Latest Posts

— Friends know that I enjoy biking a lot. Since retiring, I have been able to devote more time to that favorite pastime. There is something about being outdoors and having the breeze on your face or against your back. … Read More

— One of the things we had decided in advance we’d do while staying in Porto (Portugal) was to take a cruise down the Douro River. We thought it would be a relaxing day. We were right about that, and … Read More

— Every day we were in Porto, we walked right by this beautiful national theatre, São João. Built at the end of the 18th century, the theatre opened its doors on May 13, 1798. Back then it was simply called … Read More

— A starting point for the major attractions in Porto, the Praça da Liberdade (Liberty Square) used to be the political and cultural center of Porto in the 18th century. Its construction began in 1718 and was known back then … Read More

— One of the more recent additions to the National Park Service, the Waco Mammoth National Monument was established on July 10, 2015, by President Barack Obama. As stated in the park’s website, “this paleontological site represents the nation’s only … Read More

— Leaving Venice early in the morning was the culmination of an incredible trip in Italy a few years ago. Contrary to the busy daytime traffic in the canals and tourists everywhere, the scene we had before us was serene … Read More

— What you actually see in the photo here is two churches. The Carmo Church was built in the 18th century in the rococo and late Baroque styles, and it depicts the Brown Scapular imposition on Mount Carmel in an impressive azulejo (Portuguese … Read More

— I have seen wildlife in my bike rides quite often, but they are often common birds, deer, turtles and snakes. A couple of days ago, I didn’t even have to be on my bike or outside to see this … Read More

— Florence is a magical place. Walking around its streets is a live history lesson. Within blocks from each other, a visitor can see the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Pitti, the … Read More

— A year ago we escaped the Texas heat by spending a week in Ruidoso, New Mexico. In one of our side trips there, we headed for a fun afternoon at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino … Read More