Astros vs Rangers with Longtime Friends

Peter, a Brit who was Sneed's roommate in India in the late 60s, and his wife, Maki, are in America visiting our country and their friends spread throughout. Sneed picked them up on Friday and we immediately set off for San Antonio as we had a planning session on Saturday for the 2013 National Meet. Peter and Maki did touristy things - visiting the Alamo and the Riverwalk, and of course, shopping at Macy's. We drove home on Sunday morning and then went to the afternoon game.

Ah, what a difference an opponent makes...36,000 fans when the Rangers are here. Only 14,000 when the Brewers were here. Astros handily beat the Brewers but lost to the Rangers 1-6.

Peter and Maki at their first American Baseball game

When we were in Malaysia, we visited Maki and Peter in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Brewers vs Astros

What fun when Sneed's company entertains clients. We get to go to Astros games and sit in the suites meaning we get food, beverages, great seats and Astros.

This season is the Astros' 50th anniversary

We left early and got here early...an hour before game time

Brewers vs Astros

LF #14 J D Martinez giving autographs

Half an inning left to go

Astros win 4-0 WooHoo!

Madeline's Tea Room

Beth is checking the GPS so she can give Peggy up to the minute details on how to get to her daughter's tea room.

This quaint little house used to be Monica's in-law's home. Then Madeline decided to make it into a tea room.

One of the traditions is to don one of the many hats available and have one's photograph taken.
L>R Sally, Beth, Melba, Peggy, Carolyn, Anne

Yummy and beautifully plated entree of avocado stuffed with tuna salad, tortilla soup, toast points with cheese spread, and two small scones with Devonshire cream and lemon curd. Not shown is the "Better than sex" cake for dessert...yellow cake topped with pineapple, pudding, cool whip and toasted coconut. The perfect ending for a delicious meal.

Three generations - Jenna (Monica's daughter), Beth, Monica

The fourth generation - Jenna's son, Kaiden

Blonde hair, blue-eyed cutie

Hobbling on back to TX

The moon was still visible when we left Tuscaloosa at 0600

 

Total round trip to Charlottesville and back 3228.24 miles

Blowout past Tuscaloosa on I-20

We were making good time having left Charlottesville at 0430. We were 25 miles past Tuscaloosa on the way to spend the night in Meridian, MS. As we passed an 18 wheeler, there was a huge pop sound. It wasn't from the 18 wheeler as it kept trucking down the road.

Could this have contributed to a poorly made tire?





Fortunately, it's daylight saving time so by the time the spare tire was on the trailer, it was still light. We called ahead to Meridian to get a room at the Hampton, but it was full. We had to backtrack to Tuscaloosa for the night.

Skyline Drive and off the beaten track to Free Union

When Sneed was about 6 years old, his family drove from Bedford to McLean to see relatives. On the way back they stopped at this Howard Johnson and Sneed was left behind, each car thinking he was in the other car. This is how he looked, oh so many years ago, when they came back to get him.

Entering the Shenandoah National Park on Skyline Drive

Marque checking in at the Ranger Station

We departed the Skyline Drive to visit with Alex and Deanie Rucker in Free Union. They both are Bedford HS classmates of Sneed

 Top photo: Wendy and Clive, New Zealand


Middle:  Cheryl and Pete, VA


Left:  Colin and Mermie, PA and UK


Bottom: Susan and Cortes, VA - tour hosts

UVA to Monticello

We began the morning with a lecture on Thomas Jefferson's influence on architecture in Virginia. Noted Architectural Historian Calder Loth then led us on a tour of the University of Virginia campus buildings that were designed by TJ.

Edgar Allan Poe was a student here for one term

Poe's room preserved for gawking visitors (the Raven was added later)

Curved brick walls

Corinthian columns

Ionic columns

Doric columns

Marque in the parking lot of Michie Tavern where we stopped for lunch. The Tavern is further up the hill.

Oh my goodness! This was great lunch fare...

Bright yellow flowers in front of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Monticello viewed from the rear and the front below

Getting some background information before going on our 'behind the scenes' tour on which we got to go up to the Rotunda which is not on a regular tour. Since photography is not allowed, please check out the link to see how wonderful the Dome room is.

Sneed with his hero