Short Stories

The Fountain in Forsyth Park

7/16/2021

Savannah has many beautiful fountains, but none
is so striking as the one in Forsyth Park.
~ gosouthsavannah.com

Savannah, Georgia (June 7, 2021) Daughter Jill and I strolled the lush grounds of Forsyth Park, the oldest (mid-1800s) and largest (30 acres) park in the historic district of Savannah. This great expanse of stately trees and flowering shrubs provided a much-welcomed respite from the afternoon’s heat and humidity.

The pièce de resistance was an ornate fountain surrounded by a garden and decorative railing. This was one of the most-photographed places in Savannah.

The cast-iron fountain, which was installed in 1858 and remodeled several times since, featured a two-tiered basin in the center of a large round pool. Atop the upper basis was the robed figure of a woman holding a staff. The edge of the lower basin was embellished with a leaf-patterned relief; water gently sprayed from beneath. Four triton figures – half man, half fish – and a couple of swans occupied the pool; each spouted a steady stream of water.

Without a doubt, this fountain was awesome!

Citizens of Savannah, who hoped to emulate aspects of Parisian culture, believed that the fountain recreated the famous Fontaine des Mers (“Fountain of the Seas”) in Paris.

Well, yes and no...but first, “the rumor.”

The fountain was ordered from a Sears catalogue.

No, it was not. Rather, this was a misunderstanding of the truth.

The truth was that this fountain was ordered from the Illustrated Catalogue of Ornamental Iron Work! It was called “Model No. 5,” and the catalogue price was $2,200.

To rub salt into the cultural wound, No. 5 was not a recreation of the Fontaine des Mers. Instead, it was an imitation of a design created by sculptor J.P. Victor Andre that was showcased in London at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

Andre was French, so yes, there was a French connection, but this connection was twice removed from the famous fountain in Paris.

In the famous words of American radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, And now you know – the rest of the story!

Please click HERE to read more stories about our trip to Savannah.

The Viking Ship Museum

5/31/2021

Oslo, Norway (Thursday, May 31, 2018) Over the past few years, I devoured the Saxon Series by Bernard Cornwall – historical fiction about the Vikings (and Anglos) in the 9th- and 10th-century. I loved these stories! It was little wonder, then, that this port stop was the one I anticipated most. Oslo, you see, was home to a Viking museum.

Not just any museum, mind you, but one that housed three well-preserved Viking longboats built in the 8th- and 9th-century – the Gokstad (photo above), Oseberg, and Tune – as well as tools, textiles, shields, and other artifacts from the Viking Age.

These seafaring ships were unearthed between 1852 and 1904. Yes, “unearthed,” as each ship served as a burial tomb for its wealthy owner!

The Viking Ship Museum, which “gave life” to the Saxon Series, was part of a fun-filled day of sightseeing in and around Oslo. Please click HERE to join me on my tour, as I soaked up the culture while I learned more about this city’s rich history.

Agua Caliente Park

3/1/2021

Tucson, Arizona (February 17, 2017) Little did I know that when I biked to Agua Caliente Park this morning, it would be the last time I would visit this “hidden gem” near our home on the northeast side of town. In April, you see, Debra and I move from Tucson, where we lived for 19 years, to Peoria, located northwest of Phoenix.

Many times over the years, we’ve visited this 101-acre park to watch the ducks, turtles, and other wildlife that called the lake their home and take a leisurely stroll along the well-maintained network of trails lined with mesquite and other native plants. It was, for us, an oasis in the desert!

Of course, we weren’t the first people to visit – archaeologists found evidence that “hunters and gatherers” inhabited this area 5,500 years ago, perhaps drawn by the hot spring that contained water heated by geothermal heat. Fast forward to 1873, when modern man built a ranch and health resort on the property and promoted the therapeutic benefits of the agua caliente, or “hot water.”

From storyboards along the trail, we learned that there were once two springs on the property – a hot spring and a cold spring. These springs were blasted in the 1930s to increase the flow rate of water. Oops! The two springs collapsed into one – neither hot or cold – and the water flow decreased by half. Lesson learned, right? Wrong! This single spring was blasted yet again in the early 60s with the same result – the flow rate was again cut in half.

Fortunately, Pima County purchased this property in 1984, through the largesse of Tucson native and businessman Roy P. Drachman, to preserve this beautiful ecosystem as Aqua Caliente Park for future generations to enjoy as much as Debra and I have!

A Tale as Old as Time

2/20/2021

Off the Coast of Baja California (February 11, 2020) Soon after the “All Aboard!” signal sounded at 4:30, the Star Princess set sail for San Pedro, the debarkation port for our 15-night Hawaiian cruise. And a great cruise it was, filled with new sights, new experiences, and lasting memories.

Debra and I have cruised many times over the years. For the most part, we have enjoyed the onboard entertainment – magicians, vocalists, dancers, acrobats, instrumentalists, and more. And so it was with this cruise, where we were entertained daily as we sailed the Pacific Ocean. I am pleased to say that there were no “stinkers” – all the entertainers, from comedian Mike Wilson and pianist/vocalist AJ Clarke to the Star Princess singers and dancers, were outstanding!

With a fantastic personality, strong stage presence, and a rare
velvet, smooth bass voice, Browne is entertainment at its best.
~ Princess Cruises

This evening, Debra and I sat front and center row in the Princess Theater for the “Farewell Spotlight” show, which starred vocalist Phillip Browne...and, for one song, my lovely wife Debra!

Midway through his performance, Browne extended his hand to Debra and beckoned her on stage, where they danced as he gazed into her eyes and sang Beauty and the Beast – an enduring love song about a “Tale as old as time/Song as old as rhyme.”

Perhaps Browne’s performance was more dramatic when he played the role of King Mufasa in London’s West End production of The Lion King, but it was of greater import to Debra tonight. I loved her expressions…oh, and her stage presence, too! Clearly, she had fun.

Song after song, Browne’s voice was superb, his showmanship magnificent! This was an enchanting end to a wonderful cruise, and a beautiful memory for Debra!

Aloha Tower

2/6/2021

Honolulu, Oahu (February 3, 2020) Debra and I had an epic day on Oahu! We explored the beautiful botanical gardens at Lyon Arboretum, stretched our eyes across the panoramic views from Nu’uanu Pali Lookout Point, and stood in awe of the power of the ocean at Halona Blowhole.

Our day started and ended at Pier 2, located adjacent to the cruise terminal in Honolulu Harbor. From this location, standing on the Sun deck of the Star Princess, I saw this city’s cosmopolitan skyline – skyscrapers and high-rise condominiums – set against the lush mountains to the north and the volcanic cone of Diamond Head to the east. Glorious!

And as I looked to the west, I saw one of Hawaii’s most recognizable landmarks – the iconic Aloha Tower, which stood near Pier Nine.

Aloha Tower, built in Hawaiian Gothic style (who even knew there was such a thing?!), was opened in 1926. It is 184 feet tall – 10 stories – excluding the 40-foot mast that tops the tower. Although now dwarfed by the many high-rise buildings that dot the city’s skyline, Aloha Tower was the tallest building on the islands for four decades, and its clock was one of the largest in the United States. The top-floor observatory offered panoramic views of the city, harbor, and mountains.

Originally, Aloha Tower was used as a lighthouse for ships and visitor center for newly arrived tourists who were welcomed with the Hula, leis, and the greeting “Aloha” etched on its walls. Now it was a mixed-use space owned by Hawaii Pacific University – student housing, meeting and community gathering rooms, government offices, restaurants, and more. Still, it remained a welcoming beacon for Debra and me (and 2,500 or so fellow passengers) when we arrived in Honolulu this morning. It WAS a striking sight to see!

Gorges State Park

1/30/2021

Pisgah Forest, North Carolina (January 30, 2018) Jill and I were on a weeklong daughter-father getaway – a sojourn to Skyterra Wellness Retreat. Today, like our first two days, was a wonderful mix of familiar AND new experiences.

When we awoke, we found that a gentle dusting of snow had blanketed the ground. After a delicious breakfast prepared by sous chef Michael, I strolled through the wooded grounds (so relaxing!) while Jill attended a class on restorative yoga.

By noon, the temperature had warmed to the mid-30s and the early morning clouds gave way to a bright blue sky - picture-perfect for my afternoon excursion to Gorges State Park with Elwood, a fitness director, and Gunner, his four-legged friend.

This 7,500-acre park, located near Lake Toxaway about 30 minutes northeast of Skyterra, offered a range of “backcountry-style recreation” – camping, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. We were there to hike – specifically, to Rainbow Falls, which plunges 150 feet on Horsepasture River. It wasn’t a long hike – three miles or so roundtrip from the parking lot – but the trail rose a couple thousand feet in that short distance, which made for a great workout. The sound from the falls was cathartic!

I had made a pledge to Jill to be open to new experiences while at Skyterra. And so tonight, with some trepidation, I joined Jill (to my right in this photo) and a handful of guests as Amber led us in Kirtan Kriya meditation, part of an ancient form of Yoga known as Bhakti. For 30 minutes, we sang the sounds Saa Taa Naa Maa as we made repetitive movements with our fingers. PERHAPS THE STRANGEST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD! But you know what? It was a kick!!

From start to finish, this was a(nother) fun and satisfying day.

The Angel of the North

1/11/2021

Newcastle, England (September 21, 2019) The last stop on our private tour was near the town of Gateshead. There, alongside Durham Road, the majestic Angel of the North stood atop a grassy hillside as it looked out over the former Kingdom of Northumbria.

I wanted to make an object that would be a focus of hope
at a painful time of transition for the people of the North East,
abandoned in the gap between the industrial and information ages.
~ Antony Gormley

The Angel of the North, installed in February 1998, was designed and created by British sculpture Sir Antony Gormley. This MEGA-sculpture - perhaps the largest angel sculpture in the world - is 65 feet tall, has a wingspan of 175 feet (as big as a jumbo jet!), and weighs 200 tons. A small amount of copper in the weather-resistant steel gave the Angel of the North a lovely red patina finish.

Debra, who LOVES angels, was in her glory as she struck an Angel-of-the-North pose. “It was amazing,” she said, “to experience this powerful symbol up close. I could feel its energy!”

The Angel of the North was the icing on an incredible day of sightseeing from Newcastle, the last port of call on our spectacular cruise around the British Isles.

The Great Ruins of Ancient Rome

11/3/2020

Rome, Italy (October 10, 2017) This was our last full day in Rome. Tomorrow, Debra and I will board the Celebrity Silhouette for a 12-day cruise of the western Mediterranean.

Flavian Amphitheatre, aka, the Colosseum (1st century CE)

Our trip to Rome last year was fast-paced – it included a day at the Colosseum and Roman Forum and sightseeing other great ruins and attractions – so I promised Debra a slower-paced pre-cruise holiday this year. I lived up to my promise, but…my promise didn't stop me from going solo to revisit the Colosseum and Roman Forum, as well as see other sites on a purposeful and brisk five-mile walk this morning!

Circus Maximus (6th century BCE)

Portico of Octavia (1st century BCE)

Temple of Castor and Pollux (5th century BCE)

Excavated building - Roman Forum

Arch of Constantine (4th century CE)

Arch of Janus (4th century CE)

One of the things about Rome that I found interesting was how it had respected its past while keeping its eye on the future. Rome had excavated and preserved its ancient city, sometimes building new around old and at other times building (incorporating) new on old. Before this trip, I had not visited many places outside the US, but (IMHO) I can't imagine another city as fascinating as Rome.

Excavation site - a mix of new and old

I hope you enjoyed this pictorial excursion past some of the great ruins of ancient Rome!

Hiking on Los Caballos

10/24/2020

Show Low, Arizona (October 24, 2020) Debra and I have a home in Show Low, the gateway to Arizona’s White Mountains. We are surrounded by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, which offers 200+ miles of recreational trails. This morning I hiked a section of nearby Los Caballos (“The Horses”), a 16-mile loop trail.

The weather was beautiful – upper 50s, breezy, mostly blue sky. And the scenery was outstanding – ponderosa pines, junipers, and scrub oak, large expanses of manzanita and other low-lying shrubs, and scenic vistas of distant mountains. Truly a feast for my eyes!

As I hiked eyes-down over a rocky portion of the trail (lest I trip!), I glimpsed movement in my peripheral vision. I raised my eyes to see an incredible sight – a herd of a dozen elk, led by a large antlered buck, bounded across the trail no more than 100 feet in front of me! Their hooves clicked against the hard ground as they quickly climbed a hill and disappeared.

Further along the trail I spotted the burnt trunk of a tree. A large hole near its center framed this scenic shot.

My first hike on Los Caballos was awesome!

The Sunday Drive

10/19/2020

Springerville, Arizona (October 18, 2020) Debra and I loved the “Sunday drive” – a jaunt in the car to leave the city behind and enjoy the scenery in the countryside. So today, from our mountain home in Show Low, we drove 45 minutes east on US Highway 60 to the sleepy town of Springerville (pop. 2,000).

Halfway there, we entered an arid expanse dominated by scrub and dotted with a rounded-hills - not the most beautiful scenery in Arizona, but interesting topography, nonetheless.

First things first when we arrived – lunch at Safire on Main Street. We ordered burgers – All-American for Debra and Jack Daniels for me – and fries. Delicious!

We stopped at the General Store before we headed home, where we supported the local economy with a few purchases.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday Drive!

With appetites fully sated, we visited the Madonna of the Trail monument. Erected in 1928, this statue honors pioneer mothers who traveled west in the covered wagon days. Twelve identical stone statues – a stoic-looking mom with a rifle in one hand, a baby in the other, and a child at her skirt – were placed along the National Old Trails Road from Maryland to California.