Aloha

Just landed in Honolulu.

80. Sunny. Breeze.

Will spend a week here with kids.

Two Electric Cars Meet At The Pump

Two 2012 Nissan Leafs at the free charger at
Kraft Nissan on Mahan Drive in Tallahassee

Wr just got back from a trip grocery shopping at Walmart. On the way there - we drove by the Nissan dealer to look at cars. Sunday is a great time to visit car dealerships because many of them are not open - there are no salesmen to pester you.

We stumbled upon a new free electric filling station. This young couple was filling up their 2012 Nissan Leaf - one just like ours. They are from Monticello which is about 20 miles east of here. They own a pecan farm - and we swapped stories about our electric car adventures. They do not have a 220 volt electric car station in their home - so they charge it on a 110 station which takes much longer.

This station at the Nissan dealership is the 440 volt variety - you can get a full charge in 20 to 30 minutes. Of course it can only do one car at a time. A full charge that would power you almost 100 miles costs about $3.50. So it is a nice fringe benefit of buying a Leaf - free fuel. A full fillup costs the same whether you do it on a 110 volt - 220 volt - or 440 volt charger. It fills much faster here - plus you do not have to pay anything.

I have never charged my car on a fast charger yet - but I would like to try. To get a 440 volt charger on your home would require a special electrical line. The 220 volt line I have is just like a 220 volt line you have for a dryer or an air conditioner.

I did not catch the guy's name - but if he sees the picture he might email his name for the caption.

Christmas Breakfast Brunch With George and Joel Dawson

Lulu and I were home alone for Christmas this year. Our family will get together for New Years in Waikiki.

Our good friends and neighbors George and Joel Dawson had a wonderful Christmas Brunch where we all had ham and eggs. George and Joel are in the front row. George took this picture with a tripod and timer. Joel is wearing her mother's red Christmas jumpsuit.

I will be adding a list of guests to go with the picture above.

Tallahassee set a record yesterday for Christmas. It reached 81 degrees - although it was overcast - foggy - and humid. We had to have the air conditioner on because it was so muggy.

The rest of the day we video-chatted with the kids - and opened presents. Lulu cooked a turkey with filling for supper.

Christmas Eve in Tallahassee

Santa at Governors Square Mall

Lulu and I are staying home this year. The kids are up north - we will see them in Hawaii in a week for New Years. All our packages are wrapped and sent.  It is the first time I can remember it being just the two of us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Maybe next year we will just drive a motor home north for the holidays - who knows where we will be. 

We took a walk over to the mall to see the last minute shoppers. Santa was busy. We had a little Chicken Fila for lunch in the food court - while shoppers cruised by. The mall looks great - it was recently renovated - all new interior surfaces. Lots of new white - gray - and tan tile.  It cost $7 million - that is a lot of tile. 

It is 70 degrees and overcast outside - looks like rain coming. Christmas Day is predicted to be 83 degrees here tomorrow beating our previous high of 80 degrees recorded in 1983. 

Lulu is preparing her grandmother's famous potato filling for dinner tomorrow. It is always so good and feels like home.  A minute after I took this picture below of Lulu cooking - she sliced her index finger. She is good now and I can get back to posting this.

Last night we drove over to the other Tallahassee Mall renovation. It is going to be called The Centre at Tallahassee. A guy is dumping $77 million into it of his own money. It features a 9000 seat concert theatre - with two sides open to the outside. It is a gigantic room - it could have many uses. The seats are portable. They have an ice skating rink there now - it has ice - but it was not open for business.  funny - because all the lights were on. Tallahassee may be the only place in America with two new outside concert venues - and no inside ones. 

The holidays are not complete without driving to Southwood to see the Christmas Decoration. Two years ago - I guy had his house so fancy - it was featured in Good Morning America. This is year it is unrecognizable. Go figure. 

Recently renovated Governors Square Mall - today

Lulu making potato filling

Everhart 8 stockings - fireplace - 9 foot craigslist tree

My iPhone With Separate Keyboard Was A Dismal Flop

Normally I travel with my laptop and camera. With those two items I am able to publish my webpage stories. My Sony RX100 Camera produces high quality pictures and video. I can easily take the RAM chip out of the camera and put it in my laptop. It makes for a quick and easy way to take a picture and write a story to go with it in seconds.

I bought a very nice keyboard that plugs into my iPhone. With it I can type stories very easily onto the iPhone - and quickly email them to my web page. But the biggest problem is that I am then limited to pictures that I have taken with the iPhone.  I guess that is the rub - being stuck with phone quality pictures - when you have what in my opinion is the best pocket camera on the market - collecting dust. I ended up taking two pictures of everything - one with the camera - and one with the iPhone. Yuck - yuck - yuck.

After the first day - Lulu said that I should admit defeat and use her laptop. So I did. I will send the little iPhone keyboard back to Amazon.

The keyboard itself works very well. It is easy to type - especially with the little stand I bought for $6 to hold the iPhone. If I just wanted to post text stories - it would be ideal - but in my opinion the best part of the Internet is videos and pictures. The words are there just to set up the visuals.

One other minor problem - the keyboard took up the lightning port - the same port you use to charge the phone. So you could type or charge - you could not type and charge at the same time.

PS - Friday - The keyboard is in the mail on the way back to Amazon.

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care

Safely Home From 4 Days in Texas

The Alamo - we had the place to ourselves 

LBJ Library 

Christmas Tree in Texas State Capitol

We got home before midnight last night from one of the best trips of our lives. It all started out with Lulu needing 1000 miles to get her Delta Gold Medallion. She booked the trip because it was cheap and it was to a new place for both us. It turned out being a fantastic 4 days of fun.

We left Tallahassee at 5 AM Sunday - got back last night before our Nissan Leaf turned into a pumpkin. Deltas 4 flights were on time - it was nice they put us in first class on the away out.

In San Antonio - we loved the Alamo and Riverwalk. Staying in the Gunter Hotel where Robert Johnson made his famous recordings was unexpected and haunting. The Riverwalk in itself is a worldwide attraction we hope you get to see.

Austin is a little liberal enclave in the middle of a very conservative state. The locals love to call it Weird Austin. The LBJ Library is well done and gives a great synopsis of the 1960s. The Traveling Beatles Exhibit was another nice bonus. The University of Texas and the Texas Capitol - coupled to the vibrant music industry - make Texas a really different place.

Gruene - a small historic register town - accented the heavy German influence on Texas. A most interesting exhibit on the 1936 Nazi Olympics at the UT Stadium - was both eye opening and fair.

A visit to Texas is not complete without a couple steaks - and we were not disappointed. Because the college and the congress were home for the holidays - we had the places to ourselves. The Christmas decorations were outstanding - and we lucked out with perfect weather - 60s and 70s - sun and no rain. Texas is famous for heat and humidity that makes Florida seem temperate.

We did not spend much - $400 for 2 plane tickets - $400 for 3 hotel nights - $100 for a rental car. We have to eat meals everywhere - so that is a wash. Lulu got her miles and she also got 100 straight hours with me. Watch out what you wish for :-)

One Last Trip to the Alamo Before We Caught Our Plane

I had a great conversation with this gentlemen about
the large German influence on Texas.

Lulu wanted to shop in the Riverstreet Mall - so I walked over to the Alamo for one last visit. The historic Texas shrine is featured in all the USA history books - it certainly does not disappoint you. 200 Texans fought to their death there to make Texas and independent country from Mexico. Today's Texans are quite proud of this old mission - although it was a dismal defeat - it became a rallying point that they used to defeat Santa Anna a couple months later. They captured the Mexican president - and this led to Texas becoming the Republic of Texas for 10 years. 

Davy Crockett came toTexas seeking a new start.
He had been a member of the US Congress.
He also starred in a movie series for Walt Disney.

Gruene - A Cute Little German Town in Texas

This house reminded me of my upbringing in the 1950s.

Today we visited Gruene, Texas - a whole town on the national historic register. It started out in the 1840's as a German enclave when Texas was still a separate country. Henry Gruene set up a grist mill on the Guadalupe River. He also purchased a cotton mill to separate the seeds from the cotton. A small company town developed around the mill. The town had a general store - a dance hall - among the other company homes in the community. 

After the cotton industry died a terrible death to the boll weevil - the town went ghost. In 1950s - a developer was canoeing down the river - saw the old water tower - and explored the town on the bluff. The buildings were in relatively good shape. the guy bought the town - and restore the buildings. He worked to get the town on the national historic register. Today it is a tourist mecca. 

The town can be found halfway between San Antonio and Austin - just off I-35. The old wooden dance hall still hosts top music attractions. Today the place was pretty quiet - but by th time we left town - the parking lot was filling. 

Lulu loved the shops - I like the architecture. The Germans erected plain - functional - but durable buildings. 

This bed an breakfast had 31 rooms - right next to the dance hall.

Perfect Tuesday in Austin - Lyndon Johnson Library - Texas Capitol - Steak Dinner

45,000,000 documents fill the LBJ Library

Tuesday it was cloudy and about 70 as we caught a cab up the hill from our hotel to the LBJ Museum and the University of Texas Campus. We have visited the presidential libraries of Roosevelt - Nixon - Reagan - Carter - and now Johnson. This was probably the most interesting because Johnson reigned from 1963 to 1968 - one of our favorite periods in history.

Johnson passed so much legislation - it is a shame that he will be remembered as the president that could not stop Vietnam. Johnson was first a school teacher. He really cared for the poor Americans. He passed Medicare - National  Defense Education Act - Voting Rights - Civil Rights - and many more laws. Unfortunately - college age kids that were required to serve in the military protested that Vietnam War - that caused Johnson to not run for a second term. 

We are Spending Two Nights in Austin TX

Lulu standing in front of the
tower where Charles Whitman
opened fire in 1966

It took us a little over an hour to drive from San Antonio to Austin today. I-35 is a busy highway - lined on both sides by shopping centers - auto dealers - camper sales - and hotels. Along the way you see signs directing you to a lot of small towns with German names. The weather was great - sunny and 75 - but when you were out in the sun - it was really hot. I could not imagine what it is like in the summer when sometimes they have over 50 days in a row reaching 100. 

University of Texas

We just drove north on I-35 for an hour and are in Austin. We just parked on the university of Texas campus. We will tour a bit. It is 75 and sunny - pretty hot in the sun. We will stay in this city for two nights.

Campus and Capitol are next to each other.

We got a residence inn suite right by the happening place - Sixth Street. It is a collection of restaurant and music venues.

San Antonio - The Alamo - Gunter Hotel - Robert Johnson

The Alamo is everything you expect -well done - sacred

We are having a fantastic mileage trip to Texas. We left Tallahassee at 6 AM - slept through two first class upgrades - and landed in San Antonio at 10 AM. A quick rental car trip got us to the Alamo in minutes. 

Texans worship the Alamo - and it is very nicely presented. The grounds are pretty - and locally it is looked upon religiously like most Americans respect Valley Forge. When I studied the Alamo in school - I was mainly interested in Davy Crockett fighting there in a Walt Disney movie. 

As simply as I can make it - the Mexican/American border has always been a trouble spot due to religion - race - and guns. In the 1830s - Santa Anna had the idea of blocking the border long before Don Trump's Wall. Texas was part of Mexico for centuries and he wanted to keep the immigrants out because they insisted on bringing their slaves into Mexico. The Americans wanted to change the rules.

The Alamo was an old Spanish Mission where the Catholics kept the Indians they converted to their religion. The Americans seized the Alamo and stole a Spanish cannon to defend it. The Tex-Americans defiantly flew a flag saying - Come and Get It - referring to the cannon. Santa Anna gave them their wish. With 2000 soldiers he stormed the Alamo - killing the 200 or so defenders. Any men left over were lined up and shot. It was a miserable massacre - a terrible defeat of the Texans. But it stirred up the people - causing them to eventually defeat Santa Anna.

From 1836 to 1845 - Texas was its own country - with slaves. Soon the other southern states needed another state to enter the union as a slave state - thus Texas became a state. It was added to even out the country - slave or free. Since then - Texas has drawn way more money from the USA - than they ever paid in taxes. Texas became a state in 1845 - then just 15 years later they fought to leave the country. The fight again was over the right to keep their slaves. 

Another relative secret about San Antonio is the relationship with Robert Johnson. If you are a Blues or Rock and Roll fan - you know about the Grandfather of Rock and Roll. In the 1930s - Robert Johnson - was a Blues guitarist that bummed the South playing at juke joints - Black dance halls. 

In 1936 - Johnson was in San Antonio. A local record company convinced him to come to the Gunter Hotel - and record some songs. In Room 414 - they set up a studio - Johnson facing the wall to create a special sound. The recorder was set up in Room 413 next door. There were 2 sessions in the Gunter Hotel - then 2 others in Dallas. Johnson got a total of $25 for the 2 recording sessions. He only recorded 29 songs in all. But many artists - like Eric Clapton - the Rolling Stones - John Mellancamp - recognize Robert Johnson as the Grandfather roof their music.

This is the plaque in our hotel lobby - Robert Johnson

While walking along the river here - I remembered the story about Johnson recording here. That is all Lulu needed to find the hotel - go there - and convince the clerk to give us Room 412 - the one right next to the famed recording room. When I went out in the hall to park the car - the maid was cleaning Room 414. She let us in to take pictures. All night long my mind wandered thru the Birth of the Blues on the other side of the wall. 

In 2001 - John Mellancamp came here to record the album As Good As It Gets. 

Robert Johnson recorded almost all of his 29 songs here

This is Room 414 - where Robert Johnson
recorded Sweet Home Chicago - and Love in Vain -
and many more

Robert Johnson sat and faced the wall while recording 

The River Walk is a world tourist sight 

The convention center along the river - a great river boat ride

Hellhounds on My Trail - hey you guys - turn it down
- I am trying to sleep!

This song was recorded just 3 feet from where I am typing this story.


These guys were making a bunch of noise on the other side of the wall.

The Alamo

TEXAS - Sunday - Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday

We will visit Davy Crockett's Alamo

It is the end of the year. Lulu needed a few miles to maintain her Gold Medallion status with Delta Airlines. I never thought I would say this - but we are making a trip to Texas just for the mileage. If you hold an airline gold card - they give you a lot of perks. They upgrade you to first class before everyone else. They let you change your flight schedules without fees - free luggage - boarding early - when you fly you get double miles - special booking number. Simply they kiss your butt because you are loyal to them.

Lulu wanted her gold card very much - she plans to fly a lot this coming year. So she asked the airline - where could we fly that is cheap but also far enough to get the 1000 miles she needed. Up came San Antonio. I never have been to San Antonio or Austin - so here we go. The round trip to Texas is just $200.

We will get to see the Alamo and the University of Texas. The San Antonio River Walk is all decked out for Christmas.

This is the first time in a long time I am going to fly without my laptop. I have purchased a small keyboard that plugs directly into my iPhone. I plan to post pictures and stories onto my blog from the iphone.

Delta's computer must have recognized Lulu's plan - they already updated us to first class tickets to Texas. Imagine that - round trip first class tickets from Florida to Texas for $200. I hope we get bumped.

We leave Tallahassee at 5 AM - go to Atlanta - then Texas - and will be back home on Wednesday late. We are going to be vagabonds. We have booked a rental car - but not have booked hotel rooms. Maybe we should sleep in the car.

Christmas in the South - Tallahassee FL - Thomasville GA

In many ways - Tallahassee is more like Georgia than Florida. In the old days Tallahassee was a hub of the plantation community. 80% of the residents were slaves growing cotton - peanuts - and soy beans. Just 10 miles north of town is the Georgia state line and just across the line is the Thomas County county seat - Thomasville. It is a thriving town of 18,000 people that included actress Joann Woodward and football/basketball star Charlie Ward. 

In April - Thomasville is known for their Rose Festival - the city of Roses has over 1000 public rose bushes. 

Last night we visited the Thomasville winter festival. The residents completely cordon off downtown and dress their Disneylike main street with a Victorian motif. 

We had a wonderful steak dinner at the Plaza Restaurant following by ice cream cones at Small Cakes. Both places are on brick-paved Broad Street.

Thomasville is home of Flowers Foods. A few years back - Flowers bought the Philly giant Tasty-Kake - and the cakes are marketed throughout our area. 

A little lending library

Lulu at the nativity scene - with a pooping donkey

Citroen To Release The Mehari Again - And This Time It Is Electric

1971 Citroen Mehari

Back in the 1970 - Citroen used to make a clever little jeep called the Mehari. Mehari means camel - and this vehicle was designed to skim across the sandy deserts of Africa. It had an ABS plastic body - and a tiny 2 cylinder gasoline engine. They were imported into the USA for a couple years and cost about $1600. Lulu and I wanted one badly and took a road trip to a dealer in Harrisburg Pennsylvania that sold them. 

They were very popular cult cars in Paris until someone started bombing them - literally setting off car bombs inside them. The plastic bodies would shatter into millions of pieces. 

Citroen will introduce the car again in 2016 - but this time it is electric. It will have a top speed of 68 miles per hour and a range of 127 miles. The lithium batteries will be able to be charged at home from a regular outlet. Since the bodies are made of several plastic moldings - with the paint pigment all the way through - one can change the paint color using a couple wrenches. 

The new Mehari has two roll bars - removable roof panels - and many safety features not available on the old Mehari.

A Nice Keyboard For An Iphone

Left - my MacBook Air - right - my iPhone and the Griffin keyboard

We travel a lot - we like to take as little as possible with us - we seldom check a bag. My goal is to get everything into one carryon bag. 

Two things compound my packing problem. First - I have sleep apnea and must carry a bulky CPAP machine. Second - I carry a laptop computer because I like to type stories for my web page - the Florida Coal Cracker Chronicles. 

I have a system to post to my web page simple by emailing the story - with pictures - to a certain email address. This automatically publishes it on my page. This means I can post to my web page directly from my iPhone. Normally I take pictures with my Sony RX100 camera - but iPhone pictures are getting better and better. In the future I can see traveling without my camera. I realize all the weight reductions seem anal - but the older you get - the less you like to carry. 

Tamaqua Had Texas Lunch - Tallahassee Has Dog Et Al

When we lived back in Tamaqua PA - there was a place called Texas Lunch. It made great hot dogs. It was a small place along the railroad tracks with maybe 6 stools inside. People used to stand 3 deep and eat their hot dogs. The ventilation inside was terrible - for the rest of the day you smelled like fried onions - but no one could deny the great treat and low prices.

Front Page of the NY Times

End the Gun Epidemic in America

All decent people feel sorrow and righteous fury about the latest slaughter of innocents, in California. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are searching for motivations, including the vital question of how the murderers might have been connected to international terrorism. That is right and proper.

But motives do not matter to the dead in California, nor did they in Colorado, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut and far too many other places. The attention and anger of Americans should also be directed at the elected leaders whose job is to keep us safe but who place a higher premium on the money and political power of an industry dedicated to profiting from the unfettered spread of ever more powerful firearms.

Black Friday For the Seminoles

In the last hour - two FSU girls' teams were knocked out of the NCAA playoffs.

Our soccer team lost to Duke 2-0 in the final 4.

Our volleyball team lost to the Gator 3 -1.

Football has a bowl game left - both of our basketball teams are good - but the season is over for our national champion soccer team from last year.

Merry Christmas From Tallahassee

This little chalet is the Bass Sporting Goods store here in Tallahassee. It reminds me of our old home back in Tamaqua PA.

We lived in that 1000 square foot chalet for 30 years. It had a 400 square foot basement - a 400 square foot first floor - and a 200 square foot loft. It was very easy to heat and cool.

FSU Girls Play Rutgers Tonight

I am looking forward to this game tonight at 7. Rutgers were national champs just a few years ago. FSU is ranked in the Top 10 this year.

Romero - above - is an All-American.

Just Saw Spotlight - A Film About The Boston Globe Uncovering The Catholic Coverup Of the Pedophile Priests

Lulu and I just got home from the 1 PM screening of Spotlight - the movie about the Catholic pedophile scandal in Boston and the rest of the world. I am happy to say we now both qualify for the senior citizen rate of $5. The theatre is about one mile from our home and we had what amounted to a private screening - maybe two other couples in the house.

The story reminds you a bit of - All The President's Men - when the Washington Post exposed the Nixon coverup of Watergate. This time it is even a little closer to home - because most of the subject matter had to deal with school kids. The Boston Globe has an investigative group of reporters called the Spotlight. They are given the pleasure of sticking to one story - avoiding political influence if they can. In today's modern newsroom - the happens less and less due to declining advertising and circulation money. Reduction in staff has made this kind of reporting almost extinct.

Florida's 10th hurricane season without a storm

One named tropical system threatened the Florida coast this hurricane season.

But Tropical Storm Erika fizzled out over Cuba this summer, meaning that the hurricane season ended on Monday marking the 10th year without a major storm making landfall in Florida.

The Florida phenomenon is bizarre, meteorologists say, when taking into consideration rising temperature records and a volatile, active Atlantic Ocean Basin over the past decade.

“It’s been amazing the state has avoided a hurricane landfall,” said National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Mark Wool.

Eleven named storms formed this year, despite forecasters predicting a less-than-active season. Storms drenched the Carolinas, Texas and the Caribbean in 2015, but the shift in the past 10 years has been increased activity along the East Coast, Wool said.

Forecasters predicted between six and 11 storms with about half growing to hurricane strength. Four turned into hurricanes and two, Joaquin and Danny, were considered major storms.

In late August, Erika threatened to careen up the west coast of Florida into the Big Bend, prompting Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency as it passed by South Florida and the Keys. The storm fizzled out as it passed over Cuba the next day.

The last storm to directly hit Tallahassee was Category 2 Hurricane Kate in Nov. 21, 1985, 30 years ago.

From the Tallahassee Democrat

Last Night It Was Flashdance At the Civic Center

Flashdance - they said no cameras - but I could not resist
one shot at curtain call.

The older I get - the more I cross over. I have a real phobia about dancing. I love to see dance performances - but I am just too self-conscious to dance myself. Someone once said - I do not believe in God but I really like people who do. That is how I feel about dancing. 

Christmas in Tamaqua PA

When I was a kid in the 1950s - the station was already going downhill. In the 1980s it was such a dump - someone set it on fire - it was ready for the wrecking ball. A group of Tamaqua citizens formed SOS - Save oOur Station. They raised some money and got grants from the state. Today it is a beauty mark and a memory of our youth. 

In the 1950s - we used to use the old red phone booth in the lobby. You could call your girl friend for 5 cents. My brother in law - Bill Fritz - used to be a clerk for the Reading Railroad in the office there. 

Now the station houses a very nice bar and restaurant. 

Don Serfass produces some beautiful pictures of our area. This is one of them. 

After 9 Days Up North - There's No Place Like Home

  

Fruit and Flowers From Our Yard 

Said - Welcome Home - Coal Crackers

We got home two hours late last night from our 9 day trip up north. Our friend Marge picked us up at the airport - and George and Joel had us over for a Thanksgiving dinner. White camellias were in bloom and we had a few of the last oranges and tangerines on our trees for breakfast. We truly feel like this is our home now. I guess we are no longer carpet baggers from the North. 

New Brunswick NJ -We Missed Our Train Stop At Newark Airport

I guess we were both day dreaming. Anyway - we missed the airport. Ended up at Rutgers!  It is like - It's A Wonderful Life - or Field of Dreams. I think We were so  unconsciously heading home to Tamaqua for the holidays. 

We will catch an eastbound from here - miss our flight - and get home late. 

You must excuse me now. I must find a way to turn this lemon into lemonade.

www.harry.everhart.com

Lulu Always Wanted To See The Macy's Parade

At the end of the parade - was Santa. 

Lulu can scratch another off her list of things to do. We just got back to our hotel room after the Macy's Parade. With a little luck - we got VIP passes on the front row of the parade route at 6 Avenue and 57th St. Lulu was pretty desperate because the crowd arrived well before our 7 AM start. It looked like we would be standing in the back of the pack. I saw a nice looking guard at one of the enclaves - I offered him a $20 to let us in. He told me to go into the Wayfarer Restaurant and ask for John. John gave us two free VIP wrist bands. We were early enough to get the front row. I still have the $20. 

The parade started at 9 AM and reached us by 9:30. The weather was good - lower 50s - no wind - but we were in shadows the whole time. We have two tripod stools - a bag of food and drinks - and a hotel blanket. We were set. 

The parade was over by noon - it took us 30 minutes to get back to our hotel - just 4 blocks away. 

Here are the pictures - I had no time to caption them or edit them. 

Macy's Parade - Front Row - VIP - Free - all you have to do is ask the right people - and say you know Lulu

www.harry.everhart.com

Macy's Parade - Front Row VIP

Bus From Washington DC to New York City - Then Watched Them Inflate Balloons For Macy's Parade Tomorrow

Our bus at Dupont Circle in Washington DC

Our day started in Washington DC - when our bestbus.com left Dupont Circle - just a couple of blocks from Keith and Liz's house. We were on our way - for $30 the bus took us non-stop to Time Square in 4 hours flat. The bus had wifi and power outlets - Lulu and I each had a pair of seats to ourselves. On the busiest driving day of the year - we traveled to our Hilton on 6th Avenue - along the Macy's Parade route.

After a small break - Lulu and I lined up for Broadway tickets - we wanted to see Charles III - but most of the tickets were in the balcony - with my vision - not worth much. While on the bus - Lulu picked up a really nice pair of tickets for the Christmas Show at Radio City - tomorrow - after the parade. 

Next we went up to 79th Street to see them inflating the balloons for the parade. It was really crowded but well organized as the crowd moved past the balloons. After that - we had supper at Artie's on Broadway - and then shopped at Trader Joe's for food for the parade . By 7 PM - we were back to the hotel room - getting ready for the parade. 

We will wake up at 7 AM. We brought two little tripod stools all the way from Florida for the parade. We will plot out a spot at 7 AM - the parade is at 9 AM - it lasts 2 hours. I hope my bladder can stand it. I am tempted to get some diapers. 

We have this hotel room for Thursday night too. Then we take the plane home from Newark arriving in sunny Tallahassee at 3 PM.  Our friend Marge is picking us up at the airport. 

Lulu found a great Hilton Hotel room overlooking the  parade.
We are on the 39th floor - Lulu asked for a room on the 5th
Floor - they wanted $500 more.

Here is the view from 3917 - 400 feet above the parade

In front of our hotel - the CBS booth is right across the street

Buying tickets in Time Square 

Time Square weather was great - 50s - no wind

Hershey Hotel

At the site of balloon inflation

Tomorrow - Tim's girlfriend is going to be holding down
Angry Bird II

It has been a busy week for Lulu and me.
We paced ourselves - saw the kids -
and the grandkids - now Lulu's parade of a lifetime

You see Snoopy with Windex on his head.

Watch for us at the parade tomorrow on TV.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.