A Kats Eye View

Morning Commute

2012-01-11T15:45:00.001-08:00

Red Dawn

2012-01-09T17:17:00.000-08:00

Not a bad way to start a week :)

East and West Reflections

2012-01-03T17:12:00.000-08:00

I stood outside and looked across the Columbia River to the East and admired this evenings Sunset reflecting off of Mt Hood's newly snow capped peak.

Pink, orange and lavender hues of color. I aimed Chanda and click click clicked.

Then I turned her eye to the far West of the Columbia River...

And captured the suns last dance across the sky.

Gabby Abby says Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

2012-01-02T12:57:00.001-08:00

Hello, Peeps. Gabby-Abby here with some cat wisdom to help you start off your new year!

When your human gets that crazed look in their eye, clutching something frilly in their hands, and begins making cooing noises...it does no good to run. Just lay passively while plotting silent hork-in-their-shoe revenge.

Do not give into your feline urge to: run, bite or claw ribbons of flesh off your mewling human.

Breath deep and remember 'tis the season to be kind to your poop scooping, fillet Mignon feeding ~~slaves~~ ...humans.

Hehehe...humans.

OK. We're done here. I'm off to ~~exact evil horking revenge~~ cuddle with my human.

Happy 2012, Peeps!

Mexican House of Worship

2011-12-02T05:25:00.001-08:00

A royal house of worship a midst crumbling houses of poverty.

Divorced Eggs?

2011-11-24T12:46:00.001-08:00

Another case of a Cracked Family :)

Guitar Man

2011-11-24T11:42:00.000-08:00

He played soft Spanish guitar music while we feasted on Mexican Omelet's. Later in the week I saw him again, at another restaurant by the Plaza.

The Face of Kindness

2011-11-24T09:11:00.001-08:00

There are times in life when people give to you a gift so large, so wonderful, there is no possible way to ever repay them in kind.

These are the faces of kindness. Of purity of spirit.

I never met this couple before they contacted me that my Mother was ill. They swooped in and picked her up from her little home where she lay dying and cared for her.

They refused to put her in a care home but instead took her into their home after the doctors diagnosis of brain cancer.

When I arrived, they gathered me and my guy close and rushed us to my Mothers bedside.

They fed us, hugged us, nurtured us...and called me early in the next morning when my Mother has slipped from this world.

They had washed my Mothers body and arranged for the funeral home to come for her.

I was able to kiss my mother goodbye before she was removed from their home.

They arranged the memorial. The paperwork that follows the passage of death. The flowers, the friends, the thank you letters, the pictures...I did not have to make any decision. I was free to mourn.

How do you repay this? How can I ever?

They will forever hold a place in my heart.

Tapestry

2011-11-24T09:00:00.001-08:00

Mexico is a land of contrast. Ancient history intertwined with images of a more present modern world. Neither world dominates. It is multi-colored threads woven together creating a tapestry of life.

Mexico Horses Running Free

2011-11-24T08:49:00.001-08:00

The soft light of morning was just illuminating the world outside my hotel window.

Horses, set free to graze were traversing the waters edge to reach another patch of land.

It was like watching a living poem in motion. Soft, surreal, magical.

Lake Chapala Birds

2011-11-10T03:02:00.000-08:00

The large white birds fill the shores of Lake Chapala in Mexico. Their cries are more strangled squawks then melodious song. But they are beautiful, standing poised on one foot like albino flamingo's, their silhouettes framed exotically in the warm Mexican sunshine.

Mexican Baby

2011-11-09T18:49:00.001-08:00

This baby trotted down the cobblestone streets of Ajijic Mexico like a stray dog. It's little hooves clip clop clip clopping on the stones.

Turkey Vulture

2011-10-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Molten Sunrise

2011-09-21T22:02:00.000-07:00

I opened the backdoor to my house to let the dog out for his morning constitutional and was met with the sight of a molten sky.

Knowing the fickleness of light, I leaped back into the house and grabbed Chanda (my camera)

I took shot after shot. Only pausing to run inside and exchange my telephoto lens for my panoramic one

I moved my cameras eye back and forth frantically trying to capture the scope of the skies masterpiece.

I thought, "No one is going to believe this is real when they see the photo's"

I missed my first train for my commute to work and had to call in late.

Sometimes life calls for a spontaneous schedule change.

You have to allow yourself to embrace it. To let all else fall away.

Embrace the molten moments of life.
They are fleeting but spectacular.

Rolling Fog

2011-09-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

Baby Hawk

2011-09-20T20:13:00.000-07:00

Evening Silhouette

2011-09-20T20:11:00.001-07:00

Hawk Island

2011-09-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Cowboys

2011-08-21T11:48:00.001-07:00

Udderly Ridiculous!

2011-08-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

HAY!

What'chu lookin' at?

Freckled icecream maker!

No one looks me in the eye, it's all about my udders!

Udders make me giggle :)

Ba Ba Ba...Bad to the Comb!

2011-08-18T06:59:00.001-07:00

Man Vs Horse

2011-08-17T22:07:00.001-07:00

Riverboat Entertainment on the Mississippi

2011-07-29T10:25:00.001-07:00

A coworkers adorable daughter entertained us while we cruised the mighty Mississippi.

A bundle of boundless energy!

Cruising on the Mississippi

2011-07-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

Southern Food

2011-07-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

mmmm baked Mac n Cheese. Get in my belly!

Prisoners, awaiting the deep fryer.

We shall dine on vegetables disguised in fried breading!

Suffering for Art

2011-07-29T10:16:00.001-07:00

Vendor in Vicksburg MS

2011-07-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

Tiny Dancer

2011-07-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

We paused to watch the local kids dance at the Riverfest in Vicksburg, MS.

So bright, so pretty with their excited eyes and colorful costumes.

This girl had a soft grace that drew your eye and made her stand out from the rest of her troop.

This dance group was next.

Full of energy, dancing to hip hop.

Out of the crowd of restless dancing children one gleamed brighter...

She was pocket sized but packed with personality.

I followed her with my camera while

She threw herself into the dance.

Her face a mixture of fierce concentration

and the sheer joy of performing.

She was, awesome :)

Oh Deer!

2011-07-16T21:00:00.001-07:00

A Deer came to visit us.

My family had seen it while I was a cubicle prisoner at work.

I've been searching the edge of our property that borders the wetlands with Chanda grasped in my hand every day since.

This evening, I was rewarded with a glimpse and captured a few quick Chanda moments before it bounded away, back into the forest.

Daisy Days

2011-07-16T19:27:00.001-07:00

Two Bee...or Not two Bee

2011-07-15T20:03:00.001-07:00

Baby Frogs

2011-07-10T15:53:00.001-07:00

Life is for the Birds

2011-07-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

Evening Song Bird

2011-07-09T01:28:00.000-07:00

A small melodious bird sang the Sun to sleep.

Mr.Hawk

2011-07-09T00:59:00.001-07:00

Mr Hawk came out searching for dinner this evening.

I followed him with my camera's eye as he swooped in dizzy yet graceful circles.

He heard the sound of my camera shutter and landed on a tree branch to investigate the noise.

Spying me, he speared me with a disgruntled eye then sprung off the branch to continue his evening hunt.

On the Willamette

2011-07-02T21:20:00.001-07:00

St Johns Bridge, Portland Oregon

2011-07-02T21:18:00.001-07:00

Goosy Loosy!

2011-07-02T21:13:00.001-07:00

Geese came a visitin while we were anchored on the Willamette listening to the blues festival.

I can haz cracker?

Sailing into the Sunset

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

A Cat and a Rose

2011-06-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

Lost Children

2011-06-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

Rebellion glittered from her eyes but her face still held the vulnerable curves of a child.

Will they sleep in a city doorway, curled against each other for warmth? Do their parents know where they are?

My mother heart sighed watching them. They are so young. They still think they are invincible...

Circle of Life

2011-06-15T19:31:00.001-07:00

I had only a few seconds to grab Chanda and snap some shots...

I was in awe at the size of the Hawk

It was only afterwards that I realized it was carrying a bunny; screeching a cry of triumph as it brought dinner home to its family.

Blue Heron

2011-06-08T19:47:00.001-07:00

A Blue Crane swooped across our yard this evening and perched on the rapidly disappearing bank along the river.

I grabbed Chanda and raced out the back door, sneaking stealthily towards him.

He spied me, Mr. Aloof Heron and took off for a less bothersome perch.

Snail Family

2011-05-06T06:57:00.001-07:00

Flying to Dallas, Texas

2011-04-09T20:30:00.001-07:00

Flying on our way to Dallas Texas and then onward to Jackson Mississippi. Beautiful scenery from way up high :)

Spring Blooms

2011-04-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

Lookie, SPRING!! :) My heart sings.

Thirteen

2011-03-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

He's 13.

Half child...Half man...

And one hundred thousand percent joy.

March 18th Moon

2011-03-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

Mr. Duck

2011-03-19T19:04:00.001-07:00

Mrs. Duck

2011-03-19T19:03:00.001-07:00

Tranquility

2011-03-19T18:02:00.001-07:00

Across from the club where I work out is a walking park that is peppered with various waterfalls that add a wonderful aura of tranquility.

Backyard View

2011-03-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

At night the lights of the Portland Airport dance across the Columbia River and make for a spectacular night view from our backyard.

Sailing in February

2011-02-20T16:15:00.001-08:00

OHSU Tram Ride

2011-02-19T17:54:00.001-08:00

Itsy Bitsy Spider

2011-02-12T08:34:00.001-08:00

Sunrise over Mt Hood

2011-01-27T13:41:00.000-08:00

Sunrise...Sunset...

2011-01-22T23:11:00.000-08:00

Fort Gabby

2011-01-21T08:58:00.001-08:00

Gabby Abby's perch beneath her (fake) tree. She spends hours watching the birds and various vessels that sail by on the river outside her window.

Aspirat primo Fortuna labori

2011-01-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

Fortune smiles upon our first effort. (Virgil)

The sun sets on our first week of the new year.

Window View

2011-01-07T09:50:00.001-08:00

Sunset Over The River and Through the Woods.

2011-01-03T09:35:00.001-08:00

I pulled into our drive last evening, on my way home from work, and was greeted with a beautiful sunset.

I pulled Savannah (my truck) over and snapped some pics with my iPhone.

Once I was home I walked around the back of the house and took a snapshot of the suns waning glow shimmering over the river.

A very nice ending to my day :)

Portland Zoo Christmas Lights!

2010-12-23T09:47:00.001-08:00

My niece is visiting from Minnesota so we've been dragging her around to all the local Christmas events.

Last night we took the light rail (Max) train to the Portland Zoo to see the Zoo lights.

Most all of the animals were sleeping or hiding in their dens.

But the brilliant Christmas displays made up for lack of animal viewage!

We tromped around snapping pictures and oohing and awing at the lights...

pausing momentarily to slurp down some Mochas then heading out again.

We were a very tired but happy little family bundled together on the train ride home.

iPhone View of Vegas

2010-11-01T16:06:00.000-07:00

Mirror Image

2010-10-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

I was taking photos for a friends daughters graduation party this Summer when I met this lovely lady and her daughter. Mirror images of each other. :)

Snorkeling in St Thomas: Buck Island

2010-08-13T12:15:00.001-07:00

Low Flying Crane

2010-08-13T12:02:00.000-07:00

Sunset Cruise

2010-08-13T11:58:00.000-07:00

iPhone Images:Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

2010-08-11T13:16:00.001-07:00

MiniWarrior and I went camping with friends in an RV park in Mount Hood National Forest.

We pitched a tent by our friends RV--but the zipper door broke so we ended up crashing in our friends RV (thank god...)

We hiked out on one of the numerous park trails the next day--keeping a wary eyeball out for black bears that an ominous sign had warned us about at the trail head.

The forest was thick and lush with deep greens highlighted by sunbeams spearing down through the leaf canopy.

It was a bit like walking onto another planet--the rat race of regular life seeming far far away.

We saw no sign of bears-but walked the trail tapping two sticks together to warn any possible lurking bears that we were invading their territory.

I did smell a sweaty smell of a large animal-very much like a horse smells-but saw no sign of a horse having passed by.

We banged the sticks a little bit harder after that...

MiniWarrior was upset that I hadn't brought fishing poles so he could fish in the river...

He didn't quite grasp the concept that fishing in the river required a different kind of pole than a standard trout pole.

Besides...who would take the fish off the hook for him should he catch a hapless slimy victim?

Not I. Says I.

(my friend J posing like a true adventurer on the great Salmon River)

All in all. A grand time was had :)

Tiny Visitor

2010-08-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

I saw a humming bird fly by my window the other day.

A few days later, MiniWarrior found a dead humming bird in our yard. I was so grieved I went out and bought a feeder so that any other humming birds would have something to drink on a hot Summer day.

I had been disappointed because a week passed with no evidence of humming birds visiting the feeder. I was sitting watching the birdless feeder yesterday morning, when I noticed that some of the liquid in the feeder was gone. I was puzzling at it when all of a sudden a tiny humming bird landed and began drinking from the feeder!
I yelped with joy and rushed off to capture the moment with Chanda :)

Circus Dancers

2010-06-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

I tucked Chanda away in her backpack as the dark clouds looming over the Rose Festival finally gave way to rain.

I handed over my tokens for a large icy lemonade and a much anticipated caramel apple and was slowly making my way out of the Festival and back to my hotel when I paused by a rapidly growing crowd that was surrounding a tiny arena.

I spied a sign that said it was a circus performance by young people and watched idly while young people dressed in harem like costumes stretched and prepared to put on a show.

Meh, circus performance.

I wasn't much interested as this usually involved clowns and I hold no love for that particular painted beast.

The anticipation energy of the crowd had me lingering, shuffling for a space in body of festival people.

The music started. The circus had its own band. I could see a fiddle player dressed in medieval clothing and a drummer behind him in a tiny alcove off stage.

The harem clothed girls came on stage along with a pale young man looking like he has stepped from a mid summers dream.

Their steps were graceful. Their movements more ballet then stuttered movements of circus performers.

I stepped forward in a vacant spot and set down my lemonade and bag which held my apple. I pulled Chanda from my backpack and exchanged her telephoto lens for a shorter one, lifted her to my eye and started capturing the movements on stage.

Where I had once fought for a space to watch the event, I was now given a wide respectful berth by the crowd. It was like they formed a protective bubble of people around me, allowing me to capture the magic that was happening on stage.

I stood in that magical bubble and let Chanda reach out and capture the moment.

Whats A Festival Without People?

2010-05-31T21:49:00.000-07:00

Rose Festival Rides: Portland Oregon

2010-05-31T13:10:00.000-07:00

Rose Festival Images: Portland Oregon

2010-05-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Chanda around my neck and her extra lenses nestled inside my camera backpack.
5 dollar entry fee.
Cash exchanged for Rose Festival Tokens for a caramel apple and an ice cold lemonade.
Ready?

Let's go to the Rose Festival!

Outer Edges of New Orleans

2010-05-27T17:00:00.001-07:00

We walked out of the Ferry Terminal and onto the city edges of New Orleans.
Dark rain clouds loomed ominously over us and lightening flickered in the distance.
The air was thick, sultry, Southern...adding to the sense of having stepped into another world.
We ducked beneath a Trolly platform as the skies opened up and let loose a torrential rain.
We were dry, for the moment, and took this time to sit and try and adjust our minds to the idea that we were really here, in New Orleans.
Even sitting in the outer edges of this great city, you could feel the pull. Feel the magic.
Long ago I lived in Europe for a short while. I loved the feel of history that surrounded you as you walked the cobble streets. You could feel the old.
As our country is so new in comparison, I have never felt that sense of deep history at home.
Until, New Orleans.
Inside began the stirrings of romance.
The quick interest that makes your heart beat faster.
The sudden yearning to know and experience everything.
I found myself tumbling, falling in love with the South.

Say What?

2010-05-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Best Caramel Apples...Ever. French Quarter, New Orleans

2010-05-27T15:52:00.000-07:00

How can anyone resist such treats?

I picked out my caramel apple (I'm old fashioned in my caramel apple choice, preferring just caramel and the apple) and watched with drooling anticipation as the clerk wrapped my apple in plastic and slipped it into a paper bag.

Two days later, I finally ate my apple, sitting in my rental car underneath sparse shade of a scraggly tree in the parking lot of a Harley shop in Jackson Mississippi.

Plaza D Armas Street Art, French Quarter, New Orleans

2010-05-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

Rain pounded down on us as we scampered between shops in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

We purchased cheap plastic ponchos in one of the shops so that Chanda could remain safe from the drenching rain, tucked against me underneath the yellow plastic cover.

As we darted along we paused to admire street art that hung along the black iron fence of the

Plaza D Armas.

I was amazed how the artists thought nothing of their masterpieces hanging in the elements.

The painted images hung, bright and cheerful, against the dark fence; their golden colors glowing, piercing through the grey.

I dug my iPhone from my pocket. Shielding it as best as I could I took quick shots between sheets of rain. A lady walking by with her purple umbrella brought the art to life. :)

I took this one for Lord V and sent the image immediately to him on my iPhone.

A split second ride up and over the United States from a rain storm in New Orleans to our home in Washington State where he sat in his chair in a sunbeam, with the dog at his feet and the cat on his lap.

Isn't life, magical? :)

New Orleans Natives

2010-05-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

I was leaning over a rail trying to capture a close picture of a playing card floating in the Mississippi River.
I had Chanda's telephoto lens on. She looks quite impressive with the larger lens.
Locals sitting on a bench, sipping alcohol and nibbling lunch pointed to my friend and I.
"Look. They maybe from National Geographic!"
"Take our picture!" They called over to us.
My friend shrugged and said, "Why not" and took their picture.
I turned and focused Chanda's lens on them.
"Turn around! Turn around!" The two men told the woman sitting beside them. "She be from National Geographic!"
She turned, I clicked, they laughed.
I didn't have the heart to tell them I was only a lowly tourist taking vacation pictures. :)

Ferry Ride Across Mississippi River to French Quarter, New Orleans

2010-05-23T15:39:00.000-07:00

We took a taxi from out Hotel in Harvey, Louisiana to a Ferry that would take us across the mighty Mississippi to the docks of New Orleans.

A twenty dollar cab ride, and a free ferry boat ride. Well worth the avoidance of trying to park in downtown New Orleans!

When I was in second grade I learned how to spell Mississippi.

I would sing, "M I SS I SS I PP I.." and imagine a river that Tom Sawyer would float his raft on way down in the mysterious romantic South.

The childhood song trickled through my head as I held Chanda to my eye and captured images of the Mississippi.

You know how things pale in reality when you see things through adult eyes that you imagined in your minds eye as a child?

Seeing the mighty Mississippi for the first time was just as I imagined it as a child.

There is something magical about the South. The air has layers that seem heavy with unspoken secrets.

They curl around you, whispering softly.

People smile and greet each other warmly.

Your hurried steps slow and your mind opens drinking in the colors around you.

M...I...S...S...I..P...P...I...

So much history.

The roots of America.

Battles won, Battles lost...

Leaving its scars upon the land and people while the mighty Mississippi rolls on.

The dock lady greeted us as we stepped from the Ferry and into the heart of New Orleans.
A 10 minute ferry ride across the muddy waters of a fierce Southern heartbeat...
An unforgettable experience.

Faithful Steeds of New Orleans

2010-05-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

Waffle House, Vicksburg Mississippi

2010-05-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Waffle Houses seemed to be located everywhere we turned in Mississippi. Tiny cafes the size of Mini Marts. I was leery at first at actually eating at one, to be honest. But it didn't seem right to not at least experience one as they were definitely a Southern thang :)

It was a tiny place but packed with diverse people. Three ladies in dark blue uniforms shared the jobs of cooking, waitressing and cleaning. No separation of duties.
They worked great as a team and treated us with warm, wonderful Southern hospitality that we found everywhere we went.
People sure smile a lot in the South!
Good food, friendly atmosphere. I am very glad I braved the Waffle House of Mississippi :)

Double Rainbow, Columbia River

2010-04-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

Pigeon "Poop" Park: San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-04-04T12:52:00.000-07:00

My Internship year for College in 1985, was partially spent in Puerto Rico.
I spent my weekends walking through the streets of Old San Juan with my usual end destination being El Morro, the old fortress that over looked the ocean.

On the walk up the cobble stone streets, I'd pause and spend time at what became one of my favorite haunts. Pigeon Poop Park. So named by me for the hundreds of pigeons that made their home there in the brick hidey holes of an old stone wall.

For a quarter a ~~sucker~~ person could buy a hand full of feed which once spied the birds would swoop in mass towards the bird seed benefactor, frantically pecking at the treat while the hapless victim shrieked and flailed trying to fling the cloud of flapping, pooping, pecking birds off them.

This? Never failed to amuse me.

When our cruise ship docked in Puerto Rico I was determined that I would once again see Pigeon Poop Park. I knew the chances of it being gone was great as it was 25 years since I had last been there, but I had to find out. Had to see it, one more time.

After our tour of El Morro, we headed down the streets towards the area where I was sure the park had once stood. We wound and wound, criss crossing through tiny cobble stone streets. My group was getting tired and I was beginning to think I would not see my beloved Pigeon park, when I spied a history museum.

I stepped inside and asked the lady who was manning the desk. She laughed when I asked her if she knew of a park with pigeons in it.

"Every park has pigeons." She chuckled.

"True" I said laughing with her but then explained that this particular park over looked the water and had an old stone wall that pigeons made their homes in.

I saw a light go on in her eyes.

"Ah. I know this place." She said, pulling out a walking map and circling the area. "Take a right, then a left then a right and you will see."

I stepped from the museum raising the map triumphantly to my friends and Lord V.

"I have it!"

We headed out, right--left--right...and there it was.

Exactly as I remembered it.

Hood River, Oregon

2010-03-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

Columbia Gorge Hotel

2010-03-27T18:11:00.000-07:00

Cascade Locks: Char Burger

2010-03-27T17:50:00.001-07:00

We stopped for lunch on our way to Hood River at a scenic burger joint in Cascade Locks, that sat along side the Bridge of the Gods.

We had cafe burgers with shredded lettuce (something that is becoming hard to find in the "make it quick, slap on a hunk of lettuce" burger joints that are the norm).

We polished off our burgers with homemade cherry pie and apple pie for dessert.

It reminded me of eating at the cafes our parents took us to when we were kids.

The scenery was spectacular. I suspect most people headed to Char Burger for the scenic spot it resided on.

However, Lord V and I found it to be a feast for the eye and belly experience!

St Thomas

2010-03-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

We arrived in St Thomas Virgin Islands, 7AM.

Our ship slowly cruised into the busy port.

The air was balmy as I stood on my little deck clutching Chanda, snapping images of St Thomas bathed in early morning sunshine.

What a beautiful Island!

I couldn't wait to get off ship and explore.

I love color. It fills something inside me, warming me.

St Thomas with its reds and greens and blues...I drank in its tropical colors.

We slowly docked at "Cruiseland".

We met up with our friends and scampered off the ship and stepped onto the Island.

We didn't have much time to explore as we had an appointment to go sailing/snorkling in the early afternoon.

(cruisland St Thomas)

We hailed a taxi and headed away from "Cruiseland" and into town.

Here is where the real taste of the Island began.

You can understand that on a tiny island the main source of income would be the tourists.

St Thomas threw out its Island welcome mat and drew us into its colorful shops.

In this shop I found a replica of an antique writing set. (I've always wanted one of those. With the wooden and marble pen sets that held the various sizes of gold nibs, wax for melting and stamps to seal the wax on the envelopes...)

Lord V found me peering longingly in the glass case it was sitting in and bought it for me! (xoxox to my ~he who shall not be named~ Lord V)

The men grew weary of shopping so my girlfriend and I left them nested in a coffee shop while we headed out to see more shops.

J had been to St Thomas before and knew of an open air market that was "up the street and around a corner."

We wove in and out of shops like experts.

Popping out of one section and onto the street then back inside and out again.

The shops were quite a maze to get through!

The open air market was across the street from this tiny park where a chicken and her babies were nesting.

I find it humerous that I didn't capture one shot of the open air market but over 20 shots of this chicken and her tiny feathered spawn!

Beach Combing: Grand Turk Island

2010-03-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Refreshed, J and I headed out to wander the beach leaving her husband stretched out on a blue and white striped lounge chair under the shade of palm trees...

while Lord V headed to the shops to support the local economy.

J and I wandered a bit, enjoying the feel of the warm caribbean water when J noticed some young girls carrying conch shells.

They pointed us down the beach to a treasure trove of conch shells laying amongst the rocks. We hunted for our favorites and lugged 6 of them back to beach chair nest.

We worried a bit on how we were going to get these home. But we were determined not to leave our new found treasures behind!

Back at Cruiseland: Grand Turk Island

2010-03-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

After a long hot drive, we dropped off our Vespas and stumbled our way back into the cooler, gentler climate of Cruiseland: Grand Turk.

Martgueritaville. Ohhhh yeah. Bring it.

We sat in the shade of the large umbrella that loomed over our table and sipped thirstily at our Pina Colodas while we relaxed and people watched.

Grand Turks Rugged Beauty

2010-03-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

The large cactus shot against the blue of the waters depicts Grand Turk aptly.

Dry. Beautiful. Magical.

I would have loved to have had the opportunity to snorkel here.

As it was, we had only time for one tourist activity before our ship left these shores.

I'm so glad we ventured from the masses and struck out on our own.

Stepping out of the comfort of man made beauty to the real thing.

We would look back on this and view it as our favorite time.

These pictures are raw. Unaltered. The water was this blue.

I look upon these still images and am still in awe.

I've been a lot of places but I've never seen water this blue.

This is my foot. Leaving a print in the white sands of Grand Turk Island.

Historic Lighthouse: Grand Turk

2010-03-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

We wound our way through the rugged roads of Grand Turk 'til we came to the Historic Lighthouse at the tip of the island.

We climbed wearily off our Vespas, hot and thirsty.

We piled into the little snack shop and bought some bottles of ice cold water which we greedily gulped down.

We lazed around the gift shop and bought some tourist teeshirts and a few trinkets for MiniWarrior who was back home in Washington with his Dad.

I bought a metal painted lighthouse wind chime for 3 dollars and yesterday I hung it in our blossoming pear tree outside our living room window on our terrace.

The wind blew hard yesterday and the chimes rang softly bringing me instantly back to that lighthouse on Grand Turk Island.

Magical :)

Vespa'ing around Grand Turk

2010-03-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

Right outside the Cruiseland gates was a pack of Vespas. We approached the locals sitting in the shade of their pickup truck.

40 dollars to rent a vespa for the day--With most scheduled Island tours starting at 100 dollars a person this was quite the bargain! We paid the young guy and climbed aboard.

I drove one with Lord V on the back of mine. (I had grown up driving motorcycles, Lord V had not). Our friend J drove one with his wife J clinging to the back of him on his and after a few shrieked "Watch the curve! Stay on the road! Follow Kat!" we were off on our Island adventure.

We zoomed past small houses perched on dry white soil. No Walmarts. No MiniMarts. The town had a ram-shackled gas station that had a tiny store attached, a new hospital and a few other non descript buildings.

Animals roamed free. Our friend J has a thing for Eyeore like I do for Hello Kitty and was delighted when we saw a momma donkey and her baby along side the road.

We stopped our Vespas and pulled out Chanda snapping pictures while the baby donkey stared curiously at us.

The Vespas were amazingly easy to drive...but the turn ratio on them with two plump people pressed on top of them was hazardous. I couldn't turn sharply or it would bottom out...passing by this plastered turn sign I laughed and wondered if someone else had found that out--the hard way!

Grand Turk Cruiseland

2010-03-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

We debarked the ship and entered what I call "cuiseland".

Everything is beautiful. Immaculate.

Crisp and clean with artfully planted flowers and gay painted buildings.

It was truly paradise. But a man made paradise. I wanted to see the rugged beauty of Grand Turk.

I had hatched a plan with Lord V and our friends the night before.

After speaking with a few locals. We found that my plan could be fulfilled!

My plan? To rent scooters and investigate the island on our own. Away from Cruiseland and its man made paradise.

We headed out the gates of Cruiseland and into the dry cactus filled land of Grand Turk.

Grand Turk Island Arrival

2010-03-20T12:17:00.001-07:00

I was alerted that we were approaching Grand Turk by the feel of our ship slowing down.

I jumped out of bed, tossed on the white complimentary room robe, snatched up Chanda and slipped out the glass door and onto our veranda.

Leaning over the side I got my first glimpse of Grand Turk Island!

It looked so small but the site of it after a day spent watching an endless blue ocean pass by I was thrilled to see land!

I woke up Lord V and he stood beside me in a matching robe and watched the island grow closer.

Our feet were freezing as the spray from the ocean waters had gathered on our deck floor...

but the tropical air was balmy and we drank in the site of the sandy shore of our first Caribbean port.

We had no official tour plans...but I had an idea hatching in my head of what I wanted to do once we were ashore.

Ship on its way to Bahamas

2010-03-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

A large container ship passed by us as we stood on our veranda.

We were absurdly excited to see the word "Bahamas" written on its side...

It made real the knowledge that we were soon heading to the Bahamas!

We waved at the crew below laughing at our giddy joy of being official tourist geeks. They smiled and waved up at us as they cruised on by.

Waiting at Port in Fort Lauderdale: Aboard ship

2010-03-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

Lord V, our friends J & J and I arrived in Florida late in the evening. I had packed 8 packages of tuna salad and chicken salad and crackers for us all, knowing we would arrive after restaurants had closed for the night...

We would laugh about those 8 packages of snacks through out our trip...

Our hotel was right next to a Taco Bell. We forsook the tuna/chicken salad snacks and feasted on warm nacho cheese chalupas and tacos.

The next day was spent dragging our giant mound of luggage out of the hotel and into the bus to head to the ship. 8 large suitcases and 8 carry on's! You would think we were leaving home for a year!

We hopped off the bus and were herded into a large warehouse. Passports were checked, our pictures were taken and our ship cards were created and in our possession. We walked up the long enclosed gangplank onto our luxurious ocean cruising home.

Our room was nicer than I had imagined. Very cozy with a deck outside. We tossed down our carry on luggage and stepped outside onto our private deck.

Our friends joined us after dropping their luggage at their cabin and snagging a celebratory drink. We toasted each other then stood on our deck and watched all the activity zooming by us on waterway below us.

First Beach Visit of the Year

2010-02-20T16:40:00.001-08:00

Ah glorious Springtime--bring us the Summer we've been longing for.

Incoming

2010-02-20T16:39:00.000-08:00

Long Beach Washington Trail Head

2010-02-20T16:37:00.000-08:00

Sand Treasure

2010-02-20T16:35:00.000-08:00