Can you taste the ice cold Coke just by looking at this bottle? Can you feel the heat of the day, so hot that the bottle immediately started dripping when it came out of the bar fridge? How about rolling it on the back of your neck to cool off?
Pssst goes the old fashioned bottle cap. A little bit of cool vapor rises from within. The bottle is raised to your mouth for the first loooooong gulp. The bubbles refresh as the dark liquid goes down. Its placed back in front of you, sun reflecting off the label. Always Coca-Cola!
Let’s start with the first answer… no, this is not me! I tried surfing once many years ago in Costa Rica and can accurately say its not my sport. For some reason I can hurdle myself down black diamond runs on skis or across the most gnarly mountain bike terrain, however ask me to stand on a surfboard and its instant face plant.
We are here at Ho’okipa Beach Park on the North side of Maui where the good surfers come out for some fun. I say good, as there is another area on the way to Lahaina where the beginners get going, and at the other extreme there is ‘Jaws’ at Peahi further up the road to Hana from Ho’okipa where the world’s most experienced surfers compete. This dude is one of 30 or so surfers out on this day.
Looking out upon the Sea of Cortes, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
This is getting closer to the top of my bucket list right about now! I usually like adventure vacations however even a day at the beach would be great this week. Warm breeze, hot sand, fresh water. Maybe start the day with an early morning long walk, then some sun after lunch, and perhaps star gazing after sunset. Throw in a margarita or two… Are you with me on this one?
This COVID thing is changing the pictures I’m getting. There are less trips out and about or abroad and more images from the home, immediate community or lake front. Being home so much has also allowed the family to appreciate the smaller things that were previously overlooked. And there is more time to go back over earlier pictures and remember certain things or special celebrations. So while there is snow outside now (brrrr!), I can share this earlier picture taken at twilight looking across the lake and remember how hot that evening was and how silent the air was.
Those moments where so much is said when nothing is said at all. A son and his dad having their time together will be the highlight of their camping trip this past summer.
Comet NEOWISE on July 24, 2020 at around 11pm over the cottages
Comet NEOWISE was discovered only in March of this year using the Neowise space telescope. Astronomers have determined its route brings it back to Earth in roughly 7,000 more years – really??? Here we are July 24, one day after it’s closest position to our planet, with a perfectly clear sky and no moon. I’m outside at 10pm scanning the sky with binoculars to find this comet and for the first half nothing… I had read it will appear below the Big Dipper and still nothing. More time passes and now its really dark and then BAM!! There it is and I can see it with the naked eye and with the binoculars… holy smoke that’s cool!
Highlight of the week! First time making homemade bread bakery style from a red Dutch Oven.
Flour, yeast, salt, water… and a Dutch Oven. That’s it. And the taste? Incredible! Take The Keg’s original bread (before they dumbed it down) and amp it by 4x, its that good. Tracy ordered a red Dutch Oven on-line and this week made her first bakery style bread at home, and it was the highlight of the week for the family. It’s obvious many of us are baking more because it sure is hard to find flour. Took three tries until we found what was needed at The Monastery. Comfort food for our new life!
People’s houseboat homes along Vancouver’s False Creek
Time to begin virtually traveling the world while we all take a pause and self-hibernate (sometimes I do feel like a bear hanging out in his den waiting for spring!) First stop is beautiful Vancouver and a look at Sea Village, a lifestyle community of houseboat homes along False Creek. These folks have the best of both worlds… living in the city and on the water. I gather keeping 6ft apart while walking on the dock to get groceries is difficult, however picture sitting at the end of the dock in front of your place watching life slowly pass by!
What’s there not to like about colorful buildings lined up at attention? Arguably the photo is a little cliche in that you will find multiple similar images if you google Willemstad Curacao. The buildings in traditional Dutch style line what I will call the touristy area with all the stuff to buy from major brands that you could actually get back at home. Now please walk beyond that and look for the places to dine for they are all local, unique, and delightful. The food is simply delicious! Favorite on the island was Shelterrock (tried Lionfish for first time), plus a direct from the ocean to your plate fish lunch at Purunchi Koredor (look it up on Tripadvisor… this place has soul!).
While in Vancouver for work late September, was able to find time for an afternoon walk along the board walk and partway across the Burrard Street Bridge for this picture. We are looking into False Creek, Granville Island and the (famous?) Bridges restaurant painted yellow. Vancouver is a pretty sweet city to visit, particularly on days like this with the fresh ocean air.
life art images 