Number Five

In less than two weeks, Graham and Bill and I are going to take our fifth vacation trip together. We were talking on the phone tonight and remembering some of our good times last year, which made me think about the four trips we have taken together. It all began in 2003.

That was the year Bill almost didn't go with us. We presented him with our plan to take a tour in Scotland and asked if he would want to go too. We have ancestry there, and of course with the name William Wallace, we knew he would love the trip. It would also be his first venture overseas. He hesitated, then said he just couldn't go. Probably two days later, I got a call from him asking if it was too late to change his mind! I'm so glad he did, because we had such a wonderful time there. This picture is in a restaurant in Glasgow. Bill, what was the name of the restaurant?

Our next trip together was in November, 2005, to Italy. We gathered a large group of family and friends and trekked from Rome to Venice to Capri and many places in between. Everyone had his or her favorite place. Bill and Graham were captivated by Pompeii. That excavated city, the ruins in Rome and the Catacombs made the trip worthwhile. We encountered some very cold and rainy weather, but wouldn't let that dampen our enthusiasm for the beautiful countryside and delicious food. This picture is taken in Assisi at our hotel, the Subasio.

Our plans for 2006 started out with a trip to Russia. We were going with half of our Italy group and just before finalizing the deal, several in the group bailed out. In an effort to keep our group together we changed our plans to a week in London. This was the first time we had done an "independent" tour and so we were pretty much left to plan our own events. This was Bill's first trip to London. We did day trips to Bath and Stonehenge, Leeds Castle and Winchester, and a train ride to East Grinstead and Hever Castle. This picture is taken at a Mediterranean Restaurant in London. Pardon the focus, but this was the best I had of the three of us together.

In 2008 we ventured out, just we three, to the Northwest US and Canada and the National Parks. What a terrific trip that was! We were traveling in May, but the temps were still cool, and there was even some snow remaining in some areas. We saw so much wildlife and had a great tour director who made lots of photo stops. This was the most relaxing and enjoyable trip we have made and one that all three of us would dare to do again. This picture is taken in Jasper, Canada.

So now we prepare to see Ireland together. Graham and I did a fast tour in Ireland about four years ago. We're looking forward to this more leisurely exploration with Bill. And I'm making a note to myself as I type: Get more pictures of the three of us together!