Morels

Exploritas (aka Elderhostel) hosted a morel mushroom program in Tustin, Michigan for four days beginning the day after we returned to Romeo from our visit to Snoqualmie.

On our first full day we had talk about wildflowers on the 160 acre grounds of Kettunen Center, then went on a walk looking for them. Incidentally, Kathy found the first morel on this walk. After lunch a prof from MSU gave introduction to mushrooms, including the elusive morel. Then off to a couple sites looking for them. The group of 15 of us found some but certainly not as many as we would have liked. That evening we tasted our morels used in a cooking demonstration.

Tuesday and Wednesday we began the day birdwatching, listening and then trying to locate the birds . After breakfast Tuesday a northern Michigan farmer explained how he cultivates mushrooms to supplement his truck farming income. Kathy won the log that he demonstrated his shitake mushroom spores inoculation--we should have our first harvest next summer. That afternoon Kathy and I took a long walk through the woods while others worked on canoeing and kayaking.

Wild turkeys was Wednesday morning talk with demonstrations of various calls, habitat, and display of stuffed birds.

That afternoon, after the program close, Kathy's friends who were in the group followed us down to Emerald Lake for a visit on their way home.

We had great fun, enjoyed meeting others, and learned much on our first Exploritas program.

And on the Sea

After we settled in our cabin and dinner, the cruise ship left Seward with us on deck.  The room seemed small but adequate for us since we spent our time on deck, in port, at the theatre, and listening to musical performers.  The next day at sea the ship pulled up among small icebergs as close as safely possible to Hubbard Glacier's six mile wide face.  A beautiful sunny day we saw eagles soaring and harbor seals sunning themselves on the icebergs and swimming alongside the ship.

On Sunday we docked in Juneau set between the mountains and the sea.  We walked up to the Alaska State Capitol for a guided tour, then past the Governor's House only open to the public for the annual open house around December 7.  Up a steep climb we found the House of Wickersham, a Victorian manor lived in by the man responsible for Alaskan home rule, the Alaska Railroad, the University of Alaska, and Mount McKinley National Park.  The guide summoned us in even though the house is closed to the public on Sundays. On our walk back to the ship we saw St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church and the obligatory saloon (Red Dog Saloon).  As we walked about we noticed the abundant lush vegetation and that most cars are older and smaller (the same throughout our stops).   That evening we sat "fore" and watched as we sailed through some straits.  

In Skagway on Monday we took a historic walking tour from the Klondike National Historical Park Visitors Center.  Gold.   That afternoon we boarded the narrow gauge White Pass and Yukon Railway for a ride up to the pass climbing alongside the turbulent Skagway River before summiting at the border between Alaska and British Columbia where we saw ice still on the river and deep snow alongside the track, and flags marking the border.

Tuesday we were "tendered" to Icy Strait Point shore.  After walking along the rocky beach and nature trail we walked into Hoonah, the largest Tlingit village in Alaska.  Along the way we saw eagles, one eating its fish lunch atop a piling and others perched in trees.  The town was different from the others:  houses were modest, roads were narrow, jewelry stores were absent, fishing harbor looked ordinary, boats looked used.  This is the fifth season of cruise visitation for the village and they permit only one ship at a time--I hope it does not change too much over time.  Refreshing.  That night we had a formal dinner of lobster followed by Baked Alaska.

We walked about Ketchikan Wednesday where we took a bus to see collection of totem poles--short stop, too commercialized.  Back in town we visited a museum and stopped in their library for 15 minutes of free Internet.  The stores are beginning to look familiar so back to the ship and a snooze on deck. 

After a day at sea seeing beautifully forested mountains nearby on either side we reached port in Vancouver, passed through immigration and customs, and were transported to our hotel.  We along with Bill and Ginny from Alabama took a bus to University of British Columbia Botanical Gardens, a collection of at least seven different gardens including an Alpine Garden arranged by continent, and A Walk in the Woods.  Especially interesting was the Physic Garden displaying medicinal plants (Bill is a pediatrician and Ginny a nurse).  That evening we had our farewell dinner as we followed Game 7 between Detroit and Pittsburgh intermittently in the bar.  After that we strolled a while finding near the museum a countdown clock for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

We arose at 2:30 am Saturday morning for our taxi ride to the airport.  Eight of our group were aboard the 5:40 am flight to Salt Lake City.  Upon arrival there Kathy and I read on the departure board that our flight to Detroit was cancelled (the other six were off to Newark).  It took several conversations to learn we were rebooked on a 3:00 pm flight affording us five hours of unscheduled airport touring.  After our somewhat bumpy flight to DTW we arrived home close to midnight.  Bring in the bags. Tired.  Happy.  Great trip.  Good night.  We'll start the laundry in the morning.

...To Shining Sea.

We visited Alaska on a twelve-day tour that included a land portion from Anchorage to Denali NP via motor coach and train, then motor coach to Seward.  There we boarded our ship for our cruise that stopped in Juneau, Skagway, Icy Straits Point, Ketckikan, and Vancouver.

We arrived in Anchorage late Tuesday afternoon and, after checking in to our hotel, walked about the downtown area passing the official starting line for the Iditarod Dog Sled Race, a world class stuffed Kodiak bear, and a memorial to Alaskan statehood, then met our tourmates at dinner.  With light streaming in the windows until near midnight (4 am Romeo time) we resisted sleep.  Though we know about the increased daylight, the experience was sensational, sitting up with light through our window so we could read until near midnight.

Wednesday morning we rode to Telkeetna.  There the Telkeetna River and the Chulitna River join the Sustina River.  Along its banks we got a panoramic view of Mt. McKinley (Denali) with Mt. Foraker,  and dipped our hands into the cold water to scoop up flour rock, the fine sediment deposited from glacial runoff.  Walking back through the town we found a small cafe with bakery in the historical district (downtown) that served wonderful cinnamon rolls--should have bought two.   We boarded the Alaska Railrod train in Telkeetna for Denali Park.  The rails followed a river winding its way up to Denali Park.  Here our hotel sat on the banks of the Nenana River and because we had no air conditioning we left the doorwall open for cooling and for the white water noise which lulled us into a sound sleep.

The next morning we took the Denali Natural History Tour into the park where we saw young Grizzly bears playing in a meadow beside a stream not far from their mother, Dall sheep high up in rocky terrain, caribou, moose, and ptarmigan on the side of the road; a rustic, still used ranger cabin; and of course Denali.  For two full days we have viewed the "the great one", seen only about 20% of the time because of the fog, rain, and clouds, but for us 100% of the time.  That afternoon we were driven back to Wasilla for the night.

Our first stop on Friday was at a sled dog training facility run by the family of Joe Redington, Sr. who founded the Iditarod Race in 1973.  Kathy took a ride on a wheeled sled pulled by sled dogs--MUSH.   A short ride later along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet we stopped at Begich-Boggs Visitors Center from where we can view Portage Glacier, walk along Portage Lake, and touch floating glacial ice. We then rode in the Kenai peninsula, back and forth between mountains, to Seward where we boarded our cruise ship later in the afternoon.

From Sea...

After flying into Manchester, NH we had lunch at a little restaurant recommended by the host at our B&B in Manchester.  We wanted to walk about the city but succumbed to the 90 degree temps and drove to Concord to see the state capitol building and the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium and discovery center.  Much of the center is hands-on student activities, just what I can imagine McAuliffe would have wanted.  (We came to find out later that Becky, Mike's new wife, has a brother who had McAuliffe as a teacher and her dad knew her from his business.)  Later that night we went to an IMAX theater to see Star Trek.  

The next day we we joined at breakfast by a couple from Wisconsin, originally from Michigan.  She grew up in Detroit--east side like me--and did her student teaching at Utica High School.  How many degrees of separation?  Afterward we walked down to the Merimack River, around the Millyard area which has old red brick textile mills now being used for offices and housing.  Then through downtown Manchester and a bite to eat at a diner.   We visited the Currier Museum and took a tour of the Zimmerman House, one designed by Frank Lloyd Wright--o much like the lake house.  After that we drove to York, Maine for lobster dinner with Mike and Becky, their families, and many of their friends.  Kathy was in seventh heaven with the fresh seafood.

Saturday morning we walked from our resort into downtown Ogunquit with the obligatory tourist shops, restaurants, and pubs.  The wedding was nearby at Clay Hill Farm.  Mike and Becky wrote the service which was performed by a close and longtime friend.  Met Mike's wonderful neighbors from D.C. and some of his longtime friends at dinner.  Then the music and the Eschenburg clan eventually changing into some comfortable clothes and doing the alligator which has become a tradition being passed down to another generation.  Afterward we relaxed with a walk on Ogunquit Beach reached via Marginal Way, a paved walk along the ocean edge overlooking small coves and inlets, and cliffs punctuated by the crashing waves on the rocks.

We visited Cliff House resort where Kathy spent summers giving workshops to educators in the northeast.  The cliffs are high, the rocks are large, the setting beautiful. Then a drive up the coast.  We eventually reached Old Orchard Beach that seems to be for teens and young adults with its carnival atmosphere.  On our return we stopped in Kennebunkport for lunch and a walk in scattered light showers.  We did not try to find the Bush compound but a few in our group quite by accident did.  We meandered back through some of the off-coast countryside and relaxed outside and read before joining the Eschenburg family for a night of pizza and pop and laughter.  

Before we broke camp Monday we walked to Perkins Cove along Marginal Way in the opposite direction as before--just as breathtaking in this direction.  Our drive to the airport took us along Shore Road through York Beach, downtown Portsmouth, NH (which was busy with people everywhere), then a walk in the historic district of Exeter, NH's Revolutionary War capital where we passed a house that predated the RW by about 70 years.  Then to the airport and home.

Great fun with a great family!!!

All Childish Things

was the name of the play we saw Thursday afternoon at Boarshead theatre in Lansing.

  

Set in Cincinnati, this comedy follows three childhood friends and one provoking girlfriend (played by Molly Thomas, daughter of Kathy's colleague) as they try to commit the crime of the century...robbing the warehouses of Kenner Toys where the mother load of "Star Wars" figures can be found.

Dave, computer programmer and avid "Star Wars" fan, plans the heist from his mother's basement (where he still resides) with the help of Max, Carter and Kendra. When things go awry, friendships are tested and each faces the most important decision of his life. Not even light sabers or Jedi knights can save the day for these "Star Wars" geeks.

There really are men so interested in Star Wars--we could tell from some of the laughter at lines we did not understand--and I can imagine they also introduce a new generation to it.

In addition to the play we toured the Michigan Capitol, our first visit there in many years.  Because of 9/11 visitors cannot use the main entrance through the massive wooden doors up the grand staircase (we tried it and the doors were locked) but instead at ground level never intended for visitors.  It is still an impressive site with the dome 160 feet above the rotunda and house and senate chambers in the wings.  Sound like the U.S. Capitol?  It should and so should many other state capitols after the Civil War because their architects took their inspiration from it.

We followed our self-guided tour with lunch at Clara's, an old railroad station that still has trains passing alongside on their tracks converted to a restaurant.

In this beautiful sunny fall weather we were able to park the car at the theatre and walk to our destinations--we had hoped for more shopping in the downtown Lansing area but our walk along those streets took us past mostly restaurants leaving us time for the capitol tour.

Weekend Warrior

Kathy and Brenda went on a Longaberger baskets trip to Dresden, Ohio with Jan and Patti.  They left by bus Friday morning (had to meet the bus at 5 am) and are returning tonight (Saturday) about 11 pm.  Kathy and Brenda went before and had a great time--I am sure this trip will be great also.

That left me to fend for myself.  So I sandwiched errands around our usual Friday breakfast.  That evening I went to Sterling Heights to see Romeo play Stevenson in football.  It may have been my first time back to Stevenson football since retirement.  Saw some staff that I worked with including Tracy Bigelow who joined the science department about seven years before I retired.  Kathy was Tracy's kindergarten teacher and she knew her parents who worked for Troy Schools.

I left in the fourth quarter with Stevenson ahead by 19.  At the time it seemed they had control of the game and I was getting a little cold.  As it turned out Romeo came back to go ahead late in the fourth quarter only to have Stevenson score a touchdown with 6 seconds left to hand the Bulldogs their second straight defeat after opening the season with six straight wins.

Stopped for coffee on my way to Oakland University for their version of Midnight Madness.  They gave away Golden Grizzlies caps to the first so many in attendance.  University staff were introduced who threw tee shirts into the crowd.  Teams of three with one being a student had a three-point shooting contest for gift certificates. A tumbling team from the Pistons along with their mascot dunked after launching themselves from trampolines.  Sports teams were introduced.  An athletic supporter donated $5k to the Grizz Gang, the student section.  Individual basketball players were introduced, alternating between men's and women's teams, then the coaches and their staffs.  The teams took the floor with the women's team putting on a 3-point shooting exhibition and the men's team showing off their dunking skills.  My main reason for going was to see Blake Cushingberry, freshman from Romeo. 

Saturday I got some chores checked off my list.  Friday I noticed some damage to an insert in the front bumper of the Cadillac and upon inspection realized it was from the raccoon I hit returning from the lake last week.  The parts were easy to reconnect by lining up a slot with a tab and pushing them together.  A crack in some plastic underneath is not noticeable.  Thought at first the damage was greater than what it turned out to be.  In addition I watched some of three blowout football games--first Purdue, then Michigan State, and finally Michigan.  Not a good day for my teams.

Kathy and Brenda must have had a good time because it's nearly midnight and I hear them laughing as they bring their shopping bags up the walk.  It's showtime!

On the Avon River Again

Jim, Sandy, and we went to Stratford, Ontario for two days of theater. We left Wednesday morning and returned Thursday evening.

Wednesday afternoon we had lunch at Bentley's, our traditional gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. Then saw the premier production of Palmer Park. Palmer Woods is a residential area in Detroit (it's called Palmer Park in the play) with large, elegant homes. Some are English Tudor, others colonial, and a few Frank Lloyd Wright. Rather expensive. Homes to the wealthy before there was Birmingham. In 1968, after the Detroit riots of the previous year, a young white family moves into one of the homes because white flight after the riots has depressed the housing costs. They become friends with black family neighbors. The story tells of how they try to keep the neighborhood and school stable amid pressures otherwise and their relationships with neighbors over the next five years.

I was afraid, after the story line, that we would be preached at about race relations in Detroit, but that was not the case. Great acting made this a memorable performance. Our first time at the Studio Theatre, newer and smaller than the others with three-sided seating around the stage.

A light dinner followed that evening by The Music Man at the Avon Theatre. Jim and Sandy saw it earlier in the season and enjoyed it so much they wanted to see it again. I would also see it again.

Thursday we killed the morning reading and walking about a shopping mall, then had a light lunch at Fellini's. The afternoon performance was Cabaret which Kathy and I had seen in Detroit but was new to Jim and Sandy. Afterward we drove back to the States and chatted about the three great performances we had seen.

Now to plan next year's trip.

Traveling the Great Northwest

On Wednesday we took the Amtrak train from Seattle, where the train station is being renovated, to Vancouver which has a fine train station adjoining a bus station.  No problem with immigration and customs in Canada (on the train we saw cars lined up at the border checkpoint).  Not far from the Vancouver station is their Skytrain light rail system that took us to downtown.  It's interesting that there are no turnstiles.  Buy your ticket from a machine and board the train.  Notices are posted that you must have a fare receipt and I suppose some people cheat, but they must figure the savings in personnel and construction must outweigh losses in revenue.  The train is underground in downtown and we exited our station to walk about four blocks to our hotel

Our room overlooked the harbor and we could see float planes take off, land, and taxi to their marina below us--they are used to taxi people about the region and for sightseeing tours.  And a cruise ship got underway while we watched, backing out of its slip, then heading off toward Alaska.  Fascinating.

We walked along the sea walk, past the float planes, and eventually reached a marina with some very large boats.  One in particular caught our attention and another visitor with his two daughters told us he worked for the owner who is a self-made billionaire and had been on the boat once for a meeting.  He said it is nicer inside than what it looks outside.  One hundred fifty feet, at least.  Some of the other boats we saw are for sale and prices ranged from about a half million to  about one and a half million--but that's Canadian dollars I am reminded.  Later we grabbed a quick snack and went to an IMAX movie.  Next day we walked to the Gastown section of the city, saw the famous steam clock toot noon, then toured a classic Chinese garden in Chinatown before our return train trip to Seattle.

Thr following morning we walked to Qwest Field to buy tickets for the Tigers-Mariners baseball game, had lunch, then entered the stadium in time to see the Tigers take batting practice.  We became some of those folks we notice standing in the first row watching their favorite players and snapping pictures.  A couple rows in front of our seats were a couple and their two boys who were Tiger fans.  We found out the dad was back from Iraq about a month after a 15 month tour.  We had a great time though the Tigers lost.

Saturday we picked up Brenda from the airport and, on our way to James' house, we visited the Museum of Flight.  Planes from all eras of flight, an old factory restored, and some space flight memorabilia.  The highlight was a walk aboard a Concorde and an Air Force One.

The next day we left for Lake Chelan located east of the Cascade Mountains just west of the Columbia River.  We drove a northern route on US 2 through Stevens Pass (we returned to Snoqualmie Ridge via I-90 through Snoqualmie Pass) pausing to walk a trail to a waterfall and stretch our legs in Leavenworth; some compare it to Frankenmuth but there are important differences like not having its main street through the center of town.  On to Wapato Point Resort and our condo for the week.  Amenities include outdoor pools, a great view, beaches, and many water recreations such as jet skis.

The lake is 55 miles long and we took the Lady of the Lake boat trip from Chelan on the southeast end to Stehekin, a town of about 80 with only water access, on the northwest.  Great scenery, relaxing ride.  When the boat arrived we took a narrated tour (aboard a school bus) to the 312 foot Rainbow Falls.  We left the tour bus on its way back to Stehekin to eat lunch at Stehekin Bakery Company.  After lunch we purchased some goodies to take back to our condo and walked the two miles back to the boat landing where we visited the shops and National Park center.  On returning to Chelan we had dinner and then to the condo.

Another day we rented a boat and  toured some of the lake and had a mid-lake picnic--very comfortable for nine of us.  A little chop in the water kept us from wandering too far toward Stehekin.

We swam, hiked, played Wii games, and played with the boys.  James grilled and we ate out.  The ladies took the boys into town to see the movie Wall-E and eat popcorn and drink soda pop. We found geocaches along the Columbia River on a day trip north from Chelan to see some of the small towns there, and on our way back to the Ridge.

Joey joined us for a couple days--drove over from Spokane the day after one of his bicycle races.  We talked, went to the local coffee shop (this is a resort, not camping), played with the boys.  We were all glad to see him.

On our way back to Snoqualmie Ridge we saw forest fires still burning along the Columbia and the black remnants were visible for miles along our route--something we do not see in Romeo. Then close to Snoqualmie Pass James gave us coordinates to his cache and we found it in a park where we walked past rapids and a waterfall.

Spent Sunday night at James' and the following morning with Amy and the boys (she took her folks and Brenda to the airport earlier in the morning) and walked to get our coffee and rolls at the local Starbucks. Kathy and I left for our flight home.

A great trip.  A week with the whole family--fantastic.

Our National Parks Tour 2

Wild Horses Couldn't Stop Me

But they did. On Mesa Verde. Kathy and I were returning from an evening walk after dinner. We noticed a pack of wild horses grazing just to the right of the walkway--the Indians who own them willingly allow them to roam so they can feed on the grassy mesas. The leader saw us, moved over to the walkway, all the time watching us, and then was joined by the others. Seemed territorial--and much bigger, stronger, and faster than we are.  We backed down the walkway, then walked on the roadway to the left passing them as they continued to graze.  We could then watch the setting sun as we made our way beyond the horses to our room.

Impressive Geological Sites
Spires in Monument Valley--some can be seen in old John Wayne movies. Those are full size cars--not toys--on the trail!

Geysers, hot springs, paint pots (mud pots), and fumaroles in Yellowstone. Bison (background) love the warmer region--surrounding the geyser basin was snowcover to a depth of about 4 feet.

Man-Made Wonders

The cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde NP were occupied from about 1200 to 1300 AD.  And visited by us in 2008!  

Kathy is coming out of one of their kivas.

Glen Canyon Dam generates 1500 megawatts of power for the region.

Majestic Beauty

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Tetons

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Red butte at Monument Valley

Windows and hoodoos at Bryce Canyon

Wildlife

Bison at Yellowstone

California Condor at Grand Canyon

Mule deer off our balcony in Mesa Verde

Where next?

Our National Parks Tour 1

It's A Small World.
We landed in Albequerque and were greeted by our tour director, had lunch with Cordelia from San Francisco, and met up with the rest of the group later. Nancy came up to me and, seeing we were from Michigan, asked where in Michigan and I told her. She said her husband was from a small town in Michigan, EVART! And so Ron and Kathy got aquainted with each other and though they did not know each other, they had many intermediate connections.

When Rain Turns White
We walked parts to two rim trails. One was at the Grand Canyon and the other was at Bryce Canyon. Both walks were between 2.5 and 3 miles along paths wide enough for two people to pass with no guardrails and the cliffs beside us. Each step gave us new stunning views of the scenes below--the grandeur of the Grand canyon and the pink-colored hoodoos of Bryce. On both walks we encountered beautiful but brief snowstorms dusting our trails.

Rubbing Elbows
Santa Fe is now the number two city in art sales in the US, but we were more interested in standing at the end of the Santa Fe Trail marker in a corner of the Plaza.

Park City (Sundance Film Festival) might be the trendiest city in Utah. We liked the Utah Olympic Park outside town where training and competition take place in ski jumping, ski aerials, bobsled, luge, and skeleton.


Jackson, Wyoming has a Christie's real estate office--isn't that a "tell" for pricey real estate? At street corners without traffic signals, take the red flag to show you want to cross the road, walk with it to the other side, and place it in the rack for another pedestrian to use. To top it off, Dick Cheney's helicopter flew over our hotel to signal us he was on his way to Jackson Hole Airport to board Air Force Two.

Things Were Looking Up

We crossed this thousand-foot bridge built across Glen Canyon to supply the construction of the dam.  

Inside the dam an electric generator was being replaced.  A 10-foot step ladder can be seen before the uninstalled turbine.

From the floor of Zion Canyon, along the Virgin River, we found a geological formation named Alter and Pulpit--the river makes Zion NP a green oasis in the high desert of southwest Utah.

Unusual Dinner Location.



In Salt Lake City, after we toured Temple Square and saw the Tabernacle,




we went to Lion House, one of Brigham Young's homes, where the church has a cafeteria-style restaurant called the Pantry.  Good food, historic locale.

Salt Lake City

Had dinner at a restaurant in Lion House, which was one of Brigham Young's houses. I'm sure the cafeteria style service is different from when he had to feed his wives and children!!!

Walked the grounds of Temple Square, visited the Tabernacle with its great organ. Demonstration of the acoustics showed how ripping paper and dropping pins and a nail could be heard without amplification throughout the entire building.

Desert Southwest Basketball Trip

On Wednesday, March 12, Bade, Dupuis, and I arrived in El Paso to bright, sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. We had lunch at a local Mexican restaurant with Gerry McCool who graduated from Stevenson HS in late 70s. Gerry played basketball at Central Michigan, went to Chicago to podiatry school, and eventually bought the second office from his original partner in El Paso. After checking in to the hotel we took a ride along the Transmountain Road that crosses a mountain on the edge of El Paso, seeing beautiful desert mountain scenery. Later we visited UTEP to see the Sun Bowl and Don Haskins Arena--beautiful setting cut into the mountains.

It's a small world. I was making small talk with another guest in the hotel elevator. Eventually he asked me if my name is Jim. Well, yes, then if my last name is Reagan. He is Bob Langham who Brenda knows very well in the business world and was in El Paso on business.

Jeff McCool drove in from Hobbs, New Mexico to join us for the week.

Thursday we drove up to Las Cruces, NM to New Mexico State University for four quarterfinal games of the Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament. Winners followed the seedings. Attendance was light except for the last game of the day when host NMSU beat Idaho (located in Moscow where Joey lived). This is where Jeff played his college basketball. We met up with Dean Carmichael for dinner and the second session; Dean is a former student at Jeff's junior college who Jeff mentored mentored and now teaches in Las Cruces.

The next day we drove up to Albuquerque. Mountains on either side and desert as far as the eye could see. Four hours and nothing but desert. Actually we went through Albuquerque to Sante Fe and after seeing the state capitol had lunch on the square (plaza) and then drove back to Albuquerque. That evening we attended a college baseball game at Isotopes Park, the home of Albuquerque's AAA baseball team, between U of New Mexico and UNLV. Glad I took a jacket since the temperature dropped about 10 degrees in the hour after the sun set. Later, Mark Golda, who taught at SHS with us twelve years ago before returning to Albuquerque, joined us at the hotel for war stories and a nickel-dime poker game.

Saturday morning found us at the first of eight high school basketball final games, both boys and girls, played at the Pit, UNM's famous basketball arena. Jeff and Jim stayed for all eight games, but Ken and I took our breaks from the action. After the last game ended (Jeff's Hobbs team beat Clovis for the 5A championship) we went to get a bite to eat. And in this college and hotel area most restaurants were closed, including Fuddruckers and Burger King--amazing. Not yet ready for bed we took a ten minute drive to Sandia Casino where I lost playing video poker -- get this Brenda -- one whole dollar. Here's an industry that is flourishing! New casino, new hotel in the middle of the desert.

Sunday we drove back to El Paso through a sandstorm. Driving winds kept us from relaxing at the wheel. When we took our pit stop we got sand in our eyes and mouths. We got back early enough so Jeff could have a lot of daylight for his return trip to Hobbs. Watched a bit of the NCAA tourney selection show, then had dinner where Brenda recommended, Dominic's. Great food and ambiance. I now know why she likes this place.

Great weather through the whole trip except for the winds--sunny, temperatures from 40s to 70s, We returned Monday to 30s and snow still on the ground in Romeo.

A Week on the Ridge

Our first stop after Amy picked us up from Sea-Tac Airport was a shopping center. I left my belt somewhere in the security area at Metro Airport--took it off to pass the screening and did not pick it up. It was quite worn and needed to be replaced anyway. So I bought a new one at Macy's. Ate at nearby Bahama Breeze and then on to Reagan house on the Ridge. Boys were still sick (flu) or just getting over it. But all were in good spirits though they needed to still sleep to fully recover. Weather would turn out to be great for the whole week--sunny every day getting warmer each day.

Monday. We hiked some local trails and took the boys to a local park for swinging, sliding, and climbing. James did some work from home since he did not feel well enough to go into office. In the evening James introduced us to Guitar Hero, an electronic game where Kathy and I played guitars, beat some drums, and sang some lyrics. Spencer joined us but Garrett was too tired and slept through our concert. Only drawback for me was the songs are all too recent--from the eightys!!! Nothing from the Golden Age of R&R, say mid-50s to mid-70s.

Tuesday. A trip to Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma. Spencer especially liked the penguins and Garrett the monkeys and reindeer. A wonderful zoo, great walkways to exhibits, informative signs. I especially liked the marine exhibits which focused attention on the north Pacific and Puget Sound.

Wednesday. We drove up to Smoqualmie Pass for some sledding. Snow depth up to second story of houses. Found a Sno-park and the boys took their sleds up and down the hill. It was warming to about 40 so the snow was getting slushy and slow but the kids had a ball. We ate a late lunch at the restaurant at Summit Inn where the windows were blocked with snow and icicles you couldn't get your arms around.

Thursday. Into Seattle to Dick's Drive Inn for burger, fries, and shakes (only drawback is no special orders like 'ketchup and onions, hold the dill pickles'). Then to Green Lake Park for picnic and playground fun. Spencer loved the merry-go-round. A father wore himself out spinning it 'round and 'round to the delight of several kids in addition to his two (he was careful that the kids did hang on). Garrett liked monkey bars and slides. The day was cool, perfect for active kids. Great, large green space on Green Lake in north Seattle with diverse visiors. On the way home we stopped at a Lego store so Spencer could spend some of his Valentine gift money from Grandma and Grandpa; he got a couple pieces he has had his eyes on.

Friday. Spencer and Garrett took long bike rides with us. Our route took us to Starbucks for breakfast, then to Amy's neighbor's scrapbooking store. We stopped at a couple parks on the way home. The boys loved riding their bikes in the cool and sunny winter weather. For dinner we met James at the Crab Pot restaurant in Bellvue, a seafood eatery we went to a couple years back. Great food.

Saturday. Kathy came down with flu-like symptoms so a visit to Mount Rainier was scrapped and she slept all afternoon, evening, and night. Bike ride to a park, swinging, climbing, and running around was followed with pizza for dinner.

Sunday. Kathy was feeling much better though certainly not nearly 100% when we left early in the moring to catch our flight home. She tollerated the flight quite well, sleeping much of the way. Driving from Metro we had no snow on the ground until Shelby Twp, then deep remaining snow in Romeo.

A great trip with lots of different activities and fun with the grand kids.

Slip Slidin' Away

The trip from Romeo to Detroit Metro Airport was the longest we'd ever made.  It took us twice as long as usual.  Got up at about 4:15 am on Sunday to check outside--forecast was for freezing rain.  Nothing yet.  Then a half hour later I decided to back the SUV to the garage door.  Skated down the driveway to the SUV, ice covering everything.  It doesn't have to be thick to be dangerous.  We left about an hour or so earlier than we planned.  Got onto Van Dyke and traveled between 20 mph and 30 mph down through freezing rain to Warren-Sterling Heights border.  There we found roads had been salted so we could increase our speed to about 45 mph.  Onto the freeway system.  But wait!  "I-94 is closed near the airport and will not reopen soon.  Downed power line."  So a slight detour.  Closer to the airport temperatures rose, salt was more effective, so I could relax some.  Finally made it.  About two and a half hour drive.

Passenger crowds were heavy, heavier than I expected for a Sunday morning.  But then, some families may have had the week off for mid-winter break and others were just starting theirs.  After that, things were uneventful.  Arrived to sunny, 50 degree weather in Seattle.

Christmas Week With Brenda

We had a great time at Brenda's. Christmas day, of course, we just lounged around, ate dinner, opened gifts, and watched some sports.

We traveled to Stones River National Battlefield. Reenactments of the battle were staged, cannon were fired, "soldiers" explained how they felt and what they thought. A tour of the site gives a sense of the enormity of the battle, the condition of the terrain, and difficulties posed by the cedar woods.




A short way from the encampment of tents, soldiers, cannon, rifles, and wagons is the Stones River National Cemetery which has the oldest Civil War monument--quite impressive. We found a William Reagan from Indiana and an Albert Corey from Illinois listed among the buried. This experience gives me pause to reflect on how much so many have sacrificed to build this nation into what we are today.



The Nashville Zoo was bustling with zoo-goers--infants, toddlers, and kids, young people and older, all out on a cool, cloudy day to see the animals. Impressive zoo. I especially liked the Bengal Tigers, Meerkats (shown below huddling together in the cold), Grant's Zebra and the Toco Toucan. On the grounds is also a carousel and the old homestead of Grassmere. Not yet finished, the plans look to make this an outstanding zoo.



We did some shopping with Brenda and helped select some new furniture and furnishings. We did some geocaching later one nice day but had time for only one find.

Saw Purdue beat Central Michigan and the Titans beat Indianapolis Colts to qualify for the playoffs. In addition Nashville hosted the Music City Bowl between Kentucky and Florida State and for several days bracketing the game we saw fans of both decked out in their colors.

The time went by so fast, but Brenda reminded me that I gained an hour going down so it shouldn't seem that bad.

Return To The Great White North

and about a foot of snow. Far less than that at the airport but about that when we got to our driveway. Fortunately for us Leo, our neighbor across the road, had finished clearing his driveway and had partially cleared ours when we drove up. "Park in our drive until you finish yours." Thanks Leo.

We were about an hour late leaving Nashville on New Year's Day because (we found out through Brenda) other flights were late getting to Detroit earlier so our plane was held to accommodate some of those passengers. Our shuttle driver to pick up our car told us the previous midnight snow was fantastic--flakes the size of silver dollars, family and neighbors out in the middle of the night tossing snowballs at one another. (Might some libations have caused an exaggerated sense of size?) Quickly cleaned off the wet snow on the windshield and rear window and headed home stopping for a bite to eat. We thought the reports we heard in Nashville of 14 inches of snow in some areas were exaggerated. Not so. The farther north we traveled, the deeper the snow.

We talked about how beautiful the white blanket was and how much we look forward to snow. We must be crazy Northerners.

Hey y'all.

A busy fun week with Brenda in Nashville working hard together completing many projects and tasks, and playing hard.

• Shopping for furniture for her hobby room and then assembling it.


• Shopping for a sofa but having to settle for love seats because getting sofas up the stairs might be impossible, then finding some love seats are also too big in one dimension. Taking the love seat to the garage for pickup by Salvation Army.


• Fixing a plumbing problem that just happened--a fill valve would not close.


• Being around for some workers to repair nail pops and drywall cracks.


• Geocaching and grabbing a few, and also finding a homeless man in a woods we were bushwhacking and decided to not return that way.


• Cutting back plants for them to overwinter.


• Making drapes and hanging hardware.


• Hanging a fabulous wall sculpture.


• Dining out.


• Watching football and baseball, and being glad the Lions had their bye week.

And missing the tornado producing storms on our drive home. They were to our west on a north-south line stretching from Alabama to Michigan, but the whole trip we managed to stay east of them and got home hours before the tornadoes were spawned in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan.

Stratford on Saturday

We saw an excellant performance of An Ideal Husband, Oscar Wilde's skewering of genteel Londoners. Great acting, great seats, great company, great weather, great food.

We left with Jim and Sandy early Saturday morning, picked up Bill and Dorothy in Marine City, and crossed the Blue Water Bridge after a short delay. We arrived to bright sun and cool temperatures in the 60s and strolled some of the downtown Stratford, Ontario streets before our lunch at Bentley's Restaurant in the heart of Stratford. Their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches are not to be missed. Off to the Festival Theatre (there are four theatres in Stratford) to walk their gardens before the performance. We found a beautiful fall-blooming crocus that we intend to put in some of the flower beds next season.

On our return to US customs and immigration, after a much longer wait, the officer took our passports, asked about our travel, and then wanted to talk to Sandy. He is a former student of hers who spoke fondly of the books they read and the trips they took, especially to Meadow Brook Theatre to see A Christmas Carol. Such a small world.

Ten days in the northwest

After the Lions' victory over the Vikings we spent the night near the airport, rose at 3 am, shuttled to the airport at 4:30, and boarded our flight on Frontier Airlines to Denver. Changed planes for Seattle where Amy and Garrett picked us up.

The days were busy. We walked Spencer to school in the morning and home in the afternoon with Garrett accompanying us on his tricycle--up hill both ways!. Some days we stopped for morning coffee and a muffin or cinnamon roll on the way back. After school we all went to Spencer's soccer matches and Tae-kwon-do classes, then geared down with baths and showers, video games, and reading children's books together.

We took Garrett to Pacific Science Center in Seattle to see their dinosaur exhibit and an IMAX 3D about dinosaurs where Garrett sat with his feet straight out, munching his popcorn and sipping his drink, watching the tail of a dinosaur tail appear to swipe near our noses. Another day Garrett took us to Snoqualmie for a train ride and four train-related activities hosted by volunteers for the Northwest Railway Museum.

Our hike to Snoqualmie Falls was exciting--trees two hundred years old lying beside our trail, views of the valley through breaks in the trees, several varieties of slugs and beetles, benches to sit on and have our snack and hydration break with a view of the falls, and a return trip culminating in a challenging (for me) four hundred foot climb from the rail-trail up to their neighborhood playground.

We did find time to follow the Tigers' attempt to recover from their post-All Star game slide, Michigan's defeat of Penn State, MSU can of whoop-a__ they opened on ND, and the Lion debacle in the City of Brotherly Love (none shown for the Lions)

Landscape changes will be noticed--moved some things, trimmed others, and set many new plants (Kathy, mainly). Spencer and Garrett both love to play outdoors so we took them to parks and their backyard to swing and climb structures.

Learned about how to use a computer to help manage geogaching waypoint and cache information, and then used the info to grab a few caches (missed a few, too). And used a Skyscout to locate given stars and constellations, and, conversely, to identify them.

When we were ready to return, it was clear and sunny at the Reagan house but Amy returned from an errand to tell us she heard of flight delays out of Seatac airport. We checked and our flight was moved to an hour later. As we drove we could see the fog over Seattle that caused it. Mostly we had seen clouds in the mountains and clear below, but this was reversed. We did not mind because our layover in Denver was originally over three hours. (We purposely did that to accomodate everyone's schedule.) Smooth sailing home--not much traffic from Metro Airport to Romeo at 2:30 in the morning.

Great trip, had a ball. It's always good to be home.

A trip to camp

Earlier this year Leo and Marci asked us if we would be interested in the 2007 Mackinac Bridge since this year is the 50th anniversary of its completion. It's something we've wanted to do for a long time so we said, "Yes."

Leo and Marci picked us up at 7 am Sunday morning. We were on our way to their cabin near Posen. Had breakfast in Hillman where we were served by the daughter of a relative of theirs. Their cabin used to be much more primative but Leo's dad renovated it into a two story, three bedroom (plus a bunk room), two bath house. It's used during the summer and especially during fall hunting seasons. We relaxed outside on the porch swing, chatted and drank some cool beverages. We drove to Presque Isle where we had a fine dinner overlooking Presque Isle marina, walked through some woods from the marina to Presque Isle light, the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes at 100 feet. Retruned to the cabin through Alpena and went to bed early because we were to rise at 4 am Monday for the bridge walk.

On Monday, we walked the bridge. It took us a while to get out of Mackinaw City after the bridge walk due to traffic congestion--seemed a little disorganized for such a big event. Stopped for lunch in Cheboygen, then Marci's sister, Rita, and her husband, Merle had everyone over to their house for dessert. In the evening, just before dusk, we arrived at Marci's brother's camp. They had numerous bear sightings and thought we would want to see one. It was nearly dark when we saw a moderate sized black bear enter camp. After a few mnutes it left, but we had our exciting sighting.

Tuesday we drove home taking first US 23 along Lake Huron through many small towns. Lakeside houses ranged from small to large, new to old, and interspersed with resorts and rental cabins. Some beachfront property, especially with the rentals. What I find most striking is the apparently good economic status of the region. Downtowns are well maintained with few vacancies. Economic health is also reflected in houses in this northeast quadrant of the lower peninsula which seem to be well cared for. They are in great shape, good repair, in contrast to those in the small towns around Emerald Lake and in the UP. Stopped at a couple interesting stores having unique furniture and accessories. Kathy fell in love with a corner stand so we bought it and rearranged the gear so we could cart it home. Dinner at Whitey's in Davison and then home.

Thanks to Leo and Marci for a great time.