BRITISH ISLES CRUISE, LONDON & ENGLAND IN ONE DAY: August 3-17, 2014
Gary's summer is filled with research projects and work-related business trips that eat up his evenings and weekends. He definitely needs to get away, relax and unwind. But where to go? During lunch with Wilf and Mary Jo Gardner, we learn of their summer plans to visit England and Ireland, which sounds so cool! This leads to a search for possible cruises around the British Isles. In late April, we book a 12-day Princess cruise departing Southampton on August 3rd, with stops in Guernsey, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and France.
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| Brunch at Houston Intercontinental on August 2, 2014 |
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| Boarding the Ruby Princess in Southampton, England on August 3, 2014 |
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| Our Cruise Ship - The Ruby Princess |
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| Setting Sail from Southampton, England |
Our first cruise stop is
St. Peter Port, Guernsey. August 4th is a perfect day for a drive around the island! Here, rocky cliffs alternate with stretches of beach and sand. Of course, there is the usual commercial tour stop -- this time a gold and silversmith workshop that is situated in a converted barn that dates back to 1582. We are very impressed with the surrounding gardens. Our next stop is the famous Little Chapel, built by hand over many years by Brother Deodat of the Christian Brothers. This tiny church is designed after the grotto of Lourdes, and is beautifully decorated with colorful broken china, pebbles and shells. We walk through the small chapel, then find numerous stairwells, nooks and crannies -- plus several back entrances with narrow halls and no obvious traffic flow... Unexpectedly, this church is a memorable highlight!
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| Beautiful St. Peter Port, Guernsey Island |
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| Gold and Silversmiths Workshops |
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| Little Chapel of Guernsey |
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| Guernsey's Scenic Villages and Country Lanes |
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| Guernsey's Western Coastline ... From Rocky Cliffs ... |
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| ... To Stretches of Beach and Sand |
We awaken to another beautiful morning on August 5th. The Ruby Princess arrives in
Cork, Ireland at 8:00 am. We are super excited about our first day in Ireland, with tour stops at the seaside village of Kinsale and the fabulous Blarney Castle!
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| Arrival in Cork, Ireland |
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| Fort Charles and Kinsale Harbour |
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| Exploring the Village of Kinsale, Ireland |
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| Marina at Kinsale, Ireland |
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| One-hour Line at Blarney Castle |
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| Amazing View from Blarney Castle |
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| Gary Kisses the Blarney Stone! |
It begins raining like crazy just as we reach the roof of Blarney Castle. While juggling umbrella and camera, Rhonda manages to snap a photo of Gary kissing the famous Blarney Stone. Then it's back to the bus for a rainy drive back to the ship.
Surprisingly, it's another gorgeous morning as we arrive in port near
Dublin, Ireland at 7:00 am on August 6th. Our tour day begins with a narrated drive through Dublin and a stop at Christ Church Cathedral. Enroute to the 6th-century monastic ruins of Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains, we stop at Avoca Village and Hand Weavers, the oldest woolen mills in Ireland.
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| Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin, Ireland |
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| Avoca Hand Weavers - Oldest Woolen Mills in Ireland |
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| 6th-century Monastic Ruins of St. Kevin at Glendalough (Glen of Two Lakes) |
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| Roofless Ruins of Cathedral at Glendalough | | | |
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Our great luck with weather continues as we arrive in port at
Belfast, Northern Ireland at 8:00 am on August 7th. This is a most-anticipated tour day, with a spectacular drive along Ireland's Antrim Coast -- one of the loveliest coastlines in Northern Europe. This day's ultimate destination is Giant's Causeway, the Eighth Wonder of the World, and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. According to myth, the giant Finn McCool used the basalt columns to form the causeway into stepping stones so he could travel from Ireland to Scotland to visit his lover, a Scottish giantess. Scientists believe the unusual hexagonal columns resulted from cooling lava flows.
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| Larne Harbour, Northern Ireland |
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| White Park Bay, Northern Ireland |
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| Lunch Stop along Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast |
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| Hexagonal Columns - Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland |
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| Climbing Giant's Causeway - Northern Ireland |
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| Over 40,000 Basalt Stones Comprise Giant's Causeway |
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| Crossing Giant's Causeway |
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| Mother Nature's Unforgettable Mosaic! |
Upon arrival at the port of
Greenock (near Glasgow) the morning of August 8th, our tour guide is dressed in kilt and full garb. There is no question -- we are definitely in
Scotland! Soon after boarding the bus (called "motorcoach" in the U.K.), we reach Hunters Quay, where we ferry across the River Clyde. The drive through the Scottish Highlands to the town of Inverary is nothing short of spectacular!! We tour magnificent Inverary Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll, head of the Campbell clan. After lunch and free time in Inverary, we return to Greenock via Luss, a pretty village on the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond. Our Scottish tour guide is surprisingly entertaining. He rattles off one joke after another -- interspersed with singing Scottish ballads. He definitely earns his tips! Very cute!!
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| Inveraray Castle - Inveraray, Scotland |
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| Fancy Wheels arrive at Inveraray Castle |
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| Inveraray Castle's Armoury Hall (with over 1300 muskets) |
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| Exploring Inveraray, Scotland |
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| "Rest and Be Thankful" Overlook - Scottish Highlands |
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| Jumping into Loch Lomond (second largest freshwater lake in Scotland) |
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| On the Bonny, Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond |
Following a drizzly day in Scotland, we are pleasantly surprised by the absolutely gorgeous weather upon arrival in
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands on August 10th. Orkney Islands (never on my most-anticipated list) proves to be a very fascinating place. Skara Brae, an immense and amazingly well-preserved archeological site from prehistoric Europe, was uncovered during a fierce winter storm in 1850. The lack of wood on the island dictated the exclusive use of stone for buildings and household items, from beds to tables and tools. Skaill House, near Skara Brae, is considered to be the finest mansion in Orkney. Skaill House's unusual architecture is a blend of styles spanning five centuries. Enroute back to port, we stop at Stones of Stenness, a prehistoric monument of huge, upright stones that are over 5,000 years old.
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| Beach Adjacent to Skara Brae, Orkney Islands |
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| Skara Brae, Orkney Islands - Prehistoric Archeological Site |
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| Walking from Skara Brae to Skaill House - Orkney Islands |
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| 500-year-old Skaill House - Orkney Islands |
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| Tiger-skin Rug at Skaill House - Orkney Islands |
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| Stones of Stennes - 5,000 Years Old! |
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| Up Close and Personal (and Sideways) at Stones of Stennes |
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| Equestrian Procession to Kirkwall Music Festival - Orkney Islands |
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| Kirkwall Pipe Bank - Orkney Islands |
Unfortunately, our one day in
Edinburgh, Scotland -- August 12th -- is rainy, cold and very windy. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most classically beautiful cities in the U.K. Our first stop is Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on a rocky, extinct volcano. We tour the castle's interior, including the Great Hall of James IV, where intricately carved stone corbels are some of the oldest Renaissance decorations in all of the British Isles. Mary, Queen of Scots, gave birth to her son James in a small upper room of Edinburgh Castle. The Crown Jewels, the ancient symbol of sovereignty, have been on display in the same room in the castle for over two centuries. We also stop for photos at Holyrood Palace, the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen while in Scotland.
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| Uphill Climb to Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh, Scotland |
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| Edinburgh Castle - Built on Rocky, Extinct Volcano |
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| Scottish War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle |
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| Royal Palace, Edinburgh Castle |
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| Entrance to Scottish War Memorial - Edinburgh Castle |
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| Great Views from Edinburgh Castle |
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| Love these Rooftops in Edinburgh, Scotland! |
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| Holyrood Palace - Official Edinburgh Residence of Her Majesty the Queen |
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| Gary at Holyrood Palace Gate |
August 13th is a Day at Sea. We spend much of the day eating, then eating some more. We also walk around the ship to burn some calories and take photos for a future memory book.
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| The Atrium of the Ruby Princess |
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| Sailing between Edinburgh, Scotland and La Havre, France |
Impossible to believe that this is the last day (August 14th) of our British Isles cruise... Our final port is La Havre, France -- where we drive through the beautiful Norman countryside to visit Claude Monet's home at Giverny on the Seine. Monet's magnificent gardens totally exceed our expectations. Clos Normand, the flower garden adjacent to Monet's home, is filled with the colors of summer -- tulips, roses, dahlias, sunflowers and nasturtiums. The Japanese-inspired water gardens with their ponds, bridges and water lilies, were subjects of Monet's late masterworks.
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| Monet's Home and Gardens - Giverny on the Seine, France |
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| Garden Colors Peak during August |
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| Each Garden Path Is Unique |
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| Monet's Japanese-inspired Water Gardens |
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| Famous Water Lilies Are in Bloom! |
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| Lunch Stop at Fourges on the Seine |
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| Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen |
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| Stained Glass Windows - Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen |
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| Medieval Rouen, France - Capital of Normandy |
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| Rouen Has Seven Hundred Ancient Timbered Houses |
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| Rouen's Place du Vieux Marche -- Site Where Joan of Arc Was Burned at the Stake |
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| Banks of the Seine - Rouen, France |
We disembark the Ruby Princess in Southampton at 8:00 am on August 15th. We take a motorcoach to London, checking into the Marriott Hotel Maida Vale shortly before 11:00 am. After freshening up, we take the underground to Green Park, then eat lunch at the Crypt Cafe in St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church at Trafalgar Square. Following a 3:00 pm tour of Clarence House (the London residence of Prince Charles and Camilla), we tour the incredibly elegant state rooms of Buckingham Palace. Following quick stops at Harrods and Selfridges, we return to the hotel for the night.
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| Front View of Buckingham Palace |
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| Back View of Buckingham Palace |
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| At Marble Arch ... It's a Long Walk from Harrods to Selfridges! |
We're pretty pooped, but there's still one final day of touring ahead -- "England in One Day" on Saturday, August 16th -- including stops at Stratford upon Avon, Bath and Stonehenge.
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| Garden View of Shakespeare's Birthplace at Stratford upon Avon |
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| Front View of Shakespeare's Birthplace at Stratford upon Avon |
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| Bath Abbey - Bath, England |
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| The Roman Baths - Bath, England |
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| Ground Level of Roman Baths - Bath, England |
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| Stonehenge -- One of the Wonders of the World |
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| What is the Most Well-known Prehistoric Monument in Europe? It's Gary, right? |
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| Cannot Believe We're Here! So Long, Mysterious Stonehenge!! |
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| Bonus Night at Heathrow, Courtesy of United Airlines and Mechanical Issues |
Our visit to the British Isles already seems like a dream. We've heard of most of these amazing places all our lives. What wonderful memories we now have! Thanks, Gary, for working so many extra hours this summer so we could afford such an experience!!
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FUN IN UTAH WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS: July 1-11, 2014
The Empeys move from Henderson, Nevada to Vernal, Utah at the end of June. The Buhlers travel to Utah that same week, where they will attend a family reunion. Rhonda's summer trip to Utah coincides with all this activity. FUN!
After flying from Houston to Salt Lake City the morning of July 1st, Rhonda picks up a rental minivan and drives with Gary M. and her father, Ron Millett, to Vernal. We check into Vernal's TownePlace Suites on Spencer's first day as manager there. It is a beautiful property! We unload our bags, then head to see the Empey's new condo and grab dinner at McDonald's. The Buhlers arrive in Vernal later that night -- after a day at national parks near Moab. We all spend Wednesday, July 2nd, exploring Vernal and Dinosaur National Monument.
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| Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal, Utah |
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| Aunt Erin Lovin' on Parker and Justin |
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| Gary M., Erin, Kristen and Grandpa Millett |
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| Hannah Enjoys Lunch at Cafe Rio |
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| Chillin' at Erin's Condo |
While Spencer remains in Vernal to concentrate on duties as new hotel manager, the rest of the family heads for Provo on Thursday, July 3rd. Following a family lunch at Brick Oven, Aaron, Kyle, Parker and Justin drop Kristen and Seth off at Grandpa Millett's condo, then leave for St. George for several days exploring national parks. Rhonda and the Empey girls spend the next six nights at the closest Marriott with an associate rate -- the Courtyard at Thanksgiving Point. From there, we have options to travel south to Provo or north to Salt Lake. We spend the week doing some of each.
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| Ready for Bed - Marriott Courtyard at Thanksgiving Point |
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| Leah and Hannah Enjoy Bounce House - Provo's 4th of July Carnival |
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| Seth and Maddie Are Ready to Fly - Provo's 4th of July Carnival |
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| Leah Flies Solo! |
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| Seth and Maddie Are Tall Enough to Swing (Sadly, Leah Is Too Short...) |
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| Ready for 4th of July Fireworks - Rock Canyon Park |
On Saturday, July 5th, we take fried chicken with all the fixings to South Fork Park in Provo Canyon. The kids attempt to wade in the icy creek for awhile. Surprisingly, Leah stays in the water the longest. They also enjoy blowing bubbles and playing with big plastic balls.
After short naps at Grandpa's condo, we take leftover pizza and chicken to Pioneer Park. The cousins enjoy the playground there, but the splash pad is the biggest hit of the day!
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| Leah and Rhonda Brave Icy Waters - South Fork of Provo River |
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| Empey Girls Are Photo Bombed - South Fork Park |
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| Kristen and Seth - South Fork Park |
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| Leah LOVES Splash Pad - Pioneer Park |
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| Splash Pad Is a Hit with Hannah, Too! |
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| Seth and Maddie Rule the Splash Pad |
After church on Sunday, July 6th, we eat sub sandwiches at Grandpa's condo. Aaron and boys arrive in the late afternoon to pick up Kristen and Seth. Erin is totally pooped, as Hannah was ill during the night on Thursday and Leah was ill during the night on Saturday. It is early to bed at the Courtyard.
On Monday, July 7th, we pick up Kathleen and Tammy Fulmer in West Jordan at 8:30 a.m. (Rhonda hasn't seen Kathleen, her best friend from Pennsylvania, for over thirty years!) Kathleen is the most lovely person, who never meets a stranger. It is more than wonderful to see her again!! We spend the morning at Temple Square and the Joseph Smith Building, then eat lunch at City Creek Center's food court. Adults outnumber children today. Kathleen and Tammy are very hands on and helpful. We look forward to spending more time with them on Wednesday.
We eat dinner with Gary M. at the Creamery on Ninth, then linger longer for ice cream, of course! Afterward, we walk around the grounds of the Provo Temple. Erin's girls sing "I Love to See the Temple."
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| Reminds Us of the Ensign's May Cover |
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| Kathleen and Tammy Fulmer with the Empey Girls |
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| Monday Night at the Provo Temple |
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| Singing "I Love to See the Temple" |
Tuesday, July 8th, is another big morning. Gary M. meets us at the Courtyard bright and early. We hope to arrive at Hogle Zoo near opening time, then see as many exhibits as we can before it gets too hot ... and it turns into a VERY HOT DAY! We bring big bottles of water to keep hydrated. We also eat lunch at the air-conditioned Beastro, Hogle Zoo's newest restaurant. We ride both the zoo train and carousel.
Maddie swims at the Courtyard while Leah and Hannah nap. That evening, we play and eat dinner at University Mall, then head back to the Courtyard to pack for the return trip to Vernal.
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| Roaring Like Lions at Hogle Zoo |
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| Hungry, Hungry Rhinos? |
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| Un-BEAR-ably Close! |
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| Big Kids at the Zoo |
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| Everyone Rides the Zoo Carousel |
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| Watch Out! This Elelphant Squirts Water |
We spend Wednesday morning, July 9th, walking around BYU campus with Kathleen and Tammy. After lunch at the Wilkinson Center food court, we leave for Vernal. Kathleen and Tammy ride with us as far as Duchesne, to visit Donna Gesullo, a mutual friend from Valley Forge Ward. When we arrive in Vernal, Spencer has a great surprise for Rhonda -- a night in a beautiful suite at TownePlace. It is always hard to say goodbye to my kids -- especially when I don't know when I'll see them again. As it turns out, Erin and two of her girls will visit College Station in mid November. And I hope to see Gary M. for Christmas. Love you both!!
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GARY AND RHONDA RETURN TO PENNSYLVANIA: July 12-19, 2014
While Gary has business in Denver, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. over the summer, the only destination that tempts Rhonda is Hershey, Pennsylvania, where Gary will present research results to the United Soybean Board. We lived in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania for two years (May 1981 through June 1983), but have never been back. Rhonda decides to accompany Gary on this trip. We leave a few days early to spend the weekend in King of Prussia, visit our old Valley Forge Ward and explore former haunts. Many things look the same as they did 31 years ago. Our old home looks even better! There are many noticeable improvements, including a garage where the carport used to be. As Rhonda stands in the road in front of our old house taking the picture below, a dog begins to bark. The present owner comes outside to quiet her noisy dog. Rhonda explains that we are former owners of this home. She invites us inside to take a look around! It is an emotional experience to envision our sweet little family as we were when we lived within these walls over 30 years ago...
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| NOW: Our Old Home at 700 Suellen Drive, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania |
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| THEN: Easter Morning in King of Prussia, April 11, 1982 |
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| THEN: Gary Baby in April 1982 -- Just Barely One Year Old! |
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| NOW: Caley Road Elementary School, King of Prussia |
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| THEN: Kim Begins Kindergarten at Caley Road School, September 1982 |
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| NOW: Valley Forge Meetinghouse on Sunday, July 13, 2014 |
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| THEN: Kim with Gloria Clark on Meetinghouse Lawn in June 1983 - Our Last Sunday in Valley Forge Ward |
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We attend church in one of the two Valley Forge Wards on Sunday, July 13, 2014. When we lived in this area, there was only one ward. Of course, we do not know many in attendance. Most of those we do know have changed so much we do not recognize them. Those who look very much the same are Daryl Fulmer and Craig Hope -- both wonderful friends of yore -- and Lila Kay Jones, who was once our babysitter -- only a teenager when we moved. These are the people who remember us best.
After church, we drive to Philadelphia via the Schuylkill Expressway -- Gary's old route from King of Prussia to his job at Chase Econometrics in Bala Cynwyd. We note few changes in this very old freeway that connects towns along the Main Line. Our first stop is the construction site of the Philadelphia LDS Temple. The temple is really taking shape! We are excited for the worthy Saints in this area who have driven so far to attend the Washington, D.C. Temple for nearly forty years.
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| Construction Site of Philadelphia LDS Temple - 1739 Vine St., Downtown Philadelphia |
Once in downtown Philadelphia, we MUST revisit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell for old time's sake! Of course, the hall and bell themselves remain the same -- but there is now a huge new visitor center along with a separate center where the Liberty Bell is displayed.
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| NOW: Exterior of Independence Hall |
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| NOW: Interior of Independence Hall |
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| NOW: Liberty Bell in New Liberty Bell Center (Background-Independence Hall) |
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| THEN: Independence Hall, July 1981 |
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| THEN: Independence Hall with Bruce and Jan, July 1981 |
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| THEN: Independence Hall with Carr Family, September 1982 |
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| THEN: Independence Hall, September 1982 |
After touring Independence Hall and viewing the Liberty Bell, we return to the King of Prussia area to drive around Valley Forge National Historical Park. We have many memories of picnics and kite flying at Valley Forge! Our old home was only two miles from here. Unfortunately, I find no pictures taken at Valley Forge during the time we lived here. We take plenty of pictures on July 13, 2014, however. We finally visit Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge, which we always meant to do when we lived here.
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| Washington's Headquarters - Valley Forge National Historical Park |
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| Upstairs Bedroom - Washington's Headquarters |
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| Soldier Cabins - Valley Forge National Historical Park |
There is still enough daylight to explore our old neighborhood in King of Prussia. We look for Genuardi's Supermarket, where we shopped for groceries each week. We find that building is now a church! We also look for Petrucci's Dairy, where we went for delicious ice cream cones. BINGO! We locate this dairy, tucked into a rural lane -- complete with barns, farm animals and a small playground. We enjoy two-scoop cones (their ice cream is every bit as wonderful as Blue Bell's) as we stroll up and down memory lane at Petrucci's... Julie, Kristen and Kimberly, do any of the pictures below look at all familiar? You guys loved to go here. :-)
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| Cute Entrance to Petrucci's Dairy - King of Prussia, Pennsylvania |
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| Ice Cream Customers Stand on Sidewalk near Order Window |
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| Goats Enjoy Each Level of This Platform! |
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| Petrucci's Has Pigs, Rabbits, Chickens, Goats, Cows, Horses ... Oh, My! |
We drive from King of Prussia to Gettysburg early Monday morning, July 14th. We find an impressive visitor center that did not exist in the early 80s. The National Park Service offers tours of the Eisenhower HIstoric Site. We buy tickets for the next available tour of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower's Gettysburg farm and home.
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| Front of Eisenhower's Gettysburg Home |
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| Back of Eisenhower's Gettysburg Home |
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| President Eisenhower's Den |
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| President Eisenhower's Putting Green |
The remainder of Monday afternoon is dedicated to a self-guided auto tour around Gettysburg Battlefield. During the early 80's, we drove quickly around the battlefield with our young
children. We did not gain the greatest
understanding of battle events or strategies. On this second visit, we follow the National Park Service's complete 24-mile tour, stopping at each of the 16+ sites to read plaques, look around and take photos. For some reason, Devil's Den/Slaughter Pen is not listed as a stop on the tour map. We completely miss this important area on Monday. The tour route traces the three-day battle in chronological order. By Monday evening, when it begins to rain, there is still much to see. We decide to finish the complete tour on Friday, July 18th, this time walking across the field of Pickett's Charge from Seminary Ridge to Cemetery Ridge. The trek across this hallowed field is a most touching, memorable experience--much like walking the beach at Normandy. This second day at Gettysburg, we also make it a point to stop at Devil's Den and Slaughter Pen--where Confederate soldiers took cover, only to be gunned down by Union sharpshooters from Little Round Top. The following photos are obviously taken during two touring days: Monday is overcast and drizzly; Friday is sunny and gorgeous.
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| We Walk "Pickett's Charge" Field |
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| Large Open Field of Pickett's Charge: Looking from Confederate-held Seminary Ridge to Union-held Cemetery Ridge |
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| Climbing Fences Slowed Confederate Soldiers During Pickett's Charge |
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| Nearing Copse of Trees at Center of Union Line |
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| Union Soldiers around the Copse of Trees and the Angle Repulsed Pickett's Charge |
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| Wall and Copse of Trees - High Water Mark of Pickett's Charge |
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| Center of Union Line along Cemetery Ridge |
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| Rhonda Reaches the Angle at Cemetery Ridge |
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| Hallowed Field of Pickett's Charge: Looking Back to Seminary Ridge from Cemetery Ridge |
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| General George Meade, Commander of the Army of the Potomac, Observes Pickett's Charge |
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| General James Longstreet -- General Lee's "Old War Horse" -- Disagrees with Pickett's Charge Strategy |
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| Round Top (Center) and Little Round Top (Left) from Gettysburg Observation Tower |
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| The Valley of Death (Devil's Den and Slaughter Pen) from Little Round Top |
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| Looking toward Little Round Top from Rock Formation at Devil's Den |
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| Confederate Sharpshooters Concealed in Devil's Den Picked off Union Soldiers on Little Round Top (100 yards away) |
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| Gettysburg National Cemetery - Burial Site for over 3,500 Union Soldiers Killed at Gettysburg |
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| Lincoln Monument at Gettysburg National Cemetery |
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| Soldiers' Monument at Gettysburg National Cemetery |
We spend the nights of July 14th through 17th at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Gary attends meetings each morning and early afternoon. We eat dinner and tour an attraction or two in Hershey each evening.
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| Our Favorite Attraction in Hershey Is Definitely Chocolate World! |
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| We Return to Chocolate World a Second Evening (They Have Great Shakes!) |
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| Hershey Lodge Gives Complimentary Tickets to Milton L. Hershey's Story |
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| Mural Shows Milton Hershey with Students at Milton Hershey School |
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| Hershey Lodge Gives Complimentary Tickets to Hershey Gardens |
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| Hershey Park from Milton Hershey School |
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| Butterfly House at Hershey Gardens |
We fly back to Houston IAH on Saturday, July 19th. This week in Pennsylvania is a wonderful stroll down memory lane, however bittersweet. We feel blessed to revisit such meaningful, influential places in the history of both America and the Gary and Rhonda Williams family!
