Our desire to travel, our sense of adventure, and
our hunger for life experiences keeps us on the move.
verse from Wanderlust, by Bjork
I have lost my origin, I don't want to find it again.
I'd rather be sailing into nature's laws, And be held by ocean's paws.
I have lost my origin, I don't want to find it again.
I'd rather be sailing into nature's laws, And be held by ocean's paws.
Lost and Found
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have no sense of direction. Up, down, left or right? Where's the ex-trance? Once I'm in a large store, I don't know how I came in, or how to get out. I seldom go anyplace by myself, and prefer the safety of familiar surroundings in my daily life.
Yet, I am intrigued by unknown places; eager to roam this great land in search of something new; if I stay in one place for too long, I begin to feel restless, longing for discoveries in the distance.
I'm lucky I have a soul mate who enjoys these things too. Together we seek out life experiences by taking long drives to new places, finding cruises to historical sites, or spending hours in libraries all over the country, seeking a spark to ignite the next journey. The photos and stories here, are what our travels have brought to us.
Yet, I am intrigued by unknown places; eager to roam this great land in search of something new; if I stay in one place for too long, I begin to feel restless, longing for discoveries in the distance.
I'm lucky I have a soul mate who enjoys these things too. Together we seek out life experiences by taking long drives to new places, finding cruises to historical sites, or spending hours in libraries all over the country, seeking a spark to ignite the next journey. The photos and stories here, are what our travels have brought to us.
75 Days in OZ Aug 24th -Nov 12th 2014
Australia has been on our bucket list for years. Finally it is a reality. We found a house-sitting opportunity in Bendigo, Australia beginning end of August 2014 and returning home November 11th, 2014. Who could pass up such a unique experience - Not us. Pictures uploaded for now, in no particular order, like our lives! Later, may categorize as memory allows.
Arrival in Oz
50th Anniv Party in Oz - Ian and Jennie
Alpaca show in Oz
Castlemaine, Maldon & Surrounding Areas
Kyabram Fauna Park, a free range zoo in Oz , protects Australian's wildlife heritage. We were told by the locals that this is a "must see" environmental resource center, and they were right on. It was a wonderful experience with hands on opportunities, and up and close encounters with the birds, reptiles, koalas, wombats, wallabies, geese, dingos, and of course, the customary greeting by old Mr. Emu himself.
Chinese Cultural Center in Bendigo Au.
Murray River Paddle Steamers at the Port of Echuca is a step back in time, and a port of discovery with a variety of steam driven cruises, and historical memoribilia, including an interesting display of vintage Aussie cars, trucks and more. See the photo show that follows. A short jaunt down the road and we found ourselves in New South Wales; more on that later.
Dalai Lama blesses the Stupa |
HANGING ROCK
Breath-taking views |
A beautiful experience, touring the grounds, seeing the Monks Private quarters and Monastary.
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34 Day Trip to East Coast 2013
In July 2013 we took a fly-drive trip to the East Coast of the U.S. and Nova Scotia. The trip was sparked by the watching of a SCI-FI series show: Haven, which was filmed in Chester and Lunenberg Nova Scotia. As we watched the weekly episodes over the first 3 years, we both fell in love with the beauty of the place. "We gotta go there". And so, finally this year, we did.
Magical Moment in Old Orchard Beach Maine
Festival of Lights The whole town comes together and lights candles on this night The candles are placed in little wells on the beach, all together with your family and friends, to cherish the life and joys that we share. We were honored to be included in this celebration with good friends and long time traveling companions, Chuck and Ginny.
Massachusettes, Maine, and Philadelphia BeadFest 2013
Portland and the St. John Reverse Tidals 2013 |
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Chasing after the set of Haven, a favorite tv show that is filmed in Lumenberg Nova Scotia.
Yep, we found it.
2012 trip to Kona Hawaii
Panama Canal * 2010
Our Cruise Log
Here we are in Cartegena. Skip the cruise log and scroll down if you want to see the pictures.
We spotted this re-positioning cruise while we searched out places we wanted to travel. This particular one came down from Vancouver and stopped at San Diego where we boarded. The ship was re-positioning to start its winter run from Ft. Lauderdale to Panama Canal and back.
For us it was perfect because it had all the extra sea days, which we love so much. All that pampering! Oh yeah - that's the way we like to vacation. Food anytime, free room service, broadway shows, magic shows, classical music and operatic performances every night. And of course, what we love so much, meeting people from all over the world. We had a blast and already are looking for next year's cruise. (Have our eye on Spain, maybe)
Thursday, Sept 30, 2010 Departed San Diego via Holland American Statendam
Friday and Saturday - Two glorious days at Sea
Sunday - Arrive Puerto Vallarto, Mexico - The weather was a perfect 88 degrees with gentle breezes
Monday - another perfect day at Sea.
Tuesday - Arrival at Huatulco, Mexico - Wow, when we took this tour via catamaran, we looked at each other and said, "Could we retire here?" "Oh yeah". Gorgeous aqua waters, stunning views, clean and sparkling, with magnificent rock formations. We saw a blow hole spouting, maybe 18 feet in the air. Fun! Also, a unique rock formation on the shore, looking like a carved face of Christ.
Wednesday - Arrival in Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, and perfect day at 88 degrees, and gentle breezes. Perfect for our bus tour to see the local sights, dancers, and shopping.
Thursday - Arrival Guatemala. 84 degrees, clear skies. Amazingly colorful.
Friday - Arrival Nicaragua - back to 88 degrees, clear sunny skies, another perfect day for shopping.
Saturday - at Sea and catch up on a little more pampering.
Sunday - Fuerto Amador, Panama. Our first look at Panama. Quite a large city. Actually like most other cities we've seen in the US. Sky-scrapers, simple housing as well as beautiful estates.
Monday - Panama canal transit. Took nearly all day for the ship to cross the locks. Quite an experience. Fees range from $250,000. and up for a ship at each crossing.
Tuesday - Cartegena, Columbia. We both loved Cartegena. Before we took our cruise we watched Romancing the Stone again to get another look at Cartegena. We saw the fort where the movie was filmed. The country is beautiful.
Wednesday and Thursday - at Sea again - time to unwind from the shore excursions.
Here we are in Cartegena. Skip the cruise log and scroll down if you want to see the pictures.
We spotted this re-positioning cruise while we searched out places we wanted to travel. This particular one came down from Vancouver and stopped at San Diego where we boarded. The ship was re-positioning to start its winter run from Ft. Lauderdale to Panama Canal and back.
For us it was perfect because it had all the extra sea days, which we love so much. All that pampering! Oh yeah - that's the way we like to vacation. Food anytime, free room service, broadway shows, magic shows, classical music and operatic performances every night. And of course, what we love so much, meeting people from all over the world. We had a blast and already are looking for next year's cruise. (Have our eye on Spain, maybe)
Thursday, Sept 30, 2010 Departed San Diego via Holland American Statendam
Friday and Saturday - Two glorious days at Sea
Sunday - Arrive Puerto Vallarto, Mexico - The weather was a perfect 88 degrees with gentle breezes
Monday - another perfect day at Sea.
Tuesday - Arrival at Huatulco, Mexico - Wow, when we took this tour via catamaran, we looked at each other and said, "Could we retire here?" "Oh yeah". Gorgeous aqua waters, stunning views, clean and sparkling, with magnificent rock formations. We saw a blow hole spouting, maybe 18 feet in the air. Fun! Also, a unique rock formation on the shore, looking like a carved face of Christ.
Wednesday - Arrival in Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, and perfect day at 88 degrees, and gentle breezes. Perfect for our bus tour to see the local sights, dancers, and shopping.
Thursday - Arrival Guatemala. 84 degrees, clear skies. Amazingly colorful.
Friday - Arrival Nicaragua - back to 88 degrees, clear sunny skies, another perfect day for shopping.
Saturday - at Sea and catch up on a little more pampering.
Sunday - Fuerto Amador, Panama. Our first look at Panama. Quite a large city. Actually like most other cities we've seen in the US. Sky-scrapers, simple housing as well as beautiful estates.
Monday - Panama canal transit. Took nearly all day for the ship to cross the locks. Quite an experience. Fees range from $250,000. and up for a ship at each crossing.
Tuesday - Cartegena, Columbia. We both loved Cartegena. Before we took our cruise we watched Romancing the Stone again to get another look at Cartegena. We saw the fort where the movie was filmed. The country is beautiful.
Wednesday and Thursday - at Sea again - time to unwind from the shore excursions.
Western Carribean - Paradise waiting to be discovered
How can I find the words to describe the colors of the Caribbean?
The water is a blend of aqua, turquoise and deep blue, lined with white-sandy beaches and pastel architecture mixed with the bright and colorful colonial history.
Cozumel may well be one of the most relaxing spots on earth. It's postcard perfect.
Cozumel, Mexico’s largest island, just off the coast of the Yucatan is world renown for it's dazzling white sandy beaches, and the remarkable clarity of the Caribbean ocean. The climate is subtropical & the people native to Cozumel are of Mayan descent. The Maya were a great culture of farmers, fisherman & warriors who ruled in Guatamala for over 2000 years before the arrival of the Spanish Explorers in the 15th Century.
Other facinating sites such as Chichen Itza with its massive pyramids is the only Mayan city built overlooking the sea - its lush jungle settings where wild monkeys still can be seen, are an easy one day excursion from Cozumel.
Cozumel itself was a sleepy little fishing community until 1961, when a Frenchman by the name of Jacques Cousteau declared it one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas of the world. Since then Cozumel has become an underwater marine park to protect the delicate balance of it's dazzling coral reefs & abundant variety of tropical fish.
The underwater wildlife is absolutely amazing here & due to the clarity of the water you do not have to be a diver to enjoy it. Simply put on a mask & snorkle and jump in & you will feel like you have been dropped into a tropical fish tank !!
The water is a blend of aqua, turquoise and deep blue, lined with white-sandy beaches and pastel architecture mixed with the bright and colorful colonial history.
Cozumel may well be one of the most relaxing spots on earth. It's postcard perfect.
Cozumel, Mexico’s largest island, just off the coast of the Yucatan is world renown for it's dazzling white sandy beaches, and the remarkable clarity of the Caribbean ocean. The climate is subtropical & the people native to Cozumel are of Mayan descent. The Maya were a great culture of farmers, fisherman & warriors who ruled in Guatamala for over 2000 years before the arrival of the Spanish Explorers in the 15th Century.
Other facinating sites such as Chichen Itza with its massive pyramids is the only Mayan city built overlooking the sea - its lush jungle settings where wild monkeys still can be seen, are an easy one day excursion from Cozumel.
Cozumel itself was a sleepy little fishing community until 1961, when a Frenchman by the name of Jacques Cousteau declared it one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas of the world. Since then Cozumel has become an underwater marine park to protect the delicate balance of it's dazzling coral reefs & abundant variety of tropical fish.
The underwater wildlife is absolutely amazing here & due to the clarity of the water you do not have to be a diver to enjoy it. Simply put on a mask & snorkle and jump in & you will feel like you have been dropped into a tropical fish tank !!
Cabo
Still sorting these pics - Coming soon.
DeGrazia Gallery
The DeGrazia Home & Gallery, in Tucson Az. is one of my favorite places to visit. It's on my list of "Healing Places". Each time I go, I enjoy walking the grounds in silent thought - marveling at the beauty of the landscape, and the fabulous home this talented artist built for his studio. His works are easily identifiable, often using small Native American Indian children in his paintings. Admission is free, and the visitor can take his time roaming about, looking at the gardens, and the natural elements that are used to create art, then go inside the museum and enjoy the painting and ceramics that cover the walls. If you find yourself in Tucson, and enjoy seeing the result of raw talent on canvas, visit the DeGrazia galeries.
More coming soon.