Night Photography Seminar at the San Diego Zoo

Flamingo at the San Diego Zoo -By Jeff


Last night Jeff and I took a night photography seminar at the San Diego Zoo. It was lead by Ron Garrison who was the photographer at the Zoo for 30 years and is now retired. We had a blast and learned lots of great tips. We both really enjoyed meandering around the zoo after hours too. The animals are so active once the sun goes now.

Here are a few photos of our time at the zoo.

All these shots were taken with our Nikon D80s. Some we used a tripod for and others we didn't. It was really all about trying new things with our cameras and of course just having fun.

The Flamingo Lagoon -By Christie


Resting Duck at the Flamingo Exhibit -By Jeff


The Cafe through the Trees -By Christie


Koala at the Zoo -By Jeff


A Path at Night -By Christie


San Diego Zoo Duck -By Jeff


Palms at the San Diego Zoo - By Christie


ZooFari Signage -By Jeff

Queretaro, Mexico - Vacationing During a Pandemic - Part 1

Queretaro-Mexico, originally uploaded by rigel.m.

We’re back from Queretaro Mexico and with no signs of the Swine Flu. Of course, we weren’t particularly surprised as we were getting direct reports from Queretaro before we left that things were not nearly as bad as they were being portrayed in the media. We haven’t downloaded the photos yet but will post some in the coming days.

We got word from Vero two days before we left that 22 wedding guests had already arrived. We knew we would be troopers too not backing out unless they closed the border, though we had to endure two more days of media sensationalism before leaving… and arguably the two worst days. Still, we were prepared with our flu meds, hand sanitizer and masks. We were cautious and well aware of the pending pandemic when we arrived in Mexico City. The majority of travelers and airport staff were in masks but the city still seemed to be bustling to us (though we haven’t seen it on a normal day). We put our masks on and took the cushy coach bus three hours to Queretaro. Once we arrived it was like news of the Swine Flu hadn’t even made it there. Of course it had and everyone was aware of fears in Mexico City, but Queretaro is a different place. When looking around, only a handful of people had masks, mainly the elderly. The city was going about its regular routine. Children were playing in the plazas with the clowns and performers, Mexican tourists were shopping and visiting the many churches and cathedrals, and the cafes were full of patrons. The only thing out of place was how few American tourists were present. Even our flight, which was full initially, was two-thirds empty with us being the only Americans on board.

In Mexico, women are always greeted with a kiss and men with a handshake or a hug. I wondered if worries of the flu would temporarily curtail this tradition but to the contrary it seemed everyone was embracing with even more enthusiasm than usual as if to make the point that they will not allow the virus to impact their lifestyle. Evidently, the point was made. Dozens of guests came from California, Oregon, Washington and even Denmark. Everyone felt great and enjoyed themselves fully. Queretaro is a stunning city packed with the warmest and most hospitable people you’ll ever meet. One weekend there and you can understand why Vero is so proud of her home. Jeff and I are just glad that we were able to be there to share in Vero and Paul’s special day. We can’t wait to go back again.

I will post some photos and trip highlights over the next week.

Blog from Anywhere

Wow, blogging is so much easier now that Blogger has set it up so I can post from my phone or my email. Sweet. Guess I will be posting more often.

-Christie  

Yay for Birthdays!

Last Year Birthday Hat, originally uploaded by bumbe.

It’s been a week long birthday extravaganza. Those closest to me know how much I love celebrating my birthday and while last years Big 3-0 was pretty low key, I have really whooped it up this year between hitting the spa with the girls, an over-the-top wine and cheese party and an amazing dinner at Café Japengo. I say, “why the hell not!” The number 31 is so underappreciated. I think more of us should highlight the birthdays in between the milestones. After all, each year’s blessings are no less important. So with that said, I’m going to continue the celebration by treating myself to a Yin Yoga class tonight and maybe I will even start planning next years 32nd Birthday Bonanza.

Getting Married!

Let Love Grow, originally uploaded by Meadaura.

Well, by now most people know that Jeff and I are engaged. Jeff proposed privately at home on February 13th (Lucky Friday the 13th) before our early Valentine’s Day dinner. He was heading out of town early on the 14th and wanted to pop-the-question before he left. We celebrated with tapas at Costa Brava in Pacific Beach and enjoyed the excitement before making the calls to our families and friends the next day. We don’t know yet when or where the wedding will be, only that it will be very small. I will post photos of the ring when I can. I’m not one to boast but it’s pretty smokin’!

Ohio Here I Come

Winter's last Moon, originally uploaded by filmflood.

Not too much happening this weekend. The weather has been beautiful and reached 80 degrees today. I went out on the scooter but didn't quite have the time to laze by the pool. I'm surprised people don't come to visit more. It seems selfish to hoard all this sunshine to myself.

This week I will spend in Ohio. A few days in Dayton for work and then I head to Cincinnati (well, Kentucky really, but close to the city) to visit Mom. I'm not sure what we're going to see while we're there, so if anybody has any suggestions of things to do in Cincinnati, I'm all ears. It's supposed to be really cold... like 12F. So, while I wanted to see the zoo, it'll be too cold for me and the animals.

Jeff will be holding down the fort in San Diego. I'm sure he's looking forward to having the house to himself and enjoying some peace and quiet. I always do when he's away. ;)

I'll have my laptop with me and will post updates from Ohio this week.

Skiing Mammoth (Part 3)

Jeff and Christie at Mt. Tom
After a pretty full day of downhill skiing I decided to try my hand at Cross-Country (XC) Skiing at the Tamarack Lodge, which has 19 miles of groomed XC trails. I didn't know what to expect but after talking to a couple at the lodge who had done it for 30+ years I couldn't help to feel their enthusiasm and I signed up for a class.

Thursday morning I took a class with Marcia, our instructor, who is an absolute natural at teaching and an all-around awesome lady. She quickly taught our class everything we needed to know and after 90 minutes told us we were advanced enough to venture onto any of the blue and green trails we pleased.

I had lunch and decided to go off alone on some of the easiest trails near the lodge. The solitude of XC skiing is both exhilarating and terrifying. I ventured down the trail for just 5 minutes and I was completely alone in the woods. The only sound is the birds and my skis. It took me a little while to get used to being so alone in the wilderness.

Soon I felt confident enough to venture up the main trail (Lake Mary Road) toward Lake Mary which I skied around and returned home. While I was up there (at about 8900') I took lots of photos and enjoyed the quiet. I saw a ton of interesting animal tracks from deer, rabbits, elk, and even bear.

Cross-country skiing is a blast and I LOVE it. I didn't want to stop but after 10 miles of mainly uphill skiing my body was giving up on me. I talked Jeff and Denise into skiing again the next morning so I could go back out for more, but when we woke up on Friday a storm was coming through and the wind gusts would have made skiing miserable so we packed up and went home. I can't wait to go back again and am going to see if I can find some groomed XC trails a little closer to home. Who knew I would have found a version of skiing I liked so much?

Here are the photos I promised from the weekend.


Christie Skiing the Bunny Hills at Mammoth


Christie and Denise Pause to Take a Break


Jeff Shows Off his New Helmet


Denise Poses in Line for the Lifts


View from High on Mammoth Mountain


Denise and Christie at Mt. Tom


Denise Boarding High on the Mountain


View from XC Skiing


Peak-thru the Trees from the XC Trails


Jeff and Denise's Views from the Advanced/Intermediate Trails