Beautiful Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island

One of my favorite travel destinations is Butchart Gardens located on the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The floral display gardens have been a work in progress for over a century and have been desigated a National Historic Site of Canada. The gardens were built at the site of former limestone quarry operated by Robert Butchart. His wife Jennie Butchart, inspired by a tea garden built at Esquirnalt Gorge Park, sought to transform the exhausted limestone quarry at Tod Inlet into the Sunken Garden which was completed in 1921. Since then, the gardens have been a tourist destination to view a continually changing array of floral exhibits that reflect the seasons ofthe year.

Going to Butchart Gardens at Christmastime is a special treat with illuminated displays for the season and even a chance to go ice skating. I suspect that Rick Steves recommends Butchart Gardens as a place to visit.

My kind of Town, Seattle is, my kind of Town.

Seattle has been a special place for me over the past 20 years or so. I spent a good deal of time traveling in the Northwest when I worked at the Hanford site in Richland, Washington. Flying to and from home, I always managed to connect through Seattle for the ride back to Boston. My son and his family lived on Bainbridge Island for many years. They were a ferry ride away from downtown Seattle. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law have lived in the Seattle area for over 30 years.

The work assignment ended and my son and his family have moved back east. Today, there are not as many reasons to travel to the Northwest now, but I still often think about Seattle--it's still a special place for me.

Visit to Washington D.C

November, 2010 was a great time to visit our nation's Capital. The last time I had visited Washington D.C was April, 1970. Things have changed quite a bit and a lot has happened since then. The Metro mass transit system was under construction at the time. Today it provides service from Reagan International Airport to Silver Springs, Maryland, and from the District of Columbia to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Capitol is still a site to behold. Although the number of visitors had diminshed from a hectic and warm summer, there were still many families taking long weekend trips and scores of school groups touring all over Washington--another generation of Americans to learn about our history and our government.

Water Ballet at the Aquarium

Sometimes you just have to ready...for anything. While visiting the Seattle aquarium a few years ago, here was this intriguing sea anemone firmly attached to its water world behind one inch thick glass. The slight movement of the water reminded me of the grace and beauty of the ballet.

Maine Rocks!

The colors and textures of Maine's rocky coast are simply fascinating. Multi-colored rock formations juxtaposed with seaweed and barnacles--it doesn't get much better than that! The subjects are almost endless in number, with blues, reds, pinks, and greens everywhere. You just have to look for them.

Plum Island Breakwater

It's always nice to get away from it all and walk the beach at Plum Island. A quiet and restorative scene where sunbathing, fishing, swimming, or walking is always in vogue. The breakwater takes on fascinating shapes and configurations. The time of day, the tide, and the clouds all help to make each visit and image unique.

Walking at Low Tide along the Marginal Way

Shoreline along the Marginal Way, Ogunquit Beach

I check the tide schedules often when planning a visit to Ogunquit. Sometimes I must wait several days or a few weeks so that the tide will be right for a breath taking sunrise image. Planning shoreline shots with the right light and open space requires an afternoon low tide. The colors and the striations of the shoreline rock along the Marginal Way are both fascinating and intriguing. Sometimes I forget that the tide waits for no one. When the incoming tide rushes over the tops of my hiking boots, then I know it's time to move on.