Angie

In 2003, Randy and I visited Washington D.C. during his deployment to Fort Bragg North Carolina. We spent the week on a military post which is just like a hotel, only better priced. We saw the sights around the city during the day, walking so much I had to buy new shoes in the Union Station mall. Riding the metro around the city at night and stopping for dinner on the lower level of Union Station was one of the hightlights of the trip. The pavillion style resturants gave out samples of food for the whole stretch of deli, coffee and sandwhich shops, everyone trying to beat the others competition. By the time we actually found a place to order we were almost full. A must see if in Washington, D.C. We also visited Mount Vernon (Home of George Washington), Arlington National Cemetary and The Smithsonian Museum which were Randy's favorites. Seeing the Vietnam Wall and The Washington Monument was my favorite. It reminded me of one of my all time favorites, Forrest Gump. Washington D.C. is one of the best places to visit. A city I plan to visit many times in my lifetime.
In 2006, Randy and I went on our long awaited honeymoon, the delays coming from his delpoyment after we married and our trip to DisneyWorld in 2005. We decided to go on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. We had an awesome time on the ship! The dining was free all day and all night. We sun bathed out by the pools. We walked the ship and rode the glass elevators to the different levels and explored all the different areas of the ship. There was so much to do on board with a golf course, a gym, a spa, casinos, pools you name it. We went to an art auction and a comedy show, which Randy loved. Comedy is always best live. We had formal dinners nightly with the best service. The strangest part is not getting a bill at the end of the meal. We sat with three other couples each night on the formal dinners which is really fun because you get to meet all kinds of interesting people. Thank goodness our group was an interesting set of people. Would have hated to be seated with some people who didn't know english. When we arrived on the island we rented a jeep and hit the road. We found a quiet retreat where we could snorkel. The sand was warm and white and the ocean the bluest and clearest aqua color I had ever seen. Fish would come up to eat from your hand like ducks at a park. It was so surreal. I would go back any day.
In 2005, we all went on a trip to Orlando, FL. The night we arrived we went to Medieval Times, and ate with our hands like knights at a round table. We spent our first day at Kelly Springs Park going down the natural springs on inner tubes. It was one of the cheapest yet most fun times on our vacation. Day two was spent at Disney World. It was fun except for the overpriced everything. I have been to the Disney Kingdoms so many times that this was more for the kids. Day three was spent at Discovery Cove. That is as awesome place with the free flying birds in the aviery, snorkeling with the sting rays, the dolphin swims and lazy river with waterfalls. It was a man made tropical retreat. Which came with a free catered lunch. I hope so for what we paid. Day four was my favorite day spent at Sea World. I love all the sea animals and anything aquarium. I am an underwater/animal loving kinda girl. We all have a great time.
Meet my little friend from Moody Gardens in Galvestion, TX. He followed me around like I was snow white both times we visted. I don't know what this bird has for me, but Randy is getting jealous. He sure is a cutie pie!
For our 4th Wedding Anniversary in 2007, we spent the night at a Bed and Breakfast in New Orleans called The Melrose Mansion. We arrived on the day the Saints were playing for the Superbowl so the street were busy with crowds and music. It was a good time. The room was the old victorian style with the hot tub and the big pillow top bed in an upkept old 1800's mansion. If it wasn't for being in January we would have swam in the outdoor pool. We ate mexican food that evening and walked the french quarter. The next morning we made sure to stop by for some beignets and coffee at Cafe' Du Monde, a New Orleans tradition. We were high on sugar and caffine for hours. We visted the 9th ward, it was so devstated. I have never seen anything like it before.
We visited Galveston with Moody Gardens two different times. The first was just Randy and I and the second with all of us. We spent the afternoon on the beach and stayed in a hotel on Seawall blvd. The kids loved Rainforest Cafe' and the museum mansion that we visited. Seen here in the picture is Moody Gardens. There are three pyramid buildings, one with an aquarium one with a rainforest and one a science center. After that we went on a fairy boat ride on Galveston Bay and then had a buffet lunch overlooking the ocean. A must see if you are in the Houston area. I really should be a travel agent.
Our haunted weekend was spent in both Natchez, MS where we stayed at am old 1700's bed and breakfast and then drove over to St. Francisville where we stayed at the haunted B&B, The Myrtles (featured on the travel channel) and yes we are crazy. We toured the house with a group and walked the grounds that evening. We stayed up half the night taking pictures of what looked like orbs on digital. It was a really creepy place yet fascinating. You could really feel it was haunted. We also visited the Haunted Kings Tavern for dinner and had a ghost tour of the downtown afterwards. It was a weekend of nothing but ghost tales. Just my sort of thing.
One of our first vacations together was when we visited the Mcilhenny Tabasco Plantation on Avery Island. Home of tabasco, of course. There was a little gift shop that had everything tabasco style and then on the tour we were able to see how tabasco was made. Didn't know it took so long to make one bottle of that stuff. It was a nice little stop we made on our way down to New Orleans. We stopped for a picnic in a beautiful feild of trees. It was quite a warm and humid day but the photos came out perfect. After the tabasco plant we went to the New Orleans aquarium and walked around the French Quarter.
Our newlywed years, Lake Charles, LA. You just can't mess with perfection. I have this photo in 11x14 hanging up in our home. My all time favorite of us together. Just a quiet and peaceful day in Lake Charles.
Visiting the Lonestar Air Museum in Texas. See the big planes behind me? My husband and I love the nostalgia of the 1940's pin-ups, WWII classics, old airplanes restored to new. If there is an air museum on the path of travels you can be sure we have already paid a visit.
Beautiful Eyes!!!
Randy and I, when I was 25. How time flys!