Jackie & Leonel had invited me to breakfast at 9 am. We had eggs with tomatoes, black beans, rice & toast. The coffee with warm milk was great. I had thought that Juan Armando was in his mid 30s, but they mentioned that he is mid 40s. His 2^nd wife is 24. He also has a brother in his early 50s who is now on his “4^th or 5^th marriage”. This is their parents’ only marriage, which has lasted over 50 years.

Jackie shared an interesting family background; which I will re-tell, as best as I can remember. Her mother was born in Austria and one of her uncles moved to Mexico and bought a factory. With WW 2 looming, the uncle invited Jackie’s mother to come to Mexico. She declined, but 5 years later he sent her a ticket and she came and settled in Mexico City. She had a series of 5 unsuccessful marriages and ended up operating a boarding house. One day a man showed up at the door and explained that he was the previous owner and had left some “phonographic records” in a closet hidden under the stairs. After talking with Jackie’s mother, he agreed to leave the records there and return & listen to them together. After 7 months they were happily married and “The General” was the “love of her life”. I guess the 6^th time is the charm.

Jackie became friendly with one of her mother’s boarders. He & his roommate were law students who eventually moved to Acapulco. Later, Jackie & her sister René decided to come to Acapulco for a weeks’ vacation. When they arrived, Jackie called her friend, but the friend’s roommate answered the phone and said “I’ll be right over”. The roommate was, of course, Leonel. After a few days, he suggested that she stay in Acapulco; she said that she would if she could find work. The next day, he informed her that she had a job in “Guest Relations” at the hotel, where she would greet the guests & teach the staff how to speak English. A year later they were married.

I sat on my terrace until 1 pm when it got too hot; then spent the rest of the afternoon working on my computer & reading. At 3:30 Jackie came and invited me to an early dinner with some friends. One friend was a young lawyer who works for Leonel & the other was a single female neighbor; neither spoke English, but Jackie was our interpreter.

I got up at 7 am and went to the pool for a swim. Jackie & Leonel had me to breakfast again; they claim that I am not imposing and they are very gracious. Perhaps they will adopt me and I will stay in Acapulco. The cook makes & serves breakfast; the maid helps her with the evening meal (3 or 4 pm). The cook has been with them for over 20 years and is paid $ 100 US dollars per week for 6 – 8 hour days. Again, I declined a dinner invitation and went into town to play pool. Louis directed me to a Sports Bar near Wal-Mart, but it no longer had pool tables. The hostess at the bar tried to give me directions to a Pool Hall; when I couldn’t understand, a waiter volunteered to ride with me and show me. The charge was $30 (3 dollars) for a cab back; I gave him $50. The fancy pool hall did not open until 6 pm, but there was a rather sparse bar with pool tables across the street. I had a soft drink and played for about 1 & ½ hours for $33.50 (3.35 US dollars). I might have stayed longer but the waiter (thru an interpreter) told me that “pool was finished”. I think that he must have meant that someone else was waiting.

At 5:30 pm I went to the movies with Jackie, Leonel, René & their friend Raquel. They said that Raquel is often available to go to the movies with them on Saturday nites because her husband plays golf. (In the dark?). We saw the Tom Hanks/Sandra Bullock movie about 911; I liked it. The theater had Lazy-Boy type recliner seats and the staff delivered what you ordered to your seat. Also, the theater is part of an upscale mall in the downtown.

March 2, 2012

Acapulco, Mexico

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

I had a 4:30 am taxi cab “pick-up” scheduled, so I set my alarm for 3:30 am.

The cab driver pulled into my condo complex and then drove back out, so I had to chace him down. At PBI, I “Curb Checked” my bag. The bag weighed “45 pounds on my home “baggage scale”, but at the airport weighed 52 pounds; go figure, but they didn’t say anything. However, I was told that I had to see a ticket agent to “verify” my passport. They “scanned” it and gave it back. When I was getting half undressed at security, I was told “you can hold your money”; when I got to the z-ray machine, the operator said to put everything into the gray pan.

My flight to Atlanta was on time. At 10,000 feet, I turned on my “I-Pad” to read my book, but could not open the book without an internet connection. When I get back to RI, I will have to visit the “Apple Store” again. At Atlanta, my flight landed at Concourse “B” and my flight to Mexico City was on Concourse “E”. So, I had to go to the lower level and take the train 3 stops and walk to the end of the concourse. When I reached the gate, only the ticket agent was present and the plane started to taxi while I was putting my carry-on bag in the overhead bin.

Fortunately my lay-over in Mexico City was almost 3 hours, because nobody gave instructions in English. First, I followed the crowd to customs. Then I wondered around and finally found Security. I had checked my large bag all the way thru to Acapulco, but I noticed that most of the others in line had several large bags. So, I asked and was sent to the baggage claim area to pick up my “checked” bag. The clerk would not let me take the bag until I searched thru all my pockets and produced the “baggage claim check”. After putting both bags thru the x-ray machine, I was told to press a button on a stand. There were two lights above the stand. When I pressed the button the “green” light came on. The attendant pointed to a table where 2 passengers were opening their luggage and an attendant was searching thru. When they were done, I hauled my 2 bags up, opened them and waited, while the agents chatted on the far side of the room. After about 20 minutes I went over and apologized and told them that I had a connecting flight and asked if someone could please help me. One of them gave me an annoyed look and asked me what color light came on, when I pressed the button. I said “green”. She said that “green” means you can go without inspection. They had probably been taking bets as to how long I was going to wait. Next, I hunted around for the “Information Booth” to ask how to re-check my bag. After checking the bag, I found gate “M”, which was really a whole series of gates and was told to wait in the “general area” until my gate number was announced. After lunch, I found my actual gate number on the monitor and waited there, which was a good thing, since I never heard them actually “call” my flight.

After I picked-up my bag at the Acapulco Airport, I found the driver who had been sent for me in the lobby. The “Club Residential Las Brisas” is about 20 minutes from the airport. It is an exclusive “gated” community consisting of 75 private homes (all different). The “Las Brisas Hotel” is next door. I am doing a “home exchange” with Juan Armando Juarez. He (or his family) owns this 11 unit residence. Juan Armando’s mother Jackie & his father Leonel also live here. They have a Concierge Luis, a maid & a cook. The maid cleans for me each day. The cook will cook for me, if I buy the food, but I will probably eat out.

My Suite is large & new and has a spectacular terrace with a grand view of Acapulco Bay. I took a walk around the neighborhood with Juan Armando’s parents and had a pizza delivered for supper. Actually, his mother ordered it for me because the local delivery places don’t speak English.

It was a great 1^st day in Acapulco.

Club Residential Las Brisas - View of the pool from my terrace

March 1, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – December, 2011

Washington, DC – December 2011

Between Christmas & New Year 2011, I took my grandson, Danny Butler, age 11 and my nephew, Jaylen Diaz, age 12 to Washington, DC. We went by Amtrak on the “red eye”. We stayed at the Windsor Hotel, North West of DuPont Circle. The following is our Schedule and some pictures. Unfortunatly, the “picture uploader” was not working properly and it put pictures out-of-order and deleted some “captions”.

Monday, 26^th, 10:22 pm Providence Amtrak

Tuesday, 27^th, 7:00 am Arrive Union Station

Breakfast @ Union Station

9:00 or 9:30 Buy Tourmobile Bus Ticket @ Union Station

9:30 to 5:00 Tour on the on/off Tourmobile, (Stops

Include: Union Station, National Museum of Natural

History, National Museum of American History,

Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Lincoln Memorial,

Arlington National Cemetery, Kennedy Family Grave

Sites, Tomb of the Unknowns, White House (closed),

Washington Monument (closed), Air & Space

Museum, US Capital)

Buy Smart Trip Card for Metro/Bus at Metro Station

Take Metro to DuPont Circle

Walk to Windsor Hotel, 2116 Kalorama Rd. NW, Washington, DC 20008,

1 (202)-483-7700.

Dinner Nearby

Wednesday, 28^th 2^nd day on on/off Tourmobile

Thursday, 29^th Arrive at Capital no later than 9:00 am for 9:50 Formal Tour,

(No bags larger than 14”x13”x4”) Page 158

Try Bean Soup at Visitor Center Restaurant

Afternoon visit Downtown via Metro Center Subway Station,:

(Madame Tussauds, Ford’s Theater, International Spy Museum

, National Archives) Page 58

Friday, 30^th National Zoo (open 6am to 6pm, buildings 10:00 am)

Afternoon – Open

10:00 pm Amtrak

Saturday, 31^st 6:58 am Arrive Providence

"The Smithsonian" - Air & Space

The Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

Korean Memorial

"FDR" Memorial

Arlington National Cemetry - The Kennedy Graves

November 19, 2011

PACIFIC NORTHWEST – 2011 – Chapter 6

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Weather: Another nice day.

My plan for today was to go to San Francisco and visit Union Square & Chinatown.

On the BART, I saw a 30 year old male carrying a “skate-board”:

1.) He couldn’t afford a car

2.) Does it help going up-hill?

3.) How fast does it go down-hill?

My visit to “Union Square” included:

St. Francis Hotel – San Francisco’s 2^nd oldest; a luxurious Italian Renaissance hotel, rebuilt after the 1906 fire. Silent film comedian Fatty Arbuckle had an encounter with a woman here and after 3 sensational trials was acquitted of rape & murder, with his career kaput. My trip in the glass elevator to the 32^nd floor would have been better, if I hadn’t heard about Fatty.
The Square – It has a skating rink and was receiving a huge Christmas tree at the time of my visit.
Maiden Lane – Former red-light district; now up-scale shops
Lotta’s Fountain – Donated to the city by a former stripper.
Palace Hotel – The city’s oldest hotel with grand interiors. Pat and I had Sunday brunch in the “Garden Court” Restaurant. President Warren Harding died here, while still in office.

My visit to “Chinatown” included:

Chinatown Gates – They are on Grant Avenue and are the entrance to the largest Chinese community outside of Asia. Next, is the souvenir gauntlet and smells of Chinese herbs & cooking.
Bow Hon Restaurant – Dim Sum: Yuk! Yuk! Poo!
Portsmouth Square – Men & women doing Falum Dafa exercises; women playing cards; Men playing checkers; children in playground; and the whole neighborhood hanging-out.
Chinese Telephone Exchange – Now the East West Bank of Canton
Ross Alley – The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

It was time to head back. It was a great day in San Francisco & San Leandro.

"San Francisco" - Union Square -The statue in front of the Saint Francis Hotel

"San Francisco" - Union Square -View from the glass elevator at the St. Francis Hotel

"San Francisco" - Union Square -Lobby of the St. Francis

"San Francisco" - Union Square

"San Francisco" - Union Square - Skating

"San Francisco" - Union Square - The S. Francis

"San Francisco" - Union Square -The Shadow Boxer

"San Francisco" - Madin Lane - A store frm the past

"San Francisco" - Madin Lane

"San Francisco" - Lotta's Fountain

"San Francisco" - The Palace Hotel

"San Francisco" - The "Garden Court" at the Palace Hotel

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - The Gate

"San Francisco" - Chinatown

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - The Orchestra

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - Mayy I taketh yo order pleasee

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - Portsmouth Square

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - Portsmouth Square - Playing Cards

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - Portsmouth Square - Falum Dafa

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - Portsmouth Square - East West Bank

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - Chineese Funeral

"San Francisco" - Chinatown - Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory - Her fortune: Life Serious

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Weather: Cloudy & cold

Today I hung-out and finished & published my “Blog”.

This may be a good day to tell you my last “Encyclopedia Salesmen” Story. (If you don’t like this Encyclopedia Shit, stop reading, because it doesn’t get any better than this.) Thus far I’ve told you the “Mr. Massey Story” and the “Huckleberry Finnegan Story; let’s call this one “Jack’s Best Day Ever”.

Before selling books, Jack was “shy”; thanks to Mr. Massey and Huckleberry Finnegan, Jack came out of his “shell”. The average salesmen wrote 1 & ½ orders per week. Jack averaged 3; and on his best week, he got 11 and came very close to winning a trip to Japan. (Actually, 3 of those orders were from the week before and 1 was from the following week; but what’s the fun of a contest, if you don’t cheat a little?)

On “Jack’s Best Day Ever we went to Ledyard, Connecticut. (Some of you didn’t know how small New England really is; and this was before Foxwoods Casino was even thought of.) I made a sale at the 2^nd door that I knocked on. By this time I was a Field Manager and had my own car. So, Jack was thinking about finding a movie theater. But, I trudged on thru this enormous sub-division. After a while, I knocked on a door and a voice hollered “Come In!” This was my favorite response, but, if they were expecting someone else, this could result in an awkward moment. I said “You don’t know me”. He replied “Come in Anyway”; so I did and considered kissing him on the lips. The door opened into a living room with a coach and 2 kitchen chairs. I could see into the dining room and it was empty, not even a picture on the walls. But in the corner was a bookcase with half a set of “Britannica Encyclopedias” (Colliers arch rival) with the other half in two opened boxes on the floor. Jack’s first thought was that this is a “No Sale”. So I said “I’m selling encyclopedias; looks like your all set. I expected him to say “Get the hell out”; but instead he said “What kind of a deal do you have for me?” I still didn’t believe it, so I said “$36.00 per month for 10 months”; he says “Sounds fair to me”. At this point, I gave more serious consideration to “kissing him on the lips”.

But, instead I decided to start from the beginning; we called his wife down from upstairs. She was somewhat “unkempt” and had a huge black eye. Her first comment was “But, we don’t need another set of encyclopedias.” He said “SHUT-UP & SIT DOWN”. You know, she never said another word, even when he told her to sign the contract. I’ll bet the guy from Britannica was present when she got the black eye. As I am packing up my case to leave, he walked to the star case and shouts up “Come down now and bring “it” with you.” Jack has two thoughts: “Am I on Candid Camera” and “Is someone bringing a gun down.” I was glad to see 5 dirty children come tromping down the stairs carrying a 4’x8’ piece of cardboard. They lined up along one of the blank walls, holding the cardboard in front of them and sang, the then popular song, “Tie me Kangaroo down Sport”. I was so “UP” that I continued pounding on doors, even though it was getting dark. I made another sale (my record; 3 in 1 day) and picked up my crew late.

Tonight I had Dinner at that great Italian neighborhood Restaurant, “Portofino”.

Although quiet, it was another great day in San Leandro.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Weather: Sunny with a few clouds

Today I decided to visit the Presidio and walk the Golden Gate Bridge.

At the San Leandro BART Station, I bought a coffee and tried to pay my $1 for parking; it’s a good deal, but they don’t make it easy. There are two options; pay cash or pay with your BART ticket. Since I had the ticket in my hand, I tried that; no parking receipt and it kept my BART ticket with $20 in credits. The attendant helped me retrieve my ticket, but there was no receipt. I paid another $1 in cash and received my parking receipt. As I got on the “Daly City” train, I realized that I didn’t have my coffee. I got off the BART at the “Powell” Station and bought a coffee & “San Francisco Chronicle”, at the little cafe` just outside the station, and sat down to read and enjoy my first cup of coffee of the day. The flies were so annoying that I left.

I bought my second 7 day “Passport” and stood in the line for the cable car and drank my coffee. It was fascinating to see them “turn the cable car” around by hand. I got on the Hide Street car and here was no room outside, so I got the last seat inside. The car was so filled that I couldn’t see enough to enjoy the ride. At the waterfront I took two busses and finally reached the toll Plaza on the San Francisco side of the bridge. (A cab ride from the Powell Station would have been a better choice.)

The “Golden Gate” was completed in 1937 after 4 years of construction. It has a 2 mile span with 2-750’ towers. There is a small park that has a six foot cross-section of the main cable on display. It is 36” in diameter and is made-up of 61 strands of galvanized carbon steel; the total length of the strands is 80,000 miles and they weigh more than 20,000 tons. (I’ll bet that was too much information for all you “non-engineers”.)

11 men died during construction and there are, on average, 20 jumpers per year; the rail at the center span is only 4 & ½ feet high. They are currently debating options; the most popular is a safety net. But, I think that that only gives jumpers a second chance.

The walkway was under repair so I could only walk half way across, but I got some nice pictures. I had mapped out a walk thru the Presidio, but my map didn’t alert me to the slope of my selected route. I stopped at the “Warming Hut Café” on the waterfront for lunch. It was a steep walk down and the rest of my planned walk appeared to be up-hill; so I called a cab. The dispatcher was very friendly; he said that the café got its name from the fact that this is the place that they used to take the bodies they pulled out of the bay to warm up before the autopsy. After waiting an hour and two more phone calls, I gave up on a cab and walked back to the toll plaza and took a bus to the BART.

It was still a great day in San Francisco and San Leandro.

"San Francisco" - A special celebration ?

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - Cable Sample

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - Gardens

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - The Old Fort below the bridge

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - The city with the "Warming Hut" at right

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - Looking back at the Toll Plaza

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - The first 750' tower

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - Don't Jump !

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - Another view of the city

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge - Don't jump here - you might hit someone below

"San Francisco" - The Golden Gate Bridge

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Weather: A mix of clouds & Sunshine

Today I decided to drive to Sonoma Valley & Napa Valley.

When I was in Oakland on the Interstate 580, my GPS (Peg) wanted me to turn left and go thru San Francisco; but, I wanted to go over the San Rafael Bridge to avoid the congestion. When I stayed on the 580, Peg kept saying: “Take next exit and make a U turn” and each time she said it she sounded bossier. I call my GPS Peg after a former employee who was very bossy. I fired Peg after Pam’s doctor prescribed pills to help her better coupe with Peg.

Peg finally shut-up and I eventually saw a sign: 17 miles to Sonoma. (Mental calculation @ 65 mph: 26 minutes and 10 seconds to Sonoma. Two minutes later I saw another sign: Sonoma County Line. (Re- calculating time…..). Eventually I arrived in the town of Sonoma; founded in the early 1800s it is the oldest town in Wine Country. The Mission era central plaza includes the town hall and lovely gardens with fountains. Across from the plaza on 4 sides are shops; restaurants; the 1852 Toscano Hotel museum; Mission San Francisco, the last of the Spanish-Mexican Settlements; the 1930s Sebastiani Theatre; and the Sonoma Barrack State Park. I had lunch at the Sunflower Café with one of Sonoma’s prettiest patios.

Wine Country offered: Wine Tasting Tours, Cheese Tasting Tours, Olive Oil Tasting Tours, and even Wine Flights from the local airfield; at 3,000’ the pilot passes around a jug of wine & the stewardess passes cheese samples which can be dipped in olive oil. Wine tasting and vineyard tours usually cost between $20 & $40 in both the Sonoma & Napa Valley’s; Jack found a great freebie.

The “Hess Collection Winery and Vineyards” was a delightful discovery. It was a little out-of-the-way and I went past the small sign; Peg said: “You missed it”. The entrance drive was so long and winding that it reminded me of the “Ponderosa”, but I finally got there. I was first impressed by the extensive, manicured gardens that welcome guests. The two older limestone structures are the winery production facilities and the cask ageing rooms. Formerly a road separated these buildings; recently a modern three story art museum has been constructed, connecting them. I was welcomed cordially and told that I was the only visitor at the moment; and was given a private screening of a movie about wine making at this facility in a 30 seat theater. At the end of the film, the lights automatically came on and the double entry doors automatically opened. This was one of the nicest, modern museum buildings that I have ever seen; unfortunately photographs were not allowed. It contains Swiss owner Donald Hess’s personal art collection, including mostly large scale works by contemporary artists. My favorite is a portrait (just her face) of a very beautiful young woman. It is 11’ high by 8’ wide and is so flawless that you might think it is a high-resolution photograph; it is a painting done with a very tiny brush and is said to have taken the artist two years to complete.

By now about 10 other visitors had arrived and we were given a guided tour of the vineyard, ageing room and production facilities. I declined the wine tasting, but took a brief look around the wine/gift shop. As I headed out the front door, empty handed, three different employees thanked me “so much” for coming; perhaps, if I had purchased a bottle of wine, I would have received three kisses.

It was a great day in Sonoma, Napa and San Leandro.

"Sonoma" - The Sunflower Cafe`

"Sonoma" - Shops

"Sonoma"

"Sonoma" - 1930s Theater

"Sonoma" - Old Hotel

"Sonoma" - Park

"Sonoma" - Town Hall

"Sonoma" - Park with fountain

"Napa" - The Hess Collection Winery & Vinyards - The entrance gardens

"Napa" - The Hess Collection Winery & Vinyards - Production on left & Ageing on right

"Napa" - The Hess Collection Winery & Vinyards - Ageing Room (In more ways than one)

"Napa" - The Hess Collection Winery & Vinyards - The Vinyard

"Napa" - The Hess Collection Winery & Vinyards - The Production Facilities

"Napa" - The Hess Collection Winery & Vinyards - The view from the front door

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Weather: Cloudy, warm & sunny in the afternoon

I was driving along and the car started to veer to the right. I was pressing on the break as hard as I could and the car was not slowing down and my leg really, really hurt…..Leg cramp….LEG CRAMP. I jumped out of bed; hobbled to the bathroom and stood on the cold tile floor…..oh….oh….ah….ahhhh. It was early, but for some reason, I was wide awake.

Normally, I would have rested today, but rain is forecasted for the rest of the week. I decided to go into San Francisco and explore “Nob Hill” & “Russian Hill”.

I forgot to pay the $1 for parking at the San Leandro Station, but fortunately didn’t get a ticket. The cable cars at Powell & Market were not working again, but I knew ware to get the “Shuttle Bus”. I transferred to the Powell-Mason Cable Car and got off at Vallejo Street to see the “Vallejo Steps”. My plan was to walk down, but instead I had to climb up. There are stairs on both sides of the street, more steps than I could count; but, beautiful gardens in-between, spectacular views of the city and Coolbrith Park at the top. Nearby, I found Macondray Lane; a lush garden path with cobblestones.

I made my way back to North Beach and had lunch at my favorite restaurant “Calzone’s”; spicy Italian sausage Sandwich. It was so good that I can still taste it; two “Tums”. Next, I took the Mason Cable Car to the “Cable Car Museum”; it is a “working museum” and actually powers the cable cars that are running today. Inside the historic Cable Car Barn & Powerhouse, visitors can view the actual cable winding machinery from an elevated gallery, as well as the path of the cable entering the building and leaving underneath the street in the sheave room viewing area. Also on display are various mechanical devices, such as grips, track, trucks, cable and brake mechanisms with corresponding explanations. There are four cables, totaling 9 miles, powering the city’s three lines. The cable is located about 18” below the street and runs at a constant 9 & ½ miles per hour. The Conductor moves around and takes tickets; the Gripman stands in front and operates the grip, breaks and bell. Favorite top-of-the-hill joke: “This is my first day folks”. The tickets one-way are now $6, which makes a $27 seven-day passport a good deal and also allows free bus rides.

One block up is the top of “Nob Hill” where I rested in “Huntington Park”. East of the park is the “Pacific Union Club” located in the Flood Mansion; the only one to survive the 1906 earthquake. It is hard to get the “skinny” on the Club; its 700 members follow the directive: no women; no Democrats; and no reporters. Surrounding the park is: the Mark Hopkins; Grace Cathedral; Sanford Court; and Pat’s favorite the Fairmont San Francisco.

I toured the public spaces of the Fairmont and took the Powell- Mason “Shuttle Bus” back to Market Street. As I went into the BART Station, I got a complement on my Seattle “Tie-died” jacket; Cool Jacket, Dude. I was pleased until I saw that it came from a bum with one tooth.

That reminds me of another joke: “How do we know that the tooth-brush was invented in Kentucky?” “Because, if it were invented anywhere else, it would have been called the: “teeth-brush”.

It was another great day in San Francisco and San Leandro.

"San Francisco" - The Vallejo Steps

"San Francisco" - The Vallejo Steps - The View

"San Francisco" - Morning Fog

"San Francisco" - Macandary Lane

"San Francisco" - Jack's not afraid of his shadow

"San Francisco" - Some nice houses

"San Francisco" - Cable Car Museum - The actual machinery running the cable cars

"San Fransico" - Nob Hill - Grace Cathederal

"San Fransico" - Nob Hill - Huntington Park with the Pacific Union Club at left & the Mark Hopkins at right

"San Fransico" - Nob Hill - The Mark Hopkins

"San Fransico" - Nob Hill - The Fairmont

"San Fransico" - Nob Hill - The Fairmont - The Garden Court Resturant

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Weather: Cloudy in the morning; bright sun in the afternoon, (never trust the weathermen)

Most mornings I go to the local “Donut Shop” for coffee; no name, just Donut Shop. It is run by a Oriental Asian couple and has a mostly ethnic clientele; Jack is the only white guy. This is not unusual for me; back in Rhode Island, I am the only white guy on an all black pool team. The first morning I made diet-oatmeal and had only coffee, but the donuts were “calling” me. On day #2, I skipped that oatmeal crap and pointed to a large “éclair”. The Oriental Asian man asked: “Do you want that filled?” “Is the Pope Catholic?” He took it in the back room and when he returned, it was blown-up to twice the size with custard dripping out of both ends. It was a “Blivet” Éclair; and I mean that in a nice way. The “Chink” offered to carry it to my table, but I wasn’t going to risk him dropping it, so I staggered there on my own. It was every bit as good as it looked and I resolved to have one per week; later, I thought, perhaps one every-other day. Today I am thinking of going back for lunch. Along with the Weather, the local newspapers have a daily “Earthquake” section that lists yesterdays quakes in Calafornia; 5 varying from 1.0 to 2.3. Who wooda thunk it ?

While reading my newspaper, I overheard some elderly gentlemen discussing the relative merits of various Jails; County vs. State vs. Federal. Based on their extensive personal experiences, County seems to be the Penitentiary of choice. I think that this Donut Shop makes more money selling lottery tickets than on coffee & donuts; they had a Lotto Screen with numbers popping up and more than 20 types of Instant Winner Cards. It is a nice neighborhood place where everyone knows everyone else, except perhaps Jack. I may have more to report after lunch.

It was a quiet, but nice day in San Leandro.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Weather: Cloudy with occasional rain

Today was for packing & a little cleaning.

It was a quiet but good last day in San Leandro, CA

I hope that you all have enjoyed this “BLOG”, as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

END OF CHAPTER 6- THE FINAL CHAPTER

November 14, 2011

PACIFIC NORTHWEST – 2011 – Chapter 5

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Weather: Nice, but cold

This was the day for my trip to San Leandro, CA. My cab driver was early, which distracted me; I left my insulin in the refrigerator. My Spokane hosts mailed it to me in San Leandro, CA. Also, I placed my “toiletries” in my carry-on bag and they were confiscated by the security screeners. The local newspaper had an article about “wolves”; Washington State is already home to 3 packs of Gray Wolves and the state “Wildlife Managers” want to increase the population to 5 packs. WHY? My intermediate stop was Portland, Oregon. When I arrived at the gate, my flight to San Francisco was already boarding; no pee-break for Jack. It was a less than “auspicious” start.

The San Francisco International Airport is enormous. They have an elevated “Sky-Rail”, loop train that interconnects the concourses, garages and the BART (commuter train). I took the Sky-Rail to the Bart Station and figured out how to buy a ticket for the “Red Line”. I turned around and saw a red train and got on. Then I sat on the “Sky-Rail” for 20 minutes, until I returned to the BART Station. My next trick was getting thru the turnstiles at the BART station with a back-pack, carry-on & two suitcases; but, Jack managed. I got on the San Francisco bound train and got off, as instructed, at the Civic Center Station to change trains for the East Bay. There was a train stopped on the other tracks; I asked “Does this go to the “East Bay?”. The reply from three people was YES, so Jack got on; when it arrived back at the airport, Jack tried again. The second time was the charm and when I arrived at the San Leandro Station my home-exchange host, Susan Logan & her friend Carol were waiting for me. They are very nice, friendly and helpful. When I saw the Obama “08” bumper sticker, I thought it best not to discuss politics. Later, I noticed on the refrigerator a sign: “Cat’s for Obama – 28 more years”; and my personal favorite, a sticker on the garbage pail: “W” The Incompetent.

Susan’s home is lovely, neat and spotlessly clean. There were even fresh flowers from her garden on the dining room table; and she didn’t take them with her, when she left. She lives on the 1^st floor and uses the 2^nd for home exchanges and for weekly rentals. Both floors have separate entrances and an interior connecting stairway with a lockable door. She was leaving on a trip to Mexico, so I had the run of the house. I used the 1^st floor: living room, dining/study, kitchen & bath. I slept in one of the 2^nd floor bedrooms & used the 2^nd floor lav. I had no need for the second kitchen, 2 other bedrooms or second living room. It is an older home, but beautiful, tastefully decorated and ideal for my needs. Susan has a photograph of herself, taken many years ago at a “sit-in”; just before Eisenhower’s federal troops made the arrests.

I settled in, went grocery shopping, had lunch at a little Italian Restaurant and worked on my blog.

It was a nice 1^st day in San Leandro, CA

"San Leandro" - home-exchange - Front

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Living Room

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Hall

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Living Room

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Dining / Study

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Kitchen

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Bathroom width shower

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Dining / Study

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - The Sit-In (upper right)

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - The bedroom after Jack un-maid the bed

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - up stairs Study

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Up-Stairs Bath

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - A human year is like 7 for a cat

"San Leandro" - Home-Exchange - Garbage Pail Slogan

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Weather: Nice sunny day

My plan was to ride the Cable-Cars and to explore the city.

Susan kindly gave me a “loaded” BART pass and explained how to get a new one, at a Senior Discount, when needed. Parking at the San Leandro BART Station is only $1 all day, after 10am. It takes about 25 minutes to get to the first San Francisco stop. I got off at Powell & Market because I wanted to buy a Passport for $27, which would allow me to ride the busses, streetcars, and cable-cars for a week, at no added charge. I was directed to buy it at the “Visitor’s Center”, just outside; CLOSED SUNDAYS. I went back into the Bart Station to use the rest room; big sign: “No Restrooms”. I found a Burger King up the street; 25 cent pay toilet. Two of the three cable-car lines begin & end their runs at Powel & Market. There was a long line for the cable-cars, so I asked the guy at the head of the line: “How long a wait? He replied 5 minutes”; what planet was he from? I had nothing better to do, so I went to the end of the line, where someone pointed out that I had to wait in the line at the “Ticket Booth” first. As I neared the front of the line, several people cut in front demanding a refund because this cable-car stop was closed for an unspecified reason and duration. I saw a sign: “Passports Available”; as the line dissipated, I bought a “Passport”.

Next to the Ticket Booth was a guy in a red conductors outfit providing information. He directed me two blocks up the hill where he said a free shuttle bus would take me to a stop where I could get on a Cable-Car. There were about 40 people standing on the corner. The “Shuttle Bus” came on the other side of the street; we all cross. The “Asian” bus driver said: “I can’t pick-up on this side of the street; we all crossed again. All I can think of is: “Chinese Fire Drill”. Finally, 10 minutes later, we were picked up. We were taken 4 or 5 stops and finally got on a cable-car. People were standing on the running-boards and holding onto the vertical brass rails; it reminded me of a carousel and I kept expecting someone to reach out for the “brass ring”. We rode thru “China Town” to “Fishermen’s Warf” with spectacular views of San Francisco, as we bounced along.

I got off at the waterfront, the end of the line. There were many street vendors and “Victorian Park”, with wonderful views of the “Golden Gate” Bridge. They were just cleaning up from the “U.S. Half Marathon” that had taken place that morning. I visited “Ghirardelli Square” and stopped at a seafood Restaurant for Lunch; Dungeness crab, delicious! Next, I went to “Coit Tower”; bus part way, but a lot of up-hill walking. It had an old fashioned elevator with a brass gate and uniformed “Asian” operator. (Once I referred to an Asian person as “Oriental” and he corrected me: “I am Asian; rugs are Oriental”). I remembered my ride in the high speed elevator at the Seattle Space Needle; the operator gave a non-stop, breathless lecture from bottom to top. This guy, (I named him “Charlie Chan”), was silent; Jack said: “What, no narrated tour?” He replied: “They only pay me to drive”. I had seen a “Tip-Box” attached to the wall, so I pointed to it and said to another passenger: “Retrieve my dollar from the tip-box”. Everyone laughed, except “Charlie”.

The views from the tower were panoramic. On the elevator down, I said to the driver: “I have a tip for you. Stop at the gift shop and pick up a book about this tower and study it. Then, the next time that you close these doors, recite what you have learned; date built, height, Mr. Coit’s middle name, etc. Then when open the doors “smile” and say: “I hope that you enjoyed the ride; tips are graciously accepted”. Charlie just stared, stoically ahead. I guess that Charlie is just not a “Mooch”.

Next, I walked thru the Italian “North Beach”, which reminded me a little of Providence’s “Federal Hill” and wondered if there was a MOB influence here. I found a nice Italian Restaurant “Calzone’s” which was fancier than the name implies. I sat at a pretty sidewalk table under a radiant heater. Jack chose:” Fettuccini Bolognese” with five hour pork & beef sugo. It was the best that I have ever had; the Posta was 1” wide & paper thin and the sauce (tomato gravy) had so much meat that you could stand-up your fork in it. MMMM & AHHH!

On Sundays the bus schedule is a little screwy, but I eventually got to a BART Station. When we arrived at the San Leandro Station, I stood at the doors, but they didn’t open. Before I could get to the next car, the train left the station. I waited at the doors of the next car until they opened at the next stop, and then took the city bound train back to San Leandro. Those BART bastards! John – Add them to the list of people I’m suing.

It made me think of the song about “Charlie on the MTA”: “Did he ever return? No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned. But, his wife still meets him with a lunch at the Scully Square Station”.

It was another great day in San Leandro & San Francisco.

"San Francisco" - My next invention will be a "Shampoo Safe"

"San Francisco" - I bought one just like this for you. Watch the mail to see what color.

"San Francisco" - Cable Car

"San Francisco" - The Conductor

"San Francisco" - Cable Car - "7 types of breaks": Wheel; Break Lever; Rear Wheel; Track; Track Lever; Emergency; Emergency Lever; and Jack Jump.

"San Francisco" - View from "Victorian Park" - (Notice the blimp)

"San Francisco" - Ghirardelli Square

"San Francisco" - Ghirardelli Square - Fountain

"San Francisco" - Ghirardelli Square - (Notice the warming fire)

"San Francisco" - The climb to Coit Tower

"San Francisco" - Coit Tower - Why pay to see trees a few feet away ?

: “San Francisco” – Coit Tower – The down-town view

"San Francisco" - Coit Tower - Alcatraz

"San Francisco" - Coit Tower - The Golden Gate

"San Francisco" - Coit Tower - The Bay Bridge

"San Francisco" - Coit Tower

"San Francisco" - The International School of Pizza - How long to get a degree ?

"San Francisco" - North Beach (but, not near the water), note the steep street & the sidewalk stairs

"San Francisco" - North Beach (Blow up of last picture) pan-handelers. Note: the guy on the right has a fishing pole with a cup as bait & he lowers it in front of passers-by.

"San Francisco" - North Beach - Jack's version of the picture on the Embarcadoro

"San Francisco" - North Beach - Calzone's - Jack's favorite

Monday, November 7, 2011

Weather: Clouds, but no rain

Today was set aside to relax & plan my second venture into San Francisco.

I actually spent most of it finalizing Chapter 4 of my blog and up-loading pictures and “Publishing” it. The internet finally cooperated and I got it done.

It was a quiet, but nice day in San Leandro.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Weather: Sunny, but cold.

Today’s plan was to visit The Embarcadero, the Ferry Building and take the Ferry to Sausalito.

When I was exiting the Embarcadero Station, there was a line at the turn-stiles to leave; I saw a guy “cut” the turnstile and sneak out the side gate, so I followed. Once out on the street I walked down Market Street toward the Ferry Building and passed an “Occupy” encampment on the sidewalk in front of the “Federal Reserve” office. Opposite the main entrance was a tent where I could see a man & a woman standing and making sandwiches. As I passed, I saw her take a bite and then extend it across the table and he took a bite. I wondered if they knew each other and what else they might be sharing. On the near side of the Embarcadero, (the city’s northeastern waterfront), there were Arts & Crafts on the left and a larger “Occupy” contingent on the right. It looked like the “occupiers” had extended many small tents & tarps to make a large narrow tent. Every bum and hippy seemed to be hanging around. The newspaper headlines this week were about someone being shot & killed at the “occupy” encampment in Oakland, only a few miles away.

On the Ferry side of the Embarcadero was a Farmers Market. Amongst the stalls, I found the “Blue Bottle Coffee Company” that had been featured in my tour book as a “must taste”. They had beans by the pound or cups made while you watch; Jack ordered a large cup. The process is rather interesting: they line up a series of 8 cups and in a special holder suspended above each cup, a cone shaped filter in with ground coffee is placed. Next, hot water is individually poured thru each filter. When your cup is full, you add cream & sugar to your taste (no artificial sweetener available – organic only – screw diabetics). I took a sip and headed for the ferry. Three tries with the ticket machine, that rejected my credit card, netted me a round-trip ticket and a bunch of “tokens”. I showed the tokens to the ticket agent on the boat and asked: “What do I do with these?” He replied: “Spend them, there the new dollar coins”.

As I stepped onto the ferry, there appeared to be only one woman on board. As I sat down to have my “Blue Bottle”, I realized that I had left it on top of the ticket machine. Dammed Ferry Company! I went up on deck to take some pictures, I found another 100 passengers. The ferry traveled a lot faster than I had expected. It gave a wide birth to the “Rock”; as if avoiding escaping inmates, and docked in Sausalito in less than a half an hour. On the dock there was a man/women (I couldn’t tell), playing an instrument from India called a “Sitar”; he/she had named it “Phyllis”. I “window shopped” and remembered how, when Pat & I took the kids here 25 years ago, we abandoned them for over an hour, while pat and I shopped at a men’s clothing store. I still ware the black leather coat with the big fir color.

I found a nice restaurant, with a view for lunch. As I approached, I noticed a young women eating pasta; she said it was “penne pesto” and was very good. For some reason, I was reminded of one of Dick Casey’s jokes. A 90 year old man stepped into a “confessional” and said to the priest: “I had sex with a 25 year old woman, who was not my wife”. The priest asked: “How long has it been since your last confession?” The elderly gentlemen replied: “This is my first, I’m Jewish”. The priest said: “Why are you telling me this? The man replied: “I’m telling everyone”.

I went in & ordered and when I came out the girl gave me a big smile, which I took to be an invitation. So, I sat and we chatted. Her name is “Annik” from the Netherlands and she is traveling for 4 weeks before starting her internship as a Pediatrician. We talked for about 20 minutes and, although homely, she was very charming. After lunch I did some more “widow shopping”, bought some post cards and sat at a waterfront café and filled them out. I got back to the ferry 15 minutes early and found a line into the street. Once they started boarding, I realized that I was in the “bicycle line” and all the other passengers were already on board. There were more passengers with bikes than without.

At the Ferry landing I asked for directions to the nearest BART station. A women nearby said that she was going there and to follow her. When I inserted my ticket at the turnstile the gate did not open and a message came up; “See Agent”. My new friend directed me to the agent who said: You didn’t exit after you left San Leandro this morning. She made me come in thru the emergency exit, exit thru the turnstile, and then enter the turnstile for my ride back to San Leandro. I bet that nobody “cuts” the turnstile a second time.

It was a great day In San Leandro, San Francisco and Sausalito.

"The BART" - Note the sign "Bomb Detectors", Also note the overhead stanchon that holds the right seats. What holds up the left seats ?

"The BART" - Bike Rack ?

"The BART" - Another Bike Rack ?

"The BART" - Sound baffles over the tracks

"The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco"

"San Francisco" - "Occupy in fron of the FED

"San Francisco" - "Occupy" in front of the FED

"San Francisco" - They both took a bite of the same sandwich

"San Francisco" - The Ferry Building

: “Embarcadero” – Arts & Crafts

San Francisco" - The Ferry Building

San Francisco" - The Ferry Building - Some 1st timers

: San Francisco” – The Ferry Building – More first timers

San Francisco" - The Ferry Building - Blue Bottle Coffee

"The Ferry to Sausalito"

"The Ferry to Sausalito" - The Oakland Bay Bridge

"The Ferry to Sausalito" - The Ferry Building

"The Ferry to Sausalito" - The Golden Gate & Alcatraz

"Sausalito" - Greeter - Sitar

"Sausalito" - Now that's a Pe`Pa Seat

"Sausalito" - Dick Casey - Check your mailbox

"Sausalito" - A varity of buildings

"Sausalito" - ANNIK

"Sausalito" - The View for lunch

"Sausalito" - Left: Don't steal my mop ; Right: Don't walk away with my key.

"Sausalito" - Typical Shops

"The Ferry from Sausalito" - The Golden Gate Bridge

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Weather: Sunny & nice.

Today I am heading to “Yosemite National Park” including two nites in Mariposa, CA.

I almost cut someone off as I entered Interstate 580 East: not a great start. I proceeded through the Foot Hills that seemed to be a combination of mud & burned grass; and then through the Diablo Costal Range that had more Wind Turbans than I could count. This was followed by the flat, “High Desert”. At first it was barren, but I later encountered Fig Tree Farms & Pasticcio Plantations. I passed a van towing a cannon with Union & Confederate flags; a sign said: “Terrorists take note – This Infidel shoots”.

I stopped for a comfort break & a coffee at a Mc Donald’s. They had a double drive-thru; business must be good. The rest room reminded me of some other “Danny” stories.

1.) Danny took his first trip to the men’s room with Pe’pa; previously he had gone to the ladies’ room with his mother. When he finished, he tried to wash his hands in the urinal.

2.) Danny & I had lunch at a Newport Creamery Restaurant and, (as always), he needed to explore the men’s room, before leaving. A little old man, (about my age), went into the only stall; Danny tried to use the urinal, but couldn’t reach. Next he says “Something smells funny in here, Pe`pa”. I said “Let’s go across the street to the book store”. He replies “It won’t be long now Pe’pa, I can hear his poppies”. The voice from behind the door said “It’s going to be a while”; we went to the book store.

In Mc Donald’s parking lot I asked for directions to an Auto Supply Store; he provided the most detailed & elaborate directions to a store 10 miles away. I explained that I wanted an accessory for my side-view mirror to allow me to see in the “blind spot”; he sent me to the “Tractor Supply Store”, across the street. This store was like “The Home Depot for Tractors”. The first thing I saw was two huge “Gun Safes” with red bows for Christmas and a sign that said “His & Hers”. This must be the “wild” west.

As I drove along, I saw a sign “Tioga Pass Closed”. I didn’t know if this pass was on my way or after Yosemite, so I turned around and went back 5 miles to a gas station. The pass, at 9,945’ elevation, is on the other side of the park, but I filled up the tank while I had the opportunity. When I arrived in “Mariposa”, my GPS took me past my hotel (Best Western Yosemite Way Station), to “The Happy Burger”, where Jack had lunch. I found my hotel, checked-in, and booked my tour; 7:30 am departure, 5:00 pm return. After dinner at the “Sugar Pine Café”, I went to bed early.

It was a great day in San Leandro, Mariposa and in-between.

"Double Drive Thrus" - Business must be good

: This must be the “WILD” West ! – His & Hers gun safes for Christmas

"Century 21" has a listing - Pastacio Plantation For Sale

The Foothills

"Is there an Indian uprising ?"

The view looking back West.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Weather: Cold, but sunny.

After the free breakfast at my hotel, I picked-up an Italian Grinder at the Pioneer Market for lunch and met my Tour Guide at his office. His name is Ken; I named him “Mr. Wizard”, because the only question that he couldn’t answer was the Power-Ball number. We passed a landslide with two temporary one-way bridges to get around it. Then we picked-up 6 more passengers along the way and arrived at the park at 9 am. The park is roughly the size of Jack’s home state “Rhode Island” and the valley floor is at elevation 4,000 feet. Because it was late in the year, many areas of the park were closed; our tour was “Yosemite Valley”, where the park’s most famous sights are. The geologic make up of the valley is due to glaciations, erosion, rock falls, and earthquakes. The Merced River flows through the valley and is where the last glacier dropped rocks of all sorts as it receded. Sixteen types of granite have been identified here. To control the Bear population, (now over 25,000 in California), bear proof waste and food storage containers are used thorough the park. Also, there are scorched trees in several areas, in keeping with the park’s “Let Burn” policy; intended to “thin-out the underbrush”, to provide less fuel for a really big fire.

The valley offered panoramic views of the “Sierra Nevada Mountains”. Access was very difficult until a tunnel was built. Our first stop was “Elephant Rock”, not very exciting, but you can see how it got its name. Across the street is “Cookie Rock”; the site of a long ago avalanche, with large pieces on both sides of the road. “How the cookie crumbles”, to quote Mr. Wizard. EL Capitan, (or EL Cap, as the climbers call it), is the most famous of Yosemite’s granite formations. Mr. Wizard claims to have been part of the 2^nd team to have ever climbed it and I believe him. Cathedrale Spires is a smaller, but interesting rock formation. Half Dome is 8,842’ and is among the most recognized natural features in Yosemite, its western face is a sheer cliff of Plutonic granite – the youngest in Yosemite. Fire Fall Rock is where they used to build a fire on top and then slowly push it off; by holding the camera shutter open, it looked like a water fall on fire.

Many of the falls were not running or were frozen at this time of year; Cascade Falls had only a trickle. Bridalveil Falls is 620’ and has filmy water that is sometimes diverted as much as 20’ by the breeze. Silver Strands Falls is 1,170’ and somewhat narrow and divided into strands, as the name implies. Sentinel Falls is 2000’. Horsetail Falls is 2,100’

As we were heading back, someone in our group noticed a rope extending up EL Capitan, so we stopped and walked into a meadow to check it out. With the naked eye, we could see a few small dots; like the period at the end of this sentence. But, with binoculars we could see a rescue in progress. I could see one person at the top end of the rope; a person below him and to the left; a rescue pod below and to the right; and lower down 2 tents. I don’t know anything more; but if you “Google” Yosemite+EL Capitan+Rescue, you will find pages and pages about rescues including a dramatic “You Tube” of a helicopter rescue. Three people have died in Yosemite so far this year. I think that the first step in becoming a mountain climber is getting a “Lobotomy”.

We drove back to Mariposa and I was asleep by 7:30 pm.

Yosemite was my first “National Park” and it was a spectacular day!

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Elephant Rock

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Cookie Rock - "How the Cookie Crumbles"

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Cascade Falls

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Panaramic Valley Views

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Panaramic Valley Views - BETTER

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Panaramic Valley Views

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Tunnel

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Bridalveil Falls 620'

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Bridalveil Falls - Better

"YOSEMITE PARK" - EL Capitan - 7,569'

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Silver Strands Falls - 1,170'

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Cathedral Spires

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Partially burned hollow tree

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Sentinel Falls - 2,000'

"YOSEMITE PARK" - View from meadow at lunch

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Fire Fall Rock

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Half Dome - 8,842'

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Two Deer

"YOSEMITE PARK" - Horse Tail Falls - 2,100'"YOSEMITE PARK" - EL Capitan Rescue in progress

"YOSEMITE PARK" - EL Capitan Rescue in progress

Friday, November 11, 2011, Veterans Day

Weather: Cloudy, but warmer, rain later in the day.

I got an early start back to San Leandro. Even with the clouds, sunrise in the “high desert” is breathtaking. I stopped in Modesto for a large coffee; “We only have one size. Is that ok?” (No, I wanted a choice). At 8 am, the only breakfast items were a “Breakfast Burrito” or a “Cookie”. But they did have a “Salsa Bar” and on the bag that my cookie came in was a notice: “May be used as an Air-Freshener”. (Pull it over your head and “sniff?”).

I spent the rest of my day recuperating from my excursion; another great day.

END OF CHAPTER 5

November 8, 2011

PACIFIC NORTHWEST – 2011 – Chapter 4

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Weather: Clear, sunny and cold

At the little bakery across from my hotel, I had a coffee & a $6 Apple Dumpling for breakfast and picked up a sandwich for the bus. I arrived by taxi at the Greyhound Terminal an hour before my 11:40am bus. As I sat & read the Newspaper, a very nervous young man, about 35 years old, paced up & down. Basically, telling everyone his sad storey: wants to return, after a 12 year absence, to Las Angeles to see his sick Moms. I loaned him my phone to make 3 or 4 calls to beg for the $175 bus fare. The bus station is probably his daily “warm place” to panhandle. Before getting on the bus we had to line up with our luggage and were questioned/searched by the Greyhound “Rent-a-Cop”. I thought it was a joke until he found 3 knifes.

It was a 4 hour ride with two 15 minute rest stops; both at “Subways”. At each stop, the bus driver checked a small locked shed for Greyhound “Shipments”; who ships by Greyhound? Once we left the city we drove through a mountain pass, followed by a wide valley with wind turbines, lakes and rivers, followed by flat prairie. I kept looking for “The Little House” or “Lora Engels” walking with outstretched arms. Later there were large farms; corn & potatoes with huge irrigation systems on wheels. When we arrived at the Bus Station in Spokane, (pronounced “Spo-can”), I called Lynda & Greg, my home-exchange hosts, who came to pick me up. They turned out to be a lovely couple who have been married for 25 years. She is “Caging”, from Louisiana and teaches French at a Charter School; He is from South Dakota and teaches Occupational Therapy.

Their home in Spokane, WA, is “Architect Designed” with “fire” brick exterior and nice landscaping. The interior is “Art-Deco” with great details and period furniture. There were several “Art-Deco cocktail table books; but Linda obviously had a flare for home decoration. Also, there are candles everywhere, even in the fireplace.

"The road to Spokane" - Prairie - "Can you see the Little House in the distance?"

"The road to Spokane" - Notice the irigation system

"The road to Spokane" - Lakes

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Frount of house

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Side & Car

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Dining Area

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Kitchen

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Living Room

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Art-Deco Lite Fixture

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Bathroom

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Bedroom

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Basement Family Room

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Basement Office

"My Home-Exchange in Spokane, WA" - Basement Laundry

Stainless Steel Refrigerator

"Upstairs Bedroom" - Is he here for Holloween, or is he a perminent resident ?

: Back Yard “Hot Tub”

Back Yard

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Weather: Cold & rainy

After grocery shopping, I settled in for the day. The dining room is one step down from both the living room and the kitchen; I fell from the kitchen and almost banged my head on the dining room step. Fortunately I was unhurt, but it made me wonder how long I might have had to wait for help, if I needed it.

It was a quiet first full day in Spokane, WA.

Monday, October 31, 2011 (Halloween) BOO !

Weather: Bright & sunny, but cold.

I stopped at a place that they had recommended for breakfast: “Huckleberries’ Market”. It would never have occurred to Jack to go to a “Market” for breakfast, but it was great; Omelet, (4 parts – ham, cheese & onions and 1 part egg), best ever. The name of the place reminded me of another “Encyclopedia Salesman” story.

After Mr. Massey’s “Pep Talk”, we divided into “Crews”; consisting of a “Field Manager” & 4 or 5 salesmen. Our Field Manager would drive us to a place of his choosing; anywhere up to an hour away. First we would stop for a 2:30 “Supper” and then he would select a particularly “Moochie” area, (10 blocks or a subdivision for each of us), assign a different 9pm pick-up point for each of us and make us yell “Here Mooch” three times before he kicked us out the car door. Colliers Encyclopedias had an impressive sales “strategy”. First, it was “Cold Canvas” (no appointments). So, if the person who answered the door seemed “unfriendly” I just said: “I’m selling books”; he replied; “not interested” and jack didn’t waste any more time. Second we didn’t have a car or a friend to hang-out with, so we may as well start knocking-on-doors. “Hi! I’ve been asked to speak to all the families with children in this neighborhood. Do you have any school aged children? Great! It will only take a few minutes. May I come in? If all went well, I walked out 40 minutes later with an order and a deposit. Those deceptive “Colliers Bastards”.

Any salesmen who “blanked”, no orders for 2 days in a row, had to be “re-trained”, by his Field Manager. My Field Manager was a tall, skinny kid with freckles and pimples. His name was Finnegan; we all called him “Huckleberry Finnegan” and he took me to Fall River, Massachusetts one afternoon for re-training. Fall River: Hills; Mills; Pork Pies; Tenements & Mooches. We were trained to leave the brief-case outside; go in with a “clip-board”, like a Census Taker. But, “Huckleberry Finnegan” never went with conventional wisdom. He explained, like a college Professor,” Never stop at the 1^st floor, (that is where the parents or grandparents live), instead “run” up to the 3^rd floor, before you can be intercepted. While knocking on the door, he opened his brief case and removes the “C.E. Stretcher”. This is usually used about half way through the “spread” to “dazzle” the victims. This devious device is made of “Corinthian Leather” and is folded like an accordion and when stretched out looks impressively like 24 volumes of the encyclopedia. The young “Moochie” couple opened the door of the sparsely furnished one-room apartment and “Huck” hollers “STAND BACK”. As they jump aside, he swings the stretcher forward, extending it horizontally for its full length, and sends is flying across the living room carpet. As the young couple stands there, with their mouths open, Huck says “free Books – youse want um you got um”. Before they can speak, he points to the couch and says “sit there”, as he walks into the kitchen area, takes a chair and places it in front of the couple and starts his presentation. Instead of the normal 40 minute presentation, Huck does his in 10 minutes; he calls it his “Crap-Shack” spread. When it came time to get the $11“deposit”, they don’t have it; dead deal. No, Huck bought their $11 kitten. As he is placing the order in his brief case, he stops and says “Wait a minute; I’m really not sure that you are the right couple to receive this honor”. To which they reply, in unison “Oh, please Mr. Finnegan, we really want the books”. He looks at them skeptically and says “To prove it, I want you to both jump up & down three times and each time yell “We love Colliers”. After they hit the floor for the third time, Huck reached out his hand and said “congratulations”. The husband shook-it; his wife hugged Huck. A lot of Huck’s orders didn’t stick; but he was the most prolific writer in the office. “Huckleberry Finnegan” was my HERO!

I visited two nearby parks today; Cannon Hill – 20 acres and Manito – 70 acres. Cannon Hill Park was pretty, but very little in bloom & not much color. Manito Park had more color and a Japanese Garden that was spectacular.

I worked on my “Blog” and then I called Michelle with hopes of seeing the kids in costume on “Skype”. It wasn’t working right, so I couldn’t see them, but I spoke with Danny; Jillie was too busy giving her mother a bad time. Later I went out to dinner and a movie, mainly to avoid the “Trick-or-Treaters”. But, people in Spokane don’t go door-to-door; they go to the Mall. To avoid a crowed inside each store, each merchant stationed a costumed employee at the entrance to give out candy. There were hundreds of costumed beggars of all ages. The movie “The Ides of March” was good.

A great day in Spokane, WA

"Huckleberry's"

"Menito Park"

"Menito Park" - Rose Garden (too late)

"Menito Park" - Japanese Garden

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Weather: Sunny & Cold

I woke up with a sore right thumb; apparently a delayed result of my fall, on Sunday. I iced it several times, but it still bothered me for a week. You don’t realize how much you use your thumb until it is injured; I couldn’t even tuck my shirt in without pain.

Today I am going to their “Houser Lake” home in Idaho; a 45 minute ride east of Spokane. I set my GPS and headed out while looking for a place for coffee. But, I was on Interstate 90 East, before I knew it; and I didn’t get coffee until Idaho. I had coffee & an “Egg Mc Muffin” at a Love’s/Carl’s Jr. You order at the counter and later the waitress brings it to your table. There mantra is: “If it tasted like theirs, we wouldn’t bring it to your table”.

The Houser Lake home was “rustic”, but lovely. After unpacking, I drove North about 20 miles to “Coeurd d` Alene, Idaho; formerly a back-woods logging community and now a lovely resort community. Lynda had recommended a “Great Hamburger Place on Sherman Avenue”; over 100 years old. With a little effort I found “Hudson’s Hamburgers”, making burgers since 1907; better burgers than “Five Guys Burgers”. I asked the owner what to see in town; he then talked for 20 minutes without taking a breath. He primarily talked about one of the towns leading citizens; HAGADONE, no first name or Mr. Apparently he owns half of the town including “The Coeur d` Alene” Golf & Spa Resort.

He recommended that I “walk” around Tubbs Hill Park; this was not a walk, but a “hike”. Tubbs Hill is a 120 acre park with a 405’ high hill and a 2 mile base trail. The trail offered wonderful views of the lake, but was over rugged terrain and took Jack over 2 hours to complete. It even included a small suspension bridge that swayed more than the one across Capilano Canyon, in Vancouver. The Resort was under renovation; it looked brand-new and I was surprised to learn that it is over 40 years old. The resort golf course has a “floating” last green; they take you on a “Banana Boat” to the last hole, that is on a huge raft. Hagadone’s Office is on pilings suspended above the lake with his sea-plane parked adjacent. As I walked back to my car, I snapped a few more pictures and arrived 30 seconds after the “Meter Molly” attached a $10 ticket for overstaying the 2 hour limit. Dammed Meter Mollies.

I had planned on English Muffins & cheese for supper, but there was no toaster. Lynda & Greg were staying in the barn next door and were in the process of converting it into a nice home. They invited me over for “drinks”, which also included dinner; Greg’s homemade vegetarian chili, beet salad with carrots and corn bread. Great! Lynda poured on the complements; she was hoping that she may never need to cook another meal. They even loaned me their toaster.

Nobody needed to rock me to sleep.

A great day at Houser Lake, Idaho.

"Houser Lake" - I wasn' sure what I would find

"Houser Lake" - My firt thought was that this might be the "Cabin", but it was just the storage shead.

"Houser Lake Cabin"

"Houser Lake Cabin" - Front

"Houser Lake Cabin" - Rear

"Houser Lake Cabin" - View of the Lake

"Houser Lake Cabin" - The Enterance Hall

"Houser Lake Cabin" - The Bunk Room

"Houser Lake Cabin" - Kitchen

"Houser Lake Cabin" - Living / Dining

"Houser Lake Cabin" - Stove

"Houser Lake Cabin" - Alcove

"Houser Lake Cabin" - Master Bedroom

"Coeur d` Alene" - Hudson's Hamburgers - since 1907

"Coeur d` Alene" - Waterfront Park

"Coeur d` Alene" - Covered Dockage

"Coeur d` Alene" - Resort Tower

"Coeur d` Alene" - Jack meets another new friend

"Coeur d` Alene" - Tubbs Hill

"Coeur d` Alene" - Tubbs Hill - View of the Resort

"Coeur d` Alene" - Tubbs Hill - Tough Going

"Coeur d` Alene" - Tubbs Hill - Don't fall

"Coeur d` Alene" - Tubbs Hill - Great Views

"Coeur d` Alene" - Tubbs Hill - Foot prints in the sand, but no path down

"Coeur d` Alene" - Tubbs Hill - Great Views

"Coeur d` Alene" - Tubbs Hill - Suspension Bridge

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Weather: Cold. The “dew was on the pumpkin”.

I woke-up with a sore toe; a result of yesterday’s hike. The blister bothered me for over a week; apparently Jack is injury prone.

After I scraped the ice off-of-the car, I returned to “Coeurd d` Alene, Idaho, to walk along the waterfront park and to explore the many eclectic shops. Most of the parking lots have machines to pay for parking and you then place the printed ticket on your dash. Across the street from the museum there is a dirt lot with no “ticket machines” or parking signs. Fine, Jack parks for free with no chance of a ticket.

I walked for a while and found a comfortable bench to read; but before I finished the 1^st page, 2 noisy leaf machines started clearing the park. I went inside the Resort and explored the public spaces. The reception area is made up of 5 desks, each with its own attendant. I asked for a brochure & rate card:

Premier Lake View Tower Room with Fireplace: $399-$599/nite.

Gold Medal Golf Package” including 2 rounds of golf: $323-$913.

You can call 800-688-5253 for weekly/monthly rates.

I bought a coffee and sat in the Main Lobby, next to a roaring fire and read a news paper. This “Occupy Movement” is growing and becoming more-and-more out of hand; shutting down the Nation’s 5^th largest port at Oakland, CA and assaulting police.

Next, I walked thru the town “window shopping”. A teenager rode by on a “double-decker” bicycle; a bicycle with a second bicycle welded on top with a long-vertical chain. The seat was at least 6’ off the ground; the rider must have stood on his porch to get on. All over the town there were brass statues of animals or birds on pedestals. I came across a TV Station Cameraman filming an empty pedestal that had a sign:”Bring our Bird back”. I stopped at “Dangerous Dog, Serious Sausage” and ordered a rabbit & veal sandwich for lunch. Michelle had a pet rabbit when we lived on Circuit Drive, in Cranston, RI. While waiting I was re-considering my order; but when it came, it smelled & looked so good, that I ate it all – sorry “Bud”. I then headed back to my car and found a $20 ticket; and I never did find the ticket kiosk.

Yesterday, when I was searching for a toaster, I found a full jar of mixed nuts; premium, party size- two pounds. Jack decided to have a small handful while he worked at his computer; the jar was half empty when I left. I guess that Jack had a “party”.

It was another great day at Coeur d` Alene and Houser Lake.

"Coeur d` Alene" - City Park

"Coeur d` Alene" - City Park - Do Bathers

"Coeur d` Alene" - City Park - Guess who ownes the Sea-Plane ?

"Coeur d` Alene" - Office Building built over the Lake

"Coeur d` Alene" - Hotel Lobby

"Coeur d` Alene" - Shops

"Coeur d` Alene" - Bicycle for Rent

"Coeur d` Alene" - Pushing the Hollidays

"Coeur d` Alene" - Jack's new sneakers

"Coeur d` Alene" - Jack meets another new friend

"Coeur d` Alene" - Jack is standing on a buffilo turd

Please return our Bird

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Weather: Cloudy with late day showers

I Drove from Houser Lake, Idaho back to Spokane, Washington.

In the afternoon I went to “Downtown Spokane” and Riverfront Park; the 100 acre remains of Spokane’s Expo “74”. The park includes a 1909 Looff Carousel; a local landmark. The park is getting a little “tired” looking and of course is not in bloom. Most of the park is built on Havermale Island which has historical significance as a Pioneer Stronghold in 1877, when the Nez Perce Indians were on the warpath.

Next, I visited the “Davenport Hotel”. The tour book said: sexy, classy, delicious, and haunted by the ghosts of two guests who died there. I didn’t find any ghosts, but it is a beautiful restored hotel.

Lastly, I had dinner at “The Catacombs”. This basement restaurant is in the former boiler room of the Montvale Hotel, which is next door. The portion of the dining room under the sidewalk is the former coal shoot and leaks on rainy days.

It was another great day in Spokane, WA.

"Riverfront Park"

"Riverfront Park" - Bridge at the "Upper Falls"

"Riverfront Park" - Entrance

"Davenport Hotel" - Haunted ?

"Davenport Hotel" - Lobby

"Davenport Hotel" - The Peacock Lounge

"Davenport Hotel" - Jack meets someone "shorter" - Mr. Davenport

A challange for any Mason

"The Catacombs Restaurent"

Friday, November 04, 2011

Weather: Cloudy & Cold

Today was for packing and resting, a haircut and a car-wash.

Miscellaneous observations: dogs ware coats; coffee comes in 3 choices: dark, light, and decaf; flushless urinals are popular in public buildings; in addition to Bibles, hotel nite stands have; “The Travels of Buda”.

I took Lynda, Greg & their daughter Camille out to dinner; they picked me up at 5:30 and we went to the “Downriver Grill”. The food was delicious and the deserts grand; mine was bread pudding, Yum! My new friends were great company and a loving family. I particularly enjoyed the fact that they allowed me to bore them with my many stories.

My taxi cab is scheduled to arrive at 4:20 am to pick-me-up for a 6 am flight, on “Take-a Chance Airlines.

It was a great last day in Spokane.

END OF CHAPTER 4

October 31, 2011

PACIFIC NORTHWEST – 2011 – Chapter 3

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Weather: Cloudy in Vancouver; Cloudy with occasional light rain in Seattle.

Every time that I stepped out the door of the “Creak Side Suite”, I couldn’t tell if it was raining or not, because the ground always looks wet and the Creak gurgles so loudly that it always sounds like it’s raining. So, I just walk out from under the over-hang and if I get wet, I go back in and put on my raincoat; no rain. Since my bad experience in Rome last year, I keep a small amount of cash in my wallet, one credit card and my driver’s license in my buttoned back pocket, and everything else in my money pouch concealed under my shirt.

I left West Vancouver by taxi at 9:45 to take the 11:30 “Amtrak” Bus to Seattle. (Who knew that they did busses?) The Pakistani cabdriver had a hard time understanding: “Butt, whyii do you go to Trainee Stationee to take thee Buss?” I had to go to the “VTA Rail Canada” window to get my Amtrak Reservation confirmed. When the ticket agent couldn’t lift my larger bag, he said: “They may not let you on the bus with this heavy bag.” When the bus driver reached for my bags, I told him to take the smaller bag and I lifted the “Blivet” bag myself. (If you’re not familiar with the word “Blivet”, you’re not alone; Spell-Check didn’t recognize it either. But, it will be on the Test.)

The trip was uneventful: the bus was only 1/3 rd full; 1 & ½ hours to the US border; ½ hour through customs (no strip search); and 2 hours to Seattle. It rained briefly and I noticed there were 2 sets of wipers on the front; one set below, for the driver and another above, for the passengers. During the ride , I over-heard another passenger tell of a previous bus trip where a guy missed the bus; and in frustration, through his “Wallet” at the bus. It went in through an open window and landed on her lap: someone was kind enough to get off the bus and walk back, 2 blocks to return it.

A “gipsy” cab tried to pick-me-up at the bus terminal: special deal – “Flat Rate” only $15; real cab was $8.25. During the cab ride we saw a “Protest March” with various signs: “We are the 99%”; “End Corporate Personhood”; “More Shelters for the Homeless”; and”Wear Black – In memory of those murdered by law enforcement”. There were about 250 motley looking marchers, 4 police cars and 8 motorcycle cops. Sounds like “Occupy Seattle” to Jack, but I was sorry that my camera was in my “Blivet” bag. I had booked the “Warwick hotel” on-line for $99/nite, because the name sounded familiar. It was a great choice; large room with marble bathroom in a central location, “Belltown”. I found the “Mono-Rail” station, 2 blocks away and did a 15 minute, round trip to the Seattle Center “Space Needle” for $2. The “Mono-Rail” runs from “Seattle Center”, at ground level for 1 mile to a down-town high-rise office building, across from Nordstrom’s”, at the third level. Then I had dinner at a great Italian Restaurant, “Assaggio’s”, near my hotel and shopped at a market across from my hotel. Food here is 40% more than on the East Coast, perhaps because I’m in the down-town area.

It was a great 1^st day in Seattle.

Warwick Hotel

My Hotel Room

: My Hotel Room

My Hotel Room

"The Space Needle" with the "Mono Rail" passing in front

The View from "The Space Needle" - Top left is Lake Union where the Houseboat in "Sleepless in Seattle" was moored.

The View from "The Space Needle" - Elliott Bay

The View from "The Space Needle" - Roof of "The Experience Music Center"

The View from "The Space Needle" - You don't need to read the sign to recognise this building

Did he need the cane before the fire ?

"Seattle Center" - The Layout - There were about 20 of these,orented all the same, so that 3 out of 4 times they misdirected you.

"The Seattle Center" - The Pacific Science Center

"The Seattle Center" - The Monorail Station

"The Seattle Center" - The Skate Board Park

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Weather: High clouds; no rain

The hotel has a Health Center including: a Weight Room, Sauna and Swimming Pool. I did 2 miles on the treadmill and then wondered if it had been a good idea, based on all the walking I had planned for the day. I had a “not too good coffee & muffin”, nearby, and walked to the “Seattle Center”. It includes: “The Experience Music Project”; “Monorail Terminal”; “Pacific Science Center”; “The Children’s Museum of Seattle”; “The Space Needle”; and a “Skateboard Park”.

I went up to the observation deck on the “Space Needle”; no wait and a spectacular view.

Non-Engineers can skip to the next paragraph. This was the dominant central structure for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Designers conservatively doubled the existing Building Code requirements for earthquake resistance. Other facts: Observation Deck – 520’; 2 high speed elevator cabs – 800’/minute; Structure Weight – 3,700 tons; Foundation Weight – 5,850 tons, (The longest continues concrete pour in the world, at the time, 12 hours using 467 trucks.); In 1966, 11 year old Bill Gates won a dinner to the “Eye of the Needle Restaurant”, which rotates once per hour and is so well balanced that it requires only a 1 & ½ HP motor; 1962 original cost – $4.5 M; and 2000 renovation cost – $20 M.

I wondered around the “Seattle Center”, did some People Watching, had lunch at a “Subway” Sandwich, YUK ! I then walked down to the waterfront and “Olympic Sculpture Park”. I meandered along the waterfront on Alaskan Way and Window Shopped at Pier 70. Rather than wait 1 hour and 15 minutes for the free bus, I walked back to the hotel (mostly up-hill) and had a nap before dinner.

I planned to take the “Monorail” back to the “Space Needle” for dinner and a nite viewing of the city. The Corseage was able to determine that the “Monorail” ran until 11 pm, but the restaurant was fully booked. He recommended “Cutters Bayhouse Restaurant” on the waterfront and arranged for the restaurant’s shuttle to pick-me-up. This turned to be a really great choice. I was given a corner table with a view of both the water and the city skyline. Ferry Boats came up and down Elliott Bay and the view included the “Blue Arch” of the “Seattle Seahawks” Football Stadium. Jack’s choice was “King Crab Two Ways”; consisting of King crab legs, King crab cakes, garlic butter, Asian slaw, and Sushi rice. Instead of a “Romalard Sauce”, the crab cakes were served in a “Chili Beurre Blau Sauce”, which was wonderful. It was certainly the best meal of this trip and probably one of my best ever. But, perhaps anything would taste good after the world’s worst lunch. The Supervisor of the wait staff was very friendly and even brought me a small taste of the “West Coast Co-Ho Salmon”, which was pritty good and not “Fishy” like East Coast Salmon. Pam – It made me long for some peas & cream sauce.

After dinner the driver dropped me at the “Space Needle”, where the city sparkled for the night viewing. I was the only passenger on the “Monorail” ride back to the city.

It was another great day in Seattle.

"Holloween" is just around the corner - BOO !

"Olympic Sculpture Park"

"Olympic Sculpture Park" - With walking paths along Elliott Bay

"Olympic Sculpture Park" - For "Big" mistakes

"Pier 70"

"Pier 70" - If you were standing in cold water, your "But Cheeks" would be clinched too.

"Jack meets a new friend"

Monday, October 24, 2011

Weather: Morning rain followed by afternoon sunshine.

The plan for the day was to tour “Downtown Seattle” & “Pioneer Square”.

As I was leaving, I looked out the window and the streets were wet and it was raining, so I put on my raincoat. By the time that I got downstairs, the rain had stopped; and by the time that I walked down to “Pike Place Market”, the sun was shining. The “Pike Place Market”, with breathtaking views of Elliott Bay, dates from 1907 and houses 250 businesses including 70 eateries and the very first “Starbucks”. If they don’t sell it here, you don’t need it. Offerings included: crafts, arts, fish, flowers, produce, champagne, baked goods, and much more.

I climbed 4 blocks up the steep hill to my next stop, the “Seattle Art Museum “(SAM), but I found it closed on Monday. The climb gave me moderate pain in my right knee and the side of the knee was really tender to the touch. I cringe at the thought of a Knee Replacement in my future; and had mixed thoughts about living long enough to need it or not. Then, I went to the “Seattle Central Library”; a stunning jewel of a building. Its bold construction is said to “bring to mind a futuristic gemstone covered in steel webbing”. I found the sights from the 10^th floor viewing area to be obscured by the webbing and the surrounding tall buildings.

Then, farther south to “Pioneer Square”, where I encountered a group and was told it was the “Underground Tour”. The Great Fire of 1889 reduced Seattle to ashes; and since the city was subject to flooding & sewage back-ups, it was rebuilt one level higher. Logic would dictate that the city would be re-graded first and then the buildings would be re-built; but merchants needed a place to do business in the intervening 6 to 8 years, required for the re-grading. So, they built the buildings first and later re-graded around them. They first built street curbs that were 17’ high; then they filled in the streets by using Fire Hoses on the hill above the city which reduced the grade from 40 % to 15 %. Lastly they built sidewalk bridges between these curb walls and the new buildings. Upon completion, the merchants moved their businesses to the second floor and there remained an “underground city” under the streets and in the basements of the buildings. Soon this area became used for illicit purposes: brothals; opium dens; and later Speak Easies. Next the city closed this area off and it became “The Forgotten City”, until in 1964 when it was re-opened for historic tours. We first listened to a very humorous historic talk in a replica of a 1800s Bar Room. Then we went outside, down the street, through a doorway (like we were entering someone’s entrance hallway) and then down a set of stairs into the underground city. We repeated this 3 more times, at various locations, until the tour ended in a Gift Shop below the building we started in. The Tour Guide was so entertaining, that the 1 & ½ hours would have been worthwhile, even without the underground city.

Just west of “Pioneer Square”, is the “Smith Tower”. Completed in 1914, this is the tallest building West of the Rocky Mountains and the view from the 35^th floor observation deck is panoramic. Next, I ambled over to “Occidental Park”, but the neighborhood became a little “seedy” (There are more pan-handlers in Seattle than you can count), so I caught a cab back to my hotel.

It was another great day in Seattle.

"Pike Place Market"

"Pike Place Market" - Cheap Flowers

"Pike Place Market" - Fresh Fish

"Pike Place Market" - Fresh Produce

"Pike Place Market" - Prepared Foods

"Pike Place Market" - I get my good looks from my "Pe`Pa"

"Pike Place Market" - 18" diameter donuts - Eat 3 & get 1 free

"Pike Place Market" - Jack has a 250 # bronze friend named "Rachel"

"Seattle Arts Museum" SAM - The mechanical man swings a hammer (Closed Mondays)

Terraces and Steps to the Waterfront

Back in, Place in park, Engage hand break & "Pray"

Seattle Central Library - "A stunning Jewel of a building"

Seattle Central Library - The "obscured" view from the 10th floor viewing area

Is country of origin the rght criteria for chousing a Doctor ?

If he came to R.I., we could teach him how to "twirl", using a spoon.

Great Name for a Building

"Pioneer Square" - Wall Mural

"Pioneer Square" - “Smith Tower” - The tallest building West of the Rocky Mountains

"Pioneer Square" - The Undrground Tour

"Pioneer Square" - The Underground Tour

"Pioneer Square" - The Underground Tour - Wood beams were later replaced with steel beams.

"Pioneer Square" - The Underground Tour - Picture taken before "The Great Fire of 1889 "

"Pioneer Square" - The Underground Tour - Our guide below a working sidewalk "Sky Lite".

"Pioneer Square" - The Underground Tour - A wooden sewer pipe

"Pioneer Square" - The Underground Tour - Underside of Sky Lite showing reflectors used to lite a larger space.

"Pioneer Square" - The Underground Tour - Sky-Lite at sidewalk level

"Seattle Sea Hawks Stadium"

"Elliott Bay"

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Weather: Early & late clouds with a bright & sunny day in-between.

I had Blueberry Pancakes, Sausage & Coffee from “Room Service” for breakfast. Yum!

I decided to avoid the hills today and rest my Knee, although it felt fine this morning. The Corseage recommended “Washington Park”, a large relatively flat Arboretum. I agreed because the name sounded familiar. He was very helpful and even printed a map and told me where to get the #11 bus. The Corseage had said that “Normal People” ride on the bus, here in Seattle. I felt pretty good about saving the cab fair, until a guy approached me at the bus stop demanding to know “Where is God”. At the second or third bus stop, the bus kneeled down (Jack thought maybe we had found god), lowered a ramp and a guy in a wheelchair rolled on. The driver then folded up a seat to make room and strapped the chair in place. I was going to tell you that this was new to me; but, then I remembered the flack that George Bush took when he was surprised by the scanners at the supermarket. Then a girl with a “Pit Bull” came on, (no complaint from the driver). Is there an extra charge for dogs; like there is for birds on planes?. Another girl sitting across the aisle was so taken by the dog that they “French Kissed”,Yuk! – (sorry George.). When we finally got to my stop, the bus driver was so busy telling me how to get into the park, that he forgot to take my fair. (Now I have an extra $2.50 toward the tip, the next time that you take me to dinner.).

“Washington Park” is a 230 acre arboretum. Inside the park, the Arboretum Road forked to the right; up a steep hill. The terms “relatively flat” & “normal people” will come to mind when I forget to tip the Corseage. By this time, Jack really had to take a whiz. I stepped onto a secluded side trail and just after I “zipped-up” an elderly couple walked by. I considered telling them that I was waiting for a bus, but they just walked on. The park is filled with unusual trees & bushes in every fall color imaginable and well worth the trip. I remember taking “Sunday Rides” with my parents and hearing them say “look at that lovely tree”. Pam & I would look at each other and “roll-our-eyes”. If we live long enough, we eventually become our parents.

I walked down Azalea Way, a compacted gravel path and saw: Japanese Maples, a Strawberry Tree, a Mountain Ash, Birches, Deciduous Azaleas, Oaks, and many others. At the Visitors Center, I picked up an Official Map and proceeded along bark mulch covered Foster Island Trail. This included passing under the highway through a pedestrian tunnel; and crossing Union Bay over a bridge to Marsh Island. The island was aptly named because the trail became quite muddy. I took a picture of The University of Washington’s “Husky’s” Stadium, across Union Bay, before my camera battery went dead. When I sat on a bench to rest, I noticed that it was 2:30 and considered trapping a small animal for lunch. But, Jack tramped forward through the swamp. At the end of the trail was the MOHAI Museum (Museum of History and Industry). In front was the most beautiful Pedestal Clock; search at the end of this section for a picture. A block away was a Grocery Store with a deli where I had a fantastic Hot Pastrami Sandwich, (or was Jack just hungry?). I crossed the street to get the # 43 or #48 buses, back to the city. The #48 came first and Jack knew enough to ask “Does this bus go downtown?” She said No-take the #43. That Corseage Bastard!

Many of the busses are tandem (one-behind-the-other). There are also trolley-busses on tires (not tracks); in some cases the overhead trolley lines don’t cross the intersections, the bus just glides across the intersection. I found a Pool Hall in the neighborhood; unfortunately Snooker hasn’t improved my game.

Another great day in Seattle.

"Washington Park Arboretum"

"Washington Park Arboretum" - Pacific Connections Garden

"Washington Park Arboretum" - A peaceful resting place

"Washington Park Arboretum" - Voted the "Favorite" by the panel of one

"Washington Park Arboretum"

"Washington Park Arboretum" - Washington "Husky's" Stadium across Union Bay

"Washington Park Arboretum" - Jack "squints" in the sun

Seattle Tandum Bus

"Smart Car" - With plate - "I PARK"

"Trolly Bus"

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Weather: Clear, cloudless and very cold

Today’s plan was to tour “Fremont & Ballard”; two communities 7 to 8 miles outside the Downtown. I decided to give the Corseage a second chance & let him map out the trip and select the bus #s & stops. The outbound bus was scheduled to leave, 1 block from my hotel, in 6 minutes, so I rushed to the stop. A very chatty woman was waiting at the stop and talked non-stop for 20 minutes; everything from the cold, every trip she ever went on, how timely the buses in Seattle are to how late this particular bus was. Finally, I was becoming a little dizzy. I initially I thought it was her, and then I realized that I hadn’t eaten. I excused myself and went across the street for a muffin & coffee.

I then had a peaceful ride to Fremont; a small community with a mix of ethnic restaurants, pricy boutiques & small shops. This pretty & eccentric neighborhood was declared by the residents in the 1960s “The Republic of Fremont”. My destination in Fremont was “Gas Works Park”. I walked through an industrial area for 20 minutes, with no park in site and began to get a strong feeling that I needed to poop. Finally, I found a “Subway Restaurant” and, apprehensively went inside and found the men’s room – locked. Instead of waiting, Jack knew enough to ask the counter man for the key. After I did the deed, I needed to take off my raincoat, jacket, and jersey before tucking in. It reminded me of taking my favorite grandson to the Men’s Room when he was very young. We stood in front of the two stalls and Danny said “You go in that one, Pe’pa and I will use this one – I need my privacy”. As I stepped into my stall, I looked down and saw Danny’s pants & shirt on the floor of his stall, as he says “Is it alright, if I take my clothes off?” After a while, he says “It’s OK for you to come in now, Pe`pa”. I open his door & the guy who needed his privacy is sitting on the thrown “bare-ass-naked”. He says “You can wipe me now”. I say “Who wipes you at school?” He replies “I wipe me”. I ask “Then why does Pe`pa need to wipe you now.” He replies “Because I might get Poppies on my hand.” So, Pe`pa wipes him. When we step out of the stall I say “OK, let’s wash our hands”, to which, he replies “Not me Pe`pa, I didn’t touch anything”.

I was thinking of skipping the park, until someone I met told me that it was just a little bit further. A girl speed-by, on a bicycle; I named her “Bicycle Girl”. She was dressed in funky colors and had an extra bicycle wheel attached to her large back-pack. She was gone before I could stop her, but I could imagine her interesting story; perhaps a cross-country bike trip and now lusting for mature male companionship.

“Gas Works” is a small park, only 20 acres, with its main feature the hulking remains of an old rusting gas plant. However, the most outstanding feature was the spectacular, “Picture Postcard” view from atop a large hill. The whole of downtown Seattle including the Space Needle is displayed above Lake Union with the Olympic Mountains on the right and the Cascades on the left; definitely worth the long walk.

On the way back to Fremont, I walked along the bike path on the left side of the main road. As I neared the city, I realized that, the bike path was below the level of the road, creating a tall wall on my right. I asked a young woman how to get across. She said “Come with me and you can pass-through my building”. Since Jack could only think of “good” outcomes, we walked together. I asked about a good place for a light lunch. She said that she didn’t know; she always ate the free food at the office. Then she explained that she recently left Microsoft and now worked for Google. I asked if she switched for the “free food”. She laughed and said that she was in “Human Resources” and it was a promotion. When I passed through her building, I saw the “Google” name on the door.

I had lunch at “Luck’s PHO”; Hot Noodle Soup and Vietnamese Sandwiches. Most of the tables were full and there was a line at the counter. I considered asking the guy taking orders, if he was the “Vietnamese Soup Nazi”. But, I was afraid that he would say: “No Soup for you”. I looked straight ahead and ordered:“#1 Chin (beef) Soup & Boba (Diet Coke)”. After lunch, I walked up the street to “The Pie Shoppe”; cherry/peach – yum!

Next, I came upon a huge Cast Bronze Sculpture of “Vladimir Lenin”. It weighs 7 tons (14,000 pounds) and a sign explained that an American, in Russia during the 1989 fall of Communism, found this toppled statue, and mortgaged his house to buy it. He shipped it back here to Fremont, but died on the journey home. It sat in his back yard for several years, until someone talked the widow into donating it to the city. I disapointed not to see any “Bird Shit” on the statue.

The bus stop on my side of the street had a shelter, but no seat; the stop on the other side had a seat, but no shelter. On this nice day, I would have preferred the seat. As I waited, “Bicycle Girl” came by. I waved her down and she let me take her picture. I asked her what her story was. She said that she was getting some exercise; was looking for a place to get her flat tire fixed; and lived 2 blocks away. I hope that you found her story more exciting than I did. In the mean time, I missed the bus. So, I took a cab.

“Ballard Locks” are an important passage in the 8-mile Lake Washington Ship Canal that connects Puget Sound to freshwater Lake Washington and Lake Union. Each summer, the locks see an estimated half-million salmon make the journey from saltwater to fresh by use of the “Fish Ladder”. Those salmon, that successfully make the journey, spawn and then die. (Tell the truth, which storey did you like best: “Fish Ladder”, “Bicycle Girl” or perhaps “Bronze Lenin”.) This facility, operated by the Army Core of Engineers, also includes a park with gardens and magnificent trees.

It was another great day in Seattle.

"Gas Works Park" - Condos across the street

"Gas Works Park" - Many abondened railroad tracks have been coverted to bike & walking paths, in many ciyies.

"Gas Works Park" - The main feature of the park is the hulking remains of a rusting Gas Plant.

"Gas Works Park" - The "Olympic Mountains" are obscured by clouds

"Great View of downtown Seattle"

"Better View of downtown Seattle" - Worth the trip to Fremont

Usually "If its for free, its for me", but not wine.

"Funky Building" in dowmtown Fremont.

"Lucky's Hot Noodle Soup"

"I bet that she baught him the hat and is making him ware it.

Why is Vladimir Lenin visiting Fermont ?

"Bicycle Girl"

"Ballard Locks" - Entrance Map

Symbol of the Army "Corps of Engineers"

A "Sea Lion" is traped inside the locks, until the next boat goes through.

"Ballard Locks"

"Ballard Locks" - "Fish Slides"

"Ballard Locks" - Letting some water through

"Ballard Locks" - How many Seaguls do you see ? (7?)

"Giant" Salmon in the FISH LADDER. (4" long)

"Fish Ladder" viewing Room

I wonder how maby people "Tripped", before the yellow frame was added ?

A local who always takes his drugs with him "just incase".

"Ballard Locks" - Botanical Gardens

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Weather: Gray sky, followed by a blue sky with bright sun, brisk – low 50s. Nice day.

Today I decided to go to “Mike’s Chili Parlor”, back in Ballard, for lunch. When I play pool at George’s Pool Room, he often has the TV on with programming like the “History Channel” or the “Cooking Channel”. While planning my trip, we saw a program featuring this restaurant/bar. Since I love Chili and Seattle was one of my stops, I made note of it. When I got off the bus, I asked someone walking by for NW Ballard Way and was directed down the street. After about ½ a mile, I asked someone else who directed me back to my bus stop. Those Seattle Bastards!

I finally found it around the corner from my stop. Of course, Jack needed the rest room; the smallest in Seattle with no lock on the door. I stuck my back-pack on the floor, just outside the door to give a clue that the pooper was “occupardo” and hoped that it would be there when I came out. When I leaned forward to wipe, my legs hit the wall and my watch band caught on the toilet seat. (Notice the indignities that Jack endures to bring you these stories). There was soap and paper towels and my pack was still outside the door, which improved my spirits. The place was “cozy” (small) with a bar, a few tables & booths and a pool table. The waitress was pleasant and had a nose ring, ear rings that hung down to her shoulders, and 3 lip rings. I decided to name her “The Lordess of the Rings”. The following is a sampling of the “Cash Only” menu items:

Chili: Cup $3.75, Bowl $4.75, or Big Ass Bowl $11.00

Chili to go: ½ pint $4.00, pint $7.00, Quart $13.00, or gallon $$48.00 (Call ahead for gallons & bring your own container. Add 25 cents for each to-go item to be put in your fully-recyclable bag.

Stuff with Chili on it: included burgers, dogs and fries

Non-Chili Items: Grilled Cheese $54.50

I guess that the place became pretty famous after it was featured on the Cooking Channel because there was a huge map on the wall with uncountable number of pins indicating the homes of visitors. The pool table was of particular interest to Jack,(no surprise): 5’ x 2 & 1/2’; only accessible with a full size que on one side; 2 bridges (as if, even Jack might need one); and a sign: “Don’t sit on the table – You Lard Ass”. The chili came with “holapenues”, as requested; an ice cream scoop of crushed. I wisely spooned most of them into the plate before tasting; a good choice, HOT but good. I paid my bill, giving the “Lordess” a good tip, and caught the bus back to the city.

After reading, I walked down the hill for my “Pool Fix”. As I walked back I passed a beautiful Courtyard with “LA FONTAINA Siciliana” Restaurant. It appeared to be small with only 5 tables; I was given a corner table overlooking the Courtyard. Later when I used the washroom, I found that there were 3 other dining rooms and perhaps a hundred diners. My waiter was a bit strange looking; one bushy eyebrow, a hair lip, a limp, 2 teeth missing and a lisp. The only thing missing was the “hunch-back”. Let me say; you have never really heard a “lisp” until you have heard one with an Italian accent. I decided to name him “Harry Hairlip”. I might have ordered one of the specials, if I understood a thing that he said. He returned and said; “Mayaa I takeish yee ordeth , Sersh”. I stifled a laugh and chose “Cannellone de Pallo”; a good choice. In consideration of his handicaps, I left “Harry” a good tip.

It was another great day in Seattle.

"Mike's Chili Parlor"

"Mike's Chili Parlor" - Menue

"Mike's Chili Parlor" - Visitor's Map

"Mike's Chili Parlor" - Notice the sign on the Men's Room door.

"Mike's Chili Parlor" - I baught a hat just like that for my favorite son, John

"Mike's Chili Parlor" - Parting Shot

All bridges in Seattle have ornamints - all different

Friday, October 28, 2011

Weather: Cloudy with rain in the afternoon

I was awakened by the ring of my cell phone at 10:20am; Jack is a “Sleepy Head”. It was my favorite son, John. I have mild “Sleep Apnea” and wear a Nite Guard on my teeth; I think that John almost hung-up before I could get it out & talk. I walked down the hill towards “Pike Place Market”, for a second visit. My big Suite Case is about 10 years old & one of the wheels no longer turns; I bought a new one at a “discount store”. It looks sturdy, but I will be really pissed if it doesn’t, as least, survive this trip. The two features that “sold” me was the handle on the bottom (so I can lift it onto the luggage stands at hotels) and the built-in “Luggage Scale”. Another reason that I bought it is because Jack is a “Mooch”.

During College, I worked selling “Encyclopedias” Door-to-Door. We met each afternoon at the office for a “Pep Talk”. The Sales Manager, Mr. Massey would stand at the front of the class and the first thing he would say is “What do we need?” We would all reply “enthuseasiem !”. (Spell-Check failed me. Remind me to sell my Microsoft Stock). Next, he would say “I can’t hear you” and we would all yell louder. Sometimes the Accountant next door would pound on the wall. Mr. Massey’s favorite topic was “Mooches”. “If you see a purple house, a Mooch lives there, what do you do”? And, we would all reply “run-up-to -the-door”. “If you see a crappy car in the drive with dingle-dangles hanging from the mirror, a Mooch lives there, what do you do?”. (Same reply). Next he would call us all to the front of the class and he would point to the back wall and say “I see a Mooch”; and we would all run to the back wall. About this time the Accountant usually came over to complain in person. Every time that I see my favorite daughter’s car parked in her drive-way, with the Rosary Beads hanging from the mirror, I have to resist the urge to “run” to the front door.

Although this was my second visit to “Pike Place Market”, I hadn’t seen all the levels yet. First I encountered a guy selling “Tie-died” clothing. I had lost my “Palm Beach” sweatshirt, so Jack, the “Mooch” bought a colorful jacket. The salesman told me that “It has color-fast colors, so you can wash it with everything else”. My kids will probably make so much fun of this jacket, that I will not ware it enough to get it dirty. Next, I bought a nice framed photograph of downtown Seattle from an Architect. He claimed to have personally taken all the lovely photographs in his shop; mostly Seattle buildings of note. He complained of the lack of Architectural work in Seattle; join the club. It was raining pretty hard when I left the market so, after removing my new jacket, I stopped for coffee and read for an hour, before walking back in the rain. When I transferred my things to my new Suite Case, I found my “Palm Beach” Sweatshirt. Go figure! After I packed, I tried the new “Luggage Scale”. It doesn’t work; dammed Seattle salesman.

It was a quiet, but great last full-day in Seattle.