HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's almost 2022. A New Year and 365 new days ahead. Happy New Year!

I'm looking out my window at the white-snow cover, a red cardinal sitting in the nearby barren tree, and Grandad's Bluff in the distance. The temperature in La Crosse, Wisconsin is about 25 degrees F. and calm—warm enough for a pleasant walk. I bundle up every day to get fresh air and check out the weather. There have been some days where the blast of cold wind has been too much, and I immediately turn back, but most of the time it's enjoyable.

Comparing a walk along the Mississippi River to my former daily walk along the San Diego Bay is difficult, however, they both offer a beautiful bridge view. If you happen to like snow and ice, this December view (photo above) of the Mississippi River Bridge is the winner.

I will not even attempt to compare the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights to the Rotary Lights display in Riverside Park, La Crosse. Here are some of my favorite photos from this special winter extravaganza in Wisconsin.

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MARSAXLOKK – AN OLD PICTURESQUE FISHING VILLAGE IN MALTA

After being in Malta for almost a month, we decided to spend our last four nights in Marsaxlokk (pop.3500). Perhaps you could say that we left the best for last because this old fishing village in the southeast corner of Malta was one of my favorites. The port dates back to ancient days when it was used by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians.

Each morning I headed out for an early walk on the bay to see the fishing boats bobbing in the harbor and the sounds of water hitting the shoreline. The boats come in various sizes and some of the larger, less colorful ones, had the appearance of experiencing many days at sea. However, the brightly colored Maltese boat, referred to as Luzzu or djhajsa, makes this harbor particularly beautiful. They are painted red, blue and yellow. If you look carefully you can see the eye of Osiris painted or carved on their bow, an old custom believed to protect the boats from evil.

There are about 360 churches in Malta so the fact that this little village has a large church sitting directly in the center of town is not surprising. The church bells ring at 7 am daily as the local parishioners attend morning mass. The Parish Church of Our Lady of Pompei was built in the 1890s for local fishermen and their families.

Along the harbor of old storefronts, I found one little kiosk that was always open for coffee. It was not the type of place where you would get a cappuccino, but it suited me just fine as it was open early and the coffee only cost 60 cents. I think that the older man behind the counter has been serving his coffee and homemade pastizzi to the fishermen in the community for many years.

I always returned to our apartment before 8—that's the time the couple who own the Shipwright's Lodge delivered a hearty breakfast to our room (due to COVID they were not serving the normal buffet). We enjoyed harbor views from our balcony, and recommend this apartment.

We found a lot of other things to do around this area that included a walk to St. Peter's Pool and the nearby town of Birzebbuga. Another beautiful harbor town, Marsaskala, was easily accessible by bus. There were also convenient bus connections to the Blue Grotto and Rabat that offered great scenery along the way. Unfortunately, we missed the popular Sunday Fish Market that attracts locals and tourists from all over the island.

Finally, there is a direct bus to the airport from Marsaxlokk. We rode it on our last day to arrive three hours early for our flight so we could take the COVID test that was required to return to the US. We were both feeling healthy and believed that we would test negative, however, the consequences of not passing that test were not something we wanted to experience. It sounded like they would direct us to a hotel of their choice and we could be quarantined for up to three weeks. Fortunately, we passed our tests but the concern about the consequences of getting stuck in Malta for an uncertain length of time was not very pleasant.

For now, Ron and I both agree that our international travels are on hold amd we are happily home in for the holidays.

MENDING THE FISHING NETS

THE MALTESE ISLAND OF GOZO

Gozo (pop. 35,000) is the second-largest island of the Maltese archipelago. It's 14 km long and 7.25 km wide—about 1/3 the size of the island of Malta (pop. 450,000).

After spending a couple of weeks on the densely populated island of Malta, we were ready to move on to the more peaceful and slower-paced island of Gozo.

VIEW FROM OUR ROOM

There are two ports in Malta with ferry service to Gozo. The trip takes about 45 minutes. Upon arrival at Port Mgarr, we had no trouble finding an uncrowded bus that took us directly to the village of Marsalforn (pop.750) where we had an apartment reserved. This popular resort buzzes with activity in the summer but is quiet and calm during the winter months. The historic capital city of Victoria (pop. 7,000) is a short two miles away.

We love the ocean view from our window and have extended our stay here for ten days. We will return to the larger and more hectic island of Malta later, as we still have more to do there. However, for now, we are enjoying this small island in the Mediterranean. It's easy to get around, there are great walks, ocean views, dramatic limestone cliffs, historic salt pans, fishing harbors, caves, lush green farmlands, and the oldest free-standing structure in the world.

XWEJNI BAY

CITADEL

XLENDI

COUNTRYSIDE NEAR MARSALFORN

GGANTIJA TEMPLES

GGANTIJA TEMPLES
The oldest free-standing structure in the world. 

A STREET IN XLENDI BEACH

THE GREAT MISSISSIPPI RIVER ROAD AND THE DRIFTLESS COTTAGE

Although there are many scenic highways in Wisconsin, my favorite is the GreatMississippi River Road. It curves along the river surrounded by towering bluffs, state parks, and old river towns. It offers views of ferryboats, barges, locks & dams, bridges, trains, bald eagles, wildflowers, wetland habitats, canoe trails, wildlife viewing, and numerous historic and scenic viewpoints. There are remnants from native cultures along the way including fascinating American Indian burial and effigy mounds.

There is one section along Highway 35 that I travel frequently because it leads south from La Crosse (pop. 48,000) to De Soto (pop. 282) where my son has been renovating an old home that he calls “The Driftless Cottage.” Over the past several months, he has managed to convert it into a comfortable two-bedroom home, with large window views of the surrounding woodlands and valleys. It's now available for rent on Airbnb—“The Driftless Cottage,” De Soto, Wisconsin. I won't be able to visit as often as I did during the renovation, although it's exciting to know that others are enjoying the benefits of my son's hard labor and talent.

This spectacular area along the Mississippi is considered part of the Driftless Region of Wisconsin because it was never covered by ice during the Ice Age. The landscape consists of steep hills, forested ridges, deeply carved valleys, and cold-water trout streams. It's also home to countless bird and wildlife species.

Here are some of the places along the 29-mile drive from La Crosse to De Soto – including a much-loved side trip across the River to Lansing, Iowa.

                      MISSISSIPPI RIVER WITH OLD STONEWALL

                    STONE BUILDING, CIRCA 1920, GENOA, WI

                          VIEW FROM MT. HOSMER CITY PARK IN LANSING, IOWA

LOCK AND DAM #8, GENOA, WI OPENED IN 1938. ONE OF 29 LOCKS AND DAMS ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI.

ABANDONED NORTHERN WISCONSIN CO-OP TOBACCO POOL – GENOA, WI

VIEW FROM THE GREAT RIVER ROAD INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND FISH HATCHERY IN GENOA, WI - HERE YOU CAN FIND  HISTORICAL EXHIBITS, AQUARIUMS, HATCHERY TOURS, AND WALKING TRAILS

                                             TUGBOAT NEAR LANSING, IOWA

         COFFEE ON THE RIVER LOCATED IN AN OLD HISTORIC BUILDING IN                                                      LANSING, IOWA (POP. 2,647).

MY GRANDDAUGHTER, SIENNA, SPYING ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER FROM THE DRIFTLESS AREA EDUCATION AND VISITORS CENTER. LANSING, IOWA.

The total drive takes about 45 minutes. One of the popular restaurants along the way is the Great River Roadhouse located about two miles north of De Soto. It has great pasta and pizza. Another favorite is Coffee on the River in Lansing. It offers coffee, a great breakfast wrap, and seating on the river.

“Rivers are places that renew our spirit, connect us with our past, and link us directly with the flow and rhythm of the natural world.”                                                                     -Ted Turner

LIBRARIES & BOOKSTORES AROUND THE WORLD

 

LELLO & IRMAO BOOKSTORE, PORTO, PORTUGAL

September 8 was International Literacy Day and my inspiration to share favorite photos of bookstores and libraries that I have taken through the years.

In a recent article by MadameNoire, she recommends eight ways to reignite an interest in reading and suggests that finding a good library or a bookstore is one of them. “Being physically removed from your normal environment and surrounded by stacks of books....you'll be surprised at how you lose track of time while reading...”

The Driftles Book Store is located in an old tobacco warehouse in Viroqua, Wisconsin. With thousands of old books on its shelves, it has become a gathering place for book lovers, music events, community, and so much more. Come with time to browse and meet the owner, Eddy Nix, who believes there should be a bookstore in every little town.

Verbatim Books is a used and rare bookstore in North Park, San Diego, California, that was featured in a MyVintageJourneys post dated March 3, 2020. It offers comfortable reading nooks and seating areas to enjoy some quiet time with newly discovered books.

Biblioteca Angelica, Rome Italy, is one of the most ancient public libraries in all of Europe. Its floor-to-ceiling collection dates back to the end of the 13th-century. This hidden gem can be found near the Piazza Navona on the Piazza Sant' Agostino.

The Charlie Byrne-Bookseller is an independent bookshop in the heart of Galway City, Ireland. Since opening in 1995, it has become one of the most cherished retail and cultural spaces in the city. It offers new, second-hand, bargain, and antiquarian books.

Probably one of the most celebrated and famous bookstores of all time is Shakespeare and Company Paris. Located in a 17th-century building that was once a monastery. Opened in 1951 by American George Whitman who passed away in 2011 at age 98. The business continues as a popular Left Bank Literary institution under the management of his daughter, Sylvia Whitman.

There are some great stories about Shakespeare and Company including the thousands of people (referred to as “Tumbleweeds”) that have slept overnight among the shelves and piles of books. As payment, they were required to: read a book a day, work three hours daily in the store, and write a one-page autobiography.

The Library of Trinity College, Dublin is the largest library in Ireland and home to the famous Book of Kells. It also serves as is a legal deposit or “copyright” library,” which means that publishers in Ireland must deposit a copy of all their publications there.

Most libraries and bookstores do a great job of setting aside a special place for children. Pictured above is the children's section at the Coronado Public Library, California. It offers a small theater with dozens of puppets for the children to play with. Libraries are a favorite with my grandchildren.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL PLANS IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD

I'm writing this while feeling a bit melancholy about canceling another planned trip to Europe. It was to begin in just a few days. Hopefully, we will be able to re-book and travel again soon, however, for now, we are tired of the uncertainties and extra requirements to travel to Europe. Fortunately, it's a lot easier to cancel than to search for just the “right” place when making a reservation. We knew there were risks when we planned the trip (Europe wasn't open to nonessential US travelers last January) and made sure that all of the bookings were cancelable with no fees involved.

I just took a look at the seating chart on the flight we were booked on--our seats have been reassigned and the flight has more passengers than it did a few days ago. Perhaps you could say we are a bit over-cautious, but the comfort level just wasn't there. For those who persevered, they'll more than likely be glad they did and the benefits of travel will far exceed the hassles.

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend. I'm looking forward to spending time with family and enjoying some short road trips through the Wisconsin countryside. 

RIVERSIDE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP GARDENS - WHERE SISTERLY LOVE PREVAILS

The Riverside International Friendship Gardens sit at the north end of Riverside Park along the La Crosse River just as it merges with the Mississippi and Black Rivers. It's beautiful, but most importantly, it brings you around the world to visit seven unique gardens, each designed to honor one of the sister cities of LaCrosse, Wisconsin:

Luoyang, China                           Dubna, Russia                   Forde, Norway

Friedberg, Germany                    Bantry, Ireland

Epinal, France                            Kumbo, Cameroon

As you journey through you will find a Moon Gate in the Chinese garden, an Alpine Hill in the German garden, a Le Pinau statue in the French garden, hidden trolls in the Norwegian garden, a Besedka in the Russian garden, a water wheel in the Ireland garden, and a fascinating Mami Wata (Mermaid) Fountain in the Cameroon garden and much more. And, more than likely, you'll leave with a desire to visit one of these special places someday.

A good source for learning more about the design and plantings in each of the gardens is an audio tour that's available on their website. Each one was uniquely planned to resemble the gardens and to honor cities that are located thousands of miles away.

For each of these sister cities, there is a story of bonding and friendship between ordinary people. They include numerous cultural exchanges between teachers, students, technicians, musicians, athletes, health care professionals, businesses, and more. People sharing their talents to make this a better world.

The Riverside International Friendship Gardens were made possible by the joint efforts of the City of La Crosse Parks Department, the Bluff Country Master Gardeners, and the International Friendship Garden Board of Directors. It started about 17 years ago by just a few master gardeners who had a vision. Volunteers continue to meticulously maintain the gardens.

The Friendship Gardens are quiet and peaceful for all to enjoy. And if you care to linger, you can always find an available seat on one of the little stone benches. I know, because I walk through this special place every day.

The gardens are free and open daily from 6 am to 11 pm.