Geo: -1.56124, -80.8072If you've ever ridden a night bus in Ecuador, you know about the pat-downs. On the surface anyway, Ecuador is very concerned about security. We were all searched before we could board--one woman to search the whole load of us. Our bags, our persons--they patted down some people and did a cursory look with others. Bob was really hoping for a strip search, but I guess we just don't look suspicious enough. We could have had all kinds of nasty ammo on us; they'd never have known.I didn't do very good choosing the bus, I'm afraid. It was a semi-cama which means the seats lean back 3" more than an airplane's--not the nearly full recline plush leather seats of the full-cama buses we'd always taken in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Our knees were jammed ... read more

Geo: -0.223151, -78.5127We've never actually spent much time at 9,000 feet. Like on Beartooth Pass: you go up, you come down. So we had no idea it would have any effect on us, but I'm starting to feel better this afternoon, and Bob only felt a slight queasiness to start with.I got to watch him eat lunch while I drank tea. Then he got to watch me eat many hours later while he drank coffee. But let me tell you about my dinner spot. A little hole in the wall claiming $1.50 almuerzos (lunches). Since all I wanted was a leg of chicken and some rice I figured we'd try it.We walk in and are met with the strangest bunch of folk all talking at once--trying to figure out what I'm saying, I guess. There are ... read more

Geo: 33.7481, -84.3909Our plane out of Phoenix had mechanical problems and didn't come back on line until 3pm--making it impossible to catch our flight to Quito.Now, since everything's full, we're stuck here until the 3rd, when we'll try again.After spending 120 hours in airports New Year's Eve, we lazed around most of yesterday, then finally got out for some sightseeing. We rode Marta, the train, downtown to see Underground Atlanta.It's a mall/historic area that's a street level below street level. But it was kinda cool and we enjoyed being out of the cold wind whipping through the city.... read more

Geo: 32.3067, -106.778Ever since I'd known Mary Ann Adams in Miles City a lifetime ago, I've remembered what she used to say about the great Mexican food in Las Cruces, where she used to live.So this trip absolutely required a stop there to test it out.We were not disappointed.If you're ever there, a stop at La Posta in Old Mesilla will make your tummies happy.... read more

Geo: 36.6415, -93.2177 We figured we'd never get this old. I mean, Branson? Really? But it was a Very Fun Place. Lots of entertainment in a clean, upbeat, pleasant environment. And the surprise was it wasn't just old folks. There were hundreds of families with small children as well. It was like Las Vegas minus the sleaze. We went to the Sons of the Pioneers Chuckwagon Dinner Show at night, an impressionist that afternoon, and still managed to sneak in Horray for Hollywood the next morning before leaving town. The winding hill country of the Arkansas Ozarks is a biker's dream. Even I felt like I needed to be on one. It's 15 degree turns in lush green plummeting down, down until you're dumped out on the plains of Oklahoma catching your breath. You like bikes ... read more