Leapfrogging NOBO (PCT)

Bottom line: Hiking requires sweat equity and working body parts!

Primate celebrates the completion

of his first 1,000 miles on the PCT!

(He still needs to get to the car,

almost a mile downhill, however.)

6/27/26, Saturday (Day 0) - Prim8 and I rendezvoused with Mark R. (Wrong-way) at the Evergeen Hotel in Shasta City prior to commencing our sectional hike of the PCT from near McCloud, CA (Halfmile PCT Notes, mm 1474.5) to Etna Summit (Halfmile PCT Notes, mm 1581.0).

Our plan: Car camp to allow for day hiking (avoid carrying weight by packing overnight gear, food, bear canister, etc) by alternating our vehicles to "leapfrog" northward (NOBO) on the PCT, though hiking SOBO segments each day. As a result, we needed two sets of overnight gear (tents, sleeping bags, toiletries, etc), one set in each car.

Note: I continue to use PCT Halfmile marker designations, though while hiking, I relied on Wrong-way's references to a FarOut cell phone app. And the two references don't match! The important point for us is to hike the sections that we've not previously done, regardless of the mile marker system we're using!

6/28/26, Sunday (Day 1) - Cabin Creek Trail junction/Road 38N82 (mm 1486.5) to Road 38N53 junction (mm 1474.5, our southern most point on the PCT during this trip)

Following a hardy breakfast at the Black Bear in Shasta City, we parked my car near the trial, then drove Wrong-way's RAV 4 to the Cabin Creek Trail junction.

Beginning our SOBO hike at 10AM under clear skies and in a cold breeze, we soon adjusted to the temperature while hiking. I soon felt wet with sweat, so removed my fleece jacket, and replaced my wool skull cap with a broad-brimmed hat.

Immediately, Prim8 made it clear that he didn't appreciate the pain intensifying in my left leg. I'd figured my arthritic knee would be a problem, though was unsure as to what degree. Regardless, I hobbled onward. During the day, various parts of my left leg, from hip to foot, joined in the pain-fest, as if in a concerted effort to induce me to quit hiking.

Stop! Prim8 demanded.

Okay. You'll get no argument from me, fella.

I paused periodically to catch a breath, and in hopes of easing the pain. Alas, the pain subsided only slightly and briefly, building again once I continued on.

Wrong-way showed me a video and picture that he'd taken of a bear.

Bear! Prim8 gasped.

"I missed it," I said. Just as well, probably.

Can you see the lurking bear?

(Photo courtesy of Wrong-way)

5PM, we arrived at my car, then stopped in Shasta City for dinner, before continuing to Castle Crags State Park campground.

Contrary to my hopes, my leg ached all night, and I had difficulty sleeping.

6/29/26, Monday (Day 2) - Soda Creek/near Interstate Hwy 5 (mm 1502.7) to Cabin Creek (mm 1486.5)

Reloading our night's gear into my car, Prim8 filled with dread and not a happy camper, I knew something had to give. I'll try Advil, Prim8. That should take the edge off, at least.

We left my car at 7:15AM under a thin, high overcast. The cool temperature and breeze felt pleasant, even more so once I began to sweat. My leg discomfort seemed subdued, yet after a hour or so, the pain had returned to the previous day's intensity.

No, Prim8 griped.

We can tough it out, guy, I countered, fingers crossed.

We arrived at Wrong-way's vehicle at 4:15PM, Prim8 giving me fits over my continued left leg pain.

Once again, though in Wrong-way's car, we dined in Shasta City, then car-camped in Castle Crags State Park.

The temperature through the night was pleasant, yet I slept little, and poorly at that.

6/30/26, Tuesday, (Day 3) - Dog Trailhead (mm 1509.2) to Soda Creek/near Interstate 5 (mm 1502.7)

I discovered a blister had grown on the big toe of one foot and, on the other, a small toenail had irritated that reddened toe, despite wearing new boots!

No! Prim8 protested.

Perhaps, I should've broken these boots in beforehand, guy. But, at least, those particular pains are explained! The least of my issues, I trimmed the toenail and wrapped it and the offending blister with tape. As for my sore leg, I downed a couple of Advil along with my usual regime of script meds and supplements.

Breaking camp and repacking the car, we asked ourselves and each other questions such as, Where did I leave that?, Have you seen it?, and Did I put one is this car? We began to realize that tracking duplicate items, one in each car, would be a challenge.

"Hey Mark, remember the 'Catholic Sign of the Cross'? That might help." I gestured as I said, "Keys (car keys, of course), wallet (driver's license, credit card/money), water (for the day's hike), and filter (water filter)." Those constituted the bare essentials to carry, given our current circumstances!

Our day's hike started ~9:15AM from Dog Trail Junction in good weather and cool temperature.

I suffered the pain in my left leg, somewhat reduced by the Advil, while Primate periodically demanded, Stop!

Alright, alright. I usually needed to catch my breath and cool down, per my sweat-fest in full swing as the day's temperature increased. One step at a time, fella.

Wrong-way usually proceeded ahead of me, though waited at chosen spots for me to catch up.

Prim8 points the way

from the wooden bridge

at Winton Canyon Creek.

1:50PM, we arrived at my car at Soda Creek/near Interstate 5 (mm 1502.7), Prim8 screaming about my on-going leg ache.

We headed to Shasta City for some cooked food (and beer, of course), then onto the Gumboot Summit Junction.

"Maybe, we should start our hike's earlier," I opined. "Before sunrise," I added.

Wrong-way agreed, though Prim8 wasn't keen.

Once again, overnight temperatures were pleasant, as I squirmed inside my sleeping bag, shielded from blood-suckers by one-man "Bug Hut." My leg ache just wouldn't quit.

7/1/26, Wednesday (Day 4) - Gumboot Trailhead (mm 1526.7) to Dog Trail junction (mm 1509.2)

Usual routines of breaking camp completed, following our 6AM wake-up, we hit the trail as an array of dawn colors filled the sky.

The downhill portion of the day's segment (some 3,500 feet) felt torturous as my leg-ache increased to a near-intolerable level...and sooner...despite helpings of Advil. The sun ray's beat down upon us off and on, and, by Wrong-way's best estimation, the temperature rose to 90 degrees.

Castle Crags as seen

from the west.

Near the end of our day's hike, about 2.5 miles remaining, Wrong-way offered to carry my pack.

Prim8 didn't complain, and I relented, saying, "I don't want you to feel that you need to babysit me." Something's gotta change, Prim8.

I resolved that I'd schedule an appointment with my orthopedist to replace my offending joint, which he'd told me he would do, "...whenever you're ready."

Once at Wrong-way's RAV, we drove to Shasta City for dinner...including beer, before procuring a campsite in the local KOA. Once our camp was set up, we availed ourselves of showers, which for me consisted of rinsing off my residual stink and donning my same sweaty clothing. (I didn't have soap nor a clean clothes in my Mark's car!)

7/2/26, Thursday (Day5) - Parks Creek Road junction (mm 1540.7) to Gumboot Trail junction/Hwy 26 (mm 1526.7)

At 9:25AM, we left Mark's car in the ample parking area at the road junction, then headed southward in excellent hiking weather.

Unshielded from the sun, the air temperature rose and we were slow-cooked as the day progressed.

A well-deserved lunch break at noon, and about 5 miles along, helped gird me for the remaining 9 miles of the day's hike to my car.

Wrong-way photographs a

few of the many wildflowers

blooming along the trail.

Throughout the day, we were treated to gorgeous views, and my leg pain, though still present, seemed slightly more tolerable. I couldn't determine why, of course, nevertheless felt glad that it hadn't grown worse.

One of the many views

of Mt. Shasta along the trail.

Clouds building, we reached Gumboot Trail junction/Hwy 26 at 5:30PM, fingers crossed that our good weather would continue.

We spent the night under a bright, full moon at Kangaroo Lake campground. Once again, pain in my leg and toes interrupted my sleep.

7/3/26, Friday (Day 6) - Cooper Meadow Trail junction/near Kangaroo Lake campground (mm 1552.8) to Parks Creek (mm 1540.7)

We arose to a clear sky and cool temperature, and started up Fen Trail to the PCT junction, about 1 mile away, at 7:40AM.

Six, or so, NOBO through-hikers passed us in irregular intervals, some chatting with us, some rushing by with little more than a Howdy-do.

At one point, struck by hikers wearing hoodies, I said to Wrong-way, "I don't understand how anyone can stand wearing those in this heat." I grasped the concept of compromise, and hauling fewer articles of clothing, while getting protection from the sun's rays. But still...the heat!

"I guess those are all the rage, now," he replied.

During one rest stop in the shade, Wrong-way noted the temperature to be 65 degrees. It certainly seemed warmer to me!

Our day's hike completed at 3:25PM, we drove to Weed for dinner...and beer, of course. Afterward, we headed to our next car-camp site at Hwy 3/Scott Mountain Summit (mm 1561.2).

Several hours of daylight remaining, and hoping to shorten the next day's segment length, we drove up a nearby gravel road. Thwarted by a locked gate, where numerous parked cars lined both sides of the narrow road, Wrong-way wasn't to be deterred. With his car parked close to the gate, we bushwhacked upslope until we reached the PCT...and right at the Trinity Alps Wilderness boundary (mm 1563.8).

As per the next day's hike itinerary of over 19 miles, and well aware of my leg issue, Wrong-way suggested, "You could hike an additional 2.6 miles segment today to the Highway 3 junction...if you're up to it." (The latter emphasized.) I can do this segment tomorrow, while you wait there with my day pack."

And, though Prim8 catastrophized, I said, "Okay. Seems easy enough, especially without a day pack."

I headed off towards the Hwy 3 junction (mm1561.2) from the Trinity Wilderness sign (mm1563.8).

7/4/26, Saturday (Day 7) - Hwy 3/Scott Mountain Summit trail junction and campground (mm 1561.2) to Cooper Meadow Trail junction/near Kangaroo Lake campground (mm 1552.8)

Wrong-way drove off at 7AM to hike from near the locked gate to the Hwy 3 trail junction where I waited.

In short order, we continued together toward my car at Kangaroo Lake campground some 9 miles on under a cloudless sky with a light breeze. The temperature hovered around 60 degrees, which felt pleasant initially. However, the rising temperature of around 90 degrees, coupled with a clear sky and scarce shade, induced sweating as we hiked.

Can you guess

what this is?

One deer, lying on the trail, arose as we approached, then wandered down the trail until it reached brush, moved off the trail a few feet, and began to browse. I couldn't help but appreciate, and feel awed, that the deer wasn't afraid of us.

Checking us out.

(Who, me in a hurry?)

After the 1.25-mile downhill slog along Fen Trail, we reached my car at 3:22PM. Straight away we drove to Callahan, where we had dinner, and...you guessed it...cold beer.

Only one reason that

I love visiting saloons!

From there, we located an unoccupied horse camp some miles drive away. I wondered about the odds of stepping in droppings as I parked adjacent to a hitching post.

Settled in early, about sunset, we hoped to rise at 3:30AM for another earlyish start.

The night temperature proved pleasant as the waning moon advanced across the sky.

7/5/26, Sunday (Day 8) - Carter Meadows Summit/Hwy 93 trailhead (mm 1581.0) to Trinity Wilderness boundary sign (mm1563.8)

I'd had a pleasant night, though not without some leg discomfort. By this point, I'd concluded that was a new norm, at least during this trip. More Advil, please!

We started our day's hike at 4:30AM. Once the sun had risen, thin, high clouds helped shade us...somewhat.

We encountered deadfall trees on numerous occasions, which necessitated awkward clambers over the larger, more inconsiderable placed, trees.

Wrong-way assisted me over a number of the more difficult ones, and at one point referred to my hiking pole as a"cane."

Am I that decrepit? I wasn't quite sure how to respond to that, and, being thankful for the assistance, said nothing.

One of the many spectacular

views along the trail.

The day had grown hot before we finished our marathon hike of 11 hours, I felt knackered and relieved.

We stopped in Callahan a second time (nearest town on our route) for a beer! Then, we proceeded to Etna, where we consumed a cooked meal, along with more beer. We recognized a number of NOBO through-hikers whom we'd passed on the trail, though we didn't converse with them. (They appeared occupied with their acquaintances.)

7/6/27, Monday (Day 9) - Music Creek Trail junction (mm 1592.9) to Carter Meadows Summit Trailhead (mm 1581.0)

Up at 4:30AM, we drove 9 miles to the parking area of Music Creek nearest the PCT. At 6:05AM, we missed the trial leading to the PCT initially, so backtracked to the parking area before spotting it as it headed off at an oblique angle.

"No wonder we missed it," I said to Wrong-way.

With thin, high clouds above, and in a cool, light breeze, we switch-backed through burned forest and low brush for about 1 mile, until we reached the PCT junction at 7:10AM.

Some segments of trail crossed rock faces.

Prim8 ponders the trail ahead.

We finished our day's PCT hike of 11.9 miles at 3:30PM. Without delay, we drove to Etna for a dinner and beer, then on to Idlewild Campground to spend the night.

We planned for another early start, with a wake-up at 4:30AM, in order to beat the heat...or at least some of it.

It seemed hot, though I had no way to know the temperature for sure.

7/7/26, Tuesday (Day 10) - Etna Summit/Sawyers Road junction (mm 1600.7) to Music Creek Trail junction (mm 1592.9)

Following our routines of sorts, we broke camp, then headed off for the Etna Summit/Sawyers Bar Road junction (our northern most point on the PCT during this trip)

The sky was cloudless when we left the car at 5:50AM. The trail ascended about 3,000 feet over the next 3.5 miles, and my leg pain remained at a constant level, and mostly tolerable. As it turned out, my leg functioned quite well on the uphill, though I loathed the upcoming descent.

Again, we were treated to gorgeous views of the mountains and valleys eastward.

Sure enough, my leg pain increased as we descended, but I knew I could tough it out. Had to!

Prim8 celebrated our achievement of hiking our first 1,000 miles on the PCT when we arrived at the Music Creek trailhead, despite the fact that we still faced a descent to Mark's RAV nearly a mile away. That seemed to take forever, though we arrived at 11:35AM.

Knackered, Prim8 and I headed to Red Bluff for the night, and hopefully a good shower, restful sleep and breakfast before driving the remaining several hundred home. (Still a long drive!)

7/8/26 - Still knackered when I arrived home, I sought out my recliner in order to begin recovery.

Distance covered on the PCT this trip: Road 38N53 trail junction near the McCloud River (mm 1474.5) to Etna Summit/Sawyer Road (mm1600.7) 126.2 miles! A considerable distance, in light of my left leg problem. Thus, our accumulated miles on the PCT passed 1,000 miles on our last day's hike.

Time to junk the old knee, and opt for a newfangled trade-in!

Note: Though we spotted numerous animal species, we encountered no trail angels. Apparently, they don't exist in northern California!

Walk in beauty.

A Few “Lesser Known and Obscure” Facts I Learned While In Taiwan

Bottom line: Be open to follow any path.

Janet and I attended the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Taiwan, then toured the island for five days afterward.

Wednesday, June 10 (or was it Friday, June 12?) - We left LAX (Los Angeles) June 10, and, after a 14-hour flight, arrived in (TPE) Taipei June 12. Talk about a mind bender! Two good meals and nap time on the plane assisted our adjustment to the "teleportation" experience, however.

Janet poses at one of the Rotary

Convention sites. (This one

hosting the "House of Friendship.")

Friday, June 12 - We arrived to our hotel at 5:30AM and were required to wait hours for our room to made available. (Oh, the indignity of it all!) So rather than sit around, we headed to the Rotary Convention "House of Friendship" to collect our registration materials. Once, back at the hotel, we had breakfast, gained entry to our room, rested briefly, and unpacked luggage.

At 5:30PM, we headed to the nearest night market via the Taipei subway for some cultural exposure, and culinary exploration. And there, we discovered numerous food items, not only of interest and amusement, but some of which we savored. (Though not a particular one pictured below. Despite knowing to what chicken part they referred, I couldn't help but laugh...and wouldn't dare try it. Fair warning, and brace yourself.)

One street vendor's sign

of cooked meat to go.

Somewhere along the way, Janet learned about "Bubble Tea," which she insisted we try. Comprised of "gummy balls" in a liquid, sucking soft "ball bearings" through a straw proved a unique experience...and they didn't taste bad, though I took precaution not to inhale any, nor swallow them whole.

Saturday, June 13 - We joined a guided tour via bus of Taipei (this the day prior to the convention's start).

1) We learned that Taipei, the largest city in Taiwan, has a population of 2.4 million people and that an additional 2 million commute to work there every day. (Busy, bustling and crowded, though clean and orderly!)

2) Taiwan is a sub-tropical island, as opposed to Japan, which is temperate, and the Philippines, which are tropical. (Janet and I could attest to the heat and high humidity!)

Included in our tour: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Longshan Temple, an old city street, Taiwan National Museum, Taipei 101 (tall building), and the river front.

A replica of Chiang Kai-shek's

office. (No, that's not the man!

Perhaps a wax figurine?)

3) Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan from mainland China in 1949, and continued to lead the Republic of China until his death in 1975.

4) Of the many registered temples of various faiths in Taiwan (over 15,000), we visited the Longshan Temple, shared by Buddhist and Daoists.

One of many temple rooftop

dragons placed to ward off evil spirits.

5) When leaving the mainland, Chiang Kai-shek took approx. 360,000 priceless and most prized artifacts of Chinese culture and history, which now reside in the National Museum. (Note: many more artifacts had to be left behind.) Below is one example, which strikes me as particularly intricate and artistic.

Replica of a boat carved

from an olive pit!

5) Forty (40) seconds of elevator lift took us from the 3rd floor to the 89th floor of Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world from late 2004 until 2009.

One of the spectacular

views of Taipei.

Back at street level, we found a shop which served shaved ice milk. Previously exposed to that delicacy in South Korea, we couldn't resist.

Ripe mango with shaved ice milk

under and a scoop of ice cream above.

Sunday, June 14 - Janet and I visited the "House of Friendship" at the Exhibition Center (as seen above), then headed to "The Dome" (an indoor baseball stadium, I concluded) for our assigned official convention opening ceremony. (They held two ceremonies to accommodate the more than 37,000 attendees!)

Our view prior to Opening

Ceremony commencing.

Monday, June 15 - Janet and I perused the Rotary House of Friendship, where we learned that

6) seven breeds of oysters (of the same species) each produce a different colored pearl.

Tuesday, June 16 - We engaged in more culinary exploration when visiting the Taipei 101 food court, then later joining our Rotary District's sponsored dinner with our in-coming governor.

Wednesday, June 17 - Though we enjoyed the various convention sessions and visiting the Friendship House, in addition to meeting other Rotarians and getting a dose of inspiration, the convention was all too short. Following the convention Closing Ceremony, Janet and I explored another Taipei night street market.

Thursday, June 18 (Tour Day 1 by bus) - We joined a Rotary five-day tour of Taiwan with Lions Travel. (BTW, Lions Travel appeared to be quite a big and well established travel company there.)

We motored across Sun Moon Lake by boat, a famous and revered place in central, mountainous Taiwan, where we visited Xuanzang Temple.

Xuanzang Temple, honoring a

6th-century CE Buddhist monk

who traveled to India.

Friday, June 19 (Tour Day 2 by bus) - We visited Anping Fort, and learned that the Dutch settled southern Taiwan in the 1600s CE, then the Spanish settled northern Taiwan. The Spanish were pushed out by the Dutch, who remained until 1840 or so, when Japanese presence increased and remained until 1945.

7) The Taiwanese are culturally close to Japan, only one hour away by plane, and many elders speak and understand Japanese.

8) Prior to foreign presence, there were sixteen (16) indigenous tribes in Taiwan.

A self-explanatory map.

9) Our guide, who called herself Star, explained that it's easy for Taiwanese who've studied and use traditional Chinese calligraphy to read writing from as long ago as 4,000 years. However, those who have learned "simplified" calligraphy (introduced for the poor, such as peasant farmers on the mainland, and who couldn't attend school) have great difficulty reading traditional script.

Saturday, June 20 (Tour Day 3 by bus and train) - We boarded the "Breezy Blue" train (not a bullet train, but fast regardless), and traveled through thirty-five (35) tunnels as we headed northward along the eastern coast.

10) The longest tunnel being 12.9 km (8 miles).

We left the train, and by bus stopped at a Bunun tribal farm to learn more about their culture, and where we decorated individual leather bracelets.

Two tribal women putting final

coloration on our individually

decorated leather bracelets.

Sunday, June 21 (Tour Day 4 by bus) - Our travel continued northward along the eastern coast.

We pose near the "dragon

bridge" to Sanxiantai Island

(Island of Three Immortals).

Along the way, we passed a number of sites, which Star referred to as a "final hotel."

Someone's final hotel.

Monday, June 22 (Tour Day 5 by bus) - We continued on our way back to Taipei, where Janet and I hired a taxi, along with our two friends, Luz Maria and E. Russell, for a long ride to the airport (TPE), where we'd booked a hotel room and spent the night.

Tuesday, June 23 - We headed to the airport after a late hotel checkout, though then waited hours in the China Airlines lounge (as opposed to China Air, which is a mainland carrier) until we boarded our flight just prior to midnight.

Tuesday, June 23 ( Déjà vu, all over again!) - After another "teleportation" flight back to Los Angeles, we arrived late on June 23, arriving the same day we left Taiwan! After a long bus ride from LAX, we returned home in the wee hours of June 24.

Our trip to Taiwan proved a great experience, despite my trepidation that the mainlanders could invade any moment without warning. But...maybe, I'm just too pessimistic and sensitive?

May you enjoy all your travels before reaching your "final hotel," and walk in beauty.

P.S. - I must confess...I got crabs in Taiwan. (But...before you judge me too harshly, get your mind out of the gutter!)

Don't ask me what

the package says!

A Few “Lesser Known and Obscure” Facts I Learned While Cruising from Miami to Long Beach (via the Panama Canal)

Bottom line: You need to request the caviar (of life)!

Janet and I recently joined the Seabourn Sojourn on a 22-day cruise from Miami to Long Beach via the Panama Canal.

Tuesday, Nov 25 - Our first priority after boarding was lunch ... and since we knew we could order caviar ... we did! (And, since we both love seafood, we promised ourselves to order it on a regular basis.)

Janet enjoys her first

serving of caviar on-board.

Wednesday, Nov 26 (At sea) - As we normally had done on previous cruises, we attended the lectures/presentations on-board, having found most to be entertaining and informative.

Our first day, Dr. Ben Taggie presented on King Sugar.

1) Columbus introduced sugar cane to the New World on his second voyage in 1493.

2) The year 1651 CE marked the first mention of rum, at that time made from sugar cane molasses (now made with sugar beets).

3) Four million slaves were imported to the Caribbean between 1700-1850 CE to work in the cane fields (hot, hard labor).

Dr. Sofia Laurein presented The "Golden Age" of Caribbean Piracy: Skull and Crossbones on the Horizon (1650-1720).

4) Pirates wore earrings as commemoration for their first crossing of the equator.

5) Their earrings, usually gold, served as pre-need currency for a "proper" burial.

6) The first real democracy occurred on pirate ships in the New World, as all the pirates shared in the bootie and could leave of their own free will.

7) Sir Francis Drake created the Mojito, the first cocktail, to treat scurvy. (Got my attention!)

Thursday, Nov 27 (At sea) - Janet and I observed Thanksgiving by consuming our share of caviar!

Dr. Sofia Laurein presented A Cultural History of Coffee: How We Fell in Love with Caffeine.

8) Circa 6th century CE , coffee was consumed like "energy bars" in Ethiopia (unsweetened, of course).

9) Kiva Han, the first known coffee house still in operation, started in 1475 (during the Ottoman Empire) in Constantinople.

10) Pope Clement VIII baptized coffee as a Christian drink around 1600. (Prior to that it had been considered satanic.)

11) Coffee became the preferred drink in the US colonies following the Boston Tea Party of 1773.

12) The custom of tipping servers was born in English coffee houses.

13) Coffee trees DO NOT produce beans. Remember that the next time you're grinding your coffee seeds! (BTW, the same goes for cocoa, a recommended ingredient of chocolate.)

"Jack" Garcia, former FBI agent, presented about his experiences of undercover work.

14) Apparently, there's controversy in Boston (or thereabouts) as to whether spaghetti gets covered with a sauce or gravy. And, there I was, thinking my whole life that spaghetti always got covered with sauce!

Dr. Taggie presented The Fascinating Story of the Discovery and History on the Dominican Republic.

15) The ancient Greeks were calculating the circumference of the earth several hundred years BCE. I fact checked that. Eratosthenes (c. 276–194 BCE) is credited with an estimation of 25,000 miles. (Current measurements are 24,901 miles at the equator, and 24,860 miles through the poles, as earth is NOT a perfect sphere.)

16) Santo Domingo, founded 1496, became the first European settlement in North America.

17) The Dominican Republic almost became a US state in 1870 during Grant's presidency.

Friday, Nov 28 (Isla Catalina, Dominican Republic) - The Sojourn anchored off the island, then tendered passengers in for some "Caviar in the Surf and Beach BBQ." Janet and I had a relaxing lounge, accompanied by caviar and followed by lobster! Yum!

The ship sits anchored

as Janet and I lounge.

Saturday, Nov 29 (At sea) - Moderate rough seas proved nothing more than a test of sea legs ... at least for me. Janet donned her wrist bands, which have something to do with acupressure.

We attended the "at sea" presentation by Dr. Ben Taggie entitled The ABC Islands, a Jewel of the Amazing Dutch Empire in the 17th Century. (For clarification: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao.)

18) The "Golden Age" of the Dutch empire occurred in the 17th century CE, as they possessed the largest navy.

19) The Dutch captured the ABC islands around 1636. In part, it seems, because the Spanish considered the islands "useless," as they weren't a source of gold/silver.

20) The East India Trading Company became the first "trade stock exchange company."

Sunday, Nov 30 (Willemstad, Curaçao) - Janet strolled along the waterfront of the Otrobanda and Punda quarters of Willemstad, using the ferry to cross St. Anna Bay when the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge was open (to allow a ship to pass).

The Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge

swings closed to accommodate

foot traffic.

We recrossed the bay via the closed foot bridge.

Punda Quarter, Willemstad, waterfront.

(Note the Dutch style architecture.)

I spotted this gorgeous mural in Otrobanda.

The "Djosa" mural.

(Francis Sling, 2024)

Monday, Dec 1 (At sea) - "Jack" Garcia lectured about Chasing Down Drug Dealers. (Interesting ... and dangerous.)

Dr. Ben Taggie presented The Spanish-American War and It's Important Contribution to the Successful Building of the Panama Canal.

21) As a result of the heavy casualties from yellow fever during the Spanish-American War, a cure was sought and found. As deaths from diseases, such as yellow fever, had stymied the first attempt to build the Panama Canal by the French, the subsequent cure assisted a second, and successful, attempt by the Americans.

Dr. Sofia Laurein provided us An Entertaining History of Your Favorite Food.

22) Extinguish the myth  (British propaganda) that Napolean was short in stature. To wit, Napolean was three-quarters of an inch taller than the average man of his day. (Some food items are named after him. However, since those food items aren't among my favorite, I found the above fact more interesting.)

23) James Salisbury, physician during the American Civil War, created Salisbury steak, since he thought veggies produced poisonous substances, which caused numerous, severe health conditions, including mental illness.

24) Round blocks of hard cheese were used as cannonballs in a naval battle!

25) French fries originated in French speaking BELGIUM.

Tuesday, Dec 2 (Santa Marta, Columbia) - Janet and I checked out sites of the town, including the "Tayrona Gold Museum" (free entry).

Tairona society (Pre-Columbian) created impressive, intricate gold-work ornamentation, though I was amused by one clay shamanic object. It's purpose was to frighten people. I'm doubtful it has that effect on you, though perhaps it would on young children.

Tairona society shamanic figurine.

Wednesday, Dec 3 (At sea, Atlantic Ocean) - Dr. Sofia Lauren provided An Entertaining History of Money. We learned about various early items/substances used as currency, such as salt and leather.

26) The term "cash cow" originates from gifting a milk-producing cow at someone's birth, as the on-going flow of milk could be sold.

Melissa Fung presented Living with Trauma: A PTSD Journey. She told us about her ordeal as a journalist taken hostage in Afghanistan, and held in a dark, cramped space for about 30 days. She placed emphasis on the on-going work and positive attitude of personal growth. (I'll second that!)

Thursday, Dec 4 (Panama Canal) - Our ship began the transit of the Panama Canal system when we entered Gatun Lake early morning. I'd barfed twice during the night (cause undetermined), so started my day late and in a slow, sluggish state. Janet and I went topside at 2:30 PM to watch the progress of our ship's canal transit, and I spotted a huge ship transiting the newer canal adjacent to us.

The "Magellan." Carrying fuel? LPG?

Friday, Dec 5 (At sea, Pacific Ocean) - Dr. Sofia Laurein continued her talks with The History and Mystery of the Mayan Civilization.

27) About ten million people comprised the Mayan civilization.

28) They worshiped the "Corn God," valued beauty, and so elongated their skulls to replicate the shape of an ear of corn. They considered crossed eyes, pointed teeth (filed theirs), and facial scarring (scarification) as signs of beauty.

Sans anesthesia and antibiotics, I felt glad that I wasn't born into their culture!

29) Mayan language is still prevalent in parts of Mexico today.

30) Their calendar, with a 365.42-day year, was more accurate than our Gregorian calendar, which requires an additional leap-day every four years. And, they created theirs 700 years earlier! (Why are we using the Gregorian version?)

31) Their calendar included a "long count," which ended 2021 CE. (That date WAS NOT a prophecy of doom or meant to signify the end of time, only a long-count reset, AND they weren't around to begin a new cycle!)

32) They produced rubber (for the balls used in their "soccer" games) and chocolate (unsweetened and for religious purposes only).

33) They did not use the wheel, though NOT because they were stupid. They simply didn't have a beast of burden. As a result, they built their temples, etc, with stones small enough to be carried by hand.

34) During a "Port Talk," we learned that a beach at Golfito has the 2nd longest left-handed waves in the world. (Go get 'em, surfers!)

Saturday, Dec 6 (Golfito, Costa Rica) - Janet and I walked about two miles in the warm, humid air before relenting and hiring a taxi to take us to the "duty free" shopping area. There, we observed locals busy purchasing electrical appliances and alcohol, primarily. To a lesser degree, they shopped for clothing and auto tires, which were offered side-by-side within the same store!

(One of those self-explanatory signs!)

Once Janet and I returned to the ship, we headed to the Observation Lounge for cocktails. There, we learned about a scheduled tour of the ship's bridge, and requested an impromptu inclusion. The staff coordinating the tour allowed us to join, and I joked, "It's like when you open a door and two flies come in."

I'm pointing the way

following a passenger mutiny?

Sunday, Dec 7 (Puntarenas, Costa Rica)(aka Puerto Caldera) - Other than wander through town on our way to the lighthouse, Janet and I didn't discover anything that overwhelmed us, so we re-boarded the ship, having gone on a 5 (five) mile walk, according to Janet's iPhone. (I suspected it was lying to us, though the distance did seem a far piece to the lighthouse in the warm sun and humid air.)

El Faro de Puntarenas

(Puntarenas Lighthouse).

Monday, Dec 8 (At sea) - "Dennis" Wille lectured on Quetzalcoatl and Quetzal: A Biocultural Journey Through Time.

35) Of the several species of Quetzals (birds), the Resplendent Quetzal is Guatemala's national bird. Having long, colorful tail feathers, the Resplendent was prized by the Mayans.

36) Birds are classified according to toe position (number of toes facing front vs number facing back.) Toe position determines how well and whether a bird can grasp a branch, for instance.

37) The "Oilbird" (Steatornis caripensis, AKA guácharo) is the only bird that uses ecolocation. (Of course, bats ecolocate, but they're mammals.)

Tuesday, Dec 9 (Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala) - As there is no town at the dock, Janet and I splurged, and joined an excursion to the Mayan ruins of Iximche, the Mayan capital 1470-1524 CE.

We enjoyed an enlightening tour of the ruins (where the royals/leaders lived), learned about the Mayan calendar (which I admit is complex and difficult to remember), their version of soccer, temple construction, and then we observed several spiritual rituals in progress.

Our guide explaining

the Mayan calendar.

A ceremonial alter for initiating

boys into manhood (foreground).

(Note: the stones are small enough

for one person to carry.)

A ritual at Iximche.

A shaman conducting a second ritual.

38) We learned that Iximche's "commoners" lived in Tecpán, the ruin's nearby town.

A busy street in Tecpán.

Mid-day rush?

39) In addition, we learned about "Chicken Buses," rebuilt used US school buses (given larger engines, and with reinforced suspension and roofs). They've gotten that name because locals carry live chickens in their laps when returning home from the market. I spotted a number of them, each uniquely, and colorfully, decorated. (The buses, not the chickens!

A "Chicken Bus."

Wednesday, Dec 10 (Puerto Chiapas, Mexico) - Since Janet and I had not booked a shore excursion here, we explored the small tourist facilities at the dock, and soon returned to the ship, awaiting caviar and cocktails served during our sail-away. I spotted a kettle of vultures, looking for a meal, too, no doubt.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/d01739_6a8153d263234d65ae1fd0e32681d52a/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

A kettle of vultures.

Thursday, Dec 11 (Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico) - Janet and I walked about three miles, exploring the nearby tourist shops and a beach area.

(Another colorful

self-explanatory sign.)

After we'd sailed from port, I spotted one of a number of stunning sunsets that I saw during our cruise.

A Pacific Ocean sunset.

Friday, Dec 12 (At sea) - "Dennis" Wille lectured on Spirits and Seeds: The Natural History of Bats, Agave, and Chocolate.

40) Of the 6.4-thousand species of mammals, 1.4-thousand are bats, though only three bat species eat blood. (Why all the freak out?)

Dr. Sofia Laurein presented The Aztec Empire: The Spellbinding Story of a Lost Kingdom.

41) Originally nomadic, the Aztecs founded their first city in 1325 CE at Texcoco Lake, destined to become modern day Mexico City.

42) Perhaps, they created the first universal educational system, though the elite learned higher skills, such as reading and writing, while the lesser-class commoners learned "trade" skills, such as farming irrigation.

Saturday, Dec 13 (At sea) - Marisa Lino, former US Ambassador, talked about Life as a US Diplomat—Schmoozing and Ducking.

43) The first US diplomat was Ben Franklin, 1776-1785, when he worked to get France to support the colonies against the British.

44) She told us that Albania is the most pro-American country in the world. (I wouldn't have guessed!)

"Dennis" Wille shared about Wings Over the Ocean: Seabirds of the Equatorial North.

45) The term "seagull" is a misnomer, the correct name is Western Gull.

46) Arctic Terns migrate 20K miles to live in an "endless summer."

47) Some birds achieve long-term sustained flight with UBS, unihemispheric brain sleep, aka USWS. (Some reptiles and aquatic mammals also possess UBS capability.)

Sunday, Dec 14 (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico) - Janet and I joined an excursion to San Jose del Cabo, some 46 miles away. We wandered along several streets close to the main square.

(Do I need to say where?)

We happened upon this mermaid, which enticed us into the artist's shop's courtyard. He specializes in welded sculptures, made from various metal scrap, such as washers, bolts, sprockets, and chains. (See for yourself.)

Mermaid at the shop's

courtyard entrance.

Several more metal sculptures

(monkeys in a tree and

female human face).

BTW, you can purchase the human face sculpture for less than $25K! Returned to our ship, I got a good photo of Cabo's iconic arch.

Said iconic arch, El Arco.

After we left Cabo on our northward leg to Long Beach, I spied a pod of porpoises that had set a rendezvous course to reach us, and I watched as our ship slowly pulled away from them.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/d01739_c8c4d7e812704b5b820657625e02ed8c/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Porpoises at play in our ship's wake.

And around that same time, I witnessed another ocean sunset.

Yet another fantastic ocean sunset.

(Note: Image unaltered.)

Monday, Dec 15 (At sea) - Jill Dougherty presented Explaining Russia. She provided background information on the lead up to Putin's reign and his drive to reassert Russian power in the world, describing him as a chameleon.

Tuesday, Dec 16 (At sea) - Dr. Sofia Laurein lectured on The Mysteries of Most Enchanting and Intriguing Works of Art.

48) As per fashion of the 15th century, women were depicted as pregnant.

49) Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper is filled with "hidden" symbols, such as bread on the table represents musical notes from Mozart's "Requiem."

50) Peter Bruegel's (the Elder) painting The Dutch Proverbs contains references to 112 (one hundred twelve) proverbs.

Marisa Lino provided ten basic tips on International Negotiations: Lessons for Real Life. Among those e.g. know your bottom line, be prepared to walk away (if necessary) and negotiating isn't a zero sum game (not about one side "winning").

Alas, our cruise ended in Long Beach. My trip take-away? I've come to believe that every sunset at sea, alas anywhere, is worth witnessing, if for no other reason than to appreciate being alive. (It's a spiritual experience for me!) Oh ... and you need to request the caviar (of life)!

May you enjoy all your sunsets, and walk in beauty.