Travel postcards: Juy 2013
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
Sunday, July 28, 2013
July 28, 2013: Couple travels to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam
In December 2012, Ronald Gordon of Roanoke and his wife, Yolanda Eaddy, traveled to Bangkok, Thailand; Cambodia and Vietnam. "Because we practice Buddhism we wanted to see countries where Buddhism is the predominant religion," Ronald wrote. "In addition, I served in the Army in Vietnam in 1969, and I wanted to see how the country had changed over the past 40 -plus years. In Bangkok, we visited numerous Buddhist temples, including the very small Emerald Buddha and the Reclining Buddha, which is 150 feet long. In Cambodia, we visited the Temples of Angkor, which began as the capital of the Khmer Empire in the 9th century. Angkor Wat is the largest temple and was originally Hindu but later became Buddhist. In Vietnam we stayed at 5 different hotels. In Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) I recognized the Continental Palace Hotel where I stayed in 1969, the old opera house, the French-style central post office and the Romanesque Notre Dame cathedral and city hall. Outside the city, we visited the Cu Chi Tunnels, which the North Vietnamese used as living and hiding spaces, and hospitals and weapons factories in the war. On the way north to Hanoi we took a boat trip on Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. Our clearest memory of our visit to Southeast Asia was the friendliness of the people. Not only our tour guides but residents were more than willing to help us with directions and practice their English. Even when I took photos of people on the street, feeling as if I was intruding on their privacy, most people would smile and flash a peace sign."
July 21, 2013: Rogers family's Colorado ranch vacation
In June, Frances and John Rogers of southwest Roanoke County spent a week with their family at the Drowsy Water Ranch in Granby, Colo. "Our four kids (Matthew, 15, Emma, 13, Chloe, 11, and Thomas, 9) participated in the ranch's kids program and also rode in the ranch's rodeo at the end of the week," Frances said. "The staff was amazing and definitely made for an unforgettable vacation. The zipline 300 feet above the ranch was a highlight. We're all eager to return next year!"
July 14, 2013: Robison's winter trip to Cambodia, Thailand
While winter raged at home in March, Russ and Debi Robison of Roanoke escaped to the much warmer climates of Cambodia and Thailand. They toured the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat and visited the floating villages on the Mekong River in Cambodia. A tour of 10 days through the heart of Thailand followed, beginning in Bangkok and ending in Chiang Rai. Along the way were stops to many Buddhist wats (temples) and monasteries, beautiful mountain scenery and visits to the indigenous tribes. For the couple, temperatures hovering in the mid-90s were preferable to snow. They enjoyed the welcoming people and the different cultural experiences.
July 7, 2013: Red Hat girlfriends take over Myrtle Beach
In May, Sandy Smith of Roanoke and three of her Red Hat girlfriends took off to Myrtle Beach, S.C., for a “girlfriend getaway.” Smith was joined by Ann Hawley and Patti Robertson of Roanoke and Wendy Cahoon of Luray.
“This was our fourth year of fun and frolic, and we hope to do many more,” Smith said. “We take off for a beach somewhere to have fun in the sun. We ate leisurely breakfasts, lolled in the pool, sunbathed, had lots of seafood, and loads of laughs.
“There is no fun like girlfriend fun! All the ladies should try it!”
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
THE ROANOKE TIMES
