Wandering the halls, I searched for remnants of the hotel’s old identity, now meticulously erased by last week’s rebranding, not even a shadow remaining. The hotel’s management had paid off a former US president so they could remove his name and brand from the building.
Category: Place
We Were Amused
While Dwight nursed a cold, I walked out to fill my backpack. At Safeway I gazed in awe at the display of Spam. In the checkout line, the cashier broached the topic of Queen Camilla, prompting the ladies behind me to make disapproving noises. We all agreed we would prefer Queen Meghan for better giggles, but it might cause a rebellion.
Diamond Head at Dusk
View from our Honolulu apartment after a smooth trip from Minneapolis.
Hawaii, Japan 2024
More journeys ≫
One-Stop to Aloha
This evening we’ll be in Honolulu. The one-stop journey via Los Angeles saved a bundle of Delta SkyMiles compared to the non-stop. We’ll have lunch at LAX during a two-hour layover.
Where Stairs Don’t Lead
During my walk through the University of Minnesota’s East Bank Campus, I decided the stairs looked safe to climb. After all, it has been an unseasonably warm winter; no ice or snow impeded my ascent; my mind wandered to past climbs to Buddhist temples. At the top, of course there was no temple, just a pleasant plaza lined with picnic tables waiting for winter to end.
The Coffees Looked back at Us
On a Downtown walk with friends stopped at Gray Fox Cafe for refreshments. Their cappuccinos looked pretty fine, it almost seemed a shame to drink them.
Rx: Comfort Food
Early lunch at Al’s Breakfast counter: corned beef hash with a runny egg on top, hot off the griddle, fueling up between whole-body scans. Note the “mouse door” behind the folding blackboard sign.
Downtown in Miniature
While exploring Downtown with a friend, peered through a window of Ryan Construction, spotted this wooden model of Downtown. The receptionist happily waved us through the lobby and summoned the model builder for an enthusiastic conversation. Hennepin Avenue Bridge is front left; the model includes our home (just off-camera).
On a Clear Day…
The mist that had lingered for days finally cleared this morning. With a squint, I could see seven Mississippi bridges from our home.