Yeah, I know. It’s been over 2 years with no activity on the blog. Why? You may ask (or maybe not.). I don’t know, time just goes by and one day it’s “Remember the blog?” And I look it up and the last posting is over 2 years old. Hey, life goes on.
I turn 70 this year. It should be a milestone, but I approach it as just another birthday. At the same time, that little voice in the back of my head is saying, “Damn, Dude, you’re getting old!” I admit, some days I know I’m slowing down while some days I feel as good as ever. One concession is that I really don’t care for cold weather anymore. It’s getting that around Thanksgiving time, I feel the itch to head south.
Last year, we came back north on the 1st of April, and the first 3 weeks we were home were miserable. This year we’re staying south another 2 weeks, and can only hope it’s starting to warm when we return.
I keep promising, but I really will make more of a conscious effort to keep this up to date. It still amazes me that people actually look at this. Let me know, at least where you are as you look at this. Thanks regardless.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
After a 6 month absence, it's back to the blog.
Back from the sunny south, to what has been a long, damn hot summer. Back and forth to the cabin, getting work done at both places.
Not as busy on the road as in years past. This is for a myriad of reasons, fewer trips, more drivers, a little of everything. This ends up being both good and bad. I like the trips but have been getting lots of stuff done.
The 2017 models are coming in. The new minivan is pretty nice, but where the outside is all new, there doesn't seem to be a lot changed on the inside. Still always look forward to any trips in high performance cars. Who needs mobile phone interfaces, rear cameras, and mpg indicators?? Give me pure American horsepower.
I'm in the planning stages for an NFL road trip, this year to the new stadium in Minneapolis. If there are no exciting events between now and November, I'll update then. Stay tuned.
Not as busy on the road as in years past. This is for a myriad of reasons, fewer trips, more drivers, a little of everything. This ends up being both good and bad. I like the trips but have been getting lots of stuff done.
The 2017 models are coming in. The new minivan is pretty nice, but where the outside is all new, there doesn't seem to be a lot changed on the inside. Still always look forward to any trips in high performance cars. Who needs mobile phone interfaces, rear cameras, and mpg indicators?? Give me pure American horsepower.
I'm in the planning stages for an NFL road trip, this year to the new stadium in Minneapolis. If there are no exciting events between now and November, I'll update then. Stay tuned.
Monday, February 8, 2016
I don't care, it's still better than 28 degrees
It's February, and where in years past I'd be home, or up at the cabin with a wood fire, I'm basking in the sunshine of a Southern Alabama day. Not as warm as one would expect in the south (it is, after all still February,) but warm enough that a jacket is only needed in the morning.
So, when you're here for 3 months, what the hell are you supposed to do with yourself? You can only read so much, golf so much, walk so much, go to the beaches so much.....you get the drift. If at home, I'd be inside most of the time, so being out in the sun, even if doing absolutely nothing is a bonus.
While going over the blog entries from the California trip, I noticed that there are people who stumble across this blog once in a while. Please, drop me a comment with thoughts, whatever. I'm just a guy putting things down in a blog that I've never tried before, let me know your view. Even with no comment, thanks for reading.
So, when you're here for 3 months, what the hell are you supposed to do with yourself? You can only read so much, golf so much, walk so much, go to the beaches so much.....you get the drift. If at home, I'd be inside most of the time, so being out in the sun, even if doing absolutely nothing is a bonus.
While going over the blog entries from the California trip, I noticed that there are people who stumble across this blog once in a while. Please, drop me a comment with thoughts, whatever. I'm just a guy putting things down in a blog that I've never tried before, let me know your view. Even with no comment, thanks for reading.
Heading home, and reflections
Day Thirteen – Rocky Mountain High
Awoke in Utah to what seemed like pretty good scenery, but as the saying goes; “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” Going into Colorado and into the Rockies was an explosion of color in the mountains – reds, whites, and grays, with firs, and pines giving the green, and later the aspens already turning a golden yellow. Huge rock formations dwarfing the train in the canyons. And the train hasn't even gotten to the big mountains yet. Quite a few tunnels so far, I’m looking forward to seeing the Moffat Tunnel from the inside this time.
So, yes, the Moffat Tunnel was really nice – but kind of dark from the inside (note to author: It’s a tunnel, stupid!) Not so much later, we passed through some huge rock formations. I’m pretty sure we were in the area that Amtrak used for their cover shot for their timetable. The formations come really close to the cars as they pass. Through some smaller tunnels, and as I found out from the last trip to Denver, the railroads have the access roads gated and locked to keep railfans out (just can’t have fun trespassing anymore.) If I remember correctly, there are 16 of these smaller tunnels between the Moffat Tunnel and Denver.
After the decent out of the mountains, the train made it in to Denver. Since running early most of the trip, we end up waiting outside Union Station while a broken-down freight was cleared out of our way. There were a lot of people getting on in Denver, so that took awhile. After sorting more freight traffic, we are finally on our way, now an hour and a half late (thanks, Warren Buffett.) Chicago tomorrow afternoon.
Day Fourteen – the End Is Near
We slept through just about all of Nebraska, which is a good way to travel Nebraska. We’re still around an hour late, and with more BNSF track work, we may be farther behind still. Breakfast and lunch only today, and the big question is, will we have enough of a layover in Chicago to spend time with our daughter?
Pull in to Union Station around 4 (1 hour and 10 minutes late,) found Daughter and after checking baggage (note for future travels – the Lounge in Union Station and the ability to check your bags makes first class accommodations worthwhile) went over to a sandwich shop for a quick bite. The train home boarded on time and we’re hoping for an early arrival. Wonder of wonders, the train came in to Pontiac about 20 minutes early – but still after 1:00 a.m.
Epilogue – Thoughts and Reflections
This is the first time I’ve ever attempted a narrative on a trip. Looking over the muses of the past couple weeks refreshes the memories of the trip, and holds the possibility of trying this sometime in the future.
Rating the cross-country rail service: 1. The California Zephyr – More scenery than you would ever think possible. 2. The Empire Builder – Same reasons, only different scenery. 3. The Southwest Chief – Rocky rail, best scenery on the last day. On all lines however, the service of the Amtrak personnel is unparalleled.
Dorothy (on the Southwest Chief,) and Jay (on the California Zephyr,) you earn your paycheck.
It’s a lot easier to railfan from outside the train than from inside. (Really?)
Earplugs work.
Charley at Alamo, you’re full of crap. The only way to do the Pacific Coast Highway is in a convertible.
If you’re going to be on a train for 3 days and 2 nights, pack accordingly. (Thank you, Mr. Obvious.) Clothes, like tuna fish and house guests, get stale after a couple days.
It really is worth the cost to stay at a better hotel. (Did I mention the Embassy Suites had a really good breakfast buffet?)
The trip was worth the cost. No question. When can we do it again?
Awoke in Utah to what seemed like pretty good scenery, but as the saying goes; “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” Going into Colorado and into the Rockies was an explosion of color in the mountains – reds, whites, and grays, with firs, and pines giving the green, and later the aspens already turning a golden yellow. Huge rock formations dwarfing the train in the canyons. And the train hasn't even gotten to the big mountains yet. Quite a few tunnels so far, I’m looking forward to seeing the Moffat Tunnel from the inside this time.
So, yes, the Moffat Tunnel was really nice – but kind of dark from the inside (note to author: It’s a tunnel, stupid!) Not so much later, we passed through some huge rock formations. I’m pretty sure we were in the area that Amtrak used for their cover shot for their timetable. The formations come really close to the cars as they pass. Through some smaller tunnels, and as I found out from the last trip to Denver, the railroads have the access roads gated and locked to keep railfans out (just can’t have fun trespassing anymore.) If I remember correctly, there are 16 of these smaller tunnels between the Moffat Tunnel and Denver.
After the decent out of the mountains, the train made it in to Denver. Since running early most of the trip, we end up waiting outside Union Station while a broken-down freight was cleared out of our way. There were a lot of people getting on in Denver, so that took awhile. After sorting more freight traffic, we are finally on our way, now an hour and a half late (thanks, Warren Buffett.) Chicago tomorrow afternoon.
Day Fourteen – the End Is Near
We slept through just about all of Nebraska, which is a good way to travel Nebraska. We’re still around an hour late, and with more BNSF track work, we may be farther behind still. Breakfast and lunch only today, and the big question is, will we have enough of a layover in Chicago to spend time with our daughter?
Pull in to Union Station around 4 (1 hour and 10 minutes late,) found Daughter and after checking baggage (note for future travels – the Lounge in Union Station and the ability to check your bags makes first class accommodations worthwhile) went over to a sandwich shop for a quick bite. The train home boarded on time and we’re hoping for an early arrival. Wonder of wonders, the train came in to Pontiac about 20 minutes early – but still after 1:00 a.m.
Epilogue – Thoughts and Reflections
This is the first time I’ve ever attempted a narrative on a trip. Looking over the muses of the past couple weeks refreshes the memories of the trip, and holds the possibility of trying this sometime in the future.
Rating the cross-country rail service: 1. The California Zephyr – More scenery than you would ever think possible. 2. The Empire Builder – Same reasons, only different scenery. 3. The Southwest Chief – Rocky rail, best scenery on the last day. On all lines however, the service of the Amtrak personnel is unparalleled.
Dorothy (on the Southwest Chief,) and Jay (on the California Zephyr,) you earn your paycheck.
It’s a lot easier to railfan from outside the train than from inside. (Really?)
Earplugs work.
Charley at Alamo, you’re full of crap. The only way to do the Pacific Coast Highway is in a convertible.
If you’re going to be on a train for 3 days and 2 nights, pack accordingly. (Thank you, Mr. Obvious.) Clothes, like tuna fish and house guests, get stale after a couple days.
It really is worth the cost to stay at a better hotel. (Did I mention the Embassy Suites had a really good breakfast buffet?)
The trip was worth the cost. No question. When can we do it again?
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
San Francisco, and the beginning of the end
We take a day to explore, as Tony Bennett called it, "The City By The Bay. " and also start for home.
Day Eleven – I Didn’t Leave My Heart in San Francisco, Only My Money.
This was the leisure day, after a lot of traveling, visiting and sightseeing. The original plans were to go to Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf, but we decided to start on the Wharf. We took the electric streetcar system, they were all old restored trolleys from various cities now getting new life in San Francisco.
I had been to this area in 1959 and through old movies, thought I knew what was there. I was wrong. Very wrong. A big pier area with shops, eating places and a couple of street performers. We did see a big seal gathering on floating rafts, really quite a sight. Pictures were taken with the Golden Gate in the background, and shared with family and friends. Cell phones were repaired. Postcards were sent to the boys. After a few hours at the wharf, we trolleyed back toward the hotel, stopping early to walk along some of the street vendors along Market Street. A walk back to the hotel was shorter and flatter than anticipated and dinner was in the room in preparation for the trip home tomorrow morning.
Day Twelve – Take The Long Way Home
After checkout at the Marriott, we had about a four block walk to the Transbay Terminal. This is the starting point for Greyhound and bus connections to all Amtrak facilities near San Francisco. Memo to Amtrak #3 – The bus driver is not supposed to be playing with his check in device while driving. He dropped it towards the end of the trip, and I thought for a minute he was going to bend over to pick it up while driving this big-ass bus. We were dropped off at the Emeryville Amtrak station early and had about an hour wait before boarding the California Zephyr.
The train left on time and after going through the expected industrial sections, opened up with some great views of the Back Bay Area. The first stop of any length will be in Sacramento. Since we are in the last room of the last car, the ride is smooth and quiet, and am able to take pictures out the back window.
I think I have finally determined where the term “awe inspiring” comes from. This stretch through the Sierra Nevada’s from Sacramento to Reno can truly be said as awe inspiring. Lots of tunnels, both long and not so long, and wooded mountains near and far. Even though we’re at the end of the last car of the train, lots of our fellow riders want to use the windows outside our room to take pictures from. A note about pictures from inside a train – very often the sun casts reflections on the windows and that can really distract from what could be a keeper of a picture. It seems to be better out the hallway window than from the windows in the room.
After the spectacular scenery of the Sierra Nevada, and central and eastern California, the state of Nevada is, well, kind of boring. Started out with mountains, sure, but mountains of a different sort – brown and red hues and back to an abundance of sage. Now, more into a desert landscape. All in all, a whole bunch of nothing.
Day Eleven – I Didn’t Leave My Heart in San Francisco, Only My Money.
This was the leisure day, after a lot of traveling, visiting and sightseeing. The original plans were to go to Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf, but we decided to start on the Wharf. We took the electric streetcar system, they were all old restored trolleys from various cities now getting new life in San Francisco.
I had been to this area in 1959 and through old movies, thought I knew what was there. I was wrong. Very wrong. A big pier area with shops, eating places and a couple of street performers. We did see a big seal gathering on floating rafts, really quite a sight. Pictures were taken with the Golden Gate in the background, and shared with family and friends. Cell phones were repaired. Postcards were sent to the boys. After a few hours at the wharf, we trolleyed back toward the hotel, stopping early to walk along some of the street vendors along Market Street. A walk back to the hotel was shorter and flatter than anticipated and dinner was in the room in preparation for the trip home tomorrow morning.
Day Twelve – Take The Long Way Home
After checkout at the Marriott, we had about a four block walk to the Transbay Terminal. This is the starting point for Greyhound and bus connections to all Amtrak facilities near San Francisco. Memo to Amtrak #3 – The bus driver is not supposed to be playing with his check in device while driving. He dropped it towards the end of the trip, and I thought for a minute he was going to bend over to pick it up while driving this big-ass bus. We were dropped off at the Emeryville Amtrak station early and had about an hour wait before boarding the California Zephyr.
The train left on time and after going through the expected industrial sections, opened up with some great views of the Back Bay Area. The first stop of any length will be in Sacramento. Since we are in the last room of the last car, the ride is smooth and quiet, and am able to take pictures out the back window.
I think I have finally determined where the term “awe inspiring” comes from. This stretch through the Sierra Nevada’s from Sacramento to Reno can truly be said as awe inspiring. Lots of tunnels, both long and not so long, and wooded mountains near and far. Even though we’re at the end of the last car of the train, lots of our fellow riders want to use the windows outside our room to take pictures from. A note about pictures from inside a train – very often the sun casts reflections on the windows and that can really distract from what could be a keeper of a picture. It seems to be better out the hallway window than from the windows in the room.
After the spectacular scenery of the Sierra Nevada, and central and eastern California, the state of Nevada is, well, kind of boring. Started out with mountains, sure, but mountains of a different sort – brown and red hues and back to an abundance of sage. Now, more into a desert landscape. All in all, a whole bunch of nothing.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Life was made for days like these.
OK, it's been a while, but we continue our excellent adventure up the Pacific Coast Highway in the red Camaro. Tough job, but someone has to blog about it.
Day Nine – God may be my co-pilot, but The Boss (no, not Bruce,) does a better job.
Left Santa Barbara with the top down, and headed for the Pacific Coast Highway, part 2. To put the experience in to the simplest terms, Damn – that was fun!!!! Curves, hills up, hills down, turns left, turns right, farmland ( broccoli, strawberries, beans,) then out to the ocean again and more hills, curves, and turns. Stopped to watch elephant seals, then whale watched further down the road. The Camaro is a pretty good road car, responsive through the curves and sharp turns and, while not impressive power, enough to have fun with. (Co-pilot kept asking, “Are you having fun? Yes, I am!) We took a chance that we could stay along the coast and ended up dead ending at a small marina. The co-pilot got us back on the road, and later in the afternoon it cooled off enough that we had to put the top up (sigh.) We drove into Carmel and had dinner at a seafood market, then looked for lodging. Carmel is too ostentatious for us, so drove up to Monterey. We found an ok motel, but were pleasantly surprised that it ended up being half the price of what we had in Santa Barbara.
One thing we have noticed on the road trip portion of the trip is the lack of working rest rooms along the road. Because of the drought and the associated water shortage, gas stations, some restaurants, and even the visitor center at Hearst Castle use Porta-Johns on premise. I guess you gotta do what you have to do, it’s just somewhat unusual.
Day Ten – The Last Day of the Unknowns
Thanks to some great directions by the hotel staff, we had a real easy trip over to Highway 101, which at mid-morning was not very busy. (Farewell Highway 1, you were worth the trip.) Traffic got a little heavier as we neared San Francisco airport, but we were able to find the rental car return with not too much trouble. (Note – The Camaro was a lot of fun. Rent, defiantly. Own, maybe.) After getting on the airport tram, we switched to BART and came right in to downtown San Francisco. One thing about using maps on the phone, you’d damn well better have your sense of direction, because if I had led the way we would have ended up in Oakland. Again, relying on the co-pilot (walking this time,) we got to the Marriott and had some relaxation time in the afternoon.
After relaxation time, we tried out San Francisco’s mass transit system, MUNI. Pretty easy to use, pay one price for wherever you want to go. A ride, then a 5 block walk uphill to some friends house, where their 3 year old welcomed us as new friends (reading books to her didn’t hurt.) They made a great dinner, then took us for a drive over the Golden Gate for a night view of the city. A good day.
Day Nine – God may be my co-pilot, but The Boss (no, not Bruce,) does a better job.
Left Santa Barbara with the top down, and headed for the Pacific Coast Highway, part 2. To put the experience in to the simplest terms, Damn – that was fun!!!! Curves, hills up, hills down, turns left, turns right, farmland ( broccoli, strawberries, beans,) then out to the ocean again and more hills, curves, and turns. Stopped to watch elephant seals, then whale watched further down the road. The Camaro is a pretty good road car, responsive through the curves and sharp turns and, while not impressive power, enough to have fun with. (Co-pilot kept asking, “Are you having fun? Yes, I am!) We took a chance that we could stay along the coast and ended up dead ending at a small marina. The co-pilot got us back on the road, and later in the afternoon it cooled off enough that we had to put the top up (sigh.) We drove into Carmel and had dinner at a seafood market, then looked for lodging. Carmel is too ostentatious for us, so drove up to Monterey. We found an ok motel, but were pleasantly surprised that it ended up being half the price of what we had in Santa Barbara.
One thing we have noticed on the road trip portion of the trip is the lack of working rest rooms along the road. Because of the drought and the associated water shortage, gas stations, some restaurants, and even the visitor center at Hearst Castle use Porta-Johns on premise. I guess you gotta do what you have to do, it’s just somewhat unusual.
Day Ten – The Last Day of the Unknowns
Thanks to some great directions by the hotel staff, we had a real easy trip over to Highway 101, which at mid-morning was not very busy. (Farewell Highway 1, you were worth the trip.) Traffic got a little heavier as we neared San Francisco airport, but we were able to find the rental car return with not too much trouble. (Note – The Camaro was a lot of fun. Rent, defiantly. Own, maybe.) After getting on the airport tram, we switched to BART and came right in to downtown San Francisco. One thing about using maps on the phone, you’d damn well better have your sense of direction, because if I had led the way we would have ended up in Oakland. Again, relying on the co-pilot (walking this time,) we got to the Marriott and had some relaxation time in the afternoon.
After relaxation time, we tried out San Francisco’s mass transit system, MUNI. Pretty easy to use, pay one price for wherever you want to go. A ride, then a 5 block walk uphill to some friends house, where their 3 year old welcomed us as new friends (reading books to her didn’t hurt.) They made a great dinner, then took us for a drive over the Golden Gate for a night view of the city. A good day.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
The PCH - Road Trip Heaven
Happy 2016. In this entry We spend our last day in San Diego, and pack up to hit the Pacific Coast Highway. Buckle up, it's one helluva ride.
Day Seven – Seems it Never Rains in Southern California (like hell)
Awoke this morning to rain – lots of it. After breakfast (did I mention they have a really good buffet?) we had to visit a notary to get papers all official and mailed off, and on the return trip got soaked. Really soaked. My friend and I were all set to go railfanning, but ended up getting the rental car and taking that out. I had booked a 300, but could not resist the upgrade to a red Camaro convertible. Could not find a place to park by the Santa Fe Depot, so headed north of town to Del Mar. There we found what I guess was a good spot, Friend got some good pictures while I was on the phone to OnStar and such people finding out how the car worked. Memo to Alamo – at least show how to put the front seat back forward. I learned more from the parking attendant at the hotel than from anyone else. Dinner at a wharf seafood place again, but not nearly as good as the night previous. Hard to believe the trip is half over. Seems like it just started.
Day Eight – On The Road.
Bade farewell to our friends and the great breakfast at the Embassy Suites. Hit the road around 9, and the top came down around 11. LA was not the problem I had anticipated, but it still was congested and warm. The PCH was well worth the wait. Major scenic, a good road and sunshine galore. Top went back up near Ventura, and drove to a neat little place in Santa Barbara with enough of a pier/harbor/ocean view to justify $200/night. Adventure of the day – saw a woman on a bicycle get hit by a pickup in SB. Went to a great seafood place that was recommended by the front desk lady. About a 45 minute wait, but so worth it. We are finding good seafood on the west coast, as we should. Problem is, we can only eat at one place at a time.
Day Seven – Seems it Never Rains in Southern California (like hell)
Awoke this morning to rain – lots of it. After breakfast (did I mention they have a really good buffet?) we had to visit a notary to get papers all official and mailed off, and on the return trip got soaked. Really soaked. My friend and I were all set to go railfanning, but ended up getting the rental car and taking that out. I had booked a 300, but could not resist the upgrade to a red Camaro convertible. Could not find a place to park by the Santa Fe Depot, so headed north of town to Del Mar. There we found what I guess was a good spot, Friend got some good pictures while I was on the phone to OnStar and such people finding out how the car worked. Memo to Alamo – at least show how to put the front seat back forward. I learned more from the parking attendant at the hotel than from anyone else. Dinner at a wharf seafood place again, but not nearly as good as the night previous. Hard to believe the trip is half over. Seems like it just started.
Day Eight – On The Road.
Bade farewell to our friends and the great breakfast at the Embassy Suites. Hit the road around 9, and the top came down around 11. LA was not the problem I had anticipated, but it still was congested and warm. The PCH was well worth the wait. Major scenic, a good road and sunshine galore. Top went back up near Ventura, and drove to a neat little place in Santa Barbara with enough of a pier/harbor/ocean view to justify $200/night. Adventure of the day – saw a woman on a bicycle get hit by a pickup in SB. Went to a great seafood place that was recommended by the front desk lady. About a 45 minute wait, but so worth it. We are finding good seafood on the west coast, as we should. Problem is, we can only eat at one place at a time.
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