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Holiday Greetings This is such a hectic, fun time of year. I'm going to make this short for easy, quick reading this month -- in the midst of all your holiday preparations. Phil and I love Christmas with the children and grandchildren and share a couple of our holiday traditions with you in this edition. But whatever your family's traditions are, just don't lose sight of them in all the rush. That is what children remember, not all the presents they received. Have a wonderful holiday season and start thinking about next year's road trips! Ring in the New Year for us too.
Phil and Carol White |
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| I need your help! 1) Does something on Amazon make you believe this is an RV buying guide? or a book about what to see and where to stay? 2) What should I do to help people not have this issue in the future? Maybe do a blog entry on my Amazon blog, or ?? -- or just forget it? Maybe one of you would be kind enough to write a review that counters her comments - they are so different than previous reviews from readers - I don't want people to be put off by her experience. Here is the link to my Amazon page for your reference: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0975292803/ |
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Another nice note from a subscriber Well I finally had a chance to read your newsletter, and when I read your story about Mark, Cricket, Adam, Lucas, and Jake of www.awaywego.us, I couldn't believe it. What a small world! Back in June, I saw their RV cruising up Hwy 101 just outside of Eureka, where we live. I thought to myself, "now there's a website I have to check out" but forgot to. Then lo and behold, there they are in your newsletter. Now the really serendipitious thing was that I saw them around the same time that I was starting to read your book! How's that fir a sign from the heavens?! My husband and I are making all the preparations to take our pre-retirement retirement journey. Again, many thanks for encouraging us and making it seem like an entirely possible and rational thing to do! Rene Agredano Thanks Rene for your note - you'll never know where Live Your Road Trip Dream fans will show up! Maybe some of us will see YOU on the road soon. Keep making those plans! Another subscriber checks in with pictures and a note   Re. road trips: Last month we took a weeklong ramble through southern Utah - from Moab down to Vegas through the national parks. Our favorite region in the U.S. I've attached two snaps from the trip -- the two of us playing cowpokes. I photographed Jill during a wicked thunderstorm at Arches NP, when we were caught out beneath a boulder while lightning traced the clouds and water cascaded off the surrounding slickrock. Scary but fun. ... Jill snapped my picture at a roadside ruin in Caineville -- I'm doing my best John Wayne, with a steely stare at a distant mesa. Any recent trips for the both of you? - Dave Lauterborn Dave is working on his first travel-related book. With pictures like these, I can hardly wait to see the book. As to your question about our recent trips - we were in China in November - Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou. The trip was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and was an incredible value. An extraordinary country undergoing mammoth changes - a "not to be missed" excursion if you can find a Chamber Group in your area that is participating in this "Business Exchange Mission". |
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Family Traditions at the holidays We have lots of traditions with our grandchildren, but none is more special than our “sharing” trip we take during the Christmas holidays. This is a tradition that any parent or grandparent can start with their own family. Our grandchildren, now ten of them and counting, are pretty typical of most middle class children of today. The have lots, and really appreciate little. They don’t take a lot of time from their own worlds to think about others and how children who aren’t as blessed as they are, might be spending their holidays. So, one afternoon during the holidays, we take them all (or as many as we can gather) and head for a toy store. They each have $10-$15 to spend on a child. They can pool their resources to buy something bigger, or they can pick individually. They think carefully about what a child who may get nothing except their present might really like. We guide only a little and mostly watch in amazement at the thought that goes into their choices. We then deliver the gifts to a local fire station. The firemen are wonderful with the kids and talk about what a wonderful thing they have done. They talk about distributing the toys – and they let them climb on the fire equipment and learn about fighting fires. We try to go for a treat, but sometimes their schedules are so tight that we’ve got to get them home and back to their busy lives, only hoping that they have thought just a little about another boy or girl – even for a moment. |
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Florida Food Festivals If Florida is on your road trip agenda this year, here is a new book just out that is jammed packed with ideas on Food Festivals -- and who doesn't like to eat and visit various fun festivals. This from the author, Joan Steinbacher, just for readers of this newsletter: "Food Fest! Your Complete Guide to Florida's Food Festivals" is the first and only book to provide Florida residents and visitors with a comprehensive guide to the state's year-round cornucopia of food celebrations. Food festivals, cook-offs, and "Taste Of" events are described and listed with the event's activities, date, location, and contact information. Regional maps and festival directories (by month and region) help plan weekend getaways or spontaneous day trips. Bonus recipes are also included. "Food Fest!" is for every Florida resident and visitor who enjoys travel, outdoor activities, or good food. Readers will discover--unique and exciting food festivals; rare events and competitions; fun, kid-friendly activities; low-cost ideas for entertaining guests; and tips and suggestions for making the most of the festival experience. The companion website, www.FoodFestGuide.com, offers many additional features that complement the book's information. Sounds like this might make a fun gift also.
Don’t forget! Personally autographed copies of the book are always available on our website
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What do you think? We are always anxious to hear from our readers and friends about how we are doing. Where have your dreams taken you? Please send us your travel pictures taken on your road trip dream. We want to share stories of trips that were inspired by reading Live Your Road Trip Dream – Travel for a year for the cost of staying home. Until next time.. Keep Dreaming...
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