Gassaway's Adventures

A DIFFERENT KIND OF TRAVEL

2012-02-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

I have a friend, Nick who lives in Texas and works for a local police department. He used to work at the Sheriff and DA's office with me, so I've known him for sometime. He retired shortly after I did, but due to some defect in his thinking he went back to work in Texas. He too has a blog, Rocks in my Sandals, which he says I inspired him to write. Anyway he recently wrote an entry in his blog about a trip to Washington DC that he took on the government's dime, something he believes I know a lot about. Here's what he wrote:

One of the requirements was for the project team to attend two to three meetings with the grant management group, CNA in Washington, D.C. Now, many of you of my Law Enforcement friends know we refer to this as a “road trip”. My “road trip” mentor (and reader of this humble blog) is Dana Gassaway. Dana was, like me, a former Deputy Sheriff and retired District Attorney Investigator. Dana was (and is today) a legend in our County for his ability to ferret out a road trip to anywhere on the planet on any given case. Whether it was to do the interview on the bartender in Nome, Alaska or the extradition of the most dangerous felon in his caseload from Miami Beach, Dana utilized the travel departments of both agencies like his personal travel consultants. I and many of my contemporaries often sought out Dana for his travel advice for our trips. He was on a first-name basis with the Finance Department too.

Knowing this not to be entirely true I responded:

I have never been to Nome, Alaska, but I did manage to spend 4 days in Ketchikan at a training conference at which I was paid for speaking. Also the Miami Beach extradition never occurred. Perhaps you confused it with the extradition to Maui. Not wanting to waste the free airfare for my ticket, I actually paid for my wife’s ticket and we spent a week on the beach using some vacation time. A little R&R was well deserved for my investigative skills in knowing to wait until the crook was in the State of Hawaii before notifying the local authorities.

Yes, there were lots of road trips, but not all to garden spots. How about Yuma, AZ Williston, ND, Lovelock, NV not to mention scores of trips up the coast LA. That’s not to say other trips weren’t to some pretty nice places, but hey, someone had to do it."

Nick responds:

Ok....Let me see if I've got this right. You commented on my blog to verify you have been to all kinds of cool places on the company dime and that you're a legend. And that you've also invited your wife along on your "work related" trips. Oh yeah, you've never been to Nome. I stand corrected....I think.

Thanks for the correction. Message received. I think the statute of limitations may be up on these too.

Nick also posted this photograph of my son and grandson on the top of whale Peak, with the caption "Dana standing on another rock". Well I am standing on a rock, I'm just not in the picture.

In case some of you readers of this and Nick's blog think this exchange harsh, you have to understand that it's all in fun. Right Nick?

Be sure to read Nick's blog. It's really good!

SOME MORE HIKING/THREE GENERATIONS TO THE TOP

2012-01-09T14:41:00.000-08:00

I've been doing some more hiking, trying to stay in shape. Several weeks ago I went on a hike with an Internet "meetup" group called "Take a Hike". The chosen hike was up Viejas Mountain out in Alpine. At 4,187 feet it was a good workout with a steep trail to the summit. There were about 7 hikers in the group all of whom were way younger than me and a whole lot faster. I was with the group three times during the hike. At the beginning, on the summit and at the end. I basically did the hike by myself, so I won't be hiking with them anytime soon. The views from the top were great with a breeze out of the east it was clear all the way to the coast. The above photo is looking east from the summit.

Next up on the day after Christmas, I drove out to Borrego and hiked around the western end Harper flat. This huge bowl-shaped valley is in the heart of the Vallecito Mountains and accessed via a 4 WD drive road and a short hike up a wash. This area was the site of one of the largest Indian camps in the area. Lots of evidence of the Indian inhabitants with numerous morteros and lots of pottery shards laying about. I walked about 6 miles, gaining a loosing around 1,000 ft in elevation and only covered small percentage of the valley.

For Christmas 10 year old Grandson McKyle got a new pair of hiking boots courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa figured he might get a new hiking partner out of the deal and what better place to try the new boots out, but Whale Peak. Not the easiest hike around but a whole lot better after I discovered that there was actually a trail of sorts to the top. There is some minor boulder scrambling at the beginning and just below the summit, but that made it all the more fun for McKyle. As described in the previous post, it is just a little over 2 miles to the summit with an elevation gain of 1300 feet. To reach the trail head, 4 WD is required. If you cannot make it over the big boulder in the road, it adds about 1.5 more miles of road hiking to get to the trail head.

McKyle's dad, Gary decided to tag along so with an early start we arrived at the trail head at 7:30. It was pretty cold and windy, but clear with great views on the way up. In some spots there was still some icy snow left from the last storm which was about 4 weeks ago. With lots of cactus to dodge and some trail finding skills, it took 1 hour and 45 minutes to gain the summit. It is a pretty steep climb in places and I noticed on the way up, I was the only one breathing heavy.

We spent about 30 minutes on the summit, signing the summit register and eating a snack and then heading back down. No one fell down on the way back and and except for McKyle having a minor encounter with some cactus we arrived unscathed at the trail head around 12:30.

Both Gary and McKyle agreed that this is a great hike. I think it has become my favorite in San Diego County and I'm sure I'll be returning again. If anyone wants to climb up with me, let me know as I'd be happy to show you the way. Just ask my friend Gary who followed me partway up last month. (see previous post)

ON THE SUMMIT

HEADING DOWN

VIEW OF SALTON SEA

WHALE PEAK (5348 Ft)

2011-12-02T21:41:00.000-08:00

It's been about 20 years since I climbed up Whale Peak out in the Borrego Desert and I figured it was about time to do it again. My friend Gary, who has been hankering to go on a hike, said he would go with me. So a couple of weeks ago, I picked him up at 0 dark thirty and we drove out to the desert. The best way to climb this mountain is to drive via a 4 wheel drive road to the 4000 foot level before starting out on foot. The road to the trail head isn't too bad except for one particular spot where high clearance is definitely required. The old 4-Runner handled it well, cutting off about 2 additional miles of hiking if we hadden't gotten over the rough spot.

The first part of the hike is pretty straight forward and pretty much straight up. Well not exactly, but none the less uphill via a slot with lots of boulders.

LOOKING DOWN THE SLOT

Twenty years ago the route to the summit was cross country with one doing their own navigation. Back then I along with friends failed on our first attempt, having taken the wrong turn. The second attempt was successful, but it too required some route finding skills. Anyway off we went on the route I remembered, or at least though I remembered.

GARY COMING UP BEHIND

Everything was going along just fine, when I heard Gary make an odd noise behind me. When I turned to look I found Gary rolling down the hill though some of the ever present Cholla Cactus. Gary's head stopped him from rolling down too far when it met with a non movable rock.

After figuring out that Gary was ok with no broken bones, he said that he had enough of my route finding skills, so after just 3/4 of a mile we turned around and headed back. (Actually Gary was kinda bruised up) We didn't know it at the time, but we were a little bit off track.

Twenty years is a long time, but I thought I knew where we were going. If you take a look at the Google Earth map, the little white dots are the route we selected. The purple line is the route we should have taken, but I didn't enter the correct route in the GPS until after I got home. Duh!

Anyway the mountain was still there and I still wanted to Climb it. So this time I enlisted Cathie, who said she was game to give it a go. She had climbed it with me on the previous summit and figured I could find the way again, especially now that I had the route in the GPS.

It was cold and clear on the way up with patches of snow in the shaded areas. No wind to speak of, so it was a pleasant hike. We got a little off track by trying to avoid some steep sections by side hilling. When we got to the top of one ridge, we looked down the other side and noticed a really nice looking trail crossing the high valley below us. Now 20 years ago, we never came across any trail nor had we heard that there was one. But now 20 years later there it was. So we headed down to the trail and followed it all the way to the summit. With just one steep section just below the summit, the rest of the hike to the top was pretty easy.

CATHIE LOOKING BACK

SNOW ON THE CHOLLA

WOW! A TRAIL

ALMOST THERE

CATHIE IN THE STEEP SECTION

ON THE TOP

SUMMIT REGISTER

SHELTER

THAT'S BORREGO SPRINGS OUT THERE

ON THE WAY DOWN WITH THE TRAIL BELOW

After about 45 minutes on the summit, we headed back down. This time we followed the trail which made it a piece of cake finding ouR way. Next time we'll follow the trail from the get go. Think Gary will try again? Only if he gets to lead.

WHALE PEAK

WINDING DOWN

2011-11-10T18:56:00.000-08:00

BIG BEND SUNRISE

Before leaving Big Bend National Park we took a short hike up Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Grande flows through this narrow canyon and is very popular with river runners when the water level is up in the spring and summer. The trail up the canyon only goes for about a mile, before the river stretches between the canyon walls preventing further exploration.

SANTA ELENA CANYON

JEFF DAVIS COUNTY COURTHOUSE

One thing we noticed in our travels in the Midwest and especially in Texas is that many rural counties have very large and imposing courthouses. Most of these buildings were build in the early 1900's or before. Jeff Davis County only has a population of 2300 souls but the courthouse looks like it could be from a much larger county. About 1000 of those live in the county seat, Fort Davis.

TEXAS BACK ROAD

The city of Fort Davis takes it's name from, you guessed it, Fort Davis a National Historic Site. Fort Davis was founded in 1854 and was named for then Jefferson Davis, the Secretary of War. During the Civil War the fort was abandoned by the Union Army, but reoccupied after the Civil War in 1867. By that time travel on the San Antonio-El Paso Road increased and so did raiding by Comanches and Apaches, prompting the Army in re-establishing Fort Davis. Today many of the original buildings have been restored and furnished to the period when Fort Davis was an active Fort.

OFFICER QUARTERS

ENLISTED MENS BARRACKS

CHANGING COLORS

The Cottonwoods in West Texas are turning gold and for us that is a signal to head for home. We've been on the road just shy of 3 months and it was time to head home. Besides, Cathie can hardly wait to see the grandkids. As we crossed from Arizona into California Cathie said to me that next time she would be willing to stay gone for four months. I guess I better start planning.

GOOD TO BE HOME

This morning when I got up, the first morning after getting home, this is what greeted me.

IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - WEST TEXAS

2011-11-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

In the middle of nowhere really describes this part of Texas. Getting here requires driving about 100 miles south of US Highway 90 and once here you're up against Mexico and can't go any further. What it lacks in civilization is made up in its beauty and remoteness. We stayed in the National Park campground at Rio Grande Village, not really a village, but a small store and gas station along with a ranger station and housing for some of the national park staff. The Rio Grande is not really very Garnde at this time of the year. You would have trouble floating down it in a inner tube it is so shallow in places, but in the spring local outfitters run river trips through some of the deep canyons created by the river.

AMMONITE

On a hike we took we came across this Ammonite right in the middle of the trail. Because it's part of a much larger boulder it's still there and not in someones yard.

We also took a hike in the Chiso Mountains up Lost Mine Trail. Legend has it that Spanish explorers found a vein of silver around here and enslaved local people to mine it. According to the legend, the workers eventually rebelled, killed their enslavers, then sealed the mine entrance to prevent further exploitation. We didn't find it, so the legend remains intact. The view at the end of the trail, although spectacular, we marred by the constant haze that is usually present in Big Bend. It's really smog from cities in the east.

Just west of the Park is what's left of the mining town of Terlingua. People still live here, but mostly it's been abandoned. In it's heyday in the early 1900's Terlingua had a population of over 2000, but today there is less than 300. That is except on the weekend we were there when the population reached upwards of 10,000 chiliheads. Each year on the first weekend in November, the Chili Appreciation Society International holds its annual Terlingua International Chili Championship. Not only do they have chili cookoff, but also BBQ competitions. We figured to go and see what's up, but when we drove up to the entrance they wanted $30 each for the privilege of entering into the contest grounds. I asked what we do we get for $30? We were to we can walk around the grounds and watch all the crazies and drunks. We don't get to sample any of the chili or BBQ, but if we like we can buy food and drink at an exorbitant cost. We knew the thing about the drunks was true because just outside the entrance to the cookoff grounds on the state highway, the Texas State Troopers had set up sobriety check points in both directions. We decided to pass.

The Terlingua Trading Company was known as the Chisos Mining Company Store and sold everything from food to farm equipment and prom dresses to cars. It housed the mine offices, Post Office and the only telephone. It is still one of the largest adobe building in Texas.

The Perry School, named after the mine owner, was the largest of 3 schools in the region. Started as a tent with one teacher and grew to a 5 room building with 4 teachers, a principal and 80 children.

SAINT AGNUS CHURCH

BROKEN WINDMILL

Tomorrow we continue our exploration of Big Bend Country before heading north for a stop in the Davis Mountains. From there we will head home after being on the road for 3 months. To be continued........

TEXAS

2011-10-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

After a few days in Dallas and since we couldn’t get tickets to the World Series we decided to head south to the beach? Having never been to Padre Island we wanted to see it. We planned to stay at the National Seashore campground and talk long walks on the secluded beach. We got an early start for the 425 drive. We were a little concerned about getting a spot in the campground because there have been lots of snowbirds heading south.

After passing through Corpus Christi, we crossed the causeway onto the island. I thought it was somewhat strange that there wasn’t any traffic, nor did we see anyone in an RV. As we drove the approach road to the entrance to the National Seashore, a distance of about 8 miles, we saw no other cars. Very strange. When we pulled up to the entrance station the ranger on duty opened the window as I handed him my senior pass. As I held it out for him to see he asked in a sort of condescending voice, “What to you have there?” I told him it was my senior pass and we were hoping that there was still some room in the campground. “Are you sure you want to go there?” he asked with raised eyebrows. I said, “We haven't driven 425 miles in hopes of finding mountains.” He then said that we could have the whole campground to ourselves as there was no one there. He explained that there was a red tide. “I guess we can’t go swimming then?’’ About this time in our conversation I noticed that my eyes were burning and I could feel a tingling on my tongue. Then I started coughing. He responded by telling us all about Red Tide.

Red tide here in Texas causes all kinds of things to happen. Coughing, burning in the eyes, tingling of the tongue and the inside of the mouth, and if you make skin contact with the tide, rash. The ranger said we were welcome to stay if we wanted to experience all these things but suggested it was best if we went inland or perhaps to Galveston. We ended up in an RV park in town not anywhere near the beach.

While in Corpus Christi I toured the USS Lexington, a World War II aircraft carrier. Smaller than the USS Midway in San Diego where I volunteer, but much the same. The Lexington has more displays, but they don’t have an audio guide like the Midway. Lots of information about different sea battles in WWII with lots of artifacts.

Well, since we couldn’t go to the beach, we headed north to San Antonio. We stopped for lunch at Texas Pride BBQ another place featured on Triple “D”. I heard tell that Texas is famous for its brisket and smoked meats so we just had to find out for ourselves. Located in an old 1040's gas station, it is truly out in the middle of no where. You wait your turn at the counter and when it’s your turn and place your order, the meat is sliced off the brisket or the ribs off the rack and wrapped in butcher paper. It is then place in a plastic soda bottle case along with the sides you ordered. You then carry your purchase to the dining room filled with picnic tables where you unwrap your food and eat it right off the butcher paper. We topped it all off with peach cobbler that was really good. The BBQ wasn’t too bad either.

We stayed outside of San Antonio Canyon Lake. Another very nice campground operated by the Army Corp of Engineers. This area is what they call “Hill Country”. It’s very dry due to the past summers heat and drought causing an extreme fire hazard. They won’t even let you use a gas BBQ or camp strove in the campground.

HAPPY HOUR

On our first full day here, we headed into the city and went to the The Alamo and the River Walk. Everyone knows something about the Alamo and those who died there. Today it is considered a shrine to those who died there. Only a small part of the original buildings exist today. The assault by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s army in 1836 is the most important part of the Alamo’s history, but its history goes back much further. In 1724, construction of the Alamo began. Originally named Mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo served as home to missionaries and their Indian converts for nearly seventy years. In the early 1800’s the Spanish military stationed a cavalry unit at the Alamo. The first hospital in Texas was established in the Alamo. In December 1835 the Alamo was attacked by Texan Revolutionaries and taken from the Mexican Army.

On March 6, 1836 Santa Anna began his assault before daybreak. Cannon and small arms fire from inside the Alamo beat back several attacks. Regrouping, the Mexicans scaled the walls and rushed into the compound. Once inside, they turned captured cannon on the barracks and church, blasting open the barricaded doors. The fighting continued until the defenders were overwhelmed. By sunrise the battle had ended and Santa Anna entered the Alamo.

San Antonio is also famous from its river walk along the San Antonio River. Below the street level in the downtown, its banks are lined with restaurants and shops. Walkways on both sides of the river allow you stroll along the shaded path or if you prefer you can take the water taxi. Really beautiful in the daytime, must be something at night with all the trees lit up.

Since we were in Hill Country we paid a visit to the LBJ Ranch. Yes, that ranch. After the death of Lady Bird Johnson in 2007, the ranch was deeded to the American People and is overseen by the National Park Service. You can tour the ranch in your car with an accompanying CD. Then for $2 you can go on a short tour of the Texas While House.

The ranch is still a working ranch, growing grain and hay for the Hereford cattle being raised there. You are free to walk around the outside of the house. On a rise overlooking the Pedernales River the house is surrounded by huge mature oaks which shade the front of the house. Johnson sometimes held cabinet meetings under the trees in the front yard. I was easy to see why as President, LBJ preferred being at his ranch in Texas over being at the White House in Washington.

This is one of LBS's neighbors and now a Texas State Park. It is a demonstration farm where volunteers operate the farm as it was in the early 1900's. They milk the cows each morning, make butter and cheese, butcher the hogs, smoke the bacon with no modern conveniences. Very interesting tour given by those working there.

JOHNSON CITY COURTHOUSE

HILL COUNTRY WINDMILL

Dallas/Fort Worth

2011-10-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the Great State of Texas where, according to native Texans, everything is bigger. So to see if this is true we went to the State Fair of Texas, which according to the hype is the biggest state fair in the country. We took the train into Dallas and transferred to the trolley for a stress free ride to the fair. We decided to go on Thursday as it was senior day, so we got to bypass the $15 admission and got in for free. So saving $30 is pretty big. To purchase just about everything at the fair you have to purchase tickets and then redeem them with the vendor of your choice. We used the $30 we saved and spent it on tickets. Being senior day the movement around the fair was pretty slow, with the exception of those in their motorized chairs. Lots of big excitement dodging them folks.

This is Big Tex, who greets you at the fair. He speaks, but I couldn't understand what he was saying, perhaps it's his accent. You know how those Texans talk. He is big though.

They've got an Aremotor Windmill at the fair, but it's no bigger than the one in my front yard. Nice paint job though.

There are some pretty big rides at the fair. I can't ride most of them because the of the centrifugal force. On a ride where everything in your stomach is pushed down as it goes around and at the end of the ride it's the big heave-oh, if you get my drift. They claim that the Farris wheel at the fair is the biggest in the country. We bypassed the rides.

There is a big presence of the Dallas Police at the fair. Many are posted in theses elevated boxes.

BIG INDOOR FOOD COURT

Food is really big at the fair. In fact there are more places to buy food at the Texas State Fair than in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth area. They have the biggest offering of fried items. Besides the normal French fries and fried chicken, there is fried bubble gum, cookie dough, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Snicker Bars, smores, beer, wine, margaritas, coke, pralines, latte, ice cream, banana splits, chicken fried bacon, butter, peaches and cream, Frito pie, pumpkin pie, pineapple upside down cake, salsa and Han's Fired Kraut Ball. So Texas is biggest in the fried food category and in the accompanying clogged artery category. Tried the deep fried cookie dough. Hard to get it down because it's so rich. Did leave a big lump in my belly.

Actually we weren't very impressed with the fair. A big area for the car show, which was just a bunch of new cars from various manufactures. A pretty big area for vendors selling pots and pan and the like. We didn't hit the animal area because of the big smell. There was no industrial arts, photographs, and crafts which at the Del Mar Fair are judged and awarded ribbons. The Cotton Bowl is on the fair grounds which takes up a pretty big area. All in all a pretty big disappointment.

The next day we went to the Fort Worth Stockyards where we saw some big cows with big horns. For the drovers heading longhorn cattle up the Chisholm Trail to the railheads, Fort Worth was the last major stop for rest and supplies. Beyond Fort Worth they would have to deal with crossing the Red River into Indian Territory. Between 1866 and 1890 more than four million head of cattle were trailed through Fort Worth which was soon known as “Cowtown” and had its own disreputable entertainment district several blocks south of the Courthouse area that was known all over the West as Hell’s Half Acre.

We arrived in time to watch the cattle drive which occurs twice a day. We happened to be there when they were having a Cowboy Gathering. We watched as 20 chuckwagons were paraded down the street. They then set up in front of the Live Stock Exchange for their annual cookoff. All the food will be prepared over wood fires and in cast iron dutch ovens.

THE POOPER SCOUPERS

In the evening we met friends Nick and Dianna at Uncle Bucks Steakhouse and Brewery in Grapevine for dinner. Uncle Buck is connected to Outdoor World part of the Bass Pro Shop Chain of really big sporting goods store. Of course the've got stores all over the states, not just in Texas. We had a great dinner and visit, catching up on the latest goings on in both our families.

Next up on this adventure will continue in Texas. We're heading south to Corpus Christi and Padre Island, which I understand has a really big beach.

A SOMBER TRIP TO OKLAHOMA

2011-10-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

FLAG FROM THE MURRAH FEDERAL BUILDING

Any trip to Oklahoma City has to include a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum if for nothing else to be reminded that terrorism can come from within. Although I am not a fan of the news media, after the memorial and museum were completed, Tom Brokow of NBC news said something to the effect that every citizen of this country should visit the memorial as a requirement for their citizenship. Truer word couldn't have been spoken.

Our visit was a very moving experience, from the reflecting pool and Field of Empty Chairs, to the stories of those who survived and rescuers who arrived at the scene. The magnitude of the explosion was unbelievable. What was noticeable to me upon first entering the Memorial was the quiet. So hushed a place, yet many people milling about. A National Park Ranger there to answer questions was speaking in hushed tones. I don't frequent memorials, art exhibits or architectural tributes, so I don't know if quiet is common. I suspect that it is. But the hush here was quite simply a display of reverence. It was a show of respect for the people who died on what Oklahomans call sacred ground. It was a symbol of the return of dignity to the 168 people who were violently stripped of it five years ago.

Everywhere, there are memories of the dead. The field of empty chairs are individual monuments. Large chairs for the adults; small chairs for the children. All memorialize those who lost their lives. Look to the west and there's the makeshift chain link memorial, an element of the Memorial originally constructed when the area was first sealed off five years ago. Today, people still adorn the fence with stuffed animals, teddy bears, flowers, pictures and other items.

Each of the 168 chairs symbolize a life lost, with smaller chairs representing the 19 childern killed. Arranged in nine rows, one for each floor of the building, they placed according to the floor on which those killed were working or visiting.

The Museum is in the former Journal Record Building, built in 1923. This building was directly across the street from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and withstood the direct impact of the blast. It was heavily damaged, but structurally sound. The Museum takes you on a chronological, self guided tour through the story of April 19, 1995 and the days, weeks and years that followed the bombing.

At the time of the bombing at 9:02 AM, there was a Oklahoma Water Resources Board meeting taking place across the street from the Murrah Building. This meeting was recorded. As a visitor you enter into a reproduction of the meeting room and hear the meeting being called to order. Two minutes into the recording you hear the explosion, all the lights go out and you hear the confusion in the room. Them a translucent wall illuminates with photographs of the 168 persons who died that day.

You continue through the museum you follow a timeline of the events of that day and days that follow. Exhibits include many eyewitness accounts from survivors and rescuers who tell of their experiences that day. News footage of the carnage and the ensuing efforts to rescue people plays a part in the story. There are displays of personal effects found in the buildings debris found while search teams were sifting for evidence.

This is a steel door that was taking from the Journal Record building across the street from the explosion. Below are the tattered remains of mini-blinds taken from the same building.

This broken bell was also found in the rubble. It's owner is unknown but shows his or hers sense of patriotism. Below a no parking sign from a street nearby.

Many of the oral accounts recorded in the exhibit, recount the shear frustration felt by many of the first responders. They had never experienced anything of this magnitude. The photo below says it all.

After rescue efforts were completed, then the investigations began. Many items of the evidence found in the building and the surrounding area are on display.

Licence plate from the Ryder truck rented by Timothy McVeigh. Below is a wheel rim from the truck. It was a hidden vin number from the rear axel of the truck which identified it as a Ryder rental truck rented by McVeigh.

On of the last displays in the museum are small boxes with photos of each of the victims. Inside each box is something that belonged to each of them or represents who they were. Notice the box of tissue on the bench.

This message was spray painted on the wall of the Journal Records Building by Oklahoma Bomb Disposal Unit 5. The inscriptiong remains today.

I encourage everybody who reads this, to make it a point to visit Oklahoma City sometime in their lives. As Tom Bokaw said, each citizen of this county should visit as a requirement of their citizenship. I sure the same can now be said of Gound Zero in New York. For me, the only place that stirs emotions in me to this magnitude is the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.

ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI

2011-10-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

At Davenport we made a right turn and followed the Mississippi south towards St Louis. We crossed the river and stayed on the Illinois side at Pere Marquette State Park, a really nice campground near Grafton, IL. Once again a nice bike path along the river all the way to Alton, IL, about 20 miles from the campground.

FALL COLORS AT PERE MARQUETTE STATE PARK

We spent part of a day in St. Louis and any visit there has to include the Gateway Arch. To get to the top you take a 4 minute ride inside of a small capsule. Not for the claustrophobic, but great views from the top. The other reason for a stop in St. Louis is to resupply as there is a Costco, something lacking in Iowa.

VIEW FROM THE TOP

On a drive on the Illinois side of the river we happened upon an auction a decided to stop a watch for a while. As we listened to the auctioneer it became apparent that although he was speaking fast, he wasn't really saying anything much of the time. Take a listen.

One day took a tour of one of the locks on the river. Some of these locks a long enough to hold a 15 barge tow, but as I learned, any size smaller can use the locks. While taking my tour, a canoe was allowed to pass through.

Next we made another right turn and headed west. We made a stop in Van Buren, Missouri. Van Buren is a small town in the middle of the Ozarks on the Current River. The river is part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The Current and Jacks Forks Rivers are spring fed and very clear. No white water in these rivers, so we brought out the inflatable kayak. I parked the truck several miles down steam and hitched a ride back to our RV park with the RV park owner. We then spent about 3 hours on a peaceful float though some very scenic country. With the clear water we could watch the fish and turtles swimming beneath us. With this being the off season, we only saw one boat the entire time. We are told that in the summertime, the area is very popular with folks floating or canoeing down the rivers. The area businesses make their living off the summer season.

ON THE CURRENT RIVER

We also spent part of a day just exploring the area. We went to Alley Spring and its mill along with Big Spring. Both springs feed the Current and Jack Forks Rivers and are a very vivid light blue. Alley Spring comes up out of the ground in a large pool at the rate of 80 million gallons a day. Big Spring surfaces at the base of a cliff and discharges 286 million gallons a day. That’s a whole lot of water!

ALLEY SPRING

MILL AT ALLEY SPRING

REDNECK TRAILER STABILIZERS

We currently in Tulsa, OK for a couple of days before heading to Oklahoma City to visit some of Cathie's relatives.

IOWA AND THE MISSISSIPPI

2011-10-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

IOWA

We did a lot of bike riding in Omaha. It’s another city with miles of paved flat bike trails. We were hoping to ride the trail along the Missouri River but much of it was underwater, still flooded from the spring thaw.

While in Omaha, we just had to hit one of the six restaurants featured on Triple D. (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives). We picked Big Mama's Kitchen located in the cafeteria of an old high school. Known for down home comfort soul food, it’s popular with the locals. When we got there just before lunchtime, there were just a few tables left open. We each ordered the special, Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes, and cornbread. I opted for a side of Macaroni and Cheese, while Cathie chose Stir Fried Cabbage. We topped it off by sharing a slice of Peanut Butter Pie. We waddled out fully satisfied, promising ourselves a 20 mile bike ride in the morning.

BIKE TRAIL MILEAGE MARKER

In downtown Omaha, there is a series of sculptures depicting a wagon train crossing the plains. It’s very detailed with larger than life settlers, their wagons and animals. The sculptures tell a story of the journey west and are spread over six blocks of downtown. First there are the wagons, with the wagon master on a high point overlooking the wagon train. There is a hunter bringing his kill to feed the members of the group. There are men helping a wagon through the mud.

The approaching wagon train spooks the buffalo herd that stampedes ahead of the train.

And lastly the buffalo scare a flock of geese on a lake causing them to take flight.

After just under a week in the Omaha area, we continued out trip east. Next up, Des Moines. We found another great campground on Saylorville Lake, operated by the Army Corp of Engineers. Again huge sites with lots of grass and trees overlooking the lake. With our Golden Age Passport, just $9 a night. Once again great bike paths. One day we rode the 11 miles along the Des Moines River into the city for lunch. A beautiful shaded paved trail and level just like we like it.

We spent most of one day checking out the Bridges of Madison County. Although we didn’t run into Clint Eastwood or Fay Dunaway, we did manage to find 5 covered bridges. The county seat of Madison County is Winterset, the birthplace of John Wayne. The town is typical of many Midwest towns, with a square surrounded by shops and the courthouse in the center. Winterset seemed to be thriving, but many towns we passed through are dying, with vacant storefronts in the town center.

We moved on, arriving on the Mississippi at the Quad Cities. Davenport and Bettendorf on the Iowa side of the river and Rock Island and Moline on the Illinois side. We found another county park, Buffalo Shores just south of Davenport. With a site right on the river, we can sit and watch the barge traffic on the river. We also crossed the river and at Rock Island we watched as barges passed through the locks. Again nice bike trails in the area, one along the Mississippi. We spent a couple of days on two wheels touring the area.

BUFFALO SHORES CAMP

BARGE IN LOCKS

Here's some barge facts you probably didn't know. Barges hold a whole bunch of stuff and lots of it. Corn, wheat, coal, sand, gravel just to name a few. As an example, one tug can push 15 barges, 3 across, five barges long. A fifteen barge tow is too big to fit in most locks on the Mississippi, so the barges are split and pushed through in two passes. So how much does 15 barges hold? How about 26,250 tons or 937,387 bushels of corn. If that doesn't do it for you, here's another way to look at it. Fifteen barges hold the same amount as 240 rail cars. A typical freight train is 100 cars long. For you truckers out there, fifteen barges is equivalent to 1050 semi truck trailers. Still don't get it. A fifteen barge tow is 1/4 of a mile long, 240 rail cars are 2.53 miles long, and 1050 truck trailers is almost 14 miles long. How do I know all this stuff? Hey, I measured them.

MORNING MIST AT BUFFALO SHORES

BARGE IN MIST

SAILBOATS ON THE RIVER

One day we drove up river to LeClaire, Iowa. LeClaire is the home of Antique Archeology, the antique store made famous by the owners, Mike and Frank of the History Channel show, American Pickers. As an antique store, it really bombed. Most of the limited items in the store were only on display and not for sale. Lots of overpriced T-shirts, hats and other stuff with their logo. Quite a disappointment.

SKIPPING STONES

CATTLE COUNTRY

2011-09-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

You may not know it, but besides corn, Nebraska is cattle country. That's one reason they grow all the corn. Anyway they have developed a sure fire way to roundup the cattle when the time comes. Rather than herding the cows in the normal fashion, by pushing them ahead of the cowboys, this new approach gets the cows to follow the "cowboy".

NEBRASKA

2011-09-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

So is Nebraska really flat? Well, not really, but there is a whole bunch of corn. Most of it is grown for cattle feed and ethanol. There are other things to see, so that’s what we’ve tried to do. Here are a couple of pictures of un-flat Nebraska.

We started of trip across Nebraska in Scotts Bluff after crossing the flat plains of Eastern Colorado. The landmark, Scotts Bluff, named after Hiram Scott, is the Sentinel on the Plains. Early settles spent months crossing the plains from the east. After seeing nothing be the vast expanse of the plains, the formations of Chimney Rock, Castle Rock and Scotts Bluff were welcome sights. It signaled the end of one part of their and the start of another, the Rocky Mountains.

Not too far away from Scotts Bluff near Alliance, Nebraska is another must see monument, although this one is man made. You just can’t be in these here parts without a stop a Carhenge. Carhenge is a replica of Stonehenge in England, only made out of cars. Carhenge replicates the dimensions of Stonehenge by using primarily 1950’s and 1960’s model cars. I think I did see and 1972 Vega in the mix along with Cadillac, Fords, Chevy’s and an old Willys pick-up. They are planted trunk down and rise 15 to seventeen feet. The cars are approximately 7 feet wide, the same size as the standing stones of Stonehenge.

IT'S A '72 VEGA

As we head east from Scottsbluff, we opt to stay off the interstate and pick a route less traveled. We take Hwy 2, or the Sand Hills Scenic Byway for our journey across Nebraska. The sand hills, sand dunes really, encompass 19,000 square miles. It’s Nebraska’s last frontier, a wind blown ocean of undulating dunes, native grass and vivid blue lakes. For those of you who remember Charles Kuralt, he said there was nothing out there on Hwy 2, and that’s what made it one of his most favorite roads. He was correct, there’s a lot of nothing out there, but there’s so much to see. You pass through small towns like, Seneca, Anselmo, Broken Bow and Cairo, all of which time has seemed to pass by, before ending the journey in the City of Grand Island.

We are always looking for nice places to stay, state parks or RV parks that are spacious with full hook-ups. First in Golden, Colorado and now near Omaha, the last four places we have stayed have been in city parks. It seems that many cities in the mid-west have parks with RV spaces with hook-ups. Our experience so far has been very favorable. In Golden, we had a large space right on Clear Creek with full hook-ups and WIFI. In Gering, right next to Scottsbluff, we were again in a city park with full-ups and WIFI. They even had some spaces with cable TV. We found a really nice county park in Grand Island, and we’re currently at Walnut Creek Recreation area in the city of Papillion, just outside of Omaha. These parks are so much nicer than most commercial RV parks, because they are in parks, with lots of grass and trees. The price also makes them inviting. At Walnut Creek, we have a large space with cement pad and electrical for $14 a night. The spaces are far apart with lots of grass in a quiet park with a lake and lots of walking/bike paths.

GERING, NEBRASKA

PAPILLION, NEBRASKA

GOLDEN, COLORADO

2011-09-16T05:27:00.000-07:00

After spending most of our time so far in the in the mountains, it was time to head for the flatlands and spend some time in the city. We have been staying at Clear Creek RV Park, owned and operated by the city of Golden while exploring the Denver area. Clear Creek flows though the center of the city and has been developed into a whitewater park. From our RV we can watch both kids and adults float down the river. The river has been re-engineered by the placement of rocks to maximize the thrill of floating down the rapids. The creek is also the venue for kayak races at times of high water.

Along the river walkway and in town are numerous sculptures of a wide verity of subjects. This is just a small example of them. It's a great place for a stroll, bike ride or a power walk.

We spent sometime in Denver, touring the US Mint and the State Capitol. The mint tour was just ok, but we really didn't get to see too much of the operation. At the State Capitol after passing through security you are pretty much on your own, free to wander around exploring the house and senate chambers, hearing rooms and up into the dome. With the legislature out of secession, the place was pretty empty.

As a fan of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network we sometimes like to look up one of the restaurants featured on the show and enjoy a meal. In Denver we had six places to choose from and decided on Stubens in Uptown. So we walked from downtown to Uptown and put our name of the waiting list. If a restaurant on the show wasn't busy before being spotlighted on the show, it will be afterwards. Stubens is in a converted gas station/garage, was packed during the lunch hour. Luckily we didn't have to wait too long and we were soon seated in the outdoor patio. Here's the episode featuring Stubens,

Cathie had the Philly Cheese Steak which was huge, while I opted for the Cayenne Etouffee with crawfish, shrimp, andouille and dirty rice. The walk uptown and the wait were worth every minute. The food was delicous and filling.

Since we're not burning calories by hiking in the mountains, a bike ride was in order. The Denver area has over 500 miles of desinated bike trails which are paved and seperated from roadways. As an example you can ride from Golden into downtown Denver, a distance of 27 miles, without riding on a street or road. I didn't make it all the way to downtown, but managed a 36 mile round trip on the Clear Creek Trail. For the most part thet trail stays in desiginated open space parks from Golden to the Platte River. The Denver area governments have really invested in these bike paths as they are well marked and maintained.

If you are in Golden, you have to take Coors Brewery Tour. Your are picked up in a company bus from a central parking lot and taken onto the factory grounds. After your ID is checked to make sure you can sample the product, you are given a audio guide for the self guided tour. You see just some of the operation, but the audio guide explains the whole process. Of course the best part of the tour for most is when you get the free samples. Coors limits the amount you can drink to 3 tall glasses! Since I don't like beer it was not an issue, but for some, 3 glasses just might put you over the legal limit. As we left I half expected to see the local police waiting to make a couple of DUI arrests.

Oh yeah, Coors makes a big deal about the water used in the making of their beer. The water comes from Clear Creek which flows from the Rocky Mountains. Clear Creek is not really very clear, and while we were camping next to it, we watched people swimming, rafting, gold panning and wading in the creek. In addition, just about every one allows their dog to swim in the "Pure Rocky Mountain Waters", up stream from Coors Brewery.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

2011-09-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

After a day of rain we were able to enjoy Rocky Mountain National Park. We took several hikes on well maintained trails with lots of other hikers. Even after the Labor Day holiday, the park is pretty crowded with visitors. Tailhead parking lots fill up by 10 am, but there is a shuttle system to get you around. We attempted to get a campgound reservation before arriving but all the reserve sites were taken. By arriving in the middle of the week we were able to get one of the non-reserved sites. Over the weekend all the campgrounds were full.

One of our hikes was to the top of Flattop Mtn (12,324 ft) a 9 mile round trip with a 2800 foot gain in elevation. We started early and gained the summit before the crowds. Lots of people attempt this mountain, not everyone makes it. Cathie made it! It was a beautiful clear day, but views to the east, towards Denver, were hampered by haze and smog. On the way down, about a mile from the trailhead, Cathie was getting tired and asked, how much further. When I told her it was about another mile, she said, "Get me off this friggin mountain". She later blamed her irritability on "low blood sugar". Anyway, she was really a trooper and set her mind to making the top, which she did without too much difficulty.

NOW SOME PHOTOS

NYMPH LAKE

COOL TREE STUMP

CATHIE'S KIND OF STREAM CROSSING

CAMP VISITOR

LOOKING DOWN FROM FLATTOP MTN

FLATTOP SUMMIT

CATHIE ON THE SUMMIT

EMERALD LAKE

After any summit is reached, a celebration is in order. We opted for BBQ in Estes Park finished off with a huge piece of peanut butter chocolate pie. (We shared it)

STRANGE HAPPINGS

2011-09-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

Our first day in Rocky Mountain Park and it’s raining with the temperature in the 40’s. The cloud layer in on the deck so visibility is a couple of hundred yards, so we headed to Estes Park. Estes Park is a tourist town just outside the national park. Cathie didn’t want to visit all the shops downtown, yes you heard right, so we went up to the Stanley Hotel, a landmark in these parts.

STANLEY HOTEL

Forced by poor health to move west, F.O. Stanley and his famous Steamer automobile arrive in 1903. Finding the town of Estes Park lacking amenities, Mr. Stanley set out to change the local economy. Estes Park had a population of 300 full time residents in 1907 and Stanly hired one half of them and began construction of the Stanley Hotel. Completed in 1909, the hotel is the most prominent fixture in the town.

THE STANLEY STEAMER

Today the hotel is known as one of America’s most haunted hotels and as Stephen Kings inspiration for The Shining. So in an effort to find out if there really are ghosts in the hotel, we took a tour of the hotel and some of its haunted rooms. Peter, our intrepid tour guide, took us, along with about 15 others through many of the public rooms along with some of the haunted rooms in the hotel. Besides providing us the history of Mr. Stanley and his hotel, Peter filled us in on many of the reports by guests about strange things happening during their stay.

The fourth floor was where the children would stay along with their nannies. It is said that sometimes they can be heard running in the halls. There have been reports of candy left by a guest in their room is eaten while the guest is out, leaving only the candy rapper. People have also reported strange images appearing in photographs they have taken. Now we didn’t experience any ghosts or strange occurrences while on the tour.

But after the tour, I took these photos of the main staircase. First with Cathie standing at the foot of the stairs and the second without Cathie. Notice the child’s ball bouncing down the stairs? How did that happen? I never saw the ball while taking the photo only when I downloaded the photo.

THE MAIN STAIRCASE

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE BALL?

HEART OF THE ROCKIES, A TRAIN AND A PRISON

2011-09-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a short update on what we've been up to:

We holed up for the holiday weekend near Buena Vista, Co. and managed a couple of hikes, some touristy things and a great dinner. Most hikes here are at high elevation starting at around 10 to 11,000 feet and going up from there. Both hikes we took here went to 12,000 ft. We could have gone higher, but got lazy. There are numerous peaks in this region over 14,000, so I guess we'll have to come back some day.

12000 ft NEAR THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE

UNKNOWN FLOWERS

VALLEY BELOW

LOOKING BACK THE WAY WE CAME

We took a day and drove to Canon City, home of Royal Gorge and the Colorado State Penitentiary. They have a museum at the penitentiary that is pretty interesting, with lots of displays about crooks of days gone by. The museum is in the old women's prison and each cell has a different theme, from escapes to riots. There is also on display the old gas chamber. Just warms my heart.

Next on the itinerary was a ride on the Royal Gorge Railroad through the Royal Gorge. The ride leaves Canon City and travels through the Royal Gorge and returns. Not as scenic as we had hoped. Perhaps we were spoiled by the ride on the Durango Silverton train several years ago. We rode in the Bar Car thinking it would be more comfortable. It was fine until after two hours of drinking, some of the passengers started getting loud.

VIEW ALONG THE ARKANSAS RIVER

Earlier in the day we had spied a couple of possibilities for dinner. One was a Micro Brewery with a really good menu, but we overheard the drunks in the Bar Car talking about going there for dinner so we chose the other possibility. Michael's on Main in the old downtown of Canon City was a great find. We started out with green chili bruchetta which is an invention of the chef. Cathie then had the lasagna while I had the cheese tortellini with lamb meat sauce. We topped it off with homemade gelato. Another good thing about this restaurant was that the drunks were at the brewery down the street.

Tomorrow we head north to Rocky Mountain National Park before spending some time in the Denver area.

SUNSET OVER THE ROCKIES

Black Canyon of the Gunnision

2011-09-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

After the Sierras we made a stop in Carson City for resupply before heading east towards Colorado. Not being in a hurry, we like to travel around 350 miles a day, so we took two days to reach Montrose, Colorado. On night was spent in Wells, Nevada. We had friends whose son was a Nevada Highway Patrolmen and he was stationed in Wells. His wife hated it, so we stopped to see why. After settling into an RV park, we took a drive around town. After 5 minutes we were done. Not much going on in Wells, lots of closed business in a pretty desolate part of the country. We’re told the winters a brutal with the cold and wind. Can hardly blame the wife for wanted out of Wells. We left the next morning as one night was enough for us.

After another one night stop in Green River, Utah, another garden spot, we pulled into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The Gunnison River cut this narrow deep gorge through solid rock over time. Forty-eight miles long and 2,772 feet deep at its deepest, it is so sheer and narrow that very little sunlight can penetrate it. Hiking into the bottom of the gorge it not really hiking, but more like rock climbing, with some routes requiring repelling, so we didn’t go. We also didn’t consider a kayak trip down the river in our inflatable kayak as the park brochure describes the rapids as Class V to Unnavigable.

THE RIVER BELOW

CATHIE ON THE EDGE

We did manage a couple of hikes along the rim or just below it. On one such hike in the early morning, we happened upon a bobcat in the trail. Cathie thinking it was a mountain lion started making a bunch of noise and waving her hands, which was successful in scaring the cat. By the time I got the camera out, it had disappeared into brush.

The Gunnison River in this area cut through the rock for 50 some odd miles. Most of the river has been dammed and only a relatively small portion has been left in its natural state. That is the portion inside the national park. The upper stretches have been flooded by three dams, the Crystal Dam, Morrow Point Dam and Blue Mesa Dam. The reservoirs behind the first two dams are very narrow, filling the confines of the canyon with its steep walls.

We took the park service tour on a boat on the Morrow Point Reservoir for a guided tour of the upper reaches of the lake. Still within a narrow canyon, you have to walk about a mile to the boat dock. Down 232 steps, then along an old rail bed which parallels the river (lake) to the boat dock. The 1.5 hour boat ride through the canyon was really beautiful with the high canyon walls. We did manage to spy a bald eagle in a tree high up the canyon cliff. The only downside to the tour was the walk back to the trailhead and up the 232 steps.

ON THE OLD RAIL BED

We are now in the Rocky Mountains about 50 miles south of Leadville. We are in an RV park for the Labor Day Weekend, and plan on doing some hiking in the mountains nearby. The park is full and trying to find any other place this weekend would be impossible, so we'll stay put.

CLIMBING MY MOUNTAIN

2011-08-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

MOUNT DANA (13,045 FT)

(for my European friends: 3976 Meters)

It was with some apprehension that I attempted to climb Mt. Dana after having to turn around the last time. In 2009 when I attempted the climb, I became dizzy and actually felt like I was going to fall off the mountain. It also doesn’t help that I don’t like high places with exposure, like the edge of a cliff. Having spent the three previous days hiking at high elevation, I figured it was now or never.

The trail up Dana climbs 3,000 feet in 3 miles, so it’s pretty steep. It’s not a designated or marked trail, but due to the fact that you can climb a peak that is over 13,000 feet in such a short distance, it attracts lots of climbers. The trail made by all these people is well worn for most of the way up. In the last 800 to 1000 feet the trail becomes less defined as people pick the way that looks best to them. This latter part of the ascent is mostly picking your way up through rocks of varying sizes.

I started out at 6:30 with the temperature in the low 40’s. Last time it was in the 20’s when I started out with some wind. I was hoping for no wind this time because it was so cold with my last attempt. This first half mile or so winds its way through trees, past several small lakes and is pretty level. Then the trail starts its climb in earnest passing by lots of pretty flowers. About halfway up at an elevation of 11,500 feet, the trail levels out as it crosses a high plateau. I rested here for about 15 or 20 minutes hoping to better acclimate myself to the elevation.

FLOWERS ON THE WAY UP

LOOKING DOWN ON THE PLATEAU

After the plateau is where the trail becomes less defined and you begin picking your way up through the boulder field all the way to the top. It was here, about 400 feet or so from the summit, where I stopped last time. This time I stopped and rested a little bit every so often. I felt really good with no light headedness or dizziness.

BOULDER FIELD

I reached the summit after 3 hours and 40 minutes, not too bad for an old man. Once on top I did get some light headedness. With the east side of the mountain a shear cliff down over 1,000 feet, I just sat down so I wouldn’t feel like I was falling. I stayed at the summit for about 40 minutes, taking in the fantastic views and searching for the summit register. It was no where to be found which was disappointing as I sort of wanted to sign in and claim my mountain. My only company during my stay on top was a whole bunch of bees or wasps. There were buzzing around everywhere, but I never saw them land. What they’re doing on top of Mt. Dana beats me.

LOOKING SOUTH FROM THE SUMMIT

SUMMIT SHELTER

MONO LAKE

Here's a 360 degree video

After a while I noticed other hikers crossing the lower plateau, so figuring that it would soon be crowded on top, I headed back down.

LOOKING BACK

At the end of the day, a meal at the Whoa Nellie Deli in Lee Vining was in order and well deserved. Cathie helped eating this pizza, which by the way provided us with lunch for the next two days.

BBQ CHICKEN PIZZA

Now that I have completed this entry on my bucket list, I’ll have to find other peaks to climb. Then again, I didn’t get to sign the summit register, so I just might have to go back.

THE FIRST STOP

2011-08-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

We’ve been five days in a forest service campground just outside of Lee Vining. Now that I’m old enough for a National Park Senior Pass, these campgrounds are half price. The pass cost all of $10 and is good until such time as you die, or can no longer navigate your way to a National Park. With Yosemite just up the hill from where we’re camped, I take great pleasure in flaunting my senior pass at the entrance station rather than handing over twenty bucks.

The weather has been great, so each day we head up the hill for a hike in the Yosemite high county. First up, Gaylor lakes. The trail begins just inside the east entrance of the park and climbs steeply up the hill to a saddle overlooking the Gaylor Lakes Basin. The area around the lakes is pretty much devoid of trees with the lakes surrounded by vast meadows. Once in the basin, hiking becomes less strenuous as the inclines are slight. We walked up to one ridge to the Great Sierra Mine, long ago abandoned. There are the ruins of several stone cabins and some mine shafts. The views are spectacular. On the way back, I took a detour to climb Gaylor Peak (11,000) while Cathie waited below.

GAYLOR LAKE

STONE CABIN

VIEW FROM GAYLOR PEAK

The next day we headed out on an 8 miles jaunt to Mono Pass. Mostly hiking through forest to the pass at 10,600 feet which is situated in a high alpine meadow.

MONO PASS

The following day we decided to try for Mt Hoffman (10,850). Halfway up is May Lake, where there is one of the High Sierra Camps (web site) that are in Yosemite. You can hike to a series of camps, spending the night in a bunk in one of the tents that are heated with a wood burning stove. Dinner and breakfast is served in the mess hall tent. All this for a price of course.

MAY LAKE

We continued up the trail which became pretty steep. As the elevation increased, our speed decreased. Pretty much up hill the entire way. The description of the climb that I read before deciding to tackle Mt. Hoffman said it was a 5 out of 10 to the lake and a couple of notches more to the top of the mountain. Well, that’s what we experienced up until we reached a point about 200 vertical feet below the summit. The description made no mention of the rock climbing required to reach the summit. We don’t do rock climbing. Also, as you may or may not know, but I do not like heights and basically have to be on my hands and knees if there is any exposure to falling from high places. So we failed to make it to the top but we did get to experience natures stairmaster for the 1-1/2 miles from May Lake.

MT HOFFMAN

So, why all this hiking and climbing at high elevations? If you are a follower of this blog, you may recall my attempt of Mt Dana in the fall of 2009. In that attempt I failed to reach the summit due to my getting really dizzy just shy of the summit. In an effort to be better acclimated, the past three days were spent in preparation. You’ll just have to wait for the next installment to see if all this effort pays off.

I suppose there are many dangers one faces while hiking in the back country. You might get lost, fall and break something, get caught in a storm, or perhaps attacked by a wild animal. But in reality, the most dangerous obstacle one faces, at least while hiking in the eastern side of Yosemite, is the drive to the trailhead.

Each morning we would drive from our campsite near Lee Vining up the Tioga Road to the summit and the entrance to the park. In days of old, the road it self was dangerous. I can recall with some clarity a family trip to Yosemite in 1962. Back then my father’s vehicle of choice was a 1957 VW bus. The bus was capable of speeds upwards of 55 MPH, providing we were going down hill with the wind behind us. Climbing up the Tioga Pass was indeed a test of German engineering. The road back then was narrow, one lane in places, steep, and included numerous hairpin turns. So steep was the grade that the only gear low enough in the VW gearbox to maintain momentum up hill was reverse. So we backed up the mountain, at least some of the way.

Today Tioga Pass is a superhighway in comparison. The danger is not in the road it’s self, but the idiots who drive it. Oh sure, it’s still pretty steep and if one were to drive off the edge into Lee Vining Canyon, you in all probability would not survive, but there are no longer any hairpin turns or one lane sections. The problem is the views. They are spectacular. So it goes something like this:

The Jones from Iowa, where there are no hills of any consequence, having driven halfway across the county, finally arrive at the approach to Yosemite. Or perhaps they’re leaving and heading down the grade. In any event, they have never seen anything like this before and as luck would have it, I am usually in the vehicle behind them. As Henry white knuckles it along the road at his chosen speed of 7 MPH, Opal in the passenger seat has the camera ready to record this momentous occasion for the folks back home. At some predetermined time only known to Opal and when the view becomes the most spectacular she instructs Henry to STOP. And stop he does, right in the middle of the road. Pulling over in one of the view points would get one to close to the edge for Henry’s comfort so the road seems like the best option. It doesn’t matter that I, along with a gazillion other sensible drivers are behind him. So out steps Opal, who snaps several photographs in all directions, including one of all the vehicles which are now backed up to the bottom of the hill.

Then there are those drivers who when looking at some site off to the left, lose their concentration and turn the steering wheel in the direction they are looking. This usually means crossing over the center line into the oncoming lane, where as luck would have it, I JUST HAPPEN TO BE. I wonder what Henry and Opals’ friends will think when they see the picture of the pissed off driver of a Ford truck giving them the one finger salute. So you see, once at the trailhead parking lot, the safe part of the day begins.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

2011-08-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

In a few days we'll be heading out on another RV trip, this time to the middle. The middle of the country that is, somewhere we've passed through, but spent little time. The plan goes something like this....first to the Eastern Sierras for a week or so to do some hiking. After that we'll make a right turn and head east across Nevada and Utah towards Colorado. We've been to the southern part of the state on several occasions, but never Central or Northern Colorado. Next up will be the Mid-West, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and Missouri, before turning south towards Mississippi and Arkansas. We'll then turn towards the West and visit Oklahoma and Texas before heading home.

Some have asked, why in the world would we want to go out in the plains? It's just a big flat nothing. Well, we don't think so. We'll travel on the secondary roads as much as possible and avoid the interstates. It's my guess we'll find plenty of interesting places. We should be home sometime in November, unless of course we run out of money before then. As is our custom, we reserve the right to change our plans at anytime, staying longer in places we like and leaving those we don't. I'll be blogging along the way, so say tuned.

BACK TO THE SIERRAS

2011-08-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

After being the the Eastern Sierras a couple of weeks ago, I got the bug for some more hiking. This time Cathie didn't catch the same bug and she opted to stay home.

I left early Sunday morning hoping to be able to compete a short hike in the afternoon. As I was driving out of San Diego, it started raining and continued off and on for most of the five hour drive to Lone Pine. After lunch in town I continued on the the trail head at Horseshoe Meadows which is the starting point for several hikes into the Sierras. It is from here that many start their hike to Mt Whitney, the longer of the two main routes to the summit. This was not my intent as I have little desire to spend two to three nights backpacking to reach the summit. My horizons were set somewhat lower, in elevation that is.

When I reached Horseshoe Meadows, it was raining, so I sat in the car and read a book for a while. Finally the rain let up some so I dawned a rain coat and took a short walk out into the meadow. This is really a beautiful spot at just under 10,000 feet, it is surrounded by high peaks all around. As it got dark, the sky cleared, so I was hoping for good weather in the morning.

I spent a cold and uncomfortable night in the car mainly to get acclimated to the elevation. I was awake as it started getting light, an being pretty cold, it got into the 30's, I got up, made coffee and oatmeal and hit the trail by 6:30.

I headed out to Cottonwood lakes, a series of lakes at just over 11,000 ft and just below the Sierra crest. Because of my early start I saw no one for the six miles to the lakes. The lakes here are numbered one thru six and are the home to native Golden Trout. The fishing rules are strict, only catch and release with barbless hooks. I didn't do any fishing, just enjoyed the magnificent views and the solitude.

Even though I had my new GPS, it was nice to get conformation that I was on the right path. Actually the trails are pretty well marked and maintained. With the heavy snowfall this winter all the streams are going full force and some stream crossing can be problematic. Also all the water means lots of mosquitoes. If you stopped moving, they found you. Good thing for Deet.

First view of one of the lakes with Cirque Peak (12,525) in the background.

Cottonwood lake Number Three

Looking north across Cottonwood Lake #3. The snow covered peak in the background is Mt, Whitney.

LOTS OF WATER

On the return trip to the trail head I saw plenty of day hikers and backpackers, so it wasn't lonely on the trail. I completed the 12 mile loop returning to the trail head around 1:30. Upon returning to the car, I made a wise choice and drove into Lone Pine and got a motel room. So much for roughing it.

The next morning I drove back to the trail head arriving about 6:30. The plan, hike up Trail Peak (11,605ft).

TRAIL PEAK

A nice walk across the meadow and then an easy uphill climb to Trail Pass. From there, it's pretty much uphill and steep.

First you must pick your way though and around boulders and trees until reaching the tree line. After that the climb continues up but with fewer obstacles.

NEAT TREE STUMP

ALMOST THERE

MADE IT!

I don't know who put that telephone pole there or why, but the main question is how? Helicopter is my best guess. From the summit the views were superb in all directions. After 30 minutes on the summit, I headed back to the car. Total hiking time was just under 2.5 hours.

SOME OF THE VIEWS

HORSESHOE MEADOWS WITH OWENS VALLEY BEYOND

MT. WHITNEY

LOOKING SOUTH

ON THE WAY BACK DOWN

Of course after hiking up Trail Peak, I built up a healthy appetite, so a stop at the Alabama Hills Cafe and Bakery in Lone Pine was in order. Two great hikes completed, I'll definitely be back for more.

FUN ON THE WATER

2011-07-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

We continue to be involved in sailing, with Cathie crewing "Nice Aft" our Catalina 22 and me sailing our boat while crewing for others in local races when ever possible. Since our boat is on a trailer it takes considerable time to get ready to sail and to remove it from the water when we're done. We've decided it's better to launch the boat every couple of months and leave it at a slip for a week or so. This method seems to be working and we've been getting in some quality sailing here in San Diego Bay.

We usually invite friends for a day of sailing ending up at the dock for hors d'oeuvres and liquid refreshment. After two years with our boat, we're finally getting the kinks worked out and figuring out the best sail trim for optimum speed. Our head sail is old and stretched out of shape, so next year we B.O.A.T.*for a new one. We've raced it a couple to times in the local beer can race but haven't fared too well usually comming in towards the end of the pack. Not the very end, but close.

I do seem to do better when I crew for someone else. Perhaps that's because I'm not driving. I've crewed a couple of times for Larry on his Catalina 36 named Sabbatical. Currently in first place for the season, it's been fun racing with Larry. One race involved sailing from San Diego out to Coronado Islands and return. So you start in the bay, sail out to the North Coronado Island, sail around the island and return. If the wind is right you can make it without tacking. The wind was iffy to make it without tacking, but Larry figured we could do it. Just about every other boat in the race had to tack, but we managed to just clear the north island without any room for error. We sailed across the finish line in second place.

JUST MADE IT!

ROUNDING THE NORTH CORONADO ISLAND

Probably the most exciting segment of any race is the start. Everyone is trying to time their crossing the start line with the starters signal so it gets pretty crowded. Collisions are not uncommon, but being across the startling line first puts you in good position to win.

A TYPICAL START

NOW THEY'RE ALL PASSING US!

I sometimes crew for Dave, my sailing instructor. He also takes new and old students on his boat for fun sails. Dave, in the red hat is probably thinking, "What did I get myself into".

NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT

AT THE HELM WITH MY BACKUP

YOU GOTTA FEED THE CREW

CATHIE AND MARVIN

SUNRISE ON SAN DIEGO BAY

* Break Out Another Thousand

ABOARD THE USS MIDWAY

2011-07-04T14:51:00.000-07:00

Sometime ago, I posted about volunteering on the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier, turned museum on San Diego Bay. I continue working there several days a week when we're in town. To date I've logged a little over 1000 hours on board and continue to enjoy my time spent there. I work with the Safety Team, responsible for the safety of guests and employees on the ship. If you've never paid a visit, I recommend that you do. Since becoming a museum over 6 million folks have been aboard and toured various areas both above and below decks.

SAFETY TEAM BRIEFING

MORNING LINEUP FOR TICKETS

BELOW DECKS

Here are a few facts about the Midway:

$90 million to build in 1945
2,000 feet of anchor chain
20 ton anchors
1,500 telephones
1,001 feet long
4-18 foot tall propellers
18 decks
3.4 million gallon fuel capacity
100,000 gallons used daily
260 gallons per mile
4500 crew members who ate:
10 tons of food each day
13,500 meals served each day
3,000 potatoes daily
1,000 loaves of bread daily
4,500 lbs. of beef when served
500 pies when served

Besides the normal day to day operation of a museum, the ship is used as a venue for parties, banquets, high school proms, and even weddings. The other night the ship hosted "movie night" and was open for all comers free of charge. We host many military events, such as retirements, promotions and re-enlistments.

OPERATION THIN MINT

ON OCCASION THE FLIGHT DECK IS STILL USED

RAFT-UP FOR THE AIR RACES

ANAHEIM PD MOTOR UNIT

ALEXANDRIA, MINNESOTA H.S. MARCHING BAND

So you see all kinds of things go on aboard the Midway. Come on down a pay us a visit. If you know me, drop me a line and I'll see about free tickets.

HIKING THE HIGH COUNTRY

2011-06-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

We tried a second hike from Onion Valley only to be turned back due to deep snow after about 2.5 miles. We ran into this guy on the way down. Once agian there were Pacific Crest Trail hikes at the trail head looking for a ride to town. This time just two of them, one from Maryland and the other from New Zealand. People come from all over the world to hike the trail. Here's a link to a site with information about the trail and other long distance trails in the United States

http://www.postholer.com/

ONE OF THE NATIVES

For the next hike, Cathie opted to take the day off, and I headed for Big Pine Creek. With the trailhead at around 8500 feet it was well below the snow level. I headed up the North Fork crossing the creek several times on bridges. Most of the creeks are at their limits with the snow melt and creek crossings can be dangerous if not impossible.

At three miles, after a steady uphill climb a beautiful massive stone cabin comes into view. Actor Lon Chaney built the 1200 square cabin in 1930 for $12,000. The nearest road at the time ended 1.5 miles away and supplies and building materials were brought in by mule. The cabin sits with the front porch facing the creek. While I was there a fisherman pulled out two nice Rainbows, one over a pound.

After cooling down on the porch, I continued up the trail steadily climbing. A couple of miles later I arrived at First Lake. Yes, that's the lakes name. There are 5 lakes along the trail so you can figure out their names.

FIRST LAKE

SECOND LAKE

A short distance up the trail is Second Lake. It got really windy here, and cold. I sat down out of the wind and ate my lunch while taking in the beautiful scenery. At 5 miles from the trailhead and an elevation of 10,000 feet I figured there would be snow ahead so this is where I turned around.

YOURS TRULY

The next day, Cathie having recovered with a day off, we headed up to Whitney Portal. No we didn't climb Mt. Whitney. Someday, perhaps, but at 22 miles round trip and the trial completely covered in snow after 2.5 miles, it was not in the cards. (I am not even ready to give it a try). We did go ahead and hike up to Lone Pine Lake, the furthest you can go without a permit. We saw lots of hikers who were intending on reaching the summit. I wonder how many actually made it. For us we were content to reach Lone Pine Lake, a sight to behold.

LONE PINE LAKE

On the way up the trail, we had to cross Lone Pine Creek. I managed to cross on stones placed along the edge of the trail and only got one foot wet. Cathie on the other hand has trouble doing anything that involves balance, so she took her boots off and waded across. In the afternoon with the creek raising due to the snow melt, we both waded across. The water was so cold it was actually painful. Is that a look of pain on Cathie's face? Perhaps not.

Well, we made it down safely and ended the hike with a great lunch at the Alabama Hills Cafe and Bakery in Lone Pine. The lunch was so good that we're going there for breakfast in the morning before heading home.

THE EASTERN SIERRAS........AGAIN

2011-06-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

The original plans was, Cathie was going to Oklahoma with her father to visit relatives and I was going to Big Pine to do some hiking. Before I left and while Cathie was in Oklahoma, she called. "Daaaannnna, will you please wait till I get home so I can go with you, pleeeeese". Being the nice guy that I am, I agreed. So here we are in an RV park just outside of Lone Pine doing day hikes in the high country.

With the massive snow fall this year, most hikes are limited to under 10,000ft, unless of course you want to hike in the snow. Our first hike was to get acclimated to the elevation, so from Horseshoe Meadows at 10,000ft, we headed out on a pretty level trail. Taking it easy we hiked about 6 miles entering the Golden Trout Wilderness. Beautiful country with every stream at capacity.

HIGH COUNTRY MEADOW

CATHIE AND HER LOG BRIDGE

Cathie hates these things, like I hate hights. This photo was taken on the way out after she crossed this one the second time and she's still dry.

For our second day we headed up to Onion Valley outside of Independence. We attempted to reach Robinson Lake at 10,500 ft. The trail, such as it was, was difficult to follow and according to the local ranger, no longer maintained. After climbing up a steep slope, we hit snow around 9800 ft. We hiked for a while in the snow, but decided we weren't properly prepared, so we headed back down.

When we reached the trail head, there was a group of backpackers who we learned were in the process of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican Border all the way to Canada. They had come down to Onion Valley after 7 days on the trail from Kennedy Meadows, their last re-supply. They had been hiking the PCT since April 18th and had hiked about 750 miles! There was about 15 of them from different parts of the country and some from Denmark. They didn't start out as a group, but met up on the trail and are pretty much hiking together. They wanted to get to Independence for a re-supply and a little R&R for a couple of days and were looking for a ride. Well, since we were heading that way, we told them to pile in. Gunner, one of the hikers, and a badly infected toe, so we gave him a ride to the clinic in Lone Pine. Asked why he was called Gunner, he told us it was because he was alway at the back of the group going slow.

So if you count them, thats 10. The truck was packed, and after 7 days on the trail it got pretty ripe on the drive to town. First stop, Subway for real food. If you care to read about their hike, here's a link to one of their blogs.

http://pctthruhike2011.wordpress.com/

PAT CONDELL

2011-05-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

My sister sent me this video of Pat Condell, a British comedian who usually says it like it is. I've seen him before, with his views of world politics and I think he's pretty much, right on. Why am I posting this on my blog, you ask? It's my blog and I'll blog what I want to.

GADAFFI

2011-05-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

Has anyone else noticed the huge distance between the bottom of his nose and the top of his lip?

WINDMILL RAISE'N BBQ

2011-05-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't make the Bar-B-Que, here's what you missed. About 40 guests, not including children, showed up for Beer, Brats, Burgers, and some great championship chili. Seems one of my friends didn't like that fact we were serving beans, so he brought enough chili for all from a recent chili cookoff he had entered. He took 3rd place, so it was a great addition to the menu. There was cake too. It was a great afternoon and with a nice breeze so the windmill was-a-turning.

THE CAKE

Persons who helped in the actual windmill project were awarded partial ownership in the Orchard Hill Windmill Cooperative, with majority interest retained by me.

Here's a copy of one of the ownership certificates:

THE ORCHARD HILL

WINDMILL COOPERATIVE

EST 2011

WHERE AS: DANA GASSAWAY IS THE SOLE OWNER OF A 1933 M0DEL 702 AUTHENTIC AERMOTOR WINDMILL, BUT WOULD NEVER HAVE ACQUIRED SAID WINDMILL IF WILLE WILSON HADN’T STUMBLED UPON IT. ALSO, MISTER WILSON INTRODUCED TO DANA GASSAWAY THE GOAT FARMER WHO OWNED THE APPARATUS AND INFORMED DANA GASSAWAY THAT THE GOAT FARMER WAS USUALLY DRUNK BY 11 AM. WITH THIS VALUABLE INFORMATION, DANA GASSAWAY WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE SAID WINDMILL FOR A REALLY CHEAP PRICE.

WHERE AS: WILLE WILSON HAD A REALLY BIG TRAILER AND PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION OF SAID WINDMILL TO ITS CURRENT LOCATION AT RANCHO POCO A POCO.

WHERE AS: WILLIE AND PATTY WILSON ALLOWED THE WINDMILL TO BE MOUNTED ON THEIR PROPERTY FOR OPTIMAL VIEWING BY THE SURROUNDING HOMEOWNERS.

THEREFORE: DANA GASSAWAY GRANTS TO WILLIE AND PATTY WILSON 16% OWNERSHIP OF SAID WINDMILL.

Here's some photos of the festivities.

THREE FRIENDS

MOONRISE

Now for all of those who missed out on the party and have yet to experience the excitement of the windmill actually spinning, I've included this video. After watching this you will all quit asking me, why?

OK, I GOT IT UP, NOW WHAT

2011-04-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

Those of you who follow this blog probably know a little bit about us and what we enjoy doing. One thing that raised some eyebrows and questions was, what was I going to do with a windmill. Well, today I got it up. What did you think I was talking about?

Anyway this project started in November of 09, and finally it's complete. You can read two previous posts. HERE'S where it started and here's an UPDATE. The motor was completely rebuilt, a location to mount it was prepared and after all this time it's finally spinning in front of the house. I know, I know, everyone wants to know what's it gonna do. Pump water, make electricity. No it's just going to go around and I'm going to watch it. It's positioned so I can see it from my chair in the living room, from my office, and the front yard. We also took into consideration the neighbors so they too can enjoy it.

It took three lifts with a crane to get it into position. One to lift it onto the trailer, it's use donated my neighbor Willie, one to take it off the trailer and the final lift to set it in place. Once it was bolted down to the footings, Son Eric volunteered to climb the tower and fill the motor with oil. If you thought I was going up there, you must be crazy. There's only one of me, I've got extra kids. So with everything in place, I released the brake and.......nothing, no wind.

In due time is was spinning happily around and I finally got to sit and watch it do it's thing. Everyone is welcome to stop by and watch too.

FIRST LIFT ONTO THE TRAILER

LOTS OF HELP

ON THE WAY

DO I LOOK EXCITED?

SECOND LIFT

THIRD LIFT

UP AND OVER THE FENCE, WOW!

IT'S IN POSTION

ERIC ON THE TOWER

PUTTIN IN THE OIL

NOW IS THAT SWEET, OR WHAT?

A DIFFERENT KIND OF CAMPING

2011-04-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of exploration, it was time to head to the barn. We took a drive through Monument Valley on our way to Flagstaff, our last stop on this adventure.

We opted to camp in a more upscale location and picked this really nice B&B. On the Internet the Conifer House looked good, so we decided to take a chance. This was by far one of the best B&B's we've ever stayed in. Our hostess Lauren's attention to detail was evident in our room. It was like a 5 star hotel, with fireplace and Jacuzzi and one of the most comfortable bed we've ever slept in. No sand in these sheets.

THE CHELSEA GARDEN ROOM

OUR CAMPFIRE

EVEN FLOWER STICKERS ON THE T.P.

A GREAT WAY TO END A TRIP

Here is a short 2 minute slide show of our trip.

THE COMB RIDGE TRIANGLE

2011-04-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

There's something about this area. Like the Bermuda Triangle, bad things happen here. Well, maybe not that bad, but I suppose it depends of if it's happening to you.

Two years ago when we were here, we came across a couple who's pickup truck had broken down. With no cell phone coverage and 30 miles to the nearest town, it's not the best place to have car trouble. We did our good deed and gave them a ride to town. On this trip, in the same general vicinity, we came across a family with the hood up on their car. Out of gas, we gave them our two gallons that we happen to be carrying and followed them to town just to make sure they made it. If that's not weird enough, the very next day we met Bret and his wife Tammy.

While exploring a canyon and its ruins, we came across Bret and Tammy doing the same. As we were looking at the same ruin, we exchanged info on each other's discoveries. The ruin we were exploring had a very deep and dark cave behind the crumbling wall.

DEEP AND DARK CAVE

Bret climbed down into the darkness with me following some distance behind. When it got to the point where I couldn't see where I was going, I stopped. Bret didn't. I heard him fall, so I asked if he was alright. After a pause, he said he was OK but had dropped his camera. I waited for a while and he said he was still searching for his lens cap. I figured he would be ok, so we headed up canyon to the next ruin. Not being able to get into the next ruin, we turned around and started back towards the trialhead. As we passed the cave ruin, I looked up and there was Bret and Tammy just coming out of the ruin. Bret yelled something about hurting his knee. It looked like he was having trouble walking, so I took Cathie's walking stick and climbed up to give it to him. He had his knee wrapped in a couple of bloody handkerchiefs, but Tammy had the presence of mind to snap this photo before stemming the blood flow.

THE KNEE

We opted to stick with Bret and Tammy, to make sure they made it back to their car. After about a 45 minute stroll, with Bret limping along, we made it to the trail head. Due to this area being in the Comb Ridge Triangle, I was really concerned about their car starting, but our luck held and they were shortly on the way to the local hospital.

BRET ON THE WAY OUT

THE FINISHED PRODUCT

I've been wondering why all these things keep happening. Do bad things come in threes? Could it be a coincidence? Is there really a Comb Ridge Triangle? Perhaps it's the Anasazi gods. All I know is I'm glad we're on our way home.

THE CITADEL

2011-04-06T09:42:00.000-07:00

After breakfast Mike and Nancy headed home while Cathie and I headed out for some more exploring. We didn't get far as the weather started changing. It wasn't long before we started getting snow flurries, so we spent the day mostly in the car.

The next day, the sky was clear and the air crisp so we decided to look for "The Citadel", a ruin on Cedar Mesa. After getting hiking directions from a BLM ranger, we drove to the trail head. After an easy 1 hour hike along a canyon rim, we arrived at the Citadel.

ALONG THE RIM

THE CITADEL

Looks pretty scary, doesn't it? Well, what you see in the photo is not the worst of it. Where the photo was taken is about 300 feet above the narrow peninsula. You must down climb a veeeeery steep rock face just to reach the peninsula, but in order to down climb, you had to go around this obstacle.

THE OBSTACLE

This is the point were we chickened out. To get around this pointed rock you had to walk, or crawl along the cliff on this 18 inch wide ledge with an exposure to a fall to the canyon bottom. We opted to live a little longer.

So the day wouldn't be a total failure, we headed to another area and hiked to a series of ruins. This one a portion of the roof system was well preserved.

On the way back to Bluff, we decided to take a short cut along the west side of Comb Ridge. Not too many people have been using this road lately as it was blocked by large piles to tumbleweeds, sometimes piled higher than the car. Not wanting to go back, we just plowed through.

TUMBLEWEEDS

IS THIS GOOD FOR THE PAINT JOB?

COMB RIDGE

ANASAZI RUINS OF COMB RIDGE

2011-04-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

South of Moab in the southeastern corner of the state is a large area where there is a concentration of Anasazi Ruins. These ruins vary is size, condition and ease of access. Two years ago, we explored some of these ruins, but only scratched the surface. On this trip we scratched a little more. Mike, having remembered a photo of House on Fire posted on the blog at the time, said he wanted to see it for himself.

So en route to our next base in Bluff, we made a slight detour and took the short hike to the ruin.

HOUSE ON FIRE

Because it is easy to get to this ruin, it is one of the most photographed in the area. From the trailhead, it's less that a mile on a good trail. On this visit we noticed some pictographs that we hadn't seen before.

After arriving in Bluff, it was time to start roughing it again, so we found a campsite in town and set up the tents. I'm not sure what the attraction to sleeping in a tent is, but our next two nights showed us what the attraction is to sleeping in a motel. The first night was close to freezing and pretty miserable until Cathie allowed me to spoon. The second night was much warmer, but the wind blew so bad that all the sand on the outside of the tent ended up on the inside.

THE CAMP COOK

The day in between was beautiful and was spent exploring the Comb Ridge. From the east side there is a dirt road that allows access to many of the Anasazi ruins hidden within it's canyons. We selected two to visit. The first, called "Fish Mouth Cave" was a 30 minute walk from the road into the canyon.

THERE'S A RUIN IN THE FISH MOUTH CAVE

THE CLIMB UP

THIS COULD BE BETTER THAN THE TENT

CORN COBS

The ruins we saw were in various states of repair. Some just a small portion of the walls remain. This one is pretty typical of one in good shape. Many fall down over time due to the weather, but many are destroyed by vandals or people looking for artifacts. The small building on the right appears to be on oven. It is built with earth and not the stone of the main building. The black on the ceiling is soot from years of fires. Most of these sites were occupied anywhere from 900 to 1300 years ago.

Our next stop was Monarch Ruin, again a short 30 minute from the road. This ruin was really impressive, but due to it's steep access with an exposure on a cliff, we elected to view it from a distance. Even where we were able to walk, there was evidence of old buildings and human activity. Lots of pictographs and petroglyphs on the cliff face.

MONARCH RUIN

I should have put my hand up next to these hand prints because they are really small. The large prints are about the size of a 10 or 12 year old child. There we many hand prints at this site.

After 1-1/2 weeks experiencing Gassaways Adventures, Mike and Nancy decided to head for the barn, while Cathie and I headed for the nearest motel. There as still a couple of places to explore around here, so the adventure continues.

THE PUCKER FACTOR

2011-03-31T19:17:00.000-07:00

After driving on various trails around here, all of us have noticed that some have more of a pucker factor than others. With that in mind I have developed the "PUCKER RATING". There will be a score from one (_*_) to 5 (_*_) depending on how frightened we get. The Pucker Rating can also apply to hikes. So far here are the scores:

Shafter Switchbacks -      (_*_)(_*_)(_*_)(_*_)
White Rim -                    (_*_)(_*_)(_*_)
Onion Creek -                 (_*_) Normally Onion Creek wouldn't get a score at all, but since we had to cross the stream so many times, and we could have been splashed by cold water, it gets one (_*_).
Pucker Pass -                 (_*_)(_*_) (Yes that's the name)
Delicate Arch -               (_*_)
Corona Arch -                (_*_)(_*_)

PUCKER PASS

Pucker Pass is a narrow steep canyon that starts near Islands in the Sky and ends at the Colorado River. While going down hill the views down the canyon are beautiful.

After a drive through Pucker Pass, we hiked to Corona Arch, one of the largest arches in the area. Getting there involves walking on slickrock, climbing moki steps with the assistance of a cable placed next to them and climbing a ladder to get to a higher level. The route is part of the reason for the pucker rating, but most of it is because of the crazy people who were repelling on a rope from the top of the arch.

CRAZY, JUST CRAZY

Spring Canyon Bottom: (_*_)(_*_)(_*_)(_*_)(_*_)

This not a pretty drive like the Shafer Switchbacks. This was one heart pounding 1000 ft decent from the plateau to the Green River along a road, such as it is, chiseled out of the rock into the side of a sheer cliff. If the Pucker Rating went higher, this road would get it. The road was soooooo narrow that loose rocks where push off the side of the cliff by our tires. Talk about pucker. We read in a guide book about the views, by we didn't notice them, all we saw was our white knuckles gripping steering wheel while our wives were whimpering in the passenger seat. It was one hell of a ride.

With relief we finally reached the bottom and upon reaching the Green River we decided to have our last meal. Because now once at the bottom, we had to go back up. After our lunch, we conjured up enough nerves to retrace our route back to the plateau. Back on level ground, we looked at each other and in our macho way said, "a piece of cake".

ON THE WAY DOWN

THE BOTTOM, 1000FT BELOW

LUNCH, OUR LAST MEAL

WHY ARE THEY HAPPY? WE STILL HAVE TO GO BACK

THERE ARE 3 BIG HORN SHEEP IN THIS PHOTO

HIGH PLACES DON'T BOTHER THEM

WE MADE IT TO HAPPY HOUR

Tomorrow morning bight and late, we head south toward Bluff, Utah. We plan on staying in the tents for a couple of days, while exploring the local area looking for Indian ruins. The Adventure continues.

EXPLORING MOAB

2011-03-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

We've upgraded our living arrangements and we're staying in a townhome in Moab. With all the comforts of home, it's nice to return from a day of hiking and exploring in time for happy hour on the patio overlooking the golf course.

The Moab area is well know for being an off road mecca. The place can get crowded with both 4-WD vehicles and mountain bikes. One challenge for the bike rides is to transit the entire White Rim, a jaunt that takes them 4 days. They usually travel with a support vehicle. For the 4-WD owner, the trails range from smooth graded dirt roads to the most extreme trails one can imagine. Here's an example.

With names like metal masher, steel bender and hell's revenge, you can see that there are some really tough trails out there. These being a bit over our head, we opted for some tamer options.

One trail we went on was Onion Creek, A beautiful narrow canyon with the road crossing the creek over twenty times. With campsites along the way, it is one of those places that we hope to return to.

ONION CREEK ROAD

Anytime one goes to Moab, a trip into Arches National Park and a hike to Delicate Arch is a must. Cathie and I have hiked to the arch on at least 6 occasions. Mike and Nancy had never been there so the hike was on. The weather has been cool, but no rain to speak of. Hiking to the arch is a good way to get warm, since the trail is mostly up hill. With spring break starting, we had plenty of company on the way. Mike tried and tried to get a photo of the arch with no one standing under it. Finally he just gave up and he and Nancy walked under the arch for their own photo.

MIKE, NANCY AND THE ARCH

THE OTHER SIDE

At the end of the day, there's nothing like a home cooked meal, with Mike doing the cooking.

THE CHEF

NOW THAT'S A MEAL

MORE PHOTOS

2011-03-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

ON THE SHAFER TRAIL

LOOKING AT THE RIM FROM ABOVE

NANCY AT MUSSELMAN ARCH

ON THE EDGE

ON THE OVERHANG

JUST ANOTHER VIEW

END OF THE DAY CIGAR

THE WHITE RIM TRIAL

2011-03-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

We left San Diego at a bright and early retirement time of 8:30 and headed north on I-15. We pulled into Cedar City in time for dinner and decided to hold up in a motel for the night. The next morning this is what we woke up to.

Several inches of snow fell during the night and it was cooooold. We drove in the snow until Richfield, Utah, and with the wind behind us we made good time to Moab. We stopped and picked up our permit at the Canyonlands Visitor Center for our campsite, at White Crack, on the White Rim Trail. The exit route was still closed so we would have to drive in and return the same way.

THE WHITE RIM FROM ABOVE

The next morning we started on the trail at 9:00. The first part of the trail is on the Shafer Switchbacks which drops down from Islands in the Sky at 6,000 feet to 4,500 feet. It's on a very pretty road. It's pretty steep, pretty narrow, pretty rocky and pretty scary. The road hangs on the side of the sheer cliff the entire way down. We made the bottom of the grade in one piece and started out on the Rim Road.

SHAFER SWITCHBACKS

MIKE ON THE SHAFER

THE SHAFER ROAD

It was 37 miles to our campsite and the ranger had told us to expect it to take 5 hours. That seemed pretty slow to us until we were actually on the road. Although 4-WD is not required everywhere, the road is so rough that in order to traverse many sections, 4-WD low range is the better way to go. The views were sensational as the road hugged the edge of the rim. At times the drop off on the edge went down 1000 feet, so it was best to pay attention. Along the way we stopped at Musselman Arch, and while Nancy and I remained on solid ground, Mike and Cathie walked across the arch. The top of the arch is about 4 feet wide and if one was to decide take a dive off the edge, you would have about 500 feet to think about the decision.

CATHIE ON MUSSELMAN ARCH

VIEW FROM THE EDGE

LUNCH ON THE TRAIL

It took us about 6 hours to reach our campsite, having traveled at a respectable speed of 6.7 MPH. Our camp at White Crack is the most popular campsite on the trail and there is only one site, so we had it all to ourselves. It is located on a point of land overlooking the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. The views were unmatched.

VIEW FROM CAMP

After setting up camp in a strong wind, and rain showers, the sky cleared and we had dinner of ham and beans, which hit the spot. Because of the cold, it was about 40 degrees, we hit the sack early just to keep warm.

The next morning we woke to calm wind conditions and sunny skies. I got up before sunrise to make coffee and enjoyed to sunrise and the solitude.

WHITE CRACK CAMP

After a breakfast of warming oatmeal, we broke camp and headed out about 10 am. We spent another six hours driving out, and enjoying the sites the entire way. This was one fantastic road and we only saw only half of it. The washout was expected to be repaired a couple of days after our trip. At dinner that evening in Moab we talked about another trip on the White Rim to see what we missed. It was unanimous, NO WAY, it's just too damn bumpy.

MIKE ON THE EDGE

JUST ONE OF THE VIEWS

A ROAD TRIP TO MOAB

2011-03-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

We're heading out again, this time on a road trip to the Moab area. Friends Mike and Nancy will be tagging along for a 4 wheel drive adventure that starts out on the White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park. This is a 100 mile 4WD road that traverses the plateau below the Islands in the Sky district of the National Park. The trip usually takes 2 days and a permit is required for the over night stay. Last year a flash flood destroyed a portion of the road towards the end, so we will probably have to back track and return the way we went in. Here's a photo of the destruction.

If we survive the White Rim, then it's a week in Moab staying in a vacation rental (shown here) and exploring the numerous off road tails in the area. After that it's anybodies guess, but we intend on heading south to the area around Bluff, Utah for more exploring and perhaps discovering a previously unknown Indian ruin. As is the custom, I will post updates when I have something to say and when WIFI is available.

LOOKING TO SAVE ON AIRLINE TICKETS?

2011-03-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

We have all heard of extra fees charged by the airlines, but in England they've been writing songs about what fees some low cost airlines have been adding on.

ANOTHER RANT

2011-03-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I used my blog to rant, but it's my blog and rant I will. The last time it was about Michael. You remember him.

Anyway, this time it's about Charlie. Unless your head is in buried the sand or you've been in the outback for the last month or two, you have probably heard about him. In fact you probably heard about him EVERY DAY! I guess I've got to hand it to him, because he is now getting more free publicity than he's ever got before. He may be an idiot, but he's a smart idiot.

The other evening I sat down to watch the NBC evening news and the lead story was about Charlie. This fine example of reporting was deemed more important than what was happening in Libya or elsewhere in the world. The happenings with him were so important to CNN that they repeated an hour long interview with him in primetime. Every day in the local newspaper there is something about Charlie. So is Charlie's fault?

Perhaps the news media is to blame. They spend an inordinate amount of time and energy covering everything that is spewed out of his mouth and all the talking heads are clamoring to have him on their show. So is this news? Hardly, but since when did the news actually report the news. Not for a long time in my opinion. Yes, you get some news, but you also get a lot of crap. The only news show I watched that didn't have something about Charlie was BBC. So is the news media at fault?

I don't think it's either Charlie's or the media who's at fault. It's society, which is made up of a lot of people who like to watch crap like that on TV and read about in the paper. The media may feed it to them, but we all know, or at least should know, that the media is in it for the money. Just like Charlie.

So as long as there are idiots out there who eat this stuff up, there will be people like Charlie, and business like NBC and CNN who will make money from it.

Ok, I've calmed down now.

WATCH OUT FOR INTERNET SCAMS!

2011-02-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

Recently a lot of folks who are in my address book got an e-mail from me with a link to a Canadian drug company. The thing is, I didn't send it. Someone apparently had hijacked my address book and e-mail account. So I changed my password.

A couple of days later my cousin contacted me about an e-mail he received from my sister wanting to know is she was alright. Here's that e-mail: (I've changed the names to protect the Innocent.)

This message may be coming to you as a surprise but I need your help.Few days back we made an unannounced vacation trip to London,UK. Everything was going fine until last night when we got mugged on our way back to the hotel,all cash and credit card were stolen off us but luckily for us we still have our passports with us.

I've been to the Embassy and the Police here but they're not helping issues at all they asked us to wait for 3weeks but we can't wait till then and our flight leaves in few hours from now but we're having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won't let us leave until we settle the hotel bills, we are freaked out at the moment ... I really need your financially assistance Please let me know if you can help us out?

you can wire the money to me through western union all you need is the Name on my passport and location below.

lost in London (name)
Location:7 Walworth Road London, SE17 1RL, United Kingdom
Amount:$1,450
I'll def refund your cash as soon as i get home.

Lost in London Cousin

MY COUSIN RESPONDS:

Lost in London Cousin,

Just got your message. I can help. Have them call me.
Your Stateside Cousin

HE THEN GETS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE:

Dear Stateside Cousin,

Glad you replied back,I would like you to know that my phone stolen by the muggers during the robbery incident only have access to emails for now..maybe when i get to the hotel i will tell the hotel manager to call you,right now am in a local library looking for help online..please let me know if you can head to WU outlet now and get the money wired as soon as i get back home tomorrow would def refund the money back to you tomorrow...our return light leaves in few hours from now...

Keep me posted!!

Lost in London Cousin.

Well, right away I knew my sister wasn't stuck in London. One thing that jumped out to me was the message referred to "We". My sister is single. Also the hotel wouldn't let her leave. My answer would be to, Just walk away. Anyway my Cousin was ready to send money. So be wary of any type of e-mail you may get like this.

I now believe it was my sisters address book and e-mail that got hijacked, and someone got my address book. So if you get an e-mail where I'm requesting money sent to a London or some foreign address, don't sent it.

That having been said, it you would like to send me money out of the kindness of your heart, feel free to do so.

On another topic, you may have noticed the blog has a new look. I've made it easier to navigate. You can now go to the bottom of the page and see links to "Older Posts" and "Newer Posts". Also you can click on the "Blog Archive" links on the right side and look for a previous post by title. Lastly there is a new "Clustrmap" in the upper right hand corner. You can click on it and see how many hits there has been on the blog and where people who view the blog are from.

AND THE WINNER IS...............

2011-02-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

After offering a prize for the 5000th hit, several people have contacted the management at Gassaways Adventures claiming they were the winner and wanted their prize. I have been unable to determine just who the lucky person is. In an effort to be fair to all those concerned, each of you who has contacted me claiming "they are the one" (and you know who you are) will receive a prize.

Just recently I was able to buy 5 iPads at a very low price. Because I only need one, each winner will each receive one. Below is a photo of their prize.

Muslim Street Singer in France

2011-02-03T08:49:00.002-08:00

Imagine the scene. You are in France sitting quietly in the sun, filming your idyllic stop in an open air café.You look adoringly at your beautiful wife and gorgeous child..................................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_W2MWU3UDA&feature=player_embedded

THE ANNUAL QUARTZITE TREK

2011-01-30T12:48:00.000-08:00

Well it’s January and time for our annual trip to Quartzite, AZ. Each year starting around October and lasting until April, thousands, and I mean thousands of RV’ers gather in Quartzite and camp out in the desert. It is estimated that over 150,000 people converge on the area surrounding Quartzite and stay for the winter. It is said that over 1.5 million people visit each year. Most come from the northern climates to avoid the cold and set up housekeeping in the open desert. There is a fee for long term stays to help pay for trash collection, water and sewage disposal, but for people staying 14 days or less, there is a area which is free.

This year we were joined by friends Gary and Diane, Mike and Nancy for a 4 night stay. Each day was spent walking though the various swap meets which appear to be everywhere, along with the numerous RV dealers selling new and used rigs. Most of the stuff sold at the swap meets is new merchandise and most of that is made in China. It used to be that made in Japan was the cheep junk you could buy at the local 5 and dime. Now that stuff is pretty good in comparison to the crap China is sending our way. We did manage to find a few bargains, but no one spent more than a couple of bucks. Although we all looked, none of us succumbed to the high pressure of an RV salesman and managed to make it home in our original vehicles.

Of course we had to sample the "fair food" which was ample. Indian tacos, cinnamon buns, and who can pass up funnel cake. Here our intrepid travelers sample the BAR-B-QUE, which, as you can tell, was a mouthful.

Each afternoon after much shopping and walking, we all gathered back at the RV's for the mandatory happy hour.

http://www.quartzsitebusinesschamber.com/town.html

5000 - NOW THERE'S A NUMBER

2011-01-11T18:56:00.000-08:00

A milestone of sorts occurred the other day on Gassaways Adventures, 5000 hits. It happened on January 6th. By checking my site meter I can tell from what county the viewer is from, how long they stayed, and from what site they were referred from. Many come from a Google search looking from something or someplace mentioned in the blog. Others are going directly to the blog because I send them an e-mail about something new being posted. Some Internet service will only register the hit and provide me with no information about where the person is from. This is likely due to the security enhancements on their service. Cox Cable is one of those.

To give you an example, in the past several weeks, I’ve had hits from Sydney, Australia, Liberty, Illinois, Szonibathely, Hungary, and So Paulo, Brazil. I was going to give a prize to the 5000th hit, but I can’t tell who it was. It was probably me looking for the 5000th hit.

DANA AND DUANE'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

2010-11-03T21:17:00.001-07:00

THE WAVE, PART DEUX

About two years ago, Cathie and I were lucky enough to obtain a hard to get permit for hiking to The Wave in Southern Utah. We were so awestruck by the site that I decided to try to get a permit again. The Bureau of Land Management issues permits for 20 persons a day to hike the 3 miles to The Wave. Ten are issued via a lottery conducted 4 months before the date you select to hike on the Internet. The other ten are issued at a nearby ranger station the day before you hike. Each month approximately 1000 people apply for the permits issued by lottery on the Internet. The lottery gods smiled on me and I won a permit for two people hiking on October 31st.

Cathie opted to go to Montana to visit her brother, but I wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. I asked my friend Duane if he wanted to go, and the trip was on. We left early on Saturday morning arriving in Kanab, Utah in the late afternoon. After a good nights rest in a local motel, we set out for the trailhead arriving around 9 AM. It was cold, about 35 degrees, but the sky was clear and with the sun poking up over the eastern hills, we headed out. There are no signs pointing the way, but the BLM provides the permit holders with detailed instructions that include photographs of the route to take.

Most of the hike is over slickrock, the red sandstone so common in this part of Utah. After a 90 minute hike we arrive at the wave. I am reminded once again how beautiful the rock formation is. When Cathie and I were here two years ago, we took 200 photographs. This time I restrained myself and only took about 50. We enjoyed about 2 hours in the wave and checking out the surrounding rock formations.

We pulled ourselves away and on the way back to the trailhead, took a side trip to Wire Pass, a very narrow slot canyon. Unfortunately, we were only able to explore it a short distance before being halted by a dry waterfall which were could get down, but probably not back up. We made the safe choice and headed back to the car.

Our next stop was Page, Arizona. After another restful night, we started the day by touring the Glen Canyon Dam. After our tour, we went to the local Navajo office and obtained a hiking permit for the reservation. Just south of Page on the reservation, we climbed down the steep trail, not really much of a trail, into the bottom of Waterholes Canyon. This is a narrow slot canyon cut into the native sandstone. It’s not as deep as some slots in the southwest, but it’s just a beautiful, with its golden and red hews as the sunlight streams into its deep recesses.

The next morning we once again headed out and took some back country roads (dirt) north through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. One stop we made was for a short hike down Lick Wash, another beautiful Utah Canyon. We ended our adventure by driving through Zion National Park before our last night in Mesquite, Nevada.

Perhaps in a couple of more years, I'll be lucky enough to get a permit again. I know I will at least try.

Here is a link to a 4 minute slide show of our trip.

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00af-665a-a330?lb

EUROPE SLIDESHOW

2010-09-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

Click on the link for a 10 minute slide show. Go ahead, you can hum along with the music

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-00a3-30d8-f5be?ln

WINDMILL UPDATE

2010-09-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

On our recent trip to the Sierras, we ran into friends and blog followers Dale and Lynne in Lee Vining. Lynne asked me if I ever got my windmill up. The short answer is no, but the project is coming along nicely. You can read the original post about obtaining the windmill here:

http://tinyurl.com/2dy9z5u

Now for the update. After about two weeks of soaking in WD-40, followed by banging, tapping, twisting and swearing, Duane and I managed to force the last gears off of the main shaft. After 40 years of neglect sitting in the previous owner’s yard, there was considerable rust. Once everything was apart, I took an inventory of what parts could be reused and what couldn’t. Even though the windmill is a 1933 model, the Aeromotor Windmill Company is still in business in Texas and parts are available. There is also a manual written by a windmill enthusiast (see, I’m not the only one who nuts) that explains the workings and the assembly of the Model 702 Windmill. So with a phone call to the parts department, the needed items along with the book were ordered.

http://www.aermotorwindmill.com/

When the parts arrived, the motor actually went back together relatively easy and the shaft turned freely. Next the motor went on the tower which is propped up in the back yard. This is where things got difficult. The wheel is attached to the hub (shaft) with spokes much like a bicycle wheel and the vanes are attached to the spokes. Because some things were bent, having spent 40 years on the ground, they just didn’t want to cooperate. Try as I might, I couldn’t get all the vanes on as it appeared the spokes to which they must attach were too short.

THE MOTORS ON THE TOWER

STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS

So I invited Duane (remember him, he’s the engineer) over for a consultation. He studied the problem while I told him of my difficulty. We discussed several different possible solutions, including buying a whole new set of vanes and spokes. Everything I suggested included forcing and bending something. After thinking on it for about 20 minutes Duane said while rubbing his chin, “Hell Dana, we’ll just make the spokes longer”.

You see Duane’s a welder too. So he, (I helped a little) cut the threaded ends off of the spokes and welded longer threaded ends on and waala, the vanes went on and the wheel came together.

DUANE AT WORK

AND IT SPINS, SWEET

While all this was going on and in my free time, I was preparing the site where the windmill would be located. Now when I bought this thing, I wanted a spot where I could watch it spin while sitting in my favorite chair. Before you knew it, neighbors Willie and Patty said they would like it in a place where they too could watch it go around. Then Betts, another neighbor chimed in and said what about me? In an effort to please everyone, it will be placed on Willie and Patty’s property. This is ok with me, because if it ever falls down on the power lines, then it will be Willies’ windmill. Anyway, I was digging the footings by hand and Willie stopped by to see how things were going. When he saw the depth of my handy work, he said, “Make them deeper”. So, because even I don’t want it to fall on the power lines, the footings were made 4 feet deep. Son Gary took pity on me and helped me pour the concrete footings on one extremely hot and sunny day and the site is ready.

THE SITE, EVERYBODYS HAPPY

We are at a stopping point now as the next item on the agenda is to actually set the thing up. This will take a crane as it must be lifted up and over a fence to its’ final resting place. Who’s got the crane, Willie of course. The problem is Willie is out of town for about six weeks.

ANOTHER TRIP TO ROBINSON CREEK

2010-09-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

BARNEY LAKE

Well it’s been awhile since there has been an entry on the blog, but it’s also been awhile since we’ve done anything worth sharing. We did manage to squeeze in a short trip to Robinson Creek, our favorite spot in the Eastern Sierras. This time we shared our secret spot with neighbors Willie and Patty, who wanted to take their new, used 5th wheel on a shake down cruise. We were gone just 10 days this time, which is unusual for us as we usually like longer trips.

We accidently caught a few fish, but not so many as to deplete the stream. We really didn’t try too hard as we were very busy relaxing, sleeping in and making sure there was enough beer and wine for our daily 4 pm happy hour. As is my custom, I had intended to go on a hike every other day, but due to blusters caused by new boots, I was sidelined most of the time. I did make it the 4 miles to Barney Lake but had to struggle on the return as the blisters got larger. I had intended to attempt Mt. Dana again, but it will have to wait till next year. On one short stroll, the trail led to a bridge across a creek. On the other side next to a tree sat a bear, who I figured would move on when it saw me. As I started to cross the bridge, the bear stood and challenged me by making a short charge in my direction. I did the prudent thing and found somewhere else to cross. Turns out there were two cubs in the tree.

CAMP AT ROBINSON CREEK

RODEO IN BRIDGEPORT

PATTY AND CATHIE SUDOKU COMPETITION

FACTS AND FIGURES

2010-06-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it home on June 9th and we've taken stock of all that we experienced on this our latest adventure. Overall we had a good time and even with the rain we returned home with new and lasting memories. We made new friends in Ken and Linda, and spent four wonderful days with old friends Hansjoerg, Silke and Frank. Cathie made a special connection with Silke's mom, Ilse and they were both in tears when we said our goodbys.

For my final post for this adventure I thought I would share with you some of the facts and figures that were amassed on our journey. So here goes.....

Trip Prep time - I started planning this trip when we returned from Europe in 2006.

Money spent on stuff before we left home - Not as much as last time, but more than necessary.

Total days - 42

Airfare - Free, had enough points on the credit card.

How many points? - 110,000

Car lease - $1500
New Peugeot with full insurance and no deductible. (No dents or scratches)
Miles driven - 7200 km or 4320 miles
Mileage - 50 MPG
Cost per gallon of diesel - Around $5 - but figure the mileage, and it mile than in the states.

Traffic laws broken - Too many to count.
Tickets issued - None. Where's a cop when you need one.

Arguments with Alice - Actually we got along pretty well, but when there was a dispute on which way to turn, she was usually wrong, even though I was glad she came along. We would still be looking for our first B&B without her.

Amount budgeted - $200 a day, excluding car lease.
Amount spent - $153 a day.

Least expensive lodging - $45 B&B in Mauthausen, Austria
Most expensive - $112 - One night in a hotel somewhere in central France.
Although not a bad room, it was probably the worst one of the entire trip.

Best B&B - Can't answer this one as they were all great with just a couple in the just OK
category.

Best Food - It was all good and plentiful with the exception of anchovies in Cathie's salad.
Favorite Food - confit de canard and foie gras.

In 2006, customs took away my foie gras, this time they let me keep it.

Weight Gained - Dana, 7 lbs. Cathie, It's not polite to ask a lady.

Hours spent on airplanes - Too many (27 hours)

Flight delays - One, 2.5 hours delay leaving Geneva causing us to miss our connection in Washington. Still managed to get home just 2 hours behind schedule.

Days of sunshine - About 8

Days till the next trip to Europe - I don't know, but I've already started planning!

ON THE FINAL LEG

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST

2010-06-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO STAY

After Baden-Baden we headed through the Black Forest towards the small town of Zell im Wiesental. Why would we go to a little town that no one has ever heard of? That’s where our German friends, Hansjoerg and Silke live, and we saved the best part of our trip for last. To top it off it wasn’t raining!

Hansjorg had sent me an e-mail describing the scenic route from Baden-Baden through the Black Forest, so we programmed Alice and headed south. We’re glad we followed Hansjoerg’s instructions as the route he selected for us was beautiful. Following ridge tops most of the way, we had spectacular views on both sides of the road. After a leisurely drive, we arrived in Zell, as the locals call it, a little after 5 pm.

We were under the impression that we would be staying at Silke’s house, but when we arrived, we were told other arraignments had been made for us as Silke’s place was too small. After a welcoming bottle of champagne over which we caught up on old times, we were taken to a neighboring village of Pfaffenburg, about 4 km away. There Silke and Hansjoerg had arranged for us to stay in a wonderful guesthouse with an unmatched view. From our small suite on the top floor, we had a beautiful Black Forest view with a small church situated far below. Perfect! We were treated to a great dinner at the Berggasthof Schliissel, our home for the next four days. The owner, Monica attended to our every need as we had a long and quiet evening with Hansjoerg, Silke, Hansjorg’s son Frank, and Silke’s mother, Ilse. The food was excellent and the wine plentiful.

http://www.berggasthof-schluessel.de/

The next morning Hansjoerg, Frank, Cathie and I, took a hike in the Black Forest, led by Hansjoerg, who assured us that he knew the way. After a 6 mile trek, we weren’t to sure, but it was well worth the effort with a stop along the way at a guesthouse serving some great German fare. To get back down the mountain, a ride on a summer toboggan was in store. More like a one man rollercoaster at 2.9 km, or 1-3/4 miles long, it is the longest summer toboggan in Germany. What a ride. Check out their website.

http://www.hasenhorn-rodelbahn.de/

We capped off the day with a great meal at Silke’s prepared by her and her mother. Joining us in addition to those already mentioned was Hansjoerg’s daughter Bergit. Both Frank and Bergit in their early 20’s seem well on their way to successful lives and both were a welcome addition to the evening.

Cathie enjoys a German invention called “Radler”’ which is beer and lemon soda. You can buy it bottled, and our friends made sure there was plenty on hand. We had a great evening with Bar-B-Q German style, more than enough food for all with lots left over. On the back patio with the sun setting over the hill, you couldn’t ask for a better evening.

The next day we headed to an old village where there was a craft fair, along with some depictions of how things were done back when. One old house from the 1800’s has been preserved and turned into a museum. Interesting stuff. Having been worn out by Hansjoerg’s trail blazing abilities the day before, he led us on a short walk to a waterfall, before ending the afternoon at another guesthouse for refreshment. Because of some rain (yes rain) and evening thunderstorms in the forecast, we had another great dinner at Berggasthof Schliissel,

The next day, Cathie took the day off and Silke had to go back to work, so Hansjoerg and I spent the day wandering around Basel, Switzerland, which is just a few minutes away for Zell. Another great evening was spent on the patio at Silkes’ with more great German cooking.

We were treated like royalty by our hosts. They showered us with kindness, not to mention gifts, and wouldn’t let us take our wallets out of our pockets. On more than one occasion when I tried to pay, the proprietor wouldn’t allow it, having been told in the native tongue that our money was no good. After 3 days and 4 nights it came time to say good-by. It was difficult leaving after being entertained on a grand scale by Hansjoerg, Silke, and Ilse. We all promised that we would see each other again in the future and I sure we will. Good friends like these are hard to find.

BREAKFAST ON THE TERRACE

There are Guesthouses all over Germany and they all serve breakfast with the price of a room. Our guesthouse was full over the weekend with a wedding and lots of bikers. (not the outlaw kind) There are also guesthouse in the hills where one stops on a hike or mountian bike ride for a place to stay or a meal.

THE VIEW FROM OUR BALCONY

We couldn't get over how green everthing is. The rain helps, but it stays this was most of the year, only changing when covered with snow.

THE HIKE

MORE REFRESHMENT

This is the place we stopped for lunch and drink on our hike. It's very common to find such places on the many hiking trails all over Germany.

FRANK AND BERGIT

THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR SHOPPING

GREAT FOOD, GOOD FRIENDS

BADEN-BADEN

2010-06-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

It rained while getting here, but since arriving in Baden-Baden no rain, but plenty of water. If you don't live here, you come to Baden-Baden for just a few reasons. To spend lots of money at the high end shops in the pedestrian zone, or to spend lots of money in the casino or to go to one of the spas. Since one of the goals of this trip is not to break the bank, we came for the latter. Any town with "Bad" in it's name, has a spa. They are all over Germany. Since this towns name is repeated, I guess you could say it's spa is something special.

THE FRIEDRICHBAD

On a recent trip to Germany, friends Mike and Nancy told us about the spa at Baden-Baden. They gave us a rundown on what it was like and said is was the one of the highlights of their trip. You go through 17 different stations involving water, heat, and cold. Men on one side and women on another. In the middle men and women meet in the thermal therapy pool. On certain days, men and women share all the facilities, on others the sexes are separated. On holidays, it is co-ed. Why must you know this? Because the spa is not a clothing optional zone. Clothing is not allowed. So we made sure were we there on a Thursday, a day the sexes are separated, except in the therapy pool.

Well as the saying goes, "the best laid plans..." It turns out Thursday was a holiday in Germany. Cathie said no, I said yes, so having come all this way, I wasn't going to miss the experience. With Cathie safe in our hotel room, I went local. Nudity here is no big thing. In the summer people in the parks of Munich sunbath topless and no one bats an eye. Going to a spa is just part of life here and it's considered therapeutic.

The following is from the spa's brochure:

On opening in 1877, Friedrichsbad was considered to be one of most beautiful bath houses in Europe. When you enter, you immediately get a sense of the history, culture and atmosphere of over 130 years of bathing tradition. Take a step back in time and enjoy the unique beneficial effect of the Roman bathing culture, combined with Irish hot air baths. The temperature changes are deliberately coordinated to be beneficial; after a sharp increase at the beginning, the temperature gently drops until the cold water immersion bath. Who can resist!

Here's how it went. Pay your fee and decide if you want what is termed a "soap-brush massage". Mike told me, do it as it's part of the experience, but he added, "it hurts". So I passed. You change into your birthday suit, and take from your locker a sheet, which turns out is your towel. At each station, there are instructions on the wall, in English, telling you how long to stay in that particular room. My first mistake was leaving my glasses in the locker. At the first station, the shower, there is an attendant stationed to get you started. So you spend 5 minutes under a shower of copious amounts of water. After a good dousing, you go to the "warm air bath". It's then you discover that the sheet is not for covering you up, but to lay upon on the very hot wood tables in the sauna where the temperature is a balmy 129 degrees. I think the sign said 15 minutes. Next, it's the "hot air bath" and you ask yourself, what did I just have. Then you find out what hot is. 154 degrees for 5 minutes, I think.

Not knowing if I was getting the times right, I figured I'll just follow someone and hope they don't need glasses. This worked for a while, but I think the person I chose to follow was into torture. Next you get to shower again before heading to the steam baths, 113 and 118 degrees, after which you start to cool down in the thermal whirlpool and therapy pools. The latter is under a huge domed room done in the the roman style. Next it's another shower before the cold water immersion bath at 64 degrees, which after what you just experienced feels like 30 degrees.

Next you get a warm towel to dry off before going to the cream service room, where if you choose, you can rub various lotions on you body. Hey, I paid for it, I'm doing it. Lastly the relaxation room for 30 minutes. Here you lay on a table and the attendant wraps you in a warm sheet and blanket and you enjoy the warmth and complete silence. It's then that you really relax.

The whole thing takes about 2.5 hours and you never have felt so relaxed and clean, until you have to put on your dirty socks and underwear. Was it worth it? You bet. Did I feel uncomfortable? Only for the first 5 minutes when I didn't know what to do with the sheet. Would I do it again? Why not?

BADEN-BADEN

RIVERSIDE WALK

Baden-Baden has a really nice parking running through the middle of the city. It's a couple of miles long and a great place to stroll after your bathing experience.

THE PEDESTRIAN ZONE

Cathie's always making new friends. Could this be Claus?

From here we head to the Black Forest for several days with our friends, Hans and Silke, the German couple we met in Utah last year. At that it's back to Geneva for our flight home next week.

WHAT THEY DO BETTER

2010-06-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

One of things I've noticed while traveling around Europe, both on this trip and when we went in 2006, is that they do a lot of things better than we do. That's not to say we Americans don't get it right most of the time, we do, but we could learn a few things from the people across the pond. So I thought I would make a list, in no particular order of importance, just put it on paper as it comes to mind.

Cashiers at the grocery stores sit down.

You bag your own groceries in your own bag, or buy one, even the cheap throwaway plastic ones.

You must deposit .50 to get a grocery cart, you get it back when you return it to the covered cart spot. Carts are dry when it rains and not scattered all over the parking lot. They are not in the neighborhoods either.

Many busy intersections have a traffic circle, no signals, traffic seems to flow pretty well with no delay waiting for a green light. Also no one runs a red light, there are none.

In Germany and Austria on the autobahns, there are periodic electronic maximum speed signs that can be changed for traffic and weather conditions.

Also on the autobahns, unless you're passing, you stay in the right lane.

People actually signal when making a lane change.

Most cars run on diesel and get great mileage. Our lease car gets over 50 MPG

When you make a reservation at a B&B, your word is the only guarantee required.

You pay in cash when you leave, not when you arrive.

The same for many hotels, room charges included, with no credit card number.

Breakfast is almost always included in hotels and guesthouses.

In France, when you pay a restaurant bill with a credit, card, they bring the card reader to your table. The card never leaves your sight. In Germany the waiter goes over the bill with you.

You pump, before you pay.

In France, Germany, and Austria, the tip in included in the cost of the meal. You can leave a small amount if the service was especially good, but it's not expected. When you see the price of an item on the menu, that's the total price, tax and tip.

In France it's the law, in other places they do it too, the menu is posted on the outside of the restaurant.

When you get a table, it's yours as long as you want it, no one is rushing you. In fact in France, you may think the waiter is ignoring you. You have to ask for the bill.

Wine and beer are cheap. A six pack in a German market can go for as little as $2. and that's German beer.

California wine in the grocery store is cheaper here than at home with the exception of Two Buck Chuck, which I haven't seen here.

When you order the house wine in a restaurant, you'll usually get a good regional wine.

In France there are speed cameras. First you see a sign telling you of the camera ahead. Next a sign reminding you of the speed, then comes the camera. If you get your photo taken, you're stupid or just not paying attention. If the if either is the case, let someone else drive.

Just about every town of any size, has a tourist office.

In Germany on the autobahn, there are numerous rest stops. The bathrooms suck, unless...

At German autobahn plazas, rest stops with gas, restaurants, and sometimes hotels, the restrooms are very clean, but you pay .50 at a turnstile.

You want a clean restroom? Go to one that you pay a small fee for. The toilet seat gets cleaned and dried automatically with each flush.

The French know how to make bread.

Most people speak some English, just about all young people do.

That's all I can think of but I'm sure there's more. Perhaps one day I'll list what Europeans do poorly.

IT'S NOT RAINING......... IT'S SNOWING!

2010-05-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

The weather is changing and not for the better. It's been snowing, with accumulations at the higher elevations. Figuring to stay dry, we headed out for a drive to check out the surrounding area. From the valley below our B&B, you can drive up different valleys in all directions. On many of the roads that go nowhere except to some isolated spot, there is a toll, usually under 10 euros. I believe the toll helps pay for road maintenance and for upkeep of the many hiking trails. When they're not skiing, they're hiking. Everybody seems to do it, young and old, rain or shine or snow as the case may be. We drove up this narrow valley for about 15 miles and ogled at all the waterfalls cascading down both sides. At the end of the road, we came upon this little guesthouse with a small restaurant. We ventured in and took a seat in the corner. With cowbells hanging from the rafters, and musical instruments standing in the corner, we figured it wouldn't be long before a Tirolean mountain climber came down from the high country and began yodeling. Such was not the case.

The fair is simple, sausages and potatoes. Lots of cows in the neighborhood, so they have fresh buttermilk, which is kept cold in a water trouth outside. I found out about the buttermilk after ordering my wine, so I'll have to try it another time. I keep ordering the wrong sausage and ending up with something that looks suspiciously like a hot dog. Tastes like one too.

This is our B&B here in the Tirolean Alps, about 50 miles from Innsbruck. We have a small one bedroom apartment. It is located on the very steep side of a valley in a ski resort area. The road up to the house is very pretty. Pretty narrow, pretty steep and pretty scary. If you build a house on a slope this steep in California, it would soon be at the bottom of the hill. It's location affords some really great views from high above the town. The apartment has views on three sides of the house, with two balconies and a patio. Great digs, so we're staying for three nights.

www.gaestehaus-bergland.at/en/start/html

HERE'S THE VIEW

Since we can't fight the weather and we are in a ski resort, why not take some ski lessons. After some urging, Cathie agreed and after meeting our ski instructor, Claus, she thought skiing was the best idea of the trip. We took the cable gondola to the ski area and it was like a winter wonderland. All our equipment and clothing were included in the instruction package, and with Claus in the lead, what could go wrong. I think from the attention Cathie was getting, she wouldn't care if she did break something. Anyway, on the bunny slope we went and after much falling down, we actually stood upright and skied, at least for a short distance. No photos, though, much too busy keeping an eye on Claus.

If you come to Europe to see art, and you're too cheap to pay the entrance fee for the art museum, then go to a church. The art work and decoration in just about every church in this part of the world is unbelievable. Some of it by famous artist, most all of it religious. From paintings, statues, wood carvings, murals and just about every other art form, is found in the churches. Even some of the smallest villages have great works in their churches. In an upcoming post, I'll submit some of the numerous photos I've taken of the subject.

This church is in Hall in Tirol, Austria. The alter is canted off the main part of the church for some unknown reason. The alter is covered in gold and the pipe organ stands out if you turn around and look toward the back of the church.

While taking these photos, a gentlemen asked first in German, then in English if I knew why the alter was positioned so. I didn't and neither did he. He did tell me that this church was for the people with money as evidenced by all the gold and silver. He said the church for the poor people was in Swartz, the next town down the road and not so lavishly decorated.

If you belive the part of this post about the sking, you'll beleive anything.

BERCHTESGADEN AND VICINITY

2010-05-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

GROSSGLOCKNER ALPINE ROAD

CURVES

This is really a beautiful part of the world, too bad it's raining. Seems like the theme of our trip is to see how many places we can go where it' raining. It's somewhat depressing as we change plans because of it. When we arrived in Berchtesgaden, the weather report said the next day would be the only day without rain this week. There were two places we wanted to see which are best without the rain, so we had to choose one. It was either Hitler's Eagles Nest, best seen when the mountain is not covered in clouds, and the Glossglockner Pass, also best in clear weather. Because bus loads of tourist crowd Eagles Nests, we opted for the Glossglockner.

The Glossglockner High Alpine Road ascends to an altitude of 8215 feet while covering 48 kilometers with 36 hairpin turns. The bends are number so the speeding motorcyclist can keep track of how much longer they have to hang on. It's is a really fun road to drive with spectacular views around every one of those scary hairpin turns. At times it can be crowed with motorcycles not to mention very large tour buses that manage to crawl their way up the mountain. At the end of the road you are greeted with a view of the Glossglockner Glacier. The drive's not free though, they charge you 28 euros ($34) for the privilege, but you can drive it as many times as you want in a day.

MARIA GERN CHURCH

OUR B&B

VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

We we arrived in Berchtesgaden, in the rain I might add, we stopped by the tourist office and got a list of potential B&B's. We ended up at Haus Michael in a nice size room with a great view from the balcony. Although is was cold, it was nice to sit on the balcony with our wine and beer and watch the clouds roll up the valley.

A word about food in Germany. There's lots of it and much of it consists of pork, potatoes, sour kraut, great soups, spatzle a potato base noodle and sausages. They've also got this dumpling that comes with some dishes that has the consistency of paste, so opt of the bread dumpling, it's much better. Good food and huge portions. For breakfast besides the usual juice and coffee, there's rolls, bread, yogurt, cereal, cheese, meat in the form of cold cuts, yes cold cuts for breakfast, and a soft or hard boiled egg. It's hard boiled if you arrive late. Anyway it's a whole lot of food.

Today we moved back to Austria and on the way we stopped for our main meal at a restaurant in Hall in Tirol. So here we are in Austria, eating at an Italian restaurant, having French onion soup, German spatzle with cheese and California wine. Go figure!

SIGNS

2010-05-28T22:17:00.001-07:00

All over France and Germany are signs over the entrance of bossiness made out of wrought iron depicting in it's form the type of business. Some are pretty straight forward letting you know the type of business. Some are more difficult to understand. For instance, a sign with a stagecoach usually means it's a hotel. This one below has a stagecoach, but it's hard to figure out why the big fish is trying to eat someone. Some are comical, but they all have some meaning and are everywhere in the older parts of cities and towns. Enjoy the photos. See how many you can guess right.

IT CERTAINLY IS

A GREAT TOUR A SOMBER TOUR

2010-05-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

REGENSBURG

I had read on several occasions about taking a tour of either a Mercedes or BMW factory while in Germany. Months ago while checking out the possibility, I discovered a appointment was required for one of the limited spots available on an English speaking tour. So about 5 months ago I made an appointment for the tour of the BMW plant in Regensburg, Germany.

We arrived a the appointed hour and at the specified location and right on time we were met by Franz, our guide. There were only three other people on the tour with us, and after introductions we were given a short safety briefing and watched a short film on the history of the company.

I've been on the tour of the Ford truck factory in Detroit. This is nothing like the one there. Ford is so worried about liability, that you walk on catwalks above just one assembly line. At BMW, they give you safety glasses and you get right down on the assembly floor. I know it's a guy thing, but it's quite impressive. You are constantly dodging fork lifts, and automatically controlled vehicles shuttling parts. You see the giant presses, mostly operated by robots which stamp out the body parts. The metal comes into the factory in giant rolls and comes out of the presses as doors and fenders. You get showered by sparks as the robots weld the parts together. If a defect is noted in the body, a dent or bad weld, the vehicle is scrapped and steel is sent back to the foundry.

You get to see the vehicle being painted and then assembled, with the body and chassis coming together towards the end. We spent 2.5 hours walking 3.5 kilometers on the tour and I at least enjoyed it all. I would recommended this tour for all us guys. Now I want to buy a BMW. Anybody want to give me a loan?

MAUTHAUSEN CONCENTRATION CAMP

After leaving Regensburg we drove on the autobahn (lookout for fast cars and stay in the right lane) to Mauthausen, Austria a small town near Linz. We found a B&B just outside of town for 36 euros, or cheapest room yet. Nice simple room on the ground floor (converted garage) with a big flat screen TV and satellite. Most of the all of the other guest were men who were in the area for work, so the TV schedule included lots of X-rated material. On the downside it also had CNN and BBC.

We spent the better part of a day at Mauthausen Concentration Camp, just outside of town. This started out as a German POW camp for Russian and Polish prisoners of war, but over time political prisoners, Jews and various others made up the camp population. Next to this camp was a granite quarry and many prisoners died carrying heavy block of granite on their backs up what became know as the "Stairway of Death". From 1938 until liberated by U.S. Forces in May of 1945, over 200,000 people were deported to Mauthausen. Around 100,000 inmates died, some 10,000 in the gas chamber, with the majority of inmates dying through mistreatment and by being ruthlessly worked to death.

This camp is one of the few that still has many of the original buildings.

http://www.mauthausen-memorial.at/

SHOPPING

2010-05-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

FRENCH SUPERMARKET

Shopping in Europe is an adventure all by its self. In France there are several large supermarket chains to choose from and they are somewhat different from those we have in the States. Carrefour and Intermarche are common as is, E.Leclerc, pronounced, la clair. They are pretty much the same and most have a department store section selling everything from clothes, to garden supplies. Most sell gas and diesel and have the cheapest price in France. Some other differences include, checkers who sit at the registers, bring your own shopping bag or buy one at the store, and bag your own groceries. Most will have an extensive and separate departments for meat, cheese and fish. There is a wide selection, which at times for us was daunting just trying to figure out what was in some of the different packaging.

SHOPPING CARTS

When you arrive in the parking lot, pick up your cart by putting a .50 coin in the slot which releases it from the next cart. When you return it, you get your .50 back. You never see abandoned shopping carts in the neighborhoods as you do at home.

SUPERMARKET BUTCHER COUNTER

SALAD AND DESSERT COUNTER

Some of the larger markets include other stores, restaurants and bars. In Germany, Wal Mart has a beer garden. We encountered several with large cafeterias. I was seated next to this large display of salads and desserts at one such cafeteria. I grabbed this picture during a lull of customers. While taking the photo I noticed one women customer giving me the evil eye. Several minutes later, I had been reported to the management and was contacted by one of the employees who wanted to know what I was doing photographing the food. The employee, a cook, perhaps thought I was stealing trade secrets for the competition. I tried to explain my purpose and thinking I was making headway I asked if I could photograph him cooking. At this point he must have thought I was completely crazy and told me "It is not permitted". He left at this point, but kept an wary eye on the strange American, while I finished my coffee.

When you buy fruit and vegetables at the grocery store, you bag them, place them on the scale in the produce department, push the appropriate pictured button and a sticker with the price and bar code is printed. This gets scanned at the cash register. At the cheese counter, the cheese is not only sold pre cut a packages, buy you can select an amount to be sliced from a large round of cheese.

CHEESE COUNTER AT L.LECLERC

The following photographs were taken at one of the many town square marketplaces. Most every town and small village in France have a weekly market, and in some larger towns these markets take place twice a week. Food is locally produced and of a wide variety. For the most part, the supermarket is cheaper.

SAUSAGES

THE BAKER

LOTS OF OLIVES

THE SPICE VENDOR

FRESH FISH

DESSERT

There's another kind of shopping. It's the kind one does while on a trip because she realizes she doesn't have enough clothes. Without any consideration on how more items will fit in the carry on, one must shop. You manage to get a great selection in the tourist shops along side the plastic swords, miniature figurines, Christmas ornaments, T-shirts that say "all grandma got me was this lousily T-shirt", and Harley Davidson memorabilia. (The latter is quite popular here in Germany).

On a recent such outing, I was at my usual post outside of the store enjoying the scenery, and I made this observation. Of the four stores of similar type, one each corner, all four had a gentleman about my age, standing outside enjoying the scenery. Goes to show you things are pretty much the same everywhere.

GERMANY AND THE MIDDLE RHINE

2010-05-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

SOMEONE'S WATCHING

We are now in Germany and our first stop is Bacharach one of the many small towns along the middle section of the upper Rhine River. Beautiful little towns with timbered buildings and narrow streets. It also stopped raining and we're beside our selves with happiness. Actually some warm weather for a change. We are staying in this really nice pension a small family run hotel. Its a couple of blocks from the center of town, close enough to stroll down the street for refreshment, but far enough away that we don't hear any noise. We don't even hear anyone else in the hall, no doors slamming no nothing. We think we're the only ones here until breakfast where the other guests show up. The owners assign tables by room number and manage to seat table mates with you that you can converse with, mainly other Americans.

PENSION IM MALERWINKEL

Our room is the one in the middle with the balcony and overlooks the garden. There is a small stream running by so we leave our window open at night, falling asleep to it's sound.

VIEW FROM THE BALCONY

DOWNTOWN BACHARACH

There is a castle on the hill above the town, but there is a castle on the hill above just about every town along this section of the Rhine River. That's a big reason why people come here. You can stay in Stahech Castle above the town if you're willing to stay in a youth hostel. Could be noisy. I hiked up the hill for a look, and their outdoor cafe with picnic tables has a terrific view of the river below.

One thing people do around here, besides drink beer, the local wine, or eat the vast amounts of food, is to take one of the boats that cruise the river. You head either up or down river, stopping to get off at one of the other little towns along the river. Because of the current, what takes 1 hour to go down river, requires 1-3/4 hours to come back up. Very relaxing with some of the greatest scenery anywhere. The boats are large and comfortable and serve, you guessed it, beer, the local wine and vast amounts of food.

PFALZGRAFENSTEIN CASTLE

A lot of freight is transported on the river by the ever present barge. They carry everything from shipping containers to gravel. Families live on the barges in many instances. You see children's playground equipment on the roof of the living cabin and of course the family car.

This is our fourth night here and we're heading out tomorrow for Regensburg in Bavaria only because we've got a reservation to tour the BMW factory there.

A WORD ABOUT PEEING

2010-05-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

Finding a place to relieve oneself in a strange and unfamiliar place can sometimes be a challenge. At times you must experience the pain of a full bladder for long periods of time, until you learn to take matters into your own hands, no pun intended. When traveling on secondary roads, official rest stops and facilities are few and far between. When a actual toilet is encountered, at say the town hall in some small berg, you use it while holding your breath and hope that your current state doesn't require sitting down.

We have on occasion encountered and used facilities such at the one depicted above, where the only smell may be the cows in the adjoining meadow. It is common to see men using these open air roadside facilities with no concern about who might be watching.

When using a toilet, or as known in many locales, a W.C. one must have at least a minimal amount of knowledge of the local language so as to pick the correct door. In a small town in Germany with many foreign tourists, the owner of this restaurant made it clear with his signage.

There are different types of porcelain fixtures all over this part of the world. Some look pretty much the same as what we're used to, but in the effort to make sure you put the seat up before using, it is just removed. At the local McDonald's, a good place to go, the women's facilities consists of two thrones, one of a regular size and the other a child size.

Often the toilet is flushed by pressing a button on the top of the tank. There are actually two buttons, one larger than the other. You may select to push either, the big button for a large deposits and the small button, well you get the picture.

The old Turkish, footprints and a hole, type is abundant in older establishments. Usually not very pleasant and often times with no toilet paper. Careful when you flush, you might get your shoes wet.

Restaurants are a good place to find facilities. This one took pride in it's throne room, which was used by both sexes. If you really must go, just walk in the restaurant or cafe and head towards the back. Just look like you belong there. This ruse has worked in dire situations.

Just push a button and a new seat cover is forthcoming, out one side and in the other. There are very elaborate systems in some public places where the W.C. is in a box, similar to a porta potty, only high tech. You put a coin in to gain access and close the door. You notice right away that it's wet inside. After using the apparatus, it flushes automatically. You are allowed to exit by pushing a button which unlocks the door. Don't hang around though because if you stay to watch, you will get washed down with the rest of the interior.

It is very common to encounter an attendant in the facility. It is not necessary for the attendant to be the same sex as the user of the bathroom. If you can't go when someones watching, these places aren't for you. The advantage is that these places are usually clean. It is customary to leave a small tip in the dish provided.

Ok, you ask, what is he doing taking photos of toilets across Europe? Well, I've got plenty of photos of castles and I figured you need to read something educational.

Hey, it's all part of Gassaways Adventures.