GARY AND RHONDA MEET GRANDSONS CARTER AND JACOB BROWN IN FLORIDA: June 6 - 18, 2013
We follow a tradition introduced by Rhonda's parents -- treating each grandchild to a special time with grandparents when he/she is old enough to fly on an airline as an unaccompanied minor. Our oldest daughter Julie actually flew from Dulles to Salt Lake City when she was seven years old to spend six weeks with Rhonda's parents in Provo, Utah. None of our other children stayed as long with the Milletts, but each enjoyed at least a week of one-on-one time with them.
So far, our grandchildren have come to visit in groups of two. Spencer and Jessica Dyal flew from Detroit to Houston for two weeks with us in July 2005. Kyle and Parker Buhler flew from Fort Lauderdale to Houston for an August 2010 visit. Last year, at our family reunion in Tennessee, it was decided that Carter and Jacob Brown, and Alex and Logan Dyal, would visit us during summer 2013. Two separate visits -- double the fun!! The Dyals would be in Texas for a family reunion with Josh's family, so Alex and Logan would drive from Michigan to Texas with their family, then fly home as unaccompanied minors.
Originally, we planned to follow the same itinerary with both sets of grandsons -- San Antonio, Sea World, Fiesta Texas, Houston, Galveston, etc. -- first with the Brown boys in June, then with the Dyal boys in July. In addition, Gary and Rhonda hoped to visit Kristen's family in Florida a final time, as Aaron was pursuing two great job opportunities -- one in North Carolina and one in TEXAS. Then an idea hit. The Brown boys had never been to Florida. We could "hit two goals with one trip" by doing Florida with Carter and Jacob, including a four-day visit with the Buhlers! Which is exactly what we do from June 6-18, 2013!
 |
| Carter and Jacob at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida |
 |
| Carter and Jacob at Downtown Disney - Orlando, Florida |
 | ||||
| Carter and Jacob at EPCOT (Canada Pavilion) - Disney World |
 |
| Beach Day with the Buhlers: South Inlet Beach - Boca Raton, Florida |
 |
| Shark Valley with the Buhlers - Everglades National Park |
 | ||
| Jungle Queen Cruise Stop at Private Island for Alligator Wrestling |
 |
| Father's Day with the Buhlers in Coral Springs |
We thoroughly enjoy our time in Florida with Carter and Jacob. They are great boys! We have a blast in Orlando, even though we're all exhausted from starting out early each morning, then returning to the hotel late each night. Time with cousins in Coral Springs may be the highlight of the trip for the Brown boys. They love Kristen and her boys, who stop their lives to entertain us. Soooo glad we're able to visit Kristen and family one last time in Florida!
FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND WITH THE DYAL FAMILY: July 3 - 5, 2013
Julie's family arrives in College Station on Wednesday evening, July 3rd. It's so fun to have all the Dyals in our home once again! We hold our Independence Day barbecue that evening, which frees us up on July 4th to see two movies (Despicable Me 2 and The Lone Ranger), tour the George Bush Presidential Museum, then eat Subway sandwiches on the hill above the Bush Museum while waiting to see one of the best firework shows in the country.
On July 5th, we eat lunch at Ninfa's -- one of Julie's favorite restaurants in College Station. Then we walk around the Texas A&M campus. Julie and Josh show their kids several quiet places where they met to study together while attending A&M. It's a very hot but enjoyable day. Rhonda sees more of the A&M campus than ever before.
 |
| Alex and Logan Duel in Bush Museum Rotunda |
 |
| Dyal Family at George H.W. Bush Presidential Library on July 4th |
 |
| Dyal Family at Texas A&M University Administration Building |
FUN WITH ALEX AND LOGAN: July 6 - 17, 2013
Julie, Josh, Spencer and Jessica leave for home early on Saturday, July 6th. We take Alex and Logan miniature golfing, see the movie "Monsters University" then go swimming. We have a great time!! We spend Sunday in College Station, then leave early Monday morning for five fun-filled days in San Antonio. (See photos below.) We return home for a second weekend in College Station -- complete with breakfast at Shipley's, lunch at Freebird's, the movie "Now You See Me" and more swimming. On Monday, July 15th, we hit the road for the Houston area where we spend two great days with Alex and Logan, before they fly home early on July 17th.
 |
| Alex and Logan at Grandma's House in College Station |
 |
| Alex and Logan at the Alamo in San Antonio |
 |
| Alex and Logan at Sea World in San Antonio |
 |
| Alex and Logan at Fiesta Texas in San Antonio |
 |
| Alex and Logan at Comal River Float Trip - New Braunfels, Texas |
 |
| Lunch at Aquarium Restaurant - Kemah, Texas |
 |
| Alex and Logan at Kemah Boardwalk |
 |
| Alex and Logan at Moody Gardens - Galveston, Texas |
 |
| Tropical Ices along Galveston Beach |
It is incredibly sad to say goodbye to these two sweet boys. They are so fun to be around. We are very thankful Alex and Logan could share two wonderful weeks with us in Texas. We feel very blessed to have them as grandsons and look forward to seeing them again at Christmas! We love you, Alex and Logan!!
THE BUHLER FAMILY MOVES BACK TO TEXAS: August 16 - 18, 2013
Back in 2005, when I learned that our one child still living in Texas was moving 1300 miles away, a terrible darkness enveloped me. Every time we return from visiting family, this darkness returns and rests on me for many days. My family means everything to me -- my husband, my parents, my five children and my seventeen grandchildren. My house and my life often seem incredibly empty when those who are dear do not live near ... :-(
In contrast, what great joy we feel when we learn that Kristen and family will be moving back to Texas! We could only be happier if we learned that every one of our loved ones was doing the same!! As it turns out, Aaron receives two job offers -- one in North Carolina and one in the Dallas area. Both are excellent positions, so this is no easy decision. After prayerful consideration, Aaron chooses the position in Dallas! HOORAY!!
 |
| Aaron, Kristen, Kyle, Parker, Justin and Seth in College Station on August 18, 2013 |
GARY AND RHONDA TOUR BOSTON AND PLYMOUTH: August 19 - 21, 2013
When Gary announces plans to meet with the United Soybean Board in Newport, Rhode Island, Rhonda jumps at the chance to return to New England. In 1964, Rhonda and her parents took a memorable trip up the eastern seaboard -- from Washington, D.C. to New York City and the World's Fair, then ending with several days of sightseeing in Massachusetts -- where Ron Millett served during his 1947-49 mission in the New England States.
We leave a few days before Gary's meetings begin -- flying from Houston to Providence, Rhode Island (with a connection at Chicago O'Hare) early on Monday, August 19th. From Providence, we rent a car and drive the fifty-five miles to Boston, where we check into the Courtyard in mid afternoon. There is still enough daylight to drive to Cambridge. Once there, we park in front of the LDS chapel (once the location of the New England States mission home), then take a stroll on this lovely evening. (See photos below.) Rhonda remembers walking through this area with her parents in 1964. Sweet memories!
On the drive back to Boston, we become totally lost. Rhonda's iPhone leads us to an address in Newton! It is totally dark outside when we finally park under a lonely, scary overpass. Gary digs out his Garmin GPS device which, to our relief, leads us safely back to the Marriott Courtyard in the theater district of downtown Boston!
 | |||
| Our digs in Boston. Rooms are incredibly small in this restored building. |
 |
| LDS meetinghouse near Harvard - Cambridge, Massachusetts |
 |
| Longfellow Home & Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site - Cambridge, Massachusetts |
 |
| Langdell Hall, Harvard Law School -- Largest Law Library in the World |
THE FREEDOM TRAIL: Tuesday Morning, August 20, 2013
When you are in Boston, you must walk the Freedom Trail! No worries about staying on course, as there is a brick line inserted in the center of the sidewalk, guiding walkers through every twist and turn. A large medallion in the center of the sidewalk marks each stop along the Freedom Trail. Here are some highlights...
 |
| Boston Common - From 1634, America's Oldest Public Park |
 |
| Boston Common Frog Pond (ice skating pond during the winter) |
 |
| Massachusetts State House - Mitt's Old Haunt |
 |
| Paul Revere's Grave - Granary Burying Ground |
 |
| King's Chapel Burying Ground (graves of John Winthrop, first governor of Massachusetts and Mary Chilton, first woman to step off the Mayflower) |
 | |
| Old State House (oldest public building still standing from the original 13 colonies) |
 |
| Paul Revere House (dating to 1680, downtown Boston's oldest building) |
 |
| Purchased in 1770, Revere lived in this home when he made his famous ride to Lexington on April 18, 1775. |
 |
| Faneuil Hall - Where colonists first protested the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townsend Act & Redcoat Occupation |
 |
| Old North Church - Two lanterns hung in the tower on April 18, 1775, indicating "two if by sea" as British came by boat. |
 |
| Old North Church, oldest standing church building in Boston, first opened to worshipers on December 29, 1723 |
 |
| Bunker Hill Monument from Charlestown Bridge |
 |
| While the British won the Battle of Bunker Hill, the first major battle of the Revolutionary War, they incurred a staggering one thousand casualties, including one quarter of the officers they would lose during the entire war. |
 |
| Whew! We climbed 294 steps to the top of the Bunker Hill Monument. Here is one view from the top! |
 |
| USS Constitution -- Oldest Commissioned Warship afloat in the World! |
 |
| The Constitution became known as Old Ironsides during the War of 1812, when cannonballs fired at her bounced off her sides, as if she was made of iron. |
 |
| Permanently berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard, the Constitution ventures out six to eight times a year into Boston Harbor. She is a fully-commissioned ship with a crew of 70. |
 |
| Approximate Site of the Boston Tea Party |
JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM: Tuesday Afternoon, August 20, 2013
 |
| Designed by architect I.M. Pei, the Kennedy Library is located in a waterfront park, overlooking the sea. |
 |
| Objects from Kennedy's Oval Office |
 |
| The Victura -- Kennedy's Personal Sailboat |
VISIT TO PLYMOUTH: Wednesday Morning, August 21, 2013
We leave Boston around 7:30 a.m. for the forty-mile drive to Plymouth, hoping to make a 10:00 a.m. walking tour. We arrive at 8:30, so explore the waterfront -- stopping by Plymouth Rock, the Massasoit Monument and the Mayflower II. We drive to the National Monument to the Forebears. We still have plenty of time to drive around the Plymouth Plantation, south of town.
Shortly after 10:00 a.m., we begin a walking tour from the Jenney Museum, led by Leo Martin. A photo of Leo with Glenn Beck stands beside the cash register in the museum. We learn that Leo is a great admirer of Glenn Beck. Leo flew to Salt Lake City and met Glenn Beck backstage during a recent tour. We feel comfortable mentioning that we, like Glenn Beck, are Mormons. Leo becomes our new best friend. He definitely detects the desperate need for enlightened leadership in the US, and hopes that the pendulum will swing back towards the morals and principles that made our nation great. Others in our group join in this hope, as well.
Several in our tour group express great respect for Governor William Bradford, my great great great great great great grandfather! I make a goal to read "Plimoth Plantation" by William Bradford -- to explore my Pilgrim roots at greater depth!
 |
| Plymouth Rock is protected by the pillared canopy in the background. |
 |
| The rock is near the beach. Visitors look down at the rock from a viewing platform. |
 |
| The Mayflower II, a replica of the original ship, just celebrated its 50th anniversary in Plymouth Harbor. |
 |
| Gary walks from the waterfront, up the stairs to the Massasoit Monument. |
 |
| Massasoit, the trusted leader of the Wampanoag tribe, negotiated a peace treaty with the Pilgrims. |
 |
| The National Monument to the Forefathers depicts virtues the Pilgrims espoused when they arrived in 1620. |
 |
| Leo Martin's tours are the #1 attraction in Plymouth according to Trip Advisor! |
 |
| Leo leads us through Brewster Gardens, on the land granted in 1620 to Elder William Brewster. Brewster was the Pilgrim religious leader. He is also Rhonda's ancestor. William Bradford's grandson married William Brewster's granddaughter. |
 |
| Jenney Grist Mill -- a restoration of the 1636 grist mill on Town Brook |
 |
| Forty-five of the 102 Pilgrim immigrants died during the first winter in the New World. In 1921, remains of those originally buried on Cole's Hill were collected into a sarcophagus that is the Pilgrim Memorial Tomb on Cole's Hill in Plymouth. |
TOUR OF THE BREAKERS, NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND: Wednesday Afternoon, August 21, 2013
Rhonda's father spent time in the Providence/Newport area as a Mormon missionary from 1947-49. He suggests that we take a whirl around Newport's impressive estates. Although we have limited time, we decide that the Vanderbilt's "summer cottage" -- The Breakers -- is the largest, most grand of the Newport mansions. We make the drive from Plymouth to Newport, arriving in plenty of time to tour the Breakers before it closes for the evening. We also hike a section of Newport's famous Cliff Walk.
 |
| Front of the Breakers -- the Newport Estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt II -- built between 1893-95 at a cost of more than $12 million (around $331 million in today's dollars, adjusted for inflation) |
 |
| Back of the Breakers -- part of the 13-acre estate on the seagirt cliffs of Newport, Rhode Island |
 |
| We find that much of Newport's famous Cliff Walk is closed for repairs. We hike a section from Ochre Court to the Breakers. There are gorgeous views in every direction on this beautiful evening. |
 |
| Gary along Newport's Cliff Walk |
 |
| Ochre Court, the second-largest mansion in Newport, was built in 1892 for Ogden Goelet, a wealthy New York banker and avid yachtsman. There was no better place for sailing during the Gilded Age than Newport, Rhode Island. The exterior of Ochre Court was used as the Swiss chateau in the Arnold Schwarzenegger film True Lies. |
After touring the Breakers and hiking along the Cliff Walk, we check into the Hyatt Regency on Goat Island in Newport, where meetings of the United Soybean Board will be held. Gary addresses the board on Thursday, August 22. Rhonda stays on property on Thursday, managing to read most of the book "Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly.
 |
| Hyatt Regency on Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island |
NEWPORT'S TEN-MILE DRIVE: Friday, August 23, 2013
After checking out of the Hyatt Regency early Friday morning, our last hurrah in Newport is to drive the ten coastal miles around the exclusive residential peninsula. This is actually called Ten Mile Drive. We use a great map found online to locate and gain info on significant properties. Here are a few highlights ...
 |
| Hammersmith Farms -- summer home of Jacqueline Kennedy's mother and stepfather -- where John and Jackie Kennedy's 1200-guest wedding reception was held in 1953. Also the summer White House during the Kennedy administration. |
 |
| The Waves, built in 1927 by John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial, National Gallery of Art and Museum of Natural History. Later owned by A&P grocery heiress Josephine Hartford Bryce; then by Wanamaker's Department Store heir Barclay Warburton. |
 |
| Land's End was originally built in the 1860's for Samuel G. Ward, the brother of Julia Ward Howe. In 1897, Edith Wharton purchased Land's End from Robert Livingston Beeckman, a former U.S. Open tennis champ who would also become governor of Rhode Island. Wharton's serious literary career began during her time at Land's End. |
 |
| Rough Point was built between 1887-92 for William Vanderbilt. In 1922, James Buchanan Duke, the founder of fortunes in electric power and tobacco, and the benefactor of Duke University, bought the estate. James died in 1925, bequeathing his enormous fortune and residences to his only child, 12-year-old Doris Duke. The property remained with Duke until her death in 1993. Several biographies of Duke have been published, most notably Stephanie Mansfield's "The Richest Girl in the World." Several became films, starring both Lauren Bacall and Susan Sarandon as Doris Duke. |
 |
| We climb a fence to access a rugged portion of Cliff Walk, which takes us from the Waves to Rough Point. |
 |
| Clarendon Court was built in 1904 for Edward Collins Knight, Jr., son of a Philadelphia sugar refiner and director of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1956, Clarendon Court served as a set for High Society, starring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly (in her last film). Sunny and Claus von Bulow owned Clarendon Court from 1970 to 1988. When Sunny was found unconscious during Christmas 1980, her children became suspicious that her brain injury was the result of foul play by Claus. The 1990 film Reversal of Fortune was based on Alan Dershowitz' books about the case, with Glenn Close playing Sunny and Jeremy Irons playing Claus von Bulow, a performance the won him an Academy Award as Best Actor. |
 |
| Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt, grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. His older brother was Cornelius II, who built The Breakers. |
 |
| Marble House was inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The cost of the house was $11 million, of which $7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. |
 |
| Goodbye to a bygone era! Goodbye, Newport! |
We still have miles to go and the Narragansett Bay to cross before arriving at the airport in Providence. Although this was a short four-day trip, we toured some of the most amazing, inspirational sights in American history. I'll let you know when I finish "Plimoth Plantation." :-)
