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!

Cruising the 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.