Looking up Hyde Street as night settles in over the city. The October air was crisp and cool. We had ridden bikes from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito and were taking the Ferry back to the city.
26 January, 2010
25 January, 2010
The Rock
The Rock was operated for 29 years from 1934 to 1963. Despite 14 attempts by 36 prisoners, no one ever successfully escaped Alcatraz. Twenty-three were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, and two drowned. Two of the men who were caught were later executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin for their role in the death of a correctional officer during the famous May 2-4, 1946, "Battle of Alcatraz"; escape attempt.
The present day cellhouse was built in 1912 and with its 600 cells, the cellhouse was reportedly the largest reinforced concrete building in the world.
I took this picture from the ferry between Sausalito and SF.
The present day cellhouse was built in 1912 and with its 600 cells, the cellhouse was reportedly the largest reinforced concrete building in the world.
I took this picture from the ferry between Sausalito and SF.
09 January, 2010
Meikleour Beech Hedge
From the archives. This picture is from our trip to Scotland in 2001. I was in absolute awe when we stumbled upon this 250 year old Beech Hedge. First, as you know, I'm a gardner at heart so seeing a hedge this big and old was a fantastic treat. Secondly - my favorite tree is the Beech. Think about it..... There have been 10 generations of people who have had to care for this hedge. That's a big responsibility!
I hadn't written down the name, but with a little searching this morning - I was able to find it on the web. I also added this picture to wikipedia.
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meikleour_Beech_Hedges
The Meikleour Beech Hedge(s) (European Beech = Fagus sylvatica), located near Meikleour, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, alongside the A93 Perth-Blairgowrie Road, was planted in the autumn of 1745 by Jean Mercer and her husband, Robert Murray Nairne on the Marquess of Lansdowne's Meikleour estate. It is said the hedge grows towards the heavens because the men who planted it were killed at the Battle of Culloden.
The hedge is noted in the Guinness World Records as the tallest and longest hedge on earth, reaching 30 metres (100 ft) in height and 530 metres (1/3 mile) in length. The hedge is trimmed once every ten years but remains viewable to visitors all year round.
I hadn't written down the name, but with a little searching this morning - I was able to find it on the web. I also added this picture to wikipedia.
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meikleour_Beech_Hedges
The Meikleour Beech Hedge(s) (European Beech = Fagus sylvatica), located near Meikleour, Perth and Kinross, Scotland, alongside the A93 Perth-Blairgowrie Road, was planted in the autumn of 1745 by Jean Mercer and her husband, Robert Murray Nairne on the Marquess of Lansdowne's Meikleour estate. It is said the hedge grows towards the heavens because the men who planted it were killed at the Battle of Culloden.
The hedge is noted in the Guinness World Records as the tallest and longest hedge on earth, reaching 30 metres (100 ft) in height and 530 metres (1/3 mile) in length. The hedge is trimmed once every ten years but remains viewable to visitors all year round.
07 January, 2010
View of Reykjavik
One of my all time favorite photo's. Reykjavik is the capital and largest city of Iceland. At latitude 64°08' N it's the world's northernmost capital. It is believed that the first settlement was founded here in the year 870.
This picture was taken from the top of Hallgrimskirkja a Lutheran Cathedral
It was the first of April but the weather was still quite chilly even though the days were already long. Daytime highs were in the 30's.
This picture was taken from the top of Hallgrimskirkja a Lutheran Cathedral
It was the first of April but the weather was still quite chilly even though the days were already long. Daytime highs were in the 30's.
06 January, 2010
The Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Iceland. The water is about 104 degrees (similar to a hot tub) and is rich in minerals like silica and sulfur. The lagoon is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant.
It was a great experience to be in an outdoor hot spring on a snowy day. I captured this shot as we were headed back to our bus.
(circa 2001 from our trip to Iceland and Scotland)
It was a great experience to be in an outdoor hot spring on a snowy day. I captured this shot as we were headed back to our bus.
(circa 2001 from our trip to Iceland and Scotland)
Wallace Monument
(Our trip to Iceland & Scotland circa 2001)
Sitting on the summit of Abbey Craig near Stirling, Scotland, this monument commemorates Sir William Wallace, the 13th century Scottish hero. If you feel energetic you can climb the 246 step spiral staircase to the viewing gallery inside the monument's crown, which provides expansive views of the Ochil Hills and the Forth Valley. On the day we were there the wind was blowing VERY strongly which truncated our stay at the top.
Also in the picture is a the statue dedicated to the movie Braveheart. The statue is popular with tourist but not with the locals.
Sitting on the summit of Abbey Craig near Stirling, Scotland, this monument commemorates Sir William Wallace, the 13th century Scottish hero. If you feel energetic you can climb the 246 step spiral staircase to the viewing gallery inside the monument's crown, which provides expansive views of the Ochil Hills and the Forth Valley. On the day we were there the wind was blowing VERY strongly which truncated our stay at the top.
Also in the picture is a the statue dedicated to the movie Braveheart. The statue is popular with tourist but not with the locals.
05 January, 2010
Cancale France at low tide
We experienced an extra low spring tide while we were in Cancale ( June 2003 ) Cancale is famous for it's Huitres (Oysters). It's know as the Oyster Capital of Brittany. When the tides are this low you can actually see the oyster beds. The original oyster of the region is all but extinct but from what I've read they now grow a Japanese variety.
04 January, 2010
The Cows are in the Meadow
From a very small boy - I've always been fond of Charolais. Maybe because my grandfather raised them. They are obviously a "staple" in France. This photo was taken from the Chateau de La Tour - Rivarennes
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/a.clermonttonnerre/
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&client=safari&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Argenton-sur-Creuse,+Indre,+Centre,+France&gl=us&ei=p6RCS7HGIYPGlAearK2RBw&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA&t=h&msa=0&msid=117667810991582337066.00047c61af11f4f001acb&ll=46.640185,1.38814&spn=0.016382,0.038409&z=15
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/a.clermonttonnerre/
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&client=safari&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Argenton-sur-Creuse,+Indre,+Centre,+France&gl=us&ei=p6RCS7HGIYPGlAearK2RBw&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA&t=h&msa=0&msid=117667810991582337066.00047c61af11f4f001acb&ll=46.640185,1.38814&spn=0.016382,0.038409&z=15
Château de Chambord
from the archives from our Trip to France in 1998.
Chambord is the largest castle in the Loire Valley, but was built to serve only as a hunting lodge for François. However, the building was never completed.
It has been suggested that Leonardo da Vinci was responsible for the original design. One of the architectural highlights is the spectacular double-helix open staircase that is the centerpiece of the castle. The two helixes ascend the three floors without ever meeting. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_helix
During WWII the art collections of the Louvre and Compiègne museums (including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo) were stored at the Château de Chambord.
Chambord is the largest castle in the Loire Valley, but was built to serve only as a hunting lodge for François. However, the building was never completed.
It has been suggested that Leonardo da Vinci was responsible for the original design. One of the architectural highlights is the spectacular double-helix open staircase that is the centerpiece of the castle. The two helixes ascend the three floors without ever meeting. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_helix
During WWII the art collections of the Louvre and Compiègne museums (including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo) were stored at the Château de Chambord.
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