Jaunts and Journeys with DJ

Bald Eagle at Merritt Island

2010-03-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

Although far from a good photograph, I was still excited to capture this shot of a Bald Eagle on Merritt Island, shortly after exiting Black Point Wildlife Drive! Less than half an hour before I saw a Bobcat running across the road --the first time I have ever seen a Bobcat in the wild!

Despite dreary weather, it was a great day of adventure!

Blue Spring State Park

2010-03-21T11:22:00.000-07:00

One of the day trips we took from Rockledge, Florida was almost 80 miles north to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, near DeLand.

Blue Spring is the largest natural spring on the St. Johns River, has a constant temperature of 73 degrees, and is a refuge for manatees from mid-November to mid-March. Most of the manatees were gone last week, but we were still able to spot a couple while we were there.

To give you a perspective of one of the spring's natural swimming areas, click on the photo above and you'll discover the white and red object in the upper right corner is actually a snorkler!

The water is crystal clear and you can easily spot fish and manatees.

If you are going to be visiting central Florida, please be sure to put some of the state parks with natural springs on your list to check out.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

2010-03-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to see the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park for a long time and it did not disappoint me. This Scarlet Macaw strikes a 'Groucho' pose. (Actually, he was just scratching his head.)

As much as I love birds, this Blue and Gold Macaw was a foul-tempered fowl. It didn't like cameras or even those who stopped to say hello. It didn't take long for people to move on once it let out a couple of deafening squawks and leaned in to give you the evil eye. Beauty was definitely only feather-deep on this bird.

There are several species of alligator, caiman, and crocodiles on display at the Alligator Farm.

As well as a Komodo dragon.

This fellow was much more people-friendly.

Look at this awesome Bornean Crested Fireback Pheasant!

Sunning.

A Galapagos giant tortoise.

Other large tortoises take a lunch break.

You may click HERE to see a list of the exhibits at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park

2010-03-20T08:35:00.001-07:00

Less than one hundred miles east of Pensacola Beach are stunning natural springs located within Ponce de Leon Springs State Park.

As you can see, the water is crystal clear, and it stays at a constant 68 degrees year round.

A large area is available for you to 'swim with the fishes' in nature's own swimming pool, created by the convergence of two underground water flows and which produces 14 million gallons of water per day.

And look what beauties you'll see when you visit this 'fountain of youth'.

You may learn more about Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, as well as other Florida State Parks, my clicking HERE.

St. Augustine Lighthouse

2010-03-20T06:56:00.001-07:00

The beautiful St. Augustine, Florida Lighthouse and Museum is another great historical site to visit.

Approximately a six hour drive from the Pensacola area, this historical is open seven days a week.

Also impressive is The Keeper's Blog which is a collection of 'musings' and so much more from those who work at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.

A U.S. Lighthouse Station marker.

The St. Augustine Yacht Club located across from the lighthouse property.

Teotihuacan, Mexico

2010-01-16T21:22:00.000-08:00

The name Teotihuacan, site of mysterious ruins less than 50 miles outside of Mexico City, is generally translated as the 'place where gods were born'.

We entered first through the Palace of the Jaguars.

The original designers/inhabitants of the massive site are still unknown and debated.

Mortar of the walls is decorated to resemble spots on a jaguar.

It is still possible to see color in the many murals throughout the site.

Incredible stonework.

Pink and green mural of a jaguar with feathered headdress holding a conch shell which appears to have been converted into a musical instrument.

More of the murals in the Palace of the Jaguar.

Temple of the Feathered Conches.

Murals of parrots within the Temple of the Feathered Conches.

If you look closely at the photo above you can see the head of a parrot.

Excavation and restoration continues.

In the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl.

Lintels, or rooftop ornaments, atop the courtyard of the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl.

Joaquin, our wonderful guide that day, show a treasured piece of obsidian he owns.

Pyramid of the Moon.

A series of platforms in the Plaza of the Moon.

One demonstration especially intrigued me. We watched as a beautiful crimson dye was made from cochineal insects who feed on certain cactus such as prickly pear.

The white clumps you see on the cactus are from insects which produce carminic acid to protect itself from other insects. It is that carminic acid which produces the color.

The gentleman smears circles of rich color on a piece of paper.

Here is a closer look. To read more about this method, you may click HERE.

Standing...I mean, sitting guard.

Plaza of the Moon.

Not for the faint of heart, climbing these steps. If you think it's difficult walking up, wait 'til you start walking down!

I wear a size 7.5 shoe and my feet barely seemed to fit these steps.

Avenue of the Dead

Pyramid of the Sun.

Giant agave plants were used for shelter, fiber, medicine, etc. For an excellent site which gives detailed information about how the pre-Columbian people in Mesoamerica cultivated agave, as well as more of its uses, you may click HERE.

Adobe bricks baked hard by the sun.

Tourists make the steep ascent to the Pyramid of the Sun.

Pyramid of the Sun.

The site stretches out before us. It continues to be excavated and studied for new clues to this once-immense city which may have had as many as 200,000 inhabitants.

Stopping to rest, I'm still in awe at details such as this on an ancient platform's steps.

I could spend days, exploring this vast complex, but it's time to say farewell and head south toward Puebla and Villahermosa.

Back in port

2010-01-11T11:00:00.000-08:00

We arrived back at the Port of New Orleans before dawn on the last day of the cruise. The Crescent City Connection, twin cantilevered bridges that span the Mississippi River, are backlit by a beautiful sunrise.

I would like to thank Judy Shane at Majestic Travel in Gulf Breeze, who accompanied a group of us from Pensacola Beach and Gulf Breeze, for all her help in making this such a lovely cruise.

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

2010-01-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

A map of the ruins in Tulum at the entrance.

The day turned out to be beautiful, though rain and low temps had been forecast.

What unusual birds...

Retaining walls lined the walkway.

Incredible views of the Caribbean Sea from the cliffs of Tulum

A broader view of Tulum.

The Palace was the largest residential building.

El Castillo.

El Castillo is the largest of the buildings at Tulum.

Another perspective of El Castillo.

Cozumel

2010-01-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

We docked in Cozumel and you can see the Celebrity Equinox across from us.

This boat is what they called a "Fast Ferry" which took us from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen in about half an hour. The water was very choppy and it was not a pleasant trip for many on board, but my husband and I really enjoyed the ride.

This gives you a bit more perspective on the size of the ship versus the size of the ferry.

The 'Zonkey Show'?? Sorry I'm going to miss it -- I think.

This is the first turtle I've seen during the whole trip!

A beautiful catamaran sailing past us.

As we arrive at the pier in Playa del Carmen the water looks almost as pretty as ours. ;-)

One of the beaches in Playa del Carmen.

Beautiful beachfront property.

The beautiful Real Club, part of the Gran Porto Real Resort in Playa de Carmen, a five star property which I surely couldn't afford to stay at, but enjoyed staring!

A gorgeous dome in the porte cochere at the Real.

Flags fly high as we walk to the bus which will drive us an hour south to Mayan ruins in Tulum.

Carnival Triumph

2010-01-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

We cruised on the Carnival Triumph from New Orleans to Cozumel.

We embarked on Level Three and into an incredible spacious area still decorated festively for the holidays.

Looking down at the amazing nine-deck atrium from around Level Six.

Wow, wonder what the winged gold lion is reading. He surely doesn't seemed pleased.

A lovely coffee/pastry/ice cream shop along World's Way

The adorable gingerbread village was still in place.

I love the nightly towel animals we would find on our bed...

along with a copy of 'Carnival Capers', the Ship's newsletter which listed helpful hints and all of the next day's events such as classes, store specials, and shows. Hmmmm...maybe I'll take the towel folding class and surprise our visitors next year!

There's a place on the ship to play a few hoops.

There was also a mini-golf area and we took full advantage of it during the trip!

The communications/radar tower was gigantic!

A view aft from portside. The waterslide wasn't operating during our cruise for obvious reasons, but all the hot tubs stayed full of braver people than us. It was very cool on the open deck until we got closer to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Another view aft from starboard side. Note the giant TV screen which came in very handy for those watching college football bowl games on New Year's Day.

A beautiful sunset at sea.

Ahhhh...a lounging 'waskly wabbit' on my bed. Yep, maybe I will take that towel folding class.

Tomorrow's port...Cozumel!

Departing New Orleans

2010-01-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

At least the sun was shining on New Year's Eve day, when we departed New Orleans for a cruise to Cozumel.

The muddy Mississippi flowing swiftly under the Crescent City Connection.

As we departed, we sailed past the Steamboat Natchez ...

and Riverwalk Marketplace...

Drawing nearer to Jackson Square...

and at last a beautiful view of St. Louis Cathedral.

We wave goodbye to New Orleans as the sun slowly disappears behind the skyline.

Then are treated to a full moon -- a blue moon -- rising on the port side of the ship as we reach a bend in the river.

A reflection of myself in the rain-stained balcony window earlier as we pulled away from the pier. I've got to work on that raised-pinkie mannerism I have going on.

A day in New Orleans

2009-12-30T14:34:00.000-08:00

My husband and I decided to take a cruise out of New Orleans and came in one day before the departure to enjoy some time in the French Quarter. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate.

The only place I could safely pull out my camera was in doorways of courtyards.

Occasionally the rain would slacken enough for me to use my hood to protect the camera, as I did here along the Mississippi river.

We decided to go to the New Orleans aquarium -- as did a thousand or more other folks.

It was fascinating to watch the divers cleaning the tanks and checking the coral and fish.

Colorful fish were very difficult to capture without a tripod, but I did my best to steady the camera against the edge of the tank or a nearby post. I would LOVE to have a saltwater aquarium again.

Such lovely tanks and fish.

I'll definitely put a large aquarium on my list of things to buy when I hit the lottery!

Bellingrath Gardens

2009-05-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

There are a few places that I love to visit off-island. One of them is Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, Alabama, just west of Mobile. From my home it is approximately 90 miles (1 1/2 hour drive), so it's perfect for a day trip. I hope you enjoy photos of the garden. We are not allowed to take photos in the home. At the end of the post you will find links to more information about the house and its history.

Dozens of varieties and colors of roses. Their sweet fragrance greets you before you even enter the rose garden itself.

Entrance to the Bellingrath's rose garden.

Old brick...

Row after row, hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers...

Pink single rose...

Unfolding...

Each color became my favorite as I'd walk by...how fickle of me. How understandable once you visit this beautiful garden.

A sea of pink roses, delightfully fragrant.

Red roses climbing a white trellis, very dramatic.

Purple mandevilla.

I realize now I should have taken notes so you'd know the names of these lovely roses.

Walkway into the conservatory.

How beautiful! I believe this is a jacobina

A large staghorn fern.

Vibrant color...

A hanging basket...

Dozens of shrimp plants in bloom.

Oooohhh....what is this?

Unusual orchids...

Various shapes...

A beauiful blue hydrangea...

Delphiniums...

Snapdragons...

Even the edgings of walkways were delightful...

Hanging baskets of petunias and pathway plantings being watered.

An oakleaf hydrangea...

A very delicate-looking beauty, which reminds me of weddings.

Fountain Plaza.

Leading to the mermaid fountain....

Closer....

Closer...

Stunning views of the Fowl River from the East Terrace.

and a series of steps and terraces take you down to the grotto...

with its peaceful, cool waterfall...

then on to the river pavillon.

Far end of Mirror Lake.

The foot bridge and baskets of geraniums.

Tiny waterfalls here and there in the Rockery.

Some full of bright colored goldfish or koi.

Pots of pink hydrangeas.

Across the hill to Mirror Lake...

And a closer view which makes you realize the appropriate name.

Hmmm...someone else enjoys the garden as much as me. Click on the photo and you'll see he's chowing down, that wascally wabbit!

Walkways along the garden.

To read more about the history of Bellingrath Gardens you may click here.

To learn more about the extraordinary people who build it, click here.

Touring Mexico

2008-03-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Flying across the mountains which surround Mexico City, I was reminded of their problem with air pollution as I looked out the window. One of the world's largest metropolitan areas, Mexico City is home to over 20 million people and sits in a high altitude basin surrounded by high mountains. Pollutants from vehicle emmisions and garbage incineration are unable to escape, consequently a heavy brown haze frequently blankets the city.

I look forward to visiting some of Mexico's ancient and colonial cities on this trip, but I hope I packed an inhaler to get me through the first couple of days!