Roadboy's Souvenir Strategy

 Sou•ve•nir

"a thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place or event"

While making our individual journeys through life we acquire and surround ourselves with special artifacts. Little fragments that trigger bursts of sentimentality and often bring a smile. 

A New York Theater Playbill is only folded paper until it is autographed. A cocktail napkin or book of matches from a cocktail lounge or special dinner on a date won't tip off anything to anyone but you.

Everyone decides what is important to them.

I believe carefully chosen souvenirs are wonderful. My mom patiently acquired a charm from each of the special places she visited; a spinning windmill and sterling silver wooden clogs from the Netherlands, a tiny Eiffel Tower and a little poodle from Paris. All eventually added to a bracelet of treasured memories. 

The main thing is to avoid obsession. Turning travel into a scavenger hunt is a sin.

My own concept of a good souvenir runs a bit eclectic. 

To me a great souvenir touches the senses. Food favorites include a bottle of amazing cherry syrup from Croatia, a jar of apple calvados jelly from Androuet in Paris (with cheese on a water cracker - yum!), a jar of creamy smooth cajeta caramel from Mexico or Pandan kaya (coconut jam) for toast from Singapore.

 

Sweet Croation Cherry Syrup

For smells I love the piñon incense from Santa Fe and soap and shampoo's from great hotels (one hotel in Sweden won me over with its Rituals toiletries). I'll never forget the fragrance of the lovely citrus shampoo they used to offer at the Treasure Island in Las Vegas (a city Roadboy otherwise despises).

I really appreciate souvenirs that are useful everyday things; articles of clothing or a unique kitchen tool. 

Why pack an umbrella for a trip to London when you can buy a treasure like a Fulton when you get there? I love a blue pleated wool scarf I found on a bitterly cold winter day in Paris and the splendid leather manbag I bought from a fragrant leather shop in Pienza. 

And, then there are everyday lime green glasses from Ottica Carraro in Venice. Some items (like my glasses) are souvenirs that go on become personal trademarks. 

Fine Venetian Eyewear By Carraro

On a steamy trip to Japan in June we admired the blooming Hydrangeas and I found a handcrafted fan from a little studio in Kyoto. The fan was useful on the trip and now awaits mounting in a shadow box at home.

  

Japanese Fans 

I'm not sure why I have a fixation with handmade marionettes, but I do. So when Frank and Frida were available at Wright's masterwork Fallingwater at Bear Run, Pennsylvania, well they came home with me. Later, they were joined by a "rocket" vase from Wright's Taliesin studio in Spring Green, Wisconsin.    

Frida and Frank

And then there was the downright goofy three-headed dragon I found in a spectacular Czech Marionettes gallery in Prague.

   

Makes Me Smile Every Day

Happily, I've inherited a few souvenirs too. Much loved are the 1942 era golden bear bookends from Yosemite (where my dad saved up enough WWII gas ration coupons to go propose to my mom who was working summers as a maid at the Ahwahnee).

 

Love From Yosemite

After living in Alaska I developed deep affection for alabaster carvings, scrimshaw, the enamel pins of William Speer in Juneau and Ray Troll's quirky art from Ketchikan.  

"D" is for Dogfish by Ray Troll

 An Enamel Porter By William Speer

Speer is one of those "only in Alaska" stories. A lawyer from Nebraska who came to Alaska and "gave up the practice of law when it changed from being helpful in making people useful and productive into an insidious cancer eating our society alive"

True that.

And, of course, there are souvenir's for souvenir's sake. My daughter presented me with a poster from my favorite Disneyland attraction; the original 1963 vintage Disneyland Enchanted Tiki Room (Disney's first audio-animatronic attraction). The computer room for the original version was nothing short of a marvel.

The Place for Dole Whip!

Well there's a sample of what I like, what are your favorite souvenirs? 

 

Roadboy's Travels © 2021

The World Puts out the Welcome Mat!

Around the globe in every place where vaccination rates climb, Covid infection rates fall. 

This has unleashed a level of optimism and exuberance that is both exciting and maybe a little terrifying. I see Americans, desperate to amp up their lives, now hell bent on catching up for a year's worth of lost travel and life in general. I believe travel will see a rubber band effect. In my own household we are booking future travel with vigor. 

Much of the optimism has arrived with every tangible sign of nations reopening. So far they include France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and much of the Carribean.

This week I received this note in my e-mail from Spain.

As Spain is one of my favorite places to explore, this note felt especially good. And, I wasted no time booking my flights for a trip this fall to explore Northern Spain on two wheels.

So to those who refuse to vaccinate for the common good, I say that is your right, go enjoy the wonderful variety of food, culture and experiences to be found within the borders of our nation.

But, as for me, I look forward to climbing out of the Covid cocoon and enjoying the food, sights and culture found within and beyond the boundaries of the US. 

Roadboy's Travels © 2021

Someone Doesn't Like Roadboy

Google Locked Up My Blog Today

After posting for twelve years, and recording 115,000 page views, today my blog was reported to Google as a phishing site. For awhile it no longer displayed photos and my banner.

Thanks to those that filed "Inaccurate" reports to Google stating that Roadboy's Travel's was not a "Deceptive" site. 

As of 9:00 PM this evening Google reopened my site once again displayiing all the artwork, stories I've written and photos I've snapped all these years.

Thank you!

 

Roadboy's Travels © 2021

Vaxed & Ready to Go!

2021 and 2022

The travel year beckons and Roadboy is getting excited about emerging from my Covid induced cocoon!

Skies Over Phoenix Have Begun to Fill With Travelers Again

The good news is travel planning is pretty good now. Most hotels are offering free cancellations and airlines are being decent about waiving cancellation fees (but beware many airlines who said "Cancellation fees are gone forever!" are quietly reinstating them for basic economy). "Consumer protection" and "Airlines" never fit well in the same sentence. Airlines sell a product they don't have (ovebooking seats) and define "forever" as roughly 14 months. 

 So do I believe their claims for safety? Hell no, I'll continue to wear N 95's on board. In recent flights I've seen lots of nig nog fliers slip on masks just to get in the airport and then let them fall below their nose / chin once in the terminal. Jerks that travel tend to self-identify.

My last flight, and reports from others, confirm airlines are rapidly increasing fares and aggressively overbooking flights again. Also, many traditionally busy domestic destinations (Hawaii, Florida, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach are already booked and starting to price gouge for summer 2021). Happily, locations that are filling up (aside from Hawaii) are the same places Roadboy normally avoids.

So tentatively here is my travel line up!

July: Boston and Cycling Cape Cod / Martha's Vineyard

This will be another Vermont Bike Tours (VBT) bike tour. VBT was forced to cancel both of my 2020 trips (California wine country and Northern Spain). So I'm back to support them in 2021. If you've never experienced a cycling or walking vacation check into VBT or its sister company "County Walkers".

August: Boston and Maine

I travel once a year with my friend Carolyn from Austin. This year we had set our sights set on a visit to Montreal, but as Canada remains closed planning travel seems problematic. As I visited Maine a few years back and loved Acadia National Park, I proposed a return as a practical option.

Between the two trips I'll get two bites of the apple in Boston this year. So I'll be checking out the stops I've yet to make. Maybe a Paul Revere walking tour and visits to museums I missed the first time are in order. Oh, and lots of lobstahh.  

September: New Orleans

I'll be making a return to the "Big Easy" for a national convention in September. Its been many years since I've been to New Orleans and I plan to visit its new museums and eat a beignet (or three).

October: Spain and The Netherlands

My second VBT trip in 2021 will be Northern Spain: San Sebastian, Pamplona and Bilbao. I'll bookend the cycling with a visit with friends from Northern Idaho to sightsee my beloved Madrid. They will head out for a month of travel and I will catch a flight on to Amsterdam where I plan to spend a day in the massively renovated Rijksmuseum. From Amsterdam I'll catch a train to Rotterdam to inventory its contemporary architecture. This will allow me to use hotel vouchers from the "Tulips" trip I had to cancel last May.    

January 2022: Iceland

In January my friend Beth and I will meet up for a mid winter trip to Iceland. Blue Lagoon thermal pools and (hopefully) some Northern Lights!!

Other trips in 2022 will hopefully include my first visit to Greece (amazing right?). I also plan to make a return to Croatia and maybe Montenegro and / or Slovenia.

Lots of photos and stories ahead in 2021!

Roadboy's Travels © 2021

Sold! The Postponed 2021 Barrett Jackson Scottsdale

Cool Cars in the Desert

Like swallows to Capistrano, every year car enthusiasts the world over migrate to Arizona for one (or more) of the 5-6 collector car auctions that take place in our Valley of the Sun.

The events normally take place in January. This year the pandemic called into question whether Scottsdale's premier event; the Barrett Jackson event would happen at all. Happily, despite a pandemic postponement, the event did take place in March.

Admittedly the event had to be a little "different" this year. Attendance was way down and the tents were only partially full of cars ready to face the auctioneer's gavel.

Here's some of what caught my eye.

The Ford Motor Company proudly greets attendees at the entry to the Barrett Jackson every year. And, of course, all eyes this year were on Ford's glorious GT's and an new all-electric Mustang Mach-E.

Ford's New Mustang Mach-E

Although I'm not 100% sold on the Mustang's design (seems more like a small crossover than a "pony" car to me), its fit and finish looked tight and the pricing seemed right. 

The Stingray

As usual Ford was joined by Dodge, Tesla, Karma and Chevrolet. And, like last year, Chevrolet's dazzling new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette continues to turn heads. I LOVE the "Stingray" logo on the boot.

Moving into the "Salon" tent, 2021's light attendance was plainly evident. Yet the tent included plenty of cool rolling stock to appreciate.

My fav's? A lovely 1967 Ferrari, Carol Shelby's Super Snake, Edsel Ford's Woody and an amazing '59 Desoto.

A Lot less Attendance This Year

The Hood Ornament from Edsel Ford II's 1947 Super Deluxe Woody Wagon 

As my friends know, I have a serious hood ornament fetish. There is no 12-step program for it. So the iridescent hood art on Edsel Ford's woody stopped me in my tracks. It found a new owner willing to part with $209,000.

Then a '67 Ferrari also stopped me. I had a 1966 Ferrari Berlinetta once (well it was a Matchbox car) but I have remained in love with that car ever since. The real full sized version here sold for $2,475,000.

A 1967 Ferrari GTB (Grand Touring Berlinetta)

There were the usual crowd pleasing split window corvettes, American Graffiti porthole T-birds and muscle cars.  

But it was a swivel seat 1959 DeSoto nicknamed "Alan" that knocked me for six. I mean, seriously, how could anyone not love a car like this?  Cocktails anyone?

The new owner's of Alan paid $258,500 to own this little slice of lovely American nostalgia.

1959 DeSoto Adventurer

Look at Those Swiveling Seats

Also representing the 1950's was this 1959 Custom El Camino "Triton" (Half Man / Half Beast). It was begun by Karl Krumy who worked with George (The Batmobile) Barris. Krumy left it incomplete until 2014 when Keith Dean finished the work. The Triton sold for $110,000.

1959 Chevrolet El Camino "Triton"

My last snap in the Salon tent is a gauge cluster from a 1952 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible (sold for $84,700).

A 1952 Cadillac Series 62

At this point I cruised the outdoor tents and admired everything from late"ish" model commuter Maserati's (Why?) to fire trucks (Why??) and farm tractors (Why???).  

I tracked down a V-12 Jaguar XJ-S (that went for a song) and a 1963 T-Bird "Bullet Bird" Convertible (admittedly my passion).  

The '63 Bullet Bird At The Detail Tent - All Ready to Gavel

I gorged on some additional hood art and a bunch of little details (like this clock in the rear view mirror of a spectacular 1932 Chrysler CI convertible that sold for $51,700)

Loved the Rear View Mirror Clock in this Chrysler CI

And IMHO some of America's best hood art adorns automobiles made by Packard.  Here is the hood of a 1947 Packard Clipper Sedan (it sold for $31,900). I don't care if it is just a trip to buy diapers, anywhere you go in a car like this will be special.

1947 Packard Clipper

Here is a shot of the cars entering the detail tent just before getting sold. Some cars roared, others purred, but all met the gavel in their 90 seconds of fame. 

The Detail Tent

Sadly, this year the auction severely limited seating for non-bidders in the main auction hall. I'm assuming it was to assure distancing. Actually it was fine. It was a lovely day so I just watched outside on a jumbo tron. 

And there went that lovely T-Bird (a nice daily driver for $20,000). Somebody got a cool car.

Sold!

 

With each year it becomes increasingly apparent that the collector market is evolving fast. A few years ago, a 55 T-Bird was hot at auction. For the last few years it has been 70's and 80's muscle cars that got adrenaline pumping and bids flying. 

But really, prices simply flirt with those reaching middle age and their new found affluence, bolstered by a few beers. They buy the cars they dreamed of owning when they were young. 

Having said that, I see less and less young people at these events each year. I attribute it to the fact that buying and owning a car is out of reach for many younger Americans. They must focus on college debt, high rents and low paying jobs.

Others frankly just don't see cars as any big priority. They have UBER and Lyft. And the cars they grew up with lack character or charisma. Few modern cars trigger real passion. 

So, looking out a couple of decades, times are destined to be very different. 

Most American autos will be part (or all) electric. And, with fewer cars requiring gasoline, gas stations will come to realize they can't get by only selling big gulps and will begin to close. 

That means some very prominent, high-visibility, building sites are about to become available on every corner in America!

For dinosaurs (like me), clinging to my old rolling stock, we will soon face the reality that our precious cars will soon be fuel orphans.

But, for now, who cares? 

Next year, I'll be back! 

Stay healthy! Stay Safe!

Roadboy's Travels © 2021

Arne Was A Good One

 Marriott's Dynamic Leader Passes

 

This week Marriott's CEO Arne Sorenson died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 62.  I'm sure many road warriors will join me in heartfelt sadness at his passing. 

If you google® the statement "everything good about American corporate leadership" Mr. Sorenson's name should come up first. He led with compassion, clarity and seemingly endless enthusiasm.

For those of us that made Marriott properties our "home away from home" for decades, we know the solid team leadership he created delivers nearly flawless consistent quality systemwide. 

Whether I check into a flagship Marriott property or a thrifty airport Fairfield Inn, I arrive expectating a warm welcome, an immaculate room and WiFi that works. 

Many of my fondest family memories include stays at Marriott properties worldwide.

Unlike other hotels chains, where expressions of appreciation for brand loyalty ring hollow, under his leadership I knew my brand loyalty was truly appreciated.    

Perhaps most importantly, unlike hotel magnates that rely on false bravado and empty swagger, his leadership cut through political BS and was accompanied by empathy and a focus stressing tolerance and diversity.

If corporate executives in similar positions of leadership were to take a page from his playbook, the world, and American industry, would be better for it. 

RIP Arne

Sign me "A Fan"

Roadboy's Travels © 2021

Bicycles Vs. Cars

Death is Our Biking Buddy in Phoenix

As of yesterday, I've been hit by cars riding my bike in Phoenix three times. And over my 6 decades of cycling I've been harassed by aggressive dipshit drivers too many times to count.

So I offer this cautionary tale. 

I design buildings in service to law enforcement and the forensic sciences. So I spend a lot of time in evidence rooms. And, as part of a project I was working on many years ago, I toured the Phoenix Police Department Property and Evidence warehouse. 

Now each property and evidence facility I visit is filled with the remnants of evil. All the fragments have a story; mostly tragic. I've seen whole rooms filled with the evidence from a single case. Whether it is remains from the Wah Mee massacre in Seattle or the Chandra Levy (Rock Creek Park) murder in DC, evidence from serious crimes is destined to be stored forever in those repositories.

Anyway, here in Phoenix, I was impressed how orderly and organized the evidence staff stored thier bikes. Hundreds of bikes hanging neatly on hooks in tall racks. 

This was in stark contrast to most police departments, where bikes just pile up outside in a chain mesh cage until the next auction.

So I complimented the evidence staff. 

Then reality hit. I was told said "oh those aren't found property bikes". The found property bikes were indeed outside in a massive chain link enclosure awaiting auction.

The hundreds of hanging bikes I saw hanging so neatly were evidence. 

A cyclist was either killed or catastrophically injured on every one of those hanging bikes. Injuries administered by a human in a car. 

After that day I realized how lucky I have been in my rides and I began to limit my rides to single track trails in the North Phoenix preserve, the Murphy Bridle Path (which I now know can also be dangerous) and the canals. What roads I do ride are those with designated bike lanes. And, thankfully, Phoenix has been implementing "road diets" to create new bike lanes all over he city. They've also added in-pavement bike traffic signal actuators and a bunch of "bikes own this lane" signage (which most Phoenix driver's simply ignore).

It all comes back to automobile drivers. It is kind of the same analogy as gun nuts offer for possessing lots of guns. It ain't the guns that kill, its the creep using them. Similarly, its not the car that kills, its the crap driver operating the car.

The first driver to hit me maintained eye contact with me continuously as he pulled away from a stop sign at the Arizona Biltmore's Adobe Grille and simply drove into me. Drunk, of course, he was confused by the thump he heard, oblivious that he'd just hit a human on a bike.

Luckily, I was ok.

The next event was on the bridle path when a driver in his sleek new white Benz saw an opening in traffic and suddenly turned from Central Avenue across the Bridle Path without a concern for humans on the path. He didn't realize (or care?) that his recklessness sent two joggers diving into the ditch and me over my handlebars. He just waited for his electric garage door opener to close securing his prize wheels. This time I climbed out of the ditch, found all my scattered belongings, collected my bike, dusted myself off and paid him a visit. He opened his front with a beer in hand and mumbled an "oh sorry" before slamming the door.

Another time, also on the bridle path, a car full of polo shirt clad prep school boys aimed their car at me and hit the gas to scare the old guy on the bike in the crosswalk. They thought it was hilarious.

I was able to avoid their kill shot, but was able to string together a long list of obscenities that, until that very moment, I was unaware I owned. 

Yesterday I was riding 30 miles on the canals. It is a ride I carefully composed to avoid street crossings. Yet, one crossing is at 54th street and Indian School in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has bizarre traffic signals defiantly designed to confuse everyone. So as I and about six other cyclists and pedestrians got the green and ventured into the crosswalk, the elderly driver at the curb waiting to make his "free" right, thought it was his turn to go and broadsided me. 

Luckily, the commotion from cyclists and pedestrians screaming at him resulted in the grille of his Ford Fusion just nudging me about a foot. But, it shook me up and left me speechless. He was clearly shaken too apologizing over and over. Only after he'd left did I realize the back wheel on my new bike was all bent up. Shit. 

Yet, if he'd hit one of the pedestrians, things would have been much worse.

So what does all this mean? Well, it means American drivers are too aggressive, too prone to rage, won't put down their phones and generally drive too fast. The bigger their tires, the stupider they get. Or, as a business owner friend in Coeur d'Alene Idaho once confided in me, "My check cashing policy is simple. I take checks from anyone that doesn't drive up in a truck with huge tires, roll bars and fog lights".

Sage advice.

By comparison, in all those narrow little roads I've ridden in Europe (where everyone also rides bikes), drivers always tend to be pretty thoughtful and courteous. Even in seemingly psycho Paris traffic, a cycle guide once advised at the massive Place de la Concorde, that we "show no fear! Just cross! Traffic always gives way to bikes". 

In total disbelief my young kids and I ventured into that maelstrom of traffic, and a miracle happened; traffic flowed around us like water until we safely reached the Tuilleries on he other side.

So my message is this. If you ride a bike in the US (and you should), assume drivers all suck. US drivers just get less attentive every day.

And, if you find your self driving in Phoenix, and see an old guy on an orange e-bike giving you stink eye, it's me!

Please, share the road.

Roadboy's Travels © 2021