Nov 24 2009
***Travel Pics
You will find on this page pictures of my many travels.
2011
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Lincoln, Illinois
As always, I had a wonderful time on this adventure. Thank you Ann for taking such good care of me and being good at handling a crisis. Mawhhh!
Kellie, Me and Cathy (a couple of my awesome students). You do such great work ladies!
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Savannah, Georgia
Sheila, Mary, Gloria, me, and Shelly – Brayer On, My Friends!
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Owings Mills, Maryland
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Baltimore, Maryland
Hey All,
Well I made it to Baltimore, Maryland today. It only took about 8.5 hours in the rain by car. After the rainy drive however, I decided to treat myself to a little side trip and went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Well worth every penny spent on admission. I have some photos to share with you from the Aquarium.
As you see I was quite fasinated by the jelly fish. In fact the jelly fish room was my favorite out of all that I seen. How awesome are they?
Other sights seen. As you can tell I didn’t take a lot of photos of actual fish. They were too quick, swimming to and fro, so my photos of them came out blurry.
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Ottumwa, Iowa
What a group!
Check it out, we went to watch the ladies Roller Derby.
The home town team, Oskaloosa Mayhem Girls (OMG) are a force to be reckoned with! They put a hurt’n on the Cedar Valley Push up Brawlers and won the bout. I’m a people watcher and the crowd was just as entertaining as the Roller Derby Ladies, lol.
But wait, who are these rough looking characters in the penalty box?
Check it out, my Iowa friends and I just had to have a picture taken of us in the penalty box.
Roller Derby ladies make up great Roller Derby names, such as, Spankins, Shear Evil, Kickn Ash, T-Erin it Up, PattyWhackerHer, Short Fuze.
So in the spirit of the Roller Derby, I made up my own Roller Derby name “Road Kill”, lol.
Ottumwa Hot Air Balloon Races and Festival.
When we arrived at the festival things were just starting to heat up. They were inflating the hot air balloons. These balloons are really something to see floating across the sky, but it was unreal to see them up close and personal at the festival and to get to walk amoung them.
As the sun went down the balloons were kept inflated and they would do short periods of time in which the balloons were lite up all at once. So much color, it was fantastic!
I’m deathly afraid of heights, so seeing this from the ground was the best way to see it for me.
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Bridgeport, New York
My incredible hostess, Melissa Damon. 
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Davenport, Florida
Me and my fabulous Hostess Kathy Palmer.
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LaPorte, Indiana – April, 2011
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St. Peters, Missouri – April, 2o11
At the workshops. . . . . .
My Journey to St. Peters, Missouri
Hey Everyone, I have a quick post today. I’ve been traveling from Ohio to St. Peters, Missouri. This was one of my shorter journeys so I took my time getting here. I love to visit St. Louis, Missouri and guess what, I had to drive right through it. Since I had some time I decided to stop at 2 of my all time favorite places in St. Louis. First stop, the River City Casino. I love the casino, the sights and sounds just excite me. But I left there shirt less, if you know what I mean, lol. Not really, let’s just say I didn’t win.
The next stop was a must, Pappy’s Smoke House Restaurant. If you are ever in or near St. Louis you have to try out Pappy’s. Their BBQ is out of this world great! Never, ever had anything as wonderful.
Make sure you get there early for dinner. Once they run out of something it is gone for the day since they smoke it all night.
I got my ribs to go. Enjoyed them here in my hotel room. Hmmmm, ribs, pj’s, 2 different sauces……………dangerous for the diet, lol. Good thing there is a refrigorator and microwave in this hotel room for left overs.
This is a teeshirt that you can pick up at Pappy’s. Russ has one and I made him swear he would never have it on and walk beside me, NEVER!
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Bridgeport, New York – March, 2011
At the workshops. . . . .
Canadian Invasion, LOL
I just wanted to share this picture with you that I just received. When I was in Bridgeport, NY recently, these ladies ( Janet Marr and Kelly Holtz-Moss) came down from Canada to attend my brayer workshop. Since I haven’t been able to teach in Canada, they came to me. They also decided to make me part of the Canadian Flag by presenting me with this great Maple Leaf tee-shirt they hand stitched to go with their red shirts. Thanks ladies, it was a pleasure to create with you! But if I catch you back in the USA I’m going to make you wear stars and strips, LOL.
More Canadians that attended. . . . I’m telling you we were invaded. . . . .
Sylvie, Me, Linda and Rae
My Journey there. . . . .
Hi Peeps! I made it to Syracuse, New York today from Ohio. Here are some of the pictures I took along the way. Most of them where taken in the small town of Geneva, Ohio in the Lake Erie area. I love, love, love small towns. I plan on bringing Russ back here for a little vacation. Such a quaint town. I ate breakfast at a local restaurant, The Honey Bee, very cute. The restaurant does not take credit cards, whew, I thought I was going to have to do dishes, but I found enough cash in my purse to cover the meal and tip. It’s scary how little cash I carry on my person.
It was a little hard to take a picture of the old men on the restaurant stools without them see me, lol. There were about 7 elderly gentlemen enjoying each others company at the counter. I assume this is a daily ritual. I like the finished shot.
Don’t you just love old buildings?
As I mentioned, the town is near Lake Erie where I took this shot.
Now the rest of the pictures were taken at Geneva local Wineries. I visited quite a few wineries today and I kinda lost track of the winery names, lol. Nope, I wasn’t doing any tasting either. But I did purchase quite a few bottles to take home. Even if you are not into wine, visit some wineries just for the views. They are very beautiful. Even in the off season.
The winery below is a converted church.
More winery views.
I hope you enjoyed riding along with me today. Well pictures are the next best thing
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WICHITA, KANSAS – March 2011
At the workshops.. . . . .
My jouney to the workshops.. . . . . .
My day started at 3:00 a.m. when I piled myself in my packed up van and headed to Wichita, Kansas to teach my brayer workshops this weekend. Today’s journey took me through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and then into Kansas. I found myself at the half way point in the town of Hermann, where I forced myself (not really) to visit 2 of the 6 wineries that you can find in this quaint, quaint town. I found this to be a great place to stop and stretch my legs. The picture above and the 2 below are scenes from my trip right outside of Hermann. I just found them interesting. Hmmmm, where would one get inspiration for a stamped scene?
Below is a little photo of the town from up on the hill where Stone Hill Winery is located. Stone Hill Winery was my first stop.
Check out those naked grapevines in front of the winery (below). I can only image this view when the vines are full of leaves and grapes.
Inside the tasting room/shop. Yum!
I left Stone Hill Winery with 7 bottles in tow.
I found 2 more lovely bottles of wine at my next stop, HermannHof Winery.
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SPRING, TEXAS – February 2011
I was hanging out in Spring, Texas with these 3 sisters, Mary, Delia and Olga. I have never received better hospitality in my life. These ladies made sure I was very well taken care of. They fed me heart and soul. Mawh, Ladies! My sides are still hurting from all the fun and laughter.
Here I am with Delia. Thank you Sista! Yes, I am a self proclaimed Sister of theirs now. I can only wish to be in such a wonderful family.
These ladies took me to such fantastic TexMex Restaurants, the BBQ Cook Off at the Rodeo, a fantastic Pizza place and finally to a Western Store so I could purchase my very first pair of Cowboy Boots, Yeahaw!
I also met so many terrific brayer students. Brayer On, Ladies!
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VIRGINIA BEACH – February 2011
My Darling Hostess, Debbie Keane. Thank you Debbie for making my visit so very enjoyable. I just love when I make new friends!
Brayer On!
Sights while driving.
What is this bird? I seen him in West Virginia while I stopped for a bite to eat.
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TUCSAN, ARIZONA – January 2011
Spent the afternoon with my Hostess, Tonya taking in the awesome sights of the Saguaro National Park. It’s prickly but fabulous! The temperatures were a wonderful 70 degrees here in January!
One of my Students, Lorri Heiling. Thanks for sending me this Pic Lorri!
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FAYETTEVILLE, TENNESSEE – January, 2010
Me and my fabulous Hostess, Sandy Slinkard. Sandy is now part of my awesome Stampin’ Up Team!
Some of my wonderful students caught unaware.
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BLACKLICK, OHIO – January 2011
Totally Rocking Students!
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CLICK BELOW TO VIEW OLDER TRAVEL PICTURES
2010 Travel Pictures Click Here
2009 Travel Pictures Click Here
This is an awesome idea!! This way your stalker can keep track of you!!! LOL!! Seriously looking forward to seeing some pics of your travels! Take care!!
Felisa
Hi Michelle,
I am inspired by your pictures of your travels. I can see that you have an eye for composition (duh!) in the beauty everywhere you go. I’m heading for Florida in a couple of weeks and vow to take Zindorf shots along the way. What larks we had in Castro Valley!
All the best,
Sharon
Hi Michelle,
Great memories for later years. Can see from your photos what inspires you to use the brayer. When are you going to come out to New Zealand and do a few classes?
Warmest regards,
Beryl
PS We’ll have the guest bed made up waiting for you!!!!
What wonderful looking groups. If it is possible for you to schedule a trip to Fayetteville, Tn you and your husband are most welcome to be our guests. I may be able to round up some people for a class or two.
Your travel pictures are awsome…what an eye…but not surprised. As always, thanks for sharing and can’t wait to see more.
Hi Michelle,
I am so ready to do the class again…In New Johnsonville, Tenn. You are just wonderful. I know the ladies around here can’t wait for July to get here. We did have a blast. I hope alot of people see you are going to be here again and sign up. I am getting my classes back up this month so I will be letting them know when you will be here. See you soon!
Tammy Daniel
Hi Michelle
great pictures I live in the UK so it is really great to see parts of the US I would never get to see ,it looks really beautiful.I wish I had one of those beam me up Scotty machines so I could come to one of your classes,but your tutorials are the next best thing I love them ,Mikki
Wow! All of your pictures are great Michelle. Whn yu name the different stores to shop at I get excited, even though I thousands of miles away. I’m form a small west coast town on Vancouver island so the shopping isn’t real great. Each town you showed had lovely charm and beautiful scenery. Your classes look like fun too. Keep on going! I love your work.
Linda H.
GREAT pictures…those are some lucky, lucky ladies. What charm and great scenery you were able to take in. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Green with envey”???? LOL:) Glad you have been having a great time…keep up athe good work.
Michelle,
Had a wonderful time at workshop this past weekend in Wheaton ,Il. a little bit of a drive for us but oh so worth it . I have admired your work for sometime now and it was a real thrill to see the Master at work. I love your work , and hope to take an advanced class soon ,Thank you so much for being such an inspiration and sharing your talents with us .
Hi, Michelle~
Thanks for posting our pix from the workshop in Riverside! I’m so glad Sandy & I **finally** got there and didn’t miss the whole thing. It was wonderful!
Thanks so much.
Looking forward to seeing you out our way again sometime so we can take the Advanced! (My hubby bought me a GPS after the April 2010 workshop, so we’ll be on time for the next one!)
hugs,
~jeanie.
Did you ever post pictures from Salem, Oregon. There should have been a group photo.
Alice
Thanks Michelle for the tour… and for all the pictures of our fellow stampers who share the same love of stamping.
Thank you for your continued inspiration…
Linda
I so enjoyed your pictures, Michelle! Especially those of the sunset, ( was the one in blue a setting or sunrise?), the gardens, and the farm with the chicken coop. It reminded me of the farm in Oklahoma that I lived on for the first 5 years of my life. The class pics looked like EVERYBODY was having a wonderful time. Color me green with envy.
Thanks for sharing a little bit of St. Louis with us! Looks like you both had a great time!
You are a wonderful photographer! I live near Sacramento, and wondered when you’ll be in this area. Thanks for all your great tutorials and inspiration.
Nancy S.
Took some time to enjoy looking at your fabulous work. Then I looked at each and every photo that you posted here. I love them. Not only are you an artist with cards, but with the camera as well!!! Is there no end to your talent? It was really fun looking at the pictures of the brayer workshop in Riverside California, where I had the joy of attending both workshops. I had a wonderful time and learned so much. I hope you come again. If you do, I will be there. Michelle, no kidding, I truly feel warmth, admiration, and joy when I see pictures of you and recall the happiness we had being with you and learning from you. Thank you again for all you give. You have added to so many lives.
I like this weblog very much so much superb information.
Hi Michelle,
Hope you make it back to Virginia soon! The bird you saw in West Virginia is a vulture. They are huge! They take care of all the road kill. :>)