French travel started out bumpy. I found my seat on the second plane, the long haul plane out or Minnesota. But it was occupied. That’s no way to start. Simple adjustment, right? But the lady had the same ticket for the same seat. At least that’s what she said. Then we all looked at our […]
PARIS RIVER: HOW WATER MAKES THE CITY
September 9, 2019 by
The Paris river divides the city like the Willamette divides Portland. But instead of an Eastside / Westside divide, Paris goes with Right Bank and Left Bank. One method means knowing the compass, the other is much more simple. Think of finding a place with directions that include east, west, north, and south. I’m already […]
CALIFORNIA JAM FROM 18 TO 62
August 25, 2019 by
What was the hot ticket in 1974? California Jam. Just ask anyone who says they were there. It was the West Coast Woodstock without the brown acid, Altamont without the murder. Just a nice gathering after all the dust settled and music took a turn. My wife found her ticket to […]
NORTHWEST TRAVEL BETTER THAN ???
July 24, 2019 by
(Any place you’ve seen before.) Start in Portland and drive any direction and I see elevation changes, more shades of green than a box of crayons, and snow capped mountains most of the year. Start in LA and drive any direction and never leave the freeway. Start in Kansas. No one wants to start in […]
Portland Bird Flip To The Rest Of You
September 3, 2018 by
The Portland bird is one thing, the Portland bird flip a whole ‘nother thing. If it’s not this, it’s that for Portland. Close to the mountains, close to the beach, and if the pace of new building is any indicator, close to the new neighbors. Like any city over a certain […]
Nature Inspires Art, Yellowstone Inspires Nature
August 11, 2018 by
Driving Yellowstone is a trip back in time, and more than pre-historic time even though a dinosaur walking across the landscape wouldn’t be much of a surprise. In this real life vision of Jurassic Park buffalo work just fine. By back in time I mean a 45 mph speed limit and […]
Continental Divide: A Place Not An Attitude
August 9, 2018 by
Since I was in the neighborhood I kept a look out for this sign: Continental Divide. It goes one way or the other. Water follows the path of least resistance? That’s the story. One side drains to the east, the other to the west. That’s lots of drainage and it starts with […]
CANCER RESEARCH THROUGH BETTER BEER
July 2, 2018 by
“I’m buying you a beer,” G said. “That’s awfully nice, but you don’t have to,” I said. “It’s that one,” he said. “Which one?” I asked. “At the bottom of the Daily Specials.” I looked at the beer menu and didn’t see it. “Where are the specials?” […]
EXTRA ROOM AIRPLANE SEATS? FOR WHO?
June 26, 2018 by
From the crowds I’ve seen at airports, people have learned to negotiate the hurdles. With the hope of not being the only old and confused passenger, OCP, I pay attention. Walk up to a screen near the airline you’re flying and key in the info you copied at home from a confirmation email […]
FACEBOOK WINGS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES
January 18, 2018 by
I stood across the concourse, the airport hallway, from my check in studying my boarding pass with Group Nine printed on the bottom right side. Group Nine is last to board, last to sit, and last to find an overhead bin for the carry-on. Luckily my wife and I were flying […]
