Family Christmas in Louisiana December 2015

Christmas Tree at Sisters' Louisiana Home

Family Christmas in Louisiana December 2015 - Drove from my home in Franklin/Nashville, TN, to Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana, to spend Christmas week with my Louisiana family and friends December 22-29.   My family and I enjoyed being together and celebrating Christmas Day at my sisters' home in Benton, LA.  On Christmas Eve we worshiped at Cypress Baptist Church in Benton and then visited friends the Bergeron's for time of fellowship afterwards.  The day after Christmas I visited my nephew Mark Owen and his family for dinner of gumbo in Shreveport, LA.  More time with my sisters and niece Sandra Abbott and family lunching together on Sunday.  While there was a lot of stormy Christmas weather, I was fortunate to be able to drive to and from Louisiana in dry mostly sunny weather.

I have added a new gallery of Christmas week photos to Reagan's Photo Galleries.  Check the photos out in this gallery:

Family Christmas in Louisiana December 2015 

Here are a few selected photos from the gallery.

Christmas Lights on my Sisters' Home

Santa visiting the Nativity 

Christmas Eve at Cypress Baptist Church

Sister Pat and Friend Gayle

Christmas Ham and Turkey Breast

Playing some game called "Five Seconds"  Lots of Laughs

Nephew Mark with his Parrott

Me(Reagan) with Molly 

My First Amtrak 2016 Adventure 

Winter Amtrak Rail Adventure January 10-17 - Repeating my January 2015 Winter Amtrak trip except in reverse direction.  I will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans January 10 and ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans to Chicago where I will connect to Amtrak's California Zephyr traveling through Denver and Colorado Rockies and on over the Sierra Nevadas to Emeryville, CA, arriving January 15.  I will fly American Airlines from San Francisco to Nashville January 17.

Here are my January 2015 Winter Amtrak Rail Trip Galleries

My Other 2016 TRAVEL PLANS

Costa Rica February 9-23 - I will be visiting my friend Charlie Doggett who moved to Costa Rica in December 2014.  Charlie lives in Atenas, Costa Rica, and I am hoping he emerges me into his Costa Rica lifestyle.  He has been planning for my time in Costa Rica for many months and I am so looking forward to being with and visiting him.

Spring Amtrak Rail Adventure March 27-April 13 - Flying to New Orleans, LA, to travel via Amtrak's City of New Orleans and Empire Builder to Seattle, WA. After a week in Seattle, I will return to New Orleans via Amtrak's Coast Starlight(Sacramento), California Zephyr(Chicago) and City of New Orleans. Return trip is compliments of Amtrak Guest Rewards points I have been earning from all my Amtrak travels for the last few years.

Via Rail and Amtrak Trip to Canada and Albany, NY, May 28 to June 15 - Traveling by Via Rail in Canada to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Returning to USA via Amtrak for visits to Albany, NY and New Orleans, LA.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. Also, click on the "blog title" at the top to view this blog on the web.

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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Destination NASHVILLE, Tennessee December 2015

River Rest Condos Club House - Franklin, TN

Halfway Home to Franklin/Nashville, Tennessee  -  After a very stormy night in Bossier City, LA, last night, I departed Bossier City 9:30 AM in blustery 44 degree weather with a feel like temperature 33 degrees.  Fortunately, my 317 mile drive across Interstate 20 to Meridian, MS, was in nice pleasant mostly sunny weather.  Yay!  I'm checked into the Hilton Garden Inn here in Meridian for the night and only a 324 mile drive via Interstates 20 and 65 between me and home in Franklin, TN.  Will do that drive tomorrow Tuesday, December 28.

I had a great time these past six days celebrating Christmas with my sisters and other Louisiana family and friends.  I posted a few IPhone photos to Facebook which you saw if you are one of my Facebook friends.  Now I am headed home to stay until January 10 when I depart on my first 2016 Amtrak adventure.  A winter trip from New Orleans through Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City to Emeryville(San Francisco) riding the City of New Orleans and the California Zephyr.  Hoping for lots of snow to view from my warm safe sleeping car room as I cross the Colorado Rockies and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Since my destination is HOME, here are a couple photos of my home area.  The clubhouse photo above is just across from my driveway entrance and was built in the 1800's.

The walk in front of my condo

Front of my condo

Winter view from front of my condo February 2014

Pardon the Duplicate Email December 26 - If you received an email overnight December 26 featuring my trip to New Orleans this past May, it was a Feedburner goof.  On December 26 I deleted the one picture IPhone post I posted to cover my mistake leaving that picture out of my previous day post.  I am guessing Feedburner decided I made another blog update so it found a post from the 26th day of a month.  The May 26th blog update of my New Orleans trip apparently was the nearest post with a 26 date - May 26.  A couple of you send me complimentary comment emails and my family in Louisiana asked me what was up.  Anyway, sorry.  And if you enjoyed checking out my photos again, I'm happy.

My 2016 TRAVEL PLANS 

Winter Amtrak Rail Adventure January 10-17 - Repeating my January 2015 Winter Amtrak trip except in reverse direction.  I will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans January 10 and ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans to Chicago where I will connect to Amtrak's California Zephyr traveling through Denver and Colorado Rockies and on over the Sierra Nevadas to Emeryville, CA, arriving January 15.  I will fly American Airlines from San Francisco to Nashville January 17.

Here are my January 2015 Winter Amtrak Rail Trip Galleries

Costa Rica February 9-23 - I will be visiting my friend Charlie Doggett who moved to Costa Rica in December 2014.  Charlie lives in Atenas, Costa Rica, and I am hoping he emerges me into his Costa Rica lifestyle.  He has been planning for my time in Costa Rica for many months and I am so looking forward to being with and visiting him.

Spring Amtrak Rail Adventure March 27-April 13 - Flying to New Orleans, LA, to travel via Amtrak's City of New Orleans and Empire Builder to Seattle, WA. After a week in Seattle, I will return to New Orleans via Amtrak's Coast Starlight(Sacramento), California Zephyr(Chicago) and City of New Orleans. Return trip is compliments of Amtrak Guest Rewards points I have been earning from all my Amtrak travels for the last few years.

Via Rail and Amtrak Trip to Canada and Albany, NY, May 28 to June 15 - Traveling by Via Rail in Canada to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Returning to USA via Amtrak for visits to Albany, NY and New Orleans, LA.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. Also, click on the "blog title" at the top to view this blog on the web.

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS --  CLICK HERE to sign up your email

to receive each new blog post to in your email inbox.

Safely Arrived Home In Louisiana For Christmas

Christmas tree at my sisters' home in Benton, LA

Friends, I made it safely to Bossier City LA today with good mostly dry driving conditions. Luckily, I missed the severe weather now passing through Nashville and much of the Mid South.  I will making the Hampton Inn my home for the next five nights.  Right now I am at my sisters home in Benton about six miles from my hotel. Lots of fun family times planned. Here are photos I took on my IPhone today. Enjoy. 

This last photo is at my sister's home. 

That's all for now.  Will take photos with my Canon camera to post to my photo gallery website after I am back home in Nashville. 

Home for Christmas 2015 - Louisiana

Greetings!  I'm driving home to Shreveport/Bossier City, LA, to spend Christmas week with my sisters and other Louisiana family. Left Nashville this morning driving through Birmingham , AL, to Meridian, MS. I'm staying overnight at Hilton Garden Inn tonight.   Looks like I will be driving through potentially stormy weather tomorrow on to Bossier City. Stopped for lunch at Cracker Barrel Restaurant near Birmingham. Got to Meridian in time to see Amtrak's Crescent train as it passed through bound for New Orleans. Here are a few photos I took with my IPhone. In fact I'm posting this update from my IPhone. First time for me. Will be doing this as I travel some trains this upcoming year. 

May be a few days before my next update while I enjoy time with my Louisiana family. Maybe a shorter update tomorrow to let you know I made it safely to Bossier City. Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Reagan

Christmas and New Year's Greetings from Reagan

MERRY CHRISTMAS to my Travel Blog Readers

Greetings from Nashville/Franklin, Tennessee!  My wish for you is that you enjoy a healthy and happy holiday season as you celebrate both the birth of our Lord Jesus and the beginning of the new year 2016.  Here are two Christmas greeting photos that express my reason for celebrating this time of year:

My 2015 Christmas Travel Plans

I will be participating in several church services and friend activities here at home in Nashville until December 22.  December 22-29 I will be driving to Shreveport/Bossier City, Louisiana, to be with my sisters and other family for Christmas.  After returning home to Nashville, I will be looking forward to departing January 10 for the first of several travel adventures I have already planned for 2016 including several Amtrak adventures. I look forward to sharing my travel adventures with you with regular "as I travel" updates via this travel blog.  Thank you for keeping up with me through these update.

My 2016 TRAVEL PLANS 

Winter Amtrak Rail Adventure January 10-17 - Repeating my January 2015 Winter Amtrak trip except in reverse direction.  I will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans January 10 and ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans to Chicago where I will connect to Amtrak's California Zephyr traveling through Denver and Colorado Rockies and on over the Sierra Nevadas to Emeryville, CA, arriving January 15.  I will fly American Airlines from San Francisco to Nashville January 17.

Here are my January 2015 Winter Amtrak Rail Trip Galleries

Costa Rica February 9-23 - I will be visiting my friend Charlie Doggett who moved to Costa Rica in December 2014.  Charlie lives in Atenas, Costa Rica, and I am hoping he emerges me into his Costa Rica lifestyle.  He has been planning for my time in Costa Rica for many months and I am so looking forward to being with and visiting him.

Spring Amtrak Rail Adventure March 27-April 13 - Flying to New Orleans, LA, to travel via Amtrak's City of New Orleans and Empire Builder to Seattle, WA. After a week in Seattle, I will return to New Orleans via Amtrak's Coast Starlight(Sacramento), California Zephyr(Chicago) and City of New Orleans. Return trip is compliments of Amtrak Guest Rewards points I have been earning from all my Amtrak travels for the last few years.

Via Rail and Amtrak Trip to Canada and Albany, NY, May 28 to June 15 - Traveling by Via Rail in Canada to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Returning to USA via Amtrak for visits to Albany, NY and New Orleans, LA.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. Also, click on the "blog title" at the top to view this blog on the web.

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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Thanksgiving in Nashville - November 2015

Thanksgiving Dinner with Bradley's and Rodriquez Families

Thanksgiving in Nashville with Bradley's and Glenn's November 2015 - I was blessed to celebrate Thanksgiving Dinner twice with my two adopted Tennessee families this year.  On Thursday I was with Russ Bradley's family along with his wife Margo's Rodriquez family.  Was a fun great day with all age generations representing.  The oldest were Margo's parents and me and the youngest was 2 year old Everett Hasha - Russ and Margo's grandson.  I've been a part of the Bradley family since 1967 when I taught Russ's brother Kerry in 5th grade Sunday School at First Baptist Church/Nashville.  The photo above is the Bradley dinner.

On Friday I joined the Glenn family at mom Helen Glenn's home.  The Glenn's befriended me when I transferred my church membership to Forest Hills Baptist Church(FHBC) in 2003 and the whole family welcomed and encouraged me to participate with them sitting together in worship services at FHBC and to be a part of their family celebrations at Thanksgiving and Christmas when I stay in Nashville for the holidays.  A couple photos below are from the Glenn dinner.

I have uploaded a photo gallery November 2015 Thanksgiving in Nashville with Bradley's and Glenn's you may like to check out.  Just click on the gallery name.  

Here are a few photos from the gallery.

Thanksgiving feast at Helen Glenn's

Thanksgiving Dinner at Helen Glenn's

Thanksgiving Dinner at Helen Glenn's

Eric Hasha fried a turkey for Bradley Thanksgiving Dinner

QUEEN Princess Abi with "Big Abi"

Eric, Margo, Reagan, and Mercy(Big Abi) at Bradley Dinner

Uncle Corey, Everett, and mom Cristy at Bradley Dinner

Everett(born in Honolulu, Hawaii) at Bradley Dinner

Corey with grandparents Rodriquez

Corey playing guitar at grandmother's request at Bradley Dinner

My 2016 TRAVEL PLANS 

Winter Amtrak Rail Adventure January 10-17 - Repeating my January 2015 Winter Amtrak trip except in reverse direction.  I will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans January 10 and ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans to Chicago where I will connect to Amtrak's California Zephyr traveling through Denver and Colorado Rockies and on over the Sierra Nevadas to Emeryville, CA, arriving January 15.  I will fly American Airlines from San Francisco to Nashville January 17.

Here are my January 2015 Winter Amtrak Rail Trip Galleries

Costa Rica February 9-23 - I will be visiting my friend Charlie Doggett who moved to Costa Rica in December 2014.  Charlie lives in Atenas, Costa Rica, and I am hoping he emerges me into his Costa Rica lifestyle.  He has been planning for my time in Costa Rica for many months and I am so looking forward to being with and visiting him.

Spring Amtrak Rail Adventure March 27-April 13 - Flying to New Orleans, LA, to travel via Amtrak's City of New Orleans and Empire Builder to Seattle, WA. After a week in Seattle, I will return to New Orleans via Amtrak's Coast Starlight(Sacramento), California Zephyr(Chicago) and City of New Orleans. Return trip is compliments of Amtrak Guest Rewards points I have been earning from all my Amtrak travels for the last few years.

Via Rail and Amtrak Trip to Canada and Albany, NY, May 28 to June 15 - Traveling by Via Rail in Canada to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Returning to USA via Amtrak for visits to Albany, NY and New Orleans, LA.

You can click on any of the small photos in this blog to open a full size photo. Also, click on the "blog title" at the top to view this blog on the web.

All my photos are available to view on Reagan's Photo Galleries website.

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2015 USA Holiday Season, 2001 The Gambia, West Africa, and 2016 Travel Plans

Reagan and Charlie in The Gambia, West Africa, May 2001

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Family, Friends, and other Readers of My Blog, I do wish and pray for you to experience a good and happy life throughout the holidays of November and December 2015.  I will be spending time with my Christian church family, my native Louisiana family, my adopted Tennessee families, and other friends both here in Nashville, Tennessee, and Northwest Louisiana.  Thanksgiving will be celebrated here in Nashville and I will travel to Louisiana to celebrate Christmas with my sisters and family.  I'll be driving to Louisiana departing Nashville December 22 and returning December 29.

REMEMBERING MY VISIT TO THE GAMBIA, WEST AFRICA, MAY 2001

One of my 2016 travel plans is to visit my friend Charlie Doggett in Costa Rica for two weeks in February 2016.  As he and I have communicated making plans for my visit, I am remembering the visit I made to The Gambia, West Africa, while Charlie was serving as a missionary following his retirement from LifeWay Christian Resources here in Nashville.  I mainly took videos while visiting and not many photos.  Between a few I took and others Charlie shared with me, I updated my photo galleries with this gallery:

VISITING CHARLIE DOGGETT IN THE GAMBIA, WEST AFRICA, MAY 2001 PHOTO GALLERY

Click the link above to see all the photos in the gallery.  Here are just a few.

Charlie in Center with Owner of Bird Safari Camp we visited

Visited a couple type lodging camps

This young man took me on a visit to his village

Children at the village were very friendly

We walked to the village from Bird Safari Camp but the kids gave me a ride back to camp.

My 2016 TRAVEL PLANS 

Winter Amtrak Rail Adventure January 10-17 - Repeating my January 2015 Winter Amtrak trip except in reverse direction.  I will fly Southwest Airlines to New Orleans January 10 and ride Amtrak's City of New Orleans to Chicago where I will connect to Amtrak's California Zephyr traveling through Denver and Colorado Rockies and on over the Sierra Nevadas to Emeryville, CA, arriving January 15.  I will fly American Airlines from San Francisco to Nashville January 17.

Here are my January 2015 Winter Amtrak Rail Trip Galleries

Costa Rica February 9-23 - I will be visiting my friend Charlie Doggett who moved to Costa Rica in December 2014.  Charlie lives in Atenas, Costa Rica, and I am hoping he emerges me into his Costa Rica lifestyle.  He has been planning for my time in Costa Rica for many months and I am so looking forward to being with and visiting him.

Spring Amtrak Rail Adventure March 27-April 13 - Flying to New Orleans, LA, to travel via Amtrak's City of New Orleans and Empire Builder to Seattle, WA. After a week in Seattle, I will return to New Orleans via Amtrak's Coast Starlight(Sacramento), California Zephyr(Chicago) and City of New Orleans. Return trip is compliments of Amtrak Guest Rewards points I have been earning from all my Amtrak travels for the last few years.

Via Rail and Amtrak Trip to Canada and Albany, NY, May 28 to June 15 - Traveling by Via Rail in Canada to Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Returning to USA via Amtrak for visits to Albany, NY and New Orleans, LA.

Many thanks to all of you who have subscribed to receive my updates in you email inbox.  There have not been many updates this Fall as I tend not to travel much during NFL and NCAA football seasons.  I'll get cranked back up to more regular updates beginning with my trip beginning January 10.