Author Archives: Sparky
Five days with Marlene in Worcester MA
Marlene flew into Boston a week ago. It was a non-stop flight but she was in Coral Springs FL the night before, with her brother, and had to leave at 4am to get back to Ft Myers to catch her 11am flight. So she was tired. But she was all smiles when she came through … Continue reading
The ninth trip south (TS9) preview
My ninth trip south (designated TS9) will start in 6 days, on August 30. The plan is to arrive back in Fort Myers on September 8, then leave September 10 on the 30-night transpacific cruise. I won’t even unpack. Unlike the TN9, I will not be alone on the TS9 – Marlene will accompany me. … Continue reading
Four days with family in Worcester MA
My son Tony joined me in Worcester for 4 days this week, to see the daughter (my granddaughter) that he hadn’t seen for 2 years and the brother that he hadn’t seen for a year and a half. The weather didn’t cooperate – it was cloudy and cool when it wasn’t raining – but it … Continue reading
A week in Worcester MA
My first week in residence at the home of Ray – Jett’s brother – and his wife, Kim, was mostly spent getting settled – shopping, washing clothes, etc – and enjoying not driving much (though I still had to get behind the wheel every day). Except for the first day when I spent the afternoon … Continue reading
TN9 wrapup
I finished my ninth trip north (TN9) on Sunday. This was my first trip with no travel companion of any kind – person or dog. Time for a wrapup. By the numbers: 10 days, 9 nights, 6 hops, 1,724 route miles (287 miles per hop). Only 33 extra miles – I didn’t use the car … Continue reading
TN9 Hop 6: Rhinebeck NY to Worcester MA
150 miles via NY 308, NY 199, NY 22, US 44, CT 318, CT 219, CT 20, I-91, I-291, I-84, US 20, I-290 and MA 122. Miles since the end of Hop 5: 150. Cumulative route miles: 1,724. Total TN9 miles: 1,757. This was a route that was more complicated than it needed to be, … Continue reading
TN9 Hop 5: Greenwich CT to Rhinebeck NY
82 miles via I-95, I-287, the Sprain Brook Parkway, the Taconic State Parkway, US 9 and NY 308. Miles since the end of Hop 4: 82. Cumulative route miles: 1,574. Total TN9 miles: 1,607. This was a short hop in good weather. It was scenic, following the Hudson River north. But the traffic was very … Continue reading
TN9 Hop 4: Montclair VA to Greenwich CT
360 miles via VA 234, I-95, VA 123 to a lunch engagement with Carl, my old friend and travel companion from PCL2, then VA 123, I-66, I-495 (west of DC), I-270, US 15, PA 581, I-83, I-81, I-78 and US 22 to a refueling stop in Easton PA, then US 22, I-78, I-287 and NY … Continue reading
TN9 Hop 3: Goldsboro NC to Montclair VA
360 miles via US 113, I-795 (in Goldsboro), I-95, US 58, some local roads to US 1, VA 40, VA 642, US 460 and VA 24 to the Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park. Then VA 24, US 60, US 15, US 29, VA 28, VA 646 and VA 234, with a refueling stop in Zion … Continue reading
My beard at 4 weeks
The beard continues to grow, as beards are wont to do. The difference between 3 and 3 weeks is not dramatic (and the early-morning 4-weeks photo isn’t very flattering), but I can tell that it is getting thicker. I can’t say that I am liking it much, but my kind friends say it looks good.