When a statue isn't...

In Florence in the square in front of the "City Hall" there is a statue of David. It is a reproduction. The real statue is in the "Academica". The original was subject to weather and possible vandalism. 
 

Seville at night

Seville is one of the several great cities to visit in Spain.

 

Bastille Day plus a decade

                                        Madison Boehringer on the Normandy Beach. We were there 

                                        exactly ten years ago on Bastille Day. Maddy is now a Senior

                                        at Pacific University.
 

Prague a favorite

 Wenceslas in the Czech Republic at night

1996 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles California USA

      We were spectators at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. We have attended several around the country, but my most vivid memory is of the Long Walking race on a hot and humid day. The gun went off and the walkers began around the track several times and then exited out on city streets. There were other events and they had to stop as the walkers began to come back in. The winner received a hearty welcome and things went back to normal. Other events occurred. After a very long time there was an announcement. The events stopped. A walker - well behind the pack and obviously last came into the stadium. The crowd went wild.  We all stood and cheered as the walker limped toward the finish line where he collapsed in pain and dehydration. We has carried out on a cart to the roar of the folks. He was last, but he finished. A great celebration.

The Columbia River - Washington State, USA

Photo take from the "Washington Stonehenge" along

The Columbia River between Oregon and Washington USA.

Drive out along the northside in Washington from Vancouver and

back to Portland from the Dalles or Hood River.

Great Day Trip  

 

Union Square, San Francisco California USA

            I have lived most of my life within an hour or an hour and a half by car from San Francisco. Around here it is known as "The City".  We don't call it "San Fran" and certainly not "Frisco".  We speak of it with reverence.  It is unique and generally a pretty place. I volunteered there, worked there, was educated there, and serve as a driver there. It has many of the same issues of every big city, but you can forgive them because of the special "aura" of the place. It is warmer in the winter and you may need a sweatshirt in the summer. You can eat well and get around on the buses. Parking is always a problem. It is fun. It is adventure. It is interesting.