The American Civil War Research

I read "The Compact History of the Civil War" by Dupuy and Dupuy c. 1960/1961.  Afterwards I created a Geocaching Bookmark of American Civil War Caches.  I have a list of Civil War Novels that I may read.  And a list of books on Battles and Campaigns. I also have a list of Civil War films that I plan to watch.  I purchased DVDs of the films that I was unable to get from the Library.

Lobsters, Wineries and Foods of New England etc. September 28 - October 13, 2023

I took a cab to Portland Airport (PDX) at 4:30AM.  After checking my large suitcase, I got a breakfast sandwich, and cheese trio box and vanilla madeleines to go at Starbucks.  I flew United Airlines to Providence, RI (PVD), changing planes in Chicago.  I arrived at 5:15PM.  I took a Lyft to Quality Inn in Middletown, RI.  I saw the final supermoon of 2023 on the way.

I stayed in my room at the Comfort Inn all day on Friday, resting and watching "Below Deck" on Bravo Channel.  Captain Lee Rosbach starred on "Below Deck" for ten seasons between 2013 and 2023.  He was the "epitome of an authentic reality star."  He was injured in season 8 when he slipped on the wet marble shower floor and fell.  He had back surgery in 2021, resulting in nerve damage.

The next morning I took a cab to the Holiday Inn Express to join the Road Scholar group.  I hosted a Geocaching Event at 3:00PM at Chili's Grill & Bar.  I had a Bacon, Avocado and Chicken sandwich.  I had a good turnout for my Event.  I gave a small goodie bag to each cacher that signed the Log Sheet.  I picked up my Road Scholar packet back at the hotel.  We had a buffet dinner at 6:15 followed by Group Introductions and Program Orientation with our Group Leader, Linda Culpepper.

On Sunday, Oct 1, we had breakfast at the hotel.  We visited the Matunuck Oyster Farm in Wakefield, RI.  We traveled next to Newport, RI where we had a tour by step on guide - a local historian.  I had delicious lunch on my own at Brick Alley Pub.  We traveled to the Greenvale Vineyards. Tour and tasting at the vineyard.  We had dinner at Johnny's Restaurant.

Following breakfast on Monday, Oct 2, we departed for Boston Public Market.  We had brief talks from five of the food vendors and enjoyed a sampling of their delicious products.  I got two nearby Virtuals: The New England Holocaust Memorial and Cradle of Liberty (Faneuil Hall).  Afterwards we headed north to Ogunquit, Maine.  Upon arrival the RS group went out in a lobster boat.  Choppy water. Instead I had a dish of ice cream in the dining room.  We stopped briefly at 1879 Cape Neddick Lighthouse (Nubble Light) in York.  We then checked into The Anchorage Inn in York, ME.  We had dinner at a Sun & Surf Restaurant overlooking the water.  I got a comfortable chair for my room.

After breakfast on Tuesday Oct. 3, we drove a short distance into Portland, ME.  We met a local historian who joined us on the motor coach and took us on a narrated city tour.  I took a taxi to the The Director John Ford statue - a Virtual.  I had lunch on the patio at a nearby Japanese restaurant, Yosaku.  We made a short drive to the Urban Farm Fermentory & Fruit Brewing Company where we had a tasting.  We had a traditional lobster dinner at Foster's Clambakes with New England clam chowder, whole lobster and corn on the cob at a local restaurant.  I used a sharp knife to cut the corn off the cob.

Following breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 4, we headed west to Vermont.  I found a Traditional Cache when we stopped for a break in New Hampshire.  I found a Quechee Gorge Earth Cache "Vermont's Little Grand Canyon."  We had lunch at the Public House.  We visited Billings Farm and Museum.  We arrived mid-afternoon at Middlebury, VT where we checked into the Middlebury Inn.  Geocacher Kit Lane picked me up and we went to Fire and Ice Restaurant for my Geocaching Event. I met her several years ago while Geocaching at the Grand Canyon. I gave small goodie bags to each geocacher who signed the Log sheet.  I had a good turnout.  Back at the hotel I watched "Survivor" and "Amazing Race."

After breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 5, we departed for Champlain Orchards near Lake Champlain.  I saw a Blue Heron on the way to the orchards.  We learned about the various varieties of apples grown in New England.  I liked their Mac & Maple Semi-Sweet Hard Cider. We had Brunch at the famous Waybury Inn.  The Waybury Inn was used as a location for exterior shots on the Bob Newhart television series.  We went to the Williams Maple Farm in Cornwall, VT to learn the techniques in creating maple syrup.  We had the traditional Sugar on Snow.  Next we went to the Lincoln Peak Vineyard where we enjoyed tasting their Vermont wines grown in the Champlain Valley.  Farewell dinner was served in the Middlebury Inn this evening. 

Following breakfast on Friday, Oct 6, we departed for TF Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island.  The Group Leader ran the video "Julie and Julia."   We made a quick stop on the way.  We arrived at the airport about 2:00PM.  I checked my large suitcase with Delta Airlines.  I went to the Escape Lounge until it was time to board the flights to Charlottesville, VA.  I arrived about 11:00 where I was met by Lorraine.  Long day!

Saturday Oct. 7, I had a light breakfast with toast, and eggs from Lorraine's chickens.  We drove to Lynchburg where I had Afternoon Tea and Lorraine had Scotch Eggs at Ploughcroft Tea Room.  We found the Virtual "Wave to the Indian" about 5:15PM.  We watched a movie on television that evening.

Sunday, Oct. 8, I had a light breakfast with toast, and eggs from Lorraine's chickens.  We went to a Cardinal Point Winery in Afton, VA where we had a delicious luncheon that Lorraine had prepared along with the CP wine. We had a brief chat with the women seated near us. We watched a movie on television that evening.

Monday, Oct. 9, Lorraine took me to the Amtrak Station. The 8:55AM Amtrak train 176 departed at 9:58 1 hr, 3 mins late as the train track was damaged.  I traveled Business Class (8F) to Alexandria, VA, where I was met by my eldest son.  We went Geocaching in Virginia.  We had Egg Salad Sandwiches from Safeway for lunch.  We found three Traditional Caches, two Multi Caches and one Mystery Cache.  We attended Mondays in Manassas Geocaching Event that evening.  I had Mac & Cheese with Broccoli.  I checked into the Comfort Inn (Rm 723) in Alexandria West.

Tuesday, Oct. 10, I had breakfast early at the hotel.  My son picked me up at 8:00AM.  We had lunch at McDonald's Restaurant in Richmond.  We found five Traditional Caches, one Mystery Cache, two Earthcaches, and three Virtuals in Virginia.  We attended a Geocaching Event that evening in Occoquan, Virginia.

Wednesday, Oct. 11, I had an early breakfast at the hotel.  My son picked me up at 8:00AM.  We had lunch at Chick-fil-A about 11:45.  And ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery about 4:15. We went to our third Event of the week in Sterling, VA.  We found two Traditional Caches, two Earthcaches, two Virtuals, one Letterbox and one Mystery Cache.  Back at the hotel I watched "Survivor" and "Amazing Race."

Thursday, Oct. 12, I had an early breakfast at the hotel.  My son picked me up at 8:00AM.  We geocached in Delaware and Maryland. We had lunch at McDonalds at 1:15PM.  My son had planned to take the Whitehaven Ferry however it was out of service till the end of this year.  It was shut down for rehabilitation and overhaul work.  Late afternoon I got a Cheese & Fruit Box and Madelines Cookies at Starbucks to have a light dinner back at the hotel.  We found two Traditional Caches, one Earthcache, a Virtual, and a Mystery Cache. 

Friday, Oct. 13, I had an early breakfast at the hotel.  My son picked me up at 7:00AM to take me to National Airport.  I went to the United Airlines Lounge until time for my flight.  I left DCA at 10:30, arriving PDX at 3:10 via Chicago (ORD). I had 7F Bulkhead seats for both flights.  My daughter picked me up about 4:15.  I was locked out of the house until my son arrived about 6:30.  It was a fun trip however I am glad to be home!

MAX Light Rail/CTran from PDX to Vancouver, WA

After picking up my luggage at Baggage Pickup I walk out the front door of PDX Terminal to immediately board the MAX Light Rail (Red Line). Since Vancouver WA cabs are not allowed to pick up passengers at PDX I choose to ride MAX.  It takes a long time to get home but oh so cheap.  The fare is the same for MAX Light Rail, TriMet buses, Streetcars, and Vancouver CTran buses: reduced fares for seniors: $1.50 for 2 1/2 hour ticket and $2.50 for all day pass. 

Trip to Detroit, Michigan August 6 - 11, 2023

Detroit, the largest city in Michigan, is called The Motor City. It is the center of the automobile industry in America. Another popular nickname for Detroit is Motown.  Berry Gordy, Jr. started the Motown Record Corporation in Detroit in 1959.

I wanted to arrive in Detroit a day earlier.  However the room would have cost me $499 plus tax. 

Sunday, August 6 - I left Portland International Airport (PDX) at 05:00 AM, arriving in Detroit about 02:30 PM.  I took a Metro Cab to the Courtyard Detroit Downtown.  I changed rooms (next to noisy Ice Machine and noisy Elevators).  I dropped my things in a more acceptable room.  Great view. 

I checked in with Road Scholar registration in the lobby.  We had Orientation and Introductions.  Welcome dinner.  We had a lecture on Brief History of Detroit and Paths Forward.

The Courtyard Detroit Downtown hotel was undergoing renovations so banging noises began about 06:30 AM in the morning!

Monday, August 7 - Following breakfast, the Road Scholar group went for expert-led walk through downtown with a local guide.  I went to the Renaissance Center - GM World instead.  I found the Virtual Cache.  GM was showcasing modern and vintage racing vehicles in a rotating display. I returned to the hotel.  We had lunch at Buddy's Pizza.  Afterward we had a city overview via motor coach with commentary from a local guide.  We took the People Mover to Greektown for dinner on my own.  I had a Cobb Salad at Jacoby's.

Tuesday, August 8 - Following breakfast we had a lecture about Detroit Music History/Motown.  We traveled via motor coach to "Hittsville U.S.A." - now the Motown Museum.  It was much like Sun Studio in Memphis.  We visited Detroit Museum of Art where I had lunch in the Cafe and then did a Virtual.  I skimmed the highlights of DIA. We had dinner at Dirty Dog Cafe. - a local jazz cafe.  Returning to the hotel, I was informed that I would have to move the next day to another room!  Argh!

Wednesday, August 9 - I packed my suitcase and carryon and left them in the room to be taken to my new room.  After a buffet breakfast, we departed via motor coach for a visit to the Rouge Ford Factory.  We visited the Henry Ford Museum.  I had lunch of Macaroni and Cheese, purple grapes, milk and chocolate brownie.  Back at the hotel I was given a room next to Ice Machine and elevators.  Not acceptable.  I was given another room on the 20th floor.  Great view but an absolutely dreadful room.  I ate the remainder of the pepperoni pizza for dinner while watching television. 

Thursday, August 10 - After buffet breakfast, we took the motor coach along Lake Shore Road to Grosse Point to the 1926/1927 Edsel and Eleanor Ford's house for a guided tour.  I got a fresh baked Chocolate Chip cookie afterwards.  We had lunch at the American Coney Island.  I had a Chili Dog with cheese but no onions.  There was a slight trace of chili.  Deeply disappointing. 

Two of us chose to be dropped off at the hotel.  I rode the People Mover in order to do the "Ticket to Ride" Virtual Geocache.  I had planned to do a couple caches in Canada but it was just too hot. It was hot in downtown Detroit also but I got brief breaks sitting down on the People Movers.  It rained toward the end of the journey.  It took me 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the Virtual.  It was exhausting but great fun!  We had a Farewell Dinner at Andiamo Detroit Riverfront. 

Friday, August 11 - I rose early, finished packing and ate a light breakfast.  The Metro Cab was there promptly at 8:30 AM.  He dropped me at United.  I caught the 11:20 AM flight, arriving in Portland (PDX) about 3:00 PM.  The MAX Light Rail Red Line was not working so I had to take the shuttle bus to Gateway Center.  I rode the MAX Light Rail Red Line to the Rose Garden, walked west one block and then rode the MAX Light Rail Yellow Line to Delta Park.  I rode the CTran bus to Evergreen Blvd bus stop in downtown Vancouver, WA where I walked one block east.  My daughter picked me up.  It was an interesting trip but I was glad to be home!

Traveling on Ohio River from Pittsburgh, PA to Louisville, KY on American Countess, May/June 2023

Sunday, May 28 - I traveled with the Road Scholar from Pittsburgh to Louisville: Sailing the Ohio River from May 28 to June 8, 2023.  I traveled United Airlines Bulkhead Seat from PDX to PIT via DEN, arriving at 3:06 PM.  I was met by Road Scholar greeter at Pittsburgh Airport and transported to the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place.  After I picked up my room keys from the front desk and put my luggage in my room, I went to the Road Scholar hotel meeting room. Introductions/Orientation.  Dinner,  A schedule of each day’s American Countess activities and events will be delivered to my cabin #323 on Deck 3 (top "Texas" deck).

May 29 - After breakfast buffet at the hotel, we headed out by motor coach for our field trip in Pittsburgh - "the city of steel."   I have already geocached in Pennsylvania so I did not try to get a geocache.  Guided city tour.  Tour of Heinz History Center.  I especially liked the "Mr. Rogers" Exhibit.  I remember Pianist Van Cliburn playing an Upside-Down Concert which aired in May, 1971.  We had lunch at the Grand Concourse. We rode a cable car, the Duquesne Incline.  Great view of the three rivers!  Dinner at the hotel. 

May 30 - We had our luggage ready for the hotel porters inside our rooms by 8:30 AM.  Following buffet breakfast, we visited the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.  We next visited the Italianate-style Clayton, home of industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick.  It gave me a glimpse into family life in Pittsburgh during the Gelded Age.  I would have liked to have found three Virtuals:  Mr. Rogers Memorial Statue, the Skinny building and Rub the Nose.  We had lunch at the Bosphorus Mediterranean Cuisine.  We then departed for the Rivers of Steel Cruise.  We had a stunning panoramic view of the city and the three rivers that run through it.  Afterwards we departed via motor coach to the American Countess cruise ship.  I got a glass of champagne and had dinner in the Grand Dining Room.  I slept soundly.

I read James Alexander Thom's historical novel "Follow the River" in preparation for this trip.

May 31 - Wheeling, WV, I had early breakfast.  I attended the River Chat at 8:30 AM in the Theater.  I had lunch in the Grand Dining Room.  I went to the talk about River Charts.  The ship arrived in Wheeling, WV in the early afternoon.  I rode the hop-on/hop-off bus.  I have already geocached in West Virginia so I did not try to get a geocache.  I explored the Wheeling Artisan Center where I purchased a souvenir.  I had planned to visit the Queen Anne Eckhart House (1892) but it was Temporarily Closed.  The Eckhart House offers a Tea Room, a Gift shop and Tours.  The Captains Welcome Reception was held at 4:30 PM.  Dinner in Main Dining Room.  I attended the show in the Theater - "Miracles of the Mind."  I didn't sleep soundly tonight. 

June 1 - Marietta, OH.  Breakfast aboard the boat.  This morning I visited Marietta, Ohio, established in 1788 as the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory.  I read David McCullough's novel "The Pioneers" in preparation for this trip.   I rode the Hop-on, Hop-off bus to explore the city.  I visited The Mounds where I found a Traditional Geocache.  I had lunch aboard the ship.  Liars Club was held at 3:00 PM in the Theater.  Great fun!  Dinner was in the Grand Dining Room.

June 2 - Huntington, WV.  Breakfast in the Main Dining Room.  At 9:30 AM there was a talk with the Cruise Director.  Jeff Hudson talked about his career working with Debbie Reynolds, Ginger Rogers, Pop Star Adele etc.  I had lunch at the ship.  I went on the Pilot House Tour at 2:00 PM.  I took the hop-on, hop-off bus to Marshall University.  I watched the DVD "We are Marshall" (2006) in preparation for this trip.  On Nov. 14, 1970, Flight 932 carrying 75 Marshall football players, coaches, staff and supporters crashed into a hillside on approach to the Huntington Tristate Airport returning home from a game in North Carolina.  Everyone on board was killed.  The movie depicted the aftermath of the tragedy for the university and community.  I found the Virtual - the Memorial Fountain.  I also found an Earthcache - 1937 Flood.  Dinner onboard the ship.  At 6:30 PM it was "An Evening with Mark Twain."  Hal Holbrook was better!

June 3 - Augusta, KY.  I had breakfast in the Main Dining Room.  I explored the 1835 Rosemary Clooney House Museum. This house is dedicated to the life and career of singer and actress Rosemary Clooney.  Rosemary Clooney is George Clooney's aunt.  There is a framed photo of George on the ferry Jenny Ann in the upper left corner of the Living Room.   I rode the Jenny Ann round trip to get credit for a Virtual geocache.  I found a Nano Cache on the far bank.  I had a tour of the American Countess Pilot House at 3:00 PM.  I had dinner in the Dining Room of the ship.

June 4 - Cincinnati, OH.  This morning we were docked in Cincinnati, Ohio. This city got its name in 1790, when General Arthur St. Clair, the Commander of nearby Fort Washington named it after the Cincinnati society of Revolutionary War officers.   I visited the Underground Railroad Museum with the Road Scholar group.   I rode the Hop-on Hop-off bus to hear about the city's sights.   I had lunch on the ship.   I rode the bus to Newport on the Levee.  I walked across the Purple People Bridge and back again to get a Virtual Geocache - Caching in Two States At Once.  Dinner onboard the ship.  Tonight was "Country in Concert" - celebrating the best in country music. 

June 5 - Madison, IN.  I had breakfast aboard the ship.  This morning we stopped in Madison, Indiana, which boasts the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark in the United States in its downtown area. I used the Hop-on Hop-off bus to explore the Greek Revival Lanier Mansion and the Classical Revival Shrewsbury-Windle House with its unique spiral staircase.  I found a Geocache at a Little Free Library.  I returned to the ship via bus barely in time for lunch in the River Grill.  At 3:00 PM there was a private Road Scholar cocktail party in the River Grill.  I missed the earlier Disembarkation Briefing so I got the information and luggage tags from the Purser.  I set my luggage outside my room before 11:00 PM.

June 6 - Louisville, KY.  I had breakfast in the Main Dining Room.  I said my goodbye to my Dining Room server, Luis.  At 8:30 AM we disembarked the ship.  We had a Louisville City Tour with a local guide via motor coach.  We had a guided tour of Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.  Lunch at Proof on Main.  After lunch, the group had a tour of the Farmington Historic Plantation however I remained in the museum/gift shop.  We checked into the Hyatt Regency Louisville.  We had dinner at the Brasserie Provence.  I had a large corner room on the 7th Floor. 

June 7 - Louisville, KY.  Buffet breakfast at Hyatt Regency Louisville. This morning we boarded a motor coach for a tour of Louisville, and then made our way to the iconic Churchill Downs Racetrack to visit the Kentucky Derby Museum for a walking tour, a talk with a derby expert, and free time to explore the museum.  It was pouring rain!  We had lunch at Vincenzo's.  While the group visited the Frazier Museum I walked to my Event venue at the nearby Mussels and Burger Bar.  I had a great turnout for my Event - "Meet Rose Red."  I took a Taxi back to the hotel.  Some of the group had a disastrous dinner at the 8UP Elevated Drinkery.  My dinner was fine. The Hilton Hotel Manager arranged a lift for me to my hotel via the Hilton Hotel shuttle driver.

June 8 - the program concluded.  Breakfast buffet at the hotel.  Once again problems arose as we did not know who was supposed to catch the 8:00 AM bus to Louisville Airport (SDF).   I checked in at the United counter at SDF, went to the new United Lounge in Chicago (CHI) for 3 1/2 hours and traveled Bulkhead window seats both flights to Portland International Airport (PDX), arriving 1/2 hour early.  I was unable to find my checked suitcase.  Evidently it arrived on an earlier flight.  Really!  Why was I not booked by Road Scholar on the earlier flight?

I found three Traditional Caches, five Virtual Caches, one Earthcache and hosted one Event.  I added three states that I have cached in - Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

Gutsy Lady - Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, thought so highly of one motto to liven up a party that she sewed it on a pillow—“If you can't say something good about someone, sit right here by me."

My first encounter with Marion Reed, Gov. Dixy Lee Ray's sister

Dixy Lee Ray (1914–1994) was an American politician who served as the 17th governor of the state of Washington from 1977 to 1981.  I attended Dixy Lee Ray's inaugural party at the Inn of the Quay in Vancouver, WA along with my classmates from Evergreen State College.  As I passed the Governors party I knelt down beside her sister, Marion Reed.  (As the first resident of the Governor's Mansion without a First Lady, Ray hired her elder sister Marion R. Reid to serve as her official hostess).  I joined the group for quite some time, watched closely by the Secret Service.  Finally someone asked me how I knew Marion Reed.  I said that I didn't.  I was just telling her that her gown had drifted into the aisle and I was afraid it would get stepped on.  Many years later I met Marion Reed again at the Fox Island Museum.  But that encounter is a story for another time.

My Geocaching Name is Rose Red

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.

"Never feel sorry for a President"

In the mid 1970s I was studying Journalism/English Literature at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.  I volunteered at be a driver for the ABC White House Press Corp..  I was cleared by the FBI.  Later in the afternoon I picked up the Press Corp at Portland International Airport.  I dropped several off at KATU Channel 2.  I drove the Producer to President Ford's speech at Lewis and Clark College.  I sat in the front row of the Press Section next to Helen Thomas of UPI.  I mentioned to her how tired President Ford looked.   She said to never feel sorry for a President; they are exactly where they want to be.

2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner

This evening I watched the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner with a speech by President Biden followed by featured speaker Roy Wood Jr.  I really enjoy watching the event on CNN.  The Dinner speech I enjoyed most was President Obama's 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech roasting Donald Trump  I don't think Trump ever attended another Dinner. 

Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee Trip, April 1-8, 2023

On Saturday, April 1, I took a cab to Portland International Airport (PDX) at 3:30am.  I flew Alaska Airlines from PDX to Seattle (SEA) and on to Nashville (BNA). I took Super Shuttle Nashville to Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown.  I could see the Batman Building from my fourth floor room. I sent an April Fool text message to my daughter that my plane was diverted (tornado warning)!  I had the fruit and cheese platter from the flight for my dinner.  I watched "Pretty Woman" on the television. 

I hosted a Geocaching Event on Sunday April 2 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at Tennessee Brew Works, 809 Ewing Avenue. Great turnout.  Returning to the hotel I went to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and then to the Conf. Room for Orientation at 5:00 p.m. We had dinner afterwards at the hotel.

On Monday April 3, we went to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville City Field Trip, and Studio B.  I went to Bajo Taco for lunch inside the CMHOF. We took a Nashville City Field trip and then visited Studio B, originally RCA Studios, is home of thousands of hits that helped to define the “Nashville sound.”  Chet Atkins was one of the originators and Elvis mastered more than 200 songs here.  We went to dinner at Blake Shelton's Ole Red where I had a Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich (dry).  We listened to live music. 

On Tuesday, April 4, we went to the Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry House and evening Performance.  I rode Uber while they walked as a group to the Ryman Auditorium for an expert-led field trip.  I got the info and photo for a Virtual Cache.  The Ryman Auditorium was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974.  I got a Vanilla Gelato and a Chocolate Chip Cookie Duo at Le Macaron French Pastries Nashville.  I listened to the band at the Johnny Cash's Bar for about 45 minutes.  We boarded the motorcoach and rode to the Grand Ole Opry House for a tour.  We went to The Aquarium Restaurant where I had a Shrimp Platter.  We saw a Grand Ole Opry Show.

On Wednesday April 5, we checked out of the hotel and began our journey to Memphis, TN.  We visited Belle Meade Plantation and winery where I sampled Carriage House White, Red Muscadine and Blackberry wines and had lunch in the 1800s Carriage House/Stable House.  We traveled to Memphis, checked into the Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis - Beale Street and ate dinner at B.B. King's Blues Club  I watched "Survivor" on my room television.

On Thursday, April 6, we were joined at the hotel by a local expert for a lecture about the famous Memphis music and why Memphis is the "home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll." Next, we boarded the motorcoach for the short drive to the National Civil Rights Museum, a privately-owned complex of museums and historic buildings built around the former Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.  We had lunch at Central BBQ.  We took a field trip to Sun Records Studio, an iconic recording studio where some of the most famous artists recorded in the 1950s. Led by a Sun Studio expert, we finished our day with a field trip to the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum (2004).  

At 5:00pm we watched the famous resident Mallard ducks march through the Peabody Hotel lobby from the fountain to take the elevator to the Duck Palace on the rooftop.  I purchased a Lansky's Lucky Rubber Duck.  Linda, Jean, Ruth and I had Peabody Duck Cocktails with a floating keepsake mini rubber ducky.  Later we had a light dinner at Aldo's Pizza Pies.  This evening I watched a movie on television: "Walkaway Joe".

On Friday, April 7, we boarded the motorcoach for a field trip to the 14-acre Graceland estate that was the home of Elvis Presley.  It is now a virtual shrine with museums, films, and exhibits for a unique glimpse into the life and times of The King.  We had lunch at Vernon's at Graceland.   We had our farewell dinner at one of Memphis’s most popular restaurants - Majestic Grillle.  It was a grand 1913 movie house showing silent films.  Time to pack for home.

On Saturday, April 8, I returned to Nashville aboard the motorcoach with eight others from the RS group. We drove about 214 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time. They dropped me at the Nashville International Airport (BNA).  My flight did not leave for five hours so I stayed in American Airlines Admirals Club Lounge.  I flew to Seattle (SEA) and then Portland International Airport (PDX) where my daughter picked me up.  Good trip but glad to be home. 

I put the mini yellow rubber ducky from the Rubber Ducky Cocktail on my bedroom nightstand.  The Peabody Memphis Fountain Postcard is propped up against my Apple G5 Computer.  And the Peabody Duckmaster that I purchased is sitting on my desktop HP Printer,  Great mementos of a great trip.

There were so many Road Scholar activities during the trip that I did very little geocaching.  I did host a Geocaching Event in Nashville and found two Virtuals to get the state of Tennessee.  I have now geocached in 39 states.

Hosting Peacock Lane 2022 Geocaching Event

On December 15, I hosted the Peacock Lane Geocaching Event as Sue and glorieme will be in Texas, so they can't host/attend.  Peacock Lane is a four-block street in southeast Portland.  It is known for its elaborately decorated mostly Tudor-style homes during the holiday season.  Thousands of people come to view the displays, have hot cocoa or hot cider, and sing Christmas carols.  My favorite house was the Charlie Brown Christmas.