Adventures with Matthew

Matthew McInnes and his grandparents of the Mueller persuasion shared a couple of weeks together in mid-August 2006 in Billings MT. This was after our trip to Ashland OR, when we swung down to Marin County CA to say hello to the McInnes' and to pick up Matt for a 3 day odyssey through the Nevada desert, the righteous religious of downtown Salt Lake City, and the mountains of eastern Idaho and western Montana.

Here we are at the Fair (upper left), getting ready to hurl our stomach contents on unlucky friends and relatives. Matt is looking for victims in a bumper car (right).

I was grateful that Matt rode most of the rest of the rides by himself. The Fair is a fascinating place as we discovered by just walking around.













We learned something about the joys of canning, the ?thrill of hanging upside down, and how much fun it is to just walk around and look at people and things. This latter is a well-recognized management technique too.

Probably the most unexpected fun we had was when Carol heard a strange noise in the middle of the night and naturally woke me up to investigate this noise: I heard some water running but couldn't see anything out the window so I carefully went outside with large flashlight at the ready: I found a fountain of water, which looked like a geyser in Yellowstone Park, in the middle of Ramada Drive. See below.

I called the water people, and had a little trouble convincing the night guy that we really had a leak, and then they eventually figured out where to turn the water off, put some warning lights up and waited for daybreak.

Lots of really nice and noisy equipment arrived early the next morning. Hard hats and standing around watching machines do the work were the order of the day.



Of course, Matt watched carefully all the activity all day long.
The high point was being invited into the cab of the Deere backhoe.


We visited ZooMontana and we also checked out the dinosaur exhibit at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.

Another Great Western Circle Aug 06

We planned a three day trip from Billings to Ashland OR via Spokane WA and Portland OR, four day's worth of plays while in Ashland, then a leisurely trip to Marin County to pick up Matthew McInnes, and then a long three days sailing east on the 80 and north on the 15 back to Billings via Reno, SLC and Dillon MT. Matthew McInnes had been sentenced to two weeks with his grandparents for uncertain offenses.

Below might have been close to the view that Lewis and Clark and friends might have had of the mouth of the Columbia, minus the bridge of course, and minus the buildings, and plus about two hundred years.

We started at a reasonable time on Saturday, 29 July 06 and sailed along the 90 past Bozeman, then got delayed in Butte for lunch. I forgot where Perkins Restaurant on Harrison actually was. Finally, barely saw Missoula because of fire-created haze, as we raced past it still on the 90. We finally put out the anchor in Coeur d' Alene for the evening. Our hotel was not much to brag about as the Resort on the Lake required a two day stay, but the Beach House Restaurant (see the view from below right) was fine.

The lake looks like it nourishes a large collection of fair-sized boats. We should spend a little more time here one of these days, maybe if the Mazzucas jr move to Spokane we will?

Mass at St Thomas in CdA Sunday morning, miraculous as usual, then through Spokane and down to Columbia River via the I84. Southeast Washington looks prosperous and Tri-Cities is booming, all on account of the grape vines I suppose.

We got as far as Vancouver WA Sunday evening for an excellent stay at the Heathman Lodge. Good prices and fabulous food. Next day checked out the waterfront in Vancouver and on to Astoria (see above) for more waterfront at the mouth of the Columbia and some downhome food at a downhome Andrew and Steve's Restaurant. One of the advantages of taking a lot of pictures is that if you forget some special place your pictures are often enough to remind you of it and its name.

We started down the Oregon Coast through Seaside and quickly decided that was too crowded, and thus headed toward Portland, actually toward McMinnvile in the midst of the Willamette Valley, but we decided to stop earlier (because we were tired) at Forest Grove which also has a McMenamin's place at a former Grand Lodge for retired Masons and their fair Ladies.The gentlemen shared the bathroom below.

It had an olde worlde feel, kind of European, though surprisingly laid-back in that we had a great meal but had to go down the hall to use the facilities. I imagine it was the latest thing in 1920, now it is just quaint but fun if you are in no hurry and don't mind being reminded how our ancestors used to live. Sort of like taking a horseback ride once a year just to remind yourself how thoroughly miserable our great-grandfathers and earlier were when going from place to place. Well, I'm not sure if one can be miserable when there are no other options for travel. [Of course one can!]

On Tuesday, 1 Aug, we headed on down the 5, very crowded even during the middle of the day practically all the way to Medford. We heard a pleasant bong and saw the message that we should check the pressure in one of our tires but we were almost in Roseburg and hungry. We ate at an abandoned railroad depot rescued by, who else, the McMenamin's group and made into a snazzy restaurant. We forgot to look at the tires until we had filled our bellies and then were dismayed to find a very flat rear left tire. Called the AAA, they were there in 5 minutes and had the spare on in another 20 minutes and we were off to Ashland. Stayed at the Windmill Inn in Ashland.

We saw the Merry Wives of Windsor in the outdoor Elizabethan Theatre on Tuesday evening, fairly long, but all the good players were in it and played it to the hilt.

Wednesday AM I found the local Les Schwab tire place a couple of blocks away and within 30 minutes they had everything put right and NO CHARGE. Only a nice guy saying "Come back and buy some tires from us, OK?" Wow!

Saw Bus Stop on Wed afternoon: Very nicely done, probably better than the movie. If you can imagine real people who are also caricatures at the same time you can imagine this neat little play set in the 50s in small town Heartland, USA. The part played by Marilyn Monroe in the movie was not done so heavily and so all the other characters had a little more room to breathe.

On Thursday evening we again headed toward the outdoor theatre, rented a blanket which we didn't need, and had a good laugh with all the rest of the audience at the Two Gentlemen of Verona, not quite so long as the MWW. Again the first rate players doing everything well.

Friday afternoon we saw King John in the New Theatre. Lots of things to think about, perhaps too many ideas to get our minds around but still very timely. It was vaguely set in the early part of the 20th century and had many useful parallels with Middle-Eastern problems of today. Perhaps that is why Shakespeare continues to make us wonder and we keep coming back for more.

We left Ashland on 5 August, heading south on the I5, probably one of the best parts through northern California, arriving in Novato in late afternoon with the usual curious GI-like traffic movements (I think bolus is the word that comes to mind) on 80 between Sacramento and San Francisco. Had a good visit with Joan, Don, Mike and Matt. The plant to the left is a fast growing sunflower planted by Matt.

All of the hotels in the Novato area were full on Saturday so we stayed in Larkspur, not that far down the 101. Star Restaurant in Novato is still doing well.






We took off for home on Monday, 7 August: east on the 80, around Sacramento, stopping in Reno for lunch, and on into the dread Nevada desert until our horses got too dry. Stopped for the night in Elko NV, not much to recommend there, but still it was there when we needed it. Matt is posing in front of some of the one-armed bandits we found along the way.

Tuesday morning we headed for Salt Lake City, on the way we were of course amazed at the Bonneville Salt Flats, and then we stopped in Temple Square about mid-day.

Must have been a special on wedding photos with both brides and grooms in their usual finery, at least 6 couples in various poses around the Temple, so inviting I even took a few shots myself.

Eventually we got to Pocatello in the late afternoon where we found the SandPiper Restaurant a fine place to eat and drink.






On Wednesday, 9 Aug, we sailed up the 15 through Dillon with its very nice brick college building, and through Twin Bridges and its fly rod maker, R L Winston, stopping in Bozeman for a late lunch and finally arrived in Billings at about 1700hrs, glad to be home. Mentioning brand names like Winston reminds me of Ian Fleming in his James Bond series.

Ironies in the Fire

Got an email today from a friend who talked us into an archaeology trip to Israel some 9 or 10 years ago. That's Carol sifting dirt to the right.

She, that is, the lady friend, not Carol, has been trying to persuade us to go back for a repeat of the incredibly hard work we did on the earlier trip. We usually put her off by reminding her how dangerous the area is, rather than admit we are too lazy. We would be up at around 5am to beat the heat of the day, then quit about noon for lunch, long shower to get rid of the dirt, and then a long nap because we were so tired. It was nice to sit beside the sea of Galilee and dream later in the afternoon while the professors would go over the pottery finds for the day.

Today she reminded us that a lady that went to Israel with her group in 2000 AD and returned without a scratch was struck by lightning in Billings MT and died as a consequence a couple of days ago.

My correspondent wondered which was the more dangerous place, Billings or Bethsaida? I couldn't answer because I didn't know the likelihood of being struck by lightning in Israel or Billings for that matter. The probability of being struck by a rocket or other explosive device is probably about the same in Billings and Jerusalem, or maybe just very slightly higher in the latter.

Some of the ancient walls, perhaps repaired, and one of the scattered gates or entrances to the old city of Jerusalem to the left.

SummerTime and the Living is Easy

Summertime is dandelions,

admiring Clydesdales on parade,













eating bratwurst and drinking beer,



admiring back yards and hollyhocks,


















celebrating with friends, and checking out cemeteries,















baptising grandchildren, watching baseball,





















playing the trombone, exploring SummerFair,






buying watermelons,




drinking lemonade with iced tea, growling at squirrels,















drinking wine,















street-walking on Montana Ave,










family reunions,


watching the Middle East boil over on the television,



and remembering,

To Beijing and Back: A Modest Proposal

A few months ago, when it became clear that my participation in the Fall 06 Semester at Sea program was really revolving around the time in China (I went so far as to figure out ways to fly from Japan to China and then on to Saigon, skipping all the ship time in between, just to have more time in China!); and when the Summer 07 SAS came out as being up and down the west coast of Mexico, Central and South America; and after I weighed the probability of the ship not being able to go through the Suez Canal because of Muslim terrorism; I started making plans to spend a month just in China alone, and to move the longer trip to the following summer: so therefore I am resolved that the next big thing is an Elderhostel sponsored trip from Beijing to Shanghai with lots of other Chinese places in between, and that I will first of all outline the trip and give some idea of what it is that I am after, then later when I return I will tell you what actually happened.

"For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight."

The paragraph above and the flag and map all come from the CIA FactBook on China. It seemed a fairly diplomatic way to introduce the country in case anyone has been comatose for say 60 years, and even comes close to the truth in places, though many would argue that the decline of China started well before the "19th and early 20th centuries." The map of course makes it clear why in this part of the world when China acts most people become attentive.

A recent book, "Jesus in Beijing," suggested that at least some Chinese, including maybe some of those in high places, attribute the West's moving ahead of every other part of the world to Christianity. The same book makes some surprising assertions about the numbers of Christians in China and their rate of increase. I hope to touch on this matter with everyone I meet.

I managed to wangle a free Business Class seat to Hong Kong: and will be departing the USA on 1 September, from Seattle to Los Angeles, and on to Seoul and finally Hong Kong. From there I catch an overnight train to Beijing, arriving on 4 September, a couple of days ahead of the main group.

The daily schedule includes some early morning Tai Ji (probably another way of spelling Tai Chi) along with everybody else in China; and some practice in Chinese conversation, and regular lectures and talks and field trips. By the way, these pictures are from an earlier trip to Hong Kong.

I leave for Seattle on the evening of 30 Aug, spend a day with kids and grandkids and making any last-minute purchases, and then leaving for China on 1 Sep. In order to get the free seat I had to put up with a flight from SEA to LAX, then to Seoul (my guess is Incheon Airport), and on to Hong Kong. Stay overnight, and pick up train ticket for Beijing (soft sleeper), leaving HKG 3 Sep and arriving in Beijing 4 Sep. The other members should be arriving about 6 Sep. We will join up at the Park Plaza Hotel in Beijing.

I'm not sure what I'll be doing for the 2 days that I have free in Beijing, but I hope to do some hutong searching (if there are any left!). The regular part of the trip includes the required trip to Tian'anmen Square, the Great Wall and Summer Palace, and of course a Peking Duck Dinner; as well as a day exploring the Forbidden City.

On day 4 (which I think corresponds to 9 September) we go by train to Zhengzhou, and then on to Luoyang by bus, traveling most of the day it would seem.

On day 7 (12 September) we take a shorter train ride to Xi'an for the museums and Terra Cotta Warriors site. I am hoping to visit the Forest of Steles Museum, which includes the stone tablet made in 781 AD to celebrate the arrival in 635 AD of some Syrian Christians (and found by accident a couple hundred years ago when some farmers were digging a well near Xi'an). This area was the "center of Chinese civilization, and Xi'an a magnificent window through which to view it," according to my Lonely Planet GuideBook.

On day 10 (15 September) we fly to Chongqing, where we get to meet with some Chinese families according to our notes, check out the General Stilwell Museum (I guess they still remember the Greatest Generation of WWII fame) and get ready for a Yangtze River Cruise on Day 11-13. Here we get to visit river towns (the ones still above water); see the Three Gorges dam site, and hear about traditional Chinese medicine.

On day 15 (20 September) we arrive in Wuhan (though the cruise ends in Yichang) and then the next day we take the train to Changsha and then Shaoshan to get our fix of Mao memorabilia (He was 70% right and 30% wrong according to the latest politically correct usage!).

On day 17 (22 September) we coach to Xiangtan for what I'm not sure as I don't find it in Lonely Planet, so it must be pretty far out in the boondocks.

And on day 18 we have a long day on the train to Kaili, which is the place to visit the Miao people (one of the minority peoples of eastern Guizhou province (still out in the boondocks, I am fairly sure).

On day 22 (27 September) we fly to Shanghai for a "Bund waterfront promenade," and some acrobatics in the evening, a visit to Suzhou the following day, and check out some more Shanghai sights on day 24 (29 September).

The following day (30 September) we all finish up at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport. I will take an extra day to check out a nearby Marian shrine at Sheshan, about 35 km from Shanghai, then fly back to Hong Kong, on to Seoul, then to Tokyo, where I will be forced to submit to at least one and maybe two baseball games during the last week of the regular season, and finally to arrive in Seattle on 4 October. when I will be, I am hoping, either sadder or happier, and perhaps wiser, or maybe not, than when I departed. And furthermore, at the behest of She Who Must Be Obeyed, I expect that Carol will be glad to see me, or maybe not.

And furthermore I hope to fill out the above skeletal outline with more text and pictures on my return. OK? See Chinese Odyssey September 06 a few months ahead. Actually, you need to switch over to my other blog: web.mac.com/kmueller40 OK?

4th of July Hysham Montana

Our friends and neighbors, the Almonds, invited us to spend a day in the small Montana village they grew up in and around. Hysham is about an hour east of Billings, surrounded by farms and ranches worked and owned by many of the same families that first settled them in the latter part of the 19th century. We checked out the cemetery, watched the 4th of July parade, had some lunch at Lion's Park, admired the many hollyhocks, were entertained by Barbara Fairchild and her partner/husband in the evening, and watched the fireworks on the way home. A good day with good friends in a pleasant and hard-working part of the world, who took a day off to celebrate their Independence.












≈