Hither & Yon

Pinch Me Places: 221B Baker Street

One of the most fun travel experiences I've ever had was my 1995 visit with the lovely Robin and our awesome kids to 221B Baker Street, the London address of Sherlock Holmes.

The location has been lovingly and meticulously recreated from the writings of Arthur Conan Doyle into a museum and tourist attraction honoring the world's most famous consulting detective. That's Aubrey, above, by the hearth in Holmes's sitting room.

And that's Aaron, above, in Holmes's deerstalker cap and holding his meerschaum pipe. The occupant wasn't in at the time, so I felt free to let Aaron have a little fun. Oh, yeah, and I also got a picture of myself in the same chair. Same cap. Same pipe. Yeah, buddy.

I was so enthralled with the details (the engineer's thumb was in a cabinet in this room, for crying out loud, and the Queen's initials still marked the wall--both details from Holmes stories) that Robin thought it necessary to remind me, "He is a FICTIONAL character, Bob." Pshaw. All she had to do was look around and she could have seen that Holmes was as real as the walkup lodgings of Dr. Watson:

It is truly a "pinch me" place for me, and not less so because Holmes was (supposedly) fictional. It was a thrilling and absolutely enjoyable step into Victorian England, the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle, and the enduring figure of Sherlock Holmes.

Newport Gangster Tour

For date night tonight, I took the lovely Robin to Newport, Kentucky, for the Newport Gangster Tour, starting from the Dueling Piano Bar on Fifth Street.

After a short three-part presentation on the history of gangsterism in Newport (above), the group of several dozen set out on the walking portion of the tour.

The location above was once called the Sparkle Bunny Club, if I heard right.

Once called the Starlight and several other names, the Brass Ass is still in operation.

We were led by several guides, one of whom told the story of a hit (above) on the very site where it happened, in front of what was once The Mustang (and is now the Kentucky Gambling Museum).

The Monmouth Theater (above) is located in the former La Madame's, and Bernhard's Bakery (below) occupies part of the once-famous Yorkshire casino.

These were just some of the stops on the tour, which of course ended at what is now called the Syndicate, built in the 50s.

It was a load of fun on a beautiful night. I had expected to actually go into a couple places, but other than the piano bar, we stayed on the street for the entire tour. Still, I loved the local history, and Robin liked the stories of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Marilyn Monroe.

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Smoky Mountain Grooming

Nothing like single-file Smoky Mountain scenic tooth-brushing moments:

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Helpful Sign

Spotted in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (at the Hafields & McCoys dinner theater):

McDonald's Play Place

Life's simple pleasures are the best. Shakespeare said that. Or maybe it was Van Kamp's Pork and Beans.

But it's true. So, entrusted as I am with the care of my grandchildren Miles and Mia this evening, I let them persuade me to set out in my "supercar" for the Fairfield McDonalds on Rt. 4, which has a Play Place.

Just in case Mom or Dad happen to read this: they ate all their dinner before I set them loose on the Play Place. Honest.

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Location:Boymel Dr,Fairfield,United States

Great Strides 2012

What a great day this was for our 2012 Great Strides walk, on our grandchildren Calleigh and Ryder's behalf, to raise funds to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis.

Our family and friends came out in force, and Ryder (above) and Calleigh (below) behaved themselves admirably.

The walk, in its second year (as a Hamilton event) was better attended than last year.

Twelve teams participated, comprising more than a hundred walkers, an estimated 33% increase over last year.

It couldn't have been a more perfect day--sunny, clear, just warm enough without being too warm--for a walk through Joyce Park in Hamilton.

And our family's team--"McCane's Miracles"--led the way, raising more than $5,275 (so far) of the $11,500 (so far) toward a goal for the day of $12,000, and there is every expectation that funds still coming in and being totaled will push the total for the Hamilton location past the 12K figure.

Once we finished the walk, well, there was time to eat pizza and chips, and play on the playground. Calleigh and Ryder gave no indication that they were aware that they were the stars of the whole show, but they were. And we fully believe, one way or the other, today brought them both closer to healing, by God's grace and in his timing.

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Location:Great Miami River Recreational Trail,Fairfield,United States