December 23, 2009; South King County --
 

Uncle Bob and Aunt Adelaide arrived on Monday before Christmas! To celebrate the occasion, since their schedule had not allowed them to attend the Annual pre-Christmas party posted earlier, we met with Susan & Steve, Rachel and Ruth & Paul to dine at Olive Garden in Lynnwood.

After a sumptuous dinner and a lingering visit afterwards over coffee and tea, we went our separate ways to prepare for Christmas Eve (Grumpy was "on deck" to serve at the "Midnight" Communion service) and of course there was the "last minute" shopping still to be done.

After a short night of sleep, the Grand Mother and Grumpy awoke and, after rounding up the Brazilians as well as the Resident Grandson and his Dad, 'Santa" performed his traditional task of handing out presents to those assembled.

Later on Christmas Day, Bob and Adelaide boarded the Talgo AMTRAK train for the short trip to Portland from where they would journey by auto to Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood for a week of skiing. The weather, including lots of snow and persistent cold, promises a lot of powder snow for their adventure at this fabulous ski resort.

We expect to see them return after the New Year for some more visiting. Hopefully this time they will be able to visit Amy & John and family, and James & Heidi and boys.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!

Annual pre-Christmas Party and Family Reunion

December 12th, 2009; Somewhere in Snohomish County --

Although Grumpy has not posted on his BLOG for awhile, this doesn't mean that not much has happened. In fact so much has happened that Grumpy just hasn't been able to find the time to sit down and attend to this BLOG. To make up for this lack, this posting and the next will show some of the highlights of the past three or four weeks.

This charming young lady is Amelia, who arrived asleep on her Grandpa's shoulder "dressed to the nines" in a fluffy tutu -- over a pair of blue jeans. Quite au rigore! The youngest of the "obvious" guests was this apparently-disinterested young man, Zachary, shown here contemplating what to do with a cookie.

Another young guest was Elianna; she was perhaps the least eager to allow any contact with the Great Grumpy. Another one who avoided Great Grumpy -- even attempting to avoid his camera! -- was the young lady, Gracie-Mae, here captured in her futile attempt to avoid the camera's publicity.

These two brothers, Malachi on the left and Amos on the right, were unquestionably the "life of the party", chasing the girl cousins and each other until -- the girls turned the tables on the boys and soon all were having a glorious time, crawling under the furniture and over the backs of the sofas and chairs. Fortunately, no one got hurt and a good time was had by all.

Besides these youngsters, there were adults of course: Lief (Father of Amelia), Jim (Grandfather of Amelia), Steve & Michelle (parents of Zachary and Gracie-May), Amy and John (Parents of Elianna, Malachi and Amos), Susan and Steven (Grandparents of Elianna, Malachi, Amos, Zachary and Gracie-May), Rachel (Aunt of Elianna, Malachi, Amos, Zachary and Gracie-May), Mike and Jessie, Ruth and Paul (the Grand Hosts of this pre-Christmas party and family reunion), and the Grand Mother and Grumpy, the Matriarch and Patriarch of the entire clan and Great Grandparents of everyone present under the age of 21.

Besides the ones pictured and the Parents, Grandparents, Great Grandparents and an Aunt cited above, a couple of other ones were present, but not photographically obvious, that should be mentioned: Ezekiel (expected-- to become more obvious about 14 January 2010 --  son of Amy and John) and  Oliver (expected -- to become more obvious about Tax Time in April 2010 -- son of Mike and Jessie). Both of these boys were much "in evidence", though none more so than Ezekiel! In the interest of staying out of trouble as much as possible, Grumpy  choose not to provide photographic proof of these two.

Joys -- and Tribulations of Having a Grandson Around; PART II

Monday evening; Grumpy's Castle --

Grumpy thought he had heard everything about the life of the modern 14-year old boy the other day. But this evening "took the cake" for the audacity of the younger generation!

When the Resident Grandson bounded into the kitchen door this afternoon after school, he announced a new milestone: a girl, who had previously been on a "hello -- how are you?" basis, had this day become one who "gave me a hug!"

"Well!" Grumpy said. "That must mean she is pretty serious, then?"

"Oh, no! Grandpa, lots of girls give me a hug every day. It doesn't mean anything; it's just the way things are."

Grumpy pondered this development with considerable "Senior Citizen" consternation concerning "what this modern world is coming to". Later that evening, as we were finishing our before-bedtime snacks, the Resident Grandson asked his Grandma and Grumpy for our opinions on different shirts that he might wear, then -- out of the blue -- he announced that next time his hair grows out he was thinking of letting it grow long and braid it into a pony tail.

"Would you think that would be OK?" asked the Resident Grandson.

"Are you asking my permission?" responded Grumpy.

"No!" asserted RG, "Just asking."

When Grumpy wisely suggested that he might lose favor with the girls if he did such things, RG shrugged off the possibility as unthinkable. Then the Grand Mother got in the act!

"When Grumpy was your age, he pestered girls and got stabbed in the leg by a little Red Headed girl! He still has the tip of the lead pencil in his leg, too!!" the gleeful Grand Mother volunteered.

"Humph!" said the Resident Grandson, "Lots of guys have lead in their legs."

"Oh!" said the Grand Mother, concernedly, "How many do you have?"

"None!" calmly responded the Resident Grandson. "The girls just love me!"

Joys -- and Tribulations of Having a Grandson Around

Any day last week; Grumpy's Castle --

Well, being a Grandpa is oft-times a joy -- and always a blessing. After all, only a Grandpa has the opportunity to opine about the "good ol' days" with nary a soul to dispute him [well, maybe the Grand Mother, who was also there.] Only a Grandpa can mutter with all sincerity and innocence, "Why, the kids in my day wouldn't even think of doing such a thing (or things, as the case may be); what in thunderation has come over this younger generation!!??" Only a Grandpa can pontificate about any subject with some authority and get at least a modicum of respect -- or so it appears.

But this post is about an example of some of the tribulations up with which a Grandpa must put. So on with the story:

The other evening at dinner, Grumpy was thinking about how frightening it must be for his 14 year-old youngest and Resident Grandson to be fawned over by a gaggle of 13-15 year-old girls. [Grumpy well remembers his 14 year-old self being left completely alone as far as girls were concerned. It was as though he didn't exist -- such peace and quiet.] So, in trying to be helpful and constructive, Grumpy suggested to the Resident Grandson, "Do you want me to help you with your GIRL problem?"

• "I don't have a GIRL problem!", asserted the Resident Grandson.

Grumpy thought about the many possible meanings of this retort: Could it be that the RG has finally found the answer to getting rid of that bevy of girls!? [He hadn't been taking a shower every day as the Grand Mother had suggested.] But, having been so summarily dismissed as not being needed, Grumpy thought to let the matter lie. Instead, Grumpy continued his usual banter with the Grand Mother -- said banter invariably getting Grumpy into deeper and deeper trouble -- trouble from which Grumpy never can seem to extricate himself.

After several minutes during which the Grand Mother was reaching the detonation point where she utters those most-feared words, "OK!! That's it!! No more Lemon Meringue Pie --- FOREVER!!!!", the RG enters the conversation, pointing at Grumpy with this unforgettable phrase:

• "Do you need help with your GIRL problem?"

Such is life in Grumpy's Castle these days -- with no relief in sight!

An 87th Birthday Luncheon with Old Friends

1 November 2009; At the Olive Garden --

To celebrate the birthday of a dear old friend Margaret, the Grand Mother, with Grumpy, and another old friend, Lorna, met at the Olive Garden Restaurant for a relaxed luncheon and visit.

The birthday girl was suitably surprised by the gifts and attention; Lorna and the Grand Mother looked on as Marg unwrapped her gift.

Later, it was Lorna's turn to be surprised as she, being the hostess for this luncheon, unwrapped her gift of a box of chocolates. Grumpy kept his distance (from across the table), knowing how treacherous a female can be when in the possession of her very own box of chocolates.

At least that has been his experience!

Well, at least that is his story -- and he is sticking to it!!

A Luncheon Date and Visit with Old Friends

Tuesday 27 October 2009; North King County --

The First Wife and Grumpy were invited to a luncheon visit and reunion with an old neighborhood friend Harriet and her son Walter who was visiting from Germany. This was the first time we had seen Harriet since her husband (and also our friend) had passed away several years ago. We two couple used to go to the Mall to walk for exercise every morning during the weekdays. Afterward we would go "Dutch" to eat a breakfast in the "Food Circus".  Pleasant memories.

But today we would make some new memories! We met in the "Fireside Room" at the retirement home where Harriet now lives. She showed us around the facility before we sat down for a delicious lunch served in the spacious dining room on the first floor. Our lunch was a choice of chicken pasta or stuffed sole pasta. After the main course, we were served our choice of coffee or tea, and a brownie for dessert.

Walter was a childhood friend (since second grade!) of our oldest son. His always-beaming smile greeted us when we met in the Fireside Room before lunch and again as we bid goodbye for this visit. As we always remembered "Walt", he was as mischievous as ever and had a parting visage for Grumpy to send to our son Ward, Walt's longtime friend. That visage shall remain private, just between those two old friends!

Last Great Flying Adventure -- An Evening Out with Olivia and Maria

15 October; A Yucatan Evening in Merida --

After a tiring day and a half of long-distance air travel and a full day of walking-running-chasing with my "Little Punkin" Olivia, tonight we would have dinner out and attend a famous annual celebration held in an outdoor park/stage on the other side of Merida. Abuelita Maria was our chauffeur and guide and masterfully negotiated the traffic and narrow streets of this old Capital city of the State of Yucatan, finding her way to a parking lot within walking distance of the park/stage.

We had a light dinner in a fine hotel restaurant located just across the street from the site of the evening's festivities. This photo I took of Olivia with her glasses off is the only one I have. It shows her typical impish grin and ever-happy face.

The festivities were the "Serantas Yucatecas", an annual event that has been celebrated here for at least the past 40 years or so. Featured were a small brass band, a trio of guitarists and a multi-couple dance troupe. The dance troupe performed several routines, the most fascinating of which was one where each person held a tray on which was an open bottle of beer in the center and four half-filled water glasses surrounding the outer edge of the tray. Grumpy watched attentively when each performer was placing their tray upon their head; he observed no indentation on the bottom of the tray, nor any apparatus on top of the head to ease the task of this balancing act.  Grumpy was convinced that this was "for real". As a climax, each person spun around and around -- notably at such velocity that water could be seen flying out by centrifugal force over the sides of the half-full glasses! Not one performer was seen to need to reach for his tray to keep it from falling!

Olivia had had a hard day!! Grumpy happily carried her back to the car and gently laid her in her hammock for a good night's rest. Grumpy left very early the next morning to catch his 6 a.m. flight back to Seattle; he didn't disturb his little sleeping Punkin. He keeps this memory of her peaceful sleep as his parting view.

Last Great Flying Adventure -- Merida Sights and Sounds

Thursday 15 October 2009; In and Around Merida --

Olivia's Grandmother Maria Rico wanted this visit to be memorable for Grumpy as well as for Olivia, the Granddaughter that we share as parents of Olivia's respective parents. Grumpy was not disappointed! Indeed, the sights he saw were different than he had seen on his two previous visits to this city, the Capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan.

First Maria took us to some historic church buildings where we viewed antique statues and fixtures that may have been hand-hewn from solid tree trunks grown on this very site several hundred years before. In one church yard were a collection of native and non-native plants, including this rubber tree from South America. The Mayan people used a large (medicine ball sized!) ball made from this rubber to play some sort of game using vertically-oriented hoops. We saw these game sites when we visited the Chichen Itze ruins near Merida in 1997. [At that time, we were told that the winners of the game were "sacrificed"! What an incentive to lose!!]

Another interesting tree was this unidentified specimen that had roots hanging down from the branches above. Some of the roots, left undisturbed, had taken root in the ground around the foot of the trunk. Someone had tied several of these hanging roots together to form a swing seat. Olivia cooperated by sitting in the "swing" for this photograph with her Abuelita. [The dazzling-white suit that Olivia is wearing bore grass-stained knees and some kind of food stain down the front by the end of the day!]

Later that afternoon, we went to a fine hotel restaurant for a light meal where this photo of Olivia (without her glasses) and her Abuelita Maria was taken.

Grumpy was shown outstanding hospitality and had an unforgettable reunion with Olivia. Many thanks to my Mexican relatives and for their loving care for my "Little Punkin" Olivia.

Last Great Flying Adventure -- A Tiring Flight and A Fond Reunion

14-15 October 2009; Merida, Yucatan --

The afternoon of 14 October Grumpy boarded a Passadore Airlines communter airplane at the Ribeirao Preto airport, after bidding goodbye to Bob and Adelaide, and Yvonne (Adelaide's older sister). The Passadore flight was of 40 minutes duration, taking me to the big international airport in Sao Paulo. I would have a four or five hour wait in Sao Paulo before my overnight flight to Mexico City.

In Sao Paulo, I had a light meal and a cup of coffee before I checked in with AeroMexico and went through Brazilian Customs. When I found the waiting area for AeroMexico airlines, I looked for a 110 volt outlet into which to plug the laptop I had been carrying for Victor. Alas, every one was occupied by those who got there first! Oh well, I decided to go to one of the many stores accessible in the secure area and purchase a voltage adapter! After a frustrating hour and a half to two hours of seeking and not finding, I finally sat down and, using my reading glasses to magnify the fine print on the back of the power module of the HP computer, I discovered that this power module was designed for "wide input power range" spanning 90 to 240 volts and from 50 to 60 hz frequencies! I gingerly connected the power module, thinking "I can always replace Victor's power module if this doesn't work". Nothing happened, so I then connected the power module to the computer and connected to the terminal WiFi. Now I could write the Grand Mother an e-mail to let her know where I was and what I was doing, and update my BLOG!

Alas again!! After writing a full page of the "best love letter" I have ever written to my Bride of 61 years, I discovered that the WiFi had "gone down" at about line three!! I shopped around for another internet access, including one that would charge me 15 "somehings-or-other" per 24 hours. But I was stymied here, in that that internet access required my "BCP number". The BCP number, I found out, is the Brazilian citizen's "document" number -- I didn't have one because I'm not a Brazilian citizen! I finally had to give up and wait until I arrived in Merida to get on the internet. By that time I had forgotten all of the nice things I had written in the original letter -- all lost to the bottomless "bit bucket"!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The AeroMexico flight from Sao Paulo to Mexico City was via a Boeing 777. This aircraft sports two aisle, with three seats on each side and three in the middle. The aisles are narrower than the single aisle aircraft, but with special service carts there is no problem. Walking up and down them is also no problem because the seat backs are available to steady yourself if necessary. The leg room in this AeroMexico 777 was generous and Grumpy got some decent sleep during the approximate eight-hour flight.

Upon arrival in Mexico City, I had to go through customs to enter Mexico, then through the open (outside of security) terminal to the "domestic" airlines concourse from which AeroMexico service continued (but now on an Airbus A320 airplane) to take me to Merida. The flight time from Mexico City to Merida was only about 2 hours, but the wait in Mexico City airport seemed long; I was anxious to get to greet my Granddaughter, Olivia whom I hadn't seen in about three years!

The services on AeroMexico was better than any I had enjoyed in recent flights on U.S. carriers, possibly excepting Alaska Airlines. We were issued a sleep mask and head phones, shortly after boarding the 777 in Sao Paulo. Although it was around midnight by the time we left Sao Paulo and had climbed above the turbulence in the lower altitudes, we were served a hot meal! Then about an hour and half before we reached Mexico City, we were served another hot meal -- a breakfast! Of course there was the usual complementary cold drinks -- coffee, tea or milk -- to go with and following these meals. Grumpy was duly impressed; it was like the good old days in the U.S. The aircraft was nearly full (90%?), so AeroMexico had to be making money!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At last, in Merida as I came down the ramp from de-planing, Grumpy was rewarded by this welcoming visage! Did Olivia remember her Grandpa? Her smiling nod indicated, "Yes! (or was that "Si!"?) Could Grumpy still call her his "Little Punkin"? Again, the smiling, affirmative nod! We hugged, I cried!

The dress she was wearing, her Abuelita Maria told me, was her school uniform. Although she had attended school that morning, I was later to find out that she had been excused from attendance the following days while her Grandpa Z (Abuelo) was there. We would have some happy times together!!

Grumpy brought a "little green computer" for Olivia, an OX model, designed and manufactured under sponsorship of John Poindexter, a philanthropist whose vision is to have one of these computers available to children in third world countries. By purchasing two of these computers, one being donated to a child in some foreign country, I was able to have one to give to a child of my choice. The OX uses the Linux operating system, has a soft membrane covering the keyboard and is not damaged by being subjected to some rain or a momentary dash of liquid. It is powered by a built-in battery that can be recharged from a wide variety of power sources -- probably not including D.C.

Olivia was extremely proud of "her computer" and was fascinated by what would happen if she pushed this button or that button! She had the most fun pressing the button that rotated the image by 90 degree increments!! -- as Grandpa was trying to show her the letter he had written to her long ago when he had first received this computer for her. Like old times, Olivia giggled and squealed as Grumpy growled and grimaced each time she flipped the screen! Her impishness entertained Grumpy as he recognized her familiar, inherited characteristics.

The next day after Grumpy's arrival, we (Abuelita Maria, Olivia and Grumpy) walked 1/2 mile or so to her school -- Grumpy wanted to see what her school was like. On the way, Olivia took every opportunity to jump up on these occasional blocks which appeared randomly along the sidewalks or walkways beside the streets in Merida. Her bottomless energy made Grumpy smile to himself.

The school was very clean and full of life, with a playground/activity center and seemingly well-equipped classrooms, and plenty of teachers and assistants. Before, when Grumpy asked Olivia's Papa if English was being taught, his response was, "NO! If they teach her, she talk like me! When she comes back, you teach her, then she talks like Ramiro!" And that was that! And a very nice compliment.

Most fascinating of all was the attraction that Olivia's computer had when she showed it to some of her friends at school. There wasn't enough room for all the little brown heads that wanted to see what it could do. Grumpy reassured Abuelita Maria that Olivia should be allowed to bring the computer to school if the teacher permitted. It will be interesting to learn what transpires.

In the photo at left, Olivia's curly locks (left-most in the photo) distinguish her head from her classmates'. The computer can be glimpsed as the green object peering out below the nearer heads.

An evening out was to follow this already full day. But that is another story.

Last Great Flying Adventure; Part VI -- Last Flight Leg

10 October 2009; Alta Floresta to Ribeirao Preto --

As had become our modus operandi on this and previous flying adventures, we arose early (the flying is best in the cool of the morning (denser air = more power from the motor; cooler land = less turbulence from cumulus clouds). And the Piramide Palace Hotel always has the bountiful breakfast buffet set out by 5:30 each morning.

This morning another hotel guest noticed a pair of parrots (or macaws?) in a nearby tree. Grumpy tried to get the best telephoto shot he could from our second floor vantage point. I think the birds were a mated pair.

At the airport, yet another unusual (to Grumpy) bird had become "attracted" to Grumpy! On previous days, Grumpy had deigned to be so bold as to walk up to the nest "hidden" (in plain sight and obviously located by the protective "hen" who walked right over to it when I approached, rather than try to lead me away like a Killdeer will do).

In the meantime the two (presumed) males flew at me and then turned just a moment before they collided with my head! Twice one of them struck my back when I was turned the other way.

I was told that these birds are called "Quero quero" birds. I noticed that they had long legs (like a wading bird). Their very aggressive attitude towards Grumpy persisted up to the day I left, although they would totally disregard other, regular employees who walked past!

With those happy events in the early morning and all of the happy memories of the preceding days, this morning now became the saddest moment of this entire "Last Great Flying Adventure". As Grumpy was saying his goodbye to his now-good friend, Tony excitedly said, "You'll have to come back soon and we'll go fishing in the river and show you some sights like a waterfall that not very many people see!" Grumpy acknowledged the invitation, but couldn't show his face down which tears of mourning were flowing. I had come to think of Tony as a very much younger brother or a son -- more than just a very good and trusted friend. Grumpy was deeply saddened by knowing that he would never again see this young technical genius of the jungle; this was, indeed, the "Last Great Goodbye".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bob and I had determined that the straightline distance from the Alta Floresta airstrip to the airport at Ribeirao Preto was 838 nautical miles. On a previous flight, this last leg had taken over 7 hours. We estimated, with semi-unfavorable winds it could take 7 and a half. So, providing for an extra hour of fuel to allow us to divert to an alternate landing place, we decided on 8 and a half hours of fuel. This meant that we needed to add some more fuel to our reserve tank; on this leg we would completely empty the reserve tank early in the flight, after emptying one wing tank during climb and beginning of cruise. By this procedure we would know exactly how much fuel (and flying time) we had left in the remaining wing tank (over 3 hours), and could plan on a diversion at that time if our estimated time to our destination was more than about two hours. This is the type of carful planning and strategy that Bob and I used throughout the years on these long flight legs.

When we reached our cruising altitude after a little over an hour of steady climb, we flew over the tips of the cumulus clouds that were building (and might become one of many thunderstorms by mid- to late-afternoon) for a smooth and uneventful flight into our landing at the Ribeirao Preto airport. We were aided the entire way by a light to brisk tailwind, making this, the longest leg of our journey (838 nm), in a record time of 6 hours 55 minutes! Adelaide met us at the airport and we enjoyed a fine meal at a local Churrascaria where all kinds of meat is served at your table from "swords" held by the carver who cuts your choice of the cuts he has to offer.

Last Great Flying Adventure: The Orchid Farm

9 October 2009; Alta Floresta --

Today was to be our last day in Alta Floresta and the end of an always pleasant visit with Tony Rossini, the "best shade tree aircraft mechanic in the known world" and his family! There is always much to do and much to see in Alta Floresta: from admiring Tony's latest work of art in welding together the salvaged pieces of a 180 horsepower aircraft engine, broken up in a crash, and rebuilding it to purr like a kitten, to fishing for the delicious marine food found only in the tropics -- not necessarily including Piranha!! This trip would not enjoy the fun and sport of catching fish however; Grumpy's schedule demanded that we move on after this last day.

Today, Bob and I spent a few hours visiting a nearby Orchid farm where we viewed an endless variety of hybridized versions of this delicate-looking (but actually quite rugged!) rain-forest plant.
The native Orchids are protected -- forbidden to be disturbed or sold. However they were to be seen here growing in their natural setting: on the side of a tree trunk!

Besides Orchids, this farm also nurtured various kinds of rare and beautiful cacti. This spectacular specimen caught Grumpy's eye, reminding him of a certain star fish found in Pacific Northwest waters.

Another cactus that was especially notable was this rare four-sided member of a variety that normally has five (or six?) sides, as may be seen below and to the right of the prized four-sided "brother". Grumpy defers entirely to the reader who is an expert in the field of cacti to identify both of these pictured varieties.

Grumpy also spotted, for the first time, the huge Capybara, the largest rodent in the world. This animal is about as large and gainly as a good-sized hog; Grumpy was to have a taste of some of its cooked flesh later in Ribeirao Preto. Ever taste a rat?

Finally, our early evening visit to the Orchid Farm was climaxed by this stunning panorama of hundreds of White Egrets arriving to roost in the trees surrounding the still waters along this section of the river. Like snow in the trees, they were.

Last Great Flying Adventure: The Quero quero Birds

In Alta Floresta, Mata Groso, Brazil --
As we spent three nights here in Alta Floresta, there was much to see in the way of birds, flowers and unique fruit trees. But Grumpy was most fascinated by the Quero quero bird; this odd-sounding (local name) bird had some of the characteristics of the prairie Killdeer with which Grumpy was familiar as a young boy growing up in South Dakota. That is, the female would fake a cripple and try to lure the would-be invader of her nest to follow; the adults (there were three, two presumably being males or a "yearling" offspring from a previous season) each had long legs suitable for wading, although there was no water nearby this nest, nor did Grumpy observe any forays by the birds away from the nest area to fend for frogs, fish or other aquatic life.

What fascinated Grumpy about these birds was the female's ultimate action when the would-be intruder (Grumpy) turned in the opposite direction from following her limping flight to moving in that direction which, as Grumpy had learned from the Killdeer, was more likely the direction toward the nest. Instead of repeating the limping act in another oblique direction, as do the Killdeer, she instead flew directly to her nest and cowered over it in what would certainly have been a futile gesture if a coyote or bobcat had been the intruder. [But take note in the photo above of those sharp orange spurs on the leading edge of the wings -- maybe the female's gesture is not so futile! At least the intruder would have to "pay" for his intrusion.]

However, these birds had another tactic up their feathered sleeves that Grumpy hadn't bargained for!! The two males appeared seemingly out of nowhere and began high-speed "strafing" attacks, sometimes actually striking me on my back -- they always missed me by inches if they came from the front. But, believe me, their attacks were intimidating!! All three adults eventually entered the attack, one sitting on the ground in front of me for a time to distract me from watching out for the others coming in from the sides or back. Eventually, she flew at me as the others came whizzing by.

I soon retreated to safety.

Last Great Flying Adventure -- Part V

7 & 8 October 2009; Alta Floresta --

We left Boa Vista early in the morning of the 7th, again having a breakfast in flight; Uncle Bob is an accomplished "chef" with regular oatmeal, wetted with cold water and flavored with instant coffee, powdered milk and cocoa mix. The aeronatical flight plan office permitted us a direct route to Alta Floresta, but we flew towards Manaus (this is the safe route) until we were about 40 nautical miles away toward the east and then we turned slightly more easterly direct on into Alta Floresta. We landed in Alta Floresta at 2030 UMT (I believe that is about 1230 Seattle time), about 3:30 local time. An airport worker was there to signal us in to our parking spot. Tony Rossini (the World's finest "shade tree" aircraft mechanic!!) arrived five or ten minutes later for a warm reunion of friends.

Tony drove us to our hotel (Piramide Hotel), which is between downtown Alta Floresta and the airport. We took a welcome shower to rinse the "road dust" (actually, tropical humidity-induced sweat!!) off of us, donned clean dry clothes and walked a few blocks down to an breezeway type restaurant where we dined luxuriously on Picanha (pronounced "pee-con-ya" -- Brazilian beef), Majorca (from which tapioca is refined), sliced tomato-onion-lettuce salad with oil & vinegar dressing, and after dinner, a demitasse of coffee.

Before driving us to our hotel, Tony showed us some trees on his shop property that are starting to bear fruit, now that it is Spring in this southern part of the world. Pictured on the left, with Tony's apprentice, is a bunch of bananas. Later I'll try to get the apprentice's name and address for any eligible young ladies out there.

In the forest behind Tony's shop were some Jaca trees with huge (watermelon-sized!) fruit hanging perilously on high (see photo on right). These big fruit drop to the ground when ripe and when they burst open, attract bees and wasps that savor their sweet meat inside. These fruit have seeds as large as large pecans, in amongst the meat.

This morning (8th) we arose at 0530 local time and enjoyed the hotel complementary breakfast. The breakfast buffet consisted of two kinds of juice (orange and ??), huge slices of very good watermelon, cantalope, and papaya; various sweet rolls (none of which Bob and I had), two kinds of wheat bread, very delicious and fresh French rolls, three different kinds of cheeses, a couple different kinds of sliced meats, and of course Brazilian coffee. I'm still sticking to my Seattle diet, so I had Orange juice, the fruits, a French roll and slice of multi grain bread with some of each of the cheeses -- and a cup of coffee.

Now (morning of the 8th) I am sitting in Tony's shop office, plugged into his high-speed internet and finally have Victor's laptop connected! I discovered that the wired LAN interface on this laptop had not been enabled! That is maybe why I had trouble when I tried to use the wired connection back in Curacao.

I am going to owe Victor something for the use of "his" computer!! It has certainly turned out to be a convenience on this trip! Uncle Bob didn't bring his along this time -- he usually does, and I had counted on it -- but his is already in Brazil, so that was why.

Anyway, it is a good thing I found this disabled internet interface, as Victor may not have been able to.