tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116675522024-03-12T23:45:15.838-04:00Tyler's Photo BlogPhoto observations from Vermont.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.comBlogger437125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-90839482765893405092010-08-14T09:05:00.002-04:002010-08-14T09:07:39.106-04:00We've moved!<span style="font-size: large;">As I post more and more of Meg's photos, I wanted the blog to be <i>ours</i> so we have moved to <a href="http://catamountimaging.blogspot.com/">Catamount Imaging</a>. All new photo posts from both Meg and I will be there and in time I'll retire this blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please join us there!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-34669989599141466632010-08-13T06:30:00.000-04:002010-08-13T06:30:00.582-04:00Siena storefront...Meg made this wonderful reflective image of an especially busy storefront in Siena. The streets there are filled with small storefront selling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panforte">panforte</a>, dried meats and wine. The fox and the bird were an added bonus. I was clearly entranced!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TGPMFStHiII/AAAAAAAABf4/hvC-mQDV38U/s1600/Siena+Storefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TGPMFStHiII/AAAAAAAABf4/hvC-mQDV38U/s400/Siena+Storefront.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-56685673851441348742010-08-11T06:44:00.000-04:002010-08-11T06:44:57.704-04:00Night Statue in Siena.<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After stumbling on one of the best meals of the vacation (ossobuco at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187902-d1489013-Reviews-Taverna_Di_Cecco-Siena_Tuscany.html">Taverna di Cecco</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187902-d1489013-Reviews-Taverna_Di_Cecco-Siena_Tuscany.html"></a>), we walked home to the hotel. On the way we passed this empty courtyard and Meg made a wonderful late night image which I aggressively converted to black and white.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is the way the place felt to me. Quiet, extraordinary and alive. We were guests.</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TGEwL5KdlxI/AAAAAAAABfw/FLVhY4szO_I/s1600/Siena+Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TGEwL5KdlxI/AAAAAAAABfw/FLVhY4szO_I/s400/Siena+Statue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
One of the wonderful things about the transition from Rome to Siena was the decrease in the <i>tourist quotient</i>. It's not just the number of people (Siena was actually quite popular) but the tourist culture of people hawking everything from camera tripods to umbrellas (they seemed to magically transform when the sky darkened) to the crazy guys in gladiator suits that surround the Colosseum. It just gets tiresome.<br />
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Siena didn't seem to have all that and the tourists seemed like us to be drinking deeply from the medieval well of beauty this city has to offer. Sometimes late at night, there was nobody around at all...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-25485492211246242452010-08-09T06:59:00.002-04:002010-08-09T07:05:04.152-04:00On to Siena...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">It was time to move on from Rome to Siena and we were traveling by bus. The bus was a somewhat less performant version of the bus that we take from the Upper Valley down to Boston when taking such trips as this. It had the habit of very gently and rhythmically bouncing along the narrow (compared to US interstates) A1 heading north to Siena. I was tired and was resting my eyes but Meg would periodically wake me to show me scenes of classic Italian beauty along the way.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">As we neared Siena, we remembered that there were four stops in Siena and suddenly it became import to choose the right one. A very helpful local businessman gave us all the info we needed in perfect English before departing and wishing us a good time in Siena.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span">We checked in and immediately walked down towards the city center to find out what is meant by a medieval city. Narrow streets with slits of sunlight were everywhere.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TF_eLZzCeII/AAAAAAAABfg/2XQFavHHy84/s1600/Siena+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TF_eLZzCeII/AAAAAAAABfg/2XQFavHHy84/s400/Siena+street.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We settled at a nice bar in Piazza del Campo, enjoyed an adult beverage, and watched the sun set of city hall reminding us of why the crayola boxes have a burnt siena crayon in them.</span></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TF_eoaCykeI/AAAAAAAABfo/ob3-esW9CZY/s1600/Siena+City+Hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TF_eoaCykeI/AAAAAAAABfo/ob3-esW9CZY/s400/Siena+City+Hall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TF67fzSLvOI/AAAAAAAABfA/KgpMZVj-B90/s1600/Trevi+Fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TF67fzSLvOI/AAAAAAAABfA/KgpMZVj-B90/s400/Trevi+Fountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Young fellow throwing coins in Trevi Fountain...</span></span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-72763981048918024742010-08-07T06:54:00.000-04:002010-08-07T06:54:03.542-04:00Roman GriffitiSpotted on a hill in Trestavere...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TF02K7KZ0TI/AAAAAAAABeo/Aep6CdtHqbw/s1600/Trastevere+Graffitti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TF02K7KZ0TI/AAAAAAAABeo/Aep6CdtHqbw/s400/Trastevere+Graffitti.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-80000576607887204282010-08-06T06:36:00.000-04:002010-08-06T06:36:20.210-04:00Trestavere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Across the Tiber River from Rome proper is the area of Trestavere. It's a charming, funky area and was a favorite on our trip to Rome.<br />
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The combination of textures and colors in Italy are completely new to me. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFve-2AvgxI/AAAAAAAABeY/7ROdB6GJBEo/s1600/Trastevere+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFve-2AvgxI/AAAAAAAABeY/7ROdB6GJBEo/s400/Trastevere+Building.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
While in Trestavere, we found this alley that led up a hill to a gorgeous old church. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFvel3d0pLI/AAAAAAAABeQ/pQFw71KiT38/s1600/Trastevere+Alley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFvel3d0pLI/AAAAAAAABeQ/pQFw71KiT38/s400/Trastevere+Alley.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
There was a wonderful view back over the river towards Rome from this vantage point. The big white building with the chariots on top is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_to_Vittorio_Emanuele_II">monument</a> to the King that united Italy Victor Emmanuel II. The immense size and burning white marble of the monument has made it a bit punching bag earning names such as <i>the typewriter</i> and <i>the false teeth</i>. It definitely makes an impression. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFvfPqJ_-MI/AAAAAAAABeg/X2UH5d4L0kk/s1600/View+from+Trastevere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFvfPqJ_-MI/AAAAAAAABeg/X2UH5d4L0kk/s400/View+from+Trastevere.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-5837963485025659982010-08-05T06:57:00.000-04:002010-08-05T06:57:31.456-04:00Return of Son of Rome...<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are so many pictures to post from our time in Rome, let alone the entire trip to Italy, that it's hard to choose.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That said, ere are a couple more shots from different locales in Rome. The first is of course the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome">Pantheon</a>. Sadly like much of ancient Rome, it's face is marred by reconstruction but this actually did little to reduce it's fundamental awesomeness. A place of worship, for all religions for over two thousand years.</span> This was by far my favorite building in Rome.<br />
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The next image is of Bernini's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontana_dei_Quattro_Fiumi"><i>Fountain of the Four Rivers</i></a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_Navona">Piazza Navona</a>. Piazza Navona was a blast, full of life, art, music and perhaps most importantly cold beer. This amazing fountain is the centerpiece of the piazza.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFqUZQlNNZI/AAAAAAAABeA/Ng9hMiwJj4M/s1600/Fountain+of+the+Four+Rivers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFqUZQlNNZI/AAAAAAAABeA/Ng9hMiwJj4M/s400/Fountain+of+the+Four+Rivers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
But perhaps my favorite place/experience in all of Rome was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largo_di_Torre_Argentina">Largo Argentina</a>. These ancient ruins lie in the heart of Rome and continue to be under active excavation. But what makes the place so amazing is that it is home to a <a href="http://www.romancats.com/index_eng.php">cat sanctuary</a>! This group feeds, neuters, and cares for the cats while opening every day, here among the ruins, working to get these cats adopted into good homes.<br />
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We wandered by late at night twice and both nights this fellow had staked out his (rather large) area for a good nights sleep. Ruins <i>and</i> cats? How awesome is that?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFqUjAU3g-I/AAAAAAAABeI/HNrZ_6uonZs/s1600/Largo+Argentina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFqUjAU3g-I/AAAAAAAABeI/HNrZ_6uonZs/s400/Largo+Argentina.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-42729535823782851472010-08-04T07:04:00.000-04:002010-08-04T07:04:57.830-04:00More Rome...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Roman Forum on a hot Rome afternoon... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span> <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFlG8_t0s_I/AAAAAAAABdo/TDx9R-QcOjA/s1600/The+Forum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFlG8_t0s_I/AAAAAAAABdo/TDx9R-QcOjA/s400/The+Forum.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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This is Capitoline Hill including the Mayor's Palace and the Museum. This square, including these steps and the statues, were designed by Michelangelo. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFlHa6yh7WI/AAAAAAAABdw/hdfLL3lM8Y4/s1600/Capitol+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TFlHa6yh7WI/AAAAAAAABdw/hdfLL3lM8Y4/s400/Capitol+Hill.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-41317127546822039122010-07-02T12:36:00.001-04:002010-07-02T12:38:55.150-04:00Colossus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Colosseum is just amazing. It's astonishing that something so old looks so familiar to us today and when you discover all the nasty things the Romans did in there, you start to think really deeply about modern television and movies.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, here are a couple standard shots of the Colosseum. Whatever you think of what happened here, the place is amazing.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TC4UdF-ATWI/AAAAAAAABdE/3Ct9WO7AGR0/s1600/Colosseum+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TC4UdF-ATWI/AAAAAAAABdE/3Ct9WO7AGR0/s400/Colosseum+I.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TC4VGzPveiI/AAAAAAAABdM/FK-IFff170c/s1600/Colosseum+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TC4VGzPveiI/AAAAAAAABdM/FK-IFff170c/s400/Colosseum+II.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TC4V2Vo4a0I/AAAAAAAABdc/cq7P8CB2wvU/s1600/Colosseum+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TC4V2Vo4a0I/AAAAAAAABdc/cq7P8CB2wvU/s400/Colosseum+III.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-7724408520729802112010-06-30T21:53:00.000-04:002010-06-30T21:53:32.968-04:00Little Cars...<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While in Rome, we witnessed this convoy of Fiat's zooming by the Colosseum - we believe it was some kind of World Cup celebration/gesture. We've not seen this behavior in East Thetford before...</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCv0hmftz2I/AAAAAAAABc8/aSGKb4U6K80/s1600/Little+Cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCv0hmftz2I/AAAAAAAABc8/aSGKb4U6K80/s400/Little+Cars.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-58536678026426233842010-06-29T07:58:00.002-04:002010-06-29T17:47:01.796-04:00The Vatican<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">We toured the Vatican Museum while in Rome. It is truly amazing, endless, and not a little scary. This nasty little fellow was hanging over one of the doorways... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCnfe7N6-jI/AAAAAAAABc0/dviRsTrwPes/s400/Vatican.jpg" width="400" /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-54584707574324947802010-06-27T09:16:00.008-04:002010-06-27T10:10:02.858-04:00Łódź Poland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">We've been traveling a bit lately and it's time to catch up and post some pictures! I spent a week in Łódź for work and was able to enjoy walking Piotrkowska Street (shown below) which is one of the longest commercial streets in Europe. It is full of cafes and restaurants, many of which are out on the street which is mostly pedestrian. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCdOXQaGycI/AAAAAAAABcM/_s21H9Ehlac/s1600/P.+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCdOXQaGycI/AAAAAAAABcM/_s21H9Ehlac/s400/P.+Street.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is always interesting to see what is similar and what is different when you are in another country. I was certainly taken aback to see a sign, familiar in Vermont, for a snowboard shop!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCdROSVphjI/AAAAAAAABcc/o5kcvYtnj0s/s1600/P.+Street+-+Snowboarding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCdROSVphjI/AAAAAAAABcc/o5kcvYtnj0s/s320/P.+Street+-+Snowboarding.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the older textile factories have recently been reinvented as an upscale shopping and entertainment experience called Manufaktura. The economy in </span><span style="font-size: small;">Łódź</span><span style="font-size: small;"> seems to be booming; there is a surplus of well educated and affordable (compared to me for example) engineers which is attracting many companies to the area.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCdSd62PtEI/AAAAAAAABck/aF2MTIJVIms/s1600/Manufaktura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCdSd62PtEI/AAAAAAAABck/aF2MTIJVIms/s400/Manufaktura.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really enjoyed my week in </span><span style="font-size: small;">Łódź</span><span style="font-size: small;">. There is an optimism in the air that I haven't felt here in the US for many years. Things are getting better and though many challenges remain (apparently you cannot safely park your car in </span><span style="font-size: small;">Łódź</span><span style="font-size: small;"> without using a guarded parking lot), people are really enjoying themselves. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh and the food was great! I got to have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sour_rye_soup">zurek</a> again for the first time since 1999, I tried beef tongue for the first time and really liked it, and I was able to quench (momentarily) my fondness for Polish beer.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This last shot is from Liberty Square which holds a statue of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadeusz_Ko%C5%9Bciuszko">General Tadeusz Kosciuszko</a>, a military polymath who served as the head engineer of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (responsible for securing Philadelphia as well as West Point from British attack) and whose statue graces Lafayette Square near the White House.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCdV3eI-psI/AAAAAAAABcs/neJAHDAML8E/s1600/Liberty+Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TCdV3eI-psI/AAAAAAAABcs/neJAHDAML8E/s400/Liberty+Square.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-40869736082345593002010-06-05T08:53:00.000-04:002010-06-05T08:53:59.635-04:00Emerging...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TApI1IGXEpI/AAAAAAAABcE/Mk50kfyXxUg/s1600/Munk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TApI1IGXEpI/AAAAAAAABcE/Mk50kfyXxUg/s400/Munk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-37866019372229101302010-05-30T00:28:00.000-04:002010-05-30T00:28:26.039-04:00Hosta after hail...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TAHnyolQ6qI/AAAAAAAABb8/VofzDF-7G1I/s1600/Hosta+after+hail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/TAHnyolQ6qI/AAAAAAAABb8/VofzDF-7G1I/s400/Hosta+after+hail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It's been too long since I've posted a photo. The usual excuses apply. To remedy this, I turn to a reliable and beautiful Spring occurrence: our hosta - rendered in nearly black and white.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our hosta has once again come surging out of the ground like a Saturn Five rocket. However, the other night we - and it - experienced some fairly severe, if short term, hail. The hail was roughly the size of moth balls and in it's short time on stage took it's toll on the hosta and our young maple tree.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The hosta marshals on; elegant in spite of it all and proudly displaying it's wounds.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-78583385595864440282010-05-15T09:46:00.001-04:002010-05-15T11:06:11.969-04:00Heaven.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-64U1Zw4yI/AAAAAAAABbo/yVHY81sFdN4/s1600/Stone+Pony+B%26W-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-64U1Zw4yI/AAAAAAAABbo/yVHY81sFdN4/s400/Stone+Pony+B%26W-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Meg and I made a <a href="http://www.catamountimaging.com/p22607834">quick stop</a> a couple weeks ago in Asbury Park NJ. which is crawling back from years of urban blight. Through it all, the Stone Pony has endured and we see that Southside Johnny will be there July 2nd</span></span> with Steve Forbert opening. Road trip anyone?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-7951260853876432462010-05-10T21:40:00.000-04:002010-05-10T21:40:29.321-04:00Spring, Sun, Rain...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-i01KyKdgI/AAAAAAAABbY/zduLTHW81xw/s1600/Spring+Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-i01KyKdgI/AAAAAAAABbY/zduLTHW81xw/s400/Spring+Rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The other evening, after a fairly dismal, overcast, depressing and truly dank day, the sun suddenly popped out at about six in the evening. The odd things was, it just started to rain harder and harder! This went on for a few minutes and then suddenly the clouds descended and we experienced our first thunderstorm of the year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You gotta love the weather in New England! </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-86806333835577601722010-05-09T14:25:00.001-04:002010-05-09T14:27:18.499-04:00Edwin Forsythe Wildlife Refuge...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-b7Yh2zb1I/AAAAAAAABbQ/iNGA1kSwgD4/s1600/Edwin+Forsythe+View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-b7Yh2zb1I/AAAAAAAABbQ/iNGA1kSwgD4/s400/Edwin+Forsythe+View.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While I couldn't resist the black and white conversion of Meg's photo below, this view of the Edwin Forsythe Wildlife Refuge from an observation platform in the otherwise pancake flat area gives a better idea of what it was like to be there. The salt marshes there are home to a gazillion different species of birds most of whom were feeding during our low tide visit. </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-1402018466137347282010-05-06T21:32:00.000-04:002010-05-06T21:32:15.806-04:00Jersey Shore...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-NsTiKBLjI/AAAAAAAABa0/DFm7aJJcvXY/s1600/Edwin+Forsythe+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-NsTiKBLjI/AAAAAAAABa0/DFm7aJJcvXY/s400/Edwin+Forsythe+%231.jpg" width="400" /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We were lucky enough recently to visit the Edwin B. Forsythe Wildlife Refuge outside Atlantic City, NJ. It was a truly amazing place *full* of birds and other wildlife, all within viewing distance of the casinos. Meg captured this juxtaposition under heavy skies.</span></span></div><span id="goog_843582250"></span><span id="goog_843582251"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-25482917881922255672010-05-06T07:40:00.001-04:002010-05-06T13:16:09.758-04:00Skowhegan #9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-KqIQ-0AkI/AAAAAAAABas/DgKA_rUjmpQ/s1600/Skowhegan+%2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-KqIQ-0AkI/AAAAAAAABas/DgKA_rUjmpQ/s400/Skowhegan+%2310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My last picture from this walk through Skowhegan is one of the "nearly falling down" buildings on the downtown corner across from Skowhegan Savings Bank. It is hurting for sure but cast a colorful reflection in the early morning light.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-45951390715919474082010-05-05T06:59:00.001-04:002010-05-05T07:21:54.026-04:00Skowhegan #8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-FOjMvpd4I/AAAAAAAABac/JBTkgE0JI68/s1600/Skowhegan+%238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-FOjMvpd4I/AAAAAAAABac/JBTkgE0JI68/s400/Skowhegan+%238.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Downtown Skowhegan - early in the morning. Along with a head on shot of the J. Palmer Merrill building.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-FPLUyAteI/AAAAAAAABak/OXC4HQdTAHY/s1600/Skowhegan+%239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S-FPLUyAteI/AAAAAAAABak/OXC4HQdTAHY/s400/Skowhegan+%239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-73974122627116433922010-05-04T06:59:00.000-04:002010-05-04T06:59:00.579-04:00Skowhegan #7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S9_9TkP2vTI/AAAAAAAABaU/NUF3TBkCmj8/s1600/Skowhegan+%237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S9_9TkP2vTI/AAAAAAAABaU/NUF3TBkCmj8/s400/Skowhegan+%237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The inscription on the Skowhegan Library. What a beautiful old building - though I think my Mom has told me that their roof needs some work...</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-64271445535004751822010-05-02T06:47:00.000-04:002010-05-02T06:47:54.176-04:00Skowhegan #6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S91XEv8an1I/AAAAAAAABaM/iEZh_QkwMx8/s1600/Skowhegan+%236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S91XEv8an1I/AAAAAAAABaM/iEZh_QkwMx8/s400/Skowhegan+%236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Another named building in downtown Skowhegan. It's interesting to me to think of the entire story behind such a building. What is the back story here?</span></span> Who was A.B. Borden and what did they do? What was their connection to Skowhegan such that they not only built this building but decided to put their name on it? History is lurking everywhere.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-47181538750925497982010-05-01T06:58:00.000-04:002010-05-01T06:58:35.178-04:00Skowhegan #5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S9wJEiRI6rI/AAAAAAAABaE/rTiJIe-vTRA/s1600/Skowhegan+%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S9wJEiRI6rI/AAAAAAAABaE/rTiJIe-vTRA/s400/Skowhegan+%235.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A shot of one of the really nice older buildings in downtown Skowhegan.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11667552.post-16584911118149667902010-04-30T06:13:00.000-04:002010-04-30T06:13:00.023-04:00Skowhegan #4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S9qshSbEaBI/AAAAAAAABZ0/968AV9bQCjU/s1600/Skowhegan+%234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wuW_7TKdNJQ/S9qshSbEaBI/AAAAAAAABZ0/968AV9bQCjU/s400/Skowhegan+%234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Island Dairy Treat is a fixture in Skowhegan. Here it is early in the morning getting ready for one of the first Sunday's of the year.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11022686099549424626noreply@blogger.com0