It’s a question I get every day: “Where are you sailing?” Most people assume that I have a first stop in mind or a schedule planned out. I always just answered the question by saying that I was going to take it a day at a time and see where the wind takes me. And that’s why I’m so excited about this – a lifestyle drastically different than that of a regimented military officer – not worrying about a schedule or where I have to be next. But I do need some direction in mind to know where to point my bow once I leave North Carolina, and I’ve had plenty of time to ponder it in the last few months. I think I have it figured out. Read More→
- "It isn't that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better." - Sir Francis Drake
- "It isn't that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better." - Sir Francis Drake
Archive for Destinations
Looking west over Lily Lake in the Desolation Wilderness
While Hurricane Irene was battering my home and the sailboat I’m waiting to take ownership of (which is soon to become my home; they both survived), I was out on a short day-hike in the Glen Alpine Springs area near South Lake Tahoe on a beautiful day. Waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and old cabins can all be experienced in just a matter of a few miles. John Muir even wrote, “The Glen Alpine Springs Resort seems to me one of the most delightful places in all the famous Tahoe region. From no other valley, as far as I know, may excursions be made in a single day to so many peaks, wild gardens, glacier lakes, glacier meadows, and alpine groves, cascades and the like.” Hike as long as you want; if you have a few hours like I did, go up to the Glen Alpine Springs resort site (ran from 1884-1960). If you have days or weeks, you can spend it all continuing deeper into the Desolation Wilderness and its many trails & lakes. My last trip into the Desolation Wilderness was in the neighborhood of fifteen years ago while I was living in Tahoe, and it was great to be back. Read More→
Categories : Destinations Tags : america, california, hiking, nature, waterfalls
Wetlands near Mark's Creek, North Carolina.
A couple of months ago I approached the Triangle Land Conservancy about any potential photographic projects they might have. I needed something to keep my creativity going and keep me from thinking about real work! I was referred to the Turnipseed Tract in the Marks Creek conservation area, just a few minutes from my house (bonus!). Looking at a map, it didn’t look like much. The area sat between two suburban subdivisions and had a large powerline cutting through the west side of the land. I didn’t think there’d be much to photograph, but between the deer, wild lupine, and exotic aquatic plants, I had to bite my tongue after going through 2 – 8MB memory cards during three separate trips.
Categories : Destinations Tags : america, conservation, hiking, nature, north carolina
Looking at the natatio walls from the frigidarium. The architecture was copied in Chicago and New York rail stations.
I have great respect for Native American culture. Somewhere around 700 years ago they were able to build entire communities in alcoves high up on cliff faces. This provided protection from the desert sun, ventilation, and served for defensive purposes. They perfected mud buildings. At the same time in Rome, the ruins of marble-lined palaces with olympic-sized swimming pools and heated baths were sitting in disrepair, unused for their original purpose for 800 years. Terme di Caracalla was one of the largest spa complexes in Rome, and was constructed starting in the early 3rd century AD. Read More→
Categories : Destinations Tags : italy, rome, travel
Bike racks sit behind an ancient tomb on the lawn in front of the 11th-century Church of San Sepulcro, in the Sette Chiese complex of Santo Stefano.
We woke up early to catch the 0700 train to Venice after a late night out (I think I turned in at around 3am?). Walking to the train station, we discovered that all trains to Venice were booked through the afternoon. Every other train we traveled on up to this point were less than 50% booked, and now we couldn’t even get to Venice until the end of the day, needing to be back in Florence that night (if we could even find an open train). After scouring travel guides for a quick day trip, we came across Bologna, a city we hadn’t even considered visiting at all prior to flying to Italy. So let me tell you about Bologna…
Categories : Destinations Tags : bologna, churches, italy, travel
The Philip Alston House, 1772, still bearing bullet holes from the American Revolution.
This old house earned its name from the “horseshoe” shape of the Deep River that the house is near. This house is one of North Carolina’s State Historic Sites. Sure, it’s not one of those obscure little unknown places that I usually pursue, but it is in the middle of nowhere and has a lot of history. The house was constructed in 1772 on the site that it still sits on today. One can see bullet holes in the walls from a 1781 skirmish, and the grave of one of North Carolina’s first governors who later lived in the house.
Categories : Destinations Tags : america, military, north carolina, revolutionary war, travel
I like to think that I know a lot of little random, relatively useless facts about history. One thing I know zilch about is NASCAR. Quite frankly because I don’t care. That’s right, I live in North Carolina, and I don’t care about NASCAR. I’d rather watch paint dry. However, I was pretty surprised to learn that the only surviving racetrack from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season is hidden in the woods just southeast of old Hillsborough, 20 miles from Raleigh. I’ll admit that it got my interest.
The cement seats still sit on the hill overlooking the final stretch of the speedway
Categories : Destinations Tags : america, hiking, north carolina, travel
Courtyard for the large House of the Birds
Last year, during an unplanned stop in Spain, I experienced my first taste of ancient Rome. I didn’t know much about the history of the Roman empire in Spain, and I was quite impressed with what I have seen and what I have read. A pleasant bus ride from Seville to the small village of Santiponce ends at an unassuming iron gate, the entrance to a 2,000-year-old Roman city.
Categories : Destinations Tags : rome, spain, travel
Cerro El Morado
If you are in Santiago, Chile, from October through April and are looking for a spectacular day hike, Monumento Natural El Morado is waiting. This glacier field is supposedly 20,000 years old and is one of six glacier fields in the “dry Andes”. The roundtrip hike will take anywhere from three to six hours depending on the season and your ability. Camping is also available around Laguna El Morado, a small lake near the end of the trail.
The King's Pool at the bottom of Uluwehi Falls is deeper than it looks and is vulnerable to falling rocks
The Secret Falls aren’t so secret anymore. With as many outfitters as there are along the Wailua River, Uluwehi Falls, also known as Secret Falls, are seldom without a crowd. These falls are only accessible by kayak and then a hike, which I suppose keeps the crowds down slightly, but it is still a popular tour destination. I usually try to avoid guided “tourist tours” (avoid them like the plague), but every now and then concessions have to be made. And it saved me some time that I would have spent backtracking after getting lost on the trail.
Categories : Destinations Tags : hawaii, hiking, kauai, kayaking, travel, waterfalls
About This Website
John is a guy who gave up a career flying fighter jets so that he could live a free & simple life on a sailboat, see the world, and share his experiences. No television, no fast food, no designer clothes...just exciting adventures and interesting people! These are his preparations and travels once he sets sail. Read more.
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Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved