Day Trips Out of Dublin, Ireland

October 26, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ Leave a comment

Visiting Ireland has been on our travel bucket list for quite some time. My wife and I had planned to be at the Emerald Isle in April of 2026, but illness forced us to postpone the trip a few months to September. The delay still placed us squarely in the country’s shoulder season for tourism, which to our delight turned out to be just about perfect. We could not have asked for better temperatures or weather in a place that embraces the traditional idiom: “It’d be a grand country if you could just put a roof on it.”

In her reliable travel wisdom, my wife arranged for us to anchor in Dublin and scheduled three separate day trips to explore places of interest on the southern part of the island, all inside the Republic of Ireland. We spent our first couple of days and our last full day exploring Dublin, but we left the city for three consecutive days heading southwest, south, and west, in that order.

The other brilliant idea my wife had was to hire a driver to take us to various spots of interest we had researched well in advance for the day trips. The roads in Ireland are notoriously narrow – barely single-lane in many locations – and driving safely takes a level of skill we didn’t think we had, especially while occupying the left side of the road. We also thought it would be terribly frustrating to rent a car for one of us to drive white-knuckled and never look anywhere except straight ahead while the other one of us was praying with closed eyes the entire time we were on the road. We wouldn’t have seen a single inch of the magnificent countryside or curiosities along the way to our destinations.

We didn’t know exactly what a wise decision hiring a driver was until we had been comfortably seated for an hour in a passenger van driven by a fine Irishman named Alan Ingoldsby. The concierge at our hotel in Dublin recommended him. He was gold. Going far beyond getting us from point A to point B, Alan was a wealth of cultural and historical knowledge about all things Ireland. He was a genuine tour guide and a mighty fine one at that. In his conversations with us, he learned about our interests and a little bit about our personalities that allowed him to tailor our travels accordingly. He was incredibly accommodating – my wife never opened the door of the van to exit or enter. Alan was always there before she could even reach for the handle!

On our first day trip, we headed toward the harbor town of Cork located at the southern end of the island on the Celtic Sea. Our first stop on the way was the Rock of Cashel, an impressive collection of medieval stone buildings and graves of royalty and dignitaries dating as far back as the 16^th century. This was the only place during our entire time in Ireland that we had rain, which was really more of a drizzle than a downpour. We were prepared with our raincoats and were not altogether disappointed because the weather offered an appropriate environment for wandering among the stone ruins and the ancient gravestones, tilting or even toppled from centuries of exposure on the massive limestone outcropping overlooking the Plain of Tipperary.

Our next stop on day one was the ever-popular Blarney Castle just outside Cork. Most tourists will spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour standing in line to enter this iconic medieval stronghold, climb the tower, lean upside down from the battlements, and kiss the legendary Blarney Stone in hopes of being granted the gift of persuasion. We are not most tourists (forgive the snobbery). We were much more satisfied to spend our time wandering the 60 acres of magnificent castle grounds, featuring a variety of gardens, arboretums, trails, and streams. It really is a beautiful place.

Finally, we drove through Cork, the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland. We went around the harbor to the township of Cobh, where we took a walk along the water’s edge and saw the historic White Star Line building, the site of the final port of call for the RMS Titanic, which launched on her maiden and only voyage there on April 11, 1912. Before heading back to Dublin, we took a few moments to visit St. Colman’s Cathedral positioned on a hill overlooking the harbor at Cobh.

St. Colman's Cathedral — St. Colman’s Cathedral

Our second day trip took us due east from the city to explore Dublin Bay, where we saw some of the locals taking a dip in the frigid water, just above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. We strolled along the rocky shore and walked past the James Joyce Tower, which is a Martello stone structure located at Sandycove Point in Dún Laoghaire. Although the Irish writer only stayed here for six nights in 1904, he used the location as a setting for the opening scene of his masterpiece, Ulysses.

During our trip the previous day, Alan learned that I am a musician, which prompted plenty of conversations about music and even listening to a few of his favorite Irish tunes off his playlist. On this second day, he slightly altered our tour to take us by the entrances to two musically significant properties situated on the Dublin Bay: the copper and iron gate leading to the residence of Bono with the band U2 and the miniature castle that is the home of Enya, the Irish singer-songwriter of haunting Celtic music. This side excursion was a real treat and took us to places we would not have even known to look for on our own.

This second day trip took us down to Wicklow and to the amazing gardens of the Powerscourt Estate. The 13th century castle was redesigned in the 18th century as a Palladian mansion by architect Richard Cassels. The structure is impressive, but we were much more enchanted by the collection of gardens, both formal and natural, stretching out over 47 acres. There are fountains and ponds, enormous trees, beautiful beds of blooming plants and vines, and a serene Japanese garden that is simply stunning.

From Powerscourt we traveled to nearby Glendalough where we walked around the ruins of the famous monastery and cemetery just outside of town. Founded in the late 6th century by a hermit monk named Saint Kevin, this monastery grew to become a respected center of learning and pilgrimage that lasted for over 900 years. From the ruins we followed a paved path to see the upper and lower Glendalough Lakes nestled in the Wicklow Mountains, which is quite a sight to behold. We drove on through scenic countryside to a hilly region near Wicklow where we stood on a high bluff to look down in the valley at Guinness Lake, so named because of its brown color and foamy shoreline, which mimics a pint of the most famous brew in Ireland.

We rounded out our second day with a sheepdog demonstration at Cullen Sheep Farm just outside Wicklow. On this fourth generation working family farm, Richard Cullen explains how border collies are trained and how their natural herding instincts make them perfect for the job of corralling sheep, moving them around the fields, and keeping them safe. Richard’s whistles and verbal commands are fascinating, and the way his dog follows those commands at lightening speed is incredible. Someone at the demonstration asked, “How do you think the sheep feel about the whole process?” Richard gave a subtle smile and replied in his thick Irish accent, “The sheep would be perfectly happy if they never saw a dog ever again.”

Alan Ingoldsby was ill on our third excursion day, so he sent us a substitute named Les who was delightful and quite knowledgeable about all things Ireland, especially our final day trip destinations. We headed west out of Dublin, and our first stop was a completely unexpected surprise: Barak Obama Plaza! This indoor and outdoor exhibit space is located at a Circle K service station of all places just off the M7 motorway. The small museum on the second floor of the station highlights Irish-American presidential history, but it also commemorates President Obama’s historic 2011 visit to nearby Moneygall, which is the documented ancestral home of his third great-grandfather, Falmouth Kearney.

Our second stop that day was at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. This iconic 15th-century tower house sits on a strategic bend of the Ratty River and is likely the most complete, authentic restored medieval fortress in Ireland. The adjacent recreated village offers a glimpse at what life may have been like in this part of Ireland much later in the 19th century. We spent a while exploring the 26-acre property and its structures.

From Bunratty we continued west until we reached the island’s western coast and the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. These majestic sandstone cliffs rise from the Atlantic Ocean to a maximum height of 702 feet and stretch over eight miles along the rugged coastline. Geologists estimate it took over 300 million years for these cliffs to form. There are plenty of days out of the year when the weather makes it all but impossible to see anything from the top of the cliffs due to rain and fog. We had initially scheduled our trip to the cliffs for our first day, but Alan Ingoldsby suggested we swap our first and third days because he knew the weather would be more favorable on our final day to see the cliffs. This type of foresight, planning, and flexibility is why a driver-guide like Alan is so valuable and worth every Euro we spent to hire him and Les.

Instead of heading straight back to Dublin, Les drove us through the coastal village of Doolin and along the glacio-karst landscape of The Burren on Galway Bay, where we witnessed gigantic waves crashing against rock outcroppings and beaches. The sound, smells, and scenery reminded me somewhat of the northwest Pacific coast of Oregon. It’s another one of those places that a camera cannot not fully capture or reproduce – you have to feel it.

We strongly advise hiring a driving guide for seeing the countryside and sites of interest in Ireland, especially for those who have any reservations about maneuvering a vehicle along narrow roads in unfamiliar settings. It is an expensive luxury perhaps, but we learned so much about life, culture, politics, and history in the Republic from these two gentlemen. They were clever and funny but never silly or obnoxious. They were opinionated but never rude or argumentative. They were proud of and honest about their homeland but eager to know more about life in the U.S., even though they interact with Americans all the time. We never felt like we were being lectured, but we were definitely in a learning environment for three full days. We loved every minute of it.

A Room with a View

September 14, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ Leave a comment

For folks who enjoy travel like my wife and I do, there are so many elements of a trip to consider during the planning process. Now that we are early in our retirement phase and also in the last half of our sixties, our priorities for travel have changed to some degree. We are still physically fit and able to get around fine; however, we no longer try to fill each hour of every day trying to hit all the museums, monuments, theatres, churches, etc. in the places we visit. We have become more selective while leaving plenty of time to relax and observe the scenery and the people. It’s a different experience than what we once had when I felt compelled to see as much as possible in the short time we had available to us. My wife has been so gracious over the years in this regard.

I don’t know how much time travelers spend thinking about their hotel rooms or other available lodging options, but in recent years we have been much more deliberate about not only where we stay but the views available to us while we are in our rooms. Perhaps one of the best examples of this new approach was our room in Paris in 2024. My wife handles virtually all our arrangements when we travel, primarily because she is quite good at it but also because she enjoys it – lucky me. She booked a room for us in Paris on an upper floor with a panoramic view of the Parisian skyline that was postcard perfect, especially at night.

We are willing to splurge for an ocean front room if at all possible when we are on the coast. Sitting on a balcony looking out over the water and hearing the constant sound of waves crashing onto the sand is about as peaceful as it gets. The same can be said for views of mountains, valleys, rivers, lakes, cityscapes, and other vistas. We both like to read, and a beautiful landscape serves as the perfect backdrop for curling up with a good book or magazine. We have spent countless hours just enjoying this simple pleasure on most of our trips. Here is a small collection of views from our rooms in various locations from our travels.

My First Album: Miles of Time

August 15, 2026August 15, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ Leave a comment

Miles of Time cover (artwork by Ryan Wallace)

My first album of original music, Miles of Time, became available July 24, 2026, on major streaming platforms and as a CD. This project represents songwriting going back to the late 1970s up through early 2026. The earliest song is “Missing You,” which I probably started in my senior year of high school but finished after I went off to college. The latest song is “On This Trail,” which I completed early this year. For an annotated list of the songs on this album, check out my post on my first volume of original music.

I never thought I would record an album and probably wouldn’t have had it not been for the encouragement of my very fine producer, mixing specialist, collaborator, vocalist, session musician, and arranger, Justin Larkin at Cosmic Ozarkana Records. Justin co-wrote the title song, “Miles of Time,” which makes the album even more of a treasure to me. I have admired Justin’s writing, playing, and performing since I first heard him shortly after moving to Springfield, Missouri, back in late 2018. To have his level of talent at the heart of this project is a gift for which I am ever grateful.

My friend Brian Pitts and I have been singing together at open mics and as a duo, Openly Gray, since we first met at the Sunday jam sessions at The Cellar in Springfield, probably back in 2019. He was a key person who helped me break into the music scene here. Brian spent a lot of time on this album contributing drums and percussion, but also vocal harmonies. Our voices blend so well that there are times on some of these songs, I can’t remember if the harmonies are from my tracks or his!

Clinton Houseman is another musician out of Springfield whose talent has landed him in several bands and ensembles. He is a gifted writer and performer. Among the many instruments he plays, I have always been impressed with his work on the keys, which he contributed to this album. It seems each time I hear him play keys, I decide at that moment to pack my keyboard up in its case, put it in the closet, and never pretend to be a keyboardist again.

Skyler Smith also performs in multiple bands where he is perfectly at home playing a wide variety of genres, from country to driving rock. We have performed a few shows together because he has been gracious enough to invite me to join him at some of his gigs. He has been trying his best to teach me how to play the electric guitar – his patience is legendary. Listen for his distinctive riffs and licks on “I’m Gonna Ask That Girl to Dance.”

Ryan Wallace is a fine songwriter who plays in multiple bands. He is a solo performer too. Ryan is a man of many talents, not the least of which is artistic and graphic design. He took a concept image that Justin Larkin discovered and transformed it into an album cover design that looks like a watercolor painting. This cover has already been getting rave reviews and may end up being more popular than the music!

There are plenty of other people in the Springfield music community, both musicians and faithful fans, who have encouraged me over the last seven years. There are too many to name, but they know who they are. I am grateful for their support, friendship, advice, and talents.

Finally, this album would not have been possible without the steadfast support and endless encouragement from my wife – my best friend and the keeper of my heart. She is the inspiration behind several of these songs.

Check out the album contents and streaming locations here.

A Day Trip to Bern, the Capital of Switzerland

July 20, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ 1 Comment

During our vacation to Paris and various locations in Switzerland in 2024, my wife and I spent the better part of a day in the lovely city of Bern. Although it is the capital of Switzerland, Bern is only the fifth largest city in the country, which means that it is not so bustling from a tourism standpoint. It is built on a peninsula formed by a sharp bend of the picturesque Aare River. The Old Town section traces its origins back to the 12^th century, and the architecture is reminiscent of the medieval period at this UNESCO World Heritage site. We took the morning train to Bern from Zurich where we were staying during our time in Switzerland and hit the highlights of the city’s historic district completely on foot.

Our first stop was the iconic Zytglogge Clock Tower, a 13^th century structure located at the end of the Marktgasse, which is a main thoroughfare in Old Town lined with charming sandstone arcades and traditional Swiss buildings. The Martgasse serves as an active hub for both locals and tourists, offering a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants. This avenue is also a key part of Bern’s vibrant cultural scene, often hosting events and markets that reflect the city’s rich heritage. The Zytglogge tower contains an astronomical clock featuring moving puppets that perform a show just before the top of every hour.

Zytglogge Clock Tower in Bern, Switzerland

We followed another avenue called the Kramgasse then crossed the Aere River and climbed a fairly steep hill to visit the Rosengarten, which offers fantastic views of Old Town and the river. With approximately six acres of gardens, this lovely greenspace features over 200 varieties of roses along with other flowering plants, shrubs, and ornamental trees. There are water features, walking paths, large lawns, a playground, and a restaurant. We wandered all around the grounds, and I took way too many pics.

Walking back down the hill, we paused for a few moments to get a drink and to check out the Bear Pit, or the Bärengraben. Featured in the city’s coat of arms, the bear is a symbol of the city and the surrounding canton. The plural for bear in German is Bären. According to legend, Duke Berthold V of Zähringen named the city he founded in the late 12^th century because the bear was the first animal he hunted in the region, and Bern sounds like Bären. The city has kept bears in captivity along the river since at least the early 16^th century.

Bärengraben (Bear Pit) in Bern, Switzerland

On our way back through Old Town, we stopped for a quick self-guided tour at Einsteinhaus, the former apartment where Albert Einstein lived when he developed his theory of relativity in 1905. Then we walked a couple of blocks south to see Berner Münster or Bern Cathedral. This Swiss Reformed Gothic cathedral is the tallest one in the country and features a 100 meter spire. The cathedral is filled with gorgeous stained-glass windows and one of the most complete collections of Late Gothic sculpture in Europe.

We ended our visit to Bern wandering around Bundesplatz (Federal Square), the impressive heart of the city that is dominated by the Swiss Parliament Building or Bundeshaus. The plaza features 26 fountains that erupt in random patterns from the stone pavement. Bundesplatz serves as the political and financial center of Switzerland. In addition to the parliament building, the plaza is flanked by the Central Swiss Bank on the east and the Berner Kantonalbank on the west. Before heading back to our train, we strolled along the Bundesterrasse or the Parliament Terrace, a spectacular, cliff-edge balcony located directly behind the Bundeshaus and perched above the river. This vantage point offers panoramic views of the Marzili public baths, Gurten Mountain, and the Swiss Alps far in the distance.

Views from Bundeshaus terrace in Bern, Switzerland

Sometimes capital cities can be overwhelming: DC, London, Paris, Berlin, and Rome. It is refreshing to visit a nation’s capital that is compact, walkable, historic, and beautiful. Bern is such a city. Although it is easy to get around on foot, Bern boasts an excellent and punctual public tram and bus network. The city is a major transportation hub. It connects to Zurich in less than 90 minutes and to Interlaken in roughly one hour. We highly recommend at least a half day in the charming city of Bern for anyone visiting Switzerland.

Macon, Georgia: My Hometown

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ 1 Comment

Because of its central location in the state, the city of Macon is often called the Heart of Georgia. It is also known as the Cherry Blossom Capital of the World because there are more than 300,000 ornamental cherry trees growing there, which serve as the centerpiece for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival held in the city. Some consider it the birthplace of Southern Rock music because it was the home of the Allman Brothers Band and Capricorn Records, although I’m sure Jacksonville, Florida could make a strong counter argument as the hometown of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Macon, Georgia (downtown, as I remember it)

I was born in Macon in 1960 and lived the first 21 years of my life there at home with my parents, both of whom had roots in Bibb County where Macon is the seat of government. I attended school and junior college while I lived there. My family and our close relatives were members of a Southern Baptist church in Macon, a strong denomination in central Georgia. My first jobs were at Winn Dixie and then Piggly Wiggly grocery stores on Napier Avenue in town.

Macon is where I learned how to play the guitar and began playing the piano. Near our house on the west side of town, I rode my bike everywhere, played with neighborhood kids, and spent too-short summers swimming and enjoying a whole host of other outdoor activities. I had cousins nearby, and we spent plenty of time at each other’s houses. I bought my first car in Macon, which gave me a real taste of independence and allowed me to take girls out and discover early romance.

Macon, Georgia - Cherry trees in bloom — Macon, Georgia – Cherry trees in bloom

Bibb County’s population was about 143,000 when I was growing up, so Macon was large enough to support robust retail centers, manufacturing, several hospitals, a shopping mall, a few museums, live performance theatres, and a multi-purpose arena. Mercer University and Wesleyan College were founded there in the early 19^th century. Macon College was a two-year institution when I attended in the late 1970s but later became a four-year school. Macon was enough of a city when I came along to serve as a hub for central Georgia, bringing in labor and money from several surrounding rural communities.

The county’s population hasn’t grown much, with only about 158,000 according to the latest census records. Throughout my lifetime Macon has remained in the shadows of its ever-expanding sister 85 miles to the north, the sprawling metropolis of Atlanta. During my lifetime, Macon probably peaked in the 1990s, long after I had moved away. On the rare occasions I visit Macon these days, it looks a bit worn around the edges. Between 2011 and 2014 Macon lost two of its museums: the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Georgia Children’s Museum. There have been some efforts to revitalize the downtown area in recent years, and the north and northwest parts of town are still where most of the wealth is concentrated. However, many of the old neighborhoods I remember show signs of age and not enough care and attention. Violent crime escalated in the mid-1990s and has spiked several times since then, causing Macon to rank in the top ten most violent cities in the state. So it goes.

Regardless of its current status, I have fond memories of my formative years and becoming a young adult Macon. There was always such a rich music tradition in the city. It served as a springboard for people like James Brown, Little Richard, and Otis Redding. In addition to producing the Allman Brothers Band, Capricorn Records helped launch groups like the Marshall Tucker Band and Wet Willie. By the time I came around, Grant’s Lounge, the Capitol Theatre, and the Douglass Theatre were already legendary music venues hosting national acts of rock, R&B, jazz, and blues music.

Looking back, it seems that the Macon of the 1960s up through the 1980s was a city that appreciated its past while also looking to the future for inspiration, innovation, and vitality. There were still a few streets downtown paved with brick, but I-75 ran through the middle of the city. There were historic house museums listed as national landmarks but also multi-story hotels and office buildings. The ancient Indian mounds at Ocmulgee National Monument were well maintained and fully accessible, but there were also numerous public parks scattered around the city providing recreation and relaxation. The Macon Peaches was a minor league baseball franchise that lasted from 1923 to 1982, serving as affiliates for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Macon, Georgia - The author all dressed up at home in November, 1967 — Macon, Georgia – The author all dressed up at home in November, 1967

During my time there, Macon was big enough to offer individuals and families a healthy slice of the American dream. At the same time, the city wasn’t so large that I ever felt lost in it or frustrated by crowds, traffic, or other pains of urban life. As my circle of friends grew from my neighborhood and church to my schools and work, I was comfortable forging my early path toward grownupness. If I could have changed anything about Macon, it would have been the weather. I have never lived in a place as hot or humid as middle Georgia in July and August. It’s like swimming through air. Otherwise, my hometown was a solid location to plant my feet and move forward.

(Visit the New Georgia Encyclopedia for more information and images of Macon, Georgia.)

Grand Falls and Shoal Creek in Joplin, Missouri

May 28, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ Leave a comment

River greenway projects have been around for over 100 years, but towns and cities began to capitalize on these natural byways for tourism and community revitalization in the late 20^th century. Projects usually include walkways and trails, interpretive signage, benches, picnic areas, river access for floating or boating, amphitheaters, and other amenities. Some of the largest and most popular of these outdoor facilities are the Hudson River Greenway in New York, Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia, the San Antonio River Walk, and Cherry Creek Greenway in Denver. But smaller communities with water resources have also invested in developing parks and recreational areas for conservation, community enhancement, and tourism.

Joplin is a town with a population of about 52,000 located in the southwest corner of Missouri just a few miles from the Kansas and Oklahoma borders. Although it has a rich history of lead and zinc mining, Joplin is likely best known these days for the devastating EF-5 tornado of 2011 that cut a mile-wide path of almost total destruction right through the heart of the town. Now, Joplin is a thriving retail and commercial hub for the area, but the community has also poured money and resources into creating outdoor spaces such as the area adjacent to Shoal Creek, which is southwest of town just north of Interstate 44.

Shoal Creek looks more like a small river as it makes its way to a popular Joplin landmark called Grand Falls, which is the largest continuously flowing natural waterfall in the state. The fall plunges twelve feet down a 163-foot-wide ledge. Just above the falls on the north bank is McIndoe Park, which was purchased by the city in 1923 but in recent years has undergone considerable improvements to make it a destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Covering approximately 24 acres, McIndoe Park features a lovely paved walking trail that winds its way just a few yards from the banks of the creek. The park also has picnic facilities, pavilions, boat ramps, and plenty of fishing spots. There is ample parking in several spots close to the walking trail.

When I visited, my first stop was Grand Falls where I spent about 30 minutes sitting on the yellow chert (or flint) rock ledges along the side of the creek just below the fall. I love the sound of crashing water, and this spot delivered in spades. I was there on a Wednesday shortly after Memorial Day (2026), and there were only a few people fishing and milling around. The area gets quite crowded on weekends and especially during the warmer months of summer.

I spent the rest of my time upstream walking the trail at McIndoe Park. I made my way north along the creek until I reached another treasure: Wildcat Park. Formerly a private park, this large section of land on either side of Shoal Creek was also purchased by the city of Joplin in 1923. It features a spring, a large glade, a nature center, picnic facilities, and a series of walking trails (paved and unpaved). There is access to the water for fishing and floating. There are some beautiful places in this park to just sit and enjoy the natural setting, which I did – a restorative experience.

“On This Trail:” An original song

April 21, 2026May 28, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ Leave a comment

This is not the type of song I typically write, which is based on actual historical events. It is my tribute to the Cherokee Indians who endured the infamous Trail of Tears, the removal of indigenous people from the hills of North Georgia and Tennessee to the newly established Indian Territory (later to become the State of Oklahoma) between 1838 and 1839. Historians estimate that approximately 4,000 Cherokee people died on this trail, which represented about one-fourth of the total number who traveled west during the forced migration by the United States government.

I wanted this song to honor the Cherokee Nation, so I specifically incorporated phrases from first-hand accounts of survivors, including Wahnenauhi (English name – Lucy Lowery Hoyt Keys), Jane Bushyhead, and Rebecca Neugin. I also found inspiration from the poem, “The Trail of Tears,” by Cherokee poet Ruth Margaret Muskrat Bronson (1897-1982).

Full disclosure: I claim no Cherokee or any North American indigenous heritage. To my knowledge, I do not have Native American or American Indian blood running through my veins. This original song is not an attempt to “put myself in the shoes” of those who suffered. I am not the narrator in this song. The imagined speaker is an amalgamation of many different male voices who experienced the horror and loss inflicted by the Trail of Tears.

For more information about the Trail of Tears, please visit the Cherokee Nation’s website at https://www.cherokee.org/about-the-nation/remember-the-removal/our-journey/ .

Trail of Tears - Georgia Historical Marker — Trail of Tears – Georgia Historical Marker

“On This Trail”

Far away from the Blue Hole Spring where we face the setting sun
Long nights and endless days, mothers weeping for their young

Forsaken graves of the ones we loved on desecrated soil
The cruel hand of the oppressors held empty promises they sold

On this trail, blazed by death and fear
On this trail, filled with tears

Beyond Kituwah and the blue smoke hills, to where the mighty rivers flow
Across Missouri down to Arkansas, through wilderness unknown

My wife and all our children gone, the earth is where they sleep
I have no land and I’ve lost my home, the sorrow runs so deep

On this trail, blazed by death and fear
On this trail, filled with tears

Shattered dreams and broken hearts for the sake of gold and greed
Proud nation of our mother’s land just yearning to be free

On this trail, blazed by death and fear
On this trail, filled with tears

You can listen to the song on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/UuZsI4Luqtc?si=7cW4-J38SrYjd2BZ

Walking through Arizona’s Oak Creek Canyon

March 16, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ Leave a comment

During our extended winter retreat to Phoenix for 2026, my wife and I hiked some familiar trails but also explored a few we had never tried. We also took a day trip up to Sedona, one of our favorite spots in the state. We walked around some of the shops, bought some clothes and shoes, and had a fabulous lunch at the regional airport’s cafe, of all places. They had some cocktail specials we couldn’t resist, and the food was excellent. Before all that, we drove north of town on Highway 89A towards Flagstaff for a morning walk on West Fork Trail in an area called Oak Creek Canyon.

West Fork Trail of Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona

We had driven through Oak Creek Canyon many years ago but had never taken the time to explore the area, which boasts a landscape quite different from the desert environment of the Phoenix basin. The West Fork Trail is 14 miles long, but we only walked the first couple of miles. Literature and websites warn hikers to prepare to get their feet wet, which is fair considering the trail crisscrosses the creek numerous times. During our short walk we forded the creek three times over wet rocks and fallen logs. Even with our hiking poles, we decided a fourth crossing was pushing our luck, especially considering we didn’t bring a change of clothes along in case we slipped and took an unplanned dip.

The section of the trail that we walked is flat and sandy, following closely to the creek through forests of ponderosa pines, maples, and of course, oaks. Not far from the trailhead are the stone ruins of Mayhew Lodge, an old hunting cabin converted into a resort that attracted celebrities such as Jimmy Stewart, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, and President Herbert Hoover. It burned to the ground in 1980, leaving behind only the ruins that are adjacent to the first part of the trail, which is the most accessible portion of West Fork.

According to the Visit Arizona website, the trail becomes more challenging after the early creek crossings. “The canyon walls begin to close in, forcing the creek through a slot canyon. After wading through the creek to get back to the trail, hikers can expect bouldering, swimming and bushwhacking to complete the entire trek.” Visitors to Sedona who enjoy the outdoors will be well rewarded by taking the short drive north to witness the rock pinnacles, natural arches, and deep canyons on the West Fork Trail.

Lucky to be an American

February 4, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ Leave a comment

US national flag at the pier - Pismo Beach California - 2012 (Wikimedia) — US national flag at the pier – Pismo Beach California – 2012 (Wikimedia)

It is typical on or just before Independence Day to see people on social media posting photos of American flags or other patriotic images, accompanied by messages that express how this is the best country in the world. I have also made similar posts stating that, in spite of its faults, I can think of no other country where I would rather live than the United States. However, events and circumstances over the last nine years have forced me to qualify my assessment of living in America. Here is my current perspective: it’s great to be an American . . . if you’re lucky.

It’s great to be an American if you’re lucky enough to be male. During the first Trump administration, we watched a right-leaning Supreme Court decide that it is no longer a basic human right for women to have control over their reproductive health, specifically the right to abort a pregnancy. We have a historical precedent in this country that inalienable rights should be recognized and protected by the federal government and not decided on a state-by-state basis. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a prime example, even if it did take several hundred years for our government finally to acknowledge (not necessarily protect, mind you) equal rights for all races.

When it comes to the right of women to control their own bodies, conservative Americans led largely by evangelical Christians have been protesting ever since Roe vs. Wade that women must relinquish these rights, arguing that the embryo or fetus must be protect by the government. Even though most other first world countries do allow abortions, including religiously identified nations like Israel, conservative Christians in America still demand that women carry their pregnancies to term. In some states controlled by the most right leaning segment of the political spectrum, there are no exceptions to this rule, even in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions for the pregnant woman.

Even with modern medicine, childbirth is still a stressful event for a woman, mentally and physically. Giving birth is riskier than an abortion performed by a trained medical professional. I’m not suggesting that an abortion doesn’t cause physical and/or emotional distress; I’m only stating that women are no longer lucky enough in this country to be able to decide their own parental destiny. Not only are men exempt from the infringement of the right to control their bodies in this regard by nature of their sex, some fathers find all types of work arounds to avoid their responsibilities to care for their unwanted children. Women rarely have that luxury. Yes, adoption is an option, but the risks and stress of carrying and bearing a child are still present, and giving up a newborn can add considerably to the anguish.

It’s great to be an American if you’re lucky enough to be white, or at least obviously of European descent. White privilege still exists in the U.S., despite arguments to the contrary by mostly white people. Yes, I know there are people of color who claim that white privilege is no longer a thing in this country, but I suspect most of them live very comfortably and have not personally suffered from racial discrimination . . . yet. When I have had discussions with white people who refuse to acknowledge the advantages they enjoy because of their color, what shuts them down most effectively is a simple question: would you rather be black or brown than the color you are now?

Wealth and power are still concentrated in the hands of white people, and if given the opportunity, history has proven that they will tend to employ other white people, even over equally or even better qualified persons of color. White people make up about 75% of Congress and over 80% of state legislative bodies. White men still hold a majority of elected offices – again, you’re lucky to be a man in America. And anyone who still believes that elected officials, once they are in office, strive to represent all their constituents is terribly naïve. In his second term, Donald Trump has made it a priority to dismantle many of the protections instituted by previous administrations from both parties to fight racial discrimination, even at the highest levels of government.

It’s great to be an American if you’re lucky enough to be healthy. If there is one issue on which almost all Americans agree, it is the inaccessibility of quality healthcare. Oh, we don’t all agree on why it is so bad, but we all know it is abysmal. It’s not so much the quality of care that exists in America, because our advances in medicine over the last generation have been impressive. The problem is how to afford care and how to get it when you need it. There are endless debates from the halls of Congress all the way down to the rockers on the front porch of the country store about what president, party, law, program, or company is to blame for the high cost of healthcare.

For several decades, the cost of healthcare has been rising exponentially. There are a multitude of reasons for this increase, which are better saved for another post. The United States seems to have a deep phobia of anything that even has a faint odor of socialism, outside of Social Security and Medicare, that is. Democrats and Republicans alike have looked to any other option imaginable rather than embrace the concept of socialized medicine that so many other modern countries have adopted. People of means from those countries may come to America to be treated by a top-notch specialist, but very few come to our country specifically to sign up for health insurance, private or government sponsored.

Instead of some form of universal healthcare, we keep a firm grip on our capitalist ideals by trusting insurance companies to pay for medical costs in cooperative arrangements that are typically tied to employers. The irony of this system is how it stifles entrepreneurship. Most self-employed people cannot afford health insurance, and they certainly will not risk being without it. Most job seekers are more interested in their health plan than their salaries. The Affordable Care Act of the Obama administration seemed like a compromise, but it relied too heavily on buy in from the opposing party to work properly, especially on the state level. That type of across-the-aisle cooperation is long gone from American politics. The lucky Americans are either without serious illness, or they are wealthy enough to be self-insured – about the top 1% of the country. The rest of the population watches in dismay as more and more of their earnings go to pay premiums, copays, and deductibles, which brings up my final point.

It’s great to be an American if you’re lucky enough not to be born into poverty. The rags to riches story is closely tied to American idealism, but it is mostly a myth. Of course, there are exceptions, and some people who grow up poor experience a change of fortune due to hard work and ingenuity, but more often than not, luck is involved here as well. Children who are raised in poverty are less likely to eat nutritious meals, live in safe and clean conditions, have adequate medical care, get a good education, and be protected from crime and illegal drugs.

Breaking out of the cycle of poverty is extremely difficult in the United States. Without proper education and a network of family, friends, and neighbors, landing a job that pays above minimum wage is tough to accomplish. Role models are scarce, and bad influences abound. The problems are magnified in large urban areas where social services are overwhelmed and underfunded. The sense of community in rural areas can sometimes help the poorest people find resources they need to survive, but those conditions are rare in major cities. Unfortunately, poverty breeds more poverty, and by some estimates, over ten percent of Americans live below the poverty line.

For over eight years now, people in this country have been hearing and seeing the slogan, “Make America Great Again.” But what are the leaders who bought into this catchy phrase doing to bring back the greatness they believe has disappeared? Half the population is female. Are we making America great by protecting their rights to reproductive health decisions? Are we helping minorities gain equal footing in pursuing the American dream? Are we treating people outside the heterosexual population with respect and dignity, recognizing they are first and foremost human beings? Are we doing everything we can to give people in poverty the opportunity to succeed and perhaps even prosper?

As a white male who doesn’t have to worry too much about money, I fully recognize my place of privilege in this country. I’m comfortable living here. But I’m not comfortable knowing that so many people are not lucky enough to be in my shoes. Furthermore, it saddens me that it doesn’t have to be this way.

A Physically Fit Retirement

January 20, 2026 ~ If You Want My Opinion ~ Leave a comment

In his remarkable book, Badass Retirement, author Robert Pagliarini includes a chapter titled “Upgrade Health.” His message is simple for people who want to escape average retirement: think and act like an athlete. He posits that professional athletes “invest their time and energy into improving their performance.” They work hard at it to avoid injury, recover quickly if they do get hurt, and achieve the highest possible energy and stamina for years, even decades. He stresses that retirees should have these exact same goals – and I agree one hundred percent.

My wife and I are now in our second year of retirement, and one of our top priorities since we left employment is to get in better physical shape and maintain a healthier lifestyle than we did during our working years. We are paying closer attention to what we eat and drink (well, better than we once did). We are also wearing the right kind of clothes and shoes for our new lifestyle. We are paying more attention to our bodies and making sure we get the medical care we need. We believe in the value of vaccinations and medication.

Perhaps the most significant change in retirement related to our health is our increased focus on physical fitness. Much of our time is now discretionary, and we are devoting more of it to a variety of exercise options including weight training, cardio activity, Pilates, walking, and hiking. We both have trainers we work out with at least once a week. We have pickleball paddles and hope to learn how to play this game that has swept across America and is attracting all ages, not just seniors.

Dan Kinney Family Center, Springfield, MO

We are fortunate to live in a community that offers ample opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Our city and county have an excellent trail system for walking, hiking, and biking. Some of the trails connect to surrounding towns. We have a nature conservation area, a botanical garden, a historical landmark park, and several outdoor green spaces with hiking trails, paved walkways, creeks, and ponds.

Because we are both over age 60, we get an extra benefit through our local park board in the form of a deep discount on membership at their fitness centers. We can reach the one closest to our house in about ten minutes. This family center has a multi-use court for pickleball, basketball, volleyball, children’s inflatable bounce houses, and group exercise programs like SilverSneakers. There is a walking track on the second floor that circles the court. There is an outdoor paved walking track too. The center is equipped with a wide variety of dumbbells, weight machines, treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, stair steppers, and much more. The center also has meeting space and separate rooms for small classes and individual training.

We are making a concerted effort to exercise several times a week, with two days of weights, at least one day of cardio, and 2-3 days of alternate activity like walking or Pilates. We live in a subdivision that is great for walking. If possible, we also try to include exercise as part of our daily routine when we travel, taking advantage of hotel and condo fitness rooms or just walking nearby trails or in neighborhoods. We look for public gardens, arboretums, and greenways for walking too. When we are away from home for extended periods of time, we purchase a temporary membership at a fitness center so we can maintain our weight and cardio routines.

Hiking has always been a favorite activity for both of us, even before we met and got married. I have written about our hiking adventures a few times in this blog. When we travel, we look for fun and scenic places to hike. Phoenix, the Sonoran Desert, San Francisco, Lake Erie, Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite, Mount Hood, and various locations in the Ozarks and Appalachia are just a few places we have hiked. We have walked or hiked in temperatures from 13 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, in light rain and sunshine, and in all four seasons.

Sometimes it’s not easy to get motivated, but we know we need to keep moving, strengthen our core, develop and maintain muscle tone, protect our bones, keep our hearts healthy, and improve our balance. Robert Pagliarini makes a valid point to keep in mind in his badass book on retirement. “The most important asset you have is your health, but knowing what to do when it comes to nutrition, supplements, and fitness feels like a moving target for a good reason. If there is one area that changes more than any other, it’s health.” Medical professionals agree that exercise is essential to staying healthy, and we intend on staying as healthy as possible as we age. After all, we’ve got places to go, people to see, things to do!