Stephanie Travel Adventures

LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES- Mom and Dad loved to have the family together as often as possible. After the children were married and living from St. Louis to Columbus, MS to Knoxville, TN it became very difficult to arrange family time that included everyone. They began planning family gatherings every Memorial Day in addition to Christmas. About 1980 the family began meeting at a park on Memorial Day weekend. It is amazing this continued because the first Memorial Day trip was at a cheap hotel near Land-Between the Lakes State Park. GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAIN TRIP- The Smokey Mountain Memorial Day weekend was a tremendous hit with everyone. My uncle brought all his toys. The sons & daughters challenged mamas and the poppas to a volleyball match. Somehow the mamas and poppas pulled off one more win. I think that was the last. We fished in the Pigeon River, bike on the mountain trails, and went tubing in the Pigeon River. We shopped and ate in Gatling. At night, we played games and enjoyed visiting in the big lounge. MONTE EAGLE BAY JAMAICA- We resided at the Royal Palms Villa near Monte Eagle Bay owned by Rev. Janet Trout. We spent the days walking the white sandy beach in front of the villa. We looked for shells, soaked in the wonderful sunshine, and went snorkeling on the corals. We shopped at the markets in Coho Rios and Monte Eagle Bay. We golfed at Runaway Bay, Wisdom Rose Hall and Half Moon golf resorts. We watched the locals. At night, we often went to Taney to listen to the steel band, watch the entertainers and the crab races. We visited Plymouth, an 18th century port town, to see the historical buildings and Discovery Bay: Site of Columbus' landing in 1494. We traveled in a rental van. Driving was a challenge since driving is a national sport in Jamaica. Everyone drove on the left side of highway (wrong side) with the pedal to the metal and horns blaring. If everyone went on the van trip, kitchen chairs were added to the van for seating. CRUISES TRIPS- This adventures started when I was at Stewart Home School. We took a lot of cruises trip to different places like Canada, Mexico and Bahama. They were a lot of fun we saw different kind of things to do when we were on shore they were snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and much more. We to the Cardinal Ship to all these places. When we were on the ship they were, different kind eating places like buffets with a lot of food. You can even go swimming the pools on the deck and look out over ship at the ocean. They were different kind of shows to see while we were on board. COSTA RICA OF MEXICO- Hike in cloud and rain forests, pristine golden brown beaches and active volcano's craters. Get closer than you ever imagine to frogs, monkeys, sloths, birds and wildlife and do something different that you have always wanted to do- yoga, whitewater raft, zip lines, surf, dive, snorkel, and enjoy yourself. BAHAMA TRIP- My family went on a trip to Bahamas for my brother and sister law for their wedding and I was in the wedding as a bride made. We had the usual things that a wedding has like cocktail hour and dinner and the food was fabulous. They had different things do to while you there. You could go deep-sea fishing, swimming and snorkeling and golfing. The cabins were very nice a decorated they had good service while we were there.