ljm22

February 5th to February 28th

We’ve had a crazy, crazy year: Both sons marry, Ry and Meagan have a beautiful baby Livi, we have traveled extensively, and now in the dawn of a new year, we head down under and beyond.

Thursday, February 5th, 2026

Sacramento – LAX- Auckland- ” The City of Sails”

And away we go….

auckland, the Rugby,(Maori) Experience, the Sky Roof, Harbor walk, City tour

Arrived in Auckland , Sudima Hotel

Skytown Auckland

Above 3 pics from the 50th floor of the Skytower

All Black Experience precious jade stone

Day one we hit the streets, walking the hilly sea side city of Auckland. Basically surrounded by water Auckland is the most populated city in New Zealand. Just over 500 thousand people. Clean, very hilly with gorgeous views all around. We took to the Skytower, the highest point in all of Auckland, to get our bearings. Then we did the “All Black Experience”, which was a rugby and legendary Maori culture interactive experience. Tonight we’ll venture down to the harbor for dinner and then make a early night of it. We leave for the Bay of Islands tomorrow morning.

Auckland harbor area pics. Jim, Teresa, Cher, me

Teresa, Jim, Cherie & me-(a few years ago it was said that 1 in 4 people in Auckland had access to a sailboat)

Sunday, February 8th

144 Islands in this oasis of a bay. Beautiful clear blue green waters. Our boat actually went through Hole Rock and we stopped on a beautiful little island to use the beach and relax. (Otehel Island), Russell was a cool town that would be great to revisit. In total we viewed or visited 8 of the 144.

Zane Grey, an American adventure writer(“Tales of The Angler’s El Dorado”) had a place on Russell Island, as well as one in Australia and Tahiti.

Monday, February 9th Bay of Islands, Paihia

day 2 here

Did a mile to two mile leisurely walk into Paihia from our hotel, watched part.of the Super Bowl and Jim and Theresa needed some prescriptions filled the we dined and headed back to swim and jacuzzi. An early day tomorrow as we head back to Auckland and then on to Rotorua.

Tuesday, February 10th Paihia to Auckland

Fun New Zealand facts: Originally 32 species of flightless birds. Today only 16 remain.

The two Teutonic plates effect the two islands. The Southern plate pushes the North island down and the northern plate pushes the South Island up.

The Bay of islands was the birth place of modern New Zealand. The British(William Hobson) signed a treaty with the King of the main Maori tribe in 1840, making the Bay of Islands the first capital. Before then, the area was a lawless, brothel haven series of islands full of pirates, whalers and criminals known as (“the Hell Hole of the South Pacific”) by sea fairing folk at the time. Hard to imagine because this Bay of Islands is SO Beautiful! This treaty was rife with language that the Maori language couldn’t decipher, this didn’t last long, once they found out they were being taken advantage of by the Brits, and in 1850 Maori tribes rebelled against British forces at their encampment in the town of Russell. This lasted until 1865. The British finally gave up and then moved south making Auckland the second capital.

Auckland is the narrowest bit of land between oceans. Just 1 kilometer or .6 of a mile at the thinnest point of land between oceans (harbors that open to oceans).Of the 5 million people in New Zealand, 1.5 live in Auckland although Wellington is now the capital.

Whangarei Falls

Above theses water fall pics is the oldest public toilet in the North island built by an eccentric artist from the Vienna, who tiled it all and grew marijuana on the roof, but there’s also an art gallery.

The trees and forest shots above are from Parry Kauri Park. Kauri trees( Agathis Australes) are the oldest living, hardest old growth coniferous in all of the south seas. They’ve been dated as long as 2,000 years old. Because they were so popular for boat building, masts and general construction of boat and a fungal disease, they are on the verge of extinction. Called “the King of the Forests* by the Maori, there is a major restoration project under way. To view them in the forest one must have their shoes sprayed and cleaned to enter the park.

Wednesday, February 11th

on the road to Rotorua we visited the Glowworm caves, Ancient Wood carving School and a major Geothermal Maori Sacred space.

local firehouse

Wood carving school

And then a Sacred Maori Geothermal Area

Rotorua is based in a major Geothermal area with steam seeping from areas all around the town. There are three major lakes created from volcanos in the region and the scent of sulfur wafts through the town. More exploration domani.

Thursday, February 12th Rotorua

Agradome

At the Agradome this show and exhibit was surprisingly incredible! The woman who MC’d the show, introduced the many varieties of sheep and the dogs they used was spectacular ! Funny, and educational! How she sheered a sheep, handled twenty some odd varieties of sheep and controlled her three dogs, who in turn control and manipulated the sheep were amazing. And finally, how her dogs even controlled ducks.

Next we arrived in checked out Rotorua and its lakes.

lunch at Pig and Whistle, and lakes Rotorua, Tikitapu, Okareka and Tarawera.

Hot Geothermal lake

Tikitapu (Blue lake) Swimmable , drinkable brilliantly clear clean. Lake Okareka, like a smaller version on Tahoe, surrounded by creative, multi million dollar luxury cabins.

Friday, February 13th Rotorua to Wellington

Huka Falls Hike

Gumboot down where locals throw Wellys

We passed by Lake Taupo, the Largest Lake in New Zealand. we also passed through the town of Bulls, and they managed to work the word “Bull” in every business in the little place.

Wellington

the red cable car

Down on the harbor….we took the Red cable car up to the top of Wellington to get the Panaramic view, and then walked to Wolf and Foxglove for dinner.

Saturday, February 14th Wellington to South Island to Christchurch

We cross the interisland ferry “Kaitaki”, crossing of the Cook Strait at 8 a.m.. Section 7 at the bow of the ferry, the big blue reclining seats, are the bomb!

Wellington to Picton through Queen Charlotte Sound and then Cook ‘s Straight. A very pleasant, comfortable ferry ride through beautiful fjords. The drive from Picton to Christchurch takes you through the Marlborough District, which is the biggest Winery area of New Zealand. The Eastern coastal road runs rough coastline with a few farms but basically free of homes. Just beautiful rocky ocean side.

Christchurch

-423,000 populations, the second most populated city in New Zealand

-the garden, or forest city.

-still remains of what was the British class system

TranzAlpine train to Glaciers

Hokitika, a cool surf, beach town on the west coast with Mt. cook in the background.

Heading to Foxglacier

Fox Glacier has not receded as much as some other Glaciers in South Island like Franz Joseph.

Lake Wakatipu

A country cafe lunch stop.

Flat speed boat tour on river.

Goodbye to Queenstown , Lake Wakatipu and Fergburgers, Hello Milford Sound Te Anau and Fiord

Land National Park

Milford Sound is Magical

And a Kea, Alpine Parrot

Day 13, Thursday , February 19th Dunesin-“Edinburgh of the South”

-120,00 constant population

• Milk and agricultural area
• Born out of a gold rush in nearby mountains
• A crazy University town, based on Uni in Glasgow, Scotland, Otaga Uni

a beautiful train station

great English singer mural

Robert Burns statue

Amigos restaurant

Speights Brewery

Otaga University four photos above

Day 14, Friday, February 20th

Dunedin to Moeraki,, Mt Cook Village, Lake Tekapu

Pacific Ocean and the Boulders of Moeraki

Oamaru

Mt. Cook, Sir Edmund Hillary’s playground

Unfortunately, Mt. Cook was shrouded in clouds

lake Pukaki

Glacier blue waters

Tim, our driver and guide from the Dunedin area

Lake Tekapo, Day 15 Leaving Lake Tekapu, a neon blue glacier lake back to Christchurch and the last leg in Kiwi land

“Ata Marie Koutou ( Good morning to all in the rep/the tongue of Maori”)

Church of the Good Shepherd

a statue in tribute to the Collie dogs that made farming sheep possible.

The talk here of sheep dogs and the wonder of how loyal and smart Kiwi dogs are, and how they saved the sheep farms because they couldn’t survive without them. Some of the best Collie’s were sold for up to $60,000 dollars. And then there’s, our Winnie, labradoodle,… simply priceless.

These photos don’t do the color of the BLUE of all blue waters justice.

Christchurch once again before flying to Australia early tomorrow.

-0ldest city in Kiwiland

-Largest city in the South Island

-“Garden City”, or “Cyclocity”

• Opposite side of the world from A. Coruna, Spain
• Avon river runs through the city

Christchurch, somewhat like SF, after the major earthquake rebuilt itself and is now a very modern city. Before the major restorations, contracted artists to paint vibrant colorful murals to take away some of the depressing scenes of buildings in ruins.

Christchurch to Cairns. and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia 🦘🦘🦘🦘

hotel view in Cairns

We’re heading to the Barrier Reef this morning. leaving 2 minutes from our hotel from Port Douglas to the floating island, where we snorkel, using a lycra suit to avoid jelly fish(stingers). Then a semi-submarine tour, an underwater observatory.

The photos don’t do the coral reef or the water color or clarity justice. I snorkeled for roughly 40 minutes and must have seen 30 to 40 wildly colorful fish, 4,5 turtles and a half a dozen giant clams. And thankfully, no.sharks! Great day on the Reef!

a bird at dinner

Daintree National Park and Rainforest (the second largest one in the world behind the Amazon.)

Creepy crawly critters

Swimming in a crocodile free river in Daintree.

Tomorrow we fly from Cairns, (leaving the Crystalbrook Flynn hotel, Barrier Reef, Daintree National Park & Rainforest, Port Douglas) to Sydney, our last stop on this trip.

Lord Admiral Nelson’s pub and restaurant.The oldest continually run establishment in Sydney.

Sydney

Hokitika

Olivia Jane Lorenc is about to make her way into this world and we, Cherie and myself are leaving for Vietnam, Cambodia on an cruise-adventure-trip from the second of October to October 19th.

I booked this trip over a year ago before Meagan and Ryan wed and obviously before their pregnancy and the upcoming birth of their first child and our first grandbaby. Exciting stuff and sorry we’ll be on the road, morelike, in the air at this momentous occasion.

We arrived in Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City. A pleasant 15 hour fight. I slept for 7, read and watched travel videos, but customs took 2 and a half hours to get through.

For a reason I can’t figure out, my pictures are not uploading.

Since we arrived, we did a walk about seeing the Ho Chi Minh post office, the Notra Dame Cathedral, “book street”, which is a two city block alley with book stalls of books in everylanguage imaginable.

Yesterday, Sunday we had a tour of the city, Saigon by bus. We are now with six friends and joined the Amawater ways group. As a group we lunched at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant and it was stupendous. One of yhe best meals i’ve had anywhere though don’t ask what it all was because I’m not sure! lol

After lunch we visited the saignon war museum complete with USA tanks, planes, helicopters and vivid photos and transcripts of the atrocious times of the war! And then, the most fascinating tour of Vietnamese tunnels that helped protect the city of Saigon. A prominent US 2 star general upon getting the full sophistication of the complex tunnel sytem that covered miles and miles underground said, and I quote: *I saw the first several blocks of tunnels and realized then and there, we could not win this war!”

Tuesday, October 7th

Overnight cruised to Cai Be. Last night we listened to and witnessed traditional Vietnamese music, dance and song and believe it or not, i drank too much. I did manange to hit yoga at 6:30 this morning. Today excursion to historic pre-colonial Kiet House to view priceless ceramics and antiquities. Then we sail to Sa.Dec and small boat through Cai Dai Temple and boar through water market.

Still Tuesday, Oct 7th…interesting facts I’ve learned about Virtnam:100 million people in the country. 13. 5 million people in Saigon

/ Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in the country. 8.4 million scooters in the city. They, locals consider their country Communist with a capitalist economy. They are the 3rd biggest producer of coffee, and rice. Their government has made education a top priority starting with Ho Chi Minh in 1975. Education is free to all. Health and medical benefits will be completely free by 2030. It’s mostly free now. All the Vietnamese people we’ve met so far have been warm and friendly.

As a nation they boarder three often aggressive nations: China, who dominated and occupied them for a 1,ooo years. The Laos, who have attacked and made life difficult, and of course the Cambodians, who terrorized them for years. All things considered, Vietnamese culture and their future looks fairly bright. And we’re.having a wonderful time!

Day 5 Wednesday , Oct 8th

Tan chau. A small MeKong River town un touristed. A traditional “xe-lori”, trishaw ride to silk making and rattan mat workshop. And then a short boat ride to “Evergreen island” to explore Tra Su Forest and sanctuary. These are the bones of the day. I’ll embellish later. Afterwarda, onward to Phen Penh, Cambodia.

Day 6, Thursday, October 9th

We cruise into Cambodia and the capital, Phnom Penh. This is the third day in a row i’ve done yoga on the sundeck at 6:30 a.m. The tiny , 4′ 10ish, 85 lbsish Vietnamese wellness coordinator, Vy is attempting to lossen me and a handful of other clients before we hit the streets touring. She’s incredible! After coffee we visited the Royal Palace, and the spectacular Silver Pagoda, and many other gold statues. During the civil war from 1975 to 1979 many golden statues were taken by the Khmer Rouge. Following that we visited the National Museum and the many Buddha and Hindu statues. Some date back to 12th and 13th centuries. Like the gold snd silver statues in the Palace, many of their historic religious artifacts were stolen and or broken by the Khmer Rouge. They have a massive governmental project of piecing some of these historic statues back together. After the war art historians have found pieces all over Cambodia and other south east asian countries and some have been returned

This afternoon we visit Khmer Rouge’s grim Tupl Sleng ( S21 Detention.Cener) and the ” Killing Fields”.

Tonite’s entertainment will be Khmer children performing traditional dances aboard our AmaDara ship.

It’s crazy what humankind is capable of. Pot Pol killed, massacred between 1.7 and 3 million people. The Killing Field and S21 were incredibly evil and sobering. Like Nazi Germany, the extinction of people… how can it be. This was 1975 to 1979. Like the camps in Germany, this has left me numb!

Friday, October 10th

Our group of some odd 20 people attended a Buddhist Blessing ceremony in one of the largest of the 388 Monasteries in Cambodia. We climbed the 409 steps to the highest temple in Phonon Phen. The spiritual side of a country that has Pot Pol, and the killing fields on one hand, and the beautiful, sacred monasticism of Theravada Buddhism on the other hand.

Oudong is the town that the 17th century monastery. After a lunch back onboard, and changing into one of three shirts I will wear today we enjoyed a Tuk Tuk transport down Monivong Boulevard, Independence Monument, Siganouk Statue, and explored the city if Phnom Peng. 2.4 million scooters and 70, 000 automobiles

We briefly stopped at another impressive monastery, Wat Phnom.

Tonight we dine at the Chef’s Table to celebrate the birthday of a dear traveling companion’s, Theresa.

Saturday, October 11th

We cruise up the MeKong to Oknhatey and the confluence of theee rivers. This is one of only two rivers that actually changes directions twice a year. We will visit a Silk Village, called “Silk Island” and a local school.

Silk Island , located on the lush banks of the Mekong River, is known for its rich tradition of silk weaving. We get a first hand look at the process- from the mulberry – chomping silkworms in cocoons to the complex manuel loom- weaving. We sailed onto Ankorwat a very small agracultural community that also did some silk weaving.

Sunday, October 12th Ankorwat to Siem Reap

After breakfast we did a guded walk around the Buddhist Monastery and agracultural village of AnkorWat. We stopped by a traditional home, built on stilts. Animals stay down stairs and the family lives upstairs. This little community floods during the rainy season, so everything stays dry upstairs.

We left for Siem Reap 10:00 am. There will be a mountain excursion after we arrive following lunch.

Day 10 Monday, October 13th Kampong Cham Siem Reap

Disembarked ship and transfered to Kampong Cham, Siem Reap. Checked into a fabulous hotel. We have an hour until a briefing and then an excursion.

My favorite temple tour, Ta Prohm Temple, featured in Indiana Jones and the Tomb Raiders. 12th century spralling grounds with over grown foliage in among the massive rock structures, and giant trees with roots sprouting in, through and hugging the rock roofs and walls. Known locally as “Kingdom of the Trees”. In th late 13th century and early 13th a million people live in this sacred area along with over a thousand monks. Tomorrow we visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, built by King Suryavarman II also in the 12th century, but this was to honor the Hindu god Vishnu.

37 years to construct, Angkor Wat lived up to its billing. 70,000 Monks lived here in the 13th century and a million people occupied this area in its heyday. The panoramic views from the third and top level were incredible. On each level there were four pools that captured the rain to provide fresh water, cooling and at one point bathing for the King. They also represented the four elements of earth, water, air and wind.

We enjoyed a swim in the pool before leaving for the sfternoon excursion to Chong Knead Floating village, one of theost wel-known communities along Tonie Sap Lake. The lake village clearly shows how these people have lived on this lake for years.

Tonight we have a private Apsara Dancing show before an authentic Cambodian dinner.

Tuesday, October 14th Siem Reap to Hanoi

Mom and I are blowing off the last Temple tour. A bit templed out, but really none could beat the last two temples, both in Indiana Jones “Tomb Raiders.”

Packed up, going to grab some coffee and check out Siem Reap before we head to the airport at 1:30 for the hour flight to Hanoi.

Wednesday, October 15th and 16th Hanoi

A cool city of historic and modern mixed architecture. The French influence is evident and the old district is wild and vibrant and Bohemian.

Viewed oldest Buddhist Pagoda in Hanoi, the Hanoi Hilton- torture prison of the late John McCain and other POWs. And watched an ancient Vietnamese water puppet show.

Tomorrow we head to Ha Long Bay

Thursday, October 17th Ha Long Bay

We left Hanoi by bus to Ha long Bay. First of all, I can’t say enough about Hanoi. The capital of Vietnam, nicknamed a “City of Peace” by UNESCO. Hanoi is one of the most ancient capitals in the world, and it offers a unique combination of East and West with the ancient and the modern existing side by side. Renowned for its graceful colonial architecture, energetic city streets, verdant parks, tranquil lakes and ancient temples, Hanoi offers a range of historic and cultural landmarks.

Ine hundred miles northeast of Hanoi lies one of Vietnam’s most treasured landmarks: the spectacular Ha Long Bay in the gulf of Tonkin. Known locally as the ” Bay of Descending Dragons,” this UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its dramatic cliffs, thousands of islands and Islets, tranquil water and majestic limestone caves. The natiral beauty makes it a super wonder ending to my adventures in Vietnam, Cambodia.

We spent the night on a small but luxurious ship in the middle of this bay surrounded by by little and big sandstone islands. We took two excursions: 15 or so of the us took a very small ship to *Tiptop Island,” where we climbed the winding 500 steps to the top for magnificent panaramic views. Then we swam in the bay to relieve ourselves of the sweat from hike and humidity. The waters were particularly salty and a guide said these waters produce some of the best tiger prawn and other fisheries in the world Later the same afternoon following a lavish lunch aboard “Paradise Elequence” we boarded wven smaller boats in groups of 8-10 to venture into the secret bays under sandstone caves.

As our boat came through to a secret bay, it reminded me of a pirate adventure story where the pirates found this secluded secret bay to hide their treasure. Surrounded by sandstone peaks from 500 to a 1000 feet high we stopped, fliated a marveled at natural wonder. As we looked around, many macaques monkeys flew through the trees, flying precariously above us from tree to tree. Our oar man and guide said it wasn’t unusual to see a macaque fall from these great heights after a fight with another macaque over the best fruit tree, or miss a branch on a flying leap. They would fall 50, even a 100 feet into the water below and swim safely to the sandstone rocks and climb up to their fellow macaques apparently unhurt.

Friday, October 18th Ha Long Bay

After breakfast, we toured the amazing Luon Caves that wind. up and through some of the highest sandstone islands. Cavernous at moments with all sorts of roolck formations created by centuries of water.

We then bused back to one of the cornerstone icon hotels in Hanoi. The “Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, where the likes of all sorts of luminaries hung their hats, historic people have stayed: Literary genius’ such as Sumerset Maumum, Graham Green( who was a war correspond here). Presidents Bush senior, Clinton, and Eisenhower. Putin, Kings and queens and Jane Fonda, Etc…etc the list goes on and on and on.

I really wish my pics uploaded! Six of us adventured to the commonly known “Train Street”, where three times a day a train rolls way too close to the tables, and bars and restaurants on either side of this colorful two block section of Hanoi. We drank beers and hurriedly moved our tables as the train rumbled too near for comfort.

We ended our night in Hanoi with a nightcap at the elequent way cool hotel bar. I had a Graham Green cocktail, some sort of martini with a dish if raspberry sorbet one could had to enhance its flavor.

We flew out of Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City(Saignon, where our trip began) to catch a 14 hour flight back to San Francisco. We Left SF, originally on the 2nd of October to arrive in Saignon on the 4th due to the crazy time difference. This time we left Saignon at 6:30pm on the 19th of October only to arrive in San Francisco at 6:30pm on October 19th. Crazy travel times. Good night.

Cotton House Hotel, Barcelona

Variety of Barcelona pics: cafe, Las Ramblas, Gaudi Creations, street scene…

Cadaques: beautiful harbor- bay, Salvador Dali lived here for 50 years.

Dali’s home for 50 years

Calella de Palafrugell

Calella de Palafrugell is gorgeous. The little beaches and bays are intermittently all along the town. I swam both days a little bit. The water is refreshing cool not too cold. The waves make it difficult to have a proper swim, but I managed to flounder about for a hundred yards or so back and forth. Last evening Ryan proposed to Meagan in this lovely sea town, and they met cher and I after at a small bar over looking the bay in Town centre. We then drank in celebration too much feeling the ill affects this morning. Meagan and Ryan then called her parents, Greg, Vicki, Andrew and her brother Sean from the top floor balcony.

It’s July 5th, 2023 and tomorrow Cher and I fly to London, meet Andrew and Keila at Heathrow and catch a reserved car to Southampton for my cousin? Second cousin? My cousin Helen’s youngest daughter, Lucy and her fiancee, Joe’s wedding.

While waiting at SFO for our evening flight to London I googled the lyrics of “Lucy in the Sky”. Everyone…..sing along:

“Picture yourself in a boat on a river with tangerine trees and marmalade skies Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly a girl with kaleidoscope eyes

Cellophane flowers of yellow and green Tower over your head Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes And she’s gone

(chorus) x4…Lucy in the sky with diamonds

Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers that grow so incredibly high.

Newspaper taxis appear on the shore Waiting to take you away Climb in the back with your head in the clouds And you’re gone.

(chorus) x4….Lucy in the sky with diamonds

Picture yourself on a train in a station With plasticine posters with looking glass eyes Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

(Chorus) 3 stanzas of four lines

Lucy in the sky with diamonds…”

Wedding Day at St. Marys in Southampton. Our little university style hotel, “ROOM2” overlooks a quaint little park which is port side of the harbor where the Titanic sailed from. Today a massive British Ocean liner has docked there. (Picture above.)

Also the old, original hotel, the former South Western Hotel is located in the centre of Southampton within sight of Dock Gate 4, which leads down to Queen Elizabeth II terminal and Berth 44 from where the Titanic departed 10 April 1912. Travelers, who were to set sail on the Titanic, or other ocean going vessels stayed the night at the South Western Hotel before their voyages still stands. (Picture above)

The Wedding of the century !

Happy Birthday to my son Andrew! The day after the wild, incredible musical party. Joe and Lucy’s friends and guests, like Joe, talented musicians all. The bands played for hours and the varied combination of singers and musicians were spectacular. Like being party to a live concert. Many of them played in various bands, and one had cut a few albums and was quite famous in the UK. Joe has begun to work at his recording studio to help create recordings.

I awoke at 11:15.

The following day after the wedding, we joined family and other wedding guests at the Commons, a large beautifully lush green park in Southampton for a leisurely picnic. Later in the evening, we met immediate family in The New Forest for sunday night dinner at a “proper pub” called The Sir Walter Tyrrell. The joyous meal turned bitter sweet and quite sentimental when at last we realized everyone was traveling separate ways afterwords. Like leaving my cousin’s Peter and Maggie after the reception, the night before, knowing we wouldn’t see one another again for god knows how long, tears were shed all around.

C650. King Cenwalh builds first church at Westminster

676. The seat of the Bishop is moved to Westminster from Dorchester-on-Thames

C828. Westminster becomes capital of England

1079. Building starts on Norman Cathedral

1093. Consecration of the Cathedral Old Minster is demolished

C1350-1410. Remodeling on Nave

1536-1539. Dissolution of monasteries

1642-1648. Civil War – some destruction by Parliamentary forces

C1660. Restoration of west windows

1906-1911. William Walker worked on supporting the Cathedral foundation

William Walker was a deep sea diver who because the Cathedral was built near and impart in the middle of a river began to sink. William dover for over five years placing over 25,000 bags of cement to support the foundation from sinking. He dove in an old heavy weight dive suit in total darkness and to the complete amazement of fellow divers who refused. He is credited with saving the Cathedral.

A 28 minute drive from Southampton. The rental car agency was surprised when an agent drove the car around to the glassed from of the building and got out and entered the building, handed the delightful counter woman the fob, she then promptly handed it over the counter to me and walked me out. I then opened the left front door only to again realize the steering wheel was in fact on the opposite side of the vehicle. She laughed and the agent who drove the car around rolled his eyes as if to say, “Good luck to you mate”!

Above obviously Stonehenge, where in 1964 a British Bobby grabbed me by the hand and walked me to my Mom and Aunt, saying “Mam we can’t have the lad climbing on the rocks!”

And the others are Winchester Cathedral and Winchester castle ruins. A grand day of touring from Winchester to Stonehenge and ultimately Oxford.

We had drinks and dinner at The Ivy and it was awesome! Our delightful young waitress was due to enter Cambridge University in the fall even though, or especially because she had lived in Oxford the first 18 years of her life and wanted a change.

( pics above are from Winchester above)

I spent 2 hours walking the various College of Oxford.

The pictures above are all Oxford University and town. One of the 15 libraries I entered was impressive, except for the yacking 37 or more Chinese tourist who dominated the library. I sound racist….maybe I am. They really annoyed me.

We had a crazy day of travel from Oxford to London. Andrew and Keilya discovered that their large suite cases were not permitted on the chunnel train to Paris, so they had to store stuff at St Pancras Station in panic, and Cher and I were attempting to dump our rental car at the St Pancras station and drove around it 5 times listening our asswipe google direction person tell us we missed a turn, or to turn on a one way the wrong way. Ground hog day gone very, very bad.

I was very pleased at how i negotiated the wrong side of the road with a 5 speed to boot. What an absolute delight to finally find the Europcar rental garage and dump the Skoda stationwagon. It did serve us well though.

Tomorrow we’re heading to West Malling, Maidstone, Kent, and cousin Peter and wife Margaret’s home. He has taken me to a wonderfull “proper pub” the last couple of times we’ve met, so I expect that’s what will be doing.

We underground from Kings Cross to Victoria and then took the above ground train from Victoria to West Malling, passing my old home away from home St. Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent, where my Aunt and Uncle Dolly and Chas Cox, Peter’s parents lived. I stayed there countless times from my youth to even my Peace Corps travel days. I can spy their old backyard when traveling the train past St. Mary Cray.

West Malling: Cousin Peter,their home, The Swan Pub we are at:

The Swan, Maidstone

The now famous St. Pancras train station and the HARRY POTTER portal, 9 3/4.

Andrew and Keila returned on the eurostar bullet train that travels under the English chanel at up to 210 mph.

Andrew and Keila fly out today, the 15th of July. Cherie and I have booked a Walking Tour, meeting at Trafalgar Square. No rain today, or so the weather report reads. We have had spectacular weather, a little piddle paddle here and there, but it serves to quell the little humidity there had been and makes for nice walking weather.

Photos of our last night’s dinner at the “Bramston”.

last day in London

Breakfasted with Andrew, Keila and then walked them to Kings Cross tube station and saw them off. Cher and I underground to Leicester Square and walked to se Temple 1, Temple church, and Middle Temple, hoping i could see a connection to the Knights Templars Headquarters in London. Although beautiful buildings on the outside, no access or entry, so we went a pub.

Afterwards we joined the walking tour ” Secets of London.” The guide took us on a 2 hour tour starting at the King Charles I statue in Trafalgar Square. It was medium at best. Here are some of the photos of the day:

Lord Admiral Nelson’s Column

Last gas lamp in London

A variety of shots from our tour and walkabout: From Trafalgar Square, through the theatre district, down to the Thames and the varying statues of famous writers, actors and politicians along the way. To list a few:(Samuel Johnson, Sullivan of Guilbert &, Robert Burns, etc)

“Toodaloo” London 2023 or “Toodles” as Mum would say.

August 12th to August 31st

August 3rd, 2022 a Volcanoe erupted 20 miles from the capital city of Reykjavik and a mere 2 miles from its major international airport. We fly in in 3 days. It’s not the land of Fire ‘n Ice For nothing. No one has been injured, no flights delayed or cancelled, no big deal in Iceland. Cher and I are meeting lifelong friend Tim and his lovely wife Susan in Seattle to fly directly to Reykjavik, and Kevin, another long time friend and his lovely wife Jan are making their way from their hometown of San Francisco to Reykjavik.

I basically joined Tim’s trip plans and went through his travel agent to buy into the complete package from flights, to cruise, insurance and the whole nine yards. Kevin went his own way as he often does and booked a flight, whose airline is now threatening a strike, raisIng stress levels for he and his wife. They should if all goes well, be in Iceland before us. Hopefully all goes well?

Research on Reykjavik: a modern city, great restaurants, nuevo-sheik bars, interesting museums; Perlman, National Museum of Iceland, Saga Museum, Aurora Reykjavik and of course the Icelandic Phallological (penis) Museum.[the only one in the world]!

First stage of our journey is Sacratomato to Seattle on Alaska Airlines. Once there we change planes in SeaTac International for our Icelandic Airlines direct to Reykjavik, Iceland. Starting to get jazzed, I have my books and I’m certain I’ll watch a film or six. Ran into a former student of mine, Scott Davis, an incredibly good guy, who recommended a travel series entiltled “Down to Earth” on netflix. The first episode involved Iceland. In short Zac Efron teams up with a healthy superfood gentleman, Olin, and they travel the world looking for “sustainable healthy” lifesytles. Pretty interesting. Iceland was primarily about geothermal energy and self sufficient energy sources, of which the Island of Fire & Ice has plenty.

There will be many pictures takem along this adventure. This is the only “Before” picture.

Second picture moments later.

Saturday August 13th

Day 1 Reykjavik

National Cathedral – Hallsgrims Church with Leif Erikson statue in front. This is where we met the gang day one, whoozy and jet lagged.

Dining and then drinks on Tim and Susan’s rooftop bar at their hotel.

Cher in front of our hotel, the ION, and the main drag in town. Jet lag won out, early to bed.

Found the perfect birthday gift for our traveling mate Kevin, lol.

Sunday, August 14th

Day 2 Reykjavik – The Blue Lagoon

We wandered about yesterday disoriented and under the spell of a new distant time zone. Had our first meal at a traditional restaurant: salmon, cod and other local dishes, including “Ryebread ice cream”, which although sounding distasteful was actually very good.

We then walked the town, checking out each others hotels: Ours is a quaint hotel on the biggest restaurant, bar, shopping street, Laugavegur, in town, the Ion. Described accurately as followed:

“This 18 room Ion City hotel is located in the heart of Reykjavik, with access to many shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, Ion City is housed in a smartly renovated building, with external walls featuring a motif inspired by traditional Icelandic weaving. Inside discover luxuriously organic interiors defined by Icelandic art, and a palette of gray and white contrasted by warm- hued wooden floors.”

Kevin and Jan’s is the City Center Hotel also in a main plazza of town. They have a balcony view looking back up the same busy street our hotel is on. Tim and Susan’s Marriott is on one of the two harbors overlooking the water and the wild archetecture of the all glassed Harpa( Concert Hall). We took drinks on their rooftop bar with its great panaramic views of the harbor and bay. After a few cocktails we walked across the harbor for fish ‘n chips and sea food soup. (The best fish and chips i’ve had since England, Ireland!).

The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa with waters said to possess healing powers. Its outward appearance is an eye catching cobalt blue with silica like mud high in vitamin, trace mineral content. Pictures will follow.

Monday, August 15th Reykjavik

Day 3

Famous hotdog stand of Iceland

Previous six pics from outside, or inside or on rooftop of Perlan museum.

Random shots from around town.

Kev found a great restaurant, Snaps! After we had a traditional aperitif, Brennivin, at another bistro. Brennivin’s nickname by locals is “Black Death”. It wasn’t bad. A taste like Evaclear(sp) with a hint of licorice.

Kevin took it upon himself to give each person in our group an Icelandic nickname. He was Leif, as in Erikson, i think? Oh hell, it’s late. I can’t remember what the others were. It was funny at the time.

I need to thank Phyllis and Francesca for recommending the Perlan Museum. It was a definite highlight! And a shot out to my dog park peeps: Bobby, Isow, John, Nate, Jill, Karen… I hope no crazy visitors lately!?

And while thanking people, thank you Andrew! Hope Winnie hasn’t eaten too many of your socks, or God forbid one of our couches? Pethaps Ry gets off today?

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Tuesday, August 16th

Day 4 Reykjavik to board the ship

Had an interesting day busing to three National Parks. Our trip was delayed because the Grayline tour company picked travelers up from various hotels in Reykjavik. This took awhile and one nasty Amerca couple demanded that they get off the bus: ” We are outta here!” The crabby woman yelled. And her husband followed with,”This bus wouldn’t even be legal in the states!” I’m not really sure what he was referring to? Minutes later the bus roof started leeking and the driver and the tour guide attempted in vain to fix it. The delays just kept coming. When finally we hit road for the tour, our guide, who was a transplant from New York since 1995 and very knowledgeable, decided to add another stop as a treat to make up for all the delays. We would stop to see and pet the Icelandic horses. They are little horses that apparently are the only horses in the world with 5 distinctive gates. They are cute. At that point another ugly American marched up the aisle and in a loud and obnxious fashion announced: “I am allergic to horses and if I had known we were stopping for horses, I would NOT have come on this trip!” So the driver drove on without stopping to see the little horses. A sad collective “ohhhhhhh” went up from everyone else in the bus.

At our first stop at the magnificent water falls, our guide emphasised the absolute time we needed to be back on the bus. Little Miss Crabapple, who was allergic to horses, ambled back 10 or so minutes late holding up everyone else waiting in the bus. She bitched that the driver had moved the bus. This was true but only a few feet away from where it dropped us, and our bus had a huge Icelandic flag on front, making it unmistakeable.

The tectonic shift area with a river and lakes all around was spectacular. So was the series of WaterFalls although the wind was incredible at the falls. Lastly, the geothermal pools and Geyser were well worth it as well. A great day!

Thursday, August 18th

Isafjordur

The little town above has been struck by avalanches numerous times over its history, killing 20 out of 200 citizens in 1920, and 14 more 10 years later. A bar maid at the brew pub we stopped at was working on her PHD in avalanche preparedness. We walked to find Waterfalls that a woman at the information booth said were an hours walk away. We never found them despite over a 7 mile hike. It was beautiful though.

If you look closely at the mountain pic above, you can see avalanche breaks. How they were constructed there is anyones guess. A master feat of engineering.

Friday, August 19th

Skagafjordur

We walked about with not much to this little town. Climbed to a high point with panaramic view. Today was a relaxing, restful day. Tonight we have reservations for a specialty restaurant aboard ship.

Saturday and Sunday, August 20th,21st

Akureyri

Cher and I went to check out the newest port town and ask about excursions. We walked right into a vender, who introduced us to Arman, a local guide, who just had two seats left on his eight seat suv. He was delightful and as it turned out cheaper than those tours booked on the ship. He was born and raised in Akureyri. Well educated, he spoke of many Icelandic subjects: volcanoes, geothermal occurence, the myth behind the naming of The Garden of the Gods Waterfalls, and the lava fields and the electric plant that is fed by under ground lava.

Sunday, August 21st

Husavik

Husavik has become a centre of whale watching in Iceland due to whales of different species that frequently enter the bay. The Husavik Whale Museum is located in the middle of town by the harbor. Income is derived from tourism and fishing, as well as retail and small industry. Husavik is also an export harbor for silica that is extracted from nearby lake Myvath.

“The Story of Fire Saga,” starring Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, and Demi Lovato was filmed in this little town. Greta Salome, a high energy singer, violinist, who played for us as entertainment on our ship, sang the theme song of the movie,”Husavik, My Home Town.” It won an academy award nomination. She, Greta, is also a two time representative from Iceland in the European Music competition.

Oh, bye the way, I came down with pneumonia. Walking and hiking around at the Water Falls, and the geothermal pools in the blustering frigid winds caused my little illness. I paid a visit to the ship doc, who took blood, xrayed my chest and have me a ton of drugs. Just a few doses and i’m feeling much better.

Arman, our previous guide, had some interesting quirky details about Icelanders. “We are very direct in speech and action and use thank you commonly but not please.” And a crazy Christmas myth, legend, lie: “if in December children misbehave, or don’t get some clothing for Christmas, the Wild Cats of Iceland will eat them.” A bit harsh don’t ya think. Arman said the wild cats rate right up there with Santa Claus.

Monday, August 22nd

Seydisfjordur

Seydisfjordur is a town in the Eastern Region of Iceland at the innermost point of the fjord of the same name. Beautiful. Remote even for Iceland because the road connecting it to the ring road and the rest of Iceland travels over a mountain pass and is frequently closed due to snow.

In 2020 Seydisfjordur had a series of devastating mudslides that buried half the town. The miracle was that there were zero deaths and all 659 people in the area survived.

Tuesday, Wednesday, August 23rd, 24th

Crossing the Arctic Circle North Sea

We have left the incredible, almost undescribable beauty of Iceland: breathtaking fjords, thermal pools, geysers, majestic waterfalls and rough moonlike volcanoes and lava rock beds.

Two days at sea is allot, but for myself, my wife and our great dear friends, time to sleep, recover and re-energize for Denmark and Copenhagen.

Friday, 25th, Saturday 26th Copenhagen

Wonderful Hans C. Andersen’s waterful Copenhagen. On the anniversary of our great friend’s Tim and Susan’s first meeting! And Winnie, our pup, although “pup” doesn’t really seem appropriate for a 67lbs labradoodle. Nevertheless it’s her third birthday today. I miss ya cutee!

Copenhagen Day Two

Day 3 Copenhagen

Yesterday we walked the city a bit: Little Mermaid, Royal Museum( Queen’s Jewerly), Newhaven( colorful houses on busy canal) and had an open face sandwich with a few Tuborgs.

Today Christainsborg Castle, kongerness Samling,…Rosenburg Palace…

National Gallery Museum

Last day in Copenhagen

Great day at Tivoli garden and the Kayak bar. Heading state side early tomorrow. Good bye Denmark!

Sac to SF to London to Antwerp, Belgium March 11th, 2022 past? pandemic?

Our long awaited river cruise is finally here. After Cher tested positive the day before our Italian trip, we held our collective breathes awaiting the covid test results. Both negative, and away we go tomorrow. This is a travel excursion organized through the Mother, Connie, of a brew master at Logoff Brewery in Rancho Cordova. In fact, most of the travelers who will be on board the Amaprima Waterways vessel are from Sacramento. At a glance it appears to be a motley looking crowd, but I haven’t met any of them yet, so in fairness I must reserve judgment.

We returned to our hotel Mercure after a late night stroll and a long 24 hour travel day. Survived the hard part. Buona Notte!

Gent, and Bruge pics

script and story tomorrow. buona notte

Gent, Brugge, Antwerp, Brussels…. touring, beering, sight seeing.

The complications of Belgium; 6 governments: sandwiched between Germany and France. A culture of high end chocolate, sophisticated beer, crazy good cuisine, and a high end art culture with a mixture of architectures that is captivating.

Tuesday, March 15th Bye, Bye Belgium hello Amsterdam, Holland. Next 4 pics are iconic Antwerp train station:

the symbol of Antwerp, which is a hand looking at it one way, and a dove of peace looking at it the other.

interactive, and cool. The Heineke experience, as they call it, I had been to 47 years ago with lifelong childhood friends: Casey, Tim, and Kevin. It has changed dramatically. It’s interactive experience with all sorts games puzzles, videos and sports to engage chidren and adults alike. Quite cook really.

Wednesday, March 16th on board Amaprima. We took an interesting canal boat excursion. Some of the sights were Ann Frank’s home, Rembrandt’s home and museum, the Opera House, the flying homes, which are leaning in different directions, and the maritime museum.

Below some of the thousands of bicycles stacked and locked in racks throughout the city.

Our ride down the Rhine. Room #230 on Port side towards the rear of the boat.

Friday, March 18th Cruising the Rhine Gorge

Everywhere Castles….

Rudesheim Coffee house: a special blend of locally made brandy, local chocolate, whipped creamed coffee lit on fire. Served in specialty shaped mugs to prevent burning ones hands. Great fun!

Onward to Ludwigshafen after a wild night in Rudesheim. Saturday, March 19th

Sunday, March 20 the Strasbourg.

Last evening after dinner there was much dancing, singing and oh surprise, surprise……drinking. Jim, the brew master at Logoff, held a beer tasting in the lounge. We tasted the array of beers from the breweries we had visited. Strasbourg Cathedral, the Ill River and the romantic, picturesque town itself. Once French, then German, the French again, then German, and at last free, relatively free Alsace. Home of the European Union and the Human Rights International Court.

Cher with her best bud, Albert Schweitzer

Above area known as “Syphilis” corner n medieval times before recreated as middle class neighborhood

Monday, March 21st Breisich, Germany with walking tour to a major sparkling wine region and enchanting “Most Beautiful Town in Germany”.

GOLFING ACROSS AMERICA: from smoke, fire, pandemic, social unrest, lack of justice and equality to the seat of it all….our Nations Capital. Sacramento to Washington D.C.

Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 fires ravage the West Coast. Parts of Washington State, Oregon and throughout Northern and Southern California. Smoke hangs in the air like the sign of the moapocalyptic times of COVID 19: the social unrest and the justice sought in the “Black lives Matter” movement in the United States.

28 major fires burn in California alone. The death toll for COVID 19 nears 200,000 people in the US, and the social unrest among Americans at the senseless killing of Black Americans grows. A good time to beat feet out of town and drive across this massive continent, remaining socially distant, and masked up and golf along the way.

• From my smokey Northern California home….

Fire, pandemic, social injustice…..

Day 1. Sacramento to Wendover, Nevada. 8 hours

The sign read “Welcome to Wendover”. Kevin kept saying we reached “Bendover”

Above Kevin my petrol attendant. Below the hazy grey smoke and the edge of town. We didn’t stop to take pictures because everything looked so shitty.

8 hours of extreme smoke grew worse and worse as we crossed the valley from Elko across the Ruby Mountains. It lightened up slightly when we reached Wendover. As one looks down at the small valley town of Wendover, you see the Utah salt flats on the other side of town and in fact across the boarder from Nevada to Utah. A sliver of a town with three notable casinos and not many people to be seen.

Our Nugget Hotel Casino was the perfect setting for a B murder mystery film. Food at the Paradise Restaurant was anything short of paradise. Before we left our room and walked the crazy psychedelic patterned orange and grey and black carpeted hallway, we noticed there was no remote for the tv in our room. Kevin called down to the desk to ask for a remote to be sent up. When we returned from dinner, Kev found the delivered remote and tried to turn on the tv to check the weather and local news. It didn’t work. He assumed the batteries were bad and called down to say the remote was dead, and would they bring up another one. Minutes later a kind gentleman brought up another new remote. To our chagrin that remote didn’t work either. Kevin called back complaining that the second remote was faulty as well. The gal at the desk said, “Well, we can send up another remote but the cable has been out for about a week and the TVs don’t work.……WTF.???? Are we in the twilight zone? We leave Bendover early tomorrow morning.

Bye Bye Bendover, Wendover, Nevada Day 2. Wendover to Park City(golf), to Rawlins, Wyoming 6 hours driving time

Rose at 5:30 zero dark thirty to drive to Park City, Utah for a 9:03 tee time. We drove through the Bonneville Salt Flat racing area and salt flats along Salt Lake through the Wasatch Mountains. 7:10 the orange smoke soaked sun rose over the Wasatch range. The Utah side looked rocky, craggy with little to no vegetation, whereas the eastern side tree line with much greenery. Played golf at Park City Golf course, which was awesome and the two guys John and Doug who we were paired with were fantastic guys.

Following golf we drive 4 and 1/2 hours uneventful and barren wasteland territory through to Rawlins, Wyoming, which turns out to be a quaint little river town of 9,267 people at 7,000 feet elevation.

And a couple photos from Wendover City, Nevada (We had dinner at the Paradise Grill recommended by our hotel in the Montgomery Bay Resort and casino, which was horrible. Kevin was initially disappointed there were no card tables in action.

Day 3. Rawlings, Wyoming(gofled at Rochelle Ranch golf course), on to Gothenburg, Nebraska
Driving time 8 hours

Rochelle Ranch course was 5 minutes from our hotel. Another great course! Literally a green oasis with pristine greens and incredible fairways. All in the middle of the brown craggy 6 to 7,000 foot elevation dust owl desert like plateau of Wyoming. This was in fact the only green we witnessed in Wyoming. Finished in 3 hours. Very few golfers on the course, but the quaint little town of Rawlings has 9,000 inhabitants, and the entire state only has 578,000 people.

Drove across Wyoming leaving the course at 1 o’clock and arriving in Gothenburg, Nebraska at 9 pm. We drove past Laramie and Cheyenne from brown pancake flat plateau with little to no vegetation, a few wind turbines, to the consistently boring Wheatfields of Nebraska and into the Central time zone.

Kevin and I have shared the drive, each driving for roughly two hours before switching. We’re following Highway 80 all the way and through Wyoming and Nebraska it’s straighter than a midwestern arrow. You set the Cruise control at 75, 80 mph and one almost forgets they’re driving it’s so straight. Tomorrow golf early and then onward to Riverside Iowa.

Day 4. Gothenburg, Nebraska(Wild Horse golf course), drove 80 500 miles past Lincoln, Des Moines, to Coralville, Iowa City(the home of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes).

Wild Horse……Gothenburg, Nebraska

Wild Hawk is our third wildly magnificent golf course. Again, the fairways were spectacular and the greens definitely the fastest and best manicured I’ve played. That is not to say I played well. We were joined by Cliff and Steve, who were Nebraskans. “Go Big Red”!!!
Cliff was also a member of Wild Hawk, but lived in Omaha 3 hours away to play the course. Steve, his friend also resided in Omaha. They helped direct our play: landing areas, distances and the crazy tough greens. Nice guys and they tolerated us.

Thus far, the little towns we’ve stayed in albeit quaint were void of much. For example, when I googled best restaurants in Gothenburg, Nebraska, in the top five were McDonalds, Burger King and a donut shop. And understandably, few live in this town or the entire state for that matter. 1,934 million Nebraska. Wyoming has only 578,759. And Iowa, the big time 3,155 million, but I get it.

While Kev drives I spend time researching these new towns, cities, golf courses we will visit next. Fun facts about Nebraska: More miles of rivers than any state. Nebraska state has more underground water reserves than any other state. Original Nebraskan name came from Oto Indians meaning “flat water”. Birthplace of the Reuben sandwich. Oh, and I could go on…..

Golf involved wind blowing 20 to 30 mph the whole round. Cliff and Steve said yes predictably 20 or more daily. I almost blew over on one Teed shot. And our 500 mile drive was corn, corn, corn more corn with an occasional silo, and flat,flat,flat and extremely boringly straight. Oh, before I forget highway 80 follows the Platte River for miles and miles. And no wonder that the 4 big Trails heading west follow the Platte too: the Californian, the Mormon, the Oregon, and the Bozeman trails run on different sides of the river.

Tomorrow golf at Blue Ridge Golf course in Riverside Iowa. Good night now….

Day 5. Sunday, September 20th Blue Top Ridge at Riverside, Iowa… then thru Iowa, Illinois, skirted Chicago eastward past Indiana to Toledo, Ohio

I had a very bad day! It began with a recurring nightmare I’ve been having since my 2015 trip to Spain when I walked the way and brought 4 novels by Arturo Perez-Reverte to read along The Way. His main character, Captain Alatriste, is a swashbuckling hero who protects King and country, prince, queen and damsels in distress, serves as a spy, and this is woven around the real life history and figures of 17th century Europe.

Anyway, three or four times in Spain having walked 20 miles + during the day and undoubtedly finished the night night with a fine Spanish meal and some red wine, I would fall into a deep sleep and in dreamland fall into the misadventures and the character of Captain Alatriste and fall out of bed fighting an assassin or some villain.

And so it happened has evening. I fell into a deep sleep and somehow became the Captain and jumped straight up on my hotel bed to avoid a sword being swung at me, so I jumped off the bed to illude my nocturnal villain, and in the process landed hard with my left foot flat on the floor and my right foot smacked awkwardly against the wooden suitcase bench at the foot of the bed cutting up two toes and possibly breaking the toe next to my big toe. That wasn’t enough… In the total blackness of the room I sought the hotel door and then coming out of my nightmarish stupor I couldn’t find the bathroom door, or light switch anywhere. Kevin woke up to direct me to the bathroom door.

Hitting the light switch and looking down at my bloodied and battered foot, I realized I may have broken it. Too tired and confused, I peed and went back to bed. The night clock flashed 3:15am.

The Blue Top Ridge was another good lay out and tough course. It backed up to a Casino mall though, which was not as aesthetically pleasing as the other 3, but I’m spitting hairs, it was nice.

It was packed and extremely slow. We waited on virtually every hole. I was over it at the end of the first 9, when already limping around with my right foot throbbing and my hip bugging me, my left golf shoe blew out.! Hitting a 5 iron from a hill about 170 yards from the pin on my follow through the sole on my left shoe detached from the shoe, hanging on by an inch or so at the heel. I flopped around the second 9 each step Charlie Chaplin style in “The Gold Rush”.

Thankfully we shared a cart or I would have cashed it in after the 9th hole. Nonetheless, a forgettable round for me.

At 3:15 pm we were back in the car to highway 80, out of Iowa to Illinois, skirting Chicago, through Indiana and on to Toledo, Ohio.

We passed farm after farm, corn field after corn field although in Eastern Iowa the geography grew a bit hilly( ever so slightly) and speckled with a few more trees, less barren. In Illinois even more trees and more cars and trucks. It was about here when I realized I had left my ipad in our golf cart. 400 and some miles after leaving the course, so I write this on my cell phone and won’t have any pictures today. Do weird and wonderful bad and worse stuff happens in 3’s????

Fun facts:

We drove by Ronald Reagan’s birthplace in Peoria, Iowa and ….

“Holy Toledo”…the city use to be known as “the glass city” because of its large glass manufacturing.

Population- 290,000

71st largest city in US

4th largest city in Ohio behind Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Lastly, Home of the Detroit Tiger affiliate the Toledo Mud Hens.

Good night now! Hopefully my nemesis, pirate, or assassin or villain doesn’t enter my dreams tonight.

Day 6. Monday, September 21st. ( Toledo to Burlington, Vermont- via Cleveland, Lake Superior, Pennsylvania, upstate New York to Burlington, Vermont -12 hours

We drove out of “Holy” Toledo at 8:49am. No golf today, just a long day in the rent a car driving north. It is a blessing though because my foot is a mess, although it has supplanted the pain away from my hip.

“I’m like a one legged man in an ass kicking contest.” (That one’s for you Bobby, Charlie.)

I phoned Blue Top Ridge golf course and indeed they had my ipad. A supervisor, Bob, a really nice gentleman, will arrange to have it packaged and sent to Fair Oaks. On another positive note- no nocturnal phantasms visited me in my dreams last night.

Here are a few pics from the drive:

We entered and exited 5 different “turnpikes” today. I remember my father talking about driving turnpikes when we lived in New Jersey and he worked in Pennsylvania, I believe. They, turnpikes, were the brainchild of Mr. Shocknessy, a prominent attorney known for his civic endeavors and 1st Chairman of *the Ohio Turnpike Commission.” First operational in 1956, over 60 million vehicles have used the turnpikes.

Another noticeable feature of highway 80 throughout our drive from Iowa on has been the impressive rest stops: clean bathrooms, restaurants and travel information all within one large structure. Somewhat like the freeway stops in Europe.

Fun facts about Burlington, Vermont

-43,000 residents

• Ben and Jerry began ice cream empire in Burlington
• Nicknamed “the Queen City”
• 3rd largest lumber port in US
• 1st naval battle of revolutionary war, when 15 US ships were destroyed by 25 British vessels
• Canal between Lake Champlain and New York’s Hudson River
• annually celebrate the “festival of fools”, an event dedicated to the age old tradition of busking.
• 1st international hockey match featuring Canada vs US. Canada won 3 – 0.
• Feel the Burn – Bernie Sanders was mayor from 1981 – 1989

Vermont is EXTREMELY serious about the pandemic. Kevin and I were turned away from our first hotel because we were required to isolate for 14 days since we came from California.

Good night from Vermont!

Day 7. Tuesday, September 22nd Burlington, Vermont a rest day

The last day of summer and traveling from Cali, which is what locals here call our state and I find it kind of annoying. One would not guess last day of summer. The rather is 58°s with a brisk wind is blowing off Lake Champlain. It is sunny and semi bright, the smoke from the west coast has made it’s way east.

I spent a good deal of time doing my Tim McCarthy hip exercises before showering. I then drove to a Dick’s Sporting Goods store to replace my floppy broken golf shoes. I’m hoping to play tomorrow.

Kevin and I then traveled to Church Street”, the trendy bohemian part of the cool hipster part of Burlington. It boarders the University of Vermont, which I found out is not really U. of V. The University of Vermont really is suppose to be Universitas Viridas Monties, translated means The University of the Green Mountain. Who knew, and who really cared?

The quaint little town encompasses the University and you see students everywhere in the coffee houses, reading and writing. The campus is “mostly open” and many classes are held in normal fashion while others remotely. I mentioned yesterday that Vermont takes the pandemic Extremely Seriously and we got bumped from one hotel for not isolating for 14 days prior.

Kevin went for a run and checked out Burlington while I iced my toe and foot and read. I picked up a book by a local writer Howard Frank Mosher, who wrote a fictional novel about the far reaches of Vermont, that is the farthest part north east. It’s entitled “God’s Kingdom” and that is what this far off area is referred to.

Here are a few pictures of Burlington:

lake Champlain

Kru coffee house

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Harbor area

Day 8. Wednesday,. September 23rd Burlington, Vermont( golf at a mountain course Killington) , and then on to Hartford, Connecticut

The Killington Mountain course was gorgeous and equally difficult. The greens had angles and undulations I’ve never seen before. To roll off a green was common place and to stop a putt nearly impossible. We joined two 30 year old local guys, Eamon and Trent. Both good guys and comparable golfers to us. We had fun. The leaves in the trees are beginning to change colors. As barren as were Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa, UpState NY, Vermont and the corner of Massachusetts, and Connecticut are treed up to the max. Full forests everywhere. Tomorrow we head to Washington, DC for the final round of golf, meet Kev’s brother, Paul and arrange train travel back to California. I must say I’m tired of driving. Here are some pics of Killington Mountain course and our drive from Vermont, thru Massachusetts to Connecticut.

Day 9. Thursday, September 24th. Hartford, Connecticut to Washington, DC( the last drive)

Our last drive, a 5 hour drive by way of Connecticut, Massachusetts, NY, Delaware, Maryland and finally Washington, DC. No golf, no nothing. Just bringing the horse to the barn. Checked into a hotel and went to Kevin’s brother’s home for a nice crab cake dinner. We’ll play one final round of golf tomorrow with Paul, Kevin’s brother, book passage on an amtrak for California, and hope to catch it Saturday morning. No pics.

Good night now.

Day 9. Friday, September 25th. Washington, DC.

Last night we dined with Kev’s brother, Paul, who I’ve know almost as long as Kevin, and his lovely family: His wife Debra and two of his three daughters plus a fiancee, Eamon. An extremely nice group as one would imagine of the Reilly clan. Kev’s the only orney one in their family. lol

Just as I write this Kev, who has a sleeper upstairs, came down to my room like the ill-fated hazmat team and sprayed disinfectant all over my 5′ x 6′ sleeper room. That has been one of the funniest aspects of travelling with K. We enter a hotel room and he sprays volumes of disinfectant everywhere. When I try to pick up the hotel phone or the tv remote, it’s like a slippery bar of wet soap. Puddles of disinfectant remain even the next day when we check out.

We caught the 4:05 out of Union Station Washington, DC, and are due to arrive in Sacramento 3:30 Monday. I asked the train waiter,(sleeper guy) if the train normally arrives in on time, and he replied:”It has once or twice before.” Where’s Mussolini when you need him.lol

A few pics of DC and an Irish pub that Paul met Kevin and I at across from Union Station. The Dubliner.

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Yesterday we left DC at 4:05 and arrived in Chicago at 8:37 the next morning. The Zephyr, our train westward, didn’t depart until 2:00 pm, so Kev and I did a walk about the Windy City. Here are a few pics:

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Sunday, June 23rd Day 7 86 k or

A typical bike lane through a small town.