But I'm rarely THAT reckless!!

More guns keep us safe and secure, right? Right?



Well, that's what the NRA says. (Although that doesn't stop them from declaring their national member meetings gun-free zones...)

I will keep you in my thoughts the whole time!

That 2 weeks of hazardous duty pay will come in handy...if you survive.

Laser Pointers Aimed at Pilots Is Serious Threat, Says FBI

http://guardianlv.com/2014/02/laser-pointers-aimed-at-pilots-is-serious-threat-says-fbi/

I hope the strike will be over. I've Lufthansa tickets myself to travel the other way soon.

Or did I miss something and it's already over?

On Edit: Never mind. I just looked it up and it ended yesterday. Looks like we're ok.

They pulled a few very nasty tricks on me way back when I had "Senator" status with them. That is sort of a gold elite level, and still they treated me like trash on several occasions, so I switched to a combination of Air France and Air Berlin, and haven't regretted it for a second. I occasionally take LH when I need a quick flight on short notice from Düsseldorf to Geneva or Bucharest or Stockholm--somewhere where I don't have a choice of airlines for a nonstop flight if I have to be there in a hurry.

Beware--LH resolved the strike FOR THIS WEEK. Another one was threatened for next week. Halte die Augen auf!

But the last couple of flights to Europe we've used Lufthansa through Frankfurt. It's now our favorite airline.

Much more comfortable than US(scare)Air or Delta (who occasionally flies direct to Paris - AirFrance code share but Delta equipment [gag] mostly Boeing's and I prefer Air Bus).

And the cabin staff on European airlines are generally nicer than the folks on US carriers.

THIS is safe, DFW!





(no snow remaining!)

Although I do have to be in the Freeport/Bath area of Maine for a day and a half. I've never been in that part of Maine, so who knows what it looks like? Maybe one of the friendly natives?

It's mostly for work. I have about 40 hours in Maine and another 36 in NYC, then about 48 for Langley and DC. Then I gotta head back over here.

Otherwise, I'd consider taking your advice.

Still, come July, we're heading for the outer part of Cape Cod, and if this year, the White House has the good taste NOT to invite me down on a date when I HAD intended to be on the beach, then I'll get 4 weeks there uninterrupted

(don't kid yourself, if they ask again, I'll be there! LOL!!)

I've been there, and you and your wife would love it. It's considered the most romantic and best French restaurant in the DC area. Their chateaubriand for two is to die for.

Unfortunately, my wife will be going back before I head south, and I can't do beef any more, but if it's that good, I might be able to get my brother and his wife to join me, as Great Falls is nearby (as you obviously know).

and I've never been there, just read about it, reservations are REQUIRED, and VERY difficult to obtain, but sounds like you would appreciate the quality.

about 1 hour south of DC. and not far from beaches! (I actually have a small one, which you can see in the pics.)

and great sunsets!

I usually never have time ANY trip, but I'll keep that in mind. I should probably try to get in a little time on the Chesapeake before pollution kills it off entirely. About 40 years ago, we once drove out to Annapolis, but that was as close as I ever got.

I figured you wouldn't have time, but this is a general invitation. I expect to be here 'forever!'

I'd bet money on that!

Open 24/7, 365 days a year. A lot of outlet stores. Brunswick is a nice college town (Bowdoin). Bath is a wonderful little town. The main street--Front St. has a lot of the original storefronts. It is an old shipping town & worth a ride around to see the old Captain's houses. It is also a pretty good "foodie" town, as is Brunswick. Portland is a really great place to spend some time.
Looking for a good pub dinner? Try the Seadog, just over the bridge from Brunswick in Topsham. Friendly people & good beer.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to pm me.

We had to reserve a place blind, so we ended up at a place called (I think?) J R Maxwell. I've seen it had mixed reviews. I heard the Admiral steak house is great, but steak is off my menu these days, so that does me little good.

between Maxwell's & the Admiral, the Admiral would be my choice. Good food, excellent service.
Maxwell's has been around for years & is a little dated.

Just sayin'.

She has a restaurant directly across from the store, selling Linda Bean certified & overpriced lobsters & red hot dogs (it's a Maine thing) to unsuspecting tourists. She's right up there on the crazy scale with our governor, Paul LePage.

So you'll be OK while you're here.

I can't vouch for MD.

might want to be up on the latest "Inspector General's Report" in the WAPO Friday.

DUCK AND COVER ....

I'm sure you will be very okay...


Regards,

We're going to a ship christening, since it's named after the father of a good friend of ours.

Stay out of the high crime areas and don't get involved in a domestic dispute and you will be fine. Are you planning on involving yourself in any high-risk activities?

Some activities turn out that way, of course.

Although in States like Illinois, Virginia and Texas these days, being in the wrong place at the wrong time is dangerous in and of itself. In places where both the crazies and PTSD cops are all armed to the teeth, with a high degree of certainly of not being called to task for killing someone, it is wise to keep a low profile, which is a sorry statement already.

The only domestic situations will be our 32nd wedding anniversary in NYC, me visiting our mirror family roomies in Dallas and my brother and his wife (we had a double wedding) in northern Virginia. None of us keep guns in the house, and all three marriages are very stable--in all three I was either a participant or best man--very low risk!

When I read the headline of your OP, you seemed quite fearful about going to the U.S.

I don't think Bath, Maine is yet well-known for its rash of homicides, and the other places I will be visiting are well-secured.

Too many religious nuts with guns there.

So I have a better-than-even chance to live to tell the tale........

But definitely not dangerous. You'd be surprised how many people in the US are armed. It's the criminals you have to watch out for armed or not. Avoid high crime areas, use good situational awareness and avoid confrontation while driving or otherwise just like you would in an unarmed society. You'll be fine. Enjoy your visit!

Not only are we armed and dangerous, we're crazy, too!

to do battle with the Queen of the sand people!

I am not the "Queen of the sand people"

I am "Queen of the Sun"!





OH! I thought.....never mind....