Travel

Toledo España Con Señorita Gabrielle

19 March 2016

Toledo 1972

Toledo 1972

What impresses me immediately this morning is the easy, clean, fast and beautiful rail service and train stations we use to travel south to Toledo. The one drawback is the first train is sold out so we wait an hour. Should have bought tickets yesterday.

However, the hour is not wasted. Madrid’s rail station has a wonderful tropical, garden with a plethora of turtles to keep one occupied, plus comfortable lounge chairs. Heavy security checks bags and person before we are allowed into the boarding area so extra time is needed to meet the train, which does leave on time. The high speed takes 33 minutes to speed through 74km of Don Quixote’s windmill country and costs 20.60€ round trip. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Madrid España Con Señorita Gabrielle

17-20 March 2016

Decadent chocolate and churros, oh my!

Decadent chocolate and
churros, oh my!

Sadly, there is no such thing as a convenient flight. I am pleased with flights that are on time, reasonably friendly and uneventful with no massive weather delays and no one deplaned by police. I have come to adjust my personal flight pattern by taking more time to get from Point A to Point B – much more time. What once was a painfully long flight has turned into a mini vacation where I am able to browse, lounge, shop, or eat. In need of message or pedicure? Check out the airport. I now visit airports like I once visited cities. All that is lacking is a bed and that can be had for a price. Regardless, if I choose to travel the world, I have no option other than to enter that world of airlines, that tube of recycled air, and subject myself to its pain. No pain no gain.  (more…)

By Pat, ago

Flight Apps – Making Flying Easier?

There’s a beauty about always being connected and there’s hell to pay. Checking in with my United App, I receive alerts on flight schedules in real time. I can monitor my flight, where the plane is coming from, it’s stops, times of arrival and departure, and arrival gates. That is how I learned the equipment had been switched for my 1:37 flight, evidently the original plane is still sitting in Burbank. That is how I knew my new plane was leaving Medford Oregon – six hours late. Fortunately, there is still time for my connection as I was already blessed with a long layover. So I will leave SLO a couple hours late. No problem. The winds blow in my favor and barring more surprises, I will still arrive into a very cold Minneapolis by midnight. That’s pre-leaping-forward-an-hour time.

Alas, more surprises!  (more…)

By Pat, ago

Road Trip: Destination San Antonio Missions and More 29-30 September 2015

 

Bat Outta Helles beer along San Antonio’s River Walk

I thought I would like San Antonio more than I did. The Alamo is a “Shrine” here. But across from this martyred plaza where Travis, Crockett and Bowie made their last stand are Ripley’s, Guinness, Coyote Ugly, Tomb Raider, Mirror Maze, and Tussauds. Hop On trolley-style buses, horse drawn carriages and a huge gazebo make this more a Disneyland Main Street than a Tex-Mex city. Canal tour boats and miles of River Walk remind me less of Texas than Pirates of the Caribbean. There is even a 622′ Tower of the Americas, a Seattle Needle knock-off if ever there was one. However, San Antonio is definitely worth a couple days visit.  (more…)

By Pat, ago

Road Trip: Destination Cahokia Mounds And Meramec Caverns 25 September 2015

One gigantic mound of dirt

Monks Mound, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

On the eastern and western sides of the great Mississippi River, lay two destinations for today’s exploration. Unfortunately, St. Louis lies between. The city skyline is memorable with its famous Gateway Arch and cable-stayed Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge, the brick facade of Busch Stadium is admirable, the meandering Mississippi and its plethora of bridges is impressive. But all I see are the twists and turns of expressway interchanges, acres of elevated concrete, swarms of cars and trucks, stop and go and sit and wait traffic. The worst of Chicago or LA rush hour has nothing on St. Louis.  (more…)

By Pat, ago