Traveling Through My Eyes

About the Book

Traveling Through My Eyes is a story about two vacations taken by Carolyn Suzanne Gill Davis (Baird/Jackson) the author. The first trip will guide you on a cruise that will take you through the North Atlantic Ocean beginning in Copenhagen, Denmark. The ports of call included Cornwall, Dublin, Glasgow, Belfast, Reykjavik, Qaqortoq, Prins Christian Sund, and Newfoundland. There were icebergs, glaciers, magnificent walls of mountains of ice, and waterfalls. Her traveling mate had selected a cabin with a balcony. That gave her even more opportunities to use her cameras. The grandeur of that region offered a spectacular sight that was seen through the eyes of the author. Talking and visiting with passengers added to the enjoyment of the cruise trip.

Ms. Davis and her sister had planned a trip by train to California to start two days after her return from the cruise. Both trips were planned early in the year. What happened during those two days was devastating.

The train trip going west was a fascinating experience. They traveled on the Empire Builder train through Minnesota, the plains of North Dakota, Montana, and Oregon. A stop over in Portland, Oregon was taken to visit friends.

They boarded the Coast Starlight train that took them south along the west coast. Relatives in Compton, California were visited. A jet plane flew them to the Oakland Bay Area to visit friends and celebrate their birthdays. They returned to Compton and saw many old acquaintances and enjoyed many scrumptious meals. Sightseeing was a must. The Los Angeles area had changed a lot since the time both had lived there. It was soon time to return home.

The Southwest Chief headed to Chicago, Illinois, going through cowboy country. The train followed canyons, and dry river beds. Sitting in the Sightseer Lounge Car, the presence of Indian tribes could be felt. They passed through the lava fields of Gallup, New Mexico. A stop was welcomed in Albuquerque and Native American wares were available for purchase. They crossed the mighty Mississippi River before arriving in Chicago. The train from Chicago to Indianapolis made numerous stops and took a long time. This was a trip that would be remembered.

The pronoun ‘I’ emphasized how insignificant we are. Things can change overnight and a person needs to have faith in a higher being to survive. The relationships among friends and relatives have to be held together. There are many things in life that need ‘frosting on the cake’ in order to cope with everyday stress and aggravations. Traveling with an older relative was like an egg omelet mixed together. If mixed well it can create a delicious dish. Too much stuff added can end up a disaster. But God gave us a digestive system that has learned to tolerate both. When that fails, there is always a pill to swallow to make you feel better. Life comes with the bitter and the sweet.

This is a travelogue which includes relevant poetry by the author, photographs and pictorial descriptions of what her eyes saw. There is an imaginary account from the prospective of one stuffed animal, ‘Teddy PowWow.’ This was included to add information and humor to this spectacular and unusual vacation.


Comments from readers of the book: The Fall of My Beginning:

‘Thanks again for the books. It’s Good! Didn’t know you were also a poet. Sincerely, Jacque and Blanche Ferguson... (Mrs. Ferguson (now deceased) was Ms. Davis Crispus Attucks High School English teacher.

I received your autographed book on Sat. Oct 27th and couldn’t put it on my bookshelf until I finished reading it the next day. It is the most precious book I’ve ever read. You have a fantastic writing style. The letters, poems, and mini—lessons at the end of each chapter are all beautifully done. Your use of your theme FALL, is cleverly woven into your entire book in a v