All Things NOLA!

[NAHA]

Originally Posted by barnismom

Mary, you and Steve had a busy itinerary...now you are home to rest! Wow you were able to do the White House and sit in on a session of the Senate; you must have connections besides your local senators and congressmen.

Did you have crab cakes somewhere along your journeys? How was the weather?

Yes, we did have crab cakes in Baltimore and D.C. Love them! The weather was sooo perfect~in the upper 70's all week, cool evenings and mornings. We definitely lucked out on the weather. One bad storm went thru on Tuesday, but we were in a museum at the time. Also, on Tuesday afternoon, we were texted the picture of a brand new baby in our family, my cousin Kathy~(a fellow PBS member) had her second grandson! That was pretty cool! We will always remember where we were when he was born!

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

If I buy an unlocked iPhone I am able to pop in a sim card in the States and use it as a local phone to avoid extra charges.

...you will love the new phone! A colleague has one and I was able to touch and carry the newest model! It is so much thinner and lighter. However, I know the screen size is larger but I was more blown away by the dimensions and weight!

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by NAHA

Yes, we did have crab cakes in Baltimore and D.C. Love them! The weather was sooo perfect~in the upper 70's all week, cool evenings and mornings. We definitely lucked out on the weather. One bad storm went thru on Tuesday, but we were in a museum at the time. Also, on Tuesday afternoon, we were texted the picture of a brand new baby in our family, my cousin Kathy~(a fellow PBS member) had her second grandson! That was pretty cool! We will always remember where we were when he was born!

Mary, congratulations on the latest family member and cannot wait to hear more details about your vacation in person this FEBRUARY!

[Cruisin Dave]

Happy Anniversay Janice and Patrick.

Mary, congrats on the newest addition.

Janice, I heard the same info concerning AA. The only problem, 75% of all flights out of DFW are AA. That doesn't leave much room for something else. I was hoping they would have something settled by now but it just keeps getting worst.

Dave

[NAHA]

Originally Posted by barnismom

Mary, congratulations on the latest family member and cannot wait to hear more details about your vacation in person this FEBRUARY!

Thanks, Janice and Happy Anniversary to you and Patrick!

I am looking forward to this cruise and our first time in a Grand Suite! And you and Patrick right next door!!

I know that some of our men are wearing the "Pink" for formal nite....how many of our ladies are wearing the boa? If anyone needs one, I do have extras, would be happy to bring them for you. Or ship them to you before the cruise.

Golfing this afternoon, have a nice day everyone!

[NAHA]

Originally Posted by Cruisin Dave

Happy Anniversay Janice and Patrick.

Mary, congrats on the newest addition.

Janice, I heard the same info concerning AA. The only problem, 75% of all flights out of DFW are AA. That doesn't leave much room for something else. I was hoping they would have something settled by now but it just keeps getting worst.

Dave

Thanks Dave.

After ATA pulled out of Midway airport, we started flying AA, which meant driving to O'Hare. When they started charging a fee for bags, we switched to Southwest out of Midway and have been happy with them so far. I don't know if Southwest flies from an airport near you, sounds like they don't.

[knobcreek]

With all the airline issues and our most recent cruises involving long spans of air travel I'm actually looking forward to the drive from home to NOLA........can pack what we want and travel at the pace we want and if we don't see all we want pre cruise we can stay extra post cruise.....looking forward to it,,,,Linda

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by Cruisin Dave

Happy Anniversay Janice and Patrick.

Mary, congrats on the newest addition.

Janice, I heard the same info concerning AA. The only problem, 75% of all flights out of DFW are AA. That doesn't leave much room for something else. I was hoping they would have something settled by now but it just keeps getting worst.

Dave

Dave, I know that DFW is dominated by AA since it's their major hub. We are fortunate that we can fly out of three major airports within a 30 mile radius: SJC, SFO and OAK. I cannot believe the difference in price at times; pretty significant.

Let's hope that AA can successfully merge or co-share with someone. Thanks for the anniversary wishes.

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by NAHA

Thanks, Janice and Happy Anniversary to you and Patrick!

I am looking forward to this cruise and our first time in a Grand Suite! And you and Patrick right next door!!

I know that some of our men are wearing the "Pink" for formal nite....how many of our ladies are wearing the boa? If anyone needs one, I do have extras, would be happy to bring them for you. Or ship them to you before the cruise.

Golfing this afternoon, have a nice day everyone!

Mary, hope you had fun golfing! I cannot believe that it was our 13th anniversary...sometimes feels like a lot longer. Actually it is since we met in December 1996 and became a couple in February 1997.

...so looking forward to our first GS too and our great neighbors!

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by knobcreek

With all the airline issues and our most recent cruises involving long spans of air travel I'm actually looking forward to the drive from home to NOLA........can pack what we want and travel at the pace we want and if we don't see all we want pre cruise (or want to go back to somewhere you loved) we can stay extra post cruise.....looking forward to it,,,,Linda

Linda, it is nice to have the option to drive rather than fly. Often times when you factor in the waiting at the airport time, you are already home or at your destination.

FYI, I am really not able to arrive in advance for the cruise so you are welcome to join some of us post-cruise too!

[corkey]

Originally Posted by barnismom

Linda, it is nice to have the option to drive rather than fly. Often times when you factor in the waiting at the airport time, you are already home or at your destination.

FYI, I am really not able to arrive in advance for the cruise so you are welcome to join some of us post-cruise too!

That's how I feel about going from here to Los Angeles - takes much much longer to prep and actually fly over there -

Maybe next time, we will try to drive to Seattle - lots of nice stops along the way - I want to go back to Astoria too!
carol

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by corkey

That's how I feel about going from here to Los Angeles - takes much much longer to prep and actually fly over there -

Maybe next time, we will try to drive to Seattle - lots of nice stops along the way - I want to go back to Astoria too!
carol

Carol, I love that town too...many movies have been filmed there! We will be in Seattle in December for a wedding.

[corkey]

Originally Posted by barnismom

Carol, I love that town too...many movies have been filmed there! We will be in Seattle in December for a wedding.

We were there 3 yrs ago (already...time flies) during the first week of Dec -- it was COLD!! but clear and beautiful - enjoyed the Christmas decorations downtown... I remember that our 49ers were playing against the SeaHawks that weekend - and we came across a gang of niner fans wearing the jerseys, colors, etc... and they were crossing the street and Narce and I started yelling with them... Go Niners Go!!! it was fun - I think our guys lost that game! it was very close tho' -

carol

[knobcreek]

Originally Posted by barnismom

Linda, it is nice to have the option to drive rather than fly. Often times when you factor in the waiting at the airport time, you are already home or at your destination.

FYI, I am really not able to arrive in advance for the cruise so you are welcome to join some of us post-cruise too!

Thanks for the invite to join you'all post cruise, you never know how much an area has to offer, there are lots of ports I'd go back to in a heartbeat to see more. This is the first time we have driven to a port and been retired so we do have options. Once my daughters wedding is over I will do more hardcore planning.

Also happy anniversary!!!! ENJOY !!!!!

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by corkey

We were there 3 yrs ago (already...time flies) during the first week of Dec -- it was COLD!! but clear and beautiful - enjoyed the Christmas decorations downtown... I remember that our 49ers were playing against the SeaHawks that weekend - and we came across a gang of niner fans wearing the jerseys, colors, etc... and they were crossing the street and Narce and I started yelling with them... Go Niners Go!!! it was fun - I think our guys lost that game! it was very close tho' -

carol

Carol, I love the area but I could never live there...too many days of no SUN! I would need one of those special lights to avoid major depression.

One of my favorite stores at Christmas time is in Woodinville at a store called Molbak's! I love their themed trees and the rooms are filled with many different decorated trees...I haven't seen anything comparable in our area.

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by knobcreek

Thanks for the invite to join you'all post cruise, you never know how much an area has to offer, there are lots of ports I'd go back to in a heartbeat to see more. This is the first time we have driven to a port and been retired so we do have options. Once my daughters wedding is over I will do more hardcore planning.

Also happy anniversary!!!! ENJOY !!!!!

...you have an open invitation! We are looking forward to doing a plantation tour(s) and brunch at Commander's Palace on Sunday. When's the wedding? I love the planning,the food tastings, favors, parties etc.: enjoy!

[NAHA]

Originally Posted by barnismom

Mary, hope you had fun golfing! I cannot believe that it was our 13th anniversary...sometimes feels like a lot longer. Actually it is since we met in December 1996 and became a couple in February 1997.

...so looking forward to our first GS too and our great neighbors!

Yes, it was nice, some good shots, some not so good....putted pretty well tho.

I know what you mean, it has been 17 for us, but seems longer...maybe cuz so many things have happened in the last 17 years....weddings, grandkids, losing three of our parents...happy and sad things. We also dated for four and a half years before we got married. But the years do go quickly..can't believe we are only 5 months away from this cruise...we were 17 months away when we booked it! I remember that day on Allure so well...we were so excited. Cruising with friends makes cruising the most fun!

Having friends for dinner tonite, making spaghetti, Italian Sausage, salad and Garlic Bread. Looking forward to one of the last get togethers we can have that we can sit outside for awhile in the evening...weather is starting to cool off late in the day.

Have a good day, everyone!!!

[Cruisin Dave]

Good morning cruisers,

Mary, SW flies out of Love in downtown Dallas. It doesn't fly to Richmond, where we are going in a few weeks. Flying AA is so convenient because there are so many direct flights. I'm sure they will get their stuff together soon.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Dave

[knobcreek]

Originally Posted by barnismom

...you have an open invitation! We are looking forward to doing a plantation tour(s) and brunch at Commander's Palace on Sunday. When's the wedding? I love the planning,the food tastings, favors, parties etc.: enjoy!

It's thanksgiving weekend but most of the family will arrive early that week, so we have thanksgiving dinner to do with lots of people I have never met and its my birthday, next day we head to the beach to begin all the activities. Wedding is on the beach followed by the reception in the garden area of th hotel. It's a real unusual location. Real surfer chic with southern charm.

[barnismom]

Originally Posted by knobcreek

It's thanksgiving weekend but most of the family will arrive early that week, so we have thanksgiving dinner to do with lots of people I have never met and its my birthday, next day we head to the beach to begin all the activities. Wedding is on the beach followed by the reception in the garden area of th hotel. It's a real unusual location. Real surfer chic with southern charm.

We have something in common! A birthday in November...mine is on the 21st and we will be at the Grand Wailea on Maui. The wedding sounds so beautiful and the weather should be perfect too. Just think it is around the corner!

Have a fun weekend!