Woolworth’s lunch counter (Smithsonian) I tried to build a coherent picture of my seatmate as I rode Amtrak from Cleveland to New York. The obvious stuff: 40-ish, black, heavyset, financially on the edge. I got the financial bit as he talked on the phone about his imminent move to a smaller apartment. He clicked away at…… Continue reading The Other
Category: Practices
Iron Road to Gotham
This week I head slowly to New York City by Amtrak. In Life, Phase 3, you don’t have to rush or be perturbed by inevitable delays. Each night I’ll be in a hotel rather than a train, which gives me a chance to go walkabout in Chicago and Cleveland. My partner will join my in…… Continue reading Iron Road to Gotham
Iron Road to Gotham
Mile zero of 2,700 Amtrak miles. Posted about the first leg of the journey.
Long Trip, Light Backpack
Kauai in a Box
A couple months ago, my partner, Dwight, announced he had some spare vacation days. That was my cue to rush to the computer and put together a trip to the island of Kauai (Hawaii) based on previous visits: Kauai in a Box. How you approach Kauai depends on your definition of activity. The Kauai.com list of…… Continue reading Kauai in a Box
Yellow Camaro in Paradise
I don’t give a toss about cars. I drive a 1997 Honda Civic as little as possible. It still hasn’t clocked 80,000 miles.In the 1980’s when Dwight and I were looking for our first car together, a salesman proudly led us outside. “I have just the car for you guys.”We couldn’t believe our eyes: the…… Continue reading Yellow Camaro in Paradise
Yellow Camaro in Paradise
Posted about a yellow Camaro in Paradise, and how I don’t give a toss about cars.
My Worst Travel Fail
I have rarely felt more alive, more calm, more in the moment, more close to death. But that all came later that night. It was October 2011, northern India, Haridwar, one of Hinduism’s holiest places. The city is set in the foothills of the Himalayas at mile 157 (253 km) of the Ganges’ 1,569 mile…… Continue reading My Worst Travel Fail
Changes of Gauge
Delta flight 160, Denver to Amsterdam, landed today (December 1, 2014) in Amsterdam with no Denver passengers on board. This is not uncommon: it also happened with DL160 on November 13.The explanation starts with a “change of gauge,” a term rooted in railroads.Track gauge is the distance between the inner faces of the two rails.…… Continue reading Changes of Gauge
My Favorite Holiday
My favorite holiday: cook, chat, eat, no gifts, be grateful.