Author Archives: Sparky
The ATW is taking shape
Until a few days ago the only parts of the upcoming 10-week around-the-world trip (starting mid-September) that we had booked were the two cruises – the 23-night transpacific and the 14-night transatlantic. But this week we booked a lot more. Many of the transportation details are now set. This is how it will go: The … Continue reading
Eleventh trip north (TN_11) preview
Marlene and I have decided that we will, once again, go north for a few weeks this summer. This trip, my eleventh, will be designated TN_11. It will likely begin Thursday, July 17, and will span 10 nights and over 3,000 miles. The stops along the way are as follows: Our destination is Worcester MA … Continue reading
Back to The Buck
Now that Ooma is gone, she can no longer lay claim to the Buckingham Blues Bar as “her” space. And, I assume, the ban imposed by the owner is no longer going to be enforced. So on Wednesday night this week, I (with Marlene on my arm) went back to The Buck. It felt a … Continue reading
The absolute last of Ooma
Ooma died May 21. I can’t post her obituary here and maintain her anonymity but if anyone wants a link to her obituary, send me a message. UPDATE: I was told that she died in New Hampshire, of complications from some kind of simple, low-risk surgery.
Out with the old(er), in with the new(er)
I guess this is the month for vehicles. Got the truck back (see previous post) and gave some thought to upgrading my other ride – my 2017 Toyota Corolla. It was running just fine, but was getting a bit “long in the tooth” – almost 130,000 miles. My plan was to exchange it for a … Continue reading
Back from the dead
I got my truck back this week. It had been in the shop for nearly 2 months. Before my last cruise I had been unable to get it to start. It turned over but didn’t fire. I figured it was a computer issue. Probably an EXPENSIVE computer issue. So I had it towed to the … Continue reading
NCL2 Days 27-29: Anchorage AK
We stayed at the Wingate by Wyndham in Anchorage for 3 nights. The construction, that was well underway when we arrived, got progressively worse each day. I am baffled why the hotel management thought it was acceptable to undertake that scale of renovations without disclosing the situation when someone booked a room. And why significant … Continue reading
NCL2 Day 26: Whittier and Anchorage AK
This was the last day of our 25-night cruise. The Norwegian Jade docked in Whittier AK at 7am and we were off the ship by 8am. The “long walk” to the bus was less than a quarter mile (Marlene thinks it was more, I think it was less) and the buses were waiting to take … Continue reading
NCL2 Day 25: At sea
This day was billed as a “glacier transit” day – a slow cruise near the Hubbard Glacier. Like much of this cruise itinerary, the plan changed. Rather than cruising near the glacier – which is 7 miles long where it meets the sea – we stopped several miles away and did a “360 turn” (a … Continue reading
NCL2 wrapup
This was a full month of travel – 26 days on a cruise (Norwegian Jade), almost 4 full days in Anchorage and a long flight home. It was a good trip, overall, but had some bumps. I will review the ship first, followed by an accounting of highlights and lowlights. The Norwegian Jade This is … Continue reading »