These evolving records of mostly travels have been an interesting exercise in memory and refreshment. Old stories pop up. Sometimes they're actually worth recalling in more detail and sharing. I keep these records for myself (and anyone interested), because our stories are the children of multiple memories and need all the help they can get. I share them because I learn more about where I've been and, more importantly, I learn about myself. I hope you enjoy the trips.
Always trip responsibly.
How we (Linny and I) travel, whether together or separately, became more self-conscious just at the point when we could briefly afford the "en suite" lodgings and a reserved train seat, but the consequences of travel are so mixed—they both enhance world awareness and contribute to the climate catastrophe that threatens the earth. Yet there are enormous benefits from greater awareness of other peoples and cultures. So we plan carefully and we ration our lives. I think that we're good visitors.
When we had no more than two weeks to travel at any one time (or even in any one year), which was most of our lives, we tried to see and do too much wherever we visited and it was almost always no more than a half day's drive away. We were young enough to handle the fatigue going to our destinations, but we began suffering at the backend when we got home. And one really can't see it all, so we learned to plan trips that were simpler, with downtime built in, and more serious preparation. Focus.
Studying is a multitude of possible trips on the way to at least one. That's finally gotten truly possible in retirement, but this is when a bit of slow-down-or-stop is welcome for all sorts of good reasons. In our 70s and 80s, when we can now take longer trips, they are not more expensive than those tightly scheduled shorter ones—often the opposite, and they're noticeably calmer. Immersion. Dispersion. And time to catch the next train if you're late for one (it helps considerably to be where there are trains; sadly, this won't work in North America).
Linny traveled when she was young. England, Denmark, France, Germany and the rest of Western Europe. My travels outside of North America are more recent. Only since meeting Linny in 1972. Other than barely setting foot in Mexico and a few trips to Vancouver, BC, I hadn't traveled outside of the United States until Linny's dad took his kids, granddaughters, and their attachments to France to celebrate his 80th birthday. I was hooked, but that was irrelevant. It took almost another decade to cross the Atlantic again. That trip lasted less than two weeks over New Year 1997 in England during the coldest year in their memory. It was all we could afford, even with LInny's mom's offer of help. It was fantastic. And I'd suddenly spent a total of four weeks in Europe. I loved thinking about what I learned from just those tiny tastes. I treated each as if it would be the last until I realized I probably won't know which one is last.
Meanwhile, I enjoy creating this travelogue because I would like to travel to these places again. My memories are enriched with each revisit and the story evolves. This is that cheap thrill of remembering—thus, reliving. And documenting.
These collections began with more recent trips and projects. They now include the bits and pieces of other trips that are slowly on their way to being chapters or sections. I add new sets of older trips in no special order. So, if you want more, check back now and then. Poke around. Report spelling errors, etc. Let me know which photos you like.
There is a menu of sorts (top or left) that has headers for what I've chronicled here. There may also be a Big Menu page that's got details. Otherwise, the 1st page of a section ought to have photos linking to subsections. And many of the links are via photos as indices, which are likewise indices to photos. Isn't that fun? I'm still struggling to make it work the way I'd like. Click Enjoy.
Cheers,
Dennis
colophon1@mac.com
stovall@pdx.edu
This was taken on top of Monte Sibillini, which is near Norcia, Italy. We were staying with good friends from Cleveland just outside of Spoleto. Linny is standing in front of a couple of truly impressive, beautiful sheep dogs whose flock was nearby. They stopped guarding their charges long enough to get petted.