Have you ever traveled beyond the continental United States?

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69. Inside "The 48" I saved for all my trips: 1x across from NYC to SF with big stops in AZ, then

Alberquerque; next year 2/3rds across to AZ, up to So Dakota, down to Denver, Co Springs (saw the Air Force Acadeny), back to AZ & Alberquerque.

Then trips to East Lansing Michigan, 20 trips to DC (half for fun, half for demos & rallies), and sevwral to Philadelphia, once Boston.

Outside of the 48 were gifts. One because my monetary circumstances changed.

My sis had a great year, and told me to pick a Carribean island. I picked Puerto Rico.
Found a by the beach hotel east of SJ with a very cool organically shaped pool. My first Casino, too. The teal/turquoise waters was something I'd always wanted to see!
🥰 Glorious! Even the deep water in the distance was a vivid semi-dark blue. Not dull like up here.
I only got to walk half way through San Juan though. I'd go back if I could to visit the western half. It *was* interesting, and fun what I did see. 👍

Then out of the blue many years later my aunt who was a *wonderful artist* invited me to her & my uncle's home in a literally picturesque little village in western Switerzerland about a mile+ from the French border! This was to make art w her!
This was for 3 weeks!!! 🥰
Her art studio (a part of their house) was big, and amazing! The whole house was very cool, and filled art, and craft items. Can you say W-O-W! You could just about see The Alps in the distance from their well furnushed attic! A better view of on the upper road to go visit Bracontés (flea markets).

Her biggest medium were B&W, and multi colored Wood cuts Had this big roller press. She was *masterful*!
Also etchings, some drawings. She made about 5 small press children's books, too. Had set up for metal typefaces.

Then bc I'd asked (we were e mailing back and forth) if I could take a 1 day trip to Paris by train - like I didn't care if I only spent a few hours there. Instead she took me, and one of her granddaughters to Paris for 4 days/3 nights after I'd been there for 10 days . Can you say O-M-G!
(returned, and still had 6 days back in Switzerland).

Of course, The Lourvre, Musee Or'say. The Lourver itself was an architectural trip! My jaw dropped open when we turned a corner, and came into this Great Hall, and at the end we entered from....
There was The Winged Victory!
(Famous staute)

But I didn't know there a Museum that housed 4 of Monet's longest Waterlilly Paintings ( and 4 "regular" size ones).
Can you say N-E-A-R S-W-O-O-N ! 😄🥰
In fact, spent so long on the first room, then a small alcove with smaller works, then foind out there was another room?!!!
Each room had 2 very long paintings, and 2 regular ones.

We were near the Seine so I, and I and my cousin walked along to see the book, and magazine sellers.

Since they'd been to Paris X times I went off to see The Eifil Tower. My aunt says to my cousin..."you think she'll be ok", she said yes. I wouldn't have had the nerve to go up even if I'd had the time. Maaaaybe to the 3rd flr if I had had the time.

But I was so thrilled *just* to walk around, and underneath it!

Then I walked to see (I was told to see this, and shown a photo while discussing my upcoming trip) The Ponte Alexander The III Bridge! Can you say 24K G-O-L-D
C-O-V-E-R-E-D Statues?!!! The shine, and glow! And very cute ?Bronze cherubs.
Returned by their metro to our hotel.

My last night (It's a hilly village) We took their car around the corner, up the longer block, around the corner and down 2 houses to visit their friends. After appetizers we had Fondue which was invented in Switzerland.
What could have been better. 🩷