Quote from: Jim Donovan on Today at 11:41:28 AMGood Morning;

Tom(O) sorry you went through that, they say the pendulum swings one way and then the other, sure would be nice to just have it sit in the middle where the vast majority live for a change. During the 40 years of my business travels overseas the hardest country to get into was the US when flying. Missed a lot of domestic connections because of it. One time I sat for two hours because the latest toy customs had bought said my laptop computer was a bomb.

Love the pictures but I don't think I'd want to walk over that bridge with that many people. Star looks great and enjoying the walk.

We don't have much planned for today so I will work on some layout projects and perhaps paint some detail castings. Curt thanks for the coffee, hope everyone has a great Labor Day. Photo of the day is a picture of a lake my family had a cabin on when I was a kid. I took this photo around labor day a few years back. Honeoye Lake in NY.



Jim

Jim I truly understand the concern for security but the storm trooper aspect with masks was very disturbing to me. I have flown all over the world in my business travel days and I thought Israel was understandably the toughest screening I ever went through. South Korea was a close second as they even asked me to turn my laptop on so they could screen it! At my own border though!!! Then not to have my or Terry's passport even checked. We had already in Vancouver been screened by US Customs officers in the train station including the same machines TSA uses to screen at the airport. Oh well, it's now a different world

TomO

Good morning from Wisconsin. I have some ideas for the balance of the day but we'll see how everything unfolds. 71f degrees now and 75 later. More of the same tomorrow and then the temperatures should remain only in the mid 60's for the high until next Sunday. The cool down may have begun

Rick, we did not go to the Taste of Madison. The grandson had 2 hot dogs, one before the game one during and a large soda plus a small popcorn. We did stop on the way home at a higher end sort of fast service chicken only place called Butterbird on campus after the terrible beating Texas applied to the Badger women volleyball team. It was fine, we crossed it off the list of places to return though. Next chicken place for the grandson and me is either Raising Canes or Dave's Hot Chicken, both are national chains. Both are highly recommended by the son in law. Terry and I visited a Raising Canes on a trip to Texas in 2024 somewhere in Iowa. It was great and Madison has had one about a year so we and the grandson will try it. Good crispy fried chicken is hard to find in the Madison area. Wings are easy to find but not breasts or other pieces.


TomO

Quote from: deemery on August 31, 2025, 10:36:11 AMTomO:  The Coast train from Seattle to Vancouver would be worth considering for your next trip.  There's lots of good mountain drives between Seattle and Vancouver, and of course many more within BC.  You're right to travel as much as you can while you can enjoy it, I'm regretting all the trips we didn't take, now that my wife's back bothers her so much.

dave

We took the Amtrak Cascade down from Vancouver to Seattle. 4 hour train ride, very pleasant but with a very disturbing border crossing into the USA. The train conductor warned us about 15 minutes prior to the crossing: have your documents out, do not stand or attempt to leave the car your seat was in and do not talk while the customs officers were in the car. Unnerving seeing border guards literally come storming through the train in full combat gear including masks down screaming have your passports open. If you do not you can be removed from the train. 15 minutes later 3 very nice but offically still mean looking officers walked through checking ONLY the non-whites passports or papers. Also in full tactical gear. I kid you not

We'd thought about driving and making the trip at least an overnighter or 2. But the cost of the rental car was kind of a shock. Glad we didn't drive. One of the border crossings was where the train stopped to be inspected by customs and they had about 8 lanes open and backed up at least a mile per the train conductor. It has been like this since January.

TomO

Good morning from Wisconsin! I'm happy to be home and early by about 8 days. I just don't enjoy Maui as much as my wife does and since the brother was flying to play golf I hitched a ride. 53f degrees at wake up is a bit different then the high 70's at Hawaiian wake-up time but it's nice in the house. Terry should return September 8th, she stayed with my sister and the brother's girlfriend.

The brother will talk to his doctors to schedule his surgery on Tuesday. Wherever it ends up I will go there for him. Meanwhile he'll golf and in pain! His choice.

Today I'm taking the grandson on campus to see Texas and Wisconsin women play volleyball. If it ends quick enough we may go to the Capital building and try the Taste of Madison. 300 food vendors have surrounded the Capital building and it has always been a great tasty event.

Ron, I couldn't get tickets for the Hawks to play the Maple Leaf or we'd have been in Toronto this season. We are going to travel as much as possible the next few years. Both of us getting sick the end of 2024 and then 2025 made us realize, let's get out there and go before it's too late



Enjoy the day
TomO

Quote from: deemery on August 30, 2025, 11:21:55 AM(Software ate my previous response)

TomO, I'm surprised Vancouver was cheaper than Seattle.  That wasn't my experience 30 years ago when we lived in Vancouver.  Seattle is one of my favorite cities to visit, after multiple trips there I have a list of places I like to go to.  Vancouver is the same way.  BUT the country in between, including the Skagit River Valley, North Cascades National Park, and Mount Baker/Mount Shuksan is a part of the country I really miss from our time in the Pacific Northwest.



dave

Dave. Vancouver wasn't inexpensive but Terry is able to track everything we spend. The credit card breaks down what we spend and she puts it into a spread sheet and has for years. Just Uber alone was 25% less on the base rate depending on the car ride we wanted. We generally travel Uber comfort cars and that was a surprise.

The exchange rate was $1 USD $1.37 CAD when we were there last week. Terry figures after the exchange rate is 17% overall higher in Seattle. The biggest issue for us was the cleanliness or lack of and the people were rude not friendly. But that was just us. YMMV

The 1st week in November we are going back to both Seattle and Vancouver. Plus Edmonton and Calgary as the NHL Chicago BlackHawks make their Western swing on their schedule. So 2 nights in each and I get to see my Hawks play and Terry gets to enjoy my enjoyment. She's not a NHL fan but does love the youth and Women's hockey game. We'll have a good time.

There are parts of Washington I'd like to explore outside of Seattle, maybe someday. From the Amtrak Coast Daylight, Eugene,Oregon and south seemed very interesting but it was dusk and then dark as we rode through.

October 25 the Wisconsin Badger football plays in Eugene. Thankfully we are not big Badger FB fans and 2 weeks chasing sports and having to give up our Texas trip to see the son in Austin is too much! PLUS the FB sucks!

Good morning, it's 8:21am on Maui and we are still here. I convinced the brother not to fly but use Skype or Zoom for the consult. All his paperwork can be transmitted via pdf. files and he is doing that now! I have questions for this doctor!

I am heading home Sunday and Terry is staying. I will head to Vegas or Scottsdale when the brother decides where his surgery will be. The brother is flying to Wisconsin with me to meet some friends to play golf.

I watched the Badgers on TV in their 1st football game of the season. It finished around 11pm in Wisconsin but the 5 hour difference had the game done before dinner here. The SIL and daughter have their tickets for the 11th year and they both texted the place was not full. 1st time in 30 years it was not a sell out. They won but it's going to be a lonnnnggg season. Third year in a roll the starting QB goes down in the 1st half of game one. The previous 2 though were out for the year!

Not sure if it's good or bad but I've had no withdrawal pains from not having trains around

Rick, seriously. I thought Vancouver was a great but expensive place to visit and we both loved it. We would go back and plan to. Seattle was even more expensive and IMOO not as nice a town! We have no desire to return there.

Be well
TomO

Quote from: Philip on August 29, 2025, 10:15:32 AMHappy Birthday Tom O!

thank you but not until the 29th of Sept!

I like early but no gifts are needed

Quote from: PRR Modeler on August 28, 2025, 12:05:18 PMTomO pls be careful with the currents around Molokini Crater.

Thanks I will. Been out there 3 times snorkeling and everyone has told me diving there is a completely different world. When I go there next time it will be with a dive group. I passed re-certification this morning but I think they'd have passed a monkey. Probably not back here till possibly Christmas but definitely here in January. I need to be in much better shape for multiple 45 minute dives

I talked to the brother for a couple hours this morning after the re-certification as it's just noon here. I got him questioning going to Mexico for a consult since the guy he's consulting no longer does the surgeries. He's also no longer licensed in Arizona (retired) and I cannot find him at all in the Nevada data base. He's in his late 70's but the bro was surprised that he's no longer doing surgeries. Amazing what the internet can find.

Be well
TomO

Good early morning as it's 4:37am on the island as I start typing. 75 now 85 later.

At 8 I am doing a scuba re-certification with a 2 hour basic and a 15 minutes dive in the deep end of the pool. I haven't dove in 20+ years and they claim it's like getting on a bike, you never forget. I have snorkeled the Molokini Crater a few times about 2-3miles  out from my brother's place but I'd like to go a bit deeper so...

Thanks for the well wishes for the younger brother. He's a fighter but gets some weird medical advice from know it all friends. This surgery should have been done 6 weeks after the right hip was done the 1st week of June. There still is nothing scheduled until this consult is done. I'll be 73 on the 29th so he'll be 69 in November

Be well
TomO

Good evening gentle folk! However it's 4:06pm in Makena, Maui, Ha.and a very pleasant 83f degrees.

Played golf with the brother this morning and going out for dinner at 7.

Before we left Pasadena yesterday Terry needed books. So while I have the Original Whistle Stop a couple miles east on Colorado Blvd. Terry goes to Vroman's Bookstore a 1/2 mile to the west. Got in the car and told the guy to head to the bookstore. She had pre-ordered so it wasn't bad. Normally when Terry hits a bookstore it's a good multiple hour trip. My sister who has Parkinson's handled the flight very well.

I opened the bar, stacked the fire sticks by the firepit but I didn't light them. The popcorn and shaker is there but if lazy put 90 seconds on the microwave, not 78 or 95 seconds but 90 per the household popcorn expert, my wife! I'm having a diet Dr Pepper but being vitural we have access to anything.

What trip do Terry and I ever go on without an adjustment?

Well! My brother needs his left hip replaced and while not the technical, medical BS name, he has cancer in the left hip. The right hip was replaced in June ( non cancerous) and we stayed in Las Vegas with him during that recovery. He and I are flying tomorrow late afternoon 10 hours to Mexico City with all his medical records, X-rays  and MRi's. He is consulting with a Doctor who specializes in this. From there he and I will go to either Vegas for the surgery or Scottsdales depending what this guy says. He will not do the surgery in Mexico City. Still kind of floored by this one as I had no clue until dinner last night. 

It's always something
TomO

Quote from: John B on August 26, 2025, 08:04:51 AM

Quote from: TomO/Tloc on August 26, 2025, 02:23:41 AMToday went according to the plan I was unaware of. I went down to The Original Whistle stop. I walked the 2 miles there but Ubered back. The sun was screaming brightly in the sky. The plan was a few hours at my sisters, walk back to the hotel room for a couple hours and walk back. Visited with my sister and then dinner with the niece, her hubby and us. Decent meal and that is enough said on the meal. Went back to my sister's and about 45 minutes ago walked back. There were a few homeless on Colorado Blvd. the home street for the Rose Bowl parade. But it was a nice walk back.

Wow, It's been over 50 years since I went to the Original Whistle Stop.  I recall that it was on Colorado St (I might be wrong). They had a mountainous layout when you walked through the door; plus behind that, there was cabinets full of HO Brass engines. Nice store. I went there one day and Gary Colman was there and he made sure everyone knew that "Gary Colman" was there...loud and rude!...but he had money to spend so they showed him the red carpet treatment.  I am surprised that the Whistle Stop is still there

The store is on Colorado Blvd the route of the Rose Bowl Parade. The store really has not changed except of course Coleman is no longer there

Pretty much the same setup with the layout to the right of the doorway and brass display cabinets are on the walls behind the layout.
The book section and the brass are the eye candy for me. Back in May the son in law drove me over and came in the store. He was fixated by that layout the whole time I was buying books

Good evening 11:15 Pacific. We are still in Pasadena. Thanks guys for the trip comments. We are having an overall very good time.

Today went according to the plan I was unaware of. I went down to The Original Whistle stop. I walked the 2 miles there but Ubered back. The sun was screaming brightly in the sky. The plan was a few hours at my sisters, walk back to the hotel room for a couple hours and walk back. Visited with my sister and then dinner with the niece, her hubby and us. Decent meal and that is enough said on the meal. Went back to my sister's and about 45 minutes ago walked back. There were a few homeless on Colorado Blvd. the home street for the Rose Bowl parade. But it was a nice walk back.

Tomorrow is get ready to leave a day early day. We are heading to Maui tomorrow late afternoon. My sister is coming with as her PT had an opening tomorrow morning and she was able to cancel her appointment for Wednesday morning.

The overnight 35 hour train ride did deplete the sleep. But I made up for it with a solid 7 hours
sleep last night and a 35 minute nap this afternoon.

It's been fun, many more adventures with basically 4 different trips happening within the 1 big one.

Enjoy the time you have left. Remember we can't take it with us

10:45 pacific time Sunday!

We are in Pasadena about 2 blocks from my sister. I will report tomorrow.

We are here till Wednesday for sure then Maui.

Amtrak's Coast Daylight though has its good points and some we were not thrilled with but I'd not hesitate to recommend it.

Rick, too bad, that's 3 times now! I also missed an Australian friend in Vancouver because he arrived the evening of the morning we left. He had to cancel his Air Canada flight because they are on strike. That put him behind his original arrival date by 2 days

Exhausted I am
TomO

Good morning from Seattle! 60f degrees now high 80's later.

We are going to take today as it comes! Terry was not feeling well yesterday and was worst overnight. Bad cold and then a terrible cough.

We took yesterday mid morning a 3 hour bus tour around Seattle. It was a great way to learn about Seattle's history, see neighborhoods we would never have gotten to and the tour guide's distain for the high price Seattle real estate market.

We had a late lunch with  old friends from North Central Wisconsin that Terry taught with back in the day. 1970's to 1989 when they moved to Seattle. Terry has kept in monthly touch with them 1st by phone, then emails and now text messages. 4 friends in Wausau, Wi who where all hired by Microsoft in 1989, live together and have been super successful! Actually that might be an understatement but while I knew they lived in Medina I didn't realize that's where Bill Gates lives as did Jeff Bezo before he purchased Miami. We had a late dinner at their house last night and the neighborhood and the house were a bit overwhelming. I have been in some spectacular homes in Arizona and Hawaii of either my brother's or friends of his but this place blows them away.

Seattle! Not a place we would want to live. There is something about this place that I cannot pinpoint but the vibe here is way off line! Vancouver even though it's big had a total vibe both Terry and I can handle.

Tomorrow we are taking Amtrak's COAST STARLIGHT to LA but we are thinking to get off in Burbank. That would save us fighting the LA traffic as it's much closer to Pasadena but I want to see Union station.

Enjoy the day
TomO

Good morning from Vancouver. I thought I had replied and it was accepted last night but I can't find my overly long response. Rick asked if we were enjoying Vancouver and the answer is very much so! 

Arrived Saturday midafternoon. The AirB&B is on the 11th floor of a very nice building downtown smack in the middle of the financial district. Great meal Sunday night, steamed dumplings, Korean wings, grilled shrimp and a few too many other things.

Sunday we day tripped using the on/off tour bus and we rode through the full trip just absorbing the city and the tour commentary for 2 hours. We skipped the Stanley Park get off and walk (doing that today) but did explore 3 other neighborhood/districts and were very delighted.

Yesterday we did the 5 hour whale watching trip and we were successful. My pictures sucked on my smart phone but the 1st mate also doubles as the tour photographer and with the 4'lense got some great pictures.

One Sunday we skipped the neighborhood harbor district as we knew it's where we caught the boat for whale watching. After the whales we did Granville Island and it was fun with great food.

So we are having a good time, the scenery has been covered by low clouds, overcast and a marine haze that has not been burning off but we can still tell it's spectacular

Onto Seattle tomorrow

TomO