We got home last night. I'm very sore in my calves from the hiking. This is probably exacerbated from being the primary driver on the way back.
I'll have pictures and a full description up later today.
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
Ah, Sunday
And so the final day before vacation passes.
Jennifer ranted at the football games, and I did my comics run.
Plus, I did some reading.
I finished the collection of short stories about people with special abilities. They weren't really superheroes, although some of them were. Some were learning their powers. Others didn't have powers, and interacted with those that did. And some were about heroism in it's more common form. It was a good collection of tales.
Now I've got several books from the library I'll be taking with me on my trip.
I have a new Kage Baker, a new Jasper Fforde, the Star Wars zombie book, and the latest Stephen King.
Once I decide which one I'm reading I'll update the sidebar.
More news from the hotel when i get there.
Jennifer ranted at the football games, and I did my comics run.
Plus, I did some reading.
I finished the collection of short stories about people with special abilities. They weren't really superheroes, although some of them were. Some were learning their powers. Others didn't have powers, and interacted with those that did. And some were about heroism in it's more common form. It was a good collection of tales.
Now I've got several books from the library I'll be taking with me on my trip.
I have a new Kage Baker, a new Jasper Fforde, the Star Wars zombie book, and the latest Stephen King.
Once I decide which one I'm reading I'll update the sidebar.
More news from the hotel when i get there.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Favorite Things - Birds
Then there were the birds.
The first thing you'll notice of the bird pictures are the chickens. They are everywhere. Not underfoot everywhere, just everywhere in general. You'll be walking down the street, and hear a rooster crow during any time of day. The chickens are out wandering as well and it being the end of spring, they had some medium sized chicks following them.
Of course, a few times we actually saw a chicken cross the road. We asked why, but got response. However, one time it was obviously one roosters desire to get away from another larger rooster.
Then down at Fort Zachary Taylor we caught sight of a Great Egret in the trees at one end of the moat around the fort. If you've seen a Great Blue Heron or a Tri-Colored Heron, then you know the size of this bird. It was magnificent just sitting in the tree, and I got as close as I could on the walls of the fort, and then we walked around the fort and I was able to get closer from another angle. It finally flew away, but I wasn't able to get a picture of it.
There were other small birds that we watched dive for fish in the fort's moat, and they were really fun to watch.
A great part was that the pigeon population has not yet exploded yet like it seems to have everywhere else in the country. They were there, but they were few and far between. Surprisingly the same holds true for sea gulls. They were there, but we didn't see them swarming like they do around here.
The first thing you'll notice of the bird pictures are the chickens. They are everywhere. Not underfoot everywhere, just everywhere in general. You'll be walking down the street, and hear a rooster crow during any time of day. The chickens are out wandering as well and it being the end of spring, they had some medium sized chicks following them.
Of course, a few times we actually saw a chicken cross the road. We asked why, but got response. However, one time it was obviously one roosters desire to get away from another larger rooster.
Then down at Fort Zachary Taylor we caught sight of a Great Egret in the trees at one end of the moat around the fort. If you've seen a Great Blue Heron or a Tri-Colored Heron, then you know the size of this bird. It was magnificent just sitting in the tree, and I got as close as I could on the walls of the fort, and then we walked around the fort and I was able to get closer from another angle. It finally flew away, but I wasn't able to get a picture of it.
There were other small birds that we watched dive for fish in the fort's moat, and they were really fun to watch.
A great part was that the pigeon population has not yet exploded yet like it seems to have everywhere else in the country. They were there, but they were few and far between. Surprisingly the same holds true for sea gulls. They were there, but we didn't see them swarming like they do around here.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Favorite Things - Sunsets
Now taking over 100 pictures of sunsets may seem a bit
excessive. But you weren't there, and it's the primary reason for
going.
I quote "Running Scared"
And so every night we went out to Mallory Square and watched the sunset. That is except for two nights. Wednesday night we were on the catamaran for snorkeling and watched the sunset from the boat as we came back in to port. And Sunday night we were starving, and too far from the water to make it back in time, so instead we found the best pub in Key West, and I had the best fish and chips ever. We did however get to watch CNN for the Phoenix lander touching down on Mars though.
Four other nights we did watch the sunset though. And each night it was different. Different clouds, different colors, and different entertainers. Because every night there are street performers out doing show before the sunset, and people are selling drinks and conch fritters, and everyone is looking west.
The island that the sun is setting over is (appropriately) Sunset Key. I think there are resorts out there, and you can take a boat over there. Maybe next time.
excessive. But you weren't there, and it's the primary reason for
going.
I quote "Running Scared"
Ray: Why are we in Key West?Danny: It's as far south as we could get without having to speak Spanish.
…
Ray: What's goin' on? What happened?
Danny: I don't know. Maybe a ship sank.
Ray: Maybe somebody drowned.
Blond: We're watching the sunset.
Ray: Yeah, right. Really, what happened?
Blond: The sun is setting. Can't you see it?
Ray: Don't give us that. It sets every night.
Blond: Yeah, and we come out every night to watch it. Isn't it
beautiful?Danny: Maybe we should check this out.
Ray: Yeah, well, it better be good.
And so every night we went out to Mallory Square and watched the sunset. That is except for two nights. Wednesday night we were on the catamaran for snorkeling and watched the sunset from the boat as we came back in to port. And Sunday night we were starving, and too far from the water to make it back in time, so instead we found the best pub in Key West, and I had the best fish and chips ever. We did however get to watch CNN for the Phoenix lander touching down on Mars though.
Four other nights we did watch the sunset though. And each night it was different. Different clouds, different colors, and different entertainers. Because every night there are street performers out doing show before the sunset, and people are selling drinks and conch fritters, and everyone is looking west.
The island that the sun is setting over is (appropriately) Sunset Key. I think there are resorts out there, and you can take a boat over there. Maybe next time.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Favorite Things - Butterflies
So in an attempt to explain some of the pictures from our vacation, I thought I would go into some detail on what we did.
First off, the Butterfly Conservatory.
You enter into a gift shop, then buy your tickets and go into a room describing the unique characteristics of Lepidoptera (which means "scaly wing"). In the room is a movie playing that reminded me of the films made in the mid- to late-sixties that we watched growing up in the seventies. Also in the room are some terrariums with various other tropical animals like the Red Eye Tree Frog (which we couldn't photograph because it was hiding). Then you go through some heavy doors and enter the butterfly room.
The first thing to hit you is the heat. Now I have to admit that this is more intense in Vallejo at the park formerly known as Marine World, because there is also the high humidity. It's probably kept close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and I'd bet 80 to 90% humidity. And flying through this atmospheric soup are butterflies.
Hundreds of them.
Groups of large, bright-blue ones with plain brown outer wings chasing each other around. Small black ones with red slashes. Large black ones with a small streak of yellow and a yellow body. Even the occasional orange and black monarch or the yellow and black swallow-tail. There are even several giant sphinx moths.
You wander through a sinuous path watching where you step, and then you hear the bird song. They are mostly little finch-like looking birds, but we so one with two long tail feathers, and two little birds like white/gray partridges. And then there was the little green bird with a slightly curved beak.
There is a pond with koi and cichlids and plecostomus. The koi are good sized, and in among them swim the jeweled blue cichlids. The plants were lush and several were related to one I keep in my office. The one in my office is maybe a foot tall from the ground and seems happy in the window. The ones in the conservatory (and later out and about on the island) were almost three feet tall, but kept the spindly trunks like mine has. Others plants are like ones I'd seen for landscaping, but never so large and happy.
As I think I've said, we spent two hours with the butterflies on our first visit, and then another hour our second visit. Jennifer had a rider almost immediately on her right shoulder. It stayed with her for at least half an hour. Later when she decided to sit down and just experience, one with very tattered wings landed on her lap.
We finally moved on and saw the hatching room where they place any chrysalis they find and wait for the new butterflies and moths to come out, and then release them into the butterfly room the next day once their winds have hardened.
First off, the Butterfly Conservatory.
You enter into a gift shop, then buy your tickets and go into a room describing the unique characteristics of Lepidoptera (which means "scaly wing"). In the room is a movie playing that reminded me of the films made in the mid- to late-sixties that we watched growing up in the seventies. Also in the room are some terrariums with various other tropical animals like the Red Eye Tree Frog (which we couldn't photograph because it was hiding). Then you go through some heavy doors and enter the butterfly room.
The first thing to hit you is the heat. Now I have to admit that this is more intense in Vallejo at the park formerly known as Marine World, because there is also the high humidity. It's probably kept close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and I'd bet 80 to 90% humidity. And flying through this atmospheric soup are butterflies.
Hundreds of them.
Groups of large, bright-blue ones with plain brown outer wings chasing each other around. Small black ones with red slashes. Large black ones with a small streak of yellow and a yellow body. Even the occasional orange and black monarch or the yellow and black swallow-tail. There are even several giant sphinx moths.
You wander through a sinuous path watching where you step, and then you hear the bird song. They are mostly little finch-like looking birds, but we so one with two long tail feathers, and two little birds like white/gray partridges. And then there was the little green bird with a slightly curved beak.
There is a pond with koi and cichlids and plecostomus. The koi are good sized, and in among them swim the jeweled blue cichlids. The plants were lush and several were related to one I keep in my office. The one in my office is maybe a foot tall from the ground and seems happy in the window. The ones in the conservatory (and later out and about on the island) were almost three feet tall, but kept the spindly trunks like mine has. Others plants are like ones I'd seen for landscaping, but never so large and happy.
As I think I've said, we spent two hours with the butterflies on our first visit, and then another hour our second visit. Jennifer had a rider almost immediately on her right shoulder. It stayed with her for at least half an hour. Later when she decided to sit down and just experience, one with very tattered wings landed on her lap.
We finally moved on and saw the hatching room where they place any chrysalis they find and wait for the new butterflies and moths to come out, and then release them into the butterfly room the next day once their winds have hardened.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
All the Pictures
All right, I'm trying out Photobucket now. I haven't come up against any limitations yet, so things are looking good. Below are are all the pictures that are fit for public viewing that we took while in Key West.
Animals - Various animals we saw while on the key.
Beach - Pictures of the beach and us while on it.
Boats - The catamaran we were on for snorkeling, a big cruise ship that came in while we were there, and the boat we almost got to go on.
Butterfly Conservatory - The 180 pictures we took during our two visits to the butterflies.
Plants - Various flowers and plants around the key.
Sunsets - Five days worth of sunsets; four from the pier and one from the snorkeling catamaran.
Tourist Bits - Various touristy locations and pictures.
Animals - Various animals we saw while on the key.
Beach - Pictures of the beach and us while on it.
Boats - The catamaran we were on for snorkeling, a big cruise ship that came in while we were there, and the boat we almost got to go on.
Butterfly Conservatory - The 180 pictures we took during our two visits to the butterflies.
Plants - Various flowers and plants around the key.
Sunsets - Five days worth of sunsets; four from the pier and one from the snorkeling catamaran.
Tourist Bits - Various touristy locations and pictures.
Photo story
So when I posted my pictures from Key West, I had to leave out about 2/3 of the pictures (specifically the sunsets and butterflies) because Flickr only allows 100 MB. I'm going to have to find another place to post those. A co-worker (Holly the biologist and part-time catsitter) suggested Photobucket and Imageshack, so I'll go looking there tonight.
I will write more on our specific favorites later.
Now, on the plane to Florida, I read two weeks worth of comic books. Once there and on the way home, I read the first two books of the Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett. It was subtly at first and now solidly set in the Discworld. Now, I'm reading the third book.
Hopefully, I'll get to the library today and pick up some of my requests.
I will write more on our specific favorites later.
Now, on the plane to Florida, I read two weeks worth of comic books. Once there and on the way home, I read the first two books of the Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett. It was subtly at first and now solidly set in the Discworld. Now, I'm reading the third book.
Hopefully, I'll get to the library today and pick up some of my requests.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Vacation Summary
All right, we're back.
We got in yesterday, and did a little unpacking, ordered a pizza, and went to bed.
Today not much more, just catching up on things at home, and getting ready for Monday.
I'll go into detail on things in the future, but until them here is a collection of about one third of the pictures I took.
We got in yesterday, and did a little unpacking, ordered a pizza, and went to bed.
Today not much more, just catching up on things at home, and getting ready for Monday.
I'll go into detail on things in the future, but until them here is a collection of about one third of the pictures I took.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
I'm coming down like a monkey
Just so much fun going on.
Tuesday we had some rain and went to watch the sunset again. The colors were completely different, and we had more fun. Then we had an incredible meal at Cafe Marquesa.
Wednesday we went to the local Butterfly Conservatory, which put the one in Marine World to shame. Then we went out on a sunset cruise for snorkeling. I didn't do so well having a bit of panic, but we still had a good time. Even though the sunset was hidden by rain clouds in the west.
Today we were to go out with a private captain for snorkeling, but his starter needed repairing. So instead we went to the beach where we laid on our towels and walked in the surf. We saw a small barracuda hunting for fish, and got sunburned. Then we went met the captain and his one man crew for dinner.
Tomorrow, we're likely going back to the Butterfly Conservatory, and some other unplanned stuff, and will watch the sunset from Zachary Taylor park which we have yet to do. It has been a truly incredible time, and while we will miss it, we are eager to return home Saturday.
Tuesday we had some rain and went to watch the sunset again. The colors were completely different, and we had more fun. Then we had an incredible meal at Cafe Marquesa.
Wednesday we went to the local Butterfly Conservatory, which put the one in Marine World to shame. Then we went out on a sunset cruise for snorkeling. I didn't do so well having a bit of panic, but we still had a good time. Even though the sunset was hidden by rain clouds in the west.
Today we were to go out with a private captain for snorkeling, but his starter needed repairing. So instead we went to the beach where we laid on our towels and walked in the surf. We saw a small barracuda hunting for fish, and got sunburned. Then we went met the captain and his one man crew for dinner.
Tomorrow, we're likely going back to the Butterfly Conservatory, and some other unplanned stuff, and will watch the sunset from Zachary Taylor park which we have yet to do. It has been a truly incredible time, and while we will miss it, we are eager to return home Saturday.
Monday, May 26, 2008
And then the seagull came...
Today was loads of fun. We drove around the island (really no time at all), visited Zachary Taylor State Park and saw a giant egret, then we had lunch (so-so Thai), and then we went back to the room and had a nap.
We got up about 6:00 PM and got dressed quickly, and walked very fast to Mallory Square to see the sunset We got there about 15 minutes before the sun disappeared behind Sunset Key.
We then wandered around and went to two strip clubs. One was really bad with fat ugly girls, but the second was very nice with some really good looking girls. The cover was only $5 each, but the other prices for a dance and such were a little sketchy. We left and found a "clothing optional" bar where Jennifer got to enjoy herself, and I got to watch her have fun. While there she got body painted with vines from elbow to shoulder to knees. It was really a well done job.
Then we walked back to the hotel and have the sore feet to prove it. Tomorrow we start at our favorite Walgreens for Bactine.
We got up about 6:00 PM and got dressed quickly, and walked very fast to Mallory Square to see the sunset We got there about 15 minutes before the sun disappeared behind Sunset Key.
We then wandered around and went to two strip clubs. One was really bad with fat ugly girls, but the second was very nice with some really good looking girls. The cover was only $5 each, but the other prices for a dance and such were a little sketchy. We left and found a "clothing optional" bar where Jennifer got to enjoy herself, and I got to watch her have fun. While there she got body painted with vines from elbow to shoulder to knees. It was really a well done job.
Then we walked back to the hotel and have the sore feet to prove it. Tomorrow we start at our favorite Walgreens for Bactine.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
I'm in the S'th
(Trust me, you'll get it if you remember your Mitch Hedberg.)
It's been a long journey, but Jennifer and I are in Key West. And having all kinds of fun.
Saturday was a very long day. We flew out around noon to Chicago (didn't have to change planes), then went on to Ft. Lauderdale where we arrived at 12:30 AM Sunday morning. Now, we were chipper, and eager, so we rented the car (a red, convertible Mustang), and headed on to Key West.
It was a four hour drive. Not too terrible on the whole. There were only two tolls to pay ($1.25, and $1) and we had Sirius radio in the car. We listened to the comedy channel, and stayed awake, and made it to the hotel at a little before 5:00 AM.
Then we slept.
We got up a little after noon, got dressed, and headed into downtown. We found a place to park for only $15 all day. Not bad when compared to San Francisco, or to some of the other lots that topped out at $32. And neither are the food or gas prices. We're just "lucky" to live in a tourist/high cost-of-living area.
First we ate mahi-mahi at a seafood place, and then we went shopping. We stopped at a place for some drinks, and then we went shopping some more. We found some neat things, and then we found a pub. There were had great pub food and drank some more. We watched Italy beat the US in futbol, and watched JPL track the Phoenix lander onto Mars. Then we did some more shopping, had some ice cream, and looked at some art galleries.
Finally we got tired, and went back to the room around 10:00 PM. So we went swimming in the pool about 11:00 PM, got told that the pool had closed at 10, and then went back to the room, got dressed, and went to Walgreens for some junk food.
It's a good thing that there's some work-out facilities at the hotel.
More later, but for now I'm just glad I'm not in Canada like some of my friends are. Poor souls.
It's been a long journey, but Jennifer and I are in Key West. And having all kinds of fun.
Saturday was a very long day. We flew out around noon to Chicago (didn't have to change planes), then went on to Ft. Lauderdale where we arrived at 12:30 AM Sunday morning. Now, we were chipper, and eager, so we rented the car (a red, convertible Mustang), and headed on to Key West.
It was a four hour drive. Not too terrible on the whole. There were only two tolls to pay ($1.25, and $1) and we had Sirius radio in the car. We listened to the comedy channel, and stayed awake, and made it to the hotel at a little before 5:00 AM.
Then we slept.
We got up a little after noon, got dressed, and headed into downtown. We found a place to park for only $15 all day. Not bad when compared to San Francisco, or to some of the other lots that topped out at $32. And neither are the food or gas prices. We're just "lucky" to live in a tourist/high cost-of-living area.
First we ate mahi-mahi at a seafood place, and then we went shopping. We stopped at a place for some drinks, and then we went shopping some more. We found some neat things, and then we found a pub. There were had great pub food and drank some more. We watched Italy beat the US in futbol, and watched JPL track the Phoenix lander onto Mars. Then we did some more shopping, had some ice cream, and looked at some art galleries.
Finally we got tired, and went back to the room around 10:00 PM. So we went swimming in the pool about 11:00 PM, got told that the pool had closed at 10, and then went back to the room, got dressed, and went to Walgreens for some junk food.
It's a good thing that there's some work-out facilities at the hotel.
More later, but for now I'm just glad I'm not in Canada like some of my friends are. Poor souls.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Lazy man is lazy
Let's see, time to catch up.
Jennifer and I are making our last plans before our trip. We've got a town car taking us to the airport so we don't have to drive or take BART. Holly is being good enough to check in on Pom while we're gone. And I'll be packing Friday night. Jennifer on the other hand has packed and repacked for about three weeks.
Today I went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. As a former fan of the unexplained, I enjoyed the use of the crystal skull, even if it was not the typical one you see in the books. I enjoyed the movie, and got a kick out of all the cliches and fan nods. The best way to go into seeing it is to remember the progression of pulp fiction. Cliffhanger adventures and Nazis during World War II in the forties and then a shift to things related to the atomic age in the fifties. And Russians.
My reading now is a compilation of Peanuts comics. I collecting the hardbacks, and am presently on the fifth book, 1959-1960. I have three others after this one. I am hoping that some of the books I've requested come into the library tomorrow. Otherwise I'm going to have to scramble for something to read on the trip. More likely it will be re-read.
At work I'm almost done with my budgeting and forecasting. I've left my busiest site for last. It's my site in Stockton with the recently discovered UST. I have that to budget as well as a future investigation, some well installations, a system install, a few years of monitoring, and then the system decommission and well destructions. I think our target date is around 2017.
It puts a whole new spin on the question: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Jennifer and I are making our last plans before our trip. We've got a town car taking us to the airport so we don't have to drive or take BART. Holly is being good enough to check in on Pom while we're gone. And I'll be packing Friday night. Jennifer on the other hand has packed and repacked for about three weeks.
Today I went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. As a former fan of the unexplained, I enjoyed the use of the crystal skull, even if it was not the typical one you see in the books. I enjoyed the movie, and got a kick out of all the cliches and fan nods. The best way to go into seeing it is to remember the progression of pulp fiction. Cliffhanger adventures and Nazis during World War II in the forties and then a shift to things related to the atomic age in the fifties. And Russians.
My reading now is a compilation of Peanuts comics. I collecting the hardbacks, and am presently on the fifth book, 1959-1960. I have three others after this one. I am hoping that some of the books I've requested come into the library tomorrow. Otherwise I'm going to have to scramble for something to read on the trip. More likely it will be re-read.
At work I'm almost done with my budgeting and forecasting. I've left my busiest site for last. It's my site in Stockton with the recently discovered UST. I have that to budget as well as a future investigation, some well installations, a system install, a few years of monitoring, and then the system decommission and well destructions. I think our target date is around 2017.
It puts a whole new spin on the question: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
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