Killers of the Flower Moon

On our way to OKC, we drove through Osage County to Pawhuska and stopped at the Osage Nation Museum, mentioned in the book.

Saw the photo with William Hale likeness removed. 

At the same site, the Osage Veterans Memorial was just unveiled on November 11th, Verterans Day. 

Also drove though Bartlesville (which we had never heard of) and found huge facilities of ConocoPhillips oil.  This part of OK is definitely oil country. Lots of pumping wells. 

Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city in Cuba and was it’s original capitol. It is considered the birthplace of the revolution. On July 26, 1953, Fidel Castro and his ragtag group of 100 or so men attacked. Within 10 minutes, they fled or were captured or killed. Castro went into the mountains, and it wasn’t until late in 1958 when he led the final offensive. 

He is buried in Santiago in the same cemetery as Jose Martí. Martí is the most celebrated Cuban for his role in the Cuban independence from Spain. 

Vitamin R

Vitamin R is how the Cubans refer to their rum. And we received more than our daily recommended dosage, either in a mojito, daiquiri, or Cuba Libre (rum and Coke—actually TuKola, the Cuban version of Coca-Cola since no imports have been allowed since 1960.)

We had three fascinating and exhausting days in Havana, more than I can report in a short blog. The infrastructure is crumbling, there is a housing crisis, ration books are still in use, it is a time warp with 300,000 American autos from the 1950s and 60s on the road, but the people are welcoming and friendly and tourism is the number one industry of the island. 

Of course we took a ride in a ‘57 Chevy (Rick’s choice).  But many, many of the old cars are pink!!

Farewell Florida

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with Paul and Gayle and the Bremers. Really nice to get a home cooked turkey dinner.  On black Friday, we didn’t shop but instead golfed at Crandon Golf on Key Biscayne. It provided a lovely view of downtown Miami. 

Before boarding our ship for Cuba, we visited the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. It was the summer estate of James Deering of Chicago whose family owned International Harvestor.  Very opulent. Designed in the style of Italian villas. 

We were about to sail away when we got word that the Miami Harbor is closed due to a boating accident. There is a search and rescue underway so we will get a late start. Hopefully it will not impact our arrival in Havana tomorrow morning. 

Sponge Bob

Did Sponge Bob Square Pants grow up in Tarpon Springs?  He could have—its the sponge capitol of the U.S.  The industry started in the late 19th century and by the beginning of the 20rh century, it was the center of activity. There are 5 types of sponges in the Gulf of Mexico, all harvested by hand by divers, most of whom are of Greek ancestry. Tarpon Springs has the highest concentration of Greeks in the U.S. so there are many, many Greek restaurants and bakeries. 

We witnessed a demonstration of sponge collection. The diver walks along the bottom in a heavily weighted suit. Looks archaic. 

And, of course, natural sponges are for sale everywhere. 

The St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral is an impressive Byzantine Revival, patterned after St Sophia in Istanbul. 

Lots of shopping to be had in the city, so here’s a solution for the wives. 

Florida

Well, they could use our help counting ballots here in Florida, but, instead, we are golfing and enjoying the sun. We spent a nice day with Bette and Bob in the Jacksonville area, including Amelia Island. Their new home is lovely, and they really seem to be enjoying their life here. 

Next stop was St Augustine where we visited the World Golf Hall of Fame and golfed both courses—the King and Bear (for Palmer and Nicklaus) and the Slammer and the Squire (for Snead and Sarazen). 

Here’s Rick on the 18th green in front of the Hall of Fame. 

And here’s the leader board for the big championship. Take note of who is on top.  

St Augustine is the oldest city in the nation (founded 1565). They were kicking off their Nights of Lights celebration so it was bustling. 

Elk Fest

It’s Elk Fest in Estes Park, and the elk are cooperating, putting on quite a show. The males bugle day and night. 

Rocky Mountain High

Enjoying Rocky Mountain Park with the “kids.”  Great weather, beautiful aspens, lots of elk, beer and good food. 

The Big Apple

Just back from a quick trip to New York City to meet up with dear Aussie friends who just finished a world cruise. 

We enjoyed a carriage ride through Central Park and marveled at the throngs of walkers, joggers, and cyclists and so many more activities. 

Next morning, walked the High Line trail through Midtown. The buildings are incredible and dramatic. 

Then on to the 9/11 Memorial—solemn and touching—with the names of all those lost engraved around the pools. Standing on the edge, it is impossible to see the bottom of the interior pool. It all dramatically disappears. 

The new transportation center, Oculus, is another Calatrava, dramatic against the New York skyline of Lower Manhattan. 

We visited Grand Central Station and strolled the street fair on the Avenue of the Americas. And, of course, we visited Rockafeller Center where we stopped for a drink—it was hot!!!

We finished the visit with our friends with a Broadway show—Kinky Boots. What fun!!

Before departing the Big Apple, Rick and I enjoyed breakfast in the Palm Court at the Plaza hotel 

That’s all folks. 

Enjoying Lisbon

After disembarking the ship, we are enjoying several days in Lisbon. It is known for its beautiful tiles that adorn many buildings. We visited the Sant’Anna tile factory and got a very private tour. Many of the designs reflect the Arab influence of the Moors. The process is very manually intensive, especially the hand painting. 

And, of course, we rode the famous trolleys.

Went out into the countryside to visit the medieval village of Óbidos where we walked the defensive ramparts. 

And we enjoyed the famous Pasteis de Nata of Lisbon with a side of port. The custard tarts are served with a sprinkle of cinnamon and powdered sugar. 

The Iberian Peninsula

We had a day off from golfing in Cartagena and took an excursion to a horse farm where they breed and raise the beautiful Spanish Andulusians. We were also treated to Spanish tapas and flamenco. 

We also indulged in the Cartagena specialty drink, the Asiatico—strong coffee, condensed milk, cognac, licor 43, and cinnamon. Yum!!

Barcelona

Arrived Barcelona with sunny skies and weather in the 70s. Visited Gaudi’s Casa Milà “La Pedrera”. It is a building that embodies nature—a huge wave set in stone. It has many the same characteristics as Casa Batllo that we visited last time. We wanted to see it because it figures large in Dan Brown’s latest book, Origin 

We noticed many people wearing yellow ribbons and saw them painted on surfaces everywhere.  They stand for political freedom. You can guess that means support for Catalonia to split from Spain. 

And then we returned to Sagrada Família. Started in 1882, it is now projected to be completed in 2024!!  Construction always ongoing. Gaudi spent 43 years of his life on it. He died in 1926 as the result

of a tram aaccident, but his vision continues. 

Finished off the day with Spanish wine, Iberico ham, Spanish manchego and other cheeses, and Catalonian tomato toasts. Yum!!

I Believe.....

in Bigfoot, that is. Lots of tee shirts sport that slogan here. I could even bring a statue of one home with me!!

We explored the Olympic peninsula for a couple days with a visit to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. It was a beautiful day above the clouds. 

This was a light year for snow. They only got 417” of snow. The record was set the winter of ‘98-99 when they got 747” or 62 feet of the white stuff!!

The coffee culture is alive and well in Oregon and Washington State. Besides Starbucks, there are the cutest coffee kiosks everywhere. Especially liked this one. 

We crossed over to Victoria, BC, by ferry and enjoyed the city (and some golf). The parliament buildings are lovely in the evening. 

Sleepless in Seattle?

So much to do in Seattle—visits to many of my favorite places and a first time stop at Geocaching HQ—the geocacher’s mecca!

It’s always fun to stroll Pike Place Market. 

We enjoyed a walk through Pioneer Square before paying a visit to a favorite bookstore—Elliott Bay Books. And finally a visit to the flagship REI store that is gigantic!!  Finished off the day at Duke’s Seafood and Chowder on Lake Union where they serve the crab cake voted best in Seattle last year. 

On the Road Again..........

We ended our cruise at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers which then feed into the Columbia. We were so fortunate to have good weather the entire time—no rain. 

We then headed west, stopping at Spokane, second largest city in Washington. Then past the Grand Coulee dam. It is the largest producer of hydropower in the U.S.  

We then drove on to Wenatchee, self proclaimed Apple Capital of the World. Soooo many orchards, both apple and cherry. As a former beekeeper, I was impressed how the beehives are placed next to the orchards for pollination. They are in groups of 8 or 12 hives on pallets that can easily be moved from location to another. 

And every where there were crates stacked for the fall harvest. 

Many of the trees were blooming as were the wildflowers.