1996 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles California USA

      We were spectators at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. We have attended several around the country, but my most vivid memory is of the Long Walking race on a hot and humid day. The gun went off and the walkers began around the track several times and then exited out on city streets. There were other events and they had to stop as the walkers began to come back in. The winner received a hearty welcome and things went back to normal. Other events occurred. After a very long time there was an announcement. The events stopped. A walker - well behind the pack and obviously last came into the stadium. The crowd went wild.  We all stood and cheered as the walker limped toward the finish line where he collapsed in pain and dehydration. We has carried out on a cart to the roar of the folks. He was last, but he finished. A great celebration.

The Columbia River - Washington State, USA

Photo take from the "Washington Stonehenge" along

The Columbia River between Oregon and Washington USA.

Drive out along the northside in Washington from Vancouver and

back to Portland from the Dalles or Hood River.

Great Day Trip  

 

Union Square, San Francisco California USA

            I have lived most of my life within an hour or an hour and a half by car from San Francisco. Around here it is known as "The City".  We don't call it "San Fran" and certainly not "Frisco".  We speak of it with reverence.  It is unique and generally a pretty place. I volunteered there, worked there, was educated there, and serve as a driver there. It has many of the same issues of every big city, but you can forgive them because of the special "aura" of the place. It is warmer in the winter and you may need a sweatshirt in the summer. You can eat well and get around on the buses. Parking is always a problem. It is fun. It is adventure. It is interesting.
 

Political Awareness in Europe

            In the United States our news rarely runs political commentary on happenings or opinions in Europe. In Europe, the people see information from around the world.  Their TV networks are inclusive. Their newspapers, like the Scotsman published in Edinburgh, run news from around the world along side the news of their locale. The photo I took of this editorial is just one example.
 

Train in Tuscany

The trains are comfortable and timely in Tuscany.

However, you need a back-up plan in case of a strike or walk-out.

 

The Louvre - more than three things to see

            When we have been in the Louvre - usually most of a day - we see folks who have set aside an hour or two go running (fast walking) by us on the way between the three more popular things to see. One is the Mona Lisa and the others are Winged Victory and Venus De Milo. These folks miss so much. Besides, these three pull in huge crowds and make them hard to see. I am not suggesting people stay out of the Louvre if they only have a few hours, but those hours are better spent on one floor and in one section that has been planned in advance. As for the big three - look them up on the internet and see more of them.

 

FaceTime

            Call your cell phone carrier a month ahead of time and arrange for international calling. They may send you a SIM card that is usually activated the day before you leave.  Or, you sometimes can get a SIM card in an airport upon landing. We have iPhones and while we do use our network, we also use FaceTime on WIFI. It doesn't cost anything and most hotels and Airbnb's have WIFI. It is nice to see a friendly face.  On my wife's last trip to Italy, she used FaceTime. Set your phone time to include your destination as well as where you are calling.  In this last case, my wife was in Tuscany and I was near San Francisco - a nine hour difference. Sometimes it is another day. 
 

Barcelona Security Guard

Just outside Park Guell.

 

Castle at Durnstein along the Danube

The ruins of the castle overlooking Durstein and the Danube looks to be an interesting visit. 

Probably true, but it is a long way straight up.

 

Normandy Battle Site

            While touring the cemeteries and battle sites of Normandy, we were taken from place to place in this vintage personnel carrier. It gave a small insight into what some things were like. Certainly there was calm and beaches were clean, but the visit is a solemn experience.  We laid wreaths at the America Cemetery and again at Omaha Beach. We got to Normandy by cruise ship from Paris. The change of mood was obvious in our group.