Wish I was back in Florida . . .

On Dasher, On Dancer, On Prancer and VIXEN

On Comet, On CUPID, On Donner and Blitzen

A Long and Winding Road

With apologies to my several New Mexico, desert and Los Angeles friends, I got road weary and certain pressing personal items beckoned to me for an early return to Berkeley. I'm back in the Bay Area. Holiday order placed with Whole Foods. Friends here to be visited and many, many, so many words to write.

Many thanks to those who put me up in places all over the Midwest, South and Southwest. Purrs and pets to all the felines who welcomed me, official pictorial recognition is coming.

Again, apologies to my missed friends, hope to see you all soon.

Total trip Sept. 8 to Dec. 15th - 6700 miles

photo credit: National Geographic

Flight Behavior - Book Review

Another audio road trip book review. This time I listened outside of my normal comfort zone. Barbara Kingsolver is not my type of author and her subject matter is not in my wheelhouse either, but the reviews were good and I took a shot.

One reading experience I truly enjoy is when the lead character is very introspective, that is certainly true of Flight Behavior. Set in the hills of Carolina among "regular folk," I found the interactions between the various characters to be compelling. The story itself around separation, bad decisions and monarch butterflies was more than enough to hold my interest.

I found the opening chapter to be completely misleading and therefore a truly inventive introduction to the work. My only criticism is that after a wonderful story the author had to go to a big Ta-Dah ending. It was rushed and just too over the top to fit with the rest of the story. She had it nailed just a scene or two earlier but had to go for a wee bit more.

In any case, I give it a recommended for audio time-distortion while on the road. Next CD launches when I leave Texas for parts even further West.

Austin, Texas

After a most successful gaming weekend in Biloxi, the trek has moved further west to Austin. I have a few friends to visit here in Texas. Starting first with a stay here at Amy & Eric's place. Gordo and Gus pictured above are also in residence, though Gordo has yet to accept my presence.

For the poker boyz, a final trip report. That's me in my gaming hoodie about to take out the third place player on the way to a two-way chop of the PLO event.

Road Trip to date: 5,925 miles

Biloxi, Mississippi

The little grey Cube has at long last turned West.

On the way from Florida to Texas and eventually California; I just had to stop in Biloxi, Mississippi to see my red-neck, libertarian, Tennessee fanatic and poker room boss extraodinaire -- Mr. Johnny Grooms.

A few of my poker buddies have joined me for a weekend of poker, war stories and debonairs. For those familiar with skill game which is poker, our report is as follows: bubble, suck-out, bubble, bad beat, asshat, bad beat.

Total Road Trip to date: 5,350 miles

The Villages at a Month (with pictures)

Corey, Robin and grey kitten

Had a Happy Gobble with niece Robin and her betrothed Corey. They drove up on Friday from Sarasota to share a bird and a porcine hip with Dan, Sue, me and the two kittens. This week will see my farewell to The Villages and a move to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi for some poker with my buddies.

an ornament in a pear palm tree

Yesterday was holiday decoration day, accompanied by Mimosas and generalized frivolity. Dan and I took to the exterior aggrandizement, which included my adding accents to the indigenous flora.

Dan, Sue and aforementioned kitten

My final words on The Villages of Florida for this trip are: 'I will be back.' I enjoyed the quality time with Dan and Sue, plus this is a very interesting place. Hopefully, next trip my health will allowed a more participatory engagement with all The Villages have to offer.

Harry in Orlando

Yes, the late middle-aged clan made a trip to Orlando to visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. The reviews couldn't be more different. The two Universal parks each have a Potter attraction. Hogsweade is interesting, architecturally fun and has five roller coaster type rides. Not being 'ride people' we were done in about an hour. Then we took the Hogswart Express to Diagon Alley in the other park for a completely different experience.

Dragon Alley is large, has lots of shops and great visuals. The dragon on top of Gringotts Bank spews fire every few minutes. The butter beer was -- well butter beer. You can purchase wands, robes, quidditch equipment and uniforms all at outrageous prices.

If you're going, do as we did, see Hogsmeade first then train over to Diagon Alley. Reviewing at least the first two films (or books) will completely reimmerse you in all the Potter lore you need to enjoy your visit.

Insider tip: we chose the coldest day we could find, a brisk 50-55 degrees, which meant the crowds were smaller by at least half. If you go mid-summer or around the holidays; well I'm very sorry.

One final warning, if you have resisted the rides at Hogsmeade do not, repeat do not make the mistake of taking your final ride opportunity at Gringotts. We saw several slightly green faces leaving that ride. Do take the tour of Gringotts (great goblins) and the Castle just take the last exit before boarding the stomach wrenching rides.

The Villages -- An Update

Three weeks into my adventures in Leisureville. I have some semi-insider observations:

If you plan to move here or to any other 'exclusive community' you should try a vacation rental first. They all have rental units available for a week or a month. Most of the current residents did exactly that and therefore understood what the community they were getting into was all about. Almost to a person they love living here.

The few, who are unhappy and will or have moved away, they didn't give The Villages a good trial run. If I haven't been clear before, this is a very different lifestyle. Several of the locals I've met had just come back from a Caribbean cruise. They all said something like: "It was like living in The Villages but on the ocean." This really is permanent resort living.

Yes, you can get around nearly the entire community on a golf cart. There are over 100 miles of paved golf cart paths. Population now hovers at around 108,000+ over a 50% increase since the 2010 census. About 20 people move into The Villages every day of the year. There are new subdivisions and more golf courses being built. For the golf nuts, there are currently 540 holes with build-out projections at 621 holes, the largest concentration of greens in the world.

As for the singles scene, it does exist but in truth the majority of the residents are couples. Sure they might spend their days at different activities, pools, clubs and golf courses but in the evening they tend to show up to happy hour together.

Is The Villages for everyone? Absolutely not. For like minded individuals this really can be paradise, but you had best be sure this is your cup of tea or glass of wine because this is definitely not for everyone. Might I repeat -- definitely not (but then again).

Leisureville: A Book (and a lifestyle) Review

"Behind all the gated age-restricted leisure, ersatz architectural nostalgia, and nightly hanky-panky, what I saw in The Villages is a concerted effort by a segment of older Americans to find community--something that in today's turbulent world can be hard to chance upon, particularly for the elderly. Many Villagers simply don't care if they live in an autocratic fantasyland founded on a policy of segregation; they just want a place to call home, a geritopia where they can be comfortable among their peers.

Most of the Villagers I met were blissful--thankful that such a place existed and that they had been lucky enough to find it. Retirement can be a stressful stage of life. There's no script to follow for the decades between giving up work and reaching advanced old age. Private developers such as Webb and Morse are filling that void for some people, peddling a glamorized vision of serene, financially predicable leisure living in segregated resort-like communities. It's a powerful vision that has proved to be very appealing to a sizable segment of aging Americans."

So opens the penultimate chapter of Andrew Blechman's book based mostly on the place where I am staying this month -- The Villages in Central Florida. I strongly recommend the book to anyone who ventures near this blog. If you are a progressive, you really need to inform yourself about what is happening far from your door. If you're conservative, there are a huge flock of like-minded individuals congregating in a land not so far away. And for my very few readers who actually are moderates, this place is fascinating or creepy or both at the same time.

After yesterday's election, one might consider just how far apart the red and blue sides of this country are. The stark contrast is geographically played out here at The Villages. The residents and snow-birds dominate local elections. Republican candidates flock to campaign here, paying homage to the mass of aging, white, conservative voters.

There are so many aspects to this place: political, social, anthropological, even constitutional. Read the book, I promise you will open your eyes a bit wider at what the Boomer generation hath wrought.

Leisureville

I have arrived in Florida and am now living in Leisureville (32162). Of course, I am reading the book and will be anthropologically investigating with intense participant-observer dedication. Reports to follow over the next 30 days. I do recommend the book for an interesting look into what some Baby Boomers are doing with their (our) golden years.

Berkeley to The Villages via Mt. Shasta, Boulder, Shakopee, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Hinckley and overnight stops in between: 4,845 miles.

Road Trip: I-75 -- Locust Grove, Georgia

Streaming ever further into the Deep South, I rest my head tonight just South of Atlanta,Georgia. One more day until I reach my November retreat in Florida.

Today's adventure 415 miles due South.

Road Trip: Book Review -- Anathem

For long road trips, I have become a big fan of audio books. Back in Northern California I launched the first of 28 CDs of Neal Stephenson's Anathem. I have several more audio books ready for the next few phases of my sojourn but for now I give Anathem a big thumbs up.

Audio books tend to shorten the driving experience if they engage you at the level you want, need or desire. For me that means a solid storyline that meanders a bit. Short, fast and direct is not what the long road provides, so the stories need to avoid brevity as well. Trust me when I say 28 CDs is not short. I do take breaks for music and once in awhile some crazy ass right-wing radio commentary. But mostly I go with the audio books.

Anathem is science fiction set on another world, which strangely resembles earth. The characters as a whole have the same social and political failings as do we earthlings but Stephenson knows how to tell a tale. All of the side stories keep you moving towards the big finish but nary a once does the true nature of that finish get revealed. Hints, yes. Distractions, plenty.

A great listen for a lengthy road trip.

More Reunion Photos

The gang at the B&B

 Welcome to campus

Hoben Hall on the Quad

 Kalamazoo House B&B

Tom, Tim & Jim

 Pat & me

Stetson Chapel

photos compliments of Tom Matzell

Early Reunion Photos

Yes, there are more to follow as soon as everyone gets home and  the girls photoshop out the ones they don't like.

The weak backs relax after a long day of reunionizing.






photos from Marci Cameron

Road Trip -- Kalamazoo

This weekend saw the unfolding of one of the ceremonially significant events anchoring this lengthy road trip.

Forty-Fifth College Reunion

Class of '69

pictures to follow . . .

For those not familiar with my Alma Mater - kzoo.edu

Road Trip Total: 3750 miles

Road Trip -- Hinckley, Ohio

 Brother Tim, Brother Jim, Brother Dan

Mini-family reunion in Ohio.

Yes, of course, they have cats.

Adding round trip to Hinckley and back to Ann Arbor -- trip total to date: 3550 miles

Ann Arbor, Michigan

I have arrived at my first major stop on this year's sojourn. With the exception of two small side trips, I will be here in Ann Arbor for the remainder of the month.

The fall colors have not hit the peak pictured above, but they will while I'm here. Perhaps to share a few. Now where did I pack that camera?

Total Road Trip Day 24 (Oct. 6th) 3200 miles

Shakopee, Minnesota

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Another layover, this time just South of Minneapolis. We played the annual Idoru 99 Fall Poker Classic last night. A really outstanding mix of fun players and several old friends. I got here Thursday night, on Friday I had a really informative tour of where my friend Mike works plus a truly outstanding massage from a local provider. My back is feeling much better after a full week of driving. Much, much better.

The wet storm that has followed me across the country is still around and now with 40 degree daytime temperatures. I am assured by the locals that winter is not here yet, but I seem to remember telling warm weather friends this same pack of lies when I lived here.

Next stop, Ann Arbor in about two days. Then some down time in the old familiar haunts.

For the Poker Boyz -- as soon as I locate the appropriate connector for my camera, I'll post the picture of me, Mike and Joel at the big game. BTW, Mike final tabled and finished 5th, while I (the interloper) loss an all-in fest against the monster stack and finished 2nd.

Pictures as promised:

Road Trip -- A Gary Day

People travel differently. I tend to be a "get there" type. But I am open to change, especially since I altered my driving plan and once again was traversing I-80 across the flat middle of the country.

My friend Gary has always traveled by car, he actually likes to drive. As opposed to me, I drive because I have a wide variety of places to stop and flying to all of them is just not feasible. But I'm not a fan of motoring.

Last night I stopped in North Platte, Nebraska. First thing I did, which is what Gary would have done, I passed all the Days Inn, Holiday, Rodeway, Motel 6, 7 and 8 out there on the big interstate. Instead, I drove the mile into town and stayed at a local "car at your room door" motel.

Then I google-mapped around a bit and discovered I had stopped right at the verge of a different way to get to my next destination. So this morning, again Gary-like, I did not get back on the tarmac thread of I-80 but instead headed North out of North Platte on the two-lane Blue Star Memorial Highway 83. I was going to meander North for all of the morning and a bit of the afternoon until I crossed I-90 up in South Dakota.

The distance was the same and I could skip all of central, flat, farm-silo-farm-silo Nebraska. Yes, I am back on a big Interstate this evening. I'm in Mitchell, South Dakota. But it's new country for me and today wasn't just more of the same.

If you look back to last Friday, you will see some similar wandering in Eastern Oregon, also Gary inspired.

Why the Canada Geese up top you ask?

On my way out of North Platte there is a large park, which early this morning was the feeding ground for about two dozen honkers. I pulled over, another Gary-like move, and dispensed the remaining Yreka granola to the noisy avians. They're too big to be afraid of one man and just slightly moved away until I tossed the first handful of oats and raisins. Then they were all my buddies, even the one who kept trying to untie my shoe.

Road Trip #4,617

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In North Platte, wanting very much to be flat on my back.