Bethlehem...again

Me in front of the little Post Office in Bethlehem-after sending my Xmas cards.

Originally, I had planned to go to Bethlehem on Saturday 12-14 but didn't make it because I was still wrestling to produce my end-of-year letter to go with my cards. My backup plan was to go on Tuesday 12-17 because I had scheduled that day off for court (however, that day was now freed since the case was reportedly settled). At the last minute, I decided to take a half day off and go today because the weather forecast for Tuesday is freezing rain & sleet (and treacherous travel conditions). It's about a 40 mile drive each way (combination highway and back roads).

Last year, my son Richard accompanied me but he's away this year so I went solo. I had 40 cards to cachet and mail this year. This year's cachet is #85. Only one color ink: green (I don't know why-will have to ask sometime. Perhaps the alternative-red- would look like blood.).

Cachet #85. Note "2019" above the windows of the engine.

Most of my cards I used one or two different cachets but on a few others, I filled the back with several. There was a steady stream of people that came in to stamp their cards too. Many are like me and travel miles in order to get the Bethlehem postmark and cachet(s).

Since it was late in the afternoon when I finished, and since it is on the way home, and since it is something of a tradition, I stopped at G's Burgers for a late lunch. This year I had a hot dog with sweet potato fries and a soda. Cost a little under $10 (and that was for a combo). It was okay-the hot dog was overly lathered with condiments but I did enjoy the fries.

I am thankful to have a Bethlehem that is within driving distance and grateful that I could take time off from work to do this. What a blessing. Merry Christmas!

Postscript: I am stunned, shocked, and saddened (and MAD). I mailed these cards on Monday December 16th. My card was delivered to my apartment on Wednesday the 18th with a Hartford postmark instead of Bethlehem! What in the world is going on? There is no point in traveling to Bethlehem and end up without a Bethlehem postmark at Christmas. Nothing is scared anymore.

-------------------------

Links:

http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2018/12/return-to-bethlehem.html 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cachet
https://gsburgers.com/
---------------------------
Written Tuesday 17 December 2019.
Postscript added Wednesday 25 December 2019.