South Seas Log

Log of our trip to the South Pacific and of our cruise on the Star Flyer from Papeete, Tahiti through the Tuomotu atolls and Society Islands - Thursday, Oct 29, 2009

Wed Oct 14 - Home - After some frantic, last-minute packing we left home at about 8:00 pm and drove to the Jacksonville Plaza hotel at the airport where was stayed the night and left our car for the duration of our trip. We crashed as soon as we could.

Thu Oct 15- Papeete - We got up at 3:45am, hopped a shuttle to the Delta terminal for our 5:30am flight to Atlanta. In Atlanta we took a 7:35 Delta flight to LAX where we relaxed and ate lunch at the International terminal while waiting for our Tahiti Nui flight. At about 5:15pm (an hour late) we took off for Papeete.

The flight on an AirBus 300 was miserable because we were jammed in seats too small for a human being over the age of ten. My knees were jammed up so hard against the seat in front of me than my shins were bruised. I had to get up several times and walk in the aisle to keep legs from cramping. The screen on the back of the seat in front of me was less than a foot from my nose. My hips (and I am not large) barely fit between the armrests. In fact, I had to raise the armrest between Daphne and me to have any degree of comfort. Even then I had to remove the control from the armrest to be able to operate it. I had to get up and out of my seat to reach anything in my pants pockets. After a very long flight we arrived in Tahiti at 9:50pm, 8 hours after we left LA. Those were some of the longest, most uncomfortable hours I have ever spent in an airplane going back at least 60 years.

By the time we went through customs, boarded our bus, and arrived at the ship it was around 11pm. We were greeted with a fruit drink and shown to our cabin (326) on the clipper deck. At midnight we went up to the top deck to watch the setting of the sails with the haunting musical background) It was 1:30am before we got settled in our cabin and went to sleep.

Fri Oct 16 - Cook’s Bay, Moorea - I awoke at 5am and quietly began storing my clothes in our cabin. I then took a shower and got dressed. Daphne got up about 7:am. We both worked at unpacking and putting things away. At 8am we met Jane for breakfast and talked about what we were going to do. We decided to go ashore after lunch and just wander around for a while. The rest of the morning we finished stowing our clothes and putting the empty suitcases under the bed. Rain all morning.

After lunch Daphne and Jane took the tender (small power boat carried on the ship) went ashore and chose one of the many cars waiting to take people to a black pearl shop. What a beautiful lush island. When we return we must take a tour. I decided not to go as my swollen ankle was bothering me. I lay down on the bed and raised my ankle using our life preservers and a pillow. I started to read, but promptly fell asleep. Daphne wakened me when she returned. At five we attended a mandatory emergency drill, following the directions up to the main deck and to our assigned station 3 with our life jackets. We were then instructed in all the emergency procedures and shown our lifeboat. After the drill was over, we returned to our cabin and changed into dinner wear.

At dinner we sat at one of the big tables and met several new friends. Barbara and her sister, Bev, Peter and his wife ??? We exchange information about where we each were from and noted several locations where we lived nearby. After dinner Daphne and I both decided we were tired and soon headed to bed.

Sat Oct 17 - at sea - I awoke around 5am (us usual) gathered up my PC and book and went to the piano bar to work. I didn’t get very far as struck up a conversation with several people who sat nearby. It wasn’t long before they all joined me at my table. Rick and his wife are from Brookfield, IL and the other lady whose name I didn’t get was from St. Catherine, Ontario, Canada. Rick and I found common ground for discussion as he had rebuilt a number of European cars and I shared some auto racing stories.

I met Daphne for breakfast about 7:30am. Jane joined us about 8:15. After breakfast I went up on deck and checked out the weather. We were headed for a low island (Makatea, 61 inhabitants, shark infested water) quite some distance dead ahead. We were scheduled to pass by the island around 10am. At about 8:30 I picked up my laptop and headed for the piano bar. I stayed inside because it was raining and I could see the island out the port window of the bar. I worked on ACS until lunch time. Since today is a full day at sea, we spent much of the day in the piano bar while I continued working on ACS. In the afternoon we ended up taking a late nap before dinner. For dinner I had Wahoo which was mediocre at best. After dinner Jane and Daphne went to watch a fashion show while I retired to the room. I read for a while, but soon fell asleep. Daphne awakened me about 10pm when she returned.

Sun Oct 18 - Rangiroa - We arrived about 5:30am, getting up just as the ship passed through the narrow channel into the lagoon. Shortly after we anchored we had breakfast and prepared to go ashore to visit the largest pearl farm in Polynesia. At about ten we boarded the tender that took us ashore. It was a rough ride as the wind was from an unusual direction (south) and was quite strong. After getting off at the dock, we boarded a small bus for the trip to the farm. It was interesting riding along on the island edge of the atoll where you could usually see the lagoon on the left and the ocean on the right. After about twenty minutes we arrived at the pearl farm. After a lecture about pearl farming we viewed the removal of finished pearls from the oysters and the insertion of new blanks. We then visited the pearl store where Jane bought some pearls.
After the short trip back to the dock, we again boarded the tender for a very rough ride back to the Star Flyer. After lunch we learned that our scheduled glass bottom boat trip had been cancelled because of the rough seas. We retired to our cabin and took a nap. After a short nap, I went back up to the piano bar and began rereading my book, “Blue Shift.” It had been so long since I last read it it was almost like reading a new book.

We went up on deck and watched as the Star Flyer negotiated the narrow channel from the lagoon into the ocean and headed for our next port of call, Fakarava. We stayed on deck and watched the sunset until it was dark and Jupiter appeared directly overhead. We then went down for dinner where I enjoyed sea bass after a curried shrimp appetizer. Daphne and Jane went up to see the music quiz in the tropical bar. I planned to attend, but fell sound asleep and only awakened when Daphne returned to the room after the program.

Mon Oct 19 - Fakarava - I awoke at 5am (as usual) and went up on deck to watch the sunrise. The sky was mostly clear with a few puffy white clouds. After that I went to work on this log and on some other correspondence in the piano bar. Around seven, Daphne joined me. We headed to breakfast around seven thirty. Jane slept in and did not join us. After breakfast I went to the piano bar and resumed writing this log. At 10:00 we entered the channel to the Fakarava lagoon (the second largest atoll). We planned to go ashore to the beach after lunch.

Before we anchored we were given the opportunity to take photos of the Star Flyer from out in the lagoon. Many passengers boarded the two tenders, cameras at the ready, and were taken on a complete circle around the ship. I took about fifty photos from all angles so I would be certain to get at least a few good shots.

At around two we boarded the Zodiac boat for a special trip to the beach. For those who don’t know, the Zodiac is a small fiberglass boat with a large inflated exterior powered by a outboard motor. It is very sturdy, stable, and can carry from 6 to 12 passengers. It also comes in larger sizes. (We rode on a large Zodiac on our trip down the Colorado River at the west end of the Grand Canyon last May.) After being dropped of on the beach (literally) we found some plastic chairs and a spot to spread our towels. Jane donned her snorkeling gear and headed out from the beach. It wasn’t long before she was back reporting the water was quite clouded and the numerous coral heads made snorkeling a bit hazardous for those with tender skin. Daphne and I didn’t bring our snorkeling gear as we had planned to use it later on another excursion.
At about four we boarded the tender (the Zodiac was full of water so we had no choice but climb a ladder into the tender) to return to the ship to get cleaned up and dressed for the captain’s special cocktail party for repeat Star Clipper Line travelers. We found out later we should have stayed to watch some really fantastic native dancing on the beach. Fortunately we did get to view a number of photos another passenger took of the dancers.

At six-thirty we attended the Captain’s cocktail party on the aft deck. There we became acquainted with several new friends including two nurses from Tulsa, Oklahoma. After a short visit with Captain Yurii (the same captain we had on our trip two years ago in the Med) we headed down for dinner. We had flounder as the main course and it was very good. Daphne spent dinner time talking with Gustaf a young Swedish man who is part of the four-man sports team. Since we were both tired we headed for our room and were soon in dreamland. We missed the famous “frog race” in the Tropical Bar. Beautiful weather today.

Tue Oct 20 - Fakarava - I woke up a bit early (4:30am), dressed, and took my PC and several books up to the piano bar to work. We plan on sending this log along with what Daphne wants to add as an email to our family and friends. We may even include a few photos. We have decided not to go back to the beach but will stay on the ship as we set sails to leave at 2:00 this afternoon. We had a photo presentation on the Society islands at seven. After dinner we went back to our cabin and retired early.

Wed Oct 21 - A day at sea - I got up around five as usual and went to the piano bar to work on WLS. During the day we spent time on deck enjoying the relaxation of sailing and the sea. The evening was designated “Pirate” night and those who could were to dress as pirates. I dressed as a pirate incognito wearing my LTSC Commodore’s shirt and white slacks. Jane wore a feather mask with a black patch over one eye. We were each immediately eliminated from the funniest pirate competition. Young folks today just do not appreciate subtlety.

After the pirate competition they held crab races. I picked one of the winners, Lady in Red, but missed on the second place required to be a winner. However, I did pick the winner for the third race and won a free drink at the bar. As soon as the races were over, we retired.

Thu Oct 22 - Bora Bora - I got up at five and took WLS with me up to the piano bar to work on editing. As I was working, we entered the lagoon of Bora Bora, supposedly the most beautiful of all the Society Islands and maybe the entire world. It is a large atoll with a large volcanic island in the center of the lagoon. I took a number of photos.

After breakfast we took the tender into the little town of Vaitape. After wandering around for awhile we found a taxi that took us all around the island for $35 each. The trip took us to the public beach called Matira where we did not stop, a little store with local wares of many kinds (we bought a bottle of water), and finally a stop at Bloody Mary’s, a quite famous local bar. They were just opening up for the day so we didn’t buy anything. After the hour and three quarters taxi ride we boarded the tender as soon as the taxi dropped us off and headed back to the ship for lunch.
We had planned to go snorkeling at three, but Daphne’s hip was bothering her so we cancelled. I massaged her hip to relieve the pain. We then both took a nap, waking in time to get dressed for the Captain’s dinner. After the dinner (we both chose Châteaubriand over lobster tail) we went to the Tropical Bar and watched a talent show of both staff and passengers.

Fri Oct 23 - Ta Ha’a - I woke up at 3:00am, just as we were leaving Bora Bora. I got dressed, and went up on deck to look for the Southern Cross. First, the mountains of Bora Bora obscured the cross, but then as we moved out to sea it was clouds on the southern horizon that prevented my seeing it. No problem! The Magellenic Clouds showed clearly to the south by southeast, Orion was spectacular directly over head with its companion, Sirius. The Pleadies (seven sisters) also shown clearly. I recognized a few constellations north of Orion, but the entire sky south of Orion and Sirius was spectacular, but unfamiliar to this stargazer. At about four I headed back to the cabin and promptly went to sleep. I woke again at 5:30 and got up. Daphne also awoke early and decided to put some laundry together as I am writing this. We will go up to the piano bar as soon as she gets the laundry ready to watch our arrival at Ta ha’a. Today is the Beach Barbeque and Polynesian Show day on the private motu (little island) of Mahaea.

After breakfast we gathered our snorkeling gear and boarded the tender to Mahaea. It was a long wade from the tender to shore through knee deep water. We spread our towels out on the sand amid literally hundreds of crab holes in the sand. We decided to try snorkeling, me with fins and Daphne without. After a struggle to get my left fin on over my swollen foot. I finally managed and was soon struggling through knee deepwater that seemed to go on forever before finally dropping of to a depth where snorkeling was possible. I was so exhausted from forcing my progress on hands and knees in such shallow water, I couldn’t snorkel for long and finally turned toward shore struggling once more through the shallow water. Ai finally took off my fins, stood up, and walked in carefully dodging coral chunks and shells on the sandy bottom.

At this point we headed for the barbecue and had lunch. After lunch we watched a Polynesian show of dance and music, taking many photos and two videos. After the show was over we gathered up our things and waded out a good 150 yards through knee deep water to board the tender for the trip back to the ship. We went to our cabin, started reading and promptly fell sound asleep. We woke up just in time for dinner. I had vegetable stew as none of the meat entrees looked very appetizing to me.

After dinner Daphne and I played a couple of games of cribbage. She creamed me both games. It was after eleven when we finally went to sleep.

Sat Oct 24 - Opunohu Bay, Moorea - We both awoke about five as the Star Flyer was just slowing down to enter Opunohu Bay on the Island of Moorea. We went up on deck for about two hours to watch the ship enter the bay and finally anchor. After breakfast the three of us went in to the island on the tender. We hoped to rent a taxi and ride around the island as we had around Bora Bora. After many promises from one driver, we took a ride to a pearl shop about five miles from the dock. Unfortunately, the promised drive around the island never materialized. It did not surprise me as I didn’t believe anything the driver was telling us. After he returned us to the dock he promised a lady would soon be there with a taxi to take us around the island. “In five minutes” he promised. I didn’t believe a word he said and was not surprised when an hour later no one had appeared. Another man approached and promised the same trip for about twice what the first man had quoted. We headed back to the ship on the next tender, disappointed, but with $150 cash still in or pockets.

I am now spending a few minutes in our room adding to this log. Daphne headed up to the aft deck to relax on a lounge and read. I will soon head up to the piano bar to continue working on my book. We returned to the ship, had lunch, and then relaxed and read as the ship came in to dock in Papeete harbor on Tahiti. At this point the passengers not continuing began to disembark.

After dinner we watched a show of native dances in the Tropical bar. After the show we went to our cabin and watched the 1930's version of “Mutiny on The Bounty” with Charles Laughten, Clark Gable, and Franchot Tone.

Sun Oct 25 - Papeete, Tahiti - I got up around 5:30 and went to the piano bar to read. Around seven Daphne woke up and we left the ship to wander about in Papeete. Since it is Sunday, nothing is open so we headed for the market that is open from five ‘til eight. The number and variety of fish of all shapes, colors, and sizes was amazing. Though they didn’t seem to be on ice they smelled very fresh and clean. Amazingly there was no spoiled fish smell of any kind. The number, variety and colors of all the vegetables and fruit was also amazing. We wondered what the vendors did with their fish after eight when the market closed.

Around eight we left the market and walked to the tourist bureau to get some maps and other info. Daphne stopped at a stand selling local crafts next to the tourist bureau then we walked back to the ship for breakfast. During the day we went to the ship’s library and signed up for several excursions. The ship was taking on stores for the next trip so we had to dodge around the open elevator shaft to get to the dining room. You could see down through the shaft to the hold where trucks were unloading pallets of stores. The food except for fruit and vegetables all come from Europe. No wonder the fish is so dry.

Before dinner and during the orientation talk for the new passengers we went down the gangplank to the dock and took some photos of the ship and ourselves. During dinner the ship moved away from the dock and started toward Moorea, just 20 nautical miles away. At dinner we sat with a group of passengers from the first cruise. I had braised lamb shanks, one of my favorites and it was the best dinner I had on the entire cruise. After dinner we went to bed early and read for short while before going to sleep.

Mon Oct 26 - Cook’s Bay, Moorea - I awoke about 4:45, got up, and went to the piano bar to work on my PC and watch the sunrise. Around seven I went to the cabin and found Daphne dressed. We were one of the early birds at breakfast. Since our glass bottom boat excursion had been cancelled, we went up on the aft deck to read and relax. After lunch with Jane and a Swiss lady, Emma, we went to the piano bar and I started again on this log. Daphne headed to the room for a nap and I will soon follow.

Tues Oct 27 - Raiatea - I awoke early at about 4:30am and took my PC up to my usual haunt in the piano bar to work on reorganizing my ACS and WLS files. During breakfast we anchored off the coast of Raiatea. After breakfast we headed for the tender to take us on a jeep tour of the island. Our tour guide and driver, Maria, drove us off out of town and along the coast for several miles. Rain drizzled steadily for the first half hour of our trip and we got fairly well soaked. When we left the main highway and followed a seldom used dirt road, the rain stopped. (Hooray!) We stopped at a coconut plantation before continuing on the “almost” road which wound around through the hills and finally into the crater of the volcano. (It looked to me more like a caldera.) We crossed or forded either many streams, or a few streams many times.

Finally we stopped at a Vanilla plantation. The aroma of vanilla with a hint of licorice wafted out from the sorting shed and engulfed our jeep. After listening to an explanation of the three kinds of vanilla and watching the sorters and graders do their work, Daphne bought some vanilla. We then got back in the jeep to continue the tour. Out last stop was at a marae (temple) consisting of a wall of coral for the royalty and a floor of rocks for the commoners. We then had a snack of mango and banana and headed back to the tender for a ride to the ship. Tonight was the Captain’s cocktail party (wine and potato chips) on the aft deck for repeaters. Forty percent of the passengers on this week’s cruise are repeaters. We talked with a woman who has been traveling around the world by herself. She is from Munich and arrived her by way of Sidney and New Zealand. There is a group of 26 from Austria, most from Vienna, on board. Many Europeans on this trip and quite a few Canadians on for the 17 days. Dinner was unremarkable but good company and then we went back to the cabin to watch “African Queen”.

Wed Oct 28 - Ta ha’a - I got up around five thirty with the brilliant sun streaming in our porthole turning our cabin into a blaze of golden light. I went up to the piano bar and began reading the research I had collected on the Indians of Kosciusko County. I was joined by a couple from Vienna who spoke very little English. Daphne came by around seven fifteen and went to the library to check on our excursions. Today is Beach Barbeque Day with a “wet landing” which means a climb down the ladder into waist high water”. Jane’s leg started bleeding again so she remains in her cabin with her leg elevated. She is giving the nurse Aimee a workout on this trip.

About eleven we took the tender to the little Motu where we walked at least 100 yards through knee deep water to reach the shore. Once more we enjoyed a shore barbecue in an open pavilion. After the meal we were treated to local Polynesian music and dances. We then waded almost 200 yards to nearly waist deep water to board the tender and return to the ship. By the time we got there, it was again raining. We experienced light rain on and off for the rest of the day so we didn’t go on deck. After dinner we retire to our cabin and watched a movie on the DVD player. About nine we anchored in the lagoon of Bora Bora.

Thu Oct 29 - Bora Bora - I “slept in” this morning and got up about seven. After going to the piano bar I worked on my PC until Daphne came up and we went to breakfast. Now we are back in the piano bar updating this log and preparing to send another email to family and friends. We are also beginning to think about our return to the real world in a few days after 17 days in “Paradise.” We are hoping our new seats in the Tahiti Nui Air Bus 300 are more comfortable than those we had on the way out.

After lunch we once more took the tender to the village of Vaitape. We walked about in the town stopping in several shops and Daphne found and bought a pendant made of mother of pearl with a baroque black pearl mounted in the center. We then walked about a bit before returning to the ship on the tender. We decided to crash for awhile.

At seven we went to the Tropical Bar to learn the disembarkation procedures. After dinner (I had a mediocre Polynesian beef stew) we went to the Tropical Bar for the crab races. I won $20.00 which was precisely what I had wagered on these and the previous crab races last week. But it was definitely a lot of fun. After the crab races the pirate king and queen were chosen from about fourteen contestants.

We then went to bed and watched part of a really depressing medieval drama with Sean Connery, named “The Name of the Rose.” Even he couldn’t save this movie from its dark, uninspiring morbidity. I went to sleep and Daphne shut it off and did likewise.

Fri Oct 30 - Huahini - Woke up about six as did Daphne. We showered, got dressed, and went to breakfast early as we had an eight o’clock excursion to catch. Our guide for the excursion was Joell, a former American who moved to the islands 37 years ago and never looked back. He was a great guide for the four and a half hours we traveled around both islands. Daphne and I both decided thus was definitely the most beautiful of all the islands we have visited on this cruise. This may because it is the one least visited by tourists.

After returning and having lunch we both crashed and didn’t wake up ‘til after sailing so we missed the raising of the sails. We will not do that tomorrow as it will be our last sailing departure.

After dinner where we met a delightful couple with their eleven year old daughter from Salzburg, Austria. We then watched the second talent show with several new performers from the passengers and pretty much the same performances from crew members. When the show was finished we headed off to our cabin to watch the movie,”Der Englander” with Hugh Grant (whom I don’t particularly care for). We both decided it was too late to start a movie so we crashed.

Sat Oct 31 - Moorea - I was up by 5:45 and headed to the piano bar to write. Daphne showed up at about seven and we sat and talked ‘til it was time for breakfast. After breakfast we waited in the piano bar until about ten whem our room was finally cleaned up. We spent the next few hours folding clothes and packing them into or suitcases. After lunch we packed some more, then, about two, we took the tender into Moorea where I picked up a little present. There’s virtually nothing ashore at Opanamu Bay, a couple of buildings and a small church, no village of any kind. We took the next tender back to the ship and resumed our packing.
At four we went up on deck to watch our last departure and the raising of the sails to that haunting music from 1492. It was a real thrill to watch as the ship turned 180 degrees and departed the harbor for Papeete, about twenty nautical miles southeast. The weather was perfect and I took a number of photos.

After more packing, we went to dinner. We wore our matching Halloween shirts and dressed all in black for the occasion. For dinner I had three huge shrimps (probably prawns) and Daphne had lamb chops. After dinner we went to the Tropical Bar and watched the same beautiful Tahitian dances we had seen when we were leaving Moorea a week ago. After dinner we finished packing, placed our luggage outside our door and went to bed. Tomorrow would be a busy day.
Sun Nov 1 - Papeete - I got up about 5:20am, got dressed and went to the Piano bar where I worked completing this log. We checked out of our cabin, had breakfast, and left the ship to take the tour bus around the island. On the tour we stopped to visit the Tahiti museum, some botanical gardens, and then the Paul Gaugin museum. The last was at the far south of the island. After leaving the Gaugin museum, we rode for an hour around the east shore of the island to the Radisson Hotel, where we had a room until nine in the evening. We guessed our room to cost at least $500 per night and possibly much more. We left our room about nine and waited in the lobby for our bus to the airport. During the ensuing two hour wait we played cribbage with Jane.

Mon Nov 2 - Tahiti to LAX - After the bus ride to the airport we stood in line for more than two hours before we got to security. It was horrendous. My legs ached as did Daphne’s. Once we got on the airplane I rubbed Daphne’s leg to ease her pain. Fortunately the two rows of outside seats were spaced considerably farther apart and were thus far more comfortable than the inner row seats we had on the way out.

We arrived at LAX at about noon and took the hotel shuttle to the Hacienda Hotel. After wrestling our luggage up to the room we were given, we were terribly disappointed. It had no balcony as promised, nothing but a sealed window with a flat roof part way up the window. The room smelled horribly of disinfectant or cleaning fluid. I went down to the desk and requested another room. The girl at the desk did not know that we had to negotiate five steps with our luggage after getting off the elevator and still maintained the room had a balcony. Quite obviously she had never walked on that floor or seen that room and I told her so. We had a bellman pick up our luggage and take it to the new room. Though a long way from the lobby, it was a much nicer room and didn’t smell.

We both crashed and awoke about 5:30. We dressed and walked over to Kinko’s (now FedEx mail services), paid for our luggage to be checked to JAX, and printed out our boarding passes. Then we returned to the hotel for dinner in their restaurant. After dinner we packed up the things we took out for our overnight so we would be ready to go at four in the morning. We showered before going to bed so we would be ready in the morning.

Tues Nov 3 - LAX to home - .I took our two big bags down as soon as I was dressed. The shuttle was getting ready to leave so I gave the driver the two bags I had with me. When he said he would wait while I got Daphne and the rest of our luggage I headed for our room.

After we unloaded our bags and went through security we stopped at McDonalds for breakfast. Nothing on their menu looked appetizing to either of us so while Daphne went back to another little food place to find something better to eat, I got us some drinks and sat down at a booth in McDonalds. Soon Daphne came back with muffins that were pretty good.

We then boarded the plane and stored our carry-on luggage. We had aisle seats across from each other. Fortunately, the center seats next to each of us was empty giving us lots of room. After watching the movie, “The Time Traveler’s Wife” I took out my PC and began writing this entry in the log. We are about halfway from LAX to ATL.

It is now 8:30pm and we are home. We thought about stooping for dinner, but then decided we wanted more to be home. Once home I brought in the luggage and put the car away while Daphne fixed us some Trader Joe’s tomato and roasted red pepper soup. Daphne has already gone to bed and I will follow as soon as I finish this sentence.

2008 Johnson Reunion at Tippy

The 2008 Johnson reunion has come and gone all too quickly. Precious moments were filled by four generations. Treasured memories of past lake gatherings from as far back as the thirties were shared around the beach fire. There were stories, laughs, tears, and both warm and sad moments. We all toasted and recalled fond memories of Marcia.

There were hugs and kisses and the good natured poking of fun. We all enjoyed wonderful food as families each took a meal to prepare and serve. We delighted in conversations, late nights around the fire, very late miniature golf at our neighbor’s, sleepy mornings, lazy times outside in the sun, and the usual teasing and pranks. Some people just never grow up.

The first night, Friday, we gathered ‘round the fire until Mike finally arrived after midnight. It was around two when we finally left the beach and headed for bed.

Everyone was here except Mike’s crew. He was the only one that could make it. Deb had the largest contingent with Jeffrey, Moira, and Kelan along with David and Audrey.
The usual tent city sprung up in our front yard.
Saturday we gathered for the obligatory group photo taken by a friendly neighbor.

Of course, Saturday night we had another beach fire gathering under a gorgeous, star-filled sky. Jupiter shone brightly to the south and we watched the first quarter moon descend from high in the sky until disappearing in the trees on the south-western shore.


Then there was the four generation photo. Kelan had been asleep,
but awoke just as the photo was taken.
Of course we had to get one of the new grandma and her grandson.























And how about this one of Kelan and his great granddad?
We had August birthdays to celebrate including greetings to Aunt Bobbie.
The youngest of one generation, Chantel, watches as the oldest of the next generation bathes in the kitchen sink.






That brought back memories to me of other babies bathed in the sink at the old cottage.











Like all good things, reunions end with the parting as families all head for home with words of encouragement for next year’s reunion. The last to leave, Deb, DD, and Mindy share parting words with Daphne.
After everyone had gone Daphne and I walked out to the road to place the full trash barrels for Monday pickup. Looking back at the yard now empty of visiting vehicles we found this lonely and forlorn little reminder of those who had come and gone leaving this bright token behind.

Happy Trails to all!

Ho and Daphne

An effort at understanding and acceptance

Hi All!

I just received an email from a man who has become an email friend through another email friend. Is name is Harold. We have never met in person and probably never will. Like me, he lost his beloved wife so we have that bond. He is very up front with his Christianity and writes a lot about believing and sharing his beliefs with others. He is definitely an evangelist. I’m sure his "religiosity" would make some of you feel uncomfortable while there are others who would feel quite warm and resonate with his words. I am one who would probably vacillate somewhere between those two extremes. Harold and my Barbara would have had a lot to talk about. Barb and I had many discussions about God, religion and being a Christian as our views were and still are, very different. There was no right or wrong, left or right, construct or destruct to any of our opinions expressed during our discussions. They were more she trying to explain and define her beliefs and me doing the same and with each of us treating the other with respect and honor. There was never any kind of intended rancor or even value questioning of our differences, only listening, sharing and comparing. During these discussions I learned a great deal about her and I’m sure she did also about me. Though neither of made any concerted effort or argument to change the other’s system of beliefs, I’m sure some modifications or adjustments to our belief systems inevitably crept in to each of us. I miss those treasured discussions terribly.

Why am I sharing this with you, now? It’s really quite simple. We’ve just been through a heated and highly contested election. Had Barb been available, we would have had many spirited discussions about the whos whys, whats, and whatevers of the political scene and what they all meant to us. Believe it or not, our discussions were conducted in much the same manner as our religious discussions - quite spirited and sometimes emotional, but without insult, anger or rancor - assumed or expressed at each other. We were each free to express our feelings about candidates, issues and parties and did so freely. Of course we understood and respected each other’s positions and tried not to be offensive, apologizing when and if we did. (We were human you know)

Without that outlet for my energies I turned to what has become a major outlet for my thoughts and ideas, writing. You have all been subjected to barrages and salvos from my embattled position and most have remained silent. (Maybe you just chose to ignore my rants) Fortunately, some of you have responded in varying degrees of shock, disagreement, condemnation and - on the positive side - confirmation, agreement and support. I read every word with interest, study and concerned thought. I thank each and every one who responded, especially those who disagreed. (Someone once said, "If two people agree, what’s the point in having a discussion?")

I have been informed that some of my words were too strident, biased, angry and or any number of other negative characteristics - that I shouldn’t take my anger and frustration out on family and friends. If I came across as assaulting any of you directly, please understand that was not my intent. We humans communicate on very different levels of accuracy. Sometimes there is a vast chasm between the intent of words by one and the understanding of those same words by others. I believe it was Thoreau who said, "In human intercourse the tragedy begins, not when there is a misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not understood." The only way for this not to happen is for words to be spoken and shared. Still, communication between people of widely different views are fraught with opportunities for misunderstandings and transfer of emotion from its intended place to another - we tend to personalize emotions. For example, my own sharply negative feelings directed at the likes of Howard Dean’s clearly hate inspired comment, "I hate Republicans . . . etc." should not be construed to be meant for all liberal Democrats. While that should be quite obvious, some of my other comments certainly are not so clear cut.

My lady, Daphne has pointed out several of my offensive comments and asked me to try to be less strident in my political writings. I am trying to comply, but fear complete compliance will result in bland poi or grits flavored words. I get really angry at emotional, hate filled accusations and diatribes, particularly when there is literally no effort at creatively solving any of the many very real problems facing our nation. Both political parties do this, but I see Democrats as far more expert at using this to swing voters than Republicans. There are many examples cited in my previous rants. I have suggested many real and practical solutions to many of our serious problems. I am presently working on a book titled, "Solutions" wherein I offer many of these solutions. Thus far, and in spite of directing attention to my blogs in many emails I have not received a single commentary about any of these "solutions," pro or con. Apparently, while many are interested in political posturing, noone is interested in the offerings of solutions. Just as there was a dearth of issue discussions even mentioned among the great volumes of personal attacks during the last election, interest in real concrete issues and solutions seems to have no place or even mention in this political campaigns. This even seems to be the case in Congress for that matter. To me this is indeed a very sad state of affairs.

My personal inclination, my education, my direction in life have all pointed me in the direction of practical solutions to every problem. Around the house and even at other places I am "Mr. Fixit" who can and will repair and correct all manner of little problems. Most of you are quite aware of this. Engineers are trained in the science and art of taking things out of the ground, the air, the forests, the rivers and the oceans and converting them into useful (and a few frivolous) items and systems. In the process, damage to the environment can result. And who is it that figures out how to repair those damaged areas? Engineers! Protesters may stop activities that damage the environment. Lawyers may seek damages from those that caused the problem and provide money to the injured parties (and themselves), but it is engineers that figure out how to repair and correct the damage done and then figure out how to produce things using new methods that do not damage the environment. Ideally this is so, but being practical, no solution is perfect.

There is no problem that arises that doesn’t trigger a "find a solution" reaction within me. Most of the time the problem falls outside my areas of expertise, but that doesn’t stop the inclination. Sometimes ideas from inexpert sources work because the originators don’t know "it can’t be done" and proceed to do it. I am quite familiar with several mature industries that have become so technically inbred, so steeped in traditional, "proven" methods, that innovative solutions just do not come from within the industry. One well known example is the steel industry (now mostly flown from our shores). It is a well established fact that all of the major innovations in the steel industry since the early twentieth century have come from outside the industry. I could provide many examples if there are those who would like them.

My point is that real, practical, innovative answers to all of our problems are probably surging through the minds of real, practical individuals all over this earth. I like to think of myself as being one who might just have some real workable answers. At least, I try. One of my "answers" is to our current energy crisis. I have outlined several broad approaches to alternative fuels, new vehicles and the required infrastructure that are practical, workable answers that can be accomplished in a relatively short time and at reasonable costs. (That’s what engineers do!) I have worked in the oil industry and am quite familiar with many problems and options now facing that industry.

My primary solution could, if properly implemented, remove our dependence on imported oil in as little as five (a crash program) or certainly within ten years. Already there are plants under construction and planned which would be an integral part of this plan. These plants are being designed and constructed with private capital, many right here in Indiana. While billions in government money is being poured down bottomless rat holes on pie-in-the-sky projects like the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, private, for profit companies are heading toward a real solution that will not only free us from dependence on foreign oil, but give us a substantial environmental benefit by greatly reducing the net emissions of carbon dioxide and provide new good paying jobs that currently are overseas. Go to these sites for more detailed information:

- http://cheapfuels.blogspot.com New Alternative Vehicle Fuels
- http://superfuel.blogspot.com The Tribrid vehicle - an Overview
- http://SUPERfueli.blogspot.com The Tribrid Vehicle Economy

If all the effort and negative publicity spent in condemning "Big Oil" were directed at this positive solution, "Big Oil" would be forced to change their ways and participate in the change over for economic reasons. That seems to me a far better way, force them to facilitate the changeover rather than fight it by supporting projects like the hydrogen economy which actually stands in the way of practical progress and ensures our dependence on oil for the foreseeable future.

Hand wringing, condemning, name calling, protesting, and all other negative efforts may get lots of media attention (don’t they love anger, pain and suffering), but only stands in the way of real solutions. This dangerous attitude of mine is really what is behind my rants, but it seems that only those parts of my writing with emotional content gets any attention from those on the right or left. I have no thought that my ideas and mine alone are the answer to all these questions, but at least I am trying. A little look at these ideas won’t hurt. They are quite apolitical, at least to my way of thinking. It’s just that they don’t directly condemn and vilify anyone that causes them to get so little attention. Think about this when you become embroiled in anger at words of mine with which you disagree.

Ho

Some words about life and love

In the silence of being alone in my quiet home after an exciting weekend with fifteen members of my very dear family, I was prompted by an email from a friend to send these words to all of you. These are mostly things I have heard or thought and tried to apply to my own life while sharing them with others. Know that I am not intending to preach - only to share. You may have read them before, but it makes me feel good to share them.

First: mostly from the Tony Robbins organization:

I have added a few of my own. (-A)

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

TWO-A. Marry a man/woman with a pleasant voice so you will always want to listen and hear them when they speak.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

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FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FOURTEEN-A. Know that loving involves risk of great pain at the loss of a loved one, but the marvelous joys of loving far exceed the inevitable pain of loss.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SIXTEEN-A. When you win be humble and respectful of those who did not.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

EIGHTEEN-A. Remember, it is far better to lose an argument than a friend.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

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And from another, unknown source:

Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

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AN IRISH FRIENDSHIP WISH:

May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

_______________________________________
From another very dear friend:

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours. It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy and enough talent to make others happy..

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

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Tears, like laughter are usually a part of love. Each can be the result of a wide range of thoughts and feelings. There can be sadness or joy in either as well as many feelings in between. Remember, both tears and laughter can be quite contagious.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

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A few quotes:

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - George Elliott

It’s wonderful to have someone who really understands . . .
someone who gives the tenderness your heart sorely demands . . .
someone to tell your troubles to when evening lights are low . . .
who with a smile can drive away the dreary clouds of woe . . .
understanding is a treasure gold can never buy . . .
for it has a magic power to lift the spirit high . . .
those who proceed without it lose out at every turn . . .
like souls adrift upon life’s sea they will ever yearn . . .
so if you have someone, love them with all your heart . . .
for understanding people are few and far apart!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Smiley Blanton

Beauty of face and body attracts only; it cannot hold, nor will it last for long. Beauty of heart, on the other hand, grows with time, holds people together, and brings joy to all who have the good fortune to share it. Ah! But beauty of soul, the greatest of all, makes life worth living for everyone touched by it, whether for a brief moment or a lifetime.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HJ - 1974

It is surely not within our power to say how long our love will last.
It may be within this hour may lose those joys we now do taste.
The blessed that immortal be, from change in love are only free.
Then since we mortal lovers are, ask not how long our love will last,
But while it does, let us take care each minute be with pleasure passed:
Were it not madness to deny to live because we’re sure to die?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Unknown

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A final word from this writer:

LOVE - IMPRESSIONS

Love is a passion of the heart, the soul and the body. When new it quickens the heartbeat, excites the soul and stimulates one physically and mentally. It brings about intense desire to be with the one loved, great joy when together, intense longing when apart. There is no antidote without mental anguish, no relief without deep sense of loss, no cessation without intense pain. Even when not returned in kind it causes one to smile constantly and weep tears of pure joy until surely and finally it fades away. It is a powerful and motivating force for good when well directed. As the years pass, its burning intensity is gradually replaced by deep feelings of comfort and warmth of the soul and heart. It gets better and better, only ending in the final, tragic parting that brings such terrible pain. For these reasons, love is not the domain of cowards for it takes genuine bravery to risk it. Such is love and the price we must someday pay for loving, even until that final moment, pain. Fear of that pain cannot stop this one from loving deeply and sincerely once more - even at an advanced age.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Howard Johnson, at age seventy-eight.