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After years of working 70 hours a week at jobs I detested, I felt like the proverbial "hole in the donut" - solid on the outside, but empty on the inside. Searching for meaning in my life, I abandoned my successful but unsatisfying career and set out on a six-month solo backpacking trip around the world to pursue my true passions of travel, writing, and photography. My blog features stories about the destinations I visit, people I meet, the crazy things...Read more here.... 
Posted in Daily Photo | cultural travel, culture, photography, Travel, Washington DC, World War II Memorial, WWII | Leave a commentLike most people who have seen the 1957 film, any mention of the famous Bridge on the River Kwai conjures up images of leech-ridden swamps; a relentless, searing sun; and sweat-drenched prisoners marching back to camp in formation while whistling the Colonel Bogey March. With my knowledge admittedly stemming solely from the movie, I decided to take a day trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi to see if reality lived up to movie myth.
Based on a true-life story, the film depicts World War II British POW’s who were forced by the Japanese to build a bridge that would facilitate movement of supplies on the Burma Railroad. After a brief stop at the local War Museum, I slogged two blocks in oppressive heat to the foot of the iron trestle, gazed out over the placid stream and tried to imagine the torture prisoners had to endure in this unforgiving landscape. More than 100,000 conscripted laborers and 12,000 prisoners of war died during the project.
Stepping carefully between railroad ties and track, I crossed slowly to the other side, at one point scrunching to the railing to allow passage of a tourist-filled miniature steam locomotive that chugs across every few minutes. Although the movie ended with a spectacular explosion of the entire structure, the arched iron spans at either end are original, as are many of the iron tracks. In fact, I learned that the bridge was actually destroyed by bombers, not by explosive charges set by ground troops, as portrayed in the movie.
The list of inconsistencies and mistakes in the film is extensive but perhaps most glaring is that the river over which the bridge was built is not the Kwai. Kanchanaburi is located at the confluence of the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai Rivers and the bridge spans the Khwae Yai. Not unsurprisingly, British corrupted the word Khwae (correctly pronounced “kwhere“) to “kwai.” Kanchanaburi, hoping to capitalize on tourism and bowing to the power of the cinema, renamed the stretch where the bridge was built to River Kwai. Still, the movie’s mystique endures. I marched back to my minivan, accompanied by rhythmic marching and whistling carried on the winds of history.
My tour of waterfalls seemingly at an end, I spread the map out on my lap and contemplated the best route between Tallulah Falls and Atlanta, Georgia. As I scanned my options I noticed a red dot on the map, not far from my current location. I squinted to make out the small print: Toccoa Falls. Another waterfall! There was no question I would divert to see it.
Toccoa Falls, 186 feet high, is located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College
Upon arriving in Toccoa I stopped by the renovated train station that serves as the area’s Welcome Center to ask directions. My intention was to make a quick stop at the waterfall and then be on my way but the gracious staff convinced me there was much more to see in this tiny town nestled in the foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. With no schedule to adhere to, I decided to investigate what Toccoa had to offer.
I began with the Stephens County Historical Society Museum and the Currahee Military Museum, both also located within the historic railroad depot. In the Historical Society Museum I wandered from exhibit to exhibit, learning about well-known personages connected with Toccoa. I was not surprised to discover that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was among them. Roosevelt’s love affair with Georgia is well known; he often traveled to his vacation home in Warm Springs, Georgia, which became known at the “Little White House.” On one such Continue reading
Posted in Southeast US travel | Band of Brothers, blogsherpa, Currahee Mlitary Museum, Dirty Dozen, Georgia, history, James Brown, medicine show, museums, Music, Olympics, Paul Anderson, photos, President Franklin Roosevelt, Saving Private Ryan, the south, Toccoa Falls, Travel, USA, weightlifting, woman, WWII | 18 Comments
A little bit of history pulled into Key West last week. The 523-foot long USS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg arrived from its previous berth in Norfolk, VA, where it had been languishing since being decommissioned in 1986, one of 25 retired ships often referred to as the “Ghost Fleet.” Now, rather than rusting away or being cut up for scrap, the WWII troop carrier will serve one final mission: it will be scuttled six miles offshore, where it will become the world’s second-largest artificial reef.
The USS Vandenberg will be scuttled six miles offshore from Key West in 140 feet of water, where it will become the second largest artificial reef in the world
Key West boat captain Joe Weatherby conceived the idea for the project 13 years ago and began searching for a mothballed ship that would be suitable, eventually selecting the Vandenberg because of its interesting structure, military history, and massive size. For years he navigated myriad state and federal regulations in his attempt to bring the ship to Key West while the price tag grew into the millions. Prospects looked bleak until Continue reading
Posted in Florida travel | Florida, Key West, living reef, photos, scuttled, sunken ship, Travel, uss vandenberg, woman, WWII | 16 Comments
The minister stood in front of the 70 couples who had gathered in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and bid them rise and join hands. Solemnly, he discussed the sacrament of matrimony and then launched into the vows. A split second after they had all agreed to love, honor, and obey, an ambulance screamed by with sirens blaring.
Seventy couples gather to renew their vows in the shadow of the giant "Unconditional Surrender" sculpture
“I trust that isn’t for anyone here?” the minister said, giving everyone a good laugh.
Indeed, there were no terrified spouses or fainting brides at this mass renewal of vows. Each of the couples had paid $100 for the privilege of standing beneath the giant “Unconditional Surrender” sculpture temporarily on display in the park and saying “I Do” the second time around. Billed as “A Monumental Valentine’s Day Kiss,” the event was a fundraiser for Sarasota Season of Sculpture, which is attempting to keep the work in Sarasota permanently. Continue reading
Because I am fascinated by anything having to do with World War II, I was delighted when a friend sent me a video about P-51 Mustang fighter planes, affectionately known as the “Grey Eagles.” The story of this enduring aircraft is told through the eyes of pilot Jim Brooks, a WWII ace who flew the Mustang named “February” during the war, providing protection for B-17 bombers as they penetrated deep into German territory.
Although there were nearly 16,000 Mustangs built only 200 remain worldwide. In September of 2007, nearly half of these remaining P-51′s came together at an unprecedented event, “The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends“, held at Rickenbacker Field in Columbus, Ohio. Through this event, Brooks was reunited with his plane, and his family was finally able to get him to reminisce about his war experiences. The video, which is is extremely touching and at times even humorous, features Brooks’ two grandchildren, who accompanied their grandfather to the event for his first view of the restored plane and subsequently had an opportunity to fly in it.
I can relate. My father was a belly gunner in a B-17 bomber in WWII and he, too, Continue reading
Posted in Inspirational | aviation, B-17 bombers, Gathering of Mustangs and Legends, Gray Eagles, history, P-51 Mustang, videos, World War II, WWII | 2 Comments
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