Our trip- the full report!!!!

[Barbara]

Chicago is by far the biggest city in which we have ever been. And it is much more beautiful than we alpine hillbillies had thought. The city lies wonderful at the water and is famous for its gorgeous architecture. We could admire it at a boat tour.

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But we also walked our way through. Then you can see the big sculptures by famous artists like Picasso, Miró and others.

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Of course the most important part of a city are is inhabitants, in this case our fabulous hosts Sara, Don, Edwina and Eddie.

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[Barbara]

We could enjoy their wonderful garden with them and Siegmar even tried to flirt with the Lady (looks as if she was not amused ;))

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Other highlights followed: the Chicago Art Institute (Sara and I would have liked to steal some furniture there to make her beautiful house even more stylish- and there was a quilt exhibition which gave me the idea I needed one at the wall above my bed) and even more exciting: the visit in Tubby and Peanut’s home.

Tubby and Peanut live all in white which shows how devoted their humans are ;).

Peanut greeted us in her own little porch.

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Then she retired upstairs but she was happy to show us her cute little face:

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Tubby and she were really relaxed and joined us for a drink downstairs. After that we went to a great Cajun restaurant. The food was the delicious and it was so nice to be at a big PT table – so much laughter and fun!

[Barbara]

We had the chance to meet more people we had always wanted to meet: Cataholic, Lillycat and of course

Ramanth

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as well as Basement Girl and the famous Gavin!!! What a cutie!

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The weather was warm and sunny and the food was great (we had Carne Asada prepared by Sara, Sushi, Tamales with the works (Guacamole, Salsa (that I made), sour cream, tortillas) plus strawberries with icecream as a desert. Yummy! It was so much fun.

Julie (Ally Cat’s mommy) couldn’t make it :( but she as well as Ally and Connor sent surprise gifts: hope to meet you soon, Julie!

Of course we had tears in the eyes when we went. It is a pity that our friends live on a different continent :(

[Barbara]

Sasvermont is one of the earliest persons I learned to know a little closer at PT.

Therefore I was excited to meet her. She lives on an island in beautiful Lake Champlain, in a wonderful old wooden house. Many people here know her porch, the kitties’ favorite summer place.

We were so curious to see three Abyssinians and they were overwhelming: all 3 girls are tinier than Filou who would be a big boy among them, and all 3 are so friendly, playful, graceful and social. I must admit that we started to call them “our favorite kitty girls”.

Miley is her mom’s girl:

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Chloe is the most playful- after all she’s still a kitten! It was fun for all of them to have company and play with us- and it was fun for us to play with them as our boys are senior gentlemen compared to the inhabitants of Camp Vermont.

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All of the kitties came to our bed: Chloe regularly sleeping under the cover, Juni part time- also sleeping under the cover or between quilt and sheet and Miley for short visits. She has the roughest tongue and loves to lick your cheek :D

We went to the Shelburne museum (old farmhouses, beautifully restored and decorated plus more quilts!!!) where we met Zoe (Vermontcat). She knew everything and showed us around- and she gave us a coupon for Vermont’s Teddy Bear Factory. For that coupon we could make a bear ourselves. You may wonder what we did with a bear but it turned out we also could make a cat! And so we made a grey and white cat named Eddie- because his pink nosie reminded us of Chicago Eddie ;).

(He sits here in front of the catnip, F+T aren’t interested in and sorry you cannot see his nosie :()

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[Barbara]

We went kayaking with Sallyanne and had a bad influence on her car :( (Every time we drove with her we had a different problem). Sallyanne treated us to Burlington’s beautiful Flynn music hall to a performance of Jazzer Bradford Marsalis. Burlington has a Jazz festival and during these days the feeling in this pretty town is like New Orleans (I suppose ;))

You may ask: what about the 5th inhabitant of Camp Vermont:

Here she is. Cinnamon enjoyed being hold by Siegmar:

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Then we started our much too short New England round trip. Siegmar’s part of the trip was Concord- he wanted to leave a stone on the cairn at Walden Pond (where Thoreau’s cabin had stood). And Concord was also the best place to meet Karen and Paul who took us out for dinner in the old Colonial Inn- unfortunately Miss Hoppy didn’t like the menu and therefore objected to come:

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We got some inside information. Among others we heard that the question whether Miss Hoppy will ever be POTD is still unsolved. Her dad thinks it’s not ok. I tried to convince him that it’s discriminating if she cannot be POTD and her mom seemed to agree.

A little more background pressure may be helpful!

Then we went to Maine, having lobsters, climbing the Beehive in Acadia NP and seeing some of the 63 Maine lighthouses:

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We were happy that we could come back for a last day to Sallyanne’s place. We had breakfast at Shelburne Farms, a very impressive manor plus farm:

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And you can see that not only cats are cute. Swiss cows- they have them there- are also irresistible:

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And we found something in Maine that now hangs above my bed:

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The kitties now deserve the velcro kitty name:

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It was one of the best holidays we ever had! Thanks to everyone at PT who made it so unforgettable, especially to my friends Sara and Sallyanne!!!!!!!!

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh No!! I can't see any pictures (but my PC is acting up). I'll have to view them all at work tomorrow. I can hardly wait! :D

[jazzcat]

Oh wow, what a wonderful trip! Your pictures and story made me feel I like got to go too!!!

Isn't Chicago wonderful!! I love it. Last time I went was summer of 2000 and I'm ready to go back.

I think it's great that you got to meet so many PTers! Now when will you be planning your trip to the Southern US??? There are a lot of us PTers down here who'd love to show you a "country fried" good time!!

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh oh oh - I can see them now! Your trip looks fabulous! I'm not surprised it was one of the best holidays you have ever had! Getting to see all those great places, meet all those wonderful PTers and all those cutie pets! Who could ask for more from a holiday?

Now, when are you coming to the UK, Barbara?

[Randi]

Wow! I can tell that you and Siegmar had a great time - I knew you would! :) And getting to meet so many PTalkers! What a treat! :D The perfect holiday, and even with kitties under the covers. :) :)

I LOVE the pictures, you all look so happy. I'm sure it must have been the best holiday you ever had! :)

[shais_mom]

Great Pics!!
Where are the pics of Johanna and Lilly?
I was hoping for some "rub rub" pics of Johanna!! :P

[Miss Meow]

Great report from your holiday! Thanks for those photos :)

Looks like the velcro kitties are glad to have you back, though :D

[NoahsMommy]

I'm so jealous!!! Just look at all the PT members you got to see on your fabulous vacation. :)

Glad you had fun and got to meet so many wonderful people. Thanks for the pictures. Its nice to see everyone and the interesting things you explored.

:D

[Edwina's Secretary]

I have just returned home from a rather exhausting business trip (it is 1:30 in the morning) to find this wonderful report of your trip! I am so glad you found a quilt and what a beauty it is!

I am so glad Chicago and Vermont and Massachusett put on such a great show for you!

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

Welcome back home, Barbara. I'm glad that you had such a wonderful trip. Thank you for the report and pictures--it was nice to see what you saw. I'm sure that F & T are so happy to have you home. :)

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

I'm so glad you had such a great vacation Barbara, and even gladder (is that a word?) that we were part of it! :D

What a lovely quilt you found, it's beautiful!

Glad to hear you made it home in one piece, and that F & T missed you so bad. I love the pic of Filou on your back. He's so happy to see his meowmy that he's not leaving! :D

[gini]

It is one thing to be welcomed warmly by human Pet Talkers...........but when you have their kitties in your bed with you and even under the covers...........it just simply says...........

YOU ARE GOOD PEOPLE!

I can just tell that everyone wanted to be sure that you had the best vacation possible and I am so glad that you did.

Thanks for all of the pictures, Barbara and I hope that on your next trip to the USA it includes a visit to the west coast.

I know that Rascal, Annie and Emma would gladly share the bed with you:D

[Vermontcat]

I'm so happy that you enjoyed your whole wonderful trip and that you are back at home with your sweet velcro kitties now.:)

I love your new Eddie Cat, my daughter has its twin but named her Sammy.;)
That is the same stuffed cat that I wanted to give to Sallyanne when she lost Gabe but she didn't want it at the time, maybe now she would?

[Karen]

Welcome back to Pet Talk - what a busy trip you had, but it must be good to be home again to Filou and Tigris. They must have gone crazy at all the funny smells you brought home - and foreign kitty fur on your clothing, too, I bet!

We had a nice time meeting you, and were so happy to be a little part of your big Pet Talk America adventure!

[Lillycat]

what great commentary and the pictures, as usual, were wonderful! glad you had such a great time......i so enjoyed meeting everyone!!!

[trayi52]

Yeap, have to agree, great commentary! Made me fill like I was right there with you. It looks like you had such a great vacation.

You got to meet so many of our wonderful PT friends and their furbabies, I know that really made it a wonderful vacation, plus you got to meet Karen and Paul!

Glad to see you made it home safe and sound. Thanks for sharing your great vacation pictures!

Willie:)

[lynnestankard]

Wonderful pics and commentary Barbara - thanks for bringing your trip to all of us.
:) :)

I love Chicago too - quite breathtaking isn't it?

I love all the wonderful furry pics - what an absolute treat for you to meet them all in the fur so to speak!!

Lynne

[RobiLee]

Great pictures. Thank you for sharing them with us. I have never been to any of those places and now I definitely want to go.

I'm so glad you guys had such a great time!

Robin :)

[Vio&Juni]

Oh, that was really a great trip!

[kimlovescats]

What a wonderful trip and I enjoyed the Guided Tour!!! :D
I am hoping to one day get to meet some of these great PT people ..... would be so much fun!!!
The quilt you found is absolutely GORGEOUS ... good choice!;)

[Kfamr]

Lucky ducks!


Great report, great pictures and it looks like a great time was had! :D

[delidog]

Oh Barbara,
I just Love "The Pet Talk Whirlwind Tour 04"

Fabulous Pics....Great commentary....again...Made us feel like We were right there with you....

So Glad you had a good time...and All the Wonderful Pet Talkers you got to meet....both 2 & 4 Leggers!!!;) :) :D

You guys need to consider a Southern Visit next Time!!!!

We have Sea World & Disney!!;)

[sirrahbed]

It still just amazes me to see all of these PT folks meeting in person, from all over the world! Barbara & Siegmar I am glad you had such a terrific time and that you shared your trip with us!!! I feel it is just wonderful that all of this could happen.:D
Now, how about adding Dayton to the next tour so we can take you to the Air Force Museum and to the Schuster Center for an Opera or Ballet:) We also have the oldest hotel in Ohio - the Golden Lamb in nearby Lebanon. A tour of Amish country in Holmes County would also be appropriate:)

[catnapper]

What a fabulous trip! Thank you for sharing! Now, hoe can I sign up for a tour like that one? ;)