Month: June 2019

Austin – The Endless Journey

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Started my 1100 mile journey from Florida to Austin at 3 a.m. The roads in this part of Florida were well constructed and I made good time through the Panhandle.

If only they could clean up the Orlando road system. That is their jewel in the crown with the money makers of Disney, Universal, and Sea World. After visiting that area for over 40 years those roads remain a catastrophe and an embarrassment as world citizens visit the area. Enough complaining..

After 9 hours on the road I was grateful to see a sign which piqued my interest. Beauvoir, the home of the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, was a short jaunt off route 10 in Biloxi, Mississippi. The home was a lovely example of Antebellum construction. Along with the beautiful home and gardens there also was an interesting museum depicting the era.

Beauvoir

Prior to his presidency, Jefferson Davis was a graduate of West Point and served as Secretary of War to President Franklin Pierce. His first wife was the daughter of Zachary Taylor, however, this marriage was short lived with her premature death. With his second wife he had 6 children 4 of which died during his lifetime. His daughter Winnie was considered the daughter of the confederacy and never married as her love was a union affiliate. In Jefferson Davis’ final speech he wished the nation to remain united.

The home is constructed of cypress wood and has survived 26 storms with the latest, Katrina, causing 10 million dollars damage and destroying many of the 60 out buildings. Rooms have hand painted frescos which can be seen in this picture as the docent stands next to a 250 year old functional grandfather clock.

Beauvoir was used as a confederate veterans home by over 2000 patients after Davis’ demise then became a museum.

View from the Beauvoir porch. Quite a spot to recuperate at.

And let me close with the garden views from Mrs. Davis bedroom window.

Preparing for the Journey: How to use the car radio

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Here’s what she looks like.. a daunting creature

Anticipating an 1100 mile journey to Austin for a visit to my daughter I decided to learn how to use the car radio.

I began by attempting to turn the radio on. While it starts arbitrarily as I drive today it did not. I simply could not find “the spot.”

Continuing to fiddle with the radio buttons Sirus radio began to play. Though I had requested this be removed, it wasn’t, so I checked it out. There were various stations offered anywhere from the Beatles to Joel Osteen. Such diversity! No wonder why Howard Stern is worth 70 million dollars.

Eventually I was able to shut Sirus off and locate a “normal” radio station. This was a challenge and don’t ask me how, but I did. Will I ever be able to access the normal radio station again? Who knows, but, I’m sure I’ll be receiving a monthly bill from Sirus until I have 2 hours to figure out how to stop their service.

I think I’ll stick to prayer as I drive. It’s certainly cheaper and definitely has results.

Catch-up: Insurance

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Fixing it all..

Home today recouping from a root canal. This was a perfect time to take on travel claims as the 800 mg. of Motrin every 6 hours certainly dulled the two pains – one in the mouth and the other in the a–. 🙂

I started with the travel insurance company and found their process a simple, on-line approach. One customer support call was all that was needed as the gal stayed on the line while I traversed their web site.

The next call was to my favorite travel company of which I am a gold member. When I placed my rental car order for my Arizona trip the pick up address was an Air Force Base. Never thinking the office was on base I completed the order. Well, the office was on base and since I lacked military clearance I could not enter the base.

Incurring $38 in Uber fees traveling back and forth from airport to base and back again, I wanted reimbursement for their error. But more than this I asked they amend the site to reflect this information. Others should not have to go through this angst, however, I had forgotten – no good deed goes unpunished.

On this, the fifth call, I totally lost my cool and was an ugly American. By the end of our conversation I had received a $200 credit, a migraine headache and was thankful it was time for more Motrin.

Moral of the story: Get the rental car at the airport.

Tariffs

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Do you understand this stuff?

Do you understand the concept of tariffs? Auntie Google states it is a tax that adds to the cost of imported goods. This tax money goes to the government.

The country sending the goods to US then increases their costs. With imported goods more expensive it is believed the now cheaper(?) domestically produced goods will be purchased.

Tricky stuff these tariffs. Who benefits, and ultimately who is paying for them?.

D-Day Tribute

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Sea invasion

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. This was the largest sea invasion in history where 326,000 troops, 50,000 vehicles, and 100,000 tons of equipment battled on the beaches of Normandy.* It began at 6:30 a.m. and took the Germans by surprise. Rommel, a Nazi general, was on leave and Hitler sleeping with no one allowed to wake him.

The battle lasted through August taking 10,000 allied casualties, 1,000 German casualties, and 3,000 civilians. Two that fought in the battle were Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., who survived but died a month later of a heart attack, and Scotty, from Star Trek, who was shot 6 times in his chest, leg and finger.

The battle liberated Paris and weakened Hitler’s war efforts causing him to commit suicide the following year on April 30th. Normandy Beaches still hold metal in their sands, remnants of this battle.

Thank you to all who gave so much.

*internet stats and info.

Phoenix, the Friendliest Airport?…

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Rather than route through Texas today American Airlines took me from Tucson to Phoenix. From here in 3 plus hours I will be catching a flight to Orlando. As I traversed Phoenix Airport I was surprised at it’s size.

Throughout the airport there are signs exclaiming they are the friendliest airport. Nice to know, however, I always questions these claims. How do you establish this? What is the criteria for the best or the tastiest or the most comfortable?

When I visit places I do research to test these assertions. For my research on friendliness I smile at folks, say hello and make small talk when in retail, grocery, or airport lines. As I was in the City of Phoenix 6 months ago and Tucson this past week my research is complete for these 2 cities.

SCORE: 50%

Let’s hope theses scores improve.

It’s Kathleen and if you don’t like what I say it’s still Kathleen.

Tucson: One Extra Day

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Yesterday I received an email stating my flight was cancelled. I never received such a culprit as usually the email states the new flight information, however, this was absent. Grateful I checked my emails early in the day I scurried to the airport and deposited my rental car in the garage.

The line for the attendant and kiosk were both long and since the kiosk was faster I elected to use it. Upon accessing my new flight information I realized they had the wrong date for my flight . I flagged over an employee and showed her the screen. She broke the news my flight was rescheduled to the next day and I could speak with an agent.

On to another line to wait for assistance in getting a departure date for the current day. Upon speaking to the agent I learned Houston had a problem and this time it was bad storms. There were no other seats available. Since I was unaware if Tucson Airport was open 24 hours I selected a nearby hotel with shuttle service.

Which brings me back to my idea about the pod or short term hotel sites in airports. I am told they have them throughout Europe and know they are in Beijing Airport. With flights being cancelled at increasing frequency due to weather concerns this business would be a goldmine. Any entrepreneurs out there? I’d love to buy the stock.

Day 6: Tucson Caves, Lunch, and Zoo

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Interesting Rock Formations

Started at Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Southeast Tucson today. This cave is over 10,000 years old and has been in use since 900 AD first by animals, then Indians, and explorers. It is a dry dwelling with a 70 degree temperature.

For those wishing a more exciting visit the cave offers supervised climbs. Call for further information or check out their website colossalcave.com.

Down the street from the cave horse rides are available. The ranch house adjacent to the horse ride venue is currently under renovation.

Next stop… lunch

Pretty in Pink

The Arizona Inn appears on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in the 1930’s by Isabella Greenway, who served as Arizona’s first State Congresswoman. The property is a finely maintained work of art. Besides being a senator Mrs. Greenway established a furniture making company for disabled veterans. Some of these pieces remain in the hotel. She was a personal friend of Eleanor Roosevelt and both Eleanor and Franklin visited her in Arizona when he was campaigning for president.

Off to the Zoo…

The guy…

The Reid Park Zoo was a pleasant surprise. It has a fine collection of animals and things to entice children with more intended in their Zoo Master Plan.

While there is much to see I was enticed by the story of the Andean Bears. A 26 year old 347 pound male has been brought a 5 year old female to mate with from a Switzerland zoo. While there is some chemistry it is too early to tell as she only arrived in the habitat in January. As I observed she was coy hiding in the mulberry tree while he lounged elsewhere. However at one point she attempted to get his attention by banging on his door as he continued to snooze under his tree. Aren’t relationships a bear? On to others and their stories.

The giraffes and peacocks reside together in their habitat. At 10:30 a.m. all peacocks splayed their feathers. What a site! Here are front and back versions.

Another interesting story…

Simone at 23 is an elderly female jaguar. The life span of a jaguar is 15 years. For a senior she certainly looks good. Must be that Arizona sun!

In closing here are a few other pictures of zoo inhabitants.

Lions, Great Horn Bills, Flamingos, White Rhinoceros, Elephants, Turtles and White Crested Cockatoos all await your visit to this fun-filled zoo.

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This concludes my stay in Tucson. Hope you’ve enjoyed journeying with me and consider a visit to this jewel of the Southwest.

Preferably not in a stage coach.. but wouldn’t that be a hoot?

Day 5: Tucson Wine and Cattle Country

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Cute Vegetable Display

About an hour to the east of Tucson is Wilcox County which is cattle and wine country. It is a beautiful drive with great scenery and award winning vintages.

Take I-10 to route 83 and visit the Empire Ranch. This 1900 to 1950 ranch depicts an era and life style you’ll want to experience. Tour the simple, quaint home with its mountainous back drop.

Another 45 minutes down route 83 is the Eligin, Arizona Wine Country on Elgin Road. Here you are greeted by a welcoming sign.

Visiting 5 different wineries in this region I found their tastings range in price from $6 to $20 per person with credit given if you bring your own wine glass. Tasting rooms were varied and different from what I am accustomed to. Most lacked decoration and character. In different regions of the country wineries have found a lucrative business in weddings. Something for Arizona wineries to consider as they make their tasting rooms more charming and conducive for this type of business.

Grape Fields

After trying 20 different samples of the regions wines I found the desert wines to be my favorite. A desert wine with dark chocolate enhances the wine experience and I was pleased to see chocolates offered at one tasting room.

Food was available at one of the tasting rooms via an outside food truck. While I am familiar with Texas ribs these while different however tasty with good volume for the price.

So take a day and visit Wilcox Wine Country. Bottles cost approximately $18-$32 and it will be a day you won’t forget.

Day 4: Tucson History, Vintage Cars & Copper Mines

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Women lived with husbands and children at the fort.

Today I began my day with history at the Presidio San Agustin Del Tucson Museum. This is a re-creation of a fort from 1775 reflecting the Spanish influence of the area. This fort showed actual living conditions of the times.

Military Bunks

Inside the fort walls a 2400 year old pit was discovered during archaeologic digs. Fascinating to see. Post tour there is more area history available in the museum adjacent to the gift shop .

And across the street from the museum is the Old Town Artisans which features shops and intriguing food venues. Even if not hungry for food or retail the building is a must see. They have music and even a koi pond center stage.

For anyone who is a lover of vintage cars stop by the Franklin Museum. This museum was beyond my every expectation. Luckily, I caught it on the last open day for the season.

A docent who had restored many of the vehicles displayed gave an hour long tour. Franklin’s were an upstate New York company which were in business from 1906 to 1934. They are known for air cooled engines and aluminum bodies. 400,000 were made and 200,000 remain in existence. The docent stated many of the vehicles have required no maintenance except for a valve job. Here are a couple of my favorites.

1908 -The only Franklin truck ever made.


Wise owner..

This is a 1910 touring vehicle with 6300 miles on it. During WW II when metals were being reclaimed for military purposing the owner hid this beauty in his Cazenovia, New York barn under bales of hay.

There are 3 garages of these gems. It is a marvelous collection. Maybe Jay Leno needs to do a show here?.

Great Food

Finally ready to eat I stopped by Tacos El Tinaco, a taco truck next to the car wash on Navajo and Fort Lowell Road, Tucson. What a tasty fare. Amazing caramelos. Note my smiling chef.

Final stop for the day was the copper mining plant of Asarco Mineral Center in Sahuarita, AZ.

Main Processing Plant



Here I saw how copper is mined from ore and all the items which need copper for construction. Besides wiring, musical instruments, glasses (yes, the eye ones), copper is also in many kitchen related items.

Vehicles that carry ore have 11 foot tires.

The first step in the process is locating the copper among the ore. Samples from drilling sites are given to geologists who examine these samples and make decisions as to locations to dynamite. Once the area is dynamited gravel is taken to be ground via enormous trucks. After grinding a filtering of the ground particles occur via a water bath to remove the copper and other elements.

Filtering the copper from the ore via a water bath.

The copper is then formed into several hundred pound sheets and sold to vendors for use in their products.

Now I was wondering what happens to the land around the pit? The good news is it is reclaimed and planted over to make a more aesthetic area.

Land in the process of recycling

Stay tuned..