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George Washington National Forest

A few nice vacation sell off images I found:


George Washington National Forest
vacation sell off
Image by D.Clow - Maryland
Friday
Entry One

Flew out of work, the fleet flight of Friday before a holiday weekend. Everyone cracks a smile upon stepping out of the concrete and glass coffin of the corporate work week. The motorcycle is quickly gassed and loaded, I leave Washington DC at three-thirty, vowing not to check the time for the rest of the adventure. Adventure, the American adventure of the open road is what I seek. The road, my cameras, and escape.

Right turn off of 15th St. NW and I’m motoring past the Washington Monument and the White House. Harleys and clones are already lining the Mall for the annual Memorial remembrance that is Rolling Thunder. I’m soon over the bridge and on I-66 west. I plan on avoiding major highways when at all possible. Preferring scenic byways to drab highways. 66 is a necessary evil to flee the DC metro area as quickly as possible. At the start, 66 is a good quick run, for awhile anyway. Loads of Rolling Thunder riders are heading in 66 eastbound.

I keep the ubiquitous two fingers down to the side salute to fellow bikers out for extended stretches of time. In my experience, HD guys return the acknowledgement about 30-40% of the time. No big deal, some animosity exist though between different bike cultures. Motor-ism two-wheel stereotypes. However with the Rolling Thunder guys there is a noticeable increase in response, perhaps due to no longer just one biker acknowledging another, but a patriotic sharing of support and remembrance for those left behind, POW-MIA.

Traffic worsens further out 66 and I come up on a full HD dresser. Screaming Eagle back patch worked in with POW-MIA covers his vest and is topped by a “Run for the Wall” patch. I keep back a pace and we adopt the natural offset positioning of multiple riders.

After some 66 backup, stop-and-go, we strike up a staccato conversation in the pauses of the traffic flow. Where you been, where you going, see the rain coming? I tell him I’m headed out to the mountains, Skyline Drive and West Virginia. He says he’s just in from there recently, was in DC for Rolling Thunder for the day and will be coming back in on Sunday again. His license plate is obscured by luggage, so I’m unsure of his port of origin.

Later on we part ways and my thoughts turn. Of my parents friends only my step-dad was drafted for Vietnam. Luckily, for us, he only went as far as Ft. Hood, TX, and came back with some good stories about army life and venturing into Mexico (at least the ones he’s shared with me). I think about all the life he’s lived since then, all his experiences and joys. Thinking about what all those who didn’t return gave up, lost, when they didn’t come home. The loss felt by those who loved them, families that have a name on the Wall.

Rain is sprinkling before Manassas. Enough to cool you off but not enough to get you worried yet, at least for a bit. Whooooo. Then come the big drops. I head off the ramp to gear up with the rain paraphernalia under the gas station pavilion. Finally get it all on and get strapped back up and out pops the sun and the rain stops. Too funny. Now I have wet clothes on under the raingear. Rain gear now keeping the wind out that would dry me. I motor on as more rain is promised on the horizon.

This brings up a point about rain. People always ask, “What do you do when it rains and your on the motorcycle”. I reply simply, “I get wet”. Duh. Rain riding has never bothered me. On the straight highways it’s no big deal. Just give more cushion to the cars in front of you. Drive like grandma on the exit ramps.

My turning point is finally reached. Off of 66 west and onto 647, Crest Hill Rd. at The Plains, VA. Crest Hill Road is my first slice of motorcycle heaven to be had this weekend. I’m delighted to find that the squiggly line I traced out on the map when planning this trip has translated so well in reality. The road is still wet from the passing rain clouds, and I give a small rabbit and then a chipmunk a near death experience. My first of many animal crossings this weekend. The road is fantastic. A mixture of hilltop road and tree lined canopies that create forest tunnels. Speed limit is 45mph, 55-60 feels comfortable on most parts. Keeping an eye out for a hilltop barn to photograph that I’ve seen in my minds eye, lit by the sun breaking through the clouds and backed by the mountain vista. No luck on any of the barns actual placement to fit the mental picture I have framed.

Crest Hill Road and Fodderstack Rd is a long stretch. I take shots of a church and other buildings along Zachary Taylor Highway. Fodderstack gives more of the same as Crest Hill, just a narrower road. The asphalt is of my favorite variety, freshly laid. Washington, VA is a tiny town of historic bed and breakfasts. Local wineries appear to be an attraction here too. Right after Washington the rain returns while I’m in route to Sperryville. Then it really starts to come down, a full on summer thunderstorm. Visibility is down. Road and parking lots soon resemble rivers. Rain drops of the monster variety explode on the pavement, and you know it hurts when they hit you.

I quick soaking circuit of Sperryville confirms there are no local hotels. I duck into a barn shaped restaurant to wait it out. My drenched gear takes on bar stool and I occupy another. There’s a few flying pigs about. The bartender get me a hefeweizen, and recommends the angus burger. Locally raised and grass fed, we exchange jokes about my passing the burgers relatives on the way in.

Don’t freak about the beer. I have a one only rule when riding. It was followed by a meal (best burger of the weekend!), several coffees, and this bar top journal entry.

Somewhere along Crest Hill road I decided to keep the cell off for the weekend. In addition no tv, newspapers, internet, or e-mail sound like a good idea. Of course I now am studiously avoid eye contact with the two beautiful plasma’s above the bar.

Entry Two

Hazel River Inn, Culpepper, VA, has the coolest street side seating in town.

The downpour let up at the Shady Farms bar in Sperryville and due to the deficiency in local lodging I quiz the bartender for options. Over the other side of the mountain, the opposite side of Skyline Dr via 211 is Luray with lots of motels, but I want to save the mountain for the morning. The waitress suggest Culpepper, there being a Holiday Inn etc.

Stepping outside the sun has broke through the clouds again. Enough for some shots of Shady Farms Restaurant and a bridge. Heading down 522, the Sperryville Pike, I keep an eye out for photo ops to catch the next morning as I’ll be rerouting back through. Following the mantra of Dale Borgeson about tour riding in the US, I aim to avoid large chain establishments, whether they are restaurants or hotels, and explore the mom-and-pop local variety businesses. I have a dive-ish roadside motel in mind, Culpepper comes through with the Sleepy Hollow Hotel.

Before check in I ride through downtown historic Culpepper. It’s a cool place. The Shady Farm bartender had recommended the Culpepper Thai restaurant. I see it but don’t visit, still full from the meal earlier. Cameron Street Coffee looks like a great place, located in an old warehouse. Unfortunately their closed for the night.

Shower and changed, room 102 at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel. I hop back on the bike, refreshed and dry and ride through the warm night air back downtown. The coffee at the Hazel River Inn comes with a sweet fudge confection on the side. The peach and blackberry cobbler with vanilla sauce is divine.

The reconfigured plan for this getaway is to shed. Shed worries about the job, career, housing, and relationships. My motorcycle is therapeutic. It’s 600cc’s of Zoloft on two wheels. The road lifts my spirits. This wasn’t supposed to be a solo run, and there are stretches of road where I feel the emptiness behind me.

The cobbler is finished and I can hear the sound of a band doing their sound check. The banging of the drum requires investigation.

Entry Three

I found Brown Bag Special in the cellar pub of the same restaurant I was in. On my way to the door the noise of the sound check floated up the stairs and directed my feet downward. Brown Bag Special opened the set, appropriately enough, with “I drink alone”. The ol’ man, Big Money, would have loved it. Drink alone started off a Big Money Blues trifecta to include “The Breeze” and “Mustang Sally”. Then they made the mistake a lot of bands make that have a great lead guitar player. They let him sing. The lead guitarist karaoke sucked his way through a Tom Petty hit. He was so off key in his singing it made you appreciate the guitar solo’s all the more for the relief they provided. Thankfully the regular singer soon resumed his duties and the night went on. More good stuff from the band.

Freebird
Folsom Prison Blues
Cheap Sun Glasses

“can’t you see, can’t you see, what that woman, what she’s done to me”

Off to bed now at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel with the ghost and shades of dead hookers and overdoses past.

150 miles today.


Saturday

Entry Four

Morning breaks on the Sleepy Hollow Hotel, a hot shower and I’m back on the bike. A quick stop downtown to shoot the Hazel Inn, then it’s back on the Sperryville Pike. More stops to capture some sights seen yesterday. Mr. & Mrs. Pump. The open mouth caricatures are an accurate representation of the current gas cost and the pumps eating your wallet.

I keep telling my daughter that her first car, college car, will be a hybrid. She thinks they are ugly. The bike isn’t so bad, averaging around 40mpg. At about 180 miles on the tripometer I start to look for a refill, although I’ve pushed it to 211 miles before.

A quick left in Sperryville on 211 and up into the mountain, Blue Ridge Mountains and Skyline Drive. Heading up the mountain I get the first bite of the twisties I’ve been craving. The fee at the gate to Skyline Drive is well worth the price. Great scenery and fantastic views. The only drawback is the 35mph speed limit that is well enforced by the park rangers.

I shoot some self-portraits at Pollock Knob overlook. They’re funny in that with all the scrambling and hurrying to be the camera timer, then trying to effect a relaxed pose. I’ve also broke out my old friend this trip, the Lubitel 166, a medium format, 120mm film, twin lens camera. I’m like Jay-Z with this camera, I have to get it in one take. There is no digital review after the click for instant gratification. As a fellow photographer it’s “Point, Push, and Pray”. I’ll be interested to see the results. Not that I’ve left digital behind. Carrying both cameras, I’m an analog/digital double threat.

After the self-portraits and some dead tree shots I’m about to pack back on the bike and leave when I meet the preacher and his wife. He offers to shoot me with my camera and I return the favor with theirs. Conversation flows and in a ‘small world’ moment it turns out that he works for same Hazel family that owns the restaurant I was at last night for his Monday thru Friday job. I get a friendly “God bless” and I’m heading south on Skyline Drive. I make several more stops and break out the cameras again at Big Meadow.

There is a gnarly dead tree in the middle of the meadow. It has burn damage at the base, either the result of some wild fire or perhaps a controlled burn done to maintain the field. I spot and shoot a few deer, they probably won’t turn out as they’re to far away for my lens on the D100. I shoot a bunch of shots of the tree with the D100 and then totally switch processes with the Lubitel. The picture setup with the Lubitel takes about a minute-and-a-half. Manual zoom, i.e., walking back and forth to get the framing I want. Light meter reading. Then dealing with the reversed optics of the look-down box camera. It is fun though, to switch it up, change the pace and the dynamics. Just one click though, hope I caught it.

It’s a long but enjoyable ride to the south end of Skyline Drive. Unless you really like slow cruising I would suggest picking which third of Skyline Drive you’d like include in your trip and leave the rest. I drop off the mountain and into Waynesboro. Finding Mad Anthony’s coffee shop for a late breakfast. I overhear that it’s around noon. The Italian Roast coffee is good, in fact, it would prove to be the best coffee of the trip.

One of the pleasures of traveling by motorcycle is that it’s an easy conversation starter. People ask you where your coming from, where you’re heading, ask about your bike, tell you’re about their bike or the one they wish they had. One of the peculiarities of these conversations is that if the person even remotely knows of anyone that has died on a motorcycle, they will be sure to share this fact along with details. These stories usually involve a deer, a car pulling out, or someone taking a corner to fast. The conversation goes something like this:

Stranger“nice bike”
You“thanks”
Stranger“my cousin Bob had a friend that hit a deer and died on his bike”

Short silence.

You“yeah, deer are dangerous, got to be careful”

I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve held variations on this conversation many times. Luckily this isn’t the conversation I have with the owner of Mad Anthony’s. He’s a former sailboat instructor who now finds the same release and head clearing on his motorcycle that he used to get from his sailboat.

This brings to mind the same wave – don’t way dynamic that occurs between sail boaters and power boaters, very similar to the sportbike & HD crowd.

The proprietor is a coffee guru, we discuss roasting (my Italian roast was just roasted Wednesday this week). We talk about the good and the evil of Starbucks. We’re both in agreement that they over roast their regular coffee, but I think their foo foo drinks are tasty. He has in his shop both the Bodum press and the Bodum vacuum coffee pot that I got my mom for x-mas. A shameless plug here, the Bodum vacuum coffee pot makes the best home coffee ever. It’s also an entertaining crowd pleaser, no joke.

Leaving Waynesboro the plan was 340 northward to 33, then into Harrisonburg, VA (home of the Valley Mall and JMU). 340 proved to be boring so I jumped on 256, Port Republic Road, for a better ride to Harrisonburg. I don’t know if the coffee wore off or if I was just worn out. I pull over at Westover Park, pick out a spot of grass, and take a good nap in the sun.

I had my motorcycle bug handed down to me by my step-dad. My kindergarten year of school we moved right at the end of the school year. Rather than switch schools at this inopportune time my Dad stuck me on the back of his Honda and rode me to school and back again for the last month or two. Even earlier than that I have a great photo of me in 1973-4 sitting on his chopper with him. Me in a diaper and him with his long hippy hair. The wild side of the Reverend indeed.

Refreshed from my nap it’s back on 33 westbound. Heading out of the Shenandoah Valley and Rockingham County is more glorious twisty roads and the George Washington National Forest. GW is a beautiful tree canopy lined road with a river off to one side. Franklin, WV is the destination, a return to the Star Hotel.

I stayed at the Star a few years prior when they first re-opened the historic Star Hotel. The owner, Steve Miller, is a great guy, friendly and conversational. I told him I’d be back again, but it’s been a few more years than I thought. Late lunch at the Star is pesto grilled chicken on ciabatta bread with roasted red peppers. Not the type of fare one might associate with West Virginia, but people have misperceptions about everywhere. Steve promises a prime rib later at dinner tonight to die for.

So that there is no misunderstanding, in as much as the Sleepy Hollow Hotel was a dive, the Star Hotel is a dream.

Dump the gear in the room back on the bike for some roaming around. I head back to explore a river road I passed on the way in, Rock Gap. It’s a gravel affair and I follow it back a little ways. Photo some river shots. Down further there is a large cliff face with some college aged kids de-gearing after a day of climbing. I’ll try to stop back in tomorrow and shoot some climbing action, as well as some fly fishing.

I pick up a bottle of Barefoot Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, and drop it off with Steve at the Star to keep for later. I’ll enjoy that bottle later tonight from the 3rd floor front porch. South out of town I head, into some very secondary roads. I shoot an old decrepit cabin that would be right up Bobby Sargent’s alley. I put it in the metal folder for a possible future model shoot location, along with the river spots I’ve seen.

There are a couple more stops on this little ride. Once for what appears to be a feral chicken, and then for middle of the road stare down with a young doe. She’s camera shy though and is off before I can get a shot. Sportbike probably isn’t the best conveyance for nature photography. The pavement stops and gravel begins, I motor on. Rick & I once spent a full day just about on gravel roads, crisscrossing the back country around Cumberland, MD. So I’m comfortable with the less than ideal riding surface. A few miles on the road dead ends at a pair of chicken houses (source of the feral chicken’s ancestors perhaps?) and I turn around and survey the valley I’ve just ridden through. I have to stop the bike and soak in the scene. A picturesque farm is nestled in the corner of the valley, up against the hills. I meet some inquisitive cows, along with the farmer and his wife.

It seems that when you are in WV and you pass a sign that says “snow removal ends here” that the already suspect road conditions are going to quickly deteriorate and will soon resemble somewhat more of a logging road. I motor on through some back country, no houses, no farms, just mountains, steep roadside cliffs, and wicked gravel switchback curves. The part that gives you the willies are the downhill corners where the road grade is slanted to the outside of the curve and to the drop below. Yikes!

I creep along where a four wheeler would be much more functional. Although I still hit it a bit in the straights. Pavement arrives again and I’m unsure of my exact location. I follow the chicken farmers directions and soon discover myself back in Brandywine, intersecting the same stretch of 33 I rode on my way into Franklin.

Back at the Star Hotel it’s a shower and fresh clothes before heading down for dinner. Downstairs I find the prime rib to be as good as promised.

Entry Five

How beautifully staged is this. Barefoot on the 3rd floor patio, wine to ease the back and the ache in the knee.

205 miles today, the last 30 after check in, just to explore.


Sunday

Entry Six

Out early in the morning. I find no climbers at Rock Gap, unsure of the hours they keep. Out of Franklin on 33 west, looking for another squiggly line I had seen on a map. Bland Hill Road name is a misnomer. A single lane country road winding through German Valley. I got a few shots of German Valley from the 33 overlook before turning on Bland Hill. Now I find myself in the same location I had shot from above.

The road cuts through some open pasture land and I meet some cows standing in the road after rounding one bend. They’re pleasant enough, if in no particular hurry to cross, and don’t mind posing for a shot or two before meandering on. People talk about the danger of hitting a deer, a cow would really ruin your day! Off of Bland Hill and on down into the valley. I come up on the rock formation I had seen from the overlook previously. It’s not Seneca Rocks, but a formation of the same ilk. I get some more photos, then onto German Valley Road. I’m still staying at the Star, there is no real destination today. It’s relaxing to stop as much as I like.

German Valley Road puts me back on 33 west and not long after I’m ordering breakfast at the Valley View Restaurant. Dale Borgeson warns of places that advertise home cooking, but that’s about all you see in these parts. There are a fair number of cars here and that’s usually a good since the food will be alright. Hell, even the Army could make a good breakfast. It all works out and it’s a hell of a deal, for toast, two eggs, hash browns, bacon, and coffee.

From 33 I hit 28 and turn off on Smoke Hole Road, just because it’s there and looks interesting. Boy, what a find it is. Combining the curvy one lane country road with nice wide smooth pavement (gravel free in the corners). It’s great. Smoke Hole Road turns out to run from 28 across the Seneca Rocks National Forest to 220 on the other side. Going west-to-east it starts out all curves and hills, then ends by winding along the south branch of the Potomac. There are lots of fly fishermen here enjoying the catch-and-release section of the river.

Up 220 to Petersburg, I run into some Ducati guys at the gas station. We swap riding info and I’m soon on 42 north towards Mayville. Hanging a left when I see a sign for Dolly Sods. I’m back on secondary roads and I soon pass another prophetic ‘no snow removal’ signs. It’s gravel the rest of the way up the mountain til it breaks out on top at Dolly Sod.

I’m real happy with today’s roads, as both Smoke Hole Road and Dolly Sods were unplanned ‘discovered adventures’. I do some rock scrabbling at Dolly Sod and enjoy the cliff top views. A fellow tourist snaps a shot for me an I hike out well past the distance that the casual tourist and families go. Shot some more shots of the rock formations with both the digital and film camera. Do some more self-portraits. I then sit down to relax in the sun with the cliff side breeze steadily blowing and update this journal.


Entry Seven

Well, fellow traveler, if you’ve made it this far I am duly impressed. I thank you for your perseverance. The rest of the day was spent riding without incident. Just more fantastic roads. You don’t have to be an explore on par with Lewis & Clark to find great rides in West Virginia. Just be curious in nature and unafraid to leave the beaten path. Drop off the numbered roads and take the route less traveled. Soon you’ll be in your own undiscovered country. Blah blah blah.

Out of Dolly Sod and I find myself on 32. Rough calculations put the dirt road travel around 25 miles for the day. While we are on stats, here’s today’s animal road count:

1 rooster
1 dead fox
2 cows
8 chipmunks
7 alive
1 dead
3 dead possums
1 squirrel
1 dead blob (undistinguishable)
No fearsome deer
1 dog

I guided myself today by a rather non-descript map put out by mountainhighlands.com

Leaving Dolly Sod on 32 puts me in Dry Fork and back on familiar 33 west to Elkins. I cruise around Elkins on the off chance I’ll run into a guy I know named Dallas. Now all you need to know about Dallas is the following:

I don’t know his last name
I once gave him a hair cut with dog grooming clippers
I know he works at a bike shop making choppers

You figure the odds of me finding him, near zero.

If your curious it wasn’t the first time I cut hair, albeit the first time using dog shears. In Korea I cut in the latrine for a cut or for a 6 pack. Everything was barter in the Army. We had a cook that would make you a great custom birthday cake for a case of beer or feed you food out of the back of the chow hall at 3am when you staggered in drunk from the ville for the promise of a future round to be bought. Korea stories could fill another journal.

Anyway, out of Elkins and south to Beverly. Scott, if your reading this you were on my mind as I went through town, never forgive, never forget.

So far I’ve only tried to write about the positive food experiences of the trip without throwing anyplace under the bus. C&J in Beverly however, served only barely functional burgers and the vanilla shake was of the worst chemical prefab variety. There are some things that I am stuck on, good vanilla ice cream is one. The others that I’m picky about are beer, whiskey, steak, cheese-steak, and coffee. It’s just so disappointing when something you usually enjoy turns out to be sub par.

After C&J it’s 250 east to 28, which heads back towards Seneca Rocks and Franklin. It’s a good haul through the Monongahela National Forest. A road of the scenic variety, with good twisties up the mountain and through the scenery. These type road have become quite a common occurrence here in WV. Back in Seneca Rocks and 33 east into Franklin. I never shoot Seneca Rocks, the light is never right, number one can tell you how I get about my light.

The Star’s restaurant is closed on Sunday, dagger, so I shower and head into Franklin by foot. About Franklin, WV. It’s a nice little town, quiet and sleepy. No bars other than the VFW that I could see. Everybody I’ve met and spoken too has be pleasant, friendly and conversational, both here in Franklin and elsewhere in WV. I’m sure there are a variety of characters much as anywhere, this is just my observation from the tourist level.

Following last night precedent I grab another vino from the Shell station. The Star being closed is a dilemma; I’m in need of a cork screw (having borrowed the restaurants the night before). I wander back down to the hotel, wine in hand, and past the hotel just a bit til I meet an old man sitting out front. I explain my situation, wine without access, and he says he’ll sell me a corkscrew. He goes in the house, shortly to return with the necessary implement in hand. I figure I have it for -4 or maybe rent it for a one time use for . That proves unnecessary however, he says just to take it, and keep it for any future need.

The sole booking for the hotel tonight, I’m like a wraith as I glide through the halls. On the front porch with my bottle of vino in hand. I have some cheap cigars I also picked up and there’s nothing to do but kick back and watch the sunset.

It’s been a great trip. Somewhat lonesome at times. The lack of someone to talk to surely let to the length of this journal. It was a trip to getaway, to reflect. There was no great revelation or anything, just time to get to know yourself. The road gives you time to think. I know who I am and I like being me. I know what’s missing.

I’m resolved to take more bike trips in the future. It’s definitely my preferred way to travel and vacation. Motorcycling is the way to go.

Tomorrow I have my route generally planned out, more scenic byways for a winding route home.

Miles today, 240.

Monday

Entry Seven

Just a short postscript. 20 miles east of Washington DC, on 66, the chain popped off the bike. It’s never easy.










beach dinner

A few nice vacations on the beach images I found:


beach dinner
vacations on the beach
Image by misterbisson
We didn't actually do dinner on the beach, but we happily gawked at those who did.


Orange Crocs on the Beach
vacations on the beach
Image by Josh Bancroft
Orange Crocs on the Beach

Stars Go Dim - DSC_6269.JPG

Check out these vacation to go images:


Stars Go Dim - DSC_6269.JPG
vacation to go
Image by Flickred!

Nice Spa Resort Vacation photos

Check out these spa resort vacation images:


Experience Shower - Waterfall Spa - Mens Journy
spa resort vacation
Image by Grand Velas Riviera Maya
At Grand Velas you can indulge in the ultimate Waterfall spa experience treatment when you vacation at Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort Riviera Maya. rivieramaya.grandvelas.com


Royal Palms Resort - 31
spa resort vacation
Image by chaim zvi

Nice Vacation And Travel photos

Check out these vacation and travel images:


Schönbrunn Palace, The Desert Experience House
vacation and travel
Image by Tjflex2
We spent 24 days travelling through the Czech Republic and Austria. This set is Vienna, Austria. Photos are tagged as to which day.

Day 12 - We started off by going to Schönbrunn Palace. This was our second time here and I can't express enough how great it is. Schönbrunn Palace and gardens is a former Habsburg imperial summer residence in Vienna. The grounds contain the palace, Gloriette, Palmenhaus, Dessert house, mazes, Roman ruins, English and French gardens, a carrage house (that contains many royal carrages), Egyptian Obelisk , an orangery and Tiergarten Schönbrunn (literally, Schönbrunn Zoo), the oldest zoo in the world. One of the most impressive sites I've been to. To really enjoy the entire site, you must take two days.

The Desert Experience House
"Emperor Franz Joseph I commissioned a hothouse based on designs by the architect Alfons Custodis for the overwintering of his extensive and extremely valuable "New Dutch" botanical collection, mainly containing specimens from Australia and South Africa.

Completed in 1904 in fin-de-siècle style with an ironwork frame that already displays art nouveau forms, the building has a masonry wall on its north side and a single-glazed south front, and was thus perfectly designed to protect tender plants needing special growing conditions from the harsh Central European winters.

Just under a century later thorough renovation of the building became necessary. The Federal Parks and Gardens Authority decided that it should be adapted to display the most beautiful and valuable specimens from the collection of succulents (cactuses and other water-storing drought-resistant plants). In order to make the exhibition as interesting as possible Schönbrunn Zoo has collaborated in creating three different arid habitats (Madagascar, and deserts of the Old and New Worlds) with a selection of their native plants and animals. The exhibition additionally shows the fascinating and multifarious survival strategies of the creatures that populate these harsh habitats, both above and below ground."


Karlobag - Croatia - Croacia
vacation and travel
Image by Paco CT
Croatian Easter Vacations - Semana Santa Croacia. Día 2

The third stop of the day. We were passing, liked it and stopped for a coffee. That was the norm during this easter vacation.

La tercera parada del día, pasábamos, nos gustó y paramos. Así de sencillo, nos tomamos las vacaciones esta vez.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karlobag

#356 Explore on Saturday, September 29, 2007


Cathedral St Anastasia [Zadar (2) - Croatia - Croacia]
vacation and travel
Image by Paco CT
Croatian Easter Vacations - Semana Santa Croacia. Día 3
#242 in Explore 20070411

Thanks to Stjepan felber for the links:
ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catedral_de_Zadar
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_St._Anastasia%2C_Zadar
hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zadarska_katedrala

Thanksgiving in Vegas

Some cool vegas vacation images:


Thanksgiving in Vegas
vegas vacation
Image by jps246
New York-New York Hotel & Casino


Thanksgiving in Vegas
vegas vacation
Image by jps246
Moe in the Monte Carlo's food court


Thanksgiving in Vegas
vegas vacation
Image by jps246
hanging out in the room

Jean Philippe Vanilla Flan

A few nice vegas deals images I found:


Jean Philippe Vanilla Flan
vegas deals
Image by Calgary Reviews
For your own Las Vegas experience, find great Las Vegas Specials with Las Vegas Deals. To see how Jean Philippe was, see the review of Jean Phillipe and the Vanilla Flan


Jean Philippe Carrot Cake
vegas deals
Image by Calgary Reviews
For your own Las Vegas experience, find great Las Vegas Specials with Las Vegas Deals. To see how Jean Philippe was, see the review of Jean Phillipe and the Carrot Cake


Jean Philippe Patisserie
vegas deals
Image by Calgary Reviews
For your own Las Vegas experience, find great Las Vegas Specials with Las Vegas Deals. To see how Jean Philippe was, see the review of Jean Phillipe and the Jean Philippe Patisserie

Cool Vacation To Go images

Some cool vacation to go images:


vacation 2009
vacation to go
Image by icedsoul photography .:teymur madjderey
here we go party people :-)

at last a very very smal selection of my/our vacation photos of our last summers trip to the us. nyc, san diego, los angeles and back to nyc.
I just did not have the time to go through them before and these were selected from an initial 6893 photos I/we took over the course of the 20 days.

hope you enjoy 'em and let me know what you think. just to be sure the photos are kinda colorcoded like the different CSI's :-)

oh and if these 49 are not enough... I have posted another public selection of 576 photos of this trip to my "private" account which you can find HERE

feel free to add that account also and leave comments as you like!

all the best, teymur!


Quartinos wine 2 go
vacation to go
Image by Ambernectar 13
outside Quartinos

quartinochicago.com/

Dylan cliff jumping

Check out these vacation to hawaii images:


Dylan cliff jumping
vacation to hawaii
Image by sotheavy


P1010561
vacation to hawaii
Image by sotheavy


Ziplining
vacation to hawaii
Image by sotheavy

Nice Vacation To Hawaii photos

Check out these vacation to hawaii images:


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vacation to hawaii
Image by bobosh_t


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vacation to hawaii
Image by bobosh_t

135mm - Water Maiden

Some cool vacation village resort images:


135mm - Water Maiden
vacation village resort
Image by Vox Efx
Photography/Travel Blog~Flickr~Twitter


Barefoot by the Sea Restaurant II
vacation village resort
Image by Vox Efx
Photography/Travel Blog~Flickr~Twitter

Nice Walt Disney World Vacations photos

Check out these walt disney world vacations images:


Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
walt disney world vacations
Image by AmandaB3
Disney Hollywood Studios - Walt Disney World
WDW, Florida
RVing to Walt Disney World
December 2, 2008


Amanda in Tatooine
walt disney world vacations
Image by AmandaB3
Disney Hollywood Studios - Walt Disney World
WDW, Florida
RVing to Walt Disney World
December 2, 2008


Jedi Training!
walt disney world vacations
Image by AmandaB3
Disney Hollywood Studios - Walt Disney World
WDW, Florida
RVing to Walt Disney World
December 2, 2008

Bev and Henk's Cottage, Lake Joseph, Muskoka, Ontario, July 15-17, 2010

Check out these vacation village resort images:


Bev and Henk's Cottage, Lake Joseph, Muskoka, Ontario, July 15-17, 2010
vacation village resort
Image by bill barber
Port Sanfield

www.visitmuskoka.com/muskoka_lakes_map.htm


Bev and Henk's Cottage, Lake Joseph, Muskoka, Ontario, July 15-17, 2010
vacation village resort
Image by bill barber
Some of Bev`s watercraft

www.visitmuskoka.com/muskoka_lakes_map.htm


Bev and Henk's Cottage, Lake Joseph, Muskoka, Ontario, July 15-17, 2010
vacation village resort
Image by bill barber
Port Sanfield, Karen

www.visitmuskoka.com/muskoka_lakes_map.htm

HDR of our hotel (HDR Expose fails to align image)

Some cool vacation to jamaica images:


HDR of our hotel (HDR Expose fails to align image)
vacation to jamaica
Image by mutovkin
HDR Expose Version of HDR - complete failure to align images. Huge amount of artifacts.


Day4_XtabiCottage04
vacation to jamaica
Image by J.W. Hamner
Here you can a view from our deck that shows another cottage, the bar/restaurant, and the main access to the water.

Nice Vacations To To photos

A few nice vacations to to images I found:




Baguio 2011 - 35
vacations to to
Image by Daniel Y. Go
Eco Trail @ CJH

Short vacation with the family to Camp John Hay, Baguio. God is good =)

Stoic Lifelike Stallion

A few nice weekend getaways images I found:


Stoic Lifelike Stallion
weekend getaways
Image by djwhelan
Valentine’s Day getaway, SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills.

Cool Vacation Village Resort images

Check out these vacation village resort images:



Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village
vacation village resort
Image by ShellVacationsHospitality
www.shellhospitality.com/hotels/holua_resort/index.html?c...

Nice Vacation Mexico photos

A few nice vacation mexico images I found:


Mexico 2013
vacation mexico
Image by tonitunes
Mexican Vacation with Greg & Kat June 24 to July 3, 2013

Kak's on the road to Hana

Some cool vacations cheap images:


Kak's on the road to Hana
vacations cheap
Image by Premshree Pillai
Kak makes yummy Thai food in a little shack on the Hana highway.

This was the cheapest food we had in Hawaii and, according to Nicole, the best. I'm not sure what she's talking about because I quite enjoyed my foie gras and truffle risotto with scallops ;)


Burritos
vacations cheap
Image by akseabird
This place had fairly tasty burritos. And mine was crazy cheap!


Wasting away the afternoon
vacations cheap
Image by locket479
We hopped from restaurant to bar to restaurant, buying something cheap and staying to watch a movie. The hours slipped by without us ever thinking about the time. So relaxing

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Some cool vacation to mexico images:


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vacation to mexico
Image by Wyscan

Mom photographing the Giraffes

Check out these walt disney world vacations images:


Mom photographing the Giraffes
walt disney world vacations
Image by AmandaB3
Kilimanjaro Safari ride
Animal Kingdom - Walt Disney World
WDW, Florida
RVing to Walt Disney World
December 1, 2008


Disney - Epcot World Showcase before Illuminations
walt disney world vacations
Image by Express Monorail
View Large On Black

See where this picture was taken. [?]

This day in Disney history:

(1971) Roy O. Disney, who had carried the burden of his brother's dreams for most of his adult life, and certainly for the five years since Walt's death, formally dedicated Walt Disney World to his brother's memory. Although he continued to give his brother the credit – and insisted that “Walt” be added to the name of the park, which had previously been known simply as Disney World – Roy had worked tirelessly since Walt's death to bring the dream to life raising more than 0 million for the park's construction. Just two months after the dedication, Roy Disney passed away.

Bonus: Roy O. Disney's dedication speech: “Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together”

It is said that Roy O. Disney, while waiting to dedicate Walt Disney World, felt sad that his brother Walt could not be there to see out his last dream and dedicate Walt Disney World himself. He thought that if Walt himself could not be there then the closest thing to Walt would be Mickey Mouse. After all, it was all started by a mouse. So Roy had his assistants go fetch Mickey Mouse to be brought up on the stage to stand by his side while he dedicated Walt Disney World. After giving his dedication for Walt Disney World, he then asked Lillian Disney (Walt Disney's wife) to join him. As the orchestra played "When You Wish Upon a Star", which is sort of considered the Disney anthem, she stepped up to the podium accompanied by Mickey Mouse. He then said, "Lilly, you knew all of Walt's ideas and hopes as well as anybody; what would Walt think of Walt Disney World?". "I think Walt would have approved," she replied.

Roy died from a cerebral hemorrhage on December 20, 1971, the day he was due to open the Disneyland Christmas parade.

Pictured:
Epcot World Showcase
Epcot
Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
June, 2008

Thanks for visiting, Flickr friends, hope you're enjoying the weekend!



Yeti while on line
walt disney world vacations
Image by AmandaB3
Expedition Everest
Asia
Animal Kingdom - Walt Disney World
WDW, Florida
RVing to Walt Disney World
December 1, 2008

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Check out these travel vacation images:


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travel vacation
Image by jon|k


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travel vacation
Image by jon|k


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travel vacation
Image by jon|k

Cool Vacations To To images

A few nice vacations to to images I found:



Pillsbury Spooky Cat - ready to bake sugar cookies
vacations to to
Image by Scorpions and Centaurs

Cool Travel Vacation images

A few nice travel vacation images I found:


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travel vacation
Image by jon|k


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travel vacation
Image by jon|k


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travel vacation
Image by jon|k

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