Coming to America!

Just had to share the news that,even though it's not until next year, my family and I are already planning our summer vacation! We'd hoped to visit USA this year but with the way things are financially worldwide, we thought we'd put it off until 2010.

If God spares us all, we'll be in the States for the whole month of August. We'll be heading to New York and Washington DC first to see all the sites with the kids. Then I'm hooking up with several penpals who I've been writing to for around 20 years (where does the time go!!!). One lives in Philadelphia and one in Cincinnati. Grand Canyon and Las Vegas are next on the list, followed by Los Angeles, where I've another penpal and where my sister-in-law also lives. After that it's on to Ventura to visit my husband's aunt, San Francisco to his niece and then Seattle to my brother-in law before heading back to LA and our flight home.

If any of you happen to be on our route please let me know and maybe we might get the chance to meet up. Wouldn't that be something. :woohooo:

I'm hoping for a special meeting in San Francisco and will let you know if it's gonna be possible nearer the time!

The kids are especially excited because they've always wanted to visit USA, so hopefully they'll get their dream.

Sorry for rambling but I'm just as excited, if not moreso, than the kids!

Maureen, that sounds wonderful. I am excited for you as well. I am headed to the States in a month to visit a dear friend and to see some other online buddies. I can't wait. I know that you will have a wonderful time. Half the fun is the planning so enjoy the time from now til then, dreaming and making arrangements. Keep us updated, I know that I'd love to hear your plans. I'm in Canada so I don't have much hope of seeing you but that's ok.

Thanks, Marilyn. We were hoping to take in Niagara Falls but don't think we'll have the time. Can always use that as an excuse to come back! Hope your trip goes well and who knows......maybe catch up with you some day!

Great news, Maureen! Though... you have considered the fact that Larry and I live in the US, haven't you? :unsure:

That wonderful news Maureen. How exciting for all of you. The closest you'll be to me is when you're in New York and I'm still hours and hours away. I hope you'll share highlights of your family's trip with us afterwards.

Wow Maureen, you have an exciting 2010 planned!! I hope you have a wonderful time here....by the time you're done you will have seen a lot more of the U.S. than I have!

Rob wrote:

Great news, Maureen! Though... you have considered the fact that Larry and I live in the US, haven't you? :unsure:

Never thought of that, Rob!
Is USA big enough for both of you!

Amy wrote:

Wow Maureen, you have an exciting 2010 planned!! I hope you have a wonderful time here....by the time you're done you will have seen a lot more of the U.S. than I have!

Maybe you'd like to come with us, Amy!

I'd love to take a year out and travel across US state by state. That's my ultimate dream. Need to win the lottery first, though!

Sounds like a great idea!

Wow! That sounds like it will be quite a trip.

carolineingalls wrote:

Amy wrote:

Wow Maureen, you have an exciting 2010 planned!! I hope you have a wonderful time here....by the time you're done you will have seen a lot more of the U.S. than I have!

Maybe you'd like to come with us, Amy!

Wouldn't I love that!

Rhonda wrote:

WOW....I hope you have a wonderful trip, and what a great time to plan a LHOTP Forum Meeting.......We could all meet in Mansfield, MO where Laura's Rocky Ridge Farm is.......we have over a year to plan it..... :think:

That would be so awesome!

carolineingalls wrote:

I'd love to take a year out and travel across US state by state. That's my ultimate dream. Need to win the lottery first, though!

I wish I could travel like that too ... except my ultimate dream is to go to each country and stay there for a couple weeks to get to know the culture, people, food, surroundings....

Now, off to my ship of dreams... lol

Carol wrote:

carolineingalls wrote:

I'd love to take a year out and travel across US state by state. That's my ultimate dream. Need to win the lottery first, though!

I wish I could travel like that too ... except my ultimate dream is to go to each country and stay there for a couple weeks to get to know the culture, people, food, surroundings....

Now, off to my ship of dreams... lol

That reminds me of the couple on Oprah who took their kids out of school and traveled the world (yes, the world) for a year. I can't quite imagine that, but I'm sure it's an adventure they'll never forget!

Amy wrote:

That reminds me of the couple on Oprah who took their kids out of school and traveled the world (yes, the world) for a year. I can't quite imagine that, but I'm sure it's an adventure they'll never forget!

Wow! They will never forget it alright!

Carol wrote:

Amy wrote:

That reminds me of the couple on Oprah who took their kids out of school and traveled the world (yes, the world) for a year. I can't quite imagine that, but I'm sure it's an adventure they'll never forget!

Wow! They will never forget it alright!

So true, Carol. If I had to spend a year, 24/7 with my kids I'd sure never forget it!

It's gonna be bad enough for 1 month never mind 12!

Well the time is almost here!!!! Hard to believe we'be beem planning this trip for a year now and even more unbelievable just how quickly that year has passed! The excitement is starting to build as in just 8 days time we'll touch down in New York! On Friday 13th - thankfully none of us are superstitious!!!! - we land in San Francisco and to the highlight of my trip - my meeting with Karen to personally thank her for her kindness all those years ago. Then it's off to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon before heading on to Los Angeles for a week with my sister-in-law and her husband before heading home :-(

I'll do my best to keep you all updated when I get the chance to go on-line. I trust, as in Europe, there are Internet Cafes in US?

I think I'm more excited about the trip than the rest of the family put together - and they're mega-excited!!!!!

Hope it's a happy and safe trip, Maureen! We'll try to tidy up the place before you get here.

carolineingalls wrote:

I'll do my best to keep you all updated when I get the chance to go on-line. I trust, as in Europe, there are Internet Cafes in US?

Yes, indeed!

What a great idea Maureen! Maybe you may visit some Laura Ingalls Wilder's sites and homes. I share with other members of the board, the opinion that you must try to see, at least Mansfield. I think that if, it was me, I should like it. I've seen lots of pictures from there, and read several brochures about the Homesite...It sounds quite interesting!

Vanesa.

carolineingalls wrote:

I'll do my best to keep you all updated when I get the chance to go on-line. I trust, as in Europe, there are Internet Cafes in US?

And lots of fast food places like McDonald's have free Wi-Fi if you have a laptop.

I can't wait to hear all about it, Maureen!

I can't believe the time has finally arrived either!! SO excited for you Maureen....I know you're going to have a blast!!

Safe travels Maureen. I've just returned from the States last Monday after meeting Dean Butler and Melissa Anderson. I had a wonderful time. My LHOP cast member count is up to 11 that I have met and talked to personally and 12 including seeing Melissa Gilbert in the musical last Jan. I didn't get to meet her but she was on stage about 10 ft away from me. It's as tho I almost met her.
Have fun and fill us in on the details as soon as you can. I can't wait to see the pictures.