Chasing Charles Lindbergh:

Nov. 1927--When The "Lone Eagle" Landed In Susquehanna County, Penna.

In May of that year he became the first person to fly the Atlantic Ocean--one of the epic acts in the history of humanity, one which overnight catapulted him into worldwide fame.

Then on Nov. 4, fresh off a triumphal tour that had taken him to 48 states and 92 cities, he was flying from Long Island to Buffalo, New York, when he had to make a landing in a hayfield due to weather.

As written in the book Choconut Township, The Way It Was: Stories, Illustrations & Photographs Of Local History: "The guest of kings and presidents was about to board with farmers and a quiet parish priest.  Upon an unsuspecting Choconut, dropped the most famous man in the world..."

The photo above shows "Lucky Lindy" (2nd from left) in that hayfield. The author grew up in the farmhouse in the background. His grandparents and mother hosted the celebrity flier there for a few hours.

To read about that memorable evening and why for much of his life the author has been on the trail of the famous aviator, go to http://www.mauitime.com/ (Click on "archives," July 19, 2007 issue)

Cruise Ship Blues:

It sounded like a job too good to be true--working as a naturalist on a cruise ship sailing from port to port in the Hawaiian Islands. In the wintertime, no less.

But while onboard the naturalist embarked on a "study" he hadn't intended--unwittingly gathering data on the behavior of the human animal. The findings rocked him more than a 50' wave!

Stand by to weigh anchor: Coming soon to this site--Part I of this contemporary tale of the sea, by James Mordovancey. Read of love and life while touring the islands...

Life On The Pacific Whalers:

Tired of political primaries and endless gray days? Want to try a tale of the sea? Take a journey back in time, to the era of Tall Ships & Cachalots.

From the author of Choconut Township, The Way It Was: Stories, Illustrations & Photographs of Local History by James Mordovancey comes an account of America's sea-going heritage. In gritty detail, experience life before the mast on the Pacific whalers. Marvel at some of the epic journeys in the history of humanity and how they affected a burgeoning nation.

Experience it now at http://www.mauitime.com/ (Click on "archives," Dec. 20, 2007 issue) But be forewarned--you could be exposed to rolling decks and bursts of salt spray!

Zen Traveler:

Why Is This Man Smiling?

Because it's taken years and years, but he's finally figured out how to travel light. On this trip through Hong Kong, Macau, Borneo and Lantau Island, off the Chinese Coast, site of the world's largest sitting Buddha, he was roughed up by everything from typhoons, to 7' monitor lizards to fruit bat soup, but he was ready for it all.

Jack Kerouac used to say, "I rode around this country as free as a bee." The author of On The Road, Satori In Paris and The Dharma Bums, among others, not only was a disciple of Zen but a disciple of simplicity of travel as well. "

Achieving minimalism" takes on a mystical aspect, according to Kerouac and many other devotees of Zen travel. By inspiration from a Higher Consciousness one becomes truly "outfitted," both mentally and physically, for what comes down while on the road. And only then can one zip around as free as the proverbial bee.