I DIED ON THE OREGON TRAIL

St. Louis, Missouri

Portland, Oregon

Okinawa, Japan

What is this I write? Why, it's what is next on the travel docket.

All these thoughts toss themselves in and out of my tiny ears. They mesh, mash, and then multiply in my frontal lobe!

All for you to enjoy of course.

1. Climb Mt. Fuji, Japan.

2. Thanksgiving in Portland.

3. Shoot guns on a 40 acre farm.

4. Cardinals.

5. Drive, fly or boat?

6. Take a tour of wine country or climb Mt. Hood?

7. Money.

8. Money grows on trees?

9. Money will come.

10. It comes when you work.

11. Sushi in Japan!

12. Is it safe to eat sushi in Japan after the reactor?

13. White, sandy beaches of Okinawa await my running, prancing legs.

14. Healthy by then, yes I will be.

15. Meet Grandma Sol.

16. A father's birthday on the 19th of November.

17. Walk Great Wall of China.

18. Expensive to fly to Australia or New Zealand.

19. Where is Fiji?

20. 16 hour flight.

21. Can I get to Tibet?

22. Tea Horse Trail in Tibet.

23. OMG EVEREST?!

24. Maybe just Base Camp One?

25. How close do I think Tibet is to Okinawa?

26. I'm a nerd.

27. My pancreas will not stop me.

28. I will obey Chinese Laws.

29. I will obey Japanese Laws they I find them less foreboding.

30. I wonder if they have YURTS for rent?

31. They originated in Mongolia.

I'M SO EXCITED!

Wait, 32. OREGON TRAIL?!

Great game but I always fell off the raft and died.

FOR THE SWEDES!

I would like to give a quick shout out to Sweden!

Thank you for following the Compulsive Traveler Blog.

You guys rock!

CHARMED BY WOODEN HISTORY

If ever in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the night, stay at the Plaza Hotel and Cafe. Do not be mistaken, it is not connected to The Plaza though its style is reminiscent with an old world vibe.

No, the Plaza Hotel and Cafe is of it's entity and that is why I give it one of my highest recommendations.

It is located on Yankee Hill just a few blocks from Lake Michigan.

The rooms are large and reasonably priced containing an efficiency kitchen, dining room table, and a large flat screen television placed directly in front of a queen bed. It truly is a home away from home.

There is something wonderfully wooden and sound about this edifice. It smells of history and the passing of time. The spiral staircases, creaky doors, and the odd single bathrooms in the lobby make one feel it's allure in every sense.

Attached to the hotel is the Cafe at the Plaza. I have been there twice and have found myself devouring Sherried Black Truffle Eggs and relishing the Smoked Trout Nicoise Salad.

Entrees are moderately priced under $10.

They serve coffee and soda as well full bar including tasty Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers and Mimosas.

If you were concerned about parking for the Hotel or Cafe, let that thought disappear from your brain. Parking is next door in an open lot, free of charge.

So hop a ride to a little place called charm and relaxation. It is found off I-794, exit 1E in Milwaukee.

http://www.plazahotelmilwaukee.com/dining-2/

DRIFTWOOD with THROBBING FRONTAL LOBE

It is possible to think so much that your brain hurts. That would be today. My frontal lobe is throbbing.

So much so that even this Compulsive Traveler has absolutely no desire to travel anywhere...not even a quick vacation of the brain or jaunt to a river or prance down the street.

I prefer a couch with a cat named Samoa and a wall to stare at.

Or maybe it is time to just close my eyes...and become driftwood.

TAKE A RIDE ON SPIRIT!

While in Pembrey, Wales I took a ride on SPIRIT.

It was awkward and uncomfortable with my feet falling out of the stirrups and my body painfully cracking and smacking against the saddle. 

This was the first time I was riding English style and I did not rock it. I did rock the hat though! 

When we hit the beach we began to gallop. There was no saddle horn to hang on to (English)!

I tugged on SPIRIT'S reins to slow the him down. He went faster!

My hands flailed about trying to regain some semblence of authority by yanking harder but SPIRIT was undaunted.

Realizing this could end poorly, I embraced my chosen lot in life. I relaxed my body falling into the momemtum of forward motion while my brain acquiesced to the ocean waves presented before me.

I felt alive. The air was crisp. The sky brilliant in its melding of blue hues. And the fear disappeared with acceptance to the moment in play.

Minutes later SPIRIT was turning right and slowing down to a canter. My fear suddenly returned, my heart, found hours later still hanging in my shaking boots, was racing and I wanted nothing more than to get myself safely to the stables and GET OFF SPIRIT!

Though terrified and awed by my experience, I would not change it... BUT there is no repeat button. Luck was on my side once, no need to push the issue and receive a different ending.