Tuesday, July 14, 1998

All about Sis! She really wanted to see Gettysburg, so off we went. Since I love American history, she didn't have to twist my arm too hard.

Gettysburg is an emotional experience -- especially when you consider the carnage that took place back in 1863. Hard to believe that this little place in our nation could have such a profound impact.

We fueled up at a diner called Wolfe's Diner (very appropriate, dontcha think?) ... lots of food & grease! <g>

Once in Gettysburg, we found the Wax Museum ... checked out gift area ... went through the wax museum --- very cool stuff --- the guys who were mortally wounded freaked Nance out because they had it rigged so that you could see their chests rising up & down in their final breaths!

At the end of the Museum deal, you went into a theater & watched a battle scene take place in front of your eyes. It was very moving.

We went into the shop --- bought some souvenirs & a tape for a self-guided driving tour. Can we say, TURN ME ON ... TURN ME OFF?

LOL ... that's what the guy on the tape kept saying OVER & OVER again ... so, Sis turned HIM ON ... TURNED HIM OFF ... LOTS & LOTS & LOTS of times!

After we finally figured out WHERE the tour was supposed to start, we were off & driving. As Nancy mentioned, it really takes your breath away when you think of what happened in the field of Gettysburg during those three July days back in 1863. Our "tour guide" kept talking about enemies --- and I kept thinking, But they were all AMERICANS!

What did we learn on the tour? Did you know that there is an eternal flame @ Gettysburg --- just like there is one for JFK @ Arlington? In fact, the flame @ Gettysburg has been in existence for at least 80 years. Did you know that President Eisenhower had a farm @ Gettysburg? That he later donated it to the Park Service? Did you know that Abe was not originally invited to Gettysburg --- and if he hadn't been, we'd never have heard the Gettysburg Address?

The self-guided tour was pretty cool since we were given good info & we could stop wherever we wanted. A fave was stopping at places where we could climb towers and see the battlefields in front of our eyes. Ironically, one of the battlefields is now a field for soccer, softball/baseball, & football. I especially liked the Robert E. Lee Monument (since we share a b-day :-) ... Little Round Top (the strategic site of the battle) ... and the Pennsylvania Monument.

After we finished our tour, we head downtown to find FOOD! (We broads need to refuel ;-) ... then we were going to hit the shops. GRRRRRRRRRR ... the shops reminded me of some of the shops in Danville --- they were either closed for the day (how can you close during the height of the tourist season is beyond me!) or closed on a whim ... We really wanted to check out this bookstore (UBS!) ... but it was closed. <sigh>

So we headed toward Danville. There was this UBS that we wanted to check out. Inside, I found hb Evanovich's that I've been wanting! <VBG> I'll have to make my way back there sometime.

Finally, Danville. I am literally running on fumes. We stopped @ Jaci's since she had the keys to my apartment. Sis & I left Nance there & we headed over to my apartment ... I myssed my babies ... and I had to clean out my computer so that Sis could take it back to Wisconsin for my parents ...

Sis went back over to Jaci's to capture one more hot-tub moment (oh, did you know that Dr. Peeper & Jaci had to drain the hot-tub after our little party last week? Seems that the OJ & champagne is KNOT good for the tub (hmmmm ... who myssed their mouths?!) ...

In the morning, I dragged myself out of bed --- Sis & I went to the store. Nance was already there. They did once last shopping spree @ Beiter's (kinda like an old 5 & dime). Then, more good-byes.

TTP II (for me) was officially over.

<sigh>

It was such a FABulous time seeing everyone --- my buddies that I met last year & at TTP in May --- the new faces that will help me connect when I receive e-mail, read posts, etc., etc.

Nora, BW, Ruth, Jason, & Sophie ... thanks for another GREAT TTP signing. Can you say E-X-P-A-N-S-I-O-N?! Methinks that TTP III will be even BIGGER! LOL ... scary, huh?

The BB/Ns who were @ the hotel --- Wym, Debby, Nancy, Trace, Sis, Ottis, Lisa, Diane, Edith, Arlene, Vicky, Judy, Phyllis, Debbie, Carolyn, Wendy, Jaci, & Ruth --- (God, am I missing anyone?!) ... what memories were created! I will forever remember Nancy & Trace's room on Friday night; the Oldies place & being BOOTED AGAIN on Saturday night; the T-shirt signing on Sunday night ... what fun, fun, fun ...

The BB/Ns that I met for the first time @ TTP --- let's see ... Pam, Patti, & the Two Jeans --- don't be scarce next year! You HAVE to JOIN US at least one night @ a hotel! <g>

Mostly, TTP is ABOUT relationships. We are a bunch of ladies (& J!) who started out with only one person in common --- Nora. Now look @ where we are at?

If you want to be at TTP III, start saving your pennies NOW! I know that I am EVEN THOUGH Jaci's already informed me that if it is just the two of us @ TBID next summer, that SHE gets to go for the weekend. <sigh>

Well, I believe in happy endings ... so I have to believe it'll all work out ...

Oh --- the saying for the weekend? It's ALL ABOUT ME ME ME ME ME ! LOL ...

Again, from the bottom of my heart, thanks, Ladies, for a magical, memorable weekend.