A Place To Share Life's Adventures

Romelle's Flower Garden - Friday, 6 Aug 10

2010-08-22T08:41:00.001-07:00

While back in Wisconsin for a family gathering I had an opportunity to capture some of the beautiful flowers my sister Romelle has grown with such care and attention in her back garden. I'm sure she knows the name of each; I just know they looked wonderful. A small angel stands nestled amongst the colorful blooms.

I wish I could zoom right in and capture the intricate details better. Mother nature creates some pretty amazing things.

A small burst of color mixes with some of the larger flowers to bring a brilliant balance to the space.

This variety of hibiscus stood taller than me, making it easy to snap some summer sky behind the huge bloom.

One Of My Favorite Photos - Thursday, 29 Oct 2009

2010-06-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

After many months without having access to my blog I'm going to try to get things caught up as best I can. What better way to do so than with a photo that turned out to be far better than ever expected.
As the sun went down over the tops of the tents, the new concertina wire being installed by one of my contractors was a bitter-sweet site. A glorious sunset - a marvel of nature - a warm and carefree vision mixed with the realities of war - the razor sharp wire that was erected to protect and keep so many safe. A contrast we don't particulary like to see, but one that was/is reality, and can still create an amazing sight worthy of capture and sharing.

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Outback, Carrabba's, Bonefish Grill - Saturday, 17 Oct 09

2009-10-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had a very special treat for dinner! I thought it was only Outback Steakhouse coming in to provide steaks, but when we got inside we saw that they had Outback, Carrabba's and Bonefish Grill entrees!!!
Sorry for the blurry pic - I was taking the shot across the room at the dining facility where they had their Outback Steakhouse banner displayed.

It was so hard to decide what to have because they had several entrees to choose from! I wish they would each come a different night so I could have enjoyed all of it!!!

I decided on the Ribeye steak from Outback, the Tilapia w/ Thermadore Sauce and Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill and the Au Gratin Potatos and herb roll from Carrabba's. I'm not sure which one provided the Key Lime pie for desert, but it was scrumptious!! We also had a Bloomin' Onion for everyone at the table!! WAY too much food, but it was delicious!!!

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Dust Laden Sunset - Friday, 16 Oct 09

2009-10-16T09:23:00.000-07:00

Today was a very still day so the dust never had a chance to be blown away, it simply lingered, creating a 'fog' across the camp.

A solitary soldier makes his way west across the camp.

Even through the dust the colors on display showed their rich tones as dusk approached.

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - "Street" Scenes - Friday, 16 Oct 09

2009-10-16T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have absolutely no idea where this guy came from or where he was headed, but couldn't pass on the opportunity to snap the shot.

Not really the best running environment, but there aren't many options. I haven't become acustom to suckin' dust just yet! Bleck!!

Just another view of what a typical commute along the streets is like on any given day at any given time...dusty!!

It's a daily occurence to see groups coming in while others are going out. We're currently in a high transition period that will continue for several weeks.

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Random Pics - Friday, 16 Oct 09

2009-10-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Even Camp Leatherneck has it's own unique and impressive structures. It's amazing what can be created from Hesco barriers with a little imagination (and WAY too much time on their hands).

Who needs billy goats to stand on top of anything raised from the ground when we have Marines!

Today I got a group of people together for a very small representation of the diversity of people we have working/living at Camp Leatherneck. We have men and women of all ages, ethnic background, etc from the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy and Civilians working together to acheive one mission! These are only 17 of over 8,ooo!

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Current Office Digs - Monday, 12 Oct 09

2009-10-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

In a row of shelters less than a five minute walk from my sleeping tent is our office. We like it here; it's away from the insanity that runs amuck in some of the other work centers.

Here's the view when you first walk through the door. Four of us line the left side, three on the right. I reside on the far end of the left side nearest to the plywood wall which creates a small storage space at the far end of the tent.

A shot from the opposite end of the space.

A closer shot of my work space.

One more pic from another angle. There you have it; the place I spent plenty of hours each day.

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - "Home Sweet Home" (for a while) - Sunday, 11 Oct 09

2009-10-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

There are many tents lined in rows, but none other is like this one because this one is where I live; this is my home (for a while).

The Navy Seabee's have graciously allowed a "foreigner" into their space; which I'm very thankful for because I'd be squeezed in with the Marines otherwise. Seabee's are creative and proud; hence the handle on our door that you see here.

This is my corner of the tent. Not much to write home about (wait, isn't that kind of what I'm doing here). Anyway, now that I've received sheets and a real pillow from friends I'll be able to upgrade from the sleeping bag!!! The simple things can mean SOOO much!! I have no bunkmate so I'm able to spread out a bit and use the top bunk for 'stuff'.

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - You never know...

2009-10-10T22:11:00.001-07:00

You never know what's going to be coming at you when you come around the bend in the road!! (Sorry for the blurry pic, I was trying to catch the shot before they passed by).

Of course, these guys can make a 'road' wherever they choose too!

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Sunset - Wednesday, 7 Oct 09

2009-10-09T00:53:00.000-07:00

Even in the most austere environments we're still provided something beautiful on occasion. The colors only lasted a short time, but their continual change made for a very nice ending to the day! The glow of the setting sun silhouettes an MRAP vehicle in the foreground.

Another angle of the same MRAP with the multi-colored sunset in the distance.

The night sky shown in a kaleidoscope of colors beyond the "skyline" of Camp Leatherneck.

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Berm Work - Monday, 5 Oct 09

2009-10-08T23:34:00.000-07:00

One of many outposts which provide an extended view of the desert beyond.

While looking at this picture it almost looks like a huge gorge you'd see somewhere in the southwestern US. It's actually a cut in one of our berms where we're preparing to install a drainage pipe.

It wasn't just a small pipe being installed either.

Working in any environment here is never a clean task. This poor equipment operator was covered in dust by the time we were finished.

As the sun fell closer to the horizon the final touches we made on the reconstruction of the berm.

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - Old Hesco Barrier Wall - Sunday, 4 Oct 09

2009-10-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

While looking over our expansion area earlier today we came across this old Hesco barrier wall that has deteriorated over time. When I first saw them in the distance I wonder what kind of ancient stone wall was running along the terrain. As we got closer I could see it wasn't as historically significant as I first thought. Compacted soils still stands as the elements continue to cause it to erode day by day.

Shadows cast on the desert base from the remnants of the Hesco barrier wall.

Several different degrees of errosion can be seen from a distance while looking at the wall as it stretches along the ridgeline.

One last shot of a different stretch of wall from a different angle.

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - A Little Desert Volleyball With The Brits - Saturday, 3 Oct 09

2009-10-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

Apparently there has been a long standing engagement between our very small Air Force group (including our three civilian counterparts) and some of the Brits at Camp Bastion for Saturday afternoon volleyball games. Well, far be it from me and the other new arrivals to let something like this get lost! Not a very serious game, but still a good afternoon away from work.

The photos don't show it very well, but this was a pretty breezy day with plenty of dust involved. We're hopeful next week will bring a more pleasant day.

We had to learn a few new rules too. Using your foot or head is acceptable play in these games. Net serves are also legal. It all adds to the fun of the game.

Oh yeah, the courts are about 4'-5' shorter than we're used to. Again, keeps the game interesting. :)

I'm sure this was the look of "aw, come on, how could that have gone out on the serve"!?!

Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - My New Home

2009-10-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

I've arrived at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan - my new home for the next six months! Hopefully I'll continue to have access to this blog so I can add to it as I the days progress toward my return. The camp entrance sign as seen when coming from the British side of the camp - Camp Bastion.

It's no wonder why EVERYTHING is covered in dust/dirt after seeing dust devils like this roll across the desert!

Here comes another one heading right toward me as I travel from Camp Bastion to Camp Leatherneck.

One of the many "jingle trucks" that make deliveries to the base. Interesting choice of design.

Sleeping With Your Friends...Manas AB, Kyrzygstan - Wednesday, 23 Sep 09

2009-10-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

This is what it's like to sleep with 120 of your closest friends!! This was one of several billeting facilities housing transient personnel at Manas. Not much personal space here!

Sunset Across The Bush River - Monday, 14 Sep 09

2009-10-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

As I sat with friend relaxing on their patio the sun began to fall toward the horizon providing another glorious sunset!! Beyond the dock the relection of the sun shines bright off the water's surface.

An old bell at the edge of the yard provided an opportunity to catch the reflection of the sun only while hiding the sun itself as its intensity silhouetted the dock and bell.

The colors were so unique in this shot! How a vibrantly pink sun casts a sharp orange reflection is beyond me, but I loved how it looked!!

"We'll Miss You While You're Gone" Party - Friday, 11 Sep 09

2009-10-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

Before deploying some good friends and co-workers got together for a wonderful evening out at Hobo's Restaurant. After being away at training for almost a month it was great to see them all again and enjoy our night together. Thank you to all that were able to attend, it was GREAT!!
Hail, hail, the gangs all here!!! Smiles all around for the camera!! We wined and dined for hours sharing laughter and good times!

My friend Gretchen (the owner of Hobo's restaurant) and I took a spin around the dance floor (space between the dinner tables) as part of our evening's fun.

Guy and Sheryll probably up to no good based on those mischevious grins! :-)

A few of the rowdy boys together for a quick photo op!

Combat Skills Training - Ft McCoy, WI - 16 Aug-9 Sep 09

2009-10-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

Prior to deploying to Afghanistan a combat skills training course is required for all personnel. The duration and intesity of this course depends on your job and your forward location. For my and 59 others in my class we spent about 3.5 weeks in training. This course took place at Ft. McCoy, WI As with any "adventure" in life, we have to recognize the positive moments given to us on any given day. There were several brilliant sunsets to be viewed during my time there.

Amongst the many other physical training (PT) exercises we did this one shows the Spiderman Pushup. As you lower your body for the pushup you raise your knee to touch your elbow. Use the opposite knee for next pushup. They kicked my butt. :-)

Several days arrived with foggy mornings. The sun was doing its best to burn of the fog on this particular morning, but not before capturing this cool pic.

All geared up and ready to hit the firing range! And for those extended moments of wait...a John Grisham book readily available.

After a full reiteration of multiple gunners the inside of our Hummer was covered with shell casings. It looked like it might make a neat photo, so I snapped a few shots.

Quick Trip To Wisconsin - 1st/2nd Aug 09

2009-10-04T04:20:00.000-07:00

In early August I did a very quick trip back to Wisconsin to see family and friends before leaving for some scheduled training and then deploying. Gee, maybe Mom and I need to learn we shouldn't laugh when someone is trying to take our picture.

Romelle and I didn't get caught in quite as big of a grin as Mom and I did.

Is this where I get those monkey faces from??? Like father, like son. :-)

Myrtle Beach For Romelle's 50th Birthday Celebration Week - Random Shots

2009-10-04T04:04:00.000-07:00

Da Boyz (Rob, Kurt, Will) hangin' on the pier before dinner.

This is the result of what happens when you "chill" a bottle of wine in the freezer...and forget it's there!!!! Not recommended!

Four beautiful women (Patti, Susan, Romelle, Roxy) all dressed up and ready for some fun! Believe me, they all know how to have plenty of fun too!

Sue and I most likely up to mischief of some kind - but we'll never tell what!!

A quick shot of the crew after a day in the sun. Robin, Sheena, Patti, Romelle, Susan, Kurt, Rob, Will (Roxy had already returned to WI).

Myrtle Beach For Romelle's 50th Birthday Celebration Week - An Evening At Medieval Times - Tuesday, 19 May 09

2009-10-04T03:46:00.000-07:00

In honor of her birthday Romelle wanted to take us to Medieval Times for their dinner show. It was an excellent performance that everyone enjoyed! Our place settings were simple, basic serving dishes cast with the Medieval Times signature logo on them.

Numerous participants in the show made it an array of color and movement throughout the evening.

Each area of the arena had a particular color assigned to it which coincided with their respective knight; we were seated in the blue section and had an excellent knight to cheer for.

The king approaches the knights prior to the final joust of the evening to commend them for their bravery and participation in the games.

A final pass of all knights and their color guards finished off the night. It was a wonderful show!

Myrtle Beach For Romelle's 50th Birthday Celebration Week - Sunrises

2009-10-04T03:34:00.001-07:00

One of the greatest gifts of being on the east coast is the glorious sunrises that we're blessed with each morning! Some mornings offered beautiful hues of pinks and lavenders as the sun rose slowly from the horizon.

Other mornings shown vibrant with extreme yellows and oranges.

No matter what the colors, each sunrise was worth waking early to see!

Myrtle Beach For Romelle's 50th Birthday Celebration Week - Let's Decorate

2009-10-04T03:21:00.000-07:00

To help remind Romelle how much we loved her we decided to post some memorable photos around the condo of days gone by. Patti and I conniving - oh wait, more like we're lovingly being creative - on how what we should post around the rooms.

There are a lot of smiles and good times behind each of the photos we chose.

Even almost 50 years ago she was still a cute lil' bugger!!! I was going to say cute and innocent, but I didn't want to stretch it too far! :-)

Myrtle Beach For Romelle's 50th Birthday Week Celebration - Broadway At The Beach - Monday, 18 May 09

2009-10-04T02:59:00.001-07:00

We didn't spend EVERY moment at the beach while in South Carolina. We did take an afternoon to head over to the touristy shopping area called Broadway on the Beach for something different.
Being that it was Romelle's birthday one of the workers at the Fudgery broke into a Happy Birthday song outside the shop in celebration of her special day. Yes, she turned red, but smiled and graciously said thank you.

As our day wound down we found ourselves enjoying margaritas at Margaritaville. As you can see, Patti and I thought it was an EXCELLENT way to relax after traversing the boardwalk and shops!!

Oh wait, I guess EVERYONE thought it was a great way to round out the day!!!

Whose king??? Kurt is!! Take that T-Rex!

Myrtle Beach For Romelle's 50th Birthday Celebration Week - Beach/Water Pics - Starting Saturday, 16 May 09

2009-10-04T02:21:00.000-07:00

To celebrate my sister Romelle's 50th birthday a small group of us connected at one of her favorite vacations destinations (Myrtle Beach, SC) for a week of celebration. I think we all had at least a little bit of fun!!!
An inviting scene of colorful umbrellas lined along the beach as the waves rolled in.

Even though the water seemed cool Roxy and Rob braved it to have some fun in the surf.

I wimped out from the cool water and found a comfy spot to place my chair in the sand and enjoy the warmth of the sun.

One of the warmer water places was the lazy river that ran beside our resort. As you can see, the birthday girl was enjoying her tube ride along the river.

My nephew Kurt displayed his artistic capabilities by created this sand dragon beside the sea. Regrettably it wasn't going to last long as you can see the wetness of the sand where the water was already coming near.

Henlopen Park/Gordon's Pond - Saturday, 4 Apr 09

2009-06-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

Henlopen Park is situated between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, DE. Gordon's Pond is a preserve within the park area. Besides a trail for hiking around the pond it's relatively unspoiled.
In early spring not much foliage has begun to turn green. The water still reflects the towering pines on a still afternoon.

Across the pond you can see the watch towers that rest between the pond and the ocean. There are several of these towers along the Delaware coast.

A closer pic of one of the towers directly on the beach.

Athens, Greece - Monday, 30 Mar 09

2009-06-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

Even though we weren't allowed to get directly up to the columns you can see how massive they are. These pillars are all that remains from the Temple of Olympian Zues.

Like so many other places of historic importance, you're bound to see scaffolding and maintenance taking place. The Parthenon, built on the Acropolis, has extensive restoration taking place. Even so, it was extremely impressive.

Mykonos (Part II) - Saturday, 28 Mar 09

2009-04-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

Another day in Mykonos proved to be just as rewarding as the first.
The sun shown a bit warmer, so wearing shorts was the perfect way to go - although a jumper did make it a bit more comfortable than just a t-shirt. Behind me is an area called "Little Venice"; named for the way the buildings are situated directly against the sea.

Speckled throughout the island were small churches similar to this one, yet each one unique in it's own way.

Along the northern edge of Charo (Mykonos Town) five windmills lined the hillside. This pic is taken from the water's edge in front of Little Venice.

A captured sunburst adds so much character to this ancient church that stands along the sea.

The sun continues to fall toward a distant island beyond the harbor. This was the repeated scene each evening in Mykonos. I do love my sunsets!!

Mykonos (Part I) - Friday, 27 Mar 09

2009-04-20T16:26:00.000-07:00

A fair portion of Greece is comprised of many islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. We had hoped to see several of these islands, but due to being low-season there weren't many ferries moving between the islands, but rather more so to/from the mainland cities. Rather than spend the majority of each day on the boats we elected to spend a few days at just one island and then return to Athens.
The island of choice was Mykonos. This time of year it was quiet and relaxed; which was just fine. It provided an opportunity to enjoy the environment without the typical summer crowds.

A small boy climbs one of many "streets" within the main city on the island, Charo - also called Mykonos Town.

The local people were busy preparing the towns for the upcoming tourist season. The walls were receiving fresh coats of paint as were the streets also. Here I'm standing along a typical passageway through the city (actually many were smaller); very unique in style and decor.

The coastline of Mykonos is a mix of rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. Here is a photo from one of the many beaches. The scene just looks so inviting!! Yes, I'm a beach nut!

Even though the windmills have no canvas, they are still very picturesque as they prominently stand above the city. Here the setting sun brightens the western face of the windmill as it also reflects off the sea.

Athens, Greece - Wednesday, 25 Mar 09

2009-04-20T05:09:00.001-07:00

This year's main travel event was a trip to Greece, via stop-overs in Spain before and after. Well, due to the unpredictability of military air travel I missed out on several days in Spain before arriving in time to make the commercial connections to Greece. But hey, I still made it, so I'll concentrate on the good parts and forget about the not-so-good ones. :) The pictures I'll be posting from this trip will be both my own shots as well as those taken by my friend/travel companion, Felix. Between the two of us I think we captured some pretty nice photos during the journey.
There were numerous statues in different locations throughout the city of Athens; this one, an athlete posed on a pedestal, was positioned across the street from the Panathenaic Olympic Stadium. The sunny day allowed me to capture it in almost silhouette form.

The Arch of Hadrian towers toward a cloudy sky. The architectural details of this structure built more than 1875 years ago (approx 131 AD) remain very interesting and impressive.

While meandering the streets we happen to turn the corner just as the Changing of the Guard of was taking place. Even though their uniforms are considerably different than those of other countries I've seen, their actions were still performed with professionalism and respect as they orchestrated the very distinct and ceremonious maneuvers.

The front the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (a stone amphitheatre built in 161 AD) shines bright in the evening lights while the Parthenon sits high upon the hill in the background. A wonderful night shot (after the rains slowed a bit).

Another shot of the Parthenon (the main structure of the Acropolis) at night as it stands prominently high above the city of Athens. It was a great first day in Greece!

Sunrises and Sunsets - Delaware Style

2009-04-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are some beautifully colored skies in Delaware when it comes to the sunrises and sunsets! I still miss my ocean sunsets, but at least I have some wonderful displays of nature to enjoy quite often.
A colorful sky as viewed from my bedroom window. Fantastic colors!

Each morning I pass this farm and many mornings there's a wonderful sunrise peeking out to start the day. It's a wonderful way to begin the morning.

A few slips from aircraft passing over as well as some clouds made for an intersting morning sky.

The morning sun bursts over the horizon in blazes of vibrant colors!

A bit of distant fog clings near the ground, but the cloud edges show there's a magnificent sun just waiting to climb over and begin the day!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Monday, 2 Mar 09

2009-04-05T18:42:00.001-07:00

I was told that winter doesn't really arrive here until January. Cooler temps could be expected starting in Oct, but the snowy season held off a few more months. Even with that, I wasn't expecting a dump of snow in March.
The first six inches were already on the ground when I got up around 5am. I figured I should be up early enough to shovel out before heading to work. About an hour and a half later I had my drive and sidewalk cleared as well as my elderly neighbors too. As you can see, by the time I was done enough snow had fallen to afford another clearing.

I didn't know until I was half way to work that they closed the base due to the weather. I promptly turned around and returned home to enjoy multiple more occasions to be outside shoveling away what continued to accumulate over the remainder of the day.

Between shovelings it was nice to sit inside and watch the snow fall. It was a heavy, wet snow with minimal wind, so it clung to everything and piled up easily.

Another shot from the patio door of the snow covering everything.

The plow truck went through once late in the morning to give a single pass for cars. It was late afternoon by the time any clearing was being done. Since my neighborhood has several cul-de-sacs and circles they just piled the snow in the centers of each and left it there to melt. It only took a few sunny days for the piles to go away.

Philadelphia Flower Show - Sunday, 1 Mar 09

2009-04-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

I was invited to the annual Philadelphia Flower Show by a friend of mine who happen to have an extra ticket. I thought it would be something different and interesting to do so I accepted the offer and went along.

Each year's show is done based on a different theme; this year's theme was Italia. The extravagance and detailing put into the displays in the show obviously took a lot of creativity and effort.
The entire area was an array of colorful blooms of every possible flower imaginable, all put together in unique designs and styles to represent different perceptions of Italy. As a lover of Europe, I enjoyed seeing what was being presented.
Mother nature never seems to skimp on the details. This lily was absolutely beautiful, right down to the "feathery" texture on the inside of the petals.
I think I enjoyed some of the "not so flowery" displays as much as those abounding with foliage.
Some of the designers had a eye for mixing their statuary and foliage to make a beautiful balance. This statue was just a small portion of a larger display, yet by herself she still made a statement at the front.
I didn't quite understand why there was a Irish display at this show, but really liked the Celtic cross that was used as part of it. The foliage in this display was done with less vibrancy and concentrated on the different shades of green. A very well done display, but a bit out of place for a show themed Italia.

Return To Antigua - 14-21 Feb 08

2009-04-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

Less than five months after leaving Antigua the crystal blue waters, light sandy beaches and calming tropical breezes were calling me; I had to go back for a visit. While speaking of the trip within my office a colleague of mine commented "that sounds great, I want to go", so I replied "grab your passport and some $$ and come along" - he took me up on the offer. The week went very quickly, but it was wonderful to see friends and enjoy the island once again!
Not many hours after arriving we made our way to one of James and Mary's famous pizza party's. It was great to see some familiar faces and meet a few new folks too.

I've shown Devil's Bridge to many people as they've visited the island and never once have I been caught in the spray of water that shoots up and over the edge as the sea hits the rocks - until now. Watching those little fishes in the crevices of the rocks that must have been tossed up there by the waters left me a prime target for the "sploosh" that caught me off guard. I was subsequently drenched.

Game Night was a big hit while I was there, so a few of us got together for a pretty rambunctious game of Guesstures one night. Lots of laughs and fun throughout the night. Thanks Barbara for orchestrating that!

Sitting on the sand watching the boats sail by was such a big part of returning to the island. Thankfully Guy (my colleague/friend) was content with most of the same. I did take him around different parts of the island to see some of the sights too though.

Our final day there Mary was able to join in the fun for an afternoon at my favorite beach - Half Moon Bay. If you've seen my blog before you would probably recognize that name from numerous previous posts. It was a great day of fun on the sand and in the surf!

Christmas In Wisconsin - 24-28 Dec 08

2009-04-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

After many years of being away from home for the holidays I was able to make a short trip back to Wisconsin this year. Even though I couldn't attend every family function spread out across the weeks before, during and after Christmas I was able to be there for a few.
Rob & Romelle have adopted a unique tradition of placing their Christmas tree outside on their patio. They enjoy it more there through the patio door from the dining room than they would in the family room. I love the idea and as you can see, it makes for a magnificent sight with the northern Wisconsin snow.

Out front the scene is a bit different, with a cheerful snowman to welcome you and bright white lights in the miniature trees that line the entry.

What's one of the best things to get for Christmas?? In my family that would be some hand made chocolates! Here at Dad & Audrey's home that's exactly what I was able to unwrap and enjoy (amongst other goodies too).

During my short five day stay we had two separate snowfalls. The pines behind Dad's house hung low as the snow collected on their boughs.

An old piece of farm equipment sits peacefully covered in fresh snow.

New York, New York, Sunday, 7 Dec 08

2009-04-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

In late Nov/early Dec my friend Felix from Spain was visiting the US, where he spent time with friends in New York as well as here in Delaware. I went to New York during that time to see friends I hadn't seen in a long time and to take in a few sights while there. Here are a few shots.
The Chrylser Building lit up for the night. (Sorry for the blurry shot, I didn't have the tripod with me).

New York city as seen from the back of the ferry as it departs from the shore on it's way to the Statue of Liberty.

Statue of Liberty stands tall on a cloudy day with Manhattan in the background.

It was a pretty chilly day in New York, but still worth going out to see our Lady Liberty.

A creation of the weary and wanting as they arrived on the shores of America. This statue stands near the entrance to the ferries that travel to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Home Sweet Home - Saturday, 1 Nov 08

2009-04-05T15:19:00.000-07:00

After extensive searching for the perfect home I decided buying wasn't going to be the best option at this time. The market was still in a decline and homes in Delaware are still way over-priced in my opinion. As much as I didn't want to rent I decided that was going to be the smarter choice for now. So, on 1 Nov 08 I began moving into a two-story, side-by-side twinhome in Dover, DE. Here are a couple of shots of the new digs.
This should be a nice place to call home for a while.

Not much for a patio out back, but I plan to work with the landlord and see if I can get him to put up the $$ if I put up the sweat and do some upgrades in the back. We'll see what the summer brings.

Going Away Brunch - Sunday, 21 Sep 08

2009-04-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

A few local friends put together a very nice brunch on the Sunday before I left the island to say good-bye. It was a excellent time for more laughter and smiles amongst some good friends.

Tina's back patio was an ideal spot to get together for a small, yet pleasant brunch with good friends.

I was so pleased when Catfish brought me along to a party at Patricia's home many months ago. She is a wonderful person and has become a great friend.
Likewise, I'm also very pleased that Patricia has shared her friend Tina with some of us. She is always good for plenty of smiles and good times. I'll miss them both very much.

Going Away Bash - Friday, 12 Sep 08

2009-04-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

To say farewell to all of the wonderful people I've spent the past 14 months with I decided to have a Going Away Bash at the club. The kitchen staff did a great job at preparing the Wisconsin brats and cheeses I brought down as well as adding to it other tasty dishes. I had Kenny's band Monky T-li play some great music for a few hours and we all enjoyed some of our favorite libations served at the bar. I think everyone had a pretty good time.

A shot of a few of the local crowd enjoying themselves on a Friday afternoon - the weekend has begun!

The 'girls' were enjoying some good ol' rock n roll being played by the band.

Mary, Bolo and I giving a smile for the camera.

Kenny enjoying what Kenny does best - play those drums!!! He may be a painter by day, but he's a drummer at heart.

How could I possibly let Barbara get away without a photo from the night after she got all dressed up for the evening? I couldn't.

Kim's Visit - Saturday, 7 Sep 08

2009-04-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know it seems like forever since I've posted new pics here; that's probably because it has been! Well, it's time to remedy that right now and try to get a bit caught up. That all starts with Kim's visit back in September last year. Kim is a good friend of mine whom I met while stationed in England in the early 90's. She owns a villa at Jolly Habour in Antigua, so her visit wasn't quite the same as some of the others. We didn't do island touring and sight seeing, but still managed to have a lot of fun visiting and enjoying the beaches and friends. That part is always the same, no matter who visits. Taking advantage of a photo op from the back patio of Kim's villa.
I can't recall her name, but this friend of Kim's had us in stitches laughing so hard the entire night. She was quite the cut-up.
An evening at C & C's wine bar in St. Johns is always a good time, especially when spent with some new and old friends. Kim's friend Terry (who lives in a villa just down the street) is another wonderful person I was given the honor to meet.
Much to our amazement while standing in line to get Kim checked in for her departure flight we encounter Charles Samuel. Charles is a native of Antigua who was back to the island to visit family. Kim and I met him during the time we were all stationed at RAF Mildenhall, England. What a small world!!!! It was great to see him again and have a few minutes to catch up.

Joel n Kayla's Visit - Final Night - Tuesday, 19 Aug 08

2008-10-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Even though their trip was originally planned to be shorter it still seemed like it went very, very quickly overall. Before we knew it their final night was upon us.
The palms along Jabberwock Beach tower above the other trees to make a beuatiful silouhette against the blue skies of the evening.
Big smiles and coconut drinks provide the perfect photo as testament to the good times had by all during their stay. Had I not been taking the picture I would have been beside them looking the same, I enjoyed my time with them very, very much!

Joel n Kayla's Visit - A Day Of Sailing - Sunday, 17 Aug 08

2008-10-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Tim's generosity we were able to enjoy some time out on his boat casually sailing along the western shores of the island. Even though the waters were teaming with large jellyfish we still enjoyed the day. It was actually quite interesting to see them so clearly as we gently cut through the water.
Not too much wind in the sails, as is evident by the minimal tilt of the boat. I think both Kayla and I were perfectly ok with that. :)
Joel "stands tall" after dropping the sail in preparation for anchoring near Turner's beach. We enjoyed some time in the water (no jelly's here) before a nice lunch and cocktails.
On the return trip Tim handed over the wheel to Joel so he could Captain the vessel for a while. I think he enjoyed it a great deal!

Joel n Kayla's Visit - Beautiful Sunset From Coconut Grove - Wednesday, 13 Aug 08

2008-10-19T18:43:00.000-07:00

You can't see them in the photo, but Kayla and I are enjoying a tasty Banana Whop as we watch the sun go down. They are a specialty of the Coconut Grove Bar/Restaurant.
The colors of the sky were exceptionally vibrant tonight! Excellent oranges and yellows against the blue sky.
Joel stands quietly by as Mother Nature provides a magnificent show to close another wonderful day of vacation.
As the sunset progresses the colors become more an more rich. You never know what each evening will bring, as well as how the skies will change from one moment to the next!
One final pose before the skies become too dark. Smiles and looks of contentment - signs of another fantastic day!

Joel n Kayla's Visit - An Afternoon At Half Moon Bay - Tuesday, 12 Aug 08

2008-10-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

Half Moon Bay never seems to disappoint me in any way! The water was beautiful, the surf pleasant and the beach just as soft and inviting as any other day! It truly was one of my favorite places on Antigua.
Joel n Kayla seemed to enjoy this location as well. It was very nice to see them enjoying some togetherness time as they relaxed in the warm waters of the bay. It was my pleasure to share this place with them!

Joel n Kayla's Visit - Dion Bay - Tuesday, 12 Aug 08

2008-10-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

Near Devil's Bridge is a beautiful bay named Dion's Bay. I can't tell you the last time I saw it with such amazing colors!
It was another sunny day to enjoy outdoors and that's exactly what we were doing.
I just couldn't keep from taking numerous photos of the vibrant colors the waters were showing this morning. I love how each day can be different!

Joel n Kayla's Visit - Jolly Harbour/Beach - Mon, 11 Aug 08

2008-09-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

The sun peaked through the clouds long enough to brighten the harbour area at Jolly Harbour/Beach.
The beach portion of Jolly Harbour/Beach is captured more in the background of this shot behind Joel n Kayla. Even with some cloud cover it's still a wonderful view.

Joel n Kayla's Visit - Evening At Shirley Heights - Sun 10 Aug 08

2008-09-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

Whenever possible, a Sunday night at Shirley Heights is a "must do" on any holiday trip to Antigua. Steel drum band, magnificent views and groups of people all having a great time.

Here's a quick snap of my local friends Tina and Patricia along with myself, Joel and Kayla. It was a fun evening (even if the clouds kept the beautiful sunset hidden).

Joel n Kayla's Visit - Afternoon at Runaway Bay - Sun, 10 Aug 08

2008-09-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

Our afternoon at the beach was a bit disrupted by these "mammoth" jellyfish that were quite prevalent in the water. Regrettably, a long portion of hurricane season is also jellyfish season. These are the largest ones I've ever seen. They were averaging a good 14" in diameter!
Such a wonderful photo to snap; watching your friends walk hand in hand along the beach as they relax and enjoy a their stroll beside the lapping waves.

Joel n Kayla's Visit - No Time Wasted - Sat, 9 Aug 08

2008-09-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

My very good friends, Joel n Kayla arrived from Georgia on Saturday afternoon for several days of fun in the sun. No time was wasted after leaving the airport. I whisked them away to their room so they could change into beachwear and we were off to Sneaky Pete's on Dickinson Bay for the remainder of the day and a beautiful sunset.
You can't let the day go by without a photo of some smiling faces in the sunshine.
What a welcome they had for their first sunset. We hoped for the "green flash" but low lying clouds obstructed the view of the sun slipping below the waters edge on the horizon. No matter, it was still a wonderful sunset.

Antigua Carnival - Tuesday, 5 Aug 08

2008-09-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

Every year Antigua is inundated with people from around the Caribbean (and some from even further) to celebrate Carnival. This is a time of huge parties, multiple parades, beauty queen pageants and continuous days and nights of celebrations.
As you can see, the "Grand Marshall" of the parade was dressed very, very colorful. The perfect beginning for what was to come.

There were numerous groups of dancers in a variety of vibrantly colored costumes.

The stilt-walkers did a great job as they made their way down the street and moving to the music.

Even the youngest participants were dressed in bright colors as they walked the parade route.

There seemed to be no end to the dancers, costumes, displays, music etc! I can only imagine how crazy the atmosphere became once evening set in!

Afternoon Pool Party - Sunday, 27 Jul 08

2008-08-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

The perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon is with friends around the pool. Tony, Mary, Patricia and Catfish join me for quick "timer" shot poolside at Patricia's beautiful picturesque home.
Of course, wonderful pool parties always seem to continue on into the night. Remnants of Artichoke Parmesan dip and almost empty glasses of wine mark the end of a very pleasant day spent with friends.

Magnificent Rays - Friday, 25 Jul 08

2008-08-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

Another morning of restless sleep provides the opportunity to enjoy this display of magnificent rays bursting from behind the clouds. Maybe the torment of restless sleep is truly a blessing in disguise.

Golden Sunrise - Thursday, 24 Jul 08

2008-08-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes not being able to sleep very well has it's rewards. I was able to enjoy this beautiful golden sunrise welcome in the morning.

And The Sun Goes Down - Sunday, 13 Jun 08

2008-08-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

The sun continues it's decent as the waves carress the sandy shores except where the occasional rock causes the waters to leap in the air.
Before the sun could reach the horizon a bank of clouds came in to provide a beautiful display of bright rays shooting up to the sky and colorful ones reaching down to the water below.

Dolphins At Play - Saturday, 5 Jul 08

2008-08-02T06:33:00.000-07:00

After an afternoon of snorkeling with Donald, Katie and friends we had the great fortune of seeing a group of dolphins on our way back to shore.
Four of the six dolphins swim near the surface in a group, occasionally coming above the surface.
One of them was a bit playful as we watched, but this was the only photo I was able to snap in time catch him out of the water.

Independence Day Fireworks - Friday, 4 Jul 08

2008-08-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

A fireworks display off the eastern coast of Key West lit up the night sky in an array of colors after the "whoosh" of being set off. It was an amazing display that lasted about 45 mintues. I don't have the type of camera to truly capture the splendor of fireworks, but here are a few highlights I could catch somewhat.

My Hometown - Wabeno, WI - Monday, 30 Jun 08

2008-07-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

My hometown is a very small town in northern Wisconsin in the heart of Nicolet National Forest. It's a place for tourism all year round.
The town was founded as a logging/farming community. In the small park in the center of town "Larry The Logroller" stands about 30' tall near a historical steam engine.
The Logging Museum provides an array of information about the town of Wabeno and it's evolution over the years.
A tiny church stands on a small plot of land adjacent to Main Street.
Our Public Library is an old log building which also stands adjacent to Main Street, very near the small church. The town is approx 1.5 miles long and maybe 1 mile wide with a population that may reach 600. The homes I grew up in were 6 and 10 miles outside of this tiny little town.

Scott n Holly Sloan's Wedding (Part II) - Saturday, 28 Jun 08

2008-07-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

Since we had some time between the wedding and the reception Laurie, Sue and I found a nice Italian Bistro near the riverside with a outside patio to enjoy some cocktails and snacks. It was an excellent afternoon stop.
We just couldn't keep Dad in his tie once he was out of the church. I'm actually surprised he didn't loose the jacket as well.
The only reason I posted this picture is because of the adorable look Laurie has on her face here. She really does look sweet.
A little dance between Holly n Uncle Will. And a kiss on the head to boot.
Five out of six of the sibs together: Jerry, Romelle, Will, Tina and Roy. Tami wasn't able to make it. We obviously were having a bit of fun!

Scott n Holly Sloan's Wedding Day - Saturday, 28 Jun 08

2008-07-31T17:56:00.000-07:00

The end of June brought me up to Wisconsin; all the way up to the tip (Superior) to attend my niece Holly's wedding.
The wedding was set in deep rose red, sharp midnight black and brilliant snowflake white.
A trail of rose petals was spread down the isle by Scott and Holly's mothers as they entered the church. They're a beautiful accent against the train of Holly's dress as it floated across the floor.
More beautiful red roses were carried by each of Holly's attendants in small bouquets.
Those in the wedding party weren't the only ones dressed up for the occasion. Here's a shot of Mom and I just inside the doors of the church.

A Day Of Sailing - Sunday, 15 Jun 08

2008-07-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

After multiple tries of getting out on the boat with Tim and JoAnn the day finally came. Justin and I joined them for a very nice day of sailing. We went from Jolly Harbour to Deep Bay and dropped anchor so we could enjoy lunch on the deck in still waters before sailing back down to Jolly. According to Tim it was a very weak wind day. Being the wimp that I can be I thought the lean of the boat was plenty in the winds we had.
Yes, I actually did get a chance to help with some of the duties on board. I can't tell you the proper name for what rope I pulled. I just said "tell me what color rope you want pulled or released and I'll do it". I successfully raised a sail or two and brought the main beam across as well. Not yet sailor material, but it's a start.
And of course, there was relaxation time too. No, Justin didn't chill the entire trip, I just happen to be the one with the camera at the moment.
A touch of America in the waters of the Caribbean. Their boat is registered in the U.S., therefore flies our American flag against the beautiful colors of the ocean.

Deep Bay - Saturday, 14 Jun 08

2008-07-31T16:38:00.000-07:00

A beautiful view of Deep Bay as seen from an old fort atop the hill on the northwest side of the bay. The Royal Antiguan Resort can be seen in the distance.
Beyond the ending of the land that creates the bay there is an outcropping of rock (picture behind me). Notice how clear the water looks here.
Even though the fort is very small there are several areas that are relatively in good condition. Here is an exterior stairway that leads to the very top of the fort.
The front side of the fort faces the beach are of the bay. Through the second opening and up the stairs brings you to the highest point. It's amazing how well preserved the stones, etc are for being subjected to the elements for so many years.

Guiana Island Hike - Saturday, 1 Jun 08

2008-06-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

The island of Guiana sits a short thirty yards off the shore of Antigua. It's a small, uninhabited island spanning about 1/2 mile wide by two miles long. Years ago there was a small group of people living there and before that a military presence. We were able to see some of the remnants of these long gone residents as we hiked along the trails of the island.
Dangling hooks and mangled sheet metal of an abandoned building give way to the elements; showing signs of rust.
A pile of ornate iron has also been left to rust as it sits in a heap instead of being used to create a beautiful railing or other aesthetic addition to the now dilapidated property.
In the basement an old wicker chairs sits rotting in the darkness.
The wooden rungs of this ladder have long since rotted away as it lays amongst the leaves and debris collected on the old porch.
A vintage auto is overcome by the growth of the jungle.

Runaway Beach Sunset - Sunday, 25 May 08

2008-05-25T19:04:00.000-07:00

Lately there continually seems to be a cloud (or two) crossing the path of the sun before it dips into the ocean at the end of the day. Today was no different. It did provide some interesting light beams and color schemes though.
Some beautiful blends of yellow and orange brighten the sky against the darkening blue water.

Last Minute Sunset At Dickinson Bay - Thursday, 22 May 08

2008-05-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

As I arrived at Dickinson Bay to watch the sunset I realized I was a little late, but was still able to capture the final moments of color.
As I approached the beach I could see the remaining burst of color before the sun went behind the clouds. The sailboat had been pulled ashore for the evening; the brightness of it's colorful sails darkening as the sun set.
No matter how little there is to see of a sunset it's always a wonderful sight to watch.
A seaside table for two. Sandals had several of these intimate settings scattered along the beach for the dining pleasure of their guests. A beautiful spot to share an evening with someone special.

Dickinson Bay Sunset - Sunday, 11 May 08

2008-05-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

Dickinson Bay always provides an ideal opportunity to capture some wonderful sunsets! Even though the following photos were all taken within 30 minutes of one another you can see how the sun constantly changes in color and intensity as it sets.
A random tourist silhouetted in the sun's reflection while walking along the shore.
A beautiful orange color was cast across the sky during a portion of the final lowering of the sun.
As the sun makes it's way even closer to the horizon the oranges are exchanged for hues of pink, mauve and lavender.
This beach sign seems to find it's way into many of my photos of sunsets taken from this location. This is directly in front of Sneaky Pete's Beach Bar.

Antigua Rainforest - Sunday, 11 May 08

2008-05-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

I finally made the time to take in one of the island's attractions; zip-lining and rope bridging through the rainforest. We weren't allowed to have cameras while on the zip-line, but I was still able to capture a few shots at other locations.Ready to go!
It's hard to see in this photo, but there is a cable running from a platform in the distance through the air to another platform beyond the photo's edge.
This is what some of the platforms looked like.
Walking across one of the rope bridges at the end of the course.

An Afternoon In/On The Water! - Friday, 9 May 08

2008-05-10T10:38:00.000-07:00

Phil invited Justin and I out on his boat for some snorkeling around some of the reefs just minutes away from our part of the island. It was a great afternoon being in/on the water!
The water was absolutely beautiful!! It's amazing how vibrant the colors can be sometimes!!
Yellow fins against the blue water is all you can see as Justin dives down to find a "treasure" on the ocean floor.
The water was so clear! Along the side of the boat you can see almost 20' down to the bottom.
Justin "hamming" it up for the camera. In the background you can see a small portion of Jumby Island.
When taking a picture against the sun it appears like a black & white shot. An interesting contrast to the other shots taken.

Hike Up Monk's Hill - Saturday, 3 May 08

2008-05-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

A nice hour long hike up Monk's Hill seemed like a great way to start the weekend. I was reassured that it wasn't a bad climb and the view would be worth it; both were true.
Our hiking crew for the day (L-R) Jimmy, Will, Patti, Bill, Patty and Justin. This was taken at the top of the "hill" in front of the entrance to a fort that once covered the entire top.
I'm told that the greenish color in the stone is caused by the copper content in the stone. It really adds an interesting look to the old structures.
As promised, there would be a great view. Behind me is Farmouth Harbour. The small harbor behind it is English Harbour. Since I'm a big chicken when it comes to heights this was as close to the wall edge I would go (and I was pretty apprehensive to sit there).
A nice touch of color adorned this tree protruding from one of the ruins. There's always something flowering on the island!
Another structure was actually in pretty good condition for being very old. Here's the arched doorway that lead to a small entrance and then into a larger open area.

A Day Of Sea & Sun - Friday, 2 May 08

2008-05-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

An afternoon "out n about" provided some beautiful views from numerous locations along the west side of the island.
The water at Darkwood Beach was just pristine in color as it lazily lapped against the shore.
A number of sailing vessels can barely be seen in the distance here. These were competitors in a Division B sailing race from Jolly Harbour to Farmouth Harbour.
The Carnival Destiny cruise ship appears mammoth in size compared to the small buildings along the port of St. Johns were the ship was docked for the day.
The unique shape of this rock formation cropping out of the sea just off shore was the isnpiration for the name of the resort that extends along the beaches here; The Hawksbill Resort.
Spirit Keepers can be found along different beaches around the island. Some are piled rocks, others are dangling objects from a piece of driftwood or even a combination of both. It was a nice view as the sun danced across the water beyond.

Mount Gay Rum Beach Party - Friday, 25 Apr 08

2008-04-26T15:45:00.001-07:00

Every year during Sail Week here in Antigua Mount Gay Rum (from Barbados) sponsors a huge beach party. So...of course I had to go! After all, its a) a party, b) live music, c) at the beach and d) complimentary rum!!!!
A quick shot of myself, Mary and Justin shortly after arriving.
As we arrived there was a steel drum band playing. A couple of hours later our dance music for the night was performed by a band called Itchy Feet.
Alcohol abuse is not tolerated under any circumstances!!! Therefore, when Dara spilled her drink down my arm it was imperative that she capture as much of it as possible by licking it off.
We even had a group of Pirates come to the party. Arrrggghhh!! After taking their picture they offered both Mary and I a string of beads - seen in the next picture.
As you can see, we did manage to have just a little bit of fun! Ok, a lot of fun!!!

Fort James At Sunset - Tuesday, 22 Apr 08

2008-04-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

The ruins of Fort James sit on the northern point of land that creates the harbor at the city of St. John's. It was a very small fort and not very much of it remains.
A lone cannon remains at its vigilant stance along the sea wall as the sun hides behind a neighboring palm.
Only one of two old wooden doors barely remains in place at one of the entrances. The original block work was covered with plaster at one time during upgrades to the facility, but over time without care the plaster has broken away to expose the bricks once again.
An old stone & concrete stairway gathers dried leaves from a nearby tree.
The same silouhetted cannon is a reminder of what was once a very important protective fortification many years ago.
As the day comes to an end a golden sun continues to fall toward the sea as the skies around it are painted in pastel hues of lavendar and orange.

Aircraft Ops At Sunrise - Wednesday, 2 Apr 08

2008-04-13T06:12:00.000-07:00

Every week we have an aircraft that arrives early in the morning; which provides an opportunity to experience beautiful sunrises like this!
As the sun began to light up the sky it reached out and touched the high clouds and gave them a beautiful pink hue against the blue sky behind them. The lower, dark rain clouds were quickly approaching in the foreground.
Our Telemetry dish stands tall on the distant horizon as the skies change from pink and blue to lavender and orange.
Once on the ground our plane faces the morning sun as it awaits the arrival of airport ground crew. Such a nice way to be greeted by Mother Nature!

Final Antiguan Sunset for The Zeratskys! - Thursday, 10 Apr 08

2008-04-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

As their vacation came to a close Mother Nature decided to send them off with one more beautiful sunset as seen from our lounge chairs at Jolly Beach.
Light wisps of high clouds shown bright against the blue sky as the once again golden sun casted its glow across the water and wet sand as it made its way to the horizon.
So many different types of clouds collected together for this shot. The distant clouds hid the sun much earlier than we would have liked, while the darker clouds stayed away long enough to allow a view of the sun. The white clouds lingering high in the sky added to the depth of the overall scene.

View From Reed's Point - Thursday, 10 Apr 08

2008-04-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

Reed's Point is a fairly steep hill at the end of Jolly Beach that is being developed for homes to be built. It was one of Rob & Romelle's favorite places to go for their daily walk because the views were spectacular and the incline was great exercise.
This view looks toward the outer part of the Jolly Harbour. The colors of the water were so much more vibrant that this picture captured.
Here is a shot of Jolly Beach. The tallest point on the island (Boggy Peak) can be seen at the left of the pic where the tower is.

Another Golden Sunset At Jolly Beach! - Monday, 7 Apr 08

2008-04-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

Empty lounge chairs and umbrella sit peacefully on the sand as the sun gradually lowers itself closer and closer to the horizon.
The vibrant sun peeks between two tree trunks and casts its glow toward the camera.
As the waves approach the sun continues to set lower. We couldn't see St. Kitts at all throughout the day and then it appeared for just a short time as the sun sank behind it as seen in this pic.

A Few Random Pics - Monday, 7 Apr 08

2008-04-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

On our way to the grocery we passed under this amazing ceiling that is part of the outside cover at the entrance of the casino at Jolly Harbour. It was all wooden timbers spanning out with a raised center circle. Beautiful!
A golden Carib beer immediately begins to sweat in its frosted glass on a casual afternoon at Castaway's Beach Bar. Viewed with the blue sky and white cloud background enhanced this simple drink into a colorful photo.
A brightly colored Bird of Paradise stands tall in the sunlight outside the front of the villa.

A Beautiful Jolly Beach Sunset! - Saturday, 5 Apr 08

2008-04-12T18:15:00.001-07:00

A golden sun dips low in the sky to give us a beautiful sunset from Jolly Beach.
More clouds on the horizon interrupted our view of seeing the sun actually disappear into the ocean, but still provided us with a wonderful sunset.

Afternoon At The Villa - Jolly Harbour - Saturday, 5 Apr 08

2008-04-12T17:47:00.000-07:00

Spending some relaxation time on the back patio of the villa was part of each day. It was a quiet place for reading, chatting or just watching the clouds go by.
The view from the patio looking out to the hills beyond the harbor on the northern side.
Even though the "catch of the day" was small, I think what was most important to Rob was that he was able to have a pole in his hand and relax with a bit of fishing. (yes, he thru the little guy back without hurting him)

An Evening At Shirley Heights - Thursday, 3 Apr 08

2008-04-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

Steel drum band, rum punch, beautiful view of the harbors, sunset beyond the island outcroppings - - - all part of an evening at Shirley Heights.
Rob & Romelle sit on the rocks near the bluff that overseas English Harbor and beyond.
A little bit of sun made its way through the clouds to cast a nice sheen on the water for this almost black n white appearing shot.
As the sun made it down even further the color started to show. We didn't think we were going to see a sunset at all, but we were able to catch a few minutes of it before going behind another cloud. Patience paid off here.
This beautifully shaped yucca plant stands out in the light as the evening lights speckle the landscape near the harbors below.
With a slow exposure setting the lights of the harbor pop out as well as a bit more brightness in the sky.

A Blustery Day At Devil's Bridge! - Thursday, 3 Apr 08

2008-04-12T16:26:00.000-07:00

The stormy weather wasn't a negative thing everywhere. The unusually large waves at Devil's bridge were amazing!!
You can see how high the walls of water are as they crash against the shore.
The blow-hole on the left side of this shot usually has a very light mist (if anything) coming from it. Today it was shooting streams of water high into the air.
With every wave massive amounts of water were deposited on the rocks. These "rivers" would barely finish returning the water to the ocean before another wave would replenish them.

Rob & Romelle's First Full Day Of Vacation! - Tuesday, 1 Apr 08

2008-04-12T15:49:00.000-07:00

Even though their stay began with rainy/overcast days we were still able to get out and see a few spots of interest on the island.
Romelle snaps a photo of the Curtain Bluff Resort and beach as the waves roll in and scallop the sand. This resort was named "best in the Caribbean" in 2007.
The towering center of a yucca plant stands alone against a brightly lit sky of drifting clouds.
More bright, high clouds adorn the sky as the sun lowers and is hidden behind some of the darker storm clouds that repeatedly sprinkled, rained or poured on us throughout the day.

Devil's Bridge Kite Festival - Monday, 24 Mar 08 (Part Two)

2008-03-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more photos of some interesting and colorful kites from today.
This ghoulish figure was an interesting kite amongst the other with its all white appearance. As it floated on the winds it cast it's eerie shadow on the ground below.
Long tails were customary on several kites being flown. This red, white and black one had nice colors against the blue sky above.
Here is a vibrantly colored kite with more long tails. As the sun hit the multi-colored body and tails they shown even more vividly as the waved in the breeze.
As this kite weaved thru the sky I was able to catch it as it shaded me from the bright sun. It took a few tries to get it, but eventually I was able to snap the shot at the right moment.

Devil's Bridge Kite Festival - Monday, 24 Mar 08 (Part One)

2008-03-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

A partly cloudy, yet windy day was the perfect setting for Antigua's annual Kite Festival.
A grouping of vertical flags placed together created the Antigua & Barbuda's national flag.
This purple and blue fish was probably about 20 feet long. A beautiful display in the sky.
The little shark trailing the scuba diver gave this kite a comical appearance.
I'm not really sure what this was supposed to be, but the colors were probably the most brillant out there today.
Even the amatuers were enjoying the day flying their own kites.

Sunset At Dickinson Bay - Friday, 21 Mar 08

2008-03-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

Mother Nature continues to give us glorious sunsets to end our days. This is Dickinson Bay outside The Beach restaurant on a day that had unusually rough seas for the area. Normally only small lapping waves are present here.
Even with the rougher seas present the sun still casts a beautiful golden glow across the water's surface as it continually falls lower in the sky.
An old styled lampost outside a beach-side restaurant at Sandals Resort provides a soft glow over the colorful tree behind it.
Small catamarans are lined up along the wall of Sandals Resort as the skies turn dark and the lights brighten the beach.

Quiet Days In Thomaston, Georgia - 2-4 Mar 08

2008-03-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

The final days of vacationing in the states were spent at Joel n Kayla's home in Thomaston, Georgia. They have an amazing home nestled in the wooded countryside along the river; the perfect place to enjoy friends and relax.

As the morning sun warmed the natural wooden floor in the living room it cast an array of shadows; including those created by the candles setting in front of the fireplace.
The beveled glass on the front door created this multi view of the lantern styled fixture that hangs just outside the door to light the entrance every evening.

One evening was shared with family and friends gathered around the table where Felix and I served several Spanish dishes we spent the afternoon creating. Shown here is Picadillo in a toasted roll. It was a wonderful evening of tasty food and excellent togetherness amongst some very special people.
Joel's boat sits idly along the river bank patiently waiting for the next time they go out on their next fishing adventure.
After an evening rain the river moved a little faster and took on the muddy color of the Georgia soil that was deposited from the run off upstream. Watching and listening to the river is another part of what makes their home a beautiful country paradise!

The Historic City of Savannah, Georgia - 28 Feb-2 Mar 08

2008-03-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

Since my first visit to Savannah I've looked forward to every chance I get to return and see more. I could spend days meandering through the squares and taking in the history this city has to offer.
The fountain if Forsythe Park is a prominent figure there. Here a touch of the afternoon sun was glistening off the surface as the fountains spouted water in all directions.
Some times the simplest things can be the most beautiful. The intricacy of the iron work here is wonderful, but when viewed with its shadow against the red brick wall it adds a definite punch to something most of walk right by without even noticing.
The stains flowing down the wall from each of the windows adds so much character to the side of this building.
This is me and my very dear friend, Kayla. Part of being in Savannah was to celebrate her birthday as well as her and her husband Joel's anniversary. We had a great time doing that, as is seen here with big smiles and cheerful faces.

Sunny Days In Key West! - 22-26 Feb 08

2008-03-23T16:12:00.000-07:00

The palms stand tall in the sunny sky along Whitehead Street; occasionally providing a small bit of shade during the walk toward the Hemingway's house and other historic sights.
The old lighthouse still towers high above the surrounding trees. A touch of color is provided by the hibiscus in the foreground.
I doubt this guy has any historical significance, but he was an interesting part of the decor on one of the many guest houses that are scattered throughout the island.
This vintage Harley sits on the front porch of the Parrot Bar gift shop. The gift shop was originally one of the numerous older homes that have been converted into a business establishment.
One more shot of the sun providing an extremely bright background to our American flag as it waves freely in the tropical breeze.

A Few More From Puerto Rico - 18-22 Feb 08

2008-03-23T15:45:00.001-07:00

Another day in Puerto Rico allowed some scenic drives through the hilly areas in the central part of the island, a stop in the city of Ponce along the southern shores and some moonlight kayaking into a bio-luminescent bay in the northeast.As the sun shown brightly on this fountain in the square the hint of a rainbow appeared to bring an unusual bit of color to an every day item.
More brightly shining sun casts its glow behind a lampost outside the cathedral square. Carnival had recently taken place in Ponce and the decorations were still on display.
A full moon brightens the evening sky and casts its reflection across the bay. This was the bay where the kayaking tour started. After paddling across this bay and through a channel amongst the mangrove trees we arrived in the bio-luminescent bay. The brilliant light given off my the micro organisms was amazing. I can only imagine how much more could have been seen on a completely darkened night.

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico - Monday, 18 Feb 08

2008-03-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

Old San Juan was probably the best part of Puerto Rico. The old castle and surrounding fortifications were in amazing condition. There was a great deal of history in this area.
Here is one of many small spiral stairways that allowed access throught multiple levels of the castle. I really do love experiencing castles of all types. This one wasn't the same as many of those I've seen in Europe, but still a beautiful structure!
Once a week a traditional dance event is presented in the main open area within the castle walls. It was a very colorful and energetic performance. I'm glad timing was ideal to take in this event.
This is just one of the many lookout posts that are repeated along the original city walls. Most of these lookouts are just like this one; protruding out from the wall and overlooking the sea.
I think this is my favorite photo from Puerto Rico. The full moon adds so much to the shot with its position behind the foot of one of the figures of the sculpture and also as casts its glow on the nearby clouds. I wasn't sure what to expect the camera to capture. I'm so glad this shot came out!

A Few Artistic Shots

2008-03-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

A day at the beach with a camera in hand allows for some interesting/artistic shots to be captured. It was fun to take dozens of pictures in hopes of getting a few good ones. Here are a few worthy of sharing.
I saw this pose once before and liked it very much. It was like the photo was saying "come to me" in a kind and gentle way. I loved it.
Apparently it's much harder than it looks to put half of yourself under water, open one eye and look comfortable doing it. Felix makes it look easy though.
No, I'm not trying to stick my nose out to mimic the front of the Hawksbill rock protruding from the water in the distance. It just turned out to be a cool shot that reminded me of some vintage look.
Once we stopped laughing about rolling around in the sand to get low enough to take a shot from this angle we actually were able to capture a few good ones, like this.
And as the sun goes down once again it provides the perfect background for another excellent photo.

As The Sun Goes Down

2008-03-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

The intensity of the sun as it falls toward the horizon almost make these pics appear to be black n white. However, there's a hint of blue sky that still shows beyond all else that appears darkened to prove they really are all in color.
A gathering of stones in the sand and some pieces of shells hung from a large piece of driftwood were collected in this area to make, what appeared to be, a memorial of some sort. Whatever it was, it made for a nice photo with the sun casting it's rays in the sky behind it.
As the sun bursts it's rays across the sky the seas below continue their never ending movement of bringing wave after wave to the sandy shores. You can faintly see some splashes of water on the left side of the picture where the water has been tossed in the air after hitting the rocks.
Here you see a larger splash as the sea hurls itself against the rocks. The shards of sunlight continued to cast themselves in all directions as the sun made it's way toward the horizon. The ending of another magnificent day!

Some Black n White Art From Half Moon Bay

2008-03-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

Amongst the colorful atmosphere of Half Moon Bay Felix was able to capture some black n white shots that provide a different perspective to the surroundings.
This is a small and somewhat hidden 'stairway' from the beach to a private home above the bay.
A snapshot of Inma and I as we walk along the beach on our way to view the crashing waves around the bend of the bay where the sand meets the rocks.
With the right light, shadows, clouds and rocks a simple shot can turn into a piece of art. Felix has an eye for capturing those moments. I'm glad for this one; it makes me look rather fit!

An Evening At Shirley Heights

2008-03-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

A Sunday evening at Shirley Heights is always in order whenever someone comes to visit Antigua. The steel drum band, flowing rum punches, view of English Harbor and sunset over the ocean are all wonderful ways to end a day of vacation!
They Halycon Steel Drum Band performs for the crowd at Shirley Heights.
After a day in the sun Felix and Inma enjoy a fun-loving embrace as the pose for the camera.
As the band plays on and the rum punches flow the sun continues to drop from the sky to give us another beautiful sunset!

A Day At Sneaky Pete's

2008-03-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

Sneaky Pete's became a favorite spot for my friends Felix and Inma during their visit here from Spain. It was a nice sanctuary from the winds that blew against the other side of the island.
A nice cluster of palms rustle in the breeze above as white clouds pass by with the blue sky behind.View from the lounge chairs in front of Sneaky Pete's Beach Bar.
Felix and Inma returning from a fun time at sea on their jetski.
Inma and a cloudy sky as reflected in Will's sunglasses.

Another Beautiful Sunrise At Devil's Bridge

2008-03-15T19:16:00.001-07:00

As the sun breaks the horizon it brightens the clouds throughout the sky for a beautiful welcome to the day.The sun cast a burst of rays around a cloud as it makes it's way higher into the morning sky! Another amazing morning scene!
The golden sun brightens the coastal rocks as the seas pound against them with thunderous splendor.
Near Devil's Bridge the waters receed after a series of waves crash against the rocks.

Fantastic Sunset From OJ's!

2008-02-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

This was the view from our oceanside dinner table at a small restaurant called OJ's. Watch the progression of the sun going down.
The colors were so amazing! It was an excellent way to end the day.
Even after the sun dipped below the horizon it still cast a mangnificent glow that lingered over the water for a very long time; painting the sky with an array of oranges, yellows and pinks.
Montserrat is an island to the southwest of Antigua that has an active volcano on it. You can see the cloud plume drifting across the sky as the sun continued to set.

Jolly Harbor Beach

2008-02-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

There had recently been a wedding on the beach before we arrived, but the flowered arch was still in place to adorn the beach with some beautiful color.
As you can see, the beach stretches a looooong way and was not crowded at all.
The Jolly Dive boat sits just a short distance off shore waiting for it's next group of divers to board for an afternoon of adventure.

Shirley Heights In The Evening

2008-02-07T12:56:00.000-08:00

Part of Shirley Heights has a series of ruins formerly known as the Blockhouse. One of the building that make up the Blockhouse buildings was the Officer's Quarters. Amidst the rubble of most of the rest of this structure there are a few arches that still stand tall to give an idea of what a portion of the facade looked like in the late 1700's.
Laurie leans against one of the walls where another arch remains. These were certain to be some amazing buildings in their time.
Contrary to not looking overly excited in the photo we really did have a good evening at Shirley Heights. You can see English Harbor speckled with yatchs in the background.
Sunday nights at Shirley are known for crowds of tourists, plenty of food & drink and a steel drum band to start the evening off. They play for a couple of hours and then the party shifts to a more high-tech band for everyone to dance to and have a good time. Yes - we did just that!

Calliloo Beach In The Afternoon

2008-02-07T12:39:00.001-08:00

Calliloo Beach is a great spot for always finding something interesting. Today there were plenty of small shells along the shore as well as a few larger pieces here and there; similar to the one shown here as a foamy wave approaches to push it further up the beach.

Tucked between two palms on the property of an anbandoned resort I found this old British styled phone booth deteriorating from the onslaught of the salt air and lack of care. It's a reminder of how the passing hurricanes can reek havoc on these small island communities.

As we made our way to the northern end of the beach we encountered this little guy just hanging out. Thankfully it was just the shell of a crab vs. a live one. I don't know how Laurie would have liked it had he scurried toward her across the rocks and sand. You just never know what you're going to find along the sea on any given day.

Devil's Bridge In The Morning

2008-02-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

Even though Antigua is a tropical island there are times that the morning breezes can get a bit chilly; hence the fleece pull-overs in this picture.

As the sun rose from beyond the sea it brightened the skies and brought beautiful colors to the dawning of another wonderful day!
Isn't it amazing how the movement of the clouds can change so much in less than 10 minutes? With a little imagination this reminds me of the hand of God (thumb pointing up) as He lifts the sun into the sky to provide another glorious sunrise!