Alive and Well

Posted on by Pete Schloss

 

Since the holidays I have fielded several inquiries as to my health and wellbeing. Two occurred just today. I am touched by the thoughtfulness.

I am well, and this is a good time to give an update:

Upon our return from Norway in September I underwent surgery to remove the kidney stones that almost derailed the trip. The recovery was tolerable.

In late October we spent a relaxing week in New York City, lodged near Times Square.

We enjoyed a special “hardhat tour” of parts of Ellis Island not open to the general public,

This room was used for surgeries, autopsies, and served as the morgue. The medical care was first rate for the time.

Visited Liberty Island,

Attended Broadway performances of “The Book of Mormon”, “Wicked”, and La Boheme at the Met,

At “Wicked”
The “Wicked” stage
The “Book of Mormon” stage
At “The Book of Mormon”
The Metropolitan Opera, the “Met”
The Metropolitan Opera, the “Met”
The Metropolitan Opera, the “Met”

Spent an afternoon in Central Park watching the New York Marathon,

New York’s Central Park
The 2025 running of the New York Marathon
True courage, grit, and determination!

And of course there were museums to see, food to eat, and crazies to watch.

China Town

The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Museum of Natural History

Van Gogh at the Museum of Modern Art
Van Gogh at the Museum of Modern Art
Picasso at the Museum of Modern Art
Picasso at the Museum of Modern Art
Andrew Wyeth at the Museum of Modern Art
“Christina’s World” (1948), by Andrew Wyeth, has long been a favorite image for me. I had considered it a surreal portrayal of a peaceful life in contemplation. However, I had never seen the original. The closer examination revealed painful swollen and arthritic joints. hair turning grey, and an aspect of emotional pessimism with security beyond her reach. It is now even more a favorite.
Some of the Halloween craziness.

 In the past I have not been an advocate for travel insurance, but the experience of suffering a back injury in Spain (2024) that necessitated an early return to the States and surgery, my age, and the kidney stone problems last September changed my perspective.

Christine and I purchased an annual “all trips” policy last year through Allianz Global Insurance. It was money well spent and compensated us for the extra costs incurred due to the kidney stone problem during the Norway trip. We have renewed the policy this year in anticipation of major travel ahead.

Sunday we depart for Hawaii. We have been to every US State and every Canadian Province (plus the Yukon Territory), except Hawaii. We will be there for a little over 3 weeks. In another departure from the typical for us we will be traveling in a small group with Road Scholar, formerly known as Elder Hostel. The trip will include 4 islands, with each day plotted out as an in-depth learning experience. How Christine and I will adapt to being told when to be up, where to go, what to see… getting along with the group, remains to be seen. People who have travelled with Road Scholar are typically very positive. If that is our experience then who knows, Egypt and even Antarctica might be in our future with Road Scholar.

In March I plan on taking 3 of the grandsons skiing for a week in Colorado. I plan to ski… not well, not fast, but free. Ski Monarch near Salida waves all fees for “super seniors”. I qualify.

Salida is a delightful western town with good lodging and dining options. Our two-room suite for the 4 of us is $150 a night which includes a simple breakfast.

The big trip on the calendar is a return to Spain for grandson Britton and me to complete our aborted 2024 Camino.

Me and Britton on the Camino in 2024

He and I will resume from Burgos and hike 300 miles to Santiago de Compostela. But that is not the half of it:

We will be joined on our departure flight by Christine and our daughter Alexis’ three children (the “Cook kids”), arriving in Madrid. The 6 of us will travel by train for a 3-night stay in Burgos. After sending Britton and me on “The Way” Christine and the “Cook kids” will return to Madrid where they will meet granddaughter Delaney (Britton’s “quad” sister) who will have just finished walking the Portuguese route of the Camino with her school group.

Christine with the 4 grandchildren in tow will then wander through France to Amsterdam where the three Cook kids will fly to meet their mom in New York. Christine and Delaney will continue together to Portugal where they will meet our daughter Renee and her other 2 children.

Finally, Christine, Renee, and the three grandchildren will be on hand in Santiago to welcome Britton and me at the end of our trek. 4 days later Renee will depart for travel with her children while Christine and I head for a couple of weeks in Paris, Brittany, and Normandy. Whew!!

Christine spent nearly 2 hours on the phone today with the airline representative coordinating the 5 separate flight itineraries.

Hawaii should provide some great pictures and a wealth of information. Stay tuned… and Thank You!

Peace Everyone. Pete

PS. By design the Statue of Liberty is hollow. These words are still a part of “Lady Liberty” and were never meant to be hollow. My grandparent, 2 who were Germans from Russia (now Ukraine) and 2 who were Arabs from Lebanon, were welcomed to America through Ellis Island. How things have changed in a little more than a century.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me…”. From “The New Colossus”, the 1983 poem by Emma Lazarus.

 

38 thoughts on “Alive and Well”

  1. Peter Dean Tremain says:

    I am exhausted just reading about all. you will be doing! I have extended my stay in Louisville to have cataract surgery and maybe another one on my hand (the Dupuytren’s Contracture). I look forward to your reports along the way.

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Peter, it’s great to hear from you and an honor that you read my posts. I follow you although I don’t always comment. I hope you heal quickly and are back on your own “treadmill” soon. Peace. Pete.

  2. Susan B Ross says:

    Thank you pete for your wonderful update. Always and enjoyable read. The photographs are a delight, i appreciate you taking me with you

  3. Christine E Rankin says:

    Wonderful to hear from you Pete (and Christine). I marvel at your tireless energy. To hear you say “relaxing” week in NYC. Only you two. Have a terrific trip to Hawaii. A whole chunk of peace all its own. We will look forward to pics – only if you are up for it of course.

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Thank you, Christine. Maintaining connections through my posts is part of the motivation for putting in the work. It’s really good to hear from you. I hope life is smiling upon you.

  4. lsnyder43e7bf588a says:

    I am glad to hear of your travels and that you are doing well. I am curious to know if your tremors have returned after the surgery bleed that stopped them. (Did I get that right? It was a while ago now and I can’t remember if they completely stopped or just some.) How are you doing?

    • Pete Schloss says:

      It’s been nearly 3 years… Time really flies! There’s perhaps some small increase in the tremors, but then I drink a ton of coffee these days and don’t hold back on the caffeine. I could never have done that before. It’s only the right hand that was remedied. The left hand is as bad, or worse, than ever. Thank you for asking!

  5. Nancy Antonette Wallingford says:

    Wonderful to hear from you!! My experience with Road Scholars has been fabulous (Cuba, Southwest USA – Grand Canyon, Zion). I think your family travels coming up sounds absolutely wonderful!! Be safe and have a great time!

      • Babe Wiley says:

        Peter, so good to hear from you, that you anre both well annd enjoying life, and to read of your exciting itinerary! If only you could have put a smile on Lady Liberty’s lips! She is aghast, as are many of us!

        • Pete Schloss says:

          Thanks Babe. I am currently reading first hand accounts of the horrors of the Nazi extermination camps and what lead up to their implementation. The parallels with today are frightening.

        • Pete Schloss says:

          Hi Babe! I hope that you and your granddaughter are enduring the winter well in Montana. I have a bumper sticker on my car that shows Lady Liberty holding her head in her hands in wonder at what is occurring in our country. Sadly, that is my sentiment.
          If you ever find yourself returning for a visit to Kansas City, please contact us. Who knows, we may wander into Montana someday with our trailer. Peace. Pete.

  6. Nathalie Elliott says:

    It is wonderful to hear from you! My mom was from Brittany and we spent many summers with my grandmother in La Baule. It is a beautiful and enchanting place if you have the opportunity to go there. The home built by my great grandmother, where I used to stay, “Villa Arghy” is still there about a block from the beach!

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Wonderful! We look forward to the visit of an area new to us. We have heard so many good things about what we will see. I understand that you have retired. I hope it is as rewarding to you as you have been to thousands of people in your professional role.
      Thank you, Nathalie.

  7. PAM says:

    Hi Pete and Christine, It was wonderful to hear from you. It was nice that we had dinner with you a couple of months ago. Love the NY trip pictures. It has been a few years since we were in NY and remember going to the museums you attended. Wish you well and that you have a great trip In Hawaii.

  8. Cindy Wienstroer says:

    Wow what a life you are doing & living! Would like to take your rock back to finish the Camino? Carry positive thoughts of Ted with you?

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Cindy, that would be very special. Please find a small one that “speaks to you” in his voice. Call me closer to this summer to talk… meeting for a cup of coffee any time would be great!

  9. Anne Pyle says:

    Wow! I was thinking about you guys the other day! So glad you have reported in! And WOW about your next travel plans!!

    My husband (75) had an MRI ultrasound “brain zap” (my term) for his right hand tremor. It worked! He’d like to do his left, but insurance is now iffy on coverage. He deals with kidney stones too.

    Hawaii! Camino! You guys rock!!

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Thank you, Anne. I’m glad that the focused ultrasound was effective for your husband. I’ve decided to let well enough alone and continue with having a left hand that has a mind of its own! Be well. Pete.

      • Anne Pyle says:

        Blessings for your decision! It’s scary messing with the brain…Altho his right hand is “still” now, he did have a brain bleed (at home, weeks later), and Im suspicious that had something to do with it, but they deny it. He’s so much less frustrated now when writing or using his cell or ipad or computer.
        That part IS nice!

  10. Barbara (Bobbi) Haskins says:

    Peter,
    We are so happy to hear of your many and ongoing adventures. As always, your photos are wonderful and the wrtie-ups make every stop come alive. Thank you for taking us with you.
    And we are so glad to hear you’ll be skiing and walking the Camino.
    All the best all year,
    Bobbi and Russ

    • Pete Schloss says:

      It is so good to hear from you! And I want to let you know how touched we are that you remember us at Christmas. We hope that life is smiling upon the two of you and those who are held close in your heart.

  11. MR GARRY CLIFFORD says:

    Great to here from you again Pete, Kathleen and I had recently just commented that you had gone “quiet” haha. We also caught The book of Mormon while it was being performed at the Edinburgh Playhouse a few years back, quite a show!!
    Enjoy your travels my friend, looking forward to reading all about them.
    love and peace from me and Kathleen to you and Christine.

    • Pete Schloss says:

      It’s great to hear from you folks! I saw some of your pictures when you were in the States and it looked like you had a wonderful time. We hope that you will hold onto that dream of motorcycling across the United States and make Kansas City one of your destinations! We hope to return to Scotland at some point in the future.
      Love to both of you from both of us.

  12. Keith Ludwig says:

    Thanks for the update, Pete. We’re glad to hear that you are well-recovered. In fact, you don’t seem to have slowed down at all; your itinerary is even more robust! It’s great that you and Christine are able to incorporate your children and grandchildren into your travel plans. Here’s hoping that all of the trips go as planned and that you don’t need to utilize that insurance! Best wishes from me and Helena, ENJOY!

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Thanks Keith. Part of my silence is just avoiding social media because of the “interesting times we live in“. When we are back from our current trip, it would be great to get together with you and Helena. I would love to hear about your time in Brazil. Peace my friend. Pete.

  13. Maxine Harrison says:

    So glad to hear all is well. I still hear the train whistle from our Florida trips. Did you know that my grandmother, Anne Roselle, sang at the Met.

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Max, it’s great to hear from you! That’s really cool about your grandmother. I wonder how long ago that was and if The Met had the same ambience that it has today… Or perhaps was it better?
      We hope that all is well in your world, and that life is shining upon you, Chip, and those held dear your heart.
      Peace. Pete.

  14. Liz S says:

    Helllllo Pete!! Honestly I was not surprised at your silence however I attributed it to my own feelings of shock, awe, and quiet desperation at the current state of our dear Country. It is lovely to hear from you. I grew up near and spent a good amount of time in NYC. It is always nice to see current pictures. In my humble travels, there is nowhere quite like NYC. This is the year of travel for us as well but nothing as vast and impressive (and needing as much coordination) as what you and Christine are undertaking. When are you continuing your Camino? We had hoped to start in Burgos ourselves but Frank had a hiccup with is achilles which we were not willing to push. (all is well now). We too have been kicking around a Roads trip but our calendar filled up quickly this year. Plus we have a pup that needs watching so – that limits us a bit. Frank has lived in Hawaii twice in his life and has suggested that we go back so he can show me where he grew up there. One of these days. So so great to hear from you – wonderful to see pictures of you both and prayers that your journeys are better than you could have imagined. Onward…..

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Hi Liz! It’s great to hear from you. I’m going to borrow a phrase from you in partial explanation for my silence: “I attributed it to my own feelings of shock, awe, and quiet desperation at the current state of our dear Country.” That about says it.
      We will arrive in Madrid on 29 May. Britton and I plan to start on foot from Burgos June 1. Good luck with your own travels and that you both stay healthy. Love to you both from us. Pete.

  15. Vicki says:

    Pete and Christine- We were thinking about you and wondering why we had not seen any of your posts. Now we know you’ve been too busy to write. What fun adventures. We took our first travel with Road Scholar last fall and I was concerned about how tied down we would feel. As you know, we like the vagabond approach. The trip was not carefree but we never felt tied to a tight schedule. Actually, Mike and I believe we would have missed some great experiences had we taken our Greek trip on our own. I hope your Hawaii trip with Road Scholar exceeds your expectations. We will look forward to reading more of your adventures!
    Vicki and Mike

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Hi Vicki (and Mike)! I keep hearing about good experiences concerning Road Scholar. I’m trying hard not to develop expectations because without expectations, there can be no disappointment (I hope).
      We hope you are both well and that life has been smiling on you. Thank you so much for following us. Be well. Pete.

  16. Lynn Kelly says:

    Hey, Pete! You’ve reappeared in my inbox—yay. So happy to read about your current and upcoming adventures! As I understand it some of you will spend a little time in Portugal and I demand itineraries! Very definitely for the group traveling to Santiago on the Portuguese route. Are they traveling more than 100k, if so, which route? If the group takes the Costa and starts at Porto, they would travel right by where I live—where I give souvenir shells out!!🤞If not, I might still be able to meet up with the group, but definitely would love to meet Christine and grandkids in their sojourn in Lusitania! (Unless I’m at a conference in Lisbon 3/24 to 3/38.)

    Let’s keep in touch about this: I can call you and give you my US phone number—ok

    • Pete Schloss says:

      Hello Lynn. It’s great to hear from you! The possibilities of meeting up are not very good. Delaney, our granddaughter, will be watching the last 100 K of the Portuguese route with her school class. As yet, it’s uncertain where Christine, our daughter Renee’, and those grandchildren will be traveling in Portugal. Yes, let’s stay in touch and please email your contact information. I probably have it. Again, it’s great to hear from you and I hope that life and Portugal are both smiling upon you!

Leave a Reply to LizCancel reply