vacations: At The Entrance of the Property the Sign Said Don't Feed the Wildlife
- 03/05/25 09:04 AM
At The Entrance of the Property the Sign Said Don't Feed the Wildlife
At any visit I have made to a zoo, there have always been signs announcing that the animals are there to be seen and not fed.
Upon entering most of the resort properties are signs requesting that the animals not be fed. Of course, with some of them it would be a matter of what they would eat.
Of course, some of the wildlife one would see are fairly obvious like the deer grazing in the back yard of this residence.
A hawk in a tree would be common and while they … (15 comments)
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vacations: And As the Sun Sets on the Horizon, So Ends the Vacation in Portugal
- 09/17/24 07:48 PM
And As the Sun Sets on the Horizon, So Ends the Vacation in Portugal
All good things to come to an end and if the vacation was done right, slight regrets and big satisfaction.
We made a visit to Portugal to gather with relatives as our sphere of relations on my father 's side ended last year with the last of his siblings.
While all but 1 lives in the US, that cousin was not in a position to travel to the states. So selfishly we gathered there.
Some pleasant and very much enjoyed times and when all was done, a commitment to not take another … (20 comments)
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vacations: An Uncommon Way to Shoe Horses
- 09/10/24 02:21 AM
An Uncommon Way to Shoe Horses
I noticed what appeared to be a bus shelter while walking with my cousin in Portugal this past week. I was told that it wasn't a bus shelter but was a stand for shoeing horses.
I couldn't appreciate how that would be practical as I, after all, was an expert from seeing all those old cowboy movies.
As I looked closer, there were 2 hooks on one side of the stand, with a matching pair on the other side.
Evidently, a horse would be led in and a sling would go from one side to the other under the … (26 comments)
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vacations: Almost Everyone Makes Wine in Portugal
- 09/04/24 09:51 AM
Almost Everyone Makes Wine in Portugal
For longer than recorded history, the fermentation of grapes into a beverage to enjoy has been acknowledged.
The Greek God named Dionysus also known as Bacchus by the Romans, traveled the Mediterranean planting the vine and showing the people how to enjoy the grapes when ready and fermented.
The byproducts of the travels of Bacchus has spread mighty and today each region prides itself on the specialization of its grape growth and the pride with which they offer their wine to their guests.
Visiting here, in the North of Portugal, it is still the case and as one walks … (7 comments)
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vacations: Sharing a Bit of Our Vacation in Portugal 2024
- 09/02/24 08:32 AM
Portugal, Land of Simple Beauty
We are stealing a bit of time from the realities of life in America and have literally taken a step back to a pace from another era where life is meant to be enjoyed and there are other things than work.
I still have family in the northern part of Portugal and have used the opportunity to have a reunion of first cousins as we are now the upper level of the family with all siblings on my father's side gone.
We gathered in my cousin's condo in Chaves, Portugal to toast our parents and say a prayer and … (18 comments)
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vacations: Zoom Call 4.16.24 Cruisin' 'Round the World with John DL Arendsen
- 04/18/24 11:29 AM
Zoom Call 4.16.24 Cruisin' 'Round the World with John DL Arendsen
Jules Verne wrote about traveling Around the World in 80 days as a wager amongst 'gentlemen" . The book and the novel captured imaginations and if only for a brief moment, people would wonder what that adventure would offer in the way of delights and sights to nourish the mind.
Technology has evolved and the Zoom call put all within that adventure if only for an hour and through the eyes of AR member John DL Arendsen. From somewhere aboard the cruise ship Seven Seas Mariner of the Regency lines, John described … (21 comments)
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vacations: The End of a Trip with a Lot of Smiles
- 03/08/24 06:01 PM
The End of a Trip with a Lot of Smiles
The saying is All work and no play make Ed a dull boy, or something like that. The last thing I would ever want to be called is dull, so it necessitates vacations.
For me taking a mid-winter vacation helps me through the slow period of the business as well as a jump start on the warm weather and the activities associated with that.
Out travels covered a fair amount of territory with stops in the DC area to visit family.
Next, we were in Charleston, just because it is such a great town and … (23 comments)
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vacations: Won't You Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise
- 02/11/24 05:55 AM
Won't You Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise
It' Super Bowl Sunday and we are aboard a Carnival ship headed back to the states from the Bahamas.
This little thing was headed into berth as we were departing the ship for a bit of a stroll on the streets of Nassau.
It had been quite a few years since we were last here, and I cannot say it looked any different.
The people had a lot of smiles, and it would be understandable with 7 cruise ships in the harbor.
Some of the ships in harbor may have had different thoughts however, as this … (25 comments)
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vacations: The Dawn of a New Day on Vacation
- 03/02/23 04:39 AM
The Dawn of a New Day on Vacation
As I get older, my tolerances for the cold New England weather get lesser each year. To get a reprieve, we take a February vacation as it is typically a slower time for business up north and the southern climes are more agreeable.
Time to head back to the chill, but hopefully it won't be too bad, in spite of what that groundhog said last month.
I got up early to take a few shots of the beach on Hilton Head Island, SC.
The pool is empty and for all but the maintenance people doing their job … (20 comments)
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vacations: The Rainforests of Costa Rica
- 02/18/23 02:23 PM
The Veragua RainForest of Costa Rica
Prior to making the run through the Panama Canal, we had a stop in Costa Rica at the port of Limon. There were a variety of excursions to partake, but we chose to visit a private Rainforest called the Veragua Rainforest.
A donation funded 2000 acre preserve that accounts for almost 30% of the fresh oxygen that serves the Central American lands.
The vegetation was dense and there were monkeys to be heard but not seen. Same with large flocks of toucans that would fly close but then disappear into the trees.
We rode the tram to the bottom … (17 comments)
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vacations: Valentine's Day: Won't You Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise
- 02/14/23 06:20 AM
Won't You Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise
Back in the day, there was a song about a sea Cruise, and at the time it didn't mean much to we young-in's.
It carried a special meaning this year as we took that sea cruise ad at the same time, I got to appreciate what was once considered a special wonder of the world: The Panama Canal.
Dawn at the harbor entrance to the canal zone and already ships were lined up to make the 10-mile trek to the Pacific Ocean.
It takes 8-10 hours to pass through the canal zone, but the trip … (18 comments)
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vacations: Dawn in the Gulf of Mexico
- 02/07/23 04:57 AM
Dawn in the Gulf of Mexico
I peeked out the window early morning and although I had missed the break of dawn, I still saw a glimpse of the sunlight somewhat blocked by a cloud.
We are headed to the Panama Canal for a view, The ship won't cross through to the Pacific, but I am hoping to be able to see the ship changing elevation though one of the locks.
Today we are going to stop in Limon, Costa Rica for an excursion through the rain forest.
When opportunity presents itself, reach for the ring. Life is too short.
Dawn in the Gulf of Mexico
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vacations: Ybor City, Tampa FL Stepping back in Time
- 02/05/23 08:59 AM
Ybor City, Tampa FL Stepping back in Time
We were. taking some time in the Tamp FL area while waiting to get on a cruise ship. Driving around we went to a section of town, called Ybor City, that had a lot of resemblance to the French Quarter of New Orleans.
The ornate balconies overlooking the streets are a through back to the European influences so common in New Orleans, only here they would have been more Spanish.
Small shops line the walkways and the most common are cigar shops where they hand role cigars as though they were in Cuba. People will sit … (11 comments)
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vacations: ThrowBack Thursday Dunedin New Zealand On a Down Under Cruise
- 01/26/23 07:17 AM
Dunedin New Zealand On a Down Under Cruise
Earlier this week I was looking for some photos for a friend and stopped to look through the files of our Australia trip 5 years ago. To the day, we were in port at Dunedin New Zealand
Walking in the downtown historic district the feature was the old train station, which had been sold to the town a few years back by the railroad company for a sum of $1.00.
It was an active tourist stop and the gardens were meticulously manicured. It made for some grand photo opportunities.
The architecture was so ornate and so well … (16 comments)
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vacations: ThrowBack Thursday February is Kangaroo Month
- 02/24/22 03:18 PM
ThrowBack Thursday February is Kangaroo Month
We are stealing a bit of vacation time in Florida, just to escape some of the cold. We spent the day at Buch Gardens in Tampa and among the animals we saw were a bunch of lazy kangaroos. We were there shortly after afternoon feeding time and the Z'ss just caught up to the animals.
The white fellow above is a white wallaby, or an albino, which is very rare.
This little guy decided the regular lunch hour was not enough and came back for seconds.
And this Koala is the justification for the Throwback Thursday as it was … (18 comments)
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vacations: A Quiet Evening At The Salt Marsh
- 03/06/21 04:18 PM
A Quiet Evening At The Salt Marsh
It was an overcast evening and all was still on the water. The activity on the water had come to an end for the day and the water toys were resting on the docks for the night.
All in all a peaceful evening and even the residents of the units across the bay seemed to be all tucked in for the day as well.
A Quiet Evening At The Salt Marsh
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vacations: And As We Start the Drive Back Home We Say Adieu To The Warmth
- 02/28/21 04:57 AM
And As We Start the Drive Back Home We Say Adieu To The Warmth
We have enjoyed our reprieve from the Connecticut winter but all good things must come to an end. I've beaten some of the scale off of my golf clubs, and my wife has enjoyed the warmth of the sun sitting by the pool with here book.
None of us knows what tomorrow will bring, so a year from now is a guess.
We will, however, make the most of any opportunity and if we are fortunate to get a way for a bit, my lead foot is ready.
And As We … (15 comments)
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vacations: Comes The Dawn of A New Day
- 02/21/21 05:20 AM
Comes The Dawn of A New Day
I was up early hoping to get a sunrise special shot on our last day in this property. We weren't by the shore so that sunrise on the water wasn't going to happen.
With all the trees and me not wanting to face this bitter cold 45o Florida morning I wasn't ready to wander outside to try and get that perfect shot.
Then I started to have a thought about how it was a disappointing morning. A very brief thought.
I was up and having a morning cup of coffee. It was another day for us to enjoy … (33 comments)
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vacations: The Historic Steam Boat African Queen
- 02/08/21 02:02 PM
The Historic Steam Boat African Queen
The restored African Queen, made famous in the movie of the same name by Charlie (Humphrey Bogart)and Rose (Katherine Hepburn) now sits at harbor for short excursions in Key Largo Fl.
Not at all like the adventures of Charlie and Rose as they escape the Germans at the onset of World War I to make their way to Lake Victoria in Central Africa in search of the Louisa - a German gunship that patrols the Tanganyika shore.
They are worlds apart in personalities and if you haven't seen the movie it is well worth the time. After all … (21 comments)
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vacations: Setting A Course At Sunset
- 02/07/21 03:56 PM
Setting A Course At Sunset
We are away from home and as we were walking back to the hotel we saw a lone kayaker trying to get back to the dock as the sun was setting.
She was paddling very quickly and I managed to get a shot of her in the path of the setting sun.
Shortly after she passed I got a last shot of the sun as it went down behind the low cloud cover.
Tomorrow is another day and maybe it won't be so overcast.
Setting A Course At Sunset
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At The Entrance of the Property the Sign Said Don't Feed the Wildlife
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