From
the President...
Winter 2008
I saw a movie once about a town that
had boarded up stores because the local
plant had closed. Our current economy
may also result in closings in towns all
over our great country. I have seen
that a local western wear store as
well as one of our favorite Mexican
restaurants have closed in our town.
This situation brings up the subject
of how important it is to shop with
local businesses that you know. It’s
not as if the larger companies across
town would be immune to tough times.
Buying travel or anything on the
Internet can be especially risky in
hard times. You need to know who
you are dealing with and how to find
them. We are an example of a
solid community member with 32
years of experience behind us.
You can call your local Chamber of
Commerce for a recommendation of
local companies you can use. The
companies that join the local chambers
are making an investment in the
community with their memberships.
Here’s hoping that we will get a new
economy with our President Elect so
we can each have a prosperous 2009!
Click here to see the latest photos of my grandchildren.
Donna Johnson, President
Red Bird Travel
Plus
1976-2008
Representing 32 years of excellence.
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Join Us as we
Travel with Carole
For People Who Enjoy Having Fun
Did you think I went out of the country and decided to stay? Unfortunately, I was not in a place that exciting.
During our Christmas trip to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, my knee completely gave out. It’s good to know I travel
with a group you can always count on to have whatever you need, whenever there’s a need. I borrowed a leg brace
from one person, a cane from another, managed to make it home and to the doctor’s office.
On January 8th, I had to
have a total knee replacement. During my six week recovery period, I endured frustration, pain and a lot of physical
therapy….but at the same time, I learned valuable lessons. One lesson was patience….nothing comes easy…..and our
remarkable bodies take time to heal. The other was compassion….for those of you (me included) who may be a little
slower than others, and for getting up and down those b-i-g motorcoach steps. I’ll be more aware of steps without
railings and cobblestone sidewalks. Surgery is not for sissies! Thankfully, I’ll be ready for the March 18th tour of
North Texas Horse Farms, even though I may be trailing behind….just a little.
Thank you for your cards and wellwishes.
Last September, we traveled through the Great Smoky Mountains and the “Bluegrass State” of Kentucky.
In Pigeon
Forge and Dollywood, we enjoyed high energy productions of gospel, country, and Bluegrass music. We visited the
incredible Biltmore Estate, a 250-room French chateau owned by the Vanderbilt family. Exploring Gatlinburg was fun
before crossing into Kentucky, the home of the Kentucky Derby. We visited Sinking Springs Farm, the birthplace of
our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.
On a tour of Maker’s Mark Bourbon Distillery in Bardstown, many of us got to
melt the famous red wax to seal our own souvenir bottle. How exciting to enter the gates of Churchill Downs, and to
visit the Derby Museum. Traveling on to Lexington, another highlight was the Kentucky Horse Park. Over 1,200
acres dedicated to man’s relationship with horse. In the Hall of Champions, retired Kentucky Derby winners live here
in style….equine legends like John Henry and Cigar. Those horses made more money than I’ll ever see!
Continued...
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