A gentle breeze blows through the tall pines that line the edges of the cliff. Waves lap against the cliff several hundred feet below, as the Chesapeake Bay slowly carves into land which once formed the bed of an inland sea, and still releases Miocene fossils onto the beach below. Canada geese erupt with a…Read more Long Overdue – A Camping Weekend on the Chesapeake
Trips
Iceland 2019 – Part 5, Landmannalaugar
After a short day in Reykjavik, we were ready to get back out into the wilder parts of Iceland. I was excited and anxious, because this was to be one of my most anticipated destinations, and I wasn't entirely sure the excitement was shared. Today marked the reason we had a 4WD vehicle - our…Read more Iceland 2019 – Part 5, Landmannalaugar
Laugavegur and Grænagil
Standing by a steaming sulfur vent, looking across the chaotic jumble of a lava field, into Grænagil, the Green Canyon. Laugavegur Trail, Landmannalaugar, Iceland.
Iceland, 2019 – Part 4, Roaming in Reykjavik
Full of ice cream, we'd been slow to get to sleep. Reykjavik's streets were noisy under the (almost) midnight sun, as the bar scene came to life. Our windows stayed open in the unseasonably warm weather, so we found ourselves enduring the sounds of the streets, attempting to get a breeze into our room, and…Read more Iceland, 2019 – Part 4, Roaming in Reykjavik
First Day of Spring, 2021
Happy to start to see some glimpses of normal human interaction again. These guys sure were happy to see each other. A great (but cold!) two nights out camping.
Faxi (Faxafoss), Iceland
A bonus image of Faxi, to go along with my recent Iceland 2019 post. Great views can be had from the spot at the bottom left of the falls, but this perspective, taken from the picnic area, is great too.
Iceland 2019 – Part 3, Golden Circle
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
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
Iceland 2019 – Prologue
We had intended to go to Iceland during the boys' Spring Break from school. Early March in Iceland would involve long nights (though days are lengthening rapidly, we would be there before the equinox), harsh weather. Temperatures along the coast aren't horrible, typically above freezing, which is warmer than I would have expected for a…Read more Iceland 2019 – Prologue
Slateford Creek Falls, PA
I was recently going through some of the archived trip movies I've stored up over the past year of... well, I think everybody understands what's been going on this year. Anyway, last year this time, we had seen zero snow at home. (Fortunately this year has been a bit whiter!) We finally got desperate enough…Read more Slateford Creek Falls, PA
Puffins!
As I'm reminiscing on last summer's trip to Iceland (and working up videos, etc), I'm uncovering some photos that just make me smile. On the cliffs above Reynisfjara, a black sand beach with impressive caves and balsatic columns outside Vik, on Iceland's southern shore, dozens of puffins were nesting. These pudgy little birds were impressively…Read more Puffins!
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.
