Month: February 2023

Back in the USSR – Part 2: Sweated & Feted – Bukhara & Samarkand

Jewels of the Silk Road: A Grand Tour of Uzbekistan Previously, on “Back in the USSR”: In 1984 I responded to an invitation from the Soviet Sports Committee to visit the  Pamir, Central Asia & the Caucasus.    We explored the steppes below Pik Lenin and helicoptered into Fortembek base camp for Pik Communizm. Now we… Continue reading Back in the USSR – Part 2: Sweated & Feted – Bukhara & Samarkand

Back in the USSR – Part 1 – Pik Lenin in the Pamir

In the late 70s – 80s there exchanges of climbers with the USSR. A group of US climbers went to the Pamir and a Soviet group visited the North Cascade in Washington.  In 1984 I was chair of the Nordic Ski Committee of The Mountaineers climbing club based in Seattle. At a meeting of all chairs, we received an invitation from the Soviet Sports Committee to send a member on a 3 week tour of the Pamir, Central Asia & the Caucasus

Turkey – Hiking from Selge and the Aspendos Theater

Turkey offers day hiking that combines moderate exertion with a journey into the past. We hiked along mountain paths that include parts of Roman construction for Silk Road traffic. With an early morning start, we drive to the Pamphylonian city of Selge – one of the most isolated and dramatic of ancient cities. The road narrows… Continue reading Turkey – Hiking from Selge and the Aspendos Theater

Crete – Heraclion & Knossos and 9/11

From our 2001 trip – fun it was in those days, traveling without GPS (or even a good map). Two days of normal tourist activities. Then on the 11th came the attack on the World Trade Center.

February Virtual Art Walk – Posts from Favorite Artists

This is my first entry to this virtual Artwalk focusing on several distinct artists. Pease visit their sites using the links below to enjoy this month’s features. KM Gunn Even though my paintbrush experience is limited to walls & siding, I enjoyed KM Gunn’s artwalk entry this month, exploring the creation of a unique watercolor… Continue reading February Virtual Art Walk – Posts from Favorite Artists

Cascoly Recipes from Turkey

These are recipes I’ve developed based on my experiences over many years of traveling in Turkey Turkish cuisine is a unique blend of flavors and ingredients that have been influenced by a rich cultural history spanning centuries. Turkey’s location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia is reflected in its cuisine, incorporating elements from both… Continue reading Cascoly Recipes from Turkey

Microwave Your Vegetables to Preserve Flavor and Nutrients

Use your microwave more often The microwave is underused for cooking from scratch. Anything that can be steamed, blanched or boiled, can be prepared faster and probably better in a microwave. It’s an easy, quick and tasty way to cook vegetables. I’ll be showing how to cook fresh vegetables. For frozen ones just follow the directions… Continue reading Microwave Your Vegetables to Preserve Flavor and Nutrients

Dragons Across the European Continent

In Europe, dragons have a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. In ancient Greece, dragons were dangerous beasts, associated with death and destruction. They depicted as large, serpentine creatures. with wings and sharp claws. Later they morphed to the now popular view of 4 legged, winged creatures. Belief in dragons was bolstered by… Continue reading Dragons Across the European Continent