The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 49

Des Moines Sunday Register Metro Edition Sunday, December 5, 2010 Page 3E lowans on the go Submit your travel stories and photos by e-mail to travel editor Ellen Modersohn at emodersodmreg.com. XlW i-, 141 Sefion Park The Beatles, left to right, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. ASSOCIATED PRESS 1 1W Walkina inthekosyr Immj mf V- ootsteos While exploring the sites of Liverpool, a traveler is reminded the city could be the fifth Beatle My dp a By DONNA S. PARSONS Special to the Register 1 "it LIFE "FRANCE S.w, "'tu APRL 80VE. Als Doris 81 Ys i he Beatles are celebrated as the most innovative, influential band in history.

Although playing in the Hamburg clubs honed their sound and retreating to EMI Studios in London brought about the mesmerizing Sgt. Pepper album, it was in Liverpool where the Beatles acquired their steely strength and inner fortitude. Exploring Liverpool's city center and surrounding suburbs aids Beatles fans' understanding of how this environment shaped the fab four as individuals and do you want to have your picture taken?" Without a pause I said "Strawberry Field." Back on a bus we went. We alighted on Menlove Avenue and walked to Beaconsfield Road where we found the red wrought iron gates. The surrounding cement pillars contain messages left by adoring Beatles fans.

We wandered past the entrance to Calderstones Park, looked through the iron gates at what had been Quarry Bank Grammar School, and headed to Smithdown Road where we found the buildings mentioned in "Penny Lane." After taking pictures of the shelter in the roundabout, the barber shop, the bank and St. Barnabas Church we headed down Penny Lane in search of John and George's Dovedale Junior School. Friday's highlight was the National Trust tour of John and Paul's home. The driver took 16 people to John's home at 251 Menlove Ave. where the custodian talked about John's childhood, his life at "Mendips," and then allowed visitors to take pictures in front of the house.

as iefi) Wars influenced their music. I left London's Euston Station on a sunny July morning and arrived at the Liverpool Lime Street Station a couple hours later. A taxi took me to Liverpool Hope University where I had booked a room in a residence hall. The next morning I rode the 75E bus into the city center and bought a ticket for the Friday morning National Trust tour of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's homes. Liverpool's city center features many sites associated with the Beatles.

You can listen to bands in the replica Cavern Club on Mathew Street, drink coffee in Ye Cracke or the Jacaranda as John and his art college friends did in the late 1950s, or Inside, the custodian discussed the significance of each room and let us explore the house. The McCartneys moved to 20 Forthlin Road in 1955, and John and Paul wrote many of their early songs in the front room. The custodian shared stories about Paul's life in this house. My favorite i 'It, 1 J' 1 Jl SCOTUN, 9 i North a ENGLAND was that of Jim McCartney locking the doors when his sons missed their curfew. Gaining entry then involved shin-nying up the drainpipe and climbing in through the bathroom window.

On Saturday morning, armed with my "A-Z Liverpool" guide I headed to St. Peter's Church. Once there I opened the ireIano Liverpool WALK Lonaon c. Strawimry field. stare at the Town Hall balcony where the Beatles greeted their fans after their 1964 triumphal tours of America and Australia.

On Thursday morning I met my friend Quita, a magistrate from Shropshire, at the train station. Every summer we spend a day catching up on news, wandering around museums and exploring a particular city's history. This summer she agreed to help me find lesser known Beatles sites. I had already seen 12 Arnold Grove where Harrison was born. I wanted to walk around Speke and find 25 Upton Green where he had lived during the Beatles' formative years.

It was well over a 30 minute bus ride to Speke and on the way we passed the Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Not only did THE REGISTER I Details WHO: Donna S. Parsons HOMETOWN: Iowa City DESTINATION: Liverpool, England TRIP DATES: July 3-13 DESTINATION BEST FOR: Beatles fans of all ages gate and walked around the cemetery. It didn't take to long to spot the grave-stone of Eleanor Rigby "the beloved wife of Thomas Woods" and the heroine of McCartney's song. But I didn't come to the church just to pay my respects to Eleanor.

It was at the annual fete on July 6, 1957, that the Quarry Men played two sets. Afterward, Lennon and his band headed to the Church Hall across the street where Paul McCartney was introduced to John Lennon, and the dream began. Saturday was Beatle Day in Liverpool. Live bands played throughout the day at the Cavern Club and at Zeligs Restaurant. At the latter I listened to the Liverpool Ukelele Orchestra performing covers of Beatles songs.

After lunch it was time to explore Ringo's childhood turf in the Dingle. Ringo was born at 9 Madryn St. The houses on this side of the block were boarded up and awaiting demolition. When Ringo was a toddler his mother moved down the road and across the street to 10 Admiral Grove. She lived there until Ringo's fame forced her to re-locate.

Sunday morning was devoted to another long walk. I kept finding myself drawn to the Penny Lane area. This time I looked for sites on the outer perimeter such as the fire station on Mather Avenue, John's first home at 9 Newcastle Road, and Cynthia Lennon's flat at 93 Garmoyle Road. On Monday I went to the White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon exhibition. Besides many family photographs, birth records, and letters, the exhibit also features the cape John wore for his portable Grundig tape recorder, gold discs for singles and albums, and the bracelets with his Rishikesh mantra engraved on them.

The most inspiring item for me was Paul's lyric sheet for "Hey Jude." Having spent the week walking in the Beatles' footsteps reminded me that this northern, industrial city has every reason to be considered the fifth Beatle. we locate George's house, but we also found two that McCartney had lived in prior to moving to 20 Forthlin Road. During lunch we plotted our afternoon route, determined by my response to the question: "Where Taiii-ujuiwi i iim 5 i'. i i i i -nt, i iiis jp Ramada 3f i I. Host your next Family Party with us! Cdll today and ask about our F3irthday Party Packages, CONFERENCE CENTER 1- Family Reunions and 1 fti Holiday Parties All Served with Lots of Water! 515-278-0271 ramadatropicsre9ort.com 5000 Maria Hay Road Pae Moinsa, IA 50322 1 66 all NEW guest rooms Pool side tiki bar and suites with free Conference Center for wireless internet sma t0 arge events Indoor water park with Castaways Bar and Grill five slides, pirate ship, Treasure Chest lap pool and hot tub Gift Shop v.

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