The OHSU Gondola

On the top of a major hill there stands Oregon Health And Science University.

It is in Portland, Oregon.

There are actually a number of hospitals under the same umbrella.

When the top of the hill became too crowded they opened the waterfront.

To link the top with the river, they build this tram system.

I was hospitalized up atop.

My wife had brain surgery on the lower building.

As always, this is a teaching hospital and they learned a lot from us.

 

The late night concerts around Europe

A concert at the old church on the plaza, Old Town Prague.

        We often have looked for concerts in the places we have been staying. There was a great group of fiddlers and horn player in the church up the hill from the sea wall in Dingle Ireland. There was a remarkable violist at the castle in Prague. I will always remember the  symphony with ballet in Vienna. The organ concert in Saint Martins in London shows off amazing skill. There are monks chanting everywhere in France and Italy. The flamenco with strings in Madrid brings life to an old building. Those are just a few. At check-in it is worth asking. 

A thought from a sign in Portland

I have been lucky enough to see (and touch in those days) the Liberty Bell. I have stood in Independence Hall and Old North Church. I climbed stairs inside the Statue of Liberty and looked at Plymouth Rock. Walked the garden at Mount Vernon and visited Lincoln’s home in Springfield. I have stood in the dim of the memorial, reciting the Gettysburg Address for my young children.

These things have changed me. But of greater importance to my education were visits to the slave quarters at Mount Vernon. There is Ford’s Theater where Lincoln was shot for believing in equality. I have seen the steps that the young black children walked to integrate Montgomery’s schools. I have stood in the pulpit of Martin Luther King at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church from which he saw Rosa Parks who had seated herself in the “wrong” seat on a bus. I have dug gold in the same places that the Chinese dug to make their master’s rich. There are the Japanese concentration camps in the desert. I have been to Watts.

Tomorrow is Independence Day. We beat the British, we are still to address ourselves.

 

The Straits of Gibratar

Looks like ten years ago we were standing on our balcony at the Rock Hotel and looking across the strait at Morocco. This is where Europe and Africa meet.

 

Saint Stephan's Church, Verona Italy - A surprise

View of the Church and monastery. 

Hidden back courtyard to the church.

        Where you stay is often more important than everything else on your trip. We have fond memories of  BNB's and small hotels where we met charming people. This photo is of St, Stephan's Church as seen from across Ponte Pietra (bridge). The monastery had been sold to a young couple to make into a BNB. The owner was a delight. Indeed, it is an old building, but it has a modern vibe. They are very helpful and we enjoyed knowing them. You don't get this in a hotel.

Lake Como Italy -- Bellagio

One of my favorite photos.

Those are not all louds at 2 o'clock.

At 9 o'clock those are houses hanging on.

 

Lazy Day on Lake Garda Italy

I had a camera load of photos from all around five countries

in Europe. It had been a great road trip.

A stop on Lake Garda was needed, especially for the driver.

No mountain or valley here. No famous building.

Just a swan.