Random Travel Blog

Galveston Seawall

2012-01-23T00:01:00.001-07:00

This statue is a memorial to the great storm of 1900 by sculptor David Moore.

End of the Jetty, Freeport

2012-01-22T23:58:00.001-07:00

I use to fish here when I was a kid. Caught trout, a redfish or two, spanish mackeral once, and some flounder. But mostly I caught hardhead, gafftop if I was lucky, and pinfish if I got bored. Oh yeah, I once hooked a seagull too.

Staircase, Olympia National Park

2012-01-08T20:19:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful family friendly walk through mossy old growth along an energetic little river.

Potlatch State Park

2012-01-08T20:15:00.001-07:00

This state park is located along the south end of the Hood Canal just off the highway not too far from Hoodspoint.

Marymere Falls

2011-12-31T18:12:00.002-07:00

The hike to this waterfall in Olympic National Park is a family friendly stroll.

The trail starts at the Storm King Ranger Station.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T12:54:00.003-07:00

Browns Point Lighthouse

2011-12-19T21:06:00.001-07:00

Browns Point is located down the sound near Tacoma. The lighthouse keeper's cottage looks nice and can be rented. From 1887 until 1903 a light was hung on a post and maintained by row boat. In 1903 a wooden lighthouse and the keeper's cottage were built. The current concrete lighthouse visible to left was put up in 1903. The boathouse is visible to the right.

Weinermobile

2011-12-18T23:03:00.001-07:00

I saw the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile yesterday tooling down I5 between Tacoma and Seattle. The last time I saw it had to be about 8 years ago or so in Houston. Seeing the Weinermobile this close to New Years is bound to be good luck.

Ferns in Lincoln Park

2011-12-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

It is getting colder and we have had a couple of light freezes now.

Twin Falls

2011-12-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

It is a very pleasant walk to Twin Falls and back in Olallie State Park, a distance of 3 miles return and with about 500' of elevation gain.

Santa Train

2011-12-04T22:05:00.000-07:00

It was a foggy day but the Santa Train was running from the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie to North Bend and back today. Lots of kiddies and parents were waiting for a ride at the old depot. The television series Twin Peaks was filmed in North Bend and Snoqualmie.

Driftwood at Lincoln Park

2011-11-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

When I saw this piece of driftwood while walking along the beach below the house I thought it looked like a heart. After seeing it on my computer, I have decided it is two figures embracing.

Castle Mountain

2011-11-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a photo from a while back taken in Banff National Park... Happy Thanksgiving!

San Francisco

2011-11-20T06:59:00.002-07:00

I flew through San Francisco the other day and was going to post this photo I took out of the plane window but I didn't get around to it until now.

Sidewalk Art

2011-11-20T06:54:00.002-07:00

Jackson is sorry he pushed over the chalk man who was emerging out of the sidewalk.

People were drawing giant eyeballs....

and trying to get into a comfortable position while drawing...

At the Park

2011-11-18T17:37:00.000-07:00

Jackson and I checking out the Japanese Teahouse in Hermann Park, Houston.

Clearly I didn't take this photo - Jackson's mother did.

Autumn

2011-11-01T21:37:00.000-06:00

The little Japanese maple in the front garden is probably at peak fall colors right now so I snapped a picture. The Japanese maple is my favorite small tree - the first ones I had in my garden were in England years ago and I had a green one and a red one. This one has a really pretty shape as well as color.

In unrelated news, I went down to the Occupy Seattle demonstration the other day. I didn't snap any pictures, although the protesting grandmothers would have been good if I would have had my camera ready. I did jot down what I thought were the best protest signs:

I'll believe corporations are people when Texas executes one
9% unemployed + 90% underpaid = 99%
Wall Street is shovel ready - bury them with FDR's Glass-Steagall Act

Schoonover Bluff

2011-10-21T21:46:00.001-06:00

This is Schoonover Bluff on Indian Creek near Anderson Missouri. The Autumn colors aren't quite out yet but the vine on the bluff has turned.

Impressions from Leavenworth

2011-10-15T22:22:00.006-06:00

The Wenatchee River flows through it and the surrounding mountains are beautiful.

The town has been made over in a "Bavarian" theme. There is no historical background for this other than the setting and the desire of the townspeople to make it attractive to tourists. The town has an Oktoberfest and Christmas lighting festivals each year. There are wineries and fruit orchards in the surrounding area as well as a ski hill, the mountains, and the river.

Full Disclosure: The two people in the photograph should have been there but they weren't. This being Oktoberfest, there was a parade and they were at the head of it. I've photoshopped them on top of the background.

And this is the real parade. One of the more important participants was the beer wagon.

Sunset in Fauntleroy

2011-10-14T22:29:00.002-06:00

It was the most sensational sunset I've seen yet in West Seattle....

Impressions from Poulsbo

2011-10-13T12:18:00.002-06:00

A nice harbor

A main street that reflects (somewhat) a Scandinavian heritage. Norwegian was largely spoken until WWII. The town name was meant to be Paulsbo, but it was mistaken for Poulsbo on the handwritten post office request and has remained that since.

An artsy craftsy feeling. In the case of this take on American Gothic, a quirky one at that.

Impressions from the San Juan Islands

2011-10-10T15:55:00.007-06:00

Rush hour

Busy downtown shoppers

Limited downtown parking

Public transport

It Rains, It Snows

2011-10-05T11:41:00.000-06:00

A neighbor told me that in Seattle it is like someone throws a switch in October. It starts to rain. And of course at higher elevations it starts to snow. This week it started to rain and I noticed new snow on "The Brothers", a pair of mountain peaks visible out the back of the house. A glacier is visible year round. Snow was predicted last night at elevations above 5000', and the taller peak stands 6,842 feet (2,085 m).

The Brothers were named by George Davidson, the same surveyor who named Fauntleroy, in 1853. George married Ellinor Fauntleroy, and the mountains were named in honor of her two brothers.

The weather forecast this time of year is pretty simple: If it is not raining, it soon will be.

Dahlias

2011-10-02T20:58:00.002-06:00

I haven't posted a collage of flowers for a while so here you go.... There is a bumble bee near one of them if you look closely. It was a cloudy but still day today - perfect for photographing flowers in in Tacoma at Point Defiance Park.

Closed for Season

2011-10-01T22:03:00.000-06:00

There is no lifeguard on Lake Washington.

It is too cold.

Although it would have been too cold in August.

Without a wetsuit.

But with a wetsuit you could easily swim now.

So, why no lifeguard?

The Underground at Pioneer Square

2011-09-25T20:12:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was nice and warm but today for the first time it is beginnig to feel like fall. The totem pole in the photo stands in Pioneer Square in Seattle. At the square you can take a tour that tells something of the local history and among other things how the ground floors of the buildings here got to be the basements and why there were so many seamstresses in early Seattle. It was fun and educational.

Gerona, Spain

2011-09-19T14:34:00.001-06:00

These are views from Gerona, a very nice town located not too far from France in Catalunya that has well preserved sections from Roman, Moorish, and medevial times. I wish we had another day to spend there....

Constancia

2011-09-18T16:16:00.000-06:00

I am a sucker for boats and rarely pass up the opporunity to photograph one that I think has character. This is "Constancia" moored in Barcelona harbor.

Festivals in Barcelona

2011-09-18T16:10:00.003-06:00

Today there was a festival at the cathedral in Barcelona. A statue of the Virgin Mary, patron of Barcelona, is carried to the cathedral. I am not sure of the details, but another festival includes carrying giant statues and heads.

More Street Performers in Lisbon

2011-09-17T16:08:00.001-06:00

I like photographing street performers because firstly they don't mind being photographed - in fact they like it - and secondly they don't get to look at the photograph later and I don't get feedback that it isn't flattering.

Palacio National da Pena in Sintra

2011-09-17T15:33:00.000-06:00

It is a long walk to the top of the mountain from town.... much easier to take the bus.

Views of Lisbon

2011-09-15T15:26:00.000-06:00

My first impressions of Lisbon weren't that good but it has grown on me. So far I wouldn't say the food has grabbed me yet though.

Lisbon Street Performer

2011-09-15T15:22:00.001-06:00

We saw this guy "floating in air" who was pretty good and a fool blowing bubbles who was trying to take from the tourists. How does he float in air? My guess is that some sort of suspension apparatus extends from the cane through his coat sleeve and down his pants somehow. Pretty good though as he seemed to have most people amazed. He allowed people to wave their arms under his feet to show there was nothing down there.

Arrived in Lisbon Today

2011-09-14T14:49:00.000-06:00

Maybe I'll find an interesting picture or two....

The Sculpture Park

2011-09-10T20:15:00.002-06:00

A tree buds. Taken in the Seattle sculpture park a while back.

It was a foggy day on Mt. St. Helens

2011-09-05T23:58:00.000-06:00

This was taken a while back. I am pretty sure there are rules against posting too many cute chipmunk pictures so I try to space them out a bit.

Seattle Sunset

2011-09-04T21:45:00.000-06:00

We've been having nice sunsets lately.

Bridal Veil Falls

2011-09-04T21:38:00.001-06:00

I wonder how many waterfalls there are in North America named Bridal Veil? There must be quite a few. This one is fed by Lake Serene in the Cascade Mountains.

Salmon Hatcheries

2011-09-04T21:25:00.000-06:00

These fish have made it to the Wallace River Hatchery in Washington State. 75% of the salmon caught in the Puget Sound, and 90% of those caught in the Columbia River originated in hatcheries.

The Bubble Gum Wall

2011-08-28T12:24:00.000-06:00

If you were to visit us in Seattle, we could take you to interesting places such as the Bubble Gum Wall where tourists display what they have been chewing and take photographs of each other.

Office

2011-08-28T11:41:00.004-06:00

This is the remodeling project I've been working on. A fish stuck to the ceiling would have this view. Pretty good work even if I do say so myself. I am going to have to wait a while before I tile again though. I need to forget what it is like to scrape up linoleum and then lay down tile on my knees. I like my Ikea "Billy" bookcases.

Baring Mountain and Barclay Lake

2011-08-28T11:38:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a nice day for a walk and we hiked to Barclay Lake which nestles between Baring Mountain shown here and Merchant Peak off picture to the right. The elevation is 2420 feet. Note snow higher up to the left on Baring Mountain.

It is a beautiful walk and the trail is kid friendly with nice camping spots along the lake. Because of the relatively short distance (2 miles) and the gentle trail it would be a good first walk in camping trip for families and beginners.

Vashon Ferry

2011-08-25T11:42:00.001-06:00

The internet has been out here at the house so no chance to update. Also, I've been doing home remodeling so limited time to get out and photograph but here is a photo from the back porch I took one evening of the Vashon Ferry. Low light, hand held with a telephoto lens, and enlargement means jitter and lots of noise. I don't do many abstract photos but thought this one was interesting.

Fishing for Pinks

2011-08-15T00:02:00.000-06:00

The pinks are coming! The pinks are coming! The pink salmon that is. These fishermen are at Lincoln Park. The pink run occurs on odd years, and this being 2011, they are here. It is supposed to be a good year but I saw more fishing than catching when I was down there watching.

An Angry Mountain

2011-08-10T10:23:00.005-06:00

Mount St. Helens did incredible damage when it erupted in 1980 and 30+ years later that damage is still very evident. When the north side of the mountain blew away, the mountain lost 1000 feet of height. Note the snowfield of the glacier forming in the crater and the glaciers that still surround the mountain.

In this photo the volcano pokes through the clouds and towers above the lava, rock, and mud flows below. It is now quiescent but will undoubtably erupt again in future. At least we got off the mountain without incident.

The remains of a tree blown away by Mount St. Helens surrounded by wildflowers.

Spirit Lake

2011-08-09T09:50:00.003-06:00

A view of Spirit Lake in background with wild flowers in the foreground on the climb up to Windy Ridge near Mt St. Helens. It deserves the name, it was windy.

A panorama from the top of Windy Ridge. Mt St. Helens is at the far left in background and Spirit Lake is in the foreground. On the far right, the grey area in the lake is a log jam from trees brought down by the eruption in 1980. The barren areas in the phtograph were forested before the eruption and are slowly recovering. Notice how the backside of the hills and ridges were spared some of the damage that occured on the side facing the volcano.

Mt St. Helens Waterfalls

2011-08-09T09:41:00.002-06:00

This is Big Creek Falls on the south side of the mountain. The rivers and creeks are fed from glaciers on Mount St. Helens.

Falls on the Lower Lewis River

North Head Light

2011-08-08T23:35:00.002-06:00

The North Head Lighthouse, built in 1898, marks the north side of the Columbia River in Washington.

There are two buildings on the North Head where the head lighthouse keeper, his two assistants and their families lived. They are now available for rental.

Olympic National Park

2011-07-23T12:10:00.002-06:00

I haven't posted any wildlife pictures in a while so here are some Pacifc Blacktailed Deer (ususally classified as a subspecies of mule deer). The photos were taken in Olympic National Park at Hurricane Ridge and the deer are really tame there. The meadows here have a "Sound of Music" feel to them, minus Julie Andrews and the von Trapp children of course.

The Farmer's Market

2011-07-18T11:27:00.000-06:00

It has been rainy, but we got out yesterday and went to two Sunday markets. There was a quirky band playing at both. Above is Clallam County playing at the West Seattle Farmer's Market.

The Hoot Hoots were playing over in Ballard, which is the larger market. Prices are about the same as the grocery store but presumably fresher and you are buying more direct. Fresh flower arrangements are a bargain. By the way, you can buy a CD from either the Hoot Hoots or Clallam County for $5.

One Man Band

2011-07-11T00:01:00.001-06:00

A street performer at the West Seattle Summerfest

Mt Rainier

2011-07-10T23:46:00.001-06:00

Mt Rainier is clearly visible from Seattle on a good day. Here it is peeking through clouds, as seen from the Vashon Ferry across Fauntleroy Bay.

Beautiful Weather

2011-07-08T19:08:00.000-06:00

The weather has been great lately, I've had to get out and water to keep flowers in pots alive. This shot is of Seattle as seen from West Seattle.

Road Trip

2011-07-03T23:28:00.001-06:00

David and I drove from Houston to Seattle last week in 4 days. Despite passing incredible scenery, I didn't come up with much more than snapshots. Here are two of the best: the Tetons from near Jackson, Wyoming and Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. I did see more antelope than I've ever seen before (but no worthwhile photos).

2011-06-12T17:24:00.003-06:00

The West Point Lighthouse, located in Discovery Park, Seattle, began operation in November 1881. Standing 23 feet high, it was the first manned lighthouse on Puget Sound and cost $25,000 to build. In 1985, after over 100 years of operation,it was the last light to be automated in Washington State. The original light was replaced with a modern beacon in 2004.

Another shot of the lighthouse with the old Coast Guard Quarters in the foreground.

Ima.Bee

2011-06-10T23:47:00.001-06:00

Now you may be familiar with Ceanothus, the bloom of which is pictured above, but I wasn't. This particular species is native to Northern California and is growing in my back garden. It attracts bees like crazy so I was out trying to get a photo the other day. It isn't easy. How do bees fly anyway? The physics are crazy. This little bee has her wings going so fast you can't even hardly see the blur. I put out a bird feeder yesterday and I'm starting to see a few birds I'm not familiar with also. I am going to have to try to photograph them.

Lincoln Park Beach

2011-06-10T23:40:00.001-06:00

A picture of the beach today - I like this piece of driftwood.

Rainier

2011-06-05T23:06:00.003-06:00

Rainier is a most imposing mountain and my picture doesn't do it justice. Like Fuji, it is an active volcano that stands apart, especially when seen from it's "good" side. Here, from the south, it doesn't seem to rise as quickly and as high above the others as it appears to do from the north. Still, it is a very impressive sight.

Vashon Ferry

2011-06-03T19:54:00.000-06:00

The ferry seems to have kept running OK in my absence.

Old Man and a Yellow Boat

2011-06-03T19:49:00.003-06:00

This old guy was resting on his boat in the park next to the ferry terminal where I like to take my walks. I sat down and took a picture of him and waited for a good shot of the ferry. After a while he walked up to where I was sitting, sat down, and spoke.

Him: Hi
Me: Hello, how are you doing?
Him: OK. I'm tired.
Me: Have you been working on the boat?
Him: Yeah. Somebody stole the mast. It was wooden and wasn't attached very well. He probably did me a favor. I've got a metal one now.

Silence.

Him: The snow is low down on the mountains for June.
Me: Yes, it has been a cool spring.

That was the end of our conversation. After a minute he got up and walked away. I wish I would have asked him where he was going to sail the boat when he was finished. He didn't seem to be in that great of health.

By the way, this is my 1000th blog post. I posted my first on February 24th, 2004.

West Seattle 5k

2011-05-22T20:49:00.003-06:00

The clouds parted and the sun burst out just as the race started. I went into a coffee shop to enjoy a biscotti and latte while waiting for Teresa and the rest to return.

I'm a Grandfather

2011-05-22T20:44:00.002-06:00

... that's the reason I didn't post anything last week. I was busy.

Japanese Gardens in Seattle

2011-05-08T19:53:00.001-06:00

A view of the Japanese Garden at the Seattle Arboretum. The late cherry trees are still blooming but the rhododendrons are still coming into full bloom.

Another view of the garden with a Japanese Lantern in the pond.

And finally, a view of the Japanese Lantern I placed in our front garden.

Fauntleroy Ferry

2011-05-07T22:56:00.000-06:00

The GPS is smart enough to know we are on the ferry, but not smart enough to get the crossing times right.

Driftwood along Dungeness Spit

2011-05-07T22:43:00.000-06:00

The spit is about 5 miles long and littered with driftwood on the strait side. The inland side is a muddy estuary and wildlife refuge.

Dungeness, Home of the Famous Crabs

2011-05-07T22:14:00.000-06:00

Today was wet and a bit cool but some sun broke through. The picture was taken just up from Dungeness on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Canada can be seen across the strait from this location. The sandy headland was named New Dungeness by George Vancouver in 1792 because of the resemblance to Dungeness in Britain. There is a long sand spit (the longest in North America) with a lighthouse at the end just up the coast from here. Beautiful, and well worth a visit.

Nice Weather at Last

2011-05-04T22:53:00.000-06:00

At last, more and more days with nice weather. This is the view of Seattle from the little park on the hill in West Seattle on California Street.

Camellia

2011-04-26T11:46:00.000-06:00

The blooms on the camellia are all but gone.

Windswept Pine

2011-04-26T11:30:00.000-06:00

I trimmed the tree in the backyard a little bit the other day. There was a dead limb that needed to go...

Statue of Liberty

2011-04-24T23:15:00.001-06:00

We have a statue of liberty in West Seattle along the waterfront, and they have one in Japan too. This one was placed there by the Boy Scouts in 1952 along with the following inscription:

With the faith and courage of their forefathers who made possible the freedom of these United States

THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

dedicate this copy of the statue of liberty as a pledge of everlasting fidelity and loyalty.

Standup Paddle Boards (SUP)

2011-04-24T14:21:00.000-06:00

I always think of kayaks and canoes when I think of the Pacific Northwest but I see more paddleboards than anything else in the cove around Lincoln Park.

King of the World

2011-04-17T22:32:00.000-06:00

So far, being retired isn't too bad...

Point Robinson Lighthouse

2011-04-17T22:06:00.001-06:00

The Robinson Point Lighthouse is located on Maury Island and accessible from Vashon Island. There is a nice public park around it. The original fog horn was installed in 1885, and the current lighthouse in 1915. The tower is a twin of the Alki Point Lighthouse which was built in 1913 and just up the coast on the mainland at West Seattle.

Fauntleroy Cove

2011-04-17T21:24:00.002-06:00

Ahh... It was a beautiful day today. This is Fauntleroy from the Vashon Island ferry as it comes into the landing. Our house is about half way up the hill.

More Tulips

2011-04-14T13:59:00.000-06:00

I read somewhere that if you wanted people to take notice of your photographs, put red in it.

Skagit Valley Tulips

2011-04-13T22:48:00.001-06:00

The cherry trees are beginning to fade but the tulips are coming into full bloom. This is a commercial tulip field in the Skagit Valley North of Seattle.

Cherry Blossoms are in Bloom

2011-04-06T18:12:00.001-06:00

The University of Washington Campus

Lincoln Park Beach

2011-04-04T16:28:00.001-06:00

Our local park is Lincoln Park and it follows the beach below our house for a good ways, a bit over a mile. There is a lot of driftwood on this beach, and for that matter it seems most beaches in this area. It may be difficult to tell the scale from this picture but the tree is about 12" (30 cm) in diameter.

Columbia River

2011-03-31T22:59:00.000-06:00

Interstate 90 crosses the Columbia River East of Ellensburg, Washington. There is a turnout with a nice view....

Bluebonnets

2011-03-28T08:03:00.002-06:00

We were in Texas but it was a busy weekend and there wasn't much time for photographs. However, the bluebonnets were in bloom along I45 right of way and I did stop for this snapshot with my point and shoot near Corsicana. It is definitely spring in Texas. Bluebonnets are in the genus Lupinus (I like how it rhymes) and the state flower of Texas.

View from Fauntleroy

2011-03-20T22:13:00.004-06:00

We are moving to Seattle and here is the back garden view from the new house with the ferry coming in from Vashon Island in the background and the Olympic Mountains in the far distance.

And this is the panoramic view from the house. Click to enlarge.

Alki Point Lighthouse

2011-03-20T22:02:00.002-06:00

The Alki Point Lighthouse is located a few miles from us and guards the inlet to Elliot Bay and Seattle. The structure was built in 1913.

Labor Temple

2011-03-20T00:15:00.000-06:00

The Labor Temple, Seattle, WA.

Deception Inlet

2011-03-20T00:03:00.000-06:00

A view of Whidbey Island across Deception Inlet from Goose Island. Named on the 10th of June 1792 by Captain George Vancouver after feeling he had been deceived by the nature of the pass (he had originally thought it was the inlet to a bay, it is actually a passage separating Whidbey Island). Whidbey Island is named after Joseph Whidbey, a member of Vancouver's crew who explored the inlet in a small boat.

Kananaskis Village

2011-03-13T18:10:00.002-06:00

A view from the loop walk around Kananaskis Village.

Ribbon Creek

2011-03-13T17:28:00.001-06:00

It is warming in the mountain valleys. This view is from the bridge across Ribbon Creek as you head into Kananaskis Village.

Canada Geese

2011-03-13T17:21:00.000-06:00

The geese must think spring is coming - they have been flying back in the last few days. This pair perched on our 14th floor balcony for a few minutes this morning before moving on.

Vermillion Lakes and Rundle

2011-03-12T20:58:00.001-07:00

The weather was great today - the first weekend in a while with really nice weather. It was above freezing, sunny, and not much wind.

Skiing down Main Street

2011-03-12T20:54:00.001-07:00

Today we were in Canmore where they were having Nordic racing for the kids down main street. It reminded me of swim team back when we lived in Kingwood and our kids were little. Some were styling it like the little girls at the top. Others were really getting into it and were definitely there to win.

Earthquake in Japan

2011-03-12T20:43:00.002-07:00

The devastation from the earthquake and tsunami that occured in Japan are hard for me to imagine. When I lived in Japan we had drills and training for earthquakes and stored water and food to cover several days in the apartment. This picture of Sendai was taken in 2005, what we see now is overwhelming. My prayers for those who are impacted....

It's not Spring Yet

2011-03-05T20:46:00.006-07:00

It has been unusually cold this last couple of weeks. Today warmed up to about -13 deg. C. Not many Chinooks lately. Punxsutawney Phil must have seen his shadow. Actually we have our own woodchuck who does the forecasts here in Canada. Since Canada extends further East than the United States, we get our forecast before folks in the United States.

The photograph above was taken on Princes Island in Calgary.

America's Last Surviving Veteran of the First World War

2011-03-05T20:38:00.005-07:00

I read last week that Frank Buckles, the last surviving veteran of WW I from the United States, died at the age of 110 on 27 February, 2011. The article said that there are only two surviving veterans in other countries. Even though I am in Canada, when I passed this memorial on my walk along the Bow River this afternoon I thought of him.

Pond Hockey

2011-02-27T20:05:00.003-07:00

Outdoor hockey on Lake Louise...

2011-02-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

Each year there is an ice sculpture contest at Lake Louise. We were kind of late getting there this year and the works were not in the best condition but I thought this one interesting. Notice the crystal ball she is holding with the flower sculpted in it. How do you think they did that?

Houston Culture

2011-02-20T16:49:00.003-07:00

We spent the afternoon doing cultural things. Eating bbq. Looking at paintings, statues, and landmark buildings. Things like that. This sculpture melds the armadillo, longhorn, and chrome into pure undiluted Texas. Gotta love it. Plus great brisket just next door.

Wildlife

2011-02-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend was Megan and Denton's wedding so there was plenty of wild life, although not the sort I normally photograph. Congratulations!

Bow Valley

2011-02-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

This is the Bow River just downstream of the falls in Banff. It was a warm day today, a chinook blew through last night. But it has been cold and the falls and river were largely iced over.

Above Bow Falls

2011-02-13T18:33:00.001-07:00

And because I am feeling a bit artsy, here is a black and white. Two trees struggling to make it on the cliffs above Bow River Falls.

2011-02-13T18:28:00.002-07:00

The dock houses in this photo float on pontoons out in the lake. In the summer you can rent a boat and head out on the lake to fish. Today was very windy and for the first time I saw a large "snow devil" from the car - kind of like a dust devil. Snow swirls all the time but this one was 10 meters high with nice funnel shape.

Young Ram Foraging in Snow

2011-02-13T18:25:00.001-07:00

I haven't seen much wildlife lately so even though sheep are pretty common I stopped and photographed this young fellow near the road to Lake Minnewanka in Banff.