Letters: He set off to see Junípero Serra’s birthplace in Spain

Thank you, Father Serra

Christopher Reynolds’ wonderful coverage of the California missions [“21 Journeys,” Sept. 7] evoked memories of being both a project-making fourth-grader (in the ‘40s) and an inquisitive traveler (all my life).

While serving in the military in Germany during the mid-1950s, I took a leave with friends to France and Spain. From Barcelona, we flew to Majorca, where I rented a motor scooter in Palma and navigated the 28-mile partially paved road to the town of Petra, Father Junípero Serra’s birthplace.

With a limited command of Spanish, I was able to convey to a young local that I was from California and wanted to see Serra’s birthplace and church. I was successful in doing both.

This first adventure resulted in my having the good fortune to travel to all seven continents and more than 100 countries. I’m still at it and always looking for a new experience in travel.

Jim Morrow

Culver City

Off to see the bears — or not

Huge thanks for the exciting, informative article and pictures of the bears of Katmai and Brooks River. [“Alaska: Reality Is Not a Show,” by Chris Reynolds, Aug. 31].

I’m part of a huge cadre of folks who watch the bears live on the Explore.org webcams, and though we see a lot of real-time action, the artistry and perspective of Mark Boster’s photos and Reynolds’ engaging and informative narrative made the Brooks River environment come to life in a way that was actually richer, and felt more intimate and immersive than even the live action of the cams.

I’m sure there are those who will not be happy with the exposure this article will give the Brooks River and its bears. Many of us cherish the idea that it is somehow safe from the overrunning crowds of other national parks because it has until recently been under the radar, though steadily gaining in popularity, in part due to live cams.

However, those of us who for various reasons may never get to visit Brooks and see the bears in person will undoubtedly appreciate and revel in the experience Reynolds’ article and the accompanying photos and video have provided. I have a foot in both camps, but I’m leaning just a bit more to the latter because of the reason noted.

Thanks again for an outstanding piece. You have made my day and probably that of many other dedicated bear watchers on the Explore.org team.

Pamela Matsumoto

Via email

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A letter writer about Alaska closes by saying that traveling to see bears catch fish probably isn’t a good use of one’s energy, especially since there are many nature shows on TV with better views [“First Time in Alaska?,” Sept. 7]. Nature shows do get one up close, closer than a traveler will normally get to wildlife.

But taking this reasoning a step further, between nature shows and travelogues, there really isn’t much reason to travel anywhere. This view leaves out the entire experience of travel, including the opportunity to interact with other cultures and to see and feel nature in 360 degrees, rather than watching on a small screen in one’s living room and interacting with no one other than one’s family.

Ed Schoch

Westchester

Traveling with a person with memory loss

Regarding traveling with people with memory loss: I strongly recommend traveling with a clear photo of the person with memory problems. If your loved one wanders, you can share this with tour guides, police or just people who want to help. After boarding a cruise, my husband “disappeared.” The ship purser made multiple copies of his photo and distributed them to the ship staff. He was found within a few minutes, having pizza in the ship’s café. What a relief.

Helen Leven

Redondo Beach