Post a landmark photo!

[echeck]

Great photos! Empire State Building?

Yep!

Here's two landmarks in Newport, Rhode Island. The first is probalby the most famous mansion along "mansion row". It's a pretty cool place, right along the Atlantic. There's a little walkway along the coast bording the backside of all the mansions.

Anyway, this first one belonged to Cornellius Vanderbilt II, it's called The Breakers. The Vanderbilts were extremely weathly at the turn of the 19th century due to their involvment with the New York Central Railroad. This house was originally a wooden cottage but in 1893, Vanderbuilt commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to rebuild the cottage (which had been destroyed by fire) in to an Italian Renaissance- style palazzo. This is the outcome.

The second one I'm not sure of the history, but I liked it so I thought I would include it.

 

[watcher2001]

Took this one last summer on vacation. I have been 5 times now and am looking forward to going back.

 

[~Shard~]

I have been 5 times now and am looking forward to going back.

That's neat, but why not go some place different for a change? There's a million amazing places to see and a diverse array of cultures, history, people and geography to experience! I've been to many awe-inspiring places around the world that I would simply love to visit again, but there are far too many other places I've never been that I want to see first.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

That's neat, but why not go some place different for a change? There's a million amazing places to see and a diverse array of cultures, history, people and geography to experience! I've been to many awe-inspiring places around the world that I would simply love to visit again, but there are far too many other places I've never been that I want to see first.

Depends on the goals of the visitor/photographer. Some of us go back the same location time and again to capture just that right image.

And now as I near the eve of my "Great First International Trip" I can see your point. I should be a sleep right now. But the thrill is making it hard.

Also this past weekend I had a chance to go back to SF. There was a great "fellowship" gathering that I would have loved being part of. It would have also given me a chance to see the city in a new way perhaps.

But instead I chose to go off to Iceland and London this weekend. For the three days in Iceland, I think that I may have to go back. And with only 2 days in London, I know I will have to go back!

The issue is how to balance the desire of the "wander" and the "photographer". Do I plan on a longer trip to Iceland later, or do I do Barcelona and Amsterdam?

For a final answer to my question, ask me maybe on 2Mar after my return. If I can get my head of the clouds that soon!

 

[watcher2001]

That's neat, but why not go some place different for a change? There's a million amazing places to see and a diverse array of cultures, history, people and geography to experience! I've been to many awe-inspiring places around the world that I would simply love to visit again, but there are far too many other places I've never been that I want to see first.

I travel extensively with work and have been to a lot of different places but San Fran keeps calling me back again.

 

[~Shard~]

Depends on the goals of the visitor/photographer. Some of us go back the same location time and again to capture just that right image.

And now as I near the eve of my "Great First International Trip" I can see your point. I should be a sleep right now. But the thrill is making it hard.

Fair enough. I guess for myself I've never been as much into the photographs as I have been into the experiences. There is only so much a photo can capture, and from my many world travels I have found it too often where a picture simply does not do something justice. So, I keep my "mental pictures", my memories, and remember the experiences themselves. I still take pictures to serve as mementos and such but I definitely don't waste my travels by being behind a camera lens for 50% of the trip.

Photograph is a powerful medium, but it has its limits. It is but a small part of the complete experience of world travel for me.

Oh, and have an amazing trip Chip NoVaMac!

 

[~Shard~]

I travel extensively with work and have been to a lot of different places but San Fran keeps calling me back again.

Hey, nothing wrong with that! Sometimes familiarity is a good thing. It also gives you the opportunity to experience things in a different way or light than perhaps you hadn't seen it before.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Fair enough. I guess for myself I've never been as much into the photographs as I have been into the experiences. There is only so much a photo can capture, and from my many world travels I have found it too often where a picture simply does not do something justice. So, I keep my "mental pictures", my memories, and remember the experiences themselves. I still take pictures to serve as mementos and such but I definitely don't waste my travels by being behind a camera lens for 50% of the trip.

Photograph is a powerful medium, but it has its limits. It is but a small part of the complete experience of world travel for me.

As a photographer I have returned many times to the same subject.

But as I embark on a whole new experience this week my views may change. For the great people I have met in my travels in the US, we were still citizens of the same country.

I hope to learn more first hand how others view us. Even in reading as a Gay male, that Gay life in Iceland is different than here in the US. First is that the society as a "whole" has "accepted" that people are "different".

Evidently in Reykjavik, they do not have the "Gay Ghettos" or areas that the Gay/Lesbian community focuses in on like the Dupont Circle area in DC or the Andersonville or "Boystown" areas in Chicago.

But that was not to say that my travels to SF or Chicago were "Gay centric". But it was nice to have a place to "come home to".

Also keep in mind that no matter how we budget, it is hard for many of us to travel in the US, let alone outside of the US on a regular basis.

 

[w_parietti22]

Space Needle/Seattle Skyline/Mt. Ranier in Oct.

 

[w_parietti22]

Yep!

Here's two landmarks in Newport, Rhode Island. The first is probalby the most famous mansion along "mansion row". It's a pretty cool place, right along the Atlantic. There's a little walkway along the coast bording the backside of all the mansions.

Anyway, this first one belonged to Cornellius Vanderbilt II, it's called The Breakers. The Vanderbilts were extremely weathly at the turn of the 19th century due to their involvment with the New York Central Railroad. This house was originally a wooden cottage but in 1893, Vanderbuilt commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to rebuild the cottage (which had been destroyed by fire) in to an Italian Renaissance- style palazzo. This is the outcome.

The second one I'm not sure of the history, but I liked it so I thought I would include it.

I've been to the Breakers. Its amazing. Can you believe they only live there 6-8 weeks of the year! =o

 

[Clix Pix]

Even as I was boarding the plane to return home from San Francisco last month, I was already thinking, "I've got to come back here!" Why? Because i felt I had only just lightly touched on the experiences and the sights there and because, yes, there IS that urge to photographically record them, too. I want to go back to have another crack at seeing the things I missed out on this last time, doing the things I didn't have time to do, and taking photographs of everything along the way....

But, hey, I live in the DC area, and I'm sure that there are a lot of people who get on planes at Dulles, Reagan National or BWI who are thinking the very same thing.....they want to return here in order to see and experience more of this city and to capture it all on their cameras, too.... I LIVE here and I haven't really done that. One thing I'd like to do this spring when the weather gets nice is to hop on our Metro and go downtown and do the "tourist thing," camera in hand, as this is something I haven't really done before, although I've lived here for over 35 years....

Getting back to returning to SF. Yes, I want to do so (which I'm already planning for the 2007 MacWorld Expo), but I agree that it also would be neat to be able to travel to other places as well, both within the US and beyond our borders. Travel IS expensive and time-consuming, though, and it's not always possible for some of us to do.... I think in many cases Europeans and Canadians seem to have an easier time of traveling than we Americans do, much to our detriment. When someone is working full-time and is tied down by family and job responsibilities, too, it's not all that easy to slip away for a few weeks, either....

If nothing else, there's always the vicarious "traveling" we get to do by reading posts and viewing images on MR! I have really learned a lot and enjoyed this so much.

 

[watcher2001]

<SNIP> But, hey, I live in the DC area, <SNIP>

<SNIP>One thing I'd like to do this spring when the weather gets nice is to hop on our Metro and go downtown and do the "tourist thing," camera in hand, as this is something I haven't really done before, although I've lived here for over 35 years....<SNIP>

Do it, you will love it. I lived in Laurel, MD for a couple of years when I was at Meade. I had the honor of being the Tour guide into DC for all my friends and relatives that would come and visit. I would always catch the metro at Greenbelt to L'enfant Plaza and spend the day in town doing the tourist stuff. Can't tell you how many times I have been up the Washington monument... and then to the Air and Space Museum. I must of walked the Mall 100 times or more. God I want to come back now...

Another fun thing you might want to do (If you haven't already) is take a day trip into Baltimore and visit the Inner Harbor. Good shopping and just enough touristy stuff to keep you entertained for a day.

 

[~Shard~]

But as I embark on a whole new experience this week my views may change. For the great people I have met in my travels in the US, we were still citizens of the same country.

Yes, it's truly a completely diferent ballpark - actually no, it's a different sport - when comparing traveling within your own country to traveling internationally. You really can't compare the two. It really broadens your mind and views of the world, something you can't get within your own country.

I remember a few years ago when I was in New Orleans - although seeing the Cajun/Creole culture and roots was neat, I found it interesting how the tour guide was completely playing off the whole "Spanish and French influences" in architecture, and so forth. For other people on the tour, it was mind-blowing - for me, it was like, "Um, I've been to Spain and France and seen the real thing, so this isn't as big of a deal as you're making it out to be". Obviously it is still different and unique, as I said above, but you see my point.

I hope to learn more first hand how others view us.

I think this will be an interesting experience for you as well. To speak to one side of things, from all of my world travels, many places do not like Americans - it is pretty much the main reason I wear a big Canadian flag on my pack, so that I do not get mistaken. Sorry, but it's true. So yes, your experiences in this manner will no doubt be interesting as well, as give you an outside perspective on things, specially, as you were referring to, the acceptance of gays and so forth.

Also keep in mind that no matter how we budget, it is hard for many of us to travel in the US, let alone outside of the US on a regular basis.

Why is that? I realize there are lots of factors at play, such as your job, salary, financial situation, etc., but in general, is there another reason?

Actually, I probably know one of them - holiday time. Again, it depends on your job, as every place is different, but that's one benefit we enjoy here in Canada - on average we get more holiday time than the USA. It varies, of course, but I have only been working at my present position for 4 years and have 7.5 weeks of fully paid vacation. That's the way it should be - people work too much as it is, and no one ever says at the end of their life, "I wish I would have worked more". I fel very fortunate to have a decent amount of time off and that I am able to use it. And I'll add to that, to use it wisely - I would never take a week off and sit around the house - the world is a big place with so much to experience, I always make a point to go see more of it every chance I get.

Once again, good luck on your trip, I know it will be an enjoyable one for you!

 

[Applespider]

You really can't compare the two. It really broadens your mind and views of the world, something you can't get within your own country

Again I'd disagree slightly. Any form of travel that forces you away from your usual sphere can broaden your mind. There can be a tendency from those of us in smaller countries (or those considered less diverse) to ignore travelling in your own country and to consider 'abroad' as the only place to go.

Each region/city has its own identity and culture and it's probably more useful to most to understand the rhythms that drive your own country rather than have a vague idea of those that drive the world. I think that's particularly true in a country the size of the US. I have friends who say they've been the US when they've visited Disneyworld and Orlando. They have no idea of the difference between California, the Midwest and the South. They haven't seen the changes in attitudes between big cities and tiny 'cities' than are only accessible from cross-country freeways. I've probably visited more US cities and world cities than UK ones in the last 10 years. I'm not so sure that's a good thing when I'm trying to figure out the state of the UK's economy and culture when thinking politically or socially.

I'd say it's particularly not true when you only go to the 'tourist traps' of your country of choice. You're not going to particularly broaden your mind there; going to a different area of your own nation, sitting in a bar and chatting to the locals will probably give you an entirely different concept of some attitudes and make you think more about how such disparate views can be held within one nation.

To speak to one side of things, from all of my world travels, many places do not like Americans - it is pretty much the main reason I wear a big Canadian flag on my pack, so that I do not get mistaken. Sorry, but it's true.

I'm not entirely convinced that's true either. I'll say that outside the US, you won't find many Bush supporters but I don't think I've ever seen Americans vilified just because they're Americans- and living in London, I see a lot of tourists! Sure, when you tell us you're Canadian, we might say 'Lucky you' but it would be a joke rather than a serious sentiment. Most people are well aware of the importance of tourist dollars and will act accordingly.

I go back to San Francisco a lot too While there's a joy in discovering new places, there's another joy in getting to know another place reasonably well. My mother laughs at how I can orient myself there now on the two occasions I have gone with her. I also have friends in the Bay Area who I enjoy visiting and over the years, I've found many places that I wouldn't have got to in the course of a single trip. I don't generally go the same places each year unless I'm particularly fond of them - but the same general area can be fun.

 

[~Shard~]

First of all, I agree with what you're saying, ust so you don't think I'm trying to argue or anything.

Again I'd disagree slightly. Any form of travel that forces you away from your usual sphere can broaden your mind. There can be a tendency from those of us in smaller countries (or those considered less diverse) to ignore travelling in your own country and to consider 'abroad' as the only place to go.

Agreed. In my case, I live in the second largest country on Earth, with a wide variety of culture, geography, history, etc., and I acknowledge this, and have visited a lot of my own country. I have found whitewater rafting in Alberta which is better than any other place on Earth (as instructors/guides from those other international places have verified themselves!). I have found rainforests on Vancouver Island which rival and sometimes better what I've seen in Australia and New Zealand, and the list goes on and on. My point is, you can find many amazing places right in your backyard, so I would like to "correct" my initial statement with respect to this. That being said, I have still found a significant "difference" if you will, between traveling within my own country and traveling abroad. I like culture shock.

I'd say it's particularly not true when you only go to the 'tourist traps' of your country of choice. You're not going to particularly broaden your mind there; going to a different area of your own nation, sitting in a bar and chatting to the locals will probably give you an entirely different concept of some attitudes and make you think more about how such disparate views can be held within one nation.

Totally agree - I avoid tourist traps like the plague. You're not truly seeing the "real" country/city/whatever if you're just hopping on a generic tour bus and riding past them. There is much more to experience.

I'm not entirely convinced that's true either. I'll say that outside the US, you won't find many Bush supporters but I don't think I've ever seen Americans vilified just because they're Americans- and living in London, I see a lot of tourists! Sure, when you tell us you're Canadian, we might say 'Lucky you' but it would be a joke rather than a serious sentiment. Most people are well aware of the importance of tourist dollars and will act accordingly.

I'm not saying it's everywhere, but I have experienced it enough to know it exists in many forms, in many levels. And maybe it's just a comparison thing too - I know Canadians seems to get along with Audssies and Kiwis a lot better (in general of course) than Americans - it's like there's some bond there, which is very cool.

 

[Clix Pix]

Do it, you will love it. I lived in Laurel, MD for a couple of years when I was at Meade. I had the honor of being the Tour guide into DC for all my friends and relatives that would come and visit. I would always catch the metro at Greenbelt to L'enfant Plaza and spend the day in town doing the tourist stuff. Can't tell you how many times I have been up the Washington monument... and then to the Air and Space Museum. I must of walked the Mall 100 times or more. God I want to come back now...

Yep, one of these nice days I am going to "play tourist" and see DC as though I were a visitor..... even though I have seen most of the sights before it's usually just in passing or when doing some activity nearby. I remember years ago when we lived in Crystal City, we were driving across the 14th St bridge to take my parents into the city for dinner. I drove over that bridge every day to go to work at the Library of Congress, so it was no big deal. My mother, looking out a window, exclaimed, "ooh! What monument is that? Is that the tidal basin?" My father, looking out, too, said, "hey, is that the Lincoln Memorial?" I said, "oh, yeah...." in a bored tone and then realized that because I saw these sights every day I had become quite jaded. It was neat to see and hear my parents' reactions to them.

So, yep, I want to revisit some of these sights with camera in hand and really "do" DC as though I were a tourist here for a limited stay. We have so many wonderful and unique monuments and sights here that are not to be found anywhere else. Each of the museums on the Mall could easily take a day in themselves! I love the Air & Space museum in particular and definitely plan to devote some time to browsing around there to see what's new since my last visit. I definitely want to see if I can go to the top of the Washington Monument now that it's finally reopened after some repair work.

Indeed another nifty place at which I have spent a little time is Baltimore's Inner Harbor. That's another destination again, too, as a friend and I want to go through the aquarium. We didn't have enough time when we were there a while ago.

Back in the fall I had intended to go to the National Zoo, too, after school had started up again for the kiddies and there wouldn't be large crowds,but time got away from me. Maybe this spring....

 

[Clix Pix]

Definitely ANY sort of travel broadens one's horizons and adds to one's understanding of other ways of life, whether in another city or state within one's own country or in another country altogether. I remember many, many years ago being so charmed by Paris and its beauty, but the one thing which really made an impression on me was the age of the city and its buildings, reminding me that in reality the US is not that old. People still spoke of "the war," meaning WWII, as though it had just happened, and of course the impact of that war on the French people was enormous.

That was my first (and to date only) trip to Europe and we were fortunate to be able to spend some time with friends of my husband's family so that I was able to get a true sense of what living in France really was all about. We even were able to attend a wedding in Lille, which was a very different experience than the American weddings I'd seen and participated in.

One day I want to go back....

 

[kungfu]

from october 2003... passed while sailing. modified the color (was taken in daylight).

 

[-hh]

Why is that? I realize there are lots of factors at play, such as your job, salary, financial situation, etc., but in general, is there another reason?

Actually, I probably know one of them - holiday time. Again, it depends on your job, as every place is different, but that's one benefit we enjoy here in Canada - on average we get more holiday time than the USA. It varies, of course, but I have only been working at my present position for 4 years and have 7.5 weeks of fully paid vacation.

Having that much time off is a very European perspective on life. I do pretty well with getting 5 weeks off (plus holidays), which is probably around double the Holiday time off that many (possibly most) Americans get. In balance, it took 15 years on the job to get up to that level of benefit.

That's the way it should be - people work too much as it is, and no one ever says at the end of their life, "I wish I would have worked more".

Philisophically, I agree. Unfortunately, the old adage is that you generally have 'time OR money'. Even though there are ways of making the money stretch (such as by taking camping holidays, etc), there's always more and more discretionary spending "things" nibbling away at your wallet...Cable TV, ISP, Cellphone, NetFlix, .Mac, Comic Books, Telephone, Electric, Heat, Mortgage, Water, Sewer, Beer, Taxes, Childcare, etc, etc, etc. Doing an expense summary to see where your money actually gets spent is a good way to start to see if your spending lines up with your life priorities and how to reprioritize your budget...and set aside part of it for travel to landmarks.

-hh

 

[~Shard~]

Philisophically, I agree. Unfortunately, the old adage is that you generally have 'time OR money'. Even though there are ways of making the money stretch (such as by taking camping holidays, etc), there's always more and more discretionary spending "things" nibbling away at your wallet...Cable TV, ISP, Cellphone, NetFlix, .Mac, Comic Books, Telephone, Electric, Heat, Mortgage, Water, Sewer, Beer, Taxes, Childcare, etc, etc, etc. Doing an expense summary to see where your money actually gets spent is a good way to start to see if your spending lines up with your life priorities and how to reprioritize your budget...and set aside part of it for travel to landmarks.

Yes, quite true - you do have to be realistic about things and realize that money doesn't grow on trees. As you say though, you need to prioritize your life and see what things you put importance on. For me, traveling is indeed one of those things. So, in my case, spending $5000 on a backpacking trip is worth far more than spending $5000 on a new plasma TV. But to other people, it's not - sitting on the couch watching TV is what they enjoy, so by all means, that's what they should spend their money on.

But you do have to keep it in perspective too. I have zero debt, and never plan on having any debt whatsoever. Many people I know live beyond their means, want a bit of everything, and can't afford the lifestyles to which they have become accustomed, which is very bad. I enjoy things even more when I know I can truly and honestly afford them.

Excellent points -hh, thanks for that.

 

[Clix Pix]

...And as has already been mentioned, but doesn't hurt to reinforce the point, there is the aspect of having sufficient time in which to travel. In the US, most jobs do NOT provide all that much in the way of "annual leave," and if someone is lucky they may have two weeks or maybe three.... In the case of a person who has family responsibilities, well, often the money just isn't going to be available because it's already had to be allocated to other, more urgent needs, or the time isn't available because if the spouse is also working, he or she may not be able to get off for annual leave at the same time or may not have the same amount of time available.... and if there are significant priorities such as buying a house or financially covering things which need to be done such as home repair projects or other critical things, well, there goes the travel vacation....

But, yes, Shard, you do make an important point that everyone has different priorities about how they want to spend their money and their time. Me, I'd rather put a few thousand dollars into a new computer system or into adding a couple of lenses to use with my camera than into a new television or "media center," but friends have different priorities and they have the latest TVs or very sophisticated media setups in their homes..... It's what they enjoy. It's their money.... :Shrug: Me, I'm happy to have a new lens so that I can go out shooting with it or a having a great computer in which to download and work on those photographic images.

I think that for many Americans traveling is not quite as much a priority or a natural concept as it is for people in other countries, and of course a lot of times when Americans do venture abroad they really don't do it right, thereby earning the title, "Ugly American" as they stomp around historic areas dressed inappropriately and talking too loudly and firing their point-and-shoot cameras at anything and everything....

 

[xsedrinam]

The Equator in Ecuador.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

In the case of a person who has family responsibilities, well, often the money just isn't going to be available because it's already had to be allocated to other, more urgent needs, or the time isn't available because if the spouse is also working, he or she may not be able to get off for annual leave at the same time or may not have the same amount of time available.... and if there are significant priorities such as buying a house or financially covering things which need to be done such as home repair projects or other critical things, well, there goes the travel vacation....

Add to that the general idea is now to "live large" here in the US. Homes way to big, with cars way to big and expensive. Living life on the edge in some cases. Also in areas like ours (DC), affordable housing is hard to come by. In some cases over 50% just going to rent (after taxes)!

I know that I could stretch my budget by having a roommate, but at 47 and all the past, I like having a place to myself.

I think that for many Americans traveling is not quite as much a priority or a natural concept as it is for people in other countries,....

I think it is also the way we like to travel too as Americans. I am different, i that I look for the best accommodations at the best price. It might mean a room with no room service, cable TV, or a pool. IMO we want to be pampered.

 

[~Shard~]

I think it is also the way we like to travel too as Americans. I am different, i that I look for the best accommodations at the best price. It might mean a room with no room service, cable TV, or a pool. IMO we want to be pampered.

I would agree with that - many Canadians are the same, although I am the opposite, similar to you. I look for the best overall deals (not just the cheapest of course) and I have no problems sleeping in an airport on an 8-hour layover, sleeping in the middle of the Outback or on a beach as I did in Australia, in a train station in Krakow etc. etc. - if I have to rough it, no problem at all, it's all part of the experience for me. Being pampered, staying in a cushy hotel in a highly commercialized tourist trap of a place, no, that's no way to experience another city/country/culture. I don't understand people who travel like that - they're getting about 10% out of their trip which could be so much more, and it's essentially a waste of money in my books. Reminds me of a friend of mine who went to New Zealand. Whereas I did unbelieveably cool activities and all that, he sat in a pub all day, every day (practically) drinking and watching NFL. Well, guess what, I could have saved you $2000 in airfare if all you wanted to do was sit around like a lazy fool and drink in a pub - you can do that back home! I don't get people like that.

Of course, I admit I can be very opinionated when it comes to things like this.

 

[-hh]

The Equator in Ecuador.

Nice presentation.

Now someone from the USA's going to have to follow that up with a photo from "4 Corners".


-hh