Wayne and Lorraine's Travel Blog

End tour. Finis.

Tours like this are made even better by the people you meet. We have made a number of new friends and enjoyed ourselves tremendously. The Tour Director, Jason Pawchuk, was an organisere par excellence; anticipating problems and proactively advising us. Thanks Jason, for your time and trouble (and putting up with a noisy, unruly bunch of Aussies). Our driver, Rod Weaver, was always helpful and courteous and as the tour progressed his personality and sense of fun and humour really made the trip even more enjoyable;he became a good mate to a lot of us, onya Hot Rod 🙂

There was one American on the tour, an older chap called Nelson Katz. Nels is the first to admit he’s getting on and isn’t quite as quick as he used to be, but that never slowed or stopped him. In fact, at the “Farewell Dinner” here in New York, Nels was made an Honorary Australian; given a certificate, a badge, a bag of eucalyptus lollies, an aussie $5 note and (huge thanks to George!!!) a very nice polo with a map and Australia on it!

I’ll put another post up shortly about our just finished walk down to Times Square, I just thought it was really important to say how good Jason and Rod were.

WOW  WOW WOW…another day of mind blowing American nostagia …where do I begin? Well, we woke up, showered, dressed, breakfast then boarded the bus for the city tour, local guide, we headed off to The White House, they had already had breakfast, and so had we, so we said “Maybe next time” ..a few photos in Lafayette Park and back on the bus. Next stop the WW2 MEMORIAL ….I don’t have the words to explain this, let the photo tell the story (a picture paints a thousand words)…from this memorialyou look back to the Washington MEMORIAL..a very distinctive landmark on the skyline….then to acknowledge the nature of the area a squirrel provided us with a natural MEMORIAL …..next stop the Vietnam MEMORIAL ….here Wayne changed roles with the guide…..the statue was of three soldiers, a black American soldier, a white American soldier and an “all others” American soldier. The statue shows many of the “mistakes the Americans made in this war, as you can see they are not covered by their clothing, thus the risk from insect related diseases, the display of dog tags, on open shirt chests, causes them to refect in the sun, thus seen by the enemy, some wore their dogtags on their shoes, but the greatest problem in this war was landmines…foot blown off body …no ID!!! Also the Americans chose to wear repellant….which has an aroma …not a good idea! Beside this statue was the “Reflecting Wall” MEMORIAL where all the names of the deceased soldiers or “lost in battle” soldiers are inscribed on a reflective stone, thus the living are reflected by the  past .  Nearby to this was the statue as a MEMORIAL to the women of the war. Another moving statue ….from here we climbed the marble steps to the Abraham LINCOLN MEMORIAL…. a 19  foot white statue (there i sa reason for this, to be revealed later) and also there is an inscription of his second inaugeration speech…. in front of this memorial is the Reflecting Pool you will remember from Forrest Gump when Jenny runs to Forrest through the water….at the extreme opposite end to this is the Capitol….although it is a bus drive away …so off we go….an impressive building that is heavily secured and it is only from the West Lawn that you can view it. All inaugerations since Ronald Reagan have taken place on this “front” so as to enable more people to witness it. From here we wen to the Air andSpace Smithsonian Museum….we saw the Hubble Space Telescope (replica), the USA/USSR docking station, Neil Armstrong Buzz Aldrin and the Apollo langing module “Eagle”…and heaps more ….I touched a moon rock!!!!.. Our next visit wasthe American History Smithsonian…. Judy Garlands Red Slippers from Wizard of OZ, the “slapstick” Fonzie’s Jacket, Kermit, Archie Bunker’s chair, Phyllis Diller’s wig etc etc …much of this Smithsonian was dedicated to the Presidents….and their cause…..AS  you can see they wanted me to be President and I told them how we are supposed to be “moving forward”…we saw the  Watergate filing cabinet, Julia’s kitchen (Meryl Streep movie), C3PO, etc etc etc…After that we walked some more to see the Ford Theatre (where Lincoln was assassinated) and the house across the road where he died. Then our feet told us “enough is enough”so we went back to the hotel before going to an Italian Restaurant for dinner (glutenous servings that no one could eat)…..A BIG day …tomorrow off to New York …this means things are coming to an end …. our next 4 nights are in the big apple and then home to our own beds and bathroom…we won’t have to analyse the plumbing any more. Here’s Mr Right … take care Mrs Always Right XXXX 

As Lorraine mentioned above, Lincoln’s statue is 19′ tall. There is a statue on top of the Capitol Building that is 19’6” tall, that statue is a figure, called “Freedom”. Legislation was passed so that no statue in Washington can ever be taller than 19′, therefore nothing is greater than freedom. Done and dusted, we bought a 1.75 litre bottle of Canadian Club on the way back, for only $15!!, and some Canada Dry .. drinkies! Ooroo.

Today I think I felt “something” like what it is like to be an American. We started the day visiting the National Constitution Center ((er not re) just beside the Liberty Bell) and watched a very moving presentation, with live narration, about the history of the constitution. Following on from that, we browsed the actual museum, showing the history of America until present day. The Hall of  Statues was very impressive. Am now realising what an influential and important person Benjamin Franklin was, and yet he was never a president. We all owe him! After that on to Washington DC….WOW….. it really does have a special feel about….like being in Canberra but on a much larger scale (of course). First stop Arlington Cemetery, are the hairs up on the back of your neck? …should be! VERY, VERY moving…row after row after row of  white headstones …..we walked to the grave of JFK with Jackie beside and two deceased children, turnaround and there on the skyline, The Washington Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Next we rode the Tourmobile to the Tombs of the unknown soldiers (WW1 , WW2 and Vietnam Wars) but the Vietnam War grave is empty as due to DNA testing he was identified. Our tourguide suggested the best place for us to watch the changing of the guard and that was really something. Wayne has the whole thing on video, so you will see that. Again, very very moving. We reboarded the tourmobile and heard the rest of the commentry…there are 3 Australians buried in Arlington. As we waited for the rest of our group we looked at the other displays , one a very interesting and tear provoking recount of the bugler at JFK’s funeral and how he “quivered” on the 6th note and now, as a mark of respect, all buglers now purposely make the same mistake. There are in fact 20-30 funerals a day at Arlington. The flag is put to halfmast , half an hour before the first funeral of the day and remains that way until half an hour after the last funeral for the day. After that we did a small drive around and checked into the hotel …then we went to dinner at a great little restaurant (had crab cakes) before going on an  “Illumination Tour”….We went to the  JFK Performing Arts Center, saw the Hall of States (flags for all states), then the Hall of Countries (flags for all countries) and went to a huge terrace to see DC by night, the monuments really have a Greek look about them, on purpose, to respect democracy.  Then on the coach for one of the most moving and breathtaking man made stuctures I have seen …. The Iwo Jima Memorial …. it is commemmorating a battle (along the lines of our Gallipoli campaign) …..but this is the flagraising that was duplicated at the Twin Towers and other significant events that call for a patriotic flag raising. The memorial was illuminated and I think that seeing it at night made it more special. So I hope you can see what I mean by feeling patriotic today, it gets to you. …And we all know, the Americans are pretty good at that. Over to himself to add to the post and organise the photos. See ya …Lorraine XXX

Just a little more, we visited a statue dedicated to the Irish, then took photos of each other doing a “Rocky” victory dance .. not on the steps of the museum as he did, but on the bank of the Delaware. The main thing was we danced in Philly 🙂 Arlington was moving, so many graves, so many lives wasted .. I left earlier than the rest, you know how these things affect me. I didn’t serve in wartime as these blokes did, but I did serve. Wayne.

Philadelphia is a lovely city, not too tall, and the architecture is superb. We travelled down from Boston  .  The morning was pretty wet but we were travelling along a highway, so little impact on us. We are amazed at the number of freight trucks sitting idle in parking lots.  Maybe the recession has impacted on this.  The weather cleared by lunch and we were able to see Manhattan in the distance as we passed by New York.(in the far distance). We watched a video as we came in to Philly. It starred Nicholas Cage, National Treasure. It was an introduction to buildings we were to see in Philly. On arrival in Philly we went around the city. Saw the “Love” statue and the fountain behind was purple, not sure why. We drove past, but were not able to run up the “Rocky” steps. That building is actually the Arts Museum. There is a statue of Rocky at the base of the steps , but again we missed the photo. Ah well …we saw it! City hall is super impressive, even though Americans voted it the ugliest in America. This city is very historic indeed. This is where “America” began .  We did a walking tour of the old town and saw all the places where Adams, Jefferson, Washington and of course Ben Franklin discussed, signed, lived etc. Very, very  interesting  indeed. The local guide we had , Neil, was brilliant, very articulate, and knowledgeable. At the end of our walking tour we had dinner in the old city tavern, (just listening to the news….unemployment on the rise here!) We had traditional Philly food from the years of Ben, George, John and Thomas, and ate from pewter dishes. Wayne had the traditional ale – porter (more like an old). After dinner we walked back to the hotel. LA Galaxy staying here too, David  Beckham on the 8^th and we are on the 12^th. We were originally on the 7^th but the room smelt of smoke so we requested a change. I think I REALLY like this city and could easily spend more time here. Over to Mr Right for his views.   L orraine XXXX

She Who Must Be Obeyed left out a few things. The biggest attraction in this town is the Liberty Bell, originally it was in the bell tower, but it was replaced by the Centenary Bell and moved down to a museum. We watched a short video about it and then took a few photos.  The room we’re in overlooks the Delaware River and we have a fantastic view. One of the bronze statues we saw last night depicted the Irish leaving their home country and emigrating to America, it’s a very powerful image and one we’re going back to now (8.15am) to take more photos. We didn’t logon last night as we have free wireless in the bus J Ooroo!

PS I purposely left the Liberty bell for himself to report on as he is the “ding-a-ling!!! L XXX

Misty morning, packed and ready to go to Philly. It’s not really raining, more like a falling mist … sounds like rain doesn’t it 🙂 Brekkie in about 20 minutes, here’s Mrs. Always Right to say a few words. Himself didn’t mention that we went to church yesterday, the North Church, we sat in box pews and learnt about the Sons of Liberty and Paul Revere. Saw his house too. The Harvard bit was good …does a Tshirt equal a degree?  So today off to Philadelphia, will need to do the Rocky stair run, see the Liberty Bell and if I see a dog running rampant I know it will be Marley!

More later

LorraineXXX

It’s actually two layers of sponge with cream in the middle 🙂 We found that out this evening as we tucked into a three course dinner at the Parker House (our hotel); french onion soup, sirloin and then dessert, yum!

We spent the day exploring and learning about Boston, it’s history and … more history. A trip to Harvard was next, and we walked around the campus and learned still more history, love it! Lorraine and I can now say we went to Harvard. The afternoon was ours, so we walked around to Washington St and proceeded to look through the shops. Bought a bottle of Chandon and retired to our room for a drink before dinner. Tomorrow we head off to Philadelphia.

Back from a full day out, we’re now much more edumacated and poorer! Dinner now, update soon 🙂

Ooroo!

Remember the old nursery rhyme…a crooked little man is replaced by a crooked little couple and the crooked little house is replaced by a crooked little hotel room in the oldest continuously operating hotel in America, The Omni (hotel chain, not bubbles) Parker House. The little room is all skewed and twisted and the bed has a half metre base, with a huge mattress with a pillowtop on that! Needs a step ladder to get to bed . Appantly this is where JOK proposed to Jackie. Last night we went to the skywalk on top of the Prudential building, went shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue, here’s the list of what we bought. (   ) then we did a night walking tour of Boston, went to Beacon Hill (the posh, expensive housing sector) and walked on the original cobble stone street called Acorn Street .. why is it called Acorn Street ? because it puts a corn on every part of your feet. It was amusing when the 4WD Beemer had to manouver its way down the street. I wonder what the poor people are doing today? (going on a walking tour of Harvard University) Yesterday was essentially a travel day from Bar Harbor (a place for you all to plan a visit to) to Boston. Along the way we stopped at a huge supermarket. That was a real experience in itself, all the Halloween treats and foods are all a big thing and the incredibably bright orange cake icings and decorations had everyone gobsmacked. The wine section in the middle of the supermarket had Australian Wines (many) for cheaper than what we pay! We also went to Kennebunk Port, This is a coastal fishing (Lobster and clams mainly) town where the Bush Family have lived for 3-4 generations. It was a very pretty place. American people, asyou know, are very patriotic and with all the upcoming celebrations they are decorating their houses, wreaths, scarecrows and pumpkins from the harvests, in readiness for Thanksgiving and too, for the Halloween. They also hang flags and banners on their homes. I guess with 4 months of a very cold winter with snow and ice, they make the best of the colour. Anyhow, best away, need to go to breakfast, I’ll get Mr Right to check this, add anything he wants and we’ll be off.

PS I believe the postcards are taking for ever to arrive, will post the last lot today as we will be home before them.

LorraineXXX

They speak funny here 🙂 We’ve *just* arrived in Boston and are heading out the door for a walking tour that includes a drink in the Cheers Bar (remember the TV series?). I’ll report in more detail soon. Oh, herself told me to tell y’all we stopped in Kennebunkport to have afternoon tea with George H. Bush! More to follow …..

Lobster dinner done …but the highlight was the Blueberry Pie ….yummo..reorganising bags to accommodate today’s purchases….tomorrow Boston bound …… there’s a bit of windy weather here in Bar Harbor….. inside the room! Thanks Wayne!

Bar Harbor does not have a “u” in it, contrary to my earlier post, damn yanks 🙂 This has to be the prettiest place we’ve seen so far, and it’s one place we’d both love to come back to for a longer visit. The day started with a beaut breakfast and then onto the bus to visit Acadia National Park; this alone is worth a week! Fantastic scenery and the Information Center had all plant, tree and fern species individually labelled, great idea. The bus took us up to Cadillac Mountain, stupendous views! Back down to the township and dropped off to start a shopping spree (again, oh my aching feet and wallet) .. mind you, this town is setup just for tourism. We had a really nice lunch at a place called “Carmen Verandah”; Buffalo Chicken Salad for herself and a toasted sandwich for me. We also tried a local beer, Blueberry Ale, yum! More shopping (including trying every single tourmaline ring on in one jewellery store). Finally, footsore and pretty buggered, we headed back to our hotel, ready for a “highlight” dinner tonight, Maine’s speciality; LOBSTER 🙂 Woohoo!!

A few things he left out ….this part of the world is famous for its wild blueberries , hence the blueberry beer at lunchtime, but we also had ice cream …blueberry of course…yummo …..there were some really lovely sights this morning , we also saw a Beaver pond , the beavers had built 2 lodges …thus damming the creek, creating a pond, very interesting. The sad thing is, beavers are the largest rodents in North America, takes the gleam off them eh? After the fur trade as mentioned in previous posts, they were almost extinct, but being rodents they are in safe numbers now. Another almost extinct species that is bringing itself back from almost extinction is the Peregrine Falcon, apparantly, some of the chemicals we were using over recent decades caused their egg shells to be soft, DDT in particular. We also saw the laboratory where all the mice for scientific research are bred ,  ewwww, but very interesting. Better go …off to Lobster dinner, a real specialty here. Web are apparantly getting a special gift tonight for being return Insight customers, don’t hold your breath, will report on this in next post …love to all …Mrs Always Right XXXXX  Oh and I didn’t really think this was worth mentioning but we went to see the “Thunder Hole” ……a mini Kiama Blow Hole ! They thought it was good, I thought it was a waste of shopping time! XXXX  Ian, look closely at the wine list photo, particularly the reds!

The views  yesterday were sooooo good , you just have to keep using the same old words…spectacular, fantastic, sensational etc ….the Autumn colour went on and on, plains and hills after hills, reds, yellows, golds, tangerine,  rust, claret, and sometimes speckled amongst, the green and pointed peak of the spruce. It was reported that peak of colour may only last about 4 days before the colour actually falls,  so how lucky were we!!!!! WE saw it at its best. I can’t explain it any clearer …apart from saying that even the guide and driver were impressed …and they live here and see it all the time. The other thing that we witnessed was the opening of the hunting season, moose hunting, and the first 2 weeks are dedicated to the bow and arrow hunters …… heaps of them …and they were using crossbows. Hence there was no way that we were going to see a moose. We drove through little towns where cabins, cottages and non fancy dwellings were nestled in amongst the trees, the FORD pick-up (pronounced in American twang) and ATVs parked nearby and the bright orange pumpkins and scarecrows all adorning the front of the door ….it is more to do with Thanksgiving than Halloween (even though Hallowen is first) Thanksgiving in Canada is the 11th October and the USA , the 25th  November. In Canada the harvest is earlier and so Thankgiving is earlier. Another highlight of the travel yesterday was the covered bridge , Bridges of Madison County type, it was actually , the longest one. AND … I guess it was an omen …we stopped for coffee (hot chocolate actually) and a donut at a town called St George. Woohoo to Ian/Boxhead.

It’s 9.45pm here, there was a line up for dinner tonight. Lorraine is tired and is already asleep. I’ve downloaded the days photos and have been going through them. Yesterday was a tour around Quebec then some free time in the afternoon before going to a fantastic buffet dinner in a revolving restaurant. The rain had stopped by the time we got to dinner, so I got a couple of good photos from on high. The next day (this morning) dawned clear and very crisp, 6 deg C in fact! Onto the bus aftyer an early breakfast and off on our way to the Canada/USA border. After a quick but thorough examination of us and our passports we entered US soil, now the second part of our holiday sarts: the USA bit 🙂

Time for bed, more in the morning.

Sorry guys no internet, no blog …that just about sums it up ….we had no internet yesterday so we are currently downloading the photos in order to do the next blog…it will review yesterday and tell you about today’s GLORIOUS journey from Quebec to Bar Harbor ….from Canada to the USA…so check back shortly

Mrs Always Right XXX

Woke to another grey, rainy day. And the problem is? Nothing! We’re still having a fantastic time, this morning it was off to the Montreal Museum for breakfast. Cereal and fruit (wait for it … I ate mine! The fruit I mean, and enjoyed it) and then a guided tour through the museum. They’ve excavated under the museum, showing the original stream that was lined and roofed over to form a sewer for the growing city above. They had also uncovered part of an earlier cemetery and remains of the Indian settlement that existed before the French “discovered” what was to become Montreal. From there, out onto the highway and headed down to Drummondville for lunch. From there, into and then out of Quebec. OK, that doesn’t sound right, does it? Well, our Tour Guide, Jason, explained that by bypassing the hotel for now, and heading to the Montmorency Falls and the Sainte Anne De Beaupre Church would give us extra free time tomorrow (cue Lorraine woohooing “shopping time!”). Great, off to a beautiful church and then a quick photo shoot at the falls. Then back into Quebec, checked into the Hilton and headed off into the Old Quarter for a mouth watering salmon dinner. We then had a walking tour – in the pouring rain and wind! – back to the hotel … I needed it after the meal 🙂 Back in the room, quick download of photos (some are blurred, we took them through the bus windows) and write this, then into bed. Ooroo!

Yep, we’re in Montreal. We started in Ottawa at 8am, drove up to Parliament and looked around at the old buildings, statues and assorted histerical historical monuments. Bloody cold wind blowing! Some of the statues were quite interesting: the Queen on her horse and a group of women claiming to be “persons” amongst them. Hmm? Claiming? Yes, apparently before 1929 women were not “persons”, so a group of suffragettes agitated until they were recognised as “persons” (it’s in quotes because that’s what the declaration says on the statue, look at the photo). I was promptly and roundly chastised by all the females on the tour for suggesting this sort of nonsense is what led to our current sad state of affairs (look at our PM!!!) but won a moral victory – albeit shallow – when all the blokes gave me surreptitious nods and winks.

Off on the road again (lots of lovely orange, purple and red leaves now) to Montreal (Mount Royal, the Royal Mount – mind you, it’s only 250 mts high), dived downstairs (yes, underground shops like Toronto) for lunch and then on a tour of the city. This included a drive along the Grand Prix track … in a bus … at 30 kmh!! Then back to the hotel for a freshen up and then out to dinner in the Old Town. Steak! (insert Homer Simpson-like drool … steeeeak) Great steak, tender, juicy … yum! I shouted Lorraine (andmyself) a glass on Moet et Chandon, just because 🙂 Back to the hotel and start typing up the days blog and transferring photos, over to Mrs. Always Right for her comments.

It really is a pretty sight looking at all the “Fall Colour” as we drive along …..can’t write much …watching a program on Terry Fox …..we saw his statue today, he ran 3000 miles for cancer…..another DVD we watched today was on the Ice Storm in Montreal …for 7 days(the storm …not the DVD!) …scarey stuff …see ya …back to Terry! XXX

PPS Today we saw a groundhog and a fox …real ones ….pretty cool …XXX

Phew, what a long day! We’ve only just got into our room, 9pm is a late finish, but again, we had fun 🙂 Nice breakfast, then onto the bus and fought our way through Toronto’s morning traffic snarls. Along the highways, admiring the colours of autumn as the trees change. It’s only the maple trees that change colour to the brilliant reds, purple and oranges – and there’s 70 different varieties! The other tree’s leaves simply go yellow and then fall (fall … ha! get it? jeez, I kill me sometimes). We stopped at Kingston for lunch, Lorraine had what is becoming her favourite over here – poutine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine while I had a slice of pizza (a bit doughy compared to ours, as is the bread and rolls). From there, out along the lake past the Thousand Islands – apparently, a chef (the private chef to the owner of the Waldorf Astor Hotel chain) was trying to duplicate the colour of the local rock formations and created a salad dressing called … wait for it … Thousand Island Dressing! Driving, driving …. zzzzzz … huh? Oh, Ottawa! We stopped at the Canadian Museum for 2 hours .. you need 2 days! This is what all museums should be!! Fantastic panoramic displays setup as actual buildings, homes, shops and shipyards, we wandered through with mouths agape and learnt heaps of Canadian history and weird little factoids (great for trivia nights – did you know that the horse has the largest eye of all land mammals?). I took a photo outside of two really nice people we’ve clicked with, Julie and George (he’s a stirrer, she puts up with him, sound familiar?). From there, we went to Turtle Island and the Aborginal Experience. Jumped into a canoe and paddled around the river while the guides (French) explained about the fur trade (beaver pelts were traded and the English made them into Top Hats),  trappers and early settlement of the region. Back to shore for a great dinner, explanation of the teepee, wigwam, long house and more and then native dances. Those dancers … wow!! They can really move, especially the “hoop dance”! I took some night photos of the parliment building, we’ll be visiting those more tomorrow. Ahhh, just finished another bottle of Canadian Club, time for bed!

PS Mrs Always Right thinks the First Nations (“the traditional owners of the land” as we call them) people have a wonderful history to share …look up the hoop dance on google …it was brilliant , something that will stick in my mind for a long time …sensational …XXXX

PPS Note that Mr Right is becoming a postcard  photographer…. good memories though …XXXX

This post is farewell to Toronto and the great 9 days we spent in and around the city. When you include Niagra in the mix, that time doesn’t seem enough. Totally, thoroughly recommend Toronto to anyone thinking of starting a holiday in Canada. We’re off to Kingston, then to Ottawa for a “Highlight Dinner”; a trip across the lake in a giant canoe, a bit of tribal whoopee and then a special dinner. Hopefully the rain holds off!

To Karen Henderson, I’m really sorry we didn’t get together for a drink or meal; if we weren’t tromping around we were in the hot spa soaking our tired feet, or we were passed out on the bed exhausted. You have a lovely city here 🙂

PS …Mr Right thinks you’ll all understand the title …it’s some literary quote….there are times when he knows more than me! Au Revoir Toronto….Au Revoir pancake pillows…Mrs Always Right XXX

Big day!! Up early and downstairs for the first hotel brekkie since we’ve been here. It was nice just to have cereal and toast and a cuppa. First stop: CN Tower. Great ride up and great view … then it was down to the glass floor level. It took me about 5 minutes to get up the courage to step out onto what felt and looked like nothing between me and a 342 metre drop to the ground! Talk about weird head spins! Took some photos and even coaxed Lorraine out onto it.

From there it was a drive out to Niagra Falls, the trees are just starting to turn, glorious colours. Into the town and then onto the “Maid of the Mist” boat tour. Over and almost under the Horseshoe Falls, great fun and very damp afterwards! Spectacular sight and well worth getting wet for. From there we went up into the town itself for lunch at Boston Pizza. Nice lunch but jeez the town itself is so tacky; like a combination of the worst features of Kings Cross and The Ekka’s Sideshow Alley in the ’80s! From Niagra Falls we went to Niagra on the Lake. Huge difference, Niagra on the Lake is a beautiful town with great little shops and fantastic street gardens (the photos will show you what I mean). Only an hour there, we could have easily spent 4 or 5 there.

Back on the road to Toronto .. and bang into huge traffic snarls and holdups! We didn’t get back to the Hotel until after 7, straight into dinner … finished that after 9pm! We’re not used to eating that late, plus we had to come upstairs to pack and get ready to hit the road first thing in the morning. Good onya!