LoneStar Con (World Science Fiction Convention 2013) San Antonio, TX

I arrived in San Antonio this morning and after checking into the Hotel went over to the Convention Center.  I registered then went to here Joe Haldeman read, went to a panel on what made a great book review and to another about how authors should or should not self-promote.  In between I visited the dealers room and took the following pictures.

Beward!

The Controls

The Tartis

That's not the Doctor keeping an eye on things.

Part of original Star Trek Control Set.

You can sit on The Throne from The Game of Throne

Additional Photos in College Station

This looks more like SMU but the horses are outside one of the building in the Library complex.

A portion of the Berlin Wall which can down during Bush's term as President.

The Gulf War exhibit.  A very different time from what we are debating about 

today.

The summer Texas sky as I was leaving the museum.

Gifts to President and Mrs. Bush

The Gifts were in a separate room.  They were grouped by the type of item.

George Herbert Walker Bush Presidential Library, College Station, Texas

I am in College Station, Texas today and spent the morning at George HW Bush's Presidental Library.  The library documented his service in World War II as well as his long history of public service.  The library is well laid out starting with both his and Barbara's family.  I started the tour with a 20 minute film that outlined the content of the museum.  There was also a special exhibit featuring George Washington's Acts of Congress book.  No photos were allowed in that exhibit.

Outside of Museum

Father and Son

Presidential Limousine

Same model that President Bush flew in World War II>

Copy of Barbara's wedding dress.

Same model car Bush and family drove to West Texas.

A White House Dinner

The Bush Oval Office

George W. Bush Presidential Library - The Gifts

There were six windows in the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum holding gifts that the Bush's received during their 8 years in the White House.  Photos were permitted in the Library as long as you did not use a flash.

From  Africa

I saw this and forgot to get the rest of the window.  This was from Saudi Arabia and was a gift to Mrs. Bush.

Asia, although it does not show up the necklace in the picture was very nice.

There was also jewelry from Europe and Russia.

Gifts from our neighbors.

And finally gifts from the American people including a very nice food and water dish.

George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Dallas Texas

I visited George W. Bush's Presidential Library and Museum today.  The museum part was interesting and very well done.  It is not a large exhibit.  9-11, Iraq and Katrina overshadowed his 8 years.  I did learn about some programs he started that were not well know.  I did all four of the choices in the Decision Center and found that I agreed with him on 2 of the four.  This is Presidential Library # 6 of the 13 for me.  I recommend visiting if you are in the Dallas area.

Entrance to the Library

National Archives Seal

First exhibit featuring baseball and one of the gowns worn by Laura Bush

Girder from World Trade Center

Dogs in the White House

Enjoying the Oval Office.  You can go in and enjoy the room.

The Decision Points area.  There are four situations you can follow and see what decision you would have made.

Father and Son in the Courtyard\

I had lunch in 43 (the restaurant).  Both the Service and the food were very good.

Texas

First day of my trip and I am in Dallas.  Tomorrow I go to the George W. Bush Presidential Library.  I had a few bumps in the road getting here.  For some reason when I updated my GPS it took every language except French Canadian off.  It still wrote and Texted English.  I had to turn the voice feature off.  I just got through getting English loaded back on.  The only free internet here is in the lobby so that is where I am right now.  The other bump.  I forgot my camera.  I have the cords and all accessories but no camera.  I stopped at a WalMart and purchased a $99.00 point and shoot for the trip so there will be photos.

More after I get back from the library tomorrow.

--
Jo Jones
Http://mixedbookbag.blogspot.com
Reviews and Recommendations of Books, Series, Authors, and Book Related Materials
Http://jojonestravelinglady.blogspot.com
Photos and comments from my trips.

Fw: Voyage of the Vikings , home again

From: Ellen Servis
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2013 2:29 PM
Subject: Voyage of the Vikings , home again

Hi all,
We have docked in Boston this am for our journey back home.
This was an amazing adventure , we missed only one port in Greenland due to the ice floe, otherwise it went well.
After Greenland , we sailed into Labrador the ports of st. Anthony and St. John . 
St. Anthony was a lovely and picturesque town




St. John was a larger city and it was very rainy, as I had been there before and climbed signal hill , I opted to stay on the ship.
We next came into the USA in Maine at Bar Harbor, a beautiful seaside town near Acadia national park and mt desert island.  Very scenic, a beautiful summer day to enjoy lobster roll, clam chowder and blueberry pie and a stroll along the beach. 
We were in port with the Maasdam, Bruce was in town, for those of you that did the world cruise.
The sunset was beautiful as we made our way to Boston

Hope to hear from you on all your adventures please keep in touch, til the next time.
Love
Ellen
Sent from my iPad

Fw: Nanortalik, Greenland

From: Ellen Servis
Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2013 1:32 PM
Subject: Nanortalik, Greenland

Hi all,
Yeah!  We were able to dock via tender in Greenland , granted it was cold and rainy with lots of icebergs in the water, but we made it, another place off the bucket list.
It was a lovely spot with a small population that was very happy to see all of us..
There was a folk show at the small school with students performing and the local adult choir sang.
It was cute as there was limited activity.
But the scenery sailing in and out was breathtaking .
Still looking for whales and seals.
The next 4 ports are Canada and the USA , hard to believe this ad entire is coming to a close.
Until next time.
Enjoy the pics.
Hope to hear from you.

Ellen

Sent from my iPad

Djupvigor and westman islands Iceland

From: Ellen Servis
Subject: Djupvigor and westman islands Iceland

Hi all,
Just a brief update from Iceland .  We are in our 2nd tender port on the return journey .  Iceland is truly beautiful and rugged.  We have been very lucky as the weather and seas have cooperated.
Yesterday sport was a tiny village of about 360 people it was cute and eg to walk around.
A bit rocky on the ride in but lovely.


Today we are in the westman islands in the town of heimaey, this is a small group of 15 islands off the coast of Iceland .

A rather large town, the captain was able to get the ship between the cliffs so we are protected from winds and have a shorter tender ride.  The weather has again been lovely. Lots of walking and self touring. 
This city was partially covered in volcanic ash and lava in 1972 as the volcanos in the background erupted.


Not much else to say, went to the captains VIP party last night and tonight there is a sommelier dinner in the Italian restaurant on board, Rod, the cellar master is a friend from several previous cruises.
As we cruise toward Greenland I hope to see whales and am I'm the lookout for puffins, may have to do a tour.
Sent from my iPad

Until the next port.
Love
Ellen
Janice, Alice says hi she is now on our floor in a veranda, beautiful scenery.
Fran, Lynn says hoo Roo as does Charlie
Knitters,
Really great wool but scratchy....