Sunset over Lake Superior from Eagle Harbor, Michigan
We’ve been visiting with friends Jeff & Mary Pat in Eagle Harbor, Michigan. They are blessed with this wonderful view from essentially their front yard. I braved the mosquitos for a little while to receive a few gifts of a beautiful summer sunset.
A few evenings earlier I watched an even more colorful sunset from the comfort of their living room. That night the friendship, the conversation and the bourbon made it a good place to be simply an observer, but I didn’t want to leave without at least making the attempt at a photograph or two!
Sunset over Lake Superior from Eagle Harbor, Michigan
Sunset behind the Portage Canal Lift Bridge in Houghton, Michigan
I had the perfect opportunity to photograph the sunset behind the Portage Canal Lift Bridge in Houghton (pronounced HOE-tun) Michigan. Once again the clouds cooperated, and even though there were a few raindrops around, it was a pretty nice scene.
Hog Island Country Store along US 2 near Naubinway, Michigan
We passed a number of interesting places on our drive from Mackinaw City into the Upper Peninsula. A couple of places I passed and had to turn back. The reality is not always what the mind sees at first glance, but sometimes that first glance is just right!
‘Honest Injun Tourist Trap’ at 19073 US Route 2 near Gould City, Michigan‘Honest Injun Tourist Trap’ at 19073 US Route 2 near Gould City, Michigan
The Mackinac Bridge across the Straits of Mackinac, separating Lake Huron and Lake Michigan
We’re on our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and stopped for the night in Mackinaw City. We took advantage of the 9:30 sunset time to head out to the shore of Lake Huron to photograph the Mackinac Bridge at dusk. There wasn’t much color but the bridge was quite impressive regardless!
Yes, the different spellings of the words Mackinac and Mackinaw are a little confusing, but I’m pretty sure I have it right! š
Kathy pointed this scene out to me the other day at my brother’s house. I was too lazy to get my camera out of the car but used my phone to make a few photos. The attraction was the one cushion that was up, the other one down and the shadows they made.
Angles of a wall on a building at sunrise. Melbourne, FL
Sunrises without clouds can be boring, even at the beach. So after watching the sun come up into a clear sky, I happened to see this angle on the building and realized that it made for a pretty graphic image. Just another angle on sunrise!
Triangular. Abandoned train trestle supports in Staunton, Virginia
A few weekends ago, Kathy & I visited Staunton, VA to meet up with our friends Jim & Lisa, who drove down from Pennsylvania. We like to find interesting towns to visit for a few days when we have a chance to meet up. Last summer we met in Lewisburg, WV, and we’re planning a trip to Kentucky for later this year.
Staunton (pronounced STON-ton) is a pleasant and vibrant town located along I-81 just north of Roanoke and is about halfway between Jim & Lisa’s home in Pennsylvania and our home in Charlotte. In addition to a nice downtown with good restaurants and interesting shops, Staunton is home to the American Shakespeare Center, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Mary Baldwin University. Oh, and the Camera Heritage Museum.
We spent a few days walking around the town, saw a play at American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, had some good meals and visited some interesting shops. We were there on St. Patrick’s Day and enjoyed a dinner at a restaurant with a live Celtic band.
Triangular. Abandoned train trestle supports in Staunton, Virginia
One afternoon we were walking around town, and at some point came across these old railroad trestle supports. I don’t remember the words, but Jim asked me if I thought they would make a good photograph. I had seen them but hadn’t responded to them yet, so Jim’s question woke me up. Yes, they were quite interesting, and as it turned out I was able to make a few photographs that prove the point.
Just like with the photos of Bill’s tree in my last post, sometimes it is someone else’s eyes that discover the photo, and my job is to do somethingĀ with it. Looks like I may have to make another print! š
Triangular. Abandoned train trestle supports in Staunton, Virginia
My next door neighbor’s tree, silhouetted against the evening sky.
One evening a few weeks ago, Kathy & I were sitting at the kitchen table after dinner, likely finishing some wine before venturing off the do the dishes. The sun had recently set, and the sky was crystal clear. As we sat there, one of us (I’ll give Kathy the credit) said something about how interesting our neighbor’s tree looked against the sky. I sat there, looked at it and at some point said “I’m going to get my camera.”
My next door neighbor’s tree, silhouetted against the evening sky.
It took me just a few minutes to drag out the camera and tripod, attach the L-bracket and set it up on the patio. There was no wind, so I didn’t have to worry about movement, and I made a couple dozen frames. They aren’t technically perfect – I could have used a little more depth of field – but they do have a bit of a zen-like look to them.
It’s another lesson in being willing to make a photograph when it presents itself, even if it is right outside our window.
My next door neighbor’s tree, silhouetted against the evening sky.
Where To? The Sunset Pier Bar in Key West, Florida
After our two cruises on Celebrity Equinox, we boarded one of Celebrity’s newest ships, Celebrity Apex, for a 7 night cruise to the Western Caribbean. The first stop was Key West, Florida. Not exactly an exotic Caribbean destination, but certainly an interesting place to spend some time.
No Shoes Please. Key West, Florida
This was our first time sailing to Key West, but we had visited there previously, flying down for a few chilly days in February 2015. I think we must have experienced record low temperatures on that visit. It was sunny and warm this time, however!
Celebrity Apex in Key West, Florida
As a cruise port, visited during the day, Key West is pretty much like any other cruise port except the natives speak English and everyone takes dollars. It’s a different world in the evenings, as we experienced previously. No, it’s not all the wild and crazy scene that Key West might be known for, but it is definitely more of a party atmosphere.
The Sunset Pier Bar in Key West, FloridaThe Sunset Pier Bar in Key West, FloridaView of Sunset Key from the waterfront in Key West, FloridaSnowy Egret on the waterfront in Key West, FloridaAlong the waterfront in Key West, Florida
One example would be our visit to the Sunset Pier Bar. We arrived in the morning, and at that point the bar was closed. There were a few people taking selfies on the pier, but for the most part it was deserted. It’s a completely different place at sunset, which is what that part of the island is famous for.
Random scene in Key West, FloridaRandom scene in Key West, FloridaEven the trash cans were green! Key West, Florida
Kathy & I spent a few hours walking around town, ending up at Blackfin Bistro, a favorite lunch spot that we remembered from a previous visit. We had a lovely lunch of fresh fish and veggies, along with a nice glass of wine. Afterward we wound our way back to the ship to prepare for departure and sailing to our next stop, Belize.
Random scene in Key West, FloridaRandom scene in Key West, FloridaRandom scene in Key West, FloridaLighthouse. Key West, Florida
After our stop on Bonaire, we sailed to the island of Curacao. Like Bonaire, we had visited previously but it was a number of years ago. Things hadn’t changed a lot, but there were a few obvious differences from our prior visit.
Arriving in Curacao aboard Celebrity EquinoxColorful mural on a building in Willemstad, Curacao
The cruise port on Curacao is the capital city of Willemstad. The colorful waterfront and the Queen Emma floating bridge are two of the main symbols of this beautiful island. Downtown Willemstad is an easy walk from the cruise terminal. Although we made the walk three times, and it got a little longer each time!
Colors of all kinds in the New Market, a marketplace in Willemstad, CuracaoColors of all kinds in the New Market, a marketplace in Willemstad, CuracaoColors of all kinds in the New Market, a marketplace in Willemstad, CuracaoColors of all kinds in the New Market, a marketplace in Willemstad, CuracaoColors of all kinds in the New Market, a marketplace in Willemstad, CuracaoColors of all kinds in the New Market, a marketplace in Willemstad, Curacao
The Queen Emma Bridge is a floating bridge, hinged on one end with an engine and propulsion unit on the other end that allows the bridge to open, allowing ship traffic to pass in St Anna Bay. We were fortunate to be able to see the bridge open several times throughout the day, and from both sides of the water. When there is a lot of ship traffic and the bridge needs to stay open for more than a few minutes, there is a free ferry that will take pedestrians from one side to the other. We only saw that happen once, as a large cargo ship was escorted out of the bay, and the bridge stayed open long enough for the tugs to return. And yes, it is possible to stay on the bridge when it opens for a long time, and it is possible to get off, but only on one end. So be careful if you have somewhere to be (like the ship?)!
Street scene in Willemstad, CuracaoShip traffic on the St Anna Bay through Willemstad, CuracaoThe Queen Emma Bridge opens to allow ship traffic to pass in St Anna Bay in Willemstad, CuracaoPunda Love Heart sculpture covered with padlocks on the waterfront of Willemstad, CuraƧaoStreet scene in Willemstad, CuracaoInteresting artworks in Willemstad, Curacao
When our ship first arrived in Curacao, Kathy & I walked into town and spent several hours walking around. We walked all over, including through the New Market, a public market offering all kinds of items, from clothing to produce and beyond. The best part for me was all the color there and in the town. It made for some interesting photography, for sure!
After our walkabout we headed back toward the cruise dock, stopping for lunch at the “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar.” Yeah, it was a tourist trap, but it was close to where we needed to meet our tour, which was scheduled for that afternoon.
It is precisely our human diversity that keeps this ship afloat to resist the storms.Waterfront of Willemstad, CuraƧao viewed from the Queen Emma BridgeWaterfront of Willemstad, CuraƧao viewed from the Rif Fort, former fort turned shopping mallGelato cow. Willemstad, CuracaoWhen in doubt, use the apostrophe?Building in Willemstad, CuracaoFlamingo mural in Willemstad, Curacao
Our tour took us back into town, where we retraced a number of the steps from earlier in the day. This time we had a guide and narration, however, so we learned a bit more about the town, its history and architecture. After our walk, we boarded a bus for a tour through the city and a stop at the Curacao Liqueur Distillery. Curacao liqueur is a bitter orange liqueur that can be enjoyed on its own, or used as flavoring in numerous cocktails.
Cruise ships Silver Dawn and Celebrity Equinox viewed from atop the Rif Fort, former fort turned shopping mall in Willemstad, Curacao
After our distillery visit we were taken to a local restaurant, where we were served local cuisine, including baked chicken, plantain and rice & peas. Except for the fact that we weren’t too hungry after a big lunch, it was a yummy experience.
Tour of the Curacao Liqueur Distillery in Willemstad, CuracaoTour of the Curacao Liqueur Distillery in Willemstad, CuracaoView of the harbor from atop the Queen Juliana bridge during our tour of Willemstad, Curacao
Our tour brought us back to the cruise dock in the late afternoon, and we debated whether or not to return to the ship. I really wanted to head back into town in order to photograph the bridge and the waterfront at dusk. We decided that if we went back to the ship we would likely not leave again, so despite being tired and thirsty we headed back into town. We found some bottled water and a place to chill while we waited the hour or so before twilight.
The Queen Emma Bridge opens to allow ship traffic to pass in St Anna Bay in Willemstad, Curacao
Our efforts were rewarded, as we not only got to witness another bridge opening, but we were treated to some really gorgeous light on the buildings as the sun set. Soon after, the lights came on on the bridge and I was able to capture the photos I had hoped for. We then walked back to the ship one last time, grabbed a quick shower and headed for drinks and dinner. My Garmin tracker recorded 15,672 steps for the day, so those drinks and dinner were well deserved!
The Queen Emma Bridge and the waterfront of Willemstad, CuracaoThe Queen Emma Bridge and the waterfront of Willemstad, CuracaoThe Queen Emma Bridge and the waterfront of Willemstad, Curacao
