Slowly Going Nowhere

You aren't looking at a photo in this post so I suppose it doesn't really qualify for my blog. But since I post photos of Lake Oahe from time to time, I thought I'd show you what a typical sailing trip looks like. The lines that you see are my tracks as recorded on my Garmin GPS. On this particular trip I spent three days going here and there and covered over 100 miles.It may appear that I move around alot and I do. It may also appear that I really don't know where I'm going. And often I don't. And that's why I like being on my boat on Lake Oahe so much. In my other life as a high school teacher, I am governed my halls, rows, clocks and bells. On my sailboat I am governed by wind and whim.

Grace & Beauty

Even if I weren't a sailor, I'd think that any sailboat under sail was beautiful. This is "Chardonnay" owned by the Russells of Pierre, SD. She is a beautiful Hunter 350 and her owners are an important part of the Spring Creek boating community.See this photo on Panoramio and Google Earth

Prairie Art?

On the western outskirts of Clark, SD, (pop. 3,436) you will find 9 red and white automobiles that appear to have been abandoned in careful formation. If you ask me, this is art and I'd like to know more about the artist. Years ago, my son Jon, while working for our local newspaper, went looking for a story about the person who was responsible but ran in to a dead end.What does this installation mean? Well, like many works of art, there is the unknown intent of the artist and then there is the meaning the viewer gives it. For me, it is all about alienation, conformity and belonging. . . .

The Little Tourist

More than once in the US when I have pointed my cameras at a child to get a candid photo, I've gotten dirty looks. For that reason, I don't take many photos of kids when I am wandering around.But in this case, I couldn't resist. Plus, I was in Lisbon, Portugal, and his parents smiled when they saw me taking his photo. It's a different culture, I guess. The location is the Jeronimos Monastery and what I like about this picture is the child's casual stance. I also like how he is looking at me in a way that isn't fearful or suspicious.

Not THE Teton

I'm not sure what you know about the Grand Teton in Wyoming but I will tell you that it is 13,775 feet tall and is the second highest peak in Wyoming. I will also tell you that one version of the origin of its name is that a French-Canadian explorer looked at it and said, "That looks like a 'grand teton,'" which is French for "big breast." Leave it to a man wandering for months in the wildnerness with a bunch of other men to look at a mountain peak and see female body parts.So what does this photo have to do with the Tetons? Well, I certainly don't look at these landforms and see tetons. I'm not that kind of person! But I must admit that this vista, which I have seen dozens of times, is sensuous - in part because it is pleasant scene. More than that, though, it is on the last leg towards the place where I kept my boat on Lake Oahe for 15 years. It therefore meant that I was minutes away from seeing the beautiful expanse of the Little Bend area of Lake Oahe. By this point of my 4 hour journey from Watertown, I was very focused on what it would feel and sound like to be under sail again.So I suppose if I were naming this landform, it wouldn't be "Petite Sein" (you'll have to look that up). Instead, it would be "Étant Sur le Point Arrive," which means "Almost There."

Garlic Soup With Bread & Egg

I never used to be an adventurous gourmand. And I don't eat bugs and smelly fruit like that guy on the Food Network. But I am more willing to order mysterious things from menus when traveling in Europe these days.In this case, I ordered what the menu said was "garlic soup with bread and eggs." I assumed the eggs would be stirred in like they are in egg drop soup. I thought the bread would be served on the side. Imagine my surprise when what you see here was served. It was marvelous. I would like a bowl right now. Anyone know where I can get something like this?

Another Bride, Another June

Every summer when we are traveling in Europe, Deb and I manage to bump into at least one wedding. In this case, we were visiting the the National Palace in Mafra, Portugal, when we found a wedding party moving into the basilica. Here, of course, is the bride being escorted down the aisle by a man whom I presume is her father.

Something Old and Something New

This is a shot from the south (?) side of the River Thames. The structure spanning the river is a pedestrian bridge known as the Millennium Bridge, build to help commemorate the new Millennium a few years ago. In the distance is St. Paul's Cathedral, which was built in 1697 and was designed by the famous British architect Christopher Wren.When the Millennium Bridge opened, they found that it wobbled excessively and millions of dollars were spent on modifications in order for people to safely walk on it. St. Paul's does not wobble and never has.See this on Panoramio and Google Earth

07-25-10 Going Down

Those who have ridden subways know that sometimes the escalators down to the tracks may seem endless. This is especially true in cities that are hilly. This escalator isn't particularly deep but I happened to have my camera out as we were going down.One of the deepest London tube stations is the Angel Tube Station and one thrillseeker has found a quick way to do down -- on snow skies. Check out this YouTube video.

07-24-10 Churchill's Bunker

One of the more interesting places we visited while in London this summer was the command center bunker that Churchill and others used to run operations during the London Blitz. It was very well preserved and the room that presented the history of Churchill and London's survival during WWII was impressive.As you may know, Churchill had his idiosyncrasies and faults but his strong leadership during the War made up for these. In the bunker museum, there was a great quote from Churchill: "We are worms. But I believe that I am a glow worm."Another quote attributed to Churchill (but not displayed in the museum) goes something like this: A woman at a dinner party said to Churchill, "Sir, you're drunk!" Churchill's response was "Madame, you're ugly. At least in the morning I'll be sober." I wonder if a president could get away with this kind of repartee?

The Stargazers Are Back!

I promise to move on to something other than lilies sometime soon. But for now, you'll have to indulge my passion for these amazing flowers.

Macroscope

I don't know if "macroscope" is a word. But I've decided that my macro lens turns my camera into one. It is when I am looking though the viewfinder that I start to see things that I (and most normal people) would never take the time to see. An example are the lines that decorate this lilly petal.