Desert Island?

Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA

Over a decade ago we took a trip to Jekyll Island to relax and enjoy nature.  Our motel was right on the oak tree lined beach.  It was the middle of winter, so only the jellyfish were swimming, but the beach was still a wonderful place to lose track of time, fly a kite, and stroll.  We look forward to returning to Jekyll again one day and hope it is no different than before.

Working for Peanuts

Squirrel, Zion National Park, Utah, USA

This squirrel was neither shy nor afraid as he stood posing for our photos on the banks of the Virgin River in Zion National Park.  We know he wanted to be paid in peanuts for his modeling work, but for his own good (and ours) he worked for free.

The Sun Is Shining When The Moon Is Out

Metal Sun Yard Sculpture, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

As children, we learned that if our parents said the sun was shining when it was dark and the moon was out, we were to go along with it and trust their judgement.  This sun is always shining and beaming, even when it is dark and the moon is out.  Guess our parents were right some of the time.

Late Night Snack

Pizzeria, Miami, Florida, USA

When we were kids, we didn't order big-chain pizza on the telephone and wait for it to come to the house.  Instead, we went with our parents to a family owned pizzeria, placed an order for takeout, hung out while our pizzas were prepared, and then sat with hot boxes on our laps during the car ride home.

Marc's grandmother was very fond of pizza and was known to spontaneously suggest getting a pie late on many evenings.  Frankie's, still open after 55 years, was one of her regular suppliers.

I Can See For Miles

Above Ransom, Kanaas, USA

Sometimes when we fly, we marvel at how we can look out the window and see only farmlands or wilderness.  In this case, looking northeast from high above Ransom, Kansas, we see plenty of farmlands, but no sign of big cities.  Even with cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta, much of the USA is rural and wild.

A Flower Which Lasts All Year Long

Lily Sculpture, Washington, DC, USA

This aluminum lily sculpture sits in the Woodrow Wilson Plaza.  Together with a rose sculpture, it makes up the Federal Triangle Flowers.

Natural Piers

Fishermen, Rosh Hanikra, Israel

Everyday millions of folks fish for their meals and recreation.  This beautiful fishing spot is near the famous grottoes of Rosh Hanikra.  We don't know if these folks are fishing for fun or food, but there is no doubt that this is a very scenic and unusual place to fish.

All Black and Blue

Fresh Berries, East Hampton, New York, USA

This bowl of fresh blueberries and blackberries was a delicious breakfast treat during a cool summer morning on Long Island.

Towering into the Clouds

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, USA

In clear weather, the Golden Gate Bridge is instantly recognizable from afar.  Here is an up close, side view of one of the towers.  The famous San Francisco fog makes it impossible for us to see the top of the tower and we think this effect makes this photo more interesting.

Something Eerie on Erie

Nuclear Power Plant, Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan, USA

Located on Lake Erie, the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Power Plant experienced a partial meltdown in 1966.  Reportedly, only one reactor is now operating, although both stacks appear to be sending up steam.

Get off the Interstate

Downtown Shops, Cartersville, Georgia, USA

Sometimes traveling is about going to big, famous places with lots of glitz.  Sometimes it's about getting off the highway and visiting a small town.  Cartersville is located a few miles off I-75 in northwest Georgia.

It turns out that this little town not only boasts a quaint downtown, but some very good museums, including two Smithsonian affiliates.

Times Have Changed

Pickled Cucumbers and Tomatoes, New York, New York, USA

We used to go to Wolfie's and the Rascal House on Miami Beach and always find their famous cucumber pickles and pickled tomatoes (as well as sweet cole slaw) in big metal bowls on our tables.  We simply grabbed what we wanted with fingers, forks, or tongs.  The picture above was from a recent trip to Katz's in New York City.

This shows how different things are now versus even 25 years ago.  We're not complaining about the portions above, as we think our plate was refilled.  What we do realize now is that bringing out troughs of food to a table was both wasteful and definitely not hygienic.

Quick, It's the Trouble Alert

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

For those of us from a certain generation, Saturday mornings were spent watching the Super Friends (Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and their sidekicks) save the world.  Based at the Hall of Justice, the Super Friends used their superhero powers for the good of all.  In the Hall of Justice, the Trouble Alert notified the Super Friends of the latest threats to mankind.

The fictional Hall of Justice was based on Cincinnati's Union Terminal (now the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal) and it was thrill to see a fond memory of childhood fiction come to life.

Lake Placid

Floating Leaf, Moccasin Creek State Park, Clarkesville, Georgia, USA

This autumn leaf was gently floating atop Lake Burton.  Everything was quite still and we enjoyed the serenity of it all.