.All Trips / Central USA / New Mexico / North America

The Subterrean Majesty of Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Karl on May 18, 2013 with 1 comment
Carlsbad Caverns. 6-1989 001 intro

There’s no easy way to get to the Carlsbad Caverns — it’s a pretty remote destination, in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico just north of Texas, and you’ll likely be driving most of a day to get there.  The scenery on your drive will be typical rugged U.S. southwestern desert — cacti, grass, scrub, rocks, mountains and canyons.   But the destination is very worth the effort because beneath the desert landscape lies a cool (nearly constant 56°F or 13°C) wonderland of caves and caverns.  It’s the most beautiful cave complex I’ve ever been to and the sights from the cave’s mouth to the bottom of the caverns are remarkable and very memorable!
Unlike most limestone caves in the …

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.All Trips / Asia / Sri Lanka

The Final Countdown….Remembrances of Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Karl on May 4, 2013 with 5 comments
Acc with Dot intro a

DrFumblefinger’s preamble:  One of the greatest aspects of knowing Arthur C Clarke was the many wonderful people I met through my friendship with him.  Among these was Sir Arthur’s personal secretary, Dottie Weerasooriya.   Dotts was and has remained a friend over the years and for the first time in the accompanying article shares some of her private memories of Sir Arthur, including his final days (Dottie was at his bedside when Sir Arthur passed on).  This is the first “guest post” on this website and I’m proud its such an interesting piece.  Thanks, Dotts, for sharing it with us! ******************************************************************************
THE FINAL COUNT DOWN
 (Dedicated to the memory of our beloved Sir Arthur C. Clarke,
with love and  deepest respect)

by Dottie …

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.All Trips / North America / Oregon / Pacific Northwest

Portland, Oregon — The Cozy City of Roses

Karl on Apr 18, 2013 with no comment
Portland 2013-001 intro. Mt. Hood and city view

I can enjoy a visit to a large city as much as anyone — seeing the Eiffel Tower, Sistine Chapel, Buckingham Palace or Statue of Liberty are as exciting and fun for me as for any traveler.  But overall I’m more relaxed and comfortable, and derive greater pleasure from visiting smaller cities and towns than I do a huge metropolis.   Such places are easier to get around in and lend themselves well to exploration on foot.  They often have quality attractions not as well known or as busy as those in larger cities.

Such — sort of anyway — is the case of Portland, on the lush green banks of the Willamette River where it joins the mighty Columbia River …

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.All Trips / Hawaii / North America

The Valley Island of Maui: 3) Central, Upcountry and South Maui

Karl on Apr 6, 2013 with Comments Off
Central Maui 2013 001 intro

The largest stretch of (relatively) flat land on Maui is the valley between the two volcanoes, Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains.  This area is commonly called “Central Maui” and it’s here most locals live.  ”Upcountry Maui” refers to those communities that lie within a thousand meters or so of sea level on the lower slopes of Haleakala abutting Central Maui, an area that tends to be cooler and greener and that’s popular with cowboys and ranchers.  ”South Maui” refers to the stretch of coast on Haleakala’s southwestern rain-shadow, just south of Central Maui.  South Maui is a very dry and popular tourist area with great beaches, upscale resorts and lots of golf.

Besides its thousands of homes, Central Maui is mostly …

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.All Trips / Hawaii / North America

The Valley Island of Maui: 2) Haleakala National Park

Karl on Mar 24, 2013 with Comments Off
Haleakala-2013-001 intro

Volcanoes never cease to fascinate me!  Something about their massive size and primal earth shaping power appeals to my sense of curiosity and awe.  So it’s not surprising that I find Haleakala to be Maui’s most interesting place to visit.  There are no lodges or hotels in the park making it truly a day trip destination.  It’s easily accessible and besides a massive crater and awe-inspiring views, offers the chance to see some rare species — namely the Nene (Hawaiian goose) and Silversword (silver-green cactus-like prickly plant).

Some background on Haleakala….

In Hawaiian, Haleakala means “House of the Sun” — a great name for a mountain that stretches to the heavens and dominates Maui’s landscapes!  Haleakala National Park covers much of the …

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.All Trips / Hawaii / North America

The Valley Island of Maui: 1) Introduction and West Maui

Karl on Mar 20, 2013 with Comments Off
West-Maui-2013-001-intro

There are few destinations that evoke more traveler’s fantasies than the Hawaiian islands; of these, Maui is thought by many as THE island to visit.  I have a genuine fondness for the Big Island, one of my favorite travel destinations, but Maui certainly is in the same league.  Most definitely worthy of your time and energy.

Hawaii is among the most remote places in the world, farther from any continent than most anywhere.  As such, it always takes many hours of flying (or an incredibly long boat journey) to get there.  For us it’s a six hour trip from Portland but it’s always a worthwhile trip.  As our plane approaches Kahului Airport from the south — as do all …

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.All Trips / Mexico / North America

Baja California: La Paz — John Steinbeck’s “The Pearl”

Karl on Feb 25, 2013 with Comments Off
baja-california-lapaz-2005-intro-001

The Sea of Cortez was once pearl-rich, but for unknown reasons there’s been a dramatic decline in its pearl-producing clams during the past half century.  Some postulate it’s because of over-harvesting; some say it’s because the Colorado River no longer drains enough water into the Sea of Cortez, altering it’s chemical composition; some say it’s part of a normal cycle — nobody knows why.

Just as he introduced me to the Sea of Cortez, John Steinbeck also introduced me to La Paz.  When John Steinbeck and his pal, Ed Ricketts, were exploring the Sea of Cortez, they visited La Paz which at that time was a small city but still a major pearl harvesting port.  Here they heard the …

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.All Trips / Mexico / North America

Baja California: The Gray Whales of Magdalena Bay

Karl on Feb 9, 2013 with Comments Off
Baja-California-magdalena-bay-2005-intro-001

The journey there…..

After wrapping up a relaxing and fun-filled stay on Isla Espiritu Santo, we drive from La Paz north and west up the Baja peninsula towards the Pacific Ocean.  The countryside is desert and the vegetation not unlike what you’d find in Arizona or parts of Southern California.  Within 4 hours we reach the shores of Magdalena Bay; our crew loads the skiffs and we make our way across the bay to its northeast shore.  The area teams with bird life, especially pelicans and gulls.  The Bay is huge, 50 km long, with a distant outlet to the Pacific, and its waters are fairly calm, sheltered by two large islands; it’s clear why Magdalena Bay would have appeal …

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