Photo of Florence - from where did I take this?

There are many photos of famous places which look alike. The one, above, of Florence, may appear as if it where taken from a drone or helicopter. How did everyone get a drone? But, if you go to Florence you may have the opportunity to visit the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte. The church is on the very top of a high hill. It is a 12/13th Century church and they have chanting in the late afternoons that is worth a visit. On the piazza in front of the church you see the view in this picture although I took it with a telephoto lens. It is actually some distance away. So, sometimes we wonder how someone got a shot as it looks like the land is flat - it is, except for the hills around it or a tall building nearby. One of my favorites is of the interior of the British museum. On  one of the upper floors is a small window and those of us that have discovered it all take the same view. -Mike McLellan

Waterton Lakes, Alberta, Canada

This photo was taken from the Prince of Wales Hotel at Waterton Lakes National Park. The view of this lake laying south of the hotel is amazing. One can take a boat to the other end, but be aware. You must take your passport for the south end is in the United States.

Yosemite National Park: March 2016

After the spring rains and warmer weather bringing run-off, the waterfalls

have returned in force to Yosemite National Park. 

The California drought is not over, but it is good to see the water!

Wonders of PhotoShop

Here is an actual photo taken on an island off the coast of Normandy France last July  (2015). It was an okay photo, but I pushed an automatic setting on my photo processing program and.... there you have it.
Could be a good painting.

Favorite Photos

Monet's window looking out to his garden - photo by Madison Boehringer (Grand-daughter)

Mirror Lake, Yosemite National Park, California USA

The rock in Mirror Lake - do you see a duck?!

Photo by Marietta McLellan, March 24, 2016

Great old French chateau in Normandy France

This lovely chateau in Normandy is near Omaha Beach. It takes up several acres and makes apple liqueur. Some of the main house is restored, but the area above is yet to be done. Still lovely.

Three women hanging out at the Louvre

The sculpture rooms at the Louvre are amazing. Famous works of art everywhere.

San Francisco Reflections

Just a quick photo in San Francisco while walking from Bay Area Rapid Transit.

Mount Hamilton, Calfornia

Bust days: Internet photo of the top of Mount Hamilton in the snow.

Cleopatra's Needle, London - as seen from the Thames

Egypt would like this back...

Ireland Week: The Spire of Dublin

A couple of things in this photo of the Dublin Spire (A needle pointing to the sky on O Conner Street). First the Irish Republic Flag: Orange for Protestant, Green for Catholic, White for peace. The photo was taken from our hotel room window at Wynn's. It is just a short walk to everything. The breakfasts were fantastic. The loud parties until 2 a.m. made it seem real that we were in Ireland. Sorry that the point is cut off. I did it in every photo.

Ireland Week: Lismore Castle

The Lismore Castle, Lismore, Ireland - photo taken from the walkway at the visitor's center.

Ireland Week: Kilkenny wins National Hurling Title 2009

We had been in Dublin for the National Hurling Championship and learned that hurling is a dangerous sport that combines the worst of baseball, lacrosse, and soccer. Kilkenny won it all. The next day we were off to Kilkenny for a few days and got in on a grand celebration. The photo above is part of a video I took showing the parade. These are the players and they were high as could be (in several ways of the meaning of that word). Great fun to learn and celebrate all sorts of new things while traveling.

Ireland Week: Hill of Tara and Newgrange, north of Dublin

 Hill of Tara, where the ancient kings of Ireland were crowned.

Newgrange, ancient observatory (older than Stonehenge) where 

the Winter Solstice was celebrated. Take a bus tour from Dublin to end these sites and more. 

Ireland Week: Irish Pubs

 Temple Bar Area of Dublin  - The East Coast

Dingle (town) - West Coast

The pub is a place of food and beverage. It is often a family place like the old taverns in middle America were in the 1950's. In a colder climate, the pub is a meeting place and a gathering of neighbors. It is a social center, especially where homes are smaller. In my humble opinion, some of the best food is to be found in the pubs, although some of the less than wonderful food may also be found there as well. You need one pub visit a day.

Ireland Week: The Guinness Brewery, Dublin

Guinness is the national drink of Ireland. There you have to "pull" it as it is rich, creamy and dark. As for me, I like a lighter beer, but you have to have a Guinness at the source. 

The Guinness Storehouse has a tour of the Guinness Experience which is very popular.

Even if you do not like the beer, you will like the view from the tasting room.

Ireland Week: The View from Muckross House

Standing on the terrace of Muckross House, this is the view you get. Muckross is located  near Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland.

Favorite Photos: View from the B&B room window at La Villa, Italy

The view of the Dolomites out of the window of our room in La Villa, Italy was remarkable. I remember having the owner's teenage son help me carry our suitcases to the first floor (in Europe the first floor is what Americans cal the second floor). After setting the luggage on the racks provided, I turned to look out the window and this is what I saw. It was evening. We got to see the sight for nearly a full week. I must admit that this is one of my favorite places we have visited. 

Mercedes Benz at Lake Como, Italy

We like to add on a week or two to a tour or to just design our own car trips. A favorite place to rent is Auto Europe which is a broker. In Verona, Italy we rented a "small" car which turned out to be a Mercedes B Class. It was a learning experience for me driving a diesel configured this way, but a great car for the mountain roads of northern Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.  (And Liechtenstein, as well.) This is a photo of my co-pilot at Lake Como on the way to Bellagio. Anything wider than this would not have made it on those narrow roads.  

Glamaparis Apartment

This is  an internet photo of the living area of the apartment we rented in Paris

last summer. It was charming and only about 1/2 a block from the Louvre.

It really was a good stay and conveniently located.

Favorite Places

Balmoral Castle in the Highlands of Scotland, Owned by Elizabeth II.

Marin County, California as seen from view point of the Golden Gate Bridge

If you are lucky enough to live near the San Francisco Bay, you can often be delighted by the many special sights and sounds there. While in graduate school, both my wife and I lived in Marin County across the Golden Gate Bridge from the city. I commuted for clinical training over both the Richmond Bridge and the Gold Gate. There are a variety of micro-climates and it may be warm one place and a few miles away it may be cool. If you are visiting the Bay Area, check the weather report but always carry a jacket. The coldest time of the year can very likely be summer. 

Rose Window, Notre Dame Cathedral Paris France

Photo by Madison Boehringer

Having only seen pictures of saints in stained glass windows of churches, 

the young boy defined "Saint" as "a person the light shines through."

Amen.

Large ships in Venice

This is a telephoto shot of the end of one of the islands of Venice. You will notice how high the water is. Saint Mark's Square, being even lower, often floods making it necessary to walk on portable risers. Large ships coming into the harbor make huge waves and turbulence which is eroding many of the old - all man made - walls holding back the water. Large ships are in the process of being limited in the bay. The large ships also make for a very crowded city during the day. This makes the evenings even more delicious for those of us who stay the night.

Italian River

This is a river in Italy. The photo was taken from a bridge on a warm day some years back. It could be a photo taken in Oregon, U.S.A. or in Northern Scotland. The point being that it was taken in Italy and I remember the exact place and what was going on around me. Traveling makes your mind keen. I cannot clearly remember what I did yesterday, but I can recall a good deal from trips long ago. 

Chateau Lake Louise from the north trail of Lake Louise.

Walking along the northern trail around Lake Louise, you can stop and take a photo of the Chateau - large hotel - there. In the background you can see ski runs and lift areas.

Paris Street sign

The interesting thing about taking photos of direction signs - and I have done it on just about every trip - is that there is often a pigeon on top. Pigeons are a worldwide given.

Telephoto: Montmartre

Montmartre from the Orsay, Paris France (Photo by Mike McLellan)

Yosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.

This is not the average photo of Yosemite Park. Usually you will get a view of one of the many waterfalls or a picture of Half-dome. There are some major features of the park that people will showcase.  This photo is of a small beach on the river with a wall rising behind it. It is one of thousands of places that are remarkably pretty, but do not get in the photos. (Photo by Mike)

Walking the Golden Gate Bridge

Check the bus schedules and take the bus to the south end. Walk across and catch the bus to Sausalito  at the north end. In Sausalito catch the ferry back. Even in summer - especially in summer - you need to dress warmly. I think the bay side is the best walk as you look out on the city.