Melody's Recent Trips

In June I flew back to Glasgow, Scotland, to visit my friend Finlay.  The weather was amazing (for Scotland), mostly sunny and warm every day but one. 

We took two really nice trips.  One, to the Borders, where we visited towns such as Melrose, Dunfermline, and Jedburgh (my photo of Jedburgh Abbey is on the right; see my post on Mary Queen of Scots House if you'd like as well).  The other trip was to Perthshire, at the foot of the Highlands.  We also visited Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and several towns in Fife.

Aside from the cold weather in the winter (which isn't much different than here) I really love Scotland and am always happy to spend time there!

In August and September Finlay came to visit me and we traveled to Philadelphia and New York City.  Both were fun, aside from the armloads of cash you need to spend a weekend in New York City!  In Philadelphia, we visited the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, where I volunteer in the education department; the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall; and we took a double decker bus tour of the city. 

The bus tour, even if it seems a bit touristy, is one of the best ways you can see the city.  I've lived near Philadelphia most of my life, and it was the best overall view of the city I've ever had.

In New York City, we visited Ellis Island, saw Mary Poppins on Broadway, and toured all around Midtown and Lower Manhattan.  Again, just like in Philadelphia, the hop-on hop-off bus tour we took showed us more than we'd have ever been able to see any other way.

In early January, 2008, I spent a few days in charming St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the continental United States.  It was fun -- and much warmer than New Jersey!

Now see my upcoming 2008 trips!