PhotoTour ~ Biscayne Bay

My first PhotoTour and overnighter was to Biscayne National Park. Leaving early Saturday morning and going straight to the park via US27.   20170701~July2017 | Flickr

I arrived around 11a and was met by a welcoming committee of flies as soon as I got out of the car. I went straight to the visitor’s center taking photos along the way, toured the obligatory naturalist museum and then talked to the staff about possible hikes.

I was already aware that this park was mostly a nautical park and was not surprised to discover that there were not a lot of places to walk. I did walk out to the jetty and took a few shots along the way. I also spent a little time wandering the grounds.

Future visits should include plans for a 2 – 4-hour kayak trip, a guided boat tour or bring a boat along.  The beauty of Biscayne Bay is on the water or on the outer islands (keys) which are not reachable by foot, bicycle or vehicle.

After leaving the park and getting a quick lunch I decided to head south towards the keys just to see if there were any other activities I could partake in along the way. Took Card Sound Road (SR905a) to North Key Largo just to see. Alabama Jacks looked interesting for a future lunch or dinner stop, otherwise there wasn’t much to see. I was surprised about the amount of traffic headed south on US-1 on my return trip.

I spent the night at the Miccosukee Resort and Casino in Miami. Room rates were cheap, the hotel was decent and clean. Dining was a bit dicy as the dining areas are part of the casino but discovered the buffet on the second floor for breakfast on Sunday and it was spectacular. The only downside was getting charged twice for one overnight stay.

Lessons learned
– Plan an alternate (extra) activity
– Forgot my hat
– Plan my dining options in advanced

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My Best Work

The link below will direct you to an album of photographs that I consider the best of what I can do with a camera.  The page is frequently updated.

My Best Work

“I do not ‘take’ pictures. They are a gift.” ~ an original quote

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Certain Girls

“A slutty girl is like the first slice of bread in a loaf. Everyone touches it but nobody wants it.” ~ JD

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Memorial Day

IMG_0328 (2)To remember properly, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice . . .

To place the flag at half-staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. On Memorial Day, the flag is displayed at half-staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

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Disappointment

“Avoid disappointment, adjust your expectations” ~ An original quote

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Running Shoes

“I hate when people say you don’t need alcohol to have fun. Well, you don’t need running shoes to run but it fuckin helps!” ~ JD

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Punctus Interrogatius

Say What?

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Understood

“I understood, until you explained it to me.” ~ Carl Sandberg

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Tallulah Falls

Spending the night at Tallulah Gorge State Park, the next morning, I head out on foot for the Tallulah Gorge to view and photograph the Falls. It’s just a short hike from the campsite down to the trailhead at the foot of the US-23 bridge at the top of the gorge. There is a dam here and the trail follows the river and quickly begins descending into the gorge. Stairways are provided to slow bank erosion and to allow for hikers to access the bottom of the gorge.

I descend as far down at the suspension bridge a little less than halfway down and I cross the river at that point. I begin my ascent back up the stairs on the other side. Just nine weeks after my quadruple bypass surgery, I ascend the equivalent of 34 flights of stairs back to the top, cross over on the US-23 bridge and return to camp, another uphill climb.

I obviously had to make several stops on landings on the way back out. My motivation has always been that I refuse to be that guy on the 6 o’clock news that shows a helicopter rescue off of the side of a mountain somewhere. I’d prefer to get to the top before the medical personnel take over, thank you.

I stay another day for rest and recovery and to do a little site-seeing, then head home in ernest.

Photos ~ 20150713~MountainAir | Flickr

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