Bruce's Travels

 By Bruce Shawkey My major trip this year was to Las Vegas, Nevada, to see the Wizard of Oz at the Sphere. Las Vegas has an interesting history, and here is a synopsis. Modern Las Vegas officially began in 1905, when land near the railroad tracks was auctioned off to create a town serving the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. The railroad connected Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, making Las Vegas a strategic stop for supplies and passengers. Las Vegas became an incorporated city in 1911. At this time it was a small desert town of only a few thousand residents, supported mainly by railroad jobs and agriculture. Hoover Dam and the Birth of Gambling (1930s)  The Great Depression transformed the city. Two key events in 1931 changed Las Vegas forever: Nevada legalized gambling and construction of the Hoover Dam. Thousands of workers flooded into the area to build the dam, creating demand for entertainment, hotels, gambling halls, and legalized porostitution. Las Vegas ...

Dawn and I are off to Dubuque for an overnight Dec. 10 -- 11. Lovely Xmas tree in the lobby of the Hotel Julien: Nice soak in the whirlpool and swim in the pool, followed with a nap, followed with delicious steak dinner in the Woodfire Grill at the Diamond Jo casino with our favorite waitress, Michelle. A little bit of Blackjack where I won $20.  Back to the Julien and to bed. Up the next morning for coffee in the lobby, followed by breakfast at the Sunshine, with our favorite waitress, Jonell. Back to Madison via scenic Highway 11. Most dramatic section is the rock cut just outside Dubuque: Stopped at Decatur Dairy for some cheese, then back to the apartment.

 By Bruce Shawkey The annual Fall circle tour is a tradition started many years ago by my sister, Dawn, and me. It takes in many points of interest combined with family memories. We start on the West Side of Madison, heading northwest on U.S. Highway 12. The route was originally signed as WIS 12 in 1917 prior to the creation of the U.S. Numbered Highway System in 1926. The first stop is a McDonalds in Sauk City for a large coffee to have with our apple pie we will eat at our next stop, Ski Hi apple orchard.  Ski Hi apple orchard has been around for a century. Founded in 1925 by the Bassett family, it has long been part of our family history. My grandfather used to go there every Fall in the 1960s to buy apples. Today, Ski Hi offers some 30 varieties of apples throughout the harvesting season. Currently, Honey Crisp is our personal favorite (and their biggest seller) but their website urges people to sample Ginger Gold, Tolman Sweet, Snow, Macoun, Idared, Golden Russe...

Tues Sept 23 Up at 2 a.m. Parked the Camry at the Dutch Mill Park and Ride. Took Uber to airport. First to Minneapolis. Breakfast at a nice little diner style restaurant: Scrambled eggs, turkey sausage, hash browns, and coffee. Boarded Delta, crammed into seats, had loud obnoxious woman behind us screaming F-bombs.  2 p.m. arrived Seattle. Took Uber to our motel, the Hampton Inn and got settled. Dinner at Elliott's on the water. White clam chowder for appetizer, prawns and scallops on a bed of risotto for main course, chocolate mousse and coffee for dessert. Clam chowder, crab cakes, and a salad for Dawn.  Back to Hampton Inn and to bed. Wednesday Sept 24 Up at, due to  8 a.m. and to Lowell's for breakfast only to find them closed, due to plumbing issues. Instead, we had pastries and strawberries and coffee. Just goes to show you need to prepare a plan B at all times. From the public market we took an Uber to the Space Needle and Chihuly glass exhibit.  Then to McDon...

Tunica, Miss. 12/21/13 Saints and Devils From Janesville, I started out for Saint Charles at 8:35 a.m., and swear I could see the devil in the rear view mirror of my Prius all the way until I arrived at my hotel at 3 p.m. I had drizzle, full-on rain, sleet, and at times fog. I kept thinking, "I'm heading south. The temperature's gotta go up, right?" But the temps stubbornly hung in the 32 to 34 range just about the whole time. There must have been tons of salt of the roadway, because I could see ice forming on the Prius at times. Only one combination gas/pee stop, and I didn't even stop for a meal anywhere, settling for a small bag of M&Ms grabbed hastily from the gas station shelves. By the time I arrived at the Embassy Suites, I had to pee like Seabiscuit, and make a mad dash for the men's room. So not exactly the most relaxing drive I've ever had, and certainly not the way I like to motor, but I made it. The devil had to go fuck with somebody else. ...

First cruise aboard aboard an Oasis-class ship, the Wonder of the Seas. Cabin 10th floor, Cabin #10147 Missed shuttle to cruise ship. Caught ride on another van got to terminal by 1 p.m. picked up scooter, went through security, up to Windjammer for buffet lunch. Very good, crowded, but they had handicapped tables available. Usual dishes and treats. Then to theater to check off safety drill. I'm now in cabin and Julie is off people watching. Met cabin steward and he will separate beds. RC app doesn't seem to be working. We set up stuff and get confirmation message, but then then the crew has no record of it. But we work it out. Dinner of fish filet was very good. Show tonight was the RC singers and dancers doing a variety show. Then off to bed. Day 2 Up at 8 a.m. and off to the 'Jammer for  hearty breakfast. Went to Solarium for dip in whirlpool and some reading. Lunch of roast beef, mashed potatoes and various salads. Nap and then get dressed for formal night in dining roo...