Author Archives: Sparky
ATW-1 Day 2: Carnival Luminosa embarkation
We took an Uber from the hotel in Tukwila to Pier 91 in Seattle, with a brief stop to purchase 2 12-packs of cola. We thought we were going to Pier 66 (because Google told us that was the Carnival pier), but we were mistaken – another ship was docked there. Pier 91 was 2 … Continue reading
ATW-1 Day 1: RSW to SEA
We planned to get up at 5am to do the final preparations for the big trip, but we just couldn’t wait – we got up at 4am. We got the final packing done, ate some cereal and did some final work to get Marlene’s house ready for our extended absence. She didn’t clean out the … Continue reading
ATW-1 Day 0: Final preparations
The ATW begins tomorrow with an early morning flight to Seattle. But there is work to be done today, to prepare for the flight and the subsequent 22-night cruise. And to ready Marlene’s house for nearly 10 weeks of vacancy. Things to be done today: Packing is a challenge. We will be away for nearly … Continue reading
And so the ATW begins…
Not the trip per se but the final preparation for the trip. Specifically, Marlene just left to deliver Becky to her brother in Coral Springs. She will return Sunday, we will finish packing Monday and Tuesday and will fly out on Wednesday. The lead-up to our departure has not been without drama. Marlene’s air conditioning … Continue reading
“The Maze” by Nelson DeMille
Copyright 2022 by Nelson DeMille. Published by Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Inc, New York. This is #8 in the series of mysteries featuring John Corey, former NYPD detective and also formerly a member of a shadowy government anti-terrorism force. I haven’t read any of the other Corey books, but there are plenty … Continue reading
Around-the-world (ATW) preview
It looks almost certain now that, come September 15, Marlene and I will be embarking on an epic around-the-world trip. We will be away nearly 10 weeks. It will consist of two cruises – a transpacific and a transatlantic – two flights – from Fort Myers to Seattle and from Sydney Australia to Rome Italy … Continue reading
TS_11 wrapup
The 11th trip south didn’t go according to the plan. The stops in Acworth GA and near Pensacola FL were scrapped in favor of seeing Marlene’s son in Savannah where he was being trained. But even that didn’t go according to plan as we didn’t get to see him. By the numbers: Highlights: Lowlights: Planned … Continue reading
TS_11 Hop 5: Savannah GA to Lehigh Acres FL
479 miles via GA 204, I-95, I-295 (around Jacksonville FL), I-10, US 301, I-75, I-5, US 92, I-75 again and FL 80. Auto miles: 493. Cumulative route miles: 1886. Cumulative auto miles: 1993. The extra auto miles were due to dropping off some gifts for Marlene’s son and the trip to the “Jaime Casino.” This … Continue reading
TS_11 Hop 4: Athens TN to Savannah GA
408 miles via TN 30, US 411, TN 314, US 74, TN 68, GA 5, US 76, GA 52, G 183, GA 136, GA 211, US 29, GA 15, GA 86, I-16 and GA 204. Auto miles: 408. Cumulative route miles: 1407. Cumulative auto miles: 1500. This route was even more complicated than this – … Continue reading
TS_11 Hop 3: Luray VA to Athens TN
450 miles via US 340, I-81, I-40, I-75 and TN 30. Cumulative route miles: 999. Auto miles: 467. Cumulative auto miles: 1092. The extra auto miles were due to the visit to Luray Caverns before we left the farm. Actually, the route wasn’t quite this simple as the GPS detoured us near the intersection of … Continue reading