Home Alone

I do not understand.  Trump stated that he was Home Alone on Christmas Eve.  Where was Melania?  Where was his son, Barron?  Where were his other children and their significant others?  The Secret Service?  The White House Staff?  How can you ever be alone in the White House?  Lonely yes, but alone no. 

"Killers of the Flower Moon"

I just finished reading "Killers of the Flower Moon - The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI" by David Grann.  Fascinating book!

Trip to San Antonio, Texas - November 2018

Thursday, November 22 - I was picked up by Vancouver Cab at 4:50AM.  It had been raining during the night but the rain had stopped.  I checked in at Alaska and went through TSA checkpoint.  I purchased a Day Pass at the Alaska Lounge.  It was a short flight to Seattle at 7:00AM.  Screaming baby!  I did a Virtual Geocache - Flying Fish at Sea-Tac.  I visited the Alaska Lounge.  Flight left at 11:51AM, arriving about 5:46PM.  I took a Super Shuttle ride to Drury Plaza Hotel - San Antonio River Walk.  The hotel is housed within the beautifully restored 1929 Alamo National Bank Building.  I had a Fruit and Cheese Platter for light dinner.  I read "The Devil wore Prada".

Friday, November 23 - I had an early breakfast.  I went back to bed for a couple hours.  I found Easy Riverwalk Cache - my 1st in Texas!  I tried to find the Alamo Red and Green Trolley but it was no longer running so I took a City Sightseeing Double Decker Bus Tour.  I ate Red Beans and Rice for lunch at Pat O'Briens at Alamo Plaza.  I walked back to the hotel.  I had a reserved seat at the Drury Plaza Riverwalk for the Holiday River Parade. 

Saturday, November 24 - I rode Lyft to Halcyon cafe at 1414 S. Alamo Street where I hosted a Geocaching Event from 8:00 to 9:30.  About 18 cachers attended the Event including Shane and Gwen TEAMDW99 who sat beside me during the Holiday River Parade the previous evening.  I had a large mug of hot chocolate.  I got a ride back to the hotel.  I walked over to the Alamo.  I had Filet-O-Fish sandwich and coke for lunch at McDonalds.  I rode the Via Shuttle stopping at the Market Square - El Mercado.  I bought two chocolate chip cookies at the bakery.  After about an hour I rode the Via Shuttle back to the Alamo stop.  I purchased Fruit and Cheese Platter and Shortbread cookies from Starbucks for light dinner.   I found a Virtual - Riverwalk Cache where I saw a wedding across the river and then sat near another wedding by the steps.  Across the river was the Arneson River Theatre.  I watched the Laser show on the facade of the Cathedral from the Drury Hotel's 14th floor. 

Sunday, November 25 - I attended Mass at the San Fernando Cathedral.   I rode Lyft to the San Antonio Museum of Art formerly the 1884 Old Lone Star Brewery.  I had lunch at Tre Trattoria halfway through viewing the exhibits.  I found a nearby cache - Waste of a Good Brewery (GC206FR).  I rode Lyft back to the hotel.  I watched a movie "Fail Safe" on television.  I went to Road Scholar registration, orientation, introductions and San Antonio overview.  Chris and Carol Toda from Hawaii gave us each a macadamias treat.  We departed from the lobby to walk to dinner at Paesano's on the Riverwalk.  I watched the Laser show on the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral from the plaza.

Monday, November 26 - We had early breakfast.  We had a presentation "Gone to Texas" by Professor Allen Lee Hamilton.  The group went on a guided walk.  I took Lyft to the 1859 Menger Hotel with its gorgeous, three-story lobby near Alamo Square.  I took photos of the Fergusons at the Christmas tree that I emailed to them later.  RS group had a lunch buffet at the Menger Hotel.  I had cheesecake and a bit of Bread Pudding for dessert.  We visited the Mission de Valero (The Alamo).  I photographed a benchmark at the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.  I saw "Alamo: The Price of Freedom" at the IMAX theater.   I found Remember the Alamo Virtual.   I read "The Gates of the Alamo" by Stephen Harrigan before the trip.  I wandered along the Riverwalk to Joe's Crab Shack.  I got a Corona beer, sat at the front of the cafe and people watched until the RS group showed up for dinner.  We had a private, narrated river barge ride.  I was so cold! 

Tuesday, November 27 - After breakfast we departed the hotel by motorcoach.  We toured part of the San Antonio Mission National Historic District.  I found a Virtual - Dam, Ditch, and Aqueduct.  There was a tree at the dam honoring President John F. Kennedy.  He visited San Antonio in 1963 to dedicate the Aerospace Medical Center at Brooks AFB one day before he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  I photographed the Espada Aqueduct.  The aqueduct was part of an extensive system of irrigation ditches called acequias that watered the mission fields.  We visited Mission San Jose with its legendary Rose Window and Mission Concepcion, the best preserved of the missions.  We had lunch at La Margarita in Market Square.  We departed Market Square about 2:00.  We had Tamale making demonstration by cookbook author Diana Barrios.  We had dinner at the Plaza Club - First Bank Tower.  Afterwards I saw the SAGA laser show again at the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral.  I sat next to three guys that were geocachers: ankka07 and puupaa7581 from Finland and their Texan host.  

Wednesday,  November 28 - After breakfast we had a presentation "LBJ - His Life and His Legacy".  We departed the hotel lobby for lunch and a guided walk.  We took bus #51.  We had lunch at Liberty Bar in King William neighborhood.  Terrible lunch.  I left the guided walk to take the 1 1/2 hour guided tour of 1876 Italianate Villa Finale; Museum and Gardens.  I got a ride back to the hotel.  I ate dinner at the hotel and watched "Survivor". 

Thursday, November 29 - After breakfast we departed by motorcoach for LBJ National Historical Park.  We visited the LBJ Ranch that sits in the middle of the Pedernales River.  We stopped at the family cemetery.  We could not visit the interior of the main house.  I watched the film and looked around the gift shop.  I completely forgot to look for geocaches.  We traveled to Fredericksburg.  I had lunch at Auslander Restaurant.  I purchased a Snickers bar at Dooley's 5 and Dime.  I found two geocaches.  We departed by bus to see holiday lights of the Hill Country.  We drove through Johnson City.  We had dinner at Old 300 BBQ in Blanco, Texas.  The trip back to the hotel was miserable.  We had to listen to country music, the film screens were incredibly bright and it was quite late.  Several people had to leave very early in the morning so it must have been frustrating not to get back right after dinner.  I watched the last bit of "Murphy Brown".

Friday, November 30 - I had a late checkout so I slept late.  I packed my suitcases and took them to the front desk to store about noontime.  I took a Lyft to the Madhatters Tea House for Afternoon Tea.  I had three kinds of sandwiches, a scone, petit fours and a pot of hot Earl Grey tea.  I took a Lyft to the Alamo where I got a stamp on my Road Scholar passport and talked with the Ranger about the proposed changes coming to the Alamo site.  I found a geocache along the Riverwalk.  I walked back to the hotel to retrieve my luggage.  I was picked up by Super Shuttle at 4:15PM.  I purchased a fruit parfait and biscotti at Starbucks at the airport.  I boarded the flight to Seattle and then another to Portland, Oregon.  My daughter Catherine picked me up about 1:00AM.  It was a great trip only because I arrived three days earlier so I could do several activities including watching the Holiday River Parade and hosting a Geocaching Event before the RS program began as well as adding activities during the RS program. 

North to Seattle

I caught the Amtrak train north to Seattle at 8:38AM.  However since Amtrak does not own the rails it has to give way to Burlington Northern who does.  We were supposed to arrive in Seattle at 11:50 NOT 12:30.  I made a mad dash for the city bus, got off at Union and headed downhill to the Downtown Seattle Meet and Greet.  I was there for the last ten minutes or so. 

I had planned to catch the #10 bus up the hill to High Five over Eye Five.  I made a detour to Groundspeak HQ to straighten out a problem with my daughter's Geocaching Account.  I purchased a Lackey Geocoin while I was there.  I caught a #40 bus downtown and then a #10 bus up the hill to get High Five over Eye Five. 

I was like a chicken with my head cut off this afternoon chasing the webcam. I no sooner figured out where the camera was pointing when it changed position.  Finally I figured out that the most noticeable object on the overpass was a very large bright orange sign - Road Closed Ahead. So that was I in the photo in black slacks and a long black coat standing in front of the sign. 

I caught a bus at 9th and Pike downhill to 4th and Pike.  I walked to 2nd where I caught a bus almost to the King Street Station.  Amtrak left at 6:10, arriving Vancouver 20 minutes late at 9:30PM.   

I saw a bald eagle in a tall tree right before we got to Ridgefield.  I saw the World's Largest Egg at Winlock.  I saw the spectacular Narrows Bridge during the daytime and then again at night lit with white lights.

Hood River Valley Harvest Fest

After breakfast I drove to Marshall Community Center two miles from my house.  I went on a Senior Trip to Hood River for the 36th Annual Hood River Valley Fest.  We stopped at McDonalds on the way for a break.  We stopped at a clothing shop in downtown Hood River.  I sat outside on an Adirondack chair with the sun at my back.  

We entered the HRV Fest at 1:00 PM.  I sampled some cheese and had a couple large, delicious dates.  I walked each row of vendors twice.  After an hour I decided that I had been there, done that.  

I walked a few blocks west to find lunch.  I ended up at Ferment Brewing Company at their 2nd floor restaurant at 403 Portway Ave.  I sat at the end of a long table by the window where I could watch the lone windsurfer on the windy Columbia River as well as enjoy the scenery.   I had a delicious FBC Burger and Assam Tea.  No fries.  I sat there for a couple hours enjoying the view and reading an article in a Gorge magazine.  Then it was time to wander back to the van.  

We traveled to Cascade Locks on I-84.  We stopped at a restaurant for dessert.  I sat at one of the tables near the windows and enjoyed the view.  No dessert for me.  Time to cross the Bridge of the Gods and travel west on Washington State Hwy 14.  We arrived in Vancouver about 6:15.  I traveled home.  Very enjoyable day. 

Missoula Ice Age Floods Trip September 2018

On January 28, 2018 I attended the Broadway Rose Theatre, Tigard production of "Murder for Two".  I arrived early so I read a worn booklet from the theatre display rack.  I saw the notice on the bottom of a page that the Portland Audubon Society was offering a Missoula Ice Age Floods trip in September.  I called Monday morning to register for the trip.  I joined the Audubon Society of Portland that afternoon.  I was the 14th (and last) person to sign up for the trip.

Saturday, September 22

I was picked up by Vancouver Cab at 1:35 PM.  Ten minutes too early!  I checked in at Alaska Airlines at PDX.  I went through TSA security.  I got a Strawberry Blueberry Yogurt and Shortbread Cookies at Starbucks.  I boarded the plane about 3:30.  We took off at 4:00.  We landed at 6:20 in Missoula.  I took photos of the Missoula Ice Age Floods strandlines on Mt. Jumbo with the large white letter "L" on the hillside as we flew over.  I picked up my luggage.  I met Nancy who is also on the trip.  She was on the same nonstop flight from Portland.  I called the Comfort Inn to be picked up. 

I checked into Room 410 at the Comfort Inn University with a great view of the Clark Fork River.  Spectacular sunset!  I went to dinner at Tamarack Brewing.  Someone paid for my dinner!  I got a cab ride back to the hotel.  I wrote in my journal as I watched  "Love it or Leave it".  Off to bed!

Sunday, September 23

I had breakfast at the Comfort Inn.  I caught the hotel shuttle about 8:45 AM.  At the airport terminal I met up with Nancy.  We met the group (minus one) at the terminal lobby including our group leaders: Candace Larson and Patty Newland.  We traveled in two 15-passenger vans.  We switched vans and seating each day so we got a varied experience. 

We went to Caffe Dolce for brunch.  I saw the display of Dolce Tableware and met the Proprietor.  He gave me a glossy catalog.  We drove back to the airport to pick up the last of our group.  We drove north to the National Bison Range for a visit on our way to Thompson Falls.  The highest point on the drive is 4,700 feet above sea level.  A signboard described historic Glacial Age Missoula, which helped form this valley.  Strandlines are still evident on north-facing slopes.  I saw a "Glacial Lake Missoula Highest Point 4200 Feet" sign as we drove down the hill.  I saw American bison, pronghorn and bald eagle in the refuge.  We had dinner together at Big Eddy's, a local restaurant.  We stayed the night in Thompson Falls at the Falls Motel.  I stayed in Room 26.   I watched television and then off to bed!

Monday, September 24

We had breakfast at Minnie's Restaurant in Thompson Falls.  Highlights of the day included viewing Rainbow Lake - a Kolk, Giant Current Ripples at Camas Prairie (Earthcache) and the ancient shorelines of Glacial Lake Missoula.  We had a picnic lunch at Finley Flats.  Following the Missoula Ice Age Floodwaters we headed for Spokane Valley.  We traveled along Lake Pend Oreille in northern Idaho.  We stayed overnight at the La Quinta Inn.  I stayed in Room 309.  I got a gift package for joining the La Quinta Inn membership.  Found nearby geocache.  We had dinner at Twigs Bistro.  I watched HGTV and went to sleep.

Tuesday, September 25

We had breakfast at the La Quinta Inn.  Our destination was the Grand Coulee Dam.  We visited the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge near Cheney, encompassing over 18000 acres of the Channeled Scablands and home to a diverse array of birds and wildlife.  We had a picnic lunch.  Traveling northwest we visited many interesting flood features, including ring dikes north of Othello.  While the group hiked to the dikes, I stayed in the van and read a novel.  

We traveled to Grand Coulee, a 60-mile-long deep channel carved by floodwaters.  We stayed two nights at the Columbia River Inn, in order to explore this area.  I had a room on the 2nd floor.  I sat on the balcony and read my novel.  The patio chair seat was too low so I put the seat cushion from the bedroom armchair on it.  We had dinner at La Presa Mexican Restaurant.  I walked down the service road to the gate to watch the laser show on the dam spillway. 

Wednesday, September 26

We had breakfast at Pepper Jacks Grill.  Great French toast for breakfast.  We explored both the lower and upper Grand Coulee.  The group visited the Lake Lenore Caves.  I stayed in the van reading.  We stopped at the Dry Falls Overlook and Visitor Center.  Dry Falls was under 300 feet of water moving 65 miles per hour during the floods.  After lunch we drove along Banks Lake, a 27-mile long reservoir.  It was formerly a dry coulee formed by the Missoula Ice Age Floods.  The group hiked in Northrup Canyon.  The mosquitoes were vicious.  I stayed in the van reading Grisham's new book - "The Rooster Bar".  I walked along the lake with a few from the group.  We had dinner at the Melody Restaurant which left a lot to be desired.  I watched television. Today I saw a Killdeer, Great Egret, Red-wing Blackbird, Northern Pintail, Pelican, Canada Goose and a caterpillar.

Thursday, September 27

We had breakfast at Pepper Jacks Grill.  We crossed the Ephrata expansion bar below the Lower Grand Coulee.  We headed towards the Drumheller Channels, northwest of Othello.  This area of 50 square miles was scoured by the floodwaters.   I saw ducks, pelicans, Burrowing Owl and a squirrel.  We had a picnic at Potholes State Park.  I saw a Red-tailed Hawk, Great Blue Heron, California Quail and heard a Great Horned Owl during the afternoon.  I had Room 201 with a balcony at the M&M Motel in Connell.  I sat on the balcony, read my novel and watched the birds.  We had dinner next door at Michael Jay's Restaurant.

Friday, September 28

We had breakfast at Michael Jay's Restaurant.  Connell lies at the mouth of the Washtucna Coulee, once the westward path of the Palouse River.  During the floods the Palouse River scoured out a new channel that the Palouse River now follows.  We traveled through the 500-foot deep, four miles long Devils Canyon.  We saw the spectacular Palouse Falls (Earthcache).  Four people died recently at Palouse Falls.  Some of the group went for a walk along the rim.  We had a picnic lunch.  The Yellowjackets were so fierce that I ate my lunch in the van.  

We traveled south to Lions Ferry State Park.  I forgot to bring my book from the van so I listened to music on my IPhone.  We went back to Connell for the night.  I rode the van to the north end of Columbus Avenue in Connell and walked back to the motel, looking at Murals and Bronze and Concrete Sculptures along the way.  Some of the sculptures had geocaches.  Today I saw an Eagle, Red-Tailed Hawk, California Quail, Golden Eagle, Gull, Sparrow, Lark, Loon, and Canada Goose.  We had dinner next door at Michael Jay's Restaurant.

Saturday, September 29

We had breakfast next door at Michael Jay's Restaurant.  We made our way back to Portland.  We saw Wallula Gap, Two Sisters and Hat Rock.  I read my novel at a picnic table at Hat Rock State Park while the group went for a birding hike.  We had lunch at Sergios 2 in Hermiston.  We arrived at Portland International Airport approximately 6:00 PM.  I got my suitcase and headed for the restroom and electric outlet to charge my IPhone.  I boarded the MAX light rail.  I pushed the emergency button to warn the conductor that a large metal suitcase had been abandoned in the MAX car.  It was removed. Two MAX Light Rail trains and two buses later I was back to the street where I live.  It was good to be home!

August and September 2018 Trip

Thursday, August 23, 2018

I took a Vancouver Cab to PDX at 7:30 AM.  I had a non-stop 9:45 AM Alaska flight, arriving Washington D.C./National at 5:50 PM.  I had Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche with fruit at The Country Cat.  I purchased a smoked sockeye salmon fillet at Made in Oregon for Lorraine.  I boarded the flight at 9:15 AM for 9:45 AM departure.  I had the window bulkhead seat in Premium Class.  Nice flight.  I had the Fruit and Cheese Platter.  I got my luggage and met my eldest son, Jeff, at the airport car pickup.  Nice surprise.  

He dropped me at the Comfort Inn, 5716 S Van Dorn St. at the far edge of Alexandria.  It turned out to be a great location.  I had an end room on the 9th (top) floor.  I bought a frozen lasagna and diet Pepsi at the lobby.  The tiny microwave in my room was only 700 watts.  The lasagna was supposed to be cooked with an 1100 microwave so I cooked it longer.  I watched HGTV which was a treat.

Friday, August 24

I had breakfast at the hotel.  I got a Lyft to the Amtrak Station in Alexandria.  I rode Business Class to Charlottesville, Virginia from 11:19 AM to 1:43 PM.  I got a complimentary bottled water and Diet Pepsi at the Club Car.  I took a photo of the water tower in Manassas (Benchmark: HV5205).  Lorraine picked me up at the Train Station.  We stopped at Grocery Stores and Chicken Feed Store on the way to her house.  We had soup and salad.  The trees have grown and surround the house cutting off the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  She plans to remove the trees to open the view again.  I fell asleep to the sound of crickets and the mating call of cicadas.    

Saturday, August 25

We had breakfast.  We drove to Staunton where we visited a Virtual  - Staunton Military Academy Memorial.  We had Afternoon Tea at Anne Hathaway Cottage Tea Room.  The Victorian Tea was really skimpy with the clotted cream and strawberry jam.  We wandered through the garden.  Who was Anne Hathaway?  Anne Hathaway was the wife of William Shakespeare, the English poet, playwright and actor. They were married in 1582, when he was 18 and she was 26 years old.  Back at Lorraine's hilltop home I took a nap.  We watched Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep in "The Post" (2017).  I had a good night's sleep.

Sunday, August 26

We visited the Walton's Mountain Museum in the quaint village of Schuyler, VA, the childhood home of Earl Hamner, Jr.  The Museum is located in the old school.  We saw a 30 min. video.  The classrooms have been converted to exhibit rooms.  Five rooms replicate the TV sets: "Ike Godsey's Store", Kitchen, Living room, John Boy's room and Pony Cart room.  Nearby was the Waltons Hamner House.  

We visited The Batesville Market where we had light snack.  We stopped at Hill Top Berry Winery in Nellysford to have wine samples.  I really liked the Mountain Apple Wine.  Back at Lorraine's house we had a light dinner.  We watched the first Walton's 1971 TV movie: "The Homecoming - A Christmas Story" starring Patricia Neal and Richard Thomas.

Monday, August 27

I was awakened at 5:00 AM by very loud noises.  The concrete trucks had arrived at 4:00 AM to pour the barn floor.  We had breakfast.  Lorraine drove me to the Amtrak Station in Charlottesville.  I caught the 8:52 AM train to Alexandria.  I rode Business Class.  I got complimentary drinks at the Club Car.  I arrived about 11:00 AM and got a Lyft ride to the Comfort Inn.  I got the same room at the end of the hall on the 9th floor.  I took a nap.  Jeff picked me up in the evening.  I found two Virtuals: O and A Railroad Tunnel and Alexandria, DC.   We had dinner at Los Cuates Restaurant on King Street.  I had Quesadilla Chicken.  Jeff dropped me off at the Comfort Inn.

Tuesday, August 28

I ate breakfast at the Comfort Inn.  I rode Lyft to the Van Dorn Metro Station.  I rode the Trolley the complete loop of Old Town Alexandria.  I got off the Trolley several blocks from the Metro Station to walk the length of King Street.  I bought a necklace and "Lincoln Letters" by William Martin at "Look Again" a resale shop.  I ate lunch at 2:00 PM at Starbucks.

I started finding the information for an Earthcache four years ago.  I finished finding the information this past week. I stopped at the Alexandria Visitor Center/Ramsay House, viewed the exhibits/information at the Archeological Museum at the Torpedo Factory, and toured the Lyceum History Museum researching the history of Alexandria.

I had a cup of ice cream at Ben & Jerry's about 5:00 PM.  I took at Lyft back to the Comfort Inn.  Jeff picked me up later.  We went to National Harbor.  Jeff took my photo for the "Awakening" - a Virtual.  I had a marvelous dessert - Creme Brulee & Berries -  at Fiorella Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria, 152 National Plaza, National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland.  Jeff got a pizza.  He dropped me off at the Comfort Inn on his way home in Springfield.

Wednesday, August 29

I ate breakfast at the Comfort Inn.  I rode the Hotel Shuttle to the Van Dorn Metro Station and the Metro to Alexandria.  I rode the Trolley.  I had a Blueberry Scone and Earl Grey tea at Starbucks at 11:15 AM.  I had an interesting conversation for over an hour with a man sitting at the table.  It got a cup of ice cream.  I visited the Torpedo Factory.  I had a light meal of Fruit & Cheese and Shortbread Cookie about 3:15 PM at Starbucks near the Waterfront.  I rode the Trolley, Metro to Van Dorn and then the Hotel Shuttle to the Comfort Inn.  I had leftover Quesadilla Chicken from Monday nights dinner.  I watched the two hour "Master Chef" on television.

Thursday, August 30

I ate breakfast at the Comfort Inn.  I rode the Hotel Shuttle to the Van Dorn Metro Station and the Metro to Alexandria.  I rode the Trolley.  I found a geocache however the original ammo can cache was missing.  I got a scoop each of mango and lemon sorbet in a cup at Dolci Gelato.  I had lunch at Starbucks near the Waterfront.  I visited the Alexandria Archeological Museum for half hour.  I rode the Trolley, Metro to Van Dorn and then the Hotel Shuttle to the Comfort Inn. 

Jeff and I walked the trail at Jones Point, a geographic point on the Potomac River which is part of the city of Alexandria.  A small park and the Jones Point lighthouse are located at the point, which is immediately North of the confluence of Hunting Creek and the Potomac River.  The 1791-1792 survey of the boundaries of the District of Columbia began at a spot that was then at the tip of a cape at the Point.  The south cornerstone from the boundary survey remains in a seawall several yards south of the lighthouse.  I found a Survey Disk.

The 1855-56 lighthouse was built as a river navigational aid.  It is a rare, surviving example of an integrated lighthouse - keeper's dwelling and tower for the light.  It has or had a smaller Fourth Order Fresnel Lens that were used in lighthouses on rivers and inland waterways. 

The park highlights many of its historical aspects though NPS placards that appears along the walking trail.  I was fascinated to read about Margaret Brent.   This outspoken woman (1601-1671/1676) secured a 700-acre patent in 1654 which included Piper's Island (later known as Jones Point).  She was not only a landowner but Lord Baltimore's attorney.

Friday, August 31

I ate breakfast at the Comfort Inn.  I rode the Hotel Shuttle to the Van Dorn Metro Station.  I put $6.00 on my Metro SmartTrip card.  I rode the Metro to Pentagon City.   I explored the Mall which has definitely seen better days.  I rode the Metro to Van Dorn Station.  I took the Trolley down King Street.  I had lunch at Starbucks of Tomato and Mozz Cheese Panini.  I got a cup of ice cream. 

I rode the Trolley for a few blocks.  I went to the Lyceum History Museum.  Fascinating!   I saw a couple interesting books in the Gift Shop - Sarah Vowell's "Assassination Vacation" and "Historic Alexandria" by Ted Pulliam.  I rode the Trolley, Metro to Van Dorn and then the Hotel Shuttle to the Comfort Inn.  Back at the Comfort Inn I showered and rested.  Jeff and Donna picked me up.  We went to Lena's - wood-fired pizza & tap.  It was a wild night with thunder and lightning.   I was wakening with flood warning alerts at 12:01 AM and again at 12:06 AM.

Saturday, September 1

I ate breakfast at the Comfort Inn.  Jeff and Donna picked me up.  We headed for Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  We couldn't find the cache at the Washington Monument.   We found The Original Washington Monument, High on Longstreet, First Killed at Gettysburg, Peace at Gettysburg, The Only Civilian, Triassic Toe Tracks, Little Round Top, Unsettle Spirit, Gettysburg PA, A Tragedy, Step into a Blessing, Schools Out...Forever!, Got a Virus and Fallen Firefighters' Memorial.  We had lunch at O'Rorke's Gettysburg, PA.  We got back to Alexandria very late so I ate leftover pizza with a cold Diet Pepsi for dinner.  I watched television.

Sunday, September 2

I ate a late breakfast at the Comfort Inn.  Jeff and Donna picked me up.  We headed for Delaware and New Jersey.  We found NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Bethany UAME Cemetery, Colonial Cache, The Cache of Wolfenstein (my son, Christopher, solved this Mystery Cache four years ago), Fort Casimir, Rt. 9 (Almost) Broad Dyke Canal, Obsolete Giant, Linda's First, The Oldest Living Cache in South Jersey and Sushi.  We had lunch at Jessop's Tavern in New Castle, Delaware and dinner at Coakleys Pub in Havre De Grace, Maryland.

Monday, September 3

Jeff picked me up at 9:30 AM at the Comfort Inn.  Donna was not able to join us so Jeff and I did some geocaching.  We hiked to the stone bridge at Lake Accotink so I could get correct coordinates for my Waymark - Stone Bridge.  We found Spy's Cache (very long snake in culvert), ALLH #20 - Ash Grove and Chauncy's Cool Cat cache.  My very first cache in October 2004 was a traditional cache near the Ash Grove main house.  We had lunch at IHop.  We visited Gunston Hall an 18th-century Georgian mansion near the Potomac River in Mason Neck, Virginia. The house was the home of the United States Founding Father George Mason.  Jordan C. was our tour guide.  We traveled back to D.C. and Donna's home for Afternoon Tea.  It was quite lovely.  The scones were especially delicious.  Back at the hotel room I watched the movie "Legally Blond".

Tuesday, September 4

As a Gold Star Member I did not need to check out of my hotel room until 2:00 PM.  I ate one of Donna's delicious scones for my breakfast.  I watched the movie "Gifted" (2017).  I caught a Lyft to Van Dorn Station and rode the Metro to National Airport.  I checked my suitcase and got my boarding pass.  I got some food at Starbucks.  The flight left at sometime after 5:30 PM.  I had the window bulkhead seat in Premium Class.  Nice flight.  I watched two movies - "15:17 Paris" and "Father Figures".  We arrived in Portland about 8:00 PM or so.  I got my suitcase from Baggage Pickup.  The handle was broken so I got the paperwork to have it fixed.  I rode MAX Light Rail, and two CTran buses to get home all for $1.50.  Christopher met me at the bus stop to wheel my luggage home.  Cold weather and low humidity.  What a relief!  It was a great trip but I will never again visit the East Coast in August.

Red Is the New Black?

On Monday June 18, 2018 I traded in my Black VW Tiguan and purchased a new 2018 Cardinal Red VW Tiguan from Hannah Motors VW Dealership in Vancouver, WA.  After several hours of intense negotiations I got the luggage security cover and the price that I was willing to pay for the car.  I paid the car off earlier this month.  I started noticing how many red cars there are!  Red must be the new black!

Staying Cool on Hot Summer Days

It is so weird but nice to have air conditioning in the house.  I have lived in this 2000-sq-ft house since December 1973 with no air conditioning and an inadequate forced air heater.  I finally had an American Standard Platinum 18 Heat Pump and Air Handler installed at the end of June.  A Heating and Air Conditioning Company in town did the installation.  It was a challenge but they did a fantastic job. 

Trip to Seattle via Amtrak

On Friday, July 6, I went to Seattle via Amtrak.  I drove to the Vancouver (WA) Train Depot where I parked my car for free.  I boarded Coach at 8:40am.  I brought along a bottle of apple juice and purchased a slice of banana nut bread and a banana at the club car.  It was a lovely 3+ hour ride to the King Street Station.

I have a Business Class seat on my return so I went to the ticket window at the King Street Station to get seat assignment and club car $3.00 coupon.  I took the elevator to the 2nd floor and walked across the street to the bus stop.  I got on the first bus that was going north on 3rd to the stop between University and Union.  I walked downhill to the Geocaching Event at Starbucks.  Almost all of the attendees were Lackeys from Groundspeak.

Afterwards I caught a bus on 3rd Street to 34th Street in the Fremont District.  I walked a block to Groundspeak HQ.   I met two Lackeys: OnCloudDevine and B14ckH4wkGER.  I was sorry to miss Annie who was vacationing in Scotland. I have been to all of the Groundspeak Headquarters many times except I never went to the first one which I was told was a garage. I met all three founders in July 2008 when HQ was under the monorail.

I caught the bus back to downtown Seattle where I went to the Seattle Art Museum (SAM).  It was free day for Seniors.  Special Exhibitions were half price so I purchased a ticket for "Double Exposure".   It was several rooms of photos mostly taken by Edward S. Curtis around 1900.

I went back to Starbucks to purchase a snack box of cheese, crackers and fruit.  Starbucks was closing so I ate my snack at a bench in the lobby, watching people pass by.  

I caught the bus to the King Street Amtrak Station.  The train was about 15 - 20 minutes late leaving the station.  Soon the train engine ran into trouble.  We had to backtrack to the station.  The train conductor came by to turn all of our seats around.  We finally got underway.  We were about 45 minutes late getting into Vancouver.  

Great Seattle trip!

At the Oregon Beach

Yesterday I went to Seaside, Oregon with the Marshall Center Senior Group.  The vans parked near the new Seaside Convention Center.  I walked five blocks to the Seaside Visitor Center to find the Geocache. 

I walked across the street to have lunch at Seaside Brewing. I had a green salad, cup of clam chowder with oyster crackers and three samplers of their beer: Vanilla Cream (my favorite), Marionberry Hefe and IPA.  Great ambiance.  Mighty tasty food.  I wandered west down Broadway.

I bought a book at Rust & Dust Vintage called "Duel in the Sun" by Niven Busch c. 1944 for $3.00.  It was made into a 1946 Western film starring Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones, and Joseph Cotten. 

I bought a cup of Marionberry icecream.  A single scoop but very large.  I sat on the black and white cow bench at the front of the store and people watched.   I saw a woman walk by carrying a young hysterical girl.

I continued walking west on Broadway.  I briefly watched the bumper cars.  Great fun.  I walked to the turnaround to watch the ocean.  It would have been lovely except for the family drama taking place at the end of the bench.  About 20 minutes after I sat down the woman with the young hysterical girl showed up.  What are the odds.  Hundreds and hundreds of people were at Seaside and I get the one bench with the young hysterical girl.  Family made a fuss over her.  I wandered off shortly to look at the colorful front yard flower gardens and return to the vans.

Marshall Center Senior Group left at 3:00pm, returning to Vancouver via Astoria and the Longview Bridge.  Great trip!

The evil that men do...

I watched the AG quote the bible as justification for ripping children from their parents.  How dare he use the bible as justification for the evil that this administration is doing! The last straw came yesterday when I heard about a 15 day old baby taken from a mother's arms after she crossed the border. I woke up this morning at 4:00 am really really upset!  And I am still upset!!

May 2008 Weekend

Day before yesterday, May 5, I went to Albertina Kerr in Portland for a Kentucky Derby Luncheon. I had a lovely table in the corner where I could see the garden with vibrant red rhodys and the ladies in the room with their lovely hats.  I wore a wide brimmed black hat that I had purchased at Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC. I plan to attend Albertina Kerr Garden Party in mid July.

Yesterday, May 6, I drove an hour and half north to Centralia to see a play at the Evergreen Playhouse - "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie.  Great fun.  Afterwards I got three passport stamps at McMenamins in Centralia, Washington and all five passport stamps at the new McMenamins in Kalama, Washington on the way home.  I won a thermos decorated with their signature artwork.

Visit to Seattle May 4, 2018

I caught the 8:38am Amtrak from Vancouver, WA for Seattle. I attended the Seattle Meet and Greet at Starbucks.  I was late as I was a bit confused how to find the place. I did the Virtual Geocache at Seattle Market (Pike Place Market). I met my sister Jeanette at Rachel the Pig. We had lunch at the Athenian - "Sleepless in Seattle". We visited the Seattle Center - Space Needle where I did a Virtual Geocache, Armory, International Fountain and McCaw Hall. I told her about the Book-It Theatre at the Armory.  She dropped me off at 2nd and Virginia where I immediately caught Bus #178 for Jackson/King Street Station.  I returned on the 6:10pm Amtrak to Vancouver.  Very enjoyable day.

Historic Homes and Gardens of Georgia and South Carolina April 1 - 8, 2018

Saturday, March 31 - I took a Vancouver Cab at 2:30am from home to PDX.  I checked in at Alaska counter at 3:00.  I took a short flight to Seattle upgraded to First Class and a flight to ATL in Premium Class. I enjoyed the Cheese and Fruit plate during the flight.  I took a shuttle from the terminal to Hyatt Place Atlanta/Buckhead.  I photographed NGS Benchmark: DG2683 GA State Cap Arm Holding Torch as we drove by.  The 1889 building is modeled after the U.S. Capital. 

The hotel room was not ready so I sat on the lobby sofa and promptly fell asleep.  Check-in was 3:00pm but I did not get the room until 5:35.  I was on the second floor but it was fairly quiet.  I walked to nearby Kroger Market to buy a Chefs salad etc. for dinner and snacks.  I slept soundly.

Sunday, April 1 - Easter and April Fool's Day.  After a quick breakfast I took the hotel shuttle to nearby Caribou Coffee where I hosted a Geocaching Event from 8:30 to 10:00am. About a dozen Cachers attended.  Afterwards I found the nearby cache "The Buckhead Dragon".   Very clever. The silver trains were not working so I had to take the Magic Tube.

I walked to the MARTA Station where I purchased a BREEZE Card.  I got off at the Peachtree Center Station.  I photographed the station for an Earthcache.  I got back on MARTA, exited at Five Points and followed the signs to the Eastbound platform.  I took the train to E2 King Memorial Station.  At the street level I turned right.  I photographed the tall brick stacks (Benchmarks) and water tower.  I turned and walked to Hillard/Grant Street toward the tunnel.  I walked to Oakland Cemetery, a historic oasis at the highest point of the city. 

It was really hot so I was soon tired.  I photographed the huge marble lion dedicated to the Unknown Confederate Dead, a Virtual.  I returned to the station and rode back to the Buckhead N7 Station.  The hotel shuttle picked up me and several others at the Buckhead Station. 

I checked in with the Road Scholar program after 4:00pm.  We had Orientation at 5:00.  And buffet dinner at 6:00.  There are only 18 in the group.  We introduced ourselves.  And then it was off to bed.

I attended my Event, found a Multi Cache, an Earthcache, a Virtual (Monument was carved from a single block of Georgia marble) and three Benchmarks today.

Monday, April 2 - I had breakfast in the Conference Room with the group.  I went into the Dining Room though to get raisin bread toast.  We went to the Carter Presidential Museum at 9:00.  I saw The (Bill and Melinda) Gates Award for Global Health, President Jimmy Carter's Peace Prize, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's Presidential Medals of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, and an exact replica of the Oval Office.  The gifts given to President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter were quite impressive.  There was not enough time to really see everything.  I saw the gardens briefly.  I photographed "Sightless Among Miracles," a striking sculpture.  I wanted to spend more time wandering through the Presidential Museum instead.

We went to the Swan Coach House in Buckhead for lunch.  It was quite lovely.  Great place for Afternoon Tea.  We toured the Swan Mansion (1928) and Gardens.  A recurring motif are sculpted or painted swans throughout the house and grounds.  Most impressive were the 18th-century swan tables purchased in England.  I copied the Beaten Biscuits recipe displayed in the kitchen.  While the rest of the group walked through the quarry gardens I explored the Tullie Smith House (1840), a plantation-plain style house and the Farm.  We left for the hotel at 4:30.  After dinner at Gordon Biersch of Atlanta Buckhead we had an interesting lecture back at the hotel conference room on "Gone with the Wind" and author Margaret Mitchell.  I did not geocache today. 

Tuesday, April 3 - I had breakfast in the conference room.  I took my luggage down to the tour bus.  We headed for Charleston, SC this afternoon.  We left at 8:00am for Field Trip.  We drove past the red brick house where Margaret Mitchell wrote most of her novel "Gone with the Wind" in her small apartment.  We stopped at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  I saw two really large pieces of Chihuly art glass.  The orchids at the Orchid Center were amazing.  We had lunch at the garden's Longleaf Restaurant.  The Tour Bus left at noon for Charleston, SC.  We watched "Gone with the Wind".  Two bus tires had to be repaired at a crossroads just south of McDonough.  We had dinner at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Pooler.  We checked into the Francis Marion Hotel about 10:30.  I had Room 716.  I was exhausted!  I found a benchmark: DF2500 Forsyth N Mun Tank, and a geocache while the tires were repaired.

Wednesday, April 4 - Following breakfast buffet we left for a Charleston Field Trip.  We strolled through Washington Square, a quiet park in downtown Charleston in the Historic District.  The location of Washington Square once was the site of Corbett's Thatched Tavern. The city square was opened in 1818.  In the center of the park is a memorial (1891) to the Washington Light Infantry (Virtual).  The memorial is made of Carolina gray granite and is a miniature version of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

We did not get a chance to visit nearby French Huguenot Church.  Very disappointing. 

We briefly toured St. Michael's Church Charleston (1761), the oldest church edifice in the city.  The steeple is 186 feet tall; the weather vane is 7 1/2 feet long.  The entire steeple sank eight inches as a result of the earthquake in 1886.  (Benchmark: CJ0908)

We visited the Citadel which was established in 1842 and was originally located on Marion Square right across the street from our hotel.  It was moved in 1922 to the bank of the Ashley River.  Author Pat Conroy graduated from the Citadel and later wrote the controversial novel "The Lords of Discipline".  I photographed the Citadel Water Tower on Indian Hill, a sand bluff along the Ashley River (Benchmark: CJ1024)

We walked alongside the White Point Gardens.  We saw the dentist's pink mansion - how could you miss it.  I photographed the historical statue for a Virtual.

We had lunch at the hotel in the Parkview Room.  I left at 1:45 as I had reservations for Spirit Line Cruises for Fort Sumter.  The cruise departed from the Fort Sumter Visitor Center at Liberty Square in downtown Charleston: 2:30 pm Ended: 4:45 pm.  I started walking.  SLC sent an Uber to pick me up. He arranged for me to board ahead of the crowd and told me where to sit on the boat.  There was a relaxing 30 minute narrated cruise to the historic fort.  I could clearly see the dentist's pink house among the Battery homes.  I had a great visit at Fort Sumter, the site of the first shots fired in April 1861 in the War Between the States.  I found the Virtual "Night Attack" and photographed the flag (Benchmark: CJ0864).  I saw several playful dolphins.  I could have easily spent another hour exploring.  We had dinner at the hotel.  I found three Virtuals and three Benchmarks today.

Thursday, April 5 - After breakfast we visited Middleton Place (1741), a National Historic Landmark situated on the Ashley River. This carefully preserved 18th-century plantation has survived revolution, Civil War, and earthquake.  It was the home of four important generations of Middletons, beginning with Henry Middleton (1717-1784), President of the First Continental Congress; Arthur Middleton (1742-1787), a signer of the Declaration of Independence; Henry Middleton (1770-1846), Governor of South Carolina and an American Minister to Russia; and William Middleton (1809-1883), a signer of the Ordinance of Secession.  Middleton Place is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States. 

We had Lowcountry buffet lunch in the Middleton Place restaurant.

We toured Magnolia Plantation founded in 1679 by the Drayton family.  It is the oldest public site open to visitors in the Lowcountry, with the oldest public gardens in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1872.  It is informal English style gardening away from the very formal design earlier borrowed from the French style which I very much dislike.  We rode through the landscape on a tram.  We saw sights that evoked the plantation’s past such as a Native American ceremonial mound.  We had a buffet dinner in the Parkview Room at our hotel.  I skipped the lecture on Gullah Culture. I found two bottled waters compliments of the hotel in my room.  I prepared for morning check-out and then went to bed early instead.  I did not geocache today.

Friday, April 6 - After breakfast buffet, we checked out of the hotel and headed for Beaufort and Savannah.  We visited the Penn Center (1855) near Frogmore SC on Saint Helena Island.  Penn Center works to preserve the Gullah culture and Sea Island history.  We stopped to view the ruins of the Chapel of Ease (1740) which burned in a forest fire February 1886 and a mausoleum built in 1852 for Edgar Fripp and his wife Eliza in the adjacent graveyard.  We stopped at the Red Piano Too Art Gallery where I saw many bottle trees.  I purchased a novel: "The Secret of the Gullah Treasure" by Carl E. Linke.

We had a couple hours to explore Beaufort so I chose to find the Virtual "Hit or Miss?".  We stopped at the Visitor Center.  I walked west to The Parish Church of St. Helena near the corner of North St. and Newcastle. The bell chimed 12:00 noon. I took several photos for the Virtual of the brick wall and The Parish Church of St. Helena.  It was likely divine intervention that the mortar shot hit the brick wall rather than the church.

We stopped briefly at an old railroad depot to use the restrooms.  I photographed the Savannah Flare Stack (Benchmark: CK3991).  The stack is located at an old railroad engine round house and engine repair shop.  We stopped briefly at the Massie Heritage Center and at The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.  The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic cathedral on Lafayette Square. It is the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah (two Benchmark Spires).

We checked in at the B Historic hotel.  I did not get a chance to get a snack, shower and relax before dinner.  My room was diagonally across from the elevator.  The room was a nightmare of noise from the elevator.  Another RS couple changed their room also that was directly across from the elevator.  We went to dinner at Chart House.  I finally got Room #534 way at the end of the hall.  Great location.  I found one multi cache and four benchmarks today.

Saturday, April 7 - The buffet breakfast was terrible.  One covered server had a mound of raw bacon.  Very limited food choices.

Our Savannah Trolley field trip was led by a local expert. Of the 24 squares from General Oglethorpe’s original plan, 22 remain, shaded by magnificent live oaks and surrounded by homes, churches, and museums. Each is distinctive with a variety of fountains, memorials, and lovely landscaping.

We toured the 1820 Isaiah Davenport House, one of the oldest brick structures in the city. The two-and-a-half story urban dwelling contains a total of 6,800 square feet with a basement level (which originally housed the kitchen, storage, work space and possibly a sleeping area for the enslaved servants owned by Isaiah Davenport), the first floor containing the public areas, and the second and third floors which were bedrooms and storage space.

We visited the Ships of Sea Museum.  I was exhausted.  We continued on the Savannah Trolley.  We stopped at First Independent Presbyterian Church (Benchmark: CK3975).  In the opening scene of  "Forrest Gump" a white feather floats gently downward from the sky.  The first view of Savannah is not of Chippewa Square, but of Madison Square, the St. John's Episcopal Church in the background.  The film then makes a cut to Chippewa Square.  The white feather is seen floating in front of the steeple of the First Independent Presbyterian Church and then across the street, the First Baptist Church in the background.  It finally lands at the feet of Forrest Gump, seated at a bench beside a bus stop on the north side of Chippewa Square.  

The group walked through Forsyth Park, the largest in the Historic District.  Savannah has many beautiful fountains, but none is so striking nor memorable as the one in Forsyth Park.  The view of Forsyth Park’s fountain – seen at the end of a wide walk lined with moss-hung oaks – is one of the best-known sights in Savannah.  I chose to stay on the trolley.  We had delicious lunch at Elizabeth on 37th situated in a mansion from the early 1900s. 

We returned to the B Historic hotel.  After a shower and nap, I walked to a nearby six-story parking garage where I found a cache.  Great view of the city.  It was lightly raining.  I called a pedicab.  A young woman driver named Shelby dropped me at Starbucks where I had a light dinner.  I walked a couple blocks to the waterfront where I found a Virtual.  I had a rich chocolate and vanilla scoop of ice cream in a cup at Ben & Jerry's.  I called a pedicab from JJ's.  The same young woman showed up much to our surprise.  Back at the hotel I was glad to crawl in bed and get a good night's sleep.  I found one cache, one benchmark and one Virtual today.

Sunday, April 8 - The buffet breakfast was terrible again.  One covered server had a mound of French toast - cold and soggy.  The first plate I picked up was not clean.  Very limited food choices.

We checked out of the hotel and boarded our motor coach at 8:30 am for the ride back to Atlanta.  The drive back to Atlanta is about 250 miles, approximately 3.5 hours.  Along the way, we watched the movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good And Evil” based on the book of the same name by John Berendt, an adopted son of Savannah.  During the entire trip when a film was not playing there was often a bouncing ball on the screen which irritated me.

En route, I had poor boxed lunch with a sandwich which I did not eat, salt and vinegar chips (did not like), a frosted cookie (rather have plain sugar cookie or chocolate chip cookie), and bottled water.  The sack lunch was likely made by the B Historic hotel.  Very poor food during our entire stay at the hotel.  And, of course, the room situation was a nightmare.  They really need to get their act together.

We arrived in Atlanta by approximately 1:30 p.m.  I was dropped off at the Atlanta International Airport.  It was confusing where to find the Alaska counter.  I checked my two free pieces of luggage.  I was given the wrong boarding pass from SEA to PDX which later caused a problem.  I had a light lunch.  I boarded the flight to SEA in First Class for a 4:02 flight, landing in Seattle about 6:30.  I took a short flight from SEA to PDX again in First Class.  We landed about 9:00pm.  It seemed like I walked forever from the plane to baggage pickup.

I got my luggage and boarded MAX light rail to Rose Quarter, walked a block and boarded MAX to Delta Park Station.  I caught the C-Tran bus to Evergreen and Broadway where I caught the #37 to Manzanita Street.  The entire ride cost $1.50.  Christopher met the bus and took my luggage.  We walked a couple blocks to our home, arriving about 11:00pm.  I was exhausted.   Great trip but good to be home.

Lessons learned: Request rooms directly with hotels.  Clearly mark luggage with colorful luggage strap.  Take nonstop, direct flights.  Check boarding passes.  Get enough sleep.