Brutalist or Welcoming? The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
“The TRAVELER sees what he sees. The TOURIST sees what he has come to see.” — GK Chesterton Every night on the ship, on the bed, we get a card with a quote about travel along with two pieces of … Continue reading Brutalist or Welcoming? The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
Ethnically Rich, Biologically Diverse, Economically Poor. Puerto Limon.
The first thing I saw getting off the ship in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica was a sign that said “Costa Rica, Since 1048, No Army.” I saw that repeated on T shirts and other souvenirs, I half expected to see … Continue reading Ethnically Rich, Biologically Diverse, Economically Poor. Puerto Limon.
No Taxes Forever, On Order of the King
David Foster Wallace wrote an essay for Harpers “A Supposedly Fun Thing That I Will Never Do Again.” It was about cruising in the Caribbean. I read it right after we took our 68 day South America, Antarctica cruise and … Continue reading No Taxes Forever, On Order of the King
Building Civil Society on a Cruise Ship
At times I feel like I’m crashing someone else’s party. Many of the people here have been on the world cruise before, perhaps most. Coming onboard is like being the spouse at a high school union, except both of us … Continue reading Building Civil Society on a Cruise Ship
A Sandman Shivering on the Fort Lauderdale Beach.
“It gets pretty cold here at night, down to 60 degrees.” Michael Franks That line from a Michael Franks’ song comes to mind today in Fort Lauderdale. When we got up the temperature was actually 40 (“feels like 35” says my … Continue reading A Sandman Shivering on the Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Will this be the Ship…. That carries us into the storm?
“Will this be the ship that carries you away?” It’s a question my grandfather asked as a boy in Ireland. An uncle surnamed Morrison had sailed away to America to make his fortune. When he came back, rich enough to … Continue reading Will this be the Ship…. That carries us into the storm?
The Alaska Airlines Milk Run.
The MS Amsterdam sails on Thursday, but out of caution, and knowing winter in Southeast Alaska we left Sitka on New Year’s Day. While we did not need that caution our prudence was justified. Last night, after more than a … Continue reading The Alaska Airlines Milk Run.
Excited and a Bit Nervous.
Throughout our marriage Suzi and I have always had “Date Nights.” Often they were in the mid-afternoon while the kids were at school, long lunches. We talked about the kids, of course, but the main thing we did was dream, … Continue reading Excited and a Bit Nervous.
2018 MS Amsterdam Grand World Voyage
Suzi and I celebrated our 50th anniversary (a little early, our anniversary is in June) by taking a World Cruise. The MS Amsterdam is took us to Central America, the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, Indian Ocean … Continue reading 2018 MS Amsterdam Grand World Voyage
Christmas Whale Watch
Our family has a Christmas Tradition of going out on the water over the Christmas Weekend to look for whales. It is a good tome to look because their breath crystallizes in the cold air and they are easy to … Continue reading Christmas Whale Watch
Frank Gehry in Minnesota
Frank Gehry’s Frederick Weisman Art Museum on the East Bank of the University of Minnesota is at least as interesting as the art it houses. From the West Bank, looking across the Mississippi it is a sculpture of stainless steel, … Continue reading Frank Gehry in Minnesota
2017 Family Christmas Letter
To see our 2017 Family Christmas Letter, please click on the link below. Continue reading 2017 Family Christmas Letter
Reflections on Turning 71
60 years ago, when I was eleven, I got a lot of birthday cards, but they all came from New York and New Jersey. Probably all came from within a 30 mile radius of the Empire State Building. Five years … Continue reading Reflections on Turning 71
Whales, Whales, Whales!
This weekend we were out on the water with the Sitka Whalefest. When we got off the Allen Marine boat on Saturday we wondered if it could get any better, with lunge feeding, bubble nets, a breach and whale bows … Continue reading Whales, Whales, Whales!
Tap Dancing on the Slime Line. (Sitka Whalefest 2017)
Is that a headline worthy of “The Sun”? Sitka Whalefest, is a multi-sensory and multi-disciplinary party that shows what a small town can do when it goes crazy. And it’s good for you. One minute we’re all singing sea chanteys … Continue reading Tap Dancing on the Slime Line. (Sitka Whalefest 2017)
Fleet Footware.
Merle Haggard may feel that “Leather boots are still in style for manly footwear” but Sitkans know better. For Sitka manly, womanly and kidly footwear is the chevron soled non-slip neoprene fish oil resistant Xtra Tuff, “Sitka Sneakers.” Sitkans wear … Continue reading Fleet Footware.
Sooo Sitka (the 23rd annual running of the boots.)
Sometimes, when you are riffing on the radio strange things happen. In 1995 Ken was riffing on the theme of the end of the cruise ship season on Raven Radio. He was musing about how we could celebrate. He was … Continue reading Sooo Sitka (the 23rd annual running of the boots.)
Quick Before It Melts: A Cruise Blog
I was flying back from an assignment in Turkey in June 2016. I follow the route of the plane on the monitor attached to the back of the seat in front of me as I read my book. I saw … Continue reading Quick Before It Melts: A Cruise Blog
Cruise Coda
I listen into other’s conversations. I can’t help it, it’s part of my reporter’s training, just like I scan the desk of anyone’s office I walk into, the walls as well, what types of pictures, awards, souvenirs or sports memorabilia … Continue reading Cruise Coda
Final Sailout
Sail out from the final port was a bitter sweet occasion, both because it was the leaving of our last port of call, and because of the head cold. But sail out was a scenic occasion. Not only did we … Continue reading Final Sailout
Three Forth Bridges
I got back to the ship for a bit of a rest and to let the new cough syrup do its work. By “sail-out’ the skies had cleared and I felt well enough to go out on deck to watch … Continue reading Three Forth Bridges
A Fortunate Alternate
Rosyth, Scotland, United Kingdom, September 6, 2017: Rosyth is a former Royal Navy base, now a privatized port. It’s just up the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. While it’s no longer a military base a huge carrier “The … Continue reading A Fortunate Alternate
Orkney Wireless Museum
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland, September 4, 2017: What do you do in Kirkwell, Orkney Islands on a wet and windy day? Visit the Orkney Wireless Museum, of course! It is one of those delightfully cluttered and chaotic museums that invite … Continue reading Orkney Wireless Museum
A Cathedral Sets its Viking Sails
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland, September 4, 2017: According to our Norwegian Sea Captain, Dag, Kirkwall is from the old Norse meaning “Church Harbor.” The town is best known for St. Magnus Cathedral but the town was named for the … Continue reading A Cathedral Sets its Viking Sails