The USS Arizona was one of 20 ships that were hit by the air attack by the Japanese on Dec. 7th, 1941. Unfortunately, the bomb that hit the Arizona went right near the ammunition magazine causing a gigantic explosion and a great loss of life. Over 1000 men died on the Arizona, while a total of 2400 died in…
Both visits to Normandy in 2006 with students, and in 2008 with Kathie, the weather was superb unlike it was on June 6th, 1944. Kathie and I was able to stay in Normandy for three days visiting several famous sites. We stayed two nights in Arromanches. Today it is a thriving seaside town. Arromanches in 1944 became a British beach head,…
We arrived to Mont Saint Michel midday. It was crowded, but still fascinating nevertheless. I was here in 2006 with students, and again with Kathie in 2008. Kathie and I had a night’s stay on Mont Saint Michel at the pricy Auberge Saint-Pierre hotel. We tried to take a nap, but nearly impossible with all the people walking about. We could…
It was very easy picking up the Avis car (a Ford Fiesta, soon to be introduced in the U.S.) from the Chartres railroad station (called ‘GARE.’) The roads are excellent and well-marked. No mountains like there are in Greece. Kathie remarked how the country-side looked like Kansas! There were a lot of farm lands being tilled. Every so often you came across these…
Chartres, France, July 2008 Blog I would never attempt to drive in Paris. We took a Air-France bus from the Charles De Gaulle airport into Paris to get to a train station. They warned you on putting the seat-belt on. I didn’t and almost flew across the seat as the driver hit the brakes hard several times going through Paris traffic. Our first major stop was Chartres (about…
As I was sitting at my desk in the Dean’s Office, really not wanting to be there, I would dream of distant places. One of these places is Hawaii. My mom gave the dream to me long ago. She never made it. I chose a “Retirement trip” others would only dream about. One hundred days exploring Arizona, Hawaii and Cabo…
On December 16, 2014 will mark the 70th Anniversary of one of the largest battles ever fought in United States history: The Battle of the Bulge. Nearly 20,000 U.S. soldiers would die in this battle that would last for over a month. It was on December 16th, 1944, my father, Henry T. Bielicki, was wounded in the Hurtgen Forest forever…
There is always a chance that you may see someone famous on a plane, walking in a city or just plane traveling. In our last trip to Chicago, there was a famous “wrestler” on board. He was talking to a woman next to him and we could hear. I couldn’t tell you who he was, but the guy was huge.…
Trees come in all types, just like people. Kathie and I are blessed to witness some incredible forests and trees over the years. We continue to seek out these trees like water in the desert. We are amazed and appreciative of the people who take care of God’s creation. We have come to understand what Henry David Thoreau meant when…
I have met people who don’t like the “sand” of a beach, but never dislike a beach. It is a pleasant area that brings back good memories and some bad, where you can lay back and possibly take a nap, swim usually in blue waters and feel a zephyr across your face. I like the quote about leaving your foot…