This past weekend, Kathy & I spent some time in Fredericksburg, Texas, which is the heart of Texas wine country. Didn’t know Texas made wine? Well, sure ’nuff they do!
We stayed at a lovely motel located at the Gillespie County airport called the Hangar Hotel. It is styled after a WWII hangar from the 1940s, complete with an Officer’s Club bar and an airport diner. It was a great place to hang out for a few days, watching the planes come and go, including an impressive number of business prop and jet aircraft.
We’re in Florida now, getting ready for another cruise that starts Friday. More photos in the works!
Bonus Postcard! The Hangar Hotel in Fredericksburg, Texas
Rescue of stranded Cuban refugees aboard a raft in the Gulf of Mexico
On the first day of our cruise we were at sea, headed to Costa Maya, Mexico. At some point in the afternoon we started to notice that the ship had slowed and started a big turn. As passengers realized this we started to wonder what was happening, and soon word started to spread that someone had spotted a stranded sailboat.
Soon the captain came on the PA and explained that we had passed a disabled boat and that the passengers were waving for help. It is a maritime rule that the closest vessel is obligated to perform a rescue, and that was us.
Rescue of stranded Cuban refugees aboard a raft in the Gulf of Mexico
While the rescue was taking place, the cruise director kept asking for “no photos or videos,” which is a lost effort when everyone on board is carrying a camera! I took a few photos of the rescue, but they are heavily cropped. The one time on the cruise where I wish I had packed my long lens!
Turns out it wasn’t much of a sailboat. We learned the following day when the rescued people were turned over to Mexican authorities that they were refugees from Cuba, had been at sea for over a month, and had recently run out of food and water.
Rescue of stranded Cuban refugees aboard a raft in the Gulf of Mexico
I can only imagine the desperation that people have that would make them want to undertake such an effort. I am thankful that any ship I sail on has plenty of food and water!
Rescue of stranded Cuban refugees aboard a raft in the Gulf of Mexico
Colorful foliage at Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line private island in Belize
Kathy & I are in Fredericksburg, TX after our cruise on Norwegian Prima, and I just took time to look at my photos so far. We didn’t get off the ship in Costa Maya, Mexico because we got in to port late and the weather was iffy, which turned out to be the right move because it rained most of the time we were in port!
Our stop in Harvest Caye, Belize was cloudy and overcast, so I didn’t get any “postcard worthy” photos, but I did manage to find some slices of color in this interesting foliage.
I’ve taken a bunch more photos and will get them posted in due time!
Colorful foliage at Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line private island in BelizeColorful foliage at Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line private island in BelizeColorful foliage at Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line private island in Belize
The Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center, from which NASA led Gemini and Apollo missions, including the momentous first lunar landing mission as well as early space shuttle missions. Space Center Houston in Houston, Texas
Houston, We had no problem. 😉
Kathy & I visited the Space Center Houston Complex, including a tour of the Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center, which was the Mission Control made famous with the saying, but also for the center used in all of the Apollo missions and many Shuttle missions. The center has been completely restored, down to the butts in the ashtrays on the consoles. The idea was to make the center look like the workers just got up and went home for the day.
The presentation included snippets from the Apollo 11 mission which landed on the moon. For a long-time space buff it was truly a memorable visit!
This photo also looks pretty good (possibly better) in B&W:
The Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center, from which NASA led Gemini and Apollo missions, including the momentous first lunar landing mission as well as early space shuttle missions. Space Center Houston in Houston, Texas
Cannons with the Illinois Memorial in the background. Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi
Kathy & I are enroute to Texas for the first leg of our winter travels. We made a long overdue stop in Vicksburg to visit the National Military Park there. It is a solemn reminder of the price many have paid over our nation’s history.
We visited on a cloudy and overcast day, but thankfully with no rain. The whole time I photographed there I was envisioning the photos in black & white, in an inadequate homage to the photographs that were made in the heat of the moment. The battlefields as they exist today are a distant reminder of the horrors of battle, but the tribute paid in the form of monuments and memorials is moving.
Luc’s ‘Bonaire Photo Shoot’ van on the island of Bonaire
Most of the travel that Kathy & I do is by ourselves, but many times we arrange to see some friends along the way. We have started doing a pretty-much-annual “Friends & Family Tour” each summer, since for some reason a lot of our friends won’t travel to see us. Likely because we’re “never” home! 😉
Oktoberfest Celebration in Vilshofen, Germany
We do have a few couples who we can count on to let us know when they are planning a trip and who ask us it we want to come along, or come along with us on a trip we are planning. Most of these friends are retired and travel nearly as often as we do. We did a river cruise in October with three other couples and it was great. We all did things that suited our interests and went different places in different combinations. Our travel agents – who have also become friends – even booked a cruise after they found out we booked it, and we’ll be cruising with them in February! Other friends arrange to meet for a weekend or a few weekdays in an equidistant location.
Tom, Peter, Kathy and Stephanie at Over The Bar Restaurant at North Park Boathouse near Pittsburgh, PAJim, Lisa, Kathy and Tom at Makers Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky
We enjoy travel with friends because it sort of forces us to change up our routines, perhaps look at places or things a little differently, and sometimes we just end up someplace we haven’t thought of. Group photos are fun, too. Although more often or not we’re having so much fun we forget to have someone take them. I do take a few photos with my camera, but then I’m never in them! Selfies are okay, but we do like the occasional group photo taken by someone else. Especially if it is a large group – my arm isn’t long enough for a selfie!
Tom, Kathy, Cathy and Bill in Blue Rocks, Nova ScotiaTom, Kathy, Peter, Stephanie and Spero at Sorobon Beach on the island of BonaireSpero contemplating the crashing waves along the eastern (Atlantic) coast of Bonaire
The final stop on our recent cruise was the island of Curacao. Together with Aruba and Bonaire, it forms the ABC islands. Collectively, Curaçao, Aruba, and other Dutch islands in the Caribbean are often called the Dutch Caribbean. Curacao is the largest of the ABC islands in both area and population as well as the largest of the Dutch Caribbean.
For our time on Curacao we booked a private tour with Henry Plaate, a taxi driver who I found on a Curacao tourism website. Henry and I communicated multiple times prior to our visit, and he did a fantastic job in showing us the highlights.
The waves along the northeast (Atlantic) shore were pretty incredible!
Wave action at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, CuracaoWaves crashing on the Atlantic coast at Shete Boka National Park, Curacao
I sometimes have problems with caves, but this one was not too deep, and the photo ops made me forget about any issues. Very cool!
Light rays in a cave at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, CuracaoLight rays in a cave at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, CuracaoWaves crashing in a cave at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, CuracaoWaves crashing in a cave at Boka Tabla, an inlet in Shete Boka National Park, CuracaoShete Boka National Park, CuracaoShete Boka National Park, CuracaoShete Boka National Park, CuracaoKunuku House near Willemstad, Curacao
Beaches and boats, some of my favorite scenery!
Beach at Playa Grandi, known as a spot for sea turtles and fishing on CuracaoBeach at Playa Grandi, known as a spot for sea turtles and fishing on CuracaoBeach at Playa Grandi, known as a spot for sea turtles and fishing on CuracaoBeach at Playa Grandi, known as a spot for sea turtles and fishing on CuracaoView of Grote Knip Beach on the island of CuracaoLocal inhabitant at the Grote Knip Viewpoint on the island of CuracaoView of Santa Martha Bay on the island of CuracaoFlamingos near Jan Kok, CuracaoDowntown Willemstad, CuracaoCelebrity Equinox in Willemstad, CuracaoTourist train in Willemstad, CuracaoColorful restroom in downtown Willemstad, CuracaoDowntown Willemstad, CuracaoDal Toro Restaurant in Willemstad, CuracaoBefore…. Whole Snapper at Dal Toro Restaurant in Willemstad, CuracaoAfter…. Whole Snapper at Dal Toro Restaurant in Willemstad, CuracaoHenry Plaate, our tour guide. At Shete Boka National Park, CuracaoHelipad sailaway from Curacao aboard Celebrity EquinoxOne of the critical operations of a cruise ship departure is “letting go the ropes.” These were taken from the helipad during sailaway from Curacao aboard Celebrity Equinox
Our recent cruise took us to the islands of Grand Cayman, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. We booked a private tour on Bonaire with Luc of Bonaire Photo Shoot. I had found him online a while ago and this was our first opportunity to tour with him. He has a 12-passenger custom built van, which he built himself over a period of years. It is an open air bus for unrestricted photography but with shade, and is quite ingenious with hidden storage and easy access. Luc is a former photographer and all-around great guy. There were five of us on the tour and we had a great time.
Unlike many Caribbean islands, Bonaire is largely unspoiled, and there are plenty of native flamingos, donkeys and tropical birds.
Flamingos! On the island of BonaireGnarly Tree. Island of Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Sorobon Beach is a popular spot for windsurfers.
Wind surfers at Sorobon Beach on the island of BonaireSorobon Beach, BonaireSorobon Beach, BonaireWind surfers at Sorobon Beach on the island of BonaireWild donkeys on the island of BonaireFish sculpture on the beach. Island of BonaireCrashing waves along the eastern (Atlantic) coast of BonaireCrashing waves along the eastern (Atlantic) coast of Bonaire
Salt mining is still part of the economy on Bonaire, although the operations are now largely automated. Slaves were once used to harvest the salt, and they lived in the huts that remain along the beach.
Cargill salt works on the island of Bonaire
The marker points the way to one of many dive sites just off the beach.
Along the shore on the island of BonaireSlave huts on the island of BonaireSlave huts on the island of BonaireSemi Private. Te Amo Beach on the island of BonaireThe 1000 Steps beach on the island of BonaireThe 1000 Steps beach on the island of BonaireView of Goto Lake in Washington-Slagbaai National Park on the island of BonaireGoats on BonaireViews from Seru Largu viewpoint on the island of BonaireSeru Largu means “large hill” and from the top, you can see the capital city of Kralendijk and the little island of Klein Bonaire. There is a monument at the site which reads in the Papiamentu language as “Kristu Ayera Awe Semper” which means “Christ, Yesterday, Today and Forever”Seru Largu means “large hill” and from the top, you can see the capital city of Kralendijk and the little island of Klein Bonaire. There is a monument at the site which reads in the Papiamentu language as “Kristu Ayera Awe Semper” which means “Christ, Yesterday, Today and Forever”Kralendijk, BonaireLuc and his ‘Bonaire Photo Shoot’ van on the island of Bonaire
I hesitated to jump on the “23 for 2023” bandwagon, but I didn’t want to let the old year slip away without somehow acknowledging its passing. For those of us with way more “Before Times” than “Future Times,” I think it is generally better to keep our eyes forward with just the occasional glance in the mirror. But it is kind of fun to look back on the prior year before diving into the new one.
Just to be different, I skimmed through my Lightroom catalog and chose one photo from each month (except April – I took no photos in April, strangely. So I chose two from March). Not necessarily the best or most memorable photos, just one that would represent where I was and what I was doing.
Ben aka Benjamin David Seybert
In January, we welcomed Ben to the world. He was born in December 2022 but Kathy & I didn’t get to meet him until January. Ben is my grand nephew, my brother’s grandson and son of my brother’s daughter. Here’s Ben today:
Ben today. Photo from his Mom.
We spent the month of February on cruise ships. It didn’t matter what photo I chose, but I like this one.
Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden on St. Kitts
In March we visited Stanton, Virginia with friends. I made this photograph as well as the one below it which represents April.
Shadows. Staunton, VirginiaTriangular. Abandoned train trestle supports in Staunton, Virginia
This colorful character was maintaining contact with the outside world instead of enjoying the Conservatory at the Biltmore Estate.
The Conservatory. In the gardens of the Biltmore Estate.
We visited a lot of distilleries in 2023, including Bardstown Bourbon Company in June. I even made a few photographs. 😉
Rick house at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky. One of the loveliest smells in the world!
In July we made our first-ever visit to the U.P. of Michigan. I just had to stumble out our friend Jeff’s front door to make this photograph. Thank goodness for articulating LCD screens!
Shoreline of Lake Superior from near Eagle Harbor, Michigan
In August, we were visited by the world’s second heaviest gross weight production cargo airplane and heaviest operating cargo aircraft, the Antonov AN-124. It occasionally makes a stop in Charlotte to deliver aircraft parts, and I was fortunate to be able to catch a glimpse from the Airport Overlook at Charlotte Douglas.
Antonov AN-124 cargo plane departing from Charlotte Douglas International Airport
September found us back in Bourbon Country again. I managed to make a few more photographs before a tour. We could almost give the tours, but they are always fun.
Reception area at Makers Mark Distillery near Loretto, Kentucky
In October we ventured back to Europe for the first time in 5 years. I actually stink at candid photography but every once in a while even the blind squirrel finds a nut. I found this one during dinner at an outdoor restaurant in Prague.
Night time in Prague, Czechia
November found us back on a cruise ship. This scene was a photograph waiting to happen. It was not our ship. 🙂
No Matter What. Sorobon Beach, Bonaire
After our November cruise, we stopped by to visit some friends near Orlando. One evening we visited Disney Springs, and this scene was from the restaurant where we had dinner. A photograph was required.
Hot air balloon at Disney Springs, Florida
We have lots of travel already planned for 2024, and I have a few more posts to make from our 2023 travels which I hope to have finished in the next week or so. For now, Kathy & I hope everyone has a joyful and enjoyable year in 2024. Thanks for sticking with us!
