The Willamette River

Portland Oregon is at the junction of two rivers. The Columbia comes from the east and the Willamette comes from the south.

You will see many photos of the Willamette as it looks from downtown.

It is a hub for commerce and beauty.

The other Willamette can be seen as above.

Just a few miles south it is dotted with houses, personal docks and lawns.

The photo here was taken at a B&B.

 

Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix AZ

If you think the desert is all dust and plants with stickers you might want to go to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.

As you walk along the trails you will see the color and beauty of the desert.

The sights also include pretty rock formations.

 

Armchair travel.

What do you do when life events take away your mobility?

There are tours for people in wheekchairs or limited ability to walk,

but they are not the same tours as "young you" could take.

You can turn on Rick Steves or Samantha Brown, 

but there lots of good films and guide books to look over.

Once you get past your grief of not being able travel there are still memories.

Recently, I got Dan Brown's latest book "Secrets" and went back, in my mind,

to all of the interesting places in Prague.

 

The Famous Bridge in Ronda Spain

 

This holds two sides of Ronda together.

Dusk in Seville Spain

It is evening and people are gathering for a party -every night- in Seville.

The center city comes alive.

You will note the trolly tracks in this photo, The trolly runs up and down the main street carrying people to the party and through the party.

DONATELLO - The other David: Mary Florence Italy

No great stone work - only wood and bronze. 

 

Yes? Who are you? Two Zebras

One of my favorite photos. A copy hangs in one of the bedrooms in Portland.

These two Zebras (pronouned Zub-ra) were out eating in the savana in South Africa. They turned around to see the funny guy with a camera.

 

A Walk In The Black Forest of Germany

    There is a debate about why it is called The Black Forest. One theory is that at one time the forest was so thick with pines that it appeared dark.  The area is heavily wooded and known for the carvers who produce clocks and other works.

    This paved area allows people with or without disabilities to go through the forest to see the animals and birds. You may suspect that the tall deciduous trees lining the walk have been planted.

Musee D'orsay Paris

The old railway clock now seen from the back in the cafe at the Musee D'orsay in Paris. The cafe is lovely and truth to tell the museum is wonderful and much more manageable than the Louvre. Get a Paris Pass (works at most attractions) at the airport if you are going to stay a while. Shorter lines and pay once.

Official Lichenstein Postal Delivery Vehicle

The mail must go through

Met a mailman to get directions and he concluded I was lost.

 

Italian Trains

    While I love to drive, I will sing the praises of the Italian Train system. We used it from Rome to Florence, Florence to Venice, Venice to Verona, and again from Lucca to Florence and back. Most are high speed, comfortable and clean.
 

The Louvre Paris: bird's eye view

No need to use a drone or small plane.

Just buy a ticket for the Ferris Wheel near Luxembourg Garden.

 

Travel Grief

This is the roadway leadign away from Mont Saint Michel, France.

Sorry to leave.

    There is often a feeling loss or grief as we must say good-bye to a favorite place. For me there has been grief in having to cancel a trip or two. We planned to go to China - Covid hit. Then we switched to Panama rain forest - nope. The pandemic was still on. How about Tuscany and Paris? Well, I must have someone take my place my legs cannot make it. Alright then we arrange for a trip to Costa Rica - heart condition sent me to hospital. I had to fight to get y travel insurance back. This is all in around four years and I am still feeling the effects of NOT going where I want. My friends have shared their own sense of loss when they must cancel a trip. Not fun being a traveler and not being able to travel.

Closer to Home

This is Old River part of the San Joaquin River Delta. The main channel runs from near us into the San Francisco Bay. This part of Old River is a good place to fish, drive a boat, and use a Kayak or canoe. Along the bank here is a large private club that we belong to. Lots of local animals. As it is in the Central Valley of California, it can be hot in mid-summer. The Deltas of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers are great places to explore. No boat? The levies make driving easy. Lots of smaller interesting towns.

Tapas in Madrid

    The ignorant in America believe that we are best in all things. Granted that I am proud to be an American and think we are wonderful. Yet, we could learn from folks in other countries that think they are the best. 

    Take 2 pm on a sunny afternoon. In America it may mean taking a 10 minute coffee break or it may mean just the same as at 1 or 3pm. In Spain it is tapas time. they are not going to have dinner until late, so they close up shop and go out and sit in the shade with a glass of beer or wine and eat food served on small plates. The photo above is of the last two Spanish olives lelf of our tapas in Madrid. Sort of like Tea Time in England. Great idea.
 

Sedona, AZ

My children about the ages of 8 or 9 were not as thrilled by New Mexico and Arizona as their parents. They figured one Indian Ruins was enough. Of course there is much more to see than that. The area around Sedona is unlike any other place I have been. The iron rich rocks are a pretty shade of red. There are also some wonderfuluy interesting cities and artist colonies. And, don't forget some of America's most beautiful national parks.

 

Local and within the USA flights: hints

Pigeon Point Light House California

    We spend a good deal of time preparing for an international flight. We check our passport, our itinerary, and make sure that everything will pass TSA.

    What about short flights?  Besides long flights, we have four 1200 mile trips a year. This is roughly San Francisco to Portland and back. Each flight is under two hours for a total of 4800 miles. Still, we have a check list.

    ID -either Pre-check or Known Traveler. Update your drivers license if it is not current. If you don’t have a driver's license, do you have a passport? Any form of ID? You may wish to refill your EMPTY water bottle before getting on the plane. Most economy seats will likely get a beverage at 600 miles. Water is better. Take a snack if the time in both airports and the flight is over three hours. Layer your clothing. I always travel in a sport coat in summer and a warm jacket in winter. Not just deal with the cold of the destination but the place itself. If you are cool you will fly with only a carry-on. If you are trying save time checked baggage does not add much time. Read the list on the airplane's website to see what you cannot carry on. Total checked and carry-on is probably more than you need. Do pack your medications (preferred in the RX bottles) for more time than you will be gone.

Do not forget to bring along your sense of humor. (more to come...)

Dusk Over Rome

The hotel Dianna near the train station and close to the famous sites of Rome

has a roof top bar from which you can get a great view  of the city.

This photo of the sunset features St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican to the center left at the horizon. Have another Italian red wine.

 

Favorite European Cities

                                                       Rouen Town Clock

    We were diacussing our favorite cities we have visited in Europe.  The common element was if we spent a few hours or a few days. Few days wins.

    While we have taken tours, we make it a point to arrive two or three days ahead and stay a few days after. This eliminates being washed out upon arrival and also getting a chance to get to know locals rather than fellow Americans. We have concluded that our top cities are Prague, Munich, Verona, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Barcelona, Granada, London... indeed they are popular places, but there are reasons for that. Plus, they are mostly places with an international airport close.

    Near the top are Cortina, Rouen, Feldkirch, and Lecco.

 

Lake Como, Italy

The top photo is Lecco as seen from our BNB on Lake Como.

The second is taken on a walk along the lake.

The lake becomes broad at Beligio and the shore is more populated.

Lake Como gets lots of mention...and there is reasons why.

 

Royal Palace of Madrid

One can imagine that the royal leaders have nice homes.

In general they mostly look like office buildings.

Buckingham is that way as is The Spanish Royal Palace in Madrid.

 The Palace ofVersailles is not exactly a goverment building, at least from one side.

Do you suppose that people in the United States want one too?

Getting your ducks in a row..

Sometimes I wonder why I took a photo.

In this case I am celebrating Ducks* the State Bird of Oregon.

They are all neatly carved and for sale in the street market in Munich.

(* University of Oregon, USA)

 

Mountain Views of Switzerland

On a three week road trip of Central Europe we planned to drive the length of 

Switzerland and see the wonderful mountains. We then had arranged an air flight

over the Matterhorn.

From what we saw, there are no mountains there.

At ground level we saw waterfalls, bought Swiss Chocolate, 

 and met some nice folks.

You don't always find what you are looking for.

 

Pino Grigio Wine

 

Pinot Grigio from the Dolomites

  You never know what you will bring back from a trip. The last trip my

 wife returned with Covid. One good thing brought home was a love 

for Pino Grigio wine. This photo is of the Dolomites (she took it)

 a prefect place to grow and produce Pino.

La basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri è - fake photo

 

An interesting church designed in part by Michelangelo that includes a floor model from Galileo. We visited twice as it was close to our hotel.

The first time we explored but:

the second time we went for an organ concert

and the great music was for a wedding.

So, we attended it.

Lower photo is staged with me not really coming from confession.

Cheeta - Reserve in South Aftrica

I walked right up to this cheeta and asked him to pose. Well, maybe I was fifty yards away and had a long lens. But, we did not hurt one another.
 

Fall comes to Bavaria

Coming south from Munich toward the Danube River is a peaceful

trip. Many small homes and many cows tell it is prime farmland.

This is just a touch of Fall before it catches aflame.

 

Worshipping in London

When we are in another country or even on a trip in another state we almost always go to Sunday worship. It may not be we are that religious, but I like to see and feel how others do it. The picture above is early morning at St. Martin In The Fields on Trafalgar Square. We have worshipped there when in London. It has a wonderful music program known around the world. Of note, when the organist plays the postlude, where in almost all congregations rush out, the people stay to enjoy the music.

 

Chanting high over Florence

While others went shopping, Marietta and I plus another couple and a guide

when to the top of the hill across from the old city of Florence.

The church there was known for the monks' chanting and for the view of the city.

While the others in our small band took photos, the guide and I went to Mass and then stayed with the small group to hear the chants.

This is a remarkable and unforgetable experience.

Cost of bus fare.

 

The view over Banff, Alberta, Canada

Looking across the valley is worth the trip.