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You don’t have to save me, you

just have to hold my hand

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As a freelance writer of creative nonfiction, I write to inspire hope for those struggling to heal from trauma. Thanks for reading my posts. If you'd like to read my archived blog posts, use this link.

Bottom line: Traveling is always about experiencing something new!

Janet and I pose as our cruise ship leaves Vancouver, BC.


Janet and I recently cruised the Inside Passage, then visited a small portion of Alaska’s interior. Though the climate there is notorious for cloudy weather (and rain), we had good fortune. Most days the sky was clear or only partly cloudy, while the temperatures hovered in the mid-fifties, though had climbed to the mid-seventies in Fairbanks.


Sunday – We passengers, 2262 in all, boarded Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam in Vancouver, BC, joining the 864, or so, crew. (Visiting entertainers and musicians are considered crew, though they come and go at different ports.)


Monday – Janet and I settled into a hectic self-imposed routine of eat, drink and attend lectures during our first "sea day." Challenged to avoid over-indulgence, we managed a slight degree of restraint. Daily lecturers onboard, and comments as we toured by bus, provided cultural enrichment. (Interesting tidbits are numbered and sprinkled throughout this blog.)


1) Sea life abounds in colder waters. The temperatures allow the water to hold more saturated oxygen, hence, a more diverse ecosystem, e.g. more plankton resulting in whale migrations.


Tuesday – Our ship docked at our first port, Ketchikan, Alaska's most southern city.


2) Ketchikan is located on an island, and is not connected by bridge to the mainland, or the US road system.


3) Some “streets” are mere wooden walkways and staircases, as there were no motorized vehicles present when the city was originally developing.

A narrow, wooden staircase

"street" in Ketchikan.


4) The iconic “scream” of the Bald Eagle in American film is actually the call of a red-tailed hawk. Bald eagles don’t have a fierce or shrill call, which wasn't considered dramatic enough, apparently. That's Hollywood for ya'.


We visited the Totem Bight State Park, where we learned about the native Alaskan practice of carving totem poles for storytelling, clan identification, and shaming stingy neighbors.


5) The poles tell stories (such as of the creation) as the native Alaskans had no written language. The poles didn't serve as idols for worship, however.

Two "older" totems and clan markings on

the buildings at Totem Bight State Park .

Totem at downtown Ketchikan waterfront.


6) Having a pole carved today could cost $5K-10K per foot!


Janet and I visited the Red Dog Saloon, where we each enjoyed a “Duck Fart,” a delicious shot of a three-liquor combo. (Don’t ask me which liquors, however.)

Janet poses before we consumed our Duck Farts.


Wednesday – By bus from Juneau, we visited Mendenhall Glacier. Though we kept our eyes open for bears, we saw none.

Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska.
Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska.

7) Yesteryear lumberjacks built floating houses (even “cities”) in order to move to various logging sites along the coast or harbors.


8) Alaska’s capital is located on Juneau Island–D’you know the capital of Alaska?–and isn’t connected by road to the mainland.


9) The island has two horse crossing signs, but no horses. The climate is not conducive to maintaining horses year-round, as they develop weather related illnesses. So, the horses that had been there were removed, though the signs were left behind.


10) There are almost as many bald eagles (30K) as humans (35K) on Juneau Island.


Thursday – From Skagway (“Gateway to the Klondike” gold fields) we rode by bus into Canada and to the high plateau just beyond White Horse Pass, over which many gold rushers traversed on their way to the Yukon.


11) The gold rushers were forced by Canadian authorities to trek one ton of supplies with them. That requirement necessitated several trips, and/or use of pack animals, to carry sufficient supplies over the pass, an arduous trek, even without gear. In addition, due to rocky terrain, where legs could easily get broken, it proved easier to portage through snow during the winter. As a result of the hazards, including mistreatment from their handlers, some 3,000 horses died making the trip through the pass, earning it the nickname "Dead Horse Trail."


12) Few gold rushers became wealthy, and tens-of-thousands died during the Klondike Gold Rush, though exact numbers are unknown.


13) As lucrative, even more so, than heading into the backcountry for gold, many people, such as the case in Skagway, went to Alaska to “mine” the gold rushers, e.g. saloon/hotel operators, prostitutes and purveyors.


14) We visited the original cemetery where a number of notable Skagway characters were buried ... and appear to remain so. I took note of several comments on a cemetery sign. (Read the first lines for Frank Reid and Ella Wilson.)

Sign at the first Skagway cemetery.
Sign at the first Skagway cemetery.

15) Skagway got electricity before Manhattan!


Janet and I visited the Red Onion Saloon (originally serving as a brothel, as well), where we enjoyed “Reindeer Farts,” (another three-combo liquor shot, though different than the Duck Fart). Again, I don’t know what they were made of, though mine tasted great.

Janet poses at the Red Onion Saloon.


Friday – In clear weather, we sailed into Glacier Bay and cruised to Margerie Glacier at the bay's head.

Margerie Glacier.


16) Alaska has more glaciers than anywhere else in the world!


Saturday – We proceeded to College Fjord. Clear weather continuing, we cruised to the head of the fjord and observed some “minor” calving from Harvard Glacier.

Harvard Glacier from our ship.
Harvard Glacier from our ship.

Sunday – Our ship docked in Whittier. We disembarked, and boarded a bus for Anchorage. On the way there, we stopped at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, which rehabilitates rescued Alaskan animals.

Two bears observed from

a safe viewing platform.


17) Porcupines are phenomenal tree climbers, though poor at remaining perched. Warning: always check before standing under a tree, least you get impaled by a falling porcupine.


In Anchorage, Alaska’s most populous city, Janet and I strolled a short distance from our hotel to Ship Creek, in a quest to spot spawning salmon, though saw none. Along the way, we enjoyed ice cream at Wild Scoops , then passed the train depot.


Monday – We headed around Turnagain Arm by bus for a look at Cook’s Bay (Yes, that Captain Cook!) and distant view of downtown Anchorage.


18) Cook’s Bay doesn’t have deep water. Large portions of the bay turn to mudflats during low tide, and the fine silt in the bay (about the consistency of baby powder) has been estimated to be 90 feet deep or more. Dredging efforts produce only temporary results.

Cook's Bay mudflats and downtown Anchorage.
Cook's Bay mudflats and downtown Anchorage.

On our return into downtown Anchorage, we visited the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where we examined artifacts of traditional tribal Alaskan life.


19) One in five Alaskans have pilot’s licenses. (Bush planes being the primary transportation mode.)


20) It’s illegal to drop moose from planes ... or their droppings. (Okay, I realize this needs some explanation.) At one point, some people, otherwise bored, and with a surplus of moose poo about, would bet on how close to a target they can get moose droppings ... and perhaps a moose occasionally. Hence ... the current law.


That evening, thrilled about, and wanting to take advantage of our two-room hotel suite, Janet and I decided to take cocktails to our room from the hotel bar, Fletcher’s. However, we were informed that would require a hotel security escort. Though Janet was somewhat reluctant, I was all in. Why not? (In the end, our security guard carried our drinks, and we weren’t required to be hand-cuffed!) Though I initially speculated that the hotel didn’t want us to steal their glasses, I concluded that the hotel wanted no liability in serving alcohol that could be carried onto the streets of Anchorage.


Tuesday – We boarded the train for Denali National Park, taking seats in an observation car. On our journey north, we were served lunch.

Glimpse of Denali, 20,310 feet tall, from the train.


21) We passed a line of telegraph poles (protected historical monuments) aside the highway. Some years after the telegraph went the way of the dodo in Alaska, the copper wires were removed, though the poles were left standing. Some citizens thought it unnecessary to pay for their removal, and also thought that they were of some historical value. So, today those poles are like totems … left untouched on purpose, to fall and decay at will.

A "historic monument" telegraph

pole along the highway.


Wednesday – Following our first night's stay at the Holland America Denali Lodge, we were taken on the Denali Natural History Tour, riding by park bus along a portion of the one maintained road. Again, though we scanned the terrain for large animals, such as moose and bear, our efforts were fruitless. Two moose were spotted a a great distance, though they were difficult to see without binoculars. I did see a mated-pair of ptarmigan with several chicks foraging just off the road.


22) Largest of the US National Parks, Denali was established to protect Dall Sheep, the only park established for the purpose of protecting animals.


That evening, Janet and I enjoyed a great meal at the Denali Lodge.

Janet shows off her order of crab cakes, while I

ogle my order of Canadian candied bacon.

(Appetizers, mind you!)


Thursday – We boarded a bus for our transfer to Fairbanks, farther north.


23) “Frost heave,” quite noticeable and a result of permafrost thawing and refreezing, creates a roller coaster effect along portions of the highways.


24) Forest fires are common in Alaska, a natural and necessary process for forest regeneration, e.g. spruce trees require fire to release seeds from their cones. We were required to wait about 20 minutes near one such fire (though we saw no evidence of flames, nor smoke) where the road traffic was escorted and limited to one direction of travel at a time. As I understood the explanation, aspen trees have extensive root systems which can burn/smolder underground for some time, despite the absence of flame above ground. As a result, another outbreak of fire can occur later.


Friday – We visited a portion of the famed Alaska pipeline on the outskirts of Fairbanks.


25) Completed in 1977, it’s still working well, despite an expected lifespan of 20 years. “Pigs” keep the pipe’s inside cleared and the oil flowing. As the pigs move along, they sound like the squeaking and scrapping when glass is cleaned … or so we were told.

Display of a "pig" in a pipeline.

(Note the original spelling of Alaska.)


Following a short walk and train ride, we visited the nearby Dredge 8, the one remaining river dredge maintained for viewing. I imagined the dredge's operation an odd sight, indeed, only requiring enough water to float, as it backfilled its way along.

Dredge 8, in situ.
Dredge 8, in situ.

There, everyone received a fist-sized "grub bag" (sample of alluvial debris) and taught how to pan for gold. My sample yielded $18 worth of gold specks and Janet’s produced $12. What a haul! But it was easy to see how mere small amounts of the glittery yellow mineral could generate a stampede.


From there, we lunched at the Riverboat Discovery dock near the Fairbanks airport, then boarded the paddle-wheeler, Discovery III, for a short ride down the Chena River.


Along the way, our boat paused so we could watch a dog sled demonstration at Trail Breaker Kennel, currently run by Susan Butcher’s daughter.

A demonstration of dog sledding

performed by the daughter of Susan

Butcher. (Note: Susan was a four

time Iditarod winner.)


26) The famed Iditarod Dog Sled Race stems from the need to deliver diphtheria medication to treat an outbreak in Nome in 1925, as there was no other option. Fewer people have finished that race than have climbed Mt. Everest. Generally, there are 26 or 27 checkpoints (depending upon the route selected), and situated 30 to 80 miles apart, over the race length of 1,100+ miles. The sled dogs, huskies, are generally “trotted” at 9 miles per hour, a sustainable speed for them.


The paddle-wheeler continued downstream to the junction with the Tanana River, where we turned upstream.


On our boat's return to the dock, we stopped at the Chena Village Living Museum for several more demonstrations.

Modeling a traditional Alaskan native

dress made of various animal furs.

We learned about about native Alaskan

life and indigenous animal furs.


Saturday – Our trip ending, Janet and I headed to the airport.


Though disappointed about not seeing bears and moose in the wild, or running salmon, during the land potion of our trip, Janet and I wre thankful of the pleasant weather … and the absence of mosquito hordes. Moreover, we took pleasure in availing ourselves of food, drink and the entertainment/lectures on board the cruise ship.


I remain grateful that traveling widens my world view, and brings me great pleasure and spiritual renewal.


Walk in beauty.



  • Writer: Connard Hogan
    Connard Hogan
  • May 19
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jun 10


Bottom line: Into every life, some wind must blow!

Small patches of blooming violet wild flowers aside the PCT
Patches of wildflowers frequently decorated the trail, here in full sun earlier in the day. Photo - courtesy Tallow.

5.16.25, Day 0


Mark R. (Tallow, that is) and I rendezvoused in Idyllwild, CA. in preparation for a hike from Fobes Ranch Trail Junction (Saddle) (PCT mile marker 166.5) to Highway 74 trail junction (near Paradise Valley Cafe)(PCT mile marker 151.9).

After dinner, Tallow retired to his motel room in Idyllwild, while I drove south and camped out at the PCT Junction with Hwy 74 parking lot.

5.17.25, Day 1 ... and done, “Day of the Wind” -


The next morning, Tallow picked me up at the parking lot, where I left my car. We had breakfast at the Paradise Valley Cafe, then proceeded up the rutted unpaved road to the Fobes Ranch Trail. Near 10 AM, we left Tallow's car.


We'd planned for an overnight on the PCT and would determine our camp location according to our hiking progress.


Though our hike started in full sun, wisps of clouds with a light breeze helped keep us cool. With steady progress up the two-mile trail, we arrived at the PCT junction within an hour.


On the PCT proper, we were starting the last leg of my "previously unhiked section" between the Hwy 74 Junction and Saddle Junction (near Idyllwild). I'd missed this portion of the trail when NOBO (northbound) in 2017, due to trail "fire" closure. In addition, this hike would complete the section, Tallow and I abandoned during our August 2023 trip when remnants of Hurricane Hillary threatened the area.

Prim8 (Primate) points south in the direction of hiking on the PCT.
Prim8 points the way south on the PCT a short distance from Fobes Ranch Trail Junction (mile marker 166.5).

Though the elevation gain of 950 feet to the first, and our day's, high point, provided some slow going, we moved along at a steady pace. The temperature hovered around the mid-fifties, and the occasional westerly wind gusts chilled us when the trail ran along the western side of the ridges (windward). However, we appreciated remaining cool and perspiration free, relatively speaking.


We were treated to great views when the trail crossed a ridge, or ran along it.

From the PCT, Coachella Valley is partially obscured by wind-blown dust.
Dust obscures the view of Coachella Valley.

Wind speeds gradually increased, particularly on the ridges and when the trail led us to windward side of the mountains. And since the trail's conditions on the eastern sides (leeward) were more pleasant, we began to anticipate those calmer, and warmer, stretches.


We continued steadily at approximately 2 mph, which we considered quite a good pace. My legs, particularly knees, were holding up well. And when Tallow periodically checked on my condition, inquiring of my opinion about continuing on, I gave him a thumbs up.


With short rest breaks in wind-shadowed spots in order to consume water and snacks , we continued on, noticing the wind gusts growing stronger at each successful ridge and the exposed windward segments. At one point, we joked about the wind gusting to 40-45 mph.


Conditions gradually grew less pleasant with the sun increasingly obscured by clouds and the wind speed increasing. Coming to one ridge crest (perhaps 6,000 to 6,800 feet elevation), Tallow and I had difficulty avoiding being blown over. I imagined my backpack acting somewhat as a wind sail, as I swayed in the gusts. I eyed the fist-sized rocks strewn along the trail and worked to avoid a misstep onto an unsteady rock. Exchanging yells, though only a dozen feet apart, we estimated the wind speed at 70mph. (Wanting to get to the next wind-protected place along the trail, I didn't check our position.) Once out of the wind blast, I told Tallow, "That was treacherous! A wind gust could throw you off balance, cause you to step on an unsteady rock, and then you could sprain an ankle or fall and break your leg."


Our conversation shifted to completing our hike in one day, thus avoiding these weather conditions, or worse, with an overnight on the trail. We hadn't expected foul weather, but knew the temperature would drop further. Issue settled, we'd continue to my car, as possible, with rest breaks, as required.


Per usual, Prim8 complained as we hiked. His protestations grew louder and more persistent throughout the day, coming to a crescendo during the last few miles as calf muscles, knees, feet, and lower back increasingly ached. To be expected, I was dog tired after a seventeen-mile hike in one day, while carrying a twenty-five-pound backpack, and as the trail undulated, alternating between gaining 2,945 feet and dropping 3,230 feet, cumulatively. Our nine-hour hike to my car seemed to take forever. However, though I couldn't fully appreciate the fact at the time, I escaped the development of foot blisters! Yeah!

Prim8 (Primate) welcomes his arrival at his car in the Hwy 74/PCT Junction parking lot.
Prim8 rejoices when he arrives at his car. Note: the haze created by low lying "clouds."

So, Prim8 and I have hiked "on" the PCT—fire closure detour notwithstanding—from the Mexican border (mile marker 0) to PCT junction with Horseshoe Meadow (mile marker 751.4)


Tallow and I are planning our next segment, continuing NOBO (northbound) from Horseshoe Meadow to Bishop Pass.


Walk in beauty.


Bottom line: Build great memories; expand yourself to fit our glorious world; connect to others (animals included); gain greater appreciation for famous adventurers of our past.


Sea Turtle feeding in shallow water of Hilo, Hawaii.
Sea Turtle feeding in shallow water of Hilo, Hawaii.

Janet, my wife, and I recently returned from a 32-day ocean cruise from Los Angeles to parts of the South Pacific.


1) Our cruise stopped first at Hilo on Hawaii (the island). We enjoyed our one day on terra firma after five sea-days, despite some early morning light rain.


Looking across Hilo, Hawaii towards

Mauna Kea's snow-cap and telescopes.


2) Hilo is reputed to be one of the rainiest cities in the US, if not the most, averaging 15 feet of rainfall per year. Whereas, the leeward Kona Coast, on the other side of the island, receives 15 inches per year.


3) With all that rain, and the rocky lava landscape of Hilo, waterfalls are abundant. Rainbow Falls is one such example, though a rainbow isn't always visible.

Here's Rainbow Falls?!


4) We visited the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens where I discovered some useful information in the men's bathroom (I guess, we men and boys need to know this!), which I share here for your edification, as well.





5) Somewhere along the way I heard that Hawaii, the island, has three colors of sand beaches: black, white and green. Imagine a green beach! We didn't see it, however.


6) The following day, we arrived at Maui. During a bus tour, we learned that the pineapple and sugar cane industries of old were decimated by international competition. The islands now depend upon tourism. Of note: Lahaina is making a recovery, though slowly. Tourist traffic is not allowed in the historic downtown, though we did see portions of "greater" Lahaina.

Sunshine on Kahulua as we depart Maui.
Sunshine on Kahulua as we depart Maui.

7) On to Honolulu, Oahu, we toured the USS Arizona Memorial, where 1,777 crewmen died. A second battleship memorial, USS Utah, lies on the opposite of Ford Island, where 64 crew died. The Missouri faces the memorial to symbolize standing guard over the Arizona, as well as creating bookends of our war with Japan (beginning and end), since the Japanese surrender was signed on Missouri's deck.


USS Arizona Memorial (right); USS

Missouri (left) faces the Arizona.


8) The following day, we arrived in Kauai, and visited the Kilohaha Plantation. Established in 1986, it now is an elegant tourist destination with a historic railroad, a collection of local animals, restaurant and performance pavilion.


Hawaiian dance performance

at Kilohana Plantation, Kauai.


We "sailed" southward toward French Polynesia later that day, and over the following six sea-days we crossed the equator.


9) The "shellback" of the ship's crew (those previously having crossing the equator) judged the "polliwogs" (those crossing the first time) during a King Neptune Ceremony. All, as you might expect were told, "Bow to, or kiss, the fish. Then, jump in the pool."


The Cruise Director (far side) officiates as the

Assistant Cruise Director, polliwog, kisses the

fish before heading into the pool.


Janet and I dove into a variety of activities on board during our sea days, wanting to make the most of our time aboard, which passed quickly. We listened to numerous lectures of interest, joined in Team Trivia Quizzes and Baggo competitions, and attended the evening musical performances, aside from binging on food and drink, of course.


From the various lectures, we learned some interesting tidbits.


10) The Tahitian alphabet contains thirteen letters (five vowels and eight consonants), though uses glottal stops and macrons for long vowels.


11) The vanilla plant in Tahiti requires pollination by hand, since its pollinator bee no longer lives there. That pollinator still lives in Mexico, however, but I doubt the bees made a conscious choice in that matter!


12) Polynesia contains a diverse collection of more than 1,000 islands within an imaginary triangle bounded on the southwest by New Zealand, on the north by Hawaii, and the southeast by Easter Island. French Polynesia lies within triangle.


13) More than 800 species of fish live around the French Polynesian Islands.


14) Parrot fish do not have a fixed gender.


15) The Tahitian black oyster produces the famous black pearl after being seeded with a small Mississippi River stone.


Unfortunately for us, we arrived at Bora Bora simultaneously with a storm. Needless to say, that threw a bucket of water on the proceedings!


A less-than-ideal view of Bora Bora!
A less-than-ideal view of Bora Bora!

Our planned Bora Bora shore excursion cancelled, Janet and I rode to shore on a ship shuttle, though she returned to the ship immediately, when learning additional shuttle service had been suspended.

Local musicians perform at the welcoming

point/shuttle dock, while Janet poses

moments before abandoning ship, err, land?

I, however, being more adventurous, ambled along the main street over the next hour-and-a-half as the rain slackened, chatted with several shop owners, mostly selling pearl jewelry, perused the local grocery, paused at the protestant church to listen to the parishioners sing a Polynesian hymn. (The church provided the lyrics on an elevated screen!)


Finished with my foreshortened investigation of the local culture, I meandered back to the shuttle landing and listened to the live local music, until another shuttle arrived. (I knew the ship's crew wouldn't abandon those of us still ashore!)


That evening, we proceeded to Papeete, Tahiti, by-passing Moorea, which would also require shuttle service ... in the storm.


16) The first of our three days in Papeete, Janet and I hired a tour around Tahiti Nui, which is the larger of two conjoined land masses comprising Tahiti. Locals call the smaller, Tahiti Iti.

Janet poses on Matavia's black sand beach.

Note her improved disposition since Bora Bora!


17) Captain J. Cook made his 1769 observations of Venus's transit of the sun just yards from the beach.

Marker to Cook's Venus transit observations.


Further along, we stopped at Fa'aruma'i Valley, where three watersheds each have a falls.

We, intrepid travelers, pose at one such falls.

Here's a second falls.
Here's a second falls.

We took a local walking tour of parts of Papeete during our second day in port.

Pepeete Town Hall.


Back on the ship that evening, Janet and I attended a local Polynesian dance group performance.

"O Tahiti E" performs.

I loved their costumes!

A solo performance. I admired

her commitment to the tattoo!


With an additional, unplanned day in Papeete, Janet and I took a ferry to Moorea, then hired a tour guide to sightsee.


Belvedere Lookout, 820 feet elevation, provides a spectacular view of Cook's Bay (right) and Opunahu Bay (left) with the sacred Mont Rotui between.


Janet and I pose at Belvedere Lookout.


We crossed into the mountainous interior—all "newer" volcanic islands have that distinction—through shallow, following streams, lush rainforest, cultivated fields, past sacred sites to Opunohu Bay.


Back at beach front in Opunoha Bay, Fare Tutava (restaurant) served up two great smoothies. Afterward, we ate the flower blossom garnishes!

Loving my fruit smoothie

with flower blossom garnish!


The restaurant also had a number of colorful, Tahitian themed women's bathing wraps for sale.

Women's bathing wrap with manta ray design.


Then, we drove the narrow, winding concrete "road" to Magic Mountain Overlook. (No, not related to the Magic Mountain in southern California!)


A pano of Opunohu Bay from

Magic Mountain Overlook. Note

the azure colors of the lagoon.

Viking Neptune docked in Papeete, Tahiti.


That evening we sailed for Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, and after two sea-days, we anchored in Taioha'e Bay.


A pano of Taioha'e Bay, Nuku Hiva.

(No, our ship hadn't gotten bent!)


Janet and I arranged for a tour of the island. We stopped at numerous locations, including scenic overlooks and sacred ruins.


Our local guide, Ma'u, with our ship

anchored in the harbor. Note her leg tattoo.


18) We drove to Taipivai Bay, and visited the village where Herman Melville was a "guest-captive," according to his fictionalized account in Typee. (Quite inspirational for me, the visit and the book!)

A pano of Taipivai Bay.
A pano of Taipivai Bay.

Plaque commemorating

Melville's "visit" and writings.


After Janet and I bid Ma'u goodbye, and before we returned to our ship, we hiked a short distance to the "Tiki Tuhiva" sculpture overlooking the village and bay.

The "Tiki Tuhiva" sculpture.


That evening, we sailed away from Nuku Hiva, headed for San Diego.

Nuku Hiva during sunset.
Nuku Hiva during sunset.

Seven sea-days later, we arrived in San Diego Harbor, renowned for US Naval presence.


19) We toured Balboa Park, which contains numerous beautiful buildings, including eighteen museums, all within easy walking distance.

This elegant building serves as the park's

Visitor Center and the Prado Restaurant.


20) Returned to our ship, I walked a short distance to, and toured, the USS Midway, the last diesel powered US aircraft carrier.


21) Here's the "Unconditional Surrender Statue," aka "Kissing Statue." Incorrectly, the sailor reputedly kissed a nurse, though she was a dental hygienist in actuality!

The oversized statue with USS

Midway (background).


That evening, we sailed away to Los Angeles, where Janet and I disembarked the Neptune the following morning.


We'd sailed 8,885 nautical miles (10,225 statue miles) during our trip, and experienced twenty-one days at sea. As a result, I gained a deeper appreciation, if only a hint, of by-gone sailing in the South Pacific, and the experiences of the likes of James Cook, Herman Melville and Paul Gauguin, to name only a few. Plus, I took advantage of a loaner copy of Melville's Typee, which I thoroughly enjoyed, though his complex sentence structures make it a difficult read.


Of course, wouldn't you know, I developed severe cold symptoms upon our return home, though Janet's course of infection preceded mine by a few days.


I thoroughly encourage you to travel, travel, travel! Consider spending your money and time traveling and building memories, rather than on material goods. I yearn to return to the South Pacific even as I complete writing this.


Walk in beauty.

(PS - your feedback is welcomed.)


You can email me:

connard@connardhogan.com

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