Winston Salem

North Carolina is exquisitely beautiful in the fall. I didn't get a picture of the trees because a picture just doesn't cut it. To quote the writer Edward Hoagland ,although he was speaking of another place, "The beauty is so concentrated, excessive, it is slapstick".

So Surfer Bob coasted through the elections. While sight seeing in he passed the Obama headquarters in this newly blue state.

If you're ever in W-S I strongly suggest eating at Sweet Potatoes. There's nothing better than Southern cooking, shrimp and grits, barbecued duck with red and white fries, indeed! Owners Stephanie Tyson(right) and Vivian Joiner(left) took a shine to Bone Marrow Bob and his mission.

For a while I had a hard time figuring out why smoking was still accepted in restaurants and other public places, then it hit me ....Winston Salem duh!

Cincinnati

As I muse about Cincinnati, I find I really don't know much about it. It's home to Proctor and Gamble, the Cincinnati Reds (terrible season), the Bangles(even worse season), the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and HBO's, John from Cincinnati. Actually John from Cincinnati is only the name. It has nothing to do with the city. It's about a mysterious guy that shows up in California and says he's from Cincinnati. Kind of like the coneheads are from France. Speaking of TV shows, the image I have of Cincinnati is of Les Nessman from the afore mentioned show WKRP tossing turkeys out of a helicopter for a radio promotion. So, it's about time Bone Marrow Bob paid a short visit. There were not a lot of photo opts so here he is crossing the Ohio river. In the courier business you see lots of cities that you otherwise have no reason to go to other than to say "ah yes, I've been there".

I seem to be writing a lot about the TSA. I guess they're always good for a story, but even that gets old. I will try and find something of more interest from now on. However, that is part of the point of this blog. You travel, you have travel stories. My secret desire is to have Surfer Bob ride the x ray belt, but again the TSA would not find the humor in that. Stay tuned.

TSA hell

I've got nothing against Phoenix. It's a great city and the saguaro cacti are truly monumental, but the TSA ............... who do they think they are? If you keep up with my blog you have read about them before. Be warned, they will search you, scrutinize you and show their stupidity. Unfortunately, our return flight from Maui was cancelled and we were rerouted through Phoenix. I guess because we were rerouted on another airline we were predisposed to being body checked. They are not subtle and have no sense of humor. The body check wasn't too bad but then she took everything out of my purse(except BMB) and wanded it. I only wish I had something embarrassing(use your imagination) in there. Perhaps I am being unjust. Perhaps it is only the TSA agents in the American terminal that are so voracious. I don't know because that is the only airline I take to Phoenix, since we are based out of DFW. Maybe your experiences are better. If so let me know.

Bob does Hawaii

Surfer Bob finally touched the sacred sands of Hawaii. The waves weren't so great but the sunsets and MaiTais were. Gotta say, if you are ever in Maui, you need to stop by Mama's Fish House for the freshest fish on the island. The drinks aren't bad either.

Nashville cat

What's up with the TSA? It's a different experience every trip. In Dallas everyone I came in contact with had never dealt with bone marrow. I usually refer to it as bone marrow because they really freak if I call it stem cells. The TSA agent that checked my cooler says" Is this going to be gross?" Whereas another agent comes up and starts telling us what gross is like a head on collision and pulling bodies out of the wreckage or recovering drowned bodies. UCK! The poor young agent and Bob did their best to ignore this guy. A lot of the TSA people are either starting their careers or are on their last job. Scary. Meanwhile no one at AA is paying much attention to me until I get up from my seat to make sure the captain knows I'm on board. I have letters you know. So the flight attendant reprimands me and tell me to take my seat. They are aware I'm on board and I shouldn't call attention to myself. Believe me that's the last thing i want. So then one flight attendant comes back to my seat and hands me my papers and says something to me. Then the first one come back to my seat. Now who's drawing attention to me????

Bone Marrow Bob was glad he didn't have to go all the way to Greece to see the Parthenon, and it's not even in ruins.

After dropping off the product Surfer Bob headed downtown for a little sightseeing. Man it's true, everybody plays the guitar in this town. There are singers and pickers in the Starbucks, hospitals, Holiday Inn ... everywhere!

Bob was most excited to visit the Ryman Auditorium, the original Grand Old Opry, to set foot in that hallowed hall where Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubbs and Minnie Pearl walked before him. What to buy in the gift shop? Hmmm? How about a flyswatter in the shape of a guitar? Watch out Surfer Bob!

St Louis III

St Louis is a popular destination. I don't know why. No pictures this trip. Next time I won't forget the chocolate.

Camp Sanguinity

Camp Sanguinity is at Camp John Marc, deep in the heart of Texas. It is a camp for cancer kids so, of course, Bob wanted to go. He had to keep a low profile because we can't publish any of the kids pictures so he fought off Indians with his cowboy body guards when the kids weren't around. He was the sheriff of the Ft Parker cabin. Bob enjoyed fishin, horseback ridin, and all the rest but he was not too keen on the food or sharin a cabin with 5 seven yr old  boys. They snore and talk in their sleep. Mostly BMB liked the camp. What a special place. They even have fireworks!

Detroit

What can you say about the Motor City? Bone Marrow Bob sandwiched a trip in between Phoenix and camp. A quick run to the hospital then back to the Crowne Plaza( Bob refers to it as the crown Royale) at the airport for an early flight out. He caught a ride on Jim and Gayle's motorcycle. What do you call a three wheeled motorcycle? Who cares. It's cool!

A flury of activity

While in Phoenix, Bob checked out the action on Mill Ave, a familiar drag for all you ASU alums. Unfortunately that is a smoke cloud making the beautiful sunset in the background.

Meet Army medic McDonnell. Doesn't he look happy? He is on a 2 week leave from Iraq to meet his new daughter and see old friends. And by the way, let's not complain about the heat people, in Iraq it's 125 and you have to wear all those clothes. Bone marrow Bob had a nice chat with Army medic McDonnell on the way to Phoenix. BMB was on the job after a long dry spell.

Bob spends quality time in the Big Apple

Surfer Bob , he's cool , he's suave, he did what every red blooded cool, suave, surfer boy does while in New York... has his picture taken by the Playboy sign. It's true. Everyone can eat your heart out because he WAS there picking up his date. It's true, just not a bunny. A reporter. That's why you read the magazine right? For the articles.



His raison d'etre for being in New York was to witness his date, Callie, graduate from Columbia . It was quite a ceremony. "Pomp and Circumstance" played for 45 minutes while the students marched in. Luckily the mix on the PA was outstanding while all the families waited for the show to begin and the playing of "New York, New York " by ole Blue eyes himself was, although not a stroke of genius , a perfect ending to such a classy event.

Surfer Bob visited many of his old haunts while in the Big Apple. He couldn't resist being seen with the Airstream, his favorite mode of transportation, at MOMA. The valentine at the top of the page is a Jeff Koons sculpture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Don't miss it if you go to NYC this summer.

As usual Surfer Bob ate well - best hot dog, Greys Papaya. Saw a show - "Cry Baby" and went to some awesome bars- La Quinta rooftop.

Miami

Time for a little R & R for Surfer Bob. Miami in the springtime is beautiful, but then, when is it not? Bob went to Miami , not for marrow, not for swingin' South beach but for the yoga. A weekend of intense yoga.

Forgetaboutit!He had more fun having girls bury him in the sand.

St Louis Redux

Well Bone Marrow Bob was back in St Louis in March. These trips are starting to repeat themselves. Actually Bob bowed out of another St Louis trip because of a previous engagement. He's hoping for a new destination soon.

Back in LA

OK  I haven't quite figured out this blog thing yet so my photos are backwards. No problem I will narrate backwards.

Bob was glad to be back in surfin USA .As you can see it was a little overcast and Bob didn't have a wet suit. Too bad. The waves were puny and there wasn't enough time to hang ten anyway. These trips are, for the most part, rather short.


Here Bob is enjoying the ride. No that is not the marrow!!!!! He has dropped off the product and is chillin in the back of the longest whitest  limo he has ever been in.

City of Hope is one of the best hospitals in the country. This picture does not do the size justice  A courier could get lost in there.
This is Jim the RN who was anxiously awaiting the delivery of the product. He looks very happy to see Bob and the cooler.

It's been a long winter. Here's Surfer Bob catching some rays. You can see that all this traveling is taking a toll on him.

Buckeye Bob

Bone Marrow Bob took a quick trip to Columbus last week. I guess you could say the most famous thing about Columbus is the OSU campus. Unfortunately it was late when Bob arrived and early when he left so he didn't get to take in the sights. Maybe next time.

 They sure are proud of their football team!!

on the road again

It's a new year and Bob is back at it. Road Warrior Bob spends a good deal of time on the tarmac.
First stop : Phoenix