Author Archives: volovecto

Göta Canal Cruise Day Three

Posted on July 4, 2017 by volovecto

Day Three of the Classic Canal Cruise begins with a cruise on Lake Vättern, the highest lake elevation, then we rise to highest elevation of the trip, 91.5 meters through the Berg Canal, and begin the descent through more locks … Continue reading →

Posted in Sweden | Leave a comment

Göta Canal Day Two

Posted on July 3, 2017 by volovecto

I awoke at 0400 on day 2 of our cruise, as we made our way through the Söderköping lock.  It could have been the amount of light at 0400 or the noise of the water filling the lock, I’m not … Continue reading →

Posted in Sweden | 1 Comment

Göta Canal Day One

Posted on June 30, 2017 by volovecto

This trip to Sweden was not only about Midsommar and visiting family.  It was 50 years ago that my sister spent the summer in Sweden with our Grandmother and cruised the Göta Canal the first time.  It was our idea to … Continue reading →

Posted in Sweden | 4 Comments

Glad Midsommar

Posted on June 28, 2017 by volovecto

We departed Skane for Småland and a visit with family.  Our maternal great grandmother immigrated from Sweden in 1890.  Her brothers stayed in Sweden, and their family welcomed us for Midsommar. Småland is another beautiful area of Sweden with farms like … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Sweden | 3 Comments

Southern Sweden: Skåne , Viking Stones, and a Swedish winery (kind of)

Posted on June 25, 2017 by volovecto

I am back in Sweden for Midsommar, a beautiful time to visit.  After meeting my sister in Copenhagen, we took the very short train ride to Malmo, Sweden and picked up a rental car.  Sweden is an easy country for … Continue reading →

Posted in Sweden | 2 Comments

Springtime in Oregon

Posted on May 1, 2017 by volovecto

Lilacs are my favorite flower, but timing a visit to Oregon while they are blooming is problematic.  This past winter and spring have been very cold and rainy in Oregon, so most plants are a few weeks behind what they … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Food and Wine, Oregon, Seasons & Holidays, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

Posted on April 15, 2017 by volovecto

Whether you celebrate Easter as the most religious of Christian holidays when Jesus rose from the dead, or celebrate the season as a pagan with the renewal of the earth (in the northern hemisphere) after a dormant winter and the … Continue reading →

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Napa Valley to the Russian River Valley

Posted on March 14, 2017 by volovecto

Finding myself in San Francisco on a Friday night, and with no immediate need to get home and back to work, I decided to spend the weekend in Napa Valley. Past experience has taught me to keep the tastings to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Food and Wine | 5 Comments

Black Sand, Cowries and Turtles, or, Just Messing Around

Posted on March 11, 2017 by volovecto

It should come as no surprise that there are many black sand beaches on Hawaii’s Big Island.  Driving the main highways (11 and 19), you see vast areas of lava flow fields cutting a wide swath from the flanks of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii | 1 Comment

Exploring Hawaii’s Big Island

Posted on March 9, 2017 by volovecto

Hawaii’s Big Island has a lot to offer besides warm water and sandy beaches.  As a matter of fact, beaches is the least of what this island has to offer.  How often do you get the chance to see volcanoes … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii | 1 Comment