October 2008 NYC and Cruise

I arrived at JFK on October 1 and took a shuttle to our hotel, which was the Club Quarters on 45th between 5th and 6th. It is in a renovated historical landmark and our room was cute, with an old fireplace, a tiny immaculate bath and twin beds for Margaret and myself. Mom's room was larger and had a minifridge and a queen bed and sitting area. This is truly a business person's hotel, with no bellmen, no concierge a miniscule lobby, and a breakfast room on the back of the first floor. We hefted our own luggage and called our own taxis. The price was right though, about $250 for New York, and the location was super. The first night we ate at the Mermaid something in the east village and then toured Megan's apartment which she shares with two other girls.

On Thursday we took a 3 hour walking tour of the Village and Soho, with tastings from about a dozen restaurants and descriptions of many more historic and interesting sites. We followed that by an early dinner at Tavern on the Green, and then walked to Lincoln Center for South Pacific. The production was stunning and the two stars couldn't have been better. If either of you has a chance to go see it, do.

Friday Megan met us at the hotel and we walked to Grand Central Station and explored the market then took the subway to Canal Street (a bust) and went back to Chelsea Market, in the old Nabisco plant. We experienced our first New York cabbie moment when several of them refused to take us back to midtown during rush hour, because they knew they would get stuck in traffic. That night we walked to Orso, Margaret's favorite restaurant on Restaurant Row with Joel and Megan, joined by Kathy Williamson and daughter Brooke, who is dating Casey long distance from Bismark. We had last seen Kathy in Sea Island, as she is a neighbor of Margarets (which is how Casey and Brooke met, at a 4th of July party at Margarets). So we had a lively table of 7 in the middle of the rather small restaurant. We saw the creator of SNL and Rosie O'Donnell. I wonder if Rosie wondered why we were laughing so much!

Saturday we took a top of the bus tour of Manhatten, booking it in Times Square. Lots of people watching and looking up at buildings. We left the tour in Central Park and went to a restaurant near Megans office at Random House for lunch, around 2 or 3 pm. We decided to walk back to the hotel down 5th avenue, stopping at the Plaza to gawk at the lobby, and on various corners to buy $5 "pashminas". When we got to Saks Margaret wanted to shop with Megan for shoes and Mom and I, knowing how long that could take, excused ourselves. We walked home down Diamond Row. Margaret and Megan shopped very productively, buying warm clothes. The car we had preordered through the desk arrived at 8:15 and was not the 5 person vehicle we had requested, which caused a small panic. Ultimately Megan and Joel took a separate taxi, which was probably better anyway, as the River Cafe is on a barge under the Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn, much closer to them than to our hotel. The dinner was fabulous, the view even more so. Mom had a chocolate dessert in the shape of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Sunday we left for the ship around 11 and arrived in Brooklyn with our 6 pieces of luggage and 3 carryons, only to wait until 1 to board. Unknown to us the ship, the Caribbean Princess, had lost power approaching NYC and had to be towed to its berth. I am glad we didn't know it as we would have worried the whole week. And on a later cruise in October the whole ship came down with the Noro virus and extreme disinfection procedures had to be followed, and some shows were canceled. Fortunately we had no problems, and we also had good weather.

Mom and I had a veranda cabin next door to Margaret, who also had a veranda. The steward unlocked a door between the two verandas, so we walked back and forth between the cabins that way. We had a huge closet, a bath with tub, two tv's and a sitting area. Very nice.

We were in a group of 40 people from north Texas, some of whom Mom know and some she didn't. The group had an area of the dining room and ate at tables for 8, the first sitting, which turned out to be at 5:45, too early for us. But it did allow us to see a show, go to the piano bar, and then to the casino, all after dinner.We seldom got to bed before 1 am but it was all in the interest of fun. And I ordered room service coffee, juice, and rolls each morning and only made it to breakfast a couple of times.

The first day of the cruise was "at sea" and we did several things--I went to a lecture on the ship explosion of 1917 in Halifax, when a munitions ship blew up in the harbor, killing 6000 people. The second day we arrived in Halifax at 8 am and I had booked a private tour for 9 am to Peggy's Cove, a fishing village. Our driver, David Marriott, was a third generation Halifax native, and a nephew of a Titanic victim. He drove us in a large loop for over 4 hours, stopping in the fishing village, and taking us to the gravesite for the Titanic passengers. He was interesting and we saw far more than we would have in a bus. The fall color was spectacular.

The second day we arrived at St. John, Brunswick, Canada. This small town is chiefly famous for harboring Loyalists after the American Revolution, including Benedict Arnold. We took a horse drawn trolley tour with a local guide, and then visited the farmers/crafts market. It was a warm sunny day and we ate lobsters out on the waterfront.

Arriving in Bar Harbor to a foggy morning, we took ourselves to a local breakfast place and had blueberry pancakes. Afterwards we shopped until time for our catamaran tour of lighthouses and Acadia National Park. Mom decided the sea was too rough for her and went back to our ship, but Margaret and I enjoyed seeing lighthouses and lifesaving houses that we could not have seen any other way. Yes, the boat rocked, and the spray kept us all indoors except when the boat stopped for photos. Afterwards the fog had burned off, so we took a trolley trip to the top of Cadillac Mountain.

Boston was the largest city on our cruise, and gettng around in traffic on our bus tour was not easy. We caught glimpses of famous landmarks such as the Old North Church, but didn't stop except in Copley Square. A highlight was lunch with Ginny Hamilton at a restaurant adjacent to the Marriott Long Wharf and Quincy Market. I am so glad that we took a cab back to the ship, because others waited in line for an hour to catch the ship's bus. All in all I felt like we maxed out our time in Boston--as we pulled out promptly at 3:30 pm! Of course, catching the view on leaving port was interesting--I had no idea there were so many islands around Boston.

Our last stop was Newport. I had been there 40 years ago to the Newport Folk Festival to see Arlo Guthrie, the Everly Brothers, and Joan Baez. This was way different. We had signed up to see two of the Vanderbilt houses, the Breakers, and Marble House. Both were spectacular, and we were fortunate to get to both of them early in the day before the hordes of tourists. Of course our busload was a horde also. Afterwards we walked along the harbor to a wharf and ate a late lunch at The Black Pearl, outside in the sunshine.

We were not at all hungry when we returned to the ship, so we skipped the formal dinner in the dining room. We went up to the pool deck for really good pizza around 8 pm instead. That night we had to have our suitcases outside the door before bedtime. The next morning we entered New York and docked in Brooklyn as the sun was rising, a great trip and a good time.

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Hess Times 2008

Hess Times 2008
Yes, we did go to the White House. Not because of fame or fortune, but because of an accident of place-- where Joe went to high school. Our new President reminds us that the White House is the People’s House. It certainly was on March 29, 2008. Read on.
Mary, David and Drew: Mary was offered her dream job, working as a patent attorney in biotech for a San Diego branch of an intellectual property firm, BSKB, based in Washington D.C. She is one of four attorneys in the office, and loves the work. The partners mentor her and she is achieving a good work/life balance, with Dave’s support. Dave continues to work as an engineer for Kyocera, with a little golf on the side. She carried on the family tradition by serving as an organizer of the American Cancer Society’s first fundraising gala in San Diego. Virginia was present when Drew “graduated“from preschool. A bright and inquisitive 5 year old, he is thriving in a magnet kindergarten.
Jon, aka Jon Drew: Jon worked long hours for the senior downsizing firm, enjoying hearing life stories from the customers and helping them make decisions about their future . Friends lured him to work for a catering firm in Portland, OR, and time will tell whether this is a permanent move. This is a good time for Jon to explore different jobs and places, while continuing to write. He had some excellent adventures playing in charity golf tournaments, visiting his sister in San Diego, going to the Burning Man arts festival in the desert, and participating in a friend’s wedding in Salvador, Brazil.
Joe: Any year when Joe can ride his bike to work is a good one. He enjoyed spring training in Arizona and fall football at Stanford. He also played golf with Jon, Mary and Dave. He traveled to Bangalore and Dubai in February, but that was the extent of his international travel. In fact, he spent almost 40 days on personal travel, a near record. He had two reunions, the most spectacular of which was his Midland, Texas High School reunion at the White House. Laura Bush, a classmate, hosted the event. She invited everyone to tour the historic rooms of the White House on a Friday afternoon, followed by the President’s arrival on the East Lawn via helicopter. A formal dinner was held on Saturday.
Virginia: In May she finished a three year term on the board of Rice’s Alumni Association, but returned to campus for a big reunion in November. She conducted an online survey of the women in her class, on how well they combined family/relationships and careers. Results are still pending, but it can be said that a large majority were satisfied or very satisfied with how they managed both. She still enjoys her book group, plays bridge, and volunteers her time.
Virginia spent five months overseeing the remodeling of two bathrooms, an unexpectedly pleasant task. Look for more remodeling projects in 2009. She was very happy to have Joe in town during the project, and to be able to plan ahead a bit more than in recent years.
She was absolutely star struck by the White House—eating dinner in the Blue Room, seeing the presidential portraits, hearing the Marine Band—it was unbelievable. Afterwards she spent several days in Maryland with friends, going to the Cherry Blossom Festival. This year the beach experience was at her sister’s house in Sea Island, GA, although Thanksgiving on Shelter Island in San Diego Bay was lovely. In October she joined her mother and sister in New York City for a few days before the three of them embarked on a cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with stops in Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, and St. John, Brunswick. New York was fascinating, whether from the top of a double decker tour bus, on a culinary walking tour of Greenwich Village, or at Lincoln Center for “South Pacific”. Her niece Megan lives in NYC and was a great guide.
And what’s next? Christmas in Portland, Rice playing in a bowl game, enjoying our family and friends. Seeing the younger generation marry and have children and establish themselves. Planning a big trip to celebrate last year’s anniversary. Our beloved 13 year old “wheaten terrier” Homer has signed up for another year. Think he knows something? We welcome the changes that are promised for 2009, and have hopes of giving back to the community in ways that we haven’t envisioned since our 20’s. And as our holiday card shows, we hope to be able to maintain lifelong friendships no matter what experiences the years have brought—sharing them makes us all the richer, and certainly provides some tales to tell.

White House Photo

Class Reunion, White House style

White House Trip Report, March 2008


The rumors started last fall. Joe’s high school class would have a reunion in the White House, hosted by class member Laura Bush and the President. Save the spring.


Now, we had gone to the Governor’s Mansion in Austin at their invitation 11 years ago for the 33 1/3 reunion, and it was grand. The party was held in tents on the lawn, with the downstairs open for touring. Torrential rain kept us mostly in the tents, and I can remember throwing away my new sandals afterwards. Laura was gracious, and I took Joe’s photo with her. She admired Joe’s Texas aloha shirt, so afterwards we had one sent to them. George wrote us a thank you note, which I still have. They promised that if they made it to the White House, they would host us there also.

As the last year of the Bush administration approached, members of the class began a letter-writing campaign to Laura. They also established a web site at www.midlandlee64.typepad.com. The website took on a life of its own as we first received “save the date” cards for March 29, and classmates began making reservations for Washington. I wanted to get an early reservation, and hoped we could stay at a hotel with a view of the White House. Cindy Klatt, the class recordkeeper, found a good rate at the Washington Marriott and we made reservations there also. Eventually at least half of the attendees stayed at this venerable hotel on 22nd at L. We made reservations to fly in and out of BWI, partly because we wanted to spend at least one night with friends in Maryland, and partly because we got a very cheap Southwest fare.

Every day I watched the website as class members debates such lofty issues as the dress code for the event. It started out as “Sunday best”. Then one of Laura’s friends contributed “Business casual—in Washington”. The final invitation read “Cocktail”. One person reminded the women that Laura is elegant but conservative and that we should not wear ball gowns, so as not to upstage the First Lady. Fortunately the Eileen Fisher silk outfit I bought for “Sunday Best” also fit Business Casual and Cocktail, so I was all set.

Then on Wednesday before flying on Thursay we got an email from Cindy with another invitation from Laura:

“The President and Mrs. Bush will be hosting a receiving line Saturday night during the Reunion. This is your opportunity to be photographed with them by a White House photographer. Please refrain from any additional photographs with the President and Mrs. Bush throughout the evening using your personal cameras. Many thanks for your cooperation.

In addition to the Reunion Saturday night, the President and Mrs. Bush invite you to the White House on Friday, March 28, to view the historical rooms of the White House and watch the President arrive via helicopter on the South Lawn. Please arrive to the Visitors Entrance on East Executive Avenue at 4:00 p.m. Any additional family members who will be traveling with you are also invited to attend. For those additional family members, please email Sally Jackson (sjackson@who.eop.gov) in the White House Social Office with their names, dates of birth and social security numbers. Those who have already accepted for Saturday night DO NOT need to contact Sally; you may just show up at the gate at 4:00 p.m.”

How fortunate that we had chosen to fly on Thursday!

Thursday March 27, 2008

This really was an uneventful day. We ate a hotdog in Chicago Midway airport. We took SuperShuttle to the hotel. I did begin telling total strangers where we were going. Like Shuttle drivers. The hotel staff had obviously been briefed. On check in the young lady said “Mrs Laura Bush would like you to have this.” and handed me one of those free walking tour maps, secured for the attendees by one of the classmates. The hotel lobby was full of Joe’s classmates so we hurried up to the room and back to the lobby, looking for friends and food. The restaurant was swamped but they said the bar served food, so we ordered a chicken quesadilla. Seated behind Joe at the bar was his high school girl friend, the one whose mother used to bake him strawberry pie. I began to get a feeling that this weekend was going to be like Alice in Wonderland, down the rabbit hole, for me. Joe stayed in the lobby visiting for awhile, but I went upstairs to unpack and go to bed. Our capital tour was at 9 am the next day, 6 am to my body.

Friday March 28, 2008

This was a very big day, in all ways. We took a taxi to the Capitol, a wild ride through rush hour traffic, glimpsing monuments and cherry blossoms on the way. It was easy to find our group—we were the only, ah, mature adults, in a sea of school children. Among the first people Joe recognized were his old friend George and his wife Paula, who now live in Australia. Of course Joe had seen them in November when they were passing through San Francisco. Other old friends were harder to pick out. The only other people I knew were Bill and Elise Coombs, he heads the (formerly known as) Confederate Air Force in Midland. It is the 11th largest Air Force in the world. All vintage airplanes.

Our ticket for the event allowed us to bypass all of, to go through security, and meet our red-jacketed guide, Mr. Blair. I volunteered to take the elevator rather than walk the 77 steps, so we had our own mini-tour of the working offices of the capitol as we were led by a security person to our tour group. We all wore wireless headsets that enabled Mr. Blair to speak normally and be heard by all. Once I told him who we were---classmates of the First Lady—he personalized the tour for Texans.

After the Capitol tour Joe and I walked to the Supreme Court, which is behind the Capitol, in search of a tshirt for Mary, our family attorney. No tshirt, but we got her a mug for her desk. Then we took a taxi—I love D.C. taxis, they are everywhere—to the American Indian Museum to meet George and Paula. We had a great lunch there of native American food—I had salmon and fiddle fern and wild rice salad—and saved the museum for another visit.

Back to the hotel and rest before grabbing taxis to the White House for the 4 pm tour. We were in a long line for x rays and photo id and guest list verification—which would be repeated the next night before the party. Once we were IN, we were absolutely blown away. What I call the basement is a series of absolutely beautiful rooms, most of which are not normally on tour. The Vermeil Room is full of portraits of first ladies, notably Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, and Jacqueline Kennedy. There is a map room, formerly used by FDR for war consultations, and a library, recently redone by Mrs. Bush. Also a room full of presidential china. It was difficult to take it all in, and I kept circling the rooms while Joe visited with classmates. Upstairs were the rooms more commonly seen. The Red, Green, and Blue rooms were the most elegant. It was hard to believe that we would end up on Saturday eating our buffet dinner in the blue room on silk covered chairs. The State Dining Room was at one end of the hall. There the buffet would be set on Saturday. The East Room, on the other end of the expansive hall, is where a live press conference had been held just that morning. The music and dancing would be in that room on Saturday.

We wandered out to the balcony and took pictures of the Washington Monument. Barney emerged from the family quarter and we were shooed back in so that he could do his thing in privacy.

When Laura came into the hall she was mobbed by people who wanted their photo taken with her. The difference between this scene and others is that the people actually knew her, and Laura knew them. One woman grew up across the street from Laura, and told her about her Mom’s recent death. I briefly congratulated her on planning a destination wedding. She said she was enjoying it .

Soon people began moving out to the balcony and the stairs to watch for the presidential helicopter. I stationed myself at the top of the stairs, against a pillar, out of the way but in perfect view. It was still 20 minutes or so until his arrival. Joe was no where to be seen. Suddenly he appeared and wanted me to leave my post, as the crowds around Laura had thinned, and he wanted me to take a photo. I went back inside, knowing I would never find another great viewing point. I took a nice photo, despite the woman from the previous picture session who didn’t want to leave. Joe photoshopped her out, later. I told Laura how nice it would be for her to spend time in Dallas, that I enjoyed the city as my sister Margaret Hunt lived there. She said “We haven’t bought a house in Dallas. That’s just a rumor. And $6 million. No way” I didn’t know that there was a rumor in Dallas that they had purchased an almost completed house for $6 Million. I just responded that probably the rumor started because of the library. I left after that. So did she, to go down to the lawn and meet the President.

Back to the balcony, where just as I predicted I couldn’t see a thing. Others were on the lawn but the staircase was totally packed. So I wandered around aimlessly while Joe held his camera above his head and took blind photos. I did see the three helicopters coming in, with the Washington Monument in the background. Very presidential, and emotional. A secret service agent found a small spot for me on the stairs and I did see him walk across the lawn. But the photos—ours and others—tell the story.

We were so exhilarated that we walked the mile back to the hotel, passing through Lafayette Park. Back at the Marriott the Preunion had begun. A long line snaked through the lobby to pay for this party and also for the bus for Saturday. The room was overcrowded but it was lots of fun for Joe to see old friends. After the party we joined his friends Steve, Bill, Silver and George (and spouses) in a private room at a steak house on 19th. George’s stories were hilarious but the others made a sincere effort to top him. We drank lots of wine!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Saturday morning we could have gone to see the monuments or the cherry blossoms but instead chose to walk to the White House gift shop. It was formerly located in the White House, strictly for staffers, but had to be moved out after 9/11 to 529 14th in the Press Club building. Joe scored a white White House embroidered polo shirt, which he then wore on Sunday and told folks “George gave it to me for things I can’t tell you about” That lasted about 30 seconds, and we sent lots of classmates in search of the same shirt.

We met in the lobby at 4:30 to catch our bus for the White House. I was a little intimidated at how well these Midland folks cleaned up. I mean, the women looked glamorous and the men looked powerful. My favorite dress was a black chiffon with red rose trim that George’s wife wore. It was from Australia. I also loved a silk evening suit in oyster, trimmed in pearl. Lots of black with sparkles. Several women had pashminas, which was great for the long wait outside in the spring chill.

The White House cleaned up really well also. As we entered an Army band was playing songs from high school. Waiters circulated with trays of champagne. We were given a red coupon, signifying the group for the photo with President and Mrs. Bush. Sure enough, eventually one of the many young officers on duty walked through the crowd waving a red coupon. We then went down to the basement (remember the various rooms?) to join a small line to have our picture taken. So I think we were among the first. Waiters offered us wine or water while we stood in line, then other waiters took the glasses once we got into the room. Someone took my purse so I couldn’t have to clutch it. An officer took the small card from my name tag, with our name and address on it, and asked us to verify the details. He also asked if we were married. I said “yes, almost 40 years) He said “Wow! I should announce that also.” Then he passed us, and the card, to another officer, who accompanied us as we moved toward the front of the line.

We noticed that George and Laura were taking the time to greet each couple and exchange a few words. This was not your cruise line photo with the captain. Then we were being introduced. I stood next to Mr. Bush and Joe stood next to Laura. Two quick flashes and they were shaking hands. I said “Mr. President we are great fans. We have already seen two Texas Rangers games this month. He burst into laughter and gave me a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. As this was going on Laura was asking “ Joe, how is this possible?” Joe replied “Spring Training”. As we walked away, beaming, George yelled after us “And they’ll be terrible again this year!” The First Couple posed for three hours with their guests.

I felt so lucky that we had our photo op early on. Actually, right at the beginning of the evening the classmates had gathered on the balcony and steps for a group photo with the First Couple. Joe reports that George said “Hello Joe”. I think we have a photo of him doing so. We can see Joe’s bald spot about two rows behind the President.

The buffet dinner was set up in the State Dining Room. It featured all Texas food—minicheeseburgers, mini tamales, guacamole and chips, mini chicken fried steak. The buffet was constantly replenished throughout the evening. There were only a few tables set up in that room and in the red, blue, and green rooms. We ended up sitting on antique chairs in the blue room with our plates, a small table for drinks between us.

The dancing was at the other end of the building, in the East Room . The band, Jelly Roll, was from Philadelphia and has played at many White House events. We danced for awhile, then retreated to the quieter rooms to visit. I understand Laura joined the dancing but didn’t see her myself.

The party ended about 11 pm. Staff was polite, smiling, firm in moving the crowd toward the exit. As we left we were handed mini banners that were for either Midland, Lee, or Carver. We had to walk in the cold and dark over to the Visitors Entrance, and waited a few minutes for the bus back to the hotel. The party continued until about 2 am in the bar at the hotel.

On Sunday morning we checked out of the hotel, Joe went to pick up the rental car, and we headed out to Maryland to see the Guthiers, our Rice friends, and my friends Marie and Ginny and Al. And the party continued.

Joe's High School Reunion

How did we get to the White House? It's quite a story......