I took this photo of the New York New York Casino / Hotel on a recent business trip to Las Vegas. I gotta say, it must just be a wonderful thing to be an architect in Las Vegas. I can only imagine that if you can dream it they can build it. However, it has to be tough to try and out-do your last design.
This summer I had a chance to take a long weekend in San Diego. One of the places I visited was La Jolla. While I was out walking around I saw a large group of people hanging out on the wall over looking the beach. I went over to see what was going on and was surprised to see the beach full of seals. It was really cool! I found it amusing how indifferent they seemed (most of them were sleeping) about the ever growing crowd. According to one of the locals I spoke with, the city built the break wall in order to make a more kid friendly swim beach. However, as soon as construction was finished the seals moved in. This abundance of seals caused the bacteria levels in the water to increase to the point where it was unsafe for use as a swim beach. So, now there is a constant struggle of man over animal lover…. In one corner people say the city should do some thing about the seals and reclaim the beach. In the other corner are the animal activists who think that this new seal sanctuary should be preserved.
Regardless to what side of the argument you are on, I think we can all agree it is a beautiful beach.
All of the seals were piled up near the wall on the left. I could not include them in this photo without also including a large throng of people gawking at the wild life. 
So, I just returned from a 12 day business trip to Las Vegas… I gotta say, 12 days is a bit long. In fact I got home and a day later headed out to Moab for some much needed fresh air and some wide open space It is funny…even the people who work on the strip will say 12 days is a long time to be in Vegas.
Anyway, I would work during the day and set out at night to take photos. I stayed at Caesars Palace, which I guess is about central to the strip or so it seemed. I did not have to walk to far to find something cool to take a picture of. Next door to Caesars is the Bellagio. Inside, just behind the room with the famous Chihuly glass ceiling, is a large greenhouse-like area they call “Via Fiore.” Here is how they describe it:
“Like beautiful gems thoughtfully placed in their destined settings, the shops of Via Fiore gracefully outline the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.”
Ahhh.. where would Vegas be without its shopping?…
Regardless, their Botanical Gardens & Conservatory was done up like something out of a Tim Burton film.
I found this Treeman of the Bellagio to be quite fascinating. The artist paid a tremendous amount of attention to detail. It almost looks like he could just get up and walk out in to the desert heat if he were so inclined. 
The town of Caribou was established in 1870 to house the miners of the Caribou Silver Mine. In its hay day it is estimated that Caribou was home to approximately 3,000 people. However, this one of only two buildings that remain standing today.
We have some friends on Kauai that own some property up near the north shore. They invited us to go up and take a look around. The property is about 3.5 -4 acres and has a 500 sq foot cottage on it. It is really a delightful place off the beaten path. My wife and I walked around for a couple of hours just taking it all in. While on our walk, we came across this tree. I did my best to capture the grandeur of the tree and its root system. 
While we were on Kauai we decided to take a sunset cruise on the Napali Coast. It is absolutely stunning! If you are ever on Kauai, do not leave without seeing the Napali coast. There are several boats that you can charter out of Port Allen, one being the Spirit of Kauai. Obviously, this was not the boat we chose, however, it did make a nice addition to this photo. We went with Holo-Holo Charters and had a wonderful time; the crew was great and dinner was topnotch.
Recently, my wife and I took a trip to Kauai, Hawaii, for vacation. We were there for 8 days and it was fantastic. Honestly, it was the first vacation I have ever been on where I was not ready to come home. I easily could have just stayed, though I am not sure what I would have done about that whole earning a living thing. Kind of an important detail, especially when gas on the island is $3.55 a gallon. Anyway, as I said, we had an absolutely wonderful time. We saw so much of the island yet I feel as though we only scratched the surface. Some how we managed to clock 2500 miles on the rental car, quite a feat considering the island is only 622 square miles. One of the places we visited was Waimea Canyon. Mark Twain is widely credited for penning Waimea Canyon as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. One can easily see why. Although it is not nearly as big, it is equally as impressive when you are standing at the overlook looking in. For those who are interested this image is actually a 45 frame HDR Panorama.
recently traveled to Orlando for business. I stayed at the Swan & Dolphin hotel which is right on Disney property which was cool except for the fact that you really can’t explore / see too much with out needing a park pass. Since I was here for work, I was only able to get out for a couple of hours in the evenings. So, it did not make much sense to spend the ridiculous amount of money to get in to the park just for a couple of hours. Anyway, one of the nights I was out walking around taking pictures I noticed these bright beams of light coming from within Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I knew exactly what it was, as I had seen pictures of this landmark prior to going. I headed over hoping that I would be able to get a picture without having to pay to get into the park. No such luck. However, since the park had just closed, I asked one of the employees standing at the gate if it would be possible to take a picture of the Fantasia Hat. Personally, I thought it was a bit of a long shot but it never hurts to ask right? To my surprise they agreed and they personally escorted me back to take the picture. Anyway, I was going to post the persons name along with a giant thank you but, I got to thinking.. I have seen several documented instances, with Disney specifically, where a seemingly innocuous thing such as letting someone in to the park at closing to take a picture has resulted in being reprimanded or worse terminated. So, I have decided to just say THANK YOU! to the person who made this shot possible.
As the winter drags on here in Colorado, I find my self plotting and scheming of ways to sneak to southern Utah for a long weekend. I am not sure if it is proven fact but it sure seems to me like spring comes to Grand Staircase about a month earlier than it does for Denver. So, by about the end of February / beginning of March I am totally craving a trip to the red rock country. Normally my uncle and I slip away for a short backpacking trip at the beginning of march to celebrate his birthday every year. However, this year I have a business trip so we are not going to get to go. In an effort to make myself feel better about not going I have resorted to looking through some of my photos from previous trips… This is the Narrows hike in Zion National Park if you have never been I highly recommend putting it on your to do list. This is a 9 mile round trip hike from the Temple of Sinawava to Big Springs. but what makes it really cool is you wade through the Virgin River the entire way. If you don’t feel up to 9 miles of hiking you can turn around at any point and head back but if you are any thing like me your sense of adventure will carry you all the way to Big Spring.
Since I have lived in Colorado all my life, I have to say, I am completely intrigued with the ocean and life around the ocean. I am also a sucker for maritime antiques and history..
Anyway, while exploring the streets of Port Townsend, WA, my wife and I decided to walk down to the water front and take a look out across the water. This is what we came across. Honestly, I have no idea what it is but it looks very cool and old. It is located right behind the historic clam cannery building so I assume it has something to do with the offloading and or processing of the clams.
You may have seen my other picture of the Old Clam Cannery from Port Townsend, WA. If not, take some time and look around – it is not too far back.
By the way… I have recently learned that the clam cannery building has been transformed into a beautiful hotel. Check it out here: www.clamcannery.com/
