My interest in espionage, the CIA, and military intelligence work never waned, although marriage, education, kids and my profession all took precedence during the following years.

 In 1977 I embarked on a mission to further my understanding of two more interests I’d only day-dreamed about; The Holy Land and archaeology. My wife Nancy Egner (deceased 1994) surprised me with a tour package for my birthday. I tried several times in the following months to talk her into going with me but Nancy opted to look after our two young children not wanting to burden relatives with that task for two weeks.

The plane full of tourists, including me, landed in Amman, Jordan after dark on October 17, 1977. We were ushered to our hotel with orders from our guide to get some rest so we’d be ready for a busy day of sight-seeing. I tried to take a shower but the pressure was nonexistent. I tried to sleep but was too excited. I was hungry but the hotel wasn’t a Marriott, not even close and as far as I could see out my fourth story window there was not a neon sign advertising food and drink anywhere. I learned to adapt. More tomorrow.