As I prepare for a trip to Alaska...I remember a photograph of my great-grandmother panning for gold. Since I booked the trip in September 2025, I have been thinking about the photograph and locating it to tell a story. Today! I finally got into the storage cabinets and located the scrapbook that contains the fondly remembered photograph of my favorite relative.

On July 23, 1969, my great-grandmother became a lifetime member of what was then the Arctic Circle Club affiliated with Alaska Airlines. The certificate notes: "having crossed the Arctic Circle in the State of Alaska at 66 degrees 30 feet North Latitude and 162 degrees West Longitude en route to the Eskimo Village of Kotzebue on Alaska Airlines Golden Nugget Flight." Not knowing anything about Kotzebue...I GOOGLED...and came across the website for North Alaska Tour Company. My desire was to pan for gold just as my great-grandmother did...I may still have a chance as our Holland America Cruise makes stops at several ports: Juneau, Skagway known as "a well-preserved part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park" and Ketchikan where the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian pepole still fish the waters of Alaska to earn the title "The Salmon Capital of the World." While in Ketchikan, my travel companion and I anticipate a chance to see the beautiful totem poles crafted by the Native Alaskans and explore Creek Street.

With just a few days before departure...we try to pack wisely...my understanding is that many cruisers OVER pack for this amazing journey. As mentioned in my last post, my desire is to tie my passion of genealogy and family history research to my current role as a travel advisor. We are joining a cruise with author Marc Cameron who is offering a Masterclass in writing while we are onboard. Hence, another link to this page...I am hopeful that I will get inspired to write again after a very long break...if you have a desire to travel to Japan or Alaska with Marc Cameron next year, I would love to help you book your trip! You may contact me by clicking here. Also in the scrapbook, I found a flyer my great-grandmother saved entitled: TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TRAVELERS I Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home...for thou hast left thy home to find things different. II Thou shalt not take anything too seriously...for a carefree mind is the beginning of any vacation. III Thou shalt not let other travelers get on thy nerves...for thou hast paid thy money to enjoy thyself. IV Thou shalt not forget that thou dost represent thy country...at all times and in all places. V Thou shalt not worry...for he who worrieth hath no pleasure and few things are ever fatal. VI Remember thy Passport so that thou knowest where it is at all times...a man (woman) without a Passport is a man (woman) without a country. VII Blessed is the man (woman) who can say "Thank you" in any language. This and his (her) smile doubles the value of his (her) tip. VIII When in Rome do as the Romans do...and use American friendliness and common sense at all times. IX Do not judge a country by one person with who thou hast had trouble. X Remember thou art a guest in every land...for he (she) who treateth his (her) host with respect shall be treated as an honored guest. Source: Unknown

Why are we looking at a history blog instead of a travel blog? Well...it's George Washington...or should I say Uncle George....

This page is connected to my LinkedIn account and some people are wondering why they are looking at a history blog instead of a page focused on travel. Well let me answer that...and I promise to keep it short... I spent many years researching (and continue to do so) the only surviving sister of George Washington...an ancestor whose name was Betty Washington. She married a man by the name of Fielding Lewis. Their home still stands in Fredericksburg, Virgina, and is open as a museum for the public to visit. And given that we are celebrating America250... I must mention, she is not recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution as a patriot! And she is not an ELIZABETH...the family Bible has her as Betty and she always signed her name as Betty. Got to love historians...and I KNOW I will ruffle just a few feathers by my statements but what else would keep you reading when I promised to be short... Rather than put a passion of mine aside...I decided that my focus would be travel that directly relates to the research I have explored on the Washington family. My first fun cruise taken after my joining Expedia Cruises was to the only island or country that George Washington visited...Barbados...to visit the George Washington house where he and his half-brother Lawrence spent time. In fact our tour guide who we hired for the day was miffed that we spent over an hour at the property when he wanted to show us HIS island...if you contact me...I will share his contact information...or better yet..book a vacation with me and I will make sure you are pampered! And yes I said we...I was joined by a favorite cousin who made the cruise all the more interesting and enjoyable...I have been told I could share some of the pictures from her visit to Texas before we went to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where I almost walked her to death...we were in Puerto Rico to embark on our Virgin Voyages ship.

It is my hope that at some point...I will actually publish what I have transcribed as colonial handwriting can be a bit difficult to read and the language a challenge to understand...just imagine those kids that now no longer learn cursive...I had the honor to be the first researcher in George Washington's Presidential Library. That was an amazing experience...I spent eight months driving the staff crazy with requests with letters that few had expressed an interest in over the years... So join me on this journey as I share travel tips from a different perspective that tell a different and personal side of the Washington family...we have a wonderful family association that descendants can join...so reach out to me and let me share the journey with you! #travelwithmonica #virginvoyages #barbados #georgewashington #bettywashingtonlewis #puertorico #america250 #expediacruises

Upcoming Lewis Family Reunion in Fredericksburg, Virginia

I am delighted to report that the National Society Lewis Family Descendants is in the planning stages of a reunion to take place in Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the dates August 29 through September 1, 2024. We have a block of rooms at the Courtyard by Marriott, Fredericksburg Historic District with a group rate available for a limited time. Fredericksburg is a charming historic community along the Rappahannock River with many preserved buildings from the colonial times that have Lewis and Washington connections! This weekend is an opportunity to connect with fellow family members who are interested in sharing the family heritage. There will of course be a visit to the childhood home of the Washington siblings (George, Betty, John Augustine, Samuel and Charles) and the home of Betty Washington and Fielding Lewis.

The Battle of the Alamo and its place within a larger Mexican civil war.

Fresh Start: The Curious Genealogist

With the restrictions of the pandemic, there has been time to research family history. So there have been a few benefits of being stuck at home. Hopefully, you have enjoyed your family history research as much as I have the past several months. 

Family caregiving kept me from regular postings and responding to comments over the past several years. I regret that I was not timely in responding to some of you! However, the upcoming months bring opportunities and much excitement as the ladies of the Daughters of the American Revolution will celebrate 100 years since efforts were taken to save the home of both Betty Washington and Fielding Lewis. And...I am able to get back to the research that keeps me time travelling!

It is my hope to have Betty Washington Lewis recognized for her patriotic service as the Daughters of the American Revolution currently do not recognize her contribution. In my years of research, I have enjoyed learning how much Betty Washington Lewis was able to accomplish as a women in colonial times!

There are many research institutions with collections that have made my research journey incredibly exciting...and the people who have provided access to the collections have been so helpful! I look forward to discovering a few more collections that have been on my "to do" list to see. I hope you will join me by sharing your experiences with genealogical research and family history.

George Washington After Recovering from Influenza Rides Around New York

    Two hundred and thirty years ago, George Washington took a ride in his carriage to let the people know he was recovering from the influenza.

    In May 1790, Washington collapsed with influenza and lingered near death for three days with pulmonary complications. His illness was reported in the Boston Gazette on 18 May 1790.

    An article in the Virginia Gazette & Alexandria Advertiser on 3 June 1790 stated "By accounts received last night from New York, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES is so far recovered as to ride out in his carriage."

    As President, George Washington was not long deterred from his duties. President Donald J. Trump appears to have this same determination! Wishing you a speedy recovery Mr. President!

Long Absence

To those of you have accessed this blog, you will note a long absence. I had family commitments that kept me from maintaining the page and continuing my research. I have used this page to determine the interest in the Washington and Lewis family history.

It is my hope to continue to share information and to respond to those of you who have posted and not heard from me.

There is much that has been researched and I continue to work toward publishing a book about Betty Washington Lewis.