After stopping to enjoy some wine and bread in the Columbia River Valley, we arrived at our destination for this trip, Seattle. Mike was excited about seeing Pike Place, home to the original Starbucks, but we first did the obligatory ride to the top of the Space Needle. As I am uncomfortable with heights, this … More The Great Northwest
South Dakota is a state of varying geographic landscapes. Entering the state’s southeast region, we viewed a vast prairie, winds advancing swiftly with no barriers for slowing or stopping. Moving westward, abutments of red and brown colored structures rose slowly until we reached the Badlands, a national park that provides many overlooks for scenic views. … More Awe Inspiring Vistas
In July 2019, I left our home in Umbertide, Italy, not realizing it would be over four years before returning but not for lack of trying. At present, I have had to cancel three different trips to Europe. The latest issue had to do with our passports. They expire at the end of July, BUT … More Post Covid Traveling Challenges
I have chosen to use Frankenstein by Mary Shelley with my Advanced 8th Grade English students for several years. So when I had the chance to visit the area in which much of the novel takes place, I took advantage. Despite the sunshine, the majesty of this mountain was inspiring in its sheer height. It … More In Search of Frankenstein
Famous diarist Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt, Germany, moving to Amsterdam when she was four. To try to save his family, spice merchant Otto built a small shelter for his family and several friends in the attic of his business. We visited this site in 2009 and anyone with interest in the subject should go there. … More The Final Destination for Anne Frank
Leaving Copenhagen we headed to Gothenburg, Sweden spending two nights and doing a little bit of shopping and eating before we left for Oslo, Norway. An easy trip we followed major highways until reaching the capital city where a significant beautification project has most of the city center under construction. BUT despite that Oslo is … More The Rest of the Story, Scandinavian Road Trip
We chose to enter Denmark by ferry. Unless you do this regularly the ticket is rather pricey. It costs around $150 for two people for an hour and a forty-five-minute trip. It was quite pleasant with sunny but cool temperatures. We met a German couple going on holiday to Sweden who explained what we needed … More Coping in Copenhagen
This summer Mike and I decided to visit Scandinavia because we had never seen the scenery and thought that a road trip would enhance the journey. Using a car for travel has its advantages in that you can see more things and are not beholden to a tight schedule BUT it has its challenges as … More Road Trippin’ in Europe, Summer 2018!
This year’s travels began in Berlin, specifically what was formerly East Berlin. A few blocks from our hotel is the iconic “Checkpoint Charlie,” the point where East and West Berlin met during the Cold War. The area has colored piping that helps to visualize where the Berlin Wall existed. This part of the city is … More The Beauty of Eastern Europe
After many years of trying to understand, I arrived at Auschwitz, the place of horror described in so many of the books I have read. Renown author Elie Wiesel’s words from Night come to mind, “In front of us, those flames. In the air, was the smell of burning flesh. It must have been around midnight. We … More The Past Meets the Present