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Pensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1
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Pensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1

Exploring the North America's. Canada, Alaska and The U.S of A. Read more
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  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler
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    Graceland: A hunk of burning love

    May 24, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Memphis Y'all. Welcome Ma'am. We arrive just shy of 1am at the Guest House: Graceland. This is a destination Jan has been obsessed with since her teen years. Jan met Allan in 1969, and she has since shared with me the main attraction to him was his name and Elvis resemblance. Allan / Al / Elvis. Allan's dark and sultry looks as a 15 year old lad had the most beautiful Jan convinced at 14, she had found her very own king.

    54 years later - Allan has certainly lived up to that title.

    Visiting Graceland for Jan; in her own words:

    "Visiting Graceland has been something I've wanted to do my whole life. I love his music, the way he entertained people - his appearance. A very handsome man. I admired his ability to keep on going despite all the obstacles he faced in life. When I listen to his music I feel really happy. Some of his songs make me feel sad, but I really love it anyway. Always on my mind was my favourite song.

    I am really happy I got to see Graceland and see where he lived. To walk (wheel) on the same grounds he stood. It was very emotional seeing his grave; his mother's and grandsons grave. It was a lifelong dream to get to Graceland and Melissa and Allan have helped me realise this. Memories I'll treasure forever."

    Graceland is an interesting place - filled to the brim with history of Elvis' life. Link below to Graceland website if you'd like to explore in more detail.

    https://www.graceland.com/    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Viva Las Vegas!

    May 26, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Las Vegas. Sin City. Our journey from Memphis to Vegas also becomes the redemption of American Airlines via the lovely Kaitlin; a flight attendant who went beyond with her kindness and compassion towards Jan (plus a free merlot for Melissa ;).

    Melissa fortuitously is seated next to Jesus, a sports commentator, who points out the expansive Lake Mead and The Grand Canyon from the air. Melissa is relieved this is the closest to a religious experience Vegas has to offer (religious protestors aside).

    The sensory overload begins the minute we disembark and enter the Vegas terminal. Poker machines. The bright lights and sound hit you as soon as your feet touch Nevada soil. Then the heat does. High 20's. Like Melbourne in December.

    We find our way (never easy - unfamiliar and short staffed airports) to a taxi and are transferred to our hotel, The Paris, Vegas. A french themed mini city - ostentatiously (and tackily) by decor and design, combined with the behemoth casino lobby.

    It's an overwhelming sensory experience. The people. The noise. The lights. The cigarette and marijuana smoke. It's everywhere. The entire lobby of our hotel is one giant casino. And smoking is permitted everywhere in the casino and most of Vegas #vegasrules.

    We have never seen so many people at one time in a city. It is then we are informed, we have arrived late Friday afternoon before a long weekend. National U.S.A public holiday - Memorial day. Respectful to acknowledge the importance of this day in the United States - a day of reflection and appreciation for war veterans.

    #Vegasbaby is on the minds of every American for a long weekend. 400,000 visitors we are told over that weekend? We don't know what Vegas is like anytime.

    Vegas. You are a little too much. Our three days visiting included an admission for Allan AND Jan to urgent care, Melissa trecking close to 18km on foot on Vegas Blvd in search of open pharmacies and a spectacular helicopter flight over the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado river and landing in the Grand Canyon itself. More on our Vegas adventures to come.    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    MGM: David Copperfield

    May 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    This event took place way before the post sequence. I want to positive sandwich this post (an act of magic in and of itself). It was awesome that Mum and Dad were enthralled by David Copperfield. I can't share too much more. Our phones were locked in wooden boxes at our table upon seating. No photos. No filming. Lest not the secrets of his magic be revealed! (I'm still trying to work out how he landed Claudia Schiffer! That's the greatest act of magic he has performed to date in my humble opinion!) #lookintomyeyes

    Tickets to David Copperfield this evening followed our enthralling day trip to emergency medical services in Vegas. I'm not a fan. Less than 4 hours sleep. Empty stomach. 20 plus kilometres on foot of Vegas pharmacy searching. I've not much left.

    Mum and Dad. More patients than event attendees. I've no patience left.

    In hindsight, I'm amazed we all pushed through, but we did. And Mum was delighted. Dad loved it too. In hindsight, I wish I could have too. For them. But I'm hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired. H.A.L.T. (skip the lonely. I'm a bit over people after Vegas ;)

    I wish I could share more than Google images of David's legend. I wish I'd had the mental capacity beyond that of a toddler to enjoy the show.

    He is a showman. A magician. A master of theatrics. And in need of Bert Newton's wig designer.

    #lessonsingrowingoldwithgrace    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    #itsnotstayinginvegas

    May 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Vegas. Night one. The decline of health for both Mum and Dad has been swift. A brewing UTI takes hold for Jan. A variant of SARS / MERS / Covid / Ebola tightens its grip on Allan.

    I find a new friend in Cali. Hispanic, early 40's, divorced, just arrived in Vegas for her daughters soccer tournament. It doesn't take me much convincing and we are soon out dancing at a Latina bar to music I don't understand the lyrics of, though the beat and rhythm is universal.

    A lost room access pass sees a security guard become my accomplice as I stealthily sneak in after 4am to collect ID and prove I am, indeed, Melissa; and to please quietly let me in so my parents don't know how late I returned. #yesIamanadult.

    A brutal wake up minutes after 9am with a statement from Dad. Melissa - your mother and I need to see a doctor.

    A whirlwind morning of coordinating medical intervention abroad. Paramedic assessment. Nursing assessment. Travel insurance coordination and eventually; by 1300 same day, an admission to urgent care in Vegas for both Mum and Dad.

    Dad: Bronchitis. 02 sats stable though hovering around 95%. His constant cough on par with carrying a loaded weapon. Mum. UTI, aetiology unknown though a simple UTI can become serious quickly for Mum with renal tumours and has in recent times required hospitalisation for IV antibiotic treatment.

    1630 discharge, CXR, urinalysis and prescriptions (unfilled) complete. A $7k plus bill for Allan and 2 hours on foot in the Vegas heat for me in search of the desperately needed medication to prevent further deterioration.

    We have tickets this same night for David Copperfield ~ an event in hindsight we should have forgone.

    Vegas is too much when you're well and full of energy. I myself arrived in Vegas having completed course of antibiotics on ship for a kidney infection and days prior, had been knocked unconscious, falling about a metre over a metal ramp ~ whilst assisting Mum out of a disabled taxi. #soberfall.

    Mum is already weak and frail. Dad is worn out. I am exhausted and my body weary from the ongoing lifts and transfers - getting harder as Mum's strength wanes. Needed for toileting. Showering. Bed. Transport. Into huge American cars. It's harder on Dad - nearing 70 with titanium hips and cardiac challenges. Plus Bronxhitis.

    Shirlene, a concierge at The Paris, Hilton, Vegas is the redemption. Her kindness will not be forgotten. She collected us all from the Vegas footpath in 30 plus degree heat en route to the hospital; in her personal (immaculate) car and delivered us to the hospital doors. She recognised me after supporting a paramedic assessment earlier that day. We were worn out.

    What looks like a 10 minute walk in Vegas can be 5 times that as the Vegas Strip is a criss cross labrynth of over pass pedestrian bridges.

    Vegas. We are looking forward to seeing you in our rear view mirror.    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    The Grandest of Canyons: 1 of 3

    May 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 33 °C

    As Mum and Dad continue their convalescence in Vegas (hardly a place for rest and relaxation), I make the best of it and book a chance to see (some) of The Grand Canyon; Hoover Dam and Lake Mead via a Maverick Chopper.

    As chaotic and overwhelming Vegas Strip is, the primitive and expansive intersection of nature and engineering genius are the panacea.

    The Grand Canyon. Grand doesn't even begin to do justice to this ancient art work by mother nature.

    Turn off sound for videos as all you'll hear is the Chopper blades.

    And if you can - visit this remarkable place in the world (give Vegas Strip a miss unless you've a penchant for gambling and sin ;)    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    LA LA Land. Hollywood, here we come.

    May 29, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Vegas. See ya, see ya, wouldn't want to be ya. We're on our way to the brighter lights of Hollywood. Los Angeles. California.

    As exciting as it is to be exploring this most famous destination, our eyes are firmly positioned on our journey home given recent health challenges.

    A city of polarities. The status and wealth built on a combination of artistic talent and pretention, versus the growing heartbreaking homeless population. Tent cities. The litter. The smog, dirt and filth.

    Los Angeles is an experience for sure.    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Citizens on patrol. Melissa joins LAPD

    May 31, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Initial arrival at LAX has Melissa doing what she has done best to date in the absence of adequate signage. Look lost, use the Australian accent to one's advantage, and ask for help.

    No airport staff to be found. No signs! Once you get off the plane, you're on your own.

    The safest bet is to ask the police. Permanently stationed at LAX. The lovely policeman, let's call him John, assists by personally calling our concierge company for airport transfer to our hotel, Hilton, West Hollywood. (Read in posts to follow the ridiculous amount of time it took me to understand the international dialling code 🙃).

    He is kind beyond measure and tells me he is permanently stationed at the airport. It's viewed as a retirement transition and much less stress than the beat.

    John presents me with an official LAPD badge and my inner 6 year old beams as, honestly, this is an induction for my entry into the LAPD, and my moment to shine.

    Okay. It's a sticker. But. It's authentic! And with that, I've officially joined the LAPD as a citizen on patrol. Dad beams with pride and hopes he gets to meet Kim Kattrall (Police Academy leading actress before SATC).

    This appointment became critical, as we were assisting Mum into a car in hotel car park, a real-life police chase takes place on the road right in front of us.

    The assailant, chased on foot by plain clothes police, throws his gun on the road. He makes it another 20 metres or so and is then tasered and arrested. I captured some of it on film.

    You'd almost think Hollywood was staging a production for the visiting Aussies.

    Many more adventures from our time in Hollywood, Los Angeles to be shared, including my very own meeting with The Springfield police department and Chief Wiggum. I'm taking my official duties as an appointed Australian Citizen on Patrol, very seriously.

    In the meantime, we'll try to avoid The Blue Oyster.

    ut serviat et custodiat: To serve and protect.    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Baseball Brothers from other mothers

    May 31, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    The pinnacle of our trip to Los Angeles for Dad was meeting up with his dear American mate, Peter Von Zboray and our visit to the Dodgers Stadium to watch a good ol' American ballgame.

    Allan:
    I first met Peter (or the Baron as he became known) at the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast in 2004 where we were both involved in the same team for the baseball competition.

    From the very start we connected, and our friendship grew and grew.

    We continued to meet in numerous baseball tournaments around the world. These included the World Masters Games in Edmonton Canada 2005, Sydney 2009 and Auckland 2017, numerous Pan Pacific Masters Games at the Gold Coast and more recently in Fort Myers Florida for a special charity based international baseball tournament in 2019.

    We have stayed connected via Facebook and email now for 19 years and always consider ourselves as brothers just living on opposite ends of the globe. Peter is married to Kelley and they have two daughters, Misha and Arie.    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Take me out to the ballgame

    May 31, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Baseball was a huge part of our lives growing up. Saturday afternoons during the baseball season (winter) spent exploring the grounds and surrounds of Ormond Glenhuntly baseball ground for the home games. A field in another suburb for the away.

    Leah and I always went with Dad. The Vegemite and lettuce sandwiches made ahead with fresh rolls Dad had collected from the bakery. Sometimes with cheese. Sometimes not. (If you've not tried a Vegemite and (Iceberg!) Lettuce roll or sandwich, you're seriously depriving yourself. Fresh bread. Real butter. Get around it!)

    I think we may have been the last generation to enjoy the freedom of childhood without the media cultivating a fear that (realistically was minimal) our lives were in danger. We were always safe lying by the railway tracks with strategically placed rocks as a train coasted by ;) Or climbing any tree we could. There's a magic in the freedom we had that can not be replicated in today's world. No mobile phones. Innocence and a sense of adventure; but mostly the freedom to test risk and boundaries.

    The baseball was special to us; but almost sacred for Dad, and this is what made our visit to The ballgame today so very special.

    Allan:
    “I first became involved in baseball as a 12yo in early 1966 when a kid from up the road where I lived in Caulfield South invited me to join him around the local park for a game of “catch”. His whole family were involved with the local Baseball Club at Ormond Park and had been since the very early 1930’s. It was this one chance invite that established my lifelong love for the game and set me up with a sporting career which continues today, albeit now as a non-playing team manager only.

    By April 1966, I was playing in the Under 16 competition at Ormond and by 1968, I was playing both juniors on Saturday morning and senior baseball in the afternoon. Since those early days, I have played over 1000 games, mostly with Ormond but also with some other teams in Masters Competitions being Cheltenham, Waverley, and Upwey Ferntree Gully in the local Victorian Competition. I have also played interstate with Melbourne Thunder Masters Baseball as well as overseas with The Downunders in Edmonton Canada, USA Buzzards in Auckland, New Zealand and Black Sox in Fort Myers Florida. I am still involved today as a non-playing manager with Golddiggers Masters Baseball who regularly play in the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast and Australian Masters Games in Adelaide.

    In the early 1980’s, I received Life Membership at Ormond Glenhuntly Baseball Club for services both on and off the field. In 2018, I was appointed a Club Legend being only the fourth person in the club’s 90-year history to receive such an accolade.”

    Dad, you put the T in team and because it meant so much to you, this was my best day of all of our trip for me too.

    Australian baseball legend. Allan Carter.    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Secret codes and sinful pizza

    June 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Our gorgeous concierge from LAX to our hotel on day 1 of arrival issued a recommendation. If you like pizza.

    "There is a spot called Sinful Pizza on Hollywood Blvd. You can buy it by the slice. It's really good! The guy does all kinds of pizza.

    The fun part is the rsstroom! After you eat, and praise his food, subtly ask if he has a restroom..."

    Nancy. I do. I really do like pizza! Challenge. Accepted.

    We venture on in. Jan is as impressed as one would be with a fart in an elevator. I'm desperate for the answer to the riddle Nancy provided. I nervously ask the cook. Order takerer. Dude behind the counter. I praise his pizza (it really was good). I ask to use the restroom (It's a dunny mate!). He tells me the manager isn't in and he doesn't have any authority...

    I cry. Real tears. I need this answered. I've convinced Dad it's going to be awesome! He is somewhat satisfied by the addition of pineapple to a ham and cheese pizza (he is learning to trust my knowledge of all the ways in which one can hack a food order).

    Dad purchases a coke for someone outside in need. I ordered wrong and the coke zero they receive instead of a regular coke is unsatisfactory. I am my father's daughter as we simultaneously exclaim. Beggars. Can't be choosers.

    We finish our meal (1 slice fed all 3 of us!) and I continue my dramatic sad act at not being allowed in to this Hollywood secret.

    I mop my silent tears as our (host? So American) proudly announces he can take me to the secret room. Dad starts dialling 911.

    I'm led 'out back' to what on the face of it, is a huge cool room (could be a murder room. I've seen Dexter mate!). Inside. A very. Cool. Speakeasy bar.

    I'm grateful to know the secret. But seriously. Way too tired to come back when the people are here.

    Nancy. Great pizza. Cool bar. Not for us week 5. Maybe week 67 of our trip.

    Best pizza so far. But. Roma's Pizza. Echuca. Still wins. Even without a secret dunny code for the addition of mystery.    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    The stars of Hollywood

    June 1, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Greenday coined it perfectly with broken dreams. I can only add, our time in LA would have been more pleasant if loneliness was a part of the package. A city that doesn't really sleep. How do the homeless ever really find rest? And Hollywood. Prada on one corner. Tent cities of people seeking shelter. Food. Comfort. On the other. A city of broken dreams and broken people.

    Greenday: Boulevard of Broken Dreams:
    "I walk a lonely road
    The only one that I have ever known
    Don't know where it goes
    But it's home to me, and I walk alone
    I walk this empty street
    On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
    Where the city sleeps
    And I'm the only one, and I walk alone"    Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Runyon Canyon Park: Hollywood Hills

    June 2, 2023 in the United States

    Belated post 1 of ? ;) To say the 4-5 months since our return from The Pensioner's pilgrimage have been a blur for us all would be an understatement. Catching up on a few late entries. Solo hike, Runyon, Canyon Park. I spotted from afar the Hollywood sign and tested my tolerance of cliff edges. A chance meeting with a gorgeous chocolate Labrador named Mink. A lovely hike (of which the distance and incline, I underestimated. #unlikeme.) I was, however, saddened by the volume of litter around this beautiful green space in the city of Los Angeles. A city of dichotomy for certain.Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Wingardium Leviosa. Not. Levi-OSA!

    June 2, 2023 in the United States

    The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! The destination I never knew I needed to visit, and to be fair, didn't even realise existed until we found ourselves at Universal. Jan's bravery on what I thought would be a tame ride (note to self, disabled friendly does not equate to the teacups), was impressive. Turn down the volume on the video. I scream. Mum does not. I apologise. Repeatedly. For what I have done to my parents. We survive. We avoid the dementors and finish our quest with a stop at Ollivanders, whereby I secure my very own wand to commence casting spells and weaving some magic into our lives. Engraved. Personalised. I am a child at heart.Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Oh yeah it's Mario Time!

    June 3, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    My Mecca. Mario world. I'm certain I've spent more hours of my life playing Mario Brothers, Dr Mario and Mario Cart than I have on education. I can't quite articulate the joy I've experienced chasing giant mushrooms, only eclipsed by finding a flower to give you fire power. Or lining up the pill colour at warp speed to finish off the virus' and the level. Or the dizzying delights of rainbow road. Mario and Luigi. My little Italian heroes. Note to Princess Peach. Stay in the bloody castle I'm rescuing you from. Life goal. Complete.Read more

  • OaP Plus onePensioner's Pilgrimage plus 1Traveler

    Homeward Bound

    June 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Our final journey on this epic trip. Home. Do you spell Qantas with a Q-A or a C-U? I'm again in cattle class, Jan and Allan living it up in business (to be fair, this is the only way Mum can travel with her mobility challenges). In the final hours of our journey, somewhere over Canberra, we are diverted to Sydney. We are told this is due to weather. Other flights are landing in Melbourne however, and we soon realise this is really a commercial decision. Frustration. Exhaustion. Jet lag. We disembark at Sydney. We finally make it to Melbourne and #homesweethome. Commentary in video not edited ;)Read more

  • Trip end
    June 4, 2023
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