Tranquil Florida – room with a view

View from our room in Clearwater beach, Florida. . I can easily say that it was really an breathtaking view to wake up to.

What more can a girl want? Company of loved ones, breakfast of scrambled eggs, hash browns and English muffins, with hot tea and to top it all -the view!!

Pool on the beach…seamless- where one ended the other began.

One can tell by the number on chairs on the deck, that it was quite a popular place to rest and relax.


Tranquil - beautiful day

Peek-a-boo…I can see you! Glimmer of the bay from back of the room!

A gypsy’s paradise- strokes in self expression

Recently -few months ago :) - was at a going away party at a friends home. I was charmed by the eclectic style of décor. It was a fusion of cultures, textures and taste….

Welcoming at the entrance

Powder room

A little bit of green inside

Fusion

Striking Arizona Sunset- one of many….

So peaceful…

Subtly reminding us that every thing -good or bad - must come to an end

Layalena- an Mediterranean Experience

Recently went to a party hosted by some of our Middle Eastern friends at “Layalena- Mediterranean Experience” in the city. It was a night filled with laughter, friends, good food and drinks and singing and dancing…… ahem…yes dancing ……
Star of the show- Roxana- had many-a-men drooling! :)

My attempts at creative touch…

Got to experience live band playing Lebanese, Jordanian, Iranian, and Iraqi and so forth Middle Eastern songs….. very melodious and powerful music…

Fun…friends…and laughter…..

Eating experience started with “The Sample Mezza” with Hummus, baba ganouj, falafel, labneh, m’hammara, and grape leaves............served with a side of stuffed olives and pickled cucumber and carrots

Some Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs …. I am a-veggi!

And last but not least- the most popular drink of the night – Lebanese beer- Almaza!!

Picture diary of a short trip to Southern California

"Classic Sadabhars" outside an office compound…….they somehow always remind me of home- or rather mom’s garden in India. One of the early successes that survived…:-)

Enjoyed lunch at the neighborhood Thai restaurant …………as usual ended up eating “Pad Thai with Tofu”…one of my favorite Thai dishes after Cashew Tofu.

Our comfortable bedroom in hotel suite at the Marriott … On our way to San Clemente, we stopped at this quaint charming place for lunch….

A quick trip to La Jolla Beach…..somewhat favored beaches in south California…

On our trip back from the beach we caught tail end of fireworks at Disney…..Did not have tripod for the pictures :-(

View of Ontario airport…..

Waiting for our flight….

It is an early evening flight back home…

On our way….. :-)

Through my lens

Startled ----Red tail fox

Peacefully grazing with friends and family .................

Majestic- but decided to pee just before the click of the camera!! :)

Woodpecker….stocking up for the winters!

Enjoying the beautiful afternoon on the lake!
.

Scenic Duluth- Minnesota

During our trip we stayed in Duluth overnight. I was quite surprised to learn that at one time it was home to more millionaires (per capita) than any other city in the world! This I could never have guessed- simply because when I think of cities with old world wealth-some place in Europe is what conjures up.

One of the most easily recognized monuments of the city is Arial Transfer Bridge -built in 1905 as a transfer bridge.

In 1929 the bridge was modified - the gondola was removed, the height of the top span increased and structural supports incorporated- into the present avatar.

Another gem in Duluth is Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, famous for it’s migratory hawk watch. In fact, Hawk Ridge (refer to Neela Asman shot from the observation point) is recognized by the Audubon Society. Hawk Ridge acts as a “funnel” for tens of thousands of migratory hawks, eagles and other birds of prey.

Though we missed the annual migratory flight, I was pleasantly surprised to catch him looking down with an attitude of “ I am lord of all I survey!”

I was awe struck by the magnitude of the Lake Superior –largest freshwater lake in the world- it would take 191 years for the rivers in the drainage basin to refill the lake!!

On the shores of lake...........

Sunrise on Lake Superior-Grand Marais

These are some pictures of Lake Superior taken from the deck of our room.

Even though it got a bit cold at night, we slept with the bay windows overlooking the lake open (there was fire burning in the fireplace at night to keep us comfortable), the rising moon reflecting off the waters of Lake Superior and the sound of waves breaking across the shoreline lulled us to sleep every night.

In the morning we woke up to spectacular views of the sunrise over Lake Superior; the largest and cleanest freshwater lake. The first breath taking sunrise hooked me into getting up early in mornings.

St. Croix Scenic Byway

On the first leg of our vacation we drove along the St. Croix Scenic Byway. St. Croix Scenic Byway rambles along the alternatively wild and pastoral St. Croix River, which is also a National Scenic River way.

We drove through many charming historic towns, explored state parks and strolled through many-a-downtowns with character and architecture of decades past.

Even though we were visiting in late October, we caught the tail end of the fall colors. There is something poetic about the changing colors. It seemed as if some one had lit a fire with all these colors vividly shining through!

Some more images from the hike

Hike towards the Devils Kettle water falls also filled our senses- there was so much to soak in. There were sights to behold; sounds to remember – of birds, bees and than the sound of massive waterfalls; and smells- fresh and chrisp-to take it all in.

It was a beautiful crisp day for the hike. Surprisingly met very few people- which also made it somewhat of a surreal experience.

I felt so much at peace, one with nature and maybe also with god.