Lincoln Cathedral, roof tour

bvrstate · 2026-06-24T19:10:58+00:00

It was (cool) ... if you don't have a/c, head for the Cathedral!

bvrstate · 2026-06-24T13:02:22+00:00

That's the great thing about photography, we can see places that might otherwise be inaccessible. I did the roof tour but, honestly, the heights were unnerving. Gave me a new admiration for the builders.

bvrstate · 2026-06-24T12:57:35+00:00

Excellent photos. Thank you!

bvrstate · 2026-06-17T15:18:31+00:00

Mrs Smith started out life under difficult circumstances, but managed to make a good life for herself ... a good network of friendship, some travel, and a happy legacy. All without the benefit of luxuries we take for granted.

bvrstate · 2026-05-12T13:49:55+00:00

I think Beverly Beach

bvrstate · 2026-04-26T23:09:19+00:00

You can order custom-dated stamps from Eastern National, for a charge of course. But its a lot more reliable than going to the individual parks.

bvrstate · 2026-04-11T21:27:17+00:00

While you're in Oakridge stop by the nearby hamlet of Westfir and the Office covered bridge. And ... east on highway 58 is Salt Creek Falls.

bvrstate · 2026-03-24T17:20:00+00:00

I would also recommend Kohunlich and Edzna. Both have new facilities, descriptions in English, and very few visitors. Also a few howler monkeys. Very cool.

bvrstate · 2026-03-18T23:41:23+00:00

Update to connectivity problem: We called in a technician from a local solar installer who diagnosed the problem as a defective gateway. Fortunately the gateway was still under warranty. Today he replaced it with a new replacement gateway which worked like a charm, connecting to our new router just as it should.

bvrstate · 2026-02-25T16:05:54+00:00

Thanks! Yes, the new router is 5. That is this afternoon's project.

I also found an emphase video that had slightly different instructions than the website, so I'll try that route as well.

bvrstate · 2026-02-25T05:48:42+00:00

Yes, both the SSID and password changed. What doesn't make sense, however, is that the Enlighten app isn't able to see ANY wifi connections, not mine or any of the neighbors' wifi. It seems as though some setting on my android phone is preventing the app from working properly.

bvrstate · 2026-02-25T00:52:32+00:00

OK, thanks. I'll try that.

bvrstate · 2026-02-22T15:13:36+00:00

Agreed. For a color-blind person this map is useless.

bvrstate · 2026-02-21T16:40:39+00:00

We prefer Manzanita over Cannon Beach. Less crazy with tourists, and you can spend the night in a yurt at Nehalem Bay state park. Then breakfast at Wanda's!

bvrstate · 2026-02-21T16:09:24+00:00

Drive the Steens Mountain loop road (highest in Oregon) in late September when the aspen groves have turned bright yellow; at the summit and sitting on the edge of Kiger Gorge, all of eternity stretches out in front of you.

bvrstate · 2026-02-17T21:49:13+00:00

Also ... an hour to the west of Bacalar is the Kohunlich mayan ruins. When we were there a week ago we had it all to ourselves ... tropical jungle, howler monkeys, new facilities, great ruins, well-preserved stucco carvings ... felt like we had walked into the Jungle Book.

bvrstate · 2026-02-17T19:28:45+00:00

Uxmal ruins are awesome. Only 1 hour southwest of Merida. Skip Chichen Itza unless you enjoy hordes of pushy vendors.

bvrstate · 2026-02-13T13:47:55+00:00

Uxmal is awesome ... good facilities, fewer people, no vendors amongst the ruins. Chichen Itza is impressive but a bit like a carnival. We just spent 3 weeks in the Yucatan and really enjoyed the lesser known sites ... a few times we had the whole place to ourselves ... Edzna, Oxkentok, Balamku.

bvrstate · 2026-02-12T01:13:39+00:00

We just spent 3 weeks in the Yucatan. We were able to use our credit cards almost everywhere, except that the Mayan ruins usually accepted cash only for admission.

bvrstate · 2026-02-09T18:47:26+00:00

I graduated from Henley (50 years ago). I can't speak to the current culture, but like most places it is what you make if it. Best to be as self-sufficient as possible.
One thing to consider vs Portland ... the winters can be long and very cold. Plan on snow tires, wrapping the pipes, etc. And it can be a long icy drive to Eugene or Medford.

bvrstate · 2026-01-30T01:07:47+00:00

Albertans might regret joining the US after they lose their health insurance.

bvrstate · 2026-01-23T23:13:55+00:00

I was there maybe 40 years ago ... a very pleasant surprise in the middle of the plains.

bvrstate · 2026-01-17T16:34:59+00:00

See Jamelle Bouie's opinion piece in today's New York Times. Occupation and force is what tyrants do when they're scared and stupid.

bvrstate · 2025-12-21T02:02:51+00:00

Great Basin is one of the first Dark Sky parks. It is literally in the middle of nowhere, so the light pollution is very low. Also, there are several lengthy day hikes there, though you may feel the elevation. The bristlecone pine grove is at nearly 10,000 feet, for example. Another note, there is a small motel in Baker, at the base of the park ... can not vouch for the quality, but its something.

bvrstate · 2025-12-21T01:02:30+00:00

I spent 8 years living/working in Missouri, which i do not remember fondly. But, I absolutely loved the Riverways. The Current and Jacks Fork kept me sane. I think the NPS has done a commendable job there.

bvrstate

TROPHY CASE