Richmond, Kamala Harris Book Tour and Upcoming Trip Thoughts–October 2025

A Stop in Richmond

I have been back to Greensboro, North Carolina, since my last post, but it was for the memorial service for my older brother. I’m feeling no need to share comments or pictures except for my decision to exit I-95 in Richmond, Virginia, during my return drive. I impulsively decided to see the rest of the Clock Tower I’ve seen so many times over my life. I’ve never visited Richmond other than driving through, so I was surprised there was a toll machine at the exit. Additionally, I suspect that the area was an older part of town, based on the stonework used on the streets in the vicinity. I had already learned that the Clock Tower was part of Richmond’s Main Street Station, so seeing a train station was expected, yet it was still interesting to see.

Some of the pictures are below, with the rest available at https://singin1.pics/piwigo/index.php?/category/Seein-the-DMV-Richmond-Stop-100525:

Kamala Harris Book Tour, Washington, DC

The following Thursday evening, my sister-in-law, Helen, and I went to hear former vice-president Kamala Harris talk about her newly published book, 107 Days, and her thoughts about current events under the regime of Donald Trump, who had been declared the winner of the 2024 Presidential election in which she was the Democratic nominee. The book covers the circumstances under which she took over as nominee and her perspective on the election.

I have a DC library card, which places me on the email list that announces sponsored events like this. Helen and I were lucky to get the tickets that went so quickly that apparently a second session was scheduled that evening. Also, I have never visited the site, Warner Theatre, so I was looking forward to attending–especially since I had missed seeing then-U.S. Sen. Harris live in Iowa during her 2020 presidential run. The hall was a beautiful, older facility where I hope to hear how it handled musical programs someday soon.

I haven’t read the book, but I have seen the television interview of Harris by Rachel Maddow. This time, Kara Swisher moderated the hour-long live session. Below is a brief video excerpt of the session in which Harris discusses her concern about the Trump regime’s approach to cancer treatment:

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to record much or take numerous pictures because I forgot to recharge my phone. A few are below, with the rest available at https://singin1.pics/piwigo/index.php?/category/Seein-the-DMV-Kamala-Harris-Book-Tour-Washington-DC-100925:

Future Plans

So, while I’m not planning to drift too far away from home at present, I do have a conference in North Carolina coming soon. I’m hoping to also fit a trip to see the fall leaves in the Great Smoky Mountains along the North Carolina-Tennessee border and return home via the Blue Ridge Parkway. While I know that areas of the parkway are still damaged from 2024’s Hurricane Helene, the prospect of seeing beautiful fall colors is hard to resist. Stay tuned for more.

Sometime in 2026, I want to do an extended trip to the national parks in Southwestern United States: Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Saguaro, Petrified Forest, and Great Basin, with the prospect of giving myself a second chance to go onto the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon. The map below marks a trip of approximately 6,400 miles:

My main concern is Big Bend’s close proximity to the United States-Mexico border. With the current political climate, I’m not entirely comfortable about going there.

We’ll see. More “down the road.”

Lastly, I haven’t forgotten about Acadia NP. I want to make it part of an extended drive through the northeastern U.S. and its fall scenery, so that’s a possibility for next year.