Favorite Saying

My favorite saying:  "you teach people how you want to be treated." 

Problem with Road Scholar

When I first began to travel with Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) in 1997 you had to be 60 years old or older.  A few years later you needed to be 55 years old or older. Eventually the age limit was dropped altogether.  As a result the average age of people on a tour is now around 50 years old.  A much more active group. 

Someone or maybe more reported that I used a walker at FLW first home/studio during a Road Scholar trip this fall.  I did use a walker briefly that was provided by the visitor center.  And I sat in a chair when available at other locations during the tour.  I had injured my right leg previous to the tour.  

So now I am on a Road Scholar list that prohibited me from registering for a Road Scholar program in New Mexico even though my right leg has completely healed.  I have never been asked by a leader to not participate in any activity during a program.  I know my limitations.  

I have written a letter to RS and talked to someone at RS on the phone.  After going on 69 trips with Road Scholar I no longer feel welcome.   

The plus side is that it has forced me to check out other tour companies that do cater to older people.  

Travels with my Garmin GPS

I have a large Garmin GPS that I take on car trips loaded with Geocaches - mostly Virtuals.  When I plan to rent a car during a trip I take the Garmin GPS along with me.  I make sure that I rent a car with a flat dashboard as the Garmin GPS sits on a beanbag on the dash.  I also take a Road Map as one should never rely just on a GPS.  During the trip I also use the Garmin GPS to find nearest Starbucks (love their fruit and cheese), McDonalds (for restrooms), libraries (for restrooms, computers, book sales), grocery stores, Hotels I have reserved, etc.  At the end of a trip I will find my way back to the car rental place.  I loaded the coordinates into the GPS before I left the lot. 

Trip to Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque 2025

Several years ago I wanted to take a weeklong trip to Hawaii.  I checked out the trip offered by Road Scholar.  It was a trip to two islands and rather expensive.  So I made a copy of the Itinerary and the hotel information.  I duplicated just the trip to Oahu, Hawaii.  I hosted a Geocaching Event also.

Two years later I was registered for a Road Scholar trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Because a museum was no longer available Road Scholar cancelled the trip shortly before I was to leave.  So I made a copy of the Itinerary and the hotel information.  I duplicated the trip on my own.

In May 2022, I attended the Road Scholar program in New York City.  After I signed up for the program it underwent several changes.  It became more and more physically challenging i.e. walking tour of Harlem rather than visiting the 9-11 Memorial.  I finally decided rather than getting upset I would just ignore the changes and create my own program.  Some things I did with the Road Scholar group and some I did on my own.  I should have bought a t-shirt: "I survived New York City."

I encountered a problem when I tried to register for the Road Scholar trip to Santa Fe et al so next spring I plan to fly to Albuquerque, rent a car and duplicate Road Scholar's Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque Trip. I also want to walk across the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (Earthcache).  Side trips: at Espanola, turn off for visits to Abiquiu, the historic home of artist Georgia O'Keefe, and/or White Rock Visitor Center/Bandelier National Monument.

Traveling Solo

I am often asked if I travel alone.  I travel Solo but I am never alone except when I retire for the night.  

For years I was constantly asked if my husband lets me travel.  People must sense that he died because they stopped asking shortly after he passed away.

Next year I will complete geocaching in all 50 states by finding geocaches in the last two states: Minnesota and Iowa.  The Challenge Cache is located in Michigan.  I want to find a couple caches in Indiana also.

I (Eye) spy!

I had Cataract surgery on Wednesday, November 6th on my right eye.  I called the Eye Group today to move my final checkup a few days earlier so I could get the new lens ordered for my eyeglasses.   

I injured my right leg at the beginning of September.  It has finally healed!  I rarely use the walking stick anymore except for Geocaching.

Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2025.

I contacted Cosmos/Globus and signed up for their Route 66 trip from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2025.  Cosmos motels/hotels are not centrally located but that is what Lyfts are for.  I have requested six Route 66 Travel books from FVRL library.  I have already started my Geocaching List - mostly Virtuals. 

Cachly App for Geocaching

I have an iPhone 11 Pro.  I prefer and use the Cachly app.  Cachly is a simple and powerful Geocaching app for iOS that includes many advanced features.

Fall Foliage Trip in New England October 2024

Monday, October 14 - It was 3:00am.  My trip started badly and ended badly.  Actually the entire trip was one problem after another.  As I left the house to take the cab to PDX the garage door wouldn't lock properly.  I caught the 5:05am Alaska Airline flight to Seattle.  I caught the 7:00am flight to Boston however my suitcase did not make the flight.  I was given 2,500 Miles for Bag Delay.  I was told to go to the wrong area to catch a Lyft.  Shear chaos!  The first driver drove away.  I waved my walking stick in the air.  I finally got the second Lyft with the help of a man who used my IPhone to talk to the Lyft driver.  

I took the Lyft to the Hyatt Regency Boston.  Someone had made a hotel reservation for me for the previous day without my knowledge.  So my reservation was cancelled.  Argh.  I got it straightened out.   I found Road Scholar registration and then went to Orientation.  The Welcome dinner was at nearby Back Deck.  The deluge of messages from Alaska Airlines began.  The delivery driver finally called me at 3:00am   I signed for the suitcase at 3:29am in the hotel lobby.  I got a couple hours sleep.

Tuesday, October 15 - Following breakfast the Road Scholar group walked part way on the fabled Freedom Trail with a local expert.  Been there, done that.  So I took Lyft to the Paul Revere House (1680) where I got the photo and the answers for a Virtual Geocache (GC7B7AZ).  I went to the restaurant way too early so I went to The Old North Church to get the photo and answers for a Virtual Geocache (GC7B8EN).  I walked back to the restaurant (Cantina Italian) to have lunch with the group.  We toured the Old North Church.  I took a Lyft back to the Hyatt Regency Boston.  The hotel front desk staff gave me a Blue Bunny Vanilla Ice Cream cup and a Blue Ribbon Chocolate Eclair Ice Cream Bar.  I enjoyed two bottles of complimentary water during my stay.  We had dinner at The Merchant. 

Wednesday, October 16 - Following breakfast, our luggage was collected and we checked out of the Hyatt Regency Boston.  We boarded the motorcoach and departed Boston for Salem, Massachusetts.  We drove past the historic Ropes Mansion in Salem also known to "Hocus Pocus" fans as Allison's House. We had lunch at Airfield Cafe.  We explored the sights and landmarks of Old York by motorcoach with a stop at scenic Nubble Lighthouse (Cape Neddick).  We then continued north to Ogunquit, Maine and checked into the Colonial Inn (1886).   We had dinner at Jonathan's.  I had clam chowder, salad, pasta primavera and dessert.   The television setup was a nightmare.  I caught the last ten minutes of "Survivor." 

Thursday, October 17 - We had breakfast at the Colonial Inn.  We visited the Ogunquit Museum of American Art and the Ogunquit Heritage Museum. I took a photo of the framed "Rules for Teachers 1872."  The one-hour boat trip to learn about lobster fishing was cancelled.  I had a peanut butter sandwich for a light dinner.

Friday, October 18 - Following breakfast, our bags were collected and we boarded the motorcoach.  I found the Portland Head Lighthouse (the oldest lighthouse in Maine - 1791) Virtual (GCAJJPA) and A Piece of History (the Berlin Wall) Virtual (GCAJK65).  Last year I found The Director Virtual (GC47EB).  I had lunch with the group at Old Port Sea Grill in Portland, Maine of Haddock Fish and Chips with coleslaw and french fries.  Mid afternoon we departed for the Grand Summit Attitash Hotel in Bartlett, NH.  We briefly visited N Conway where I found a Virtual geocache (GCC9C0).  We had dinner at the hotel.  We had a lecture: The Ecology of the North Woods. 

Saturday, October 19 - Following breakfast, we departed on the motorcoach for Mount Washington Cog Railway.  We rode the historic Cog Train to the Summit.  I sat in Seat 14 on the left side - the last seat on the way up and the first seat on the way down.  I took a photo for the Mount Washington Webcam (GCN32T).  I was so absorbed in taking the webcam photo that I never looked up! I found The Rock Pile Earthcache (GC8E7ZH).  A bit tricky walking on the snow and ice.   Back down the mountain we departed for the Appalachian Mountain Club where we had lunch.  After lunch, we headed to the Rocks Estate in Bethlehem, NH to learn how maple syrup is produced.  I purchased a Maple Leaf refrigerator magnet.  We had dinner at Abenaki Trail.

Sunday, October 20 - As we left the Grand Summit Attit6ash Hotel, we traveled the scenic Kancamagus Highway.  We visited the White Mountain National Forest Covered Bridge (1858).  We had lunch at Shiloh's restaurant.  I had a delicious Rhuben sandwich.   Crossing into Vermont, we headed to the mountains of the Mad River Valley.  We went on a boat ride on the beautiful Lake Champlain.  We checked into the Courtyard Burlington Harbor Hotel.  We had dinner at Guild Tavern.  I had New York Cheesecake for dessert.

Monday, October 21 - I watched a spectacular sunrise from my hotel room. After breakfast we departed for Shelburne Farms.  We sampled several Cheddar cheeses.  We had boxed lunch at the Farm Barn Courtyard at picnic tables.  I had a delicious Ham, Dijon, Cabot Swiss cheese, pickles and greens sandwich.  The box lunch came with kettle chips, apple and cookie with a soft drink.  We returned to the hotel.  I read "To Collect in Ernest - The Life and Work of Electra Havemeyer Webb" by lauren B. Hewes and published by Shelburne Museum Vermont.  Fascinating book.

Tuesday, October 22 - During breakfast our luggage was collected.  We departed Burlington at 10:00am.  We traveled south on the motorcoach through the stunning center of Vermont, taking in the rural autumn landscapes and tiny villages along Route 100.  We visited Cold Hollow Cider Mill.  We had a chaotic lunch at Doc's Tavern in a quaint Vermont village.  My burger with American cheese, lettuce and tomato with hand cut fries was delicious. We checked into the Grafton Inn.  I had the Ulysses S. Grant room.  Complimentary Carr's Table Water Crackers and a 4 oz. of 1 Year Aged Cheddar Cheese.  We had dinner at the hotel.  I had tossed green salad and Greek veggie pasta. 

Wednesday, October 23 - Following breakfast at the Grafton Inn, the group took a walking tour of Grafton. We departed at 10:45am for the Scott Farm in Dummerston, Vermont.  We learned as we tasted about organic heirloom apple varieties.  We had lunch at the Scott Farm with delicious apple pies for dessert.  Field Trip: The Stone Trust.  We stopped briefly at Dummerston Covered Bridge.  I stayed on motorcoach.  Big mistake!  I did not realize there was a geocache at the bridge (GC667ZH). 

As we returned to the hotel, we got a great view of Naulakha (1892), also known as The Rudyard Kipling House. It is a Shingle Style home where author Rudyard Kipling wrote "Captains Courageous."  Kipling also wrote "The Jungle Books", "A Day's Work", and "The Seven Seas", and did work on "Kim" and "The Just So Stories" here.  Kipling had named the house after the Naulakha Pavilion, situated inside Lahore Fort.  Next to the house was Kipling's Carriage House (1895).  Located on eleven acres off a town road, at the edge of a forest above, the estate overlooks a meadow and valley views.

We had a Farewell Dinner at the Grafton Inn.  I had Pan Seared Tuna which I didn't eat.  I don't eat raw seafood.  I had a complimentary glass of port.

The Inn music played so loud in my room the second night of my stay that I couldn't sleep.

Thursday, October 24 - The baggage was collected at 7:00am.  Breakfast buffet.  We checked out at 8:00am.  I was dropped off at Terminal B/Alaska at Boston Logan International Airport.  I had to wait until almost 2:00pm to check in for my flight.  After I checked in for my flight, I had lunch of Burger and Sweet Potato Fries sitting along the cafe railing so I could people watch.  I missed my flight in Seattle to PDX so I was rebooked on the next flight.  I arrived at PDX around midnight, retrieved my suitcase, caught a Lyft and was home about 1:30am.  It was an interesting trip but I was glad to be home.  

I found five Virtuals, a Webcam and an Earthcache.  As usual they were one of my high points of my trip.  During my 20 years of Geocaching I have seen things and done things that except for Geocaching I would not have seen or done.

20 Years of Geocaching!

My 20th Anniversary of Geocaching came and went without my notice.  It all began at Ash Grove on 10/2/2004.  I visited Ash Grove, an 18th-century plantation house in Fairfax County, Virginia.  In 1790, Bryan Fairfax built Ash Grove on Leesburg Pike, two miles west of present-day Tysons Corner, for his son Thomas Fairfax. The Ash Grove Bug Hotel (GCHF7Q) was created by Tim M CPA on 1/6/2004. I was inspired by the Ash Grove Geocache to create historical Geocaches when I returned home.

How To Puzzle Cache by Author: Cully Long

Faced With A Map Full Of Blue Question Marks And No Idea Where To Start? Geocaching novices and pros alike are often daunted by puzzle and mystery caches. Ciphers, enigmatic photos, nonsensical text, or just a blank page -- it often isn't clear what the Co wants or expects you to do, and even less clear how any of it will lead you to a cache. This Book Will Help You Ask -- And Answer -- All The Right Questions. 300 pages of lessons, tips, tricks and hints for dealing with even the trickiest puzzle caches, plus step-by-step techniques that start with examining the cache page and lead you through codes, ciphers, steganography, math, music, and dozens of other common puzzle cache types will have you on the trail in no time.

Books on Geocaching

Gillin, Paul; Gillin, Dana (2010). The Joy of Geocaching. Fresno, California: Quill Driver Books. ISBN 978-1884956997.

Mike Dyer (2004). The Essential Guide to Geocaching. Fulcrum Publishing. ISBN 978-1555915223.

Jack W. Peters (2004). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geocaching. Indianapolis: Alpha Books. ISBN 1-59257-235-9.

Joel McNamara (2004). Geocaching For Dummies. For Dummies. ISBN 978-0764575716.

Erik Sherman (2004). Geocaching: Hike and Seek with Your GPS. Apress. ISBN 978-1590591222.

Cameron, Layne; Ulmer, Dave (2004). The Geocaching Handbook (Falcon Guide). Falcon. ISBN 978-0-7627-3044-5.

John McKinney (2008). Let's Go Geocaching. DK Publishing. ISBN 978-0756637170.

CQ Products (2007). It's a Treasure Hunt! Geocaching & Letterboxing. G & R. ISBN 978-1563832680.

Geocaching in Portland and Bend, Oregon September 2024

My eldest son Jeff stopped by for a visit on Sept. 12-13, 2024.  Jeff and I went Geocaching around the Portland area on Friday the 13th.  We had lunch on the outdoor patio at McMenamins Rock Creek.  I found a couple Virtuals.

I found two Virtuals on Thursday, Sept. 19.  I enjoyed the live Harp Music at Leach Botanical Garden.  I had a late lunch at Starbucks in Lake Oswego.  I found two Virtuals on Friday, Sept. 20.  I had a dish of Peach Ice-cream at a nearby Brewery.  I was trapped at a train crossing off Water Avenue for 20 minutes on the way home.  I rode MAX Light Rail into Portland where I found two Virtuals along the MAX Light Rail lines on Saturday, Sept. 21. 

My son Christopher and I went to the Bend Oregon Cache Machine September 28-30.  We had separate hotel rooms as I was unable to get a separate bedroom suite. The weather was perfect.  I will be a happy person if I never encounter another traffic circle the rest of my life!  Bend even had a traffic circle in the high desert.  

I found three Virtuals: Wagon Road, Riley Ranch and The One and Only (Blockbuster Video Store).  I found 15 State Capitals Challenge cache and a few other caches. Christopher found many more caches than I did.  I was deeply disappointed in the Cache Machine Dinner on Saturday evening.  I did have a nice conversation with four women cachers.  We traveled home on Monday afternoon via Detroit/Salem.

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.

My favorite "Bite the Bullet" Quote

Sam Clayton: "The people some people marry."

Quote from "The English"

Cornelia Locke: What about my things?

Eli Whipp: Take what you need.

Cornelia Locke: I need everything.

Eli Whipp: Difference between what you need and what you want is what you can put on a horse.

Architectural Masterworks of Frank Lloyd Wright Trip - September 2024

Sunday, September 1 - I flew Alaska Airlines First Class from Portland, Oregon (PDX) via Seattle, WA to Chicago, Illinois (ORD).  I took a Lyft to Hyatt Place Chicago River North.  I had an 8th floor room with a great view of the city.  I went to the Road Scholar table on the first floor to register with the Group Leader, Anthony "Tony" DeSalvo.  The group met in the hotel lobby and walked together to Maggiano's Little Italy Grand a nearby restaurant for dinner.  Afterwards we had Orientation.  The remainder of the evening was at leisure.

Monday, September 2 - Following breakfast, we had a lecture on the History of Chicago Architectural Movements.  We took a 90-minute narrated Architecture River Cruise to experience the spectacular skyline architecture of Chicago from the perspective of the Chicago River. The Chicago Fire in 1871 destroyed much of the city's commercial property, which "provided an opportunity for those who had the vision to merge structural steel and plate glass into vertical architectural wonders, thereby giving birth to the first skyscrapers."  I saw the stunning Trump International Hotel and Tower.  It has been ruled 'public nuisance' over thousands of fish kills over a number of years.  

We had lunch at Saucy Porka.  We toured Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House.  Completed in 1910, this home is talked about as one of the most important buildings in American Architecture.  Back at the hotel I took a Lyft to the Chicago Tribune building to find a Virtual Geocache (GC8FBF).  One hundred and fifty pieces-of-rock have been embedded into the base of the Tribune Tower's NeoGothic facade and form a collection of Heritage artifacts from significant architectural and historic sites around the world.   I crossed the street to get a pickup address and took a Lyft back to the hotel.

Tuesday, September 3 - Following breakfast, we boarded a motorcoach for a Chicago City Tour focusing on FLW.  We stopped briefly at The Rookery Building located in the Chicago Loop.  Completed by architects Daniel Burnham and John Wellborn of Burnham and Root in 1888, it is considered one of their masterpiece buildings and was once the location of their offices.  In 1905, Frank Lloyd Wright was hired to modernize the interior public spaces of The Rookery.  He redesigned the stunning two-story, sky lit lobby.

We traveled to historic Oak Park where we had an expert-led exploration of the first home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright. While there, the group went around this historic neighborhood with a FLW expert. Oak Park is renowned for having the greatest number of Wright-designed buildings.  We ate lunch at Papaspiros a local restaurant in Oak Park.  Afterwards, we had an expert led exploration of the Unity Temple. The Unity Temple is essential example of Wright’s early Prairie School of design and one of eight designated UNESCO World Heritage sites of Wright's works.  We had dinner at Beatrix.

Wednesday, September 4 - Following breakfast we loaded our luggage onto the motorcoach.  We checked out of the hotel and traveled by motorcoach to Racine, Wisconsin.  We met our guide Mark Hertzberg, an author and photographer.  We had a Field Trip: Hardy House.  We had lunch at the Old Madrid Restaurant.  We had a Field trip: SC Johnson Corporate Headquarters.  Both the Administration Building and Research Tower were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Administration Building is considered by many to be one of 25 most important buildings of the 20th Century. Known for its unique Great Workroom, the open work space features dendriform columns and circular “birdcage” elevators.  Mid afternoon we departed for the Double Tree Hilton Racine.  We had a lecture on Penwern, cottage and estate on Delavan Lake.  We had dinner at the hotel in the Corner House Restaurant.  After dinner, our local expert gave a lecture on specific Frank Lloyd Wright buildings and architectural elements. Afterwards, we prepared for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Thursday, September 5 - Once we checked out of the hotel, we boarded our motorcoach for a short journey to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where we went on an expert-led exploration of the American System-Built Homes (1912-1916)/Burnham Block designed by Wright for low- and moderate-income families.  We passed by the Fredrick Bogk House by FLW. We went to the Milwaukie Art Museum.  I took a Lyft to the nearby Milwaukie Gas Building to find a Geocache Earthcache.  I got the photos and information that I needed.  I got back in time in find a bench in the shade so I could watch the moveable "Wings" open above the museum.  Something went really wrong and the wings did not fully open.  I had delicious avocado toast with salad greens for lunch in the museum cafe.  Our next stop was in Wauwatosa, where our own resident expert led us on an exploration of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Wright began to design the Church in 1956, but he died prior to the completion of its construction.

That afternoon, we transferred from Milwaukee to Madison where we saw more of Frank Lloyd Wright’s work. On our way to the hotel for check-in, the group stopped to look at Monona Terrace, located on the shore of Lake Monona. First proposed in 1938 as a convention center for the capital city, the project finally went forward in 1992 with the exterior designed by Wright and the interior based upon a design by Taliesin architect Tony Puttnam. There were stunning views of the lake, skyline and the dome of the state capital.  We had dinner at Craftsman Table and Tap near the hotel in Middleton, WI. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Madison West/Middleton hotel. 

Friday, September 6 - We had breakfast at the hotel. We boarded the motorcoach and headed out for an expert-led tour of Jacobs 1 Usonian House and an exploration of the Unitarian Meeting House, considered to be one of the world's most important examples of Church Architecture.  Our next stop brought us to the Wyoming Valley School.  The building (built in 1957) was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, who donated his design and two acres of land to the School District in honor of his mother, Anna Lloyd-Jones Wright.  We had lunch at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin visitor center. 

With a local expert, we explored the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor’s Center and the 800-acre Taliesin Estate, which was Wright’s home for 48 years from 1911 until 1959. The estate features buildings that represent his work across his career as it served as a laboratory for architectural design and innovation. We then headed back to our hotel for transfer to our farewell dinner at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse.  I had shrimp ravioli and raspberry lemon cake. We shared favorite experiences after our dinner.  Back at the hotel we prepared for check-out and departures in the morning.

Saturday, September 7 - Following breakfast, we traveled via motorcoach back to Chicago for drop off at O'Hare Airport; driving up to 142 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time.  My flight did not leave until 7:00pm so I spent the afternoon at the Admirals Lounge. At 6:00pm I went to Gate K3. We were told to board the flight at Gate K18.  Of course there was no wheelchair to get there!  I was livid.  Then the plane was late leaving Chicago which narrowed the window in Seattle. 

In Sea-Tac Airport I was not entirely sure if the wheelchair attendant knew where to go to get my connecting flight. I got there in time to board.  The plane was even held for other connecting flights.  I finally got to PDX. No wheelchair. I waited about 15 minutes in the passageway.  The flight attendant wanted me to wait in First Class cabin but they were cleaning the plane interior.  Finally an airport staff member took me in a wheelchair to get my luggage.  It was standing lonely with one other suitcase.  He took me to the Lyft area.  I quickly got a ride.  Fantastic trip however I was glad to be home and sleeping in my own bed! 

I found one Virtual Cache and one Earthcache.  As usual they were one of the high points of my trip.  During my 20 years of Geocaching I have seen things and done things that except for Geocaching I would not have seen or done.

To hide a Geocache

When you go to hide a geocache, think of the reason you are bringing people to that spot. If the only reason is for the geocache, then find a better spot." -briansnat, Charter Member

On the Road: Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

I traveled to Boston, MA on May 30, 2024 for the Road Scholar program: On the Road: Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. I took a Vancouver Cab at 6:00am to PDX.  I traveled via Alaska Airlines leaving at 8:00am. I ate a Signature Fruit and Cheese Platter during the flight.  After arriving at 4:30pm I retrieved my suitcase from Baggage pickup and caught the Hilton Shuttle to the Hilton Boston Logan Airport Hotel.  I paid extra for a corner room on the 9th floor.  I had a delicious New England Cobb Salad for dinner at Connolly's Publik House in the Hilton. 

I rested all day on Friday, May 31.  I had yogurt/oats and juice for breakfast.   I finished reading "the Echo of Old Books" by Barbara Davis.  I went to the Hotel Front Desk and was able to get a book from Lost and Found: "The Gods of Guilt" - A Lincoln Lawyer Novel by Michael Connelly.  I ate a Turkey BLT Panini for lunch/dinner at Connolly's Publik House at the hotel.  I had a great view all the way from the Boston Shell Amphitheater to the sleek Red Roof of Logan Airport International Terminal from my corner hotel room. 

Saturday, June 1 - I had yogurt/oats and juice for breakfast.  I found the Logan Airport 9/11 Memorial (GC7B93X).  On September 11, 2001, two planes left Logan Airport bound for Los Angeles, but were hijacked by terrorists who flew them into the World Trade Center towers in New York. The Logan Airport 9/11 Memorial honors the passengers and crews of these two planes.  I met another Geocacher at the Memorial Stone Circle.  I went to Road Scholar Check-in and Registration at 5:00pm. Orientation was at 6:00pm. Dinner at the hotel.

Sunday, June 2 - Breakfast at the hotel.  We departed hotel via motor coach for Woods Hole at 9:00am.  Arrived at Woods Hole Ferry at 11:15am.  Boxed lunch (Falafel Sandwich) from Pie in the Sky.  Ferry departed to Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard at 12:00 noon.  I saw the Tall Ship Corwith Cramer in the harbor.  Arrived at Oak Bluffs.  We traveled to the Dockside Inn 9 Circuit Ave.  I had a room on the 2nd floor facing the courtyard.  Quiet, great view.  I found Loomis' Loot (GC53Y3P) geocache in the courtyard.  I had Caesar Salad and Fish and Chips at Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company for dinner.

Monday, June 3 - Breakfast at Biscuits.  At 9:00am Field Trip: Island Tour of the Six Towns. I found the Aquinnah Cliffs Up-Thrust Earthcache (GC9EFDK).  Photographed Gay Head Lighthouse.  We saw "Large Swordfish Harpooner" by Jay Lagermann (1994) at sand dune. I had lunch on my own in Edgartown at The Seafood Shanty.  I had delicious Fish and Chips w/Heineken.  Best French fries ever.  Brief tour of The Carnegie Museum in Edgartown.  Returned to Dockside Inn in Oak Bluffs.

Tuesday, June 4 - Breakfast at Biscuits.  At 9:30am we went to the Long Point Wildlife Refuge in Vineyard Haven.  I saw stuffed birds at the Visitor's Center: Osprey, Snowy Owl, Northern Goshawk, etc.  We had lunch at Waterside Market.  I had Tomato and Mozzarella on Ciabatta with a Chocolate Chunk Cookie.  I sat at a table along the railing at the front deck. I got one stop of an Adventure Lab: Stone Bank.  We departed for Vineyard Museum at 1:45pm.  I photographed the Gay Head Light Tower's decommissioned 1st order Fresnel lens.  Free time in Vineyard Haven.  I got a cup of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream at Mad Martha's.  I thought about getting a Black Dog T-shirt.  I returned to the Dockside Inn in Oak Bluffs on the #13 bus.

Wednesday, June 5 - Breakfast at Biscuits.  We departed hotel for Vineyard Haven Ferry.  At 9:30am we took the Ferry to Woods Hole. Motor coach pick-up in Woods Hole.  Field Trip: Self-guided tour of Sandwich Glass Museum.  I purchased a Blood Red Sea Star Paperweight.  We had lunch at Seafood Sam’s in Sandwich (Cape Cod).  We departed for Cape Cod Maritime Museum.  Self guided tour.  We checked in to Hyannis Harbor Hotel, 213 Ocean Street.  I did not like the location of my room so I changed it to the 2nd floor. Great view, quiet location.  I had dinner at Back Cat on front deck.  I had a Buffalo Chicken Wrap.  Returned to the hotel.  I watched "Master Chef".

Thursday, June 6 - I finished eating the Buffalo Chicken Wrap for breakfast.  At 8:30am we departed the hotel for Hy-Line Ferry.  At 9:30am Ferry departed for Nantucket.  I took the free bus to the Rotary in 'Sconset and then walked the shell path. I hitched a ride to Sankaty Lighthouse. Perched high above a bluff in the village of 'Sconset on Nantucket Island, Sankaty Head Lighthouse has stood since 1850.  I got photos and altitude for Earthcache (GCA8F59). Hitched a ride back to the Rotary. I ate lunch at Claudette’s Sandwich. I rode the free bus back to downtown.  A fawn ran across the road in front of the free bus. 

We had a Field Trip: Nantucket Whaling Museum (self-guided tour).  I photographed the 1849 Fresnel Lens once used in Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Nantucket Island.  It was pouring down rain.  At 3:45pm we met at Hy-Line Ferry Terminal.  At 4:15pm the Ferry departed for Hyannis.  Disembark ferry.  We walked to the Black Cat Tavern for dinner at 5:30pm.  We returned to Hyannis Harbor Hotel.

Friday, June 7 - I had to walk a block to get to the entrance and then navigate the hallway to finally get to the breakfast room.  No bananas, eggs were cold, soggy bacon, etc.  At 8:30am we departed the hotel. At 10:00am we went on a Field Trip: Monomoy Island Excursion at the far eastern end of the Cape.  Monomoy Island is a barrier island that is home to thousands of seals, birds and other wildlife.  We had lunch at Brickhouse Restaurant, Eastham.  We headed north to Provincetown.  I had a cup of ice cream at Twisted Pizza.  I had a bicycle police escort to Napi’s at 5:30pm to join the group.  I had a mixed green salad, a cup of clam chowder, a glass of white wine and dessert.  At 7:00pm we returned to Hyannis Harbor Hotel.

Saturday, June 8 - I had tasty breakfast at The Landing Cafe across the street from the hotel.  At 8:30am we checked-out and departed for Boston Logan International Airport.  I arrived at 10:30am.  My Alaska Airlines flight did not leave until 5:30pm! Argh.  Since I could not check-in until four hours before my flight I sat in the corner of the Airport Lobby handicap section and took a long nap.  I got a Strawberry/Oatmeal Yogurt at Hudson at 3:00pm.  Long flight to Seattle.  Bumpy at times. I got a toasted cheese sandwich at Beechers at 8:54pm.  Short flight to PDX.  I collected my suitcase and got a Lyft home.  

I found one Virtual, one Traditional Cache and two Earthcaches.  As usual they were the high points of my trip.  During my 20 years of Geocaching I have seen things and done things that except for Geocaching I would not have seen or done them.

"Alice" - a New York Times Notable Book by Stacy A. Cordery

"Alice" is a book about Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker.

The Bounty of Baja: Wine, Food & Local Life in the Guadalupe Valley, April 9-15, 2024

I caught a cab at 5:00am on April 9, 2024 to Portland International Airport (PDX).  I had a flight from PDX to San Francisco ((SFO) and then on to San Diego (SAN), arriving about 12:45pm.  I caught an Uber ride to the Courtyard by Marriott. 

Wednesday, April 10 - After a good night's sleep I got a fruit yogurt cup for breakfast.  I caught a Lyft to the San Diego Natural History Museum at 9:45am.  I saw the films "Shark Kingdom" and "Ocean Oasis".  I was fascinated by the Baja Exhibit.  I caught a Lyft back to the hotel at 3:00pm.  During a conversation before the meeting/dinner with Kathy M. (NY) it turned out we knew the same Geocacher - Kit.  I met Kit in May 2016 at the rim of the Grand Canyon and Kathy met Kit during a trip in Europe. It's truly a Small, Small World!  Orientation session took place at 5:00pm followed by Welcome Dinner. I watched "Survivor" and "Amazing Race" in my hotel room. I got a good night's sleep for the day ahead.

On Thursday, April 11 we ate breakfast, checked out of the hotel, and began our journey south through the most-crossed border in the world, separating the United States and Mexico at San Ysidro.  Our first stop in Mexico was La Caja Gallery.  We had lunch at Caesar's Restaurant in Tijuana, featuring the renowned Caesar Salad.  Way too much salad dressing. The drive south in the afternoon offered magnificent vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Upon arrival we checked in to our oceanfront Las Rosas Hotel in Ensenada. I had Room 311 with a balcony ocean view.  We rode to the La Contra wine bar.  Lecture on wine appreciation.  We had dinner at Boules Restaurant. 

After breakfast on Friday, April 12, we spent the day learning about Guadalupe Valley in the heart of wine country.  Amid rolling hills and huge round granite boulders, wineries range from simple working and mid-sized establishments to large commercial producers, often displaying striking architecture.  We visited the Finca La Carrodilla Winery. At Las Nubes winery we had light snacks while tasting wines for lunch due to the early dinner event.  We rode on to Clos de Tres Cantos winery.  Dinner at Finca Altozano Restaurant.  Returned to the hotel.

After a quick breakfast on Saturday, April 13, I met my guide to La Buradora, Dali in front of the hotel.  La Bufadora is the largest sea geyser in North America and the second largest marine geyser in the world (the largest is located at Halona Point on the island of Oahu, Hawaii). Located in the Punta Banda Peninsula about 17 miles south of Ensenada, La Bufadora shoots water out of a partially submerged sea cavern more than 100 feet in the air. A loud roar accompanies the spray. I saw rainbows in the water sprays.  I was there at Low Tide.  High tide is the best time to visit.  Walking back to the car, venders were offering treats such as churros.  I bought a stick of cactus candy. I was able to get a ride in a wheelchair partway back to the car. 

We continued to the Santo Tomas Valley.  I said my Thanks and Goodbye to Dali.  I joined the group on a Wagon Ride through the vineyards at the Santo Tomas winery.  We had lunch at Acambaro Restaurant.   We returned to the hotel for free time.  I had planned to host a Geocaching Event at nearby Starbucks but no cacher said they Will Attend so I cancelled the Event.  We drove to a cooking class.  Dinner. 

Sunday, April 14, following breakfast we rode to the studio of De La Torre artists in the Guadalupe Valley.  We continued the exploration of Guadalope Valley.  We visited Tres Mujeres, a lovely artisan establishment run by three women, one of whom is a ceramist.  Lunch at the winery outdoor patio under the pines.  Back at hotel for a rest.  Farewell Dinner at Ophelia's Restaurant.  The group met back at the hotel for a glass of wine but I was just too exhausted.   I just wanted a hot shower and a good night's sleep!

Monday, April 15 - We departed Ensenada by motor coach at 8:00am following breakfast.  We rode to the Mexico-U.S. border.  Crossing back into San Diego we rode to the San Diego Airport arriving about 12:00 Noon.   I was dropped off quite away from United counter but was able to get a wheelchair ride.   After checking in for my 4:30pm flight. I went to the United Club Travel Lounge.  I had lunch: Caprese Italian Sandwich, Pasta, and absolutely delicious cheesecake.  I found a quiet corner with a view and rested until flight time. I arrived at PDX airport about 9:15pm (via SFO), got my luggage and took a Lyft home. 

Cachly vs Geocaching App

I much prefer Cachly vs the Geocaching App.   I came across an interesting article: Cachly vs Geocaching® App: A Comparison Review | The Geocaching Junkie – The Geocaching Junkie.  Check it out.