Paris

Surfer Bob has always wanted to go to Paris, with or without marrow. Last week he went without.

He had to have an iconic picture taken in front of the Eiffel Tower, a la the Travelocity gnome or the yard gnome in "Amelie". He hit all the hot spots, the Louvre, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe. Pretty much saw as much as he could in 4 days. Of course, he ate his way through Paris. The boulangeries were amazing. What happen to the cheese course in the restaurants? They don't exist any more. Paris is getting so modern. There are too many museums to see them all in a short time so a rainy Sunday found Bob at the Musee D'orsay, a veritable who's who of Impressionist artist. The collection makes the Art Institute of Chicago or the Met look second tier. And everyone in Paris was there to enjoy free museum day. A trip to Paris would not be complete without some evening culture. The ballet was performing at the Opera Garnier. The opera house was built in the mid 19th century and is a rococo wonder. Here Surfer Bob does his best impression of the phantom.

There's no telling where Bob will turn up next.

Salt Lake City

Bone Marrow Bob can not stay still! Three days after he's back from vacation he's on the road again. Doesn't the Mormon Tabernacle Cathedral look a little like Disney Castle? The side view is taken from the visitor center, which was the only way to get a photo. BMB was approached to convert but the lady was a little taken aback by his appearance and backed off. Didn't Brigham Young have any imagination when it came to setting up a city? Couldn't he have come up with better names for streets than East, North, 900,etc? It makes Temple Drive sound unique. Here's a fact that you may not know if you are over a certain age, High School Musical is filmed at East High School. Located on East Street(see above) in Salt Lake.

The Radisson at the airport has its good points and bad points. Good: free happy hour served by maybe a distant Mormon relative, Tyler Savage.

Bad: the swimming is dry. What is it about airport hotels that they can't fill the pool(see Phoenix)

Trip Advisor

Well, purely on vacation, Surfer Bob went to the wine country. Napa Valley, to be exact. Here he is surfin the grapes. The food, wine and weather were all great.

A few trip advisory notes and observations: if you go to Frankfurt you can skip the doubledecker bus tour especially if it is at 4:00. The tour guide can be stereotypically German in his delivery," on the right.... on the left...." no stops for pictures. My favorite...last stop, get out enjoy and walk back to your hotel.

New York is still expensive in the dead of summer. You might think twice about staying at the Hemsley Park Lane. The rates and location are good but the interior is a little smarmy. Apparently it is for sale just as soon as Leona's will is out of probate.

Wondering what happen to Sarah Palin after she left office? I think she is a flight attendant for AA , and I might add, she is not doing any better at that job than governor.Ok so maybe it was just someone who looked like her.

Impossible Germany

It's really not impossible, that's just the name of a Wilco song. It was a very brief trip and the donor went over and above what most donors are asked to do. I can't go into details because who knows who reads this blog and might possibly figure out who's stem cells went to whom so I will leave it at that. I will say I wasn't sure of my flight until the very last minute, like when I was on the plane.

Don't you hate it when you go to Europe and all the sights are covered in scaffolding? This magnificent castle is half way surrounded. The good news is I've already seen it.

This cat sculpture guards the gate to the old city of Heidelberg. HE's holding a mirror but since I don't read German I don't know why.

Frankfurt has many wonderful museums. One I didn't go in, but Bob couldn't resist getting his picture taken with this character, is the Museum of Characaturas.

Italy in the Spring

BoneMarrow Bob loves the international trips! This time it was back to Milan. Actually the clinic was outside of Milan and finding it would have been next to impossible if not for Bob's driver, Adrian. Here's my plug.... if you need a car and driver in Milan go to:  www.MILANOBYCAR.com  It is competitively priced and excellent service.

After the drop, its all play for Surfer Bob. The roof of the Duomo is a good place to hang out. I don't need to mention that Milan is the fashion capital of the world. Surfer Bob could use a new red designer suit but, let me tell you, the prices are no cheeper in Italy. But what a selection, Vesace, Armani, Brioni, Dolce and Garbana , the list goes on. Ah, la dolce vita!

Reception immediately following at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn

If you are on a budget and are planning a wedding in North Hollywood you may consider the Beverly Garland Holiday

Inn  and Conference Center. www.beverlygarland.com  Seriously, this grade B TV and movie actress was the propriotess of a Holiday Inn and let me say, there is nothing special about it. Nevertheless, Bone Marrow Bob was excited to be in Hollywoodland.

BMB's tour guide for this great adventure was Robert(Rob, Bert, Boy). If you can't see any celebrities then you might as well be chauffeured around by someone who looks like one, n'est pas? The grand tour included a trip to Griffen Park and the observatory. No trip to Hollywood would be complete without a stop at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Look at those tiny footprints. All happiness, all good.

* my blogging skills need a little work

Return to Zombie Jockey Land

Yes, It was back to Lexington. Not exactly blue grass but green grass and blue skies. This was a very quick trip. How quick , you may ask? So quick the same flight attendant was on both flights. That is flight attendant singular because its the little airplane that takes you to Kentucky, unless you are the sheik of Arabi. Bob was too lazy to get up and watch the ponies workout at dawn and left before the first post time. He did have time to catch some of the pre race action at Keeneland.  Surfer Bob loves to pet the ponies!

Seattle in 09

Let me say this straight out, Seattle is not my favorite city. Not a big coffee drinker, don't have the right outdoor clothes and the waves aren't big enough to surf. However you can get great salmon anywhere, anytime. They even had it at my free breakfast buffet. I know I am setting myself up for comments but especially this time of year, what's to love? What really yanked my chain was, here in the land of the internet, there is no such thing as free wireless! Surfer Bob had to trek around the corner to the public library and hang out with the homeless just to check his e mail. The good news is the Seattle Public Library is an architectural jewel both outside and in. No visit is complete without paying homage to "Working Man".  I will allow that the flight to Seattle is usually a beautiful view and this time did not disappoint. A picture through a plane window could not do justice to flying into Seattle over the cloud cover at sunset with Mt Rainier peeking through. Superb.

 

Is that bone marrow for horses?

I was actually asked that question and although that is an actual procedure I don't think BMB will be a courier for them anytime soon. (Actually, the transplants are autologous,. No need for BMB) It's all about horses in Lexington. That's all anybody and everybody knows or does. Surfer Bob got a V.I. P. tour from Linda, an old school chum and fellow riding buddy. Obviously, Linda stuck to horses while Bob choose a different kind of ride. The rolling hills of Lexington are beautiful even on a chilly, rainy day in February. One stop on the tour was Ashland Stud Farm. Here you can see some of the past champion thoroughbreds that are now in the heat of stud season. Sorry couldn't resist. The noble beast,  Henrythenavigator, liked Bob's red suit.

What's up with those zombie lawn jockeys?

4 days in Paradise

Finally a courier trip Bone Marrow Bob could sink his teeth into. A short trip to Italy. He started out in Milan hitting all the famous tourist spots. Il Doumo was amazing even in the rain. Oh how Bob wished he could be inside La Scala. Early the next morning Surfer Bob hopped a train to Tuscany to visit friends. The Italian countryside is beautiful even in February.  Back in Milan it was no shoes, no shirt, no Last Supper. Inappropriate attire will not get you in to see da Vinci's masterpiece no matter how much you beg. Unfortunately Surfer Bob had to stay outside Santa Maria del Grazia and settle for some sublime Caravaggio's at the Brera. No photos inside so he settled for his portrait with a banner. 

Follow the Paws

When you are lost in a children's hospital in So Cal you follow the paws. That's what Bob did anyway to get to the cell lab. Otherwise it was another uneventful mission.  No hassles at the airport. On the contrary, the 2 TSA agents were the same ones as the last trip. They recognized BMB so it was a breeze getting through security. The captain of the flight was curious and asked a lot of questions like," what happens if the marrow doesn't get there?" Through rain, sleet, snow and slow flights the marrow will get through. He made every effort and succeeded in bringing the flight in early.

Surfer Bob met his plastic soul mates!!! How serendipitous. The best part is the building is being torn down. What are the chances of Bob finding one of these dudes on ebay? I have no idea what is going on with the Surfer Bob shadow puppet.  It looks like a dinosaur from the La Brea Tar Pits is about to chow down on Bob.

So long 08 welcome 09

Bone Marrow Bob is on the road again. Looks like it's going to be a busy year. First stop.... Chicago. It was cold and snowy but that didn't dampen Bob's spirit even though that made sightseeing a little difficult. How high is the Sears Tower? Don't know didn't see the top.

Ever the art lover, BMB toured the Art Institute of Chicago. They have one of the best collections in the world. Surfer Bob has always wanted his picture taken with " Sunday Afternoon on La Grande Jette" and here was his chance. He couldn't pass up the iconic "American Gothic" either. Unfortunately Bob's table manners need a little polishing. Here he is playing hide and seek in the table decoration at The Custom House.  You never know where Surfer Bob/Bone Marrow Bob will turn up.