California and Oregon Beaches

     We live near the beach - both in Oregon and California - which is a blessing. We often go to Cannon Beach or Seaside in Oregon or to Half Moon Bay or Pescadero Beach in northern California.
      In the summer it is cooler at the beach as the inland areas heat up and the air rises drawing in the sea air - and often fog. The best time for the beach is the spring and fall in Oregon or in northern California it is the winter. The latter is true for San Francisco. People will say that they want to come to San Francisco in the summer to get some sun. Not very likely. Come in the winter: smaller crowds, warmer weather, and lower rates. The photo above was taken at Pescadero Beach, California.

Balmoral, UK - Near Ballater

Balmoral Castle is located near Ballater, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on the River Dee.  It was one of those places high on our  "bucket list" (I need to come up with another descriptive term for that list.) We came in from the north from Inverness, through the highlands. It was part of a great circle drive, clockwise, around Scotland. We stayed the night at Ballater and visited the local Kirk in the morning. We arrived at the castle just about the time the gardeners were finishing up. Balmoral, like all the Queen's places, has an admission charge. You will see only a small area inside, but the stables, garages, gardens and river are worth the visit. In the picture above, that is Marietta McLellan walking down the path toward me. This is a must see for Anglophiles. 

The Dolomites

   
     We rented a Mercedes-Benz in Verona from Auto Europe and drove north to Lake Garda, Trento, Bolzano and then into the heart of the Sud Tyrol. The Dolomites had been a goal of mine for many years. I had read about them and marveled at the photos I had seen. The above photo is one of the first taken as we climbed one of the many passes on our way to La Villa where we were to stay for just short of a week. Our day trips took us to more and more beauty. If you are looking at this on a desk top you can see the village(s) dotting the narrow road down the valley. On a laptop they may only look like specks of white.
     While not granite like Yosemite National Park near where we live, the cliffs and crags looked much the same -- only they go on valley after valley, pass after pass.
     This is a place that could have been invented by Tolken or Speilberg. Marvelous.
     I'd like to take credit for this photo, but it was taken by my wife, Marietta, who has developed a great eye for things.

The Fenice, The Venice Opera House

     We had read a book about the great fire that destroyed the Fenice in Venice and we wanted to see the reconstruction for ourselves. The concierge at our hotel told us it was closed, but we decided to just go see the outside. It was not closed, but there was hardly anyone else there. The others were probably out shopping - I know that is sarcastic. We got a recorded tour and made our way around.  At the upper level there is a box open where you can sit and see the whole opera house. You will note that you are not allowed to take pictures so you will have to forget you saw these.
     On stage was a grand piano set for a concert. As we sat in the box, a man came out to tune the piano (they must be tuned when moved). He worked on it and played a little and worked some more. Finally, he sat down and tested it by playing a lovely fugue. He got up and left.
     What a gift! A personal concert in an opera house that was supposed to be closed. Magic. It is a great memory for us.

Mike McLellan's System to Learn About a Town

     Do you really want to experience a community or learn about a city, an area or even a nation? Use my system: 1) Go to a butcher shop and ask the butcher to tell you about meat and his work. In Ireland (or other UK countries) you will earn about black and white pudding (or haggis in Scotland) and a whole lot more. The butchers know everyone and they love what they do.
     2) Get a haircut. The center of gossip and information in any town is the barbershop. You will learn about politics, sociology, and economics. You will meet locals on their own turf.
     3) Make an appointment with the local clergy. They know what life is like and love to talk.
     4) One thing I can do and many cannot, is to visit a service club like Rotary or Kiwanis or even the Chamber of Commerce. They will gladly welcome you.
     These, in my opinion, are more informational than any of the major sights.

Florence, Italy

      This is one of my favorite pictures. These folks are looking out of their apartment window to see what the yelling is about. The back-story is this: two grown men driving expensive and well washed cars bumped fenders. One was tired of waiting ( a one way street hardly big enough for one car let alone two ) passed on the right going up on the sidewalk to do so. He clipped the rear fender of the car in front. Both men jumped out and started waving their arms and while they were speaking Italian we understood every word. The one passing claimed the first car was blocking the road, the one -blocking the road - claimed that the second was too impatient. Both felt it was the other's fault. The one passing over the sidewalk told the other driver to wait, he was going to get his camera (his apartment was just feet down the street) so he could document everything. As soon as he was gone, the other driver drove away. Neither car was really hurt. Neither man won the argument. Everyone else - all pedestrians, we - took pride in the fact that walking was easier, safer and more fun than driving those narrow streets. Pedestrians can be arrogant. The folks in the window took it all in.

Clock at the Tower of London

When this clock turned 11:11 on November (11) 11th (1945) 

- The Second World War was declared over.

Now celebrated as Veteran's Day.

The last Monday of May is Memorial Day, originally set aside to decorate

the graves of fallen solders with Spring flowers,