Up a lazy river: Northern Oregon

The Willamette river flows through small towns and large cities. It is a place to fish or just sit in the sun. They have lighted boats for Christmas and Dragon Boat races when the weather is warmer. North of Portland, Oregon USA the river joins the Columbia. While the larger Columbia skirts the city, the Willamette unites it.

This is the back yard of an Airbnb. You can see a neighbor across the water.

This is near where the Jetboats turn around to go back down the river. 

Lovely.

 

Prague

A question came up regarding Prague. "Is it worth a visit?"

I can only say that it is one of my favorite large cities in Europe.

Amazing in every regard, especially in history.

It is called the "City of Spires" for a a good reason.

Photo taken from Prague  Castle.

 

Central European Bronze

There is public art everywhere in European cities. You walk down a street and there is art. It is surprising and inspiring. These two were in Slovakia. 

Top one was in a plaza and bottom one just in the street. 

Getting ready for flight: partial list

So, your plans are set and reservations made. Don't forget:

Your passport and a copy for your suitcase.

A copy of the front and back of credit cards in suitcase.

(Back of card has #to call if lost or stolen).

Call your bank and tell them where you will be.

Cell phone and charger (call carrier for international calling.)

A copy of your driver's license (needed ID if passport not around).

All of your medications, a list of them and in bottles  preferred.

About your list of meds. Not just name but also doctor.

Medical insurance card.

Extra Ziplock bags.

Eye glass prescription or extra pair.

Copy of itinerary also send to family and trusted friend.

List of computer passwords unless you know them by heart.

Add different things for different places (You need malaria pills but not to London)

 sense of humor and adventure.

Portugal's Southern Beaches

Monte Gordo (Big Mountain) is a city without a mountain or at least I never saw it. It is on the Southern coast of Portugal not far from Spain and an easy trip from Seville. The breaches are wide and deep composed of white sand. We were there during the week and almost had it all to ourselves. We had lunch in a traditional "Beach shack" which was not a snack at all.  Good food. Of note about the beach: it is handicapped accessible as they have wooden walkways for wheelchairs laying on the sand.

GUERNICA ( Picasso)

     In a college art class and again in grad-school I was exposed to the painting "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso. It is a depiction of the Spanish Civil War and is an anti-war piece. I only saw it in books in college and grad-school. We were in Madrid Spain and I came upon the painting. I was surprised by its size having only seen it in books. In the Prado it takes a whole room. I guessed it to be 30 feet wide and 12 feet tall (it is 25 x 11 feet). I was awe struck. The group I was with continued on to other rooms. Art can do things to you, and Guernica represents the awfulness and futility of war. If the Prado had not closed for the day, I might still be there

 

Kenmare Harbor

 

We made a road trip around the Republic of Ireland. We started by flying into Dublin and headed south over several days to Cobh. We had some good BNB's but the surprise was Kenmare. We had a great visit with some former strangers and explored the harbor, the stone circle and a wonderful small town. Never heard of it before. We planned nothing except the route and we were fortunate all the way back to Dublin.   (Then we flew to London for a week.)

The photo above is one of my favorites.