micetrail

Bakersfield to San Francisco

A solar array

What are they hiding?

One of many feedlots in the Valley

California State Prison in Corcoran – some high profile folks here

I’ll have the usual

See your old car?

Optimistic label – and who is “YOU”?

Good idea to bring your own food – or just order fruits and nuts

Pipelines

Bridge Work

Richardson Bay – almost home

Heading up the Valley in the San Joaquin Amtrak from Bakersfield. So far so good. Of course we haven’t left the station yet.  Train travel isn’t bad and is definitely a money saver. Wifi is provided and power at every seat. If you have the time and bring along your own food (which seems de riguer these days for any travel) it certainly beats coach seats on planes. Plenty of legroom, no middle seats, and huge Windows to watch the world go by.   (Still haven’t left the station yet – oh well) 

It is said that if you plan to be a traveler you “need” to make the actual traveling part of the adventure.  Well, honestly, I’m trying really, really hard. Every flight where a short connection is required is on time…and every flight where one has plenty of time seems to be always delayed. OK, how do you put a positive spin on that?

Well, I had the opportunity to walk from gate A20 to Z20 thereby getting to see the entire Frankfurt airport. (OK, it doesn’t go through the entire alphabet). I had the opportunity to order a mocha at a little coffee bar opposite the gate for an exchange rate of about 2 to 1 when it should be 2 to 1.75. Then I had to add my own cocoa. See how adventurous??

I also get the opportunity of sitting in a middle seat for a 11 hour flight. Should be great. Maybe I’ll be able to strike up some fabulous conversations with my seat partners. Or maybe slobber on them as my head lolls side to side in a state of torpor. 

  
OK, I did get to see Budapest, which I love, and sites in Romania including Dracula’s castle, and a medieval village in Bulgaria, some fantastic horsemanship (poor deaf horses),

 
Also Istanbul was great and never gets old and I was able to enjoy an authentic Turkish Hamman (bath). Then there was divine Capadoccia with the cave churches, balloons over the landscape, whirling dervishes and more.  

 
And then the crazy trip to Iran via an Iranian train and buses…Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz (unfortunately no wine), divine Persepolis, and Yazd…known to be one of the oldest cities in the world. Also “home” to Zorastorarians. 

Well that helps!  No more complaining!  I’m a lucky girl and plan to keep on traveling. 

Stay tuned. 

Well I’m on my way back from our train through Eastern Europe and Persia (as the locals like to call it). Seems they don’t really buy in to calling themselves Iranian.  Highlights of the trip were Istanbul and Topkapi 

Capadoccia with the early cave churches where the persecuted fled and the idea of ascetics and monks began.  Whirling Dervishes provided some entertainment and put on jeans and t-shirts after when they headed for home.  

Persepolis was definitely a highlight. Not to be missed if you’re heading to Iran. Hot as hell though. 

Sitting here in Vienna after missing my connection by 3 minutes. Never, never, never listen to someone else as to what gate your flight is leaving from. Always check yourself and make sure the flight number and destination are correct for the gate. Don’t rush off as I did on a fellow passenger’s suggestion. They were just trying to help but because I didn’t check myself I’m sitting here posting this warning.  

Vlad the impaler home town

Dracula’s Castle

The Golden Eagle just arrived in Brasov and we’re on our way to Dracula’s Castle. The train is lovely with the compartments not as tiny as anticipated. Food has been great…fresh bread, veggies and desserts. We’re about 40 people on the train. With half being a group of Aussies. They take over the bar car in the evening singing and carrying on. Very few inhibitions.

We’re still undecided about the Iran portion of the trip and they’re working frantically to get it set. Guess we’ll see.

Hotel in Budapest

Sitting at the airport waiting for my flight via Frankfurt. Lots of issues in Budapest with the migrant situation.   The tour plans via GeoEx and the Golden Eagle keep changing with the situation in southeast Turkey. It seems they’ve closed the tracks beyond Lake Van.  I keep getting various reports of sending a train from Moscow and having us fly from Istanbul to Eastern Iran but the “bogies” may not be the right size. So now what?  Perhaps flying us around Iran?  Plans are being adjusted by the hour. Glad I didn’t try to arrange this myself.  Andrew is currently enjoying himself already after his hairaising journey yesterday. Mechanical issues, flight delayed 2 hours but managed to make up 1 hour in flight in time for his connection. I have to say I’m glad I wasn’t with him. Not sure I could take the pressure.   Here’s where I meet up with him.

If only they could fly…

Hardly a Princess

Well, that one’s off the list finally.  If you don’t have your fill of penguins, then head on down to South Georgia Islands and the Antarctic continent.  We had a wonderfully put-together trip run by A&K on a beautiful ship, Le Boreal.  Other than two days of 30-40 foot swells, the weather held up for us.  The warmest day was on the peninsula where it reached 45F degrees.  Those red jackets had to be offloaded.  The Expedition leaders were top-notch and, for the most part, provided excellent lectures.  I actually learned how to use my SLR camera…finally.   This is a great trip to take if you really, really, want to see the Antarctic.  Not for the casual holiday…although you can swim in Whaler’s Bay if you feel so inclined.  I use the word “swim” liberally.