Alaska: North End of Douglas Island
On June 29, 2016, during my trip through Alaska, we explored the northern end of Douglas Island, across from Juneau. The water and sky were matching shades of bright, light blue. The air was calm and smelled like seaweed (in the best possible way). We drove North Douglas Highway to the end stopping along the way at beaches and overlooks.
Alaska: Jensen-Olson Arboretum
On the north end of Juneau is the Jensen-Olson Arboretum. Sitting on a beach overlooking the Chilkat Mountains, the arboretum has a great collection of primroses, poppies, irises, and more. Fairly small, but well worth a visit!
Alaska: Fourth of July "Olde Time" Firefighter Hose Races
As part of the annual Fourth of July festivities in the beautiful town of Douglas (next to Juneau, capital city of Alaska), the volunteer fire department challenges Juneau firefighters to what they call an "olde time" hose race. Teams roll out and connect groups of fire hoses as quickly as they can, in order to douse the opposite team before they douse you. This activity is repeated several times until everyone is happily exhausted. It's all in the name of fun, with a prime objective to also drench the onlookers on this warm summer day.
Alaska: Warm Lake near Twin Glaciers
In the summer of 2016 I visited Alaska, focusing on the areas around Juneau and Anchorage. It's a huge and lovely state, truly epic, and I cannot wait to return. For my first blog post about it, I thought we could take a look at the well-named Warm Lake (I figure its temperature was about 75 degrees Fahrenheit that day) near the equally well-named Twin Glaciers and Twin Glacier Lake, just off the Taku River, not too far from Juneau in southeast Alaska.
Venice, Day One: Wandering
Going through more of my thousands of Venetian photographs from my visit last December.... On my first day in Venice, I wandered around the Castello and San Marco districts as the sun was setting. Here are photos before and after darkness fell.
Venice, Day One: Piazza San Marco
Going through more of my thousands of Venetian photographs.... On my first day in Venice, I spent some time in Piazza San Marco. The light was glorious, and I continued to snap photos after sundown.
Cherries everywhere, 5 June 2016
I have two cherry trees by my kitchen at my new house, and both are exploding all over with cherries now. As I was making dinner tonight, I grabbed my Canon 6D with my Lensbaby Velvet 56 lens and took a few quick shots. Here they all are, unedited.
Art of Survival Century Ride, Klamath Falls and Tulelake
In May 2016 I traveled to Klamath Falls, Oregon, and Tulelake, California, to take part in and photograph the Art of Survival century bicycle ride. My friends did the main ride (100 miles), and I did the 16-mile ride and explored the area's amazing sights.
Apache Trail Highway, Arizona Route 88
Cutting through the rugged Superstition Mountains from the towns of Apache Junction and Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Lake, Arizona's Route 88 -- a.k.a the Apache Trail Highway -- is a gorgeous ride with endless spots of oohs and ahhs. Unfortunately, it is also one of the worst, most treacherous roads I've driven in all the United States. It winds its way around cliffside after cliffside on a pothole-infested, one-lane road that somehow is declared suitable for two lanes. And those two lanes are filled with large pickups pulling boats to the various recreational spots in the area. But if you survive, it's hard to mind a slow ride through unspoiled southwestern desert wilderness. If you're going, the best vehicle to take is a small car with good shocks. (And air conditioning!)
Portland Tweed Ride
For the seventh year, about a hundred bicyclists dress in their finest tweed and ride together through downtown Portland, Oregon. It's all in good fun... and good style. Learn more at the Portland Tweed Ride's website.