kayaking the Deer Islands off Bamfield

On June 27, 2007 By Rick McIn kayaking, photos, travel, traveloguesLeave a comment

Some years ago we kayaked the Broken Group Islands, the #1 destination in Canada for paddlers. (Some would say #1 in the world — but I’d head to Isla Espiritu Santo, Baja California, first if I were you.)

This time I rented a single kayak in Bamfield and paddled directly to the Deer Island group, the closest to town.

Broken Islands are a protected National Park. Nearby Deer Islands are commercially developed, some even with holiday homes.

It was a great, relaxing trip. I saw bear, seals, sea lions and nearly stepped on a baby puffin.

More photos from this trip – flickr

in search of Greg Norman

On June 25, 2007 By Rick McIn McCharles family, photos, travel, traveloguesLeave a comment

Added a few more photos of a Vancouver Island road trip with Mom and Dad and Pete.

We had heard golfer Greg Norman was around eyeballing the terrain for a future course overlooking the sea.

Pete (our Jack Russell) couldn’t pick up Greg’s scent. We failed to track down the Great White Shark.

All my flickr Family photos.

photos – eXtreme off-roading

On June 16, 2007 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

I went to Moab, Utah for hiking.

But almost everyone else was there for biking and off-roading.

Look like fun to you?

Last time I went to Peru I planned a trip on the Carhuaz Valley road to the Chavin De Huantar ruins. But ran out of time. I missed this experience.

more photos – Dark Roasted Blend: Extreme Off-Roading

you think your job is bad …

On June 12, 2007 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

How’s this for dirty work?

Heading off to work at the salt mine each day … by bike.

Elevation 3.65km (2.26mi) high. Thin air. Shadeless. No water. Freezing cold or scorchingly hot.

Don’t forget your pick and shovel.

Jordi Busqué – Salt minery in Uyuni – annotated photos

For me and most travellers, the most memorable highlight of travel in South America are the salt flats of Uyuni in Bolivia.

my travelogue – world’s most dangerous road – Bolivia 2004

my annotated photos 2004

(Thanks George.)

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan – Al Capone’s hideout

On June 11, 2007 By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

People from Moose Jaw have been told about the tunnels underneath their city for many generations. They were told that smugglers and criminals, such as legendary American gangster Al Capone, used to use them as hideouts.

The tunnels are now used as a tourist attraction and two interactive tours of the tunnels are now available.

One tour is about the bootlegging days of Al Capone; the other is about the Chinese immigrants who lived in the tunnels in the early part of the 20th century. It is Moose Jaw’s main tourist attraction and has attracted people from all over the world.

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This photo is one of Capone’s molls … or, possibly a friend’s Mom.

Anyway, she should have been a moll.

happy birthday Ian

On June 9, 2007 By Rick McIn photosLeave a comment

I was a last minute addition to a double birthday party last night.

Ian and his phone.

Ian doesn’t like to jump into newfangled technology until they’ve worked the bugs out.

We admired the extensive renovations to Ian’s house. Then took a delicious meal at Glory of India, one of the most acclaimed Indian restaurants in Calgary.

For the second half of his life, Ian’s decided to surround himself with women. It worked for Gandhi and Hugh …

a few more photos – flickr

freaking awesome photo technology

On June 8, 2007 By Rick McIn bad news, good news, Google, photosLeave a comment

People are irate because Google is driving around in vans capturing digital images, putting them on the internet. It’s called Google Street View.

That’s just the start.

I’d posted something previously on Microsoft Live Labs Photosynth technology. But to see an update click PLAY or watch the short video clip on YouTube.

If you like Photosynth, you’ll be even more amazed by software called Seadragon, also acquired by Microsoft.

Check THAT DEMO at the beginning of a longer video from this year’s TED conference linked on ModernHiker.

The future’s going to be really, really cool.

No privacy of any kind, though.

Burj Dubai – tallest building

On June 6, 2007 By Rick McIn Cirque du Soleil, Islam, photos, travelLeave a comment

Any day now Burj Dubai will overtake Taipei 101 and become the world’s tallest building.

artists conception

real, right now

Dark Roasted Blend: Burj Dubai: Now the Tallest Building in the World – more great photos

I’ve REALLY got to visit Dubai.

Here’s a few more architectural wonders planned:

Las Vegas – Arab style

When will Cirque du Soleil put in a show?

Palm Islands

Underwater Hotel

To see the “Death Star”, “Trump Dubai”, the Rotating Towers and other freakish concepts, check out another Dark Roasted Blend post: Dubai Architecture Part 2.

(I suspect this awesome blog is published out of Calgary.)

some cats like swimming

On June 4, 2007 By Rick McIn photosLeave a comment

Check out a large male white Bengal tiger called Odin.

Most cats do not like getting wet – as anyone who has tried to bathe a moggie will know. …

Six years old, and at the prime of his life, Odin lives at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Zoo in Vallejo, near San Francisco. He is about 10ft long from nose to tail, and is an excellent swimmer.

The BIG cat who likes getting wet and wild | the Daily Mail

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