Oregon #16: A Place to Call Home

“A cross between ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Downton Abbey’ with a twist of ‘Mad Men’” Thursday, May 2 – I’m back in the Portland, Oregon region, housesitting/petsitting for my friend Louise while she enjoys a European vacation. But I have other reasons for my visit; necessary medical appointments – and looking for a place to live. Long-time

California # 23 – Sacramento: The Big Tomato

California – The Golden State Sacramento’s forgotten nickname, “The Big Tomato”, dates back to its canning days. A combination of climate, water, agriculture and transportation led to this success. If one wasn’t working for the railroads, the canning industry was the likely occupation. Sacramento had 20+ canneries in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including

California # 22 – A Tale of Two Gardens

Garlic Ice Cream is a Thing! Really? Nob Hill Foods was a family run 1930’s high-end grocery store chain, owned by Gilroy nursery owner Michael Bonafonte. In 1998 Bonafonte sold his 27 supermarkets to develop a horticultural theme park on the site of his Tree Haven nursery. Gilroy Gardens would open to the public in

California # 21 – San Francisco Urban Parks

Key To My Heart Friday, April 12 – I’m back in San Francisco for a couple days. This time with a purpose; I’m attending a Hosteling International (HI) USA Alumni Board meeting @ the HI Fisherman’s Wharf hostel. CEO Russ from Washington D.C. is hosting the meeting. What a surprise, Jana, a former Oregon Council

California #20 – Friends in High Places / Pleasanton

There’s No Place Like Home! I started this Blog in January 2020 to keep my friends in the States informed of my travels. Along the way I’ve made international friends who also wanted to keep up with my adventures. I now have many more international than domestic Readers. And the international fans seem to enjoy

California # 19 – “There and Back Again To See Far It Is” / Vacaville

California Here I Come, Right Back Where I Started From “You live an amazing life. I wish more of my clients would be more adventurous and go out and see the world!” – Terry Uemara, Hawaii General Store travel agent, Seattle, WA. I made a decision over five years ago. Upon retirement (In September2019) I

Oz # 22 – Canberra: Aussie Peace Walk

American Volkswalkers Friday, March 22 – This is what I’ve been waiting for, the Aussie Peace Walk! Formerly known as the Canberra Walking Festival, also known as the Australian IVV / IML volkswalks. IVV is the International Federation of Popular Sports, a non-competitive, non-profit walking organization that was established in 1968 between walking clubs in

Oz # 21 – Canberra: Capital City

National Parliament House – In Legos! The Real Parliament House Monday, March 18 – Today was a travel day. I left Katoomba on an 11:15 AM train for Sydney, arriving shortly after 1:15 PM. This gave me plenty of time to book a 2 PM bus for Canberra. It would be a long day, arriving

Oz # 20 – Blue Mountains: Leura

Everglades Estate – Bluebell Walk Sunday, March 17 – I spent the morning at Scenic World (last episode), then continued on the Hop-On / Hop-Off bus into Leura. The driver dropped me off a block away from the 1934 Everglades Estate. This beautiful Art Deco home and gardens is currently owned by the Australian National

Oz # 19 – Blue Mountains: Katoomba

“It’s Like the Grand Canyon Covered in Rainforest” – Ric Catron, March 2000 Friday, March 15 – Sydney was lovely and I had a great two weeks there. I’m now headed to the Blue Mountains for the weekend to decompress and to get in a few more hikes before I wrap up my Australia trip