Escaping the Wrong Way from New Jersey in WINTER

Newark Airport – Terminal ‘C.’     Early morning, quite a few years ago. “Florida?”  “Hawaii?” …I could only dream!  

Retired now, but a glimpse back to years of employment often revealed necessary travel. How nice!  But mid-winter?  It meant up early in the cold, managing the slippery roads to the airport, and shuffle off to …Buffalo, or Detroit, or some other frozen landascape.Renting a car was the norm. Bringing it back in one piece was the expectation.

Yeah, there was work to be done, and yes, often pretty landscapes in between.

But, at the end of some of those days, there was always a little nervous anticipation, often by the windows of the waiting room, pretending to read “USA Today” while supressing the notion of helplessly skidding or sliding down the runway in that plane out there. I would maybe think: Is this the fun part yet?

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome. Zoom in for a closer look.

M 🙂

 

 

 

 

Fly-Over Salute to First Line Heroes

Most of the country, and particularily cities like New York, continue in a state of shut-down due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Today, a most welcome and meaningful show of support was heralded simultaneously by the Navy’s Blue Angels, and Air Force’s Thunderbirds, seen below flying from just south of the George Washington Bridge, to The Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan.
I joined about 30, mostly masked onlookers atop a basalt outcropping near Goffle Road, Hawthorn, NJ, to witness the event some 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) distant from Manhattan. Close-ups are seen through ground haze, and a 600mm  lens.


Thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome, and zoom in for a closer look. M 🙂

Looking Up Perspective!

 

No, this is not a thesaurus.   It’s just a perspective! 

Wednesday was an unusually cold day for March 22nd, but brilliantly clear as a chance intersection was happening overhead. Around 4500′ (2480 m,) the United  jet was on a base leg approaching Newark Airport while the two high altitude planes were cruising SW,  likely near 30,000 ft. (16,500 m.) 

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂

America’s Cup and Crowded Skies – New York

We had the pleasure to see some of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in New York Harbor last week-end. With crowds lining both sides of (and on) the Hudson, the unique and expensive racing sailboats were impressive. 

DSC_0667 - Version 2

DSC_0702 - Version 2
To please spectators, some of the boats paraded under “fast  tow” on their hydrofoils, as shown here with the team USA “Oracle.”

Overcast skies dominated the first of two days, and racing was limited due to less than acceptable wind. 

DSC_0726Overhead, however, were the ever-present helicopters, offering race coverage and sightseeing perspectives for those fortunate…  or were they? 

DSC_0633

DSC_0690

DSC_0693DSC_0692

Although it looks worrisome from the camera’s long lens, day in and day out “Air Traffic Control” manages to do a remarkable job of keeping these helicoptors  spaced apart within controlled flight paths – a fact underscored by safety records. 

DSC_0689
I captured the official event photographer as he captured us, from our vantage point below the iconic Colgate Clock, in Jersey City. 

DSC_0714

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂

 

UTAH: Day Three and Four – Lake Powell, Natural Bridges and Salt Lake City

 

Our four days exploring in Utah, continued early Saturday morning, 11/7/15, at the ‘outpost’ of Bullfrog, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area where we rented a small boat to explore nearby parts of Lake Powell, specifically Moqui Canyon. Later we would view the remarkable terrain in Natural Bridges National Monument, spend the night in Salt Lake City, and fly home Sunday, 11/8/15. 

This post contains 18 images most with comments. Browse through quickly, or click on for higher visual resolution.  

DSC_1388
From our lodge, early morning…houseboats moored at Bullfrog Marina

DSC_1407
One of the last days of the season, there were virtually no other renters despite what I considered perfect weather.

DSC_1448
Easily enduring chilly morning temperatures, the stunning sceanery kept the cameras busy, as Holly focuses here. 

DSC_1489 - Version 2
Seven year old Tyler was no exception.

DSC_1491
Moqui Canyon is one of hundreds of flooded canyons of the Glen Canyon portion of the Colorado River.

IMG_2493
The winding waterway, in just this one “side” canyon, goes on for a number of miles, twisting and turning with one incomparable view after another.

 

IMG_2498
We beached here where Holly, Steve and Tyler climbed and explored, as I relished in the awesome surroundings.

DSC_1533
All three are in this image, as photographed from the boat.

DSC_1534
Steve , camera in hand, explores around the bend.

DSC_1544
The weather today was cool, crisp and perfect; while summertime brings temperatures near 100 deg. F. (38 deg. C.) …with an abundance of houseboats and pleasure craft, many rented for a week at a time or privately owned.

DSC_1552
Steve, Holly and grandson Tyler

IMG_2507

DSC_1624
I believe Lake Powell has only three access areas in its 186 mile (299 km) length and 1,960 miles (3,161 km) of shoreline, leaving plenty of exploration room.

IMG_2467

DSC_1704
After returning the boat, driving for a few more hours, and seeing virtualy no one on the road, (except  a mounted cowhand coaxing his small herd of cattle,) we explored Natural Bridges National Monument in the later afternoon.

IMG_2595
A spectacular scenic roadway provides viewpoints for several bridges, this being  Kachina, 210 ft. (64 m) high.

DSC_1762
We continued late into the night to Salt Lake City and our room. Sunday morning, day four, 11/8/15, the Wasatch Mountains caught the early sunlight as seen from our hotel (see feature image at top of this post,) and the view above was of the Utah State Capitol building as we headed back to the airport.

DSC_0010
The Colorado Rockies are below our regional jet to Denver, then the long flight home – ending our otherwise short and memorable adventure.

As usual, thanks for viewing and comments are always welcome. M 🙂

UTAH: Great Salt Lake and Wasatch Mts – Day One

IMG_6451

My previous post was a prelude to this short series highlighting our recent four day adventure to Utah. Along with my son, daughter and seven year old grandson, we would experience a memorable, whirlwind adventure.

Please click on any of the images for a closer look.

DSC_0815
My daughter, and grandson on the edge of the Great Salt Lake. She tasted and confirmed the water was indeed… SALTY. The 1700 sq. mile (4400 sq. km) lake is relatively shallow and fish-less. This lookout is from the marina just west of the city. (1:50 PM)

DSC_0827
Passing through Salt Lake City, the pretty Wasatch Mountains dominate the cloud laden South East. We were  heading to Park City. (2:15 PM)

IMG_2310 - Version 2
Park City is a major winter skiing resort and summertime hiking hub.  (3:10 PM)

 

 

DSC_0866
The entire network of ski trails are now accessible right from downtown. This being the “shoulder” season between summer and winter, it’s open for hikers. The first snow of the season is visible on the grass.    (3:17 PM)

DSC_0911
The Wastach Mountains, near Sundance, Utah (4:37 PM)

DSC_0930
A  short distance up a winding alpine road, (Rt. 92,) is the trail head for 11,752 ft. (3580 m.) Mt Timpanogos, a spectacular but difficult 14 mile (22 km) RT climb which I had partially explored and nearly froze on, some years earlier. (5:09 PM)

DSC_0959
The Little Provo River winds through Robert Redford’s charming and impressive lodge in Sundance. It was a little after local sunset. (5:28 PM)

DSC_0946
Warming by the open fire-pit, we would shortly relax with dinner in the lodge and continue another 2 1/2 hours to Moab for the night. 

 

Day two will follow shortly.

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcome. M 🙂

“Got It!” Plane Silhouetted Over Moon

DSC_0599
August 26, 2015, 8:15 PM from the Jersey Shore

It was only a matter of time, good weather, and patience, I knew it was going to happen. It was right on line. And when I clicked that shutter, I knew I had it! It was hard to contain my excited exclamation…”GOT IT” Job done!

Click on for closer look.

Thanks for viewing,  As usual, comments are always welcome. M:-)

.