August 7, 2013 · 5:35 am

Photo Journal — Friendly Telluride.


Fairmont Heritage Place Resort

Fairmont Heritage Place Resort

I recently saw that Condé Nast Traveler had selected beautiful Telluride, Colorado, as one of the ten friendliest cities in the U.S.  Can’t say that I disagree with that assessment, as both Ursula and I found the residents of Telluride to be most helpful in recommending everything from activities to dining establishments during our visit there in October of 2006.  One such local favorite was so good that we went twice — the New Sheridan Bar located in the New Sheridan Hotel right next to the Sheridan Chop House restaurant.  While the Chop House looked great (and expensive), we were advised by the locals to instead dine in the bar.  If they still serve food there, then do it.  You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll save a small bundle.

Red Vest at the Coffee Cowboy

Red Vest at the Coffee Cowboy

I will say that it’s a bit of a quirky little town, as are the residents.  They have for the most part that laid-back demeanor one usually associates with certain Southern California elements.  That quirky charm extends to even some of the homes in the area.

Telluride Home

Telluride Home

But the resorts are first rate.  Since it was off-season we got a great rate at the Camel Garden.  We so fell in love with the room that we asked for and received an additional unplanned night’s stay at the same rate.  The picture below is of the Westermere, which also looked to be an intriguing place to stay (picturesque if nothing else).

Reflections of Telluride

Reflections of Telluride

By the way, even though it was only October there was snow on the ground.

Telluride Snow in October

Telluride Snow in October

We also got caught in a snow storm as we made our escape out of the mountains.  Anyway, Telluride is well off the beaten path, so you have to go considerably out of your way to get there.  Make the effort.  It’s well worth the side trip.

A Splash of Teluride Color

A Splash of Teluride Color

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August 5, 2013 · 5:34 am

Photo Journal — San Francisco Bay


San Francisco Skyline by Night

San Francisco Skyline by Night

This week I’m just going to show off a couple of interesting places.  Today it’s San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.   On Wednesday I’ll show you a little town that recently made the 10 friendliest cities list from Condé Nast Traveler — Telluride, Colorado.  And on Fun Photo Friday I’ll highlight half a dozen of my favorite photographs from these destinations.

Into the Mist

Into the Mist

Of course everybody’s favorite feature has to be the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, but there’s a lot more to San Francisco than that.  Take for instance the Transamerica Pyramid and Coit Tower.  And don’t think that daytime gives you the only opportunity at catching both.  A night shot is well worth the effort.

Coit Tower Shines

Coit Tower Shines

If you do decide to spend most of your time trying to catch the Golden Gate, don’t limit yourself to good weather and blue skies.  Drama may be found in the mists of the bay.

Beneath the Bridge

Beneath the Bridge

But not all the action takes place on the bridge.  Look beneath it as well.

Racing Beneath the Golden Gate

Racing Beneath the Golden Gate

Remember as well that speed isn’t everything.  There is also beauty to be found in the more mundane water craft of the area.

Tugging at You

Tugging at You

While the city of San Francisco boasts the skyline, focus across the bay for a more nature-oriented view of the area.

Across the Bay

Across the Bay

See you Wednesday for one a tour of the friendliest cities in the U.S.

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August 4, 2013 · 7:23 pm

A Non-Scheduled Blog Post — Here We Go Again


Deadly Avenger . . . Dodge Avenger, that is

Today I bring to you a special blog post because of some late breaking news.

In case you hadn’t noticed lately, I’ve sort of made it my mission in life to bring to you stories of people using vehicles to wound, maim, and even kill large numbers of innocent people.

Remember these?

When Will We Rein in these Deliverers of Death?

Hate to Say, “I Told You So,” But . . .

Why am I devoting time to this nonsense, you may ask?  To expose the hypocrisy of the gun control crowd and their selective outrage on public access to potentially lethal consumer goods — make that access to some goods, and not others . . . yet.

On the one hand you have outrage being expressed at public access to firearms in general, and handguns and so-called “assault rifles” (a contrived term without a legitimate definition) in particular.  On the other hand you have vehicles ranging from the lethal sedan to the awesomely devastating assault SUV.  No outrage there.  No calls to limit public access to these weapons even though they kill far more each year.   No public outcry or legislative hearings on people who use these rolling death machines to intentionally inflict death and destruction on a grand scale.

Yet it’s happened once again:  Hit-and-run driver purposely accelerates onto Venice Beach boardwalk.  This time the toll was eleven wounded — one critically and two seriously.  One other person was killed, a 32-year-old newlywed woman on honeymoon from her native Italy.  Her husband had the sad task of identifying her body.

In case you’re keeping tabs on such things, that’s at least the second time this year.  That previous terrorist attack used an assault Cadillac and resulted in up to sixty casualties.

You’ll note that these two mass attacks occurred less than three months apart using a device that in recent years is responsible for over 32,000 deaths (and untold wounded and maimed) annually.

Don’t think gun control affects you because you don’t own one?  Think it’s a good idea because they scare you?  Then pay attention to what this debate is really all about.

I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating (and I’m sure I’ll repeat it again after the next act of vehicular terrorism or mass death):

You may not own a firearm.  You may have no desire to do so.  You may even fear and loathe them.  But remember this:  Whenever an elected official tells you — a law abiding citizen with a clean record of responsibility — that you cannot be trusted with something and that they’re limiting your access for your own good, don’t expect them to stop short at just those items with which you personally disagree or don’t own.  They won’t.  New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proven that point quite conclusively (“Okay, scum — this is the NYPD.  Slowly put down that Big Gulp and very carefully back away.  Let us see your hands at all times, dirt bag.”)

These same arguments can also can be applied to your access to the lowly motorized vehicle.

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