Reimposta ricerca
Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

World traveler, Hash House Harrier, and Harley enthusiast...not necessarily in that order. Leggi altro🇺🇸Cincinnati
SeguiMessaggioStatistiche
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    "Red sky at night, sailors' delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning." This was morning :(

    MCGTTX Day 11

    24 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    About 1100 miles today, I think. Will have to verify once I get home. Just busted ass all day to avoid the rain. Stayed dry, but I may get rained on tonight . Brilliant plan of mine: camp at the Harley dealership. It's right next to the train tracks 😭. Oh well. One just went by. Maybe another won't until after I get some sleep.

    Night.

    ✌️
    Update: Here's a bit more about yesterday now that I'm conscious. It's 1030 🤣.

    I rolled out of the KOA "kampground" just after 0600. It was pretty slow going until sunrise when I stopped for fuel--both for me and for the bike--around 0730. Looking at the weather radar, I was positive I was going to get soaked, but with the warmth, I decided to forego the rain gear.

    Really glad I did, too. I hit some sprinkles at 0919, then nothing. Nada. I managed, by lucky alone, to skirt past every cell that loomed. After reaching Roughneck HD in Longview at 0900, I realized I wasn't booked at the hotel until Thursday night...and the hotel was only 100 miles away.

    So, I decided to run up to northern Kansas to grab another HOG 15 Rides photo. Then I realized that if I rode hard, I could turn the day into an Iron Butt SaddleSore 1000. So I did 😁. Which is why I was pitching my tent so late last night.

    But success! Not only did I get the pic. I missed all the rain. All of it. Yay me!!

    I won't be as lucky today, for sure 😥.

    ✌️

    P.S.: I knew the weather was going to be dodgy because of the old saying, "Red sky at night, sailors' delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning." My pic is the bet I could get for sunrise.    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    The left indicator is full of water. The white doesn't work......but the yellow works.Selena MemorialSelenaUSS Lexington MuseumRudy, who also rides.

    MCGTTX Day 10

    22 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    I broke camp and left Corpus Christi HD just after 0600. I rode down to the shore area to eat at the Whataburger that has the founder's statue inside 🤣. There were a lot of homeless around that area, and before I even got off the bike, one was asking me for cash. I never give out cash, and told him I didn't have any, but he could come inside with me and I'd buy him breakfast. He was very happy with that. And he said he was an Air Force vet, so double cool.

    I was out of town just at sunrise (0700), but it was completely overcast, so no view 😥. I hit a bit of rain sprinkles for a little while, but nothing significant.

    The worst part of today is that I couldn't shake the trucks. Every single road I was on today, there they were being assholes. Even the tiny two-lane back roads. There they were, over the center line because they don't fit in the narrow lanes.

    But despite the semis and the farm trucks that also dick around in the left lane, I cruised photo stop after photo stop. It seemed like it would never end (and technically it still hasn't), but I made it a whole lot of miles to this KOA in Rusk, TX, where I figured I'd grab a tent space and bathroom for $25. Of course, I soon discovered that the whole area for the tents and cabins is sand, so after a heart thumping, inch-by-inch, 3-point turn in gravel, I'm camped under the pavilion by the office and bathrooms. I'll be gone before they even realize I was here anyway.

    Not a great day, but I made a whole lot of stops.

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    MCGTTX Day 9

    21 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    Since Matt and Katie had to work this morning, I was up at 0430 to finish packing my laundry and getting ready to roll. I left them about 0545 with big hugs until I'm back in Texas.

    As soon as I got on the highway at 0600, I was battling traffic: truckers not looking before changing lanes or if they look not caring if anyone is there, people going 10 mph under the speed limit in the left lane texting or holding their phone to their ear, and just the normal too many cars in too few lanes all going the same direction at the same time with the one asshole that keeps changing lanes trying to get ahead of everyone and just fucking everything up worse.

    This was my entire day. I got to Corpus Christi at 2030 after spending most of the day on and around I-35. Nightmare. So I ate at Whataburger and am now camped at the Harley dealership down the street. I'm exhausted but I don't know how much rest I'll be able to get because the humidity is about 99%, everything is wet including my phone screen as I type this, and there is no breeze. I'm doomed.

    Not a great day, by I did meet another rider at a stop and a very nice couple chatted with me at another one. Also not a great day because, although the weather was clear, it was only 45°F when I left Fort Worth 🥶 and over 90°F when I finally had to change boots under a tree while drinking Gatorade 🥵. And now I'm just lying here sticking to my cot 😰. Ugh

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    The rain in northern Dallas

    MCGTTX Day 8--Easter Sunday

    20 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 64 °F

    I left the hotel around 0900 to hit my photo stops and dealerships in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the "DFW Metroplex" we call it. 150 miles and several hours later, I was at my brother Matt and sister-in-law Katie's house with her mother Lisa and two Golden Retrievers, Lily the sweetheart and Daisy the psychopath 🤣 (true though).

    Even though I had hit some rain in North Dallas earlier, the weather was cool, dry, and sunny, perfect for sitting on the porch with a cold drink and chatting.

    Around 1600 we went to The Hacienda Ranch for an awesome TexMex meal. I had the "Favorite": two cheese enchiladas covered in their chili [which is not made with cinnamon or beans, you crazy Cincinnati people], and topped with diced steak and grilled onions and peppers. Yummy 🤤🤤🤤!!

    Afterwards, we went by our parents' house to see the progress my brother has made with the estate. (We just lost Mom last year and Dad back in 2020.) It was heartbreaking to see the house so empty--the only house they ever owned and the only house we grew up in--with only a few knickknacks in boxes to get rid of. But he's done a wonderful job with the yard and fence and the place is well on its way to be a rental property.

    Then it was back to their house, where Lisa said goodbye and the three of us just hung out for the rest of the evening while I did my laundry.

    Now I've had a shower and am definitely ready for bed.

    The great days just keep coming 👏👏👏.

    ✌️

    P.S.: Matt let me try coconut Dr. Pepper. OMG IS IT AMAZING!!! Particularly with some Tito's vodka in it 🤣🤣.    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    MCGTTX Day 7

    19 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌧 72 °F

    This morning I woke up at 0300 worried about the weather. You see, my plan was to get up at 0400 and leave at 0430 to do an Iron Butt Association's Egg Hunt 1000 Gold. This 1000-mile minimum ride can only be done on Easter weekend. But I knew the weather was going to roll in; I just didn't know how bad it would be.

    At 0300, the forecast called for severe thunderstorms at 0500, with the front moving North Northeast pushing 40 mph winds and even higher gusts. My route was headed due north on I-35 almost to Nebraska. I debated with myself for about 15 minutes, thinking if I left before 0400, maybe I could beat the worst of it. Then I realized that if I had to debate this for so long, I probably shouldn't go. So I went back to sleep.

    Therefore, all I did today was watch Netflix and eat leftover pizza 🤣.

    Another great day! 🤣🤣🤣

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    MCGTTX Day 5

    17 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌬 84 °F

    Well, even with as tired as I was, I didn't get much sleep. One, the asshole truckers like to use their engine brakes, and two, the bloody screaming grackles. I really hate those birds. Google says they're migratory, but they live here all the time and are worse than seagulls with their savaging and aggression. Luckily, they didn't tear anything up on the bike (it was waaay too windy to put on the half cover) and they didn't poop on my tent (their 💩 is like acid).

    Anyway, I did get some rest early this morning (I guess even the grackles sleep occasionally), and was up at 07:00. I rolled out by 08:00 and blasted through my stops to try to beat the heat.

    When I got to the big smokestack, which I've passed umpteen thousand times but never visited, I stopped for lunch at the restaurant. Ooooh yummy! Cold meatloaf with mayo and ketchup on Texas toast. Perfect Texas meal!!

    Since I only had 100 miles to go to reach the hotel, I slowed down a little...well, I had to since I-20 is always a parking lot because of the hills and truckers that have to go 1 mph faster than the other truck and block the whole fucking highway for literally miles. 🤬

    Anyway, I got to the hotel about 14:30, unloaded the bike, and ordered some beer via DoorDash. Hashtag WINNING!

    As for the hotel, when you stay at budget hotels, you have to make sure they meet certain expectations. For me, that is first and foremost that they don't have bed bugs (read the reviews!). I don't have much stuff, but I like the stuff I have and don't want to burn it. Then there's basic safety and hygiene: the doors and windows lock, the towels seem clean, the sheets don't have cigarette burns in them, the floor doesn't leave your bare feet black 🤢, stuff like that.

    I took a risk on this Red Roof Inn because I had a discount...and it paid off big time!!!! This place has washers and dryers THAT WORK! It has at least one ice machine THAT WORKS! The a/c unit is mounted in the wall instead of under the window and WORKS LIKE A ROCKSTAR!! Everything is very clean and smoke free, everything locks, and there's hot, like actually really hot, water. Like, look, mom, I'm a big girl now and can use the shower without burning myself hot water. Even at the expensive hotels really hot water is rare. Great hotel!! I will definitely stay here again!!

    So now I've uploaded some of my photos, am drinking an adult beverage, and am about to watch a Netflix movie. I plan on ordering pizza later, then sleeping in this big comfy bed. Hopefully no grackles will find me tonight 😉.

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Nothing like going 75 mph (the speed limit) on a US highway than coming across this little...bridge?

    MCGTTX Day 4

    16 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌬 72 °F

    After a decent night's rest--the wind woke me up a few times--I was up at 05:00, had some banana bread that Gareth made me take (thank you!), offered some.crumbs to the really big ants that left me alone, and broke camp by 06:00. It was still dark, so it was very slow rolling on FM170.

    Twelve miles East, I put in less than a gallon of 87 octane at the Lajitas General Store just to make sure I got all the way to Alpine. (My fuel gauge is out, and Presidio to Alpine would've been about 160 miles--too close.) I usually go through Big Bend National Park, but today I opted for the 75 mph road North to Alpine.

    Sunrise was another beauty, popping up over the desert hills faster than I realized. By the time I came across two coyotes playing in the road, it was full daylight. I saw them in plenty of time to slow way down, and didn't hit either despite them acting like squirrels. Right! No, left! No, right! 🤣🤣

    The rest of the day was just hightailing from one photo to another, with a couple of pretty cool places, like the Seaquist Home and the Bucees art thing. The latter wasn't where my GPS said it was, so when I saw a cop who had someone pulled over, I stopped about 100 yards in front of them and waited. After the newly ticketed car drove away...slowly...I walked towards the cop as he pulled up and asked him for directions. Turns out I was only a couple of miles short, so I found it soon after. (He did a u-turn, so I bolted 😉.)

    The wildlife was out today, but luckily only a raccoon decided to cross the road in front of me tonight, and he was much smarter than the squirrels. And the coyotes 🤣. I also saw, either on, in, or next to the road: cattle, sheep, goats, pronghorn antelope, llama, turkeys, and a roadrunner, which wasn't near the coyotes 🤣.

    Anyway, I had planned to sleep by the Abilene HD, but it's in a busy area and lit all around. So I went about six miles further to a Pilot Flying J off I-20 and am camped in the parking lot. The wind is terrible; I'm next to grass and had to stake down the rain cover. I suspect it will wake me up like last night, but I'm really tired, so it may not.

    Overall, another good day of riding. Lots of miles down and lots of photos collected.

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    MCGTTX Day 3

    15 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌬 79 °F

    It was so nice to see Gareth at Hotel Texan again! I really love that little hotel!

    I took my time with the delicious banana bread and coffee, and didn't roll until 08:00. It was a bit chilly again, 55°F or so, but not bad at all.

    It was a pretty short day simply going south. I hit a patch of I-20 that couldn't get over 60 mph despite the speed limit being 75 because of all the trucks running side by side. 🤬🤬🤬. So I hopped off and used the service roads for a few miles between stops.

    I had a great lunch in Pecos: BBQ brisket sandwich with green beans, cole slaw, and sweet tea 🤤🤤🤤. Of course, I over did it, so the next 85 miles were tiresome.

    As soon as I went over the Davis Mountains, the temperature shot up about 20 degrees to the high 80s. After cruising through Fort Davis, I grabbed a little gas in Marfa to get me down to Presidio. I took a break at the gas station and got some food for this evening. I didn't peel any layers because I only had 35 miles to go to my planned stop. I probably should have though.

    One of my favorite roads in Texas is FM170 from Presidio through Lajitas to Big Bend National Park. It's a rollercoaster with its dives into and out of arollos, which today we're full of sand and very slippery. So, my 35 miles turned into an hour-long, sweaty mess. By the time I got to the Tepee Rest Stop, just after 17:00, I was ready to get off the bike. Good thing this was my planned overnight spot 😉.

    I broke out my new chaise lounge slash camping cot and I am soooo glad I have this with me. The wind is blowing and beginning to cool off now. I've peeled all my riding gear and put on my flipflops. The beef jerky, trail mix, and powdered Gatorade are washing away the heat, just like the wet wipes washed the grime off my face and hands.

    Now let's set up the rest of the gear....

    And it fits in the tent! Yay! I forgot to check that before I left, but yay it fits! It's so worth having it strapped to the top of the bike 🤣. I'm going to sleep well tonight.

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    MCGTTX Day 2

    14 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    After a nice rest in a well-air conditioned room, I left the hotel at 07:00, just as the sky was lightening into day.

    One of my favorite times on the bike is sunrise, and today was a great one! I managed to catch a terrific photo of a train that had given me a toot a few minutes earlier.... When I see a moving train, and if I think the engineer can see me, I lay on the horn and give the old hand signal for him to blow it, yes, just like a kid in the backseat of a car 🤣. It doesn't always work (I think they're on their phones 😜), but it did today! Anyway, he was rolling pretty slow, so I was able to blast ahead of him, take my first photo of the day, and get across the tracks before he came into town. I stopped at the crossing when he came by to take the photo with the beautiful sunrise in the background.

    By the time I got back on the bike, I knew I hadn't put on enough layers for the almost 50-degree difference from yesterday afternoon. It was only 47°F when I left the hotel 😱. So I stopped in town to put on my heated gloves and another shirt. And was very glad I did, too.

    Before I knew it, I was through the corner of Texas and in New Mexico, and the temperature had fallen to 43°F. WTH? The first pass I went over was at almost 8,000 feet, and the wind chill was crazy cold. Then I was in Colorado, where, you guessed it, the temperature was still cold.

    There was quite a bit of snow under the trees on the twisty road to Bishop's Castle. This was a two-fee photo stop for me, one for the MCGTTX and one for HOG's 15 Rides. Yay! I also got a couple of practice holy-crap-theres-not-enough-room-u-turns trying to get in the right spot to take the pics 🤦. I'm still not 100% comfortable maneuvering this gigantic bike. But I didn't fall over in the middle of the road, and I got down the mountain unscathed despite numb fingers.

    Rolling back south on I-25 and I was in New Mexico again, passing through Lincoln County where Billy the Kid made some history in the Lincoln County War. Watch the movie Young Guns or better yet, go to the town of Lincoln where they have a great museum, and the town is kept as it was in the 1870s-1880s!!! I didn't take that detour this time, but you should the next time you're nearby!

    I was in Roswell before I realized, checking in at the HD and taking a pic in front of the International UFO Museum. I really need to go in there one day 🤣. But the best part was that it had warmed up enough to take off my big gloves (but not completely turn off the heated grips 🤣).

    More blasting south and I put my wheels back in Texas, where you can really blast with speed limits of 75 mph! My last picture was just 20 miles before my hotel stop in Seagraves.

    You absolutely must stop to meet Gareth at the Hotel Texan (hoteltexan.com). The hotel and all the rooms/suites are furnished with antique pieces where you feel like you stepped back into the West...but with really comfy beds and indoor plumbing 😉. Gareth is also a rider and the hotel is a continuing sponsor of the MCGTTX. It's a great place to eat, chat, and take a well-deserved break from the road. Tell Gareth I sent you!!

    I'm in for the night, and ready for some shut eye. Only about 500 miles to go tomorrow, so I can enjoy the locally baked banana bread that Gareth serves for breakfast 🤤🤤🤤. Yum!

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    MCGTTX Day 1

    13 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    I had a nice ride today, short and hot, but good. I didn't leave the hotel until about 0930, which was just fine with me.

    Before I knew it, I was in Amarillo where I stopped to see the Slug Bugs, which is like a smaller Cadillac Ranch. Then I headed up to Kansas to see Dorothy's House from the movie "Wizard of Oz." Pretty cool.

    I was headed back south through Guymon, OK, when I saw a bunch of name brand hotels. I pulled over to see what one would cost for the night and....

    One thing I learned from my Hoka Hey challenge in 2022 is that when you're tired, you ALWAYS put your kick stand down when you stop, even if it's just for a few seconds.

    So today, really hot and really tired, when I pulled over to check hotel prices, I put my kick stand down. Good thing, too, because then I forgot to put it in neutral before I let go of the clutch. So, because of a habit, instead of falling over when I popped the clutch, I just fell on the kick stand. Yay!

    That clutch pop sealed the deal on staying here for the night, and so I am now sitting in a sports bar having a meal before crashing...into a bed.

    It really was a good day.

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Couple of goodies left on my bike 🤣

    Tacos With Friends

    12 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    What a great day we had today at Small Mountain Street Tacos! Got to see lots of Hoka Hey riders and met several new ones getting ready for 2026.

    As always, the tacos were the bomb! I had the shrimp, coconut shrimp, chicken mango, and ground beef. 🤤🤤🤤 Delicious!!

    It was also cool to see all the bikes with long-distance mods, like in the attached pics.

    The only downside to today was that the tiny town of Medicine Park also had a Volkswagon car show/gathering, which crammed waaay too many vehicles into the narrow streets with very little parking. But Susan found a spot for her trike, and I was able to park by the Harley store, so it worked out.

    We headed back to the hotel just after 14:00. After a short rest, we walked across the street to the same Mexican restaurant we went to last year for a few drinks, then had a nice meal at McAllister's Deli down the street. Back to the hotel, and we were both in bed before 21:00 🤣.

    Great day!!

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Small Mountain TacosDiamondback HD, Medicine Park OK

    I Did It!!

    11 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 63 °F

    I have arrived in Medicine Park OK after a grueling 1,619-mile ride over 34 hours (26 hours riding time)!!!

    We left Susan's house a bit after 0400 this morning and beelined South along I-55 to the Lynyrd Skynyrd Memorial, one of HOG's 15 Rides for 2025. Then we backtracked up to I-20, soon swooping over the top of Shreveport and up to Texarkana and I-30. Then it was on through Paris, TX, through the Choctaw Nation, and on to I-40, which took us into Oklahoma City. Our last leg was dropping South to pop out in Medicine Park. Awesome day!!!

    10 Apr 25, 13:00: Starting mileage 26,305
    10 Apr 25, 20:30: Arrived friend's home
    11 Apr 25, 04:00: Departed friend's home
    11 Apr 25, 22:00. Ending mileage 27,924 😁

    I'm exhausted. Going to crash now.

    ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    At My Friend's

    10 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    I made it to my friend's home north of Memphis in about 8 hours. Other than the truckers not looking before they change lanes, the interstates were pretty smooth.

    Unfortunately, I hit some scattered showers at the Kentucky - Tennessee State line, and they stuck with me all afternoon, but I didn't soaked. Yay! I could see the last squall coming at me just east of Jackson, TN, so I stopped at a Love's Truck Stop for some food while it poured down for about 5 minutes. Great timing! 👍

    We're up at 03:30 to leave by 04:00. Next stop: Lynyrd Skynyrd Memorial, then Medicine Park, OK!

    ✌️

    493 miles so far on the bike odometer.    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2025 Taco Run & MCGTTXNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    BunBurner 1500 Attempt...For Tacos!

    10 aprile 2025, Stati Uniti ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    At just after 13:00 Cincinnati time I will begin my first attempt at riding 1,500 miles in 36 hours, which is affectionately called a BunBurner 1500 😉.

    You can follow my progress here:
    https://spotwalla.com/trip/59ef-3c6889a-5554/view#

    After achieving this, the plan is to complete the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas over the next two weeks, pick up a few of HOG's 15 Rides for 2025, and stop at as many HD dealerships as I can without going too far out of the way. 🤔 Is Colorado too far? 🤣

    Huge bonus...I get to see my brother and sister-in-law on Easter!

    Wish me luck!!

    ✌️

    P.S.: I've added links below to these different challenges, if you dare 😈

    Motorcycling Rule #1:
    🚫WHINING🚫

    - Iron Butt Association: https://www.ironbutt.com/

    - MCGTTX: https://motorcyclegrandtouroftexas.com/

    - HOG Ride365: https://members.harley-davidson.com/HOG/HDMN_Ri…    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Glad I came, but really glad to leave

    16 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ 🌙 48 °F

    We are finally leaving this shit hole. More to follow, and I'll add a couple of footprints about earlier days, but our trip is over. Thank god.

    I will never come back here. Ever.

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Finally Resting

    14 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F

    John and I have been sick with terrible head colds for several days now. I know it's partially because we got very little rest during this last week 😡.

    We only got out of bed on the 13th to get a late lunch, then it was straight back to bed until today. We plan to hit a pharmacy in walking distance to get some meds tomorrow.

    Now, it's back to bed.    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    The Longest Day

    13 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ 🌙 57 °F

    Alarm at 0345. Must have eaten something bad because I was throwing up. John went on the hot air balloon with the others while I went back to sleep.

    I had just gotten up when they got back at 0730, and we had be out of our cabins by 0800. We had the foresight to pack last night, so no problem. Luggage out then a delicate breakfast before sitting around until the bus left. First it was going to leave at 0900, then the organizer pushed it to 0930, which meant we didn't leave until 1000. But had to leave our luggage in the reception area on the boat (not secured).

    Valley of the Kings. Finally we weren't rushed to see everything. Well, not everything. Your entry ticket gets you entry to only 3 tombs, and you must buy separate tickets for King Tut, Ramses V&VI and Seti I. But what we saw was absolutely incredible. The colors that remain on the wall are stunning. I can only imagine how gorgeous they must have been when first created.

    Afterwards, we went to the tour guide's family's Alabaster shop so they could sell us more crap.

    Fortunately, we had a delicious lunch at Restaurant Paris (best meal of trip).

    Then it was back to ship to sit for over 3 hours 🤬.

    At around 1800, we finally left the boat for Luxor Airport. Our original flight was at 1950, but apparently we all were bumped to the later to the 2130 flight. The organizer didn't bother to tell us that.

    We landed at Cairo and it was 2330 by the time we retrieved our luggage and got on the bus. We left one lady at the airport because she had a flight, and she will eat the hotel room she paid for 🤬.

    We finally got to the hotel, where no alcohol was allowed and no food or drink allowed to be brought in 😱. It was a clusterfuck trying to get us all checked in, yet again 🤬. We just got to our room (almost 0100) 😭, but many folks will only get a couple of hours rest before they have to get back on the bus to go to the airport for their follow-on trip to Morrocco 🤬.

    This Hash trip is over, and we are finally done with the organizer and the tour company.

    Absolutely terrible 🤬🤬🤬.    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    Ramses II's temple at Abu Simbel
    Corn and wheat irrigated from the NileSarab, The Desert Mirage coffee shop 🤣Pigeon roostSand, rock, and more sandThe view from our cabin

    Abu Simbel

    10 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ 🌙 72 °F

    We were up at 0300 and ready to get on the bus with our box breakfasts at 0330. I put in my earbuds and was immediately back asleep, but John wasn't as lucky. We were about 30 minutes late leaving (yet again).

    The bus stopped once about 2.5 hours later at another milk the tourists bathroom and coffee "shop." We spent about half an hour there, then arrived at Abu Simbel at 0900 (an hour late).

    We were given only until 1030 to experience the two temples. Our guide explained how important the departure time was because we had to be back at 1400 for lunch and so the boat could depart. (Hold that thought.)

    The two temples are simply stunning. Ramses II's tribute to his wife Nefertari is a wonder in itself, but knowing UNESCO actually MOVED these temples in their entirety is even more incredulous than the pyramids.

    Read more here:
    https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/archaeological-s…

    I could have stayed all day, but time was short, and it was important not to be late. We got back to the bus at 1025, and everyone was ready to leave on time. Except the tour guide, who brought trinkets on the bus to sell for a woman standing outside 🤦. We didn't get rolling until after 1100 🤬.

    We were slowly making our way back, and obviously not going to get back by 1400, but at least we were moving. Then our accompanying van ran out of gas 🤦. Very luckily, it stopped not very far from the only gas station for 100 miles, but the whole episode cost us almost another hour 🤬.

    We got back to the boat at about 1530, but it had repositioned, so it looked like we missed it 😲 😡. We found it though, and they still had the lunch buffet going 👏. John opted out of lunch for a rest in the room; he got almost no sleep on the bus.

    We got underway while I was eating. I was looking forward to sunset on the pool deck while we were moving downstream, but I got back to the room and decided to take a shower, which made me really tired. I laid on the bed and haven't gotten up yet...not even to visit Kom Ombu Temple where we've just arrived. I'm really glad John went, but I'm just too tired.

    Read more here:
    https://egymonuments.gov.eg/en/monuments/kom-om…

    He should be back in an hour or so, then we plan to grab dinner. The alarm is set for 0445 😭, so I know I won't be hanging out tonight 😔.

    Another great day because of the sites, but really frustrating 😞.    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Peaceful Day

    9 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ 🌙 64 °F

    We had a very nice late wake-up at 0800, followed by a lovely buffet breakfast. We chose not to go with most of the group at 1000 to visit an essential oils store, so we were able to stay in the room an extra hour to relax.

    At 1100, the bus was running over half an hour behind schedule...shocking. We were picked up with our luggage around 1145 and dropped off with our luggage 5 minutes later and less than half a mile away. We could've easily walked instead of being worried about being late 🤦.

    Because of the way things have been going, John and I also decided not to go to the Nubian village with most of the others. They left as soon as lunch was over, while we sent an invite for drinks in our room 😁. A couple of folks popped in, then everyone pretty much drifted up to the pool deck where we hung out until dark.

    At 1830 and just as the big group was getting back, another Harriette and I laid ADHD H3 Run #2 through the boat, out on the docks where John had a shot stop for them, then back through the boat ending on the pool deck. A short but meaningful circle ensued, and we had another great evening.

    After a beautiful buffet dinner and hilarious conversation, we made it back to our cabin and are just going to sleep. We're hating the 0300 alarm already 😭.    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    For Sale Or Rent, Just John, and SmartarseRoom 609 😲View from room 609!

    ON-ON to Aswan

    8 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    At 0330 this morning 😭, we left the beautiful Hilton Heliopolis Cairo and jumped on a plane. By 0800, we had landed in Aswan 😁.

    We loaded the bus, then drove over and walked around the High Dam. After visiting the Hoover Dam, it wasn't so impressive. However, it's creation and resulting Lake Nassar (the largest man-made lake in the world, according to our guide) meant UNESCO had to move 14 Egyptian temples to keep them from being submerged, which Egypt would not have done on its own 😥. As a result, five temples are now located in other countries, including one in New York City.

    One that remains in Egypt is Philae Temple, the temple of Isis. Badly vandalized when Christianity swept across the region, and even graffitied by Napoleon's troops, it was still a glorious site to behold 😲.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philae_temple_com…

    After about an hour at the temple, we arrived at our hotel around 1330 😲😲😲. Holy cow how amazing!!!! We were straight to the pool, which was icy cold. John loved it, but I couldn't catch my breath 🤣. We settled poolside with a few beers and we're relaxing when a Hasher explained he was.going to lay a trail 😲. Yay! Hashing by the Nile at last!

    At 1630, about 30 of us showed up for the "run," which was a short walk around the hotel grounds with one drink stop (gin and tonic 🤤) and the ON-IN at someone's room 🤣. It was so much fun! Huge thanks to Smartarse and For Sale Or Rent for haring the inaugural Aswan Dam Happy Days Hash House Harriers (ADHD H3) 👏👏👏!!

    After that, it was a few more beers then delicious dinner at the hotel, followed by a well-earned sleep (albeit on a rock-hard mattress 🤣).

    We don't have to be up at the crack of dawn, so we're looking forward to a bit of a lie-in for a change 😌.

    Good day 👍.    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Giza Plateau & Egyptian Museum of Cairo

    7 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    OMG OMG OMG. Today was a day of dreams come true...mostly.

    We left the hotel at 0800 bound for the Giza Plateau. At 0930 we had entered the park with the Pyramids 😲! 45 minutes later, we were still standing there, still looking at the big one while the guide was still talking 🤬. I interrupted and demanded to be let loose to go inside, and at 1015 we were given 45 minutes to walk around the huge area, including the time to climb up inside the big one 🤬.

    The inside was very bare with no hieroglyphics, just as I knew it would be. I didn't know, however, how humid it would be, so I was sweating pretty good by the time we had scrambled to the one inner chamber you're allowed to enter. A few pics and amazement at the expertise it took to construct such an edifice 😲, then we were down again.

    Knowing that the Sphinx was visible from the overlook 😲, I and about 10 other Hashers quickly headed down the side of the big one to get a quick pic before going back to the bus. The Tourism Security Officer escorting our group decided he would single me out to yell at, then graciously allowed me to go take my pic before herding us back 🤬. I did ❤️, we did ❤️, and we all got back to the bus before the tour guide 🤬.

    We drove up to an overlook behind the three pyramids for most people to ride camels (we didn't), buy trinkets (we didn't), and take pictures with all 3 pyramids visible (we most certainly did 😲).

    Then we were down to the Sphinx 😲 where we had 30 minutes to walk around a tiny area 🤬. Everyone was back to the bus early, and we were off to a shop where they showed us how to make papyrus paper, then tried to sell us everything we could carry 🤬. John and I were the first one out of the door.

    At 1330 it was finally time for lunch...at the worst place ever 🤬. They took us to a floating restaurant on the Nile 😲, which would have been awesome if the food had been what they said it would be and we didn't have to pay twice what it cost on their menu 🤬. I refused to eat or pay for the food, but I did have an amazing snack with the bus driver in the road outside. Half a pita lined with a type of creamy cheese and stuffed with a hard-boiled egg and a couple of tomato chunks 🤤. The men didn't even make me pay for it 😲.

    It was 1500 when we left "lunch" with everyone bitching and still hungry, but very soon we were across the river and at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo 😲.

    When we arrived, we were given only one hour to see the entire two-story museum 🤬, so I asked someone how to get to the one display you absolutely must see...King Tut 😲😲😲.

    King Tutankhamun's funeral mask and burial items are on display here 😲. How absolutely jaw-dropping incredible 😲. I actually verged on tears looking at the mask 😲. I couldn't take pictures, but the link below tells about him and may have pictures (I haven't listened yet).

    https://m.soundcloud.com/tutankhamun-be/sets/ht…

    Then it was back to the bus. Another drive and we arrived at another boat, a Felucca (with motor not sail), where we met some of the Cairo H3 Hashers for an hour tour of the river 😲. Most everyone had to pee first, so we had to dodge traffic to get across the street and into the Four Seasons, then go through the x-ray machines, then queue for the toilets, then go back across the street to the boats 🤬. Needless to say, we didn't leave the dock until almost dark, but still had a decent time even with nothing to drink or eat 😥.

    We got back to the hotel at 1900 after some serious discussions with the tour guides 🤬, but just in time for happy hour in the Executive Lounge where they have food and drinks for free 😁. A beer, some nosh, and some more bitching with the group, then John and I were off to the room to pack.

    We leave the hotel at 0330 in the morning 😭 for our flight to Aswan. Wish us luck 🤞!    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Friday Is A Hashing Day

    6 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Today, we had a slow start, not leaving the hotel until noon. An hour later, the Cairo Hash House Harriers graciously took us on trail in Wadi Degla, a former ocean now desert set aside as a sort of park or recreation area. This was John's first hash run, so he and the other "virgins" were "inducted" into the Hash 🤣🤣.

    We got back to the hotel around 1700, where we cleaned up and met in the pub for happy hour. Many of the group got back on the bus to go to the Ace Club for the On After party, but we decided to stay at the hotel. We didn't stay out very late, though, because in the morning we are visiting one of the top tourist spots in the world...the Pyramids!!!!    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Museums & Dinner on the Nile

    5 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    A dozen of us left the hotel at 1030 (an hour late) to visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum. Between the two we had a very rushed but delicious buffet lunch. We were so far behind schedule that we practically ran through the GEM, which I truly could've spent all day in 😥. Both museums were excellent.

    At 1615 we were on our way back to the hotel; we were over an hour away and supposed to be there at 1630 🤦. Because we were late, the 40 of us were late leaving the hotel to make it to our dinner cruise another hour away, but luckily they held the boat for us. Another buffet and a terrific show, in which John got to play a little part. What a good sport!

    Then we were back to the hotel for drinks and fellowship. The last group member finally arrived around midnight!! The trip officially begins tomorrow!!!    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione
  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHashing With The PharoahsNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Friends Everywhere

    4 dicembre 2024, Egitto ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Today John took a tour to Alexandria. I wanted a sim card, so hung until the shop down the street opened, picked one up, then grabbed a chicken shwarma on the way back for lunch.

    After a short rest, I grabbed an Uber to visit an old friend who now lives in Cairo. We last saw each other when he and his family came to my retirement ceremony in 2018.

    I got back to the hotel at 1800 and several of us met for drinks. John's tour didn't get back until 1900, then about 10 of us had dinner at the hotel's Lebanese restaurant. Yum!

    We called it an early night to try to get on the local time schedule and kick the jet lag. Hopefully we'll sleep well tonight.

    So long (for now), and thanks for all the MOSQUES! ✌️    Leggi altro

    Guarda la traduzione

Ottieni il tuo profilo di viaggio

Gratis

QR code

FindPenguins per iOSFindPenguins per Android