December 12th, 2008
I took the opportunity to drive down to Galveston to see what Hurricane IKE had done to the place. It was DEVASTATING in parts. In particular Crystal Beach, which is just across the bay from Galveston was wiped out. This is just one of a series of photos that I took that really need no explanation…..The power of nature is awesome. The seas just wiped out miles and miles of houses. There is NOTHING left but a stick or a cement block to remind you that once a home or a business stood there. It all felt very sad and quiet..and lonesome!
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
December 7th, 2008
Onward to NYC and the famous Rockefeller Plaza and the annual Christmas Tree. It was a sight to behold and it was as cold as Chicago..well not quite but certainly heading there. The sight of the Christmas tree in all its glory warmed us up though…
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
December 6th, 2008
Next stop Minneapolis. First time I had ever been there. I really enjoyed the place, although it was very cold which is becoming a trend on this trip so far! I visited a store in the city and saw something I had never seen before. An escalator that allowed shoppers to move their shopping carts between floors. I felt a little like a country boy seeing NYC for the first time I was so surprised at the idea. It is very clever. Anyway, for those for whom this is a common sight I apologize. For others like me for whom this was a first…enjoy!
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
December 3rd, 2008
Chicago has to be one of the coldest places on earth when the wind is coming off the lake and it is November/December/January or Feb… maybe even March for all I know. What I do know is that the sky was blue, and so were my fingers, not to mention my toes… cold does not do the conditions justice. Nice Building though.
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
October 21st, 2008
How could we not resist putting this on the blog? I mean how many times does a town put out a permanent welcoming sign for you? Sandy appreciated the gesture. For those who travel this way, off to the right, just out of sight is a country lane that is crowded with Blackberry bushes. When we were there they were drooping with fruit. Needless to say we left the place with blackberry stained fingers and scratches all over our arms…well worth it though.
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
October 21st, 2008
We decided to take the road to the very peak of Mount Hood and we made it as far as cars were allowed to go. The wind was kicking up a storm and it was cold, cold, cold, but it was a good memory. There is a ski resort right at the top but it pales in comparison to Vail or Colorado…I guess that is a little local pride creeping in…
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
October 21st, 2008
I paused and took this shot of the first snow of the winter decorating the branches of fir trees that will soon be laden with the white stuff. At this point though it looks fantastic…
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
October 21st, 2008
But to reach the peak we had to drive through some serious snow, and it brought home that winter is not too far away now…
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
October 21st, 2008
When you leave the Warm Springs high desert, you sweep down into pine forests that skirt the towering peak of Mount Hood. The day we headed back to the coast we had the first snow of the year and the mountain was magnificent. Its hard not to wax lyrically about a view like this…
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
October 21st, 2008
To make your way back to the coastal region you have to drive through high plains desert. Part of this is the Sovereign nation of the Warm Springs Indian tribes. It is truly an extraordinary part of this land. There are few places that I have visited in this world that is as desolately beautiful where complete silence is heard. I mean, not a peep out of birds, no contrails in the sky, no cars, just the lonely sound of wind and the scratching of tumbleweed as it bounces across the earth. I love the place and always make a point of going there when I visit. It touches my soul..
Posted in National Travels | No Comments »
_th.jpg)
