A whirlwind trip across countries and continents. New adventures, friends, and technologies, juxtaposed with glimpses of the 1930s, offer a cautionary tale about Europe’s future. And through it all, I am pondering the questions: Who am I? What is my deepest desire? Heading to Europe to attend the SFTE symposium in Prague, I visited Italy first. My plan was to stay again in Venegono at La ManSardina with the hope of recreating my November experiences. But as it was a long weekend to celebrate Italy’s Independence, I learned too late that my friends had made other plans. I was disappointed. But recognized this as an opportunity to exercise Anthony Dello’s non-attachment and Eckhart Tolle’s “living in the now” philosophies. So the first night in Italy, I went out with Leonardo flight test colleagues for a fun dinner event. One of them (Simone) invited me to go sailplaning , which turned out to be an incredible exp...
Snow skiing or scuba? - which to choose for a solo adventure before the traditional family holiday visits? I chose the "red pill" for what I hoped would be a warm respite in an alternate universe. It was the right decision! Perfect weather, warm water, a "chill" all-inclusive resort (Allegro Cozumel), and accommodating staff combined with a nexus of adventurous sojourners from around the world made for a wonderful getaway. Natalia I felt rusty with only 12 dives under my belt from my previous two excursions at Cozumel and Okinawa. But my dive leader, Natalia, an adventurous young 20-something spirit from Madrid took me under her wing and put me at ease. Batting cleanup on my second diving was Lucas, a Brazilian. What gives them their adventurous spirit? Why wasn't I that way? Perhaps from my baby-boomer attachment to a stability-a common thread in baby boomers. Would more affluence have changed that? Sometimes I think so. Lucas ...
Obscurity Lake, Washington - Alluringly Peaceful Trap of the Biting Fly Apocalypse. Went to Oregon to escape the heat and flatness of Texas and test my mettle backpacking. 3 of my closest old friends live in the area around Portland with their spouses. All migrated years ago from California. This trip was an insightful opportunity to see how others from my youth have chosen to live their lives and retirement years. And also to better understand what it would be like to live in this area. My best friend from high school lives in a wooded suburb south of Portland close to mountains and the Columbia River. Riding horses and hunting remain his passions. Another lives in a beautifully restored 1925 house in Portland surrounded by mountain hiking/biking trails, eclectic food carts, with close proximity to river kayaking. He and I drove 2 and 1/2 hours to backpac...
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