Swiss Alps Outings

My husband and I spent a few days in the Swiss Alps during our vacation... We visited the lovely mountain towns of Interlaken, Zermatt and Gornergrat, and had the chance to photograph the famous 14,700-foot Matterhorn. Next time we go, I want to climb that thing! :)

Time Out

I've been putting in some long days in my office this week, so yesterday evening I enjoyed a much-needed break from writing. What do you do to relax? As long as it's not too hot and muggy outside, this is my pick...

Snowman Dance

This is how we hike. 

See more snow shots here.

* © passport in my pocket *

Daydreaming of Alaska

This week, I've been doing a lot of writing on this fascinating topic in Alaska, so my mind has been in the last frontier since Tuesday.

Alaska is the one state in America that I have never been been to. Our good friends went there for a vacation in 2006. They bundled up in parkas, went on hikes, observed wild moose and slept in rustic cabins. They even drank martinis in glasses made from solid ice. I think I'd want to dine on fresh-caught wild salmon and photograph snowy owls. Oh, and go dog sledding, of course.

Alaska seems like such a raw, wild, beautiful state to explore....

{photo credit: Noel Zia Lee}

 

{photo credit: alaskan dude}

{photo credit: alaskan dude}

 

{photo credit: carl chapman}

  

{photo credit: alan vernon}

{photo credit: alaskan dude}

 

{photo credit: len@loblolly}

{photo credit: alaskan dude}

Plan your trip to Alaska.

Discover local events.

Learn about the weather conditions.

Get answers to frequently asked questions.

See more photos of Alaska.

* © passport in my pocket *

Daydreaming of Sedona

With Valentine's Day approaching, I've been daydreaming of Sedona, Arizona. My husband and I used to live in Tucson. For anniversaries and special holidays, we always drove up to Sedona to camp and hike for 2-4 days. Sedona is one of my favorite places in the United States – the fresh air, charming town, red rock mountains, vibrant greenery, energizing trails – I wish we were pitching a tent at Manzanita right now, starting a campfire and listening to the trickling water of Oak Creek Canyon.

 

Snoopy Rock... can you spot why?

 

photo credit

Cathedral Rock....

 

photo credit: flickr

With my nieces in Sedona, below...

Rock formations on a Vortex hike...

photo credit: fickr

Plan a visit to Sedona here.

* © passport in my pocket *

Views of the Snowstorm

Outside my home, snow is falling....

 

  

    

  

  

  

    

 

There may be over a foot of snow on the ground by tomorrow. 

* © passport in my pocket *

Chilly Days

It's a chilly, snowy weekend here in northern New Jersey. 

Yesterday, we feasted on hot, delicious matzah ball soup at the Millburn Diner. Although I'm not a cook, I'm hoping to try out this recipe one of these days in the comfort of my own kitchen.

 

photo credit: flickr

We went for a hike today to play in the snow. Moose made a new friend, Lucy. I was hoping we could go sledding, but we didn't get as much snow as forecasted. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. 

 

 

* © passport in my pocket *

Views from a Hike

It was peaceful out today. The only sounds were the crunching of snow beneath our feet and the trickling of snow melt in the woods.

 

  

 

* © passport in my pocket *

Shutter speed practice

After my recent photography lesson on shutter speeds, I've been eager to apply my new knowledge. So Bobby and I went hiking with the dogs this morning so I could try my skills with photographing Moose.

A higher shutter speed used to show Moose running, but with less blur. The images came out pretty sharp, despite his running speed...

Below, the shutter speed was too low to make the images crisp, although it shows movement. Also some camera shake involved with the blurring, I imagine (no tripod was used). Low shutter speeds are great for capturing waterfalls, rivers, etc – when you want to the image to have motion.

It was a lot of fun trying out the different shutter speeds on my camera and getting more familiar with how to use this feature appropriately to capture the right image for the moment. I still have a long way to go, but at least I'm headed in the right direction!  ;) 

 

 

 

Yes, Roscoe wears his dog snuggie when we go outside. Otherwise he gets too cold.

* © passport in my pocket *