Happy Memories

[Ian Mackenzie]

Well its just gone 12 months since my holiday to the Ú.S.A where I was lucky enough to meet some of our key members, Bo, The Widget, John Nebel and Robert.

I always wanted to see a bit of the U.S.A and after many emails and phone chats with Bo who was very kind to provide detailed measurements of his JBL 4345's arrangements were made to stay with Bo on the first leg of my journey.

One of the most memorable experience was the plane coming into land at SF Intl airport and thinking hey is this for real?..am I really here and then meeting Bo at the arrivals lounge....I was over whelmed! This guy has the most dry sense of humour you can imagine, but I tell you he is one of the most articulate and generous people I have met.

So I stayed in Ca about a week and it was a real whirlwind.

After a good nights sleep Bo and Suz took me into the city for a tour around town....wow I was blown away. We then met up with the Widget and his wife for lunch and went back to The Widget Works to enjoy some music and later dinner out.

Another memorable moment was my driving lesson with Bo and Suz "The how to" drive on the right side of the road lesson.....that was a hoot! It was scary at first but I got the hang of it and Suz was very helpful in giving me directions for all my day trips....what a lady!

I actually drove all the way up on Hwy 80 to visit my friends at Passlabs. I thought I was going to freak out with the driving over the Bay bridge but it was actually pretty cool. I stayed over in Forest Hill with Kent English (Passlabs Rushmore designer). Kent is a very interesting guy, very reserved and quiet but he does like his hifi! Neslon Pass on the other hand is a bit of a a party animal, he's a kind of unassuming & typically SF casual and I should point out he has a keen nose for a fine Red and he adores hifi. Neslon has been known to hire a limo and go all the way into SF for a night out with his friends...why do things by half's!

From Forest Hill I then went up the Sierra's to Squaw Valley and then over to Lake Tahoe, across to Grass Valley, the Emerald Gold Mine and then back to SF. By the end of that road trip I was a little bit more confident with the driving...!


Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

I then did a few day trips and I recall the 17 mile drive around Carmel as a bit of a highlight.

At one time Clint Eastwood was Mayor of Carmel, anyway I got the impression it was a fairly classy place and has a nice golf course...if you can afford to pay for 9 holes! I also stopped by Montery...nice.

One thing I learnt fairly quickly was on the road maps its all in miles. But when I was estimating my drive time I was thinking I was kilometres so I was late getting back to home base a couple of times.

Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

What would a trip to SF be without visiting Alcatraz! It was a bit creepy inside and boy there's some stories to be told about being locked up in there. The views of SF and the Golden Gate bridge are impressive.

When I got back on shore I did the scenic walk up to the Coit Tower. Its a great view up there. Anyone remember the chase scene in The Bullet?

The week went quickly and we I went over to Apple Jacks for a gig Bo had arranged on the weekend....that was funny..I'll leave those pics another time.

So it was good bye to SF ...Thankyou Bo & Suz.

Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

From SF it was off to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.

I really liked Las Vegas but a short visit was enough.

Now the plane ride down to the Grand Canyon was interesting. The pilot, a young polish woman kind of warmed to me...it must be that "shirt"...she was cute.

I found something almost spiritual about standing on the edge looking at the views of the Grand Canyon...a must see. There are a number of different tours you can do, even a barbi on the Canyon floor via helecopter!

Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

From there I went to Denver, its was about 80 F on my arrival and then there was a cold snap...it snowed two days later. I meet John and Mary I stayed with John a couple of days. John took me on a detailed tour of his ISP offices and we went for a drive up to Esters Park.

I forget the label but we had some rather strong beers while doing listening comparisons with the 4343 & 4435's...I wonder if Don got similar treatment. It will be interesting to hear Don's comments on the 4343 vs 4435? It was the perfect stop over on my route to New England....Thankyou John.

Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

From Denver I flew over to Albany and stayed with Claire, a family friend in Schenectady NY for a few days. This picture was taken in the Stockade, an older part of Schenectady and here also is a shot of one of the homes in the GE plot.

From there I went into Boston with Clinton and picked up a hire car and stayed over in Salem. While obviously a tourist destination I found the historical aspects of the region quite interesting...this was the beginning my American natural history lesson. I then drove down around the coast through Lynn to Cape Cod and stayed at Skacket Beach which is about midway up the Cape.

Here is the Cape Cod Lighthouse....It was recently relocated some 30 metre or so back from the cliff edge was a result of erosion.

Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

By this time I was moderately confident with the driving so I thought I would drive back up to Boston for a look see.

So I booked in at Buckmaster hotel (West End) over the phone and the hotel reservation guy was kind enough to give me some helpful road directions.

Boston is some ways like my home city Melbourne..conservative. But the span of cultural divserity across the U.S.A was what really got me.

The Duck tour was a great way to see the city (via the river) and the Freedom Trail Tour around the city....more natural history. Here is the city skyline and the Old State House (from memory) and Harvard Law School.

I then stayed over with Clinton in Miton and took a tour of the Adams family home in Miton before catching the Amtrak to NY city.

I missed the train as I keep missing the turn of for West Milton....my only stuff up and so I got into NY about 6.00 pm..peak hour!

Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

On arrival at Pen Station I walked over to Long Island railroad and caught the train out to meet Robert. This was New York...busy..It was kind of odd...I was the only white guy in the carriage and I had absolutely know idea where I was going! Anyway the Dude's were quite helpful and let me know what station to get off...

So I finally made it to see Robert....we got to know each other when working on the passive Eq for the 2344 horns. We listened to his system over a few beers till the early hours.

One thing that got me was..everyone would say to me...hey man does that sound right? I mean hello ....how would I know?...What would some aussie from down under know..beats me.

But Robert's system was the bee's knees..he has shares in Crown and his diy 4 way Ti is sweet. I stayed with Robert and his wife Izza over the weekend and we went into NY city for a pub crawl, we looked around Midtown and went up the Empire State Building....its a big place! We also toured around Jones Breach and Fire Island........fantastic place.....we must get Robert to post a picture of his yacht when he' got it in the water.

We both got a touch of sun burn......

I will have to visit NY again...so much to see and do..Thank you Robert.



Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

What trip to the U.S.A would be complete without seeing Washington.

Lots of memorials, museums and places of interest.

To me Washington has an aura of power.

On I recall the 3rd day I was there I was taking a picture of the White House and The President flew in and landed on the lawn.....that was a surprise.

Unfortunately there are no tours of the White House after 9/11 but I did manage to tour the Capitol Building..

So that was basically a month, lots of fun, a few laughs with some great friends and an amazing cultural experience.

I'll be back.....

Ian

[Audiobeer]

Damn! I'm wish I could retrace your footsteps! Sounds and looks like you had one hell of a memorable vacation!

[Titanium Dome]

Great narrative and pictures. It is a great country to visit, even for those of us who live here.

Just one gripe: where's the picture of Robert's 4-way Ti system? How can you mention it and not show it to me--I mean us?

[Ian Mackenzie]

Well it was only partly planned but all the stuff I did in MS was on the spurr of the moment it all just fell into place.

The culture thing is good though...the folks in CA are more up beat and go getter, in Denver/Boulder more laid back and more conservative over in MS. NY is different again...very down to earth.

I think next time I will hire a pickup truck and drive around Montana!

You guys if you get the chance should come across the Pond for a look see!

Ian

[Ian Mackenzie]

I don't recall taking a shot of the 4 ways sorry.

But it was all good..when it comes to diy speakers Robert has really got it down pat...that's why I couldn't figure being asked ...."well whata ya think Ian" .

By that stage I'd heard Bo's system, John's wall of sound. But I do like the finesse of that Ti system. Maybe Robert will post a close up of his Babies.

Ian

[Titanium Dome]

I think next time I will hire a pickup truck and drive around Montana!

You guys if you get the chance should come across the Pond for a look see!

Ian

I remember Montana as vast, beautiful, eternally windy, and quite steamy.

I met my GF in Great Falls, MT in a restaurant/bar where we were both drinking Long Island Iced Teas and she couldn't find her way to the ladies room (or anywhere else, since she was mostly on the floor). The rest of the evening, as they say, is history.

Thank goodness we both lived in SoCal or that might have been it.

I'd love to bring her to Australia and repeat history. Do you guys make Long Islands there? Or what is your inhibition eliminator?

[Ian Mackenzie]

Oh yeah sure we do.


Ian