When Bernie and I began traveling together as newlyweds, it was a work in progress, so we played it safe. With more experience, we became more confident and adventurous.

Bernie started out as a street artist, sketching first, but soon working in watercolors. Both attracted chatty audiences. He enjoyed meeting local people, and in the Spanish-speaking countries, they gave us plenty of language practice.

I wasn’t much into photography then. My mother had given me her old camera that she’d hauled all over Europe in the ’50s. (See her photos in Part I.) I struggled with it through the ’70s but ultimately did learn to use it. Every shot in this section was made with that manual-everything Argus and “slow” (fine-grain) Kodachrome film, all of which I’ve restored via the magic of Photoshop. I’m grateful to have them now.

Hover your cursor over any image on this site to learn more about it.

Trip #1: CALIFORNIA, APRIL

▲For a spring-break getaway week, we flew to L.A., rented a car, and drove the coastal highway approximately 700 miles north to the giant redwoods, and then back. Despite the heavy shadows, I’m glad to have this photo.

TRIP #2: MEXICO & GUATEMALA, JUNE

▲Bernie in Acapulco.  ▼Me in Taxco.

MEXICO & GUATEMALA, JUNE continued

▼▼▼ Whether sketching or painting on the street, Bernie always drew a crowd. The little kids in Guanajuato were delightful, as were the college students, whom we really enjoyed chatting with.

▲▼ In Acapulco, we found a sweet-and-pretty resort and a nearly empty, clean beach. At that time, it was popular with Mexicans but still mostly undiscovered by Americans. We were very lucky to be there then.