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National Constitution Center, Philly

by Renae January 1, 2024

Although we didn’t pay to enter the exhibits, we did walk through the lobby of this cool building. And of course, I stopped at the gift store for some postcards.

From the back:

“The National Constitution Center is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance, through an interactive, interpretive facility within Independence National Historical Park and a program of national outreach, so that We the People may better secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.

The Grand Hall provides an incredible, unparalleled view of the entire Independence Mall through a wall of glass two stories high. Flags of the Union and U.S. Territories hang above the second-floor overlook of the Grand Hall.”

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Philadelphia

by Renae December 31, 2023

Nothing on the back. Just a lovely art card of the city skyline.

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Yo! Philly!

by Renae December 31, 2023

On November 1st, 1966, a little girl named Renae was born in Fishtown, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She moved across the Betsy Ross Bridge to Cinnaminson, New Jersey, after fifth grade. She then moved away from the area at the age of 19 when her parents moved to Florida. Renae visited Philly just once in all that time when her best friend from high school got married. That was 35 years ago.

And the little girl, if you didn’t know, was — is — me!

My family and I visited Philly and neighboring Cinnaminson, NJ, from December 21st to the 28th, 2023, I was so happy to see old faces and places and to reacquaint myself with my old hometown. I really loved it, and I want to go back again soon. I’m committing to visiting at least three times a year so I can get to know my relatives.

Stay tuned for more postcards!

The back of this one reads:

“One Liberty Observation Deck is located in the heart of Philadelphia at the top of one of its most recognizable buildings in the city’s skyline, One Liberty Place. The observation deck offers a one-of-a-kind view of the city as well as a snapshot of Philly’s culture and history.”

(By the way, I didn’t even know this observation deck existed until I read the back of this postcard! I’ll be sure to visit it next time!)

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Blog

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Coin

by Renae November 6, 2022

A few weeks ago, my husband and I attended the International Living Bootcamp in Atlanta. What an inspiring time of learning about living, working, and retiring overseas! We learned about Panama, Ecuador, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and many other locations with thriving expat communities, lower costs of living, and opportunities to experience other cultures.

One of the vendors at the event offered opportunities to invest in gold and silver coins. As a promotion, they gave out this commemorative coin in honor of Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. I thought that some of you might like to see it.

The front

I used my printer’s scanner to grab this image; the text is blurry, but you can see the coin well.

A small card holding with a .999 silver-plated commemorative coin in honor of Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee.

Here’s another image, this one taken with my husband’s phone camera. Not so good—you can see the text, but the coin looks off, which is why I ran it through the scanner.

The back

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Runway 5K at Asheville Regional Airport 2022

by Renae November 6, 2022

I’ve loved and feared airplanes my entire life, the fear flowing from a solid 20-year run of having plane crash dreams. I haven’t had (or remembered) a dream like that in many, many years. So maybe I’m free from the fear.

The love? It’s still there, strong as ever.

But if you’d have ever told me that I’d be ON an active runway, with planes taking off and landing right next to me, I’d have laughed! Yet that’s precisely what I was able to do by participating in Runway 5K at Asheville Regional Airport in October 2022.

I’m not a runner, although I do want to try Couch to 5K someday soon. So I came in close to last place in the race, which was a-okay by me! I was there to see the planes.

Here are a few images and a video from the event, and a link to a full photo gallery, including more videos!

Maybe next year, I’ll be able to RUN the event!

We arrived at sunrise.
Me with my husband; I was SO excited!
I’m glad my son JR was able to attend with us!
At the starting line!
The pose—and the poser


The real stars of the event were all of the airplanes taking off and landing during the event!

Like this one!

Here’s a gallery of photos and a few more videos from the event.

ENJOY!

P.S. I’d love it if you’d take a moment to comment so I know you’ve been here!

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Asheville Today – AVLtoday

by Renae November 6, 2022

The best daily newsletter I’ve ever seen hails from the 6AM City group, which seeks to “engage local communities by creating new ways to consume, participate [in], and share local content.”

I’m subscribed to their Asheville newsletter, as well as their newsletter from Greenville, South Carolina, which is just about an hour away from us. But they also offer newsletters for many other cities in the United States.

When AVLtoday offered a subscription not too long ago, I signed up—that’s how valuable I find their content. Seriously, just take a look at some of the stuff on offer.

EVERY MORNING.

And now for the reason for this post! I received a card in the mail last week from AVLtoday to thank me for becoming a subscriber. I thought the card face was pretty cool, so I decided to share it here 🙂

Wonder what their careers are like?! 🙂

6AM – Welcome to the Conversation – a card from AVLtoday
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Christmas at Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

by Renae November 6, 2022

This is a marketing postcard, sent to me because I’m a Biltmore Estate Passholder. We joined last year thinking we’d have lots of opportunities to ride our bikes around the Estate, but it never happened. We did get to do Candlelight Christmas at Biltmore though, which is when we signed up. And we did visit the grounds several times during the year. But, alas, because it’s just too far for us to visit regularly (a 40-minute drive), I don’t think we’ll renew for 2023.

Christmas inside Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina

From the back of the card:

Discover how our Floral team created a ‘Winter Landscapes’ decor theme to honor the works of Frederick Law Olmsted, Biltmore’s landscape designer—plus insider details on the twinkling lights and firelit nights of Candlelight Christmas Evenings, our Holiday Happenings Guide for the season, and much more.

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Santa Fe, New Mexico

by Renae November 6, 2022

My oldest son has long wanted to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico. His wish finally came true in October, 2022, when his girlfriend surprised him with a trip there for his birthday! He said that they walked along the very street you see in the image. He also said he was surprised that almost all buildings there are made of adobe. It’s a regulation, I guess.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Interesting factoid: The vehicle in the image is NOT from the States, as that is not a U.S. license plate.

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Official Postcrossing stamp from Germany

by Renae November 6, 2022

I’m pretty sure it’s been more than 10 years since I’ve posted on this blog. But I never forgot it! I always knew that someday, I’d be back. I love travel and my postcard hobby and learning about the peoples, places, and cultures of the world too much NOT to return!

What a delight, then, to mark my return with this official Postcrossing stamp from Germany, courtesy of a very kind Postcrosser who sent me this treasure while asking for nothing in return. Amazing! (I did send a little something ☺️)

First off, is the envelope, handmade from paper that talks about the Postcrossing stamp! Unbelievable! I’m already gobsmacked.

Official Postcrossing stamp from Germany—on a handmade envelope about Postcrossing!


Then, inside the envelope, I am gobsmacked further.

The backside of the postcard, with a kind note from Albrecht and an unused Postcrossing stamp from Germany!


The sender, Albrecht, actually attached an unused Postcrossing stamp to the postcard inside the envelope! Isn’t that unbelievably generous?!

The front side of the postcard has to do with Albrecht’s love of calligraphy and stationery—loves I share, as well.

Front side of the postcard

Collecting and sharing postcards is a passion of mine. I’d love to parlay it into a business. Maybe I’ll start a stationery subscription box, as my favorite service, Spotlight Stationery in the UK, is closing.

Or maybe I’ll simply be a travel blogger. Making my way around the globe, helping others coming behind me to do so as well. Time will tell. And I look forward to that story!

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Rick Steves’ most spiritual places in Europe — and one of my own!

by Renae November 16, 2011

With credit to Wikipedia

Here’s another travel piece worth sharing: Rick Steves’ “Five Most Spiritual Places in Europe.”

From his list, I’d most like to visit Assisi, as I have felt a strong connection to St. Francis from my elementary school years, when I attended a Catholic school in Philadelphia.

I loved being in church singing the song:

Make me a channel of your peace;
Where there is hatred let me please sow love;
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord;
Where there is doubt, true faith in You.

The Sarah McLaughlin version is my favorite; listen to the sample on Amazon and see for yourself!

I’d also like to add a visit to Chartres to my list. I would like to drive toward the town and see the church TOWERING in the far distance, in the same way that pilgrims would have seen it back in medieval times.

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Hi. I'm Renae Gregoire, The Laptop Traveler. I'm the one dressed in purple. The guy with me is my husband of 20+ years, Craig Gregoire. He travels with me :) Hope you enjoy your stay here!

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