As we traveled we traded and collected items that were not trade goods for the traveler!! The items were used by the locals themselves.
American Press Travel News–March 19th, Leopoldville The Congo section of my book: “Africa on a Pin & a Prayer.”
We left Kisali on the “boat” a riverboat pushing a huge barge a microcosm of African life being pushed along by a 2000 horsepower diesel engine turning a paddlewheel that splashed at the river and inexorably pushed more than 1000 souls along a river that hasn’t changed since, or before written history one iota. Congolese minister’s concubines took up most of the riverboat rooms and Gene and I got lucky enough with the help of a Belgian business man, to grab one of those rooms and we camped out there. God had mercy, we did not have to sleep on the deck with the water bugs and other slimy critters that came out on deck under cover of darkness. We settled in for a 20-day run to Leopoldville. I spent a lot of time on the barge. I visited the Cayman croc sellers, the fruit and vegetable vendors and looked over the booty and bounty of what many villagers had bagged in the jungle’s hinterlands smoked monkeys, boa constrictor snakes for food or sale to collectors, butterflies kept in between palm leaves, also for the collector. Raw latex from Goodman’s Goodyear rubber plantation on its way to be processed into gloves, tires, rubber boots, condoms. Wildly colorful songbirds and parrots, snakes, monkeys, sloths, bamboo and logs destined for trading in the capitol of the Congo, Leopoldville. Every minute was an adventure on the riverboat. Villagers whose huts hugged the river banks along the way, braved the boats wake and came out to the barge in pirogues hollowed out wood log dugout canoes, to trade fresh produce, including cut pieces of sugar cane a favorite treat for everyone aboard. All the things done in the village were being accomplished on the barge as it was pushed at about 5 mph towards Leopoldville was being done there. Clothes washing, cooking child care and even love making on the decks sometimes behind a cloth shade.
Chris and Jayne Andrews, new wonderful owners of the Black Lantern InnBreakfast was a healthy treat. Coffee tasted like “real” coffee, the true organic breakfast fruit plate was delicious, brioche was special, the apple egg dish was superb (her moms and grandma’s old delicious recipe) all in all a memorable and socially wonder experience talking and getting to know each other.
American Press Travel News–May 31st, Roanoke, VA.-Bob and Barb “On the Road Again” and “Stopping to Smell the Roses.” Barb and I love to stay in really wonderful mom and pop accommodations, and finding such is like picking up that silver dollar in a parking lot. No, not because these type of stop-overs are extremely rare, but finding just the right one may be if you go in “cold.” What we look for is personality, and real friendliness-people that like people. So when we were told by our hostess to the area in the guise of Convention and Visitors Bureau Media Specialist; Taylor Ricotta about this nice couple who recently purchased the Black Lantern Inn, who would enjoy inviting us to spend a couple of nights at their place while we worked on our VA. travel articles, we said “yes.”The Inn has 3-accommodation rooms. We were offered the entire 3rd floor called the “Skyline Room with en suite bathroom, king size bed, sofa, writing desk and a flat screen TV. Call for prices. Rooms are $125 and up to less that $200 per night which includes breakfast for two. Great impeccable baths, fabulous urban surroundings and chirping birds off the porches, make this a memorable and relaxing interlude for any traveler and visitor to Roanoke, VA. There is a large amount of history to be able to explore in Roanoke. We honed in on railroading. The Museum of Transportation is a worthy visit. Replete with dozens of retired trains and transportation equipment, children of all ages from 4-100 would love this easily accessible museum. The Black Lantern Inn is tops with us for a B&B. The people: Terrific! The rooms: Excellent! The breakfasts: Perfect! The Inn is located at 1526 Franklin Road SW in Roanoke, VA. 24016WWW.BlackLanterninn.com
STAY TUNED. MUCH MORE TO COME ABOUT OUR ADVENTURES IN VIRGINIA’S BLUE RIDGE, MUCH MORE!
The Charter Boat Fleet at Whale Harbor! Note the wooden slats upper right. The great bar and grill of Wahoo’s is housed there!
AmericanPresstravelNews-Jan.16th, Bob and Barb “On The Road Again” at Whale Harbor Marina (home of the best fishing fleet in the Keys) and Wahoo’s Bar and Grill. When we visit a restaurant, lounge, bar and grill, cafe, we ask for one thing: are their offerings consistently good, at least good! Well, happily we have found over a period of times that Wahoo’s fare is better than “good” its actually “great!” WE went for a surf and turf last night, a hot grilled Mahi (dolphin fish) over a melange of fresh fruits including mango, honey dew, cantaloupe, grapes, berries-never had fish this way and it was outstandingly deightful and also we felt we were eating great, but also very healthy (no sugary dressings necessary). When we saw Surf and Turf with Churasco Steak on the menu, we opted for this as our second entree’. The Florida lobster tail was big enough to share and it tasted terrific. I am very fussy about my “tail” it’s got to be firm, tasty and with all the right flavors. The steak was grilled medium with a crisp edge-WOW! So with our cool Key Lime Pina Colada was special with graham cracker edged glass instead of salt or sugar. Then it was time for dessert. Jody the very nice Director of food and drink recommended Key Lime Pie there way! So we dug into a portion of this iconic Keys offering. He was right, excellent pie and authentic. Whale Harbor is located at 83413 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada FL. 33036 (305)-664-9888 www.wahoosbarandgrill.com
No fish or any other sauces or dressings necessary. Fresh is key! This was outstanding for anyone who wants to eat happy and healthy too!Surf and Turf extraordinary! I don’t ooze great lightly. This was a fabulous meal!We opt for zero alcohol in our business drinks, we are on the road and do not drink a drop when we know we will be driving a foot or a mile! Note Wahoo written in syrup!Yes, it was nightime! My new friends from Delaware at fiberglass photo tiger shark!
AmericanPressTravelNews.com Nov. 7th,Dublin, GA.–“Bob and Barb on the Road Again” and “Stopping to Smell the Roses”, and visit for awhile!–We stopped for a couple of nights to enjoy a real quality B&B and we were not even slightly disappointed staying at the really magnificent Page House. We first met Mono working the leaves off the driveway, just after pulling into a true early American Estate sized home from a different era and century with giant pillars and the look of what the real White House in D.C. must have looked like before the many gates and fences, additions and subtractions. This was a true Antebellum Southern home only remodeled to modernize the needs of casual tourists in all modern ways possible, but yet totally in keeping with the themes and decor of a quieter, more pastel time in American History. WE LOVED IT! We have learned that the owners make or break a B & B. Mono and JoAnn were fabulous, caring hosts and mighty fine chefs as well. This place as they say in GA. is “The Gem of the Emerald City.” www.pagehousebb.com ph and fax: (478) 275-4551
Yes, there are great restaurants in Dublin. See additional posts for Company Supply Rotisserie Bistro and Deano’s Italian Grille Brick Oven favorites!!!!
Mono and JoAnn, Page House Owner-Operators put together a memorable breakfast repast. Finer host will be hard to find!!All rooms and suites have modern baths and showers, TV’s and most important; comfy beds and linens.Formerly the only home in Dublin, GA. with a ballroom! Today it’s a “sweet” dining room area, or can be a ball room for special occasions as well!Mono and JoAnn putting up a sumptuous breakfast for guests!GA. Toast with GA. peaches-umm, umm Great!Omelette Greek style with Goat Cheese, spinach and LUV!
