A totally relaxing journey to the mountains of Virginia. We met some great people, had some good food, and enjoyed some wonderful wine. What more could you ask for?

Link: Retreat to the Mountains

As I post this trip report, we are two weeks from our next big adventure.
A Transatlantic Cruise from Rome to New York, with multiple stops along the way. A bucket list item for me has been to cross the ocean, and it now comes true!

Great weekend Tom, Happy Anniversary!!! I’ve been spending a lot of time at our cabin against the GW National Forest, no place more beautiful than the Appalachian Mountains this time of year! This pic taken yesterday so colors are still available!! Cheers!!

thanks for the report, Tom!! I know you are so looking forward to that ocean crossing. And we are all looking forward to hearing all about it!

Gentlemen, those leaves are certainly lovely, but I surely DON'T miss having to clean them all up in the fall!! Living in Florida has some advantages! (...including no snow!! )

Beerman check it out.... Carol called us Gentleman!
So jealous of your cabin in the mountains.
It would be hard to blow me out of a place like that this time of year.

Carol not a political statement, but....
If I had to choose between snow and the current leadership in FL...
I would have to break out in the old Sammy Cahn song
Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

We are so ready to go abroad - just three more covid test and we will be able to get on the ship.

Tom--OK, maybe I mispoke about the "gentlemen" part.

I guess it just shows how shallow I am, that I prefer the "no snow" situation...

I'm the one who is jealous, have a great trip abroad!!!

Carol - my statement is easily said in November...
It may be a little harder to stand behind in February when the Ice and Snow arrives.

Beerman - It is not to late to join in
There is nothing more crazy that an unplanned last minute getaway.
We did that a few years ago to Vienna. Trip booked and we departed 7 days later.

Tom--you are much more of an adventurer than I am. No way I could make a big trip like that, just off the cuff.

Tom, Beautiful pictures. I have spent some time at The Homestead Resort. I want to ask you, were the pool and hot tub open for guests to use? I wasn't aware they were heated for guest use after Labor Day!
!!!

SarahJane,

There was no one swimming in the pool, albeit if we were guest my wife would have been going back in forth for sure.
There was a lady enjoying the hot tub connected to the pool, and she was a very happy camper. We chatted briefly but we did not want to disturb her bliss.

The beautiful indoor pool, which I remember from our honeymoon, was under renovation. The pool was empty and they were redoing the ornate plaster around the room and ceiling. It was fun to watch the craftsman at work.

Highly recommend you give Fort Lewis a try. Very relaxing on a smaller scale.

Or maybe do a split week at both.
It would be like the week Rock Resorts offered in the 70s where it went from simple to over the top.
Both places very special in their own way back then.
The vacation package had a catchy name which of course I forget, but it included:
4 days at Caneel Bay in STJ and then they transferred you to Little Dix on Virgin Gorda for 3 days.

Oh I missed this yesterday - Sorry

Sometimes spontaneous is the best way to travel. You just fall into things and magic happens.
When we plan trips, as we have this one, the expectations and excitement can rise to level where all it leaves room for is disappointment.
I am hopeful that will not be the case, albeit I am nervous that Janet will be pacing the ship on the at sea days.
However with the amount of things to do and see on the ship we may find (I hope) that boredom does not plague her.

Like I said, I'm too much of a "planner". We have never done an ocean crossing, but I think I would love it--EXCEPT for like this time of year, when I think the weather would be less than ideal.. Too cold and stormy for me! Hopefully your weather is better than I expect it will be!

Not sure in these days and times how much planning one can really do.
Any trip or what is open and the what the requirements to do it or see it are in flux.

For this trip, I have put together a book of everything we want to see and do, walking maps from the ship to the closest wine stores, ship schedules, and plan of the day for our group since we are all doing different things, holidays or special events in port, etc... and then you have things like this impacting overseas travels -

- Trip Cancelled because of the germ
- US requires ships to go under more inspections so trip get cuts a day to arrive a day early and sit onboard in the port
- Ports get cancelled
- France has change entry requirements for USA citizens 4 times since October 20th
- Ship stuck in Panama Canal
- Greek dock work strikes

We still have another week, so what else can happen

But it does not matter - right now I am like this lady in the video!
Link: I will not cancel!

Tom--I have seen that commercial several times and laughed my a$$ off every time!! I really get ya!!

Well something did happen....

Knock Knock Knock... good evening Sheriff can I help you...
Is Mrs TomB home
Yes Sir
I have a subpoena for her to show up for Grand Jury on 30 November
But we will be in the middle of the Atlantic on cruise...
That is your problem not mine... Have a good evening!

So tomorrow we sort out the subpoena

YIKES!!! Oh man, let us know how it turns out!!!!!

Your planning has been a battle! Good luck sorting out the final details!!

Update:

Now in possession of a letter from the Clerk of the Court of our county relieving Mrs. TomB from Grand Jury Duty on November 30.
The process was not bad, but a visit to the courthouse was required.
Sure glad we went to high school with the clerk or the court

Will be in Italy this time next week....
So we still have 6 days for something else...
the clock is ticking

Good deal, Tom! Hope it's clear 'sailing' from here on out!