Tree Stump

Skywatch Friday

Kyoto Imperial Palace (1)

On our next day in Japan we took the train from Osaka to Kyoto, a short ride. The next several Our World Tuesday posts will be dedicated to Kyoto, possibly the most beautiful city I've ever seen. I'll start with the Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所), which  remains an active palace for the Emperor of Japan.

Visitors are able to tour the palace grounds and it's worth the effort.

This is a view of the Carriage House.

I'll continue with more photos next week (I don't like long posts).

Trees, Dogs, & Shadows

Taken at the nearby Fox Run Park last weekend, you can see my two little dogs in this first shot if you look carefully. They love to go somewhere, and are so excited to get in the car with me!

This one's simply got lovely trees and shadows.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Fox Run Park Trees

I went to the local Fox Run Park over the weekend hoping to see a little fall color. It was too early, but I did see some beautiful Skywatch Friday trees.

Koko-en Garden, Himeji

Next to Himeji Castle is a traditional Japanese garden, the Koko-en Garden (好古園). If you're there it's certainly worth the time.

As you'd expect it's beautiful, with waterfalls and shady trees.

Of course there are ponds.

There are a couple of indoor spaces too. There's something magical about wandering through a traditional garden like this in Japan.

After this we headed back to the bullet train, and finished the route to Osaka where we stayed for a couple of days. Lots more photos to come - I hope you're not bored with my vacation shots yet!

Our World Tuesday

Cambridge 1979 (2)

Himeji Castle Roof

For this week's Skywatch Friday post, here's a close-up of Himeji Castle's roof. Notice the impressive detail in every aspect of this amazing place, and the more modern lightning rod to keep it safe!

Himeji Castle Views

Finishing my Our World Tuesday series on Himeji Castle, here are some views from within. As you're climbing to the top you see many beautiful sights.

You can see closeups of the rooflines and statues.

At the top there's a commanding view of the city.

Finally, here's a close-up of the embankment on which the castle is built.

Cambridge 1979 (1)

Here's the start of a series of shots from Cambridge, where we spent a few weeks back in 1979, just before moving to the United States. I found a few slides from that time worth posting.

Another San Fran Beach Shot

We had some fresh snow on our local mountain over the weekend. But I didn't get any photos of it, so my Skywatch Friday shot is another leftover from a San Francisco beach.

Inside Himeji Castle

This week I'll show you the inside of Himeji Castle. It's beautifully kept, though mostly empty.

To help keep it in pristine condition, shoes aren't allowed in the building. That's fine by me as that's how we live anyway.

In a couple of places my ultra-wide fisheye lens was useful.

Next week I'll probably show you views from the top.

Our World Tuesday

New York City 2001

Here's a photo from when we were in New York City back in 2001, just a few weeks before 9/11. Yes, it was taken at the the top of the World Trade Center. I have very few photos from this trip.