Friday, November 28, 2008

Shop 'til you Drop

If you ever needed a reason NOT to stand in line at Wal Mart for the Day After Thanksgiving Sale - here's a pretty good one:

A worker died after being trampled and a woman miscarried when hundreds of shoppers smashed through the doors of a Long Island Wal-Mart Friday morning, witnesses said.

The unidentified worker, employed as an overnightstock clerk, tried to hold back the unruly crowds just after the Valley Stream store opened at 5 a.m.

Witnesses said the surging throngs of shoppers knocked the man down. He fell and was stepped on. As he gasped for air, shoppers ran over and around him.

On the other hand, it's precisely this kind of shopping enthusiasm that merchants are praying for this holiday season...

I had a very pleasant Thanksgiving. I ate too much food...but that's kinda obligatory as I understand it. I LOVE turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy. Particularly my mom's.

My sister cooked the bird yesterday...and it was entirely satisfactory...she was trained by the master. As mom was trained by Grandma Newman. Don't know where grandma picked it up...don't think her mom would have cooked turkey in the Old Country... Hmmm. A puzzler.

The elders were quite chipper yesterday - even dad rallied and got dressed for the first time in a few days. I was over for morning coffee and he was positively chirpy.

Coffee most mornings usually finds all four of us - mom, dad, sister, and I - sitting around the kitchen table. I am attempting to learn the art of participating in three conversations simultaneously. Both mom and dad are hard of hearing and frequently attempt to converse with me at the same time - not recognizing the other has also initiated conversation. And my sister has developed the habit of simply butting-in while others are talking.

I can handle two conversations at once with some dexterity - but three is proving a challenge. And of course I have to SHOUT for the elders to hear me. At times it is quite amusing.

Well, I'm off...the Club was closed yesterday so will have to workout twice today. Hah. And I may put-up my Christmas tree.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

Best wishes for a happy turkey day. I will be doing the usual family gig...although I THINK I have convinced mom to let me help-out with a few side dishes. Gonna make a carrot and sweet potato puree, fruit salad with a honey and poppyseed dressing, and cauliflower au gratin (one of Alison's favourtie comfort food recipes). Mom has invited another elderly couple from down the street...we should be a group of eight for supper.

I just finished posting the last of my vaction pics - from the Carolina low country. It was an ordeal. My computer hard-drive is full and I had to keep figuring-out how to free-up disc space. I need a new computer...this one is over six years old and is balking at every turn.

The weather has been predictably crappy...with wind and rain. Sounds like it might cool-off a bit the first of next week; but no real winter yet in sight.

I'm running late today. Better get to the elders and do chores. Then a workout and hit the grocery store...

Gobble, gobble, gobble...

Sunday, November 23, 2008

More Pics Posted to my Kodak Gallery Site

Sorry I haven't been blogging...but I've been busy. I've spent most days at the folks doing various chores and errands or cooking stuff for them...baked goods and soup. Dad is seriously into chicken soup. And Emilie is always an enthusiastic recipient of groceries.

Dad's blood work came back and, to my surprise, it was all relatively normal despite the doc's early misgivings. So...his weight loss, weakness, and lethargy remain a mystery. They want him to have an ultrasound of his heart; but he is resistant. A heart problem could explain the loss of energy and weakness...but I don't think it speaks to his weight loss - his appetite is still pretty good. So...we'll see... I'll make another run at him on the ultrasound on Monday. But I'm not going to be too strident...he remains of perfectly sound mind and it's ultimately his call, of course.

I've been photoshopping vacation pics and working on several holiday projects too. The latest installments from the East Coast Victory tour are now on my Kodak site. I still have a bunch to process however.

Hope you all caught Governor Palin's Turkey Pardon fiasco. My dad - who is not known for his appreciation of the absurd - was in stitches when he saw the interview. If you did happen to miss it, Governor Palin "pardoned" a turkey at a local poultry farm and then gave an interview while in the background the turkeys that did NOT receive a pardon were being sent to Poultry Heaven. And this is not a big automated plant...these turkeys were being personally whacked by a big kinda weird looking guy who kept turning towards the camera and grinning. Mom (her PETA renewal forms just arrived in the mail) was not amused...

We got an inch or so of snow the other night; but now it has warmed-up and is supposed to rain for the next week or so. I think I'd actually prefer some snow...but then I don't have to commute to work and back at a fixed time five days a week. It's so bloody dark!

Well, I'll try to get back on a regular blog schedule next week. And do check-out the pics.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Monumental Stuff

Just posted the first installment of vacation pics - mostly Washington D.C. monuments stuff - click on "Elmer's Kodak Gallery Site" on the right.

I've been on elder duty full-time since my return home. Poor ol' dad is fading fast. I was shocked how much he'd declined in the two weeks I was gone. He's now using a walker and is weak as a kitten. We had to go to the ER last Friday and I took him to his regular doc yesterday. His blood work doesn't look good - but no definitive diagnosis as of yet.

"Such it is" as Grandma Newman used to say...

Hope to post some more pics later this week. I'm off to the elders!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Trip Report

Made it home. We departed Seattle right on schedule; but halfway to Juneau were told we'd have to make a little detour to Sitka to pick-up passengers stranded there when the morning flight to Juneau from Anchorage overheaded due to high winds in Juneau. It was blowing between 30 and 40 knots in Sitka; but snuck in-and-out with no problem. When we landed in Juneau it was not bad at all.

Got picked-up at the airport by my sister who immediately told me dad wasn't doing well...so off to the folks and then a trip to the ER. Dad's doing fine...have to go to the medical supplies place this morning for some more equipment...but his discomfort has been relieved.

Last night it blew about 60 and we had a serious downpour.

So...everything's back to normal!

While everything's fresh in my mind thought I better do a quick trip summary:

Rating System:

* Wouldn't go back/do it again for money or on a dare

***Perfectly acceptable/would do it again

*****You get in my way of doing it again - I'll kill you

WASHINGTON, D.C. What can you say? It's truly a monumental city. I did not envision this trip as a serious D.C. excursion (so won't give it a rating) but did spend a half-day walking the mall. I had never previously seen the FDR or Korean War memorials and I found both of them very much worthwhile. I was disappointed with the World War II memorial. I need to spend a solid week in D.C. - coming in the not too far distant future I hope. Again, a million thanks to my hostess, Martha Stewart, for her hospitality and company. We had a great time visiting.

MOUNT VERNON **** Definitely worth a half-day for anyone visiting D.C. - about 20 miles or so from downtown. The plantation house tour is way cool; but be prepared to stand in line. The house feels much more utilitarian and lived-in than Monteplier or Monticello. There are also many outbuildings that should be seen and extensive trails that take you to a re-creation of a farm site as well as to the wharf on the Potomac. The view from the house of the river and Virginia countryside is spectacular. While Washington's house strikes one as more modest than either Jefferon's or Madison's, I must also note that Washington, unlike the other two, did not die hugely in debt.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

Overall rating ****1/2

Accomodations ****1/2 I stayed at the Dinsmore House Inn which was built in the early 19th century and designed by a gentleman of the same name who was one of the premier craftsmen who worked on the remodeling of Monticello and subsequently Montpelier. Both the public rooms and bedroom were wonderful - furnished with beautiful antique furniture - and the breakfasts were excellent. Everything fresh and hot from the oven. The inn is located right across from the University of Virginia and about a mile from the pedestrian mall which has a good number of interesting shops and a variety of eateries.

Monticello ***** Home of Thomas Jefferson. One of the most enjoyable days I've had in many a moon. The high-point of this trip. Monticello is an architectural marvel, beautifully maintained and furnished, and the guided tours were very well done. The grounds are extensive and both the garden and plantation tours were well worth the time. The fall foliage was spectacular; but based on pictures I saw and the descriptions given by the staff a visit here anytime of the year would be most worthwhile. I fully intend to visit again in Spring when the gardens are at their finest. Although located only about 4 miles from downtown, this is a full-day excursion if you want to do it justice.

University of Virginia ***1/2 Definitely worth an hour or so walk around campus. The rotunda and adjacent dorms around the adjacent square were designed, in part, by Thomas Jefferson and built in his lifetime.

Montpelier **** Home of James Madison. The mansion is almost completely restored which involved "deconstructing" the 22 room addition built by the Du Pont family in the early 20th century. The mansion is not yet furnished with suitable art, antiques, or period reproductions thereof - the temperature and humidity need to stabilize for a couple of years before they do so. Archaeological excavations on the sites of former outbuildings are ongoing. The front of the mansion faces east with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance. Montpelier is about 30 miles from Charlottesville. I will definitely want to revisit!

Other *** I was only in Charlottesville for two nights and one full day of exploration. There are lots of supposed fine dining restaurants downtown; but I was disappointed with my one attempt at a good meal - an Italian joint that was recommended by the innkeepers.

Other things that may be worth doing that I did not have time to enjoy include Skyline Drive which is reputed to be a wonderfully scenic area as well as a visit to the natural bridge (a natural stone edifice) located about 30 minutes from downtown. In the same area as the bridge there are a number of man-made roadside attractions - the most intriguing of which (to my tastes at least) is called Foamhenge - a full-size replica of Stonehenge made of styrofoam.

WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA

Overall rating ****

Accomodations **** I stayed at a B&B called Magnolia Manor which is a large 1930's era home built in the Colonial style with 4 guest rooms. I had a well appointed suite - a sitting room with gas fireplace, desk, couch, and entertainment center and a bedroom with a huge comfy King sized four-poster. The house is about 1/2 mile from Colonial Williamsburg. Breakfast included a hot dish (kept sufficiently warm but not cooked to order) as well as cereal and bread/muffins. The innkeepers were suitably inobtrusive which can sometimes be a problem at small B&B's.

Colonial Williamsburg **1/2 Something of a disappointment; but I only spent a couple of hours there late on a Sunday afternoon that was blustery and cool. The re-enactment stuff struck me as half-hearted although I did not stay for the 5 PM trooping of the colors which apparently is the show-piece of the whole schmeer. The site is larger than I expected with lots of restored Colonial wood houses and a number of brick structures. And, like the original Colonial Williamsburg, the modern re-creation is enthusiastically devoted to commerce. Like South Franklin in Juneau during the summer; but with a colonial twist.

Jamestown **** There are really two Jamestown attractions. An educational facility that has both a re-creation of the original settlement and an exhibit gallery operated by the State of Virginia and the National Park Service historical property which encompasses the orginal Jamestown site as well as a museum containing artifacts excavated at the site. All are excellent. I would recommend visiting the re-creation first to get a good since of the layout of the original fort and then visiting the historical site. It's a full day excursion to do it right.

Yorktown ***1/2 Like Jamestown, Yorktown has both a State educational facility that includes a re-enactment component as well as a very good exhibit hall. The actual historic battlefield site is under the control of the National Park Service. The visitor's facility at the NPS site is quite small; but there is a 15 minute movie that give you a good context for the battle. Walking the battlefield is definitely the main attraction. Many of the original earthworks are still in place and a number of cannon and siege mortars are placed where they were during the battle. Look out for the very pointy cockle-burr like things. Ouch!

Other *** I had one good meal at a restaurant in the modern market square just outside of the Colonial Williamsburg area - the restaurant was called the Fat Canary. This square appears to be the main collection of eateries and most everything else appeared undistinguished. There may be good restaurants in the new part of town; but I did not go there. I walked by the College of William and Mary but did not really see the whole campus which has several noteworthy historical buildings. I also did not have time to drive down to Norfolk to see the reputedly excellent maritme museum that includes the battleship U.S.S. Wisconsin.

SOUTH CAROLINA LOW COUNTRY My ten days in South Carolina had three distinct components: golfing, dining, and lodging at the Sea Pines resort in Hilton Head, a day trip to Savannah, and two nights in Charleston. The low country is semi-tropical and in it's natural state largely marsh and swampland. You don't want to be here in the summer.

Sea Pines Resort/Hilton Head

Overall rating ***

Accomodations ***1/2 Alison and Dougie had a very nice two bedroom condo at the resort. It was very similar to the condo we have stayed at in Redmond, Oregon - at the Eaglecrest Resort.

Golf **** The only reason to go to Hilton Head is to play golf - and they've got courses 'til hell won't have it. We played the PGA course at Harbour Towne as well as two other courses on the resort. And we played two courses about 30 minutes from the condo - one an Arnold Palmer designed course and one designed by Davis Love III. Three of these courses were too challenging for my game - although I will certainly concede that this may simply be an excuse for my poor playing! All of the courses were beautiful - Hilton Head is so beautifully green. I'll say it again, VERDANT! Lots of birds to watch as well as gators, turtles, and deer (although we didn't see any deer). On the other hand, I can find plenty of good golf a lot closer to home than in South Carolina.

Dining **1/2 Dining was somewhat disappointing. There are a bizillion restaurants on Hilton Head. And although we had several good meals and a couple of excellent courses; none go on the outstanding list. All of the restaurants are located in strip malls tucked-away among the trees - the zoning requirements are foscused on keeping buildings low and unobtrusive. While this makes sense on the one hand, on the other hand it means that the physical structures are boring and could as easily be in California or Arizona - and no views. Also, I suspect that truly adventuresome cuisine is perhaps more difficult to sustain economically in a community that caters almost exclusively to retired, middle class, middle aged, (or older) caucasian golfers.

Other ** For some reason I do not fully understand, the ambience of Hilton Head just doesn't do it for me.

Savannah *** We took a day trip to Savannah, Georgia for a little sightseeing. It was quite fun although the historic district is really quite small though pleasant. The high point, and as a stand-alone matter, a five star event, was lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House featuring ol' timey low country cuisine with fried chicken to die for. It's definitely going on my favourite dining experiences list.

Charleston

Overall rating ****

Accomodations ***1/2 We stayed at the French Quarter Inn a very cool boutique hotel located in the historic district. A very charming lobby with a rotunda. The rooms were nicer than average but basically standard hotel room.

Magnolia Hall Plantation ****1/2 The plantation house was built after the Civil War (the original was torched by Mr. Sherman's boys) and enlarged in 1891. Still, it is worth the tour and is beautifully furnished with period pieces a number of which are from the Colonial era. But the grounds are what you come to see...both the gardens and the swamp. Gators and tweety birds. And while the gardens were well past their peak, the Camellia were beautiful. We took both the trolley tour of the grounds and the boat tour of the swamp. Both were great. I want to come back in the spring when the garden is at it's peak.

Patriots Point **** A boat taxi will take you across Charleston harbor to Patriots Point, a naval museum featuring WWII ships including the carrier U.S.S. Yorktown, destroyer U.S.S. Laffey, submarine U.S.S. Clamagore, and the Coast Guard cutter Ingham. We spent most of the time on the carrier...Dougie and I had a great time. It was REALLY COOL. We did a quick tour of the sub but did not have time to visit the destroyer or cutter.

Other **** We took a carriage tour of Charleston. Pulled by a couple of mules named Yahoo and Google. The guide had his rap down great and was quite amusing. I found the historic district very charming and did not have enough time to explore. There are a number of museums that, on paper at least, would be worth a visit. And although we had hoped to visit Fort Sumter we ran out of time and did not. Wish I had spent another day (at least) in Charleston.

I will not speak to the dining...I was "dined-out" by this time and didn't join Dougie and Alison on their visits to a couple of highly recommended restaurants. I got the impression that they were somewhat disappointed. I did have a good, but by no means great, supper at the hotel restaurant, Tristans.

So there you have it...the 2008 Fall Victory Tour!

Friday, November 14, 2008

Almost Home

Greetings from the Red Lion Inn at beautiful Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Got to the hotel about 10 PM last night after a very long day.

The drive from Roanoke, N.C. to Washington D.C. was a tad tense. It rained like hell most of the way and visibility got pretty poor a number of times. But my new GPS guided me unerringly to my destination which was Reagan National and a 5 1/2 hour flight to Seattle. I am delighted with the GPS. As long as you program it correctly you can't go wrong. Remember Korean Air Flight 007? That was an example of incorrect programming although the consequences for a automobile jockey are not so grave. The device tells you both audibly and visually every turn to make, what lane to be in for the next turn, how far to your next waypoint, and a gazillion other things I have not yet bothered to figure-out. It's cool.

The flight to Seattle was a tad bouncy off-and-on but I managed fine thanks to my trusty iPod and a bottle-and-a-half or so of Alaska's plonk. First Class really does make a difference on long flights... It was a thirsty cabin...they ran out of both white and red wine - and my seat-mate was making heroic efforts with the gin. He is an attorney from Seattle. A nice guy. Judging from the pre-flight cell phone calls I would guess that most of First Class was occupied by attorney/lobbyist/porch-climber types. Perhaps their thirst can be attributed to a case of bad nerves with the transition in D.C.

If anyone has been trying to call me on my cell - I haven't been deliberately ignoring you; but said device is inoperative due to, as the airlines say, unscheduled maintenance resulting from a bath it received while charging on the bathroom countertop a few nights ago. I suspect I will be acquiring a new phone - perhaps even today if I have the ambition when I get home.

Ah yes, home. Looks like it will be raining at sea level and snowing at 1000 feet upon my arrival. And that's the forecast for the foreseeable future. Still, the holidays are fast approaching and I do love the holidays. So I will try to maintain good humour. And I need to get serious about the Club; bet I gained at least five pounds the last couple of weeks and am feeling the need for serious exercise. Wouldn't even mind some snow if it meant I could go cross-country skiing.

So...guess I'll take a shower and head over to Sea-Tac for breakfast and a flight to Juneau.

I'll be home for Christmas....

Yippee! In another couple of weeks I can break-out the holiday tunes! I am a man of simple tastes and pleasures...

Be safe out there gang...perhaps I'll have vacation pics by Monday.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Time to Kill

Well, It's 9 AM here in beautiful Roanoke Rapids, NC and it's raining like hell. No need to hit the road for a couple of hours...so may as well do a little blogging.

Charleston was quite fun. On the drive in from Hilton Head we stopped at Magnolia Hall Plantation located in North Charleston on the Ashley River. The plantation house was torched by them damn Yankees at the end of the Civil War but was rebuilt in 1868 and further expanded in 1891. The house is cool; but the real reason for the visit is to see the magnificent gardens and surrounding swamp which both teem with exotic flora and fauna.

Although it was not prime blooming season (with the exception of camellia which were beautiful), the garden is still quite charming. We took both the trolley tour through the grounds and the boat tour through the swamp. Alison was all atwitter watching the birdies that included many species of wading birds, ducks, and tree dwellers. Dougie and I were fascinated by the gators - we saw several eight and nine footers.

We then motored into Charleston and checked-in at the French Quarter Inn - a wonderful boutique hotel in the historic district.

The next day we took a water taxi over to Patriots' Point where the WWII era carrier "Yorktown" is berthed along with several other historic warships. Doug and I enjoyed ourselves immensely. Alison probably not so much...

Yesterday morning we took a carriage tour of historic Charleston. The guide was very humorous. And we got a good sense of the development of the city over the past couple hundred years which can succinctly be described as haphazard. Beautiful historic homes from the late 1700's, 1800's, and early 1900's can be found cheerfully jumbled together in a single block.

The highest point in old Charleston is twelve feet above sea level so not surprisingly it has historically been subject to flooding from heavy rains and hurricane storm surges. And a number of big fires including one just before the Civil War that claimed hundreds of structures. Church spires, some going back to colonial times, still dominate the skyline.

Charleston has been a major port since colonial times. The Carolina low-country gentry got rich farming rice on their plantations which was exported to Europe through Charleston. That economy collapsed, of course, with the end of the Civil War. Today, a wide variety of goods are exported from Charleston including, oddly enough, BMW and Honda cars assembled in South Carolina.

I would highly recommend a visit to this beautiful city - although our guide stressed that the Carolina low-country is NOT a place you want to visit in the summer - even in the 21st century. It is NOT a dry heat in this part of the country. In fact, for most of its history this land was flat-out pestilential - the beautiful resort area of Hilton Head was, in our guide's words, "uninhabitable" until the development of DDT and other pesticides just a few decades ago.

Well, I've successfully killed an hour. Time to take a shower and hit the road.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Whistlin' Dixie

Farewell to the low country of Dixie. Blew out of Charleston, South Carolina around Noon today and pulled-off I-95 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina as the sun went down. I am presently holed-up in a Hampton Inn and just had a filling, yet unsatisfying, meal at the local Ruby Tuesday's establishment.

However I did get to spend an hour or so socializing with several of the locals - there was a table of 30-40-something gals having a birthday social at a table and I bought them a round of drinks and got an invite to visit in return. They were true southern gals from hereabouts - two work in the local community mental health center and the other two for a local exterminator. They are longtime friends. I suspect there is plenty of work in both fields in these parts.

They wanted to talk about Sarah Palin...which is becoming tedious for me. But I gave them the full Alaskana rap. They seemed appreciative and we parted the best of friends. Tomorrow two of them will be working with the mentally ill and two of them will be exterminating bugs - and I'm headed back to Juneau. Would be willing to switch places with any of them.

I've got a ton of pictures and will try to get serious about photoshopping them upon my return to the Motherland. Will post a blog on Friday in any event.

TallyHo!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Goodbye to Hilton Head

Savannah was quite fun. The high point was lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House - low country cuisine - fried chicken, okra, beef stew, BBQ pork, collard greens, potato salad, and a dozen or so other homey dishes. It was DELICIOUS. I can't remember when I last ate so much at one sitting. I could hardly move for the rest of the day. Alison bought a cook book from the joint so we can do it again!

After lunch we visited a quaint nautical museum in an old Greek revival style home that was originally built in the early 19th century. And then we did a little harbor tour, walked the river front, and then back to the car through the old part of town.

Then back to Hilton Head and another couple of days of golf...yesterday was brutal at an Arnold Palmer designed course that I did not enjoy one whit. I am not a long hitter off the tee. It is depressing when you do not even reach the fairway. But I can live with that. What I cannot endure is putting obstacles...water, waste areas, or sand traps in my way between me and the damn fairway. I mean a water obstacle is fine...but NOT if you have to hit over 150 yards to get over the bloody thing...

But perhaps I'm just grousing...and a piss-poor golfer.

At any rate, today was a ton of fun on another course. Still didn't play worth a damn; but I enjoyed it. Afterward we had pizza and wine. A good day.

I am ambivalent about Hilton Head. It is very attractive in many respects...I've been on several golf courses here that are the most beautiful I've ever seen. And the weather has been quite good...mid-60's to mid-70's and only a few sprinkles. The island is - VERDANT - green 'til hell won't have it and the abudnance of birds is extraordinary. But it is clammy even this time of year and I cannot imagine what it is like with a temperature in the 90's and humidity to match.

It is also extraordinarily homogenous - nothing but white, middle class, middle aged (or older) folks. All the commercial activities are confined to strip-malls which could just as easily be in California, Arizona, or anywhere else leisure-minded Americanos congregate. I would be bored to tears here in a matter of weeks.

We've had a number of decent meals on Hilton Head...but nothing particularly memorable. It is rumored that there are over 250 restaurants on the island - which has a year-round population of about 40,000 - so there is no shortage of eateries. But when your clientele is nothing but middle-aged/middle class white folks - why would you expect interesting cuisine?

On the other hand, for a week of golf - Hilton Head - why not?!!!

I am looking forward to seeing Charleston which is a good sized city. So...I will reserve my judgement on South Carolina as a whole until I have sampled it's wares.

Stay tuned...

Friday, November 7, 2008

Spanish Moss

This place is so green - I believe verdant is the word. We played a beautiful golf course yesterday; perhaps the most picturesque I have ever seen. Spanish moss hanging from the trees. Lots of ponds and little streams. Saw gators, turtles, and many species of birds - herons, egrets, and even an Ahinga or Snakebird. When it swims the only thing you see is it's snake-like head and neck - kinda Loch Ness monster like.

The golf course was also terribly difficult and I did not play well.

Last night we had an excellent supper at a place called Sage. Best meal I've had on this trip. Braised beef with yummy mashed taters and green beans. And then an outstanding berry creme for dessert.

I believe we're going to drive to Savannah today for a little sightseeing. Apparently Sherman forgot to burn Savannah and there are lots of ante-bellum structures. Should be fun.

The dust continues to settle on the election. Pretty good news in lots of places - except Alaska, of course. The Oregon Senate race has now been decided in favour of Mr. Merkley so the Democrats majority is now 57 - or 56 if the caucus decides to give Joe Lieberman the heave-ho.

And, in the human interest section, I see that G W's dog, Barney, bit a Reuters reporter.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Yet Another Reason to Leave Alaska

The morning after...a tad hung-over and my disposition not helped one bit by the news from the Home Front. Convicted (although admittedly not yet sentenced) felon the Right Honorable Ted Stevens leads in his Senatorial race in Alaska...and, equally inexplicable in my mind, not YET indicted but equally corrupt and out-of-touch Congressman Don Young is walking away in his reelection bid for the U.S. Congress. I gotta get out of that place.

But I prefer to dwell on my vacation.

We played the Harbour Town Golf Course yesterday...the venue for the annual Verizon Heritage PGA event. We were joined by a nice gentleman from North Carolina - probably a 12 handicap golfer - as well as by a caddy for the foursome, Zach, who was very tolerant of our golf foibles. Nonetheless, I was completely intimidated by the course and the surroundings - hit the worst round in a couple of years.

But golf is a strange game. We played another course today and I had the best opening 9 holes I've ever played. Didn't play the back 9 quite as well; but nonetheless hit a 108 which is about 4 shots under my average. Go figure...

Last night we had a good supper at a joint called Kwizen (cuisine - get it?). Tonight Alison is cooking steaks.

For some reason I can't upload pics on the wifi at this place...sorry....

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

A Thank You for My Daughters

I write this as Doug and I watch the election returns...the West Coast polls just closed and within seconds BARACK OBAMA WAS DECLARED THE WINNER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

I am overcome.

John McCain is now giving his concession speech. He just acknowledged Sarah...but does not seem inclined to let her near the microphone.

My daughters deserve all the credit for this great day...and the millions of like-minded young people that are their cohort. The most foul and obnoxious aspects of our politics, the cultural wars of the past two decades or so and, perhaps, even the racial divide that has been a central feature of our Republic from the outset, may now be put substantially to rest - at least in the context of the national political discourse.

The central tenets of the Republican Party electoral strategy since Richard Nixon- the politics of divide and rule - the Silent Majority, the evangelical awakening and all the rest of it - just doesn't fly with my daughters' generation. Support for the stifling of reproductive choice, civil rights for gays, playing on the fear of racial and ethnic minorities - just didn't work this time around.

Here comes Barack...

Yes we can!

Greetings from the Heart of Dixie

Northern Virginia has become pretty cosmopolitan - you really don't have a sense of being in the South. For the most part, folks don't even have an accent.

Yesterday, I drove over 500 miles from Williamsburg, Virginia to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and there is NO doubt in what part of the country Hilton Head is located. And I discovered a useful tool that allows anyone to determine just how deeply embedded in the heart of Dixie they might be at any point in time should they become otherwise disoriented. It's as simple as turning on the car radio.

In northern Virginia the variety of radio stations would be familiar to any of us Northwest folks...perhaps a slight dimunition of "alternative" stations...but plenty of rock 'n roll from Elvis to the present. Once you point the prow of your land yacht south and start cruisin' it doesn't take long for the music mix to change however.

Once across the North Carolina border you will be hard-pressed to find an alternative rock station and all the classic rock stations are apparently mandated by law to play a certain Lynard Skynard tune at a quarter past the hour without fail. And the number of country music stations has increased four-fold. And you may notice that the soft rock station you are listening to has a play list that includes only tunes with at least one explicit reference to "Jesus" in the lyrics.

By the time you hit the South Carolina border half the stations are nothing more than the local theologians admonishing their flocks. And most of the music is Christian rock, Christian country, gospel, and the like. It was at this point that I recalled that I had two CDs of my favourite tunes in my computer case - said case located on the floor of the passenger seat of my vehicle.

Fortunately "Smokey" was not around to see my SUV careening down I-95 as I fumbled to retrieve a CD, figure out how to insert it into the unfamiliar sound system, and make all the other necessary adjustments. But finally - auditory relief!

The drive down took about 8 1/2 hours as anticipated. The weather was overcast; but only a couple of showers. I-95 is only two lanes in each direction most of the way, and since I was driving only 5 mph over the speed limit, I was constantly changing lanes to pass trucks and campers and to allow everyone else (doing 20 mph or more over the speed limit) to pass me. Not relaxing.

When I got to Hilton Head I checked-into the resort and then holed-up at the Harbour Town Grill to wait for Dougie and Alison to finish their round of golf. Then Alison cooked a yummy supper.

Today, we're going to play the Harbour Town course. This is a PGA event course and we will have a caddy accompanying us. He or she is in for a long day I expect. It will be cool to play the course...stand-by for an update!

Tonight we have reservations at 7 PM at a highly recommended dining establishment and by the time we get back to the condo the first election results should be streaming-in from Virginia and North Carolina. We probably won't be up for results from the West - but once the eastern battleground states have reported the tale should be told. Hopefully with a happy ending...

If you haven't already done so - VOTE!!!!!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Fat Canary

"Oh for a bowl of fat canary, rich Palermo, sparkling sherry..."
John Lyly



From an 18th century poem by Mr. Lyly...describing the joys of wine (Canary) brought to the colonies from the Canary Islands. Fat Canary is also the name of a very excellent restaurant here in Williamsburg where I dined night before last. Outstanding braised lamb shanks and Baked Alaska for dessert. I had a fine bottle of pinot noir from New Zealand - also an island although a fair piece from the Canaries... I shared the establishment with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who took over the back of the room along with several dining companions and his beady-eyed bodyguards.

It's been a couple of days since I last reported and they have been fun-filled. Day before yesterday I visited Montpelier, James Madison's plantation in the County of Orange. The mansion has been recently restored to its early 19th century appearance - workmen are still painting some of the interior and no antique furnishings will be added for several years to give the temperature and humidity inside the house time to stabilise.

The estate had been in the possession of the Du Pont family for almost 100 years and, not surprisingly, the Du Ponts had added 22 rooms to the original house. Fortunately the changes were truly just additions and the original home remained largely intact. The Du Ponts were SERIOUS horse people and a race track was esablished right in front of the mansion. The track remains active - this weekend 15,000 guests were anticipated for some sort of horse event - for the fox and hound set.

A lot of archeological excavations are continuing at Montpelier - looking for artifacts where the slave quarters and work buildings were once located. I would certainly recommend a visit to Montpelier in conjunction with a visit to Monticello.

After my Montepelier escapade I motored to Williamsburg which took about 2 1/2 hours in beautiful weather and fall foliage. Checked-in at my B&B, Magnolia Manor, and have been set-up in a fine suite with a large sitting room with TV, couch, and desk, and a large bedroom with a huge four-poster. Quite delightful.

Yesterday I had planned to visit Jamestown, Yorktown, and, time permitting, Norfolk. But I spent five hours at Jamestown and was too pooped to do anything else. So....I'm running behind schedule!

I have now recalibrated and determined that today is Yorktown and Colonial Williamsburg day and that will have to suffice for this trip.

Tomorrow I will hit the road for South Carolina. It should be around an 8 1/2 hour drive; but the weather may not be great - rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast - so if I get tired or the weather is too inclement I will simply stop where I'm at and get a room.

It's clear as a bell this morning however. Things to do and roadside attractions to see so I better get moving...
Mr. Washington's home, Mt. Vernon
Re-created "slave quarters" at Mt. Vernon. Apparently they actually did have wooden chimneys - a construction technique which, I assume, had all too predictable results all too often.
Mr. Jefferson's home, Monticello.
Mr. Madison's home, Montpelier.
Re-creation of Jamestown as it would have been in 1612.


The site of the original Jamestown settlement; the fort was first constructed in 1607.