Smithsonian Journeys Trans-Siberian Express trip

It's rainy in Mississippi and expected to continue through Friday. Knees and ribs appreciate consistent weather, so my chiropractor says. Mine agree. Where winter stays winter, people adjust. Our weather fluctuates from open windows in the morning to freezing temps in the evening, day after day. The humidity is the culprit. We pull in our necks to warm our ears and sleep scrunched up. Yes, those are two dog nights and we have only one.

Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote, "My heart is warm with the friends I make

and better friends I'll not be knowing

yet there isn't a train

I wouldn't take

no matter where it's going

She speaks to our grandfather, Roy Williamson. He loved trains. My sister and I do, too. Go to SmithsonianJourneys.org/ for information on the Trans-Siberian Express trip 9/9/15-10/4/15. Nearly 5,000 miles long, it travels through six time zones between Moscow and Beijing. We would love to ride the Tsar's Traveling Gold, see The Forbidden City and Mongolian nomads on the Steppes. There's a picture of a kiosk of Ulaanbaatar Prayer Wheels. We used to have a small prayer wheel from Tibet we twirled to send our prayers on.

The Annunciation Cathedral's rich blue with gold, onion-domes stands proudly in Kazan Kremlin. I hope we can go in. Can you imagine taking afternoon tea aboard The Tsar's Gold private train? I wonder what delicious fare is served? I see "many" stories in the making.

We haven't had a problem train traveling through time zones. I don't know how six would affect us, but we trust we could adjust. We're adventurous trying new foods, seeing new places and making friends. That does it. I'm adding this to my Bucket List. I pray I can make the trip before I'm so old I need oxygen and elevator shoes.

Prices start at $14,295 per person. SmithsonianJourneys.org/ 855-330-1542 M-F 9am-6pm ET.

Happy Traveling all!!!

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