April 12, 2024
gem
cute, flowers, nature, river, trees
bluebells, bubbie, easter, easter bunny, easter eggs, hiking, iulie, nature
The Easter bunny did make an appearance.
There were baskets to discover and eggs to find!
After the hunt, we enjoyed the beautiful weather outside and made chalk pictures of our own.
Don’t forget to count the loot!
Now who exactly is the Easter bunny again?!
We also dyed some eggies. The girls from the palace were happy to oblige.
Even the puppy was pooped!
But a good night’s sleep after several stories got us all rested up for pancakes in the morning.
The eggs became deviled.
While the angel checked on her tree. (Tiny tiny leaves.)
We also tiptoed through the bluebells. Well kinda.
Come again, little one.
February 14, 2024
gem
hiking, mountain, nature, ocean, travel
hiking, LA, nora, pacific, panorama, romey, topanga, walt
Oh yeah, a morning hike to the top of the bluff. All told we may have hiked four miles. We started at Walt and Nora’s house and walked up to the Pacific overview. The weather was standard issue California — perfect.
Panorama
The crew (gem, nora, walt, romey)
Art?
It was a great opportunity to spend some time together.
November 11, 2022
gem
hiking, mountain, nature, photography, travel
hiking, mountains, nature, Norway, photography, travel, vettisfossen, video, waterfall
The day could not have been prettier. Light rain, but gorgeous light. And peak Fall leaves. And waterfalls everywhere you look. The funny thing is, though we hiked about 13km, we never made it to the big waterfall! Ran out of light.
I guess we’ll just have to go back
THIS is not the one! But look. Spectacular does not even begin to describe this walk.
We had some very late lunch very near the top at an old farmstead and village.
The turn around point.
November 11, 2022
gem
hiking, travel
dogs, gøran, hiking, mountains, nature, Norway, nova, photography, romey, travel, video
Sometimes walking out the door and around back is the best way to hike. We bushwhacked up through juniper and blueberry towards a small lake where fish are rumored to live. Tyinkrysset, Norway is beautiful.
This little stream is just up the road a few hundred meters.
Here are some pictures of our walk in the mountains.
A view of the valley.
Chilly Romey.
Panorama
Our intrepid hosts at the top. Our fearless leader Nova was dressed for the weather.
We love being in Norway.
Coffee and brown cheese? Nova says yes.
November 8, 2022
gem
hiking, mountain, nature, travel
gøran, hiking, kongevegen, Norway, nova, romey, stave church
The trail, built by hand with horses and carts through steep mountain passes, is incredible. Like a movie set. This is one hike in Norway not to miss. We did a few kilometers day hike to the Stave Church completed in the 1180s.
The Kings Road is what Kongevegen means, BTW. The scenery at peak Fall is stunning and magical.
Romey and the logo bench.
Just up over the pass the first view of the Stave Church.
We approached from behind (with a herd of sheep). These are not the sheep!
Our fearless leader Nova.
Don’t eat the mushrooms.
A quiet moment of conversation.
A boy and his dog!
An impressive waterfall on the drive home.
Coffee stop.
And back home for beer and a small fire. This is the only kind of smoking that I like to do.
July 20, 2022
gem
hiking, nature, travel
ave maria, bariosco, hiking, italy, opera, passagiata, rialmosso, rosazza, shooka
On my last day in Rialmosso (Italy) after all three performances were behind us, the hiking boots finally came out. Sadly the boots were massive overkill since the “hike” was really just a walk and the walk was really just a stroll. But, I lugged those boots all the way here from Virginia, so on they go!
Anyway, the stroll in the park was behind Rosazza on a mountain trail that was well tended and obvious in the Italian way. Gorgeous, filled with green trees, burbling creeks, and an ancient Italian village at the top.
I like listening to the woods as much as looking at them. The sounds were curative.
We did the blue hikewalkstroll.
The four others included Santa Mariela, Matt (of the piano), Shooka (of the opera), and Dani (movement artist).
A fellow Tennessean.
A miniature concert at the top by Shooka with some movement by Dani.
After the walk we headed down to town (about one km away) and revisited Auto Bahn. The others joined us there for dinner.
Tutti per la cena.
Stevie demonstrates proper chaise lounge form.
The imitators.
Ciao, bella!
January 2, 2020
gem
dogs, farm, hiking, mountain, photography
blue ridge, dogs, gem, hiking, nature, photography, river, shenandoah, shenandoah river
Three views from the corner.
Trio one
Trio two
Trio three
The walk.
Mogli blends
Shenandoah
Light
Tree fire
September 16, 2019
gem
hiking, photography
australia, blue mountains, gem, hiking, katoomba, nature, photography, stairs, video, wentworth falls
As it turns out, getting from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls in a taxi (all of 4 miles) costs more than a roundtrip train ride to Sydney. Brian and I had quite the adventure because when we arrived at the train station there were no luggage lockers. Ultimately a very nice hairdresser near the station said she would watch our bags while we did a quick morning hike.
So it was off on a 1 hour and 50 minute walk of around 3.5 miles with a 1000 foot elevation delta. Yes, we did some stairs, but not all of them this time. Once again, the weather was perfect.
We made the Sydney train with only 1 minute to wait before departure. Excellent “plan.”
Wentworth falls trail is cut directly into the cliff
Wentworth falls in the early morning
Upper pool
September 15, 2019
gem
hiking, mountain, travel
australia, blue mountains, dardanelles pass, federal pass, furber steps, gem, giant stairway, hiking, katoomba, lilianfels, photography, three sisters, travel, video
In about three hours, Brian and I hiked 6.3 miles covering an elevation delta of 1600 feet. We started at Lilianfells,took the Prince Henry trail over to the Furber Steps, went down the steps (with some great views of Katoomba Falls), hiked Federal pass to Honeymoon Lookout, doubled back through the Dardanelles Pass and then climbed up the 900 steps of the Giant Stairway to the Three Sisters. Finishing with the climb up the steps was interesting.
Katoomba
Katoomba falls
Brian takes a picture
Picture in picture
Katoomba
Overlook Mt Solitary
Katoomba Falls
Spring Fiddleheads (Australia September)
Rain forest Katoomba
Turning point
View from Dardenelles
Heading up the Gianty Stairway
Only 1/2 way up. Exhausting climb.
Three sisters. Alone.
All in all, an incredible hike on a gorgeous day. Better ending up than down.
March 18, 2019
gem
hiking, nature, trees
armstrong redwoods, armstrong redwoods state natural reserve, california, california coast, gem, giant redwoods, guerneville, hiking, nature, photography, redwood, trees, video
Whatever you do, make sure you visit the amphitheater (though this time of year it might have better been called the “amphibian-theater”). Also visit a winery and catch a buzz before you park the car.
The posse
Amy dwarfed by a giant redwood
The band at the crest
Crown
More crown
Older Entries
