A Travel Agent

Joan’s sister-in-law Linda had taken a 3-week trip European trip last year to several countries with her two sisters and was very happy with the travel agent, Pam, in Redmond, WA.  Linda said they took trains and walked; the agent knew Europe and the hotels near train stations for easy access, etc., etc.  They stayed only two to three days at a location before moving on.  She said they each had a small rollerboard and a backpack for easy mobility.  She said Pam could help with everything.
   Joan called Pam this week to get started.  She asked about our budget; we said $100 a night and maybe more $250-$300 in Normandy when Merlyn would join us and we would be splitting a larger unit (hopefully.)  Linda had said there were kitchenettes available like in the States (the microwaves and small refrigerators) and we told Pam we would like that, since we use those so much when we are not in a timeshare condo with a kitchen (and actually, we need them with Ron’s dietary restrictions.)

    Pam said she couldn’t get us anything less than 1/3 that budget, that is, $300/night plus and $700 plus in Normandy, and probbaly not anything with a kitchenette. 

     When Joan hung up the phone she said to Ron, “We can’t go!”

     But.....she got busy on the web.

Continued Plans

Unfortunately, JT died last fall, after a great fight against cancer, but because JT didn't live to walk on the beach, Dr. Bob's plan to complete his promise to take the trip for him in his father's memory.  When we heard this, we decided to join Dr. Bob on the beach for some quiet time before the public international ceremonies.  We started firming our plans. 
      Ron had always wanted to return to Europe (we had been stationed in Germany in 1970) and spend months there traveling all around.  Joan knew she could not plan a long European trip easily, with the new traveling rules since we were there, and Ron does not do too well with new changes.  However, a three week trip to just two places (Italy -- Anzio beach --  and France – Normandy – is doable. Just remembering two rules:  Do not drive in Paris;  do not drive in Rome.!
    We need to wait 331 days before the trip to make our airline reservations.

Impetus for a Trip

June 6, 2014 will be 70 years since the Allied invasion of the beaches at Normandy, France during World War II.   Many of the members of the NOBC organization (National Order of Battlefield Commissions) were there.  One of those “Mustangs” (the descendents of NOBC members – of which Ron is one) was there:  JT Vogt's father was on Omaha Beach that day over 69 years ago.  JT, our friend from Wisconsin, wanted to see the beach someday and planned that the 70^th anniversary would be the time.  His friend, Dr. Bob Bivins, promised that he would go with JT, no matter what!  We decided to join them, that this would be a good time to take the trip which Ron has wanted to for so long.   Ron’s brother Merlyn and his wife are also hoping to come.  We invite whomever else would like to go to join us there.  Now to plan!

 Normandy Diversions

Ron's dad in the MN National Guard, 1935 

Before the famous Normandy invasion, there were two notable Allied invasions of Europe. The first was at Anzio, Italy.  Its “D-Day” was 22 Jan 1944 and lasted until 25 May 1944.  The 3^rd and 45^th  Infantry Divisions hit the beaches first and about mid-May, they were relieved to prepare for the invasion of southern France.  The 35^th Infantry Division relieved the 3^rd. Division.  Ron’s father was in the 35^th and was on the beach until the end of May.  On Memorial Day there is a memorial observation led by a 3^rd Division veteran of the invasion, Clyde Easter.  After talking with Clyde, we decided to include Anzio in our trip plans, so we will be going there first.

   Thus, the trip was born.