It's not the Stairway to Heaven

Spiraling Downward


Note: Clicking on the photos will take you to its page in my Flickr photo sharing site where you can see a full size image (and many additional photos).





The photos are from an amazing building in a very beautiful city. You will have to click on the photos and visit the photo page to see where. The location is geo-tagged and can be located on a map or satellite image there as well.

JUNK at Always Ron’s

Note: Clicking on the photo will take you to its page in my Flickr photo sharing site where you can see a full size image (and additional photos).

I stopped at Always’s Ron’s in Hagerstown yesterday for a bite and a beer. I was rewarded for my effort by the sound of Junk. The band, according to their web sites, plays Frederick and Hagerstown area venues. The band describes its music as Jazz/Funk Fusion. I was impressed.

Impressed enough to drag the camera out of the car and take a few pictures, post them here and tell you about it.

The Maryland crab soup and crab stuffed mushrooms were pretty good too.

Don’t take my word for it. Check out their web sites and listen to some of the music samples they have there. Blues for Ben is very nice.

Better yet, check their schedule and go see them live some where. They will be back at Always Ron’s on Saturday December 1st from 9 until midnight.




Visit:

http://www.alwaysrons.com/

http://www.thejunkband.com/

http://www.myspace.com/junkjazzfunk

A Few Nice Cars

Pretty aren't they?

Note: Clicking on the photos below will take you to its page in my Flickr photo sharing site where you can see a full size image.


I came upon this scene while on a Sunday afternoon drive in and around Queensland’s Glass House Mountains. The Queensland Cobra Owner’s Club were gathered at the Landsborough Pub. I had to stop and take a few pictures. The Landsborough Pub was a good find as well. Good beer, friendly people and fabulous food. And sometimes live music on the weekends.


The view is looking due east toward Caloundra.
The northern end of Bribie Island can just be seen in the original image.


That really does say 427 FORD. Awesome!




You can check out more of my hot car photos here

I’ve Been Published

Sort of.

Stairwell Musei Vaticani

You descend the stairwell as you exit the Vatican Museum.

This photo appears in the August 2007 issue of the Rome edition of Where Magazine. It’s one of those magazines you find on the hotel night stand, along with the room service menu.

The photo won 3rd place in the magazine’s Favorite Views of Rome photo contest on Flickr, the photo sharing web site. My photo is printed in the corner at 2 inches tall. Still, it’s nice to see one of my favorite photos actually appear in a magazine.

Check out O Roma o morte, the first place photo (on Flickr). I really like it.

After seeing the Raphael Rooms, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and the treasures of art and history in the museum this beautiful modern stairwell returns you to the streets and the hustle and bustle of the city of Rome. It is a visual reminder of the continuity of art, history and civilization that is the City of Rome.

The same image seen in black & white

Stairwell Musei Vaticani

Gondolas in the Morning

Early Morning in Venice

This was a poorly exposed shot on an overcast morning. I played with it in Photoshop LE until I got this image which I think better conveys the magic of Venice.

Western Maryland Blues Fest

The City of Hagerstown hosts the 12th annual Western Maryland Blues Fest from Friday June 1st, through Sunday the 3rd. Friday and Saturday performances take place on two stages downtown, just off the square, and are well worth the reasonable ticket price.

Note: Clicking on the photos will take you to it's page in my Flickr Photostream where you can see a full size image (and additional Blues Fest pictures).

The Duke Robillard Band performs on the Budweiser Stage at the 2004 Blues Fest.

Paul Rishell & Annie Raines perform on the Bud Light Stage at the 2004 Blues Fest.


Joe Bonamassa closes this year's Saturday program. He alone is worth the day’s ticket price.

The photo to the left is from his performance at last year's Blues Fest.







Sunday’s performances, the Family Blues Picnic, are free and take place at the bandshell in Hagerstown’s City Park.

I am really looking forward to the Mary Ann Redmond Band’s performance there. (Note there is an error on the schedule listed on Mary Ann’s web page. Her performance will be at City Park and not downtown as stated on her site).

Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys Perform in the Bandshell at the 2006 Blues Fest.

There is also a free prelude performance around noon on Thursday, May 31st at University Plaza in downtown Hagerstown.

This is a big event for my hometown. It is defiantly worth the drive from the Baltimore or Washington area. Maybe I will see some of you there.

Complete schedule and ticket information is available at the Blues Fest web site along with directions to the venues. Check it out.

I have posted more photos from previous years on my Flickr Photo site. Check them out here.

Prague 1996

A magic time in the golden city

Remembering good friends and good times

Gabriela, Dorian & Maggi at U Maleho Glena

In 1996 U Maleho Glena was arguably the best bar in town. I have pictures and stories to prove it. Vaclav Havel stopped by one Sunday night to hear some jazz. Woody Harrelson stopped in to drink some absinth and hit on Maggie.

Maggi tending bar, Gabriela in Halloween attire at U Maleho Glena.

Live music downstairs most nights. Open mike jam on Monday, Reggae on Wednesday, Jazz Saturday and Sunday. Good folks, food and beer every night. The Sax player's name is Bill. He was the best in Prague in 1996. I remember his music but not his last name. If anyone knows, please leave a comment.

The Tiger Lillies, you had to be there.

Click the Pic. to see a different side of 1996 Prague.

Read my post Walking with Hillary about my stroll across the Charles Bridge with Hillary Clinton.

Or check out my idea of A Perfect Sunday in Prague


To see more photos from this magic city please visit my PhotoSets Prague 1996 and Prague 2002 on Flickr.

Black & White

Black & white photos courtesy of PhotoShop Elements.

Ponte Vittorio Emanuele, Rome

Seen from Ponte Sant' Angelo

Click on the photos to visit their Flickr PhotoPage where high resolution images can be downloaded and where links to color images can be found.

The stairwell to my flat on my last visit to Prague.

Elevator Shaft, and Stairwell, Prague Town Hall

Doorway and Ruins at Trajan Market, Rome

Inspired by M.C. Escher, a Glass Sphere and a Bottle of Wine.

Stairwell Musei Vaticani

Check out more of my Black & White photos by visiting my Black & White PhotoSet on Flickr.

The Subway Hike

Zion National Park, Utah

On the trail to the Subway, Zion National Park

The Subway–Left Fork trailhead is off the Kolob Terrace Road near the western edge of Zion National Park. The trailhead is on top of the slope on the left. At the canyon floor, the trail will follow the Left Fork creek bed upstream to the subway.

Much of the way the trail is the stream bed. Leave your boots in the pack. Wear something that can get soaked.

The trail is a long series of these step like waterfalls.

That's the entrance to the subway just ahead.

Looking out from the end of the subway

The Subway

This is actually just the beginning of the northwestern end of the canyon called the subway. It's possible to continue through but we were out of time. We needed to be back at the trailhead before sunset.

See my post Cable Mountain Hike, (also in Zion National Park) on LostBob's Blog

I have placed a number of photos from this trip into my Zion National Park PhotoSet on Flickr. Check them out.

Attitude Adjustment Time

A Visit to Amsterdam

Click on the Pic for an alternative attitude adjustment.

Checking the Map

Everybody needs a little attitude adjustment time. Amsterdam is perfect. Opportunities abound just a few steps away in any direction.



The sidewalks and outdoor cafes are but the aroma from Amsterdam’s coffee shops is nothing at all like Starbucks. Better go inside and investigate.

Click the Pic.s

A Few Cold Ones

It’s still early the young lady behind Door 56 has not even arrived. Click the Pic. for something else to do for awhile.


A collection of photos from a March 2003 visit can be seen at my Amsterdam PhotoSet on Flickr

An alternative Amsterdam attitude adjustment can be found in Attitude Adjustment Time II on LostBob's Blog.

Cable Mountain Hike

Zion National Park, Utah

Virgin River Valley and Angel's Landing

View from the Cable Head

At the Cable Head, the final destination on the Cable Mountain Hike in Zion National Park, Utah. Looking down on the trail head at the parking lot over 2000 ft below. The switchback trail up the cliffs can be seen in the lower part of the photo.

Note: Clicking on the pictures in this post will take you to the photo's Flickr PhotoPage. Links open in a single new window.

The trail squeezes through a narrow side canyon then continues upward until reaching the Mesa top and spectacular views over the Utah country side.

At the Cable Head, the final destination for the day's hike. That's Gregg my high school buddy and backpacking partner looking out from the rock. The first photo in this post was taken looking down from this spot.

See my post The Subway Hike, (also in Zion National Park) on LostBob's Blog

I have placed a number of photos from this trip into my Zion National Park PhotoSet on Flickr. Check them out.