Masons in Hawaii

On March 23, 2008April 3, 2016 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

I crashed the Mason family holiday in Kaua’i. We’re having a great time.

2355972290_33252432b8_z — Brian & Jane – Princeville at Hanalei Resort

More photos from our day on the North Coast.

sailing the Na Pali coast in Hawaii

On March 20, 2008 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

I’ve been getting major dental work in Mazatlán over the past week. Perhaps you’ve been feeling sorry for me on my Mexican Dental Vacation … as I’m spending so much time in the chair.

I don’t need your pity.

I hopped a plane — as clearly I needed a vacation from Mexico — next morning joining my friends the Masons on a cruise of the Na Pali cliffs of Jurassic Park fame.

Kaua’i – larger original – flickr – iShot71

It was just as amazing as we expected. One of the great vistas of the world.

We snorkeled under these cliffs, the highlight for me being the first sea turtle I’ve seen in the wild. What an amazing sight.

I posted a few photos of the trip to flickr.

Mazatlán, Mexico – Land of the Deer

On March 19, 2008 By Rick McIn photos, travel, travel MexicoLeave a comment

The name “Mazatlán” derives from the Nahuatl Indian word “Mazatl,” which means “deer.” Therefore, “Mazatlán” is the “Land of the Deer.”

Miscreants from a rival nearby city, Culiacan, lassoed the beloved Monumento Venado, the iconic Mazatlán deer statue, and broke it.

making repairs – yod

The deer back in full glory, in front of my hotel:

Here’s the view from atop Hotel Siesta:

And traditional musicians for hire across the street on the ocean promenade:

more photos of Maz – flickr

I had a great time there once again. El Centro in Maz is almost a home away from home these days.

Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree, California

On March 17, 2008 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

A must stop in the National Park.

Beautiful.

more of my photos – flickr

more and better photos – Cholla Cactus Garden – A photo essay by Brad Biringer.

amazing Switzerland ice storm photos

On March 16, 2008 By Rick McIn humour, photosLeave a comment

ET sent me that email.

SNOPES confirms they are from Lake Geneva, Jan. 2005.

Here are a few more ice storm photos I hadn’t seen before. And a video.

homeless war vets in San Diego

On March 14, 2008 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

I tried to capture a most interesting scene on the Embarcadero in San Diego near the USS Midway aircraft carrier museum, opened 2004.

A large group of homeless folks were enjoying a gabfest at sunset.

larger original

For me it juxtaposed the American cultures of homelessness and militarism.

You might end up homeless, or an amputee …

larger original

But chicks will dig you.

larger original

more San Diego photos – flickr

I quite liked surprisingly mellow San Diego. It’s a world away from Los Angeles.

whipped ocean in Australia – AMAZING

On March 9, 2008 By Rick McIn photosLeave a comment

“… Suddenly the shoreline north of Sydney were transformed into the Cappuccino Coast.

Foam swallowed an entire beach and half the nearby buildings, including the local lifeguards’ centre, in a freak display of nature at Yamba in New South Wales.

One minute a group of teenage surfers were waiting to catch a wave, the next they were swallowed up in a giant bubble bath. The foam was so light that they could puff it out of their hands and watch it float away.

Boy in the bubble bath: Tom Woods, 12, emerges from the clouds of foam after deciding that surfing was not an option

It stretched for 30 miles out into the Pacific in a phenomenon not seen at the beach for more than three decades.

Scientists explain that the foam is created by impurities in the ocean, such as salts, chemicals, dead plants, decomposed fish and excretions from seaweed.

All are churned up together by powerful currents which cause the water to form bubbles.

These bubbles stick to each other as they are carried below the surface by the current towards the shore.

As a wave starts to form on the surface, the motion of the water causes the bubbles to swirl upwards and, massed together, they become foam.

The foam “surfs” towards shore until the wave “crashes”, tossing the foam into the air. …”

click through for more photos – Daily Mail

Thanks George.