5 - 25 - 21 Went on a roadtrip from Monday, May 17 - Tuesday, May 25 to revisit Provincetown, MA, where I haven't been in decades and a revisit to Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park, last visit in 2006. Some new individual shops and markets in P-town, where Commerical St. was filled with people who were visiting, didn't expect to see so many. New shops and restaurants are now on side streets, too. Stayed at the Gifford House, where it was quiet and staff friendly. Did a nature walk, near Race Point Beach, before spending the afternoon, relaxing on the beach. It was sunny, with a slight breeze and saw a few brave people go into the ice-cold ocean. Surely, the summertime is packed with tourists, making it difficult to walk and drive thru the town. Plenty of diversity for all. Before heading to Bar Harbor, spent the nite in Freeport, visited the LL Bean, 24 hr. store and was surprised to see that the district had lots of empty storefronts and few people around. Took the scenic, coastal drive to Bar Harbor, ME, stopping at a State Park for lunch and to view the ocean. Lots of people in Bar Harbor and in Acadia N.P., more than I expected to see, since it was before Memorial Day weekend. Higher prices for lobster rolls, which were $37 each in town, less on the road, making up for the lost year of 2020. Some pay stations were open in Acadia N.P., including the Park Loop road around the park. Less on the trails off the beaten track, where many were hiking around Jordan's Pond, a beautiful location and takes about 3 hours to do the trail. Driving up Summit Road takes you to the top of Cadillac Mountain, 1,529 ft. always very windy and people are walking on top of the rocks, facing the ocean for the incredible view. Visited Sand Beach, where two women ran into the ocean and told me that they go there everyday, during their lunch break, brave gals in the freezing ocean. Next, was a visit to Thunder Hole to experience the sea's thunder against the rocks of Maine's shores. Let's of people at close range, got a soaking, when the wave, came crashing down. In the 1900's, Mr. George Dorr purchased land, where the Gardens of Acadia are today. This land area was donated to the park in 1961 and consists of more than 400 species of plants that exist in the park. Went to Echo Lake, Bass Harbor, where the head lighthouse is located and Ship Harbor. Did another visit to the top of Cadillac Mountain to see this stunning area and view, one more time. Did an overnite stop in Hampton Beach, NH, where there is a beautiful beach, before heading back home. It was great to be able to get back to nature, explore and the new normal.

3 - 18 - 20  Traveled to Egypt, the mother of civilization from February 29 - March 16, 2020 arriving in Cairo on Monday afternoon.  Visited the Pyramids of Giza which are located, west of Central Cairo, as they have for centuries.  The Great Pyramid built for pharaoh Cheops of the 4th dynasty,
along with two smaller ones, dated from around 2500 B.C. were stunning to see, along with the Sphinx.  The next day visited the Egyptian Museum, is home to the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world  On Thursday morning took the scenic day train to Luxor, which is the world's largest outdoor museum.   A fascinating visit to the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of Luxor dates back to around the 16th to the 11th centuries B.C.  Here visited several tombs, including that of Ramses 1 and Ramses 111 after approaching it through barren landscape of sand dunes.  The next day was spent at The Karnak Temples which is the largest ancient religious site in the world.  The area has ancient building, structures,columns, statues, including Ramses 11 with his wife Nefertari.  Located right on the corniche is The Luxor Temple and was beautifully lit up at night.  After 4 days, headed south to Aswan, took a Nile boat ride on a felucca, which is a traditional
wooden sailing boat, sailed around Elephantine Island and the Botanical Gardens.  A 3 1/2 hour drive thru the desert and on the shores of Lake Nasser is the magnificent sight of the Great Temples of Abu Simbel.  Returning north back to Luxor for an additional 3 nites to visit the Luxor Museum and return to the vast Karnak site was a day to visit areas that were missed previously and well worth it.  The Egyptian people are extremely kind, friendly and welcomed meeting Americans, who they do not encounter as frequently as people from other countries.  It was a very enriching travel experience and the memories will endure my lifetime.