TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME 6/8/2011

On one of the HOTTEST June days yet, the brave High Street Travelers spent the day at the ballpark in Cincinnati. The saving grace of the 95 degree day was the SHADED seats selected by our coordinator, Deb! A nice breeze was coming in Great America Ballpark as we enjoyed the afternoon game. The Chicago Cubs ended up winning by the score of 4-1 and our group enjoyed a wonderful dinner stop on the way home in Batesville at the Sherman House.

Hilton Head Island, SC

Harbor Town Golf Course Hole #18 behind us

We are enjoying a sunny, VERY warm blue-sky week on the island with good friends Scott & Vicki Shockley. Our daily routine goes something like this:
Exercise Pool/beach Golf Eat REPEAT as necessary!

The girls/guys golf challenge is all tied at 1-1, so today is for the CHAMPIONSHIP! Handicaps have been checked carefully and a lot is at stake.

The FRESH seafood on the island is awesome!!! We have several favorite restaurants and are trying to get to them all, as well as a day in Savannah.

Greetings to everyone at home... stay cool there as well:)

Shipshewana Day NOT spoiled by Rain

Wednesday May 25, 2011

High Street Traveler Ladies making purchases at the Little Helpers Quilt Shop Shipshewana, IN

Once every 5 years, we experience a day like 5/25. The rain NEVER stopped, but our enthusiasm didn't!

A wonderful Mennonite guide, Mary Ellen Fry, escorted us through the back roads (and puddles) of Amish Country to sample the homemade goods of breads, cheeses and quilts and even a little history.

Bud Ward, our experienced and energetic motor coach driver, also stood at the bottom of the steps with an umbrella and poncho the whole day keeping us as dry as possible.

The Wednesday Flea market actually CLOSED for several hours in the morning due to the terrible storms and opened after lunch for 1 hour just for the persistent shoppers on our coach.

A traditional Amish Thresher lunch was enough food to feed us for days at Cindy's Kuntry Kitchen.

All in all, the day was salvaged with sampling the goodies we purchased in town and our coach was entertained by Betty Longshore and "her girls". Betty was celebrating her 80th birthday on the trip and the chatter from the back of the coach was endless... a sign that a "good time was had by all"!

Home Safely!

Darlene & Bill Heath pass time in the Rome airport





After a somewhat rocky start to our journey on April 26th, the exit from our good ship was seamless. Part of the ship recap:

• position as we docked 42 degrees 06.25' North 11 degrees 46.34' East




• sailed 3191 nautical miles




• ship's registry - Bahamas and built in 2003 in Finland




• capacity 5,020 (including crew)




• complete with 7 bed medical facility & surgical room




• run by 6 diesel generator engines

Our airport troubles were minor with a 2 hour delay out of Rome in a very complicated system for security (part of the week's Bin laden event), but ALL 22 of us departed at 8:10 am local time bound for Philly via a 10 hr flight.

Like Dorothy told Toto, "there's no place like home". Some of us will still make our duties at the High Street May breakfast tomorrow am.

Thank you again for being a blog follower and check back as more photos will be added!
Talk to you soon,
Deb

Sea Day 5/10

Rough storms (although not like the hail ECI experienced) awakened us Tuesday am. Our fine vessel rescued a distressed yacht and 3 passengers off the coast of Italy early this morning. Yea - Mariner of the Seas and Captain Nielsonn!

The sun produced itself in the afternoon as the group busied ourselves with card playing, scrap booking, trivia games, cribbage and more art exploring (as seen above).

Then, the thought of packing had to enter our minds..... but fond memories will NEVER go away.

Below is a sample of a list started at the dinner table of special memories:

• walking the marbled streets of Ephesus & scenic Rhodes


• climbing the 168 steps to the top of the Acropolis


• standing where Paul the Apostle spoke in Ephesus


• standing in the Garden of Gethsemane


• the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem


• being at Mary's House on Mother's Day


• walking the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem


• standing in the Jordan River just like Jesus when he was Baptized


• riding the boat across the Sea of Galilee

We said our good byes to new friends made over the last 13 days. Tomorrow is a very early start and LONG travel day. We pray for smoothness and SAFETY!

Deb & travelers

Crete

Lois, Phyllis & Janice explore Greek Island of Crete

Downtown Chania

On the Northwest coast of the Greek Island Crete is the ancient city Chania, restored and rebuilt after WW 2 to its Venetian charm. A welcoming harbor calls back fishermen...the colorful cafes welcome tourists seeking the W.C.

Shops line an updated downtown waiting for more Euros to be spent if one opted not to go on an excursion to the outer regions where monasteries and a National park lie.
The short day in a port city... we now sail back to Rome; which means our journey is coming close to its end:(

Sea day tomorrow...

Ephesus (Port of Kusadasi)

The House believed to be Mary's later in life -

Outside Ephesus

SUNDAY
Sorry for the late post... Internet at sea is so-so reliable! But for us another Mediterranean mid-70's sunny day. Wish I'd brought closer to 20 SPF.

Western Turkey has many beautiful seaside towns that attract thousands to the resorts on the Aegean Sea. The proximity to the ancient city sights make it an attractive port of call.
Interesting Ephesus facts:

• considered one of the greatest outdoor museums of Turkey






• was once a seaport and now 6 miles away from the sea with roads & habitation






• ancient city was built 4 times in the history and the Ephesus of today is considered the 3rd






• the toilets of the ancient city were arranged side by side with no partition between men's & women's. Slaves heated them before their master's use in winter






• one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world here with the Temple of Artemis






• St Paul the Apostle gave lecture in the Tyrannus Hall and the synagogue for 2 years in his 3rd missionary journey






• only 35% of the city has been excavated

Performers in the 24,000 seat theatre (besides Apostle Paul) include: Diana Ross, Elton John and Yanni for fund raising efforts.

But of particular interest was the house believed to be that of the Virgin Mary in her last years. A small cottage hidden in the hills has been visited by Pope the 6th Paul and Pope Jean Paul. This place of pilgrimage is visited by millions every year, yet maintains its holiness for the Muslims as well as Christians. Drinking from the well here is believed to be sacred as wishes are made.

Much shopping is available for Turkish rugs, scarves, jewelry and fabrics.

All is well with the Travelers and we feel so blessed to have experienced today!