Travel

After 6500 miles and 33 days, we returned home ! We had traveled through more than ten states, visited many museums and other cultural sites. We saw America's natural wonders, spent lovely days with old friends and met many interesting people along the way. Please follow us through our journey via photos and entries in my diary. (There will be a part 2.)

Compared to the Burmese Pythons exploding in the Everglades the rattle snakes of the South West are relatively benign. But better to encounter them at the funky reptile museum than out in the wild. The fun of travel is that you never know what is encountered along the way.

.The Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico were recommended to us as a destination on our second “See America” tour. We drove 3000 miles to have the experience. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A crescent-shaped city on the banks of the Mekong River, Vientiane combines historic grandeur with modernity. A legacy of its royal and colonial past, it is a cosmopolitan city with wide boulevards, unique architecture and ethnic neighborhoods. As a result of rapid modernization, it is on the way to becoming one of Asia's major capital cities.

Laos has many mountains and rivers. Its mountain tops and river valleys are home to many ethnic groups. Our scenic bus journey to Vientiane took us through unique tribal villages and spectacular mountain topography with an overnight visit in Vang Vieng.

Long isolated, Luang Prabang, a former royal city and monastic center on the Mekong River in Northern Laos is an unknown treasure in Asia. Ancient Buddhist temples, French colonial buildings, buzzing markets and an array of local crafts offer the visitor a rich cultural experience.

On Saturday, May 15th and May 16th Bascom Lodge on the Summit of Mount Greylock will celebrate the Opening of its 2010 Season with Free Family Programming of Native American performances. There will be activities for the whole family starting at 11AM each day.

Mandalay is Burma's cultural and economic heart. It teems with royal. colonial and sacred landmarks. Its buildings, rich craft industry and accessible location on Irrawaddy River for trade make it a lively metropolis.

For many years the North Adams based artist, Rick Harlow, has made frequent and extensive visits to Colombia. He has lived and worked with indigenous peoples in many projects. In January he participated in the Black Line Journey organized by EarthAction as a part of its Elders Project.