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The Cruise--Details

I didn't include more details in the prior "The Cruise" post for two reasons. 1)  I didn't think anyone would be interested; and 2)  This trip didn't include much of the normal topics:  good beer, good coffee or John-style travel. But there are details, which may be useful to some people contemplating how such a trip is put together. On the first day of the trip, we drove three hours to pick up my mother in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  At 85, she isn't comfortable driving for long distances and hadn't flown for many years. We then drove 3 1/2 more hours to Chicago, where we checked into the Wyndham, where you can get a room that includes the cost of parking for up to 12 days.   We were up early on the hotel shuttle to O'Hare, where we then boarded the a non-stop American Airlines flight to New Orleans. Here, we checked into a Hampton Inn near the port.  My mother was pretty tired, so Julia and I went out for a Cajun dinner and live music.   Rememberi...
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Return of Winter





Mother Nature dumped another four or five inches of snow on the Lodi Scenic Valley during the last 24 hours.  Some days I hike or snowshoe in the snow; this wasn’t one of those days.  I was up early plowing the driveway and off to an early orthodontist appointment for Justin, who ended a five year relationship with his braces.  Then I needed to plow again to get back up the driveway with the wheelchair van. It was a very pretty day; it’s just more difficult to see the beauty on a winter day in the middle of March when one has hopes of spring and warmer temperatures.



Justin and I are bachelors this week with my wife out in Arizona visiting her mother.  Julia’s mother had successful heart surgery this morning.  There was lots of texting back and forth to keep family apprised.  Tonight, dinner was baked salmon, carrots pan-fried in a bit of butter, and garlic toast.  Afterwards, I retired to the family room, leaving Justin to text with friends.

Dessert was a cool beer in front of a warm fire.




Ordinarily, I am not a fan of beer in cans. However, the local store was out of bottles.  With a nice glass, I can’t say that it tastes any different than the bottle.  The 60 minute IPA hits all of my check boxes:  good body, citrus notes without being too bitter, and a nice finish.

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