1947

On certain occasions, I send notes to classmates "on the go," asking for story material. Bob Bach was one of the gracious responders. He's been moving in many directions, and I thought we'd all enjoy his words.

"My last 15 years have been exciting ones, filled with fan and adventures. The month-long independent trips became two months after I retired in 1990.

"We've had the opportunity to follow the trails of such notables as Marco Polo and the impressionists. Among my most cherished memories are driving alone to Costa Rica round trip, and traversing the Panama Canal on a 35-foot hand-crafted wooden yacht. We got to swim in the canal when engine trouble forced us to overnight at a yacht club.

"We joined a marvelous organization called Servas, people who like to have international guests, on the theory that if we got to know each other on a personal basis, we'd have a much better chance for global peace. We have been entertained in private homes in Indonesia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, and Albania, to name a few."

"We've been intimately involved in burial rituals in Sulawesi and Bali, hitchhiked on a helicopter in Panama, and been insulted in Yugoslavia.

"We've shared crabs with the locals on Morocco, and dined in lily ponds in Grenada and Bali. We donned temple scarves in Bali, and pith helmets in Central America, marveled at the flaming volcanoes of Costa Rica, and the multi-colored limestone pools of Pamukkale, slept in the eirie caves of Cappadocia, and climbed the pyramids of Mexico.

"A tropical storm, while we were sleeping on the deck of a ship bound for Borneo caught as unawares, as did the three different alphabets encountered in a 36-hour trip from Albania to Bulgaria.

"We've met fascinating people, from Indonesian countesses, to Turkish yachters, and wouldn't swap a moment of it for all the tea in China, which we have not yet visited.

"Our next adventure is in search of the gypsies of Eastern Europe in the summer of 1996. Needless to say, you are only as old as you feel, and with such a lifestyle, it is hard to feel old at all.

"See you in June 1997, at our 50th Reunion! Bob Bach."

Continuing our travel theme, Frank and Urs Weber joined the continuing edsponsored trip down the Danube River, on a cruise ship, from Prague, to Vienna, to Budapest, Hungary, in mid-July. This proved to be a very friendly, and educational experience, and they have dozens of fine photos to show for it. The Chase's and Webers came together at the Brewster, (Cape Cod) home of Verah Johnson, for a delightful visit, talking trips, kids, and grandchildren, in mid-August. This is essentially the same summer home Cotton Johnson and Verah built 36 years ago, before MS struck Cotton. It's been the meeting place for many Dartmouth people for many, many years, and may it continue. Next time you see Frank, ask him about his middle name, Arpad, and you'll be treated to a history, of Prince Arpad, one of the leading princes of the ninth century, complete with photos of the princely statues gracing the square in Budapest. Have a happy holiday season. See you soon.

63 Maple Ave., Kenne, NH 03431-1629

"We've teen intimately involved in burial rituals in Sulawesi, hitchhiked on a helicopter in Panama, and been insulted in Yugoslavia." Bob Bach '47