Strider, Eugene, Oregon, USA

kristl


Posted Sep 23, 2007, 6:27 pm
Hello everyone!

Yesterday Kristl took me from the shop where I was waiting for her for about two weeks.. And today I met C.K., who is a ToyVoyager. We went together with him for a walk and he told me about his journeys and countries he visited. I found it fantastic! In fact I'm a vagabond cat, I like to roam about different places so I think I'll like to travel. Kristl said that she has already ordered some travel tags and that I can get one of them! I'm very happy!

It's me in the car. I'm going home to Kristl!

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Kristl's friend allowed me to sit on the wheel!

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It's the first time I met C.K.

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And some photos from our walk, cause it was the very beginnig.

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It's me sitting near a tree.

It's me with C.K.

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It's me and a yellow tree!

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It's me sitting between two birches!

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The leaves are beautiful, aren't they?

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Now I'm waiting for the travel tag to start my journey.. I don't know yet where I can go.. But I'll try to find some friends!


kristl


Posted Oct 11, 2007, 6:10 pm
Hi, it's Kristl here.

Today I took Strider to the post office and he's now on his way to Prowl_Worshipper (Australia)
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Oct 24, 2007, 10:40 am
I have arrived in Australia! Another TV arrived with me, Flora
We were greeted by Rangler, and I found that including me there are 6 Voyagers visiting!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Oct 24, 2007, 10:42 am
I have looked around a little bit. This is sad - New South Wales needs rain badly! Look at the ground here...
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Nov 11, 2007, 1:18 pm
Nik and I have been hiding a secret! We have planned a Halloween surprise for Flora! Nik says Halloween isn't really noticed here in Australia, but knew Flora would be disappointed.
She is used to celebrating it in the USA :)
We found some Halloween M&Ms (yum!) and I helped Nik make a Jack-O-Lantern out of a balloon.
Flora was very happy!
We read some scary, true ghost stories together, then Flora wanted to read more scary stuff!
I am really surprised I didn't have any nightmares!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Nov 21, 2007, 1:21 am
Oh my goodness, I can't believe it!!! Alpina, the supermodel Alpina, is here!
I have admired her career for a long time! I was so shy about meeting her, but she's very nice.
I even got to kiss her, which as you can see sent me weak at the knees!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Nov 21, 2007, 1:28 am
I had more excitement (as though meeting Alpina wasn't enough!)
Today is Melbourne Cup day, Australia's biggest horse race.
Nik put a small bet on for each of us, so we studied the horses very carefully. Alpina looked lovely wearing Flora's tail flowers.
We had a fancy picnic lunch, just like the ladies at the races do, then it was time for the race!
But, none of our horses did well. The winner was a horse named Efficient.
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 17, 2007, 2:09 pm
I finally got to meet one of Nik's elusive cats! This is Rocky - don't you think he looks like me?
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 17, 2007, 2:13 pm
I made a new friend today, but soon we will say farewell! Nik took us all to Maitland Heritage Mall to do some Xmas shopping, and she will release my friend Ziggy into the wild.
He is unusual - tiger stripes and zebra body!
It was wet and miserable day though. Nik almost changed her mind about releasing Ziggy.
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 17, 2007, 2:15 pm
This is a public toilet! How unusually painted! Nik told me that bird swimming there is a Western Australian black swan.
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 17, 2007, 2:18 pm
The rain stopped, so Nik still released Ziggy I wished him luck, and we wandered the mall a little bit. Nik said these outside malls are getting rare in Australia - most shopping centres are indoor complexes. This one still has 19th century buildings, and these beautiful old working lamps!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 7:56 am
I met a new TV from Taiwan!
Mousy Mouse looks like a doggy to me, and the poor thing had a fright when he arrived! He thought all us cats were going to eat him!
He settled down though. Poor MM!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 7:58 am
It's so hard to believe it nearly Christmas! It's so warm here in Australia. Most people have plastic Xmas trees because real ones just die in the heat. Isn't the tree pretty?
We took a group photo under Nik's nan's tree, and peeked at the presents! I know what Nik's nan is getting for Xmas now ;)
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 8:00 am
We've been watching the cricket! Australia played New Zealand for the Chapel-Hadlee cup, one Nik says Australia has never won. A one-dayer, so Nik explained, is where each team only has 50 overs (an over equals six balls bowled by the fielding side) to score as many runs as possible. It's a confusing game, but Australians seem to love it!
We all watched for awhile, but it's kind of boring!
Australia won the match, by the way, so Nik was happy!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 8:01 am
Nik thought some of us might be feeling a little bit homesick because it's near Christmas, and we're in a strange (and HOT!) country.
So guess what - she made us some pretend snow to play with!
It's called D'Ziner snow. It's like a florist's gel, but it really looks like snow. We had more than you can see here but it was so hot it started melting!
It felt very strange playing with "snow" under the shade of a big tree in 35 degree heat!
We tried making a snowman, but, well, as you can see, December in Australia is not kind to snowmen...even made from pretend snow!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 2:28 pm
A summer shower finally cooled things down a little bit this afternoon...and look what came after the rain!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 2:32 pm
Decorating your house with Christmas lights is very popular in Australia! Some towns and cities have huge displays which raise money for good causes, but Nik's house is pretty well lit up too!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 2:35 pm
Tonight we all watched the traditional Christmas carols on television. Australia has two main Carols - one from the Domain in Sydney on Channel 7, and one from Melbourne on Channel 9, usually on Xmas eve...which automatically makes the Sydney ones better ;) That's the ongoing Sydney Versus Melbourne conflict I've heard about!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 2:38 pm
We saw the Wiggles (a very, very popular kids' singing group, and a lot of adults like them too!) and their friends Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, and Captain Feathersword! A friendly pirate with a feather for a sword!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 2:40 pm
Look! Santa came in on a New South Wales Police helicopter!!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 22, 2007, 2:42 pm
Nik gave us our very own Toy Voyager-sized Christmas tree!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 24, 2007, 1:25 pm
CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

Nik took us to see some of Stroud's Xmas lights tonight. It was wonderful - a full moon and a warm night. Feels strange to be experiencing a warm Christmas!
The lights are hard to photograph, but we got this one of Australia's famous "Six White Boomers"
A boomer is another name for a big male kangaroo, and in Australia Santa's sleigh is pulled by six snow-white kangaroos!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 31, 2007, 2:53 am
CHRISTMAS DAY!!!


Santa found us!!
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 31, 2007, 2:56 am
What could this be...
Prowl_Worshipper
gotham.city@bigpond.com

Posted Dec 31, 2007, 2:57 am
Look what I got!
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:14 pm
I finally have arrived in Sweden...but where is the snow?? I haven't seen the single sight of it!!

This is the house where I'm staying in
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:18 pm
We decided to bake some 'semlor'....although the date to eat them isn't until next month...but then I won't be here....

Why do they need to be in that bucket for so long??
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:20 pm
And now I have to wait even more...
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:21 pm
How long do I have to wait?? Now they're in the owen....
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:22 pm
Yummie....that smell...too hot though...
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:29 pm
FINALLY!!! MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:33 pm
Bob the builder??? WHO?? Strider the builder!!
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:34 pm
Learning how to drive the tonka truck
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 3:35 pm
View from above
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 7:58 pm
Homesick
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 8:01 pm
Taking a ride in the rain
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 8:03 pm
We went for a walk today and we saw this Volvo digger....impressely big!!
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 8:04 pm
Trying to learn how to read and speak Swedish...Luckily the book has pictures so I understand what it is
koocachoo


Posted Jan 26, 2008, 8:05 pm
It's not going so well....luckily teddy has offered his help....it's getting late though...time for bed...
koocachoo


Posted Feb 2, 2008, 12:07 pm
I was supposed to be on my way to my next host but because of illness here I decided to stick around a few more days. Lucky me!! It's snowing like mad here!! For only 3-4 hours it has come about 10 cm snow!! And it's still snowing. It's so windy outside so I don't want to get out...but I love sitting in the window watching out!!
alleycat


Posted Feb 12, 2008, 2:50 pm
I'm happy to report that I've safely arrived to Jerusalem!

It's cold and raining, but I hope the weather will improve soon and I'll go for a walk!
alleycat


Posted Mar 13, 2008, 12:02 pm
Here are some long-due pictures from alleycat's workplace - Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Not a lot of flowers (at the time of making these photos... there are now!) but everything is still green.

alleycat


Posted Mar 13, 2008, 12:05 pm
There's even a small forest... with the promenade built through it for the convenience of walking.

alleycat


Posted Mar 13, 2008, 12:07 pm
Inside the office!
alleycat


Posted Mar 24, 2008, 10:42 am
Here are a few photos from alleycat's birthday last month, when me and TibiPanda sat on the table and participated in the festivities (there was not a lot of special food, but a homemade pizza, wine and cake were tasty!)

And currently alleycat is without her camera and I'm anxious to see new places so I decided to leave and right now I'm on my way to USA!
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 1, 2008, 12:02 am
Wow. That was a really long trip...

I'm here now. Wait. Where am I? West Virginia? This had better be worth it, considering how ruffled my whiskers are...

So I made it all this way, and what do I get? To sit in the rain, with messed up whiskers and no welcoming party at all...I don't know about this West Virginia place.

MissMelissa


Posted Apr 1, 2008, 12:08 am
Maybe I judged this place poorly. My host, Melissa, made me sit in the rain for a minute because they weren't expecting me so soon. She was just putting together an impromptu surprise welcome party.

The entire gang was very nice. They told me that they all used to be sad little balls of yarn, but Melissa turned them into toys like me. Maybe this place will be allright after all... :rolleyes:
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 1, 2008, 2:14 pm
Good morning! It's still raining. I'm told it's because spring is wet and windy. Well, it doesn't look like spring.

I overheard something about Melissa's (almost) mother-in-law having some sort of cat program. I got all of the details while I pretended to be asleep...

Apparently, there's a feral cat program in the area that feeds and takes care of wild cats. Of course, these people mean "spay and neuter" by that. So far, they have spayed 700 wild cats in the area and adopted 150 into new homes. That means out of the rain! I decided to tuck myself into Melissa's purse and see for myself.

First, I met Damien. I guess he used to be wild and didn't like people at all. But now, he's very friendly, fat and a little too affectionate if you ask me. He lives in a shelter that a volunteer made him. His breath smelled like cat food.

Then I was introduced to Ebony. She's black like me. She didn't have a home, but Melissa's boyfriend's mom gave her a place to live because she was so nice. Ebony offered me a treat and then took a nap.

Then I met a crazy brown cat named Bear. He didn't have a place to live either, but now he lives here. He likes to jump on people's backs. Melissa is a little afraid of him.

I'm going to do some more investigating. I'll try to find out more about this program for cats. They all seem pretty fat and happy to me. Once the rain stops, I'll try to meet some more of them.

Until next time,
Strider



MissMelissa


Posted Apr 4, 2008, 4:26 pm
Hello again!

Unfortunately, Melissa has been really busy, this is her first week of school. So I've gotten to tag along with her in her bag, but no pictures. I'm getting pretty smart, though. Microbiology was my particular favorite.

I did get to tag along with her at work, though. People thought she was so crazy taking pictures of me.


Melissa works at a record store. It's a little independent one that has all sorts of music.

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I got to sit on the counter and help customers. Although, all I could offer them was the Stray Cats and Tiger Army.

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Considering that I wasn't very helpful in the customer service area, I was reassigned to guard cat. I was very menacing.

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I helped rearrange the new release cds. Melissa says the Murder by Death is quite good. The rest of them, not so much.

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That's a lot of music! But while I was sitting here relaxing, Melissa made me get back to work. She has a strict "no slacking" policy.

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So I had to re-alphabetize a whole row of cds. I made it to the As.

Then I told her that I thought there was certainly a law that prohibits me from working. So she let me off the hook.

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Nothing left to do but watch the clock and explore my surroundings a bit...

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What a long day. Now we're driving home and going to sleep!

XOXO,
Strider
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 2:40 am
Good evening! Today I met Melissa's dog Davey. Well, I met him before, but he just sat still long enough for me to get a picture with him today.

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Considering I'm a cat and he's a dog, it was a little scary at first, but I think we warmed up to each other.

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Of course, what you didn't see was the bribery that took place in order to get the picture. That's me and the new arrival, Carl, bribing Davey to be nice.

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Then we went out in a hurry to try to catch the sunset. Apparently, "red sky at night, sailor's delight" means it supposed to be a nice day tomorrow. Of course, this part of West Virginia is atypically flat, so it's hard to find a high spot to get a good picture. The rest of the state is very mountainous. But this is the Ohio River Valley, and it's flat. As a matter of fact, the trees that you see in the background is actually the next state over, Ohio.

Sadly, Melissa had a hard time focusing me and the sky into a pretty picture. This is what it actually looked like without me blurring it all up...

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Pretty, huh?

Well, Melissa is fretting about having to study for her parasitology test. I think she's actually just using us as an excuse to put off studying!

XOXO
Strider
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 8:34 pm
It is a nice day today! And we finally got out of the house!
My hosts decided to go to Marietta to the flea market.

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Remember when I said Ohio was just behind me? Well, this is the bridge that crosses between the two states. Most of West Virginia's border is the Ohio River, which is what we're crossing.

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Our first stop was the flea market. It is a bit unsavory. And filthy. Our hosts made no purchases and were sad they drove all that way for a big building full of worthless junk  :)

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Here we are driving down the main street in Marietta. It's a really nice town, quaint and the buildings are older.

Here are some "fun facts" about Marietta:

-Founded in 1788, Marietta is the oldest city in Ohio.
-The population was 14,515 at the 2000 census.
-Marietta is the home of the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, which brings dozens of sternwheelers to the banks of the Ohio River.

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Speaking of sternwheelers, this is the Becky Thatcher. It is permanently docked in the Muskingum River because it is for sale. It used to be a restaurant. I tried to commandeer it, but believe me, it isn't going anywhere.

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We stopped by the box office to try to buy tickets aboard the Becky Thatcher, but no one was there.

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Here is a fun cannon we found.

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Look at this! There were blue and silver pinwheels all over the place!

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There were 1552 of them. They were placed on the lawn to raise awareness for child abuse and neglect. There was one pinwheel for every reported case in 2006. I hope it works!

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Here I am on the bank of the Ohio River. This time it's West Virginia that is behind me.

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And here we are going back across the bridge home. It's been a really long day!


XOXO,
Strider
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 13, 2008, 1:30 am
Melissa is having a hard time keeping her brain on straight. She completely forgot to upload some pictures from our trip to Marietta the other day. She's a little ditzy...

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Here's another picture of me in the sunset. It's been really pretty at night here.

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Here is a monument for the first European settlers. Seems like a strange place for it, but I guess there's probably a reason.

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Here are a few pictures of me in front of the LaFayette Hotel in Marietta. It's an odd triangular building.

Okay, that's all of 'em. I'll have to give her a piece of my mind for forgetting such a thing. Don't worry, I'll get her back, she's a very deep sleeper  :rolleyes:
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 13, 2008, 1:50 am
Toyvoyager of the week! Well, how do you like that? I like it just fine, although "Toyvoyager of the Year" or "Toyvoyager of the Century" is more fitting for me. Just throwing that out there...

So the weather in this place has been terrible. There were tornado warnings yesterday, and it's been pretty rainy and cold. Although we got a new visitor, Yum Yum, yesterday. So it hasn't been too lonely. I'm glad to have a new visitor, maybe I can get a little time to myself. That Carl is following me everywhere like a little puppy dog. Wait. Err. He is a dog, so I take that back. Whatever, let's get to the pictures, shall we?


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Here I am with Yum Yum and Carl at a wildlife reserve park. The only wild animal I saw was Melissa's dog Davey. Maybe they were scared of me.

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Here is a picnic shelter at the park. Maybe we can go back and have lunch there.

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We hung out on the tennis court for a little while so Davey could run without worrying about little kids attacking him. That dog does not care for children.

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One of my missions is to steal a ride on a train or a plane. Melissa took me to a spot where she was certain I could fulfill that mission. But they must have known I was coming, because they put a fence up around the plane and the train.

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Are these people crazy? You can't move a train or a plane with a fence built around it!

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Oh, what's this? This plane is borrowed? Remind me first thing when I get back home, Kristl. I'm writing a letter to these people to see if I can borrow one of their planes.

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Here is another monument, but this one is for veterans of the US Armed Forces. That's pretty nice.

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Look! It's an American flag and the state flag of West Virginia behind it. Not too bad, Melissa. I look pretty good in this one, too. If you weren't squeezing me so hard, I might not look so surprised!


That's all for now. I'll check in when I go on my next adventure!

XOXO,
Strider
AKA
ToyVoyager of the Millenium
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 18, 2008, 8:47 pm
Hello! It's been a while, and Melissa wanted me to tell you that she's sorry. But, we finally got out, and it was H-O-T! Well, for spring anyway.

We went to Parkersburg to Point Park. This is where the ferry for Blennerhassett Island docks, but it is not open yet. We decided to explore a little bit anyway...

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This is the bridge that crosses the Ohio River from Belpre, Ohio to Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Here are a few more pictures of me at "The Point." One is of me and the other side of the river and one of me in front of the flood wall. The flood wall is there to protect Parkersburg from the river if it floods. The gate closes and water can't get through.  I wonder how well it works...

MissMelissa


Posted Apr 18, 2008, 9:12 pm
We also went to Riverview Cemetery to take some pictures. Melissa goes there from time to time to take pictures of the statues. It's really pretty there despite being, you know... a graveyard.

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Here we are on the path around the perimeter of the cemetery. Look, the leaves are popping out!

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We played in the ivy and Carl was almost completely covered!

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This is a gravestone that is really creepy. There are stories that sometimes the statue cries. I didn't see anything, but I certainly didn't stick around too long!





Then we just followed Melissa along while she took some photographs. Here are two of them:

MissMelissa


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 3:14 am
Hello again! We had a little bit more adventuring today.

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This is a bird's eye view of Parkersburg. We went to Quincy Hill park today and stayed there until a tree fell down and scared the crap out of Melissa.

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Can you see the river and all of the bridges we've visited?

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Apparently, in 1909, there was a terrible disaster on this hill.

Quote:
At 5:10 a.m. on March 19, 1909, Parkersburg's two reserve water tanks, sitting atop Prospect Hill (now Quincy Hill), burst and sent two million gallons of water cascading down the side of the hilll and into the streets of the city. Each tank, made of iron and sitting on a stone foundation, was 40 feet high and 60 feet in diameter. They were pumped full every night from the city water works located at the foot of 12th Street. Apparently one of the 26-year-old tanks broke first, and the gushing water smashed its bottom plates against the companion tank, ten feet away.

A cottage on the hillside above Avery was washed away and carried down Tenth Street to Market, killing the young newlyweds who lived there. A couple of other houses were shattered, and St. John's Lutheran Church on Avery at 9½th Street was nearly demolished. Trees were washed through the walls of Sumner, the city's black school, and several streets were choked with the debris of other trees and lumber from the destroyed houses. A barbershop in the basement of the Blennerhassett Hotel, six blocks to the south, had two inches of mud on its floor. In all, three people died and several were badly injured.


So I am standing where the tanks were, and everything down below me was flooded and destroyed. That's kinda scary.

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These stairs go from Quincy Hill all the way down to Avery Street. Melissa says people run up and down them to train for all the marathons they hold in the summer. Those people must be nuts!

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I got a little dizzy after those stairs, so I took a little break.

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Here's a tank in the park. Melissa had no explanation for the tank or why people here put weird vehicles in playgrounds. Bizarre.

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She didn't know what this wacky thing was doing here either.

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Tee hee, it looks like the flagpole is coming out of my head!

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Then I climbed this pretty tree for no particular reason.

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Goodbye, Quincy Park. It's been lovely.


XOXO,
Strider
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 2:14 pm
I think after crawling around in that tree, my allergies are kicking up a little. Every morning, Melissa's car is covered in pollen. It's a really bad place to be for your nose.

Yesterday we went a few more places.

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This is the gate to the Julia-Ann Square Historic district. We were just passing through.

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This is the Chancellor house in the historic district. Melissa says if it wasn't so boring in this town, she would storm this house and claim it as her own and live there forever. She would probably die of boredom at age 30, though. Isn't it a pretty house?
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 2:43 pm
Our last stop for the day was the Blennerhassett Museum.

Quote:
Harman Blennerhassett (8 October 1765 – 2 February 1831), Irish-American lawyer, born in Castle Conway in County Kerry, Ireland to Conway Blennerhassett and Elizabeth Lacy. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and in 1790 was called to the Irish bar. After living for several years on the continent, he married in 1796 his niece, Margaret Agnew, daughter of Robert Agnew, the lieutenant-governor of the Isle of Man.

Ostracised by their families for this step, the couple decided to settle in America, where Blennerhassett in 1798 bought a (now-eponymous) island in the Ohio river about 2 miles below what is now Parkersburg, West Virginia. Here in 1805 he received a visit from Aaron Burr, in whose conspiracy he became interested, furnishing liberal funds for its support, and offering the use of his island as a rendezvous for the gathering of arms and supplies and the training of volunteers. When the conspiracy collapsed, the mansion and island were occupied and plundered by the Virginia militia. Blennerhassett fled, was twice arrested and remained a prisoner until after Burr's release.

The island was then abandoned, and Blennerhassett was in turn a cotton planter in Mississippi, and a lawyer (1819-1822) in Montreal, Canada. After returning to Ireland, he died on the island of Guernsey in 1831. His wife, who had considerable literary talent and who published The Deserted Isle (1822) and The Widow of the Rock and Other Poems (1824), returned to the United States in 1840, and died soon afterward in New York City while attempting to obtain through Congress payment for property destroyed on the island.

The buildings on his island have since been restored and the location is now Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, a popular tourist attraction.


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Here is an old car and gas pump. I'm guessing that you couldn't really take this car out in the rain since there is no top and it's wooden.

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This is an old farming tool, a grain thrasher. Using this must have made farming a pretty slow-going process.

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This case has Aaron Burr's death mask. Creepy, no?

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Here's a really old organ. It's blurry because Melissa got scared when she heard people talking. They were filming a commercial, so we ran really fast so as to not appear in the commercial. : )

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Here is an old painting of the Point. Remember, we were there a few days ago? It doesn't look like the flood wall is there, though.

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This is a painting of a saucy lady that was from a prominent family in the early days of the town.

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Here are a whole bunch of paintings of important people of days gone by. The metal folding chairs really add elegance to this exhibit, don't you think?  :rolleyes:

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The basement of the museum held all sorts of Native American artifacts. Here is some jewelry. Very earthy!

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Then Carl, YumYum and I watched a video all about Blennerhassett island and the ruckus the Blennerhassetts caused.

Until next time,
Strider
MissMelissa


Posted May 9, 2008, 4:22 am
Hiya. Remember before when I got my picture taken in front of the Becky Thatcher? And remember when Melissa told me about the sternwheelers? Well, the first one of the season docked in Marietta today, and I got to see it!

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A sternwheeler is a paddle steamer (boat) with a paddle on the back.

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This sternwheeler is named the Delta Queen

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Built in 1926, the 81 year old Delta Queen has a remarkable history, and is the last true steam powered sternwheeler in existence. The boat is 285 ft long and carries a crew of 80 to accommodate up to 174 guests.

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This may be the last time the Delta Queen ever docks in Marietta because of financial reasons, Melissa said. Can you see the "Save the Delta Queen" banner hanging from one of the overhangs?

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I guess I'm very lucky to have seen her!  :rolleyes:


Until Next Time,
Strider
MissMelissa


Posted May 22, 2008, 4:31 am
Well, Melissa's been pretty busy. So I've been home alone alot. She has a pretty terrible school schedule. I would feel bad for her, but I have a lot of fun when she's not around too.

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I have been practicing my Mario Kart skills for the Wii. I'm getting pretty good.

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I wanted to see how well I did up against players all over the world.

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Unfortunately, the internet leaves a lot to be desired. I was sick of playing all by myself, so...

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I caught up on The Office on DVD.

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That Toby!

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Melissa's been working on this little fella forever! Now that he has a face, we had a lovely conversation about all the places I've been.

Nothing makes you more tired than sitting in front of a tv all day.
MissMelissa


Posted May 31, 2008, 2:19 pm
Hello again! My host took me on a little country drive as she was on her way to a cookout. Apparently, this was a better sense of the state of West Virginia than what I've seen thus far.

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Melissa lives in an actual city-ish place in West Virginia. They're pretty few and far between, though. Most people live out in the country and drive on roads like these for miles just to get anywhere.

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We passed a horse. Can you see him? It's a little blurry.

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The scenery's not too bad. But I could do without all the turns. I'm a little carsick.

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Maybe I'll try out being a barn cat...

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This is a pretty typical landscape of the area. It's much more hilly than where Melissa lives because it's farther away from the river.

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Hmpf. Not too much to do. And the attendees of the cookout were so loud and moved too fast. I hid in the car for the evening.

Until next time,
Strider


MissMelissa


Posted Jun 2, 2008, 7:49 pm
Well, I'm on my way to Miami to visit Carlissa! I can't wait to see what kind of adventures are in store for me.

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Goodbye West Virginia!
carlissa


Posted Jun 6, 2008, 11:26 pm
I have arrived in Miami, Florida!  It's very hot 87°F and very humid here!  I hope I don't have a heat stroke while here!  Anyway, my host seems nice enough.  She took me home with her, and on the way I saw a train go by!  I didn't have my camera ready, otherwise I would have gotten a picture. 

I found a tree with a bird feeder, so I climbed up hoping to catch a bird for dinner, but I didn't have any luck.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2557223670_817487547b.jpg





carlissa


Posted Jun 7, 2008, 2:51 pm
My host made me a delicious dinner tonight since I didn't catch a bird.  I had salmon (yummy!) and some yucky vegetables.

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carlissa


Posted Jun 12, 2008, 3:03 am
Today our host had to mow the lawn and all of the visiting Toy Voyagers offered to help.  JamabanaDukLuv, Decker, HitchaRideDooey, Leo Lion, Dilbert, and I tried to push the lawn mover, but it wouldn't budge!

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Our host thanked us for trying, but said we should go play while she mowed the lawn.  So, I decided to go fishing!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2572008566_b19495d5e8.jpg

And I caught a fish!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2571177353_b76b7d7466.jpg
carlissa


Posted Jun 15, 2008, 12:27 am
Today Dilbert, HitchaRideDooey, Decker, Leo Lion, Winnie the Pooh, and I went to see Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida.  Coral Castle was built by a Latvian immigrant named Ed Leedskalnin.  He built it to impress his bride-to-be who jilted him 2 days before their wedding!  It's really an amazing place as he built everything by himself out of coral rock and he didn't use any machinery to carve the rock!

Here are some of the things we saw there:

the entrance:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/2578858246_4061c56a16.jpg

a pretty fountain:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2578859018_12e37f78a1.jpg

the great obelisk. 
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2578027799_47f4a1bdd8.jpg


the crescent moon:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2578028121_c8798dedf4.jpg

Here's the barbecue pit.  he used car parts to cook with!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3047/2578860806_d6e176dce2.jpg

another picture of the barbecue pit:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2578028539_3bee89c8fd.jpg

inside living quarters of Ed Leedskalnin:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2578860976_556a4995a2.jpg

the well:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2578861744_a179f6a303.jpg


Ed's bathtub:
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Ed's bed:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3282/2578030153_c8d98f165b.jpg

Here we all are on top of Ed's desk with some pretty bougainvillea:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2578030943_13fc894337.jpg

carlissa


Posted Jun 22, 2008, 2:38 am

It has been raining all week!  Finally, it cleared up enough so we could go out for a little while.  We went to see some giant shoes in the middle of Cartagena Circle in Coral Gables.  The shoe statue is a replica of a statue made by Tito Lambrano in Cartagena, Colombia.

We had lots of fun playing on the shoes!

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carlissa


Posted Jul 5, 2008, 10:42 pm
Today is Independence Day in the United States!  Our host told us that there would be a fireworks show tonight and she had gotten us some sparklers!

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After the sparklers, it started to rain, so we had to go inside.  We were able to see some of the fireworks show from the window though and it was a spectacular show!  I wish we could have gotten some pictures of it.

Our host also showed us a webpage that has fireworks that we can do with Lady Liberty

carlissa


Posted Jul 8, 2008, 5:37 pm
I am leaving Miami today and heading for the Netherlands!  HitchaRideDooey  decided to join me for awhile on my travels; it will be nice to have some company on the long journey to Europe, even if he is a dog.
Eryah


Posted Jul 12, 2008, 3:13 pm
Hello!

Today i arrived in Alkmaar, the Netherlands with HitcharideDooey
It was a pleasure to travel together because it was a long trip.

When i arrived i heard several voices talking.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/aankomst001-2.jpg

I jumped out of the box.
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After me HitcharideDooey also jumped out.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/aankomst003-2.jpg

This are from the left to the right:
* Clem
* Dottie
* Nepomuk
* Summy

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 13, 2008, 8:22 pm
Hello!

Because Eva isn't able to go outside at the moment we decided to show you information and sites about Alkmaar at another way. I hope you enjoy it!

Cheesemarket:

This cheese market is open every Friday morning between 10 and 12 from the first Friday in April until the first Friday in September. Market activities are explained in Dutch, German, English and sometimes Japanese. There are four teams (vemen) of cheese-porters (kaasdragers), who can be recognised by their differently coloured straw hats: red, blue, green and yellow. Two porters bring cheese on stretchers to the weighing house (Waag) - a typical stretcher "weighs in" at about 160 kilograms. Merchants sample the cheeses and decide on a price using a barter system called handjeklap, literally clapping hands.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kaasmarkt027.jpg
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Ruin church in Bergen:
This picturesque ruin church in Bergen once was the biggest church in Noord-Holland. From the 16th century church there is only a ruin left now, because the Beggars started a fire here. Only the choir of the church was rebuilt, so from the original church you can now only see the ruins.
In the village Bergen in Noord-Holland there are many beautiful old houses situated around the old village church.
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Big church
During building the largest medieval church in Alkmaar, the church was already called the big church, because of its size. The big church is not only the largest and highest church in Alkmaar, but also the church which trough the centuries, stood most and called the jewel of the city. Originally the church was dedicated to Saint Laurens. That’s why, for centuries, the church is called The Saint Laurenschurch.

The church was probably designed by architect Anthonius Keldermans (Belgium) (1440-1512)

Beside Anthonius Keldermans brother, also his son was involved in the disign of the church, in which 26 freestanding columns support the roof. The Saint Laurens church is a basilica,

The outside walls rest on a fundation which is just below the ground. Built in the Brabant’s gothic style, which is bigger and more massive in its form than the French gothic. The building is 35 meters high and has a cross length of 85x56 meters. The outside walls rest on a one meter broad foundation which is just below thethe ground, and gradually becomes broader to a depth of tree meters. The last resauration of in-and exterieur was accomplished in 1996.

The large saint Laurens church counts two, world famous organs: Van Covelens organ (also called choir organ) and it VanHagerbeer/Schnitger or large organ. The choir organ descends from 1511 and has been placed against the northern wall of the church. The last restoration of this old, still playable, organ in the Netherlands, was completed in the year 2000. In 1636 arose the idea for the construction of a large organ in the church. Several organ builders have worked on it, but in 1645 Jacobus Caltus van Hagerbeer completed the large organ. Jacob Van Campen devised the organ cupboard and in 1643  Caesar Van Everdingen got the task to paint the doors of the organ cupboard with the ‘triomfe van den Coninck Saul’. This painting belongs to his first large work. Above the organ the painter Romeyn de Hooghe painted in baroque striking, (‘de deugd, die de ondeugd verplettert’)" virtue crushing the vice". From 1723 up to 1725 the large organ was restored and extended by Frans Caspar Schnitger. In course of time there have been several restorations on this organ.

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http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/kerken020.jpg


St. Joseph Church
This church was put in use in 1910. Designed by famous church builders and students of PJH Cuypers, the Margry brothers. The church is built in neo-gothic style, which shows by the way the towers are placed and by the arched roofs.

The church is placed beautifully and is in possession of wonderful stained glass windows. The statue of Christ has been placed in 1948, in memory of Alkmaar war-victims. Their names are placed on a memorial plaque on the churches wall.
http://www.alkmaar.nl/monument/monument/foto/Dscn9758.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 14, 2008, 6:28 pm
Hello!

Today we asked Eva to tell us everything she know about Alkmaar and the Netherlands. She told us some funny stories!

Alkmaar is above all Holland's cheese town. During the season from the first Friday of April to the first Friday of September a traditional cheese market is being held here on Friday mornings between 10 and 12.30. The cheeses are sold by dealers on a clap of hands. Thereupon the 400 year old cheese porters' guild goes into action, carrying the cheese off on barrows after the lot has been weighed at the Waag (the official scales). In the Waaggebouw - in which the scales are housed - a cheese museum that tells everything about dairy farming has been established.
Cheese has been weighed in Alkmaar since 1635.

Alkmaar is historical with around 400 monuments. The Waag, dating back in its earliest form to the 14th century, the 16th century town-hall, Grote St. Laurens Church and the many courtyards, facades and canals give the town an ambience all of its own. With the past as a setting, the town has a modern stock of shops offering a wide choice. Besides the predominantly small shops in the old centre, the Noorder Arcade with large scale shopping facilities stands by the side of the Noord Holland Canal.

Alkmaar is the biggest town in the region. Relaxation can also be found in the Geestmerambacht recreational area close by.
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The Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland]) is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba in the Caribbean. The Netherlands is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy, located in Western Europe. It is bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east.

The Netherlands is often called Holland. This is formally incorrect as North and South Holland in the western Netherlands are only two of the country's twelve provinces. As a matter of fact, many Dutch people colloquially use Holland as a synecdoche, being well aware of the widespread use of this name. For more on this and other naming issues see terminology of the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is a geographically low-lying and densely populated country. It is popularly known for its traditional windmills, tulips, cheese, clogs (wooden shoes), delftware and gouda pottery, for its bicycles, its dikes and surge barriers, and, on the other hand, traditional values and civil virtues such as its classic social tolerance. But primarily, the Netherlands is a modern, advanced and open society. An old parliamentary democracy, the country is more recently known for its rather liberal policies toward recreational drugs, prostitution, homosexuality, abortion, and euthanasia. The Netherlands is also one of the most densely cabled countries in the world; its internet connection rate is 87.8%, the 2nd highest in the world.

The Netherlands has an international outlook; among other affiliations the country is a founding member of the European Union (EU), NATO, the OECD, and has signed the Kyoto protocol. Along with Belgium and Luxembourg, the Netherlands is one of three member nations of the Benelux economic union. The country is host to five international(ised) courts: the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Court and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. All of these courts (except the Special Tribunal for Lebanon), as well as the EU's criminal intelligence agency (Europol), are situated in The Hague, which has led to the city being referred to as "the world's legal capital."

A remarkable aspect of the Netherlands is its flatness. Hilly landscapes can be found only in the south-eastern tip of the country on the foothills of the Ardennes, the central part and where the glaciers pushed up several hilly ridges such as the Hondsrug in Drenthe, the stuwwallen (push moraines) near Arnhem and Nijmegen, Salland, Twente and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.



Religion
Main article: Religion in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the more secular countries in the Western Europe, with only 39% being religiously affiliated (31% for those aged under 35), although 62% are believers (but 40% of those not in the traditional sense). Fewer than 20% visit church regularly .

According to the most recent Eurobarometer Poll 2005, 34% of Dutch citizens responded that "they believe there is a god", whereas 37% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 27% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force".

In 1950, before the secularisation of Europe, and the large settlement of non-Europeans in the Netherlands, most Dutch citizens identified themselves as Christians. In 1950, out of a total population of almost 13 million, a total of 7,261,000 belonged to Protestant denominations, 3,703,000 belonged to the Roman Catholic Church, and 1,641,000 had no acknowledged religion.

However, Christian schools are still funded by the government, but the same applies for schools founded on other religions, nowadays Islam in particular. While all schools must meet strict quality criteria, from 1917 the freedom of schools is a basic principle in The Netherlands.

Three political parties in the Dutch parliament (CDA, ChristianUnion and SGP) base their policy on the Christian belief system.


Culture
Erasmus (1466–1536).The Netherlands has had many well-known painters. The 17th century, when the Dutch republic was prosperous, was the age of the "Dutch Masters", such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, Jacob van Ruysdael and many others. Famous Dutch painters of the 19th and 20th century were Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondriaan. M. C. Escher is a well-known graphics artist. Willem de Kooning was born and trained in Rotterdam, although he is considered to have reached acclaim as an American artist. Han van Meegeren was an infamous Dutch art forger.

The Netherlands is the country of philosophers Erasmus of Rotterdam and Spinoza. All of Descartes' major work was done in the Netherlands. The Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens (1629–1695) discovered Saturn's moon Titan and invented the pendulum clock. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe and describe single-celled organisms with a microscope.

In the Dutch Golden Age, literature flourished as well, with Joost van den Vondel and P.C. Hooft as the two most famous writers. In the 19th century, Multatuli wrote about the bad treatment of the natives in Dutch colonies. Important 20th century authors include Harry Mulisch, Jan Wolkers, Simon Vestdijk, Cees Nooteboom, Gerard (van het) Reve and Willem Frederik Hermans. Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl was published after she died in The Holocaust and translated from Dutch to all major languages.

Replicas of Dutch buildings can be found in Huis ten Bosch, Nagasaki, Japan. A similar Holland Village is being built in Shenyang, China.

Windmills, tulips, wooden shoes, cheese and Delftware pottery are among the items associated with the Netherlands.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/nl002.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 14, 2008, 6:36 pm
Hello!

I ride on a bike today! It was scary! But i also love to do it! Fortunate for me the bike has wheels on the frame. So i kept well in balance.
Look at me mum!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/nl003.jpg


When i'm home a want a bike for myself. You feel the wind and you can go fast if you want. I notice that in Holland they do not wear helmets for their safety. Everybody here rides on a bike and the people learn it to there children almost before they can walk. I looked my eyes out.

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 14, 2008, 6:38 pm
Hello!

Today Eva showed us their dreamhouse in the garden. A few weeks ago she build it together with her ex husband and it's such a lovely house! There also live dwarfes on and in it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/nl008.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/nl009.jpg


I wish i had a house like this for myself.

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 14, 2008, 9:47 pm
Hello!

Tonight we said goodbye to Dottie, Nepomuk and Summy. They all leave tomorrow to go to a new adventure.

I hope we will meet each other again. They become good friends.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheid001-2.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 17, 2008, 5:14 pm
Hello!

Today we baked 'cakejes' with Eva and her son Mirdin.

First we make the 'deeg'
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes001.jpg

After that we put the 'deeg' in the cups
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes002.jpg

While the cakejes were in the oven Mirdin make the top of the cakes. It looks kinda freaky.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes003.jpg

After the cakejes were ready we put the top on it
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes004.jpg


Tadaaaaaaaaa!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/koekjes005.jpg

To finisch it we put animals from a farm on it. It was so great to do! And to be honest: they were delicious :D

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 21, 2008, 5:27 pm
Hello!

Today it was such a rainy day. We decided to play a game and Eva showed us a game and now i'm addicted to it.
You can play it on the computer and it's called Diamond mind.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/regen001.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 21, 2008, 5:33 pm
Hello!

Today we eat a typical dutch snack called 'kroketten'. It taste delicious! We also eat smilies. Look what a happy faces they got.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/regen002.jpg

Because we learned a new dutch word we askes Eva to tell us more. Here's a list of the words i learn:

stuffed animal = knuffel
hug = knuffel
kiss= zoen
i love you = ik hou van jou
thanks = bedankt
you're welcome = graag gedaan
the Netherlands = Nederland
bye = doeg or doei
hello = hallo

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 25, 2008, 3:13 pm
Hello!

A new TV arrived today. The TV came in a very big envelope.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Mulalu003.jpg

We were all wondering what kind of animal was in it.
It was an....
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/Mulalu004.jpg


Elephant!
His name is Mulalu

We sit together to talk about our goals and to get to know eachother. He's very friendly so i think we gonna be great friends.

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 30, 2008, 10:01 am
Hello!

It's such strange weather here in the Netherlands. It's very hot and we have a lot of rain and thunderstorms.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes008.jpg

That's why we wanna play a game.

First we played 'Huisje, boompje, beestje' what means: House, tree, animal. It's an expression in the Netherlands.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes004.jpg

After that we made a puzzle. We had no idea what's it gonna be, so we helped each other to make it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes001-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes002-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes003.jpg

Look what a wonderfull picture!

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 30, 2008, 10:09 am
Hello!

Today a new tv arrived.
This time it was a tiny envelope and of course we were all curious who can be in that.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes001.jpg


Suddenly we heard the TV screaming:
'I'm home! Suprise!'
We didn't understand a thing of it till he came out and Eva start crying. It is one of her one tv's who came home.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/spelletjes002.jpg

Meet Pip.
Here in Holland Pip is very famous. Everybody here knowes Woezel and Pip. He told us his story.

"We are caracters from a story for children here in Holland.
The woman who brings us to life is Guusje Nederhorst. For many years Guusje played in a soap called "Goede tijden slechte tijden'' (good times bad times).
In 2002 she discovered her real passion: writing stories for children. That was the beginning of Woezel and Pip. Two inseparable dogs who experience funny and sometimes naughty adventures.
The little novels are a big hit here in Holland.
Unfortunally Guusje never had the change to see how many children enjoy the adventures of Woezel and Pip. She got breast cancer and died in 2004. Her husband set up the Guusje Nederhorst foundation as a memory for her creative, headstrong and brave personality."

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 30, 2008, 4:46 pm
Hello!

Another TV arrived today. Great to see so much others here and get to know them.
This time it was a small envelope again and Eva told us that this time she was expecting someone. She told us we get to see a new bear here.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/rootsaankomst001.jpg

It's Roots Bear!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/rootsaankomst002.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Jul 31, 2008, 4:13 pm
Hello!

Feeling hot, hot, hot!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/hothothot002.jpg

In reality it's 30 degrees here but as you can see it feels like 40 degrees. And you can't find any refreshment here.
That's why we decided to get a tan...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/hothothot001.jpg

Big hugs from a hot Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 1, 2008, 6:11 pm
Happy birthday to HitchaRideDooey!

Today we celebrate his birthday.
First we sing a birthday song in dutch for him.
It goes like this:

Er is er een jarig, hoera hoera
dat kun je wel zien, dat is hij
dat vinden wij allen zo prettig jaja
en daarom zingen wij blij
hij leve lang, hoera hoera
hij leve lang, hoera hoera
hij leve lang, hoera hoera
hieperdepiep, hoeraaaaaa


First we gave him his present
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey001.jpg

We wrapped it up in orange paper, because the national color of the Netherlands is orange.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey002.jpg

It was a t-shirt with toyvoyager on it! He loved it.

After that it was time to eat some snacks. We really want chips.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey003.jpg

It was time to play a game! As you can see on the picture above this text we invited two other animals.
We were in a naughty mood and decided to play a kiss game. We were sitting in a cirkle and when te pen point at you,you have to kiss the one that was turning the pen. We had so much fun!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey004.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey005.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey006.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/verjaardagdooey007.jpg

Now we are gonna dance all night long, woepie!

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 3, 2008, 6:08 pm
Hello!

Today we went to 'Het Geestmerambacht'.
The recreation area Geestmerambacht, which lies at north of Alkmaar, offers all kinds of possibilities for recreation in natural surroundings.
There's a nature area and a big lake and many many more, but we want to see the lake.


This is me in front of the lake:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht004-1.jpg

There are also a lot of birds here:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht001-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht008-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht010-1.jpg

Some pictures of the lake:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht009-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht013.jpg

we found a thing in the water and Eva let us sit on it:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht011-1.jpg

The vieuw when you look at the other side:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht012.jpg

On our way back we saw the neighbourhood Eva lives in behind the field with vegetables:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht014.jpg

And this is the neighbourhood Eva lives in:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/geestmerambacht015.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 4, 2008, 3:52 pm
Hello!

Today it was time to say goodbye to Clem.
I'm gonna miss him a lot, but i'm also happy for him, because he was very excited to see more of the world.
Maybe we will meet again.

Today i get my last hug from his huggy arms:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles002.jpg


Good luck Clem!

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 4, 2008, 4:09 pm
Hello!

Today we saw the prison of Alkmaar.
It is called Schutterwei and it's a prison for men.
Th prison lies in a area called Alkmaarderhout. This park is a part of an old forest with many old trees. You will find an animal farm and the prison.

Unfortunally we only saw the prison from the backside. On the front are a lot of houses so you can't see much of it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles006.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 4, 2008, 4:24 pm
Hello!

Today Eva went to the cemetary to see the graves of some relatives and she took us with her, because on the way to it you can see ducth mills.

On the parking space we first saw something else. Each year in the summer volunteers organise JOL.
Children in the age from 4 till 12 years can come there.
The main thing children do there is building cabins of everything they can find like wood and other stuff. There were some lovely cabins there. All the children decorate there own to show it is theirs.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles010.jpg

On our way back we finally saw some mills!
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles012.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 4, 2008, 4:33 pm
Hello!

Today we were helping Eva build eh... something.
She loves to make furniture, so we were all guessing what it was gonna be.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles014.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles015.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles016.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/vanalles017.jpg

Tadaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!! It's a book-closet!

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 12, 2008, 1:37 pm
Hello!

Today Eva had an appointment in Schoorl, the Netherlands.
Schoorl is a village near Alkmaar with duines and a wood.
On our way to it we drove trough the woods and i wanna show you that mommy.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting001-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting002-1.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 12, 2008, 1:48 pm
Hello!

In the morning it was terrible weather. It rains a lot and there was a thunderstorm here. We watched it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting003-1.jpg

Because of the weather we were a little bit bored. Suddenly the door bell ring so we walked to the door and opened it.

Magicwoman stood there! It was such a suprise, because she is also a host here for TV's and she had two other TV's with here.

It was Count and Henry the adventure hound.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting004-1.jpg

we talked a lot and it was so funny to be all together.

We also want to rest a bit. Isis the cat lives here and the only she does is sleep all day long. We decided to sleep together with her.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting005-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/tvmeeting006-1.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 18, 2008, 10:23 am
Hello!

A new tv arrived today.
We were very curious who can be in that envelope.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend007-1.jpg

When he came out i immediately liked him.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend008-1.jpg

It is Muumipeikko!

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 18, 2008, 10:38 am
Hello!

This weekend Eva went to her boyfriend and she took us with her.

Friday:
First Eva showed us his room. He lives in a house with students so we thought it would be a mess. Luckely this house was clean, but we found a little mess on the couch.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend001-1.jpg

Saturday:
This evening we had a little party. Eva her boyfriend went to Mexico this holiday and as a souvenir he had a bottle tequilla. Of course we had to drink from it.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend006-1.jpg

Sunday:
Today was allready our last day here. So i enjoyed the view from the window.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/weekend003-1.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 22, 2008, 1:20 pm
Hello!

Today we went to the dutch Mac Donalds. it was delicious. We ate a cheeseburger, quarter pounder, french frites and drink a milkshake.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/mac001-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/mac006.jpg

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 24, 2008, 1:48 pm
Hello!

A new tv arrived today. This time it wasn't a big suprise.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/henry001.jpg

We allready met him at the tv meeting with Magicwoman.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/henry002.jpg

It's Henry the adventure hound!
For us it's great he's here now, because the day we met him we allready loved him.

Big hugs Strider
Eryah


Posted Aug 27, 2008, 5:24 pm
Hello!

I'm coming home! It's great to see you again soon mommy and i can't whait. I hope the journey won't take a long time.

But first it was time to say goodbye to everyone i get to know here. I'm gonna miss them a lot and i'm so glad i got to know them.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidstrider002.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidstrider003.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidstrider004.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidstrider005.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/Eryah/toyvoyagers/afscheidstrider006.jpg



If i look back at my time as a toyvoyager i have to say i learn so much. I saw a lot of different cultures and countries. All the people who host me were so sweet for me and take the time to show me their town. Thanks mommy for give me this change. I love you!

Big hugs Strider
kristl


Posted Nov 30, 2008, 9:45 am
Strider has returned home!!

We all thank everybody who made his journey possible!!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 3, 2012, 9:27 pm
Strider arrived in Iola today, sharing the mailbox with Milla, who arrived home today. They were just in time to help fix lunch!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 5, 2012, 4:46 am
Host mom took us to see another water tower, in Gas City. It's called Gas (or Gas City) because there was a lot of natural gas mined here in the late 1800s. The water tower is painted to look like a giant gas can!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 6, 2012, 4:22 am
Host mom took me outside to get some fresh air, and told me a little about the house next door. The kids say that it is haunted. It belonged to a little old man, who was about 95 years old when his children decided that he needed more care and he moved in, across town, with his daughter. The house had fallen into considerable disrepair, but was purchased last summer and it's in the beginning stages of renovation. They cleared away what seemed like an entire forest of trees and weeds, and put on a new roof. We can't wait to see what they do next!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 7, 2012, 4:40 am
Strider went exploring in the critter room today. Strider said hello to Steve the lizard (he sure is good at hiding... he's just to the right of the middle of the photo!) and played with baby hedgehogs :)
MamiTig


Posted Mar 8, 2012, 2:41 am
Host mom didn't have much time today, but I wanted to go outside, so she took me out to the back alley to see what I could see on this windy, windy day!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 9, 2012, 2:59 am
Host mom took me to work today. I found the "Books are Fun" bin and I just had to explore! Books are Fun is a company that brings books and things to the workplace so people can look and then order what they like at a discounted price. :)
MamiTig


Posted Mar 10, 2012, 5:52 am
Strider helped the youth group kids make birthday cards for Elwin, who turns 91 tomorrow!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 12, 2012, 1:38 am
Strider enjoyed Sabbath school, and staying for luncheon, where he got to wish Elwin a happy 91st birthday!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 12, 2012, 1:41 am
Strider was so happy to visit the Thayer SDA youth group :) It was so fun to sing, make calendars, and eat!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 12, 2012, 2:48 am
Host mom grumbled about how gas prices are going up again... and this is the cheapest gas in the area :(
MamiTig


Posted Mar 12, 2012, 4:16 am
One of the TVs in our group has a life goal of visiting cemeteries, so we stopped at Foster Cemetery while in Topeka today!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 12, 2012, 5:01 am
After a long day of voyaging, we were hungry!! Host mom took us to CiCi's Pizza in Lawrence, yum!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 13, 2012, 2:57 am
It was so lovely outside this evening that host mom grabbed a few of the kids and the TVs, and walked down to Hillbrant House to see what's blooming!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 14, 2012, 3:30 am
Today, host mom took me walking in the opposite direction, where she said there was a lovely Bradford pear tree that she wanted to photograph me with. Then we walked over to the Cottonwood Garden where we found one bush blooming with dainty, white flowers. On the way home, she showed me one of her favorite houses. She said it was built in the late 1800s!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 15, 2012, 3:34 am
For today's journey, the host mom drove me over to Riverside Park, where we climbed over the dike and took a look at the river.
MamiTig


Posted Mar 17, 2012, 3:40 am
Oh goody, a road trip! We got all packed up!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 17, 2012, 3:40 am
Oh goody, a road trip! We got all packed up!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 17, 2012, 1:33 pm
We stopped at the rest stop, just south of the Arkansas border, to stretch our legs and get some pictures in the Ozark Mountains!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 17, 2012, 11:59 pm
We got ready, then wandered around the Arkansas Anime Festival and looked at all of the people in costumes! I really liked the black light lounge!:)
MamiTig


Posted Mar 18, 2012, 2:34 am
The host family and their friends dressed up and changed costumes lots today!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 19, 2012, 4:42 am
It was time to go home today, and the first place we stopped was the National Fish Hatchery, in Neosho, Missouri! I had so much fun exploring the museum and feeding the fish!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 20, 2012, 1:44 am
As we left the fish hatchery, we noticed a beautiful old cemetery. One of the TVs in the group has a goal to visit 10 cemeteries, so we stopped to help her fulfill her goal. It was very peaceful and beautiful there.
MamiTig


Posted Mar 20, 2012, 4:56 am
The host family said that they can't imagine driving through Carthage, MO and not stopping at the Precious Moments Chapel! It's such a beautiful, amazing place!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 21, 2012, 3:59 am
Some of the hedgehogs came out to play today!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 23, 2012, 4:49 am
Host mom took me to the Neosho River this morning to see how much the spring rains have made it rise! The current sure was running fast; we made sure not to go too close to the edge!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 24, 2012, 4:14 am
When we passed through Lyndon, KS, host mom stopped to show us the water tower and a historical log cabin!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 24, 2012, 5:21 am
We went to find a Wal-mart while we were in Topeka and found this interesting drive in movie theater marquee in the parking lot. Host mom  took us over to have a look, and we learned that we were looking at a piece of history!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 25, 2012, 5:41 am
Today we went to Easter play practice! There were lots of kids and costumes and everybody was having so much fun!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 26, 2012, 1:56 am
The sky was so pretty as the sun prepared to sink below the horizon- the picture doesn't do justice to how pretty the scene really was!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 26, 2012, 4:34 am
Today was a lovely spring day and when we drove by Hillbrant House, host mom got very excited and said we just HAD to stop for pictures with the newly blooming flowers! :)
MamiTig


Posted Mar 27, 2012, 5:37 am
Dandelions in the lawn are a certain sign of spring! The warm weather sure seems to make Halo kitty, the neighborhood stray, a whole lot happier.
MamiTig


Posted Mar 29, 2012, 4:59 am
It's been a really busy couple of days, so host mom took me for a walk after work. She showed me a lovely but somewhat rundown house a couple of blocks from home, that used to be a coach house. It still looks very pretty, even if it has seen better days. The storm clouds started to  gather so we walked home... and saw the Easter bunny!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 30, 2012, 3:58 am
Host mom said she experienced "sticker shock" at the gas station today... the price of gas is rising quickly :(
MamiTig


Posted Mar 31, 2012, 6:03 am
Tonight was the last night of play practice before the first performance! Everyone was so excited!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 1, 2012, 5:40 am
Host mom stopped and showed us the water tower in Thayer, on the way to church today. This one is the most round of all the water towers we've seen!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 2, 2012, 5:42 am
Twin Trestles is such a fascinating place, I don't think I will ever tire of going there! So much to see and explore. It's just starting to green up and look pretty now :)
MamiTig


Posted Apr 3, 2012, 5:12 am
We went to Topeka and saw tractors!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 3, 2012, 5:48 am
Host mom made herself a pretty skirt today!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 4, 2012, 5:27 am
We stopped at Garnett's South Lake in the morning, to look for Canada geese, and we also found mushrooms!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 5, 2012, 3:48 am
Host mom bought some very brightly colored fabric and said she is going to make some spring dresses for the little girls!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 6, 2012, 5:14 am
We were going to Topeka today and Anastaysia talked host mom into stopping at a lovely old cemetery called Mt. Hope! It had graves from the early 1800s... so much history!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 7, 2012, 3:38 am
The kids were right; the tortilla chips and salsa at El Charro are fantastic! Strider dove right in :)
MamiTig


Posted Apr 7, 2012, 5:00 am
We drove out to Arnold's Greenhouse today, to get some early planters and enjoy all the things there are to see!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 7, 2012, 10:17 pm
We stopped in at the convenience store in LeRoy and saw some interesting things!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 9, 2012, 4:12 am
Today was the host family kids and their friends' final performance of the Easter play. The kids did the entire service, and they did such a wonderful job. Afterward, there was a yummy potluck!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 10, 2012, 5:48 am
Today we startled a small flock of sheep by stopping to take pictures!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 12, 2012, 4:50 am
Host mom took us to the river today. It was gray and chilly, but the trees and wildflowers were bright and happy!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 13, 2012, 4:17 am
Today was gray again, AND rainy, so we didn't get a chance to do anything very exciting. We sat on the porch and watched the clouds, and visited with the outdoor kitty, Halo. Host mom finished making a dress for one of her daughters! She is going to make two more in the same colors, but different combinations, so her youngest three daughters will complement each other nicely :)
MamiTig


Posted Apr 15, 2012, 5:47 am
Strider enjoyed the warm meal and great company at the SDA church potluck today!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 16, 2012, 5:36 am
Today the host family took us to Gage Park in Topeka, to celebrate a birthday! There was a lot to do and we had tons of fun playing! :)
MamiTig


Posted Apr 17, 2012, 5:05 am
On the way home from work, host mom stopped to show us the pretty scenery and the rural water tower that is just west of Colony, Kansas! It was such a pretty day!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 19, 2012, 4:56 am
Strider was invited to dinner by a family of little hedgehogs. They sure were busy!!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 21, 2012, 2:29 am
The host family decided to do a small garden in their back yard this year, but host mom wanted to stop by the community garden to see what other people are growing!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 22, 2012, 5:12 am
Host mom got working in her garden today. She planted onions, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, and a few cabbage in the ground and then mint, tomatoes, and oregano in pots. There's still more to do, but it was a great start! :)
MamiTig


Posted Apr 22, 2012, 5:14 am
We went to the Great Plains Mall in the afternoon!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 23, 2012, 3:47 am
Strider and Biscuit investigated the growing zombie horde...
MamiTig


Posted Apr 24, 2012, 3:02 am
Host mom finished her second little girl dress! So cute!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 24, 2012, 3:04 am
Yet another shape of water tower! Host mom showed us the one in Garnett this morning!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 25, 2012, 4:22 am
Host mom and her youngest daughter took me for a walk to see what was blooming at Hillbrant House. Mr. Hillbrant was home and he let us go in the back yard to see his koi and waterfalls back there! Sadly, he is selling his house because he is in his 80s and figures he doesn't need a house and yard that big. We sure hope the next owners will appreciate and maintain his gardens! Strider wanted to catch one of the fish (yum yum!), but host mom was watching too closely...
MamiTig


Posted Apr 26, 2012, 5:10 am
Yay, a birthday to celebrate! Strider loved the ice cream and cake, and the unwrapping of the presents!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 27, 2012, 5:26 am
This morning, host mom took us to see the community corrections garden that is maintained by the county jail. The motto is "Building Character Through Gardening." We met a super nice lady there, who told us about how she works with the inmates in the garden. Being a small town with a large jail, our county houses a lot of female inmates from the bigger cities, when they have overflow. She often works with people who have never, ever gardened and have no idea about plants or where vegetables come from. One day, she was working with a group of ladies and handed them each a radish, plucked from the ground, and they stood around, and finally one said, "What am I supposed to do with this?" She said, "You eat it." The lady thought a while, then said, "I can't eat it, it's dirty." The nice lady explained all vegetables grow in dirt and you just have to wash them off. The lady argued a bit, so she showed her how to wash it with the hose and try it. The lady tried it, gobbled it down, and then her whole face lit up, and she exclaimed, "I like dirty food!"
MamiTig


Posted Apr 28, 2012, 1:04 am
We made a potty stop at the tourist stop in Burlington!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 28, 2012, 6:28 am
We dined on yummy CiCi's Pizza in Topeka :)
MamiTig


Posted Apr 28, 2012, 6:29 am
Host mom finished her last little girl dress! Her three littlest daughters are going to be so happy (and so cute) in their new dresses! :)
MamiTig


Posted Apr 29, 2012, 5:07 am
The dresses were so adorable that we Toy Voyagers insisted on being photographed with the pretty princesses wearing them!
MamiTig


Posted Apr 30, 2012, 4:23 am
Strider enjoyed sabbath school and potluck at the Seventh Day Adventist church.
MamiTig


Posted Apr 30, 2012, 5:59 am
Host mom got started on a new project... I wonder what it will be?
MamiTig


Posted May 1, 2012, 5:03 am
Host mom and one of her daughters took me to see the historic Old Allen County Jail. It was closed so we just poked around outside.
MamiTig


Posted May 3, 2012, 4:21 am
Host mom and her littlest daughter took me for a walk down the alley behind the house, to see what we could see!
MamiTig


Posted May 4, 2012, 5:14 am
Play time!
MamiTig


Posted May 5, 2012, 3:53 am
We are helping Anastaysia on her goal of visiting 10 cemeteries, so the host family took us to visit Iola's new cemetery. There are stones that date back into the 20s, so it's not THAT new. They looked for their friend, Patty, who succumbed to breast cancer last year, but could not find her stone. Her daughter had said it had roses on it, but there were so many that had roses, that didn't help narrow the search!
MamiTig


Posted May 6, 2012, 6:35 am
Host mom had to take a trip to the airport very early this morning. She watched the moon the whole two hour drive, since it was supposed to be a "supermoon" today. When she got done with checking in her cargo, the moon was nearly to the horizon and kept threatening to go behind the clouds, so the pictures aren't great- but the moon sure was pretty!
MamiTig


Posted May 7, 2012, 5:09 am
After watching the supermoon set, we took a nap and woke up hungry. We drove to Ryan's, where we enjoyed the breakfast bar!
MamiTig


Posted May 8, 2012, 2:36 am
One of the TVs in our group has the goal of visiting state line signs, so host mom took us a few extra miles east to get a picture of the Missouri sign. There wasn't a Kansas sign when we crossed back in, so we didn't get that :( But, there was a Bank of America with some pretty roses (we parked our car in their lot) and I wanted my picture taken there!
MamiTig


Posted May 8, 2012, 4:34 am
On our way back toward the highway, we found a little old cemetery. Anastaysia got really excited, so host mom was super nice and stopped so she could see. It is the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Overland Park, KS. We found information about it here: click here! Who knew cemeteries had so much history?!
MamiTig


Posted May 9, 2012, 5:54 am
In the evening, we had SDA youth group in Thayer. It's the last one for the season- they take a break until fall, and we'll really miss it!
MamiTig


Posted May 10, 2012, 3:58 am
Host mom started an interesting new project. She said she is making armor out of craft foam for her son's history presentation, where he has to dress up as Chandragupta Maurya and do a presentation.
MamiTig


Posted May 11, 2012, 4:00 am
The host family were looking for a service project and found a garden that needed weeding. The garden belonged to a lovely lady named Lula, who lives way out in the country. It was hard work and sometimes the kids wanted to quit, but when they looked up and saw Lula's happy smile, it made them work twice as hard :) We made quite a dent, but there's still plenty more to be done... we plan to go back in 2 weeks and do some more :)
MamiTig


Posted May 11, 2012, 5:18 am
After working hard in the garden, we all needed a nice, hearty meal at El Charro! Yum! :)
MamiTig


Posted May 12, 2012, 5:42 am
We watched the host family's oldest daughter play cello in the spring concert!
MamiTig


Posted May 13, 2012, 1:41 am
Host mom took me along when she ran errands over lunch hour today. She stopped to take a picture with me on the northwest side of the town square. :)
MamiTig


Posted May 13, 2012, 2:08 am
We met a baby sparrow named Elizabeth. She fell out of the nest when she was little and is being rehabilitated to return to the wild as soon as she is able.
MamiTig


Posted May 13, 2012, 4:43 am
Mmm! Church supper at the Seventh Day Adventist Church! :)
MamiTig


Posted May 13, 2012, 5:54 am
We visited TLC greenhouse to look for more garden goodies. We found all sorts of amazing things to explore! Beautiful! :)
MamiTig


Posted May 14, 2012, 5:43 am
When the host family was going in to church this morning, they noticed butterflies all around the pretty purple flowers at the entrance. Host mom came back later to take our picture with them, but they are small and brown, so you have to look very hard to see them in the pictures.
MamiTig


Posted May 15, 2012, 4:39 am
One of the host family boys prepared for his history class final: giving a biography as Chandragupta Maurya, with his trusty war elephants!
MamiTig


Posted May 16, 2012, 5:26 am
This evening we attended the middle school choir and band concert, on the northwest side of the Iola town square. :)
MamiTig


Posted May 17, 2012, 3:08 am
We went to the fifth grade graduation at the elementary school today! So many happy kids!
MamiTig


Posted May 18, 2012, 5:57 am
Host mom stopped and took a look at the Prairie Spirit Trail on the way to work this morning!
MamiTig


Posted May 19, 2012, 2:07 am
From late spring to early fall, the west side of the town square in Iola is blocked off every Thursday evening for the Farmer's Market! We wandered around and met many nice people and saw fascinating things!
MamiTig


Posted May 19, 2012, 4:13 am
Hedrick's brought their petting zoo to town, so of course, we had to go and see! So many amazing critters! :)
MamiTig


Posted May 20, 2012, 2:43 am
Today, the host family took me to their dance studio for recital pictures. There were so many kids, so many costumes, and so much energy! I had sooo much fun!! :) Dance recital is in two weeks, and I can't wait to see the kids perform!
MamiTig


Posted May 21, 2012, 1:50 pm
The host family went to help Lula with her garden again today. I had so much fun exploring! My favorite thing was the lovely, intricate bird nest that we found on the ground.
MamiTig


Posted May 22, 2012, 4:50 am
When we were coming back from Lula's, host mom decided to take a country road we hadn't explored before. Anastaysia got excited and we stopped to explore an old cemetery we found!
MamiTig


Posted May 23, 2012, 5:08 am
Host mom showed us why Kansas and the midwest are called America's bread basket. The fields of wheat are so lovely, and I could see why the song America the Beautiful refers to "amber waves of grain" as the wheat blew in the wind and made ripples like the ocean!
MamiTig


Posted May 24, 2012, 3:21 am
Host mom and two of the little sisters took me for a walk around the neighborhood this evening. We looked at the houses (most were built between the late 1800s and mid 1900s), as well as taking a stop to look at Mr. Hillbrant's amazing garden!
MamiTig


Posted May 24, 2012, 5:09 am
The host family all went to the dentist today, so we hung out in the waiting room for quite a while.
MamiTig


Posted May 25, 2012, 1:59 am
Today I got to see two week old baby hedgehogs in their nest!
MamiTig


Posted May 25, 2012, 4:31 am
The cows at Strickler's Dairy made a lovely scene today! We couldn't resist stopping for pictures :)
MamiTig


Posted May 26, 2012, 5:00 am
Host mom took me and two of her sons out to lunch at El Charro. The salsa there is always sooo delicious!
MamiTig


Posted May 27, 2012, 7:25 am
Strider enjoyed Sabbath School and church supper!
MamiTig


Posted May 28, 2012, 7:16 am
We went to Twin Trestles again today! It's turning green as spring turns to summer, and there were so many amazing things to explore!
MamiTig


Posted May 29, 2012, 5:31 am
Today was Memorial Day, so host mom had the day off from work. In the afternoon, the family took a picnic, then stopped at the town square to see the flags and contemplate their loved ones who are gone.
MamiTig


Posted May 30, 2012, 6:04 am
Oh goody, a birthday! El Charro's for dinner, and the unwrapping of presents! Perfect! :)
MamiTig


Posted May 31, 2012, 6:10 am
Strider met the resident squishables today! They are so adorably squishy!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 2, 2012, 6:05 pm
The host family took me to their dress rehearsal for thier dance recital! The theme is "An International Affair" and they had a lot of amazing dances, representing all sorts of different countries!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 3, 2012, 6:57 am
Tonight was opening night! We learned about the "break a leg" tradition. To wish stage performers good luck, you tell them "break a leg" and bring a gift. It was fun to spend time with all the kids in the waiting area downstairs from the stage!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 4, 2012, 5:50 am
I stayed back stage in the waiting area during the last night of dance recital, with host mom. She took me for a peek in the dressing rooms when the kids were all on stage for the opening act!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 5, 2012, 1:27 pm
We went to help Miss Lula in her garden again. So much to explore!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 5, 2012, 1:27 pm
We went to help Miss Lula in her garden again. So much to explore!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 6, 2012, 4:49 am
Strider was very curious about host mom's new project!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 7, 2012, 5:45 am
Strider met a baby blue jay today :)
MamiTig


Posted Jun 8, 2012, 5:59 am
Today, host mom took us to see the caboose at the head of the Garnett rail trail. The rail trail is many miles of hiking and biking trail,  that runs along the lines of an old railroad corridor.
MamiTig


Posted Jun 10, 2012, 3:39 am
We visited Arnold's Greenhouse! It's such a magically relaxing place, with all of the amazing plants and flowers!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 12, 2012, 5:29 am
Strider enjoyed Sabbath supper at the SDA church.
MamiTig


Posted Jun 13, 2012, 4:45 am
We took host mom's parents to meet Lula and work in the garden. It's looking so pretty and nice as all the weeds get gone!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 16, 2012, 1:54 am
Strider was thrilled to eat Mexican food at El Charro!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 17, 2012, 8:40 pm
Today we went to the Farmer's Market- then we got to go to El Charro for the second time this week, to celebrate a birthday! Yay! :)
MamiTig


Posted Jun 18, 2012, 1:42 pm
Today we went to Deanna Rose Farmstead! There were so many fun things to see and do. The gardens are lovely and the petting zoo animals were very curious. We had fun playing and exploring!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 20, 2012, 4:43 am
After visiting Deanna Rose Park, we went to China Star for dinner. Some people think that dessert is the very best part!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 21, 2012, 5:29 am
There are always interesting things to see and do in Lula's garden! We had fun exploring! :)
MamiTig


Posted Jun 22, 2012, 4:11 am
The ToyVoyagers loved the tooth fairy bench at Legends Drive Dental!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 22, 2012, 5:28 am
Host mom was really excited that she finished her daughter's Prinplup costume today! :) Only about a month until Tokyo in Tulsa and she can show it off!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 24, 2012, 7:25 am
One of the host family boys was in a play this morning, at the community theater. It was all very exciting!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 26, 2012, 1:16 am
Today I went fossil hunting with the host family! It was so pretty and we skipped rocks and saw lots and lots of interesting things :)
MamiTig


Posted Jun 26, 2012, 5:01 am
Host mom took us to the south lake in Garnett to watch the geese at lunch hour and we got a special surprise! She had to take pictures through the windshield so she didn't scare it away, and couldn't get a close up shot with me in it to show the details of what we were looking at, so please forgive (but enjoy) the picture that shows closer up!
MamiTig


Posted Jun 28, 2012, 5:14 am
Today was a quiet day, just visiting with the hedgehogs.
MamiTig


Posted Jul 1, 2012, 8:37 pm
Host mom had errands to run in Chanute, so we stopped at Santa Fe Park to have a picnic and play. It was very hot (over 100F) so we were very glad that the park is mostly shade!!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 2, 2012, 6:18 am
I went to a party with the host family, to celebrate a couple of birthdays (including America's)! We had water balloons, snacks, fireworks, and all sorts of fun!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 4, 2012, 12:17 am
There are always so many amazing things to explore in Lula's garden! :) Host mom's oldest daughter took my travel pictures today :)
MamiTig


Posted Jul 4, 2012, 4:49 am
Host mom said that even old, broken down things can be beautiful. She showed us this old, abandoned building in Garnett as an example!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 5, 2012, 5:31 am
Host mom started a new sewing project today. She said it's going to be a costume, that will be entered in the cosplay contest at Tokyo in Tulsa! I can't wait to see how it turns out! :)
MamiTig


Posted Jul 8, 2012, 11:00 pm
The host family got the car all packed and ready to head out on an exciting adventure!  :D
MamiTig


Posted Jul 10, 2012, 3:43 am
About four hours after we packed into the car, we arrived at Broken Arrow Ranch for family camp! The host family unpacked everything, and then took us on some grand adventures! It was so nice to end the day with campfire, overlooking sunset on the lake.
MamiTig


Posted Jul 10, 2012, 6:39 pm
The second day of family camp was just as amazing as the first! We started with a yummy breakfast and morning worship. Then the host family went horseback riding. We didn't get to see that because host mom was worried we'd get lost or hurt. Then we had lunch, played in the basement, and then we had to wait while the host family went ziplining. We got to see the equipment, but again, we had to stay behind because host mom was worried for our wellbeing. In the late afternoon, we played on the beach at the Tuttle Creek reservoir and that was so  relaxing!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 11, 2012, 3:15 am
Day three at camp was just as wonderful as the first two days! We climbed up the hill to the nurse's cabin to enjoy the view of the lodge. After breakfast, we went for a hike through the woods. In the afternoon, we celebrated a baptism in the lake. It was a lovely day!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 11, 2012, 3:46 am
On the way home from camp, we stopped to fuel up in Lyndon, KS. Host mom remarked that this is the first time she's ever seen gas prices fall during summer!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 12, 2012, 2:14 am
Ready for another road trip! This time we packed light! :)
MamiTig


Posted Jul 12, 2012, 2:16 am
After four hours in the car, we arrived at Lives Under Construction Ranch, where one of the brothers will be staying for a month of summer camp!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 12, 2012, 1:16 pm
On the way home, we stopped in Ozark, MO to stretch our legs, look in the tourist shops, and enjoy a meal at Lambert's (home of the famous "throwed rolls")!!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 13, 2012, 1:26 pm
Host mom  and her youngest daughter took me and the other TVs for an evening walk down Elm and First streets. We looked at all the pretty houses!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 14, 2012, 2:15 am
We took a look at the Farmer's Market tonight, to see what was for sale! They hold the market every Thursday evening, on the town square, when the weather is nice :)
MamiTig


Posted Jul 14, 2012, 4:12 am
Today some men came and started digging out the bricks on the south side of the host family's house! Host mom said they are contractors and they are fixing the foundation. We were very curious about what they are doing!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 14, 2012, 6:18 am
We went up to the town square to see what all the excitement was about! Today is the Mad Bomber Run, and there was a car show and a motorcycle show, and entertainment. Here's the website that tells about the historical event that inspired the modern Mad Bomber Run!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 14, 2012, 6:31 am
The contractors came again today and jackhammered at the foundation. Now all of the stone blocks under the south wall are gone, and three little jacks are holding up the side of the house! Yikes!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 15, 2012, 6:49 pm
We enjoyed a lovely vegetarian supper after Sabbath services at the SDA church today!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 17, 2012, 4:40 am
A birthday at El Charros! I just love celebrations! :)
MamiTig


Posted Jul 17, 2012, 1:35 pm
They sure seem to be making progress on the foundation! Who would have known there were so many rocks down there?!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 18, 2012, 4:10 am
We did a little sightseeing on the grounds while waiting to check three of the kids in at summer camp. I wish I were staying, it is so lovely at Hidden Haven!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 19, 2012, 3:58 am
We went to the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence, KS! It is an old zoo that is very lovely. The Monkey Island is the birth place of the first monkey in space!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 19, 2012, 1:47 pm
On the way home from the zoo, host mom noticed this lovely abandoned school house on the prairie, so we stopped to take a picture! The clouds behind it were especially pretty; very much showing Kansas in the summer.
MamiTig


Posted Jul 20, 2012, 4:51 am
It was hot and everyone was hungry, so we stopped at a Dairy Queen for sweet ice cream treats!  :D
MamiTig


Posted Jul 23, 2012, 4:39 am
They're making good progress on the host family's foundation!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 23, 2012, 6:01 am
The foundation will soon be done!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 24, 2012, 1:21 am
We crossed into the Cherokee Nation as we crossed the Oklahoma border, just south of Caney, KS.
MamiTig


Posted Jul 24, 2012, 1:19 pm
Our first night in Tulsa was wonderful! We got to the hotel and waited in line about 45 minutes for our room assignment. This turned out to be a blessing as they ran out of double rooms, so they upgraded us to a suite at no extra cost! The view was beautiful! :) I had fun wandering the convention (Tokyo in Tulsa) with the host family!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 26, 2012, 5:19 am
Most of our day two at Tokyo in Tulsa was spent at the pre-judging for the cosplay and skit contests, then at the panel about "Pokemon Gijinka" that the host family presented, wandering "artist alley" and then at the final cosplay contest! Host mom and two of her daughters won a judge's choice award in the cosplay contest!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 27, 2012, 5:56 am
On the last day of Tokyo in Tulsa, we took a last wander of the vendors room and ogled all of the fun and amazing things! :)
MamiTig


Posted Jul 27, 2012, 1:28 pm
We stopped in Bartlesville, OK, on the way home so that we could wash the "decorations" that birds left on the car while we were enjoying the convention!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 28, 2012, 4:30 am
We liked the new water saver look for the fountain at Legend's Drive Dental!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 28, 2012, 5:25 am
This year has been terrible for drought, and the corn is shriveling up in the fields :(
MamiTig


Posted Jul 29, 2012, 6:45 am
Storm shelters like these are a reminder of how deadly Kansas weather can become!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 30, 2012, 4:52 am
We had a delicious dinner at Pizza Street, to build up our energy for shopping!
MamiTig


Posted Jul 31, 2012, 3:25 am
Next we went shopping at Bass Pro Shops! It is an amazing place with just about anything you can imagine for outdoor sports. We bought 8 life jackets, so the host family can go rafting!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:14 am
The host family took me to the Allen County Fair! We saw the livestock, the baby barn, and the amazing fair entries, ranging from vegetables to photography to baking to clothing construction.  :D
MamiTig


Posted Aug 3, 2012, 3:50 am
I liked what the host family had for dinner! Yummy!  :D
MamiTig


Posted Aug 4, 2012, 5:01 am
The local community garden has suffered from the drought, too. :( The only plants that stayed green had a lot of extra water!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 5, 2012, 9:32 pm
Today, the host family took me on a huge road trip! Our first stop for the day was at the National Fish Hatchery. We enjoyed the exhibits, then went outside to feed the fish. There was only one pond filled, and a family of ducks came to see the excitement! :)
MamiTig


Posted Aug 6, 2012, 5:18 am
Our next stop was the lovely, old cemetery in Neosho, on the way out of town.
MamiTig


Posted Aug 6, 2012, 5:18 am
Our next stop was the lovely, old cemetery in Neosho, on the way out of town.
MamiTig


Posted Aug 7, 2012, 5:21 am
The next stop was at the Lives Under Construction Ranch charity thrift shop, then on to Lives Under Construction Ranch! We completed our debriefing, then got to see what the boys on the ranch do during the summer camp. They help feed the animals, water trees, and camp out on the weekends!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 8, 2012, 3:14 am
We stopped at the scenic vista just north of Shell Knob, MO, where it seemed like we were on top of the world!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 9, 2012, 3:53 am
After a long day of traveling and exploring, we were HUNGRY! So we stopped in Carthage, MO for some authentic Central American food. It was so very good!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 12, 2012, 6:19 am
Strider enjoyed visiting the local farmer's market! The pepper tasting was fun, but the Thai peppers were sure hot!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 12, 2012, 6:20 am
Strider got a prickly reception from the hedgehogs.
MamiTig


Posted Aug 13, 2012, 3:01 am
We went to Sabbath supper at the SDA church and enjoyed great food and great fellowship!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 14, 2012, 4:23 am
A picnic in the park was a perfect occasion for blowing bubbles! :)
MamiTig


Posted Aug 15, 2012, 12:38 am
met Spoink, the baby pig who is being bottle fed by the host family. Once he's big enough to be outside on a regular basis, he'll be going to a  family that plans to keep him as a farm pet for a 4-H project :)
MamiTig


Posted Aug 17, 2012, 8:52 pm
Host mom took me to see the Neosho River. She said that in the twelve years she's lived here, she's never seen it this dry. You can definitely see the results of the drought!!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 18, 2012, 8:48 pm
Today I experienced an anime convention called Motaku! We are going to be here for the whole weekend and it's so fun! Today I played in the board game room, met people in costumes, and learned about kandi beads!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 20, 2012, 4:14 am
We had lots more fun at Motaku today! We went to several interesting panels and people watched!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 21, 2012, 6:03 am
We visited the host family's friends and met their cats! They have nine cats, and I met two of them. The kitten and I had fun 'rasslin!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 23, 2012, 2:38 am
The host family loves to go to Red Robin for the amazingly delicious veggie burgers!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 24, 2012, 6:49 pm
Sunflowers are the Kansas state flower, and this sunflower grew in the host family's back yard! It got really, really, really tall all summer, then it bent over, and now it has little sunflowers!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 26, 2012, 6:08 am
It finally rained today!! It was very badly needed. Host mom said she heard that two days ago, one of the small towns in our county ran out of water. Everything is dry and there have been fires. I sure hope we keep getting more rain!
MamiTig


Posted Aug 28, 2012, 1:17 pm
We walked over to the Cottonwood Garden to see what is left as summer starts to fade. The Cottonwood Garden was just a vacant lot until someone bought it, landscaped it, and donated it back to the city for everyone to enjoy.
MamiTig


Posted Aug 31, 2012, 3:39 am
Two of the giant's brothers took Arizona, Tucker, Wotan, Sissi, Sundy, Fidditch, Hryusha, Vriendje, Snakiey, Bambi, Kalso, Kali, Ming Jung, Jellybean, Chrissy, Anastaysia, Plaudagei, Faschi, Mini-Mina, and myself to the playground at the elementary school today! We played on all of the equipment and had sooo much fun!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 1, 2012, 3:25 am
Host mom had to go to Burlington to testify on a court case, so we came along. She showed us some of the pretty murals that decorate the town!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 2, 2012, 1:58 am
Host mom made colorful pancakes today! She uses this recipe, but said that she adds vanilla to make them extra fluffy. They sure turn out delicious and disappear fast!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 4, 2012, 6:53 pm
Today we went exploring at Elm Creek! It was hot out, but the shade of the trees made it kind of nice. We explored the north side of the creek, then drove back around to the bridge so that we could explore and see the south side. Host mom has lived here for 12 years, and this was the first time she ever explored this part of Elm Creek!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 5, 2012, 5:15 am
Today we stopped and took a look at beautiful, historical Fort Scott!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 5, 2012, 1:34 pm
I really liked these newborn hedgehogs!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 7, 2012, 3:34 am
We visited the Farmer's Market this evening and bought a few things. The vendors were closing down while we were there, and some nice ladies gave us peach pies and cinnamon rolls, too! :)
MamiTig


Posted Sep 10, 2012, 3:54 am
Today we enjoyed great company and delicious food at the SDA church supper!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 11, 2012, 4:49 am
Host mom and her oldest daughter went ghost hunting at the Pythian Castle! They joined members of the Paranormal Task Force and learned how to use some really cool equipment! It was a mostly quiet night, but there was an electromagnetic field that hovered in one room for over half an hour that had no explainable source we could figure out! Some women felt their hair pulled and backpacks pulled on, and then could not initially leave the tunnel below the castle. They got really spooked, but host mom and her daughter didn't experience any thing scary! For more pictures of their experience, you can click here!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 13, 2012, 4:49 am
On the way home from visiting the haunted castle, we stopped at the Precious Moments chapel to take a break and breathe in the peace and beauty that is there.
MamiTig


Posted Sep 14, 2012, 4:48 am
Host mom stopped at Twin Trestles to take a photo shoot with us this morning. The sky was pale gray and threatening rain, and the late summer flowers were in bloom, but the leaves aren't turning autumn colors yet. The water in the river was nearly all dried up. This is one of host mom's favorite local places to take pictures!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 16, 2012, 7:34 pm
The host family took me to Marsha's Great Plains Deli today... they swear it's the best deli in the Midwest! The sandwiches were amazing!!
MamiTig


Posted Sep 17, 2012, 5:09 am
Host mom had to take a trip out to Nevada, MO and stopped to show us the lovely building that is now Heartland Behavioral Health Services. Like the Pythian Castle we went to recently, it was originally an orphanage. You can read about the history of the building here.
MamiTig


Posted Sep 21, 2012, 4:54 am
We got to celebrate a birthday! It was so much fun to see the presents unwrapped! :)
MamiTig


Posted Sep 25, 2012, 2:32 am
Today we enjoyed a delicious church supper! :)
MamiTig


Posted Sep 26, 2012, 4:15 am
We went to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival and saw so many amazing things! Around every corner there was something new to see or do! The performers and shopkeepers were so incredibly nice to us, too :)
MamiTig


Posted Sep 29, 2012, 1:07 am
Red Robin has the most amazing veggie burgers and stuff! :)
MamiTig


Posted Sep 30, 2012, 3:40 am
I inspected the progress on host mom's latest project!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 1, 2012, 4:50 am
One of host mom's daughters is taking a photography class for her after school program and had an assignment to look for patterns. On Saturday, after Sabbath school and while waiting for potluck, we helped her look for patterns!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 3, 2012, 5:47 am
Host mom took us down to see the Neosho River today. She was amazed that even after all the rain we have had, it is still incredibly low!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 4, 2012, 5:06 am
Host mom finished her project today- a dress for her oldest daughter!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 7, 2012, 4:14 am
Host mom got her new full spectrum camera in this week, so we decided to take it somewhere interesting to try it out. We visited the Galemore Cemetery, and host mom took pictures with both full spectrum and her regular camera.
MamiTig


Posted Oct 8, 2012, 2:58 am
Strider inspected the cranes that host mom's oldest daughter is making. She says she wants to make 1,000 cranes so she can make a wish.
MamiTig


Posted Oct 8, 2012, 2:58 am
Strider inspected the cranes that host mom's oldest daughter is making. She says she wants to make 1,000 cranes so she can make a wish.
MamiTig


Posted Oct 9, 2012, 5:15 am
Host mom is finishing up another costume... she calls this one "Little Red Fighting Good"!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 10, 2012, 4:41 am
Today was host mom's birthday!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 14, 2012, 12:08 am
We were supposed to go to the high school football game today, but lightning, thunder, and torrential rain meant it got postponed. We took shelter in a nearby recreation building and watched the middle school and high school bands at marching practice!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 15, 2012, 12:51 am
Another delicious vegetarian Sabbath supper at the SDA church! :)
MamiTig


Posted Oct 16, 2012, 5:16 am
The stormy skies had an amazing yellow shade that we never could quite catch in a picture, but host mom did get these lovely pictures with her regular and full spectrum cameras.
MamiTig


Posted Oct 17, 2012, 5:01 am
Host mom is hard at work on another costume...
MamiTig


Posted Oct 18, 2012, 4:23 am
More progress! Host mom told us that inspiration for the design came from Edward Gorey.
MamiTig


Posted Oct 19, 2012, 4:35 am
Oh my! There was a ghost cat in the downstairs bathroom tonight...
MamiTig


Posted Oct 22, 2012, 5:08 am
We visited the Farm City Days celebration in downtown Iola today! We saw all sorts of things, like carnival rides a blacksmith, tractors, and vendor booths! It sure was a lot of fun!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 23, 2012, 6:00 am
We got to watch The Passing Zone performance at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center! We even had front row seats.
MamiTig


Posted Oct 27, 2012, 4:46 am
We met a new friend named Axie! Host mom was so happy that Axie joined her family because Axie is a squishable axolotl and #426 in the series!
MamiTig


Posted Oct 29, 2012, 1:15 am
Strider enjoyed another Sabbath supper at the SDA church! :)
MamiTig


Posted Oct 30, 2012, 3:28 am
We took a visit to Twin Trestles, to see what autumn is doing to the landscape. The trees seem to be going straight to curled up and brown, or to leaves falling, without a lot of the usual pretty colors this year.
MamiTig


Posted Nov 2, 2012, 4:07 am
We visited the Attachment Center in Wichita, KS today. This is what it looked like outside and inside!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 4, 2012, 2:39 pm
On the way home from Wichita, host mom stopped to take a short walk and find the spring around which the Kansas town of Eureka was founded.
MamiTig


Posted Nov 5, 2012, 5:42 am
There were strange things afoot on Halloween!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 6, 2012, 3:59 am
Mmmmm! The Mexican food at El Charro is amazing! :) We tried the vegetarian fajitas today :)
MamiTig


Posted Nov 7, 2012, 1:40 pm
I helped host mom cut out her next sewing project!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 8, 2012, 5:50 am
Today we visited Grene Vision for an eye appointment and looked at all of the fun glasses! :)
MamiTig


Posted Nov 9, 2012, 4:45 am
The fall colors at the South Lake are lovely in the morning!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 10, 2012, 3:16 am
I visited a charming little hedgehog in his hidey house today!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 12, 2012, 5:48 pm
After many hours in the car, we arrived at our hotel in Union, MO, where we rested up, to be ready for a night of paranormal investigation!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 15, 2012, 4:55 am
We spent the night at the Tri-County Truck Stop, a reportedly haunted location, on a paranormal investigation! Host mom didn't have room to take all of the TVs in, but I was one of the lucky ones who got to stay! For the rest of the pictures, you can click here!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 17, 2012, 5:31 am
On the way home from the truck stop, we couldn't resist stopping at Lambert's for lunch. We had to wait an hour and a half to get in, but it was SO worth it! Yum, yum, yum!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 17, 2012, 8:28 pm
Host mom had to visit the court house in Garnett and showed us how lovely it looks!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 18, 2012, 2:01 am
Host mom has made some progress on her sewing project!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 19, 2012, 3:14 am
Today we enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast with the host family's friends at RiverTree. :)
MamiTig


Posted Nov 21, 2012, 4:07 am
We were fortunate to get to watch the very amazing Birdhouse Factory performance by Cirque Mechanics... every act was incredible and astounding!!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 23, 2012, 1:59 am
Host mom decided to cook something yummy for dinner and we got to help! She made Hungarian Noodles and Cabbage and it was so delicious that all the kids had seconds!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 24, 2012, 3:42 am
We very much enjoyed celebrating an American Thanksgiving with a community luncheon at St. Timothy's Episcopal church. Since the host family are vegetarians, they didn't eat the traditional turkey, but did enjoy mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, bread rolls, cranberry salad, and pumpkin desserts!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 25, 2012, 1:50 am
We got to enjoy another one of the host family's holiday traditions. We went for a leaf walk, to find colorful leaves to make a table centerpiece for tonight's Thanksgiving dinner! This is a tradition that host mom says has been practiced in her family for at least four generations now!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 25, 2012, 6:58 am
We got to help make Thanksgiving dinner! Sweet potato and Black Bean Enchiladas, white cheese mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce made up the menu!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 27, 2012, 6:16 am
The city of Iola kicked off the Christmas season with an event on the town square! The kids had a candy cane hunt and then we listened to a storyteller. We waited and waited, and then Santa came in on a fire truck to light the town's tree!!
MamiTig


Posted Nov 28, 2012, 6:22 am
Host mom finished her sewing project: bright yellow jeans for her oldest daughter! :)
MamiTig


Posted Dec 1, 2012, 5:38 am
Today we went to work with host mom and looked around her office.
MamiTig


Posted Dec 3, 2012, 6:31 am
We helped make Christmas ornaments at youth group. The ornaments will also double as book marks and the youth group kids will be giving them away as gifts. :)
MamiTig


Posted Dec 5, 2012, 5:43 am
Another yummy Sabbath potluck supper at the SDA church! :)
MamiTig


Posted Dec 7, 2012, 2:54 am
Host mom made a couple of pretty shirts for her middle daughter!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 8, 2012, 3:40 am
We went to the Bowlus Fine Arts center to watch the elementary school Christmas program!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 10, 2012, 2:39 am
Host mom took us for a late night walk so that we could enjoy some of the Christmas lights that people around town have used to decorate their homes!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 10, 2012, 5:45 am
We visited the Safari Museum in Chanute, KS and got to see and play with lots of fascinating artifacts from Africa and Borneo!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 12, 2012, 4:25 am
We found some lovely buildings in downtown Parsons, KS!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 13, 2012, 5:34 am
It was the coldest day so far this winter (17F) and host mom took us down to see the sun rising over the Neosho River. She is sad that it is still so low, and hopes we'll get lots of snowfall and then spring rains to fill it back up.
MamiTig


Posted Dec 16, 2012, 9:43 pm
We got to watch the Iola Middle School winter concert... strings, choir, band, and jazz band! The kids were fantastic, and it made my heart dance!  :D
MamiTig


Posted Dec 17, 2012, 6:06 am
The Classique Dance Studio Christmas party was wonderful! We got to see the little dancers, and take part in an indoor "snowball" fight!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 20, 2012, 5:22 am
We spent some time in the waiting room at Legend's Drive Dental today, while the host family all had their check ups!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 21, 2012, 3:51 am
After a long day, dinner at CeCe's Pizza was delicious! :)
MamiTig


Posted Dec 22, 2012, 4:50 am
Today was the first snow of winter! There wasn't much snow, but it sure was cold and gray!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 23, 2012, 1:22 am
Host mom made a super cute outfit for her youngest daughter, who loves bright, sunshiny colors!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 23, 2012, 3:57 am
Today we enjoyed a potluck at the SDA church! :)
MamiTig


Posted Dec 25, 2012, 5:15 am
We went Christmas caroling with friends from church, then enjoyed a super hot bonfire afterward! Everyone was trying to roast marshmallows but it was so hot that it was hard to get close enough to get them cooked! Perfect for a cold winter's night!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 26, 2012, 1:30 pm
We enjoyed watching the host family celebrate Christmas! :) Merry Christmas to all! :)
MamiTig


Posted Dec 29, 2012, 7:16 pm
The host family had an invasion of blob plushies, so we got to visit with them! (The oldest daughter had made them for presents- aren't they cute?!).
MamiTig


Posted Dec 30, 2012, 12:17 am
Host mom has been having fun with fleece... she made her littlest daughter this pretty coat!
MamiTig


Posted Dec 31, 2012, 5:17 am
Strider made some tiny little friends today!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 2, 2013, 5:10 am
The new year greeted us with a light dusting of snow. There wasn't quite enough for a snowman, so we settled for a snow lump!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 3, 2013, 3:09 am
Mmmm, yummy! French toast for dinner!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 7, 2013, 4:53 am
One of the kids was sick with an ear infection, so we got to explore the doctor's office!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 7, 2013, 1:51 pm
We enjoyed another Sabbath potluck supper at the SDA church :)
MamiTig


Posted Jan 9, 2013, 6:56 pm
We went to the park to see the frozen water on Elm Creek! It sure was a chilly day!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 10, 2013, 4:44 am
We helped the host family make focaccia!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 13, 2013, 2:21 am
Strider and some of the other TVs checked out the new coat that host mom made for her oldest middle daughter!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 15, 2013, 4:27 am
The host family made a bucket list of things they would like to do in the next 5 years! I wonder which ones I'll get to do with them!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 17, 2013, 5:25 am
The host family is musical and today, I got to see the oldest daughter's bass clarinet!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 18, 2013, 4:50 am
The host family accomplished the first thing off of their list of 148 things today: baking a pineapple upside down cake!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 20, 2013, 6:24 am
The host family crossed a second thing off of their list today: Taking the dogs to the dog park. The host family has three dogs named Bowly, Turtle, and Dove!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 22, 2013, 2:48 am
Host mom started a new project today, how exciting! She is using pretty red fleece! :)
MamiTig


Posted Jan 22, 2013, 3:15 am
The host family crossed a third (and very delicious) thing off of their goal list: bake a cheese cake! This one is pumpkin swirl flavored :)
MamiTig


Posted Jan 25, 2013, 5:19 am
Host mom introduced Strider to the piccolo today!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 29, 2013, 12:47 am
We enjoyed another delicious vegetarian Sabbath supper at the SDA church!  First, we helped set up, then we got to eat!
MamiTig


Posted Jan 29, 2013, 12:48 am
Host mom bought herself a lovely little bouquet of sunflowers :D
MamiTig


Posted Jan 31, 2013, 4:05 am
We enjoyed lunch at Jin Shan Chinese buffet! They had so many delicious things to choose from :)
MamiTig


Posted Feb 1, 2013, 3:39 am
Strider was fascinated with all of host mom's flutes and piccolos! Such pretty instruments! :)
MamiTig


Posted Feb 4, 2013, 6:09 am
February 2nd is Hedgehog Day, so we consulted the hedgehog to see what the weather is going to do. The hedgehog saw her shadow, predicting 6 more weeks of winter :(
MamiTig


Posted Feb 6, 2013, 3:44 am
Today we tried Ethiopian food at Elsa's! The food was fantastic, the waitress was very nice, and the smooth jazz music playing in the background made for a lovely ambiance. :D
MamiTig


Posted Feb 8, 2013, 5:29 am
It's a birthday party! Watching presents being unwrapped is so much fun! :D
MamiTig


Posted Feb 11, 2013, 3:40 am
The host family took us to Pizza Hut for a middle school band fundraiser. We ate delicious potato wedges as an appetizer, before the pizza came!
MamiTig


Posted Feb 11, 2013, 1:46 pm
Mmmm, these SDA church suppers are full of vegetarian deliciousness! :D
MamiTig


Posted Feb 14, 2013, 5:42 am
We got to go to a second delicious vegetarian potluck today! This one was for the kids, as they were having a church lock-in for the night. :D
MamiTig


Posted Feb 15, 2013, 2:09 am
We investigated the new baritone! So pretty and shiny! :D
MamiTig


Posted Feb 16, 2013, 5:11 am
Host mom took us to the south lake to see the Canada geese. This is where they come when they head north and nest. The geese weren't quite as happy to see us as we were to see them, and kept their distance.
MamiTig


Posted Feb 17, 2013, 4:32 am
We had an unexpected bit of snow last night, and since there hasn't been much this winter, host mom hurried us out first thing in the morning, to get pictures before it melted!
MamiTig


Posted Feb 18, 2013, 3:29 am
This is the cement factory just outside of Chanute, KS. It's across the street from a music shop where host mom went to purchase a beginner baritone book for her daughter. This area sure is rural!
MamiTig


Posted Feb 19, 2013, 5:31 am
This country road leads past the Colony, Kansas water tower. Colony is a town of about 400 people, with many more cows than humans!
MamiTig


Posted Feb 20, 2013, 5:22 am
Today we visited Humboldt, KS and host mom was able to take us a lot closer to the cement plant there, to see what it looked like. It was huge and seemed to have lots of things going on!
MamiTig


Posted Feb 21, 2013, 10:07 pm
Can you tell that host mom and her daughters like nail polish?
MamiTig


Posted Feb 22, 2013, 4:48 am
There was a big snow storm, dropping lots of snow and ice on the area! School and work were cancelled today!
MamiTig


Posted Feb 23, 2013, 4:31 am
A warm brunch of pumpkin pancakes with white chocolate chips, served with fried eggs, sounded so very good on a cold winter's day!
MamiTig


Posted Feb 25, 2013, 6:24 am
Strider enjoyed trying the vegetarian fajita taco salad at El Charro's Mexican restaurant!
MamiTig


Posted Feb 27, 2013, 2:22 am
Host mom finished her third jacket, finally! She was very pleased with how it turned out, and her daughters were delighted to receive them!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 2, 2013, 12:28 am
We got round two of winter storms, so host mom got to stay home for the day. The weather man predicted 8 to 12 inches of snow, but we only got about two, and then it was warm enough to melt some of it off. Host mom took us for a walk in the neighborhood, to see how pretty it looked before the snow went away!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 4, 2013, 2:26 am
Strider was very curious about host mom's new sewing project. The fabric sure is a bright, bold orange!
MamiTig


Posted Mar 8, 2013, 4:24 am
Strider has some great traveling companions for his trip to Oregon..

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