

5th Grade Graduations

Today, Morgan had her 5th grade graduation (Michael had his on Wednesday). I cannot believe that we no longer have any elementary school children around the house. On to middle school the youngest ones go and on to Junior year the oldest goes. How did that happen?

Of course, the graduation at Morgan's school started at 1:30 on the day I needed to fly to Quebec. So, I got the absolute latest flight I could out of Tampa which was at 5:05. The graduation was listed as an hour to an hour and a half, so I am a little nervous but think it will be ok.

Basically, it was an awards ceremony for the most part. They gave out academic awards, AR point awards, music, PE, etc. Then, they had each child go across the stage when their name was called. They all wore the same tshirt. It was really nice.

Morgan walking in with her class


Morgan standing for AR Points (reading)

The Class of 2009 Shirt with Morgan's name on it

Morgan Up Close