Our Last Night In Manarola
Tonight is our last night in Manarola. This gem of a town should not be missed if you visit the Cinque Terre. It's so beautiful here and peaceful in spite of the tourism.
Colorful Manarola
Today we left Spoleto and took the train to Manarola, the second smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns on the Italian coast. I couldn’t really imagine that any place could be more beautiful than where we had come from, but low and behold “welcome to Manarola”.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Today is our last day in Spoleto. While we’ve been here we’ve visited some amazing places, relaxed and met some very nice people, so it’s very hard to leave. The first historical mention of Spoletium is in 241 BC with the foundation of a colony here.
Beautiful Siena
Visiting The Piano Grande
We made it to our next stop in Italy yesterday. A place called Spoleto in Umbria. Today we rented a car so we could finally get away from the city and see some countryside.
The Trastevere Neighborhood
After spending much of our week in Rome, walking in the city center we finally spent some time in the neighborhood we have been sleeping in. This district of Rome is called “Trastevere”.
Ostia Antica
Today was the last day that our Roma Pass was valid so we decided to take the train to Ostia Antica. It’s a much larger place than we expected and full of ruins that make it easy for you to imagine what life would have been like when the place was bustling.
Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere
Today we had all the best intentions of visiting the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps but instead found ourselves stopping along the way at other places that just seemed to pop up everywhere we looked.
Inside St. Marks Basilica
When I arrived at Piazza San Marco this morning the side door to St. Marks Basilica was open. It seemed like an invitation to enter so I walked in like I owned the place and snapped a few pictures of the truly amazing mosaic masterpieces that cover the ceiling. It pays to visit the most popular places when others are sleeping.
The Colorful Island of Burano
Today we took the water bus to the colorful island of Burano. It was busier than we expected and we were lucky to get a seat on the bus. Once off the bus though, the crowds dispersed and we were able to get into the back alleys and find some quiet and vibrant spots.
Museen der Stadt Nürnberg
Today I visited the Museen der Stadt Nürnberg on a return visit to Germany, where I spent many of my younger years. Growing up I’d gone past the Deutsches Stadion (we always referred to it as Hitler’s Stadium) many times where the museum is now and watched people playing games, having picnics, and never giving a second thought about how many lives this place had changed.
Bridal Veil Falls
Joined by Brian Matiash, Brian Bonham, Lars Gustafson, and Katelyn McCallum I headed out to the Columbia River Gorge to photograph some of the many spectacular waterfalls we are blessed to have in the area. The day started out with grey and gloomy skies and no sign of change but we were determined to make the best of it.
Reflecting on The EMP Museum
Tulips are in bloom
Tulips are in bloom in April and I wanted to capture the morning sunlight as it rose over the tulip field so I packed my gear and hit the road.
It’s about 4:00 a.m. and sunrise is at 6:30, I have approximately 40 miles to drive and even though I’m not sure exactly where this place is I should have plenty of time to get there and set up. I start heading south on I-5 and after a few miles I run into my first obstacle, I-5 south is closed up ahead.
Vista House at Crown Point
Vista House at Crown Point is about 30 miles from Portland on the Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. Route 30). On a clear day you have an incredible view of the Columbia River Gorge and some of the Cascade Mountains.
A one street town
Driving north on Hwy 62 towards Crater Lake one of the small towns I went through was Fort Klamath. There’s not much in Fort Klamath as far as I could tell. It’s a one-street town that time has forgotten, the place looked deserted.
The Creepy Gasco Building
Like a lot of people that have driven down Highway 30 I’ve wanted to know more about the abandoned gray building off the west bank of the Willamette River. Today I stopped to see if I could get a closer look, to take some photos, and maybe get inside.