My Virtual Vacation Day 13—Palm Desert California

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is the Palm Desert of California.

We have visited a few times. The desert has its own unique beauty. Joshua Tree National Park and Indian Canyons are two great spots for desert hikes. The resorts are luxurious and the area has more fountains than any place I can think of. It is so dry that the fountains offer a unique bit of luxury taken for granted in other areas of the country.

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A Desert Oasis

Joshua Tree National Park

Palm Desert

Missing the Phipps

I miss my friends and relatives but also just miss people in general. Each season we would make a visit to the Phipps Conservatory, The Aviary and Pittsburgh Museums. As members you begin to recognize the staff members. I hope they are all OK. Here are some pictures from previous visits to the Phipps Conservatory of Pittsburgh.

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Phipps Spring Flower Show

The Phipps Summer Garden

A Perfect Bloom

The Phipps Summer Garden

My Virtual Vacation Day 12—Praha (Prague) Czech Republic

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is Praha (Prague) in the Czech Republic.

One of the most beautiful and historically important cities of Europe, Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic and was once the home of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the main residence of several Holy Roman Emperors, most notably of Charles IV (r. 1346–1378).[10] It was an important city to the Habsburg Monarchy and its Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1989, after the riot police beat back a peaceful student demonstration, the Velvet Revolution forced the split up of Czechoslovakia and the current Czech Republic was formed.

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Color Guard

Praha CZE

Candidate #12…Prague Castle

Autumn in Praha

The Charles Bridge

Wien (Vienna) in Monochrome

Since I am traveling virtually this year I am revisiting places I have been and editing some my images in Monochrome. One of the best images I have ever produced was taken in Vienna in Saint Stephen’s Cathedral. It was part of my exhibition, Moments and Souls and is entitled Doppleganger. In revisiting Wien I found a few more images well suited for treatment in monochrome.

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Doppelganger

My Virtual Vacation Day 11—Strasbourg France

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is Strasbourg in the Alsace region of France

Strasbourg is the capital city of the Grand Est region, formerly Alsace, in northeastern France. It’s also the formal seat of the European Parliament and sits near the German border, with culture and architecture blending German and French influences. Its Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame features daily shows from its astronomical clock and sweeping views of the Rhine River from partway up its 142m spire.

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Strasbourg France

Real Onion Soup

Rhine River

Strasbourg FR

Strasbourg FR

My Virtual Vacation Day 10—München Germany

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is München (Munich)in the Bavarian part of Germany.

Munich was much different than anticipated. I expected a large industrial city and although it is that it is also beautiful and filled with history. Like most parts of Germany prior to the unification of the German state, Munich was a city state and Capitol of Bavaria.In the Altstadt (Old Town), the central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century.

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The Rathaus-Glockenspiel

Magnificent Ceiling

München Street View

München Doorway

More München

Paris in Monochrome

Paris is a beautiful city and very colorful. Recently I have been revisiting the images of previous trips and using new editing tools to reimagine them. Of course the city of lights looks beautiful in color. But seeing it in monochrome makes me think of a bygone era. Film noir and sepia toned Paris is also stunning.

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My Virtual Vacation Day 9—Lake Como Italy

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is tLake Como Italy.

Truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. You can understand why the rich and famous have chosen to live here. Steamer boats travel along the lake to historic villages like Belaggio. It is worth th short train ride from Milan and a spectacular day trip.

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Lake Como Italy

Lake Como Italy

Lake Como Italy

Lake Como Italy

Lake Como Italy

Lake Como Italy

My Virtual Vacation Day 8—Versailles France

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is the Paris suburb of Versailles. There are so many reasonable day trips from Paris. Unpack once and train your way to a variety of amazing places.

The Palace of Versailles is an amazing world heritage site, It was the principal royal residence of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the start of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI. It is located in the region of Île-de-France, about 20 kilometers southwest of the centre of Paris.

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My Virtual Vacation Day 7—Orléans France

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is Orléans France. I was so excited to visit this city since I have spent a fair amount of time in its sister city of New Orleans.

It is a short train ride from Paris and provides a wonderful day away from the vibrant Capitol. The setting is beautiful along the banks of the Loire river. The culture and history is fascinating and best known as the home of Joan of Arc and her statute dominates the main square. The statue was partially destroyed during World War Two and rebuilt with help from the city of New Orleans in the USA. I hope some day to cruise the river and hopefully return.

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Orléans France

Orléans City Hall

Joan of Arc

Siam Restaurant

Saint Anne