The Secret Bunker Where Churchill Battled World War II

The Secret Bunker Where Churchill Battled World War II

The year was 1938. The times in London were tense and uncertain as Adolph Hitler threatened mass war in Europe. As a safeguard against sudden and unexpected air attack, the British government decided to establish a central emergency working refugeRead more

Help! We’re Imprisoned In The Tower of London!

Help! We’re Imprisoned In The Tower of London!

Under the gleam of the full moon, Bill, Ann and I were locked inside the Tower of London. Literally. Locked up in the formidable stone-walled complex on the bank of the Thames River that has served as a fortress, palaceRead more

Miracle on the Hudson – A Survivor’s Story

Miracle on the Hudson – A Survivor’s Story

Beth McHugh believes in miracles, and well she should. Little did she know when she boarded US Airways Flight 1549 on January, 15, 2009, that she would be among the 150 passengers and five crew members who would survive theRead more

Miracle on the Hudson and More Stories of Flight

Miracle on the Hudson and More Stories of Flight

“It’s the white elephant in the room.” That’s how Wally Coppinger somewhat facetiously referred to the US Airways plane that was before us during my recent private tour of the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, where he’s executive director. It’sRead more

Fort Ross — The Russian Stronghold in America

Fort Ross — The Russian Stronghold in America

Hank Birnbaum selected a sea otter pelt from a pile of skins displayed on a wooden table and let me caress the soft, luxurious fur. “Sea otters don’t have a layer of blubber to help them keep warm, unlike otherRead more

Luther Burbank – No Small Potatoes

Luther Burbank – No Small Potatoes

Chances are you rarely, if ever, think about Luther Burbank when you eat a baked potato. You’re too caught up in savoring the crisp golden skin on the outside, and the pure white, fluffy texture on the inside. If yourRead more

Cavallo Point Lodge – From Army Post to Luxury Resort

Cavallo Point Lodge – From Army Post to Luxury Resort

The location was reason enough to book a night at Cavallo Point – the Lodge at the Golden Gate to celebrate Bill’s recent birthday with our friends, Penny and Gil. Serenely situated on Horseshoe Cove in the shadow of theRead more

Museum Magic for the Peanuts Gang

Museum Magic for the Peanuts Gang

Posted from Glen Ellen, CA “The only thing I ever wanted to be was a cartoonist. That’s my Life. Drawing. I would draw comic strips even if I weren’t getting paid for it…..I’m obsessed with thinking of funny things.” CharlesRead more

Say Cheese!

Say Cheese!

Posted from Glen Ellen, CA “First you taste sweet, which is the cow’s milk. Then salt, which balances and enhances the sweet. Then a finish that’s slightly earthy, like mushrooms, from the bloomy rind, bringing a depth and pleasing bitterRead more

The Wild Life of Jack London

Posted from Glen Ellen, CA Our docent Trixie, leading her debut tour at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, recited a litany of woes about early 20th century author Jack London as she guided our group along theRead more