First hike of the year
Santa Fe, NM is high up in the mountains, about 7,000 ft. altitude. There are many opportunities for outdoor activities, so we went fo a nice hike. Took the Machisma Trail, just north of the city. First of the year…
It wasn’t a very long hike, just under 5 miles, or difficult, with about 700 ft altitude gain, so it wasn’t overly stressful. But it was our first hike of the year, and only 2 days ago we were near sea level..
Anyway, hiking is a pleasant way to spend some time while keeping in physical condition. A few pictures.
A steep stretch
Lots of pine trees
Trail map at the top
Romola working her way uphill
“Blood Moon” in Dallas
On April 14, 2014 we had a “Blood Moon” in Dallas. This is a total eclipse of the moon, but just the shadow of the edge of the earth. It turns the moon red, causing the term “blood moon”. This is seen by some religious groups as a sign the end is near, other attribute many nasty things to a rather normal phenomenum.
The red light occurs because Earth’s nitrogen-based atmosphere filters out blues, leaving reds, which refract around Earth onto the moon. And if conditions are really favorable, it turns anywhere from bright red to rust-colored.
It was a cold and windy night, and to capture the final red color I needed a long exposure. The wind cause camera shake, and so the last image is somewhat blurry. But you can see — the blood moon.
Earth shadow start to cover the moon….
Further….
Further….
Further….
A bit out of focus, but here it is – the blood moon
Tulip time at the Arboretum
It’s tulip time at the Dallas Arboretum so we joined Stacy and Dallas for a nice picnic lunch and tulip viewing session. We had a great time until rain eventually drove us out. But the colors of the tulips, and the large plantings and layout, were beautiful. Some images:
Contrast between tulips and flowering trees
Varied colors
Singling one out from the group
Pansies hold their own
In honor of my birth country — orange tulip
Unique purple tulip
Red tulip closeup
Green pistils
A lonely white tulip
Inside a tulip
Our Galapagos cruise
The Galapagos are remote but if you can get there do it. There is no place like it on earth. The scenery is spectacular in its own way, but the animals steal the show. Sea lions, turtles, birds, iguanas… all are unafraid of humans and will let you get up close and personal. A photographers dream! I have shown some pictures below but the best place is my Flickr link (see side bar) and you can see all 150 or so.
Our trip started in Quito, largest city in Ecuador and at 9,000 foot elevation. We had enough time to visit some local sites and to stand on the “middle of the earth”. From there, we flew to Baltra to begin our cruise.
The ship was small: 93 passengers. Service was great, 70 person strong to take care of us! The food was excellent, the ship well maintained. Every day we had two excursions, led by certified naturalist guides. They not only showed us the best places to visit b ut provided excellent information.
A nest of iguanas
Flamingo
Blue footed booby
Swallow tailed gull
Land tortoise
Sally crab
Land iguana
Lava lizard
Mockingbird
Sea lion
Church in Quito
At the palace (Quito)
Child in backpack, Quito
Stacy’s birthday, new house
Seems like a short time ago that Stacy graced our lives. Now, she is off on her own, and in a meaningful relationship — one that we approve of highly. So when we were invited to a brunch to celebrate her birthday we were excited, especially since Dallas is such a great cook! So we had a great meal (eggs benedict, and lots of chocolate stuff!). Lots of food, and family get togetherness. Not to forget the dogs…
This also was our first visit to their new home. A big improvement over the old one! They have already done a fantastic job of making the house a home of their own. One unique feature, black board walls in many rooms, encouraging visitors to add their own comments. And a spare bedroom for our future visits!
Wishing her a great next year.
Presents and chocolate heart cake
Wall art, dining room
Wall art, hallway
Inside dining room
Living room
Dinette
Stacy and Dallas in the kitchen
Living room detail
Link doing what he does best
Stacy, about to stab the heart
The whole family – including the dogs!
Stacy, playing coy
Navigator cruise, February, 2014
Last November, we sailed on the Navigator of the Seas, one of the last sailings before a $80 million dry dock refurb. While we were hanging around the Houston area, we noticed the Navigator was back in action… and they had a sale! Since the friends we met on the Barcelona cruise were already booked, we decided that we’d go too. After all, the price was SOOOO low.
So on a Tuesday we booked it for a Saturday departure. Galveston is an easy 2 hour drive, boarding was quick, and the ship looked great. New carpets, furniture, paint etc. made quite a difference. For reasons still unknown (but much appreciated) we were given a Premium Drink package, meaning we could drink pretty well anything we wanted to. Wine with dinner, cocktails at the show, and margaritas in the hot tub were all terrific! In fact, the price of the drink package exceeded the price we paid for the cruise, so we are happy cruisers.
Here are a few pictures. Many more in my Flickr account as well as our photo album.
Old vs. new
Our friends Jimmy and Betty LeBlanc.
A kid on the on board wave rider
Belly flop competition!
Even an ice show on board
A local vendor in Jamaica
Mockingbird in Jamaica
Sunrise on the last day at sea
One of the on board concerts
Beach scene in Cozumel
Caribbean cruise
Since we are so close to New orleans, it seemed like a good idea to also take a cruise. Especially since they were on sale, and left right from downtown! So we had a nice, stress free, over eating cruise to Key west, Nassau, and Coco Cay.
The ship (Serenade of the Seas) was recently remodeled, and so it was clean and attractive. No sickness surprises, no problems. The food ranged from very good to excellent, and we had a few great meals (and many very good ones too!) The entertainment was superb as well, with a variety of singing, comedy and acrobatic acts.
Finished of two books, had a very relaxing time. No doubt the blood pressure will go up tomorrow when I get back on the scale.
Entering in to Key West harbor
If you don’ want a cruise, but like to sail, here’s your ticket.
Some pretty sailing vessels took to the seas
Statue in a Key West building
You know, that really is a big ship!
This “shack” was destroyed in the Thunderball James Bond movie
Atlantis, popular (and expensive) as ever
Chihuly in the entry way
Nature Trail on Coco Cay
Coco Cay beach
Jack and the Beanstalk arial act — on a ship!
More Jack and the Beanstalk act
A French Quarter visit
The weather was cool but sunny, a perfect day for a visit to the French Quarter! Of course, we started out at the obligatory Cafe du Monde with Begnets, always a treat. Followed by a walk along the Riverfront, back through Bourbon Street and eventually through the Farmers Market. Got some king cake and pralines, too.
Then a nice lunch at Kenny’s Seafood, a local fresh fish store as well as a restaurant. Great day!
Where we started
Bourbon Street balcony
Street corner
Everything they sell is pink
Statue at the Jazz Memorial
Farmers Market
Holocaust Memorial
Statue commemorating Old Man River
A different view of the Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral
City Park, New Orleans, LA
City Park, New Orleans is as unique as the city of New Orleans. The 1,300-acre outdoor park has been a New Orleanians favorite since 1854, making it one of the nation’s oldest urban parks. Each year, millions of visitors stroll under the same historic oaks and picturesque moss canopies that served as the backdrop for dances, concerts and even gentlemanly duels for generations.
It is pretty impressive to see such a well developed park right near the downtown of a major city! In addition to walking and cycling paths, there are lakes, birds, playing fields, rental buggies and more. Plus, the NO Museum of Art is located here, as well as the Botanical Gardens. Guess we’ll have to do make another visit!
Sculptures near the Museum of Art
White ibis, roosting in a tree
Female and two ducks
Rental pedal cars
Big Lake, quite picturesque
Entry to the Museum of Art
New growth
A promenade of oak trees
These oak trees are bigger around than they are tall
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 182. American forces, commanded by Andrew Jackson, fought and defeated an invading British Army. The British intent was to re-capture the city of New Orleans and the large lands acquired by the Louisiana Purchase. The Battle of New Orleans is considered to be one of the greatest American land victory of the war.
The National Park Service hosts an annual Re-enactment on the anniversary of the battle. There are gun and cannon demonstration, and many people dressed i period costumes. It was an interesting display, and we enjoyed the visit.
Tending the cooking fires
British headgear
The militia arrives
Looking over the battle field
Cannon fire
Rifle fire
Local volunteer
Colored participants were important contributors
A display of rank
Laninga's Travel Blog 