Strange happenings at

Chicago Navy Pier

A funny thing happened on the way to the office!

Cleft Of The Rock

In my travels, I have observed another theme for the photos I am capturing along the way. I am reminded of the spiritual hymn Cleft Of The Rock. Along the way, I have been amazed at the beauty of flowers in nature, that are literally growing in the "cleft of the rock" This particular photo is of Indian Paintbrush and another wildflower, existing in all its grandeur on the top of Sentinel Dome, at an elevation of 8122' in Yosemite National Park. The top of the rock promontory is just that; solid rock. Yet the wildflowers grow in all their beauty, apparently with all that they need, somehow provided by nature from the cleft in the rock. The lesson is clear for me. All that I need is provided day by day as I dwell in the "Cleft Of The Rock."

Biting off more than you can swallow!

His friends wanted to share his meal.

Up Close and Personal

Manatee in the wild in marina at Titusville Florida

Wildlife in the strangest places

Wonder if he needs an oil change?

NASA Mercury Space Capsule

When I had my first "up close and personal" encounter with the Mercury space capsule, that took the first American into space, I was overwhelmed by a range of emotions. I could not imagine until that moment (still can't) what it must have been like. I developed a greater respect for those that have "gone where no man has gone before" What courage? And talk about cramped for space. Imagine taking a Volkswagen beetle, scrunching it down to about 1/4th its size, stuffing a human being into it, and then rocketing that tiny vehicle into space. The entire experience at Kennedy Space Center was a great one.
Mercury Space Capsule

Greatest Biggest Little Bite in St Augustine

Don't you just marvel when you stumble on a great little place to eat. And what a treat I found even in the midst of all the rain in St Augustine the last couple of days. Another local business steered me in the direction of Local Heros Cafe, just a stone's throw from the old city gates, and on a very narrow back street. I spotted the breakfast burrito as I scanned the blackboard menu. I gotta have one of those, so yesterday morning I did. And it was a mouthwatering treat. The prices are more than reasonable in the midst of the tourist industry in this city.

Sunset on Amelia Island

DSC_0221
Originally uploaded by Pauls Travel Photos.

I never tire of sunsets. It is like God starts out with a whole new set of colors every time He gets his paintbrush out. I spent a couple of days on Amelia Island in NE Florida. Most of the walking and gawking was spent wandering the streets of Fernandina Beach. Much of the core of the downtown is on the National Historic Register, and is turn of the century Victorian gingerbread. Pride of Ownership runs rampant here. I'll be heading on down the East coast of Florida from here. If all of my travels favor me with the grandeur presented here, it will certainly be a treat.

Mesa Verde National Park Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park Colorado
Originally uploaded by Pauls Travel Photos. One of the more interesting stops on my travels in 2004 was to Mesa Verde National Park. The Anasazi Indians built their homes and communities in the cliffs of Mesa Verde and lived almost in isolation from the rest of the world. The tourguides at Mesa Verde say that no evidence exists today of the Anasazi. They literally vanished. The circular pits you see were used mostly for ritual and spiritual ceremonies. It is interesting to note how much work and effort was expended to develop each community which housed around 80-100 people. Mesa Verde is indeed worth visiting on your travels in this part of Colorado.

Another Time(s), Another Place

Life as I knew it changed in February 2005. It happened when I visited New York City for the first time. It was like visiting another world. I didn't realize I had been so isolated and insulated from the likes of New York. It was a culture shock of sorts, seeing and visiting places only "as seen on tv" After taking a bus and the subway from The Bronx, I spent several hours walking the streets of lower Manhattan and Times Square. I visited many noted sights including Ground Zero, where the Twin Towers used to be. I think the thing that stood out the most is the sheer numbers of cosmopolitan peoples, and the fact that nearly everything seems scrunched up almost on top of itself; housing, businesses, cars, people, subways. Space is a precious commodity in New York City. Nice visit. But I'll take my chances in the outland.