'Aunt Shirley Syndrome'

travel-ography.com continues to be a 'hot topic'. No matter where we go, people are commenting about this new direction we're taking our photography business. Everyone is so supportive.

One recurring question, besides where are we going and when, is how did you get so interested in travel? My response......'Aunt Shirley Syndrome'.

To explain: I have an aunt, who was born and raised in the very small town of Holt, Minnesota. 'Aunt Shirley' moved to Minneapolis as a young, independent woman and had a very successful business career with a major Minneapolis firm. Unmarried and having no immediate family of her own, she embraced her larger family, consisting of the families of her brothers and sisters, including nieces and nephews and their families and children. 'Aunt Shirley' has always been thought of as kind and generous and she is very well respected by everyone in the family.

'Aunt Shirley' also is a big time traveler. For as long as I can remember, we have been receiving postcards from exotic and far away places that one usually only reads about. We'll turn the card over and, sure enough, there will be a greeting and a brief description of the adventure followed by 'Aunt Shirley's' signature at the bottom. These unexpected messages always brought a sense of excitement and wonder and really 'made our day'.

To this day, her travels continue. Usually with a companion or two, sometimes a member of her 'extended family'. In fact, just this past year, at the age of 75, 'Aunt Shirley' and a family member traveled to India to see the Taj Mahal and other mystical sights. How do we know ? We have the postcard we received showing 'Aunt Shirley' perched high atop an elephant.

She's somewhat of a legend in our family...and I've always admired her adventurous spirit. So if we've been 'bitten by the travel bug' let's just call our malady...'Aunt Shirley Syndrome'.

We can only hope that 'Aunt Shirley' will be able to join us on some of our adventures, as we guide our business into this new direction we call travel-ography.com.





Sometimes, one doesn't have to travel very far from home to see some 'pretty cool' things. For example, we took in the Fargo, ND Air Show about 10 days ago and were 'wowed' by some fantastic flying. In the above photograph, I captured what was called the Heritage Flight...featuring a P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft, WWII vintage, and an A-10 Thunderbolt combat aircraft, Gulf War to present, flying side by side saluting all the heroes who have fought so bravely for our freedom. It was quite a sight.

Then the crowd was captivated by the world famous precision flight team, the Blue Angels,
who put on a terrific performance. We took the following shot, as four of the six F/A 18 Hornet fighter jets flew overhead in close formation.


As always, simply click on the photograph to enlarge it...then click on the 'back' arrow to get back to this site. This next photograph caught the 'team' breaking out of a tight formation and heading in separate directions.


Finally, one doesn't even have to travel to Fargo to find interesting sights. Last summer, while Linda and I were in Alaska, Rob was in Grafton managing the studio...and...making sure Linda's flowers had plenty of water during a very hot July. The following slide show features the flowers that Rob photographed and kept alive....and proves that sometimes there's plenty of beauty in your own backyard. Just press 'play' and enjoy.

North Shore in Autumn

Fall colors....here we come !

The last couple of times we have been in Duluth and along the North Shore, it has been either spring or summer. I am really looking forward to this trip we have planned in September.

While this area was very nice in both spring and summer, in autumn, the beauty of nature should unfold in front of us in a spectacular way.

We went so far as to slightly alter Mother Nature the last time we were there, as Rob took the following scene we photographed of one of the popular waterfalls, and changed the color on the computer.

So the scene that looked like this....











Ended up looking like this......



Ahhh....the magic of computers.

Although you can never guarantee the weather conditions, I think we'll see the real deal this September 28, 29, and 30. Sure hope you can join us.

Steve

A couple more images....

Here are a couple more images we captured in the Duluth and North Shore Drive areas. When we travel there this September, we'll see sights like these and much more, including the much talked about Glensheen Manor, former home of the Congdon family.

Below, is the world famous Aerial Lift Bridge that allows giant freighters and ships to pass through into and out of the harbor. There's always 'action' at the harbor.





This is one of the most beautful, and famous, landmarks of the North Shore Drive of Lake Superior....the Split Rock Lighthouse.



Simply click on the photograph to enlarge it on your screen....then hit the 'back' arrow on the upper left of your screen to get back into the 'blog'.

We're getting very excited about going back. We hope you can join us on September 28, 29 and 30.

Details to follow.

Steve

1st travel-ography.com trip - Duluth and the North Shore

Duluth and the North Shore Drive

Marvel at the vivid autumn colors, as we travel to Duluth, Minnesota and take the scenic North Shore Drive the last three days of September...Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 28th, 29th and 30th.

We chose this, as our first travel-ography.com trip, because of the wonderful times we have had there the past couple of years, even though we weren't able to time our visits during the spectacular autumn season.

This should be the most beautiful time to visit this scenic and historic area and we'd certainly like you to join us.

We're finalizing details and in a couple of days we'll confirm the itinerary and cost of the trip.



In the spring of 2005, our son, Rob, and I attended the Minnesota Professional Photographers State Convention and Seminar in Duluth. During some free time we were able to catch many of the hilights of this very interesting city and area. We found the scenery to be wonderful, even though we weren't really there at the 'right time of the year'.

We took all of the photos in the above collage and I'll share some more of the images we captured in the following couple of posts.


I can't wait....here's one of a waterfall just a few miles north of Duluth on the North Shore Drive.



Remember, at travel-ography.com, we plan to document all of our travels through the lens of our cameras and provide you with either a beautiful coffee table book, a stylish photo album or a fun filled video....your choice....so you can share your experience with others shortly after you return home.

More Duluth and North Shore talk and photos on the next post.

Take care,

Steve

Breathtaking View in Vegas.

Welcome back to travel-ography.com, where we are putting the finishing touches on a couple of upcoming trips that we encourage you to join us on. The last week of September we will be traveling in a plush motorcoach to the North Shore of Lake Superior to experience the fabulous fall colors that virtually become a visual feast for those fortunate enough to be there at the right time. Lighthouses, waterfalls, rugged shoreline and welcoming seashore communities are some of the other highlights of the trip.

Then, in early November, we're trying to put together a tour to New York City. The 'Big Apple' is bustling with energy this time of year, as they get ready for the upcoming holiday season. A guided tour of the city, Broadway Theater productions, Central Park and Radio City Music Hall are just some of the highlights of this trip.

We'll have details, as far as dates and costs, posted on this site within the next few days. We sure hope you can join us....and remember....shortly after we return, you'll receive a beautiful coffee table book, photo album or video of the trip so you'll be able to show others your exciting adventure.

Now, following up on the previous post where I promised to show you one of the spectacular sights of Las Vegas. We rode up the Eiffel Tower in front of Paris and from the observation deck captured the following photographs.

















Now that's the 'Magic of Las Vegas'.


Until next time,

Steve

Vegas....Baby !

Las Vegas......'much more than gambling'.

One of our favorite places in the country is the Las Vegas Strip... and we were somewhat surprised to see that on the returned surveys Vegas received a 'luke warm' reception as far as places you'd like to travel to.

We've been there dozens of times in the past few years, mostly because Vegas hosts the biggest and the best photography conferences in the world. Our favorite place to stay on the strip is Bally's. The price is reasonable but the main reason we stay there is location - location - location !

Located right in the heart of the action, Bally's is next door to the Paris Resort and Casino. In fact, because they are both owned by the same group, if you stay in one, you can take advantage of all the amenities of the other one, as well. Paris is a very upscale property and, as Bally's guests, it offers some special surprises. Not the least, is the Eiffel Tower replica...pictured above from our Bally's room window during the day...and below from our window at night.




















Right across the street (Las Vegas Boulevard) is my favorite place in all of Vegas....the magnificent Bellagio, with a huge man made lake that features a spectacular water dancing show every half hour. It is so cool...and it's free ! I have to see it several times whenever I'm in Vegas.


For just a few dollars, you can ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower and get a truly 'breathtaking' view of Vegas...including the water show at the Bellagio.

I'll show you those unbelievable images on the next post....so stay tuned to this travel news letter called travel-ography.com ..... and if you haven't signed up for the free subscription at the upper left of the website, please do so now.

Until next time,

Steve

Don't forget the ( - ) dash !

travel-ography.com Don't forget the ( - ) dash !

As positive and enthusiastic comments continue to come in, regarding our announcement just two weeks ago concerning the change in focus of our photography business, we encourage you to share this site with others who you think would love to travel.

When sharing the website name....please don't forget the ( - ) dash ! You can't get on the site unless the ( - ) dash is included.

Now I'm sure Webster has dozens of definitions of 'dash'....but the one I prefer, and find so profound, is the following: 'On headstones, that little, seemingly insignificant, line between the year of our birth and the year of our death that represents all the time that we were able to spend, and all the things we were able to do, in our lifetime here on earth.'

Pretty profound stuff ! I know it makes me want to spend at least part of my 'dash' sharing exciting times with family and friends, which is one of the motivating factors in creating travel-ography.com.

So please feel free to share this website with others and watch for further news on where we'll be going and what we'll be doing....hopefully with you and your family and friends.

It looks like our first travel-ography.com trip could be late September in Duluth and along the North Shore Drive of Lake Superior.

We are also working on trip to New York City this fall and a journey through Glacier National Park and up into the magnificent Canadian Rockies and the mountain villages of Banff and Jasper next summer (2008). Several other trips are also on the burner.

We'll publish details as soon as we have them.

Thanks for the enthusiasm and support.

Steve

Great Ideas and Suggestions !

Unbelievable !!!!

The response we're getting to our travel-ography.com questionnaires we sent out two weeks ago is simply amazing. Everyone is offering great ideas and suggestions, some of which I'll share with you now.

Lobster-Fest in Maine....Ireland....Hollywood....Napa Valley....King's Canyon....National Parks....Ski Trips....Nova Scotia....San Antonio....New England in Autumn....Australia....Door County, WI....England....Branson....Medora....Spain....Hawaii....Hot Air Balloons in Albuquerque, NM....Niagara Falls....Gettysburg....'Birding' or bird watching in NE North Dakota ....

These are just some of the many suggestions people have been kind enough to offer. Wow ! Let's hope we can get to all of these places and many more.

One of my favorite suggestions....that I probably wouldn't have thought of myself....is to the big annual bike rally in Sturgis, South Dakota. Photography is going to be a big part of our travels, and I can just see some burly Harley rider catching me taking a picture of the tattoo on his "momma's" behind..... I may not come back alive ! Yikes !

Clearly, one of the most popular destinations, of the options we had listed on the survey, was New York in November (or for that matter, New York anytime).

Here's a shot Linda took a little over a year ago of lower Manhattan, as viewed from the top of Rockefeller Center. We were there the day the observation deck reopened for the first time since 9-11 and were among the first people to the top to capture the breathtaking views from all sides. In this particular shot, I think Linda went a little higher than she was supposed to, resulting in a unique photograph of other photographers taking pictures of the city below.


(As always, simply click on any photograph to view it larger.
Then hit 'back' on your computer to get back to this site.)


Due to the very positive response, we are organizing a trip to the 'Big Apple', with plans to go in early November. Details on this site when they are finalized.


I couldn't resist taking a photograph of this quote that we saw on a wall while traveling through the subway system.


It pretty much describes how I feel when in New York City.


Steve

PS....Encouraging words, hugs and 'virtual hugs' (through letters, emails and notes on the returned surveys) have really inspired us to go 'full speed ahead' on this project. Your excitement and enthusiasm is contagious.

Fascination with Whales..

As humans, we certainly seem to have more than just a passing interest in whales. As demonstrated this past week, the entire country was captivated by the plight of a mother whale and her calf, who had taken a wrong turn into the Sacramento River and were in danger of losing their lives.

While hundreds of ordinary people lined the shores and bridges, experts tried several man made methods to coax the confused pair of humpback whales to turn around and get back into the Pacific Ocean.

Noting the outpouring of concern, the media got involved and kept all of us informed, almost hourly, even if we weren't West Coast residents. Dubbed 'Delta' and 'Dawn', the mother and daughter apparently slipped back into the Pacific sometime late last week and it appears that this story had a happy ending.

The route back to salt water safety was through the San Francisco Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge....the very bridge Linda and I sailed under, with some friends, one winter afternoon a few years ago.

The country has breathed a sigh of relief and, as an additional bonus, it seems whale experts were able to gain some valuable data about the species during this ordeal. Win - win.

I can understand our fascination with whales, as this past summer, Linda and I spent some time on the Pacific Ocean watching these magnificent creatures.

It was quite a thrill visually scanning the horizon hoping to catch a glimpse of a whale swimming in its natural habitat....and when that first whale was spotted, off in the distance, the feeling was indescribable.

As we approached the pod of Orcas (or maybe they approached us...I'm not sure), the adrenaline was really pumping through the veins.


When they started surfacing right near our little rubber boat, the excitement was almost too much to take. I almost dropped my camera overboard and, as you can see, nearly missed the shot.

All told, we saw dozens of whales, who almost seemed to be performing for us. It was quite an experience and, hopefully, one we can realize again in the not so distant future.

Steve

PS....'Delta' and 'Dawn' were not among this group, as they are humpback whales, and this pod were Orca whales or probably better known as 'killer whales'. Although they didn't seem too threatening to us, I'm not really sure I wanted to 'jump in' and frolic with them. We did, by the way, also see several humpbacks, however they weren't close enough to get any really good photographs.