As readers of this blog know, I’m on a quest to visit as many US National Parks as I can. Although this story is about the three NPs I recently visited, it’s much more than that. It’s about two guys who’ve lost their wives, but are committed to living to the fullest the years they have left. They know that’s what their…
Old Swedish Housewife
When my kids first saw the photo at the top of this page, each had a different reaction. Kristin said, “I’ve been waiting for this pic!!!.” Rob said, “Thanks for the explanation. At first glance I thought you might be going to a Halloween party dressed up like an old Swedish housewife.” Obviously my daughter knew what was going on;…
Best Laid Plans…
In the post Out of Hibernation, I mentioned a planned visit to three National Parks in California (Pinnacles, Kings Canyon and Sequoia). The trip had to be postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic, but was back on for the fall of 2021. However, it looked like the wildfires racing through the Sierra Nevada might force another postponement. On Saturday September 11,…
Remembering Nine-Eleven
Joanna and I loved to visit New York City between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and did so several times over the years. We’d take in a couple of broadway shows, eat, drink and enjoy that festive time of year in the Big Apple. As we made plans in the weeks ahead, 2001 was to be no different. Then came that terrible morning…
Locked Out Of Home For 10 Days
On Friday July 16, 2021, I was awakened at 3:30 a.m. by the wailing of a klaxon horn and the following words: “May I have your attention please. An emergency has been reported in the building. While this report is being verified, please leave the building using the exit stairways – do not use the elevators, use the stairways only; do…
Out of Hibernation
I was in California toward the end February 2020 planning a trip with friends for later that year to some of the less-visited National Parks in that state. About that time, word was spreading about a virus, originating in China, that had the potential to spread across the planet. As I was settling into my seat for the flight back to Tampa,…
Runway Light Bulbs
During the corporate phase of my work-life, I was with the hosiery division of the Sara Lee Corporation – I know, hosiery and Sara Lee pastry doesn’t quite add up. Two years before I joined them in 1981, Hanes Corp (consisting of Hanes Knitting – think underwear, t-shirts, athletic wear, etc. and Hanes Hosiery – nylon stockings, socks and L’eggs products) became part…
My Tattoos
Tattooing has been practiced across the globe since the stone age. According to Britannica, the oldest discovery of tattooed human skin to date may have been found on the body of Ötzi the Iceman, “an ancient mummified human body that was found by a German tourist, Helmut Simon, on the Similaun Glacier in the Tirolean Ötztal Alps, on the Italian-Austrian border, on September 19, 1991. His…
My Brother
As with most folks, my family members share with the others whenever they see a TV series or movie they think the others might like – especially over the last several months as we’re all hunkered down during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the last day of 2020, my son shared a link to the movie Uncle Frank saying, “Made me think of Uncle Carl…
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park had been on my radar for years but thought I might never get a chance to visit. In September 2019, on a road trip from southern California into Oregon, Washington, and finally western Canada, it seemed like a no-brainer to make a quick side trip into the park. The park is located in southern Oregon, about…