After an excellent couple days on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, we had repositioned back to the hotel Brim, near downtown Reykjavik. Still trying to adjust to the midnight sun, we were up late, and then up again early... but there was no point in lingering at the hotel, we had things to do! Our goal for…Read more Iceland 2019 – Part 3, Golden Circle
Landscape
Blackwater Falls, Davis, WV
Blackwater Falls always runs dark. The tannins from decaying leaves and evergreen needles in the water stain it the color of tea. Contrast that with a fresh snowfall, a hard freeze and enormous icicles, and you have a pretty sight, indeed! (Note the figure on the balcony at left, for scale)
Iceland, 2019 – Part 2, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
We awoke to clearing skies. Not crystal blue, yet, but the clouds had risen enough to give us a clear view of Kirkjufell, across the harbor, and a better look at the mountains that surrounded Grundarfjörður. Our first night with no true darkness had gone reasonably well, aided by thick blackout shades and our undeniable…Read more Iceland, 2019 – Part 2, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Iceland 2019, Part 1 – Grundarfjörður
As is typically the case on flights from the US to Europe, we departed at midnight to arrive near dawn. In our case, we landed in rain, falling heavy under low clouds. Our first impressions of Iceland were... underwhelming. With visibility only about a mile, all we could tell from the area around Keflavik Airport…Read more Iceland 2019, Part 1 – Grundarfjörður
Maui’s “Flame of the Forest” is an Out-of-Control Wildfire
During our 2018 trip to Hawai'i (see other posts for touristy and mostly outdoor adventures on the islands), we wound up taking a drive along the famous Road to Hana, on Maui. If you're unfamiliar, this route is a narrow (often single-lane) route that winds in and out of the canyons on the north shore…Read more Maui’s “Flame of the Forest” is an Out-of-Control Wildfire
Nokulele Blowhole (Hawai’i, Day 5, Part 2)
https://youtu.be/yEemSKPWbUg After our early, early morning biking down Halekala, we had been up and adventuring for 12 hours and it was still only lunch time. Creative measures were needed to get back to a normal sleep cycle, so we fought the urge to sleep the afternoon away. Instead, we had lunch and explored the town…Read more Nokulele Blowhole (Hawai’i, Day 5, Part 2)
Waikiki Sunset
I do love the snow, but memories of the tropics are great too! I liked the way the setting sun shone through the spray off the waves at Waikiki Beach.
Ka’anapali Beach Sunset, Maui, HI
On our first night on Maui during our 2018 anniversary trip with the family, we arrived at Ka'anapali Beach just in time to watch the sunset, and play in the surf.
Strokkur, Iceland
In addition to many active volcanoes, Iceland is full of thermal features. In fact, it is home to the "original" geyser, a spout named "Geysir". Geysir is not as active as it once was, but its neighbor, Strokkur, erupts reliably every 5 minutes or so, with varying intensity. It's a very popular stop along the…Read more Strokkur, Iceland
Buđakirkja, Búðir, Iceland
Iceland is sprinkled with rural churches that stand alone, isolated on a vast empty landscape. Buđakirkja is one of the more famous, owing to its black and white simplicity.
Kirkjufellsfoss, Grundarfjörđar, Iceland
This is my version of one of the most common photos taken in Iceland - Kirkjufellsfoss (the waterfall), with the conical mountain Kirkjufell in the background. Seriously, search "Kirkjufell" and you'll see this in summer, winter, with northern lights, etc. It's a beautiful spot under almost any circumstance. We didn't have the luxury of time…Read more Kirkjufellsfoss, Grundarfjörđar, Iceland
Sunset at Lower Matecumbe
Still catching up on 2019, we spent a week sailing and snorkeling in the Florida Keys. This was our first sunset afloat, headed out to an anchorage at Lower Matecumbe Key. More to come on this trip as well... Get Out There! http://www.flying-squirrel.org
Grundarfoss, Grundarfjörđar, Iceland
Summer, 2019 - Before SARS-CoV2 rocked the world, we managed to spend a week in Iceland, in early July under (almost) midnight sun skies. This was one of our first impressions of the place after the rain that blanketed our arrival finally lifted - Grundarfoss, just outside the town of Grundarfjörđar on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.…Read more Grundarfoss, Grundarfjörđar, Iceland
Wild Oak from Little Bald Knob, VA
The first clear view on Virginia's Wild Oak Trail comes after about 8 miles and 4,000 feet of climbing. The trailhead is in the notch left of center, directly under the sun, and the trail wraps around these mountains from left to right, climbing up and over three mountains in the process. Get Out There!…Read more Wild Oak from Little Bald Knob, VA
Sunset at Bear’s Den Rocks
Bears Den Rocks, looking west off the Appalachian Trail in northern Virginia. North end of the "Roller Coaster". Get Out There Troy http://www.flying-squirrel.org
