Monthly Archives: December 2016

Holiday Message 2016

Christmas greetings from Larry and Jan to all our friends and family!

The setting for our life-style are our base camps in the south, Gulf Shores and in the north, Traverse City. The retirement strategy (at least weather-wise) is to be somewhere that does not require a snow blower. So far that is still working out! Michigan is still home base, at least at this time. We are still enjoying and love our time on the road. We tend to get restless after a couple of months in one place though. The bulk of our time is spent on our many hobbies, planning for the next trip and spending time on the road.

It is migration time...getting ready to head back north!

It is migration time…getting ready to head back north!

Back home in the north...the snow is gone but Lake Michigan is still very cold

Back home in the north…the snow is gone but Lake Michigan is still very cold

Life on the road takes to the big cities...this time New York City in the Spring

Life on the road takes to the big cities…this time New York City in the Spring

...or you can find us in the woods...this year following  the Atlantic Coast north in the spring and south along the Pacific coast in the summer...

…or you can find us in the woods…this year following the Atlantic Coast north in the spring and south along the Pacific coast in the summer…

Here are pictures of Larry and Jan captured at various points along the trail. The big milestone this year was our 50th wedding anniversary celebrated on Padre Island on the Gulf of Mexico. We find that retirement is a fulltime job and now cannot figure out how we ever had time to work!

Two road warriors...celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in Texas on North Padre Island

Two road warriors…celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in Texas on North Padre Island

Great day in the Redwoods National Park...these huge trees are intimidating!

Great day in the Redwoods National Park…these huge trees are intimidating!

Wow!  Hard climb but the view is worth it!

Wow! Hard climb but the view is worth it!

Still having fun...

Still having fun…

Some views just never wear out...

Some views just never wear out…

Showing off at the beach...a favorite haunt!

Showing off at the beach…a favorite haunt!

One old cowboy hanging out in the desert

One old cowboy hanging out in the desert

This next section is devoted to family. These pictures taken in Michigan, Alabama, New York and Pennsylvania. We love to have folks come to see us or catching up with them along the way.

Visitors from the north and south...Larry and Amy

Visitors from the north and south…Larry and Amy

Aunt Laura and Larry hanging out after lunch at the Red Mesa...

Aunt Laura and Larry hanging out after lunch at the Red Mesa…

Spending quality time with Paul in Pennsylvania

Spending quality time with Paul in Pennsylvania

Jan and Paul taking in the sights at Longwood Gardens

Jan and Paul taking in the sights at Longwood Gardens

Karl and Cully on their home turf in NYC, they can always find great places to eat!

Karl and Cully on their home turf in NYC, they can always find great places to eat!

Jan and Karl liked this place as it was truly  Vegan

Jan and Karl liked this place as it was truly Vegan

Larry and Karl...seems I have to look up to him now...

Larry and Karl…seems I have to look up to him now…

Mark in front of his Kingston hangout...yes those are Mark colors!

Mark in front of his Kingston hangout…yes those are Mark colors!

Hike along the Hudson - Mark, Jan and Kevin

Hike along the Hudson – Mark, Jan and Kevin

Fiona is good at getting the family together in Brooklyn

Fiona is good at getting the family together in Brooklyn

John enjoying the beaches at Gulf Shores

John enjoying the beaches at Gulf Shores

Jan, Fiona and John taking a stroll on the Gulf Coast of course Larry is always behind the camera

Jan, Fiona and John taking a stroll on the Gulf Coast of course Larry is always behind the camera

John and Fiona ready to head back to the big city via New Orleans

John and Fiona ready to head back to the big city via New Orleans

The pictures that follow are taken while at the base camps in Michigan and Alabama. We love the Grand Traverse region and all that it has to offer. Being in the south in Alabama, we have learned what a Yankee is! Although where we live on the Island the Yankees do outnumber those who hail from Dixie, at least this time of the year.

Love those Cherry blossoms...always try to be back for the spring show

Love those Cherry blossoms…always try to be back for the spring show

It is easy to find great views of Lake Michigan...much bluer than the Gulf of Mexico

It is easy to find great views of Lake Michigan…much bluer than the Gulf of Mexico

When in Traverse City in July it is hard to escape the National Cherry Festival

When in Traverse City in July it is hard to escape the National Cherry Festival

This year we did all three shows for the Blue Angels...

This year we did all three shows for the Blue Angels…

The red spires are iconic to Traverse Commons...always a photo opt!

The red spires are iconic to Traverse Commons…always a photo opt!

In all our travels we have not found a better farm market experience

In all our travels we have not found a better farm market experience

Great playground for snowbirds

Great playground for snowbirds

Lefty still comes out most days...note the offspring in the background.  She was a bit on the feisty side on this day

Lefty still comes out most days…note the offspring in the background. She was a bit on the feisty side on this day

If you come to Mobile for a festival you will find plenty of colorful southern dress

If you come to Mobile for a festival you will find plenty of colorful southern dress

Loves these kites...looks like a great hobby - stay tuned as this may become the next diversion for us...

Loves these kites..looks like a great hobby – stay tuned as this may become the next diversion for us…

Our travels this year took us up the East coast in the spring. We spent four weeks on the road starting in Florida heading north to New York and then Michigan. There were many stops along the way, some were repeats others new adventures. Mid-summer we headed out for 9 weeks hitting Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and Texas. Check out the link on the web site for all the details. The photos that follow are just some of the highlights of our time on the road…

Traveling along the coast in the south...you can find lots of view like this

Traveling along the coast in the south…you can find lots of view like this

Just loved the colorful houses in Savannah

Just loved the colorful houses in Savannah

Yes, the Atlantic is just over the bridge

Yes, the Atlantic is just over the bridge

Hanging out in Charleston is a rewarding experience

Hanging out in Charleston is a rewarding experience

Colorful tourist hangout long the Cape Hatteras Seashores

Colorful tourist hangout long the Cape Hatteras Seashores

The east coast has plenty of history...here is an educational walk in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers

The east coast has plenty of history…here is an educational walk in the footsteps of the Wright Brothers

Colonial Williamsburg will hold your interest for several days if you let it.

Colonial Williamsburg will hold your interest for several days if you let it.

Longwood spring display...a very favorite stop when we are in Pennsylvania

Longwood spring display…a very favorite stop when we are in Pennsylvania

Brandywine Creek...everything in Pennsylvania and Delaware has a Brandywine label

Brandywine Creek…everything in Pennsylvania and Delaware has a Brandywine label

The Highline City Park is fun anytime of the year...always plenty of content for the photographer

The Highline City Park is fun anytime of the year…always plenty of content for the photographer

What is a trip to the Big Apple without a stop at Macy's

What is a trip to the Big Apple without a stop at Macy’s

New York State has lots of these stops, you just have to seek them out!

New York State has lots of these stops, you just have to seek them out!

Niagara Falls is one place you will find plenty of tourists

Niagara Falls is one place you will find plenty of tourists

The Mackinac Bridge is the gateway to the north and an escape route to the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and if you are brave, Canada

The Mackinac Bridge is the gateway to the north and an escape route to the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and if you are brave, Canada

Glacier a favorite National Park...it is already calling us back

Glacier a favorite National Park…it is already calling us back

Love catching these views...mountains, Lakes and Glaciers in the backdrop

Love catching these views…mountains, Lakes and Glaciers in the backdrop

Humbling view...this was a great all day hike

Humbling view…this was a great all day hike

Glacier melt adds to any view and/or photo

Glacier melt adds to any view and/or photo

Amazing that these glacier falls run all year...however the glaciers are getting much smaller so enjoy them while you can...

Amazing that these glacier falls run all year…however the glaciers are getting much smaller so enjoy them while you can…

Mountain flowers and long views feed one's soul

Mountain flowers and long views feed one’s soul

Mirror image comes about when the sun aligns just right...

Mirror image comes about when the sun aligns just right…

Nice view, it rained shortly after this shot...of course we are in a rain forest

Nice view, it rained shortly after this shot…of course we are in a rain forest

This scene stuck with me a long time...being there was a rewarding experience

This scene stuck with me a long time…being there was a rewarding experience

Jan enjoyed the many hikes in the Rain Forest of Washington

Jan enjoyed the many hikes in the Rain Forest of Washington

Breath taking views along the Oregon Coast.  What do you think!

Breath taking views along the Oregon Coast. What do you think!

Crater Lake's Phantom Ship stands out for sure!

Crater Lake’s Phantom Ship stands out for sure!

Crater Lake experience exceeded our expectations

Crater Lake experience exceeded our expectations

Lassen is truly a different experience and strange part of the world...

Lassen is truly a different experience and strange part of the world…

Mountains in Lassen are all volcanic and very active today

Mountains in Lassen are all volcanic and very active today

Exploring a highly thermal area in Northern California

Exploring a highly thermal area in Northern California

Yosemite National Park was a bucket list stop

Yosemite National Park was a bucket list stop

Yosemite icon...

Yosemite icon…

Half Dome gets a lot of attention...fun experience

Half Dome gets a lot of attention…fun experience

After Yosemite, Sequoia is next up!

After Yosemite, Sequoia is next up!

These large Sequoia trees are awesome

These large Sequoia trees are awesome

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are side by side...however getting from one to the other is an entire days adventure...

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are side by side…however getting from one to the other is an entire days adventure…

The mountains are always different in size and color...Kings Canyon was no exception

The mountains are always different in size and color…Kings Canyon was no exception

Heading south from Northern California you get to the desert...Death Valley held our interest for several days

Heading south from Northern California you get to the desert…Death Valley held our interest for several days

Just the name of the Devils Corn field conjures interesting images in one's mind...

Just the name of the Devils Corn field conjures interesting images in one’s mind…

Finding mountains and colorful rocks in the desert was easy...a truly new experience for us!  No glaciers to be found in this part of the world...

Finding mountains and colorful rocks in the desert was easy…a truly new experience for us! No glaciers to be found in this part of the world…

Joshua Tree continues our exploration of National Parks...this was a return visit for us

Joshua Tree continues our exploration of National Parks…this was a return visit for us

Love the Joshua Trees which are actually a Yucca Palm.  The rocks have that Southwestern US look and feel, don't you think?

Love the Joshua Trees which are actually a Yucca Palm. The rocks have that Southwestern US look and feel, don’t you think?

Saguaro National Park at San Antonio is a great place to learn about cactus...

Saguaro National Park at San Antonio is a great place to learn about cactus…

Moving south...Big Bend is an adventure in the desert, the mountains and the Rio Grande River for the hiker and photographer

Moving south…Big Bend is an adventure in the desert, the mountains and the Rio Grande River for the hiker and photographer

...of course the Big Bend  mountains had to be documented using the old Nikon!

…of course the Big Bend mountains had to be documented using the old Nikon!

Rio Grande River winds it way through Santa Elena Canyon...getting to the trail you have to wade across the river...yes there were pictures!

Rio Grande River winds it way through Santa Elena Canyon…getting to the trail you have to wade across the river…yes there were pictures!

San Antonio River Walk...where you can find plenty of entertainment

San Antonio River Walk…where you can find plenty of entertainment

San Antonio Missions very interesting...management shared with the church and federal government...odd bedfellows for sure...Only President Carter could have carried this off!

San Antonio Missions very interesting…management shared with the church and federal government…odd bedfellows for sure…Only President Carter could have carried this off!

Padre Island a place we truly enjoy...

Padre Island a place we truly enjoy…

70 plus miles of undeveloped beaches on North Padre

70 plus miles of undeveloped beaches on North Padre

Jan and I love our morning and evening walks. For the photographer catching that colorful sunrise or sunset is a compulsion and a technical challenge. Many of you already know I love those photos…a few to follow…

What is a blog post without a sunrise and sunset shots...Sunrise Gulf Shores

What is a blog post without a sunrise and sunset shots…Sunrise Gulf Shores

Sunrise Gulf Coast

Sunrise Gulf Coast

Sunset Gulf Shores

Sunset Gulf Shores

Sunset Gulf Coast...

Sunset Gulf Coast…

Lake Michigan - Grand Traverse West Bay sunrise

Lake Michigan – Grand Traverse West Bay sunrise

West Bay color in the morning

West Bay color in the morning

Great early morning shot...

Great early morning shot…

Merry Christmas Everyone,

God Bless,

Larry and Jan