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Date: 8th January 2013
Show us your hat Tracey !!
Yep, I would like to see THAT hat too. How about it Tracey ??
From Blog: Istanbul - Day 3
Show us your hat Tracey !!
Yep, I would like to see THAT hat too. How about it Tracey ??
From Blog: Istanbul - Day 3
Date: 8th January 2013
Turkey in Winter !?!
Have been to Turkey 3 times now but NEVER in Winter. You are sooooo brave [or just plain crazy !!] Perhaps you should go to the Turkish Baths [one is near the Hagia Sofia] and stay there for several hours. You\'ll soon be warmed up after a brisk scrub and swim in the heated pools. I LOVED the experience. Happy travelling.
From Blog: And on the fourth day ... It snowed!! (Istanbul - Day 4)
Turkey in Winter !?!
Have been to Turkey 3 times now but NEVER in Winter. You are sooooo brave [or just plain crazy !!] Perhaps you should go to the Turkish Baths [one is near the Hagia Sofia] and stay there for several hours. You\'ll soon be warmed up after a brisk scrub and swim in the heated pools. I LOVED the experience. Happy travelling.
From Blog: And on the fourth day ... It snowed!! (Istanbul - Day 4)
Date: 8th January 2013
No Smoking???
Hello, I am conducting a little research for my upcoming move to Turkey and the possibility of writing a blog about my experience. Yes, you read that correctly…Move. I am moving to a small town in Turkey for six months so that my two boys (ages 7 and 9) can go to school and learn the Turkish language. Oh, and as my husband puts it…learn about the culture. You see, my husband is Turkish and I am American. We live in the luxury of American suburbia. Somehow we think if we force our children to become expats, we will weaken the spoiled force field that is growing ever so stronger around them. I realize that we could do this at home but hey, why not go full out! A strong dose of reality may just be the prescription we are looking for. I had to comment on your smoking research. During one of my first visits to Turkey I balked at the sight of a group of men leaning against a wall at the airport, chatting, and smoking cigarettes. Behind them, lined on the wall were a half dozen No Smoking signs. Granted the signs were marred by the cloud of smoke. Through my cultural lens I could not believe that anyone would disobey a sign, OMG. I have been with our uncle when he has asked someone to put out a cigarette in a bus. The scene was not pretty. Additionally, during our last visit the boys being from Southern California are not accustomed to cigarette smoke. We were in a posh little coffee slash sweet shop and a couple next to us lit up. My obnoxious American children slapped their hands over their mouths, and cried out smoke, smoking is bad for you! This scene was also not my proudest moment. Side note…I have learned a choice few Turkish swear words due to our many antics in Turkey over the years. So from my experience I implore you…hold your breath, balk silently, and eat some extra antioxidants. Keep going, I will read on. P.S.S—Order Iskender Kebab. Yummy.
From Blog: And on the fourth day ... It snowed!! (Istanbul - Day 4)
No Smoking???
Hello, I am conducting a little research for my upcoming move to Turkey and the possibility of writing a blog about my experience. Yes, you read that correctly…Move. I am moving to a small town in Turkey for six months so that my two boys (ages 7 and 9) can go to school and learn the Turkish language. Oh, and as my husband puts it…learn about the culture. You see, my husband is Turkish and I am American. We live in the luxury of American suburbia. Somehow we think if we force our children to become expats, we will weaken the spoiled force field that is growing ever so stronger around them. I realize that we could do this at home but hey, why not go full out! A strong dose of reality may just be the prescription we are looking for. I had to comment on your smoking research. During one of my first visits to Turkey I balked at the sight of a group of men leaning against a wall at the airport, chatting, and smoking cigarettes. Behind them, lined on the wall were a half dozen No Smoking signs. Granted the signs were marred by the cloud of smoke. Through my cultural lens I could not believe that anyone would disobey a sign, OMG. I have been with our uncle when he has asked someone to put out a cigarette in a bus. The scene was not pretty. Additionally, during our last visit the boys being from Southern California are not accustomed to cigarette smoke. We were in a posh little coffee slash sweet shop and a couple next to us lit up. My obnoxious American children slapped their hands over their mouths, and cried out smoke, smoking is bad for you! This scene was also not my proudest moment. Side note…I have learned a choice few Turkish swear words due to our many antics in Turkey over the years. So from my experience I implore you…hold your breath, balk silently, and eat some extra antioxidants. Keep going, I will read on. P.S.S—Order Iskender Kebab. Yummy.
From Blog: And on the fourth day ... It snowed!! (Istanbul - Day 4)
Date: 7th January 2013
Thinking of you
Hi guys, well your trip came around at last, great to read of your adventures. We could even swap a few of our hot days just for something different....are you are missing the summer weather yet? We are currently planning an 8 week trip with a few others up to Cairns, over to Normanton, Tennant Creek, down to Alice, Coober Pedy, Bourke, and work our way back. The dogs will come this time and they will stay a few days at Alice Springs while we do the highlights in the national parks. Enjoy, all the best. Wade and Val.
From Blog: And on the fourth day ... It snowed!! (Istanbul - Day 4)
Thinking of you
Hi guys, well your trip came around at last, great to read of your adventures. We could even swap a few of our hot days just for something different....are you are missing the summer weather yet? We are currently planning an 8 week trip with a few others up to Cairns, over to Normanton, Tennant Creek, down to Alice, Coober Pedy, Bourke, and work our way back. The dogs will come this time and they will stay a few days at Alice Springs while we do the highlights in the national parks. Enjoy, all the best. Wade and Val.
From Blog: And on the fourth day ... It snowed!! (Istanbul - Day 4)
Date: 7th January 2013
Old hat!
Tracey, after your great description, we need a pic of your old hat, and maybe of the new one too!
From Blog: Istanbul - Day 3
Old hat!
Tracey, after your great description, we need a pic of your old hat, and maybe of the new one too!
From Blog: Istanbul - Day 3
Date: 6th July 2012
Welcome to the 50 club!!
Hey! Glad you had a great 50th! Let's get those red hats. We are in Point Simson (200 odd kms south of Port Hedland). Trip great so far also. You've got to do Aus before you get too old to tackle Karijini gorges:)
From Blog: Day 23 Route 66 - Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 0 miles
Welcome to the 50 club!!
Hey! Glad you had a great 50th! Let's get those red hats. We are in Point Simson (200 odd kms south of Port Hedland). Trip great so far also. You've got to do Aus before you get too old to tackle Karijini gorges:)
From Blog: Day 23 Route 66 - Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 0 miles
Date: 5th July 2012
Sounds great!
Hi, my fiance and I have just booked our honeymoon, part of which will include hire of a Mustang and a drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Your trip along Route 66 is exactly what we are looking for! Can you tell me though, is there a Route 66 sign anywhere along the road between Las Vegas and LA?
From Blog: Day 25 Route 66 - Las Vegas to Los Angeles (Santa Monica)
Sounds great!
Hi, my fiance and I have just booked our honeymoon, part of which will include hire of a Mustang and a drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Your trip along Route 66 is exactly what we are looking for! Can you tell me though, is there a Route 66 sign anywhere along the road between Las Vegas and LA?
From Blog: Day 25 Route 66 - Las Vegas to Los Angeles (Santa Monica)
Date: 2nd July 2012
Red Hat Club
Tracey, I think the red hat ladies wear PURPLE clothing as well as red hats. If purple is still your favourite colour, maybe you should join!
From Blog: Day 23 Route 66 - Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 0 miles
Red Hat Club
Tracey, I think the red hat ladies wear PURPLE clothing as well as red hats. If purple is still your favourite colour, maybe you should join!
From Blog: Day 23 Route 66 - Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 0 miles
Date: 2nd July 2012
half a century with many more to come!
Sounds like you had a perfect birthday apart from the lack of sun lounges. I wonder if you would have been able to bribe one to be released to you while the tenant was absent! Money seems to talk in Vegas when it comes to privileges. I am surprised you haven't heard of the Red Hat Society as the emails have done the rounds over the years. It was inspired by a poem about doing whatever we want without concern for what others think of our image once we get older and wiser. Personally I don't think you need to join a club to have fun once you are over 50 as long as you have a good social circle. I don't want to join any more clubs that involve taking an organising position or minutes, especially not to simply socialise, it is far too easy to do that without the need for a formal arrangement. But I can appreciate that some people feel more comfortable joining a group where they have ready acceptance. We enjoyed watching Billy's 2nd episode of his Route 66 journey last night. Once again there were some familiar sights. I know his show was recorded some time back but it's like he is following in your footsteps given we heard it all first from you! Ha ha! We also watched a show on Channel 31 about a 2011 Autumn Route 66 convoy of travelers. I am not sure how many weeks it will be showing here but it was yet another view of this iconic journey. I imagine Route 66 will be inundated with aussie pilgrims down the track after so much promotion. You will be home now but I am imagine we will still see some further update.
From Blog: Day 23 Route 66 - Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 0 miles
half a century with many more to come!
Sounds like you had a perfect birthday apart from the lack of sun lounges. I wonder if you would have been able to bribe one to be released to you while the tenant was absent! Money seems to talk in Vegas when it comes to privileges. I am surprised you haven't heard of the Red Hat Society as the emails have done the rounds over the years. It was inspired by a poem about doing whatever we want without concern for what others think of our image once we get older and wiser. Personally I don't think you need to join a club to have fun once you are over 50 as long as you have a good social circle. I don't want to join any more clubs that involve taking an organising position or minutes, especially not to simply socialise, it is far too easy to do that without the need for a formal arrangement. But I can appreciate that some people feel more comfortable joining a group where they have ready acceptance. We enjoyed watching Billy's 2nd episode of his Route 66 journey last night. Once again there were some familiar sights. I know his show was recorded some time back but it's like he is following in your footsteps given we heard it all first from you! Ha ha! We also watched a show on Channel 31 about a 2011 Autumn Route 66 convoy of travelers. I am not sure how many weeks it will be showing here but it was yet another view of this iconic journey. I imagine Route 66 will be inundated with aussie pilgrims down the track after so much promotion. You will be home now but I am imagine we will still see some further update.
From Blog: Day 23 Route 66 - Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 0 miles
Date: 1st July 2012
the value of patience!
Well that was a bonus to get an upgrade! The desk clerk must have liked you. Not often you get that sort of treatment over a delay to check-in. Great to enjoy some luxury while in Vegas. Not long before you head home so enjoy the remaining time to the fullest. See you next weekend!
From Blog: Day 22 Route 66 - Boulder City to Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 25.8 miles
the value of patience!
Well that was a bonus to get an upgrade! The desk clerk must have liked you. Not often you get that sort of treatment over a delay to check-in. Great to enjoy some luxury while in Vegas. Not long before you head home so enjoy the remaining time to the fullest. See you next weekend!
From Blog: Day 22 Route 66 - Boulder City to Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 25.8 miles
Date: 1st July 2012
the value of patience!
Well that was a bonus to get an upgrade! The desk clerk must have liked you. Not often you get that sort of treatment over a delay to check-in. Great to enjoy some luxury while in Vegas. Not long before you head home so enjoy the remaining time to the fullest. See you next weekend!
From Blog: Day 22 Route 66 - Boulder City to Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 25.8 miles
the value of patience!
Well that was a bonus to get an upgrade! The desk clerk must have liked you. Not often you get that sort of treatment over a delay to check-in. Great to enjoy some luxury while in Vegas. Not long before you head home so enjoy the remaining time to the fullest. See you next weekend!
From Blog: Day 22 Route 66 - Boulder City to Las Vegas (side-trip to Nevada) 25.8 miles
Date: 29th June 2012
Happy Birthday!
Happy 50th Tracey! I hope you lived it up in Las Vegas for your birthday. I intended to send you a message yesterday but were too tied up celebrating Daniel's 17th! Hopefully it's still 28 June when you read this. Enjoy the rest of your trip, and come home safely next week.
Happy Birthday!
Happy 50th Tracey! I hope you lived it up in Las Vegas for your birthday. I intended to send you a message yesterday but were too tied up celebrating Daniel's 17th! Hopefully it's still 28 June when you read this. Enjoy the rest of your trip, and come home safely next week.
Date: 29th June 2012
Birthday Wishes
Hi Tracey, My phone seems to think you are in Australia, so I can only assume you left your phone or sim behind. I was trying to get your Happy Birthday greetings to arrive on the right day. I have been reading your blog and it looks like a real adventure, what a great trip and as usual some terrific photos. I'm sure you will be having a great birthday and look forward to catching up when you get back.
From Blog: Day 20 Route 66 - Kingman to Barstow 243.5 miles
Birthday Wishes
Hi Tracey, My phone seems to think you are in Australia, so I can only assume you left your phone or sim behind. I was trying to get your Happy Birthday greetings to arrive on the right day. I have been reading your blog and it looks like a real adventure, what a great trip and as usual some terrific photos. I'm sure you will be having a great birthday and look forward to catching up when you get back.
From Blog: Day 20 Route 66 - Kingman to Barstow 243.5 miles
Date: 28th June 2012
Hi
Hi guys, these photos are so great, its like going back in time. PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACEY .....50 woo hoo!!
From Blog: Day 20 Route 66 - Kingman to Barstow 243.5 miles
Hi
Hi guys, these photos are so great, its like going back in time. PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACEY .....50 woo hoo!!
From Blog: Day 20 Route 66 - Kingman to Barstow 243.5 miles
Date: 28th June 2012
It's your birthday
Happy birthday to you! Hope it is a special day and that you have an extra big adventure to celebrate. We're enjoying the ride with you... love Janet and Phil xxx
It's your birthday
Happy birthday to you! Hope it is a special day and that you have an extra big adventure to celebrate. We're enjoying the ride with you... love Janet and Phil xxx
Date: 27th June 2012
Happy Birthday
Hi Tracey, I hope you have a very happy birthday while you continue / conclude your odyssey on Route 66. Not sure what date it is where you are (California?) but it has just ticked over to 28 June here in sunny (at least it was sunny on Wednesday) Melbourne. Regards, Leo.
From Blog: Day 20 Route 66 - Kingman to Barstow 243.5 miles
Happy Birthday
Hi Tracey, I hope you have a very happy birthday while you continue / conclude your odyssey on Route 66. Not sure what date it is where you are (California?) but it has just ticked over to 28 June here in sunny (at least it was sunny on Wednesday) Melbourne. Regards, Leo.
From Blog: Day 20 Route 66 - Kingman to Barstow 243.5 miles
Date: 27th June 2012
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday for tomorrow. The nose thingy---------- that happens to us when we head North to the "dry". Cheers Judy
From Blog: Day 19 Route 66 - Flagstaff to Kingman 173.3 miles
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday for tomorrow. The nose thingy---------- that happens to us when we head North to the "dry". Cheers Judy
From Blog: Day 19 Route 66 - Flagstaff to Kingman 173.3 miles
Date: 26th June 2012
Happy birthday
Friends from St Louis gave me a Route 66 fridge magnet map on their last trip to Aus, so that is handy in following your travels. I hope you have a very happy birthday Tracey.
From Blog: Day 18 Route 66 - Flagstaff (side-trip to Sunset Canyon Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments) 88.9 miles
Happy birthday
Friends from St Louis gave me a Route 66 fridge magnet map on their last trip to Aus, so that is handy in following your travels. I hope you have a very happy birthday Tracey.
From Blog: Day 18 Route 66 - Flagstaff (side-trip to Sunset Canyon Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments) 88.9 miles
Date: 26th June 2012
Have a Happy Birthday
Hi Tracey, Thinking of you, have an extra glass of champers for your birthday. Safe travels.
From Blog: Day 18 Route 66 - Flagstaff (side-trip to Sunset Canyon Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments) 88.9 miles
Have a Happy Birthday
Hi Tracey, Thinking of you, have an extra glass of champers for your birthday. Safe travels.
From Blog: Day 18 Route 66 - Flagstaff (side-trip to Sunset Canyon Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments) 88.9 miles
Date: 26th June 2012
memories of flagstaff
I guess your photos are just a taster of what you must have taken over your journey. Looking forward to seeing more further down the track. Phil and I visited Flagstaff in 2001 so some familiar places mentioned in your blog, Wupatki pueblo ruins and Sunset crater. The other significant thing that happened there was that the door knob fell off our motel bathroom and Phil got stuck in there for a little while. You may remember the Venice beach toilet incident when he got locked in and tried to pull the lock apart with his Swiss Army knife. The Flagstaff incident was less dramatic but had him worried for a few minutes. I think just about everything we touched in that motel room broke or fell apart! It was also the place where we learned that you don't stay near railway lines as the trains during that night seemed to take forever to go by! Hopefully your motel was a bit more upmarket...
From Blog: Day 18 Route 66 - Flagstaff (side-trip to Sunset Canyon Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments) 88.9 miles
memories of flagstaff
I guess your photos are just a taster of what you must have taken over your journey. Looking forward to seeing more further down the track. Phil and I visited Flagstaff in 2001 so some familiar places mentioned in your blog, Wupatki pueblo ruins and Sunset crater. The other significant thing that happened there was that the door knob fell off our motel bathroom and Phil got stuck in there for a little while. You may remember the Venice beach toilet incident when he got locked in and tried to pull the lock apart with his Swiss Army knife. The Flagstaff incident was less dramatic but had him worried for a few minutes. I think just about everything we touched in that motel room broke or fell apart! It was also the place where we learned that you don't stay near railway lines as the trains during that night seemed to take forever to go by! Hopefully your motel was a bit more upmarket...
From Blog: Day 18 Route 66 - Flagstaff (side-trip to Sunset Canyon Volcano and Wupatki National Monuments) 88.9 miles
Date: 23rd June 2012
view looks worth it
Forget the food etc, the view looks worth it. I guess they don't have to try as hard to get diners as some places. Must be some great hiking trails in that area. I wouldn't have known how to pronounce the town name except for the Partridge Family singing 'Point me in the direction of Albuquerque..." all those years ago. I learnt a bit about US geography from their touring around on that show!
From Blog: Day 14 Route 66 - Santa Fe to Albuquerque 94.5 miles
view looks worth it
Forget the food etc, the view looks worth it. I guess they don't have to try as hard to get diners as some places. Must be some great hiking trails in that area. I wouldn't have known how to pronounce the town name except for the Partridge Family singing 'Point me in the direction of Albuquerque..." all those years ago. I learnt a bit about US geography from their touring around on that show!
From Blog: Day 14 Route 66 - Santa Fe to Albuquerque 94.5 miles
Date: 19th June 2012
Neons everywhere
Love the photos of the Neon signs. It must have been a huge business in the US at some stage. There was an item on American Pickers about how they are made and it is a lot of work to make them with more than a couple of colours. We also saw a travel item on Vegas that showed a place where you can see a huge number of old unused signage which would be interesting to see, like a big Neon graveyard. The midpoint cafe looks very retro. Must look up a recipe for nekkid chicken! What is the most revolting thing you have seen on a menu during your travels? I am sure you must have seen some beauties. I remember seeing a sign outside a takeaway place in Florida for fried gizzards but sadly the place was closed so we couldn't have a tasting??? Ha ha! Reminds me of the Beverley Hillbillies and Granny's gourmet cooking. love Janet
From Blog: Day 10 Route 66 - Amarillo to Tucumcari 127 miles (We're half way there!)
Neons everywhere
Love the photos of the Neon signs. It must have been a huge business in the US at some stage. There was an item on American Pickers about how they are made and it is a lot of work to make them with more than a couple of colours. We also saw a travel item on Vegas that showed a place where you can see a huge number of old unused signage which would be interesting to see, like a big Neon graveyard. The midpoint cafe looks very retro. Must look up a recipe for nekkid chicken! What is the most revolting thing you have seen on a menu during your travels? I am sure you must have seen some beauties. I remember seeing a sign outside a takeaway place in Florida for fried gizzards but sadly the place was closed so we couldn't have a tasting??? Ha ha! Reminds me of the Beverley Hillbillies and Granny's gourmet cooking. love Janet
From Blog: Day 10 Route 66 - Amarillo to Tucumcari 127 miles (We're half way there!)
Date: 16th June 2012
What the!!
We are finding your blogs really descriptive, hope you are enjoying your travels and not having too many hassels. You have to stop eating out at the steak houses or you will have excess baggage. Good luck for the rest of your trip.
From Blog: Day 9 Route 66 - Weatherford to Amarillo 199.6 miles
What the!!
We are finding your blogs really descriptive, hope you are enjoying your travels and not having too many hassels. You have to stop eating out at the steak houses or you will have excess baggage. Good luck for the rest of your trip.
From Blog: Day 9 Route 66 - Weatherford to Amarillo 199.6 miles
Date: 15th June 2012
sights and characters
You are certainly finding plenty of interesting views and characters along your journey. Keep up the great work with the blog and photos, taking us along on your pilgrimage. One of our favourite shows "American Pickers" features some great characters who collect all manner of historical items, much like the type of people you seem to be meeting along the way. They all have a story to tell! Janet
From Blog: Day 7 Route 66 - Carthage to Tulsa 168.8 miles
sights and characters
You are certainly finding plenty of interesting views and characters along your journey. Keep up the great work with the blog and photos, taking us along on your pilgrimage. One of our favourite shows "American Pickers" features some great characters who collect all manner of historical items, much like the type of people you seem to be meeting along the way. They all have a story to tell! Janet
From Blog: Day 7 Route 66 - Carthage to Tulsa 168.8 miles
Caroline Brunner
non-member comment
Been there, Done that!
It's a great country Turkey, but sooooo much nicer without rain & snow. I'm enjoying retracing with you the same road Tom & I travelled about 15 years ago. We both loved it there. Are you going to Central Turkey ~ viz Goreme Valley in Capadoccia? Fabulous place. Try and take a balloon flight over the sandstone formations if you can. Caroline
From Blog: Istanbul to Canakkale via Gallipoli