The Mohawk High School Alumni Reunion

The Mohawk High School Alumni Reunion was held yesterday, Sunday, September 20 at the High School in Marcola, Oregon.  I traveled southbound on I-5 to Albany as the sun rose over the horizon and headed west to Corvallis.  A doe and her two fawns crossed the road in front of my stopped car shortly after leaving Albany.  I did two Webcam caches in Corvallis - one at the OSU Library and the bell tower (I heard the bells chime at 9:00AM) and the other at the OSU Quad.  I took the photos using my I-Phone.  I was short on time so I did not explore the art/art collections in the buildings.

I traveled south on Hwy 99 through sleepy little farm towns.  I drove to the Owen Rose Garden in Eugene where I did the third and last Webcam cache.  I was short on time so did not have time unfortunately to explore the lovely rose garden. 

My family lived on the former Jim Johnson farm in Marcola from 1946 to 1949.  I hardly recognize Marcola anymore.  So much has vanished over the years.  As an author once said, you can't go home again.  So true.  I visited with friends at the classes union potluck until 2:10PM and then said my goodbyes.  I traveled to Lebanon via Sweet Home.  I attended the end of a Geocaching Welcome to Fall Event.  Time to head west and then north on a very congested I-5 to Portland/Vancouver.  All in all a lovely Fall day.

Exploring the Islands of Puget Sound

Day 1 - Sunday, August 23, 2015  Seattle, Washington

I traveled from Vancouver, WA to Seattle via Amtrak.  I sat on the left side so I could see the rivers and Puget Sound.  I arrived at noon.  The restoration is finished on the King Street Train Station.   Quite impressive!  I rode the elevator (a new feature) up to street level and walked over to the bus stop.  I caught bus #26 or #28 to 3rd and Virginia.  It was a short walk to the Warwick Hotel.  My room was not ready so I sat on a comfortable chair in the lobby reading a book.   I was given a room on the 5th Floor with a view of the Space Needle.

I went to the meeting room on the 2nd floor to register with the program staff, Carol and Nancy, and get my welcome packet after 3:00PM.  My roommate, Lisa, and I went to the hotel bar for Happy Hour.  I had a glass of Chardonnay.  The Group Leader, Carol Barton, hosted a welcome reception beginning at 5:00PM.  We had a plated dinner.

At evening Orientation, the Group Leader, Carol, greeted everyone and led introductions. She reviewed the program theme, the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discussed safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answered any questions.  Afterwards my roommate, Lisa, and I walked south a few blocks to the City Center and Benaroya Hall to look at Art Glass.

Day 2 - Monday, August 24   Vashon Island, Robinson Point Lighthouse

We had breakfast in the hotel restaurant. We traveled by chartered coach through West Seattle to the dock and the Washington State ferry to Vashon-Maury Island. Our motorcoach traveled with us on the ferry and transport us throughout day’s program. When we arrived on Maury Island, we walked down a short paved road to the beach to hear from Captain Joe, USCG, retired, about the Robinson Point Lighthouse and its importance to Puget Sound navigation. Located on the westernmost point of Maury Island, the lighthouse actually began with a steam whistle during foggy weather in 1885; its light first shone in 1887. In 1913, locals built an isthmus to connect the smaller Maury Island to the rest of Vashon Island; before that time, the two islands were only connected at low tide. I climbed the stairs to the top of the lighthouse where I took several photos of the view and the Fresnel Lens.  I took some photos for an EarthCache and a Benchmark.  Afterwards I climbed the trail through the woods to the upper parking lot and the motorcoach.  The rest of the group walked up the paved road.

We visited the Christine Beck's pottery studio and home.  Lovely place.  We had lunch at a favorite island restaurant - The Hardware Store.  I walked a couple blocks to the tall metal giraffe to find the Geocache.  It took me awhile but finally found it.  We returned by ferry and motorcoach to the Warwick Hotel.  After dinner, we had a presentation by Elinor DeWire, published expert on lighthouses, about these sentinels of Puget Sound.

Day 3 - Tuesday, August 25  Bainbridge Island

After breakfast at the hotel, we boarded our motorcoach, rode the Washington State ferry and crossed Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island. Once a center of logging and shipping industries, the island has become more of a suburb with the advent of fast ferry service.

Our first stop was the Bloedel Estate, where two docents split the group and led us through its beautiful gardens and grounds. This 150-acre private estate, built by timber barons in the 1930s, is now a public arboretum.  We took a short ride to the Port Madison Indian Reservation and the Suquamish Museum, originally opened in 1983 and expanded in 2012. I was getting hungry so bought some Crab Eggs (chocolate covered berries)  in the Museum Store.  I was disappointed that we did not visit the grave of Chief Seattle, the 19th century leader of the Suquamish people for whom the city is named.

Our next stop was the town of Winslow.  Winslow is a charming town with a variety of cafés.  My roommate and I each bought a serving of quiche at the Blackbird Bakery.  We sat at a table on the patio.  We bought ice cream at Mora Iced Creamery.  I took off on my own to find the Geocache. 

I walked to the Bainbridge Historical Museum. The Museum highlights the forced evacuation of its Japanese-American residents at the beginning of World War II. In March, 1942, all 276 Japanese-Americans living here were relocated to camps in California and Idaho. These residents were the first of more than 120,000 people to experience this fate.  We returned to Seattle by ferry and motorcoach and ferry.  I logged the Alki Point Lighthouse Benchmark.

In our meeting room after dinner, Dr. Lorraine McConaghy, a local historian and author, discussed Seattle’s rich history.

Day 4 - Wednesday, August 26   Bremerton

We had breakfast at the hotel.  We walked seven blocks from the hotel to the Pike Place Market and about five blocks from the Market to the ferry dock.  The 15-mile ferry ride to Bremerton, on the Kitsap Peninsula, was approximately one hour long.  Their first stop was the USS Turner Joy, a Vietnam-era destroyer.  I had an ice-cream bar.  I took off to find a Virtual which I did not find.

Lunch was at Anthony's restaurant on the shores of Bremerton,.  Afterwards I went back to the Virtual location and found it..  I walked down to the Puget Sound Naval Museum, where I purchased some things for my collection.  I photographed the fountains in the nearby park.  We returned to Seattle via ferry after lunch.

Some of us walked through Pike Place Market with our Group Leader.  Pike Place Market opened in 1907 and is the country’s longest continuously-operating farmers market.  The market is a hub of bustling activity from morning to night.

My roommate, Lisa, and  I decided to ride the Monorail to Seattle Center.  While she visited the Chihuly Museum I ate a Cherry Yogurt Parfait and Vanilla Shortbread at Starbucks in the Armory and then walked down to the International Fountain to enjoy the water fountain and music.  Lisa joined me later.  We both sat awhile enjoying the scene.  We rode the monorail back and walked the few blocks to the hotel.  I watched "Master Chef" on television.


Day 5 - Thursday, August 27  Whidbey Island

After breakfast, we rode the motorcoach and then the ferry to Whidbey Island, the largest island in Washington’s Puget Sound.  We began our day there exploring Fort Casey with our guide, who explained the fort's place in the "Triangle of Death," a late 19th century military strategy designed to defend against invasion by sea. The invention of the airplane made the fort obsolete, I gazed across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Canada.  I did the EarthCache.  We also visited Admiralty Head lighthouse. The lighthouse first began operations just before the Civil War, was moved in 1890 to make room for Fort Casey, and was decommissioned in 1922.  I was fascinated by the small Lighthouse Traveling Library and the Fresnel Lens.

We rode the coach to the picturesque town of Langley on the shores of Puget Sound. We did not do the planned visit of Langley Whale Center, where museum staff would have told us about the gray whales and orcas that frequent these waters.  We had lunch at the Knead & Feed that I really wish that I had eaten the berry pie a la mode, skipped lunch and explored the town.  I found the Geocache near the library where the bus was parked.  Rounding out the afternoon, we rode to nearby Whidbey Island Winery to hear from the winemakers and taste their products.  It was lovely to sit outside in the shade, sipping various wine samples

We sailed back across Puget Sound and dined out together this evening at a waterside seafood restaurant - Arnie's in Edmonds.  I was trapped with three men at the end of the long dining table, bored to death with the talk of sports and physical mayhem.  I watched the ferries come and go and wished I was someplace else.   We arrived back at the Warwick Hotel about 9:00PM. 

Day 6 - Friday, August 28  Seattle Center/Fremont District

In our meeting room after breakfast, we viewed a video of the landmark Space Needle’s construction as the official symbol of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.  We rode the Monorail to Seattle Center and the Space Needle.  I pointed out points of interest to my roommate, Lisa.  We went down to the Gift Shop where we looked around for a bit.  We went to Starbucks in the Armory where we had a light lunch and then said our goodbyes. 

I walked several blocks to the bus stop where I caught the bus to the Fremont District.  I visited Groundspeak HQ where Holly, the receptionist, gave a brief talk.  She probably would have talked more but for the chatterbox newby.  I caught a bus back to the hotel, got my luggage, took another bus to King Street Station, got my seat assignment in Business Class, checked my suitcase and walked to the nearby Starbucks where I had an enjoyable lunch.  Great train trip back to Vancouver.

Groundspeak Block Party, Saturday, August 15, 2015

I rode the Amtrak train from Vancouver WA to Seattle and back. Free parking at Vancouver Train Station (do not park where there are parking limits). Very relaxing. I walked across the street from newly renovated King Street Station to catch 26 or 28 which took me right to the Fremont District - across the street from "Waitiing for the Interurban". I was able to visit briefly with Mount10Bike, Brian (the founder), Annie (my favorite lackey), the Alaskan Reviewer, and many geocachers from the Portland;/Vancouver/Longview area at the Block Party. I was surprised how many people I encountered at the Block Party that I knew. Great fun. 

Black Tuesday

The hammer dropped today on Portland Parks & Recreation geocaches.  Most caches were Archived and a some received warnings.  Label those caches that received warnings or they will be archived.  (How do you label a nano?)  I had two Portland caches Archived and received a Warning on one cache.

Vanport, The City That Drowned (GCQJN6) was Archived.  This is absolutely ridiculous!!  Does the City of Portland Park and Recreation own Delta Park MAX Light Rail Station?  Except for the waypoint at the Golf Course the other waypoints are located at the MAX Light Rail Station.  And the cache is a magnetic key holder in a guard rail which is not endangering any Portland Parks.

Tuesday July 28  will live in Infamy in the City of Roses.  Watch out for those thorns!.

My eldest son, Jeff (wilsonjw), is riding his first Iron Butt Rally, starting in Albuquerque last Sunday, June 28th. His goal: to finish safely, earning a three-digit Iron Butt Association number.

Highlights of Alaska's Inside Passage - 2015

Thursday, April 16 - 07:30.  Breakfast at McDonalds Kelso, incredible Goblindust cache in Centralia, NW Arlington and Sedro-Wooley caches.  "Meet Rose Red" Event.

Friday, 17 - Bellingham/Fairhaven Geocaching and Benchmarking; Afternoon Tea at Abbey Garden with three women from the tour; Guided tour by Edradine Houde of U. S. Army Captain George E. Pickett's House; Group met in the Alaska Marine Highway Terminal; boarded the MV Malaspina, set watch back one hour; Set IPhone on Airplane Mode; settled in a very small windowless cabin (Room 116) with a Road Scholar assigned roommate.  I clearly saw Mt. Baker (10,788').

Saturday, 18 - My roommate moved out into her own cabin; Bella Bella, Ivory Island and Boat Bluff BC Lighthouses; two open water crossing, Queen Charlotte Sound 10:00AM-1:00PM  and Milbanke Sound 3:30PM-5:00PM, were negotiated.

We were originally traveling on the Matanuska.  It never made it out of dry dock so we were switched to the MV Malaspina.  The M/V Malaspina was designed by Nickum & Spaulding Associates of Seattle, WA; and was built in 1963 at the Lockheed Shipbuilding Yards in Seattle. She sailed Alaskan waters proudly and well for nine years, then underwent lengthening and renovation which was completed June 6, 1972. When she left the Willamette Iron and Steel Co. shipyard in Portland, OR., she was indeed a “new ship”—she had been cut in two, and had 56 ft. added to her middle. The additions included the new solarium, and remodeling of the dining area, cocktail lounge, cafeteria, and all other public areas. Stateroom capacity was increased from 100 to 284 berthing accommodations. The cabins are very small and basic in nature with limited storage space; small bathroom.  The Malaspina is 408 ft. long and 74 ft. wide, and her gross tonnage is 2,928. She has a service speed of 16.5 knots, and is driven by two V12-cylinder, 4000 HP Enterprise Diesel engines.

Sunday, 19 - During the night we crossed into Alaska waters.  Open Water: Rough crossing at breezy Dixon Entrance 3:30AM-4:30AM Alaska Time; Ketchikan at 7:00AM; Turned off Airplane Mode on IPhone; I was given a "Celebrating Statehood 1959-2009 Alaska 50" Pin by Staff member at Ketchikan Terminal who helped me identify the framed Alaska Steamship Company portraits of Huskies while we were waiting for the 1/2 hour late bus; Potlatch Park and purchase of small Raven statue; Ketchikan has the world's largest collection of standing totem poles; skipped lunch at Cape Fox Lodge to admire the sweeping views and explore lodge's Alaskan Native art and artifacts.  Since Funicular tram was not running I walked down hill via the "Married Men's Trail" along Ketchikan Creek; past Annie's House and Dolly's House; photographed 1902 St. John's Episcopal Church (Spire Benchmark) and the Chief Kyan Totem Pole; back to the ferry; left at 1:30PM; stopped for 45 minutes in Wrangell; Wrangell Narrows - "Christmas Tree Alley"; stopped for 45 minutes at Petersburg in the middle of the night.

Monday, 20 - Arrived at 7:45AM; we saw very little of the Capital city of Juneau - very disappointing; photographed Mendenhall Glacier (Auke/Auk) where I found a cache, photographed  Nugget Falls, also known as Nugget Creek Falls or Mendenhall Glacier Falls (EarthCache); back to the ferry; departed Juneau at 10:45AM; northward up the Lynn Canal; Sentinel Island Lighthouse; Vanderbilt Reef LH; Eldred Rock Lighthouse; 1 hour, 30 minute stop in Haines ("If You Lived Here, I Would Know Your Name"); did not get off the ferry in Haines.  Many tourists visit Haines during the annual appearance of bald eagles in the Alaska Chikat Bald Eagle Preserve between October and February. During this time, Haines has the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world. Evidently there is very dramatic scenery around Haines. The MV Malaspina arrived in Skagway at 5:45PM; cold and very windy walking tour of historic downtown Skagway. Only a few places open. Two Virtuals and a Benchmark in Skagway; departed Skagway at 8:15PM.  Two hour stopover in Haines (9:15-11:15). 

Tuesday, 21 - saw the Kennicott Ferry at dock; Lynn Canal and Chatham Strait (they form a natural wind tunnel especially in the fall and winter; Point Retreat Lighthouse; arrive Sitka at 4:15PM; tour of Russian Bishop's House, photographed Russian Orth Church and Sitka Greek Cath Church and NE cable-stayed John O'Connell Bridge tower Benchmarks; Prospector statue; end of the road sign "END"; departed Sitka at 6:45PM.

Wednesday, 22 - retraced our way southward to Petersburg and Wrangell; fogged in near Petersburg.  Lost High Tide.  Did 8s (I was rather confused for awhile; saw the same very large white building on the starboard and then the port side of the ferry!!) and then dropped anchor for three hours.  Tour of the bridge.  I saw Nicholas Kolars, Captain of the MV Malaspina behind me in the hallway.  The ferry did not leave until noon - High Tide.  Twenty-two mile long Wrangell Narrows.  We did not have time to see the petroglyphs on rocks in Wrangell; rock 'n roll at Dixon Entrance open water crossing; Guard Island Lighthouse; Ketchikan about 9:00PM  "Leave as soon as possible"; crossed into British Columbia waters during the night.

Thursday, 23 - waterfalls; Boat Bluff, Ivory Island, and Egg Island Lighthouses; passed through open waters of Milbanke Sound and Queen Charlotte Sound; I walked out of the Donation envelope presentation that is prohibited by Road Scholar; Farewell Dinner with decorated sheet cake.

Friday, 24 - I had $1.50 left on my ferry meal ticket; instead of docking at 8:30AM we docked at 11:30AM just in time for me to hit 20MPH traffic from Everett to south of Olympia and then one lane traffic at Kalama bridge.  Before I left Bellingham I photographed the Old County Courthouse (Washington Territorial Courthouse).   

Animals: one deer; orcas; one bear; one Humpback Whale; Bald Eagles; and Dall's Porpoises with "rooster tail" splashes.

I found six Caches (5 in US and 1 in Alaska), three Virtuals,  an EarthCache and 12 Benchmarks.

The Missing Years (2014, 2013)

I have decided to resume my Blog... so these are the missing years.

Trip Journal - March/April 2014

Saturday, March 29 - I traveled by United Airlines from Portland, Oregon to National Airport in Washington DC via Chicago.  I did the Virtual ORD Layover (GC5165).  I was met by my eldest son, Jeff, and Connie at National Airport.  We stopped at Connie's Townhouse. The grounds were previously a Military Rail Yard.   Jeff and I drove to his house.

Sunday, March 30 - Jeff, Connie and I went for a drive near Alexandria.  We visited Gunston Hall (1755-1759) built on Mason Neck.  We ate at Madigan's Waterfront located in historic Occoquan, Virginia.  Snow was falling quite heavy. We visited Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian Pope-Leighey house and nearby Woodlawn, a Georgian/Federal house originally part of Mount Vernon.  Afterwards we stopped at Connie's townhouse and then Jeff and I drove to his house.

Monday, March 31 - I caught the 8:15am bus to the Pentagon.  After I got a Metro Senior Smart Trip card I traveled to downtown DC.  I found an Earthcache.  I visited the American Indian Museum briefly.  I walked to the China Gate (Virtual).  l rode the Metro to the National Gallery of Art where I saw the West Building highlights.   I took the Metro to the Pentagon where Jeff picked me up.  We went to Murphy's in Alexandria.

Tuesday, April 1 - I had planned to spend only an hour or two at the Newseum.  I spent two days at the Newseum!  About 3:00pm I took the Metro to Vienna Fairfax - GMU on the Orange line, then I took the Fairfax Connector #623 bus from the train station.  I walked a couple blocks to Wegmans.  I purchased lunch which I took upstairs to the balcony eating area.   I attended the Go 2013 NoVA Awards (Geocaching) Event.  Very interesting.  Jeff picked me up.  We went to Luna in Arlington where I had apple pie a la mode. Back to Jeff's house.

Wednesday, April 2 - The second day at the Newseum!  Afterwards I walked to the Old Post Office.  The place was gutted.  I took the elevator to the top where I had a great view of DC, stopping at the bells exhibit on the way down.  I did the Earthcache at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.  I rode the Metro to King Station in Alexandria.  I rode the colorful King Street Trolley down to Potomac River Waterfront and back.  Jeff picked me up at the Trolley Stop near Metro.   Jeff,  Connie and I had dinner at Overwood in Alexandria.

Thursday, April 3 - I caught the 8:15am bus to the Pentagon and then rode the Metro to Alexandria.  I went on a North side Walking Tour including a visit to Christ Church.  I had lunch at la Madeleine.  I stopped by the Pendleton shop.  I found the cache at the Carlyle house.  I found the Virtual at the Old Town Presbyterian Meeting House cemetery.  I went to the Torpedo Factory to see the Archeology Dept. but it was closed.  I sat on a bench at the Waterfront.  Jeff met me at the foot of King Street.  We had dinner at O'Connell's in Alexandria.

Friday, April 4 - I went to the Spy Museum at 10:00am.  I played a spy at Operation Spy for one hour.  I spent the next four hours exploring the museum.  Highlights were the green modified Jaguar XKR on display, the ultimate spy car, an Aston Martin D85 also on display, the German enigma machine, and most fascinating were the caches. The special exhibit was "Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains".   I rode the Metro to Alexandria.  Jeff picked me up at the end of King Street again.  Jeff, Connie and I took a tour of DC at night.

Saturday, April 5 - Jeff and I picked up Connie at her townhouse.  We drove toward Baltimore, Maryland.  We visited the National Cryptologic Museum.  I purchased a 2013 NSA Coin.  We visited Fort McHenry where I found a Virtual and a Cache.  It was a very chilly afternoon.  We had lunch at Ropewalk on South Charles Street in Baltimore.  We walked along the harbor where I found a Virtual.  There were many dragon boats, a Pirate ship "Fearless" and a tall ship "Constellation".  We got sorbet/ice cream/coffee at Vaccaro's on Albermarle Street.   Dinner at Il Porto.  Jeff and I went back to Connie's townhouse for awhile and then back to Jeff's house.

Sunday, April 6 - Jeff showed me a Benchmark near his house.  He took me to two Geocaches on the way to the Amtrak Station in Alexandria. The train was an hour late.  I rode the train to Charlottesville with Kay, another Road Scholar from Bainbridge Island.   I bought an Apple Juice drink for myself and bottled water for Kay. Later I bought a pastry. She left with friends in Charlottesville.  I called the English Inn for a shuttle  ride.  I checked into the Inn.  I had a room on the top floor overlooking the community gardens.

I picked up my Road Scholar packet for Road Scholar program: "Friends, Neighbors and Presidents"  and went to the Welcome and Introductions.  Dinner was served in the Windsor Room.  We had an Evening Class: "Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe."  A speaker gave a detailed introduction to these three Virginia presidents---their world, their lives, and their friendship.

Monday, April 7 - After breakfast we had a Morning Class: "A Society to Our Taste".   Field Trip:  University of Virginia.   Box lunch at the Café at Monticello.   Afternoon Field Trip: "Monticello,  Home of Thomas Jefferson" and the Jefferson family cemetery.  Evening Class: "Thomas Jefferson: Visions and Contradictions" .

Tuesday, April 8 - Morning Class: "Madison, Montpelier, and Constitution-Making".   Field Trip: "Montpelier, Home of James and Dolley Madison".  Free time for self-guided exploration of the grounds and new Visitor Center.   I found a Virtual in the Garden.  We ate a delicious box lunch.  Afternoon Class: "A Constitutional Conversation".  We visited the Montpelier Train Station. 

Wednesday, April 9 - Morning Class: "Presidential Plantations".  Afternoon: I had a free time so I caught the #7 bus/Trolley to the Downtown Mall.  I purchased a novel at the used book store and a little purple dish at The Mole Hole, found a Geocache, ate a dish of ice cream at The Nook and later had two slices of Pepperoni Pizza.  I saw the movie "The Grand Budapest Hotel" at the Regal Theater.  I caught the #7 bus back to the English Inn.

Thursday, April 10 - CMorning Class: "James Monroe: Principle & Perseverance".  Class: "Thomas Jefferson, American Architect".Type: Hotel

Description: Located in the beautiful and historic Piedmont region of Virginia at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Charlottesville offers a variety of activities and attractions, all located conveniently near the English Inn. In addition to the sites included in the program, there are additional historical homes, museums, and venues within easy driving distance. Browse through the shops in historic downtown, tour the local vineyards, or take a short trip to the Skyline Drive, famous for its fall splendor and breathtaking vistas.

Contact info:
2000 Morton Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903 USA
phone: 800-786-5400
web: www.wytestone.com

Room amenities: Rooms appointed with two queen beds or king, dresser and a wide desk. In-room coffee-maker, refrigerator, iron, ironing board, hair dryer, alarm clock, air conditioning. Cable TV with HBO, Telephone with voice mail and computer data port (Internet high speed access).

Facility amenities: Relax amid the warmth and charm of traditional British decor. Enjoy a bountiful, buffet breakfast every morning and tea and cookies in the afternoon. Indoor pool, sauna and workout room, adjacent to Rivanna Greenbelt Trail. The hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle from 7:00am-8:00pm, but reservations are needed. Conveniently located only one mile from UVA campus. Enjoy the area fitness center, ACAC, free with your room key. Elevators are available to upper floors. Daily newspaper provided. Guest Business Office open 24 hours with fax machine available. Safe deposit boxes available.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: $75 plus tax, limited rooms.
The English Inn can usually provide lodging before or after your program at the discounted Road Scholar rate. This rate is not always available, especially on football weekends in the fall.

Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Lunch: Historic Michie Tavern.  We had delicious Southern cooking!  We toured the oldest section of Michie Tavern.  Afternoon Field Trip: "Ash-Lawn Highland, Home of James Monroe"   We strolled the grounds to see the gardens and Monroe's statue while taking in the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. 

I caught the #7 bus to the Transit Center and then the #10 bus to the Lazy Parrot Backyard BBQ at the Panteps Center for "Meet Rose Red" (GC4X2EX) Event at 7:30pm.  I put together the Goodie Bags and then had dinner.  I "found" a cache during the Event.  I got a lift back to the English Inn as it would have been a bit of a hassle to take a taxi/bus.

Friday, April 11 - Morning Class: "Silent Voices: Women, Slaves, and Free People of Color".  Performance: "Colonel Monroe".  Disappointing Road Scholar program.  Way too many lectures and not enough activities.  The Field Trips were way too short.

I took my luggage down to the storage room and checked out. I crossed the street and went to the Fashion Mall. I ate a light lunch at Starbucks.  I explored the Mall for awhile and then headed back to English Inn. I read in front of fireplace for awhile.  I spent some time in the Inn's beautiful English courtyard.

Lorraine picked me up about 4:30pm.   We went to her house on a hill near Roseland.  We looked at her rabbits which she raises for food!  We went to a Photography Show by Emily Alfred at the Waynesboro County Club.  I looked at all the prints.  Lorraine purchased one.  There were plenty of hors d' oeuvres of (snack foods).  The Crab Dip was delicious!  I was able to get the recipe.  We stopped at Blue Ridge Grocery in Nellyford, VA. We went back to her house.

Saturday, April 12 - I spent the night at Lorraine's house.  We had a lovely breakfast.  We went to Charlottesville where we wandered through the Rotunda and The Lawn.  We saw a wedding party in front of the University Chapel.  We had a lovely afternoon tea at Fossett's at Keswick Hall near Monticello.  We drove down the Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway, finding a geocache.  Back at her house we had a light dinner in the glass walled Tea Room.  Afterwards we watched a movie about 9/11 -  "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close".

Sunday, April 13 - I watched the sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains from the deck of Lorraine's house.  We had a delicious breakfast.  We drove to Charlottesville where I caught the 11:15am Amtrak train to Alexandria, arriving about 1:30 0pm.  My eldest son Jeff met my train.  We drove along the Potomac River to see the cherry trees in bloom.  Quite a sight!  Jeff took me to two places where I found Virtuals: Echoes of the Past and Seven Something.  We drove back to Alexandria where we met Connie.  We went to dinner at the Chart House on the wharf at the end of King Street.  We left Connie at her townhouse and drove back to Jeff's house.

Monday, April 14 - I set my alarm for 6:00am.  I left with Jeff when he went to work.  He dropped me off at the Alexandria Metro Station.  I rode the Metro to National Airport.  I checked my luggage.  I went across the ramp to the green space between the two parking lots where I found the ruins of a plantation house and the signboards for a Virtual.  I really enjoyed the trip but it was good to be home.

Trip Journal 2013

Oct 14 - 18 Road Scholar 2013 Crime Scene Forensics Harrahs, Las Vegas, Nevada

Oct 11 - 14  Geocoinfest, Alexis Park All Suite Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada

July 26 - Christopher and I stayed overnight in the spacious Albany Suite at the Comfort Suites.  We found seven of the eight Harry Potter Series.   We found ten of the required AHHCC required caches.  And several other geocaches also.  After finding the Luckiamute Cache we traveled north to cross the Buena Vista Ferry over the Willamette River to Millersburg Cache.  We explored the “Keyhole House” aka “Castle of Chaos”, the former home of magician Jerry Andrus (1918-2007).   He was a creator of world-renowned magic tricks and optical illusions, such as the "Linking Pins."  He called his home the "Castle of Chaos" in reference to the numerous items he collected over the years with the hope of using them to "make something spectacular."   We traveled north on Hwy 99 to Left Coast Cellars in Rickreall, Oregon to photograph and get coordinates for the second largest Ice Age Flood Erratic in Oregon.

June 9 to 21 - SD, MT & WY Car Trip with Richard and Molly

Trip attractions include Rapid City Trolley Tour, The Journey Museum, downtown statues of the US Presidents, Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, Custer State Park, The Mammoth Site, Black Hills, Geographic Center of USA, Little Bighorn National Battlefield (and other Custer 1876 sites), Pompey’s Pillar (with W^m Clark’s 25 July 1806 signature),  Canyon Creek battle site (Nez Perce, 1877), scenic Dead Indian Pass and Sunlight Valley, Buffalo Bill Historical Center (a sprawling museum of Plains Indians, Western Art including some of the best Charlie Russells), Trail Town, Devils Canyon, Bighorn Medicine Wheel, sites along 1860s Bozeman Trail, Devils Tower, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Lead/Deadwood, part of the Berlin Wall, and The Journey Museum. 

April 25 - 28 - Road Scholar City Highlights Weekend in Seattle. 

Feb 21 & 22 -  I went with an Oregon based tour group to Seattle.  They picked me up at the new Vancouver Public Library downtown. I had lunch at Taste Restaurant Deli and saw the Old Masters exhibit at Seattle Art Museum (SAM) as well as SAM's paintings (also took a brief afternoon nap on comfy chairs in the movie room). I had a light dinner at Nordstrom Cafe, attended the Marvin Hamlisch Tribute at Benaroya Hall (exchanged my group JJ row ticket for row P - great view of the orchestra/singers) and had dinner/wine at The Cheesecake Factory afterwards.  I stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel.  Early the next morning we saw NW Flower & Garden Show where I did the Coconut Treasure Hunt (great fun!) and purchased Dave Barry's new book "Insane City" at Barnes & Noble.  Great trip.