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Of Trains & Stations
Previously from the Czech Republic: Of Trains & Stations, A Stroll through Moravian Countryside, Sunset Stroll through Southern Moravian Countryside, Rolling Hills and Poppy Fields, There are as many pubs as there are poppy seeds ..., More Travel Treasures, Drying Garlic, Treasures of Travels, The Power of Simplicity (of the iPhone), Take Me Home, Country Road ..., Sound of Music Induced Moment of Nostalgia, Travel in Space & Time, Of Trains & Stations.
Local Train at Railroad CrossingNemotice, Czech Republic
After the two Moravian countryside strolls a little change of pace today with another hobby of mine - chasing trains. Yes, you have had an opportunity to spot that on these pages with Road Trip: Santa Fe Train Depot. For this chase, I consulted the time table for Nemotice, Czech Republic and headed out to catch the local train #4115 as it arrived to the station. There is a railroad crossing just as the train enters the station and I decided that would be my vantage point here, with the gates down. After a few minutes of waiting and circling the crossing for what would be the best spot the operator got his signal and lowered the gates. Shortly after, the train moved into position and you can see the rest here.
Train Station Storage ShedNemotice, Czech Republic
Once the train passed through I followed it to the station looking for more photo opportunities. In the end, what I found did not include a train in the photo but instead a mysterious door juxtaposed behind a bunch of flowers at the Nemotice train station. The whole scene seemed perfect and I had no doubts about having to capture it. Even the Východ (Exit) sign seemed to add to the mystery. Why would a strange old wooden door like that be the Exit? Exit from where to where?
Now I am wondering whether explaining the photo is the right move or whether I should leave matters in their mysterious state. So, spoiler alert!
The Východ sign just happens to be above the door but goes with the outdoors passage in front of the door since that is the way out of the station. And the door itself is the station's storage shed. Did you bike to the station and need to leave your bike behind for your return? That's where it would be waiting for you.
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! (#etbtsy)
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Theatre District at Sunrise, Buffalo, NY
A new urban black and white film addition on timelessbuffalo.com, with Main Street waking up under the rising sun. As you can see, car traffic is back to this section of Main Street and cars are parked along the sides. And based on what's reported the traffic seems to be helping with the rebirth of this street.
Theatre DistrictMain Street, Buffalo, NY, a new film arrival on timelessbuffalo.com
Theatre District at Sunrise, Main Street, Buffalo, NY (a new film arrival on timelessbuffalo.com)
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! (#etbtsy)
Do you enjoy reading my photography blog? Would you like to see more photographs from Buffalo and Western New York? Visit my Buffalo Cityscapes and Buffalo & Western New York Landscapes and enjoy! Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
15th Annual Letchworth Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival
Previously from Letchworth Balloon Rallies: Balloon Festivals, ... Third Time was The Charm, 13th Annual Letchworth Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival, 13th Annual Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival, Letchworth State Park 2014, 14th Annual Red, White & Blue Balloon Festival, Letchworth State Park 2015
15th Annual Red, White & Blue Balloon RallyLetchworth State Park
Much anticipated for several years now, as we started following this event back in 2012, much too late in my opinion. It's really a great combination. The colorful hot air balloons are very eye catching on their own even if you see just one or two. Here, you have a chance to see about thirty of them in a single place taking off within about half an hour or so.
Combine that with the beautiful Letchworth State Park Genesee River Gorge that is picturesque on its own too. And for a good measure, add morning conditions good for some fog over the river and I am not sure how it could get any better.
As the balloons heat up, they quickly soar over the Archery Field, clear the tree alley and cross the road, and dip into the gorge for a close up view of the Great Bend area. Many drop all the way down to the river surface and even dip in for some water. A few may succeed in landing on the river bank. As they enjoy the doldrums of the protected gorge they may go up and down a few times.
Once they have enjoyed the view it's time to heat the air again, rise above the cliffs, and let the wind carry them eastward.
One Seater Balloon over Valley Fog15th Annual Red, White & Blue Balloon Rally, Letchworth State Park
To complete the experience it's not just about the preparation and launch, it's also about the search for a landing spot, landing, and clean up. Once the balloons start disappearing in the distance over the gorge it's time to hop back in the car and go for a balloon chase! Unlike the balloons there's no shortcut across the valley for cars. One has to go back out the Castile entrance (the Portageville Entrance is now closed), drive south, cross the Genesee River Bridge, and then head north-east. Once back up at high ground it's time for balloon spotting and picking which one to chase, and finding roads that take you there. Sometimes, that is easy, other times, it's a bit of a challenge. It all depends on where the wind blows.
It's a great opportunity to take roads previously unknown and while looking up at the sky find new treasures down on the ground. Forget about the rush of getting from point A to point B while strictly following the commands of your GPS.
Looking for a Landing Spot15th Annual Red, White & Blue Balloon Rally
Here, it is a very slow and unpredictable approach. Try to keep your eyes on the selected balloon and find roads that go approximately in the balloon's direction. Having a map to consult, especially the old-fashioned paper variety, is a plus. Hurry a bit as the balloon seems to be dropping to its landing spot or slow down and stop on the side of the road as the balloon soars high for one more view of the surrounding landscape. Often, the first selected landing spot may be abandoned and just when you think the balloon will touch down it lifts off for another leg of its trip.
After a great start and being 2 for 2 after Friday night and Saturday morning, weather no longer cooperated and showers, storms, and winds ahead of the cold front on Monday morning prevented the other four scheduled launches from happening. However, there are always the beautiful sunrises to make up for any possible disappointment. Just make sure you arrive early enough to catch one!
AbandonedRed, White & Blue Balloon Rally
Over the years, we have met several of the balloon crews and they were always nice, ready to share their experience with us, complete strangers, answer our questions, and let us be part of this fun event. Special thanks go to Jim Regan of CT Ballooning who we have successfully chased to landing for four straight years now and who has been very friendly to us, and also to Sean Quigley of Balloons over Letchworth for organizing this whole fantastic event!
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! (#etbtsy)
References: Balloon Events Calendar on Balloon Federation of America - Letchworth State Park Map (South) - CTBallooning - Balloons over Letchworth
All of these photographs are available in the Buffalo & Western New York Landscapes gallery. Please, let me know if you have any questions about photo products offered, or not offered. Looking for a present? I offer ready to hang solutions like canvas gallery wraps, prints on metal, and matted and framed ready to hang photographs.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything not mentioned here. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
Road Trip: Route 66 Part I, Santa Rosa, NM
New Mexico became the 47th state to join the United States on January 6, 1912. The capital city is Santa Fe. The highest point is Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet.
Road Trip 2013 - Day 15 - June 25 - Route 66 Part I, Santa Rosa, NM (Previous 2013 Road Trip posts: Indiana Dunes, De Immigrant, Amana Colonies, Des Moines, Madison County Roads, Bridges of Madison County, White Pole Road, Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, Golden Spike Tower & Union Pacific's Bailey Rail Yard, Loveland Pass, The Resting Day at Powderhorn, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Cimarron, Colorado National Monument, Fruita Rodeo, Grand Mesa, Arches National Park, Grand Junction, Grand Mesa Creek, Arches National Park Add-On, Canyonlands National Park, The Little Big Moments of Road Tripping, Mesa Verde National Park, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Train Depot, Pecos National Historical Park, Route 66 Part I, Santa Rosa, NM)
Route 84 to Route 66, NMRoad Trip USA
It was coming literally right around the corner! After several thousand miles on the road and after much anticipation, the Mother Road was just a few miles ahead as we were heading south on Route 84 from Las Vegas, New Mexico. The set up was perfect. The wide open land, perfect summer weather, windows rolled down to provide some cooling despite the temperatures having no mercy. the yellow line running ahead. Then we made a left turn and made our way to our first Route 66 town on this road trip - Santa Rosa, New Mexico.
"Route 66 was created in 1926 and it followed the preexisting 'Ozark Trails'. The traffic increased local business as cafes, diners, hotels, garages and service stations opened to cater to the visitors. The boom period lasted until I-40 bypassed the town in 1972 relegating many classic vintage shops as traffic flowed along the Interstate." - Route 66, Santa Rosa
The bypass effects are still very obvious but as small sections of Route 66 celebrate a renaissance, who knows, the future may be brighter than the past 45 years.
Route 66: Comet II Drive In & RestaurantRoad Trip USA
Road Trip, Route 66: Comet II Drive In & Restaurant, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Route 66: Curious Pottery - Hand WeavingRoad Trip USA
Road Trip, Route 66: Curious Pottery - Hand Weaving, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Route 66: Sahara Lounge, Santa Rosa, NMRoad Trip USA
Road Trip, Route 66: Sahara Lounge, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Now, where's my Harley? Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you (#etbtsy)!
Did you enjoy this post and the included photographs? Would you like to see more of my travel photographs? Visit the Travel Photography gallery or the On the Road photo collection. Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered. Looking for a present? I also offer ready to hang solutions like canvas gallery wraps, prints on metal, and matted and framed ready to hang photographs.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything not mentioned here. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!
References: New Mexico on 50states - Route 66 in Santa Rosa, NM
The Beginning ...
Memories of warmth and fresh breeze, visions of lush green vegetation everywhere, colors of hibiscus and plumeria blooms, sounds of the ocean waves crashing on the shore, the peaks and valleys of the volcanic mountains, the tired hiking legs, the marvelous waterfalls, occasional rainbows over places beautiful even without the bonus bows, the beautiful small beaches etched between cliffs offering a cozy feel, even the rain showers most would not put on their list of coveted vacation weather, the slowdown of everyday life and the futility of hurrying, the coastline sunsets and even more importantly their morning counterparts, sunrises devoid of human presence on pristine Pacific beaches, so unreal to have to oneself, the daily sights of ocean wildlife, and the chance to photograph it all, to enjoy being there.
Hawaiian Monk SealPoipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Hawaiian Monk Seal on a Beach, Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Many think that dragging the camera along is a distraction that prevents photographers from really being there, from immersing themselves in the moment. And I am sure that can be true at times. I myself have seen photographers rushing from a location to location in a marathon like manner exhibiting stressed out behavior that I was sure prevented them from anything even remotely resembling enjoyment. For me however, photography offers the opposite. Would I get up at 5 in the morning without the camera ready to go next to my bed? Would I notice and truly see all of the things I see when on the lookout for the best possible photo? I seriously doubt that.
All of the memories of happiness are what draws me back to this place. It’s far away despite the modern miracles of aviation seemingly making our Earth so small. Yet, after just a few years a bug starts growing back in my mind pulling the memories out and making them bolder and louder. Eventually, they scream so loudly that something has to be done about them.
In a nut shell, that is what led to our most recent trip to the island of Kaua`i. To see and experience it all one more time, to leave worries behind for two short weeks, to be happy. And just by writing this, I suspect a new bug has been born and will now grow uncontrollably. There is nothing wrong about that, is there?
Hawai`i is never really hot. The unobstructed flow of fresh air from Alaska provides natural air conditioning and temperatures usually stay in the eighties (Fahrenheit). On the other hand, over several past visits, we realized that it does not always have to be just warm and sunny. The winter rain season often stretches past February and brings more frequent rain showers and cooler weather. It also brings some incredible waves on the north shore.
This time, our arrival was a bit extreme though. Very rough air making flying and landing a bit more fun than what we purchased tickets for, very windy on the ground too, and cold! The car rental personnel were shivering. All of this compliments of a strong cold front rolling over the islands. Not the warm welcome one hopes for, one expects. Still, this was Hawai`i and I refused to let anything get in the way of enjoying my two short weeks. Good weather or bad, this was still the place I remembered and wanted to soak in for the next few years. And so I did …
Dreamy CoastlinePoipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Dreamy Coastline, Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you!
Do you enjoy reading my photography blog? Would you like to see more seaside photographs? Visit my Seascapes Gallery and enjoy! Please, let me know if you have any questions about any photo products offered, or not offered, I will be happy to help! For a quick reference to all photo galleries and collections as well as all photo products currently offered through my site, please, visit the Products page.
Using my links to do your shopping keeps me sharing more photographs and writing the stories behind them and costs you nothing. You can also use the Amazon search box in bottom left for anything at all. I truly appreciate each purchase, no matter how large, no matter how small. Thank you!