A Bit of Business, A Bit of Fun

This “how many national parks can I visit in a week” trip has been on my radar for quite a while. I finally have a shot of actually doing it! The trip is now part business and part pleasure. I am scheduled to give a lecture on the development of concert spirituals during the Harlem …

Day 15: RB and the Need for Speed

Interstate 80 runs from San Francisco to Teaneck, New Jersey.  This highway will be very prominent in my now two-day dash to get home. The short drive from Carson City to Reno brought me to a casino in town. I’m not a gambler–I hate to lose and can think of fewer, more ridiculous ways to …

Day 14: Yosemite Sa… Randye

While my vacation time was fast drawing to an end, I still made time to visit Yosemite National Park. I chose a route that took us through Modesto and the Napa Valley area.  The prominence of vineyards I passed in this famous wine region weren’t surprising to me, but the significant presence of almond tree …

Arizona, Take off Your Rainbow Shades

After some thought to visiting Death Valley and London Bridge in Nevada, we decided to head East, beginning to work our way back. Over the past week, the journey had taken us into Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. Still, a lot to see and a long way to drive, and time is running short. …

Rocky Mountain Rendez-vous

We got off to an early start in the hope of seeing some Utah before leaving the state. Since we were already so close to the Great Salt Lake, we decided to pay it a visit. The gift shop was just opening when we arrived, and the lake area was pretty much occupied only by …