The Thames Path is a 184-mile National Trail that roughly follows the River Thames from its source in the Cotswold Hills to the Thames Barrier east of London. For three days this week I walked part of the trail from near Reading to Oxford. I’m grateful I was joined by two friends I’ve known for…… Continue reading Thames Path Hike
Author: Tom Wilson
The Day Swinging England Invaded America
England swings like a pendulum doBobbies on bicycles, two by twoWestminster Abbey, the tower of Big BenThe rosy-red cheeks of the little childrenRoger Miller, 1965 I’m on board an Airbus A350 from New York-JFK to London-Heathrow. Last night, my home was the TWA Hotel at JFK. The hotel’s public spaces are in the restored and…… Continue reading The Day Swinging England Invaded America
Superior Hiking Trail: Fall 2021
Source: Superior Hiking Trail Association. Every year, around this time, we head up to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a few days to walk sections of the Superior Hiking Trail. We stopped in Duluth for a night, then continued on to our usual destination, Bluefin Bay, a resort on the shores of Lake…… Continue reading Superior Hiking Trail: Fall 2021
A Trip to England: Covid Risks and Responsibilities
Aboard a Delta flight, July 2021. In November I’ll travel to England, my first overseas trip in over 1½ years. This will be the first time I’ve flown eastbound across the Atlantic on a daytime flight. But, enough of firsts. The trip isn’t assured. It’s possible Covid travel restrictions to the UK could be tightened…… Continue reading A Trip to England: Covid Risks and Responsibilities
Backpacking in Japan With Our Nephews: Day of Arrival
Next summer, we’re exploring Japan with our teenage nephews and their dad. In a previous post I wrote about the backbone of our trip: flights from Minneapolis to Tokyo, Fukuoka to Sapporo, and Tokyo to Honolulu. I’m now starting to flesh out our journey within Japan. Arrive Haneda Airport Delta tails at Haneda Airport (November…… Continue reading Backpacking in Japan With Our Nephews: Day of Arrival
Backpacking in Japan with Our Nephews: Flights
We’ve been traveling long-haul with our nephews since they were babies. In this photo, the taller one, C, is almost 4 and the smaller one, sitting in a car seat, D, is 2½. The nephews, May 2011. I almost called this post “Backpacking in Japan with Kids…” but thought better of it. Next summer, when…… Continue reading Backpacking in Japan with Our Nephews: Flights
Cycling Walker, Minnesota
Earlier this month, we drove Up North for a few days of cycling. Giant Muskie, Garrison on Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota. At Garrison, on Mille Lacs Lake, we turned left at the Giant Muskie without stopping. Another 80 miles to our destination, Walker, Minnesota. The absurdity of the muskie promoted an earworm. As we approached…… Continue reading Cycling Walker, Minnesota
Chicago Day Trip
MSP carpet. The design was commissioned specifically for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. This week, it felt good to be standing on MSP carpet after a long absence: I’d last seen the inside of an airport back in March 2020. It felt even better to be on an early morning flight to Chicago. 1. ‘L’ from…… Continue reading Chicago Day Trip
Burger Journey
Poolside burger and fries, nephews, Hawaii Big Island, March 2012. I love to travel, whether it’s by plane, train, bicycle, or on foot. The destination may provide some purpose, but it’s not necessarily the main point. Such was my search for hamburger parts these past few days. I say “parts” rather than “ingredients” as a…… Continue reading Burger Journey
How to Control a Houseplant Irrigation System
I’ve just finished building an irrigation controller supporting two watering zones for a rolling houseplant rack. As I learn and experiment, I’ve changed the design of our irrigation controllers several times. Currently, the focus is simplification, reliability and autonomy. With the previous design, the Internet had to be available for plants to be watered at…… Continue reading How to Control a Houseplant Irrigation System