EdtheCat sadly left Japan in May.
Since then we have flown countless miles and driven many more, sleeping on hundreds of sagging mattresses in hundreds of hotel rooms all across this fine country in search of a place to call home.
We kept coming back to the Columbia Gorge.
A bit of history: Back in 1803 Thomas Jefferson, president and revolutionary, bought a bunch of states from the French and sent the Martin and Lewis Expedition to explore them. The explorers suffered many trials and tribulations. Traveling with them was Pocahantas, who, like Jefferson, got her head on a coin, altho nobody used her coin.
We followed much of the same route as the Corps of Discovery on our epic trip across the country, suffering trials and tribulations Meriwether and Bill could never have imagined (they didn’t even have automobiles, how could they imagine the crazy number of bugs that could splash a windshield? )
A couple of quick thoughts: Spokane would not be a good choice of vacation destinations, sometime while we were gone all those drive-thru photo-developing sheds became drive-thru espresso sheds where the girl (who I can only assume is shackled in there) always gets the order wrong, the Columbia River Gorge starts out dry and dusty before getting green and lupine flowery.
The speed limit in Montana is 75mph. Which means the cruise control is set to 91. Route 2 across the top half of the state is long and straight. Which is probably why Lewis and Clark took it. Until the west end of the state when you bump into this- (click the thumbnail).
Something I’ve noticed about americans. They are large. Like evolving into a different species large.
Some guy noticed that people stopped to take pictures of a farmers haybale sculpture. Thus was born the Enchanted Highway.
And here’s me taking my life in my hands under “Fisherman’s Dream”. All around me lie fins and scales and other heavy sheets of steel blown off the sculpture.
Speed limits in ND are 75mph. North Dakota is fairly flat, rolling hills, farming and ranching. Until the very west end, where it turns to badlands.
A picture of old farm junk, the unibomber and me and the world’s largest bison.
Jamestown ND is the birthplace of Louis L’Amour.
Wisconsin and Minnesota kinda blend together. Both are flat. Both overflow with lilacs and huge farms. The horizon is hazy from planting-season dust. The air smells of fertilizer.
Illinois or Indiana, I get them confused.
Road sky.
Click thumbnail to enlarge.
Thoughts about air travel and culture shock-
Tokyo to Aukland, business class on New Zealand Air. Narita Airport security: take out the computer, make sure toothpaste, shampoo and other dangerous liquids are in a baggie (because liquids in a baggie are safer than just liquids), walk thru metal detector. No removing shoes or belt.
Narita business class lounge: clean and comfortable. Free booze and a wide assortment of soft drinks. Okay snacks. Free wi-fi and plenty of computers for use. My flight is announced over the PA.
NZ Air: Old plane, business class seats not that great, but food and service are wonderful. Turns out New Zealand wine is quite drinkable. Movies on demand.
Aukland to Christchurch; short flight not worth comment.
Christchurch to Sydney, Quantas Airline business class: short flight. Security is easy. No shoe or belt removal. Lounge is comfortable, flights are announced, wifi and food and booze available. The airplane is oldish, without seatback video, but a friendly stewardess supplies portable dvd player and a selection of DVDs. Food is good. Australian wine is also quite drinkable.
Sydney to LA, first class, Quantas Airline. Security: My first class ticket gets me priority treatment thru customs and security, take out computer, liquids in bag, walk though metal detector. Shoes and belt still on. First class lounge is huge and airy and comfortable, waiters bring me eggs florentine and fresh squeezed orange juice, free wi-fi, even Apple computers in the computer area. My flight is announced over the PA.
The plane is newer, full reclining seats, good food, service, movies on demand.
LA to Wash DC, first class, American Airlines. Security: stand in sweaty line for 20 minutes. Take out computer, liquids. Remove shoes and belt. Hold up pants and walk through metal detector. Find place to redress.
Lounge reminds me of time spent in a Nepali airport many years ago. Dirty carpets, shabby seats. My first class ticket gets me a free bottle of water. Available food is old coffee and tiny greasy muffins. Wifi requires payment. Flights are not announced in the lounge.
The plane is ancient. First class gets a free brunch of corned beef hash. Did not eat, but smells quite not good. The movie, on the tiny overhead screen, is Paul Blart; Mall Cop.
Okay, I only fly first class from now on. No more hanging with the hoi polloi. Of course, that means this will probably be my last airline flight…
Anyway, Sydney. Here’s me and the unibomber at Sydney harbour.
Here’s pictures of Hyde Park-
Here’s the Botanical Garden-
And two more-
