Where in the World?

I left Boston this morning at 6:00 a.m. on a flight to San Francisco. I traveled here to visit my daughter. We are going to take our annual spring trek to Yosemite National Park.

I love flying into San Francisco. Today was one of the best as it was partly cloudy and you could clearly see the azure green waters of the bay stretching for miles. Mt. Tamalpais loomed north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The familiar skyline of downtown San Francisco was a welcome sight. It was a perfect spring day.

After grabbing my luggage I walked to the tram to catch a ride to the rental car facility. Once outside, I immediately noticed the crisp, cool ocean breeze off the Pacific sweeping briskly through the airport. I caught a strong scent of cedar, fir and redwood. The smell was intoxicating and I immediately felt a wave of exhilaration. I was back on the west coast!

It’s amazing to me how a place can really get under you skin. I’ve always felt that about northern California.

More about my adventures as the week progresses.

Michael

Secret Courtyard

Ahhhh!! I’m in New Orleans for a 3 day photography workshop. My hotel, the Royal Sonesta, is located right on Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter. Let me tell you. This place is crazy. It’s full of people day and night. Everyone is working hard on having a good time; lots of partying going on due to the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.

I really love the French Quarter and New Orleans has a special feel like many European cities. You can easily walk anywhere. No driving required. There is something interesting around every corner. The food is world class. Cajun and Creole styles are supreme. But, every other type of food can easily be found.

Bromeliad Flower

You never know what is behind a door or entrance way. The streets are narrow and many times when you walk into someone’s home or a café, it turns into a beautiful courtyard full of plants and flowers. It gives the experience a sense of magic because it feels like you were transported somewhere else.

What adds to this trip is that fact that New Orleans seems to be getting back its vitality. I’ve met some really nice people and everyone seems to be in a good mood. The service at the hotel is spectacular.

The people here have had some tough times but you wouldn’t know it today. It’s good to see.

Have a great day!

Michael

Erica and I went to one of our favorite Newport restaurants last night (early Valentine’s since she will be out of town). Tucker’s Bistro on Broadway is an intimate, classy restaurant where you immediately feel at home.

The first thing you notice is the wonderful service. Usually Tucker is there himself ready to wait on you. His goal is to make your dining experience relaxed and immediately enjoyable. The wine selection is excellent though we didn’t partake this time.

I really love the variety of choices for appetizers and entrees at Tucker’s. Each one stands on its own and you will remember the flavors for days after. I tried the Thai Shrimp Nachos which were so rich in spices and other flavors that I finished them way too quickly. My entree was the Shrimp and Pecan Crusted Atlantic Salmon. Wow! It was served exactly to my liking (I don’t like rare fish). The salmon was placed on top of a perfectly cooked sweet potato croquette and some sautéed spaghetti squash.

Erica started with the pear salad. Hey, I just remembered I never got to taste this dish. Hmmmm. Very suspicious. For an entree, Erica devoured (lady like of course) the Braised Pork Shank. I did get to try one bite of it. The meat was so tender it just fell apart. It wasn’t at all dry and had a rich flavor without being overpowering.

Dessert was homemade ginger ice cream with real pieces of ginger. I really liked this dish because it was not too sweet. Creamy, gingery. Just right!

The best part of the night was sharing all this excellent food with someone you are close to.

Michael

Snow Eating Ducks

Several inches of snow fell yesterday and last night. I was in the mood for taking photographs. In fact, today was the first set of photos for the 2009 year. The landscape was beautiful with the recent snowfall.

I decided to drive out to Roger Williams Park and Zoo near Providence, RI. Wow, it was quite lovely. All the lakes were frozen and a lot of snow had fallen over the frozen surfaces.

I rode around checking everything out and taking numerous photos. You can see some of them here. The most interesting moment came after I had taken some photos in the Japanese Garden.

I walked down the road a bit and saw dozens of ducks, many seagulls and one goose. But, strangely, the ducks were munching on the snow. By munching, I mean frantically eating the snow as fast as they could get it down. I had never seen anything like this before, though, I’m sure this is normal behavior for them. I guess that is how they drink when the lakes and streams are covered with ice.

Regardless, it was fascinating to watch. They allowed me to get quite close as long as I moved very slowly. Any sudden movements sent them flying. The photo link above shows a larger wide angle view of the ducks you see to the left.

I’m so glad I decided to venture outside today. I would have missed this wonderful natural phenomenon.

Have a great day!

Michael

I was quite sick last night. It seemed to get worse as the evening progressed, but I worked diligently and packed for my flight home today. This morning while I was driving to the New Orleans airport, I couldn’t remember packing numerous items, so I realized how “out of it” I must have been.

So, I arrive at the airport, drop off my rental car and take the shuttle to the terminal. I walk up to the ticket agent who proceeds to start processing my boarding pass. “Hmmmm, I can’t find your flight” he says. I gave him my itinerary. He looked at it and said, “Your flight is not until tomorrow.”

“Whattttttt!!!!”, I exclaimed.

Sure enough, my flight was for Monday. So, you must be thinking that my head cold is affecting more than my sinuses. But, when I called the airline on Friday to change my ticket, the agent clearly stated to me that there were almost no available flights for Monday, but she could easily get me on a flight for Sunday. I was disappointed and asked her to look again for a Monday departure. She scanned and found only a handful of seats left. They were all over $800. I told her to just book the Sunday flight.

Obviously, I was quite surprised this morning and had to call my parents to come pick me up from the airport so I wouldn’t have to rent a car for another day. I called Erica and she told me that when she was getting her boarding pass yesterday, the exact same scenario I have described here had happened to a gentlemen standing in line. He also had been told he couldn’t get a flight on a certain day and then they booked him on that day anyway but told him it was for the day before. He argued with the ticket agent for 20 minutes about this. So, I felt a little better after hearing that.

It was clear to me that I needed some more rest before flying. That’s what I did. I read, napped, read, ate, drank liquids and rested in a prone position as much as possible. I’m feeling better tonight and I think I’ll be better able to fly tomorrow.

Michael

TA BASS CO Statue

Around mid-morning we left Baton Rouge for Avery Island, the home and birthplace of Tabasco®. It’s about 85 miles southwest from where my parents live. It’s a fascinating area full of history.

Avery Island (Wikipedia link) is one of five salt domes that can be found in Louisiana. It is approximately 5 miles (3 km) long and 2 ½ miles wide. Our guide told us that that the dome is deeper than Mt. Everest is high. Wow! It has one of the largest salt mines in the world. The indigenous American Indians were probably the first humans to extract the salt from the dome through evaporation of brine water.

Today, the island (it really is an island), in addition to the salt mine, houses the manufacturing facilities for Tabasco® brand products (Wikipedia link), has a rich botanical garden and a bird sanctuary.

Buddha

We toured the Tabasco plant first. I grew up with Tabasco. It’s a staple in Louisiana and is typically found with the salt and pepper on every table. The ingredients are simple: Tabasco peppers (Capsicum frutescens var. tabasco), salt and vinegar. The peppers and salt are ground up into a mash and aged in white oak barrels for up to 3 years. The vinegar is added and stirred for about a month. The sauce is strained and then bottled. That wonderful flavor comes from three ingredients!

After the tour, we tried many of the Tabasco products in the country store. We also shared some crawfish etouffee, hot link sausage, boudin, Tabasco ice cream and Tabasco soda. Hmmmmm! All were very good.

We toured the Jungle Gardens which is a huge botanical garden built up with exotic plants and local species by E. A. McIlenny (Mr. Ned for short). The best time of the year to go is March as many of the species are blooming at this time. Today we saw multiple species of camellias, bamboo forest, very old live oaks covered in Spanish moss, cypress forests and many palm varieties. Unfortunately, the alligators that live there were buried in the mud because the sun wasn’t out.

Bridge Near Buddha

In 1936, friends of Mr. Ned gave him a Buddha statue from China that is centuries old. It now stands in a beautiful area of Jungle Gardens surrounded by water on three sides. Very unusual. It must stand 8 feet high.

Another amazing part of the gardens is Bird City. Mr. Ned found this bird colony around 1895 to save the white egret which had been hunted to near extinction for its plumage. He raised 8 birds here and then released them for the fall migration across the Gulf of Mexico. They returned the next year and brought some of their friends. The colony now hosts numerous bird species that return in the early spring to roost.

I highly recommend this unusual place. It’s close to New Orleans and Baton Rouge and makes for an excellent day trip. Try to visit during March or April.

Michael

Snow Buddha

When snow falls, nature listens. – Antoinette van Kleeff

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? – J.B. Priestley

We had a good sized winter storm yesterday and it continued with snow showers and flurries for most of today. When we awoke this morning, the world had been transformed by the white powdery substance.

It was stunning to go outside and see how much snow had piled up. I especially like to find where the snow has concentrated. Sometimes it can be in the most unusual places and in many different ways. I love the snow that builds up in the crooks of trees where stems meet trunk. Something about that is quite beautiful to me.

We worked hard this morning to dig out 4 cars, part of a sidewalk and driveway. Strange as it may seem, I actually like it. It’s hard work but it’s an excuse to be out in the snow.

The most amazing site for me was the Buddha head in Erica’s backyard. I started watching it last night when the snow was falling very fast. This morning it was quite stunning.

I love the snow.

Check out 12 more photos from this morning.

Michael

The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams. – Oprah Winfrey

The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure. – Joseph Campbell

Quartz Veins in Ft. Wetherill State Park

I had decided today would be a day of hiking, geocaching and adventure. I left mid morning and headed to Conanicut Island where Jamestown, RI is located. There were many areas in the south central part of the island I hadn’t explored.

Fort Wetherill State Park was my first destination. I explored the many trails in this park. I found some strange geological formations in the form of very long quartz veins running through the rock on the coast. I discovered that this entire area was once part of Africa over 500 million years ago. The fort has history all the way back to the American Revolution. The views across Narragansett Bay were stunning.

After a short break for a snack and water, I drove north a few miles and discovered an historical cemetery. I then proceeded south again to Fort Getty State Park. I discovered huge coastal estuaries harboring many species of birds and animals. I walked the rocky coasts exploring the nooks and crannies.

Finally, I drove around almost aimlessly and found new beaches, new bird sanctuaries, harbors and more interesting history.

The point is that adventure is a close as you want it to be. I experienced all of this in a day and it was only 20 miles from my house. You don’t have to fly or drive long distances. All you have to do is get out of the house and ask yourself, “What’s around the next turn?”

Change your routine. Go have some fun.

Michael

My Guide

I have debated with myself about telling the following story. Part of me won the debate, so here goes.

On day three of my Mexico trip (October 23rd, 2008) I, along with several others in our travel group, decided to take a two hour horseback ride to the valley’s edge outside of Cerocahui. We wanted to see the waterfalls and pools among the rocks. It sounded like fun so I signed up.

I made it a point to tell the head of the tour that I was not an experienced rider, so please give me a gentle horse that obeyed. A few minutes later, a young boy walked up with a grayish horse (see the photo on the left). He was going to be my guide. So, he helped me up into the saddle which turned out to be made of wood with a very thin blanket thrown over. Translation: I had to be careful how I sat (if you catch what I’m saying) so I wouldn’t damage myself.

The next thing I know was that our party of horses started walking down the road to the outskirts of town. Guess what? I was not in control of my horse. My “guide” was leading the horse I was on. He was obviously walking and I was sitting on the horse. He walked me and my horse all the way to the waterfall and all the way back.

As we walked through the small village, everyone saw us and most of the kids laughed and snickered when seeing me being “guided.” It was quite embarrassing. Next time, I should verify that my translation was understood the way I meant it.

The trip was still fun even though I didn’t have control of my horse.

Michael

Fisherman at Beavertail State Park

Dense fog, windy, very high waves and lots of salt water fisherman. This was my first impression of Beavertail State Park located at the southernmost end of Conanicut Island in Rhode Island. It was early morning and cool. The air was literally dripping moisture from the thick fog.

I had never been here before. After parking my car near the lighthouse, I walked over to the eastern shore which looks out into Narragansett Bay and saw some of the most rugged coastline I had seen south of Maine. It was hard to see in the fog, but the rocks sparkled with moisture; blacks, grays and shades of browns.

It seemed to be a popular day for fishing. I saw several dozen fisherman casting into the 6 – 8 foot waves pounding the rock shore.

Lone Fisherman

My goals were many today; to explore this park, do some hiking in the fog, look for geocaches and do some photography. I was rewarded by miles of trails through pristine areas.

The area also has a lot of history; colonial shipping, World War II bunkers that were used to defend against seaside attacks and Indian settlements. In fact, Conanicut Island is named for Chief Canonicus who once resided here.

The park and some areas just north of it in Fort Wetherill has some interesting  geology. Most of the rocks here are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. You can find large quartz veins when walking along the rocky shore. Fort Wetherill probably has the largest and longest in the area. I was surprised to learn that New England and parts of New York are more closely related to Africa when examining the fossil and geological record. Apparently, many millions of years ago, Africa broke off from North America and left a little piece behind.

If you visiting Rhode Island, take the time to travel south and visit this park, Jamestown and Newport across the bay. You won’t be disappointed.

Additional Links:

Beavertail State Park on Rhode Island State Parks

Visit Rhode Island.com for Beavertail State Park

Beavertail Lighthouse

Fort Wetherill

View Larger Map of Beavertail State Park