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,

The French Alps from the air...

So, after months and months of planning, I figured an open-jaw flight would let us see wonderful things. Fly into Rome, go to Florence, Venice and Verona. We'd rent a car and drive the Alps and see a little of Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Then we would take a flight over the French Alps from Verona - right over Mont Blanc - to Paris. The Alps would be beautiful from the air. It would be a grand ending to a month long trip.
Alas, all the planning in the world will not keep thunderstorms and clouds away. There is always next time. This is the approximate view of Mont Blanc.

San Stefano, Verona, Italy

St. Stephan's (San Stefano) in Verona, Italy had a monastery next door.  The church is lovely overlooking the river at Ponte Pietra. The monastery has been converted into a Bed and Breakfast and we really enjoyed it. The owner was gracious, helpful and - it is true - even did our laundry! As well, when I made the reservation I doubled the cost and was willing to pay 400 Euros for two nights lodging as it was a great place - wait - not 200 Euros a night, but 100 Euros a night. Lucca is a great host. Doesn't speak English and I don't speak Italian, but we understood one another very well.

Ice Fields Parkway, Alberta, Canada

Nice Asian tourist took this picture of an American couple visiting the Ice Fields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper in Canada. The Glacier is behind us. Note my gloves. This is AUGUST.

the Prince of Wales, Waterton National Park, Canada

This picture was taken across a small bay of Waterton Lake in Alberta, Canada. It is of the Prince of Wales Hotel. Looks great from here and has a nice restaurant and serves a wonderful afternoon tea overlooking the lake. What a spectacular setting. Now, the rest of the story. Old can be good, but in this case it also means thin walls and rooms that are not in great condition.  I recommend having tea and dinner there (along with a trip to the bar), but stay in the town from whence I took this photo.

Favorite Photo Day: Entrance to Dingle Harbour, Ireland

Dingle was a sleepy town until a nationally known travel writer started plugging it. The folks in Dingle like the income, but some do not like all the tourists and catering to tourists. As for me, I loved the town and the harbour, but most fun was hiking out to the entrance, watching the dolphin, and getting away from the crowd. By the way, just below where I took this photo is  clothing optional beach - or at least it was optional for some.

Sundown, low fog, on the Altamont 5-16-15

Sunset as seen from around 3,000 feet above Tracy, CA on the Connolly Ranch

Branch Library Multnomah Village, Portland Oregon

The free library near our second home in Portland, Oregon...we have delivered books there. People come by and take a book and leave the ones they have finished. No real librarian. It is community at its best. This is one thing the folks do in the neighborhood to built an area that seems small and intimate even though we are in the middle of a large metropolitan area.

From the top of the Altamont near Tracy CA

This photo was taken yesterday (May 16, 2015 from the patio of the Connolly Ranch at about 3,000 feet above the San Joaquin Valley and Tracy, California. The truck is on the single lane road up. In the distance, beyond Tracy is Stockton. In the middle of the picture is Site 300 part of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Mummy - British Museum

 

I had mixed emotions seeing this, just as I have those mixed feelings when I see any artifact

that has been removed from its home country. This certainly belongs to Egypt, but I am

glad to be exposed to it. As well, many sites are being vandalized and ruined in

the home countries and these treasures destroyed. Politics aside, the Egyptian displays in the

British Museum are a great visit.



Trim Castle, Trim, Ireland

Trim Castle (where some of Braveheart was filmed) is a great visit in a wonderful small town. Trim is lovely with a tidy center and pretty surround.  It is not far from Dublin and a short distance to the Dublin Airport, we recommend it for a stop or a stop-over. When we were there it was not busy nor full of tourists. While there is nothing wrong with tourists, they are not the reason why I travel to Europe.  If I want to meet someone from Virginia, I go to Virginia.

Getting ready for France 2015 - 45 days to go.

We are going to Normandy to celebrate and learn about the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII.

This young woman is setting our Paris Itinerary and plans to speak some of the language.

The London Eye

This is one of my favorite photos. It was taken from the Thames on a river cruise between the Tower of London and Westminster. I find this machine remarkable. It was supposed to be taken down a while back and that made me happy. I dislike the Eye, but the photo shows the old and the new of London with some cool clouds. It takes a long time for the Eye to go all of the way around and one good thing about being on it is that you cannot see it as well as this.

Choose something cheap to collect. Notting Hill

 Portobello Road Flea Market, London UK

     As a member of the clergy I was encouraged to start collecting "church keys" years ago. As you may know a "church key" is used for opening beer cans or bottles. They are available world-wide.
     I have been to church rummage sales in Scotland, Irish Charity Shops, the Vatican Gift Shop, and even stores in Biloxi, Mississippi, along with flea markets in many other countries. In these places I attempt to buy antique or just used beer openers. I never pay over $1 US or $1.5 pounds or $1.5 Euros.
     My collection is now at over 400. Many of the openers were either gifts or just found objects. I prefer old ones although I have two with pictures of Popes on them for which I made exceptions.
     I do not really drink beer, but I like to go into thrift shops and look around. When they ask me what I am looking for I tell them beer openers. It is an excuse to shop and snoop. I am actually happy not to find anything to buy (unless I happen upon a treasure).
     You can learn so much about an area by looking at their cast-offs.  I would not learn much if I only went to art galleries.

Wellington in Glasgow

There is a statue of Wellington astride his horse right outside of the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art. While it is a nice piece of art, there are folks that regularly crown him with a traffic cone. The city takes the cone down but pretty soon one is back. It is an act of harmless anti-government  behavior. I suspect that the ring leaders hang out in one of the pubs cross the street - which are very nice, by the way. Glasgow is a modern center of architecture and engineering. It is very different in feel from Edinburgh.

St. Ninian's Chapel, Isle of Whithorn, Scotland

I took this photo on a walk out to the end of the Isle of Whithorn. St. Ninian brought Christianity to Southern Scotland not far from the MacLellan ancestral castle. Behind me is the open water of the Irish Sea. The chapel is one that was built after Ninian worshiped in a cave. Next came the Priory in Whithorn up the road ( a land bridge has been built to the Isle ). Southern and western Scotland is filled with these magically beautiful places.

Favorite Photos: Pantheon, Rome

Group of monks having a picnic on the steps of the Pantheon in Rome.

Not a great picture, but an interesting one.

The Abbey at Iona

One of three goals for our Scotland trip was the Abbey at Iona - the spiritual birthplace of Scotland's Christianity. The other two were the MacLellan Castle in Kirkcudbright and St. Giles, the home of Presbyterianism. The Abbey was wonderful. We went to Vespers (evening worship) and were welcomed as old friends. We stayed in a b&b (The Argyle) and walked back there in the moonlight stopping in the cemetery where MacBeth is buried among Viking kings. Worth a trip using the train, a ship, a bus, and a ferry to get there.

The Guard of Edinburgh Castle

We always seem to be inclined to take pictures of one another in odd places. At Edinburgh Castle here I am in a guard's shelter. As you may see, I needed the shelter as it was raining. I also have pictures of me in the pulpit of John Knox at St. Giles Cathedral among other locations that seem fitting -- or not. 

Greatest Inventions Aiding Travelers

     The Innocents Aboard or The New Pilgrims' Progress written by Mark Twain was published in 1869. In it Twain chronicles his travels. In book form, it might have been a blog today. Reading it gives us a view of travel in the last half of the Nineteenth Century and gives us much to celebrate in our age.

     Imagine going on a trip for nearly a year in those days. It was a day before a great many conveniences. You had to carry large sums of money. Communication with folks back home took weeks or months. You lived out of steamer trunks. You had to be wealthy to do it or at least you had to be strong.

     Today I am really grateful for the invention of wheeled luggage.  Having been born before it came along, I remember struggling through railroad stations carrying my "grip" or suitcase.

     The credit card and ATM card have made travel so much easier. You can walk among pickpockets knowing that they cannot get all your money and if they snatch your cards you can call for help.

     Besides being able to get to Europe in ten hours rather than ten days (from the West Coast of the United States), you can call home on your smart phone when you land. This makes family members rest easier. They do not have to wait for a letter or cable to arrive.

     I am especially thankful for the jacket-in-a-bag. I have carried one with me in any number of long trips and could keep it close at hand without worry. It has kept me warm and dry many, many times. 

     It would be interesting to hear from others what travel inventions that are most appreciated; those things that make life on a long trip safer and easier. ...and less innocent.

 

     Please note my crushable, foldable Australian travel hat.

I don't leave home these days without it.

Portland, Oregon: The Grotto

8840 NE Skidmore Street, Portland, Oregon 

The Grotto is a Roman Catholic retreat and education center in the North-Eastern Section of Portland. In the winter it is known for wonderful Christmas lights and in the summer it is a nice place to walk among the trees and meditate. There is an elevator that takes you to the top of the 110 foot cliff and you can visit the area which allows you to look out toward the Columbia River and Mount St. Helen. It is well worth your time. On the lower level is a church that has regular special music presentations, a shop, and place to purchase food. If you have time in Portland, this is worth the time.

http://www.thegrotto.org/about-us/

Confession is good for the soul...

I was not leaving the restroom in this photo by Marietta McLellan. I was leaving the empty confessional at a basilica near our hotel in Rome where I had been talking to myself.

I felt guilty doing this. 

Beautiful things...

Twelve of the most beautiful views I have experienced (for various reasons, in random order):
in addition to my bride coming down the aisle and my daughters at birth.

1. The valley of County Waterford as seen from The Vee (hairpin corner near Lismore, Ireland)
2. Clouds coming in over the Alps in Northern Italy.
3. The city of London from 3,000 feet descending for landing at Heathrow Airport.
4. A thunderstorm and lightening while on a ferry to San Juan Island, WA.
5. The dock at Sausalito after being seasick for 8 hours outside the Golden Gate.
6. The neon/LED’s of Times Square, New York.
7. "The Birth of Venus", in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.
8. The finish line of the Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco.

9. Sunset in Venice, Italy.

10. The Abbey at Iona Scotland in candlelight.

PDX (Portland International Airport)

This is a Portland, Oregon thing. They are mourning the loss of the old carpet at PDX and selling off pieces of it. Many times have I walked on that rug.
  (Stock Photo)

Who’s cuisine curious?

     I plead guilty to being someone who feels a strange need to taste food items that I have never tried before. On a scale of 1 to 100, I have been blessed 93.6 percent of the time.

     As I do not usually take photos of food, the above is about the only one we have in our many trips. It is a thoughtful room service meal provided by the Hotel Diana in Rome when we arrived late for lunch - our connections didn't connect well. I will say that we only focused on the fruit as ham and green beans are available in California, and the airline fed us before landing.

     I like haggis and I am unapologetic about it. The Scots do great things with the parts of animals we throw away.
     In England and Ireland I discovered black and white pudding. It is not like your mother's pudding. I really like it. I know what is in it. I still like it.
     I worked with some Chinese folks for a number of years and ate things which might have made me say "no" but then I didn't know what they were and liked them.
      Disappointed? Sometimes I think something might be better than to turns out to be. That can hold true in a hamburger joint in Chicago or in a backstreet pie shop in London. I like, by the way, steak and kidney pie.
      There is no question that I do not like donkey meat as it was served in Verona, Italy. I might like it as served in Caen, France. We shall see. I'm not sure about some things I have heard that people like, but it is likely that I will take a taste.
     I am cuisine curious. I'll try it, but I will not commit to seconds.