Category: Place

Farewell, Queen of the Sky

Watched a 747-400 make this low pass then a farewell lap at MSP before landing, the end of 747 passenger operations by any American airline. I have fond memories of Northwest Orient’s “wide cabins in the sky” taking us from MSP to Tokyo Narita and points beyond.

St. Paul Art Deco

Explored St. Paul’s City Hall and County Courthouse Art Deco building. The lobby is a war memorial. At the base of the huge statue, Vision of Peace, five Native Americans are depicted smoking a peace pipe.

Boots over New Zealand

Next week we’ll be hiking the Queen Charlotte Track a glorious ridge trail above sea-drowned valleys at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s a comfortable tramp, just 43 miles over four days. Maybe that explains why Rudyard Kipling’s “Boots” was my earworm the other day: We’re foot—slog—slog—slog—sloggin’ over Africa! Foot—foot—foot—foot—sloggin’ over Africa— (Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin’…… Continue reading Boots over New Zealand

A Very Japanese Christmas

Christmas was coming to life when I visited Japan in early November. Colonel Sanders, an integral part of Japan’s Christmas traditions, was in his Santa garb. Ticket counters in some train stations were decorated with tinsel and little ornaments. Christmas trees were starting to sprout. Christmas tree being set up at Nagoya’s main train station.…… Continue reading A Very Japanese Christmas

Categorized as Japan

It’s Older Than Me

Walked across the Mississippi to Dinkytown for corned beef hash at Al’s. This 14-stool diner is older than me.