The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday September 22nd, 2022

[Heartgrove]

@*Miss G* So sorry for your family's loss.

 

[kplady]

Good morning!

 

It's been so crazy since we got back from the Iceland-Greenland cruise, and then our long weekend at the veteran's reunion in Kokomo, Indiana....plus I'm retiring at the end of next week!  We still have to put everything away from the painting and closet work done before the cruise, plus all the things I'm bringing home from work.  I'll have lots of time to finish all that in October!

 

We've been to Anchorage a few times on our Alaska cruises.  The time we went (in 2014 on Coral Princess) we were able to enjoy a reindeer sausage from Mike's cart in front of the federal building.  He was recommended to us, and had a HUGE line every day.  He also had a list of rules to follow when ordering.  It was worth the wait and we enjoyed his rules.

 

Our favorite place in Anchorage is Snow City Cafe. It's near the Captain Cook hotel, and the food there is delicious.  We try to get there every time we're in the city.  I agree about the flowers - they seem to grow bigger there than at home!

 

So sorry to hear of health problems and deaths of relatives...prayers for all who need them.  Hope Fiona stays away from @kazuJacqui, and doesn't do too much damage anywhere else.  Take care of yourselves, and stay happy!!

 

Laura

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Anchorage, Alaska is a large city, Alaska-wise.  The city and metro area have a population of about 288,000.  Our first time there was when we flew in to board our first cruise ship (Star Princess) in Seward in 2002.  We did a southbound 7 day cruise ending in Vancouver and enjoyed it immensely.  To get to Seward we boarded the train and enjoyed all the beautiful scenery along the way.  Our DS and DDIL accompanied us on that cruise.

 

 

Glacier water with that grey tinge.

 

Then in 2010 we cruised on Diamond Princess from Bangkok to Anchorage.  We docked in Whittier and took a bus to Anchorage where our flight home left in the late evening.  The bus dropped everyone off at the Convention Center downtown.  We spent the day walking around Anchorage, then took another bus to the airport for our flight to St. Louis.  Here is a picture taken upon arrival in Whittier.  

 

Approaching the tunnel on our bus ride.  The only way to get to the big city.

 

The view along the way.

 

 

We enjoyed our walk around town, and joined some people we had met on the ship for a light lunch.  Here is the inside of the Convention Center where we claimed our luggage and got on the bus to the airport.

 

In 2019 we boarded ms Amsterdam for our 14 day Alaska cruise roundtrip Seattle.  In Anchorage we took a shuttle bus to the downtown area from our docking spot.  I'm sure this mural took a long time to paint.

 

They plant lots of flowers to enjoy in the warmer months of the year.

 

 

Another beautiful mural

 

 

While shopping we saw many interesting displays just like in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

 

In 2010 we had seen a moose running loose in the Anchorage outskirts.  On this day in 2019 the above moose is the only one we saw.

 

Back to the Convention Center to go to the airport.  

 

The Holland America bus was beautiful!

Fabulous photos Sandi.

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, *Miss G* said:

Good morning.  My father-in-law passed early this morning.  My husband, his sister, and his mother were able to sit with him during his transition.  He was a lovely, caring, and thoughtful man.  May he Rest In Peace.

 

So when it rains it pours.  After I hung up with my husband I checked my email to find Your Flight Has Been Cancelled.  Does anyone have experience with booking through Delta but being on a KLM flight?  I have spent the past hour trying to navigate both Delta and KLM trying to figure this out.  Neither airline has offered options or has rebooked me on a different flight.  Just a note from KLM to contact them but with a NL phone number.  I tried calling Delta but got the “unusually long wait time” message.  It doesn’t help that my brain is in a swirl and I am unable to think straight.  Do I call Delta or KLM?  Thank you to anyone who knows.  😢

 

Sorry, forgot to add that I am thinking of @kazu and all in its path, and @dfish for the loss of your home.  Wishing for the best of all outcomes for you both. x

I'm so sorry to hear your father in law has passed this morning.

Sending our prayers 🙏 and deepest condolences to you all.

Graham.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from sunny, wind still central Texas.  Today may be the Autumn Equinox and the beginning of fall, but our weather does not agree.  We will be in the upper 90sF for the next week, followed by a few days in the upper 80sF before heading back into the 90s in early October.  Welcome to fall in Texas.  Autumn is my least favorite season, even though I do not the triple digits in summer.  Autumn means the days are getting shorter, and I prefer longer days.

 

Three interesting days, and I'll celebrate business women's day and elephant appreciation day.  Whenever I see a story about elephants dying because poachers took their tusks, it makes me sad and upset.  

 

The J K Rowling quote reminds me of the quote "United We Stand, Divided We Fall."

 

Sopaipillas (sopapillas) are usually served as a desert in Mexican restaurants in the border states.  They are great with honey.  You tear off a corner of the puffed up sopapilla and drizzle honey inside.

We'll pass on the drink, but would not turn down a glass of today's wine.

 

We have been to Anchorage many times, both by land and by sea.  While it was not listed as the port of the day, it was mentioned when Seward (Anchorage) was the port on November 1, 2021.

 

Once when we were in Anchorage, we saw a moose walking down the street.  The Seward Highway and the Old Seward Highway parallel each other a block apart for many miles.  We were having work done on our car at a shop between the two streets.  A bull moose walked down the shoulder of the Seward Highway, turned on the connecting street, then walked to the left turn lane and turned onto Old Seward Highway.  The locals were used to such things and stopped to give the moose the right of way.  That was the one time I did not have my camera, and it was before smart phones with cameras.

 

@dfish  I'm sorry you lost the Midland home and have to start the search over again.  While what the seller did might not have been unethical since he never formally accepted the offer, I think it was very wrong to string you along.  If he'd been honest, you could have kept looking for a back up house.  In other words, what he did STINKS!  I'm glad you got a good report from the inspection except for the buyer wanting a foundation expert to check out a wall.

@kazu  Jacqui, you were certainly busy yesterday.  I have my fingers crossed 🤞 that Fiona heads out to sea for an unlamented death.  She's done enough damage already.

@Cruzin Terri  I'm glad you got a preliminary contract with the contractor so he can negotiate with the insurance company.  I'm sure he knows how to handle them and is aware that the adjustors probably try to low ball the estimates to save the insurance company money.  It's always nice to have someone who knows the ropes on your side, and to know you are not alone.

@ottahand7  Good luck with the booster shot today.  I hope your get the bivalent Pfizer booster you want.

@smitty34877  Terry, I'm glad Tana's medical appointment yesterday went well.  I'm sorry you are having insurance problems with getting your DH the Botox shots.

@rafinmd  Roy, thanks for the pictures from your safari.  We did a half day safari out of Durban on our P&O world cruise, but there were no elephants at that reserve.

@kplady  Laura, congratulations on your upcoming retirement.  Thanks for the pictures, especially the one of the "rules".

 

All those in the path of Fiona, developing tropical storms and wildfires are in my thoughts, and I hope no one is in any danger.

 

Lenda

 

Edited September 22, 2022 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[Seasick Sailor]

 

I noticed a thread about another change to pre-testing. Went on HAL website, directs you to your booking number and name, and now our first 17 days of 45 do not require testing. Also says if we have back to backs, the ship may give you a complimentary test.. 

Edited September 22, 2022 by Seasick Sailor
.

[TiogaCruiser]

Good Morning All,

We have a cool fall morning today. One I’d love to spend on my mountain bike, but I’m still on activity restrictions per my podiatrist.

 

@*Miss G* Sending condolences, and prayers for comfort and peace for your family.

@dfish So sorry your house fell through. Hoping you find something even better quickly. 
@kazu Praying Fiona doesn’t cause big problems.

 

Before being adequately caffeinated I was staring at @grapau27’s picture and wondered what was wrong with it. Took a sip of coffee.
Then the question arose as to why someone would mirror image the interior of a car. 

4 hours ago, grapau27 said:

 

Another sip of coffee.

Then I remembered Graham is in the UK. 

(it’s just confusing to this yankee brain!🤪)

 

Have a great day everyone!

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Good Morning All,

We have a cool fall morning today. One I’d love to spend on my mountain bike, but I’m still on activity restrictions per my podiatrist.

 

@*Miss G* Sending condolences, and prayers for comfort and peace for your family.

@dfish So sorry your house fell through. Hoping you find something even better quickly. 
@kazu Praying Fiona doesn’t cause big problems.

 

Before being adequately caffeinated I was staring at @grapau27’s picture and wondered what was wrong with it. Took a sip of coffee.
Then the question arose as to why someone would mirror image the interior of a car. 

Another sip of coffee.

Then I remembered Graham is in the UK. 

(it’s just confusing to this yankee brain!🤪)

 

Have a great day everyone!

I was just highlighting the Time, Temperature and date while I was sitting in the car outside Pauline's brother's house waiting for Pauline who was dropping a few things off for her brother.

He has not been vaccinated so I stopped in the car.

Graham 

[Heartgrove]

Thank you Rich for the Daily Report, thank you Roy for the Cares and Celebration Report, and thank you Debbie for today's recipes. And  thank you all for being here!

 

Getting into the final preparations for our upcoming trip to Italy+. We received our MSC cruise docs this morning via email. This is a new cruise line for us using Genoa as the embarkation port. We will be aboard the MSC Splendida which is one of the Fantasia-class ships. These are some of the most attractive cruise ships currently sailing in my opinion.

 

@StLouisCruisers Sandi, we have found that traveling to Milan is great for entering Italy. Having used both Linate and Malpensa airports, Malpensa even though further out from Milan is easier to navigate from. The Tenitalia and Italo train systems makes it very easy if your destination is north of Rome/Bari. I actually just checked and we will arrive in Milan in 25 days to begin this year's European adventure and cruises!

 

Everyone Stay Safe!

 

- Jack

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

This is my post with pictures of Anchorage from November 1, 2021.

 

I found some pictures of downtown Anchorage. As we usually rent a car, we don't often spend time in Anchorage.  In 2018 on the Zaandam, we did not have a car rental reservation, so we walked around the area where the shuttle drops us off.  We then checked with the company and were able to rent a car.

 

The visitor center

 

Downtown Anchorage

 

The Alaska Mint is actually an unique store that is worth wandering through for a few minutes.

 

 

There are flowers all over Anchorage and Alaska.  This is for the garden club.

In 2015 on the Statendam and 2012 on the Amsterdam, we went to the State Fair in Palmer.  This is the "big" or main state fair, but since Alaska is so big, we have seen signs for the state fair in southeast Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak.  The fair in Palmer is held in August and ends Labor Day weekend.

 

The fair is not big like the state fairs in Texas, Minnesota or even Arizona, but it is more a traditional state fair from years ago.

 

They even have tractor pulls.

 

I think the sign says it all.

 

The stories about the giant vegetables are true.  The Matsu Valley has warm summer days with a lot of daylight for growing big produce.

 

Then there are the giant pumpkins.

 

The midway and the vendor areas

 

A lot of flowers

 

I'm not sure why, but I thought this group would like this picture.

 

I think even though the growing season is short, the long days of sunshine are the reason for the giant vegetables and the bigger flowers seen all around Alaska.

 

Lenda

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

This is my post with pictures of Anchorage from November 1, 2021.

 

I found some pictures of downtown Anchorage. As we usually rent a car, we don't often spend time in Anchorage.  In 2018 on the Zaandam, we did not have a car rental reservation, so we walked around the area where the shuttle drops us off.  We then checked with the company and were able to rent a car.

 

The visitor center

 

Downtown Anchorage

 

The Alaska Mint is actually an unique store that is worth wandering through for a few minutes.

 

 

There are flowers all over Anchorage and Alaska.  This is for the garden club.

In 2015 on the Statendam and 2012 on the Amsterdam, we went to the State Fair in Palmer.  This is the "big" or main state fair, but since Alaska is so big, we have seen signs for the state fair in southeast Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak.  The fair in Palmer is held in August and ends Labor Day weekend.

 

The fair is not big like the state fairs in Texas, Minnesota or even Arizona, but it is more a traditional state fair from years ago.

 

They even have tractor pulls.

 

I think the sign says it all.

 

The stories about the giant vegetables are true.  The Matsu Valley has warm summer days with a lot of daylight for growing big produce.

 

Then there are the giant pumpkins.

 

The midway and the vendor areas

 

A lot of flowers

 

I'm not sure why, but I thought this group would like this picture.

 

I think even though the growing season is short, the long days of sunshine are the reason for the giant vegetables and the bigger flowers seen all around Alaska.

 

Lenda

Excellent photos and descriptions Lenda.

Graham.

[durangoscots]

3 hours ago, dfish said:

Good morning, everyone!

 

It is a new day and better things will happen.  At least, I hope so!!  Today the windows with leaky seals get replaced as they were under warranty.  There's the first good thing. The other good thing is that my realtor got a text from the buyer's realtor saying the inspection went well, except for the faucet.  Actually, the faucet is an easy and relatively inexpensive repair.  

 

Today's meal can be sweet or savory.  I guess it depends on what you feel like having - dinner or dessert.  

A sopaipilla, sopapilla, sopaipa, or cachanga is a kind of fried pastry and a type of quick bread served in several regions with Spanish heritage in the Americas. The word sopaipilla is the diminutive of sopaipa, a word that entered Spanish from the Mozarabic language of Al-Andalus. The original Mozarabic word Xopaipa was used to mean bread soaked in oil. The word is derived in turn from the Germanic word suppa, which meant bread soaked in liquid.

A sopaipilla is traditionally made from leavened wheat dough (or a mixture of wheat flour and masa harina) to which some shortening such as butter is added. After being allowed to rise, the dough is rolled into a sheet that is then cut into circular, square or triangular shapes, 8–10 cm in size for the longest dimension (if intended for a dessert) or 15–20 cm (if intended to be stuffed for a main course). These pieces are then deep-fried in oil, sometimes after being allowed to rise further before frying: the frying causes them to puff up, ideally forming a hollow pocket in the center.

 

Here is your basic sopaipilla recipe.  You can sprinkle confectioner's sugar on them or honey for a dessert.   https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sopaipillas/

 

 

The sopaipillas above are like the ones found in the southwest US, especially in New Mexico.  South American sopaipillas are a little different as seen in this next recipe:  https://www.chileanfoodandgarden.com/chilean-sopaipillas/

 

 

In this next selection we see a more savory use of sopaipillas.  https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/chilean-sopaipillas-with-pebre/

 

 

If you are looking for a sugar overload, this recipe might be the one you want.  Chancaca can be found on Amazon.   https://www.midiariodecocina.com/sopaipillas-pasadas/

 

 

Here is an example of a stuffed sopaipilla.  https://www.newmexicanfoodie.com/stuffed-sopapillas-filled-with-carne-adovada/

 

 

Just got word that we have definitely lost the house in Midland.  Back to the drawing board.  

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day.

Sorry about the loss of the house. I have a voodoo doll for just such occasions. Hope you can find another home you like as well. And that stuffed sopapilla looks wonderful.... I should have eaten a larger breakfast.

 

Susan

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning Everyone, thanks for the daily fleet report.  Today’s meal suggestion is one that I enjoy as a desert, especially if they are still warm with honey.  It’s a very rainy day here so I’m glad I’m working at home.  We’ve been to Anchorage once on the Maasdam and enjoyed our visit.  That 14 day itinerary is my favorite of our Alaska adventures.  The kids are hounding me for second breakfast or an early lunch.  Ashlee is acting like I forgot to feed them earlier.🤣

I hope that everyone has a good day today.

[rafinmd]

Today's sunrise is from a Lake Champlain cruise on Blount's smallest ship, the former Niagara Prince.  On September 22, 2006 we visited New York City:

 

 

Roy

[*Miss G*]

13 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

Getting into the final preparations for our upcoming trip to Italy+. We received our MSC cruise docs this morning via email. This is a new cruise line for us using Genoa as the embarkation port. We will be aboard the MSC Splendida which is one of the Fantasia-class ships. These are some of the most attractive cruise ships currently sailing in my opinion.

 

I would be very interested in your impressions of this voyage.  We looked at some of the MSC cruises but I had some concerns with it being like a bus or train ride in that people are picked up and dropped off at each port instead of staying onboard for the entire trip.  Unless, of course, yours isn’t like that, then please disregard.  😂

[AV8rix]

3 hours ago, rafinmd said:

@grapau27 I noticed in your first photo today you have a manual transmission.  That's almost impossible to get in the US.  Is that the standard in the UK?

 

Roy

I have manual transmission with 6 forward speeds.  Always have had manual.  But my Mazda dealer tells me that this will be my last.  They are just not manufacturing them any more.  I guess that's OK now that I'm over 80 years old.  Saw a cute meme -- photo of interior of automobile focused on shift lever and clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals.  Title of meme was "Millennial anti-theft device".

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

Interesting collection of days...the wine sounds good, as does the meal. I think I'd like the savory recipes.  Will pass on the drink.  We've been to Anchorage a couple times, my photos are much like those already posted.

 

We're enjoying mild fall weather, sun and high 60's today.  The nights are definitely getting cooler.

 

Yesterday DH and I got our bivalent Pfizer boosters.  Last night I had a few mild side effects (chills and aches) but today other than feeling more tired than usual I just have a sore arm.  Strangely, this one didn't affect me as much as the other ones, even though the pharmacist told me it could be worse.  We'll see if anything changes in the next 24 hours...

 

Today I'll try to get more done for prepping for our cruise in 2 weeks.  Very anxious to hear what (if any) changes will be made to the Canadian Covid restrictions.  Great timing (if it's to our benefit).

 

Debbie @dfishyou could probably hear me groaning clear across the country when I read that you lost the MI house. 😞  I had high hopes that your latest offer would do the trick.  I do believe that everything happens for a reason and that you'll end up better than ever.  

 

Jacqui @kazuprayers that Fiona causes no damage. You've done a lot!

 

@*Miss G*sending my condolences on the passing of your father-in-law.  

[Horizon chaser 1957]

33 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Then the question arose as to why someone would mirror image the interior of a car. 

4 hours ago, grapau27 said:

 

Expand  

Another sip of coffee.

Then I remembered Graham is in the UK. 

(it’s just confusing to this yankee brain!🤪)

It’s all connected to that Royalty thing.😉

[grapau27]

3 minutes ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

It’s all connected to that Royalty thing.😉

Entrance to Buckingham palace.

Edited September 22, 2022 by grapau27

[RedneckBob]

2 hours ago, RedneckBob said:

Hi y'all RedneckBob hear. Thanks for the Fleet Update and general info.

 

I have a short story about Anchorage, Alaska which I call:

 

The Incredible Heat Wave

 

It was late August 2018 and we were onboard one of those Dam Ships for 14 days to Alaska. On Day 7 we stopped in Anchorage. Had no tour, just tour of downtown. To get to downtown the locals provided a nice big shuttle bus from the port to town; approx 10 minutes plus you were not allowed to walk through the port. It was nice morning with low about 60 degrees when we boarded the bus. There was a nice lady bus driver plus a nice lady tour guide for our ride into town. Halfway there the bus driver started talking to the tour guide., She said, "Joyce, it's going to be a hot day in Anchorage today. When I get off at noon I am going to Walmart and buy a pair of shorts to wear today."  Beverly, the tour guide replied, "great idea, I will go with you."  Then I asked, "Excuse me, but how hot is it going to be today, which Joyce replied, 73 degrees!  😲

 

I guess everything is relative you might say,

On another cruise to Alaska, we stopped at Haines. It was 88 degrees that day! Eight of us got together, went into town and found a local tour of the area. When we boarded the tour bus, we asked the driver/tour guide could she turn on the a/c. The lady driver said, “I will try to turn on the a/c, don’t know if it works, never turned it on before!

[highscar]

Yeah. Got my 5th vaccination today.  Fingers crossed for our CC friends down east, re the oncoming storm.   

[StLouisCruisers]

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserthanks for your photos.  I especially enjoyed seeing the state fair photos.  You could be right about the long days helping the veggies to grow so large.

 

Graham @grapau27 I didn't know most cars in the UK are manual transmissions.  Over the years we have purchased both manual and automatic transmission cars.  Since we both know how to drive them, we made sure we taught our two youngsters how to drive the manual transmission cars, too.  Surprisingly enough, each one chose manual transmission vehicles in some of their later car purchases.  I think it's a good idea to teach new drivers how to drive a "stick shift" just in case.  After all, you could decide to apply for Amazing Race and they always have that little problem crop up - people who can't drive the cars overseas!

 

DH and I just went over the reasons why we bought manual transmissions instead of automatic on five of our vehicles.  First he bought a 1968 Pontiac Firebird (in '68) and that was obviously a muscle car.  That car eventually was driven on the race track a lot so that one was definitely not going to be an automatic. Then in 1982 we bought a manual Honda Accord to get the best possible gas mileage due to outrageous gas prices and shortages.  We had been driving two vehicles that got poor mileage, a GMC pickup with a 454 engine and a Pontiac Grand Prix which both got low mileage.  Everything (especially in California) was expensive back then, mortgage rates, gas/electric for home heating and air conditioning, food, clothing, you name it!  After that in 1984 we purchased a manual BMW 325e in Virginia and that was much more fun to drive without the automatic.  In 1989 we saw an Acura Legend coupe with a manual transmission on the dealership lot that we fell in love with and bought it.  That was a pretty rare combination.  One of the dealership mechanics in Ohio begged us to sell it to him whenever we decided to do that.  So we did!  He was quite happy with it.   Last of all, we had another manual BMW, an M-3 which of course HAD to be manual.  Our DS bought an almost identical M-3, even the same color, and also a manual transmission when he finished his doctorate and was working in Silicon Valley.  When he moved to Michigan from California he drove it across country and stayed overnight at our house in St. Louis.  We took some great photos of the two matching BMWs posed together and have a copy of that photo hanging in our garage.  I see it everytime I walk in the door.  The good old days!

 

Jack @HeartgroveI hope you have a great adventure coming up next month, and using Milan to fly through is a good idea.  I remember once trying to find some better pricing on airfare using other Italian cities and Milan was one I checked on.  Never did get to go there though.  It looks lovely.

[dfish]

46 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

@dfish  I'm sorry you lost the Midland home and have to start the search over again.  While what the seller did might not have been unethical since he never formally accepted the offer, I think it was very wrong to string you along.  If he'd been honest, you could have kept looking for a back up house.  In other words, what he did STINKS!  I'm glad you got a good report from the inspection except for the buyer wanting a foundation expert to check out a wall.

 

 

 

Yes, it does stink, but nothing I can do about it now except move on.  Our realtor is putting together some homes for Sue to look at on Saturday.

 

45 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

 

@dfish So sorry your house fell through. Hoping you find something even better quickly. 

 

Me, too!

 

30 minutes ago, durangoscots said:

Sorry about the loss of the house. I have a voodoo doll for just such occasions. Hope you can find another home you like as well. And that stuffed sopapilla looks wonderful.... I should have eaten a larger breakfast.

 

Susan

 

Stick lots of pins in the voodoo doll for me!

 

17 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

 

Debbie @dfishyou could probably hear me groaning clear across the country when I read that you lost the MI house. 😞  I had high hopes that your latest offer would do the trick.  I do believe that everything happens for a reason and that you'll end up better than ever.  

 

I wondered what that noise was!

 

Today is turning into the day from **LL.  First we lose the house, next the report on the inspection (could cost several thousands), then the window company did not replace the windows today.   They just came out to measure so they could place the order.  I sent them the photos of the labels and they said they had ordered the windows and they would be installed today.  The guy who came out said the pictures were too blurry so they made me wait six weeks to find that out and sent him out instead of asking me to retake the pictures.  Of course, there is a $99 service charge for each visit.  They get you one way or the other.  

 

Now, I think I'll go back to bed and start over.

 

 

[grapau27]

14 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiserthanks for your photos.  I especially enjoyed seeing the state fair photos.  You could be right about the long days helping the veggies to grow so large.

 

Graham @grapau27 I didn't know most cars in the UK are manual transmissions.  Over the years we have purchased both manual and automatic transmission cars.  Since we both know how to drive them, we made sure we taught our two youngsters how to drive the manual transmission cars, too.  Surprisingly enough, each one chose manual transmission vehicles in some of their later car purchases.  I think it's a good idea to teach new drivers how to drive a "stick shift" just in case.  After all, you could decide to apply for Amazing Race and they always have that little problem crop up - people who can't drive the cars overseas!

 

DH and I just went over the reasons why we bought manual transmissions instead of automatic on five of our vehicles.  First he bought a 1968 Pontiac Firebird (in '68) and that was obviously a muscle car.  That car eventually was driven on the race track a lot so that one was definitely not going to be an automatic. Then in 1982 we bought a manual Honda Accord to get the best possible gas mileage due to outrageous gas prices and shortages.  We had been driving two vehicles that got poor mileage, a GMC pickup with a 454 engine and a Pontiac Grand Prix which both got low mileage.  Everything (especially in California) was expensive back then, mortgage rates, gas/electric for home heating and air conditioning, food, clothing, you name it!  After that in 1984 we purchased a manual BMW 325e in Virginia and that was much more fun to drive without the automatic.  In 1989 we saw an Acura Legend coupe with a manual transmission on the dealership lot that we fell in love with and bought it.  That was a pretty rare combination.  One of the dealership mechanics in Ohio begged us to sell it to him whenever we decided to do that.  So we did!  He was quite happy with it.   Last of all, we had another manual BMW, an M-3 which of course HAD to be manual.  Our DS bought an almost identical M-3, even the same color, and also a manual transmission when he finished his doctorate and was working in Silicon Valley.  When he moved to Michigan from California he drove it across country and stayed overnight at our house in St. Louis.  We took some great photos of the two matching BMWs posed together and have a copy of that photo hanging in our garage.  I see it everytime I walk in the door.  The good old days!

 

Jack @HeartgroveI hope you have a great adventure coming up next month, and using Milan to fly through is a good idea.  I remember once trying to find some better pricing on airfare using other Italian cities and Milan was one I checked on.  Never did get to go there though.  It looks lovely.

Sandi.

I have had numerous cars in the last 49 years including new company cars for 35 years and 4 new cars we purchased and I have never had an automatic car.

Because there are very few automatic cars in the UK they are looked on as unreliable.

Our main car brands are.

Vauxhall.

Volkswagen.

Renault.

Nissan.

Peugeot.

Toyota.

Graham.

Edited September 22, 2022 by grapau27

[durangoscots]

A cool and very rainy day in Durango today. Rains started in earnest last night after some scattered showers yesterday. Had to drag the dogs out but both were cooperative and we did not get too terribly wet. It is supposed to dry out later this afternoon but more rain is forecast for next week. We can certainly use it. 

 

Hope we can all avoid fires, floods, and storms. I enjoy Fall as a rule and our trees are turning. I think the peak season for color will be in about 2 weeks. I notice our train is pretty crowded on it way up the mountain to Silverton. I may drive up next week if the weather holds.

 

Susan