"Today is a Good Day to Drive!" .....Van-Go

July 15, 2008 We are ready, we think. We got our tickets to Moscow from Ambassador Travel; our agent, Bonnie Johnson, was very helpful. Today traveling with travelers checks is out; traveling with a visa money card is in. So we picked one up at the McKnight AAA office. Our itinerary is in order: 16 JUL 08 LV: PITTSBURGH 1220 NONSTOP AR: ATLANTA 1400 LV: ATLANTA 1530 NONSTOP 17 JUL 08 AR: MOSCOW/SHEREMT 1030 18-21 JUL 08 – MOSCOW 22 JUL O8 - DEPART ON TRAIN at 0035 YAROSLAVSKY TRAIN TO EKATERINBURG 23 JUL O8 - ARRIVE BY TRAIN AT 1135 (SEE ROMANOV’S AND BORDER BETWEEN EUROPE AND ASIA) DEPART BY TRAIN AT 1906 FROM EKATERINBURG FOR NOVOSIBIRSK 24 JUL 08 –ARRIVE IN NOVOSIBIRSK ON TRAIN AT 1730 25-28 JUL 08 – NOVOSIBIRSK 29 JUL 08- DEPART NOVOSIBIRSK BY TRAIN TO KRASNOYARSK 30 JUL 08 –ARRIVE BY IN KRASNOYARSK 30 JUL THRU 6 AUG – KRASNOYARSK 7 AUG 08 –DEPART KRASNOYARSK 4:20am BY PLANE TO ST. PETERSBURG 7-9 AUG 08-ST. PETERSBURG 10 AUG 08 –DEPART ST. PETERSBURG BY TRAIN ARRIVE MOSCOW 10-13 A...

July 14, 2008 We sat at Panera Bread Fox Chapel and played with our new Cannon Power Shot A720 with 8 Mega Pixels and 6X Optial Zoom

July 14, 2008 Look for this headline in the upcoming Pittsburgh Press. We had a message on the phone from an unkown number. Kathy called them and it was Panera Bread calling with good news. Kathy, Will and Carmine had gone to dinner at the McKnight Road Panera Bread last week and each of us added our name to the once a week drawing for $75 of gas. Kathy won!! “Panera Bread’s first $75 Gas Card winner, Kathy, was picked from a garbage bag filled with names, Manager Pam of the McKnight Road said today when we went to pick up our prize. The owner, a gentleman who owns most of the franchises in Ohio and western Pennsylvania as well as Florida, is very involved in the communities. The gas card drawing, is among his many contributions like donating to the Pittsburgh Zoo Days. Our winnings will fill half our tank in the Roadtrek; Thanks Panera Bread.

July 12, 2008 Carmine invited everyone to her house to celebrate Robert, Norma, and Don's birthdays, Shawn's graduation, Jessica's new car, Shawn's new tatoo and us safe travels. It is always fun getting together with friends and family. This was no exception with great fun and food. Will cut the watermellon and Kathy cut up all the fruits for the fruit basket we brought along as a healthy snack. Carmine made spaghetti with meatballs and sausage; Sueann mixed up one yum salad; Maria brought fresh Italian bread and Loretta made a peach cobbler to die for.Forrest and Crystal were with us in spirit as we ate some trout they caught themselves and sent along with us back to P-burgh. We called Justin who then got to chat with everyone while he had his morning coffee in Hawaii before heading off to work. It was fun seeing the cousins all together, Jessica, Shawn, Brian and Stevie. Aunt Kathy got caught up with each of them while sliding a few slugs into the conversations. Jess...

July 10, 2008 Okay so there is no way we are carrying all this stuff with us so.............we mailed some.

First Will and Kathy walked around malls looking at clothes and styles. Then Kathy went shopping with Carmine and got an outfit for the upcoming Russia trip. The color pattern was shades of pink. Kathy went shopping with Sueann and finished the travel wardrobe blending the pinks with black. The wardrobe for 28 days consists of two skirts, walking shorts, jeans, jammies, black slacks, black dress, three sweaters, six tops, jacket, sandles, sneakers, peds and underclothes. The most expensive item.....the bras! Will also went shopping on several occations picking out a few items, trying on a few items and ended up with a wardrobe also. His consist of three slacks, walking shorts, sleeping clothes, socks, longsleeve dress shirt, two ties, six tops, jacket and underclothes. His most expensive item.....Polo jacket

July 6-7,2008 Kathy spent time with pack, sort, pack between naps. She is slowly getting her energy back. Will used his energy playing a little tennis with his highschool buddy, Owen. Kathy listened to the memorable Wimbledon Finals where Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in a grass-court masterpiece. .

July 5, 2008 Will has been keeping up with yard work; Kathy is feeling much better. Thank you to everyone for sending all the good well wishes; they were the best medicine. She is left with a few sniffles and a caugh.

July 4, 2008 Happy Independance Day! Kathy spent the day in bed. Will watched the fireworks on TV.

July 3, 2008 Today we met up with Carmine and Robert up in Cranberry, PA. We looked at clothes, but found nothing for a new travel wardrobe. Red Robin in a gourmet burger restaurant. We celebrated Robert’s birthday and even got the waitresses to come over and sing and clap along with us. Well, it took a few days but Jayne and Kathy caught the crud from the grandchildren. Both of them climbed into bed.

July 1, 2008 After working in the yard this morning we drove down to the Allegheny River and met up with Maria and Cliff on their boat, The Get Away. We celebrated the 4th early with a surf and turf meal together! Maria and Cliff have a new toy--a jetski. Maria was doing a twirl and fell off! But she was able to climb back aboard and zoom off again. Cliff zoomed off splashing water as he went.

June 30, 2008 Will’s daughter, Nicole, lives in Mt. Pleasant, PA. We drove up bringing Great Grandma Jayne with us. Wow have the grandchildren grown in the past six months! Nicole has her hands full with them and the two dogs and the two cats. Finnaeus has filled out and loves to roughhouse. He climbed all over his Poobiebaubie. Damiana is filling in to a young girl, but is still pulled to horsing around. Taryn is pulling himself up and standing and has a mouth full of teeth! It took him a while but he soon warmed up to his Granny Kathy. We celebrated Finnaeus’ birthday since we missed his party on the 26th. The can of silly string was the best gift. Nicole and Kathy put together some chicken roll-ups and hotdogs, then came the cake. Calypso got home for work, took a nap and joined in the celebration then went back to bed. Seems they are all getting over being sick. Nicole and the kids came to the corner waving goodbye as we pulled away.