This is part of the Swansons' travel narrative
history. This section covers both Bob's travels, before
he met Sandi, and their travels together after
they met. Years covered include:
1986
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1985
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1984
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1983
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1982
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1981
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1980
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1979
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1978
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1977
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1976
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1974
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1973
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1972
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1971
For Bob's 40th birthday, he was whisked off to Hawaii. We hit Oahu and Maui, and really enjoyed the Islands, especially when we got off the main road and hiked or just sat and watched the sea crashing against the ancient lava. This trip was in February, and we had to contend with the "snow birds" who filled the hotels. It was ironic how many people we met who had never been outside of the hotel bar and swimming pool area.
Well that trip was so much fun, that we did it again in October of 1986. We visited the Big Island and Kauai. We decided that Kauai was our "favorite" island, and nothing since has changed our minds.
During this trip, we discovered the Hiking Hawaii and Hidden Hawaii books. Highly recommended...
Near the end of the summer, we drove in Sandi's new car to Ashland, Oregon. This was both to "relive" Bob's 3 summers there, and to enjoy the 50th Anniversary of the Shakespeare Festival. In spite of a major car breakdown (Thanks, Lee Iacoca!), we finished up the trip with a wonderful Labor Day weekend in San Francisco. During this time, we discovered that there was to be a seminar later that year in Ashland on how to run a B & B. We were toying with the idea, so this was a chance to learn the more.
In December, we returned to Ashland to attend the B & B seminar (lots of snow!)
Several times to San Francisco. Discovered a small boutique there called Victoria's Secret.
Once, we went to San Francisco on trains, as part of an excursion with the Orange Empire Railway Museum. This was during the period just before the Cable Cars were to be closed for a year of restoration work. We endured a long, tiring day riding on private cable and trolley cars throughout the City. Our private tours included some track sections, both cable and trolley, that had not been used for nearly 30 years.
Attended the Mensa national AG in San Francisco, staying at our favorite hotel (Chancellor). Time not clear, but the Gay Pride parade took place (passed right by the hotel) during this time. Learned about the Obrero, and stayed there another time, discovering that their plumbing system was not good. However, their food was spectacular. That trip was done to attend a friend's wedding, but we still found time to enjoy the City, too.
Yosemite in summer (once with Sandi's parents, and another time just the two of us). A longer winter trip included the Gold Coast and Cambria (we've spent a lot of time there!), the Gold Country, and Tahoe, and the capper: the Ahwane Hotel in winter. This is one of the few times we spent a lot on hotels (Hawaii was another example), but this was worth it, and cheaper than you would think, due to the off-season rates.
Wine tour together (leader: George Ronay). Stayed at the most luxurious hotel we'd ever stayed in: The St. Francis in San Francisco (as part of the tour).
Quit Mensa, no more Asilomar trips.
Attended our last Asilomar (we didn't know it at the time). During a trip north through Cambria, Bob proposed on Moonstone Beach. Romantic!
Got married and took a 3-day cruise off the Mexican Coast as a honeymoon. It was interesting, but we never got off the boat. Given our queasy introduction to boat travel, it is a wonder that we later bought a boat and have done our own cruising! Needless to say, we never have booked onto a cruise ship again, after our experience in '81 [oh well, we finally broke down in 1997 and loved the Star Clipper].
Not sure of the time, but we were able to enjoy some long weekends in such places as the Gold Coast, and San Diego. Sandi was running a business, so we really couldn't take long vacations.
We drove to Las Vegas during the holiday period, in Sandi's new car. Got rear-ended just outside of Las Vegas and had to fly home. Whiplash took its toll. We learned how to shoot craps properly during this trip, and won dinner money several times over.
Another Asilomar trip with Mensa over Labor Day.
Bob and Sandi were truly together, but Sandi's business prevented her from taking any vacations. We learned the "Fine Art of Taking Long Weekends". Remember folks, time is the precious commodity. Money is good, but it can't buy time, ever.
The now annual trip to Asilomar was preceded by a stay in Cambria on the Gold Coast of California. We managed to also visit some wineries.
The famous Labor Day meeting of Bob and Sandi was mixed into the heady brew of a retreat at Asilomar on the Monterey Peninsula. The setting is unmatched, and the facilities excellent. While this was a large group get-together (Mensa), we found each other, and sparks flew. We found that we both enjoyed dining (no dancing), and got away from Asilomar for several evenings in Monterey or Carmel for great scenery and good food.
Soon thereafter (October), Bob took a previously-planned vacation (alone) to Europe. With a Eurrail pass in hand, he saw several countries he had missed 6 years before. The entire continent had changed, however, during the ensuing time. In addition, he came down with a dangerous strain of the flu, and ended up with pneumonia. Not one of the better endings to the travel stories this time.
Bob took several winery tours during this time, since he was getting more into California wine. Winter was the most ideal time, with the vineyards wearing their frost and green grass outfits, and wineries being the most friendly to the few visitors. Unfortunately, some of the better restaurants were not open during the holiday period.
Not exactly a travel story yet, but Bob broke his leg just before the start of summer. Thus, very little travel, and he had to spend most of the summer watching the 4th of July (200 years!) events, and the Olympics on television, and sweating. In the fall, however, he was able to visit his brother in New Orleans, and enjoy some very, very good food, while hobbling around the French Quarter on crutches.
Mid-year, Bob relocates to So. Calif. The drive down the Coast was punctuated by two events: his '68 Volkswagen bug threw its fan belt (not an uncommon event) on Highway 101, and he was passed by a car towing a trailer at an excessive speed on the same road. 30 minutes down 101, he came upon the car and trailer upside down with injury and destruction everywhere. Certainly an object lesson there.
European trip for Bob finally ends with re-entry into the US. He manages to make his way to New Orleans about the time of the Mardi Gras, and his brother and sister-in-law help him learn his way around town.
Bob migrates to the Bay area for a few years. Not much travel, except for a strange trip with friends to the northern Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.
Bob's big trip to Europe. He traveled for 9 months and covered a fair amount of territory. All triteness aside, it was one of those life-altering experiences. It was also the type of trip that probably cannot be repeated later in life. He traveled on the cheap, but still managed to learn more about wine (like how to fall into the gutter gracefully) and food than he ever imagined. Don't put it off, folks! Carpe Diem!
Late summer, Bob drove up the West Coast as far as the central Oregon coast. This had been planned as a trip to Vancouver Island, BC, but the plans were wildly changed at the last minute, punctuated by several days camping at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Novato.
This Christmas, Bob's family flew to New Orleans to visit his brother. It was Bob's first trip to the Big Easy, and he was much impressed. He and his girlfriend had dinner Christmas Eve at one of the better restaurants (they could not get into Antoines), and he paid the princely sum of $50 for dinner for 2 (drinks, all the trimmings, including Bourbon ice cream for dessert). It is unlikely that this dinner can ever be repeated, either in quality or price.