Sharon's Souvenirs

Monday, August 12, 2019

Highlights of Utah: 2019

Many of you may have already visited my highlight reel over at My 3rd Eye. Still, I thought it was a good place to start my 2019 season of Utah photos. The June trip actually started in Nevada. And, of course, the photo above is from the Grand Canyon - in Arizona. So, obviously, we saw more than one state. It really was an action packed trip. The best of the Southwest.

First, we hightailed it to the North Rim. We had the worst Navajo taco ever made at the lodge: a soggy fry bread crust, unseasoned and fatty brisket strips, and a curiously sour/odd tasting guacamole. The waiter seemed to sense our disgust, asking us over and over if it was O.K. We lied and said it was fine. Heck, the place was packed and we didn't want to waste time waiting for another entree. Besides, other than the lodge, we were in the middle of nowhere. So, it's the lodge or a dirt sandwich. (we had to travel back to Minnesota to get a first rate fry bread taco at Sand Castle on Lake Nokomis)

Any-hoo, look at the view! That was all that mattered. I can finally say I've seen the Grand Canyon.

Bryce Canyon over-look. Breathtaking. We both decided Bryce was super nice. Our favorite park.

The vertical monoliths of Zion National Park = hunks of happiness.

A robin at Zion.

Nice view at Bryce.

Bryce horse train.

A splendid Bryce waterfall on mossy cave trail.

Horses at home.

(our temporary home near Glendale, Utah)

Stay tuned for a heck-of-a-lot more...

The Awesome Links:

Monday, August 5, 2019

The Deering Estate

I didn't take many photos during our self-guided tour of The Deering Estate back in March. I wasn't planning to post about it...until we hit the basement - interesting.

In 1913, Charles Deering (International Harvester) bought hundreds of acres on Biscayne Bay. Now, it's Miami. Back then, it was land that was previously occupied by Paleo Indians, Tequesta and Seminoles, for 10,000 years. In 1922, (basically in the middle of nowhere) he built this (above) fireproof structure to house his vast art collection. The family owned the estate until 1986.

The kitchen house.

What the heck did he keep behind several feet of bars and steel?

Liquor.

In 1945, a hurricane jammed the doors of the vault. They stayed sealed - completely unopened - until 1986, when the state of Florida purchased the property. This is what they found when they opened the doors. 6,000 bottles! Why did Charles build a vault straight out of Ocean's Eleven? Prohibition.

Today.

Yum.

Next year, we're completing the tour by visiting nearby Vizcaya: James Deering's Winter home.

The Awesome Links:

Monday, July 29, 2019

Cabin Camera

I've been accumulating cabin photos again. Meanwhile, the cruisers around me are still riding with window shades down, glued to their devices, oblivious to the beauty of the skies. After my last post, many of you stated your love of window seats. And yet, the people around me rarely take a peek.

I have to look - I might miss something. What if a rainbow-colored dragon flew by with Tom Cruise on its back? What if there was a cloud that morphed into the face of Jesus Christ? What if an alien spaceship wanted to make contact, and they selected me since I was actually watching? Hmmm. Maybe I should close the blind.

Be a sky watcher...

Fort Myers Beach.

Cool.

Red rock country. Nevada.

The Strip! I love this shot.

Last week, I posted a moon shot from this series. That's what prompted me to post the rest of the story this week.

Sunset in the skies. Beautiful. Sigh.

Go'in home. Ugh. An ugly business.

The Awesome Links: