tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13557456246125115292024-03-12T20:49:18.233-07:00Jet Blue Adventure!This blog is dedicated to the JetBlue all-you-can fly adventure I've decided to undertake. The purpose of the trip is to build my Photography Portfolio, which you'll eventually be able to see at www.danielgainescreative.com ... so until then, you'll see a few pics, and a few of my thoughts as I go along. Hope you enjoy :).Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-28084473255572350152009-10-29T13:18:00.000-07:002009-11-03T18:10:07.679-08:00Reflections....<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtVmA_bF5HNHa3CdQB99lbE74nhM3oVF54uIKwo79k9JQ58tCSD5dVYuJFiZ1argzPG51gOXILkh5qLpnRDELtHt0BNth8isvetpfZ9v9_kiV3fXe5J3HWicp7mDxmuW3RTDWKQta9pU/s1600-h/Maymont4.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lEspUOQhLaaz5UBcXWXGAuIrUI1xNUi2EIORgkqG1wKYs9uFlgxRkKC3KLBtRL6QqWZ9r3sRk8NbVLKdiAxCFLCQbsha9C2HxQgs9Ey0AoU58Gm2rVWwu4yAbjEsHGJDToj-U0Rn7Tk/s1600-h/WW1Mem.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lEspUOQhLaaz5UBcXWXGAuIrUI1xNUi2EIORgkqG1wKYs9uFlgxRkKC3KLBtRL6QqWZ9r3sRk8NbVLKdiAxCFLCQbsha9C2HxQgs9Ey0AoU58Gm2rVWwu4yAbjEsHGJDToj-U0Rn7Tk/s320/WW1Mem.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400028886310005138" /></a><br /><div>Greetings.... </div><div><br /></div><div>So it's been over a week since my return and a lot of people have asked me, "where was your favorite place on your trip?", and "what would you have done differently?". I got a couple "what have you learned?", and even... "you were gone??" ;-).</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought I'd recap my trip by sharing a few thoughts I have had as I reflected on the time and how I spent it. I'd also like to post a few more pictures from the last week spent in Richmond, Virginia, and by sharing one of my favorite pics from each destination.... hope you enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div>First, I would like to thank Jet Blue for such an incredible offer, and truly hope that they decide to do it again. At a reception they held for Jet-Passers in the JFK airport, I talked to a Jet Blue staffer that said they are planning on the promotion again, but may change it up a bit. Can't wait to see what they decide!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll start out by saying that I would DEFINITELY do it again. No question. I would, however have changed a few things: </div><div><br /></div><div>1) I would've had transportation a little better laid out. For example, with the frequent rains and limited bus routes in the Bahamas, I felt a bit constricted while I was there. A car would have made a big difference, and I'd recommend the same to anyone planning to go...even if its for vacation.</div><div><br /></div><div>2) I would have packed less. I didn't <i>over</i> pack, per se, but I certainly could have gotten by with a lot less than I brought. Hard to pack for 3-4 weeks:). </div><div><br /></div><div>3) While I didn't have a ton of time to plan (only 2 weeks between booking the JetPass and departure), I would have tried to squeeze more planning in. Specifically, logistics of where to go while at each destination. I wanted to keep it fairly loose, and could still have done that, but a little more research before-hand could have let me capture some things I feel like I missed.</div><div><br /></div><div>4) I would have changed some duration-of stay decisions (such as less Bahamas, more Puerto Rico). Having said that, I couldn't have really known that ahead of time. I feel like I just took a scouting trip of sorts. Where would I go back? Yes. ;) I'd go back to pretty much every destination... in fact, I hope to. The only significant change I'd make is Bahamas. I would make sure to get to one or more of the other islands besides New Providence, where Nassau is located.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you all know, I made the trip alone. For those of you that know me, this really isn't a problem... I am a bit of an introvert, and enjoy time on my own. Plus, it wasn't a vacation, so having the ability to pick up and go when I needed, change plans on a dime, etc. was helpful. I have to admit, though, there were occasions when some company would have been nice. . . and while I did meet a handful of interesting people along way, there is nothing like the company of someone who knows you. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, it was an amazing trip. I'm fortunate to have been able to take it, and glad I could share a bit of it with all of you!</div><div><br /></div><div>And now on to some pictures.... I'll start with Richmond, VA, and then I'll move on to a pick from each of my destinations. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uN2DpSbnzR5zxR5LccE172oVwsL7IKAGVJa7wvYDNaWp81SlluZIcXczxAsSHKxQ9ggB7_GUvtvTi2fZCufIXfVxcxITpxkU0HUAKJWTrtWelYwGRTWBq8AuuJzYLhM4YB9nfATG_S0/s320/WW1Mem2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400032640693722370" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><div>Richmond is a neat town. The capital of Virginia, it's not a small town, but it doesn't have a metropolitan feel to it, even in the downtown area. If you want the metro-feel, Washington, DC is a quick hour and a half up the road. Richmond is a Southern city. By that, I mean it has a distinct culture, one that has a lot more in common with other southern cities such as Charlotte, Atlanta, Raleigh and the like. People are generally friendly, there is a much slower pace than you find in Northern VA or DC, and though not a major metro area, there is plenty of culture, recreation, and entertainment. Of course I've mentioned before, one of my favorite things about Richmond is it's location. You can be in the mountains, at the beach, or in the city (DC), each within an hour and a 1/2. </div><div><br /></div><div>The following are shots taken in and around Richmond, from downtown parks to suburban farmer's markets... let me know what you think!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtVmA_bF5HNHa3CdQB99lbE74nhM3oVF54uIKwo79k9JQ58tCSD5dVYuJFiZ1argzPG51gOXILkh5qLpnRDELtHt0BNth8isvetpfZ9v9_kiV3fXe5J3HWicp7mDxmuW3RTDWKQta9pU/s1600-h/Maymont4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtVmA_bF5HNHa3CdQB99lbE74nhM3oVF54uIKwo79k9JQ58tCSD5dVYuJFiZ1argzPG51gOXILkh5qLpnRDELtHt0BNth8isvetpfZ9v9_kiV3fXe5J3HWicp7mDxmuW3RTDWKQta9pU/s320/Maymont4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400028905565168402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maymont Mansion</div></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCMLYFq4l1l_ltTwm21eXngfD55nNcgW4lEsnhNRzAaPwMvmfQq-FbHryzYb9o4-V7v_vbDljpGuZNlYaeIz65HS-MEvlF_SrUKVZu5c5VeqFTjTi3MnjHIyYftCfqJGz8ZsNFRbtPCQ/s1600-h/Maymont3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCMLYFq4l1l_ltTwm21eXngfD55nNcgW4lEsnhNRzAaPwMvmfQq-FbHryzYb9o4-V7v_vbDljpGuZNlYaeIz65HS-MEvlF_SrUKVZu5c5VeqFTjTi3MnjHIyYftCfqJGz8ZsNFRbtPCQ/s320/Maymont3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400028893545286050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Magnolia</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOE86yUD3y9qyrycQUE7YqNBhaRVaq7YdZixY9LGpthcFO9OsOhDYxEtqoux-YzU7yw2rQZI50gpaBytMC23hv_ocMr4ZnfR-sLvF4t-OatYVM6tJKbrfwQ7WHUG-isIHEKgB2I6pbiQ/s1600-h/Monarch.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOE86yUD3y9qyrycQUE7YqNBhaRVaq7YdZixY9LGpthcFO9OsOhDYxEtqoux-YzU7yw2rQZI50gpaBytMC23hv_ocMr4ZnfR-sLvF4t-OatYVM6tJKbrfwQ7WHUG-isIHEKgB2I6pbiQ/s320/Monarch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400030032059246866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Monarch</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPIn83-ygUXikO48aS1BFQuqyU1uuR203QOakEvJkJIRvtsB0wD-Ro_WS7Y8MUYIGlcX8ltUxhQbqTiIPY1YK7cVG5J-H6t8YSubCNr2fBxSpn200M7anrvwCaIBe2ozYaWNDqsy8VUM/s1600-h/MaymontSunset.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJPIn83-ygUXikO48aS1BFQuqyU1uuR203QOakEvJkJIRvtsB0wD-Ro_WS7Y8MUYIGlcX8ltUxhQbqTiIPY1YK7cVG5J-H6t8YSubCNr2fBxSpn200M7anrvwCaIBe2ozYaWNDqsy8VUM/s320/MaymontSunset.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400030026930989058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Maymont Sunset</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiML6Hk762L9qJpDvVmI0_Znj4nTbXD3qF4tYwHQ1OBgMxf8dV_SO2tU5M8gvuD5SrPgOWF7ssMyGrW8RYS8mA2mpxFLZzMyw3usmsRLkKK_fn0huV2xSRC6JT7jeXr8hA0s1nLbtV7OI/s1600-h/Maymont2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiML6Hk762L9qJpDvVmI0_Znj4nTbXD3qF4tYwHQ1OBgMxf8dV_SO2tU5M8gvuD5SrPgOWF7ssMyGrW8RYS8mA2mpxFLZzMyw3usmsRLkKK_fn0huV2xSRC6JT7jeXr8hA0s1nLbtV7OI/s320/Maymont2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400030012885862466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Great Horned Owl (Maymont Park)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxRV-1haiLcOHsCrTs8slMpmJpTyw15ow6D_76Loo5vPnk1Q4GynHHehI4KE97a-L3QfQowlpErRqhhxPH5cc67Yiogev6OOi5kvuooAfhF9hAOYJlJT5CL3llWDarAV49QcZbciO1Po/s1600-h/Mechanicsville.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxRV-1haiLcOHsCrTs8slMpmJpTyw15ow6D_76Loo5vPnk1Q4GynHHehI4KE97a-L3QfQowlpErRqhhxPH5cc67Yiogev6OOi5kvuooAfhF9hAOYJlJT5CL3llWDarAV49QcZbciO1Po/s320/Mechanicsville.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400031745223874498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">History</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77V-1WfCc1XbB85HYMZeqJJLALnXLWuQptQ-7c2lAihyHsq2tp0DTz9H3trg5HETxUTrTK8wEG7G6goX71LCRXEnuqFbwXps1Emv-YGaqMHty6OyrRJJsfCQrStfPKg22Z5mHAVXosHQ/s1600-h/PoleGreenMarket2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77V-1WfCc1XbB85HYMZeqJJLALnXLWuQptQ-7c2lAihyHsq2tp0DTz9H3trg5HETxUTrTK8wEG7G6goX71LCRXEnuqFbwXps1Emv-YGaqMHty6OyrRJJsfCQrStfPKg22Z5mHAVXosHQ/s320/PoleGreenMarket2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400031734946067922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Pole Green Market</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOE86yUD3y9qyrycQUE7YqNBhaRVaq7YdZixY9LGpthcFO9OsOhDYxEtqoux-YzU7yw2rQZI50gpaBytMC23hv_ocMr4ZnfR-sLvF4t-OatYVM6tJKbrfwQ7WHUG-isIHEKgB2I6pbiQ/s1600-h/Monarch.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So now for the "Best Of" ... though honestly it may not be the best of the bunch, rather ones I like :). I hope you've enjoyed following along for the last two months! This will be the last post I make on this blog, but I am thinking of maintaining one on my <a href="http://www.danielgainescreative.com/">website</a> when I have it up and running to document and share shoots I go on, trips I take, and my emerging life as a photographer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you all!</div><div><br /></div><div>Danny</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Nassau, Bahamas</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eysjKj0ogCmj1TPDVfKrVVfzhkbi5OGKpAwqQxKQ4eY6ixUwiRUheOgLBk3X-wV2G_tPx_2K5NQMwuSTS6Cq-NRTxsDVllp6gGxWmxcm2n1tk3F6zxLk7aIS76OmCdGvKLJHLcoNDaM/s1600-h/PuertoRico.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaO4Ly5n_eACA99gbPFPyuHtHddnJ30G0Z0488sR2A08lXeOl5lHBeNdcJ0annfGJ1QwmhafUi_W7HfSl67ENngomarqPH-q7DOY6lcG_SPAuuYd6_gbcQIe6M1bYmh5kgACTfGJLN8w/s1600-h/Bahamas.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaO4Ly5n_eACA99gbPFPyuHtHddnJ30G0Z0488sR2A08lXeOl5lHBeNdcJ0annfGJ1QwmhafUi_W7HfSl67ENngomarqPH-q7DOY6lcG_SPAuuYd6_gbcQIe6M1bYmh5kgACTfGJLN8w/s320/Bahamas.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400058020683486194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Loiza, Puerto Rico</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eysjKj0ogCmj1TPDVfKrVVfzhkbi5OGKpAwqQxKQ4eY6ixUwiRUheOgLBk3X-wV2G_tPx_2K5NQMwuSTS6Cq-NRTxsDVllp6gGxWmxcm2n1tk3F6zxLk7aIS76OmCdGvKLJHLcoNDaM/s320/PuertoRico.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400058031024112946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Arenal, Costa Rica</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PgnpT0RS4wkhqO6zx6dQiJWFvprubgPOQgGroTIJtFcaC2fNAizXBp0jSMgm-xI-l8nGiPCnn-862dvdXSMWwYx9SCAKpTKzqlYiyd21SzXLsmd29TUHg9pJaJdS3XaRkUtzrxv0HhA/s1600-h/CostaRica-3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PgnpT0RS4wkhqO6zx6dQiJWFvprubgPOQgGroTIJtFcaC2fNAizXBp0jSMgm-xI-l8nGiPCnn-862dvdXSMWwYx9SCAKpTKzqlYiyd21SzXLsmd29TUHg9pJaJdS3XaRkUtzrxv0HhA/s320/CostaRica-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400058563702539218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Rocky Mtn NP, Colorado</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwyCkZWbpnNTkmL00JZoIwvStNfrEA6XqtZU-2vI-71oIu4PEdiWJD51pFUWo_qdtkkJxDFyaK2O2VKiASSQSvLEWNPOKGzjfyrodNDHKaZwwYZ_exl09IcZeLOXeldagM-xoceP4FYI/s320/Colorado.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400058574581277362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Arches NP, Utah</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU0H8LrIdQ-u59_P6k9SRJS9JltwTycQMIgDpVpyenAbv4e-HY_tui6RZrNdCvt8mpKgcOs6YDG5-Ag7pEpPziOqC7R2J6JNrj7S2qB58LckzxWevUj6XEw-ve_UMJI8_p88NHAdZzfY/s1600-h/California.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrZyVwzIfjjrlg4fxtsVKThI4iIplDDfw7qtjqel43maKk5EvCFSa6vM7jo7NBLtLlenuZuNJgYIHWOrIqfnqjQuq7brlUxO30cBBiTrtl5AtYAfNpA_sC-qXiljWenAdkhr2tMr3v9M/s1600-h/Utah.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrZyVwzIfjjrlg4fxtsVKThI4iIplDDfw7qtjqel43maKk5EvCFSa6vM7jo7NBLtLlenuZuNJgYIHWOrIqfnqjQuq7brlUxO30cBBiTrtl5AtYAfNpA_sC-qXiljWenAdkhr2tMr3v9M/s320/Utah.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400059258823298450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Las Vegas, Nevada</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozzDSfaMeHtLiFq7_C74eXmmuwk6ymNc4NSa1cA5ei6LNWDMXTwDtIOLwYZlzibDZZZ37nuBCnaFvOZg6KKFIjjmSN0aqzffD6d6zfD_d3pVA7kP5PbUYKAO9PFLJWZA-43IvzKv3_B4/s1600-h/Nevada.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozzDSfaMeHtLiFq7_C74eXmmuwk6ymNc4NSa1cA5ei6LNWDMXTwDtIOLwYZlzibDZZZ37nuBCnaFvOZg6KKFIjjmSN0aqzffD6d6zfD_d3pVA7kP5PbUYKAO9PFLJWZA-43IvzKv3_B4/s320/Nevada.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400059263855725938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mojave NP, California</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU0H8LrIdQ-u59_P6k9SRJS9JltwTycQMIgDpVpyenAbv4e-HY_tui6RZrNdCvt8mpKgcOs6YDG5-Ag7pEpPziOqC7R2J6JNrj7S2qB58LckzxWevUj6XEw-ve_UMJI8_p88NHAdZzfY/s1600-h/California.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU0H8LrIdQ-u59_P6k9SRJS9JltwTycQMIgDpVpyenAbv4e-HY_tui6RZrNdCvt8mpKgcOs6YDG5-Ag7pEpPziOqC7R2J6JNrj7S2qB58LckzxWevUj6XEw-ve_UMJI8_p88NHAdZzfY/s320/California.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400059273025698850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Empire State Building, New York</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVrGG-oBOD8tMxzc3l1fLlwmCi61JmkksuvWaSrkVoGT6Muq4Kn9mWw22vlDhN_suooNExWPh9F1gHRGB2-gKd4uYxFs23WRKc6H1uE_YLR_claa0k8nDJNIcJTGkS84pygb-G0BcbcU/s1600-h/Maine.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02zJ-ZvfNsekFsQdFKq11_2pXvoHOP8q39nUuMfAvE7PzNlm0VadKt-3WYpSye7E_p3wFX_-ve20VjRkl7rEMT1sbQK82hm8lr3bF6rg8RHBhc4wwthyphenhyphen-aXbdFwZk-4gaoHbqBtQUmkU/s1600-h/NewYork.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02zJ-ZvfNsekFsQdFKq11_2pXvoHOP8q39nUuMfAvE7PzNlm0VadKt-3WYpSye7E_p3wFX_-ve20VjRkl7rEMT1sbQK82hm8lr3bF6rg8RHBhc4wwthyphenhyphen-aXbdFwZk-4gaoHbqBtQUmkU/s320/NewYork.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400061225777988162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>Portland, Maine</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVrGG-oBOD8tMxzc3l1fLlwmCi61JmkksuvWaSrkVoGT6Muq4Kn9mWw22vlDhN_suooNExWPh9F1gHRGB2-gKd4uYxFs23WRKc6H1uE_YLR_claa0k8nDJNIcJTGkS84pygb-G0BcbcU/s320/Maine.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400061233547498482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Shenandoah NP, Virginia</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVvPFbMeDOZXc-pJtX_d7fniQMZWxCVe7X_KICovqOJGcIlt-N9x0RXXQ8WBHQjveAHYCoyQgTWYa9C6haSuwmZqhPQbhLYk2K1Qc4lEGKXE4-op2BdYo5N61bKbldTi0EmNl9qcfc7o/s1600-h/Shenandoah.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVvPFbMeDOZXc-pJtX_d7fniQMZWxCVe7X_KICovqOJGcIlt-N9x0RXXQ8WBHQjveAHYCoyQgTWYa9C6haSuwmZqhPQbhLYk2K1Qc4lEGKXE4-op2BdYo5N61bKbldTi0EmNl9qcfc7o/s320/Shenandoah.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400063510649164802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Washington, DC</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxvTHj2q8ufSIhqyZyu1n8ubHtj3PdJuYsLAMZXp4l0N3sQ2xYlj9ZkcX9-dfkMK3Z1JpulrlsF8BRm2FRqmD9ky9XPI03ZFqt1MtryllnnYML_aDzyf1eQ2OvX5gEROy3B6aGzhH5zw/s320/DC.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400063515019240738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>Richmond, VA</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNd-8jtt8_5SuxHgI59QFsHI54WvFWTGCg4zxge9xfBJxftkVNobUSOOBaT1EN5lL4y8lzHDXF3YbXB9QWMD3AtqyqWFfwzLKq5PBmXiCwX9VZnuokYsoYoOioYGIoVu-WlyOA1qon1O8/s1600-h/Richmond.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNd-8jtt8_5SuxHgI59QFsHI54WvFWTGCg4zxge9xfBJxftkVNobUSOOBaT1EN5lL4y8lzHDXF3YbXB9QWMD3AtqyqWFfwzLKq5PBmXiCwX9VZnuokYsoYoOioYGIoVu-WlyOA1qon1O8/s320/Richmond.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400063830985741650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxvTHj2q8ufSIhqyZyu1n8ubHtj3PdJuYsLAMZXp4l0N3sQ2xYlj9ZkcX9-dfkMK3Z1JpulrlsF8BRm2FRqmD9ky9XPI03ZFqt1MtryllnnYML_aDzyf1eQ2OvX5gEROy3B6aGzhH5zw/s1600-h/DC.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVrGG-oBOD8tMxzc3l1fLlwmCi61JmkksuvWaSrkVoGT6Muq4Kn9mWw22vlDhN_suooNExWPh9F1gHRGB2-gKd4uYxFs23WRKc6H1uE_YLR_claa0k8nDJNIcJTGkS84pygb-G0BcbcU/s1600-h/Maine.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjU0H8LrIdQ-u59_P6k9SRJS9JltwTycQMIgDpVpyenAbv4e-HY_tui6RZrNdCvt8mpKgcOs6YDG5-Ag7pEpPziOqC7R2J6JNrj7S2qB58LckzxWevUj6XEw-ve_UMJI8_p88NHAdZzfY/s1600-h/California.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eysjKj0ogCmj1TPDVfKrVVfzhkbi5OGKpAwqQxKQ4eY6ixUwiRUheOgLBk3X-wV2G_tPx_2K5NQMwuSTS6Cq-NRTxsDVllp6gGxWmxcm2n1tk3F6zxLk7aIS76OmCdGvKLJHLcoNDaM/s1600-h/PuertoRico.jpg"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-29421016739558416042009-10-15T08:59:00.001-07:002009-10-22T17:11:34.208-07:00Ah... Virginia<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZczsZHhMN28dpT5SzN2yu6YIgbeEhZ0xlSj4ghpwHe5ibyq73kDLyRpiP7x4WbqCdxNJIAW9CkjuWhJzrjFAZ28EAeMWhUwamvto3JHYmQ-zcmnOWvim4qf_TVeaG8X0yPTUeJDFS_28/s1600-h/CR-7.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0d1q8_9n-8JmvjXZR_HUg_izsj-By7fJeDtd2WGPqO2Z_ctdm7DvQPJTy5aVNyzReeWcWSTGoQYPHgy7EgS59zqvlhOT-jlUyTN-RpkQS6tVSrngcrGMs_aPoCQhRoTCJpdS7i8Vp8dA/s1600-h/CR-2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0d1q8_9n-8JmvjXZR_HUg_izsj-By7fJeDtd2WGPqO2Z_ctdm7DvQPJTy5aVNyzReeWcWSTGoQYPHgy7EgS59zqvlhOT-jlUyTN-RpkQS6tVSrngcrGMs_aPoCQhRoTCJpdS7i8Vp8dA/s320/CR-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395193049767683538" /></a><div>A couple of the things I love so much about Virginia (and central Virginia in particular) are its seasons, and the proximity to some of the most serene and beautiful mountains this country has to offer... the Appalachians. My recently retired father and I took the opportunity to do a quick backpacking trip in Shenandoah National Park, part of the Appalachian Range that runs from Georgia to Maine. We both love these mountains, and try to get out to them as often as we can, so it was indeed a treat to escape for an overnighter in the Park.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwQXkQZwDD5lcI9uRcmaNKdgAzrsk8hUh1f866-G0U85tMy5oHvxlV_D3Dw7nVvmyVLKSmIhERC_ykgHFqPLolAkcWWsEOzGz-c2l0wDnlIFenPyyC6KUwlIwGEwz77WVoJ3oR9X9_mY/s1600-h/CR-15.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwQXkQZwDD5lcI9uRcmaNKdgAzrsk8hUh1f866-G0U85tMy5oHvxlV_D3Dw7nVvmyVLKSmIhERC_ykgHFqPLolAkcWWsEOzGz-c2l0wDnlIFenPyyC6KUwlIwGEwz77WVoJ3oR9X9_mY/s320/CR-15.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395574197465629538" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>On this first trip, I decided not to bring my DSLR camera, but rather opt for my small, convenient, and much lighter point-and-shoot camera. It takes great pictures, but I found myself longing for my DSLR at times... so much so I decided to return following my DC trip to hit the same trails again!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm getting ahead of myself, however... back to the the overnighter. Dad and I took off last Wednesday morning and made the 1-1/2 hour drive out to the Shenandoah National Park entrance near Afton Mountain, and quickly made our way up to the Blackrock Gap parking area. We started towards Blackrock Summit after a quick sandwich we'd packed, and made our way up the polkberry-lined Appalachian Trail (AT), enjoying the beautiful colors of changing hickory, gum, dogwood, oaks and maples that surrounded us. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZczsZHhMN28dpT5SzN2yu6YIgbeEhZ0xlSj4ghpwHe5ibyq73kDLyRpiP7x4WbqCdxNJIAW9CkjuWhJzrjFAZ28EAeMWhUwamvto3JHYmQ-zcmnOWvim4qf_TVeaG8X0yPTUeJDFS_28/s1600-h/CR-7.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZczsZHhMN28dpT5SzN2yu6YIgbeEhZ0xlSj4ghpwHe5ibyq73kDLyRpiP7x4WbqCdxNJIAW9CkjuWhJzrjFAZ28EAeMWhUwamvto3JHYmQ-zcmnOWvim4qf_TVeaG8X0yPTUeJDFS_28/s320/CR-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395193375248083090" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLMnDumXygH12GMj_Prs_sAmbD1ePHIY0I1xSjrAEZL90pY13elJxLaVi60OmSndn4ZvMVADWMwYGXt0t1EK21-v47DNtyz4m0ln8tf6J55NH0iChpMQm95IHTclIFIBNu2wOyAbdhm0/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_LbWBNdjtnnW1dDhH5HlsrOTtTwBOa8PnuqMwbNYHRHqOj-4GBGj07qU1qQyGBlOCr4urA1GKaOCruI_5HLa7KSbqFqIO5j-RGvOO2qtmihJu4A3NVuZ7jc6NNEFz92akY7jlf7bKZY/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_LbWBNdjtnnW1dDhH5HlsrOTtTwBOa8PnuqMwbNYHRHqOj-4GBGj07qU1qQyGBlOCr4urA1GKaOCruI_5HLa7KSbqFqIO5j-RGvOO2qtmihJu4A3NVuZ7jc6NNEFz92akY7jlf7bKZY/s320/CR-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395193056506568546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wecfAbpqcel9ICHVJ9jS-oI2xoFssKGjDHTq-sBJkEOAGerQS_ZHVPZXP7RQHQUEJm3bv7OyNv0JVc1q6VZqtpPRdnyhRVO0gCEJcaFpk_k4_1hJl3YJFu9D6LZMAhzQoD1wPyXKJUQ/s320/CR-8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395571277387570178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>In no time we were at Blackrock Summit, an amazing trail running around a peak consisting of massive boulders ranging in size from your doghouse to your backyard shed. We circled the peak, and of course, I needed to scramble up to the top to take in that amazing 360 degree view of the Shenandoah National Park, and beyond into the Valley. It was here that I was convinced I wanted to return the following week with my DSLR, in hopes I'd catch the leaves even closer to peak.</div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2ERC8WC0j0v6pV1Zg4mEin2KIMEnzRlzmL2CF8TdVOkxS9jYV8RAG9wpOM0NKoW9bkMInBGXaZv2mGs_0DQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZi3VA2RhPus7UzUk1hVXbE-qiZ8g8QC7bNR9iG4MfCpCg-n0hEe7hATlhTJqS32raKM2brjQcw845_ZXh2nRhLcElIQ_pTboWWB0_vS2jTpDfN3SaBBk5WsLqU36SYquBQgK10bowqI/s320/CR-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395571287567130866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_-2gc0W2KqLnct_bH-IORt5sAAnhVotC5EPeE29weAPubY8A8aKxp17IhZ8EBLAsjovOAwWw-ZzarkfP3ISHcL-8uHxHyZDm18lXt6xmnwWuCDUiAENFXYgkHN2PCb4e5jrG-5HM9O8/s1600-h/CR-11.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_-2gc0W2KqLnct_bH-IORt5sAAnhVotC5EPeE29weAPubY8A8aKxp17IhZ8EBLAsjovOAwWw-ZzarkfP3ISHcL-8uHxHyZDm18lXt6xmnwWuCDUiAENFXYgkHN2PCb4e5jrG-5HM9O8/s320/CR-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395572535460178786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA5hALY0BLwJ8cHq9yEX-wjI9Wu7oxAFVrrZ1yiycngUmtGJ6VjYpK0VK-yVHvYeCd-tUrTVxnoStLccn7dT6_jXfUWPtfc_Jn3JVIMCYmpFu3q-InZCYG6be3MkqprxBL4Z6UFrwExc/s1600-h/CR-10.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA5hALY0BLwJ8cHq9yEX-wjI9Wu7oxAFVrrZ1yiycngUmtGJ6VjYpK0VK-yVHvYeCd-tUrTVxnoStLccn7dT6_jXfUWPtfc_Jn3JVIMCYmpFu3q-InZCYG6be3MkqprxBL4Z6UFrwExc/s320/CR-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395572529115392370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6-uOU2yS4Ja9LcPzxom8kA-wDZ28HJYxCIWiwzyeXdmB26YtPaS2gj5vjELt1Xuoy7qJZZI8Zuqa77xpiXxdOTfhg6ZNQ1kLCe1hTRDHVqXnYDyGQR6xY06cYymhlso_Lr7GL8J3sMY/s1600-h/CR-13.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6-uOU2yS4Ja9LcPzxom8kA-wDZ28HJYxCIWiwzyeXdmB26YtPaS2gj5vjELt1Xuoy7qJZZI8Zuqa77xpiXxdOTfhg6ZNQ1kLCe1hTRDHVqXnYDyGQR6xY06cYymhlso_Lr7GL8J3sMY/s320/CR-13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395574191347933586" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>Wanting to make it to our destination, Furnace Mountain, a couple of peaks away, we set out down the series of trails that would take us there. The 2.5 mile trip took just around an hour, with plenty of time for us to set up camp, make some dinner, and plop down on an outcropping of rock that marked the termination of the trail at the peak of Furnace Mountain. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The show we witnessed would rival any Broadway blockbuster in my mind. While the sun set behind us, out of view from where we were facing, the dropping shadows against the mountains and changing colors of the North-Eastern view were gorgeous; the darkening sky and emerging stars bloomed into a full-blown light-show, complete with meteors, constellations and a clear view of the Milky Way; and as an encore: about an hour after sunset, the moon rose over the mountains in the Eastern sky. I was cringing that I'd not brought my XSi, but even if I had, it would have been tough to capture the beauty. I slept out on that outcropping, and woke to an equally beautiful, spectacular sunrise. Looking back, it was definitely one of the best overnighters in recent memory....</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLMnDumXygH12GMj_Prs_sAmbD1ePHIY0I1xSjrAEZL90pY13elJxLaVi60OmSndn4ZvMVADWMwYGXt0t1EK21-v47DNtyz4m0ln8tf6J55NH0iChpMQm95IHTclIFIBNu2wOyAbdhm0/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw8do1DtTFCMo41lXh4LsHuGz1ZumkbF4RR5Ity9fElIPCER0hkacctfEx6rFJxrUU7a3yha5gK-ssBtPADyQJrutjnbJDjQI_JmEOcOBh6zj2vQxA7rBWyw_eCJfJukhoKMaS6XpQXk/s1600-h/CR-5.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw8do1DtTFCMo41lXh4LsHuGz1ZumkbF4RR5Ity9fElIPCER0hkacctfEx6rFJxrUU7a3yha5gK-ssBtPADyQJrutjnbJDjQI_JmEOcOBh6zj2vQxA7rBWyw_eCJfJukhoKMaS6XpQXk/s320/CR-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395193369029508674" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxBtQeROIkAVrNVDcAz7hv6EgB_dzPca_JBMMNhDlyO5DNUyFJ1qF3lq05Ou-6uJug6c6TnmELfFFDEHKCXPXVR1AofYqM0Zdn2pnbrbjfntXLLDsd2do-2MJt119cVKfITqFXf7Kz2A/s1600-h/CR-4.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxBtQeROIkAVrNVDcAz7hv6EgB_dzPca_JBMMNhDlyO5DNUyFJ1qF3lq05Ou-6uJug6c6TnmELfFFDEHKCXPXVR1AofYqM0Zdn2pnbrbjfntXLLDsd2do-2MJt119cVKfITqFXf7Kz2A/s320/CR-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395193063457613746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLMnDumXygH12GMj_Prs_sAmbD1ePHIY0I1xSjrAEZL90pY13elJxLaVi60OmSndn4ZvMVADWMwYGXt0t1EK21-v47DNtyz4m0ln8tf6J55NH0iChpMQm95IHTclIFIBNu2wOyAbdhm0/s320/CR-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395193372250894818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>We broke camp after breakfast, and made our way back through the trails that had led us there, past Blackrock Summit, and on to our car. The hike back was just as enjoyable as the hike in, and we enjoyed the sights, sounds, and smells of being in the forest. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyZdBBLC5zl6uca98ptPYhDdsJgvOiqjGNA19V5DGMmTiQtTEW2NBmE32Gkf4dKF9TSGSE6vmmfxpu_5XACh9KR3yNlj3n6hAki1R0L6thkQLq2koqZgBZc6ts5PFn3IOFJQoSsm_BjM/s320/CR-12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395573175194009714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-VKX1V02yhdDaw0gdH_J4zAo4szm5OFADNjiy84BvxwH2YVPVEOiZUjawAT0A9evQJVUK8-ycgeI2mJ7jO7FoJgKb1c2Eq7b_eIAKKPk-sD-re9od3WSAIVjITC6CSFIiU8zojLZ_Z8/s1600-h/CR-17.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-VKX1V02yhdDaw0gdH_J4zAo4szm5OFADNjiy84BvxwH2YVPVEOiZUjawAT0A9evQJVUK8-ycgeI2mJ7jO7FoJgKb1c2Eq7b_eIAKKPk-sD-re9od3WSAIVjITC6CSFIiU8zojLZ_Z8/s320/CR-17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395575540852853666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKkbdUGAi4cKeQ6Kbio5CX8dMQGKXCaAvWU1vtCtcEK0_PufhLf_DCmvPaMsLY7kL04DAlC_cQltX4g-NKylTCbrr55yQmzIaVTpj1JjpmUP5JHZSNQ9xmc_d0pWjER7Awnioe3bdz6Y/s1600-h/CR-22.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKkbdUGAi4cKeQ6Kbio5CX8dMQGKXCaAvWU1vtCtcEK0_PufhLf_DCmvPaMsLY7kL04DAlC_cQltX4g-NKylTCbrr55yQmzIaVTpj1JjpmUP5JHZSNQ9xmc_d0pWjER7Awnioe3bdz6Y/s320/CR-22.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395575539500370786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>My return trip the following week didn't include an overnighter. I left Washington the following Tuesday morning early, made a quick stop into Harrisonburg and my alma mater, JMU before entering the park for some day-hiking and shooting along the same trails Dad and I had traveled the week before. It was time well spent, and though the weather wasn't quite as inviting as the week before, the color was indeed closer to peak, and worth the decision to come back.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zpuz2ZUEGbX-0bXIfUSq8qyBOoK5TvrjtmVexlXEA1rvqNDjVB9lpWD3Mct2z495B5-NpBOW1eoXK7hPrwxqdRzbHx9J8c15GPsY01klh1jBH4A8rs4jDlTW5p3CsxAgwwbZJTe1Jz0/s1600-h/CR-21.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zpuz2ZUEGbX-0bXIfUSq8qyBOoK5TvrjtmVexlXEA1rvqNDjVB9lpWD3Mct2z495B5-NpBOW1eoXK7hPrwxqdRzbHx9J8c15GPsY01klh1jBH4A8rs4jDlTW5p3CsxAgwwbZJTe1Jz0/s320/CR-21.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395574982121161474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKWLLdtbszCT-yW1ycekZA9yuhis7E4tKWB3V2oWf0WlpX-qlBvnuFwvQJbka6XoXh41zHr2epGjKZrXuq2IbayMDIhMga2BfF6_5shMSRDSGureCThM6Xidbd7md1UyJpkYO178hYOY/s1600-h/CR-16.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKWLLdtbszCT-yW1ycekZA9yuhis7E4tKWB3V2oWf0WlpX-qlBvnuFwvQJbka6XoXh41zHr2epGjKZrXuq2IbayMDIhMga2BfF6_5shMSRDSGureCThM6Xidbd7md1UyJpkYO178hYOY/s320/CR-16.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395574972980699778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>My remaining time in Virginia was spent with family in my hometown of Richmond, and was a great way to unwind after a phenomenal 6 week trip. I've just arrived home in San Jose, and am looking forward to sharing some final thoughts about my travels in a blog I'll post in the coming days. Thanks to Jet Blue for the incredible offer, and to you for following me on my journey! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Danny</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-91281579352181901282009-10-15T08:40:00.000-07:002009-10-29T13:10:43.332-07:00DC Snapshot...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OXP5EMLVBDlhaJGngn70rZuv5vN86UxmU-CTT0oh3SOjGk5wrp_cQnHcC9TYNQeVNUedcx1aGTrPsUgiPTEHOkAV-MU-zC7i5IJPsjKfbu3O3y7hWVa2glDnyIyDcJ_iHP_kYt49_i0/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OXP5EMLVBDlhaJGngn70rZuv5vN86UxmU-CTT0oh3SOjGk5wrp_cQnHcC9TYNQeVNUedcx1aGTrPsUgiPTEHOkAV-MU-zC7i5IJPsjKfbu3O3y7hWVa2glDnyIyDcJ_iHP_kYt49_i0/s320/CR-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392911899370479810" /></a><br />Last Monday I took my last Jet Blue flight of this trip from Portland, Maine to the town where I grew up, Richmond, VA. I got to spend the next day decompressing a bit and hanging out with the parents in their home in Mechanicsville, and did a little planning for the upcoming two weeks remaining in my Jet Blue adventure. First up was a few days in Virginia. Next, a weekend in Washington, DC to spend time with some more close friends of mine, and a day of shooting in the capitol city. The remaining time would be with my parents and family back in Virginia to finish off my trip.<div><br /></div><div>I'm going to diverge a little bit from my habit of posting according to the sequence of events and concentrate on Washington on this post. I'd like to save some post-worthy material I experienced in the days before DC and share it in my next posting on my beloved VA. </div><div><br /></div><div>Washington DC is a unique place. Like any major metro area, there are certainly things you can find that you may not like. However, it has a plethora of cultural outlets, an almost limitless number of fascinating things to see and do, (both inside and out), and an incredible wealth of history. There is a distinct feeling of awe you can get if you start to think about the impact that the people, the policy and decision makers in this city, have had and continue to have on this country and the world at large.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2QIWpghD8l8GGEuaF5Lnu8IaKNc9DzuKGZc2RV88aiFqEQKxtgnNVUnRXBWUVySHa6mh_IU7v0FwyfuV9iRglT4zS2ihyphenhyphen6KvHO1d_qlp2MlB-QRvYmIxtx4LoWVBpoJi8fyvM-Cws1U/s1600-h/CR.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2QIWpghD8l8GGEuaF5Lnu8IaKNc9DzuKGZc2RV88aiFqEQKxtgnNVUnRXBWUVySHa6mh_IU7v0FwyfuV9iRglT4zS2ihyphenhyphen6KvHO1d_qlp2MlB-QRvYmIxtx4LoWVBpoJi8fyvM-Cws1U/s320/CR.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392914993171084866" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>My reason for coming to DC was not to dwell on politics or the cultural relevance and impact of the city. It was much simpler... I wanted to spend some time with some good friends, their 8 month old son, and hopefully get a few shots in the process. I definitely enjoyed the time with friends, and I think you'll enjoy some of the shots I captured:).</div><div><br /></div><div>In large part, I left my camera in the bag for the first few days in DC. The time was well spent, though, as myself and my two college roommates from years ago played golf in the suburbs of Maryland just outside the city, paddled some kayaks up the Potomac river from Fletcher's Boathouse near Georgetown, watched the Redskins get trounced (sorry Neil & RT), and enjoyed good food, wine, and time with a precious little 8 month-old addition to my friends' family named Kai. </div><div><br /></div><div>The last day in DC I spent shooting on and near the The Mall, an approximately 5 mile in circumference rectangular stretch of grass and monuments surrounded by museums and foliage, and the buildings where our nation is governed. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBowOH9dqcOrhQ1DvlauAxeTzoIilrUJVBwV5_rfX0XvzTbBoN1T0jb7vqLjtRn_kFa795ddpcgTCqBswRh_vWmTtdYfj_zObHJMqrqmLFqTwWER8S-4IVuR1_-x9oH9xA84q7DW92CU/s1600-h/CR-4.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPDX0CJ0g6hyphenhyphenzd15kfj3zZHt8hpA9MjrMUKHMqW4XGxLDOjN1kTcIqyz5f8LFgn_M2KAJ6-lc-MBUVuAiXE1rf8Szl6JOGapl50Ma2oGQ2qnVPfHnZKDEh24Lv3lJebYOIIiIbWc3IdQ/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPDX0CJ0g6hyphenhyphenzd15kfj3zZHt8hpA9MjrMUKHMqW4XGxLDOjN1kTcIqyz5f8LFgn_M2KAJ6-lc-MBUVuAiXE1rf8Szl6JOGapl50Ma2oGQ2qnVPfHnZKDEh24Lv3lJebYOIIiIbWc3IdQ/s320/CR-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392911905070470194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBowOH9dqcOrhQ1DvlauAxeTzoIilrUJVBwV5_rfX0XvzTbBoN1T0jb7vqLjtRn_kFa795ddpcgTCqBswRh_vWmTtdYfj_zObHJMqrqmLFqTwWER8S-4IVuR1_-x9oH9xA84q7DW92CU/s320/CR-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392911916792756914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>There were a few things that were working against me as I shot that day - a national solar energy competition that was being hosted on the Mall interfered with many of the views I'd anticipated; a huge tent for a coming event was set up directly in front of the White House, blocking an otherwise fantastic (and really the only) shot of the President's residence; and lastly an overcast day, almost all day, wasn't the best setting for striking landscape shots. That being said, I think I made the best of it. I worked my way up the Mall toward the Capitol building and for the first time explored the National Botanic Garden. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlpqrKhNlEg1O-diar9qWUplPu_mMjWjmPAa15ig9E2Y9sHtHX6RjiqOQ5TMDpqJhft8C1siw0dC3UVKELDu4P3rtNFLHWyXGCdoZKk3D1HR-uidMH0HihV00qtiZ2aVsNYlKE50b508/s1600-h/CR-9.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlpqrKhNlEg1O-diar9qWUplPu_mMjWjmPAa15ig9E2Y9sHtHX6RjiqOQ5TMDpqJhft8C1siw0dC3UVKELDu4P3rtNFLHWyXGCdoZKk3D1HR-uidMH0HihV00qtiZ2aVsNYlKE50b508/s320/CR-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392913808844436098" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruBUYEHR0rTcGZ5vhFVpnbfGgnToWsQP6aqZQJMOAvYXMItc2gXJeKuotg6rOKgxpzTWQoHCrX432W5-L0hqUm5-2MupGBF-e5W6-R00P5vcBdl_gkfMjFjp0BalLbZNubIfO_zu9GiY/s1600-h/CR-8.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruBUYEHR0rTcGZ5vhFVpnbfGgnToWsQP6aqZQJMOAvYXMItc2gXJeKuotg6rOKgxpzTWQoHCrX432W5-L0hqUm5-2MupGBF-e5W6-R00P5vcBdl_gkfMjFjp0BalLbZNubIfO_zu9GiY/s320/CR-8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392913802283491394" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6FlpDagncMGvFTnvkmZTTBd9ZdMQFvKqjufKouSbH4bdgQwTp9JVDUWt1c1lt9hOlqNzM9J8Ft30zSQMqreyU8xKr7vMxILnjitWDY2ZjQxPNBGaN9xzT6uX_2PWf_s2XhJfilhHGV4/s1600-h/CR-11.jpg"></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7bvXZayv17Fdy_6_tXPgW9SsO8KIj7fPVl6ctoASvZLTc1xk5CWbbiwlkNxfOLorLR3BSho3fYbLE1kfJrjvAHZ6Bq7Ayj-f1rJGTJ1sItb6evx4TZ-PaMYFW3yTEQf-El7YAU5PW6M/s1600-h/CR-10.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7bvXZayv17Fdy_6_tXPgW9SsO8KIj7fPVl6ctoASvZLTc1xk5CWbbiwlkNxfOLorLR3BSho3fYbLE1kfJrjvAHZ6Bq7Ayj-f1rJGTJ1sItb6evx4TZ-PaMYFW3yTEQf-El7YAU5PW6M/s320/CR-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392912536087752418" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6FlpDagncMGvFTnvkmZTTBd9ZdMQFvKqjufKouSbH4bdgQwTp9JVDUWt1c1lt9hOlqNzM9J8Ft30zSQMqreyU8xKr7vMxILnjitWDY2ZjQxPNBGaN9xzT6uX_2PWf_s2XhJfilhHGV4/s1600-h/CR-11.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6FlpDagncMGvFTnvkmZTTBd9ZdMQFvKqjufKouSbH4bdgQwTp9JVDUWt1c1lt9hOlqNzM9J8Ft30zSQMqreyU8xKr7vMxILnjitWDY2ZjQxPNBGaN9xzT6uX_2PWf_s2XhJfilhHGV4/s320/CR-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392912542667233858" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlpqrKhNlEg1O-diar9qWUplPu_mMjWjmPAa15ig9E2Y9sHtHX6RjiqOQ5TMDpqJhft8C1siw0dC3UVKELDu4P3rtNFLHWyXGCdoZKk3D1HR-uidMH0HihV00qtiZ2aVsNYlKE50b508/s1600-h/CR-9.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBowOH9dqcOrhQ1DvlauAxeTzoIilrUJVBwV5_rfX0XvzTbBoN1T0jb7vqLjtRn_kFa795ddpcgTCqBswRh_vWmTtdYfj_zObHJMqrqmLFqTwWER8S-4IVuR1_-x9oH9xA84q7DW92CU/s1600-h/CR-4.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OXP5EMLVBDlhaJGngn70rZuv5vN86UxmU-CTT0oh3SOjGk5wrp_cQnHcC9TYNQeVNUedcx1aGTrPsUgiPTEHOkAV-MU-zC7i5IJPsjKfbu3O3y7hWVa2glDnyIyDcJ_iHP_kYt49_i0/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OXP5EMLVBDlhaJGngn70rZuv5vN86UxmU-CTT0oh3SOjGk5wrp_cQnHcC9TYNQeVNUedcx1aGTrPsUgiPTEHOkAV-MU-zC7i5IJPsjKfbu3O3y7hWVa2glDnyIyDcJ_iHP_kYt49_i0/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OXP5EMLVBDlhaJGngn70rZuv5vN86UxmU-CTT0oh3SOjGk5wrp_cQnHcC9TYNQeVNUedcx1aGTrPsUgiPTEHOkAV-MU-zC7i5IJPsjKfbu3O3y7hWVa2glDnyIyDcJ_iHP_kYt49_i0/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Not a huge footprint, the Gardens were packed full of all kinds of plant life, ranging from flowers to ferns, to herbs and trees, from all over the world and all kinds of climates. I was actually surprised at the diversity represented in this relatively small building and plot of land next to the Capitol building. I highly recommend it as a stop on a tour of DC. you can spend either 20 minutes or half a day in the Botanic Gardens and feel good about your time there.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N0y5Ix3MOo55llhgkUNUJxWBYujTu7_-ofbtvBc7VHGNQh-NiDGCGW9eUbx9D8o4MGw3Wv32Jk4VYZs5DYf2pLAS5KPwrgUqFnOa1umvt_N3ENOV3chb1IKPIc8NBfStXoDlXFxrEo8/s1600-h/CR-13.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N0y5Ix3MOo55llhgkUNUJxWBYujTu7_-ofbtvBc7VHGNQh-NiDGCGW9eUbx9D8o4MGw3Wv32Jk4VYZs5DYf2pLAS5KPwrgUqFnOa1umvt_N3ENOV3chb1IKPIc8NBfStXoDlXFxrEo8/s320/CR-13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392914646889346674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAVy-SVfWjN69ifP2-Mk1YW-XzH6jIbF5Et07TMO0NgJlaxMRGTEcmnSdlxWhSfTsIFkf1XnYaoq3u7CQCTElaOeIH-_tFMbRH8arNCSv9sSnrBcFpn-Oc8vHFuReQ0M18GyHO0l-nJA/s1600-h/CR-12.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAVy-SVfWjN69ifP2-Mk1YW-XzH6jIbF5Et07TMO0NgJlaxMRGTEcmnSdlxWhSfTsIFkf1XnYaoq3u7CQCTElaOeIH-_tFMbRH8arNCSv9sSnrBcFpn-Oc8vHFuReQ0M18GyHO0l-nJA/s320/CR-12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392914637124652210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE8g8fZmmMoqpSHWD-AghwqUT_U_-DrQE33Qic_XvSHnZh0GE_Du0onpJC6bxrnOUvKOvUL4QxPOAhp3rp5ay4l7u7KISG6A6RuzQMJoIf1dlUxWmtSwI4k-JIUaHpi5sfEahMxAXXpc/s1600-h/CR-7.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE8g8fZmmMoqpSHWD-AghwqUT_U_-DrQE33Qic_XvSHnZh0GE_Du0onpJC6bxrnOUvKOvUL4QxPOAhp3rp5ay4l7u7KISG6A6RuzQMJoIf1dlUxWmtSwI4k-JIUaHpi5sfEahMxAXXpc/s320/CR-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392914630360983826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7bvXZayv17Fdy_6_tXPgW9SsO8KIj7fPVl6ctoASvZLTc1xk5CWbbiwlkNxfOLorLR3BSho3fYbLE1kfJrjvAHZ6Bq7Ayj-f1rJGTJ1sItb6evx4TZ-PaMYFW3yTEQf-El7YAU5PW6M/s1600-h/CR-10.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOLbHWKT8msOCF9evTGGzLfSWm801ptIm8X3za5W19ZkkXGh0BJ-TD00jc-PBLuCPIPdgbnthmB77lSNC4hcfCCvebGOjkz6XsO9gNbFC8aBBm7Y4-COtQiaAXeNMAh__Hm4xdClaK4U/s1600-h/CR-14.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOLbHWKT8msOCF9evTGGzLfSWm801ptIm8X3za5W19ZkkXGh0BJ-TD00jc-PBLuCPIPdgbnthmB77lSNC4hcfCCvebGOjkz6XsO9gNbFC8aBBm7Y4-COtQiaAXeNMAh__Hm4xdClaK4U/s320/CR-14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392916196411311778" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>After the gardens, a stop for some photos of the Capitol building left me standing on the southeast end of the famous Pennsylvania Avenue connecting the Capitol to the White House. I walked the historic street, stopping for a street-vendor hot dog and taking shots of many of the government buildings and monuments that line it on either side.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNGDxjVRX4npvI7ox6bPRvk8QT6AqA7lUmlCMBTAG7f5u2tDNRFuKIgHkX-7Jd1QEvqpns8Z8mCLnfxoEb2mbMmfm_yt1ss-LAZGdBPSZK8vwOpUSZnh845SWQ-KWPMWQrXGW1gz7xJA/s320/CR-15.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392916204656115762" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lvJDPn9NCKu5iVkIfHWY5OaQqPxusHAtb_4LoVE7CZlqGDNaDUV2GwrAoJ9E-LTBs_BvSmAyOKyLZBLqOrsWPY2y7gHevmqRa4fnch48gJNmZPzqlayZsmmzREE0bIVyg8XS2lSRQek/s1600-h/CR-16.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lvJDPn9NCKu5iVkIfHWY5OaQqPxusHAtb_4LoVE7CZlqGDNaDUV2GwrAoJ9E-LTBs_BvSmAyOKyLZBLqOrsWPY2y7gHevmqRa4fnch48gJNmZPzqlayZsmmzREE0bIVyg8XS2lSRQek/s320/CR-16.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392916213766266498" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNGDxjVRX4npvI7ox6bPRvk8QT6AqA7lUmlCMBTAG7f5u2tDNRFuKIgHkX-7Jd1QEvqpns8Z8mCLnfxoEb2mbMmfm_yt1ss-LAZGdBPSZK8vwOpUSZnh845SWQ-KWPMWQrXGW1gz7xJA/s1600-h/CR-15.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Turning left at the White House, I headed toward the Washington Monument, and a chance to replace an old photo of the monument I've been hanging on to which I took with a film point and shoot film camera almost 10 years ago. The sky wasn't cooperating with me, but I gave it my best shot (no pun intended ;)).</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLWYt7z9idiRjTio4nqPfL4cSfLiWiuRN4cxyBtha6UwqbtVp3nI-zD2nk9dHuuKyKvWWZtMd7DfSKW8I_6-NjFQlkBwLKNIIMruPUHBB6iPl31XjgZgogSbNGAHsrZxqQ0dObjtGzT4/s320/CR-17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392917658316364242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Leaving the Monument, I headed back up the Mall and to my Metro ride back to the cozy neighborhood of Friendship Heights. I spent a final night with my friends, and set the alarm for 6AM and my next stop..... which I'll share with you next time :). </div><div><br /></div><div>Until then, </div><div><br /></div><div>dg</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvcfKfoIDxXGe274DM0MI7pVO4Zg03ugpMtH6knavrbRzBcQOYRKhBBYVdxNLsZp2LLdA8oN83yi72umXBB26kPvOVeQDGni8KZQK_6QJIvAidRaBMxn2fBmFjkp7iTkaap5efnZXnMg/s320/CR-18.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392917915495460674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-84351871755040154782009-10-10T11:45:00.000-07:002009-10-10T15:02:43.921-07:00The Other Portland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmRQScIsUX3OZyacx-MnapuQ7KxKUVe0BOgTB3SJ8M2hYPZ9HIJvdPWwzxjTucld9fUbcHSWozgAvQjnKykE0Li9n8lf-K97D6xdAu4Dze8KzskxxxXgzXVm3VdS3X34WB_sc08O6qWU/s1600-h/CR-15.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbt7D2_43ZwIWlLPEM0Kf9OBEeqmzM_cYmBVsz4PJoLi9CDcLTydz_mCdUStE9_3Ej0xWGpF8M9q0nCjBcuRTbuafLrB3cry4FWwXbGrysJx21ogRk1GxTKoJberAccIaQvWLcSmnxuY/s1600-h/CR-10.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbt7D2_43ZwIWlLPEM0Kf9OBEeqmzM_cYmBVsz4PJoLi9CDcLTydz_mCdUStE9_3Ej0xWGpF8M9q0nCjBcuRTbuafLrB3cry4FWwXbGrysJx21ogRk1GxTKoJberAccIaQvWLcSmnxuY/s320/CR-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391085985881847538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytvLHRPpC4rSJ3CndEwrRamMrT5w0ib5Dfkbq-wr2IWc9ybH2N6Mc_UWyImjFLDkissnXPqANgvo2hAGPFcJIyXOCtUwfr0jc7wAINc5S0DvExSgNyQ96zGB5xSEJGtAWK7amXIEUuNE/s1600-h/CR-11.jpg"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-GnN5bJPyIvCzXpRfHvjwI0ktJHrqAySEkO5LtscTtNM_um_EtWovGvX9rH3LpxAB-GFnq2GAL26lp0RWlTt8o3mVP5C7FTzxikd853ZAdUBN7VduDQQUklniwgjaR73bOcwhiYngQE/s1600-h/CR-9.jpg"></a>Many of you think of Oregon when you hear someone mention Portland. It shouldn't be a surpise, however, that the "other" Portland, in the New England state of Maine was founded over 200 years earlier, and is actually the namesake of its Oregonian younger sister by virtue of a coin toss. (Really, look it up :)). <div><br /></div><div>When I originally booked the Jet Blue Jetpass, I immediately knew that Portland would be on my short list of places to go. I have a couple of dear friends that are raising a family just outside of Portland, and this was a great opportunity to go visit them, and see some of the sights Maine has to offer.</div><div><br /></div><div>I flew into Maine from New York on Friday evening and my friends picked me up for a chill night walking downtown Portland. There was an artwalk going on with street vendors, gallery shows and musicians that was a ton of fun, and we later met up with some more friends at a popular local pub, Novare Res. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsZF2eCdmkp3wQniuOEtMvFNHfq9SVAN4mW_jzeL25jOVL6sG0gJA50iVbd-2rR55v0BkT-uqOesmFZqZzETiOSy_kQ7wUZq2X0O9d1YG0CrLr5jYAEjoTpgc-olr1eWvN4FEHJAoc4c/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsZF2eCdmkp3wQniuOEtMvFNHfq9SVAN4mW_jzeL25jOVL6sG0gJA50iVbd-2rR55v0BkT-uqOesmFZqZzETiOSy_kQ7wUZq2X0O9d1YG0CrLr5jYAEjoTpgc-olr1eWvN4FEHJAoc4c/s320/CR-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391086003545917570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKeum1S7hpOmTpXVoyO_3tEKHrQFwA1Z5hvB3p6i08MF6Nq3uLx0Bac3NjDs8X2kpPplzAE4v-wGRz1JDTZn3Wh1rbWEraRv0Uw2cddHmo-d-yXhF3xnZF__RPLzWBk73jJeLhomB_4M/s1600-h/CR-2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKeum1S7hpOmTpXVoyO_3tEKHrQFwA1Z5hvB3p6i08MF6Nq3uLx0Bac3NjDs8X2kpPplzAE4v-wGRz1JDTZn3Wh1rbWEraRv0Uw2cddHmo-d-yXhF3xnZF__RPLzWBk73jJeLhomB_4M/s320/CR-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391085995750049826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Our original plans of hiking Mt. Washington were changed when the forecast called for some high winds, rain and snow, something we weren't prepared for or willing to chance running into for the limited window we had available. We took the opportunity instead, to have a relaxing morning eating breakfast at a nearby diner, and checking out the race expo for the Maine Marathon being run the next morning by Kelly, one of my gracious hosts. The afternoon held a trail run and a first for me: geocaching. It's unfortunate that I didn't carry my camera with me on the run, as there would have been some fantastic photo-ops in the Maine woods as we found glacial ponds and marshes along the snow-mobile trails that are so prevalent in the area. Something to remember for next time... The evening turned out as good as the day was, with a last minute score on tickets to the Sufjan Stevens show at Port City Music Hall. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtp5f3bxSRkeBT5U0VtLsKgIfdcZ3yB6R_ySDvDhzxXGBqUOaN0PK_WaB8nglJW0R41gQXwsbgkqZeSwntKAS9BgpS2lQ-k3mPYbH5i0IljJ6TUW89pvQMKuiLjDRZhCtPm36a2DHRS8/s1600-h/CR-13.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtp5f3bxSRkeBT5U0VtLsKgIfdcZ3yB6R_ySDvDhzxXGBqUOaN0PK_WaB8nglJW0R41gQXwsbgkqZeSwntKAS9BgpS2lQ-k3mPYbH5i0IljJ6TUW89pvQMKuiLjDRZhCtPm36a2DHRS8/s320/CR-13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391088839891835954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ld3c77cEYlgjdIVgDyfn8PlRrPltUjUVRjrWw0p1NJg2LP7c_2B35BsNk92drvZgEH9fzq9ZWmlejmQU2XkLyJB2cuSj4eTYfs70suDNfqytqTjB4p9nYZ5jOYvrZy9NOSkA0cDqxRg/s1600-h/CR-5.jpg"></a></div><div>Sunday started with a flurry as the kids were corralled and packed into the car to head down and spectate the Maine Marathon & Half Marathon being run in and around Portland. A fun mid-sized race with around 3000 participants, the event provided several good shooting opportunities, and was a blast to see and be a part of. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ld3c77cEYlgjdIVgDyfn8PlRrPltUjUVRjrWw0p1NJg2LP7c_2B35BsNk92drvZgEH9fzq9ZWmlejmQU2XkLyJB2cuSj4eTYfs70suDNfqytqTjB4p9nYZ5jOYvrZy9NOSkA0cDqxRg/s1600-h/CR-5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ld3c77cEYlgjdIVgDyfn8PlRrPltUjUVRjrWw0p1NJg2LP7c_2B35BsNk92drvZgEH9fzq9ZWmlejmQU2XkLyJB2cuSj4eTYfs70suDNfqytqTjB4p9nYZ5jOYvrZy9NOSkA0cDqxRg/s320/CR-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391087435296272802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoioKKf15ubfb8GDGBc-JoUQXhDmvMT0z4k_n7jfRBufFfzGzJLttX4Y1CqX7MxhhI0VzV9BBYM8crZqkwYfmBZQsYVxXDxwxfDliSDE0HgzXM4dNFUNklD3MYcyE-u570eS-W7rtBFw/s1600-h/CR-4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoioKKf15ubfb8GDGBc-JoUQXhDmvMT0z4k_n7jfRBufFfzGzJLttX4Y1CqX7MxhhI0VzV9BBYM8crZqkwYfmBZQsYVxXDxwxfDliSDE0HgzXM4dNFUNklD3MYcyE-u570eS-W7rtBFw/s320/CR-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391087426473350146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcRzim7veH6FZbzNbb0E1elP3Rsks2b5Fp3SVjBKyPIZXLcaloMTLC7qUykm12zv10CDvmpw9oszzvwWusetWnKJObdH9_mJ5bYHrTeWd-HNYEkl2De6OBFxSQSMnNhyphenhyphenevUKoclItuQQ/s320/CR-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391087442056177362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div>After the race, the next stop was the Portland Headlight, one of the most beautiful, and as a result, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. The lighthouse is situated on the old Fort Williams military base in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. It was a blast walking and photographing the fort ruins, the rocky coast, and of course, the lighthouse itself. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxOPpC923Q1C-MCItw62TJZc5emWqk-ofsw1aQIjYno3cjBzCqLjE1gir1txSRU_MkDsCIV7oWjB7yeVPz7gcANYnJMTQDaAZaV691srxrxuVlHOHfEWQCB7tCkUFREgoH9CBJ2wJQvI/s320/CR-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391091742458431410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-GnN5bJPyIvCzXpRfHvjwI0ktJHrqAySEkO5LtscTtNM_um_EtWovGvX9rH3LpxAB-GFnq2GAL26lp0RWlTt8o3mVP5C7FTzxikd853ZAdUBN7VduDQQUklniwgjaR73bOcwhiYngQE/s1600-h/CR-9.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-GnN5bJPyIvCzXpRfHvjwI0ktJHrqAySEkO5LtscTtNM_um_EtWovGvX9rH3LpxAB-GFnq2GAL26lp0RWlTt8o3mVP5C7FTzxikd853ZAdUBN7VduDQQUklniwgjaR73bOcwhiYngQE/s320/CR-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391091753030968754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxOPpC923Q1C-MCItw62TJZc5emWqk-ofsw1aQIjYno3cjBzCqLjE1gir1txSRU_MkDsCIV7oWjB7yeVPz7gcANYnJMTQDaAZaV691srxrxuVlHOHfEWQCB7tCkUFREgoH9CBJ2wJQvI/s1600-h/CR-7.jpg"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytvLHRPpC4rSJ3CndEwrRamMrT5w0ib5Dfkbq-wr2IWc9ybH2N6Mc_UWyImjFLDkissnXPqANgvo2hAGPFcJIyXOCtUwfr0jc7wAINc5S0DvExSgNyQ96zGB5xSEJGtAWK7amXIEUuNE/s320/CR-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391091758364650642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtp5f3bxSRkeBT5U0VtLsKgIfdcZ3yB6R_ySDvDhzxXGBqUOaN0PK_WaB8nglJW0R41gQXwsbgkqZeSwntKAS9BgpS2lQ-k3mPYbH5i0IljJ6TUW89pvQMKuiLjDRZhCtPm36a2DHRS8/s1600-h/CR-13.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsZF2eCdmkp3wQniuOEtMvFNHfq9SVAN4mW_jzeL25jOVL6sG0gJA50iVbd-2rR55v0BkT-uqOesmFZqZzETiOSy_kQ7wUZq2X0O9d1YG0CrLr5jYAEjoTpgc-olr1eWvN4FEHJAoc4c/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbt7D2_43ZwIWlLPEM0Kf9OBEeqmzM_cYmBVsz4PJoLi9CDcLTydz_mCdUStE9_3Ej0xWGpF8M9q0nCjBcuRTbuafLrB3cry4FWwXbGrysJx21ogRk1GxTKoJberAccIaQvWLcSmnxuY/s1600-h/CR-10.jpg"></a></div><div>After the lighthouse we went to downtown Portland to walk around grab a cup 'o' joe, and check out late afternoon in the city, which held some great lighting, especially down on the old port.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmRQScIsUX3OZyacx-MnapuQ7KxKUVe0BOgTB3SJ8M2hYPZ9HIJvdPWwzxjTucld9fUbcHSWozgAvQjnKykE0Li9n8lf-K97D6xdAu4Dze8KzskxxxXgzXVm3VdS3X34WB_sc08O6qWU/s1600-h/CR-15.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmRQScIsUX3OZyacx-MnapuQ7KxKUVe0BOgTB3SJ8M2hYPZ9HIJvdPWwzxjTucld9fUbcHSWozgAvQjnKykE0Li9n8lf-K97D6xdAu4Dze8KzskxxxXgzXVm3VdS3X34WB_sc08O6qWU/s320/CR-15.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391092921639440770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQloid_V9HLjP4HDhbm8NscPexkh6DnMlMvnhCVNjOwj_Cz5wYYDUpl7xUHzaTRF25_XLW9zUJjsvT37EI9oqm8zCb-KfWW51orCDil7QI9DaqzRZeFCf-a29SFmXtUswE33soROQWHgw/s1600-h/CR-14.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQloid_V9HLjP4HDhbm8NscPexkh6DnMlMvnhCVNjOwj_Cz5wYYDUpl7xUHzaTRF25_XLW9zUJjsvT37EI9oqm8zCb-KfWW51orCDil7QI9DaqzRZeFCf-a29SFmXtUswE33soROQWHgw/s320/CR-14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391092909575732050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div> </div><div>A fantastic meal at the home of my Portland friends capped off a great weekend. Enjoy the photos, and until my next post... blessings.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>dg</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-819361930061201092009-10-05T10:57:00.001-07:002009-10-06T13:45:25.202-07:00A Small Bite of the Big Apple<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mEwbFvfw96TOMQXqdfN12CscDHhWBoW6wJTsTgkTqS19uSOfKjU_WPXpswG4PelBybblZPvLTn9xEMVz-OvyUYGoMyGIjMV9fjsV45IzZ60RZ0vbQCyfiOCiQZyg5KzpL6nO7NLxe-o/s1600-h/CR-17.jpg"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHOgMFia7F-vsvbja92cx6c2b_hu7UPUsbVnwl-8GZO3yUOfZCnwybaPMZk4IRqiEfDu_PQ3z_mUqBN8gdeJZF2BFc-xVTdb2ZMECgQh98_tsSOtzzRjvNhRKa_T0Yfd6F5f-EBdUQlk/s1600-h/CR-16.jpg"></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZHE51IrmkjspJ94H3rzN-lxwyJr9t_El-9dbZ1evTrkRX46CnhyBwBtj7quzCutlMYTZPkETdoB9hoDu26l1RTjdx77S-ON8utO6rI1u1sLhQdciwpi1uc3Wg_qEmMZgiwRo29RqhxE/s1600-h/CR.jpg"></a></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG83c5INVukun9iWGrXxZ3PQeIYTst-DLXLlrN9u7FQcUIimpbwFXklMzXVqYJNF4YPXw7xF6B14R1qghh_jrl9jpN6WbLNSQW9tPevY52gf9-fNvp_0evAbwvIVrFV-gMluSAvNTgB8/s1600-h/CR-11.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG83c5INVukun9iWGrXxZ3PQeIYTst-DLXLlrN9u7FQcUIimpbwFXklMzXVqYJNF4YPXw7xF6B14R1qghh_jrl9jpN6WbLNSQW9tPevY52gf9-fNvp_0evAbwvIVrFV-gMluSAvNTgB8/s320/CR-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389274081210287074" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Too long since my last post! Sorry, friends... I seem to grab the most time when I’m waiting for something.. in this case it’s an airplane, (Jet Blue of course), heading from Portland, Maine to Richmond, VA.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZHE51IrmkjspJ94H3rzN-lxwyJr9t_El-9dbZ1evTrkRX46CnhyBwBtj7quzCutlMYTZPkETdoB9hoDu26l1RTjdx77S-ON8utO6rI1u1sLhQdciwpi1uc3Wg_qEmMZgiwRo29RqhxE/s320/CR.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389275331283295154" style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px; " /></span><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My visit to New York started as I flew into JFK from San Jose, getting settled into the HI Hostel New York, where I booked a room for my time there. Not having stayed in a hostel before, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Recognizing that common sleeping spaces and bathrooms are not the most private of situations and setting that aside, there were a ton of cool features and amenities at this hostel, with a very reasonable price tag. Big lounges, a huge self-serve kitchen area and eating space, internet access and lots of info for a traveler wanting to experience the city without breaking the bank, I would absolutely go back and stay there again, and recommend it to any low-maintenance traveler out there.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPGOmii5oEYcMH2pyG61HBR1rmkZTS0wVitK4HElwck3TC0xg0EFRs4a-XNO527GzStckb9w8I-JU_zdmbcVcBMglayqTwQVSOSXDmMMH3pJet8xhPa_3H8wKFQyPFkNjk0Oqa3BOKTg/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPGOmii5oEYcMH2pyG61HBR1rmkZTS0wVitK4HElwck3TC0xg0EFRs4a-XNO527GzStckb9w8I-JU_zdmbcVcBMglayqTwQVSOSXDmMMH3pJet8xhPa_3H8wKFQyPFkNjk0Oqa3BOKTg/s320/CR-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389276336541042098" style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I started out Thursday with a short stroll through Central Park. After, I took the subway from Manhattan to the far side of Brooklyn to check out the legendary Coney Island. I knew most of it would be closed up, but was cool to get some off-season shots of the New York landmark. I also managed to get a few shots of the subway without getting arrested (though a subway worker warned me if the transit cops were to see me shooting, I very likely would).</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeSzChV74hrn8FqYAKbtHuHU4x2bEfoy3ff3d5iJuZqjDl1N8raEv0OA05DqoNZ3yePXhqons3eRzlra1XWCzrb05jnG0j8lmfHDJA_-VcAyGYdBoF0sS9zoGZBdpriaUZflrTf-05RI/s1600-h/CR-4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeSzChV74hrn8FqYAKbtHuHU4x2bEfoy3ff3d5iJuZqjDl1N8raEv0OA05DqoNZ3yePXhqons3eRzlra1XWCzrb05jnG0j8lmfHDJA_-VcAyGYdBoF0sS9zoGZBdpriaUZflrTf-05RI/s320/CR-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389279768437254242" style="text-align: center;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A long subway ride took me back to Manhattan, where I walked around Midtown, making my way to the Empire State Building and the chance to shoot from the Observatory on the 80th floor. Certainly not alone on that top deck, I was pleased to be able to get plenty of room to shoot without much of a wait, and spent a good bit of time up there, playing with different lenses, and even though they didn’t allow my tripod up there, I think I still got a few good images.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e8Exl2MN6UdtHYWrlBxkK1XtTsEgDDGwhtowJyzHUTgTyXQ8Gwl37mKnowQJWsK8QKuvV2om6Ulmj80yVUQKevSwKZxwhQrrpkEWpD-DKIRBv_17xmDyz3TQI-IF_JXJYxx548jP6ro/s1600-h/CR-7.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e8Exl2MN6UdtHYWrlBxkK1XtTsEgDDGwhtowJyzHUTgTyXQ8Gwl37mKnowQJWsK8QKuvV2om6Ulmj80yVUQKevSwKZxwhQrrpkEWpD-DKIRBv_17xmDyz3TQI-IF_JXJYxx548jP6ro/s320/CR-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389283127423536978" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></p><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc4LQEiwhf51WW5FOhWaHT_BPqHsLpKxZKeBw779vrN-xJnh4QkZYlDY7_s5Z7emrzIHkwW9mMXfwS72oIyTGNF_EZI6A_8wLzPQkmHKIFLHq_MgDAD0xQ2T3qxrkhgrrUxHyLqr9fxo/s1600-h/CR-9.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc4LQEiwhf51WW5FOhWaHT_BPqHsLpKxZKeBw779vrN-xJnh4QkZYlDY7_s5Z7emrzIHkwW9mMXfwS72oIyTGNF_EZI6A_8wLzPQkmHKIFLHq_MgDAD0xQ2T3qxrkhgrrUxHyLqr9fxo/s320/CR-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389283137418030450" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e8Exl2MN6UdtHYWrlBxkK1XtTsEgDDGwhtowJyzHUTgTyXQ8Gwl37mKnowQJWsK8QKuvV2om6Ulmj80yVUQKevSwKZxwhQrrpkEWpD-DKIRBv_17xmDyz3TQI-IF_JXJYxx548jP6ro/s1600-h/CR-7.jpg"></a></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After the ESB, I walked over to Times Square to wait for a buddy I was meeting for dinner, and setup my tripod for some late afternoon pics of this world-famous center of activity. A handful of shots later, Mike showed up and we grabbed a bite a few blocks away, after which, I returned to Times Square for some really fun night shooting.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxix2ds2A2fn9Q2dLpsByU3rDJQET_8qgE3jOr-35Vl5rsj7OvLd268QbhI56oVh-nERXDm-UE1pDF-4ugsBlhAt8DgIJPXgO0yMTF9aEol46qVqN0TXB77Nn07NwsgtmkNowGwCaiCA/s1600-h/CR-13.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxix2ds2A2fn9Q2dLpsByU3rDJQET_8qgE3jOr-35Vl5rsj7OvLd268QbhI56oVh-nERXDm-UE1pDF-4ugsBlhAt8DgIJPXgO0yMTF9aEol46qVqN0TXB77Nn07NwsgtmkNowGwCaiCA/s320/CR-13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389284474388135618" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJr72oXclMvuIagppDL6M3eyS8ijOr3ZEq5WRmcIHI3X-CrU5e36eSIGc9VOhBnS9Odw7-RYzHNk5-twExcNzlFEg86lfhTOs_Omkdqd-uqmWIc8TE5C_zKSYoYXLsig_k7E6raKCP8-I/s1600-h/CR-12.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJr72oXclMvuIagppDL6M3eyS8ijOr3ZEq5WRmcIHI3X-CrU5e36eSIGc9VOhBnS9Odw7-RYzHNk5-twExcNzlFEg86lfhTOs_Omkdqd-uqmWIc8TE5C_zKSYoYXLsig_k7E6raKCP8-I/s320/CR-12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389284467071942370" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgKmIGgg7gxgFh_2ZoKtWgWx8E6HRipLx5mU8NVkB6TaU6kPYNATHdLqRMFChndAd8up3_i1ubHvyHqYk12sC4TvJhl3PUIbGUPwoIX_5GxEJVsR7o1FpIgJWVFooQX6LiUjOreygIGE/s1600-h/CR-10.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgKmIGgg7gxgFh_2ZoKtWgWx8E6HRipLx5mU8NVkB6TaU6kPYNATHdLqRMFChndAd8up3_i1ubHvyHqYk12sC4TvJhl3PUIbGUPwoIX_5GxEJVsR7o1FpIgJWVFooQX6LiUjOreygIGE/s320/CR-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389284461352412754" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px; " /></a><p></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The second day wasn’t a productive photo-day for me, as I was hoping for a little more light than the heavy clouds and threatening rain provided. I was able to start it by meeting up with a good friend for breakfast, and some more stroll-time in Central Park, though, and I used the rest of my time that day to take care of some other responsibilities, and salvaged my need to be productive :).</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mEwbFvfw96TOMQXqdfN12CscDHhWBoW6wJTsTgkTqS19uSOfKjU_WPXpswG4PelBybblZPvLTn9xEMVz-OvyUYGoMyGIjMV9fjsV45IzZ60RZ0vbQCyfiOCiQZyg5KzpL6nO7NLxe-o/s320/CR-17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389287676246374994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px; " /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHOgMFia7F-vsvbja92cx6c2b_hu7UPUsbVnwl-8GZO3yUOfZCnwybaPMZk4IRqiEfDu_PQ3z_mUqBN8gdeJZF2BFc-xVTdb2ZMECgQh98_tsSOtzzRjvNhRKa_T0Yfd6F5f-EBdUQlk/s1600-h/CR-16.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHOgMFia7F-vsvbja92cx6c2b_hu7UPUsbVnwl-8GZO3yUOfZCnwybaPMZk4IRqiEfDu_PQ3z_mUqBN8gdeJZF2BFc-xVTdb2ZMECgQh98_tsSOtzzRjvNhRKa_T0Yfd6F5f-EBdUQlk/s320/CR-16.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389286698839715378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px; " /></a></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">New York was New York. I alway have mixed feelings about the city. The handful of times I’ve been, I’ve really enjoyed my time, think there is a ton to do and see, and always feel like I needed more time there. On the flip side, I usually feel ripped off at some point during the trip. This time it was the ride to the airport from Manhattan. The car that was called by the hostel where I stayed charged an arm and a leg for the trip. It wouldn’t have been so bad but for two things: The guy coordinating the rides knew the car in front of me was taking one passenger to JFK, but chose not to pair us up (and save both me and the other passenger a chunk of change), rather waited to mention it until after the car was pulling away. Also, as I looked out the car window on the way I saw several taxis with a flat rate posted on the side of their cab that was $20 less than what I was being charged. Small potatoes, for sure, but not exactly a “customer-friendly” experience. I have, however, met a number of great people in the Big Apple. Friendly and welcoming, and happy you are there visiting their great city, the people I meet always make the pros outweigh the cons.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYyqKxOkPLKwcJ1-KzKJdu_oI9LvoIJrRMo3v93eLZhdoSm7lFhjTUc49ZuXuMbUec8jGbfVNHygIblioEXsiHldfLm-wwPIhl1Ity5w7zornyHG9L5L3-U9FG6mivh1xsGKki3ouFTc/s1600-h/CR-15.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYyqKxOkPLKwcJ1-KzKJdu_oI9LvoIJrRMo3v93eLZhdoSm7lFhjTUc49ZuXuMbUec8jGbfVNHygIblioEXsiHldfLm-wwPIhl1Ity5w7zornyHG9L5L3-U9FG6mivh1xsGKki3ouFTc/s320/CR-15.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389286689844386386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well, that’s the short update on New York.... I hope you enjoy the photos, you'll notice in this set I have been playing with some heavy contrast and fisheye lenses for something different :). </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stay tuned for another update soon on my travels to Portland, Maine!</span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">dg</span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0Z7g58PWiYaDCKWexgIzNahX967rqBNWtDRKG_6vEIRztMyXYSIhoLoL3Di1m2mp9k_6nbI9UnNMdR6FfCwNsNTR-Id0Y_tDV2chJjlmTKfLAoXWgk9tx7aKz1iYPC4O37K8QpFPwUI/s320/CR-19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389279780975275634" style="text-align: left;float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Helvetica, serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Helvetica, serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Helvetica, serif;"></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; min-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3rM2fzaZHgiJ1rAFMrtZBIy733xDVDG-j_3wHkyAeRR_CQblUsGOv-WJae0N4WqPdPHbmj05jTWHR8upEone_m1JYusPcPOAdh0IuKSKyKx3oVg9eekNhhoVPyXL33oN1BYc4TpGJb0/s320/CR-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389276322717724050" style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-1205838236836687612009-09-28T20:03:00.000-07:002009-10-28T12:14:56.387-07:00Bright, Shiny, Dry & Prickly<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83NSD1pijRCKczuRKGk1zPOEeR_fG4_LfevzAAl3hbffA-aDmKUt-l0hLlgHWf12fWSa3Zg52axju8KZFMaQz5hDAiP_-qlfdJ5grZmZg_AcpeW5-Jx1iYhkcOqWt_T_R2ZAC-GVjzgc/s1600-h/CR-13.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIfiK_0itOryNxeSyXqGoSvsX0Y2doOrNa4913HdB7Y1fZL7n-WTHNMnrNBWk7Sl4RzqLspa3m11e-_kfVBxqyteC5IRJgxNw2glzQOMBdQPKK3jsi_gWpYzyIXz5GOF6vQt8PqMVrQs/s1600-h/CR-11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIfiK_0itOryNxeSyXqGoSvsX0Y2doOrNa4913HdB7Y1fZL7n-WTHNMnrNBWk7Sl4RzqLspa3m11e-_kfVBxqyteC5IRJgxNw2glzQOMBdQPKK3jsi_gWpYzyIXz5GOF6vQt8PqMVrQs/s320/CR-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386771616272596626" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Howdy! I few days ago, I flew into Las Vegas after changing my itinerary from one night to two nights and postponing Seattle in order to get home a day sooner for my short break. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fW_8LMbFJ7xftWrWdq2q2GyIqsQ3xqx49CXWcgD-btR9zgHlsybhwQNNDkjgB237-eRBUGhqiV9t_hfDowdqLguht3f_WmOrnoODwitV51bVjH3ce8VPvy71NiTytJjT1VQU5qBuAiM/s320/CR-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386768272438334738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Vegas is still bright and shiny, and filled with pumped-in oxygen and the *pling*pling* of slot machines in full use.... I wasn't there to throw away money, though, so after getting checked in I headed out for a few hours of shooting at dusk and after dark on The Strip.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuFDAPV6_U2iwRRI8ch86NXFD-GCTQ6L-veBM6twLok4KreWpKkOEfH4KjB_lFT26tqdNYo2mnhTmmvVEkhc173G7ygELqQ-FpmmGEXrk8n2JhqEZ0IOixUxoouUZo4rsAfXafSLMRGE/s320/CR.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386768585050874770" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was fun to experiment with long shutters and was my first attempt at an extended night shoot. That being said...be kind as you peruse the handful of photos I've posted:).</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxl1dwRxQNugMtMK0BWNdS5JtCOnUJ_dFwWfr9cG5CuF6tFQByZCM7RVcy6Wr9Rcc13_tbMqmO7CLrNfa9UOo1wZSlJ-g01pWB-6sZGSoxOrGKkZAgLhM15P0V6hAZM4xy-HsM5WVMxs/s320/CR-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386769228061268306" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjqermSHzPC3HN2wXX8PiQKnvW-eWmim4SAq7eQEzQGAOHbPTN-fyMw3YPdoFdzJjdVLBEXj7OvnXh25sMhBaaaAZuE8SlXr9jMgxQPq4fjrUEi4iHEUxuWk6b4pxth-6VS_ueV03jSE/s1600-h/CR-5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjqermSHzPC3HN2wXX8PiQKnvW-eWmim4SAq7eQEzQGAOHbPTN-fyMw3YPdoFdzJjdVLBEXj7OvnXh25sMhBaaaAZuE8SlXr9jMgxQPq4fjrUEi4iHEUxuWk6b4pxth-6VS_ueV03jSE/s320/CR-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386769497184585266" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH1ortaJ9IPloHiPRlIBo1GoMbjFngGEiLNfkiBgEYvhlyv0ub6jme74oySb9TUcW0hlxwsz8d0B6ZU8k6XG0D1DZY7t-kigiHuLepdGKfM-AKI6XWEhkibjmhQw7Hve0iBevmQauR_0/s320/CR-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386770046852148482" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7M1cUiwsKSFnH6gFdrGR74KG5hXuvEfqGgNJU9aYT6awkhrqMHtb5ZIhSbe1YZDo4yyQozb7wJWUKuUdZa8L70wYwM5YJm2NYftCbieIqdcUfOE0fwHoLEeUtH88G6rWmNCnh8SLCsI/s320/CR-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386770326496242882" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">After a good session of night shooting, I took the opportunity to use the extra day in Vegas to head down to the Mojave National Preserve and spend some time in the desert and try to get a decent sunset from Teutonia Peak. I'll have to admit, the desert wasn't what I expected. Hot while the sun was up, yes... but definitely more vegetation and wildlife than I thought I'd see. I didn't know it, but this section of the Mojave has one of (if not the) biggest and densest concentration of Joshua Trees in the world. I saw desert night lizards, darkling beetles, blacktail jackrabbits, and even what I think was a kit fox yelling at me and scratching his ear with his back leg on a boulder about 50 yards from where I was standing near the peak.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtepJDMvCa4-MV_WjrqMeXuhJzlZ-hUu0-AipE0mDrcq5L8ZcV_IFcBRHsccbEeYlvOPQy-klqDz2x7Vdw9SwWDnjV9hFxowKBJYQShergzqwt4EV_2IENTzhIA5c9PTaRvoxN8Ox_gI/s320/CR-8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386770690378798354" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After a short detour from the trail on the way back down from the peak (thank you iPhone compass app:)), I stopped for a while perched on a sizable boulder and took some sky shots and enjoyed a cool, quiet, clear night of solitude.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf3sdBU788yrbSByzw0ewE8whZQqVW3RMQwWmWlHAqmYdkOsT5q1ygKDDqdL8YeBJnOU96D7Az82ePdvBhff1muQpu-HdEYXYTTyC2ha4_inDZT9lDqNem9yC79h_M3YphYA4coXa8i4/s1600-h/CR-9.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizf3sdBU788yrbSByzw0ewE8whZQqVW3RMQwWmWlHAqmYdkOsT5q1ygKDDqdL8YeBJnOU96D7Az82ePdvBhff1muQpu-HdEYXYTTyC2ha4_inDZT9lDqNem9yC79h_M3YphYA4coXa8i4/s320/CR-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386771086133461650" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Enjoy the photos! After another day at home, I'm off to New York, Maine, Virginia and DC... compliments of Jet Blue!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Blessings,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Danny</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83NSD1pijRCKczuRKGk1zPOEeR_fG4_LfevzAAl3hbffA-aDmKUt-l0hLlgHWf12fWSa3Zg52axju8KZFMaQz5hDAiP_-qlfdJ5grZmZg_AcpeW5-Jx1iYhkcOqWt_T_R2ZAC-GVjzgc/s320/CR-13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386771632925882370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrllGvR0CTtimOj_VXm9kfJTxsD6KQ19HndGZwNZ0IEYvLiE97NCHSIJ2dak1_tV3_6b4gCVae1MNFf3fxI9dtf5PsRYDMASQEAPB9sHOizDll9GTlYzg88BWFuQg2n69C5aWLIDUyv4/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLrllGvR0CTtimOj_VXm9kfJTxsD6KQ19HndGZwNZ0IEYvLiE97NCHSIJ2dak1_tV3_6b4gCVae1MNFf3fxI9dtf5PsRYDMASQEAPB9sHOizDll9GTlYzg88BWFuQg2n69C5aWLIDUyv4/s320/CR-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386771607167242546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex7rXskw4FxNHfW_bOG4VooZwXaSt1ALlA4XNjfBvRedJ4uyZxoNPNbL7Gy95aOEtg66dBsqfFtKYDkqLi9l-4SCmzqPROJT8Wi_TP_2BTT0ArxrcFMjgnh2ejGYS-8-07ugx7jKNfDk/s320/CR-12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386768105818363394" style="text-align: right; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div></span></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-25350105777502114452009-09-26T13:36:00.000-07:002009-09-26T15:05:05.935-07:00Utah!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYr1bkGcKDAgs3x-8xgkSA-shKMkeG3m0j_IRMH72_qxzZNtdRtlDy2XG3MdkcP0S1AZ89WdBJav5ERL8F8I4D_HE1MDyvYZFS6uV1GzFOTCd18D7AOQHgkIz0c7d0hSW01khco4PcpCk/s1600-h/CR-7.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHb5RIsksqVIdUTTMX2eLsmmpbRZJxUlV4-daKRHkYhI3yGVDZngitVDg37IlQrflobwXmGLh3JZMtwwYAPgQowWgF1SfuKXpfZLfdibzO92nE19VRj_OW6rvhR0fBvGlikvhSkyAJlQ/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CubmSe52TSQkdwaCEdOdokNrX3cZgyonukCIi9d1gfNH5nAvUCLEYtRyPosGBQYWAlkidtaiS0hrNaep6nSEhT42wRlyNeQHzaeYC5gXPQtvSpgn2k448606-hDst3Mr8gTD36HOf4M/s1600-h/CR-5.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVom0jSFTBIn6jtEDSBIAMdOtif83hcPXuJUhxY0bXvnYG00KsmA3rV2c1g-84lt_ZSWbrhGap9Bt26hI6WnRIGtdMtHRlxgQt1OWpOb9HaxLfqUNRz-wjZJ6r6pDXmNSjRXH_X6SDzKM/s1600-h/CR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVom0jSFTBIn6jtEDSBIAMdOtif83hcPXuJUhxY0bXvnYG00KsmA3rV2c1g-84lt_ZSWbrhGap9Bt26hI6WnRIGtdMtHRlxgQt1OWpOb9HaxLfqUNRz-wjZJ6r6pDXmNSjRXH_X6SDzKM/s320/CR.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385897117007142786" /></a><br />So the drive down to Arches was fairly uneventful, a little longer than I expected, but a nice drive all the same. It's pretty crazy when you can drive for a couple hours... in a straight line. Not in the general sense of driving in a given <i>direction, </i>but truly in a straight line, where the road continues on in front of you and there is a far off vanishing point you think you'll never reach, and like the charging knights in a scene from The Holy Grail... voila, you're there.<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqa7iClJ5V79wx7eOiGwNXSyAd_UxWsNZMmem_XH_FbBbsJLCtxnMUmKTHo79bvGetJ22bSuxRcPmP0zPuGTT9a1xR6jFE5YsWSabZfXfp7D4O48bX_cNRNqQQS0Ln_GQB0hd5_wJohs/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqa7iClJ5V79wx7eOiGwNXSyAd_UxWsNZMmem_XH_FbBbsJLCtxnMUmKTHo79bvGetJ22bSuxRcPmP0zPuGTT9a1xR6jFE5YsWSabZfXfp7D4O48bX_cNRNqQQS0Ln_GQB0hd5_wJohs/s320/CR-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385897513786253522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a> <div>Anyway, I think I was supposed to be talking about Arches National Park, eh? Well, it's pretty spectacular, I have to say. You really do feel at times like you're on Mars with the dry, reddish-tone landscape and fantastically shaped cliffs, arches, and other formations that constitute the draw for the park. I arrived at arguably the best time to take in the park, late afternoon, as the sun cast shadows on and through the rocks and highlighted the imaginary characters, scenes and objects the formations resemble. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KxyuAVNcjBtIefYWOGdTJsa2QsJCc8OVbpnGc19j0MYM15Czft2pcw6OhCaeAkpjwYxFarKe2s3ig9oXeielJ-ng3vhArrslN9ZFHSzjBS1uxrn7zEiFQ_s0U1EFVM632DtDojDY8F8/s320/CR-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385898019763270354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I knew I wanted to get a sunset shot of Delicate Arch, a somewhat famously recognized symbol of the park, and of that region of the country... judge for yourself if I did it justice:). Needless to say I got the shot (or shots), after a short and moderately difficult 1.5 mile hike in to the site of the attraction. It was an interesting experience, as I wasn't alone in the desire to capture the image of Delicate at sunset. Rows of tripods and cameras peppered the north western rim of the small canyon that held a view of the Arch. I found a good spot to setup, though, and the only challenging part was trying to shoot in between the people scrambling up under the arch to get a photo of themselves underneath the natural wonder. Funny, at one point after a particularly steady stream of these snapshot-seekers was capped off by what seemed to be the last of them scampering off out of the frame of the shoot, an eruption of applause by the dozens of photographers seemed to have encouraged any others wanting to get their "i was here" photo to wait until another day... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CubmSe52TSQkdwaCEdOdokNrX3cZgyonukCIi9d1gfNH5nAvUCLEYtRyPosGBQYWAlkidtaiS0hrNaep6nSEhT42wRlyNeQHzaeYC5gXPQtvSpgn2k448606-hDst3Mr8gTD36HOf4M/s1600-h/CR-5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CubmSe52TSQkdwaCEdOdokNrX3cZgyonukCIi9d1gfNH5nAvUCLEYtRyPosGBQYWAlkidtaiS0hrNaep6nSEhT42wRlyNeQHzaeYC5gXPQtvSpgn2k448606-hDst3Mr8gTD36HOf4M/s320/CR-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385898430241100018" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>The park isn't a small space, and undoubtedly one could spend days or even weeks exploring all it has to offer, but if you are crunched for time, and want to take in a ton of cool views and get some neat shots, Arches is definitely a good pick. If I were going back, I'd plan a solid 2 to 3 days to dedicate to the hikes and drives that it would take to get a complete experience of the park.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd hoped to re-arrange my trip to spend another day in the park, and allow for a day to do some city shots of Salt Lake City, but it didn't work out that way... so no SLC. But, my rescheduling did allow for some time in the Mojave desert outside of Vegas that I wasn't expecting to have... so look for my next post soon.... Vegas!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace,</div><div>dg</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHb5RIsksqVIdUTTMX2eLsmmpbRZJxUlV4-daKRHkYhI3yGVDZngitVDg37IlQrflobwXmGLh3JZMtwwYAPgQowWgF1SfuKXpfZLfdibzO92nE19VRj_OW6rvhR0fBvGlikvhSkyAJlQ/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHb5RIsksqVIdUTTMX2eLsmmpbRZJxUlV4-daKRHkYhI3yGVDZngitVDg37IlQrflobwXmGLh3JZMtwwYAPgQowWgF1SfuKXpfZLfdibzO92nE19VRj_OW6rvhR0fBvGlikvhSkyAJlQ/s320/CR-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385900078863972978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQzLEn847mVogWRrX-CiyAEaBUn-LQMv_b0Ojyh_VLBqfQ5fZUMhbUxU-FjrwcspItKsMniNKQan-qkpfbkhyphenhyphensLBY0t6yZ7dxVFvMFP2ymWwCdTAcQ_iykEsCVj88VlMTj4zwJsleEXo/s1600-h/CR-4.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQzLEn847mVogWRrX-CiyAEaBUn-LQMv_b0Ojyh_VLBqfQ5fZUMhbUxU-FjrwcspItKsMniNKQan-qkpfbkhyphenhyphensLBY0t6yZ7dxVFvMFP2ymWwCdTAcQ_iykEsCVj88VlMTj4zwJsleEXo/s320/CR-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385900071466486258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYr1bkGcKDAgs3x-8xgkSA-shKMkeG3m0j_IRMH72_qxzZNtdRtlDy2XG3MdkcP0S1AZ89WdBJav5ERL8F8I4D_HE1MDyvYZFS6uV1GzFOTCd18D7AOQHgkIz0c7d0hSW01khco4PcpCk/s320/CR-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385900440308545138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-69038205100857668052009-09-22T09:45:00.000-07:002009-09-22T10:39:00.659-07:00Gondoliers and Aspens<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjWz3CrGPEEusJwUvxenGjfXGP1WjsmI8tLDAHWEDyvSBoMZAHNcROYTOc38Jx7opxTs9dp3vla0QXSjwQNkVUmm3mlGoqM7LgoV9_-3zHj3HzWctR_WNuLuDhrSFB0dGDARwy0qbNaw/s320/CR-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384342745772135602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div></div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQx00d-4wKW7Xrm-9PgvFBu_KiIUmQZqCCHe9-29zpQ_FaBkxuBGxCkPeA8yDzWUsebDDBrL9PI8QdPjwQ5k9uA3CFzKdHrrgomRhljZBl32CgPCR_1z6e5FMnLlrt209CjQQYAb704vc/s1600-h/CR-2.jpg">Greetings! I have found time before my drive this morning down to Arches National Park to edit a couple photos and post a quick ditty on my Colorado jaunt.</a></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzSyOeJiQroTrxTFN5io7VN-xOBXNijVHvNEeP79C9dEeQAXLaxjOeSZKgSr2E1WDHo65NcHVUX1_5o9A4TguEcZvIbLVDtViOzXPC8TawXahMpTCmzZXZBEo6NgGZpjo0SfDmiV6Eos/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQx00d-4wKW7Xrm-9PgvFBu_KiIUmQZqCCHe9-29zpQ_FaBkxuBGxCkPeA8yDzWUsebDDBrL9PI8QdPjwQ5k9uA3CFzKdHrrgomRhljZBl32CgPCR_1z6e5FMnLlrt209CjQQYAb704vc/s1600-h/CR-2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQx00d-4wKW7Xrm-9PgvFBu_KiIUmQZqCCHe9-29zpQ_FaBkxuBGxCkPeA8yDzWUsebDDBrL9PI8QdPjwQ5k9uA3CFzKdHrrgomRhljZBl32CgPCR_1z6e5FMnLlrt209CjQQYAb704vc/s320/CR-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384343098344474402" /></a><div>Colorado brings back fond memories. An old college roommate of mine moved there a few years after school and was kind enough to let me (and countless others, I'm sure) visit and take advantage of the amazing skiing, beautiful scenery, and great climate.</div><div><br /></div><div>My old roommate doesn't live here any longer, but an good friend of Kathryn's does, and so we were able to accept her gracious hospitality and services as tour guide for a couple of beautiful days in the Centennial State.</div><div><br /></div><div>We hit a fun Italian cultural festival in Lakewood the first day, and enjoyed a little wine tasting, tasty sicilian pizza, a gondolier, and some traditional Italian flag-throwers. We drove down to Colorado Springs where we stayed for the night, and got up the next day to venture out to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzSyOeJiQroTrxTFN5io7VN-xOBXNijVHvNEeP79C9dEeQAXLaxjOeSZKgSr2E1WDHo65NcHVUX1_5o9A4TguEcZvIbLVDtViOzXPC8TawXahMpTCmzZXZBEo6NgGZpjo0SfDmiV6Eos/s1600-h/CR-3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzSyOeJiQroTrxTFN5io7VN-xOBXNijVHvNEeP79C9dEeQAXLaxjOeSZKgSr2E1WDHo65NcHVUX1_5o9A4TguEcZvIbLVDtViOzXPC8TawXahMpTCmzZXZBEo6NgGZpjo0SfDmiV6Eos/s320/CR-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384343851611302802" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px; " /></a><div>The Rockies are staggering, and we were there just as the Aspens were starting to turn, giving a hint of the incredible beauty they'll provide in a few weeks . A drive up to Forest Canyon Overlook provided some snow to contrast with the tropical weather I've been in for the last couple of weeks, and whet my appetite for ski season. We were treated to amazing vistas, elk sightings, and cool cloud formations on the drive up, and we stopped on the way down to take a couple-hour hike up to Dream Lake.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fPUaLDBcrkVdjf2oWaQ0cr-PTLBZIITgnwHybz5ULqxm3dYdBma9f7SDv2wZMUFGuYDZiC1h6ZQ3KDLIiZaIm9md_8ifpZtvkPDrsLw1dOckvMf5r53b48xD2hC61VNIJNH_zRV78c4/s1600-h/CR-8.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fPUaLDBcrkVdjf2oWaQ0cr-PTLBZIITgnwHybz5ULqxm3dYdBma9f7SDv2wZMUFGuYDZiC1h6ZQ3KDLIiZaIm9md_8ifpZtvkPDrsLw1dOckvMf5r53b48xD2hC61VNIJNH_zRV78c4/s320/CR-8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384345400837036130" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZP0It8c4cEx-B3phTlCJdXl0avfZGvunCRjDfm-JyAwvmtNB4lhMbeQlNtmGHTn87pCg_zRZs1CPTGRX4NHMicfP9h1CzJW8Gpi77xq2tBC8PeeGNAgeELUuD_pSdCYIcqkxEL4TyRw/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZP0It8c4cEx-B3phTlCJdXl0avfZGvunCRjDfm-JyAwvmtNB4lhMbeQlNtmGHTn87pCg_zRZs1CPTGRX4NHMicfP9h1CzJW8Gpi77xq2tBC8PeeGNAgeELUuD_pSdCYIcqkxEL4TyRw/s320/CR-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384344833205909394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a>A tent, bag and an overnighter under the stars would have been perfect:). Alas, no camping was in the agenda, but the trip was amazing all the same.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWsjitwhyMMu8rMNsa8I8FSewxj1lTbsk0g4H0WzQ83FqKZbsaPkXgZsqC0taK2dhENWZuuehy8_muUsil3FOodpJujkDd0HvbCPgNvoue3pxV0TmYjim3UBvVGSPV5fpeonXzFfjJLs/s320/CR-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384347110647201298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Denver would definitely be on my short list of places to live. Great climate, active culture, some of the most impressive mountains in your backyard... how can you go wrong?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdNNzAItfCVeM7juST8GFZJwAvDmlQE9TrPdyWVyNECsIuQdlFg3-ZKcUTI51XZpFVf71DD4fhKI78UuEGhkrWsZBRpykmGs59EWFyODbt1dso_eHJ1m22cL3OEXo2Lcpn7TCrSEnf68/s320/CR-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384347559273697106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll catch you guys again after Arches... gotta catch a sunset at Delicate Arch:).</div><div><br /></div><div>Blessings,</div><div><br /></div><div>Danny</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-88640321765444670602009-09-20T23:53:00.000-07:002009-10-29T13:16:34.051-07:00Costa Rica...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq4uIZyTLNBoR5YJ_j7DnMjvfOaFB48__M64hNVHdyb3Mmx-wPvIoBJl2SEGgDLWMqFGU-chB0sxo6o-Fi7jMGhR8NUheS5qB-l_sP31YHZjbx2qHP3F95HvoFIsPl9fMEO8mGuq-Ixg/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTnwQPp7iBAZ-CLo_czukEEaO5inI1vSHcKNKOTBdbGD7I7hTKlnd_BNBG6oLmFKLGpxGAzKdI_fYm45MQWAr-ELVTMjOT1_cdEq0uz8rMctRWt3UN8i-8n0L7TYXUPEWArSJMaAGQJs/s1600-h/CR-9.jpg"></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKZj5r3bryQuYC7uxGA9aa77DV1n3MdKxsZlKVd_YC3sWsOr_V11cb8Xmho9khb4VgqUyctkiQTe9Idx6p9vXRpz293n5PFEBBwN9YbxE1DgME8EKmFjbiMhB0P8ZEOM_F_uMHO4TQcY/s320/CR-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383815905961452610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div>Costa Rica was incredible. I started off my time there by driving from the airport up to the Arenal Volcano and stayed at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, right at the base of this active volcano in the Northwest of Costa Rica.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNveHBSLnIyRvzUlsz4Y3Zdb19oLUoFMAmD2Q3JDsRKM-zvmkrbdg0Y9ACA4SOL4Hi6-vMGQVa6yqekjkZaczhIh8Rpchb3_LTAvImKpd5my0N0myyy0CXj-KV0iXduTIlDe-rVt8CB8/s1600-h/CR-7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNveHBSLnIyRvzUlsz4Y3Zdb19oLUoFMAmD2Q3JDsRKM-zvmkrbdg0Y9ACA4SOL4Hi6-vMGQVa6yqekjkZaczhIh8Rpchb3_LTAvImKpd5my0N0myyy0CXj-KV0iXduTIlDe-rVt8CB8/s320/CR-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383816173278865810" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Set back in the forest accessible by a kilometer gravel/riverrock road, its definitely off the beaten path, but well worth the effort.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVSbeLAfQD-bZleI3tbsjluZL34MooLzuBrrf0zKQpesrivsYYZAs3g0OKiltu29DIab3RRQT63t8Jl7Nki1MI44L8EN912uy2bEbpi6y8Ac_UENz9KPPYkHJ1o_tLiVVM2gzx72I7so/s320/CR-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383816931872113106" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Beatiful hikes, wildlife a-plenty, an amazing view of the volcano, (especially if you catch it on a clear night where you can watch streams of red-hot boulders being spit out of the volcano and roll down the face </div><div style="text-align: left;">of the mountain).</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My next stop in Costa Rica was Puntarenas, where I’d planned to access some of the famous beaches of Nicoya on the western coast. Unfortunately, rain, heavy and frequent prevented me from getting to these, but there was plenty more to shoot at the resort and small parks nearby. Iguanas ran around like squirrels and in a park nearby the resort, pale-faced monkeys emerged from their morning naps and littered the trees, accepting bananas and other snacks from the Tico children there in the park picnicking with their families.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTnwQPp7iBAZ-CLo_czukEEaO5inI1vSHcKNKOTBdbGD7I7hTKlnd_BNBG6oLmFKLGpxGAzKdI_fYm45MQWAr-ELVTMjOT1_cdEq0uz8rMctRWt3UN8i-8n0L7TYXUPEWArSJMaAGQJs/s1600-h/CR-9.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTnwQPp7iBAZ-CLo_czukEEaO5inI1vSHcKNKOTBdbGD7I7hTKlnd_BNBG6oLmFKLGpxGAzKdI_fYm45MQWAr-ELVTMjOT1_cdEq0uz8rMctRWt3UN8i-8n0L7TYXUPEWArSJMaAGQJs/s320/CR-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383818517325362850" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZQkrIXvEy4mtbKn2XQtWWTzziwRbql6e6gA0QQisnWuIqW0OpsUhTLdeDbnBfG_97JsrMdw-5_B4s-xmSlVMvYkiq9MRWT4nVB1PxDcZOsi6ByRgFzFe0rlTfVPKpt3z1llGJLfUXiE/s1600-h/CR-8.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZQkrIXvEy4mtbKn2XQtWWTzziwRbql6e6gA0QQisnWuIqW0OpsUhTLdeDbnBfG_97JsrMdw-5_B4s-xmSlVMvYkiq9MRWT4nVB1PxDcZOsi6ByRgFzFe0rlTfVPKpt3z1llGJLfUXiE/s1600-h/CR-8.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZQkrIXvEy4mtbKn2XQtWWTzziwRbql6e6gA0QQisnWuIqW0OpsUhTLdeDbnBfG_97JsrMdw-5_B4s-xmSlVMvYkiq9MRWT4nVB1PxDcZOsi6ByRgFzFe0rlTfVPKpt3z1llGJLfUXiE/s320/CR-8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383818184291670930" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>The 1 hour drive back from Puntarenas ended up being a 5 hour trip, as I encountered traffic back-ups, closed roads, and heavy rains. This kept me from the 1/2 day I’d planned shooting </div><div>downtown San Jose, and I ended up staying near the airport to catch my morning flight out of the country.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Although I didn’t get to experience or shoot several of the places and things I had wanted to, I still loved Costa Rica. The people were friendly, laid back, and the country is beautiful. I’d love another trip, a longer one that would allow for more exploration of the regions I didn’t get a chance to visit this time....<br /><br />Until the next post,<br /><br /><br />Danny</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq4uIZyTLNBoR5YJ_j7DnMjvfOaFB48__M64hNVHdyb3Mmx-wPvIoBJl2SEGgDLWMqFGU-chB0sxo6o-Fi7jMGhR8NUheS5qB-l_sP31YHZjbx2qHP3F95HvoFIsPl9fMEO8mGuq-Ixg/s1600-h/CR-6.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq4uIZyTLNBoR5YJ_j7DnMjvfOaFB48__M64hNVHdyb3Mmx-wPvIoBJl2SEGgDLWMqFGU-chB0sxo6o-Fi7jMGhR8NUheS5qB-l_sP31YHZjbx2qHP3F95HvoFIsPl9fMEO8mGuq-Ixg/s320/CR-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383819344028888178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYYbgh12lOyztFk97ZuNCazJewr3m36v9TXas0g3wB1wotvXg_ijCWlZPuwStm8ip6Q5PYE3wq20tVtz0kgfcAo7pYIkATMRktTgnVXSFQXFadB02BYJRQMethjC7JuWquD3BtZY2_A0/s1600-h/CR.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYYbgh12lOyztFk97ZuNCazJewr3m36v9TXas0g3wB1wotvXg_ijCWlZPuwStm8ip6Q5PYE3wq20tVtz0kgfcAo7pYIkATMRktTgnVXSFQXFadB02BYJRQMethjC7JuWquD3BtZY2_A0/s320/CR.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383819335217852866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-17388804413180566712009-09-16T09:53:00.000-07:002009-09-16T10:25:35.588-07:00Delayed....<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoT7TVCpiLQfQtpmsoTHY4km1AnYE2kthQSejsAX6jBzzaKUwMl08kSYje4kmPSy4DUpb_0OAd9wiYaU-BqF5a29q-KKfxU-LH4S1g4QaqnxTZmpFT2RiDNeD2M0bgciw_1n4u64D6upw/s1600-h/20090913-IMG_7397.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Fa_VV7cLWT6IVlO5lIjZLG6Zm_l694M2QA-LIRzrRD1m20Q_6GHFTcLE4b9s5O3PHW2yuwWfpBok2deNYZ03UjrdvOvDk1PK_0ElbXkSxYdGAu2jprwIya7Zne78TkT9AHp71gYQv9U/s1600-h/20090913-IMG_7381.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Fa_VV7cLWT6IVlO5lIjZLG6Zm_l694M2QA-LIRzrRD1m20Q_6GHFTcLE4b9s5O3PHW2yuwWfpBok2deNYZ03UjrdvOvDk1PK_0ElbXkSxYdGAu2jprwIya7Zne78TkT9AHp71gYQv9U/s320/20090913-IMG_7381.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382114104846180994" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvo-RDLLUL78VeRxNlFMCBgSDN3XiGXRPgViBsgZaLn7hVN-31XFCRoyfofInbosCcDNd88XGGlWFQtPRA6AjASrs0li2pQRoyVixPooSDEHfZhznhpX3Kcv4yPnQamv6YwiojzsWPNg/s1600-h/20090912-IMG_6842.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUNsXxXXDvxpc38J_O4yFLfRJPUvhEmXFmU1J6G4rfAc5u0EEu8EkSjm0K35PqB02gpLIZnb9odx3GABryL26mx4xouvRsHbavQQPixq8Cx1ce_pmgXZlnIoIU7brPguxnrP2wabsbKw/s1600-h/20090912-IMG_6842.jpg"></a><div>I’m sitting here typing up the content for this blog as I wait in a parking lot of traffic on the Inter-American Highway, west of San Ramon, and not yet to Puntaneras, my destination for tonight. Both lanes are blocked off, because sadly, an accident took the life of someone and la policia need to do their CSI before they clear the road. I imagine this will be a few hours, but I’m in no hurry, and even if I were, I think seeing the wreckage would have quickly corrected that with a dose of perspective. </div><div><br />Today, September 15th, was the independence day, like our July 4th, for the Costa Rican people. Judging by the coolers and beach umbrellas sticking out of the trunk and littering the ground around the wreckage, this family must have been returning from their holiday. Instead of a reason to celebrate, it will be a very sad memory every year from now on for a handful of family and friends of whomever died tonight.<br /><br />I have a renewed appreciation for my trip, and the gift it is to be able to undergo it.<br /><br />That being said, my apologies for not posting sooner, but the short Puerto Rican portion of my journey, as well as the first two days of the Costa Rican stint have been sparse as far as availability of internet has gone (and phone service, for that matter). So, here goes:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzCHySaZXVFUuBi2prqiOyOFjXiBam-HzOac1d48qOfRq5ATQl2WqQCjfrR3NMw4nVITIfU7MKuO_s8ZvR3ZrZnE7Mz3N47FohtWhhovuMkCxEzGbQoOf0f4cu9z_tueAHTdToB69lDY/s1600-h/20090912-IMG_6568.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzCHySaZXVFUuBi2prqiOyOFjXiBam-HzOac1d48qOfRq5ATQl2WqQCjfrR3NMw4nVITIfU7MKuO_s8ZvR3ZrZnE7Mz3N47FohtWhhovuMkCxEzGbQoOf0f4cu9z_tueAHTdToB69lDY/s320/20090912-IMG_6568.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382110262861605650" /></a>Puerto Rico, as some of you saw from my Twitter is definitely somewhere I would love to return. Friendly people, lots to see and do, and I only scratched the surface with the one usable day I had. I arrived late on the night of the 12th after flying through Ft. Lauderdale (where I made my last post). Some shots of the nightlife in Isla Verde, the tourist area where I was staying was fun, but I really enjoyed the following day. I got up, walked to the beach early, but missed the sunrise I intended to shoot. Oh well :). I used the rest of the day to drive up through Loiza, a prominent surfing and public beach area, and along the coast, turning south to visit El Yunque Nat’l Forest. My El Yunque visit was much quicker than I’d have preferred and many desireable trails were left un-hiked, but what I did see was amazing. Incredible views from Yokahu tower, and great shots of a couple beautiful waterfalls...<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvo-RDLLUL78VeRxNlFMCBgSDN3XiGXRPgViBsgZaLn7hVN-31XFCRoyfofInbosCcDNd88XGGlWFQtPRA6AjASrs0li2pQRoyVixPooSDEHfZhznhpX3Kcv4yPnQamv6YwiojzsWPNg/s320/20090912-IMG_6842.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382113323068988658" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">...not to mention jumping off of one :). Well, not the waterfall itself, but one of its lower falls had a deep pool at the bottom, and I took the 15 or so foot plunge at the invite of Fredo, a local who saw me shooting and told me about the jump. I shot him and his friends with a promise to email some pics, and traded spots, with him shooting me making the jump. Good times!</span></span></div><div><br />So I’ve decided to hold off on a Costa Rican post to another day, perhaps at the end of this portion of the trip, perhaps sooner, but I think you’ve had enough for now.... hope you enjoy the pics! View from Loiza, Puerto Rico<br /><br />Blessings to all... appreciate those you love and the time you have with them.<br /><br />Danny</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoT7TVCpiLQfQtpmsoTHY4km1AnYE2kthQSejsAX6jBzzaKUwMl08kSYje4kmPSy4DUpb_0OAd9wiYaU-BqF5a29q-KKfxU-LH4S1g4QaqnxTZmpFT2RiDNeD2M0bgciw_1n4u64D6upw/s1600-h/20090913-IMG_7397.jpg"><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoT7TVCpiLQfQtpmsoTHY4km1AnYE2kthQSejsAX6jBzzaKUwMl08kSYje4kmPSy4DUpb_0OAd9wiYaU-BqF5a29q-KKfxU-LH4S1g4QaqnxTZmpFT2RiDNeD2M0bgciw_1n4u64D6upw/s320/20090913-IMG_7397.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382115399393522210" style="text-align: center;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">La Mina Falls, El Yunque Nat'l Forest</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kVjsFmxgh4Nuu2mzCBmrvkZQAgrUp3OTGnprKgmiHSIMbCCGo4W3AA4wCqxMXr0xsie-10tW-OLmjPCWRv03rSd4IaMFlAfEqqcwvMvSwgh3U8nIjBxpbwSDv8fKvUyvK_3NbfsGqGY/s1600-h/20090913-IMG_7124.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kVjsFmxgh4Nuu2mzCBmrvkZQAgrUp3OTGnprKgmiHSIMbCCGo4W3AA4wCqxMXr0xsie-10tW-OLmjPCWRv03rSd4IaMFlAfEqqcwvMvSwgh3U8nIjBxpbwSDv8fKvUyvK_3NbfsGqGY/s320/20090913-IMG_7124.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382115389706744914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">View from Yokahu Tower, El Yunque Nat'l Forest</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ34Z85nB4hkRgP9hlw1_WptZ6Zm12tF_U5RO9AvaoYxnCkLa2nHuDred5C2j-W_dURTOu7iH6MHy1YOJhIMrGXQ6-zrtXZtKDGA5EXSYcbem4kxKVxBKgX2hk2YCxW7DobiKvV_Kiq4/s1600-h/20090912-IMG_7085.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQ34Z85nB4hkRgP9hlw1_WptZ6Zm12tF_U5RO9AvaoYxnCkLa2nHuDred5C2j-W_dURTOu7iH6MHy1YOJhIMrGXQ6-zrtXZtKDGA5EXSYcbem4kxKVxBKgX2hk2YCxW7DobiKvV_Kiq4/s320/20090912-IMG_7085.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382115381213159138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">La Coca Falls, El Yunque Nat'l Forest</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-88518671414560045082009-09-12T12:53:00.000-07:002009-09-12T13:47:50.232-07:00Da Bahamas Mon...<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt4dKhBDFafEYBne_yFZhdIC_-7OxDUWY2jxLkk8ypmBJMxNBAnus5uyzVe0gnUjwln6T-0fAr0ft97Ij9m3z8H79ZHG3d4h5q-K6eUz8vj5vvdWoDRfGmPplNqdMuCiE2QrdLGuptsI/s1600-h/20090910-IMG_6343.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibt4dKhBDFafEYBne_yFZhdIC_-7OxDUWY2jxLkk8ypmBJMxNBAnus5uyzVe0gnUjwln6T-0fAr0ft97Ij9m3z8H79ZHG3d4h5q-K6eUz8vj5vvdWoDRfGmPplNqdMuCiE2QrdLGuptsI/s320/20090910-IMG_6343.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380676607206779218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><div>So the first stop on my adventure was Nassau, The Bahamas... and I have to admit, it wasn't what I expected. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of beauty around, and well, its the Bahamas. On New Providence however, though I found a lot of shooting opportunities, little of them were white sandy beaches... at least now what I thought of when I think white sandy beaches. I suppose it's not the island to go to if that's what your looking for. I'm also sure that my limited exposure to what the island has to offer may have missed a white sandy beach or two:). Its a very touristy-town, at least between Cable Beach (where I was staying) and downtown Nassau. It's also the capitol city of The Bahamas, and so you get things that come along with any capitol city... a mixture of commerce and poverty, history and progress, as well as portions of the city that have fallen into disrepair.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've learned (or re-learned) a few things on this trip that will be helpful in my future travels...</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Transportation is worth the expense. I thought it would be a good idea to save some dough, and use the bicycles the hotel made available to me to get around on. That would have been a good idea, except for the fact that a) It rained very hard off and on throughout the day, every day. b) the bikes couldn't be used in the evenings.</div><div>Having my own transportation would have been worth the expense and allowed me to take advantage of a ton more shooting opportunities.</div><div><br /></div><div>2.Turns out, trespassing is taken seriously in The Bahamas. No arrests or anything scary, but an attempt to circumvent a hotel fence to get (what I can only imagine would have been) a killer sunset shot garnered me an earful from the property guard. Oops.</div><div><br /></div><div>3.The shot will often only be there for a moment, take it when you can, and allow plenty of time to prep for it. For example, airconditioned hotel rooms and hot, humid air cause condensation on glass when introduced to one another. Camera lenses are made of glass. Dang. So much for that sunset....</div><div><br /></div>Overall, I'm stoked for the first stop. Some good shots were taken... even though they're not what I expected... Some "other side of the road" shots, wildlife shots, downtown city shots, and yes... even some beach shots :). I've posted a couple here, and hoping it will give a taste for more when I can get my website up and running.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQPJsi4h3WGIKD4zx_LPbZbKR4kIhHuN5Tc5DzzShJTOrw3yYD7RRkJ5lzx_mDbkDRjaLXDpgute82EDiPDdKc5bqLru8QAzLWJg7CS-dv_h3lZiy7TZ6v_zyiGVgahUAsfHDfQPKXPs/s1600-h/20090910-IMG_6162.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQPJsi4h3WGIKD4zx_LPbZbKR4kIhHuN5Tc5DzzShJTOrw3yYD7RRkJ5lzx_mDbkDRjaLXDpgute82EDiPDdKc5bqLru8QAzLWJg7CS-dv_h3lZiy7TZ6v_zyiGVgahUAsfHDfQPKXPs/s320/20090910-IMG_6162.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380684272050336530" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvUVGBU2kwFC3PFnjKjeWCju5E5xINgOaEY9d2uoW22aP-II_XIK77uiyonstvvIrLBqjSSThWrXwPrtkjgfgVtCb1KL5CdQyPlQjw-e6NWjYK9hNVMI4xtMK29YC0kVDI32kxPaPKe4/s1600-h/20090909-IMG_5789-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvUVGBU2kwFC3PFnjKjeWCju5E5xINgOaEY9d2uoW22aP-II_XIK77uiyonstvvIrLBqjSSThWrXwPrtkjgfgVtCb1KL5CdQyPlQjw-e6NWjYK9hNVMI4xtMK29YC0kVDI32kxPaPKe4/s320/20090909-IMG_5789-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380684264461449490" /></a></div><div> "Flamingo Show", Ardastra Gardens & Z00<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> "Straw Market" d/t Nassau</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvUVGBU2kwFC3PFnjKjeWCju5E5xINgOaEY9d2uoW22aP-II_XIK77uiyonstvvIrLBqjSSThWrXwPrtkjgfgVtCb1KL5CdQyPlQjw-e6NWjYK9hNVMI4xtMK29YC0kVDI32kxPaPKe4/s1600-h/20090909-IMG_5789-2.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcG7_LAotJTZbBoRoyKSQ8XHkgR_0GnwvVbQv231nJzqrfewwjO-MKfztpsU5yu0giAc076_7Y7Da4t-MlCTyv5x_-7s3_hc43HBim1dEgPuaOa09qq1uNERyM06aXWF0Lz6YKdJarKL4/s1600-h/20090909-IMG_5483.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcG7_LAotJTZbBoRoyKSQ8XHkgR_0GnwvVbQv231nJzqrfewwjO-MKfztpsU5yu0giAc076_7Y7Da4t-MlCTyv5x_-7s3_hc43HBim1dEgPuaOa09qq1uNERyM06aXWF0Lz6YKdJarKL4/s320/20090909-IMG_5483.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380684257437871090" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><div>"Beach Front", Cable Beach at Goodman's Bay</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355745624612511529.post-6134389300486827722009-09-09T05:05:00.000-07:002009-09-09T06:04:35.912-07:00And so it begins....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv9O2Iw0RncAJcmGi3HEwhAkUfqmF4setCPUq_o8K5AHIBMoIa6jkycC2Ppio6UrV6ORAvm6UxHIYOipwP8hEUXE5uZvnVdF-qQTt2R4kcvB93xwAJlhkxpeIKrGDgpm_uqSovRI1oYQ/s1600-h/IMG_6712.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzv9O2Iw0RncAJcmGi3HEwhAkUfqmF4setCPUq_o8K5AHIBMoIa6jkycC2Ppio6UrV6ORAvm6UxHIYOipwP8hEUXE5uZvnVdF-qQTt2R4kcvB93xwAJlhkxpeIKrGDgpm_uqSovRI1oYQ/s320/IMG_6712.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379452845582641298" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Hello! A few weeks ago, I saw a Twitter message from a friend of mine about the Jet Blue All-You-Can-Fly for $599 deal they were promoting, I can only assume to fill some otherwise empty seats in a down-season. I checked it out, sure there was a catch, but to my pleasant surprise, it was the real-deal. All you can fly, anywhere they go for a full month, September 8 to October 8, 2009 - all you pay are taxes, which are nominal.... and totally worth it. So I booked it, and began a couple week flurry of making arrangements for flights, researching destinations, and contacting people I knew to prepare for what will be a 14-city, 6 week adventure... <div><div><br /></div><div>I've never been much of a writer, so bear with me on any rambling or rabbit-trails I go down. I'll be posting the itinerary soon, and look forward to getting some sample pictures up as well to give a taste of the what's to come once I'm back from the trip and have had a chance to make edits and post some work on my website, <a href="http://www.danielgainescreative.com/">www.danielgainescreative.com.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Until then, I hope you enjoy the shots, can endure my writing, and please, let me know what you think!</div><div><br /></div><div>Blessings,</div><div>Danny</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1