Atlanta, Georgia - World Languages Presentation

I went to Atlanta, Georgia, for a presentation I gave and was there for the last few days of Fall Break. The presentation went well and there were some important people from several important southern universities there. I've flown through Atlanta a lot, but this was the first time for me to actually stay in town for a few days. I was busy during the day, but was able to go out a bit at night. An old buddy of mine from USU works in GA now and so we hangout a little and luckily he was fine with me taking a lot of pictures. :) A few of my favor things were the Magaret Mitchell House (She wrote Gone with the Wind), the High Museum, the Midtown skyline, the Thai food, and have a little time to unwind. Here are some pictures of the highlights from the beautiful Atlanta.

The High Museum of Art - Atlanta Georgia

These three pictures are of an awesome statue outside the High Museum. The larger figure is made up of smaller figures that look like the little wooden figures artists use. It looks incredible at night with the lighting. Hope you enjoy!

Statue outside the High Museum

Statues ouside the High Museum

Midtown Atlanta, GA

Port Angeles, Washington

My sister and her family just moved to Port Angeles, WA. It is a nice little city that is very close to some amazing natural beauty. This was our home base during Fall Break as we explored and had a great time. Apart from the great picture oportunities, I really enjoyed hanging out with my sister and brother-in-law and playing with my adorable nephews. The three pictures I'm posting are on the water front in/near Port Angeles. It was a beautiful morning and the lighting was incredible.

Port Angeles, Washington - The Docks

The morning mist hanging over Port Angeles

Out on the boat look back toward Port Angeles

Canada! Victoria, British Columbia

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. We took the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria (British Columbia). As we walked out of the customs house, we were greeted by three ladies all dressed up in Victorian clothing. They welcomed us the Victoria wished us a Happy Thanksgiving and even gave us some treats. It was a nice welcoming party and made me think about what kind of welcome people receive when they visit the USA. I also think it is fitting that they were wearing Victorian dresses, and that we were in Victoria, and that we soon found a statue of Queen Victoria in front of the Parliament Building. (See photo to the right)

The British Columbia Parliament Building is very stately with its copper domes and impressive stonework. It was built in 1893 and was designed by Francis Rattenbury who was only 25 years old at the time. There are totem poles that tower above the grounds and not far away there is another kind of tower… We here it before we saw it… The Netherlands Centennial Carillon (see last photo) was built in the 1960’s and has 62 bells.

British Columbia Parliament Building - Victoria

Parliament Building with Totem Pole

Netherlands Centennial Carillon (Bell Tower) - Victoria, British Columbia

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One of my favorite spots in Victoria is Beacon Hill. It is a huge park on a hill. It gets its name from the beacons that shine out to sea. It is a photographer’s and walker’s paradise. It also has a pretty cool play ground. I’m including a couple of my favorite pictures. You’ll notice that they all have a common theme which is leaves and water. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I’m going to let these three do the talking. Hope you enjoy!

Beacon Hill Park - Duck Pond

Waterfall - Beacon Hill

Rain Drops on Leaves - Beacon Hill Park

Rialto Beach - Sharing the view...

Rialto Beach Olympic National Park – One of the most enchanting parts of the Pacific Coast is found in the North. It isn’t the beautiful white sand sunny surfing beach that you get in the South and it may be hard to get a good tan there, but it is an enchanting place where nature has more say over what happens than man does. Rialto Beach is a wild place where massive woods meet the endless sea. The weather and the sea literally roll by as you walk the pebbled beaches, explore the tide pools and gaze at the soaked sea stacks. After a great day at Rialto Beach I was sitting on top of a log that had to be at least 8 feet in diameter. I was sitting there enjoying the view and letting my mind wandering when I heard a pair of little lungs panting with the effort of climbing onto the log. It was my four year old nephew who was climbing up there to sit with his uncle. :) There is nothing better than a good view and someone special to share it with! Hope you enjoy!

Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington

Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington

Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Fall Break 2008 - This year for Fall Break I decided to head to the Northwest and visit my sister and her family in Port Angeles, WA. I flew into Seattle where I met up with them at the Seattle Public Library. As many of you may know, I like libraries and Seattle has a pretty cool one (see last picture and one on the right). After seeing some of the city, we went to the Woodland Park Zoo. We had a great time there. I have two really adorable nephews that make going to the zoo a very enjoyable experience.

We were lucky to have great weather in Seattle. The evening pictures turned out great. I’m including pictures mainly from Pier 52; that’s where we got the ferry to Bainbridge. The first picture is of the Seattle skyline at night. The next is of the ferry with the sunset which is followed by more sunset. :) The last two were taken during the day. The waterfall is just outside the REI and was very well done; it felt extremely natural. The library was being cleaned. Can you see the guy washing the windows?

Seattle at night

The Bainbridge Ferry

Sunset from Peir 52

Waterfall near the REI and Space Needle

Seattle Public Library - Washington