Travels with Stargazer

My life has included numerous exciting paths. Along the way I have met many people and gained new skills and knowledge that have greatly benefited me. One path, lifelong learning, has permeated all my other paths. My lifelong learning path started in high school and included founding the Learning Connection and co-founding the Learning Resources Network (LERN). I am very proud of each enterprise’s success and impact. Today Melinda and I visited the Chautauqua Institute. “Chautauqua” is an Iroquois word…

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The ride from Winter Park to Denver was a downhill run, but soon we reached the Colorado prairies and then Nebraska. We passed through Kearney, NE where the westward push of the railroad as the Civil War ended gave new birth to this community. More important Kearney is known as the best place in Nebraska to view the annual spring sandhill crane migration. At the start of our trip, Bill Harley recommended we listen to The Echo Maker by Richard…

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After “buttercup” and his driving companion survived Rabbit Ears Pass, they joyfully arrived at Tabernest, the home of good friends Tracy Dunning (Greg met Tracy in 1978) and Eric Sondermann. What a delight to spend two days with Tracy and Eric in the Rocky Mountains near the base of Winter Park Ski Resort and the Devil’s Thumb cross country ski trails. We had not seen each other in over two years, but it felt like only two weeks and we…

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Before heading east, we visited a few more dinosaur museums. What incredible work has been done by the archeologists who participated in the digs, as well as the National Park Service staff responsible for displaying the work. We are so fortunate to have our National Parks and their beauty, but also all the knowledge they provide. Our trip east from Utah into Colorado was along Route 40. The road was straight and there were very few cars. Our goal was…

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Remember your favorite book (for me, Cider House Rules)? Remember your favorite play (for me, American Utopia)? Remember your favorite album (for me, Mirror Ball)? They just keep getting better, and when you think the mountaintop has been reached, the skies clear and they get even better. For us Capitol Reef National Park had the same impact. After all the great National Parks we visited we thought they could not be beaten. Don’t miss CRNP! On our way to CRNP…

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After Phoenix we headed north. Our first WOW was the Red Rocks Canyon. What incredible formations and colors. The Canyon led into Sedona that was full of April tourists (the summer must be crazy) and then we started up 89A with a steep climb, but with amazing red rock views from the top of the Canyon. We spent the night in Flagstaff after first enjoying a local brewery. A fire started in the Flagstaff area right after we left, so…

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After finishing up visiting the four amazing National Parks, we rolled into Peoria, AZ (north of Phoenix) at the home of Melinda’s cousin Beth and her husband Ben. Thanks to their incredible hospitality, we had a relaxing and fun weekend. We were debating a 4 Star or 5 Star B&B Rating when Beth brought out the chocolate chip cookies. No more debate – a 5 Star B&B Rating. As part of their house, there is a separate casita that was…

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We are soooo lucky to have our National Parks, as well as our State Parks. At each park we have had a great time visiting and learning lots. The following are the four amazing National Parks we visited this past week. Amazing Park #1: Guadalupe Mountains. We drove for two hours into and out of Dog Canyon Campground in GMNP, but the trip was well worth it. There were four RV camping spots with no electric or water. The views…

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Sorry we have been out off touch. While traveling through Texas and New Mexico we had limited Internet access. By Monday we should be caught up. Last weekend, while Melinda was visiting and having a great time with with her cousin Kevin and his wife Lisa at Clear Lakes Shores north of Galveston, I was in RI running the Moses Brown School Classes of 71-72, 72-73 (the year I graduated) and 73-74 Basketball Reunion. Over 50% of the players on…

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From the quiet of rural Mississippi we traveled to New Orleans. The roads were bumpy and Otto got spooked by all the noises. In New Orleans we camped in St. Bernard State Park. St. Bernard’s Parish was one of areas hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. A tip of the cap (baseball season started for the Red Sox today) for the amazing work the community has done bouncing back. While in New Orleans we traveled in Stargazer to downtown. We were…

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