Such a memory goldmine, John! You must be pleased to have kept your careful records. Those together with the photos of your handsome younger selves are priceless.
What stood out for me? So many delicious food options (the bread photo!). Fukuyama's missed mark. (The Old Mill smiled, and said nothing.) The story of Harry Mulisch (I've wondered more than once what I would have done. The relevance today is overwhelming.) The sunburn!
You must look back on this time with such fondness.
Thank you, Elizabeth. Yes, those were great memories and a poignant reminder to make more of them while we still can, like right now, in a yurt on the Oregon coast! Thanks for the reminder to make some notes!
Fukuyama, and also Friedman's "The World is Flat.” Uh huh.
So many people in Continental Europe had to make choices like Harry's father, and still the would over today. I'm sure there are some in the US right now. If so, I hope we hear their stories.
I enjoyed your walking tour. Reminded me of our recent Camino walk from Porto to Santiago. Very different experience when you walk. You also meet so many interesting people from around the world.
My husband and I did a (much shorter) walking holiday for our honeymoon through the Scottish countryside. 2020 was a different time (for so many reasons) but we loved every bit of our time out and about. Hoping to one day introduce our own kids to the quiet joy of walking holidays ❤️ I loved reading this. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! Right now we have to start even short walks around town with a snack otherwise our 4 and 2 yo spend the whole time asking when we’ll be at home (so they can have a snack)!
My aunt and uncle used to bribe their kids with M&Ms (Treets back then in the UK) to get them to walk in Derbyshire. My niece went on to win her age group in the Everest Base Camp Marathon. It works!
Beautiful, John. It’s almost funny to think of the fuss that was made about Francis Fukuyama’s book back then. Boy, does it look foolish and misguided now.
Yes, one of those books that gave you a shiver down the spine when it came out, that sneaky feeling that it was a curse. Friedman’s “The World is Flat“ read like hype even then. Both have been thoroughly eviscerated on the “If books could kill“ podcast.
Oooo! Sounds like a great listen. I mistrusted Friedman's follow-up, "Hot, Flat, and Crowded," because of his breathless chapter on computer aided design. Because of my familiarity with the field, I knew that most of what he was saying was pure BS. It made me wonder what else he got wrong in that book.
What a wonderful trip to take with the two of you all these years later. I LOVE accounts of these paths along the sea, and always thought I'd someday do one. Now, reading about it while living on my own edge of sea, forest behind with secret trails, suffices. I also liked the weaving in of history. Thanks for sharing this, John.
This is awesome. Peaches, quiches, and beaches. I enjoyed your double narration from both time point perspectives.
Thank you Mary Beth! I toyed with a few structure ideas and eventually settled for that one. Glad it seems to have worked!
I'll be waving at you from Cape Lookout the next couple of days. 👋
I saw your mention of a yurt in another comment and I was hoping it was Cape Lookout - it's the best!
Well, that's good to know! I'm really looking forward to it!
Such a memory goldmine, John! You must be pleased to have kept your careful records. Those together with the photos of your handsome younger selves are priceless.
What stood out for me? So many delicious food options (the bread photo!). Fukuyama's missed mark. (The Old Mill smiled, and said nothing.) The story of Harry Mulisch (I've wondered more than once what I would have done. The relevance today is overwhelming.) The sunburn!
You must look back on this time with such fondness.
Thank you, Elizabeth. Yes, those were great memories and a poignant reminder to make more of them while we still can, like right now, in a yurt on the Oregon coast! Thanks for the reminder to make some notes!
Fukuyama, and also Friedman's "The World is Flat.” Uh huh.
So many people in Continental Europe had to make choices like Harry's father, and still the would over today. I'm sure there are some in the US right now. If so, I hope we hear their stories.
I hope so, too. Thanks, John.
I enjoyed your walking tour. Reminded me of our recent Camino walk from Porto to Santiago. Very different experience when you walk. You also meet so many interesting people from around the world.
Thanks Lenny.
My husband and I did a (much shorter) walking holiday for our honeymoon through the Scottish countryside. 2020 was a different time (for so many reasons) but we loved every bit of our time out and about. Hoping to one day introduce our own kids to the quiet joy of walking holidays ❤️ I loved reading this. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I hope to get to walk with your kids - and write about it!
Thanks! Right now we have to start even short walks around town with a snack otherwise our 4 and 2 yo spend the whole time asking when we’ll be at home (so they can have a snack)!
My aunt and uncle used to bribe their kids with M&Ms (Treets back then in the UK) to get them to walk in Derbyshire. My niece went on to win her age group in the Everest Base Camp Marathon. It works!
Duly noted!!
Things were simpler and joy was easier, I think. Thanks John. ~J
Thank you, and yes, it seemed that way. The joy of innocence.
Beautiful, John. It’s almost funny to think of the fuss that was made about Francis Fukuyama’s book back then. Boy, does it look foolish and misguided now.
Yes, one of those books that gave you a shiver down the spine when it came out, that sneaky feeling that it was a curse. Friedman’s “The World is Flat“ read like hype even then. Both have been thoroughly eviscerated on the “If books could kill“ podcast.
Oooo! Sounds like a great listen. I mistrusted Friedman's follow-up, "Hot, Flat, and Crowded," because of his breathless chapter on computer aided design. Because of my familiarity with the field, I knew that most of what he was saying was pure BS. It made me wonder what else he got wrong in that book.
I get that almost every time I read a book or article by a non-scientist that touches something I happen to know about.
“If books could kill“ specializes in skewering “airport books.“ It’s a fun listen.
What a wonderful trip to take with the two of you all these years later. I LOVE accounts of these paths along the sea, and always thought I'd someday do one. Now, reading about it while living on my own edge of sea, forest behind with secret trails, suffices. I also liked the weaving in of history. Thanks for sharing this, John.
Thanks Kirie. Our next coastal adventure starts Sunday, just three nights in a yurt on the Oregon Coast. The waves are calling.
That sounds wonderful too! Have a peaceful time.
Really enjoyed this -- St Brieuc would still be an anti-climax :)
Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! That's a shame about St Brieuc. I hope Brittany was recognizable, and that my affection for it made it through.
very recognisable and definitely came across
Marvelous. What a delight to read.
Thanks. You know how it started…
I DO INDEED and I am TICKLED to see where it’s going