September 2021 Free Desktop Calendar - Sunset off Fish Creek WI

I hope this month's desktop calendar photo of the sun setting across Fish Creek Bay fills you with a sense of calm. Fish Creek is a small town along the peninsula of Door County, between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. I took the photo last September during an extended weekend getaway, while enjoying a sunset boat tour with Fish Creek Scenic Boat Tours. This lovely boat ride featured live music, history of the area and gave us a water’s view of Peninsula State park's Eagle Bluffs lighthouse and other mini islands in Green Bay.

 
Door County is a great place to visit and only a few hours from Milwaukee. These quaint towns offer shopping, water activities, biking and hiking trails; all sorts of restaurants, pubs, microbreweries and wineries. A highly recommended respite from any big city. 

 

 

 
To download September's calendar, click on this link from Box.com
Link --> September Calendar 2021 - Fish Creek Sunset

Read more...

July in Kentuckiana - Clifty Falls State Park

July flew by in a flash and we now find ourselves in an angst-ridden August, faced with the impending start of the school semester. Each day brings new cases of Covid-19, scrapped then re-vamped plans, vacillating between in person and online course instruction. We deal with the changes by going with the flow, being patient and knowing in our hearts things will all work out OK.

Last month we delivered our daughter to her new venture in Dallas. We traveled there during the height of the city's spike in cases but experienced responsible citizens wearing masks and adhering to social distancing guidelines. This weekend we will transport our son back to St Louis and once again have an empty nest.

Other than the short weekend trip to Dallas, I spent July in "Kentuckiana" (Kentucky and Indiana) for work. My company has a greenfield (brand new) facility in Kentucky and I was there to help with the commissioning and start up of the automation systems. Even though the long hours and days morphed together, starting up a brand new facility is a rare opportunity - I learned a lot from the experience.

On my first day off (I think I ended up with a total of 2 days off during my tenure), I ventured to Clifty Falls State Park in Madison Indiana, about a 40 minute drive from my hotel. Along the Ohio River, the park winds through lush greenery, along cliffs and boasts seven little water falls. At the bottom of the 300 foot deep canyon, the Little Clifty creek flows. I spent several hours traversing various hiking trails in complete solitude, a wonderful respite from my harried days at work.

Clifty Falls

 

Tunnel Falls

 

I had such a nice time in the park I ended up going back three weeks later and I brought a couple of co workers with me. We hiked different trails on the southern end of the park and ended up in the Little Clifty Creek. The area experienced significant rainfall two days prior, so the creekbed flowed with rushing water.

I highly recommend visiting Clifty Falls State park. When you are done hiking, head over to the quaint town of Madison IN with its antique shops, restaurants and river walk. I'll share those photos next.

Read more...

Golden and Frosty December

December blessed us with many sunny days, lifting our spirits as we enter the shortest days of the season.

Since I am presently unable to run, I've been hiking out at the forest preserve instead, and bringing my camera along.


I was lucky this morning as a light sheen of frost tipped the prairie grasses.





All this "slowing down" allowed me to discover new single track trails carved off the beaten path. I learned that local outdoor enthusiasts, keen on maintaining the health of the forest, worked to clear the area of invasive trees and shrub and in the process, created these new trails and built rustic bridges across the waterway that meanders through the property.



I'm finding lovely woodland elements to fill my camera's frame.


And getting my fill of the outdoors, complete with some of that white fluffy stuff.


So long to December, the Year 2019 and the Decade 2010's! I await the new year and decade with continued optimism and thankfulness.

Read more...

Exploring Page, Arizona - Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

As follow up to yesterday's post on the Lake Powell Half Marathon, here are a couple tourist activities activities to consider while visiting Page, Arizona. We explored Page the day before the race, so we took the low-key approach to sightseeing, opting for easy walks over a strenuous hike.

Antelope Canyon:
Antelope Canyons are slot canyons on Navajo lands just east of Page. To access either Upper or Lower Canyons you must sign up with an official tour operator. This is required as flash rains have resulted in flash flooding of the canyons. The Upper Canyon tour includes a fun Safari style ride through the desert with an easy half mile walk in and out of the water carved formations. The mixture of ambient light, rock colors and the carved sandstone formations result in a beautiful scene.



I've read the Lower Canyon is just as breathtaking - the main difference is access to the Lower Canyon involves stair climbing and traversing uneven canyon boulders.

Horseshoe Bend:
Another popular destination is Horseshoe Bend, another geological formation carved out of the Colorado river. This 3/4 mile hike proved to be a little more strenuous but not too taxing. The view at the rim, with no rails or chains was literally breathtaking.


Lake Powell:
The Lake Powell Half Marathon's namesake is a man made reservoir that formed after the the Glen Canyon Dam caused the Glen Canyon to flood. The result is a flourishing water recreational area. We stayed at official race hotel, the Lake Powell Resort and found the accommodations nice and comfortable with fantastic views of the lake.

There are plenty of boat rental / tour opportunities around Lake Powell.

Getting to Page - While we flew in and out of the little town of Page, most people opt to fly via Vegas due to the plethora of flight options and lower cost. The driving time to Vegas is 4 hours. Another option is to fly into Flagstaff, 2 hours south. The Grand Canyon is not too far out of the way either, so many will visit Page while out in that area.

Read more...

March 2017 Desktop Calendar - Free Download

After a crazy warm February, March has entered in like a Lion.

It's time for a serene sunrise calendar download to offset the high winds here today.


I took this photo one morning while out running. I coordinate a group of runners and we run together every Wednesday morning. This time of year, just prior to the change to Daylight Saving Time, gives us a great view of the sunrise. You can enjoy it too, without the running!

To download March's free calendar, click on the link from box.com:
March 2017 Calendar Free Download

Read more...

Back Again

I hope to fill this space with images that invoke beauty, calm, grandeur, stillness, movement, happiness and light.

I realized I've neglected this space because of other things, things I need to let go of.

Today's photos: from last June, a weekend escape to Saugatuck, Michigan. It's a wonderful place to visit - with quaint shops, a vibrant art community, sand dunes and access to the sandy beaches along Lake Michigan.

Right in the middle of the town is a lovely garden square:



Farmers Market




Saugatuck Dunes State Park - You have to walk a little over a half a mile from the parking lot, but when you see the glistening lake through the trees, you know you have arrived.







Further to the south you can climb the stairs at Mount Baldhead Park - it's over 300 stairs, but worth the view at the top, looking down at the Kalamazoo River

On the backside of the stairs, the sandy path takes you right to Oval Beach, one of the very popular beaches of Lake Michigan.

It might be time to plan another weekend getaway there!

Read more...

August 2016 Desktop Calendar - Harbor Sunrise

The start of August means the end of summer (sorry to all who get your summers' off). The days become noticeably shorter, with the sun rising later each day.

This month's desktop calendar features one of those sunrises - along the water and harbor.


To download August's free calendar, click on the link from box.com:
August 2016 Harbor Sunrise Calendar

Summer is fleeting so get out there and enjoy it!

Read more...

Back to Kauai - Boogie Boards and Luau

On day 2 of our vacation, we relaxed and hung out around the resort. The time difference of five hours behind means I'm getting up early, even for vacation, and of course, before the rest of my family. It just means I get to view some spectacular sunrises and enjoy the rhythmic waves in solitude. This morning I enjoyed a sunrise morning yoga class, held outside under the backdrop of the palm trees and the thundering surf.


The kids awoke and I took them up the cliff walk.




We found a "sand wall" filled with carvings. Brian added his initials to the mix.


Brian and Scott made use of the boogie boards (Poi Pounders).


Or maybe, the surf "used" them and spit them out.


The "excursion" of the day - the traditional Hawaiian Luau, held on the Hyatt grounds. The luau, as cliche as is may seem, must be experienced once while visiting the Islands.


23 years ago, Scott and I attended a Luau in Maui. They brought us and the several other honeymooning couples on stage.


The climax of the evening - the traditional fire dance - stunning under the inky skies.




Of course, there was plenty of food and drink consumed. We really enjoyed the Kalua roasted pork, which is cooked in an underground pit by the ocean. The recipe for the smoky roast is quite simply - pork shoulder, salt (Hawaiian salt if you can get it), water and liquid smoke. After our trip, I've reproduced the pork at home. I admit the pit cooked / smoked / ti leave wrapped meat is better, but when you can't be in Hawaii, you can try to emulate it as best you can.

Read more...

Wave after Wave - Along the Coast of Kauai

What feels like eons ago (ie, two months ago), we had the most amazing vacation in Kauai and I am just now getting to the photos I took.

The upside to my tardiness is I get to enjoy the memories all over again and marvel at the vistas we were so privileged to experience.


Taken along the cliffside path - on the Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail in Poipu, Kauai
Can you see the fisherman?


In the summer months, the constant display of the red "danger" flag at the beaches remind us the pounding waves exert much power, even as their rhythmic sounds, white froth and graceful curves hypnotize us.



Have a quick look and listen:


Wishing you a most wonderful Friday and for those in the US, a great Labor Day!

Read more...

Fish Tale (With Dolphins)

On our last day in Florida during Spring Break, we met up with a guide, Captain Cam just before the break of dawn. Cam was taking us out for a half day in shore fishing excursion. We felt lucky as we booked the event the day before - this would be our last "touristy" opportunity as my parents are selling their Florida home and this will most likely be our last visit to the area.

We got in the speedboat and Cam stated "we're going over there to get bait", gesturing towards Sanibel Island. In my naivety, I thought there was some bait shop "over there". You know, worms that are kept on ice, worms that you buy.

In reality, "over there" was the pylons of the Sanibel bridge and getting bait meant casting for it with a net, the bait being little fishes / minnows. Several boats were already out by the bridge, starting their day the same way - casting for bait.




The process of casting nets was fascinating to watch - the swirl of the net, the sheen glistening off the fish scales, minnows twisting. All against backdrop of the rising sun.


There were visitors, waiting for a morsel to come their way


Bait in hand (really, in a reservoir towards the back of the boat), we traveled into the mist of the bay. The fog enveloped us, the rising sun all but gone. It felt cold, grey and silently eerie. We had been in this waterway before - years ago, when visiting the Edison-Ford winter estates - the Caloosahatchee River.



We stopped at The mangroves along Shell Island. Cam baited and cast the lines. Brian got the first bite, almost immediately, but lost the fish just as fast. The waters were full of Yellow Jackfish, a medium sized fish, not willing to give up the fight. Brian and Scott managed to reel their catches in, but it took me several tries before I got the reel technique down. These guys were strong and challenging (for me, I'm more or less the spectator on this excursion). We kept two of the Jackfish, releasing the other 6 or so.





Yeah, my fish feels slimy!

The sun started to peek out and Cam took us out between Sanibel and St James. His boat tops 70mph, so we held on to our hats!

We were now fishing for trout with lures. They had to be at least 15" to keep, so the smaller ones were released. On occasion, a fish would swallow the rubber lure and wouldn't survive the extraction - we watched long necked water fowl scoop up the dead fish and gulp it down its skinny neck. Other birds swooped from the sky, taking lunch into its talons. Nature in action.

En route to our third location, Cam spotted a dolphin swimming along side the boat. "Let's see if I can get him to jump the boat's wake" - and the playful dolphin did just that! We just stood there, amazed. I got out my camera and started shooting. That dolphin jumped the wake 4-5 times. That experience "was not on the tour brochure", and certainly a special bonus.





Overall, we brought home 4 nicely sized trout and the 2 Jackfish. Cam filleted the Jackfish and simply gutted the trout. We grilled up half the Jackfish for lunch (tasted like Mahi-Mahi) and my mother pan fried two trout the next morning. They froze the remaining fish and enjoyed them the following week when my sisters came to visit.

The experience was completely unexpected and a great way to end our trip. I've recently read where happiness is found more in experiences vs physical things and this day certainly proves that out.

Read more...

Cast a Wide Net

Hopefully you catch what you seek.



In this case, "we" were out catching live bait for an inland fishing experience. (I say "we" because "we" were in the boat with our fishing guide - in reality, he was doing all the work). I feel fortunate to have captured the scene above - it's not every day I find myself underneath the Sanibel Island bridge at sunrise with a slew of fishermen. I have many more photos to share from that amazing experience, hopefully later this week.

Until then, I hope you cast out and find what you seek.

Read more...