Getting Goofy in Vancouver!

Who says you can’t be Goofy?  Just a fun figurine display in the Vancouver BC airport. Didn’t get to see a whole lot of this city as usual.  One of these days maybe just maybe I’ll be given a few hours in this Canadian city to see something more than the back of my eyelids.  Vancouver dreaming!

Oh San Diego!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:  San Diego is a city with so many bittersweet memories for me. I know just a few weeks ago I said I never have much time here.  Well this go-around that changed.  I got to spend a few more hours here and got a chance to take walk down memory lane. I decided for this visit I would see the city on foot and decided to get as much crammed in as I could.  

I started at Balboa Park. I’m still fascinated with Cabrillo Bridge that connects Downtown San Diego with Balboa Park.  One of these days I’m going to make it a point to photograph that bridge at dark.  I have a feeling with all the lights on the bridge, it must be so beautiful. I didn’t get that done this go-around because there were just so many places to be. While walking through Balboa park I realized how much I had forgotten just how beautiful the park is. With artists and live music everywhere it was just one of those places you could quite easily get lost in the moment. The architecture is amazing.  I grabbed a capture of The artist village which boasts a colorful ground to walk on for a fun shopping experience with a Spanish Vibe.  As I made my way over to a fountain tucked away in another corner of the park, I found a little boy and his mother making friends with a brave duck that wasn’t too proud to beg for a handout. The ducks had quite the personalities.  All in all, if you enjoy art, love beautiful surrounds and like visiting museums; Balboa Park is a must see if you’re visiting San Diego.  

The sun started to set and I decided I wanted to try make it down to the waterfront for the sunset.  I cut through Little Italy and succeeded on making my way down to the water in time for the setting sun.  Grabbed a few photos and ended up talking with a gal giving bike ride tours for tourists. She tried to sell me on her time and even gave me a great deal but it’s no secret I’ve been pinching pennies so I kindly declined.  Maybe next time.

I ended up in the Gaslamp District for dinner.  Took me a while to find a place that had any food I actually felt like eating.  I don’t know why I wasn’t more hungry.  I hadn’t really eaten all day and had been constantly walking but I guess maybe there were just some things on my mind.  After walking up and down 5th Street I finally settled on a place. I realize getting a table for 1 is usually the easiest way to go out in any restaurant. There’s hardly ever a wait. Ordered some food then my feet decided it was time for bed.  I think I had been walking nearly 7 hours straight. So I made it back to the hotel and called it a night.

It was no surprise to me when I woke up well before the sunrise. I tossed and turned for a bit but I just know me. If I can’t sleep; I just can’t sleep.  No point in trying. It was well before the sun was up but I decided that it was time to go out and get down to the waterfront to catch the sunrise.  It amazes me how the voice of the city streets change by the hour of the day.  Like every other city, San Diego is no different. 

There is one thing that is consistent on the streets of downtown San Diego - the homeless. You could be in the best corner of town and they are still there.  I found them at all hours of the day. It’s an unfortunate reality for San Diego that shouldn’t go unmentioned.

Anyway on my early morning walk, I found my way in a new corer of San Diego I hadn’t yet explored.  It was a place the bike tour gal had mentioned to me the evening prior.  I found myself at Seaport Village.  I went out to the waterfront and sat with a view of the Coronado Bridge and waited for the sun to rise.  It was a nice peaceful way to start my day and collect my thoughts.

I found a cute bagel shop on my way back to the hotel. Stopped in and got a bite and then that was it.  I had to pack my bags and say goodbye.  Really could’ve used more time here.  This was one of those nice visits to a city and I’m really grateful to have been given the opportunity to get back and explore even though it was just for a little while.  Thank you San Diego!    

Catching some ZZZzzz's in Charlotte

My stay here was too short to enjoy much of anything except some sleep.  Did grab a few photos, mostly of the airport.  Charlotte is feeling festive with those poinsettia trees at the airport.  Maybe next time I’ll have a few extra hours on the ground here to do something fun but for this visit sleep was the only thing on the agenda.....  

Portland and my iPhone didn't Behave.....

When I landed in Portland this past week,  I was excited. On this visit I actually had a little time to kill and explore but Portland decided it didn’t want to behave. It greeted me with pouring rain. Aside from seeing the inside of a hotel room and the airport on my last visit, I really haven’t had a clue what to expect from this city. It was a brand new city for me. I decided early on that I needed to trample out in spite of the less than ideal weather.  This island girl isn’t made for cold (I don’t like anything below 70-degrees) but I sucked it up.  I thought about what I should do with my time. Thought for a second about hiking but that probably wouldn’t have been smart in the pouring rain, so I settled on taking the train into downtown Portland.  I really don’t know much about this city.  I still don’t. I decided to take a few hours and walk around downtown to see what I would randomly find. Here’s a few of my captures from this adventure.  

Unfortunately, my photography was cut short since my iPhone5s decided to be stubborn as well. I’m not sure if any of you have had similar experiences but my phone will be sitting at a nice battery power (60-70%) and in the middle of taking photo’s without warning, the entire phone shuts off. It basically tells me I have no battery power, but as soon as I plug it in, it powers right back up to the power it was at. I’m starting to wonder if it has something to do with cooler weather?  The last time this happened was in Jackson Hole earlier in the year when the temps were in the 40s much like this Portland visit.  If any of you have any insight on my iphone issue I’d love to hear about it. Not sure how my winter photography will turn out if this keeps up.  

West Palm Beach....

Out of all the Florida cities I’ve visited so far, this one is by far my favorite but it too welcomed me with less than perfect weather this go-around.  I’m starting to think Florida might not like me so much.  Either way, no rain just a cloudy, windy day. A few clouds won’t stop this island girl from finding her way to the beach. I took a long walk out to the ocean and took in the beauty it has to offer.  No matter where I am in the world, if I can find the water I can find a little peace. It was kind of nice having the beach almost to myself. Grabbed a few shots and saw the drawbridge up on my way back into downtown. Thank you West Palm Beach, I look forward to exploring more of this city in the future....

The Furry Adventure in Chicago

Wasn’t looking for it.  Didn’t expect it.  Next thing I know I’m looking at a lobby full of furry creatures wandering around and tails, tails, tails everywhere!  Yup I certainly walked into a unexpected surprise.  Found myself in the middle of the Midwest Furfest Convention I think.  I don’t know much about this stuff but it seems to be popular among the crowd I saw. It was kinda fun to just watch and see furry animals talking to other furry animals.  Bottom line, these animals were enjoying themselves.

Took a walk down the street to see some holiday lights as well.  Other than that new furry experience, my stay in Chicago was pretty short this go-around. One of these days I’ll have more time to re-explore the windy city.  Until then take care Chicago...

Fort Myers and the Rain.....

Sunny Florida decided to welcome me with rain on this visit to Fort Myers. Rain? Really?  Do you think that would stop me from going outside? Absolutely not. Had to play in the rain and capture a few shots.  Not a whole lot to see but water everywhere.  I did however see some cute holiday decor indoors. Wish I could’ve taken some of those stuffed animals home for my own personal collection.  Too cute!  Thank you For Myers, maybe next time you’ll decide to give me less rain. 

Los Angeles and my BFF

Landing in LA this last time I had one mission on my mind.  I was determined to see the only creature on this earth that cries when he sees me, loves me unconditionally and appreciates every minute I spend with him.  He is my BFF - a German shepherd named Buddy.  As I made my way up to the San Gabriel valley to visit him, I was informed by the rental car radio about the tragedy that was unfolding out in San Bernardino that day and the manhunt that was taking place trying to track down those who could commit such a senseless act.  It just really brought home the point that anything can happen anywhere at anytime and this world we live in isn’t what it used to be. It’s such a sad reality check but I’ve come to realize that we can’t live our lives in fear. Acts like this remind us that we need to hold close what is dear and let the people in our lives who mean something know that they matter. Always say what you mean and mean what you say. Actions speak volumes and when you can back them up with words; it makes the impact of words that much more meaningful. Life is a precious, priceless gift that can be taken at any moment and we need to be ready for that next chapter.  Anyway, when I finally arrived on the doorstep to see Buddy he didn’t bark. It was almost as if he knew I was coming.  Instead he cried. It took him about 10 minutes to stop crying and calm himself down.  He knows when I show up, it’s always just for him and it’s going to be all about him. I can’t thank my ex enough for being kind enough to let me spend time with Buddy on those rare occasions when I have the time. It’s been a few months since I last saw him and I always wish I had more time. As usual the visit ended with tears. Pets truly are precious and good for the soul. I think dogs especially can teach us humans some important lessons. We should strive to live more like they do: Living in the moment, not questioning the past and loving with no boundaries.  If we could just be but half of what dogs believe us humans to be, this world would be certainly be a much better place.

On my way back to return the rental car, I caught the beautiful sunset while driving down the 605.  Wish I could’ve been at the beach to capture it but I managed to sneak in a few shots along the freeway.  Thank you LA! See you again hopefully soon.