The Odyssey

My book for June is The Odyssey by Emily Wilson. With Christopher Nolan's film version of the Odyssey coming out in July, I wanted to read the book before we saw the movie.

Published in 2017, Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey made history as the first complete English version of the epic poem published by a woman. Wilson chose to match Homer's original line count exactly and translated the text into regular iambic pentameter, resulting in a pacing that feels incredibly modern, swift, and natural to read.

I put together two related posts. First, a one sentence summary of the each of the chapters (called books) is here. Second, a bulleted outline tracing Odysseus' travels is here.

I enjoyed the book immensely. I hadn't read it in high school or college. The structure of the story is very different than I expected. I was generally familar with the struggles that Odysseus faced after he left Troy, but that is really only a part of the story. I also read Circe by Madeline Miller; Odysseus appears in that book. [Note to self], I should read Emily Wilson's translation of the Illiad.

2026 Passage to Eastern Europe - Day #16 - Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest & the Palace of Parliament
Visit Parliament and See Iconic City Sights During a Guided Walk
Discover Bucharest’s Old Town on foot and step inside the opulent Palace of Parliament for an intriguing tour.

Set off by motor coach on a panoramic drive to the Palace of Parliament and learn about the fascinating history behind the impressive site during an inside visit. The second-largest administrative building in the world, it was commissioned by the former Romanian president, Nicolae Ceauşescu, and took 13 years to build. Admire the ornate interior and large rooms adorned with crystal chandeliers and enjoy a traditional lunch at the Parliament’s restaurant. As you dine, listen to stories of how this former Eastern Bloc country overcame an oppressive regime to become a thriving member of the European Union. After, drive to Revolution Square for a guided walk in the old town, strolling the cobblestoned streets to admire the neo-baroque architecture in the heart of the city.


Sights & Flavors of Bucharest
Sample Romanian Fare and See Famous Landmarks
Enjoy a mix of authentic Romanian cuisine and see the city’s sights during a stroll of the Old Town.

Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach, passing the Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest administrative buildings in the world, to the heart of the city. Upon arrival, enjoy a short walk to a local restaurant. Here, sample regional beers, wines and appetizers before delighting in traditional Romanian fare for your main course. After, stroll along the narrow, winding streets of the Old Town and through the beautiful Macca-Villacrosse Passage to admire the yellow glass-covered arcade. Reboard your coach and enjoy a short drive to another establishment, where you will savor classic Romanian desserts, paired with schnapps. Your appetite sated, enjoy a peaceful drive as you return to your hotel.

Sharon and I were both up and moving shortly after 5:30 am. We have both had a lot of trouble sleeping on this trip.

After packing up the room, we headed to breakfast before 7 am. Marty (Wisconsin) ended up joining us. We have been talking to him and his wife Sandy since the pre-tour in Prague.

We put the luggage out in the hall at 7:45 am and headed off the ship to join our excursion for the day. [Note to self], in a post trip musing blog entry when we are back home, I need to write more about the room and ship.

We signed up for the eight hour optional Viking "Bucharest & the Palace of Parliaments" excursion. I was very pleased to see that this was a small ten person group in a sprinter. The group included Coleen and Chris (Houston and Park City) who we have probably gotten to know the best over the course of the trip.

It was about an hour and twenty minute drive from the ship to downtown Bucharest. Along the way, there was miles of concrete four story apartment buildings.

The first stop was Revolution Square (Piața Revoluției). It is one of the most significant historical and architectural landmarks in Bucharest, serving as a symbol of Romania's transition from communism to democracy.
The square gained its current name following the Romanian Revolution of 1989. It was here, on December 21, 1989, that Nicolae Ceaușescu gave his final televised speech from the balcony of the Central Committee Building. What was intended as a staged show of support turned into a riot, forcing the dictator and his wife to flee by helicopter from the roof of the building the following day. This event marked the beginning of the end of the communist regime in Romania.

The most prominent—and debated—monument in the square is the Memorial of Rebirth (Memorialul Renașterii). Completed in 2005, it commemorates the victims of the 1989 Romanian Revolution. It features a 25-meter-tall white marble pillar that pierces a large, metal, crown-like object. The abstract design is highly controversial among locals, who have given it various nicknames like "the potato on a stick."

After the Revolution Square, we did a short panoramic drive through Bucharest. It is more of a substantial city than I expected.

We stopped in Old Town for a walking tour. Bucharest’s Old Town, known locally as Centrul Vechi (the Old Center) or the Lipscani district, is the only part of the city where the pre-World War II street layout remains largely intact. While much of Bucharest was redesigned during the communist era, this pocket of the city preserved its narrow, winding cobblestone streets and eclectic 19th-century architecture.


We stopped briefly at the Church of the "Stavropoleos" Monastery in Old Town. Founded in 1724, it is a masterpiece of the Brâncovenesc style, which combines Byzantine, Ottoman, and Western Baroque elements.


We had lunch at Hanu' Berarilor (Casa Oprea Soare). It is widely considered one of the most beautiful restaurants in Bucharest. The restaurant is housed in a landmark building that is a masterpiece of early 20th-century Romanian architecture. The building was completed in 1914 and is a prime example of the Neo-Romanian (Neo-Brâncovenesc) architectural style.

Sitting with Mike(?) and Bonnie (Florida), we had pork knuckle served with horseradish and polenta as the entree. This was a couple that we hadn't interacted with on the trip. We spent part of the large talking about our trip to South Africa and selling them on Rothschild Safari.

Interestingly, this was the second couple that I was selling on Rothschild Safari. We had a number of conversations over the course of the week with Larry and Sharon about our trip and the company.

There was an odd situation at lunch. There was a large group seated at a long table in the same room. Shortly after we sat down, an Eastern Orthodox priest started a long ceremony at the head of the table. In the Eastern Orthodox religion, and specifically within Romanian culture, there are Mercy Meals (Makaria or Pomană) at different intervals after someone dies.

From there, we headed to the parking lot across the street from the Palace of the Parliment for some pictures. The Palace of Parliament is one of the most polarizing and physically massive landmarks in the world. It stands as a colossal monument to the ambition and excess of the late dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. The building’s statistics are difficult to comprehend without seeing it in person. It is frequently cited as the world’s heaviest building and the second-largest administrative building, surpassed only by the Pentagon.

We parked in a smaller lot behind the building and walked to the entrance. Including a short break, we did an hour and a half walking tour of the building with a different guide. The pictures don't do justice to the size and scale of the outside or inside of the building.


Viking dropped us at the JW Marriott Hotel just before 4 pm. This is the nicest hotel that we have had as part of any Viking trip.

We were scheduled to go on a evening Viking excursion. With Sharon feeling a little under the weather and a very, very early start for home scheduled for Sunday, we decided to skip the excursion and have an early dinner in the hotel.

We had dinner in the JW Steakhouse. Sharon had a beef filet, while I had lamb chops. We split a caesar salad, a twice-baked potato and some asparagus.

We crashed just after 8:30 pm...

2026 The Sea Ranch Primum - Day #6

Over the years, we have had very good luck with the weather at The Sea Ranch in January and February. Only once, in February of 2017, did we get a day of steady rain.

Today turned out to be another exception. It rained very hard all day. I think that it rained a lot hardier than it did in 2017. The weather app showed a precipitation total of 2.5 inches.

After a lazy breakfast, Sharon and I drove in Gualala. We did some shopping at the Surf Market. We checked out a couple of spots for dinner.

In the early afternoon, we watched a couple of Youtube videos about how to play Mahjong. We played three games. Holly, Van and I each won one game. [Note to self], I need to order a Mahjong reference card.

In the late afternoon, I did a 10 minute Peloton bodyweight workout and a 13 minute Peloton Strength+ bodyweight workout that I designed. Afterwards, I took advantage of the hot tub.

Ten years ago, I would have probably tried to go for a run in the rain. With my knee still stiff from slipping on Friday and it raining buckets, I just couldn't talk myself into going out. Van actually hiked to the Lodge and back earlier in the day; he got soaked...

After getting cleaned up, we headed to Cove Azul in Gualala. We ate lunch there once before with the Sanborns in 2014. I had crab cakes, while Sharon had salmon fish and chips.

The four of us finished the night watching MSNow's comments about the State of the Union Address.

Lunch with Nooter and Snipes

With Nooter staying a few days on the left coast after Julie's funeral, he and I met Snipes for lunch at Polanco Cantina in DOCO. Suffering from the flu, Snipes and Joy weren't able to make it to the funeral.

Afterwards, Nooter headed to our house and spent the night. He, Sharon and I had a leisurely evening having dinner and visting.

[Note to self], I need to get to the east coast to play some golf with Nooter. As I say in the draft of my book, of my oldest friends, I have always said that I enjoyed Nooter’s company intellectually.

Gift exchange and lunch with my sisters

Clem, Lee, Daniel and Morgan stopped by in the morning for a Christmas Gift exchange. Although Clem is a little confused about the process, we had a nice time opening gifts.

[Note to self], I need to figure a better plan for next year. I want to be able to see Clem and Lee on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I love the rhythm that we have developed with Sharon's family over the last thirty years, but the next couple of years are going to be special Christmases with Clem and Lee.

From there, we all headed to Vacaville. My sisters invited everyone to lunch at the Backdoor Bistro. The group included my sisters Lee Ann and Sharon, my sister Sharon's friend Jim, my first cousin Christine and her daughter, Clem, Lee, Daniel and Morgan, Jack, Sharon and I.

Although it wasn't the best venue for visiting-a long table in a noisy restaurant-it was a very nice get together. We are going to try to get everyone together again in early May to celebrate Morgan's birthday.

2025 South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia - Day #A - Musings

Struggling to find the words to describe the trip, I heard Sharon tell someone that it was phenomenal. It really was a once in a lifetime trip. At one point, Sharon ranked it as the best trip that we have ever taken.

One of the things that made it so amazing was the itinerary by Rothschild Safaris. We used Rothschild because Holly and Van had done two trips with them: one with Van and Stacey, and; another with Van and Holly. I can't say enough good about Rothschild. Everything was top shelf: the acommodations; the guides; the transfers, and; the airport greeters. Although we moved around quite a bit over the three weeks, the trip went extremely smoothly. As Donna said, the airport greeters at Capetown and Johannesburg were the bomb. Although we have had better individual meals, the food for the whole trip was very good.

The service everywhere was also very good. With high unemployment rates in several of the countries and tourism an important part of the economy, they throw people at service.

The prices were very reasonable in South Africa. We were surprised that dinners weren't more expensive. In contrast, in Zambia, everything was pricey.

Taken in total, the games drives at the two Safari Lodges were unbelievable. [Note to self], I need to build an index of all of the animals that we saw. As I said over the course of the trip, I am amazed that the predators are so comfortable with the jeeps. We got a chance to see lions, leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs up close and personal.

Before the trip, Drew asked me what I was looking forward to the most on the trip. I said the Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve. It was supposed to be the most luxurious of the two game lodges. As it turned out, I enjoyed the M@kanyi Private Game Lodge more. I liked the acommodations, the food and the guide at M@kanyi more than at Leopard Hills. Nevertheless, we had some remarkable experiences at Leopard Hills, including: cheetahs; the vultures on the cheetahs' kill; a large group of elephants drinking at the watering hole outside our room; Sharon's encounter with an elephant; and lots of leopards. Leopard Hills also included the Sands River; the terrain was very different from M@kanyi. When we were with the guide at M@kanyi, we felt like we were with Indiana Jones. The Leopard Hills guide was more of a college professor. I wouldn't hesistate to recommend either lodge.

While we won't ever go back to Zambi, I really enjoyed the Tongabezi Lodge.

When we were at the Tongabezi, we ran into the Nicci Bonella, the Group General Manager for Green Safaris, on an inspection tour of their lodges. Having a drink with her on the second night, I asked her where she would go back to in Africa. Somewhat surprisingly, she said Fundu Lagoon on Pemba Island. While I don't think that we will ever get there, I have added it to my places to travel. She also talked favorably about Lake Malawi.

Interestingly, on our last night, we ended up talking to a travel agent, Sandra Schonbachler from Anderson Expeditions. Originally from Switzerland, she came to Africa and fell in love with countries. Sandra was checking out the Tongabezi for clients. She also mentioned Lake Malawi as a destination. Although I don't think that we will get there either, I added to my places to travel.

Mark Twain by Ron Chernow

My book for September was Mark Twain by Ron Chernow. I finished book while we were at the Brookdale Estate on the South Africa trip. I have read two other of Chernow's books: Grant in September of 2022 and Hamilton in January of 2017.

I didn't realize how famous Mark Twain was while he was alive. I was surprised at how big a celebrity he was. In a time before mass media, he was known throughout the world. The only modern comparison that comes to mind is Taylor Swift.

Twain had a varied career as a young man. He worked as a printer's apprentice and typesetter for various newspapers. Twain qualified as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River. He briefly served as a volunteer with a Confederate militia before heading west to Nevada with his brother. Twain tried his luck as a silver prospector. Finding himself broke, he returned to what he knew best: journalism. He took a job as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise in Virginia City, Nevada, where he first began using the name Mark Twain for his articles.

Mark Twain married into a very wealthy family. His wife was the daughter of Jervis Langdon. Langdon was a wealthy New York coal and lumber businessman. Twain traveled the world, including the Holy Land. Later in life, he and his family lived in Europe for nine years, including Germany, France, Switzerland, and England.

Mark Twain coined the term "The Gilded Age." In the spirit of the Glided Age, Twain was a keen but often unlucky entrepreneur, inventor and publisher. He patented a number of inventions, including a self-pasting scrapbook, and invested heavily in new technologies like the Paige Compositor, a mechanical typesetter. Many of these business ventures failed, leading to his bankruptcy. His publishing company published Grant's autobiography; I read the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant in 2005.

At over 1,000 pages, the book is a load. While important in understanding his life, the last 200 pages focus a lot on his relationship with his two surviving daughters and his secertary Isabel Van Kleek Lyon after his wife dies. The youngest of the two daughters, Jean, suffered from epilepsy. A condition that was poorly understood at the time, Jean's illness created a great deal of stress for her and her family.

I enjoyed the book. I recommend it, but you have to realize that it is a large commitment. As an aside, I have never read any of Mark Twain's books. [Note to self], I am going to add Innocents Aboard to my reading list.

2025 South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia - Day #17 - Livingstone

from our Rothschild Safaris Itinerary

Livingstone

FLIGHT OF ANGELS | 25-30 MINUTE SCENIC HELICOPTER
Departure time 7:15AM
Please meet in the reception area of your accommodation
Recommended attire casual clothing

Activity inclusions - transfers to/from helicopter pad, headsets during flight, Zambian Aviation Fee Special notes - helicopter flights are subject to weather conditions, accommodates four to six passengers, and includes a middle seat, so window seating is not guaranteed. Seating arrangements are based on weight distribution and are determined by the crew. There are no age or weight restrictions.

See the world from a bird's-eye view as you fly over the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, and the surrounding gorges from the Livingstone side. Glide through the misty spray of the Falls, which can reach heights of up to 985 feet (300 meters). With a bit of luck, you'll navigate through rainbows and soft, billowing clouds. This excursion offers a deeper understanding of the zigzag gorge system and its formation, and complements a ground tour of the Falls and its lush rainforest. Return to Earth with your heart racing and your mind filled with unforgettable images from soaring through the sky.

TOUR OF THE FALLS
Departure time following your helicopter tour
Please meet in the reception area of your accommodation
Recommended attire casual clothing, comfortable shoes/sandals as this is a walking tour
Activity inclusions-guide, entrance fees
Special notes - You may get wet depending on season. From September-January, water levels on the Zambian side of the falls are diminished and may be dry.

Today, stand and marvel at one of the natural wonders of the world, The Victoria Falls. Locally known as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - The Smoke that Thunders - the waters of the Zambezi River plunge over the mile-wide (1700 meters) and 325 feet-deep (100 meters) chasm, creating a shower of spray and a deafening noise. Feel the mists fall on your skin and the 'thunder' vibrate through your core. From February to May each year, the Victoria Falls are in full flood with 132 million gallons (500 million liters) of water tumbling over the edge into a series of gorges each minute! After a briefing and explanation of the Falls, your guide accompanies you along the scenic pathways of the rainforest, stopping at numerous viewpoints to gaze at the Falls.

RIVER CRUISE & SANDBAR SUNDOWNERS
Departure time 4:30PM: Set off on your afternoon river cruise down the Zambezi river. There are great photographic opportunities of the Zambian landscape and wildlife during the day's golden hour as flocks of birds skim the waterline to collect insects, hippos wallow about in the cool water and elephants come to drink along the riverbanks. Stop off on your own private sand bar where you'll be treated to chilled drinks as the sun sets over the horizon. Afterwards make your way back to the lodge for dinner.

Up at 5:50 am, we had breakfast at 6:30 am. I had a very odd breakfast; Sweetcorn Pancake Stack [Stacked pancake served with ricotta, crispy bacon, grilled herbed tomato drizzled with basil pesto and balsamic reduction]. We were in the van leaving the lodge at 7:30 am.

The plan for the morning was a helicopter ride. The pilot was a former British military helicopter pilot named Grant. We started the tour by dropping down into the Zambezi River Gorge. It was definitely Mr. Toad's wild ride. From there, we flew over Victoria Falls. We finished the helicopter tour flying over Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park spotting game.


Although the itinerary shows a hike after the helicopter ride, we did the hike on the previous day. The next stop was the Livingstone Museum. Tom had suggested it as a morning stop. I enjoyed the galleries of stuffed animals and life of David Livingstone. [Note to self], I need to read a biography of Livingstone.


Afte the musuem, we did a driving tour of the Maramba Market in Livingstone. We are not in Kansas any more. This is the third world.

We spent the afternoon on Livingstone Island. While we were on Livingstone Island, Kevin went out and had his picture taken in the Devil’s Pool. Afterwards, we had a pretty nice lunch. During lunch, we were able to see people on the Zimbabwe side of the falls taking the same hike that we did yesterday.



We got back to the lodge a lot later than I thought we would. It was after 3:30 pm.

I rushed to finished the blog entry for Tuesday.

We had a very nice dinner at 7:30 pm. I had the spicy soup and a beef filet. Sharon also had the beef. They are moving us around to different spot for each meal. We were on a elevated platfrom this evening.

It was about 10:15 pm when Sharon and I crashed...

2025 Donner Lake - Day #3

After breakfast, Holly, Van, Sharon and I loaded up my SUV with our inflatable kayaks and drove to the condo's private beach. [Note to self], Holly and Van have a very nice two person Advanced Elements inflatable kayak. We spent almost an hour and a half exploring Donner Lake. I particularly enjoyed paddling up Donner Creek and looking at the homes on the Southern shore. The wind started to come up as we were heading back to the dock. In total, we covered just over three miles.


After a light lunch, the four of us headed to Donner Memorial State Park. I had picked out a hike on AllTrails, but when we parked in the day use area, we pivoted to a walk on an interpretive trail along the lake. Using AllTrails, I was able to put together a loop on the fly. We ended up hiking three miles in an hour and a half. It was a nice combination of walking along the lake and through the forest.


Heading to downtown Truckee, we finished the day with dinner at Planeta Ristorante. It was the first Truckee Thursdays of the year. They had several streets closed off. I was shocked at the number of people.

Sharon and I split Winter Caprese [fresh mozzarella, grilled eggplant, roasted sweet red peppers, dry cured olives, pesto & balsamic reduction]. For entrees, I had Grilled Sausage & Tagliatelle [spicy fennel & mild tuscan style sausage, savory marinara sauce], while Sharon had Pasta di Olio [angel hair pasta, garlic & olive oil, trio of mushrooms, tomato, spinach, pine nuts, grated parmesan & fresh basil with prawns].

2024 Run to Feed the Hungry

For the twentieth time in the last twenty-one years [2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004], I ran or walked the Run to Feed the Hungry. We entered in 2007, but I was feeling under the weather and we decided not to run before heading to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. Sharon also missed seven years ago when she was feeling under the weather. Last year, Sharon decided to do a virtual 5k around Ancil Hoffman Park.

I took off by myself at 7:10 am. Turning off Howe on to University and then right on Campus Commons, I parked in a parking lot along side Fair Oaks Boulevard.

Taking off later, Sharon and Jack walked the 5k.

I have come to view this run as a referendum on my fitness. I am very satisfied with the results.

I ended up with a chip time of 1:08:47. This is a minute and twenty seconds faster than last year. My pace was 11:04 minutes per mile versus 11:17 last year. My 5k spilt was 33:31 with a pace of 10:40 minutes per mile. Using RunKeeper, my splits were: Mile 1 - 10:37; Mile 2 - 10:26; Mile 3 - 10:34; Mile 4 - 11:00; Mile 5 - 11:25; and, Mile 6 - 11:48.

I felt good physically during the run; nothing hurt. My legs started to die in the fifth mile.

[Note to self], I need to do more training runs outside ahead of next year's run. Get off the treadmill!

2024 Crossroads of the Adriatic - Day #17 - Postojna Caves

Day 15 Overland to Ljubljana, Slovenia • Visit Postojna Cave

• Destination: Ljubljana
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodations: Hotel Ljubljanaor similar

Breakfast: Included at the hotel.

Morning: Today, we’ll check out of our hotel and transfer to Ljubljana. We’ll observe a sharp contrast in the scenery as we journey inland into Slovenia, a forest-clad country of meadows, alpine villages, and soaring mountain peaks. This Slavic nation was the first to claim independence and break away from the Yugoslav federation, and it largely escaped involvement in the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

Along the way, we’ll stop at Postojna Cave, a 12-mile-long underground labyrinth in eastern Slovenia that is considered one of the finest karst limestone formations in the world. You’ll enter the cave on a brief but informative train ride, and then enjoy an audio tour as you walk on your own through the cave to view a diverse collection of tunnels, sculpted galleries, stalactites and stalagmites, chambers, and cave-dwelling olms—sightless, snake-like amphibians that can only be seen here.

Lunch: Included at a restaurant near Postojna Cave.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our drive to Ljubljana and check in to our hotel in the mid-afternoon.

Later in the afternoon, a local guide will lead us through this thriving university town on a walking tour. Our guide will highlight the bridges spanning the river Ljubljanica and the narrow streets of its café-lined Old Town. We’ll also see buildings, parks, monuments, and bridges, many of which were designed by innovative local architect Joze Plecnik.

Dinner: On your own. Keep in mind that Slovene cuisine is incredibly diverse, so your Trip Experience Leader can make a recommendation for whatever you’re craving.

Evening: Continue to explore Ljubljana on your own. You may wish to settle into your room, or grab a drink at the hotel’s bar. Or, you can stroll the streets of Ljubljana, listening to its popular street musicians.

Up at 6 am, we put the bags out in the hall at 7:45 am. After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we were on the bus before 8:30 am.

We were at the Postojna Caves about 10:00 am. Lining up before 10:45 am, we had a 11:00 am entry.

We were given an audio guide and then loaded in a train. It took about fifteen minutes to get the train loaded and then travel to the start of the walking tour.

The walking tour was about 75 minutes long. It is fantastical! I really enjoyed it. Like lots of experiences, the pictures don't do it justice. I found the audio guide a little distracting. It was nice just to walk and soak in the surroundings.

Towards the end, there was an aquirium containing Olms. Olms are completely blind, having lost their eyes over millions of years of evolution in the dark cave environment. Their skin is pale due to the lack of sunlight. They have a long, slender body that resembles a salamander, with four tiny legs and external gills.

After the walking tour, we caught the train back out of the caves. As we are exiting, there is an amazing view of the underground river that runs through the caves.

We had lunch in the restaurant at the caves. It was a very Austrian meal: schnitzel and mashed potatoes.

Back in the bus, we headed to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. We are staying three nights at the Hotel Lev.

After getting settled in the room, the group met in the lobby. We did a long walking tour with a local guide. Fighting a sore throat, Sharon decided to take a nap. Although the guide was very verbose and shared more detail than you could absorb, I really enjoyed the city. It is very European. It seems more vibrant than anywhere we have been on this trip. I am looking forward to exploring it more over the next couple of days.

I walked back to the hotel to get Sharon. She and I wandered back to the old city for dinner. Holly, Sharon and I ended up having a hamburger at Fetiche. Van had decided to go to a local concert. Although the weather was threatening rain, we sat on a high table outside along the river. There were a lot of people out and about.

The three of us wandered back to the hotel. Sharon crashed about 9:00 pm. I worked on the blog for another hour. I have typically been finishing the entry for the previous day before I go to bed each night. [Note to self], I really need to figure how some kind fo template to use to speed the process. I feel like keeping the blog up to date has a little too much overhead.

2024 Davis Mafia - Day #2

Saturday morning, Chabrier organized a brunch at Cafe Bernardo downtown. It was a smaller group, including Chabrier, Moore, Geselbracht, Wallen, Hunter, Alan and Jeanie and I.

Afterwards, Wallen, Moore and I headed to Club 2 Me for a couple of beers. I really enjoyed having a chance to see Wallen and catch up. I am looking forward to the Army/Navy game in December, but we need to get together more often. Sharon and I need to get a trip to the Northwest or Todos Santos on the calendar. [Note to self], I am going to call Wallen after we get back from the Balkans get something on the calendar.

Chabrier is trying to make this an annual event. He is proposing the weekend after Labor Day for next year: probably Tahoe, maybe Almanor, but September 5th, 6th and 7th next year. We will be in South Africa.

Kayaking on the American River

I told Larkin in late May that there were two things that I wanted to accomplish this summer: kayaking from Hazel to Ancil Hoffman Park and going to Winters for lunch and a visit to Boone's Patio29. We kayaked from Hazel to Ancil Hoffman on Tuesday. I am going to try and organize a trip to Patio29 in October after we are back from the Balkans.

It took us about 2 1/2 hours to float about 6.5 miles. [Note to self], I tried to use Alltrails to make a map, but it didn't work. Use runkeeper next time...

It was a great day. There was almost no one on the river. We passed one drift boat fishing near Hazel and caught up with one raft with two people near the San Juan rapids.

The New Look

Sharon and I finished watching The New Look on AppleTV+.

The New Look is an biographical drama television series created by Todd A. Kessler that premiered on Apple TV+ on February 14, 2024. There were ten episodes. A second season is in development.

The series stars Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior and Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel. The supporting cast includes Maisie Williams, John Malkovich, Emily Mortimer, and Claes Bang.

Dior and Chanel are depicted living in Paris during the Nazi occupation. After the liberation, the show follows Christian Dior as he created his fashion line that unofficially got named the "New Look." Chanel struggles to regain control of her business and avoid being prosecuted as a Nazi collaborator.

I am fascinated by the idea that people were living and working in Paris under Nazi occupation. I read a volume of Picasso' biography that took place while he was living and working in Paris during the 1940s. The New Look also provides a look at the chaotic period after Paris was liberated. Overall, I give the show a lukewarm recommendation; it is interesting, but not compelling.

[Note to self], I am interested in looking for a biography about Coco Chanel.

2024 California Road Trip - Day #12 - Pasadena

I did a 20 minute Peloton strength workout and a 20 minute low impact bike ride. The Courtyard had a Peloton bike that needed to be activiated. We had breakfast at the hotel [oatmeal and frittata].

After breakfast, we headed to the Nixon Museum and Library in Yorba Linda. It was a liitle bit of a slog to get there. It took about an hour and forty-five minutes to drive 77 miles. SoCal traffic is a subject for another day...

Like Reagan, I haven't read a book about Nixon on my journey to read biographies about all of the presidents. After visiting the two museums, I am more interested in reading about both of them, particularly Nixon.

While the Reagan Museum was more impressive with its views from the hilltop, I think that the Nixon Museum did a better, more thorough story telling job. The museum starts with a film that highlights Watergate at the beginning before providing an overview.


I enjoyed the fact that you could walk around in the Oval Office replica at the Nixon Museum. The Oval Office is bigger than I expected with a higher ceiling.

Following the section on Nixon's accomplishments as president, there was a detailed and comprehensive look at Watergate. It was a lot of information. [Note to self], Sharon suggested that we watch All the President's Men.

The museum includes a section about the Vietnam War. I didn't realize that the troop levels reached 550,000.

We ended up taking a break after about an hour and a half and going to a nearby McDonalds for a quick lunch. Surprisingly, there is no food on site.

Both Sharon and I enjoyed the site. With the break for lunch, we ended up spending over four and a half hours at the Nixon Museum.

In the late afternoon, we wound our way to the Langham Huntington Hotel. We stayed at this hotel once when Jack played in a baseball showcase. We are spending two nights.

After getting settled in the room, we had a cocktail in the Tap Room. For dinner, we took an Uber to Cafe Santorini. I was done with driving for the day. We split Santorini's Grilled Calamari [grilled baby squid served over fields greens & tossed with lemon herb dressing]. For entrees, I had red curry seafood risotto [black mussels, shrimp, clams, spinach & red onions], while Sharon had a sea bass special.

Getting an Uber back to the hotel, we finished the day watching an episode of Outlander on the AppleTV.

Millard Fillmore: Biography Of A President

My book for January was Millard Fillmore: Biography Of A President by Robert J. Rayback. It fits into my long term project to read books about all of the presidents.

The author notes that he really started to research and write a book about the Whig Party, but ended up writing a book about Millard Fillmore. Formed in opposition to President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party, The Whig Party was a significant political party in the United States roughly between 1834 and 1854. William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachery Taylor and Millard Fillmore were Whig Presidents.

Born in poverty in New York, Fillmore rose through hard work and education to become a successful lawyer and politician. He joined the Whig Party, known for its moderate stance on slavery, and held various state and federal offices, including a New York Congressman. In 1848, he was elected Vice President under Zachary Taylor. As vice president, Fillmore was largely ignored by Taylor; even in dispensing patronage in New York.

Thrust into the presidency upon Taylor's sudden death in 1850, Fillmore faced a deeply divided nation over the issue of slavery. He signed the Compromise of 1850, a series of laws attempting to appease both pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, but it ultimately created only a temporary ceasefire. As President, Fillmore sent Commodore Perry to Japan, opening the door for trade and modernization.

Fillmore's presidency is often overshadowed by the events leading to the Civil War. He is praised for his efforts to maintain national unity while criticized for his enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act, which alienated anti-slavery Northerners. Fillmore was the last president not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties. Fillmore ran for President in 1856 under the short lived American Party and finished third behind Buchanan (Democrat) and Frémont's (Republican).

After his presidency, Fillmore was Buffalo, New York's first citizen. Fillmore remained involved in civic interests in retirement, including as chancellor of the University of Buffalo. [Note to self], if we ever get to Buffalo, I need to look for his statue and his grave.

Although historians generally rank him as a below-average president, the author generally paints Fillmore in a positive light. His legacy remains debated, with some seeing him as a pragmatist and others as a defender of a flawed system. I am fascinated by the period from 1837 to 1861. The period is marked by debates about the banking system, tariffs and slavery for the new territories. In some ways, it remains me of the political rancor of today...

The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal

My second book for December was The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal. Casting around at the last minute before the trip to Boston, I downloaded this book. The book was nominated for the 2023 Hugo Award and 2023 Locus Award for Best Novel.

I realized after I starting reading the book that I had read another book--The Calculating Stars--by the same author several years ago. I didn't particularly like the previous book...

The protagonist, an inventor and heiress, embarks on a luxury honeymoon aboard a spacecraft cruising from the Moon to Mars. The romantic getaway takes a sharp turn when a fellow passenger is murdered.

I have mixed feelings. I enjoyed parts of the story. Like her previous book that I read, the romantic interactions between the two main characters felt odd. With all of the build up, solving the murders felt rushed and anti-climatic. I don't recommend the book.

[Note to self], the book includes cocktail recipes at the beginnig of each chapter. I am interested in trying a couple of the recipes.

Israel/Egypt/Jordan 2023 - Day #21 - to Carmichael

Up at 2:05 am, we put our bags in the hall at 2:55 am. We joined the group in the lobby at 3:25 am. Of the 31 people on the Jordan excursion (out of 56 on the cruise), 15 people were flying out on the same Turkish Airlines flight at 6:55 am. The Leclaires took an earlier flight, but the Larkins and Gainsleys were on the same flight as us.

We got to the airport a little after 4 am. I was shocked at how long the check-in line was. It took us about an hour and fifteen minutes to make our way through the line, check our luggage and get our boarding passes.

By the time we got through security, there was less than 30 minutes until the flight started boarding. In an older Airbus A320 with a 2-4-2 configuration, Sharon and I had two seats on the right side of the plane. It was pretty comfortable.

The flight path that we took to get to Istanbul was interesting. The plane flew southwest until it reached Egyptian airspace and then turned north. It added about 50 minutes to the flight time. The route completely avoided Israel, Lebanon and Syria.

We were on the ground in Istanbul about 10 am. I was impressed with the Istanbul international terminal.

Sharon and I boarded the Turkish Air flight to San Francisco about noon. The Gainsleys were on the same flight in business class. The Larkins took a later flight to Seattle. Sharon's brother Tom and his friends Mary and Jean were on our flight. They made the connection with only a little time to spare.

In a 787 Dreamliner with a 3-3-3 configuration, Sharon and I had the aisle and middle on the right side. This turned into a little bit of a mess. The two women in front of Sharon and I put their seats all the way back as soon as they could. The guy on the window was probably 6' 4". As soon as she could, Sharon went back and sat with Tom; he had a row to himself. I banged the person in front of me with my knees so that they eventually put their seat back up.

[Note to self], we are not flying international again without some kind of upgraded seat.

I ended up flying most of the thirteen hour flight by myself. I probably got up a dozen times and walked back to where Sharon and Tom were sitting. I finished one book [Exit Strategy] and started two others [1000 Miles up the Nile and The Exchange]. I also watched Bridge on the River Kwai on my iPad.

Just like Chicago in June, we walked off the plane into a giant mess at passport control. After a couple of minutes, I brought up the mobile passport control app. We jumped into that line and were able to get through in less than forty minutes.

Scooping up our luggage, we eventually connected with the same shuttle driver that brought us to the airport. It was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride on the way home. The driver was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. Sharon was not happy. Dropping Tom, Mary and Jean first, Sharon and I were home in Carmichael just after 8:45 pm. It was 29 hours door to door.

It was an interesting trip. I am working on a list of thoughts that I will post in the future!