Thursday, October 21, 2010
St. Louis, Missouri, October 19 - 20, 2010
On October 18th, I returned from a trip to Quebec. Since I had a RUPRI meeting starting the next day I stayed over in St. Louis. On the 19th and 20th, I attended the RUPRI board meeting and then caught a ride back to Columbia.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Washington, DC, April 19 - 21, 2010
Fly from Columbia to Washington on the19th and then spent most of the 20th and 21st on a USDA panel. Returned Wednesday evening.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
St. Louis, Missouri, April 8 - 9, 2010
We made a quick trip to St. Louis to visit Harley's family while they were there for a medical appointment. We took Will to the Zoo and then spent some time in Forest Park.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Washington, DC, March 24 - 27, 2010
I traveled to Washington to attend the annual meetings of the Southern Regional Science Association. On Thursday 25th, I made a presentation to the USDA Economists Group on a comparison of UK and US rural policy.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Seattle, February 2 - 6, 2010
On Tuesday February 2nd, we drove to Kansas City and spent the night. We caught an early flight to Seattle on Wednesday and checked into the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance appartment facility. The facility is very new, and very nice. It is convenient to the clinic and has lots of thoughtful amenities for families that must be in Seattle for a few days or a few months. I got in a couple of short runs on the Seattle Rock N Roll Marathon course along Lake Union. Jill had appointments on Thursday. On Friday we spent some time shopping and enjoying the South Lake Union area. On Saturday we flew home.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
South Africa, November 2 - 9, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Quebec City, Quebec, October 12 - 18, 2010
On October 12th I flew to Quebec City to attend a series of meeting on Rural Policy. First came the annual OECD rural policy conference on October 13, 14, and 15. On October 16 I hosted a meeting of the International Comparative Rural Policy Studies Consortium. On the 17th the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation held its annual meeting. On the 18th I returned to St. Louis.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, September 1 - 7, 2010
I flew up to Regina where Brenda picked me up. We spent the next several days harvesting the wheat crop.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Saskatchewan, July 4 - 9, 2009
On Saturday, July 4 I flew from Kansas City to Minneapolis where I met Harley, Amy and the kids. From there we flew to Saskatoon and then drove to Moose Jaw. We arrived at the farm about 5:00 pm. On Sunday we celebrated Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary. There were 5 large trailers and two tents set up next to the garden. We had a canopy set up over tables, and a large fire pit. It did spit rain occassionally over the two days we were there but overall the weather was great. On Wednesday July 8th we drove to Saskatoon so that I could catch my flight home. As we arrived in Saskatoon I received a text message indicating that my flight had been challenged so we went to Bob and Mary's instead. That made it possible for me to visit most of the family members in Saskatoon before catching a very early flight on Thursday morning.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Scotland, June 21 - July 1, 2009
On Sunday June 21st, I flew from Oslo where I was visiting John and Karen to Edinburgh to attend the International Comparative Rural Policy Studies summer institute. We met at the University of Edinburgh and checked in. On Monday morning we borded buses and visited several government buildings and agencies before heading north to Inverness. We arrived Monday evening and checked into our hotels. On Tuesday through Friday we had classes, meetings and seminars at the Inverness College of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
On Saturday morning we departed for the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a Gaelic language college on the Isle of Skye. We held class at the college Saturday afternoon. Sunday was the only day off during the institute. Many of us took a boat across the straight to a village called Knoydart. We spent the afternoon walking and visiting with locals.
On Monday and Tuesday morning we held more classes at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. In the afternoon we bussed back to Inverness. Early Wednesday (July 1), I went to the airport and flew home.
On Saturday morning we departed for the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a Gaelic language college on the Isle of Skye. We held class at the college Saturday afternoon. Sunday was the only day off during the institute. Many of us took a boat across the straight to a village called Knoydart. We spent the afternoon walking and visiting with locals.
On Monday and Tuesday morning we held more classes at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. In the afternoon we bussed back to Inverness. Early Wednesday (July 1), I went to the airport and flew home.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Oslo, June 19 - 21, 2009
I arrived in Oslo june 19 mid-afternoon and took a bus to Ås, where my friend John and Karen live. On Saturday we spend the day visiting and seeing the area. We went to a birthday party where I met another amateur geneologist. On Sunday I took the bus back to Oslo and caught a flight to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Ireland, June 16 - 19, 2009
Following my meetings in Paris, I flew to Dublin where I was met by friends from the Teagasc office in Athenry, near Galway. We drove to Athenry where I checked into my room early the next morning. On Wednesday and Thursday I met with researchers at Teagasc about current and future research projects. On Thursday evening I went with friends to watch a mixed, tag rugby game in which they played. The weather was cool and rainy but it was fun to watch. On Friday morning I flew to Dublin and then to Oslo.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Paris, June 14 - 16, 2009
On June 13th I departed for Paris to attend meetings of sponsored by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The meetings we held at the OECD headquarters on the 15th and 16th. Paris is a wonderful place to be in June, even if only for a few days. I stayed at an interesting little hotel called the Nicolo. I then flew to Dublin late on the 16th.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Scotland, Apr 24 - 27, 2009
I was in England for our second OECD Policy Review mission which finished Friday afternoon. I flew up to Aberdeen and with Bob, took a cab to Douneside for the Brydenfest which had started earlier in the day. I had been to Douneside before, so I knew what a wonderful retreat it is. We arrived just in time for dinner. On Saturday we had a full day of meetings and a Ceilidh in the evening. On Sunday we had more meetings in the morning. Some of the attendees went on to a meeting in Inverness while I and others returned to Aberdeen. David F. and I walked aroung town in the evening and then had dinner. In the morning I had an early flight back home, through Amsterdam.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
England, April 18 - 25, 2009
This was the second mission for the OECD English Rural Policy Review. This time we flew into Manchester. I departed on the 18th and arrived in Manchester the morning of 19th. I took a cab to the Saddleworth Hotel in a rural area outside Manchester. The team met for dinner that evening and the agenda began on Monday with presentation from local officials. In the afternoon we took a bus to visit people in Rochedale (as in the cooperative movement), Oldham, Uppermill, Littleborough, then back to the Saddlworth for dinner and more meetings.
On Tuesday we bussed to Tickle Trout to meet with Lancaster County Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council. In the evening we bussed to the Hotel Windemere in the Lake Region and another dinner meeting. On Wednesday we traveled to the village of Plumgarth in Cumbria and then to the village of Melmerby. That night we stayed at the Ramside Hotel in Durham. On Thursday we visited Barnard Castle in County Durham. There we met with the estate owner and other land owners in the region. On Friday we departed for Meldon Hall and then to Manchester to meet our planes.
On Tuesday we bussed to Tickle Trout to meet with Lancaster County Council and Ribble Valley Borough Council. In the evening we bussed to the Hotel Windemere in the Lake Region and another dinner meeting. On Wednesday we traveled to the village of Plumgarth in Cumbria and then to the village of Melmerby. That night we stayed at the Ramside Hotel in Durham. On Thursday we visited Barnard Castle in County Durham. There we met with the estate owner and other land owners in the region. On Friday we departed for Meldon Hall and then to Manchester to meet our planes.
Monday, March 16, 2009
England, March 7 - 14, 2009
This was the first of two trips for a new project I have with the OECD. In this trip our team, met in London on the evening of March 8 for dinner. We stayed at the Quality Crown Paddington On the 10th the study team got together to get organized for the first mission, and the study as a whole. On the morning of the 10th we had a series of meetings with English Government officials in London. In the afternoon we took the train to Exeter in the Southwest. We stayed at lovely hotel in Exmore until Friday. For the rest of the week we met and interviewed central, regional, and local government officials, as well as business persons and community leaders, in South Hams, Exeter, Torridge, North Devon, Dartmouth, Salcombe. On Friday evening we took the train back to London and checked into the Quality Crown again. On Saturday morning I flew home to Missouri.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Boise, Jan 29 - Jan 31, 2009
On Thursday Jan 29th, Harley and I flew out to Boise. We met at the Boise airport and went downtown to rent a U-Haul truck. We loaded Sylvia's and Jill's stuff onto the truck that evening. On Friday morning, we left with Turbo the dog on the seat between us. We drove to Boulder Colorado that night and stayed with Harley's friends, Paula and Sara. On Saturday we drove the rest of the way back to Rocheport. On Sunday we unloaded everything, returned the U-Haul and Harley rented a car to drive back to Illinois.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Washington DC, Jan 25 - 27, 2009
After class on Wednesday, I went straight to the Columbia airport and flew to Washington, DC. On Thursday and Friday morning I had a series of meetings about possible research projects. On Friday I flew back to St. Louis. I had hoped to be able to switch to the Columbia flight but it was full. Unfortunately, the St. Louis flight was late, and I arrived in St. Louis, too late to catch the Mo-X shuttle to Columbia. I rented a car and drove home late that night.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Brussels, Jan 10 - 17, 2009
On Saturday Jan 10, I left for Brussels to hold a study abroad course there. My colleague Willi and I combined our classes to make 10 students for the course. I arrived Sunday and checked into my usual hotel (Holiday Inn) near the EU Commission buildings. On Monday we started a very intensive 4 days of meetings, tours, presentations and lectures. Altogher we had about 20 adgenda items over hte 4 days. Students had Friday off. I used the day to meet with EU Commission officials to discuss to possibility of a new research project based on the work that we had completed in 2008. On Saturday, I flew back to Missouri to get ready for the Spring term.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Boise, December 25 - Jan 1, 2009
I had been in Urbana for Christmas. I drove to St. Louis, and caught a flight to Boise that evening. I don't like traveling on Christmas Day, but in this case, I was able to spend some time with all the family members first in Illinois and then in Boise. We had our Christmas meal on Boxing Day and then had a very nice week of visiting. I flew back to Missouri on January 1, in time to host Harley, Amy and the kids in Rocheport for a few days.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Urbana, Dec 21 - 25, 2008
I drove up to Urbana to celebrate Christmas with Harley, Amy and the kids. We had a great Christmas. Will was old enough to be very excited by the lights, the tree and the presents. On Christmas Day, after exchanging gifts, Harley, Amy and the kids flew to Florida, and I flew to Boise.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Puebla, Mexico, Nov 23 - 26, 2008
I was in Boise for Thanksgiving when this trip started. I flew from Boise on Sunday 23rd to Mexico City. There I met others going to the meeting in Puebla and we took the 2 hour bus ride south. The meeting was one that I had arranged between rural policy researchers in Canada, the US and Mexico. Our goal was to develop stronger research linkages between the three countries. We met on Monday and Tuesday and developed a very good research plan. On Wednesday some of us took the bus back to Mexico City to catch flights home. Because of the airline rules regarding minimum connection times when returning from Mexico, I was unable to reserve a seat on the last flight from Atlanta to Boise. Instead, I was booked on a flight about noon on Thursday. But I knew there was time to make the late Wednesday flight if I could get through customs, passport control and security fast enough. When we arrived in Atlanta, I hurried through the process and went straight to the service desk. They put me on the last flight, and I was able to get back to Boise late on Wednesday, ready for Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Boise, Nov 21 - Dec 2, 2008
Friday 21st was the beginning of another complicated combination trip. I flew out to Boise for the beginning of our Thanksgiving holidays together. On Sunday I flew to Mexico City for meetings and returned to Boise the next Wednesday. On Thursday we cooked a lovely Thanksgiving dinner, visited, and played games. On Tuesday, I returned to Missouri.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
St. Louis, November 5 - 7, 2008
I had two unrelated in meetings in St. Louis this week. I drove down on Wednesday the 5th and checked into the hotel. The next morning I met up with Tony for breakfast and gave him the keys to my pickup. Tony drove to Columbia where he gave a series of lectures. I gave my presentation at the Entrepreneurship conference. On Friday, Tony and I gave our presentations a the Midwest Canadian Studies Association meetings. I then returned to Columbia.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Raleigh, North Carolina, Oct 26 - 28, 2008
I was invited to make a presentation to a meeting of the State Rural Policy Centers who were meeting at the Research Triangle. I flew down with Brian on the 26th. My presentation was on the 27th. I left the meeting a little before the end on the 27th so that I could get back to Columbia for my class the next day. It was nice to see lots of old friends at the meeting.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Urbana, Sept 12 - 14, 2008
I drove to Urbana on Friday evening to visit Harley, Amy and the kids.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Moose Jaw, Aug 30 - Sept 4, 2008
I flew to Regina were Brenda picked me up and drove me to the farm. We spent the next week getting most of the harvest finished. We had nice weather but several break-downs so we didn't quite finish. We had a very nice visit and plan to do it again next fall.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Washington DC, Aug 21 - 22, 2008
I made a quick trip into Washington to discuss our project with USDA.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Boise, Aug 2 - 8, 2008
I flew out to Boise to visit Sylvia, Jill and Scott.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Saskatchewan, June 17 - July 1, 2008
On Monday, June 17th I drove to Kansas City and flew to Saskatoon. I rented a car and drove to Moose Jaw. That weekend we celebrated Mom's 80th Birthday. On Sunday I returned to Saskatoon to attend the Community Development Society meetings in Saskatoon. The meetings wrapped up on Wednesday. I visited family in Saskatoon until Tuesday, July 1, when I flew home.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Washington DC, June 3 - 5, 2008
I travelled to Washington, DC with two colleagues to meet with personnel in USDA and their IT firm to discuss next steps in our program evaluation project. While meeting in Northern Virginia, a tornado pass through which knocked out electricity and blew a tree over onto a car in the parking lot outside the meeting room. We flew back on the 5th.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Des Moines, Iowa, May 13 - 14, 2008
On Tuesday May 13, I left work early and drove to Des Moines. I picked up my good friend Steve at the airport and we checked in at our hotel. Dan picked us up that evening and we went to dinner. On Wednesday Steve and I drove out to Perry Iowa where we participated in a workshop on biofuels that Dan had organized. There were a number of other old friends at the workshop as well as people I had not met before.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Brussels, May 5 - 8, 2008
On Monday May 5, I flew from Seattle, where I had spent the week visiting Sylvia and Jill, to Brussels for the wrap up meeting of my European research project. I arrived in Brussels on Tuesday, May 6. We met with EU Commision officials on May 7 and then I flew home on Thursday.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Seattle, May 2 - 5, 2008
On Friday I drove to Kansas City where I caught a flight to Seattle. Harley, Amy and the kids flew from Illinois. Because of bad weather in the mid-west we were all late arriving. On Saturday and Sunday we had a nice visit with Sylvia, Jill and Scott. We left on Monday morning. Harley and Amy returned to Illinois and I headed to Europe.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, April 21-25, 2008
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I was invited out to Truth or Consequences by the New Mexico Rural Alliance to take part in their annual Rural Forum. I flew out to El Paso, Texas where I was met and driven to Las Cruces. On Tuesday 22nd we drove to Truth or Consequences, the site of the 2008 New Mexico Rural Forum. I stayed at the Sierra Grand Lodge and Spa, an old hotel that dated back to the hayday of the hot spring resorts.
This year's Rural Forum was particularly interesting because on April 22 the county (Sierra) voted on an tax increase to contribute funds to the the development of infrastructure necessary to attract Space Port America to the region. Two out of three counties in the region had to vote for the tax in order for the state to support the initiative and Sierra voters approved the project. My presentation was the next day. Sierra voters approved the tax increase by a wide margin so the crowd was excited and lively. My presentation was on preparing for tomorrows economic development opportunities.
On Thursday we returned to Las Cruces, and on Friday I flew home from El Paso.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Hungary, March 2008
This was another trip to work on the rural development project with colleagues in Europe. I flew to Budapest where we were met and driven to the study area, west of the City.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
White Horse, Yukon, February 18 - 21
On February 18 I flew from Kansas City to Whitehorse, Yukon Territories in Canada for meetings of the Collaborative Communities project. Because of weather, I was routed through Las Vegas and was very late in arriving in Whitehorse. This is an interesting time to be in the North because it is the time of t
he shortest day length. Whitehorse has their annual Sourdough Rendevous Festival so there were a lot of people in town and lots of things going on.
he shortest day length. Whitehorse has their annual Sourdough Rendevous Festival so there were a lot of people in town and lots of things going on.Our meetings were with several representatives of local First Nations. We discussed strategies for regional cooperations for better government and economic development. After one session, a local native dance groups entertained us. After another, we met with young apprentice artists who were learning traditional native art forms.
In the evening after the meetings we went downtown
and took in some of the festivities including the Sourdough Queen contest, Sourdough Sam constest, and the famous Snow Shoe Shufflers.
and took in some of the festivities including the Sourdough Queen contest, Sourdough Sam constest, and the famous Snow Shoe Shufflers.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Seattle, Jan 27 - Feb 8, 2008
I flew out to Seattle to help Sylvia during Jill's bone marrow transplant operation. I had intended to stay just a week but Sylvia didn't recover from the donation procedure as fast as we had expected so I stayed a few more days. I am getting to know this part of Seattle (Union Lake) quite well given the amount of driving, and walking I have been doing in the area. It is a very interesting area, with lots of coffee shops and small restaurants.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Saskatchewan, Dec 27 - Jan 5, 2008
On the evening of Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day), Harley, Amy, the kids and I drove to Indianapolis and stayed at a hotel close to the airport. The next morning we flew to Saskatoon where we rented a car. We divided the next week between Saskatoon and Moose Jaw before flying home on January 5.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Urbana, Dec 23 - 27, 2007
I drove up to Urbana on Saturday to spend Christmas with Harley, Amy and the kids. We had a wonderful time getting ready for and then celebrating Christmas. On December 26th we drove to Indianapolis to start our trip to Canada.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Paris, Nov 24 - 28, 2007
From Seattle I flew to Paris to take part in a presentation by the TOPMARD group to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris. I arrived on the 25th and took the train to my hotel. The TOPMARD group met on the 26th and then on Tuesday 27th we made our presentation to the OECD. On the 28th I flew back to Missouri.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Seattle, Nov 21 - 24, 2007
On Wednesday 21st, I flew out to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with Sylvia and Jill. They had an apartment near the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. We had a nice visit and an almost traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Korea, October 21 - 28, 2007
From Champaigne, Illinois, I flew to Detroit and then to Tokyo. After a short layover, I flew on to Seoul, Korea arriving late on Monday 22nd where I was picked up by a former graduate student. I was hosted by the Korean Rural Economics Institute.
I stayed in a traditional guest house with rice paper walls and no windows, sliding doors and no furniture. I gave two lectures, and had numerous meetings with researchers. They took me on a one day tour of a valley which specialized in red
peppers. On Saturday, Dr. Choi took me on a tour of tourism and agri-tourism businesses near Seoul, including two Buddhist monasteries, and two agri-tourism villages. On Sunday I returned to Champaigne, spent the night, and then drove home on Monday.
I stayed in a traditional guest house with rice paper walls and no windows, sliding doors and no furniture. I gave two lectures, and had numerous meetings with researchers. They took me on a one day tour of a valley which specialized in red
peppers. On Saturday, Dr. Choi took me on a tour of tourism and agri-tourism businesses near Seoul, including two Buddhist monasteries, and two agri-tourism villages. On Sunday I returned to Champaigne, spent the night, and then drove home on Monday.Monday, October 22, 2007
Urbana, October 19 - 21, 2007
On Friday, I drove up to Urbana to visit Harley, Amy and the kids.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Kansas City, Missouri, Oct 18 - 19, 2007
I drove over to Kansas City on the 18th to attend a conference on entrepreneurship. The conference was held at the beautiful Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Washington DC, October 10 - 11, 2007
I flew to DC to attend the USDA Secretary's annual Award Ceremony. Our team was honored with the Secretary's Group Award for Excellence for our work developing their benefit assessment system.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Norway, September 23 - October 3, 2007
This was another of my Multifunctionality project study area visits. I flew to Oslo arriving on Monday 24th. On Tuesday I went to the Norwegian Agricultural Economics Research Institute (NILF) where I presented a paper on US agricultural policy. Following the seminar, my friend John and I left for the west. We first drove to Skien where we stopped by the home of a possible descendant of my GGG Grandfather Morton Schwartz. Then we drove to our hotel in Seljord. In the morning (26th) I found a geocache and then drove to Bo, where my GG Grandmother attended college in t
he 1840s. John and I then continued west to Norheimsund where our meetings were. Our meetings ran from the evening of the 26th through the 28th. On Saturday 29th we went on a field trip to the study area. On the 30th, John, Karen and I sailed southwest from Norheimsund on the fjord. By evening we came to a small village on the southern shore of the fjord where we tied and spent the night. The next day we slowly s
ailed back to the marina in Norheimsund. We winterized the boat and then spent the night. The next morning we finished winterizing and then drove the northern route back to Oslo. As we crossed the divide, we came very close to glaciers. We arrived in Oslo late that evening. In the morning (3rd) I flew home.
he 1840s. John and I then continued west to Norheimsund where our meetings were. Our meetings ran from the evening of the 26th through the 28th. On Saturday 29th we went on a field trip to the study area. On the 30th, John, Karen and I sailed southwest from Norheimsund on the fjord. By evening we came to a small village on the southern shore of the fjord where we tied and spent the night. The next day we slowly s
ailed back to the marina in Norheimsund. We winterized the boat and then spent the night. The next morning we finished winterizing and then drove the northern route back to Oslo. As we crossed the divide, we came very close to glaciers. We arrived in Oslo late that evening. In the morning (3rd) I flew home. Monday, August 20, 2007
Saskatchewan, Aug 3 - 17, 2007
Next was my trip to Saskatoon. I flew from Champaign to Saskatoon on August 3. I spent the first week in Saskatoon, then drove to Moose Jaw for the second week. On the 11th we celebrated Mom's 80th birthday.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Urbana, July 31 - August 3, 2007
I drove up on the evening of the 31st to be there for Harley's birthday. He and Elise were just returning that evening from Cleveland. We visited and worked in there yard until Friday August 3 when they left for Colorado and I left for Saskatchewan.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Spain, June 21 - July 9, 2007
I left Brussels on the morning of June 21. I took the high-speed train to Paris, then a slower train to Montpellier, and finally a slower train still to Barcelona. I arrive in Barcelona about 11:00 that evening. The trip was great. I was able to enjoy the scenery, get a little work done, and relax. I checked into a dorm room on the campus of the University of Barcelona.
On Saturday I met Bob and Mary Annis. We purchased tickets to a tour bus of Barcelona which allowed us to get off and on the bus as often as we wished. We had lunch on the wharf over looking the Mediterranean, stopped to view several Antonio Gaudi buildings including the Sagrada Familia Cathedral that has been under construction for 125 years. That evening I had dinner with a group of students and faculty that had arrived early for the summer institute.
On Sunday Judy Stallmann joined Bob, Mary and I and we toured Barcelona some more. We spend much of the day at
the Park Guell which Gaudi 
originally planned to be a housing development, but which became a public park. We visited the Gaudi museum. That evening we had the opening reception for the summer institute.
On Monday we visited the Canadian Consulate in Barcelona, and local goverment agencies. Then we took a bus up to Solsona, on the southern edge of the Pyrenees Mountains. The students checked into a Seminario on a hill
over looking Solsona while the faculty checked into one of two hotels downtown. Solsona is a historical, walled city with a population of less than 10,000.
For the next two weeks the International Comparative Rural Policy Studies summer institute was held in and around Solsona. Classes were held every morning, ending about 2 or 3, sometimes in the seminario, and other days at a local forestry college. We took several field trips to visit local rural development projects. Most of these were agro-tourism or organic food production. During these field trips we visited Busa Mountain, Cardona Castle, Alinyà Mountain, Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l´Obac. On Saturday, July 7 we took our final field trip, ending up in Barcelona, at the University of Barcelona dorms again
.
On July 8 I took an early flight back to Missouri.
On Saturday I met Bob and Mary Annis. We purchased tickets to a tour bus of Barcelona which allowed us to get off and on the bus as often as we wished. We had lunch on the wharf over looking the Mediterranean, stopped to view several Antonio Gaudi buildings including the Sagrada Familia Cathedral that has been under construction for 125 years. That evening I had dinner with a group of students and faculty that had arrived early for the summer institute.On Sunday Judy Stallmann joined Bob, Mary and I and we toured Barcelona some more. We spend much of the day at
the Park Guell which Gaudi 
originally planned to be a housing development, but which became a public park. We visited the Gaudi museum. That evening we had the opening reception for the summer institute.On Monday we visited the Canadian Consulate in Barcelona, and local goverment agencies. Then we took a bus up to Solsona, on the southern edge of the Pyrenees Mountains. The students checked into a Seminario on a hill
over looking Solsona while the faculty checked into one of two hotels downtown. Solsona is a historical, walled city with a population of less than 10,000.For the next two weeks the International Comparative Rural Policy Studies summer institute was held in and around Solsona. Classes were held every morning, ending about 2 or 3, sometimes in the seminario, and other days at a local forestry college. We took several field trips to visit local rural development projects. Most of these were agro-tourism or organic food production. During these field trips we visited Busa Mountain, Cardona Castle, Alinyà Mountain, Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l´Obac. On Saturday, July 7 we took our final field trip, ending up in Barcelona, at the University of Barcelona dorms again
.
On July 8 I took an early flight back to Missouri.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Brussels, June 17 - 21, 2007
I flew to Brussels to attend a committee meeting of the multifunctionality project. I arrive on the 18th, we met on the 19th and 20th. On the 21st I left for Barcelona.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Boise, May 25 - May 30, 2007
I was supposed to travel to the Yukon for meetings of the Collaborative Community Project, but because of delays in processing my passport, I was unable to travel. I had planned to combine this with a trip to Boise, so I took a personal trip and flew to Boise on May 25. I had a nice visit with Sylvia, Jill and Scott. We did some geocaching and took a trip up into the mountains. On May 30, I flew home.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Raleigh, North Carolina, May 14 - 16, 2007
On Monday, May 14 I flew to Raleigh to attend a meeting of our Appalachian Regional Commission evaluation study. We met most of the day on Tuesday. I headed home that evening but the final leg of my flight was cancelled and I spent the night in Indianapolis. I got home mid-day on Wednesday.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Latina, Italy, April 17 - 22, 2007
On Tuesday April 17 I flew to Rome, arriving on the morning of the 18th. I was picked up and taken to our meeting hotel in Norma, a village up in the mountains overlooking Latina.
Our meetings were held on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday we took a bus tour of rural Latina. We visited a water buffalo dairy, an 
organic goat dairy, a pumping station which keeps the water levels down in the area of land reclaimed from the Mediterranean Sea, an historical museum which describes life in the area before and after reclamation, and during World War two. 
organic goat dairy, a pumping station which keeps the water levels down in the area of land reclaimed from the Mediterranean Sea, an historical museum which describes life in the area before and after reclamation, and during World War two. 
On Sunday I flew back to Missouri.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Ames, Iowa, April 9 - 10, 2007
On Tuesday April 9 I drove from Urbana to Ames to take part in a conference on Bioenergy.
Urbana, April 7 - 9, 2007
On Saturday April 7 I drove to Urbana to celebrate Elise's 4th birthday. Her party was on Saturday afternoon at a community center in downtown Urbana. I had an opportunity to visit with Rob and Robyn Wagoner before they left for home on Sunday morning. I stayed until mid-day Monday before leaving for a conference in Ames, Iowa.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Caceres, Spain, March 20 - 25, 2007
On Tuesday, March 20 I left for Spain arriving in Madrid on Wednesday. We took a bus about 3 hours South West to the historic town of Caceres in the province of Extramadura. The conference was held on Thursday and Friday. 
It was opened by Prince Felipe of Asturias.
I spoke on the role of infrastructure, especially information and communication technology on rural development. 
On Friday evening we were treated to an evening of entertainment by the town of Caceres. On Saturday we were taken on a tour of innovative rural development projects in the area. I returned to Madrid Saturday evening and flew home on Sunday. 
It was opened by Prince Felipe of Asturias.
I spoke on the role of infrastructure, especially information and communication technology on rural development. 
On Friday evening we were treated to an evening of entertainment by the town of Caceres. On Saturday we were taken on a tour of innovative rural development projects in the area. I returned to Madrid Saturday evening and flew home on Sunday. 
