Roads Less Traveled

I love Alaska. I always have. That’s why, when I had a chance to take a small ship cruise to our largest state for the third time I didn’t hesitate. I’m typing this from my hotel room in Juneau, and I spent my first full day here exploring massive Mendenhall Glacier in the Tongass National Forest as well as the peaceful and bucolic St. Terese Shrine just outside of town. Continue reading →

Pay bathrooms
A scowling Turk is guarding the entrance to what looks like an old pillbox and he’s collecting money from my ex-wife. She emerges from the sweltering bunker after a few minutes with a look of dismay and horror on her face. She describes to me a scene out of one of Dante’s Nine Circles of Hell, and tells me she will never do it again. Continue reading →

Like the song says, “I love a parade“. I love the precision, the crowds, the music, and the excitement. Military parades have the added bonus of martial traditions and a celebration of a nation’s history. In the case of Spain’s parade at the Royal Palace, Madrid, the whole show is enhanced with a changing of the guard (on the first Wednesday of the month at noon) on the grounds of the courtyard, and is sometimes attended by royalty (though not when I was there). It’s certainly the best free show in town! Continue reading →