Amtrak Trip to Leavenworth, Washington

I left the house about 6:15AM on Wednesday, November 29 via Uber for Marshall Center.  I read "The Columbian" newspaper in Marshall Center lobby.  I checked in with the trip leaders at Leupke Center about 7:00.  We boarded two vans about 7:30 for the short trip to the Amtrak Station.  The 8:35 train did not arrive until 9:35! 

I had a window seat on the water side.  It was a very enjoyable trip to Seattle.  I walked a few blocks to Starbucks at 400 Occidental Ave S where I had the crackers, cheese, and fruit protein box, shortbread cookies and Earl Grey tea.  Nancy came in while I was eating and joined me for an interesting conversation.  We walked back to the King Street Amtrak Station.  The renovation is complete.  Stunning!

The train left for Leavenworth about 4:40PM.  It was soon dark.  Great view of the Christmas lights along the way.  Some snow at the 2,000+ ft. level crossing the Cascades at Stevens Pass.

We arrived at Icicle Station in Leavenworth about 8:00PM.  A bus shuttle took us to the Bavarian Lodge.  We each got a small sack with two chocolate chip cookies.  There was hot cider also.  I got my room key to 320.  It was on the back side of the Lodge.  I would not be able to enjoy the Christmas lights in the park from my room window.  Instead I overlooked the parking lot and houses.  Much quieter though.

I rose early for 7:00 AM breakfast Thursday morning.  We went on a wagon ride at Red Tail Canyon Ranch.  We had cookies and hot drink.  Back at Leavenworth I took an IPhone photo of the webcam photo of me at the park, wandered through many of the stores as snow fell and then looked for a warm place to eat lunch.  I had a roasted tomato, mozzarella cheese and basil pesto toasted focaccia, shortbread cookies and Earl Grey tea at Starbucks.  Most enjoyable.  I had chocolate ice cream mixed with toasted, chopped almonds in a cup at a nearby ice cream parlor.  I enjoyed the colorful Christmas lights in the park from the ice cream parlor window.

Back at the Bavarian Lodge I sat in front of the fire in the fireplace in the lobby.  I had planned to hear Bluegrass music at the Icicle Pub this evening but they had to run a Sounder game on television so the Bluegrass music was canceled.  Sad.  Later I had a glass of Riesling wine at the Lodge Pub.  We sat on comfy chairs in front of the fireplace.  I shared a bit of Nancy's bruschetta.  I watched some television in my room, packed, showered and fell instantly asleep.

I woke at 4:00AM on Friday morning, dressed and headed downstairs with my backpack and tote bag.  We boarded the van for the short ride to Icicle Station.  A few of us wandered over to one of the heated shelters.  The train was about 17 minutes late.  We got into Seattle about 11:00. 

I headed east to Starbucks at 505 5th Ave S. where I had the crackers, cheese and fruit protein box, shortbread cookies and two cups of Earl Grey tea.  I sat at a table with two very well dressed business people.  The woman, Laine, and the man, David, are writers/producers.  Big Story Productions.  Fascinating conversation.  They are currently working on presenting the story of the Panama Hotel.  I read the novel "The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" and have actually eaten lunch at the Panama Hotel where I saw through a glass floor panel the luggage that was left by the Japanese when they were interred during WWII.   I told David about Dave Ulmer; Jeremy, Brian and Elias at Groundspeak; and Geocaching. 

We caught the train about 2:15 for Vancouver, WA.  I once again had a view of the water as we headed south.  This will be the last time that I will have this view as the train will henceforth travel inland.  So sad.  We arrived in Vancouver at 5:30 about 17 minutes late. We took the vans to Marshall Center.  Carol gave me a ride home. 

Lessons from the Watergate Scandal

It has been 45 years since the bungled 1972 break-in at the Watergate offices of the Democratic National Committee headquarters by burglars tied to the president's re-election committee set off the Watergate scandal.  The burglars were there to repair electronic eavesdropping bugs they had installed the previous month.

The resulting attempted cover-up, abuse of power, perjury, news of the existence of a clandestine group called the Plumbers operating from within the White House, discovery of other crimes (break-ins, kidnapping, etc.) and the eventual resignation of the sitting president in 1974.

The free press especially The Washington Post played its fundamental role in bringing the scandal to light.  The Senate Select Committee Watergate hearings exposed the depth of the scandal.

Nearly half a century later, as another American president finds himself engulfed in scandal over claims of election misconduct, he and his staff may well want to read up on the Watergate scandal in the bestselling book All the President’s Men.  There are lessons to be learned!

Watergate was basically decent men who went astray.  It was a failure of decent men to follow their conscience.  They made tragically destructive errors and many even criminal conduct.

In the end, the lessons of Watergate contain both an assurance and a warning.

The assurance is that the American system works. The warning is that, no matter how high or important the post, if one betrays a public trust, the system will be brought into play.  Watergate shows that the odds of beating the system are strongly against a guilty person.

After what happened to Richard Nixon, only a fool would take the chance.  

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

In 1973, thousands of people watched the seemingly endless testimony of Watergate figures - McCloud, Halderman, Strachan, Chapin, Magruder, and others - on television.  But the actual hearings were attended by only a few hundred people.  On Monday, September 24, I attended both the morning and afternoon sessions when the hearings resumed after a brief late summer recess.

After long hours of waiting, I and several other spectators solemnly filed past the blue uniformed guards who carefully checked each one for weapons, up the long, winding gray marble stairs, and into the spacious Senate Caucus Room, still 15 minutes before the Senate Select Watergate Committee resumed its hearings, taking seats in the last row or leaning against the back wall and large pillars.

Convicted Watergate conspirator, E. Howard Hunt Jr., 54, an ex-CIA agent, looking pale, thin and physically weak, was present to testify as to how he had become involved in the bugging and break-in of Democratic National Committee's Watergate Headquarters.  Hunt spoke for the first time publically about "the events which have befallen me."  

Hunt and his lawyer faced the solemn Senate Select Watergate Committee: Senator Lowell Wicker (R-CT), Senator Edward J. Gurney (R-FL), Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. (R-TN), Senator Sam J. Erwin, Jr., chairman, Sam Dash, Chief Council, Senator Herman Talmadge (D-GA), Senator Daniel Inoyue (D-HI), and Senator Joseph M. Montoya (D-NM).

I heard recently that as a young lawyer Hillary Rodham (later Clinton) helped investigate Watergate.  She likely attended the hearing that day but I would not have known who she was.

To Hunt's left, a row of television cameras, lights powerful, glaring; photographers bobbing in and out, flashbulbs flashing until Hunt strongly protested; to his right sitting at long tables or leaning against the walls and pillars were reporters, news analysts - Sam Donaldson, Sally Quinn, Carl Stern, Daniel Shore, and others members of the press. 

Hunt read aloud a brief opening statement, his voice dry and lifeless, making it clear that he felt betrayed by his government.  He testified about his part in Watergate.  After the hearing was over for the day, Hunt rose slowly, warmly embraced his grown children, and was led away to spend the night at a Federal Bureau of Prisons "safe house".  Hunt would serve 33 months in prison for the crime and emerge a broken man.

Leaving the Senate Caucus Room, I paused briefly in the crowded rotunda for a last look back, turned and walked slowly down the winding gray marble stairs.  Behind me was almost a year of Watergate - "a third-rate burglary" as the White House once described it; the Senate Watergate Hearings - a "three ring circus" as its detractors referred to it; and E. Howard Hunt, Jr., - the spy who came in from the cold and did not like it.

Santa Fe and Taos, September 11 - 17, 2017

Monday, Sept. 11 - I caught a cab from Vancouver Cab Company at 5:30am to Portland International Airport.  I was pleased to be leaving the hot, smoky weather behind.  I boarded Alaska Airlines for a 8:00-11:45am flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  I changed my watch during the flight to Mountain time.  I collected my suitcase and walked to the Scandia Shuttle desk.  I didn't have long to wait.  However it seemed like we walked forever to board the shuttle! 

I arrived at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza Hotel, 100 Sandoval Street about 2:15pm.  I was given two bottles of water at check-in as I am a Hilton Honors member.  I waited about an hour in the lounge area to check into my room but it was worth it.  Great location on the top (3rd) floor overlooking the pool.  Spacious and beautifully decorated.  I purchased a sandwich and bottle of apple juice from the hotel shop for late lunch in my room.  My television did not work so I told the front desk the times I would not be in my hotel room the next day so they could fix it.  I was given a complimentary coupon for two glasses of wine and a cheese, fruit and crackers plate for the inconvenience which I used later in the week.

I checked in with the Road Scholar Group leader, Elizabeth Schroder, and received my folder with the updated schedule.  We had orientation and introductions in the meeting room from 5:00-6:00.  Buffet dinner in the meeting room at 6:30.  Interesting group.  I was not doing well at 7,200 ft. above sea level.  I went to bed early and slept soundly until time to wake up at 6:30am.

Tuesday, Sept. 12 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am at the hotel.  The instructor, Elizabeth Schroder, gave a lecture at 8:30 on the History of New Mexico from its earliest Paleo-Indian inhabitants to the Spanish settlers and American merchants who followed.  We also heard about Santa Fe which is the oldest state capital in the country.  At 10:15 we departed for a guided walking exploration of the Santa Fe Plaza area including the St. Francis Cathedral/Basilica, Loretto Chapel (Chapel of Our Lady of Light) with its amazing spiral choir loft staircase, and a few other sites.  Santa Fe has three main styles of architecture: Pueblo, Territorial and Northern New Mexico.

We had lunch at Blue Corn Cafe, a local favorite.  I got a large wrap with slaw.  I saved half of the wrap and the slaw in my room refrigerator for a light dinner.  We departed via coach from the hotel for the Indian Arts Research Center at the School for Advanced Research.  We were allowed to see the Pottery collection: Acoma, Laguna, Santa Ana, Zia, Santa Domingo, Cochiti, Dine and apache, Taos and Picuris, Tesuque, Santa Clara, Ohkay Owingeh, San Ildefonso, Mojave, Zuni, and Hopi.  My favorite is the Black pottery from the San Ildefonso and Santa Clara Pueblos.

I went for a walk in downtown Santa Fe to find a couple geocaches: Santa Fe River Park and SFGT: La Fonda Hotel.  I ate the half wrap and cole slaw left over from lunch and the rest of the apple juice from the day before for a light dinner.  I went to bed early.  I fell asleep watching a television show "America's Got Talent". 

Wednesday, Sept. 13 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am at the hotel.  Jerry Rightman, instructor, gave a talk and showed slides on Georgia O'Keeffe.  We walked a few blocks north through Burro Alley to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum which holds the largest collection of O'Keeffe works in the world.

After the instructor led a short tour through the museum I left to have lunch at nearby cafe, Sweet Lily.  I discovered that the owner had done some geocaching.  I had Quiche Lorraine with a green salad.  I sat at a table on the front porch.  It was quite lovely.  I visited the O'Keeffe Museum for a couple more hours.  My favorites were Bella Donna, 1939 and Black Hollyhock Blue Larkspur, 1930.  I own three large Georgia O'Keeffe prints.

I walked the few blocks back to the Hilton.  We departed from the hotel at 4:30 for Red Mesa Cuisine in Eldorado.  We had a presentation on Southwest Cuisine led by Chef Dr. Lois Ellen Frank, author of "Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations" and Chef Walter Whitewater of Diné (Navajo) Nation,  followed by a four-course dinner.  The dessert was Organic Mixed Berry Crisp with whipped cream, and Chocolate Pinon Torte with Fresh Berries.

Thursday, Sept. 14 - We had an early breakfast buffet at 7:00am at the hotel.   I requested that they unlock the doors to our breakfast room.  The Coach departed for Taos at 8:00am.  We visited Taos Pueblo for an hour and half.  Taos Pueblo has a certain mystic from afar that it does not have up close. 

We had lunch at Gutiz restaurant in Taos.  I had a Bacon, lettuce & tomato on a fresh baguette with a side of homemade mayonnaise. Served with a side of Gutiz potatoes.  Very disappointing. 

We visited the Millicent Rogers Museum.  In 1956, the youngest son Paul Peralta - Ramos founded the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos. The museum houses a large collection of Native American, Hispanic, and Euro-American art, with a specific emphasis on northern New Mexico and Taos pieces. It first opened in a temporary location in the mid-1950s, later moving to its permanent location in the late 1960s, a home built by Claude J. K. and Elizabeth Anderson, close friends of Millicent Rogers. Fascinating place.  Rogers initials are carved into the door frame of the original entrance, which is located in Gallery 11.

Afterwards we had independent exploration of the historic district near Taos Plaza.  I got a cup of ice cream and sat on the bench in front of the store talking to two men.  I walked quite a ways to the Kit Carson Memorial Cemetery where I found a geocache: The New Mexico Challenge - Taos Country.  I photographed Kit Carson's headstone.    

  

About 4:00 we departed for Santa Fe, stopping for a brief photo opportunity at San Francisco de Asis Mission Church on the way. This Spanish Colonial adobe building is one of the best known and most photographed churches in New Mexico. We had dinner at Santa Fe Bar and Grill in Santa Fe.  I had the Vegetarian Baked Lasagna (I prefer ground beef) and Mexican Flan for dessert.  Dinner was followed by a return to the hotel.

Friday,  Sept. 15 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am at the hotel.  We had presentation by Ronald Roybal of flute music.  I was disappointed that he did not play the Spanish Classical guitar.  We departed for the Meow Wolf Arts Complex at 10:00.  The place is a real hoot! 

We boarded the bus at 11:30 to depart for lunch destination at Maria's New Mexican Kitchen.  The service and meal was a disaster. The only thing I loved was the complimentary sopapilla which was incredible. Thick but billowy, sprinkled inside with honey it made my lunch enjoyable after all.

After lunch we departed for Museum Hill for a visit to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.  We departed for the hotel about 4:00.   I went for a long walk to find some geocaches: Guadalupe Shrine, Zandi 5 (a Virtual) and Veterans' Services Memorial.  I photographed San Miguel Mission.  Back at the Hilton I used my complimentary coupon for cheese, crackers and fruit with Chardonnay wine for dinner. 

Saturday, Sept. 16 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am at the hotel.  We took a field trip to parts of the High Road to Taos.  We visited Chimayo. The Chimayó valley is a verdant oasis extending from the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the expanse of the Rio Grande valley. The name Chimayó itself is from the Tewá Indian language meaning superior red flaking stone. 

We visited El Santuario de Chimayo, a Roman Catholic church.  We visited Centinela Traditional Arts weaving gallery.  Years ago I had purchased a stunning rug but ended up backing out of the deal.  We had lunch at Rancho de Chimayo, a charming restaurant housed in an old hacienda.  After lunch we traveled to Pojoaque where we visited the Poeh Cultural Center.  I saw a plethora of pots!  I purchased a small clay cat (Musa).  Afterwards we departed for the hotel.  Buffet dinner and closing comments.  I am just getting over Altitude problems and now it is about time to head home.

Sunday, Sept. 17 - We had a breakfast buffet at 7:30am at the hotel.  This was the last meal included in the Road Scholar program.  I was picked up at 8:00 by Al and Nola Funk (ACFunk).  I hosted an Event at Tribes Coffee House, 3470 Zafarano Drive.  Great turnout!  Afterwards the Funks took me to a Virtual and then back to the Hilton.  I stopped at the Lensic Performing Arts Center to get Symphony tickets for the afternoon concert.  I walked to the Plaza where I had lunch at the Plaza Cafe.  There was a Santa Fe Vintage Car Club Rally on the Plaza.  I attended the pre-concert talk at 3:00 at the Lensic Auditorium. 

The Santa Fe Symphony's 34th season kicked off with Van Cliburn gold medalist, Yekwon Sunwoo, performing with the full orchestra. Sunwoo, who has shared stages with Perlman and Marin Alsop, came to Santa Fe fresh from his Van Cliburn competition victory to perform Brahms’s four-movement epic, the Piano Concerto No. 2. The afternoon’s performance concluded with Elgar’s intimate and complex Enigma Variations, a Romanticist tribute to the composer’s friends and family.

I had an Almond Croissant and Earl Grey tea at 6:00 at Starbucks near Santa Fe Plaza.  I sat at the front window watching street life.

Monday, Sept 18 - I was given a complimentary full breakfast at the hotel.  I wandered over to the Plaza where I looked at Native jewelry under the portal at the Palace of Governors.  Back at the hotel I checked out of my room.  I contacted a Lyft driver.  He took me to the Capital Station.  I rode the Rail Runner to Albuquerque.  I took the bus shuttle to the airport.  I had a light meal of Granola and Yogurt with a Brownie for dessert at Black Mesa Coffee Co. cafe before going through security.  My flight arrived in Portland about 8:00.  I took MAX light rail and C-Tran home.  Long day.  Even though it was cold and rainy it was so good to get home! 

Cachly App

I dumped the "new" Groundspeak App a couple months ago. I attended a Cachly Event/Presentation where I got the Cachly App. It is based on Groundspeaks former Classic App. I was deeply disappointed to lose Groundspeak's Classic App but the Cachly App is the next best thing. Now if I could just get around to switching from AT&T to Verizon!

Backroads of Upper Washington State DeLorme Atlas and upper Idaho DeLorme Atlas

Friday, August 18 - My son, Christopher, and I left Vancouver, Washington about 9:00am.  We stopped at Fred Meyer for gas for the car and batteries for GPS.  We headed north to Snoqualmie.  We stopped for breakfast at McDonalds in Kelso at 10:30.  The weather was hot but a lot cooler than last year.  We had lunch at Denny's in Spanaway at 2:30pm.   We found a cache behind the restaurant.  Employee (smoker) muggle told my son he couldn't go back there.  Ha.  We found the cache anyway as he had finished his smoke break.  We wandered for miles and miles on the backroads of farm/dairy country.  We had a great view of 14,411 ft high Mount Rainier in the Cascade Range.  We encountered a lot of traffic in Snoqualmie and North Bend.  We stopped at Double R Diner.  I had Cherry pie with vanilla ice cream.  A few days ago I created a "Twin Peaks" Bookmark.  We checked into the Summit Inn for two nights.  We were in a handicap room 107-A.  We attended the Meet and Greet "going APE" from 8:30-9:00 outside the lobby of the Summit Inn.  We walked next door to the Lee Summit Deli for late dinner to take back to our room 107-A.

Saturday, Aug 19 - We had breakfast at The Summit Pancake House.  We went to the Event location.  Christopher went through the spooky 100-year-old, 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel. He found Iron Horse Cache, KE BS Troop 570 Iron Horse Cache, The Iron Horse Express Cache, and The Rocket Cache along the Iron Horse Trail.  I signed the Logboard for us at the "Going Ape 2017" Event and purchased APE event geocoins.  I purchased a cup of very weak lemonade.  I drove to the Annette Lake Trailhead.  Exit 47 was closed for construction so I drove quite a distance to the next exit and backtracked.  I picked up Christopher.  The entire hike was 5.5 miles.  We found ?What a Wonderful World cache across the freeway before heading back to Snoqualmie Pass.  We had dinner at The Commonwealth Cafe.  We spent the night again at the Summit Inn in Room 107-A. 

Sunday, Aug 20 - I purchased a large muffin at The Summit Pancake House for light breakfast.  I attended the "Gone APE 2017" Event outside the lobby of the Summit Inn.  I took a Travel Bug that I will drop off later.  We had breakfast at Riverbend Cafe in North Bend.  Watched the golfers out the cafe window.  I do not understood golfers.  You golf for the exercise however you ride golf carts rather than walk!  I parked at the Parking Lot. Walked the Pipeline Trail at Sammamish to sign the Log for ?Washington DeLorme Challenge (GCQQ9B) Final.  We still have specific requirements that must be completed before logging this cache as Found.  We found Three Lakes Geo-Library at North Snohomish, found TNT bOoK CaChe at Marysville (we had lunch at McDonalds at 2:30) and found Cache a Nap at a Rest Stop on the way to Bellingham.  Couldn't find Up the Creek cache.  We had dinner at Round Table Pizza in Bellingham.  We stayed the night at the Econo Lodge & Suites in Room 307.  I prefer sleeping on the top floor.  We covered Page 32.

Monday, Aug 21 - We had a continental breakfast.  Christopher found two caches that I had already found: Pickett House in Bellingham (#15) and Roadkill Turtle (#32) in Sedro-Woolley.  Eclipse of the Sun hysteria.  We went too far east on Hwy 20.  However we did get to use the facilities at the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center.  We had to backtrack 10+ miles to travel south across the long, narrow silver bridge on the Cascade River Road to find the cache "Bridge over ...".  Back to the silver bridge at Hwy 20 and then east again.  The North Cascades Highway was completed in September 1972, connecting the Skagit River Valley with the Methow Valley.  The highway is closed in the winter due to snow accumulations and avalanches.  The highway crosses Washington Pass at 5,477 ft. (quite spectacular as is the Early Winter Spires) and Rainy Pass at 4,860 ft.  We got into Okanogan really late.  We checked into the Quality Inn Rooms 301 and 303.  We went to Burger King and McDonalds to pick up our dinners to take back to our rooms.  We found nine caches and did not find three caches.  We covered Pages 15, 16, 32, 33, 17, 34, 18, 19, and 35.

Tuesday, Aug 22 - We had breakfast at the Quality Inn.  We drove south to pick up Page 36.  We replaced a missing cache for A Handy Cache and found another cache downtown at Surveyors Park in Brewster.  We headed north and then east to find 14 more caches.  We stayed the night at Benny's Colville Inn in Room 243.  We got some food items at nearby Whittys South Town 7 for dinner to take back to our room.  We covered Pages 36, 20, 21, 38 and 22.

Wednesday, Aug 23 - We had a light breakfast.  We found 13 caches and did not find two caches.  Finding the Cully cache was particularly exciting!  The road was primitive and it was not clear whether it circled around (it did).  We had croissant sandwiches and a coconut macaroon (for me) for lunch at the Uphaus (German) Bakery in Kettle Falls.  We covered Pages 23, 39, 24, 40, 25, and 41.  We stayed the night at the Quality Inn Valley Suites in Room 416 in Spokane.  We sat at a booth at Denny's waiting to order dinner for way too long so I insisted that we walk out.  We ate at Applebee's.  Much better ambiance!

Thursday, Aug 24 - We had the Quality Inn breakfast.   We found two caches and an Earthcache in Washington State and then eight caches in Idaho.  We had dinner at Three Mile Corner Cafe in Bonners Ferry.  Many construction delays both in Idaho and Washington State.  I really should have booked TWO nights in Spokane or Thursday night stay someplace in Idaho.  It was too much to drive from Spokane through upper Idaho and then all the way to Pasco via Spokane.  Argh!  We stayed the night at Sleep Inn in Pasco in Room 212.

Friday, Aug 25 - I was exhausted.  Time to head home via Hwy 395 and I 84.  I played music previously downloaded on my I Phone via Bluetooth until we reached The Dalles.  Too much traffic.  Music would be distracting.  When we neared I 84 and I 205 junction traffic had come to a complete standstill.  I drove through downtown Portland to Interstate Avenue.  I stopped for gas at Killingsworth Gas Station.  I stopped at the Caples Post Office in Vancouver to get the mail.  I got the car washed at Andreson Road car wash.  We drove about 1818 miles on this trip.  If I did it correctly I have completed the Washington State DeLorme Challenge. 

Jacksonville Trip, August 8-10, 2017

The 50+ Travel Group from Vancouver, Washington met at Luepke Center (Marshall Center) about 7:30am.   We checked in and bags were loaded.  We departed by 8:00.  We had lunch at the Wild Duck (on our own) in Eugene.  I had berry pie with vanilla ice cream.  We went to the Wild Life Safari for an Elephant Encounter (money maker for WLS).  Our next stop was the Vortex House of Mystery at Sardine Creek at 5:00pm.  I was hot and miserable.  We checked into our hotel, Riverside Inn, and settled in our rooms.   I had upgraded my room to the top floor with a great view of the rainbow arch Caveman Bridge and the Rogue River.  We had dinner at nearby Tap Rock.  I had Ivars Clam Chowder and Caesar Salad.  I watched the last hour of "America's Got Talent".  

I was up early at 6:00am.  I had breakfast at the hotel.  I found a Benchmark on the Caveman Bridge and a geocache a bit farther along.  We departed for Jacksonville by 9:30am.  We took a Trolley ride.  I stood on back trolley platform so I could get some photos of benchmarks i.e. church steeples.  We had a narrated tour of this historical town.  "The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid" was filmed here in 1972.  They removed modern traffic signs, the city streets were covered in dirt, wooden sidewalks added, and hitching posts added.  They constructed a new building filling in an open lot. We had lunch at the Jacksonville Inn.  I had warm crusty bread with butter, two small bowls of gazpacho soup and a crispy salad.  I had a scoop of vanilla ice cream at The Scoop Shoppe.

We returned to the Riverside Inn in time for the jetboat ride.  We were told to be at the loading area at 3:15 but the boats were not loaded until 4:30!   Dozens and dozens of people showed up to ride the boats.  I was hot and miserable so I left.  I got a great photo of the jetboat roaring down the Rogue River from my room balcony.  I had a lovely dinner at a window table with a view of the Caveman Bridge at the Tap Rock of BLT with avocado on focaccia bread, and house chips.  I took 1/2 of the sandwich and some chips back to my room to eat while watching "Master Chef".   I do not regret opting out of the jetboat trip.  I heard stories the next day of getting soaked and having to hang clothes over the hotel patio railing to dry, having to deal with wasps/bees during the family style dinner at the OK Corral and being berated by one of the group leaders on the return trip.

I rose at 6:00am.  Breakfast at the hotel by 7:00.  Both leaders walked up as I was checking out/paying for my upgraded room at the Front Desk.  They were absolutely livid!  Especially the short, plump one.  Evidently the charge also showed up on the City of Vancouver bill.  It wasn't so much that the City of Vancouver got charged but it was a Control issue.  I heard later that she was rude to some of the people on her van. 

I enjoyed sitting on the deck of my room.  I was reluctant to leave but it was soon time to head back to Vancouver.  Our first stop was the Butterfly Pavilion at Elkton.  I found the geocache.  I met some geocachers who knew me.  I got a ride with the fort interpreter on a cart down to the reproduction of Hudson's Bay Fort Umpqua along the Umpqua River.  The others had walked or ridden the van.  The fort was not built on the original location.  We rode to the small downtown where I had pizza and beer at a restaurant.  I found a geocache.  I got an ice cream bar.

We traveled to Eugene.  Most of the group took a tour of the Ninkasi brewery.  I sat in the shade at the patio and charged my IPhone.  We stopped at Euphoria Chocolates for samples and to purchase chocolates.  I wonder if the group leaders got a kickback?  We had dinner at Sam Bonds Garage.  A dreadful, hot place.  I got a large chocolate chip cookie as I was not that hungry.  We headed north with a rest stop at Pilot truck stop on the way.  I had planned to take the city bus however Carol Z. gave me a lift home.

Survival

"The nature of survival is that stuff doesn't always go as planned. Survival is about making decisions, keeping going, keeping cheerful and coming up with a new plan when something doesn't work." Edward Michael Grylls, nicknamed Bear, (b. 1974), British adventurer, writer and television presenter.

Rose Red, Geocaching name

My Geocaching name is Rose Red from the Brothers Grimm's story "Snow White and Rose Red".  Snow White was quiet and passive.  I'm not.

I grew up admiring strong girls and women: Jo from "Little Women", Jane Eyre, Mary Lennox of "Secret Garden", Caddie Woodlawn, and, of course, the original Nancy Drew.  In later years I admired Katherine Hepburn, Katherine Graham of The Washington Post, Princess Diana, Hillary Clinton (for being one classy lady and for being a thorn in Donald's side), and Senators Lisa Murkowski (R) and Susan Collins (R) for standing up for what is right.

While we are on the subject of girls and women that I have admired over the years, who are the boys and men both fictional and real that I have admired?  Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck of "To Kill a Mockingbird"), Frank Towns (James Stewart in "The Flight of the Phoenix"), and Charles Brubaker (James Brolin in "Capricorn One").   I also admire President Jimmy Carter, President Barack Obama, Senator Al Franken (smart, funny, honest), John Dean (Watergate), Frank Lloyd Wright (as Architect not his private life), Tom Hanks (American actor, "Sully" etc.), Warren Buffett, and Bill Gates (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation).

The Rich are different from you and me...

"Let me tell you about the very rich.  They are different from you and me.  They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them, makes them soft where we are hard, and cynical where we are trustful, in a way that, unless you are born rich, it is very difficult to understand.  They think, deep in their hearts, that they are better than we are because we had to discover the compensations and refuges of life for ourselves.  Even when they enter deep into our world or sink below us, they still think they are better than we are.  They are different." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Kevin Bacon's New Kind of BLT Sandwiches

Kevin Bacon has invented New Kind of BLT Sandwiches: Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado and Tomato; and Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, Smoked Salmon, and Tomato.  Must try!

Poor Trump

"Do This! Do That! And Nothing Will Happen.  Poor Ike - it won't be a bit like the Army.  He will find it very frustrating."  - President Harry S Truman (1884-1972)  The same can be said for Donald Trump.  It won't be a bit like running your own business. 

Donald Trump

""In the immortal words of the villainous Ramsay Bolton on "Game of Thrones": "If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention."" - Maureen Dowd

Trump

"Trump wants to rule, not govern." - CNN.com

Quote

"Never go on trips with anyone you do not love." - Ernest Hemingway

Tri-Cities Geocoin Challenge June 23-25, 2017

My son, Christopher, and I left Vancouver about 9:00AM.  I traveled west on I 84.  We found several caches on the way to Kennewick.

I have attended three Tri-Cities Geocoin Challenge Mega Events (2013, 2016 and 2017) and three Tri-Cities Geocoin Challenge Events all the way back to 2010 (also 2011 and 2014). This year's Tri-Cities Geocoin Challenge was the most enjoyable for me.

I really appreciate having the GPSs loaded at the Event. It would have been great having paper printouts of the puzzle caches. I hate the new Groundspeak App and refuse to use it. I mourn the loss of my Classic Groundspeak App.

It was great to have more time to complete the challenge this year. My son is one of the slowest cachers that attempts the challenge, so we appreciate the fact that so many cachers and volunteers waited around an extra hour to give away coins and raffle prizes. We really needed that extra hour.

I enjoyed Pasco so much more than Richland or Kennewick. I hate turnarounds (traffic circles) and heavy traffic. I had to make a quick decision at a freeway junction and chose the wrong exit. I had to drive several miles to be able to head back. Lost time when we didn't realize that a second punch cache had not been found. We had not left the area so it could have been worse. And we forgot to find a cache which we did later.

I do not do well in really hot weather and hiking uphill. I am an eight year Cancer survivor (July 2009) however I still have another Cancer (low-grade lymphoma) that I have had for many years.

We stayed in an expensive Suite at the Quality Inn in Kennewick. It was the worst Choice Hotel that I have ever stayed at. The bath towels were Motel 6 quality. I gave my son the Master bedroom and I took the sofa bed in the Living Room. There was a thin skimpy twin size bed pad. There was no bedding. No bedside (sofa side) lamp. No HGTV channel. Elevator near our suite did not work during most of our stay. It is my fault for not making reservations early at my favorite Tri-Cities hotel.

We ate dinner at Costa Vida in Richland on Friday, lunch at McDonalds in Kennewick on Saturday and late dinner at Applebee near our hotel. We purchased gas at Fred Meyer in Kennewick. I drove 652 miles. Hopefully we will be back next year!

Victoria Trip June 6, 7, and 8, 2017

I caught the C-Tran bus at 6:00am for downtown Vancouver and transferred to another bus at 6:20 for Marshall Center.   We departed Marshall Center in Vancouver, Washington about 7:30AM.  We made a stop in route. We caught the Black Ball Ferry out of Port Angeles for Victoria, B. C. The ferry ride to Victoria was about 1 1/2 hours.  I  had a chicken wrap for lunch.  When we reached Victoria we rode a little harbor boat in two shift.  I was going with the second shift.  I had accidently spilled about a 1/4 of a small bottled water in my lap before we got off the shuttle bus so it gave me time to dry out in the sun.  Afterwards we went to our hotel to check in.  I was given Room 434 at the far end of the corridor.  It was a corner suite with a great view out of the bedroom window of Parliament in the distance.  We boarded the bus to return to downtown.  Carol and I walked several blocks south on Government Street.  We had dinner at the Sticky Wicket.  I had Fish 'n Chips and a glass of white wine.  Back at the hotel I watched "America's Got Talent" on television.  I had a great night's sleep.

I had a Nature Valley Bar and Apple Juice for breakfast that I got from home.  We had a self guided tour of the Craigdarrock Castle.  I much prefer Pittock Mansion in the Portland West Hill.  After the Castle we went to Buchart Gardens.  I immediately went to The Dining Room where I had a marvelous Afternoon Tea.  I did the Virtual Cache.  And then wandered around the gardens until time to leave.  We drove to downtown harbor.  Carol and I did several Virtual Caches including the one at Christ Church.  We stopped at the food carts near the Royal BC Museum where Carol got a Wild Salmon burger.  We shared a free large cup of lentil soup.  Carol and I saw the IMAX 3D film of "Beauty and the Beast".  We caught the 30 bus back to the hotel.

I watched the Comey hearing on CNN until 9:30am.  We headed for the Royal BC Museum and a self guided tour.  I got my hand stamped and immediately headed for the cafe for a lemon poppyseed muffin and cup of Earl Grey tea.  I wandered around the exhibits until time to leave.  We sat in the bus from 1:00 to 3:30 waiting to board the ferry.  Argh!  I bought some gorp from the snack machine and drank bottled Apple Juice that I bought from home.  The ferry returned us to Port Angeles where we had dinner at Kokopili Grill.  I had a marvelous slice of cheesecake.  We made a stop once again partway back to Vancouver.  We didn't get home until midnight!

Next trip I need to check out Venus Sophia.  And see the rest of the exhibits at the Royal BC Museum.  And have lunch at the Legislature.  And so much more.

deja vu

Today President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey.  The Trump administration may seek to replace Comey with someone who will close the Russian probe.  It wasn't the crimes that brought down Richard Nixon - it was the cover-up.

Trump's Rules

Trump's rules on which he was raised:

Never use your own money. Steal a good idea and say it's your own. Do anything to get publicity. Remember that everybody can be bought.

Everybody but the House Freedom Caucus.

Trip to Walt Disney World/Sea World March 17 - 24, 2017

What is there to do at WDW/Sea World if you do not ride the rides?  It turns out there a lot of fun things to do.  And some disappointments.

I used a large chunk of my frequent flyer miles for a bulkhead seat in First Class.  I reserved a room on the top floor with a balcony at the Comfort Inn Buena Vista.  It is a great location for city bus transportation to Disney Springs, Comfort Inn Shuttle to WDW and Sea World, and nearby markets and restaurants.

I took a Blue Star Shuttle ($37 RT) to Portland (PDX), checked free two bags, cleared TSA precheck, and saw a couple short films at Hollywood Theater.  I relaxed in Alaska Lounge.  The flight left from PDX at 6:40am, arriving Orlando (MCO) at 3:07pm.  I collected my luggage and took a Mears Shuttle to the Comfort Inn.  I had dinner of Fish & Chips at nearby Hooters. 

I rose at 6:00am for 6:30 breakfast on Saturday,  March 18.  I traveled on Bus #50 to Disney Springs.  Interesting place.  I had a Turkey Havarti Sandwich and Shortbread Cookies for lunch at Starbucks at 1:40pm.  I hosted a Geocaching Event at 6:30.  I gave each cacher a Goodie bag when they signed the log.  I gave three prizes for the cachers who had the most Earthcaches, the most Virtuals and the most Benchmarks.  One of my best Events.  Highlights: photo of young boy at Sit-by-Me statue of Patrick Kavanagh (1904–1967), an Irish poet and novelist; lunch at Starbucks patio overlooking the tethered hot air balloon and the lake; and riding the ferry boat on the lake.  I caught the #50 bus back.  I walked to Domino's Pizza from the Comfort Inn and got a pizza for dinner.

I rose at 6:00am for 6:30 breakfast on Sunday, March 19.  I traveled on Shuttle to Epcot Transportation Center.  I got a greatly reduced WDW four day ticket with Park Hopper.   Epcot is my all time favorite place but not on a Sunday and not during Spring Break!  I had the Cheese Plate at U.K. Rose and Crown.  R&C updated the plate which was disappointing.  I met Stephen Twining - the 10th generation of the Twinings tea dynasty.   I took a guided tour of the English Tea Garden.  I saw the films at several Pavilions.  I was deeply disappointed that Norway had changed its ride.  I had a Yogurt Parfait at Norway Kringla Bake.  Highlights: flowers in profusion (Flower and Garden Festival), Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Butterfly Haven, Canadian pavilion "O Canada!" film; China Acrobats, and the two boat rides - Living with the Land and the Mexico Pavilion.  I caught the 8:00 shuttle back to the Comfort Inn.   I had leftover Dominos Pizza for dinner.

I rose at 6:00am for 6:30 breakfast on Monday, March 20.  I traveled on Shuttle to Epcot Transportation Center.   I ended up visiting the incredible Wilderness Lodge near Magic Kingdom where I took several photos of the massive 82 foot tall, three sided stone Geological Fireplace.  The lodge was inspired by Early American National Parks Service lodges.  I traveled by Shuttle to Animal Kingdom.  Paloma at Disney Services helped me set up the Disney App and taught me how to set up the Fast Pass.  I had a Fruit Cup, Blueberry Scone and Earl Grey Tea at Starbucks for lunch.  Highlights: Kilimanjaro Safari and live shows - Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo - The Musical.  I was disappointed that I missed Flights of Wonder in Asia.  I had dinner at Flame Tree Barbecue of Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich with Cole Slaw and French Fries.  I traveled back to Epcot where I caught the 8:00 shuttle back to the Comfort Inn.

I rose at 6:00am for 6:30 breakfast on Tuesday, March 21.  I traveled on Shuttle to Epcot Transportation Center.   I rode the Monorail to Disney Transportation Center.  I rode the Ferry Boat to the Magic Kingdom.  I got a Mickey Mouse vanilla ice cream cone at the Ice Cream Parlor.  I really like the Fast Pass.  Highlights: Enchanted Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, Country Bear Jamboree and the Haunted Mansion.  I did not have a good tour guide on the Jungle Cruise.  I loved the Golden Horseshoe show but it is unfortunately gone.  I had lunch of Lobster Roll at Columbia Harbour House.  I found a great location in Frontierland  to watch the beginning of the 3:00 Disney Parade.  I had Blueberry Cobbler at Columbia Harbour House at 4:15.  I traveled back to Epcot where I caught the 8:00 shuttle back to the Comfort Inn.

I rose at 6:00am for 6:30 breakfast on Wednesday, March 22.  I traveled on Shuttle to Sea World.  I saw all of the shows.  I saw the Killer Whale/Orca show twice.  This is the last year of the killer whale show.  I had a delicious slice of Carrot Cake at Voyagers Smokehouse for lunch.  Highlights: Shark Encounter (the escalator was not moving so I had lots of time to watch the sharks), Killer Whale/Orca shows and the Caribbean Flamingos.  I got a Smoked Turkey Sandwich and a Cheesecake at Cypress Bakery to take back to the Comfort Inn for dinner.  I got back late as the shuttle did not pick me up on time (7:15 instead of 6:45).  I got back in plenty of time to watch "Survivor".

I rose at 6:00am for 6:30 breakfast on Thursday, March 23.  I traveled on Shuttle to Epcot Transportation Center.   I rode the monorails to the Magic Kingdom.  I rode the kids rides - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, it's a small world, Peter Pan's Flight and saw Under the Sea.  I had lunch at Columbia Harbour House of Shrimp Platter with Fries and Cole Slaw.  I went back to the great location in Frontierland to watch the beginning of the 3:00 Disney Parade.  It started sprinkling when I got to Tomorrowland.   I rode the PeopleMover (saw inside Space Mountain!) and rode the Carousel of Progress.  Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and the Hall of Presidents were closed.  I got a Mickey Mouse vanilla ice cream cone at the Ice Cream Parlor.  The entire Disney monorail system was shut down so I caught a bus to Epcot and then caught the 6:00 shuttle back to the Comfort Inn.  I am absolutely exhausted.

I did not write about everything that I saw and did - just the highlights.  I do regret that I did not spend more time exploring Disney's Wilderness Lodge and grounds.  And take time to have Afternoon Tea at Disney's Grand Floridian Garden View Tea Room.

I rose at 6:00am for 6:30 breakfast on Friday, March 24.  I walked several blocks about 9:00 to find a Mystery Cache - Crossroads.  I packed my suitcases.  The Mears shuttle picked me up at 12:30.  I got to the airport early.  No First Class Lounge.  The flight left at 4:07.  Plenty of leg room again in a First Class Bulkhead Seat.  There was only about 15 minutes that the seat belt light was turned off.  Very rough flight.  I arrived Portland Airport about 7:30, picked up my luggage and walked across to Blue Star shuttle pickup.  Cold and rainy.

What did the President know, and when did he know it??

Saturday morning Trump tweeted that Obama had his 'wires tapped'.  Obama, of course, did not tap Donald's phones but someone else may have.  The FBI?  The CIA?  M16?

What did Obama know and when did he know it??

Just how many top administration officials had just how many undisclosed meetings with Russian officials?  The list grows daily.

What does Trump know, and when did he know it?

All the President's Men

03/02/17

President Donald Trump defended Attorney General Jeff Sessions as an "honest man" who misspoke about his contacts with Russian officials during confirmation hearings, in a statement released late Thursday night by the White House.

What was the "honest man" covering up?  Did no one learn the lessons of Watergate?

All the President's Men

Watch the DVD "All the President's Men" with Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.  Also read the book "All the President's Men" by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward.   It wasn't the crimes that brought down Richard Nixon - it was the cover-up.

deja vu

Richard Nixon used warm words of praise for Haldeman and Ehrlichman in announcing their departures.

The President spoke of Haldeman and Ehrlichman as "two of my closest friends and most trusted assistants in the White House."

Donald Trump called Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn a "wonderful man" after Trump announced his departure.  "I think it's really sad thing that he was treated so badly."