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My 2014 Trip to the U.S. My trip back to America in the summer of 2014 was much smoother, healthier and cheaper. I left Doha on August 15 and returned to Qatar in mid-September after spending about a month in the U.S.
After leaving Doha, I flew into JFK Airport in New York City and visited my brother Don and his wife, Debbie, in Connecticut for a few days, then I flew on to Minneapolis to visit my old friend, Mark. I continued west from there, flying to Portland, then I drove around the west coast for a few weeks before flying 23 hours back to Qatar. I dearly missed America and all things (well, most things) American, and I had a great time.
I’ve titled this page “Living in Qatar." However, I think the best thing about living in Qatar is going back home to America once in a while.
Above left: I flew into JFK Airport in New York City then drove to the end of Long Island and took this ferry over to Connecticut. This is a former U.S. Navy ship, the LST 510, which, amazingly enough, fought at D-Day in France in 1944. Now it ferries cars across Long Island Sound. It was a thrill just to ride on this historic ship. Above center: With my sister-in-law, Debbie, at a seafood market in New London, Connecticut. Above right: Don and Debbie, with Debbie's father, Dan, at their house in New London.
Above left: The USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. In 1958, it became the first submarine to sail under the North Pole. Above center: The Navy's Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut. My dad trained here with the Navy after World War II and was certified to captain a submarine. Above right: Mystic Pizza in Mystic, Connecticut, site of the Julia Roberts (et al) movie from 1988.
Above left: The historic 1800's whaler, Charles W. Morgan, at Mystic Seaport, a few miles from New London. Above center: Setting the sails. Above right: Two days later on the west coast. These are my friends Lisa, Mark and Carl at a Hillsboro Hops minor league baseball game in Portland.
Above left: With my friend, Heather (and her Camel Cup from Qatar) in downtown Portland. Above center: Otter Crest, from Cape Foulweather on the Oregon coast. The cape was named by the intrepid British explorer, Captain James Cook in 1778. He visited, as you can guess, when the weather here was foul. Above right: Camping at Honeyman State Park on the central Oregon coast.
Above left: Cleawox Lake on the central Oregon Coast. Above center: Hiking through the dunes. Above right: Paul Bunyan and Babe at the Trees of Mystery in northern California.
Above left: A squirrel's eye-view of the Redwood trees in northern California. Above right: This is the most photographed bridge in Big Sur on California Highway 1. My great-uncle, Henry Swang, helped build this bridge in 1932. A few years later, Henry helped build the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Above left: The Big Sur coastline in central California. Above center: At the San Diego Zoo. I'm not a big fan of zoos, in general, but I really loved this place. Highly recommended! Above right: With my lifelong friend, Troy, at the San Diego Zoo. That's his wife, Carlye, and daughter Renee.
Above left: Me and Troy, who's wearing a souvenir headdress that I'd brought from Qatar. Above center: Heading north through the Mojave Desert in eastern California. Above right: Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park.
Above left: King's Creek in Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. Above right: Bumpass Hell, a geothermal area in Lassen Volcanic National Park. This place is something like a mini-Yellowstone.
Above left: Exploring a lava cave in Lava Beds National Monument in northern California. It was over 90 degrees outside but a constant 55 degrees inside the cave. Above center: Wizard Island at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Above right: My sister's living room at her house in Bellingham, Washington. My parents lived in this house for many years and I have a lot of fond memories here – especially of their living room.
Above left: My sister Doti with a souvenir camel that I'd brought her from Qatar. I think she loves the camel more than me! Above right: Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park in Washington.
Above left: Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park. Above center: Unpacking at Lisa and Carl's house in Portland, shortly before I flew back to Qatar. Above right: Sunset over JFK in New York during my 23-hour, three-leg flight back to Doha.
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