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.

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.

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.

A Road Obstacle Spoils Completion (PCT)

Bottom line: The best laid plans often go astray.

Sunset near Quincy, CA.

Mark R. (once again using the moniker of Wrong-way) and I made a last minute alteration to our hike plan (the section from Horseshoe Meadow to Bishop Pass). Instead, we opted for a stretch of trail in lower elevation, and thus, with less chance of inclement weather, vis-à-vis snow. Wrong-way liked the section between Sierra City, CA (mm 1196.6) and Chester, CA (mm 1332.3).

Note: Though, we opted to hike northbound (NOBO) some days, and southbound (SOBO) some days, I provide the northbound mile-marker designations for consistency, since we're headed northward overall anyway.

And, as per our two-vehicle availability, we anticipated moving our cars as necessary to maximize our one-day hikes, decrease the number of overnights on the trail ... and thus carry less weight (tent, sleeping bags, water, warm weather clothing and food). In addition, we'd have the option to hike northbound or southbound, depending which direction we considered the most advantageous for each section between our positioned vehicles at road junctions (increasing or decreasing elevation, for example). What a plan! Thru-hikers can't do that! Prim8 was all in on the idea, of course.

10/20/25, Monday (Day 0) - Wrong-way and I rendezvoused in Chester, a drive of some 538 miles for me, for an overnight stay there prior to starting our segment hiking. My drive went smoothly and the fall colors of deciduous trees near Lassen National Park were stunning, which helped offset the depressing and seemingly endless burned, blackened pines.

10/21/25, Tuesday (Day 1) - Frost coated my car's windshield in Chester as Wrong-way and Prim8 anticipated beginning our first day's segment hike.

My car positioned at Highway 36/PCT junction (mm 1332.3), we then drove to Humboldt Summit parking area (mm 1312.8) in Wrong-way's car.

Starting our hike at 8:30AM under a cloudless sky and temperature of 36 degrees F, I anticipated feeling chilled as we headed NOBO (northbound), though soon warmed up as per usual from the exertion of hiking.

To my surprise, we came upon the PCT "Halfway Monument" (mm 1320.7). (Due to yearly reroutes, however, the actual halfway point is now estimated to be closer to mile 1325.1.) Though, Wrong-way and I had skipped a considerable section of the PCT from Horseshoe Meadow to here, we nevertheless commemorated our arrival. After all, we fully expected to hike every mile of the trail at some time, regardless.

Prim8 points NOBO from

the PCT Halfway Marker.

I spotted a sticker inside the registration box at the Halfway Monument, and pointed it out to Wrong-way. We both chuckled.

"I go through this every day," I joked to Wrong-way. Prim8 knew exactly what I meant.

Sticker on the registration box

at the PCT Halfway Monument.

Several miles on, we passed two men engaged in trail maintenance. One informed us that the Dixie Fire had consumed about 980,000 acres in 2021. Note: I've since researched that fire and learned it burned for two months, reached a final size of 963,309 acres (that's 1,505 square miles!) and was the second-largest single wildfire in California history at the time.

Wrong-way (Mark) pauses

on the trail. (Note: We were to

see many burned pine trees.)

A view of burned pine forest with

Mt. Lassen (background, near centered).

A better view of Mt.

Lassen from the trail.

Further evidence of a fire.

Evidence of forest regeneration.

We camped near Soldier Creek at mm 1325.4, some 12.6 miles from our start. Then, we munched on cold, dry food. No cooking on the trail for us! We avoided schlepping cooking gear, stove and fuel on the trail. Why carry the weight?

10/22/25, Wednesday (Day 2) - The temperature a bit warmer, and with no frost present at 8:11AM, we continued NOBO in light wind through the remnant of burned pine forest.

I noticed a familiar pain aside the heel of my left foot as we hiked. Sure enough, when I checked later, I discovered a blister.

Dang it, Prim8! I won't forget to grease my feet again.

Once at Highway 36 junction (mm 1332.3), we drove to Belden Town to drop my car, then headed to Humboldt Summit parking area in Wrong-way's RAV4.

10/23/25, Thursday (Day 3) - Under clear sky and in a light, but chilling breeze, we left our car camp at Humboldt Summit at 7:30AM, heading SOBO. Before we started, however, I'd applied a pad to my foot's blistered area, then smeared an ample amount of Vaseline to both feet. (And which I would continue to do daily.)

That should fix it, Prim8.

Low growing brush, from one to one-and-a-half feet high, crowded the trail for several long stretches.

No place to be wearing short pants, Prim8!

At ~mm 1300, a sign informed us of the transition boundary from the Cascade Mountain Range to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Soon after, I concluded the trail condition had worsened when the rounded, smaller pumice stones disappeared, replaced by irregular, jagged ones of various composition that created a greater tripping hazard!

At 6PM, as nightfall approached, and unable to find a nearby designated trail campsite, we discovered a level area aside the trail, large enough for the footprint of Wrong-way's two-man tent (~mm 1296.6?).

Can you spot our

makeshift campsite?

(BTW, we left no discernible

traces of our presence.)

10/24/25, Friday (Day 4) - Breaking camp, we continued SOBO at 7:51AM. Prim8 complained constantly about knee pain as we hiked this 8.6-mile rocky stretch descending nearly 2,600 feet in elevation, though not at a steady grade. Slowed by the agony of painful knees (mine), we arrived at my car in Belden Town (mm 1288.0) at 1:30PM.

Wrong-way prepares to peruse the

"dubious luxuries" at the Belden

Town Resort Lodge.

After retrieving Mark's car, we discussed various options, revised our plan, then drove both vehicles to a hotel in Chester.

Blame it on age, or poor physical conditioning ... and though I had thoughts of becoming a wuss ... I put up no fuss when Wrong-way had suggested this option. I preferred to blame it on my painful knees! Prim8 wasn't complaining, that's for sure.

10/25/25, Saturday (Day 5) - During an intermittent light rain in Chester, we enjoyed a cooked breakfast at Cravings Restaurant. Sated for the moment, we prepositioned my car at Bucks Lake Road junction (mm 1269.1), then drove Wrong-way's vehicle to Big Creek Road junction (mm 1264.7).

Dressed for rain, our 4.6-mile trek to my car proceeded in relatively dry conditions, though the sky broke open just as we finished our hike.

Great timing, Prim8! "Just in time," I joked with Wrong-way.

We retrieved Mark's RAV4, and made a beeline for the Old Sierra City Hotel, where we secured a room.

Prim8 embraces the Old

Sierra City Hotel as

"Home, Sweet Home."

Restroom sign at Old Sierra

City Hotel, least anyone get

confused.

Wrong-way and I sauntered down the double-lane main street (the only street there that I could discern) to Sorracco's Saloon, less than a hundred yards distance. With a considerable selection of beer and liquor from which to choose, we sampled some of Ron's wares, as we chatted with him and other fellow imbibers.

My selection of a "Kentucky Tangerine Cream" beer hit the spot. Very tasty it was, and Prim8 loved it! That encouraged me to imbibe with a shot of Mary Dowling bourbon ... though I'm not a connoisseur by any means, I just like to experience different things. Wrong-way stuck with beer.

Returned to the Old Sierra City Hotel, we had dinner, then hunkered in for the night.

10/26/25, Sunday (Day 6) - Rain continued throughout the day. (Would've been a misery for us to hike). Anticipating the weather's improvement, we'd positioned Wrong-way's car at a campground (mm 1221) near "A Tree spring". (I kid you not about that name.) One rough patch on the road nearly stymied us altogether, when I had difficulty getting traction over an formation of rock. Persevering, however, I maneuvered my car to the planned trail/campground junction. Then, leaving Wrong-way's car there and on our way out in my car, Wrong-way strategically re-positioned a few rocks, which helped reduce the severity of the said obstacle, and thus, potential damage to my vehicle.

We returned to the Old Sierra City Hotel for another night's stay.

10/27/25, Monday (Day 7) - The rain moved on, and the sky was cloudless, though the roads remained wet and a thin layer of snow covered the ground in scattered patches. In my car, we drove to a jeep road/trail junction (~mm 1208), which Wrong-way referred to as "Packer Lake", though that name didn't appear on the Halfmile PCT notes.

I wrapped my soar, left knee with a stretchy bandage, and we started our hike SOBO about 9:25AM in a temperature of 37 degrees F. An intermittent light breeze kept us cool. Small amounts of snow lay spread across the terrain and on the trail, clearly recording evidence of bear presence, as our day's hike segment ranged above seven-thousand feet.

Evidence of bears in the vicinity.

When we completed our day's hike in Sierra City, Wrong-way and I opted to stay at the Old Sierra City Hotel ... again!

Are we turning into wimps? I wondered. Prim8 liked the idea, however. I concluded that the stretchy bandage worked to reduce my left knee pain, and that hiking uphill might better suit my body.

10/28/25, Tuesday (Day 8) - Up at 6AM, we drove to mm 1208 (Packer Lake), then started our SOBO hike toward Sierra City (mm 1196.6) at 7:10AM in the 33-degree temperature. Initially, needle ice on the trail crunched under our feet, though disappeared as the sun warmed the air.

The trail gained elevation, as we circumnavigated the Sierra Buttes, then crossed the rock breakdown below the buttes.

Worried about tripping, resulting in a face plant, Prim8 thoroughly disliked this section ... and I agreed.

Segment of PCT which

I named "the slag heap".

"That was a real slag heap," I commented to Wrong-way afterwards.

Once at Wrong-way's RAV4 near Sierra City, we attempted to reposition it to the South Fork Feather River/trail junction (mm 1236.5). However, over-grown brush created a ever-narrowing corridor along the unmaintained road, before a fallen tree blocked our path altogether.

"Close, but no cigar," I said to Wrong-way.

He backed his car through the embracing brush about one-hundred feet before reaching a suitable spot where he could turn around.

At dusk, we car-camped at a road/trail junction (mm 1236.5).

10/29/25, Wednesday (Day 9) - We left Wrong-way's vehicle at 7:40AM, hiking NOBO under clear sky. Despite the cool temperature in the shade, I sweat profusely. We encountered fallen trees, necessitating a clamber over or an off-trail diversion around.

Prim8 whined about my tired, aching feet. I commiserated.

We crossed the steel bridge over the Middle Fork Feather River (mm1250.9).

Prim8 pauses for a better look.

Continuing onward, we passed what I considered a wizened tree.

Fungus on a burned pine.

(Wizened? Judge for yourself.)

At our day's hike of 16.2 miles, we arrived at a trail campsite (mm 1252.7).

10/30/25, Thursday (Day 10) - I'd had a long, miserable night as my legs ached. However, I forced myself up for a 7:20AM start, despite Prim8's protests.

We snacked on cold food, and soldiered on, pausing at Big Bear Creek footbridge crossing to replenish our water supply. When we looked closely, we identified the culprits gathered on the sign.

Lady bugs gathered on the

sign and surrounding debris.

We encountered numerous fallen trees blocking the trail, which slowed our progress, though we completed our day's 12.5-mile segment to an unpaved road junction (mm 1252.7) at 3:45PM.

We attempted to reach mm 1221 in Wrong-way's vehicle via a different route than previously, though were thwarted. We then drove to my car at Bucks Summit, changed plan, again, then drove both vehicles to Three Lakes Campground, 18.8 miles away.

Observing the CLOSED FOR THE SEASON sign and locked gate blocking the campground road, Wrong-way said, "I'm out of ideas. Got any suggestions?"

Stunned, I didn't know what to say, but before I could, he added, "We could drive back to Quincy and get a hotel room."

Exacerbated, I yelled, "F@*%!", realizing that our plan was stymied. Then I added, "Let's find a flat spot here somewhere. No one else will be coming here tonight."

And so, we found a suitable spot to set up Wrong-way's tent, and I told myself that tomorrow would bring a fresh perspective.

10/31/25, Friday (Day 11) - Frost covered everything when we arose. We packed up, drove both cars to Bucks Summit, where I dropped mine. Then, we drove toward Three Lakes/PCT junction (mm 1280.1) in Wrong-way's car. The "four-wheel drive" road to our trailhead connection grew too rough for Wrong-way's vehicle, per his assessment, however, so we parked about one mile short of the Three Lakes trailhead, adding that to our day's NOBO hiking distance (about two miles total). We departed his RAV4 at 10:27AM and reached the PCT junction (mm 1280.1) at 1:30PM. With a temperature of around 47 degrees, and few wispy clouds high above, we remained relatively cool, though my sweat was profuse, as we passed through another section of burned pine forest, which provided little shade.

5PM, we reached my car at Bucks Summit road (mm1269.1).

As I drove us to Belden Town in preparation for our last segment hike of this trip, I told Wrong-way, "I'm bummed about not doing the segment from Feather River to 1221." Prim8 was happy to forego hiking that segment, though.

"I am, too," Wrong-way said.

Wrong-way and I opted for another hotel-stay, this time at the Belden Town Resort & Lodge.

Prim8 was quite content about this, too ... and frankly, so was I! We both desired a break from the aches and pains of knees, calves and feet, which seemed relentless, though varied from day to day.

That evening, Wrong-way and I occupied stools at the resort's bar for drinks and dinner, and in addition, we purchased breakfast burritos for the following morning.

11/1/25, Saturday (Day 12) - Up before sunrise (5:30AM), we consumed our burritos, left the room, and began our hike at the light of dawn.

From Belden Town/PCT junction (mm 1288.0), we faced a SOBO 7.9-mile hike with an elevation differential of 4,013 feet (lowest to highest points) to Three Lakes Summit Trail junction (mm 1280.1). (This segment from mm1267.8 to mm1272.3 gained 3,210 feet!) Though, I knew the "uphill" direction would be fatiguing, I figured that would be more tolerable than the stress upon my knees (resulting in pain) of hiking downhill.

We attained the highpoint along the tail at 11:55AM, awe inspired by the views of the surrounding, rugged terrain.

Feather River canyon near Belden.

(Note: Taken from our day's

hike highpoint.)

We reached the PCT/Three Lakes Trail junction (mm 1280.1) at 12:30PM, officially ending our PCT hiking. However, another 2 miles to Wrong-way's car faced us, which seemed interminable.

Pressed to return home by Monday, Nov 2, Wrong-way mentioned returning at a later date to hike the segment between mm 1221 (near A Tree spring) and the South Fork Feather River junction (mm 1236.5), which he considered an overnight hike.

I admit that 15.5-mile segment (with an elevation loss of 4,200 feet, with a lowpoint near Duck Soup Pond, then a gain of the same elevation to finish, regardless which direction hiked) would be daunting. And, presently, I didn't have the oomph for that.

Once we arrived at my car in Belden Town, Wrong-way and I resorted our respective gear. I removed my Hoka hiking boots. Wrong-way and I bide farewell before starting our respective drives home.

Our final tally: We hiked the PCT, some NOBO and some SOBO, from mm 1196.6 to mm 1221 and mm 1236.5 to mm 1332.3 for a total of 120.2 miles. And we'll return at some point to complete the segment between mm 1221 and mm 1236.5 (15.5 miles).

Prim8 removes his Hoka hiking

boots. (For the last time?)

I opted to head home straightaway and arrived about midnight, relieved that my body could recuperate.

After examining my Hoka's at home, I decided to retire them. I calculated that they'd carried me 353.5 miles on the PCT. I'll probably purchase a pair of their clones, later.

My trusty Hoka hiking boots.

Walk in beauty.

A Few “Lesser Known and Obscure” Facts I Learned While Sailing Across the North Atlantic

Bottom line: Travel feeds your soul, if you let it!

Janet and I pose with Kujalleq

Glacier (left) in Prince Christian

Sound, Greenland.

Janet and I recently transited the North Atlantic on a 35-day round-trip "Voyage of the Vikings" ocean cruise, visiting a number of countries along the way. Though the northern climate is notoriously cold, even during summer, we bundled up when on deck or on land. Despite that, the weather was pleasant on a number of days.

Saturday, 7/18 (Boston) – We boarded the Holland America Zuiderdam and sailed away from Boston, along with about 1,800 other passengers.

During the first day of our journey, Janet and I settled into a somewhat evenly paced routine of over-eating at every meal, over-indulging in drinking, and attending available lectures. Daily lecturers and port talks while at sea provided cultural enrichment on varied topics. (I've introduced interesting tidbits in this blog, which are numbered and sprinkled throughout.)

Sunday, 7/19 (Portland, Maine) – Janet and I walked about town on our own. We toured a brown-stone Victorian mansion, called "Victorian Mansion"!

Side view of Victoria

Mansion in Portland, Maine.

The Parlor, I think it's called.

Then, we enjoyed a lobster roll before reboarding the ship!

I'm enjoying a lobster roll at

an outdoor harbor restaurant.

Monday, 7/21 (At Sea) – As is necessary in the North Atlantic, we sailed through fog periodically.

Tuesday, 7/22 (Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada) – Janet and I meandered about town. Following a brief rain with a chilly breeze, the sky cleared.

1) Did you know that Nova Scotia is Latin for New Scotland?

We toured the Jost Heritage House Museum. Constructed in 1767, it's one of the oldest structures in town and served as a residence, general store and apothecary shop.

Janet talks with two

docents after our tour.

The Big Fiddle at

Sydney's cruise ship docks.

Wednesday, 7/23 (Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada) – We visited the Railway Society Historic Train site. (Eat your heart out, Sheldon Cooper!) In the town center, we consumed local beer, and toured the Corner Brook Museum and Archives. Along the way, we spotted a local coffee shop with a whimsical name. (I always appreciate a good sense of humor!)

A coffee shop on

the main drag.

2) Fiddlehead Ferns, a fresh food source in the spring, are edible when the shoots are first developing, and are usually fried lightly in oil. (I inquired about their availability on several occasions while in various ports, but learned the season had passed.)

3) The Canadian dollar (coin) is known as a "loonie," for the bird on the backside. The two dollar coin is called a "toonie."

Thursday, 7/24 (Red Bay, Labrador, Canada) – We rode a water taxi across the bay to hike Tracey Hill Trail.

Notorious small black flies, likely outnumber the fishing village population of 142! I can't attest to that, however, since the low temperature that day encouraged the flies to stay home. A local told us that the flies don't bite. Instead, they provide an enthusiastic welcome by swarming about.

Janet, dressed to stay

warm and thwart black flies.

(Red Bay in background)

4) Back in the village, we visited the Right Whale Museum. Right whales were given that name from Basque/Spanish whalers, because they were the "right" whale to hunt, ie. easy to kill, as they were slow moving and floated once dead. And now, as you might expect, they're an endangered species. In the 1500s CE, they were plentiful in Labrador's waters, however.

5) Clarence Birdseye was inspired to create Birds Eye "flash frozen" veggies as a result of the COLD temperatures he experienced in Labrador.

6) The San Juan, a basque whaling ship, sank in 1565 CE near Red Bay. The wreck was rediscovered in 1978 largely intact. Once recovered and examined, it was re-submerged as a preservation strategy. (The cold, oxygen-poor water creates a near sterile environment!)

Friday, 7/25 (At Sea) – Once again, we passed through areas of fog, usually accompanied by smooth sea. Newfoundland and Labrador are "home of Iceberg Alley". I looked for icebergs occasionally, and saw some from miles away.

Iceberg in the Labrador Sea.

Saturday, 7/26 (Paamiut, Greenland) – Settled about 1500 BC, with a current population of 1,500, this village is known for it's colorful houses. Janet and I walked about, and scaled the prominent viewpoint.

Panorama of Paamiut, Greenland.

Our ship, Zuiderdam, from Paamiut's

highest viewpoint. (Note the rock,

rubbed smooth by glaciation, and

kept barren by cold climate and

lack of top soil.)

7) The bedrock of Paamiut is part of the Archaean craton, a Precambrian shield of some of the oldest rocks on Earth. I was struck by the look of the treeless, barren landscape. (And they felt old to me!)

Sunday, 7/27 (Nanortalik, Greenland) – Janet and I walked around the town, though most everything was closed. We surmised that the population of 1,070 didn't think it necessary to welcome us tourists.

8) In the past, the color of a building designated the occupants' function (job), though that holds less true today ... likely.

Panorama of Nanortalik.

Fishing is the locals' sustainable occupation, and whale hunting remains an important activity. Whale blubber provides a useful, and helpful, supplementation to their diet, particularly in winter (about eight months per year).

9) A local informed us that whale blubber causes the body to heat up, which is welcomed in cold weather, while in warm weather causes sweating.

10) Whales are hunted during the winter, and residents, in at least some villages, receive a text message alerting them that a whale has been killed, so that they can share in the harvest.

11) Narwhals, which can live up to 150 years, are veritable unicorns of the sea, have one tusk (widely known), and are otherwise toothless (not so widely known). Occasionally, however, a male will have two tusks. In the Norse language, Narwhal means "corpse swell"!

12) Cod (fish) swim with their mouths open. As omnivores, they scoop up whatever, and are likened to "aquatic Homer Simpsons" (not very bright)! They are a vulnerable species today.

13) Vikings visited, and had temporary settlements, on the North American mainland (Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada) in the 1100s, as per two sagas of "Erik the Red" and "Greenlanders." (That was 500 years before Columbus discovered the Caribbean Islands, the West Indies). As well, Christopher didn't see nor set foot on the mainland!) "Erik the Red" helped settle Greenland and "Leif the Lucky" Erikson (meaning son of Erik) helped settle Labrador (at least temporarily). The Vikings' furthest reach was into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Relics from ruins, dating 1021 CE (Leif Erickson's time), were found in Newfoundland. So, Erik the Red would've been the first European living in Greenland, and thus on the North American continent.

14) Vikings (Norse) knew how to work with iron, as evidenced by the discovery of slag heaps. Their favorite weapons were axes, and their "hardened" iron was much stronger than other European weapons made of brittle "bog iron". (Hardly an even match!)

The captain moved our ship away from the town's dock (Nanortalik) early that evening and anchored us in a more protected wind shadow to avoid swells/waves from strong winds. The ship shuddered throughout the night as side-thrusters worked to maintain an optimal heading. (Wouldn't do to have the ship swing broadside in strong winds, even when at anchor.)

Monday, 7/28 (At Sea, Prince Christian Sound, Greenland) – On an easterly course, we transited the sound, stopping to view the iconic Kujalleq Glacier on the way.

Cruising the Prince Christian

Sound, Greenland.

15) Though 80% (eighty) of Greenland is ice/snow covered, "Erik the Red" pulled a marketing con-job by promoting it as "Greenland", presumably doing so in order to attract settlers.

Tuesday, 7/29 (At Sea) – We continued sailing eastward toward Iceland, while Janet and I consumed food and drink to our hearts' content.

Wednesday, 7/30 (Isafjordur, Iceland) – Janet and I explored the town (which wraps around a small harbor) on foot, admired the houses and buildings, climbed to the "Observation Deck", a high point providing a great overview, then visited the Isafjordur Culture House on our way back to the ship.

Panoramic view of Isafjordur

as our cruise ship departs.

16) The Vikings were in Iceland in the 10th and 11th centuries CE. (And the western portion of Iceland rides on the North American tectonic plate! Another argument that they were the first Europeans in North America.)

17) Today's Icelanders speak the same language as the old Norse-Vikings.

Thursday, 7/31 (Akureyri, Iceland) – Janet and I joined a shore excursion through the town and to traditional turf houses. The residents are a friendly bunch as evidenced by their traffic signals.

A stop light in Akureyri, Iceland.

(Look closely for the heart-shaped

stop signal!)

They also have a sense of humor (whimsy) as evidenced by the woolen, knitted trashcan covers provided by one of the local women. (She creates the covers from scrap material with the hope that they will help prevent littering.)

An Akureyri troll waiting

to be fed trash!

18) Original/traditional farm houses were built into hillsides and covered with sod (turf) to maximize heat retention. Farmers sheltered their livestock indoors, though in separate spaces during harsh winter months.

A farm's turf house. (The left

two for people, the right three

for livestock/equipment, with

everything accessed inside,

eliminating exposure to winter

weather.)

Friday, 8/1 (At Sea) – The effects of sea swells on us was minimized as a result of the ship's stabilizers, and though I did observe the ocean conditions periodically, the ship's motions only occasionally drew my attention.

19) Polar bears are classified as marine mammals as they are excellent swimmers and hunt on ice flows (for seals mostly). Though their hair is predominately white (as camouflage, though it may be dirty and look dingy), they have black skin which helps reflect UV radiation.

20) Polar bears caught within the city limits of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada (polar bear capital of the world) are jailed for 30 days, in hopes that they will self-deport when released and never return!

21) The Arctic is the fastest warming region of the world.

22) The Icelandic Walrus is extinct. (For those of you keeping track.)

Saturday, 8/2 (At Sea, Denmark Strait) – As we'd sailed eastward, and set our clocks back, Janet and I experienced "boat lag", necessitating afternoon naps. (Just as tiring as "jet lag", though creeping up as we more slowly moved through time zones.)

23) The 8th-12th centuries CE are considered "the Viking era". Excellent ship builders, the Vikings constructed flexible boats suitable for ocean travel. Yet, with a shallow draft, their boats were suitable for river travel. As a result, the Vikings invaded many areas of Europe, aside from expanding across the North Atlantic and southward into the Mediterranean Sea. They explored (raided) the interior of Europe, reaching deep into Russia. They raided the Lindisfarne Priory, North Umberland, England in 793 CE, and conducted raids throughout France in the 9th and 10th centuries CE.

The extent of Viking

raids and settlements.

24) Popular notions of horns on Viking helmets are false! Their helmets were mostly made of leather or metal. (Each Viking was responsible for their own gear and weapons. Consider the disadvantages of a horned-helmet during hand-to-hand combat!)

25) A Viking's personal appearance equaled status. (As a result, many women in the British Isles preferred them over their local, more disheveled male counterparts! That explains, at least in part, why the genetic background of women in Iceland is predominately Irish.)

Sunday, 8/3 (Eidfjord, Norway) – Idyllic, this small town with a population of 916, invited exploration on foot.

Eidfjord, Norway

from our ship.

Janet and I signed up for a tour to Voringfossen (waterfall). Our originally scheduled tour guide/transportation didn't materialize, however, so we opted for "plan B", which turned out to be less expensive.

Panorama of Voringfossen

(waterfall) near Eidfjord,

Norway.

26) Norway's longest tunnel is 15.3 miles in length. (We traveled through one tunnel to and from the waterfall, though not nearly that long.)

27) Reindeer and lamb burgers are common cuisine. (Open to the idea, I didn't have opportunity to try any, however.)

Monday, 8/4 (At Sea) – We sailed onward, towards Rotterdam, Netherlands. On the occasions when skies were clear and I was looking, the sunsets created gorgeous spectacles.

Sunset in the North Sea,

off Norway.

Tuesday, 8/5 (Rotterdam, Netherlands) – Though quite windy, and with the sky partly cloudy, Janet and I strolled around a small area of Europe's largest sea port, founded in1270 CE and with a current population of 655K. Broad streets and wide canals in this relatively modern city (as many of the older buildings were heavily damaged during WWII), transform walking around into a challenging hike. We walked through Museum Park, then visited the Natural History Museum located there. Before re-boarding our ship, we joined a local canal tour.

A view of central portion

of Rotterdam from it's

main canal. (Note our

cruise ship.)

During our harbor tour, I spotted a most unusual structure. Though I can't identify it's purpose, I surmised it's an oil drilling platform or lays pipeline on the seabed. Regardless, I admired it's structural complexity, which, for me, is elegant. (My engineering, left-brain intrigued.)

Oil drilling platform ...

or deep-sea pipe layer?

Wednesday, 8/6 (At Sea, English Channel) – We sailed toward Ireland via England's southern tip.

28) An important American Civil War Naval battle occurred in Cherbourg Harbor, on the Normandy coast, France, between the CSS Alabama (commerce raider) and USS Kearsarge (sloop-of-war). The Alabama (tasked with disrupting Union shipping from Europe) was out-matched by the Kearsarge (tasked with hunting it down), and was sunk.

Though our days-at-sea generally passed without major excitement, we witnessed an evacuation. Despite the relatively calm sea, the winds were high, necessitating the pilot make multiple attempts to get into a hovering position for a safe transfer of the "patient" from the bow deck. Rumor spread that the victim was a passenger, though that turned out to be a crew member who'd suffered a heart attack. (Was in stable condition at the time of evacuation.)

Rescue chopper approaches.

Thursday, 8/7 (Dun Laoghaire, Ireland) – Janet and I prearranged a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, which necessitated a 20-min train ride into Dublin. After our tour, I spotted this unusual parking queue of hackneys.

Odd parking scheme

in Dublin!

29) We were informed that Dublin has over one-thousand pubs, though, aside from the Guinness Storehouse, I didn't have time to visit them all.

We did visit this

Dublin pub!

Friday, 8/8 (Greenock, Scotland) – Janet and I met two friends, who live nearby, and that we'd met on a previous cruise. Together, we took the local train in Glasgow for a day's outing.

Janet and I with

friends, Julie & David.

We walked a bit, passing the statue of the Duke of Wellington.

The Duke, adorned with

traffic cones. (A daily prank

courtesy of college students.)

Then, we caught a Ho-Ho bus (Hop On/Hop Off) to see more of the city. We hopped off to have a fantastic lunch, then hopped on again to visit the Museum of Transport. Afterward, we retraced our route to Greenock, then said our goodbyes.

30) The term "Scot free" comes from the lack of a conviction during trial, when "we know you're guilty, but it wasn't proven."

Our ship recrossed the Irish Sea that evening, heading for Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Saturday, 8/9 (Belfast, N. Ireland) – Janet and I joined a "shore excursion" to the Ard Peninsula. The weather was near perfect. Our tour stopped for a pub drink in Bangor, then we toured the Grey Abbey, founded 1193 CE. At the abbey, we learned about the monks' lives.

Grey Abbey docent in a

traditional monk robe.

31) The abbeys were known by the color of their monks' robes. Hood up meant that the monk wasn't talking! Irish monks grew and used herbs and, as a result in part, lived longer than the general population.

32) Roman soldiers carried small pouches of fennel, a mild stimulant, which helped them stave off hunger when marching.

33) Rabbits were introduced to Ireland by the Normans in the 1100s CE. (In case you were wondering.)

Sunday, 8/10 (At Sea) – Occasionally, we sailed through rougher seas, though their effects on the passengers were dampened by ships' stabilizers.

Monday, 8/11 (Djupivogur, Iceland) – Janet and I walked around the town (population of 350), visiting a number of beautiful spots. Along the way we stopped for a singing demonstration inside in an empty fish-liver oil tank.

Acoustics

inside the tank.

34) Icelanders suffer from "sun anxiety," focusing on utilizing sunny days to the greatest degree.

35) The Arctic fox is the only indigenous mammal in Iceland. (In case you've wondered!)

36) Beer was illegal in Iceland before 1989! (As a result of clamor to self-medicate "sun anxiety"?)

37) The term "Killer Whales" comes the Basque, who referred to them as "killer of whales". And the Latin name, Orcinus orca, means "large pod coming from hell". However, they are not whales, instead they are the largest dolphin! Sometimes, killer whales will courteously offer up food to people. (For people monitoring their diets, take caution when consuming whale blubber, as it can contain unsafe levels of pollutants!)

Tuesday, 8/12 (Reykjavik, Iceland) – Janet and I took the Ho-Ho bus tour around town, then returned to our ship.

38) Reykjavik (meaning smokey day from volcanic activity) is the most northern capital city in the world.

Wednesday, 8/13 (Reykjavik, Iceland) – On foot, we visited the Harpa Concert Hall.

A Reykjavik troll.

Then, we visited the National Museum, admiring the houses and buildings, and along the way passing by The Pond (city park).

The Pond in Reykjavik,

Iceland.

I saw this sign while at the National Museum. (Some things you just need to know!)

(Self explanatory?!)

That evening a local band performed on board the ship. (They refer to themselves as "Icelandicbandname"on their website. Their name, in Icelandic, contains one letter not in the English alphabet, is difficult to pronounce for English speakers, and as they said, "You wouldn't remember it anyway.")

"Icelandicbandname"

performs a cappella.

And, yes ... a dog does bark in the background! (Someone had a support pooch on board.)

Thursday, 8/14 (Grundarfjordur, Iceland) – Janet and I joined a shore excursion around the western tip of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and National Park. We visited a black sand beach, site of a shipwreck, the iconic black-painted church, and enjoyed lunch in Arnarstapi before returning to the ship.

Kirjufellfoss (waterfall)

with Kirkjufellfoss

(Arrowhead Mountain).

Arnarstapi turf house

become restaurant.

Friday, 8/15 (At Sea, Denmark Strait) – We sailed toward Prince Christian Sound, Greenland.

Iceberg(s) in the Denmark

Strait off Greenland.

39) Minus 69.6 degree C (sixty-nine-and-six-tenths) is the lowest temperature recorded on land!

40) Glaciers cover 10% (ten) of earth's landmass, and the sea level would rise 70 meters (approx. 210 feet), if all of them melted.

Another iceberg in the Denmark

Strait near Prince Christian

Sound, Greenland.

Saturday, 8/16 (At Sea, Prince Christian Sound, Greenland) – Our captain informed us of an itinerary change per effects of Hurricane Erin. After our port call in Greenland, we would divert from our St. John's port call, and instead head to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

41) The US Army had nuclear aspirations at Camp Century near Thule, Greenland in the 1950s. Constructed within the snow/ice, the camp was abandoned as a result of thawing/melting.

Sunday, 8/17 (Qaqortoq, Greenland) – Though clouds/fog hung low, and a chilly wind blew with a threat of rain looming, Janet and I walked about the town. Most shops were closed and few locals were to be seen.

A bird's eye view of

Qaqortoq, Greenland.

42) Qaqortoq means "white" in Icelandic. (I imagined it would look quite white during the winter!)

Monday and Tuesday, 8/18-8/19 (At Sea, Labrador Sea) – The captain estimated that we transited through sea swells of 2.5-3 meters (8.2-9.8 feet). Once again, the ship's stabilizers minimized the rocking motion.

Wednesday, 8/20 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) – Janet and I walked on our own, visiting the Halifax Public Gardens, stopped at the Peace By Chocolate store where we purchased several bars of their confection.

43) During WWI, a munitions ship exploded in the Halifax channel following a collision.

Thursday, 8/21 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) – Janet and I joined shore excursion to Peggy's Cove. Along the way we passed the children's hospital in Halifax, founded by Izaac Walton Killam. They refer to it as IWK Hospital, rather than Killam Hospital. (Think about it!)

A small portion of

idyllic Peggy's Cove.

Another small view

of Peggy's Cove.

Then, our tour took us to the mass grave of Titanic victims in Halifax.

44) Many of those recovered from the wreck site, 337, though not all, were interred in a mass grave there, simply because they couldn't be identified. (Since then, some have been identified by various means.)

Mass grave for

Titanic victims in Halifax.

After our tour, Janet and I walked the Halifax waterfront a second time, then stopped dockside at the Garrison Brewery for a cold one. Or in my case, a few, since I enjoyed a beer flight. (Had to!)

My beer flight at the Garrision

Brewery. (I liked the taste, and humor,

of the"Oh My Gourd" ale on the right,

which had a pumpkin/all-spice flavor.)

After we'd sailed away from Halifax, we were treated to another gorgeous sunset at sea.

Alpenglow of

a sunset at sea.

Friday, 8/22 (At Sea, Atlantic Ocean) – Our travel toward Boston was relatively smooth, as the captain has successfully skirted the worse of Hurricane Erin's effects, though it was miles away.

I attended a lecture regarding privateers during the American Revolution.

45) George Washington was a privateer (as opposed to pirate). Privateers operated with a Letter of Marque, which meant that they were sanctioned by a government to attack and raid only the "identified enemy", with a portion of the loot going to the sanctioning government. Whereas, pirates rob everybody. The loot from privateering was the only funding source to fight the American War of Independence. Privateers could be easily recruited with the inducement to get rich quick, and captured ships became privateer vessels.

46) Approximately 25K privateers died on British Prison ships in New York harbor, more than those who died in land battles.

47) Eye patches, a common pirate meme, derives from the strategy to maintain/preserve night vision for the covered eye, when vision would be needed instantly when going below deck (a dark environment) during battle. (Not worn due to loss of an eye!)

48) Ben Franklin was heavily engaged in providing Letters of Marque to European ships, particularly French, in hopes that the English would be threatened by potential war with France and give up the fight in America.

49) At the time of the Boston Tea Party, tea was as valuable as gold. As a result, people kept their tea in locked chests. The Tea Party dumped more than $2M of tea in today's value.

Saturday, 8/23 (Boston) – We disembarked the ship early, then toured a portion on the city by bus on our way to Logan airport. While at Quincy Market, we enjoyed a couple slices of pie (pizza) and beer.

Me posing with "The

Lobsta" at Quincy Market.

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

Enjoy your travels and walk in beauty.