Giving thanks for family

Although it is getting harder and harder to get everyone in the same place at the same time (missing Nina and family this year plus lots of Cheryl's extended family will be in either Florida or elsewhere this year), we will see everyone together before the year is out. Got to give thanks to Cheryl for putting together such a such a wonderful family.

End of the Trail

The Mother Road, Route 66, starts right here in Illinois (in Lemont) and ends on the Santa Monica pier 2,500 miles later. Although a lot of the road has been taken over by Interstate Route 40, you can hop on and off the Interstate to visit many of the old towns that Route 40 passed by. Great options for photography with a lot of old and abandoned buildings and others beautifully restored and trying to recover and capture Route 66ers making the trip. A couple of years ago, I did parts of the road on a drive to Alberquerque, New Mexico. Great road trip and an excellent way to see the country.

Santa Monica Pier at Sunset

A dramatic sunset adds to this fall evening with the tourists milling about at the Santa Monica Pier.

Rattlesnake Ridge in Blue and Green

Love the colors in this shot from the top of Rattlesnake Ridge. Worth the 2 mile uphill hike just to get this shot of blues and greens.

On Top of Rattlesnake Ridge

Samantha Wroblewski took this nice shot of me up on top of Rattlesnake Ridge near Seattle.  It is a lot easier hiking when you aren't carrying around an extra 30 pounds on those knees. The hike was a nice challenge and a good workout. About a mile and a half up on a 2 mile hike. Lots of steps up the hill.

Here is a better view of the mountains, without an annoying person in the way of the shot.

Niece Samantha at Rattlesnake Ridge

Had a great hike 2 weeks ago up Rattlesnake Ridge with my niece, Samantha who recently moved to the Seattle area. She took me on a challenging, but very doable 2 mile hike up to the top of the ridge to get this great view of the valley below. Loved the hike and the views from the top. Loved even more the walk (and jog) back down.

Flower Power, New York City

Lately, when visiting New York City,  I have been staying in the flower district, which I think is part of the Chelsea neighborhood. The flower district is just one block, I think, around 28th Street between 6th and 7th. I find it interesting that in our modern society, New York City still has a touch of the old world in it. You have a diamond district, a flower district, a theater supply district, a clothing district, etc. You walk on this one street and all the stores are selling versions of the same thing. Very strange and charming. So, when I am in New York, this is what I see when I step out of my hotel. All the wares from all the stores come out on the sidewalk, making it hard to walk, but everything comes out in the morning and back in to the store in the evening. It is a strange ritual and involves a lot of discussion in strange languages. Shot taken from a trip I did a couple of weeks ago.

St John the Baptist, New York

Walking between meetings in New York City a few weeks ago and stopped to take a peak into this wonderful old church, St. John the Baptist in Chelsea. I bet the brides love walking down the aisle of this church, especially if they have a long train. This is definitely the church for that.

Welcome to Putnam

Cool little downtown in Putnam, Connecticut. Long drive to get there from Hartford. I thought about taking out all of the power and phone lines, but wasn't worth the effort. Still, a pretty fall day with lots of colors.

Coca-Cola 5 cents. Sold Everywhere!!!

A throwback building sign. In an alleyway in the small town of Putnam, Connecticut. I wonder how far back this ad goes?