The Gentleman Pensioner

Adventure in Albuquerque

2010-11-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

Adventure in Albuquerque

It is not everyday that kids from Pennsylvania travel to Albuquerque in the middle of the school fall semester. Is there anything educational to do?

French Horn Lesson: Marcey arranged for Mr. Heeter to provide a half-hour French Horn lesson for Maggie - and Mr. Heeter had even arranged for Maggie to borrow an instrument for the visit. Maggie showed us a couple of things she had learned, like how to change from high notes to low notes, just with the way you blow into the mouthpiece.

Auntie Beth and the Transport Unit: It’s not every kid that has an Aunt working in the Police Department. Beth’s office is great, however of more interest was a quick tour through the Prisoner Transport Unit. (in a typical month, the PTU handles 1500 prisoners, most of which are soon transported to the Metro Detention Center - the Sgt explained, when the van fills up, it goes - no one stays over 2 hours here, as no eating/feeding facilities, medicine, etc.) Prisoners were being brought in while we were there, and the kids saw the holding cells. Since the stay time is expected to be less than two hours, these cells are minimal in their furnishings: a wrap-around aluminum bench is about it. The ICE people also share some of this facility.

BioPark: Beautiful day for a walk in the park - and the aquarium. The BioPark had a Creepy Crawly Critters special exhibit still set up, through Nov 7 - did you know that Madagascar roaches are good eating? That the West African black scorpion is not that aggressive? Did you want to know that?

PageOne: This is perhaps the largest book store in New Mexico. Everyone was allowed to pick out one book to take home. Alan took an extra one for his Dad.

Animal Humane Society: On Virginia SE, one can find clean facilities manned by caring volunteers for the Kittery and for the Doggie area. This was a side trip requested by Maggie, who is thinking someday she may get into the Animal Rescue business. Many of the cats seemed to like her, and one dog licked Alan. All were requested to wash their hands after handling/petting the kitten in the separate "get acquainted" room.

Summary: Yes, this was an educational trip, and one enjoyed by all.

Shipmates Stand Together

2010-10-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

Shipmates Stand Together

As long-time readers of this column know, after a long and not-so-arduous courtship, Mike and Bonnie were finally united in marriage. To validate the event, an Open House was held at Bonnie's, and all were delighted that Lou and Jo Ann drove down for the event.

Although the Open House announcement specifically stated, "No Gifts," apparently jarheads have difficulty either reading or following instructions. Thus it was that Lou and Jo Ann graciously invited Mike and Bonnie up for a glorious 3-day weekend in God's (or perhaps Air Force's) country. Excitement started on Thursday evening in Trinidad with dinner at Rino's Restaurant, where the food is not only the best Italian cooking around (except perhaps for Jo Ann's), but also the waiters and waitresses all sing opera or better. On Friday, the foursome headed up to the Simpleman's mountain "cabin" (see photo above with flag) outside Aguilar and nestled within the Spanish Peaks, where we were treated to a great meal by Jo Ann, plus a tour of the wildlife nearby - turkeys and deer specifically.

Saturday was off to the Air Force - Navy game at Colorado Springs. Not one of Navy's best football showings, however it was not for lack of proper attire and cheering by our group. That evening our lodging was at the Distinguished Visitors quarters at Ft Carson, which Lou had wangled through a close working relationship with the Base Commander. We went out to Outback that evening (see photo), and the next day ended the festivities at Patti's Restaurant in Pueblo (next photo).

A great time was had by all - even though we never saw all the elk copulating which apparently entertained Harry and Doris after the Mini-Reunion back in October 2005. Thanks, Jo Ann and Lou! True friends, shipmates, and companymates. Our marriage is well launched.

Guide for Forwarding Political E-mail

2010-02-12T05:12:00.000-08:00

Recently, a friend of mine was berated for forwarding an email criticizing the President for his apparently lack of respect to the flag. The berater cited TruthOrFiction.com to delineate the falsehood.

My friend was chagrined. He stated: "Sorry! I realize I'm often too gullible, and I'm not prone to check authenticity. Best I just stop forwarding anything derogatory about anyone, or even praising anyone, unless I know first hand it is true."

This a problem we all face: what to do with all the e-mail we receive, some of which resonates so strongly that we want to send it on RIGHT NOW!!!

Here's an easy guide that I try to follow re forwarding politically oriented e-mail:

If the message is about me, and it's laudatory, I forward it to everyone I know.

If it is about Joe Biden, and it seems ridiculous, I always forward to Sarah Palin so she will be cheered. E.g.: Did you hear that Iraq will be considered one of the great achievements of this Administration?

If it is about Nancy Pelosi, I forward it to Harry Reid and Joe Biden so they will feel better about themselves.

If it is about President Obama, I weep quietly for a few minutes, then check the calendar to gauge the time until the next national election cycle.

I find that I am beginning to understand the hard-over positions of the "Bush-haters" from just a year or two ago. Immediately following the election, I was hopeful for the country. Now when I hear Obama say, "I am not an Ideologue" it resonates in my head with Nixon saying "I am not a Crook."

Now I find myself grateful that the Democrats hold a strong majority in both Houses plus hold the Presidency to clarify the source of the actual achievements - i.e., the abject failures and deficits of this administration. I am so grateful that this President inherited Pelosi and Reid - I shudder to consider how much farther down this path we would be if Obama had competent leaders in the House and Senate, e.g., a Steny Hoyer and a Tom Daschle.

If not grateful for, I am at least amazed at the cold partisanship of Pelosi ("We won, we write the bill") and the divisiveness of someone elected to be President of all the people ("...waving their little teabags...").

Excuse me, I'm going to go check my calendar again. Every day it looks better.

The Sixth Candle Is Lit ....

2009-12-16T15:51:00.000-08:00

The Sixth Candle Is Lit ....

David and Tricia invited Bonnie and Mike over to participate in the Family Chanukah celebration on Tuesday, 15 December 2009, which included the lighting of Candle #6 on the menorah. We found Tricia cooking the traditional fare of latkes, which are potato pancakes, eaten to symbolize the central theme of the holiday, the miracle of oil. Tricia told me that many of the foods are cooked with oil to carry on this theme - Tricia used Omega Light Oil made with Canola oil, soybean (vegetable) oil, and olive oil. There is a custom of eating foods fried or baked in oil (preferably olive oil), as the original miracle of the Hanukkah menorah involved the discovery of a small flask of pure olive oil used by the Jewish High Priest, the Kohen Gadol. This small batch of olive oil was only supposed to last one day, and instead it lasted eight.

Accordingly, potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally associated with Hanukkah, as they are prepared by frying in oil. Latkes are an incredibly versatile food because, depending on the recipe, they can be an appetizer, side dish, entree, vegetable, dessert or snack. Tricia served hers with applesauce, or alternatively, with horseradish.

Similarly, many Israeli families have the custom of eating all kinds of jam-filled doughnuts (Yiddish: פאנטשקעס pontshkes), (sufganiyot) which are deep-fried in oil. Ours were the quick-fry type of sufganiyot, and thus were more like donut holes. The kids are shown in the picture shaking the still hot sufganiyot in either powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. Yummy!

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights celebrated in countries all over the world. In 165 B.C. there was a great battle between the Maccabees and the Syrians. The Jews won the battle and when they went to their temple, they found that the Syrians had allowed their sacred light to go out. They only had oil for one day. The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil lasted 8 days until a messenger could return with more. There are nine candles in the menorah. One of the candles is used to light the other candles and the other eight stand for the eight days that the oil kept burning. You put the candles in the menorah right to left, and light them left to right so the oldest candle is put in first, and the newest candle is lit first. The last night, nine candles, counting the server candle, will glow. Hanukkah lights should burn for at least one half hour after it gets dark.

David reminded me that there are many spellings of this Hebrew holiday, because the English is transliterated from Hebrew. You'll see H-a-n-u-k-k-a-h a lot because that is the Associated Press spelling.

Christmas is always on 25 December however Chanukah falls on a different date each year in relationship to the common calendar, because it's a lunar calendar that loses time yearly. To compensate, a leap year adds a 13th month every few years. That leap month is called Adar II. In truth, Chanukah falls on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which was Dec. 12 this year and will be Dec. 2 in 2010.

Parents give their kids Chanukah gelt (gold-wrapped chocolate coins) and other trinkets for eight nights to enhance their enjoyment of the holiday. On this 6th night, Bonnie and Mike, and Ian and Charlene, were instructed to close our eyes, and when we opened them, we each found before us Hanukkah cookies and both gold and silver-wrapped coins. A miracle indeed! Bonnie and Mike fought over theirs. The kids were pretty good.

Texas and Nephews

2009-11-17T20:05:00.000-08:00

Texas and Nephews

Bonnie and Mike traveled to Houston during 13-15 November 2009 for Mike’s 50th High School Reunion (see Lamar59.org for the details and photos on this gala gathering). During two events of the Reunion, we went by the old 2307 Gramercy homestead to ensure it was still in existence, and not looming as large in life as in memory.

Post-reunion we made two family related visits. On Sunday afternoon we went to the Nottingham area, Kellywood Lane in Houston, to visit with Eric and Kristen and 3-year old David. This is a beautiful residence in a beautiful residential area, and we enjoyed meeting David: he’s cute and bright-eyed, and actually behaved better in the restaurant than we did! (see photos). We went to Escalante’s for Mexican food – next time we may try Nirvana for Indian food… well, maybe not Bonnie!

Eric’s job with Decision Strategies Inc keeps him busy as he is ‘farmed out’ to Energy companies for his decision analysis skills – he is a methodologist in this area, as opposed to an oil and gas specialist, so his role is special. Kristen has begun working again, part time – not the job she wants or is challenged by, but conveniently located right across the street from David’s pre-school, and it gives her 20 hours a week.

On Monday morning, we checked out of our Hilton Garden Inn Galleria (Reunion hotel) and headed Southwest on 59 to Sugar Land. There we received a good/not so good surprise: Sarah Grace was there with Anne and Andy – great as we had expected that she would be in school/not so great as she was home because she was feeling punk. Sarah Grace was still gracious however, so we did get a few photos of her, before we took Andy out to lunch at Salt Grass Steakhouse (and send home a cheeseburger for Anne who had stayed home with her 3-year old patient.)

Andy commutes about 15-20 minutes each Tuesday and Thursday to teach his 15 hours (5 three-hour classes!) in biblical studies at the College of Biblical Studies. (Note: one of the reasons CBS was so eager to hire Andy was to strengthen their accreditation efforts - this has recently been successful! Yea, Andy!) Andy also travels to different locales for churches that want him to come talk at their venue. For several years, Andy and Anne have talked about creating a text book for Andy. We also talked about creating a web site for a non-profit that the team is building. So much to do!

Summary: much energy in Houston! Great visits! We need to return before our next 50th Reunion!

Ranch Roundup

2009-07-19T21:52:00.000-07:00

Ranch Roundup

Every decade or so, the family gets together for a Reunion of sorts. This July we had a great visit to Alma New Mexico.

Billy loaned us his Polaris Ranger – plenty good for running around between ranches however not for long distance or high speeds. We made it down to Hugh B’s (about 2 miles) fairly easily on Friday night for the hot dogs and hamburger cook-out. Hugh B and the grandkids were already in swimming. What a place for a reunion for all ages: swimming, horse shoes, tennis court, horses, and they even had El Fuego for a photo op – who is willing to climb up on El Fuego?

At the end of the evening, there were fireworks – Bonnie kept saying, “We don’t want to ride home on the highway after dark, do we?” Well, there is a back route – don’t have to go on the highway, just follow the old County road around the back between the two Alma areas. So off we went – there was actually a little light when we started – Rusty had said “stay to the left” and apparently I took that way too seriously – I took the first left, ended up on the levee, and after about a mile we were thoroughly lost … no road, no way out, headlights tht showed about 10 feet ahead – and Bonnie worred about snakes. I had to get out and walk around looking for the road and while I was gone, Bonnie started looking for what we had to save us – all she found was two lollipops and a flashlight with no batteries. Bonnie was wondering if she could make it through to daylight by eating just one of the lollipops – but then was worried that one of the bears would smell the candy and we'd be goners ...

Well, Rusty saw our headlights in the wrong area - we weren't supposed to be along the levee - and came out and rescued us. Bonnie said, "I've got a new boyfriend!" However, she kept calling him "Dusty" so I think that won't last.

Then the next day was the Tractor Pull. If you haven't attended a Tractor Pull, you haven't lived! Well ... maybe you've lived, but you haven't seen it all. Now we have.

What a great Ranch Roundup! We need to do this more often!

More Photos

See my Facebook page here for more photos of the Ranch Roundup as selected from Suzanne's collection on Picasa.com

Doo Doo Doo Lookin' Out My Back Door

2009-06-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

Just got home from Illinois - Lock the front door oh boy!
Got to sit down take a rest on the porch.
Imagination sets in pretty soon I'm singin'
[CHORUS:]
Doo doo doo Lookin' out my back door.

There's a giant doing cartwheels a statue wearin' high heels.
Look at all the happy creatures dancing on the lawn.
A dinosaur Victrola list'ning to Buck Owens.
CHORUS

Tambourines and elephants are playing in the band.
Won't you take a ride on the flyin' spoon?
Doo, doo doo.
Wond'rous apparition provided by magician.
CHORUS
Tambourines and elephants are playing in the band.
Won't you take a ride on the flyin' spoon?
Doo, doo doo.
Bother me tomorrow, today, I'll buy no sorrows.
CHORUS

A Day At The Races

2009-05-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

"Legends" are 80 mph, precisely-responding, sophisticated racing machines. Conceived about 10 years ago, they are designed from the ground up like a NASCAR Cup car, with coil-over shocks, weightjackers and tube-frame steel construction covered with fiberglass bodies resembling the original "legendary" NASCAR stock cars of the 30s and 40s. They are powered by four-cylinder, 1250 cc, 125 hp Yamaha air-cooled engines with 5-speed sequential transmissions. And personalized with slick-looking professional paint jobs.

The 2009 Oval Schedule is in full swing at Sandia Motor Speedway, New Mexico's premier racing facility. Bonnie and Mike were provided a Pit Pass by Katy on Saturday 9 May and were witness to "The Miracle of Duct Tape." The 10-lap heat started well for the Legends however in the back stretch it was Cardenas on Cardenas as Car #7 (Matthew) spun out while trying to pass and Car #23 (Tony Jr.) ran up over him.

Then it was truly a race against time as Tony Sr. and crew attempted to put Car #7 back into racing condition in time for the 25-lap main event. Many hands working with many tools (and significant duct tape) helping made it happen and Matthew was out racing again - and spun out again - but finished in good shape. An excellent adventure all around!

Jiking the Jemez

2009-02-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

Bonnie planned a wonderful Valentine's surprise for me - a ride into the country to parts unknown (to me). Unfortunately, or rather, as it happened, we had an early Valentine's Dinner at Cervantes where we split a Silver Margarita. We were both wiped out after that, so the trip was postponed until Sunday 15 February.

Wonderful adventure, any of you readers can repeat it: Head toward Bernalillo and take Route 4 West. Then look for 485, and take it about two miles into the Jemez Recreational Area of the Santa Fe National Forest. The last three miles (through the tunnels) are on 367.

What great photos! The originals are of course larger and thus more spectacular. Perhaps we should make this "from our house to yours" for 2009?

Sally

2009-01-29T16:18:00.000-08:00

We are conducting the ultimate family business - Bonnie's mother Sally died last week and the services are tomorrow. Sally was quite a woman, a mother, a grandmother, great- and great-great. Sharp mind for 94 years and fortunately no real suffering at the transition. I only got to know her for these last two years however I felt a bond and a welcoming - even though we tried to team up on Bonnie in a spirited game of Boggle we still could not defeat her. Which brings me to the Second Reading.

Beth will deliver the Second Reading at the services, and even for a true atheist, these words have meaning and feeling and move me:

"For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Originally Bonnie came out after her mother had been admitted to the hospital to assist her sister in bedside vigils. Eventually she returned home, then returned with me via automobile. The feeling was surrealistic in that Sally was at home on hospice in a hospital bed in the living room while visitors came and went, talked and enjoyed each other's company, meals were eaten, drinks were consumed.

I certainly would never make light of Bonnie's loss, yet she was fortunate to have her mother so far into her own life. I for example lost my mother at my age of 29, when my mother was 64. Hardly a week goes by when I wish I had the opportunity to talk with her again, to ask her questions. Thus perhaps the popularity of Mitch Albom's third book, "For One More Day."

I will truly miss Sally. Bonnie usually called her each day (Sally told each of her daughters that the other two were calling daily!) and sometimes the phone was turned over to me. We had taken her down to San Clemente, and the photo is one I look at and enjoy from those times. She was indeed an inspirational lady.

Tax Preparation Software

2009-01-10T06:10:00.000-08:00

In the "olden days" (i.e., mid 1980s, during Lotus 1-2-3 Era but before Turbo Tax), before the Gentleman Pensioner was a pensioner, each year I would painstakingly create all the Federal Income Tax forms in Lotus. I had them connected, so the data would pass from one form to the next, just as the instructions would indicate. Then the following year, I would have to take each form and update it for the changes the IRS had made for that year. This took several hours of update, however I thought it was worth it. Of course, I could not send in 'my' forms, but I would print them out and use them to enter the 'final version' of my submitted taxes.

Then I found Personal Tax Edge, and said: hey, that $9.99 is worth the amount of time I'm putting into this each year. For several (about five) years, I used Personal Tax Edge. Ultimately, of course, Turbo Tax bought out PTE - and gave me one free year of Turbo Tax for my being a loyal Personal Tax Edge customer. That year convinced me that Turbo Tax was no better than Tax Cut, the only (I thought) competitor on the market.

For Tax Year 2007 (last year), here was the deal, as validated on 17 Jan 2008: TaxCut now had its cheapest version (was called basic, now called Premium Federal) for $19.95 (boo!); the next step up, (also called Premium Federal plus State filing plus e-filing) for $39.95. I don't know where TurboTax cost is at this time, however I have confirmed that even if one downloads TaxCut Premium Federal only from the TaxCut.com web site, the biscuits still charge you $19.95! On 17 Jan 2008 I was able to purchase at CompUSA for "going out of business" discount of $4 which made it $17.01 after tax (yes, gross receipts tax, no pun here). For Tax Year 2006, I couldn’t find Tax Cut for less than $18.95 !!! (and that was at BX). Most of them were at the list $19.95 even for the Basic package. For Tax Year 2007, I looked into downloading the Tax Cut from their web site – still costs the same, and as mentioned several times in here, I never have used the CD after the initial installation – and once you do that installation, it says, “let’s go check the web site for latest changes” so you have no choice but to use Internet version download anyway – so start with it.

Then a month ago, on Dec 15 of 2008, Tax Cut sent me a CD which is nothing but a forced download of the Premium Federal for $34.95 (prepare plus e-file; state is more, that should kick it up to $39.95). I don't want that crap. I want the "basic" [prepare only] so I was thinking where can I get a price break? may need to go back to BX or Comp USA... but they all seem to be in lockstep on price ...

Because of the cost of both Tax Cut (and Turbo Tax), I looked around and was amazed to find TaxACT (which apparently has been around for 10 years!). TaxACT (created by Second Story Software) has a better price: FREE (Standard version) software and FREE e-file! The ~13MB install program is downloaded from their web site. (you can also file on-line, however for me download is the only way to go.) The [free] Standard version is limited in that you can only create one tax return and cannot import data from previous years.

I am currently trying TaxACT and evaluating it as I go - my initial reaction is: so far it looks quite good. I can already see ways that it is better than Tax Cut, e.g., in the Forms view which is my primary entry method. Tax Cut just shows you the list of forms, e.g., 1099-Div and says you have, say, six copies. TaxACT lists the six copies and shows the Payer for each. Also I found I can copy from Tax Cut (once I open the form) and paste the identifying info into TaxACT. ( Deluxe version allows you to bring in all info from LAST YEAR's TaxACT but since this is my first year ... ) Deluxe costs $13 and also gives you access to Lassiter tax law explanations as well as allows you to save forms as PDF documents so you don't have to keep the software version around for five years or whatever.

Her e is an excellent comparison/review of the top ten tax preparation (online) software packages - I had no idea that there were more than two candidates until this year! Some of these offer purely on-line versions, and I prefer the desktop version for feelings of privacy and control. The comparison ranks Turbo Tax #1, TaxACT #2, and Tax Cut #3. I would appreciate your comments (if you wish email to me Mike@Blackledge.com and I will post your comments below) - have you heard of TaxACT? Used it?

Elf in a Bag

2008-12-27T18:03:00.000-08:00

GL and The SF had decided to run away for Christmas - yet to whence dost we goest? Argentina had been in the running, however it turned out that Christmas can be quite hot and humid in that part of the world. The conundrum was solved when Barbara and Ron invited us to Springfield for the Holidays. Our situation became even better when it turned out that Ron was a college bowl football fan (see "Everybody Loves Raymond" episode at Amy and Robert's house with no television at Thanksgiving dinner.)

Traditions past, present, and a touch surreal began with the building of the Gingerbread House. We began with a three-generation sojourn through the Springfield Wildlife Preserve, locating a very cooperative Great Blue Heron and several interested white-tail deer. On Christmas Eve, the Blessing of the creche ("Holy Water is not magic, just sacred") at St. John's Episcopal became a family affair with both kids chosen to participate. Then when Father Williams released the elf from the garbage bag, it was a mind-altering encounter for many of us. Apparently elves have no particular gender. We learned more than we had ever realized about the relationship betwixt angels, elves, Santa Claus and God's helpers.

Christmas morning had us out on the lookout for Children's Advil and we arrived on the home front just in time for the opening of the presents. So what do you give a geologist? Answer is here.

The Day After we were on the road again, heading up to Saddlebred Country to visit with Jan and Don, including a trip to our new favorite steak house, The Longhorn. The next day Bonnie visited the H.S. Truman Library as well as the Truman Home after dropping Mike at the Mid West Genealogy Center - it don't get any better than this.

Summary: There was much to do in Missouri, even without visiting Branson. Every day was an adventure - the weather was cold (one morning we woke up to 4, yes, 4 degrees) however the roads were clear and sunny. Let's run away every Christmas!

Let There Be Lamp

2008-12-13T10:20:00.000-08:00

Prior to Thanksgiving, some extensive furniture acquisitions and moving and the transfer of electron transmissions from Comcast to the Qwest-DIRECTV partnership within the ol' homestead produced a flurry of comments by the extended family of the GP. Yes, they all loved the Media Room - however what was that we still see in the Conversation Pit? What was the bad-looking lamp with the too-long lampshade doing in there? Brother Pete had discovered a fowl underpinning to the entire event (see photo at left). Even Brother Jerry from Perkasie was appalled - what are we going to do about that #*%@ lamp?

Fear not, brave family - unbeknownst to you, the Magnifique Marmot (Ms Bonnie) had been out shopping for months and yesterday she hit the jackpot at Tuesday Morning, one of her favorite stores. The lamps she has been tracking for months were on sale - take a look at this in situ photo - these are $225 MSRP lamps, and Bonnie got them for a song - following a little negotiations - would you believe less that $40 each? Wow! Is this woman a shopper or what?

We are both very happy with them as they preserve and enhance the masculinity of the GP's conversation pit. The lamp-lighting occurred just in time for this month's Last Thursday Book Club meeting - I can't wait to see what the guys say!

In truth, this lamp switch out was in the works for some time. Meanwhile we thank all of you for your comments and continuing interest.

For our Christmas-Holiday image, we offer a semi-traditional Southwestern crèche - from the Elena collection.

Happy Holidays to all.

Senate Bill 3683

2008-11-18T07:36:00.000-08:00

Senate Bill 3683

I am deeply concerned that Congress completely abdicated its responsibility by signing a truly blank check over to the Treasury Secretary. This past week, Treasury Secretary Paulson deepened that concern by announcing that he has completed a remarkable about -face (summarized elsewhere, e.g. by the November 13th Investor's Business Daily front page headline as linked here: In Major Reversal, Treasury Won't Buy Bad Mortgage Debt). Treasury should have formulated a comprehensive plan earlier in the crisis.

However, the lame duck session of Congress offers us a tremendous opportunity to change course. We should take it. On Monday, November 17, 2008, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced legislation to amend Section 115 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) to require an affirmative vote on the part of Congress to approve Treasury's plan for the remaining $350 billion and require a freeze on any remaining funds of the first $350 billion, stating, "It is imperative that we not allow that amount of money to be added to a deficit approaching $1 trillion this year without any input from the legislative branch."

Sen. Inhofe provides the text of his rationale at Inhofe.senate.gov - his legislation, Senate Bill 3683, may be our best opportunity to change course. When 70 Senators voted for the EESA I realize they did so in good conscience but with some reservations - Congress should have oversight over the Secretary's actions. Please now encourage your senators to vote to place some congressional control over knowing and approving how any additional monies would be spent under the EESA bailout.

Straight-Talk Motorcade Redux

2008-11-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Straight-Talk Motorcade Redux

Less than two weeks until the election, and on Wednesday [22 Oct 2008] I receive a phone call from someone I didn't know: "Hello, I'm Jim Gibbons with the McCain Campaign, and I got your name from Marta as someone who would be willing to be a driver for the McCain motorcade." Well, I had done this once before ... OK, when would this be? "Well, I have two days we need to cover: this Friday from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and Saturday from 6:30 am to 3 pm. I think there may be early releases on both of those." Hmmmm. On Friday evening, I planned to take Bonnie and go to the Lady Lobos scrimmage at the Pit. "Put me down for Saturday morning." "OK, meet us at the Marriott Pyramid at 7 am on Saturday - do you know where the Marriott Pyramid is?" I kinda did, and as a driver I didn't want to give away my directional ineptitude. "Sure."

At swimming on Friday, Barry Howard told me he had been given the opportunity to drive this weekend and told them to allow a younger guy to get the photo op. Getting to the Marriott at 7 am means leaving the house by 6:30 am which means getting up on Saturday at 5:30 am. It was cold Saturday morning. I arrived at the Marriott at 7, and was glad to see Hoppy Hopkins, as all the other drivers had participated in the previous evening's drive from Cutter Aviation to the Marriott. Thus I was the only new face for everyone else this morning. Hoppy was wearing a light-colored sports coat, I was dressed all in black - however we both had our McCain pins.

Chris Livingston told me that there was a room down around the corner with food and coffee set up, and eventually we all went down there. However, I did not feel like eating at this early time. Hoppy said he needed to eat a muffin to help absorb his coffee. Jim seemed to have this motorcade better organized that the previous - for example, there was an actual Information Sheet for Drivers with all of our names and cell phones (OK, everyone except me had a cell phone), and some tips:

Things to keep in mind when a driver for the campaign:

Stay with the vehicle! Because of security, it is important that our drivers stay with the vehicles unless told otherwise. If you are planning to step away for whatever reason, inform Secret Service and or campaign staff.
Don’t lock yourself out of the vehicle! PLEASE, do not do this. Keep the driver’s window open, unlock all the doors, don’t close the door, etc. Make sure you are never locked out of the vehicle.
Obey traffic laws. Staying on schedule is important. However, not at the risk of breaking the law or causing an accident. So follow all traffic laws when not in the motorcade. We are not running red lights, not tailgating, or taking undue risk.

Driving a 15 passenger van IS NOT like driving a car! Full size vans are longer and heavier. SO, give yourself more space when breaking and take your turns a wider. Always remember, your passengers are not as secure in a van as in a Keep your passengers’ well being in mind at all times.
Pay attention! Motorcades are dangerous. Pay attention to not only the vehicle in front of you, but two or more vehicles in front of you. You are welcome to use your camera, but not while the motorcade is moving.
Utilize the staff or passengers to communicate! Feel free to ask the staffer in your vehicle or a passenger to make phone calls to relay important information or to answer your phone if you’re concentrating on the road.

Have your phone charger! A dead cell phone is useless. Cell phones are used extensively. A dead cell phone will cause havoc, if we can’t reach you or you can’t reach us.
Have something to drink and read! You may want to make sure you have a bottle of water or something to drink, a snack, as well as something to read. There could easily be extended periods of down time, so having something to pass time helps.
Dress attire is business to business casual. Most campaign staff will be wearing suits. However, dress the way you feel most comfortable, yet professional, since you will be in a car most of the day.

This time, I drive PRESS 2. Always interesting to hear the conversations. In this case, the AFP correspondent was told that at the White House they are referred to as "A F'ng P." And the Getty Images rep was complaining that he (and others) was asked to get off the Straight Talk Express campaign plane for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in order to make room for other staffers who had been working the campaign continually but not riding on the plane. He could follow the campaign from commercial air, and he dreaded getting back into that hassle. The other press pool folks were discussing ordering special T-shirts that would read "Joe The News Photographer," etc.

We drove from the Marriott, finally leaving about 9:45 am, to Expo New Mexico (the facility previously known as the New Mexico State Fair). The talk was outside, and had been 'warmed up' with local politicians for about an hour before we got there. Lindsey Graham introduced the Senator, and this time we could hear some of the remarks as we turned the motorcade around and waited behind the Expo buildings. We were taken into the area to be ready for our group photo shot, and could peer through the black cloth curtains to see the crowd and Senator and Mrs. McCain. Again, a fun experience.

We won't see our photo op result until a couple of weeks after the election. As seen in the drivers-only photo, we ended up dressing every way from blue jeans to suits. Well, I dressed comfortably: no suit, no tie - and at least I didn't lock myself out of my van. Mission accomplished.

Barbarians at the Gate

2008-10-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

Barbarians at the Gate

Tom: earlier this month, you replied to my concerns about “spread the wealth around” with your opinion given as follows:

In my oh so humble opinion, we definitely need a serious
redistribution of wealth. We've seen the number of people in the
middle class decrease while the poor have increased and more and more wealth is concentrated among a few very rich. This is exactly the phenomenon that spelled doom for the Romans. Wealth becomes more and more concentrated in a few hands at the expense of the masses. If McCain wins and more and more people are poor and without health care, etc., violence will increase, public schools will go down the tubes, the American dream will vanish, and hello revolution and civil war.

Is that what rich fat cats who bank roll the McCain lies about Obama want? Come on! Ties to terrorists? He's a Muslim because of his middle name? How stupid are we? If we don't change course soon, this country is headed for a revolution that's going to be ugly for us all.

I want to provide a response. I know it would be better in a dialogue or discourse, however let me at least give a few of my reactions.

Redistribution of wealth equates to socialism. And yes, we have some of that now: we pay a negative income tax to people at the bottom, and we heavily tax those at the top of the income ladder. We have numerous welfare programs. You want more distribution of wealth? Tell me where socialism has worked – one can certainly point to places where capitalism has even overcome communism – Russia and China are two huge examples.

The overall theme of your response appears to be that if we allow more poor people to exist, then we are asking for revolution. “Poor” is such a subjective term, however I would interpret this to mean folks who don’t have (or have considerable trouble with obtaining) the basic needs of food and shelter. Do you think that just giving money to people gets them out of this “poor” category? Only if the money is given forever, throughout their lives. That is a welfare state, and to some degree, we have that in this country now. Have you seen any of the statistics that after the welfare rolls were purged during the Reagan administration that people actually went out and got jobs? That’s how people can stop “being” poor, not by waiting around for their government handouts during what should be their productive years.

I would not agree that increase of poor, and wealth at the top, was what spelled doom for the Romans. I would argue that it was, if you want to put a word on it, apathy – apathy coupled with, or even brought on by, the excesses of the welfare state. Here’s what Wikipedia.com says:

The historian Vegetius theorized, and has recently been supported by the historian Arthur Ferrill, that the Roman Empire – particularly the military – declined partially as a result of an influx of Germanic mercenaries into the ranks of the legions. This "Germanization" and the resultant cultural dilution or "barbarization", led to lethargy, complacency and loyalty to the Roman commanders, instead of the Roman government, among the legions and a surge in decadence amongst Roman citizenry.

To me, a better example of poor causing a revolution is the example of the French Revolution of 1789, however there the "rich" were indeed the ruling class and the "poor" had no say in their government.

Perhaps you would argue that wealth causes decadence. I can point to numerous cases of wealthy people working hard – some are even Democrats! However, there is a more important point here. Your response appears to imply that people are poor or middle class or rich essentially throughout their lives, and that those are their permanent classes (thus the concern of Republicans that Obama is encouraging this ‘class warfare.’) However, if you think about it, you will see that (for examples) your in-laws the Elders, and the Genonis, and the Ganongs, and the Blackledges all started as “poor” – we were all making about $220 a month, and we all had just about enough to get by on as we had babies and young careers. You state that if McCain were elected, the American dream will vanish – well, we all lived that American Dream. We all worked hard and improved our status a little each year as we rose through the ranks of the military and then into the military-industrial complex, and voila! We became RICH! (at least by Obama’s yardstick). This IS the American Dream!

What we did then can still be done today: moving from poor to rich by applying oneself: working your way through college as Paul did at Montana State, or applying for an appointment to a service academy as Tom and Gary and I did. Giving money to poor people, or furthering the welfare state, is very much in opposition to what the American Dream is all about. Giving people 110% mortgage loans with no money down and no proof of the ability to repay the loan may be the dream of some liberal Democrats but it is not the American Dream. It is a blueprint for the Fall of the America-We-Know-And-Love.

It appears at this juncture that you will get your dream, in that Barack Obama will indeed be the 44^th President of our United States. I know he is articulate, I accept he is intelligent, I concede that he has displayed superior political attributes to include excellent organizational skills. I sincerely hope he surrounds himself with good advisers and governs wisely – wisely in encouraging what facilitates the American Dream, not what undermines it with handouts under the guise of "economic justice."

Thanks for your consideration. Please provide your response by clicking on "comments" below.

The Birthday Party

2008-10-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Birthday Party

The ever elusive and often mysterious Bonnie was up to something as 10 October grew ever closer. Others seemed to know that change was in the air. As it turned out, the invitation said it all, but of course I was not allowed to see the invitation in advance:

When I showed up at Bonnie's house on the evening of 10 October, there were signs that something was underway.

Yes, guests kept arriving - Barry Howard, Ron and Claudia Weber, Tom and Sheila Genoni, Pam and Ron Walters, and then the families of the grandkids: Beth and Ron with Garrett and Mollie, David and Tricia with Charlene and Ian. It soon became a full house, and one of political intrigue and insight.

My campaign manager had the Soup Kitchen in great shape, with three choices of healthy soup, including Sheila's contribution of green chili corn chowder - plus delicious sourdough bread.

As it turned out, the Presidential Trivia questions proved too difficult except for Pam and Tricia, the only Democrats in the crowd. I understand the readers of this blog are sharp and thus I offer the trivia questions for you, interspersed with photos from the gathering. Please leave your comments at the end of this article.

Great party, Bonnie!

U.S. Presidential Trivia
1. Who was the only president to be elected unanimously by the Electoral College?

A: George Washington

2. A New Hampshire delegate to the Electoral College wanted to preserve George Washington's legacy, and thus another president received every vote from the Electoral College save one - who was the President who almost tied George Washington's record?

A: James Monroe, the 5th President (1817-1825)

3. In the 2000 Election, George W. Bush lost the popular vote to Al Gore, yet won the Electoral College. Three other presidents share this distinction of attaining the highest office in the land without the backing of the majority of the voters. Who are these three presidents?

A: John Quincy Adams, Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881), Benjamin Harrison

4. Who was the first president to attend a Major League Baseball game?

A: Benjamin Harrison, on 6-6-1892, and the game went into extra innings. He found it boring and never came back.

5. Who was the first president to throw out the season opening pitch?

A: William Howard Taft, 4-14-1910. Extra credit: What baseball player did he throw it to: Walter Johnson

"The first time I faced him (Walter Johnson) I watched him take that easy windup and then something went past me that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger. We couldn't touch him....every one of us knew we'd met the most powerful arm ever turned loose in a ball park." - Ty Cobb
6. Only one president since Taft has not thrown out a season opening pitch - who was that?

A: Jimmy Carter

7. Who was the first president to successfully throw the ball from the pitcher's mound all the way to the catcher?

A: Bill Clinton - and surprisingly, Monica Lewinsky caught it for him.

8. Who was the first left-handed president to throw out the first pitch?

A: Harry S. Truman (4-15-1946)

9. Much has been said about Barack Obama's middle name. What two men had already deleted their first names by the time they became president:

Answer: Stephen Grover Cleveland and John Calvin Coolidge

11. What president was often heard singing "Daddy's Home" while in the White House shower?

A: Ulysses S. Grant

12. Who was the first president to attend a NASCAR race?

A: None - every president has refused to attend since NASCAR started in 1955. OK, Ronald Reagan, July 4, 1984.

13. What president had only a letter for his middle name?

A: Harry S. Truman - named for both of his grandfathers.

14. In 1812, George Clinton died in office, causing what first in American History?

A: For the first time, the country was without a Vice President. No one noticed for 3 years.

15. You probably know the tallest US President (Abraham Lincoln, 6'4"). Who was the shortest president?
A: James Madison (5'4" and less than 100 pounds) He was never photographed during his life wearing a tank helmet.
16. Grover Cleveland paid someone $150 so he, Cleveland, could take care of his mother and sisters. For what?

A: He was drafted in the Civil War but paid for a substitute to take his place.

17. William Henry Harrison (the ninth president) made the longest U.S. inaugural speech on record, March 4, 1841. What happened exactly one month later to the day?

A: He died from pneumonia - he had made the speech in the snow.

18. Next: John Tyler, our 10th President, accomplished this rather amazing feat when he was in his 70s. What was it?

A: He fathered his 15th child. He was sometimes called "his Accidency" because of the "devolved" duties. Interesting that one of Tyler's children died in 1847, the last in 1947.

19. William Howard Taft weighed over 300 lbs. What fixture in the White House did he have workmen replace?

A: The bathtub, after he had become stuck. The new one could hold four full sized men - not that there is anything wrong with that -

Only Pam, Tricia, and Barry Howard were awarded a prize for their trivia knowledge. However, a good time was had by all, as seen in the following.

And at least Claudia and Ron demonstrated the proper respect for the Birthday Boy with their card:

However other cards were fun as well:

Finally, we offer a few unedited selected photos of guests having way too much fun:

The Straight Talk Motorcade

2008-10-06T17:39:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 06, 2008: During the second half of Saturday’s Navy – Air Force football game at the Fox and Hound sports Bar, Barry Howard had requested that I be one of the eight drivers for the McCain Campaign coming to Albuquerque on Monday afternoon. I can’t say “No!” to Barry, one of John McCain’s class of 1958 classmates, and a former Air Force Fighter Pilot. [Two days earlier, I had stood with Barry at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial as former Marines and Jon Voight along with City Councilman Don Harris performed the ground-breaking of the War on Terror Memorial.] When I told Bonnie about this, she implied that with my driving ability, she wished I were driving the Obama staff. A lot of confidence in my driving abilities.

Nevertheless on Monday morning, I dragged myself out of bed and headed off to Cutter Aviation. There I was met by Barry and his three other recruits (Jim Monsees, Hoppy Hopkins '59, Dick Porter), plus Chris Livingston from ABQ McCain Hqs and his recruit Howard DeLaCruz-Bancroft. Barry ensured that each driver had a McCain-Palin button. At 9:30 am, we were told to drive our cars over to the Van rental company and after more than an hour of obviously biased paperwork, we each found ourselves driving off in a white, ten passenger Chevrolet van.

We arrived back at Cutter Aviation and were soon let out to drive across the tarmac and back in, awaiting the arrival of the Straight Talk Express. But first, each hood was opened and bomb-sniffing dog was led by each van, followed by members of the APD bomb squad who used flashlights to look underneath and throughout the vans. Then we were given a name for each van: PRESS 1 or STAFF 3. I was designated to be STAFF 2, a very important van, for if anything were to happen to STAFF 1, guess who would have to step up. Barry became PRESS 1, which I guess is important if you like Katie Couric.

Tony of New Mexico's Secret Service office gave me an A-7 pin to wear. Apparently S-pins can escort people, and R-pins can be trusted as well. A-pins are, well, at least part of the entourage. Barry didn't get a pin at all, and we heard about that for most of the day.

At 12:44 pm, the Straight Talk Express [see photo] arrived at Cutter Aviation, and immediately many, many folks started pouring out of the back door and down the gangway. Two young ladies piled into my van, with a quick “Hello!” to me. “Welcome to Albuquerque!” I responded. Soon Three young men joined them, including one in the front passenger seat. I asked them if they had previously been assigned or just filled up whatever van. They said they had found that STAFF 2 was usually not full, so that was their choice.

After Sen. McCain made a short statement, we vans pulled up close to the aircraft, the rest of the people filed in, and away we went. I had never participated in a motorcade before, and found it quite exhilarating to fly through stop signs, red and green lights without regard, as the Albuquerque Police Department managed to set up blocks at each intersection. Then the police would have to leapfrog up to the next intersection, so they would go roaring by us vans. Thus we were told to always keep to the right, as the cycles would pass on the left, and during a not-so-long ago Bush motorcade, one of the police officers was killed.

Off we went to University of New Mexico, taking Rio Bravo entry to Interstate 25, which was also blocked – amazing feeling to have the Interstate to yourself and a few close vans. Exited at Lomas, then right on University, left on Central and into the campus, down the ramp to the loading dock behind the Student Union (SUB) bldg. The candidate and his wife got out of their Suburban and into the facility; the vans quickly unloaded and all the occupants scampered off with their cameras and laptops. That left us van drivers sitting and awaiting the order to re-position our vans for the exit. This was done with precision, as we moved into the area, and backed into position.

We awaited the opportunity to enter the bldg and here some of the talk, but it never came. What did come was a photo-op with Cindy and the Senator as a thank you to all of us – great! When I shook hands with the Senator, I used my 3 seconds to say, "Hi, I'm Mike Blackledge, Class of '63" to which he replied, "Oh, I saw Navy beat Air Force in football Saturday!" "Yes, a great game!" I agreed.

An exciting time, then we loaded back into the vans, and back to Cutter Aviation, again with the police escorts and motorcade/intersection blocking procedure. Again worked most smoothly. All loaded onto the Straight Talk Express, and we took a few photos of the plane.

We headed back to the van rental facility, turned in our vehicles and our keys, and shook hands all around – a good days’ work? So it was, and we each got into our vehicles and headed home. It was 3 pm and I first had to borrow Chris’ cell phone/Blackberry and call Bonnie and ask her to meet me at Golden Corral (Eubank and Central) for the Early Bird Buffet so I could tell her how I not only survived this adventure, but succeeded in not killing off a single McCain staffer. Every vote counts!

That night Bonnie and I watched the local and national news. They seemed to focus on Senator and Mrs. McCain. The van drivers were not featured. No, I have no explanation.

Montana Travels July 2008

2008-09-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

Travels To Montana with Bonnie and Mike

Day 0: (Friday, 25 July 2008) Albuquerque: Bonnie works all day and into the night de-winterizing and preparing the RV: getting it washed, filling the water tanks, stocking food and drink, packing clothes and the necessities of life to take with us: laptop, GPS, cell phone, Golden Age Passport, medications, swimsuits, ice, DVDs, books on CDs, Sudoku and RV books, maps and the jodeling marmot (don't ask).

[photo centered below] Young Marmot in Shady Acres

Day 1: (Saturday, 26 July 2008) Albuquerque to Green River, Utah
On the road by 10 am, about nine hrs total; 446 miles; route is scenic from ABQ N on Tramway to I-25, take turnoff to Cuba, then to Bloomfield, NM, toward Monticello and Moab and Price, UT. We stayed at Shady Acres Campground in Green River and Bonnie prepared chicken alfredo and salad for dinner, then we went for a walk.

[photo below] Reflections on Jackson Lake Lodge

photo below: This is the life! Bonnie, breakfast, beauty.

Day 2: (Sunday, 27 July 2008) Green River, Utah to Grand Teton Nat'l Park, WY
On the road about eight hours, 430 miles. From just south of Salt Lake City, we head NE to Jackson, WY, a town which is quaint like Pagosa Springs but chock full of RVs and pedestrians. Seeing no reason to stop, we continue north into Grand Teton park, flash our Golden Age Passport and are waved into the park and some gorgeous scenery. We see a scraggly and grizzled bison who trudges along the same road we drove. Bonnie calls ahead and we stay at Grand Teton Park RV Resort, 6 mi east of Moran (WY) Junction on US Hiway 26. Again dinner in the RV and an evening walk in the gorgeous shadow of the Grand Tetons; a talkative lady who lives there long-term tells us how her husband, a geo-thermal engineer, is always the first to arrive at any job site and the last to leave – could it be because she talks so much?

Day 3: (Monday, 28 July 2008) Grand Teton Nat'l Park to West Yellowstone, WY
We sleep in and about 10 am head East back into the Grand Teton Park. A deer leaps out in front of the RV, but fortunately was well ahead of us. We almost saw a moose (according to some ladies who were whispering and looked aghast at us for talking in ‘regular’ voices to some other tourists, from NJ) but we were too noisy. We stopped at Jackson Lake Lodge, went into the lobby and out onto the deck to enjoy the views of herds of elk in the distance. We take pictures, and continue further to have our breakfast/lunch by the side of beautiful Jackson Lake with a few swimmers and many available picnic tables. Mike discovers the fun of RVing and having it all with you. We drive directly into Yellowstone from the Grand Tetons and again flash our Golden Age Passport for entry – we didn’t realize the two parks were contiguous! We drive around the lower loop toward Old Faithful and call Paul Elder on the cell phone from the Lodge parking area to tell him we’ll take another day in Yellowstone.

We hang up and head for the geyser area – it is 4:10 pm and we ask two waiting ladies when it is scheduled to go off. “Our guide said 4:15.” Wow! With a 90 minute interval, timing is everything! We stand in the shade with them and watch the geyser erupt, slowly, then more and more, well over 100 feet into the air, about 100 yards away from us. As Paul says, a Life Experience! Then we walk around the boardwalk of the geyser area, see some other activity and end up at Old Faithful Lodge where Bonnie purchases the trilogy of Yellowstone, which includes the Fires of August 1988 and Yellowstone in Winter – great videos!

Heading on around the loop we stop at the Lower Geyser Basin to marvel at the amazing colors of the geothermal springs. We learn the color is actually that of micro-organisms that thrive within the 200 degree water - Darwin was a genius! We stay the night at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park, a truly impressive large-scale operation: 191 slot park with drive-in check-in lanes like returning a rental car. We walk into town and have dinner at the Oregon Short Line Restaurant, which has authentic railroad tracks stopping at the restaurant wall where inside we walk through actual 1905 era railroad cars showing the decor and dining of the age.

below: Mike, Lynne, Paul Elder at Bozeman lake.

Day 4 (Tuesday, 29 July 2008) West Yellowstone, WY to Bozeman, MT
We drive back into the park and head around the East side of the North loop. Bonnie finds a great place to stop for our brunch along the side of a stream where she dips her feet and notes two furry brown varmints (perhaps marmots? No yodels heard) frolicking on the far side. We take our time then head around the loop and out the north entrance of the Park toward Bozeman, MT and friends Paul & Lynne Elder, arriving about 4 pm. P&L met and married at the Air Force Academy ~ 1970 when Mike and Paul taught in the Math Dept. Paul was born and raised in Bozeman where his Dad headed up Facilities for Montana State Univ. They built their dream house on a lot they owned throughout their 25+ years in Albuquerque and we stayed upstairs in their 2nd master bedroom that Helen had always “insisted” they build for us! Each day Paul and Lynne walk 3.8 miles around their neighborhood and this evening we join them for the short track (0.8 miles) after a wonderful dinner by Lynne.

Day 5 (Wednesday, 30 July 2008) Bozeman, MT with Paul & Lynne Elder.
We head out to a lake about nine miles from Elders' home, then take the scenic tour of Bozeman, seeing where Paul was raised and went to schools. We went to CostCo (apparently Montana is not that remote) and bought Huckleberry Jam – we had learned at the Oregon Short Line that one cannot have a menu in Montana without some huckleberry entrée. We end the day at the Naked Noodle, a great pasta place where we choose the type and topping to create a fun meal. Then over to the Pickle Barrel right across the street from the campus for the big $2 ice cream bowl [4 scoops]. In keeping with the locale, Bonnie selects Moose Tracks, I choose Chocolate Runs Through It (chocolate ice cream with pure rivers of dark chocolate). We sleep the sleep of satiated sinners.

[photo below] At The Docks: Gary Simonsic, Bonnie, Susan, Mike
Day 6: (Thursday, 31 July 2008): Bozeman, MT to Kalispell, MT (about 6 hours);
We leave about 10 am after a leisurely breakfast with the Elders. We head west on I-90 out of Bozeman to Missoula; take MT-93 north of Missoula along west side of Flathead Lake. We are impressed with the size and beauty of this lake, so different from anything in New Mexico. We continue into Kalispell and go west on US-2 through town to home of Gary & Susan Simonsic, known as the Aspen Loop Inn. We check into the Black & White Room, fortunately still available.

Gary met Susan when he was attending Youngstown State and worked for Susan's Dad at the grocery store. After an early career as a chemist with oil companies, which he hated, Gary heard about Los Alamos, applied and was accepted, and they headed to New Mexico. George and Bonnie moved in two doors down about three years later, and the couples raised their children and became chose friends. Gary retired early from Los Alamos. About 2 1/2 years later they moved to Kalispell, following their kids: Christin in Great Falls and Michael in several Forest Service/ski areas in East Montana.

Even though the temperatures are cold in the winter, Kalispell receives less snow than Los Alamos. The weather comes from Seattle (only colder) so they only claim 71 days of sunshine per year. They found a developer in a great new area and got a house with a full basement for Gary's train layout. Today they are as happy as can be with activities for Gary to include Tuesday Rock Climbing, Wednesday planning for Thursday, and Thursday hiking Club.

Bonnie, Mike, Glacier = National Park.

Day 7: (Friday, 1 Aug 2008) Susan packs a lunch and we head off for Glacier National Park. There we stop first at the Logan Pass Visitor Center and secondly at Glacier Park Lodge. We passed waterfalls, the “weeping wall,” lots of beautiful scenery – no it was not that cold! Gary hikes within the Park almost every Thursday during the summer and maintains a map with pins indicating which peaks he has climbed. A lot of pins, a lot of peaks - but there are over 100 available. As we drive the Going-To-The-Sun Highway, Gary points out his favorites and we are enchanted with the waterfalls, wildflowers, lakes, streams, and mountains. We stop along the side of the road where a natural salt lick occurs and we spot some mountain goats taking advantage. That night we play Bonnie's Yellowstone Fires of 1988 DVD for Gary and appreciate again that dramatic sequence of events.

Day 8: (Saturday, 2 Aug 2008) Before breakfast we go to Farmer’s Market and get Flathead Lake’s famous cherries. Bonnie gets a bag of fresh huckleberries. Then to a bakery for fresh scones. We return home and Susan makes us a fancy breakfast. We head out for Flathead Lake. That afternoon we stop at the Lakeside (Marina) Restaurant: “The Docks” beside the Lake and waitress Dolly tells us that she commutes from across the lake, and that the new owners moved here from New Mexico. We celebrate a great "snack" of tacos for Bonnie, tortilla soup for Mike, chips with three kinds of salsa for Gary. That night Bonnie brings out Big Boggle for competition between the genders. The boys were doing well until Susan caught on how to play the game, and then it was Katie Bar The Door.

Day 9: (Sunday 3 Aug 2008) Kalispell, MT to Idaho Falls, ID
We head East on I-90 toward Butte. It is very windy, making RV driving difficult because of the high profile. When we get to Idaho, Mike can't get Bonnie to stop to visit the Potato Museum … what did we miss? We stay at Snake River RV Park in Idaho Falls and enjoy our lasagna and salad in the RV.

Day 10: (Monday 4 Aug 2008) ID to Moab, UT
Our Idaho Falls RV Park slot doesn't have sewer hook-up and Mike learns to use the dump station before departing. We head out toward Utah and when we get across the state line, we stop and have our breakfast at an enchanting roadside rest stop with little bridges and many trees, clean rest rooms and many picnic tables in the shade.

When we drove North last week, we were fascinated as we came through Moab, UT and so for this return, we decide to stay the night there. We drive through/by Arches National Park and are amazed at the rock formations and how hot it is, an almost cruel contrast to the cool weather we enjoyed in Montana. We stop at the Spanish Trail RV Park just south of the Nat'l Park. We walk across the highway and have a great dinner at the Branding Iron Restaurant. We decline to walk on to the Moab Museum (probably closed by this time) and head back to our RV park. Our neighbor has a square canvas 'room' topside of his 5th wheel which houses sleeping quarters for his kids. That night a vicious wind storm arises and we go out to roll up the window awning which is flapping loudly. Amazingly, our neighbor's canvas square is unaffected by the heavy winds.

Day 11: (Tuesday 5 Aug 2008) Moab, UT to Albuquerque, NM
In the morning, we easily dump our sewer line and head out for home. We take the scenic version back, reversing this part of our trip from the way we came north: We stop at Ute Mountain Casino (just inside Colorado border at Tawoac) for breakfast. We head for Farmington, then Bloomfield, then Cuba. We arrive home by 4:45 pm, just in time to swing by the 87123 Post Office and pick up our mail packets. Bonnie needs a bucket to hold all of her catalogs and magazines.

Summary: The RV was the ideal way to tour the national parks. We loved stopping and enjoying the roadside streams and picnic areas and visitor attractions. We did get a crack in the windshield from a passing open gravel truck in Utah (durn those Mormons!) but other than that, everything worked well. We weren't really exhausted with the trip but we did enjoy sleeping in each day. While visiting some treasured and dear friends, we experienced six states, four national parks, and some beautiful country, almost all of which was new to us. We would have seen a moose if we could just learn to keep quiet and whisper. Total trip: ~ 2,780 miles at 14 to 19 mpg. The cost of diesel ranged from $4.59 to $4.79 per gallon (by the time we returned home, it had dropped to $4.19 in the big city) and we both agreed the trip was well worth every penny spent - great life experiences, great life. A great RV trip!

The variety of Yellowstone beauty …
The grandeur of Glacier …
Is this a great country or what? …

Great Journey Through Europe June 2008

2008-09-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

[add photos of Zermatt, Switzerland (from our hotel room) ]

Great Journey Through Europe with Bonnie and Mike

Saturday 14.06.08 (transfer from Albuquerque to Milano): Day started with the alarm at 3 am in Albuquerque and our Delta flight to Atlanta where we were met by Annabeth & Elaine and treated to a wonderful leisurely lunch at Houligan's in the Atlanta airport. We head off to our international flight with plenty of time to spare, and then end up waiting in the plane parked on the tarmac for hours of unsuccessful repair of sink in the First Class lavatory. This resulted in an additional 3 hour delay and change of planes, two hours more wait before we leave for our 9 ½ hour flight!) We were impressed that our Gohagan Travel Agent guy was still waiting at the airport after we off-loaded two hours later to change planes – he is not allowed to leave us until the plane is actually in the air.

In search of the elusive Matterhorn
Sunday 15.06.08 (Zermatt, Schweishof Hotel): We arrive in Milano quite late - it is Sunday afternoon - to meet Tom Brown, one of our hosts for the trip. We go by bus as far as Täsch (where son Doug stayed while skiing Zermatt with his buddies) and then go by train to Zermatt, which does not allow gasoline-powered vehicles in the town. We are by this time five hours late in the schedule but just in time for the Welcome Party hosted by our Gohagan Travel Co in the Schweishof Hotel. This was followed by dinner and since by this time we had not showered in 35 hours, Bonnie suggested we dine with the West Point group. After dinner, we have a nice walk around town as it is still light outside until 22:00. Bonnie is wiped out after our 35 hr "day." Surprisingly, Mike feels quite elated – perhaps because of deep (but short) sleep aboard the plane, whereas Bonnie has trouble sleeping on planes.

Monday 16.06.08 (Zermatt, Schweishof Hotel): Walked to railway station for Cog train up 10,000 foot Gornergrat (cloudy – no view of Matterhorn) lunch at restaurant up there –Bonnie lit candles in little church on top of mountains. We saw some real marmots and at the top, Bonnie bought a jodeling marmot. Paul and Barb McNaughton (USNA) walked with Bonnie and Mike down the Alps from Findelbach – we make it down OK, but then were at the far end of
Fountain for Marmots: Zermatttown of Zermatt – or was it Winkelmatt? Took us over an hour to wind our way through residential area, cemeteries, past Oom-Pah band with Alpine horn and broom playing. Dinner at hotel with group and then three luggage bags out by 11 pm for trip to Andermatt-Lucerne.

Tuesday 17.06.08 (Lucerne, Palace Hotel): We check into this 5-star hotel, our fanciest by far. Whole box of Swiss chocolates and fresh fruit platter in our room – not too shabby! After a nap, we walked down the promenade along the lake, observing the swans, ducks, and fellow mammals. We walked across the old wooden bridge (from 1200s) and found the church closed for remodeling through 18 June. Many vendor tents are set up for the big yodeling contest later this week.

Upon return, Bonnie enjoyed a cup of tea in the bar lounge ($8) and our talk with Katarina, our German (tall, Aryan) waitress who moved from Germany to Lucerne to work.

While we were gone, the turn-down service had visited our room and closed the automatic shutters overlooking Lake Lucerne. Thus we discovered we had built-in closeable shutters but opened them to enjoy the close of daylight – up to about 10 pm.

Wednesday 18.06.08 (Lucerne, Palace Hotel): Raise the electric shutters, hello Lake Lucerne! Separate tub and shower plus two sinks in this 5-star Palace Hotel. Breakfast included is extensive, from fresh fruit and yogurt and six cereal choices to scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage and "cute" little French toast (like biscuits). Coffee, hot tea, fruit juice is included.

…cows mit bells in the Alps
… on the cog train heading down Alps…

We travel up Pilatus (long story re: body of Pontius Pilate) Mountain in 4-person ski-lifts and then transfer to 40-person gondolas. On the way we hear multitude of cow bells and see the cows grazing and flopping their heads around – quite loud! Too cloudy to see Mount Pilatus but once in a while during lunch at restaurant on top a mountain goat appears out of the haze and clouds. Then we go into a water-dripping cave which Bonnie retreats from – "sewer tour” as she calls it. The return trip is on a very steep cog train, quite a different experience from the trip up. Did someone say the cog broke? Oh no, they said the fog broke. (Whew!)

When we return from Pilatus Kolm, the sun starts shining through and we board a boat for a cruise across Lake Lucerene – beautiful! We get off the boat at the railway station and walk across the first Reusse River bridge to buy one-half loaf bread, an apple turnover, one extra pastry.

Thursday 19.06.08 (coach from Lucerne to Basil): We board coach and go to see the "saddest sculpture I have ever seen" – Mark Train: Dying lion (spear broken off in his back) to commemorate the 800 Swiss mercenaries (officers and troops) guillotined/massacred by the French Revolutionaries, 1789. Then back on the coach for a visit to Interlaken (beautiful little village) and then on to Bern, the "brains" of Switzerland. We learn the store fronts are one, two, or three arches wide depending upon the wealth of the original burghers. Switzerland/Bern has two classes of people: the burghers and the common people. We borrow 4 Swiss Francs from Bev Treis (of Bob & Bev USNA) to visit the Einstein apt where Albert lived during his "miracles year" of 1905 when at age of 26 he published six papers (including both special and general relativity) while working in the Swiss Patent Office. In Basil we board the Amadeus Princess and begin the “cruise” part of our adventure up (down) the Rhine River.

Friday 20.06.08 (Strasburg, France): Our male guide on the coach gives the dates when Alsace-Lorraine was German, then French, then German, then French. The monotone and list of dates soon puts us to sleep. During the walking tour of Strasburg our guide is more animated, telling of the German soldiers coming back with "the French Disease." For the French, they called it "the Romantic Disease" and created Petite French section of Strasburg. Structures in Strasburg are built on a sandstone base, and the upper floors push out since taxes were based on the ground floor footprint.

The Cathedral is truly stupendous and again with the dates of when it was built – total is over 300 years. There were always plans to erect a second steeple but no money to do so. We see the clock in the inside front right corner which has action every 15 minutes with a soldier or old man figurine moving. The days of the week move continually using statuary based on Roman basis for the days (Jupiter for Thursday, e.g.). We were there on Friday – Venus (vendredi). That afternoon we walk through large park with old walls and bocce players.

[add photos of "Down to Hell" – Cornhaus restaurant, Strasborg. and
Some of the clock of Strasburg cathedral ]

Saturday 21.06.08 (Mannheim): Heidelberg: Ate breakfast with couple from Syracuse, plus Dudley & Georgia Chase (USNA) – this cruise started with alumni from USNA, USMA, Bucknell, Indiana, and Purdue, then added Notre Dame and Syracuse. We take the coach early (08:00) for 40 minute drive to Heidelberg. There we meet Susann who is an excellent tour guide, with clear voice/clear English, good enthusiasm and knowledge. We first tour the Heidelberg Castle (model for Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland). The views from castle are breathtaking! In town we hear sounds of rehearsal for the organ recital emanating from the Church. The Ritter Hotel is a treasure, built in 1592 by the cloth dealer Carolus Belier of brown sandstone, full of fluted columns and ornately carved window decorations. Susann says homes like this are example of the German phrase "stone rich" when people were wealthy to make the entire house of stone rather than only the ground floor. During our free time, we get the kissing chocolate (symbolic of Heidelberg and the “Student Prince”) There we use "the service" at Grundel's to order a mixed fruit tart and a strawberry chocolate tart, plus hot tea for Bonnie. Unsuccessful stop at Rosenthal's to obtain a creamer of the design we liked aboard ship – we find these are not sold through their retail stores, only to restaurant supplies. Dr. Alex Hahn (ND prof. of mathematics) presents his second talk: "Reflections of Germany" and we follow that with the USNA cocktail party which also invites the three West Point couples. This time we showered first. After dinner we walked the 400 yards to the wine town of Rüdesheim. Sommer Soltice parties in full swing – although some streets are deserted, several are jumping with accordion music, polka, even Achy Breaky Heart and Elvis numbers. We see members of the Amadeus staff out in town, all to enjoy Mid Summer's Eve, the longest day. The Amadeus Capt wants to enjoy Netherlands in quarterfinals of EURO2008 however Russia prevails 3 -1 (OT).

Sunday 22.06.08 (Rüdesheim): This morning we embark in mini-trains for a walking tour of Rüdesheim, covering some of last night's preamble however adding two of the three castles/gardens. We see many vineyards and small family wineries – even a hotel with rooms inside wine barrels – hello claustrophobia! The town here, like so many we saw is bursting with blossoms and flower-filled window boxes – the colors and varieties are spectacular! We choose to walk back to the ship, remembering a safe place to cross the railroad track. 150 trains come through Rüdesheim every day.

That afternoon finds us in Koblentz at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhein rivers, with our most dramatic and enjoyable guide to date: Beate Steinacker, with high heels, a lot of makeup, and a strong dramatic delivery. Beate was an accountant for 37 years who retired 7 years ago and wanted to talk with people again. Beate introduces us to Kaiser Wilhelm whose statue at the German Corner dates from 1871. It was tipped over by shelling from the Allied army in WWII, and the "original head" ended up in the museum and provided copper for the two church roosters (to show which church is Catholic at this time in town).

At dinner we talk of the Alumni Foundation: George Watt controversy (with Jerry Anderson, former Class of 1964 president) and Dick Johnson (Executive Director of USNA Foundation) who worked with Cindy McCain on a surprise for John using $ from McCain's book to underwrite the USNA Ethics Center. Bonnie chooses Surf & Turf; I choose salmon with spinach. Dessert is flaming (actually sparklers) baked Alaska and we stay up talking until 22:30.

Monday 23.06.08 (Cologne): We dock at granite stairs leading up to promenade where we meet our guide Detlev who tells us of his essay "Pain and Sacrifice" (49 cents, Amazon.com). "Make me rich!" The Cologne Cathedral is visible almost at once – Cologne was 97% destroyed by Allied bombing but cathedral was purposely spared to use as a landmark for bombers. Bonnie was surprised they allow artists to paint on the sidewalk outside the cathedral. A chalk artist was receiving tips for his rendition of a bright eyed unicorn. Is this the largest cathedral in Europe? how does one measure – by height? size of façade? Bonnie buys a booklet inside – we walk through the railway station next to the cathedral which has large food mart with "McClean" Water Closet for Euro1.10. Bonnie decides to wait for the “McFree” facilities on ship and we walk back under the railroad bridge with many school children. Mike lies down in the cabin for awhile and Bonnie has to come rouse him for lunch. The American flag displays at lunch to set the stage for menu which includes hamburgers with fixings plus French fries (plus wedge fries). That night the dinner is the German Dinner and Bonnie tries sauerbraten. Yum yum!

Tuesday 24.06.08 (Amsterdam): End of the line for many of our cruise-mates, but we are signed on for two days in Amsterdam. We check into the Sofitel Hotel centrally located in downtown area and within easy walking distance of many of the city’s highlights. The first day we find ourselves absolutely delighted with this town with its concentric canal structure and leaning houses with hooks on the top gable for warehouse maneuvers. Great! We could spend many days in this town! The only drawback is the seven hundred and fifty thousand bicyclists, half of whom tried to kill us! That afternoon we bravely walk a lot and we visit the Rijksmuseum (home of many Rembrandts including The Night Watch which does not travel) and the Anne Frank haus – a very sobering experience.

Wednesday 25.06.08 (Amsterdam): Nice breakfast buffet in Hotel where we visit with Rob and Becky Broderick (USMA). They spend a lot of time in Ireland and will go there again after Amsterdam to see their new grandson. We enjoy tour of the beautifully quaint and immaculately clean fishing/canal town of Enkhausen and lunch in Hoorn. We return to Amsterdam, splash some water on our faces, and eat our pastries we purchased the previous night. At 17:15 we head out to Centraal Railway Station, noting that the tram takes about the same time as walking. Upon arrival we head for the Information Desk only to learn that for our international travel, we must go to Service Center. They ask us where we will be traveling and we say Germany, and get assigned #C789 for assistance. They are currently serving #C698. A long wait – but what choice do we have? 1 ½ hour wait – then Hey, it's our turn! We get a very nice Amsterdam lady who spends quite a bit of time with us, describing our options and the difference between first and second class. Her advice is to take second class, and we purchase tickets with reserved seats – Bonnie notices that but we're not sure what it means…we do note that everyone else in the Service Center are students with backpacks …

Thursday 26.06.08 (from Amsterdam to Kaiserslautern by train) What an experience! Bonnie says next time we have to fly, or go first class. Mike about kills the two of us trying to wrestle the two big suitcases onto the escalator up to the platform with Bonnie close behind. Wrong platform (and elevator only a few feet away, but we never noticed). But we learned a lot. Fortunately, we went to Train Station yesterday afternoon and have our tickets but we don't understand the reservations – as it turns out, we have two seats assigned in Car 22 but we have no idea where car 22 is or how the seats are numbered. We sit in some handicapped seats until we get thrown out by some handicapped people. Actually, they were very nice, and we share their space with them until the train breaks down somewhere near the border and we all have to get up and change trains. This loses our seats for us and we scramble around again. This also puts us dangerously late for transfer of ICE train to K-town, but one young man has helped us schlep our bags off the train and another gentleman runs ahead to tell the K-town train that we are coming. Young man refuses a tip and Bonnie tells him to tell his mother that she raised a fine young man. Nice people!

Daughter-in-law Robin picks us up at train station and we head to Doug & Robin’s house. Spain & Italy are playing soccer semi-finals, so we head to a little restaurant/bar to watch game. We’re a little embarrassed as we’re way over-dressed being the only patrons with clothes on - Everyone else in bathrobes & slippers! We find out later there is a sauna in that facility which many locals use before they hit the pub.

Friday 27.06.08 (Thaleischweiler-Fröschen, Germany with Robin): Town name translates to something like a valley with oak trees and frogs. Robin goes in to work today and this allows us to sleep in – when we awake, we have to get wireless repaired and then figure out how to use the lock on the front door. Bonnie locks herself out and has to climb in through George's doggie door. Then we hike down to the CAP store for pig salami, milch, und butter.

Saturday 28.06.08 (Thaleischweiler-Fröschen, Germany): After leisurely morning, we head out with Robin driving toward the border with France. No problem crossing and we head for the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, the largest American military cemetery in Europe, 26 miles northwest of Verdun. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the climax toward which the efforts of the American Expeditionary Forces were directed since arrival of U.S. troops in France in 1918, the last year of the war. It would be the largest battle ever fought by U.S. troops up to that time in U.S. history. The area between the Meuse River and the Argonne Forest was chosen because it was the portion of the German front which the enemy could least afford to lose. The US First Army attacked at 0530 on 26 September; by 4 November the enemy was in full retreat on both sides of the river. On 7 Nov, the heights overlooking the city of Sedan were taken, giving domination over the German railroad communications, compelling the enemy to seek an immediate armistice, effective 11.11.1918.

The grounds of the cemetery are beautiful; Robin said the way they trimmed the tops and sides of the trees reminds her of the way the promenades are trimmed in Paris. Bonnie and Mike found the Reception area has absolutely the most clean and well-maintained public restrooms in our experience, anywhere. France has provided the cemetery land in perpetuity to the Americans, and the American Cemetery organization maintains the 137 acres.

Burg Trifels c. 1193
Sunday 29.06.08 (Thaleischweiler-Fröschen): Robin drives us to Burg Trifels (burg is fortress; different from a castle: schluss). Robin helps us order lunch at restaurant at burg base area and again we are impressed with her command and confidence with speaking German. We climb to see where Richard Lion Heart was held prisoner by Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, who imprisoned him in Burg Trifels for about a year in 1193 as he returned from the Crusade until Mom Eleanor of Aquitaine (K. Hepburn) paid the outrageous ransom.

This evening is the big game: Germany vs Espana for the EURO2008 füßballspiel championship. We head for "public viewing" in Thaleischweiler-Fröschen with the locals (see photo next page). Before halftime, Bonnie buys us a brat sandwich and Coca-Cola Light to share. Robin joins us at halftime, her school paper ("Internet Ethics") complete. Locals are disappointed with the 0-1 finish, no goals for the home team.

Monday 30.06.08 (Thaleischweiler-Fröschen): Robin takes the day off, trims hedges in back yard, feeds goldfish. Bonnie takes an adventure stroll down to town to try out the Geldautomat (ATM) and the Bakery. Mike works the trip report. We had planned to take Robin out for dinner but every restaurant in TW-F is closed on Monday so Robin suggests pizza and beer and soda and NetFlix. We watch one of Mike's favorites: The Man Who Would Be King (1975) and learn that John Huston originally planned to make it starring Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable but 25 years went by. We carry our luggage up to floor 1 tonight for the transfer tomorrow.
Greenland glacier seen from planeTuesday 01.07.08 (transfer Frankfurt-Atlanta-Albuquerque): All rise at 4:30 am for 05:35 departure for Frankfort airport. As our special farewell a cute little hedgehog appears in front of the house. Robin does great job driving and we arrive at Delta in good shape, go through the ticket line and multiple security checks that Doug had warned us about. The last one is at the actual gate: at 8 am they chase everyone out of the gate area, then we re-enter showing passport and boarding pass. We meet a young Atlanta lad who tells of this routine as he has been trying to fly back stand-by for a week. Good plane with video this time. We are fascinated with the view of Greenland with its plains of snow and mountains and glaciers - Bonnie takes this photo (at right) out of the plane window.

In Atlanta it takes us about an hour to off-load, go through customs, claim our previously-checked luggage, load it onto a cart and take it to Customs, then back out to security area for one more trip through TSA. Amazingly, we meet Sue & Don Belbutoski (Purdue) from our Tour who also stayed extra time in Europe. Annabeth and Elaine drive in to luggage area and this time we have cell phones so transfer to their vehicle for transfer to 2299 Shasta. We get to see their 'new' home (5 years now) and all they have done with their inside collections and outside gardening. Elaine prepares fresh broiled salmon with their local restaurant favorite vegetables and two kinds of bread and fancy imported butter - great! We are a little nervous on the ride back but Elaine gets us into the carpool lane and we get there in good time. By now Mike has our confirmation number memorized and we get our boarding passes easily. Hardest trip was these last two-three hours to Albuquerque - perhaps we are tiring?

Arriving in Albuquerque at 9 pm local, we call son David and he meets us with Toyota at baggage area. Traveling for 24 hours today, and back home: Hurray, we did it!

Summary and Exceptions: We experienced much, learned more. And enjoyed ourselves tremendously on every single day. Looking back, highlights included the Palace Hotel (Lucerne), Switzerland (photo above), Amsterdam (except for Centraal Station), the two trips with Robin and the salmon with Annabeth and Elaine. We loved all the beautifully blooming flower pots on balconies in every town we visited. Most importantly, we learned we not only can survive the long plane rides but that (except perhaps for last little leg from ATL to ABQ) we did quite well entertaining ourselves.

Security was never a concern (except when Bonnie got her hidden passport wallet tied up in Annabeth's back seatbelt). Our only real struggle was schlepping our bags around during our 6-hour train ride to K-town - thus we really appreciated the tour conveniences with most of our restaurants and meals ready for us and plans made.

We needed light jackets for about half the trip. We recommend the Eagle Creek packets for packing luggage. Personally we travel very well together, laughed a lot with ourselves and others. A great trip and a great life experience!

Christmas in California 2007

2008-09-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

Trip Report: Christmas 2007

Bonnie and Mike drove from Albuquerque to California, leaving on 18 Dec 2007 to reach San Diego in time for the Poinsettia Bowl football game between Navy and Utah on 20 Dec. We decided to take the southern route and spent our first evening in Gila Bend, AZ.
Note: Arizona has saguaro cacti, New Mexico does not.

The second night was spent in San Diego at the Heritage Park Inn award-winning Bed and Breakfast of classmate Charlie Helsper and wife Nancy.

Charlie Helsper’s Victorian-era B&B, along with the other buildings of Heritage Park (which features special plantings such as Australian coral trees acquired by Kate Sessions, the city’s 1890’s horticulturist), were moved to this park as part of the City’s Bicentennial celebration.

Originally San Diego had no trees. Kate Sessions traveled all over the world, examining locales with climates similar to San Diego’s and bringing back trees and plants that would flourish in the local environment. Kate is credited with popularizing the poinsettia in San Diego.

On the night before the Bowl game, a Navy Pep Rally was held for the Football Team on the flight deck of the USS Midway, CVA-41. Both the new (interim) coach Ken Niumatalolo and the Academy’s Commandant Capt Margaret Klein gave a rousing speech to inspire against a strong Utah team. It almost worked.

Representatives of USNA Class of 1963 at the Heritage Park Inn included (in photo to be included left to right) Mike Blackledge, Bob Forster, (Innkeeper) Charlie Helsper, Dick Anderson. Also staying at the B&B were two other classmates, Dave Moore (who had acquired our Bowl tickets and was from George Nolan's 14th Company) and wife Lana, and Ron Saqui (Mike’s best man in 1966) and wife Sharie.

Bonnie Nolan and Bob Forster (in photo to be added at left) discuss how Charlie and Nancy Helsper set an excellent table at the Heritage Park Inn, complete with USNA flags. That night was the bowl game at QualComm Stadium.

Christmas Eve-Eve: Penny and Fred welcomed Penny’s twin Patti and her husband Dick Blide from Kalama, WA, as well as Mike and Bonnie, to a fabulous dinner at the Long Beach Yacht Club. Penny and Fred’s son Nick who teaches English at nearby high school joined the dinner party.

[in photo to be added Below from left to right: Dick and Patti Blide, Penny, Nick, and Fred Woods, Bonnie Nolan]

Following Christmas Eve services at St. Hedwig’s and Christmas morning brunch at the Marriott, we drove to Harbor City for Christmas Dinner with Heidi and John Strom and sister Ruthie’s family at the home of Bonnie’s mother Sally Armes. That evening we took Sally and headed for the San Clemente beach condo kindly loaned to us by Bonnie’s sister Mollie. We arrived in time to appreciate a beautiful Christmas sunset.

The day after Christmas, Mike’s sisters and their families drove down to join us for a day on the beach and the San Clemente pier. Dinner that night was with Sally at The Cheesecake Factory in nearby Mission Viejo.

When we returned from San Clemente, Mike’s roommate from the Academy, Ron Saqui and his wife Sharie, treated us to way too much food at The Claim Jumper in Torrance. John Strom was right, one can eat on The Ore Cart for three days!

Just before departing from California, we needed to have at least one meal at Marie Callendar’s. For this farewell morning, we were joined by Bonnie’s mother Sally, and Bonnie’s good friend from Bishop Montgomery High School Days, Celina Henderson.

Heading home at last, we had to stop for breakfast at Mike's favorite: La Posada, the historic Mary Jane Colter-designed and beautifully restored old Fred Harvey House railroad hotel in Winslow, Arizona. [in photo to be added Above: Bonnie carefully chooses a tea to go with her gourmet breakfast meal.]

By the time we returned home, we were exhausted - however, we bravely went out to celebrate the New Year. What a trip!

Mike and Bonnie in PA

2008-09-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

Travelogue September 2007
"A Young Couple's Journey From Lewisburg to Perkasie"

Background: Bonnie wanted to visit her eldest daughter Marcey and family in Lewisburg, PA sometime in September 2007. Mike noted Jerry and Barbara Faust were not that far away in Perkasie, and what a great time of year to travel.

Baltimore-Inner Harbor: After looking at flights into Philly or Harrisburg, we took SWA direct into BWI. We hit it lucky on Priceline.com, with the 4-Star Marriott Waterfront Hotel right on Baltimore's Inner Harbor. After checking into our hotel, we took the water taxi around the harbor, smelling the sweet "Domino's" sugar refinery in continuous operation since 1922, stopping at Fells Point to shop and visit (including a Maggie Moo's), and finally having dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. The next morning Mike swam in the large hotel pool and then we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast buffet with our omelet prepared by senior Chef Paul, recently relocated from Manhattan where he had operated several delis. We had a long visit with Paul about grandkids, after which he packed up a lunch for us to take with us. After checking out, we visited the National Aquarium. Mike felt that Albuquerque's little BioPark Aquarium does not compare badly at all - and even with a senior discount the National ran $20 per entry. Bonnie particularly enjoyed the aviary and the brightly colored poisonous frogs ("do not eat").

Carlisle: Following Gen. George Meade's route from Washington to Gettysburg, we found ourselves in the quaint historic town of Carlisle (on many of the maps in The Killer Angels). There we had a wonderful afternoon sharing tea and tarts with Nan & David Blackledge. Dave is one of Mike's co-authors for the genealogical Magnum Opus, Blackledges in America, and this was only the second time that Mike and Dave had met in person - the first being that historic 1996 meeting in Gaithersburg, MD, when Mike, Dave, and Mary Ann decided to publish. Time permitted only a short visit this afternoon to their beautiful home and town - and apparently none of us thought of taking pictures - we definitely want to return to Carlisle for another visit!

Lewisburg: Heading north, by dark we made it to the picturesque little town of Lewisburg and checked into our Bed and Breakfast: The Tawsty Flower - owned and operated by Marcey's friend Jane. At breakfast the next morning, we were delighted with a most eclectic bunch of travelers - including Margaret, a Prof. of Archaeology from Australia, visiting Bucknell both for a lecture and to catalog much ancient glass. Some were most likely from T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia)'s mess tent, as she found considerable 1920's beer bottle glass dominating some of the ancient specimens from Aqaba.

Bucknell: Marcey and Chris plus Maggie and Alan joined us after breakfast. We were treated to a tour of the Bucknell University campus with Chris as guide, and with Marcey running the projector in the Geology Dept lecture hall, as they pointed out many of their friends and colleagues at this exclusive private university of 3000 under- grads, recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in the US.

Dragons: That afternoon Mike got his soccer fix watching Maggie, Allison, Julianne, and the rest of the Magic Green Dragons take on the dreaded Orange Marmalukes (or some such). The spirited play of all resulted in a 2-2 tie. Very exciting - Mike is convinced he helped considerably by coaching from the sidelines, however Maggie did great in goal, in defense, and on offense. She does it all. Later that evening we all went to dinner at the historic old Lewisburg Hotel on Market Street.

Gettysburg: The next morning the entire crew piled into two vehicles and headed south to the Gettysburg battlefield. Marcey had provided us with a CD of the audio tour of the battlefield, and had given us a reading assignment of The Killer Angels, the excellent historical novel of the four days of Gettysburg by Michael Shaara. We spent several hours touring the battlefield, getting out of the cars to walk the battlefield areas, watch Mike slip on Little Round Top, and take photos in the soft warm sunlight covering the 25 square miles. Wonderful, made the Killer Angels come alive again. Once we were all exhausted, Marcey's crew headed back to Lewisburg, and Mike and Bonnie continued on to Perkasie.

Perkasie: We ended up getting into Perkasie later than we had planned so we went directly to our 1749 fieldstone B&B as located by Barb: Arianna Mile s. The next morning our host and Master Chef Kyle (age 43) made us his trademark 3-course breakfast to which we invited Jerry and Barbara: Kyle's homemade granola, a special pear with almonds, and an omelet featuring some of the mushrooms for which PA is famous. (All recipes from the French Culinary Institute in NY). After breakfast, we headed out to Lake Nockamixon State Park along with a blue heron and an aerodynamically sound turkey vulture plus numerous ducks. We enjoyed a good hike around the lake area, then off to Jerry and Barb's house, and their grand tour. J&B treated us to lunch both days at two different restaurants where Mike and Bonnie both tried some of the local fare. No wonder J&B love living here so much - their own park, pool and playground, river and bridges, toboggan area. We ended the evening with dinner and Monday Night Football. Unfortunately, Donovan McNabb did not have a great night - and Mike seemed to enjoy the game a little too much anyway, as Jerry will attest.

Back To Reality: We left Barbara and Jerry at their home and headed out Tuesday evening for Baltimore. Barb had warned us about the traffic from PA to BWI so by traveling in the evening, we had no stress as to arrival time. We checked into a 3-star hotel (using Bonnie's new Priceline skills) near the airport, spent a restful evening where Mike and Bonnie swam in the Sheraton indoor pool, and the next day made our return trip to ABQ and the real world. We both agreed it was a most excellent adventure. We reported to Bonnie's mom Sally that it was a great vacation. Now we realize we're not really on vacation from anything - we loved this trip which represents just one more facet of our new life! Hurray!