San Francisco: day 4 - the pictures

San Francisco: Day 3 - the Pictures

San Francisco: Day 2

San Francisco photos from day 1

Pictures of Paradise

The tale of my trip to Paradise lies below the pictures.

Phoenix Pictures

You better recognize!

Pumpkins!

I went out to a pumpkin patch this weekend. I ended up taking 3 pumpkins home. Two small pumpkins I keep meaning to bring to work.... and one huge mammoth Pumpkin. I am not kidding when I say huge, it weighs 44 pounds! This is the point where I would normally supply a picture but.... that will have to wait. We are getting internet at home this week so it won't be long. How is fall treating you so far?

***Updated! 10/10/2007****



The pumpkin as promised. Of course this means someone has internet! Oh my!

A View of Vancouver From Above

These shots were taken while at the Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre. It had some spectacular views. It seemed a little pricey but I liked looking down into the city it was neat.

Due to Speed constraints I have added a new slide show here as a link only. This is an additional Vancouver BC slide show. It is a few that did not fit either of the already posted slide shows. It is called VANCOUVER BC REPRESENT! The link is:
http://www.slide.com/r/N1ukqeRQ6j9VIjgQRgvSHkSktjRAfClG?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

It has a few pictures of the road up including an upside down Pete, and yes I did have the camera upside down when I took it and I was aware of that. It also has a few pictures from our stop at the Steamworks Brewery in Vancouver, a highlight of the trip, the hostess they have is absolutely gorgeous and the beer is good. It also has a few pics at the Border. Enjoy!

A Harrowing Walk Slide Show

Vancouver was an interesting town and a few things struck me right away. One of them being Chinatown is a scary section. I stopped and took a few pictures as we strolled to Chinatown around 6 PM. We would find all the shops were closed up for the night but the freaks were definitely out. I was to be hit up for spare change several times and offered drugs several more. The whole area was crawling with drug addicts. One of the addle brained walked by us, sneered, and said "Bet ya didn't see this part of town in your visitor guide." He was right, we hadn't. We were walking swiftly out of the area almost as soon as we got there and ended up in the Gastown district which was a bit more swank and the degenerates were fewer in number. Click on the picture for a larger view and more control of the speed.

A Trip to the Beach pt. 4

The 7th and final beach slide show, Cape Meares and the Ride Home.

To view this in a larger size click this text.
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x272/crazedlunatikdesigns/Cannon%20Beach%20and%20Seaside/?action=view¤t=935bda48.pbw

I hope you have enjoyed the slide shows!

A Trip to the Beach pt. 3

Here is the 5th slide show, Cape Meares Lighthouse.

To see these pictures a bit larger click this text.
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x272/crazedlunatikdesigns/Cannon%20Beach%20and%20Seaside/?action=view¤t=68332fa4.pbw

The 6th show, More Cape Meares!

To see a larger version click this text.
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x272/crazedlunatikdesigns/Cannon%20Beach%20and%20Seaside/?action=view¤t=140fc3c5.pbw

A Trip to the Beach: pt. 2

Here is the 3rd set. Cannon Beach and Tillamook

For a larger picture click this text.http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x272/crazedlunatikdesigns/Cannon%20Beach%20and%20Seaside/?action=view¤t=5a9356d5.pbw


Here is the 4th set. Cape Kiwanda and the Pelican Pub and Brewery

For a Larger picture click this text.
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x272/crazedlunatikdesigns/Cannon%20Beach%20and%20Seaside/?action=view¤t=7d75b1c9.pbw

My Mom and I go to the Beach

Hello all!
I finished putting together my pictures for the beach trip I took in July. There are 7 small slide shows, Here is the first one:
Seaside and Cannon Beach

To view these images larger, click this text.
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x272/crazedlunatikdesigns/Cannon%20Beach%20and%20Seaside/?action=view¤t=264fac47.pbw

The second show: Cannon Beach pt. 2

To view these pictures larger click this text.
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x272/crazedlunatikdesigns/Cannon%20Beach%20and%20Seaside/?action=view¤t=b6e58c6d.pbw

The Bite of Oregon 2007

The slide show can be found here: http://www.slide.com/r/OkA9IMYX7D-Ojp8rRoOjeqtMQ7ImYjZN?previous_view=lt_embedded_url

The place had bogged down so I am trying to make this load faster.

I have a whole series of comments that explain the titles, if you want to read them go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/12754572@N00/sets/72157601369355226/

Blooms and Trees: the Slide Show!

In case you are wondering I am playing with some photo sites to host my next set. So let me know what you think of this slide show. You have to go to the site to view this slide show. I have too many slide shows on this page and the place is bogging down. I had to do something so I made this one go away.

The slide show is named: Blooms and Trees

The link is:
http://www.slide.com/r/YUIASBPr4z9OpeJ0JSaXCjDgGkr7p2tb?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

Enjoy the show!

New Photo Album

Well the month of July has ended and I am thankful to say I know that teachers are finally going to work! The filthy lay abouts.... hehehe. OK so I am a little jealous of the schedule they keep. Anyway I have produced a small album from my mother's trip. It was our Japanese Garden Tour. I am still sorting through 300+ pictures of the coast to bring you only the best so bear with me a little while longer. Without further ado I give you the new photo Album: Japanese Garden in July

http://michaeljwilliams.angelfire.com/the_japanese_gardens/

Drop in, look around and leave a message of what you think.
Mike

PS. If it doesn't load hit refresh for some odd reason it was being difficult when I tried it just now. And as always if it is too small click on it for a larger picture.

My trip to the coast

My mom visited recently. She came in two Saturdays ago and on Sunday we headed west to the coast. I had never been to these areas before even thought they are less then two hours away. I was just as excited as she was. Sunday morning however I woke up with blisters on my feet. I sucked it up and just hobbled around. I wanted her to have a great time but I also wanted to as well. Even if that meant I had pain with every step. We started out in Seaside. We had breakfast and then walked around before we hit the road and headed South to Cannon Beach. We stopped and walked along the beach for quite a while. I took several shots with my mother's digital camera at this beach so I will share those later. They have a huge rock.... or should I call it a mountain.... that is called the Haystack Rock and it is very popular for us shutterbugs. I took several pictures but as opposed to a horrible long slide show that some people would force upon you, I will find my best 1 or 2. We went into a great art shop and had some wonderful tasting tea. We also picked up some taffy here. Then we headed South again. We were staying in Garibaldi, which is about 8 miles from Tillamook where they make great cheese. You might purchase it and might even be munching on it now, the cheese and the town share the same name. Anyway we stopped at a few viewpoints on the way down. Here are a few examples, taken with my 35 mm:





My feet were killing me when we reached Garibaldi, where we checked in and prepared for a trip South to Pelican Pub & Brewery at Cape Kiwanda right on the beach. After a brief Respite we headed to the car and headed South. Stopping at Tillamook Cheese Factory where we snarfed some free cheese and a small cone of their fantastic ice cream, then before leaving the town of Tillamook we hit the Blue Heron Cheese Shop and gobbled cheese there as well. Then we drove like mad to Cape Kiwanda and our wonderful dinner venue. We were eating vegetarian and I would have to say that there was not much on that stupid menu to find. We found a sandwich and split it then got a salad each. We had a weird gaspacho that looked nothing like any gaspacho I had ever seen. It was tasty but was more like a salsa in need of spice and some chips. The sandwich left a little to be desired. I thought it was bland and with a few small adjustments I think the sandwich could have been quite good but they didn't ask. The location of this place is so outstanding that I could have been eating dry rice cakes and I would have still enjoyed it. The beer was good. I have pictures of this beach as well from my mom's digital camera that I will share. We headed back to our motel and fell asleep quickly. The next morning we had our continental breakfast at the motel which was pretty decent. Then we headed to Cape Meares. A little West of Tillamook, which is the gateway to the 3 cape trek. Cape Meares was beautiful and I have a few of my 35mm photos to share and a few digital ones that will be popping up later in an album.



It was amazing how the beach seemed to be a bone yard for big ol' trees.





It was beautiful. We headed back to Tillamook and their wonderful cheese factory where we saw them churn it out. We had a really good 4 cheese grilled cheese sandwich and an ice cream cone. Then we headed North and ultimately East. We stopped at the Oldest Sitka Tree which is over 750 years old and 17 and a half feet in diameter. Unfortunately it won't be around too much longer as it seems it is dying and you can no longer get right up next to it so the full comprehension of the massiveness of this tree was not experienced up close and personal. When we hit town we took a detour to the Hoyt Arboretum and then to Powell's downtown. The we dined at an Indian food place and finally made it home. The next day we took it easy because rain rolled in. We went to Sauvie Island and got berries and other fresh vegetables and made dinner at home. The next day we went to the Japanese Garden and then I got my mom to the airport about an hour and a half before her flight but then her flight was delayed for 2 hours and she spent a long minute in the airport. When I get the Japanese Garden pictures from her I will make the photo album. And as always to see any picture larger just click on the photo.

Portland Blues Festival: Now with Friday & Sunday Reviews

Hello Kids,
This week is pretty big for blues lovers it seems like there are several blues festivals going on across the country. One of those blues festivals belong to Portland, the claim is that they are second in notoriety only to Chicago's blues fest. I can't deny or approve such a claim I am only repeating what I have heard and read. I do know it seems to last an extremely long time. It is called the Waterfront Blues Fest and can be read about at: http://www.waterfrontbluesfest.com/.

It started July 3rd this year for people doing a blues cruise, where you buy a ticket to cruise the Columbia while one of the many bands play, this goes on the entire time and certain cruises have some of the big named talent performing. Anyway it starts Tuesday and lasts until Sunday this year. That is 6 days of blues and most of those days 8 bucks gets you in, the cruises are more. Either way I had never made it to this festival before this year but had always meant to do so. It seems every July I am flat broke so I just stay away figuring the cost for such a festival is beyond my means. The fact of the matter is it is a fundraiser for Oregon Food Banks so the price of admission is actually a recommended donation of 8 dollars and 2 canned goods. More is always welcome and less although not promoted is also not turned away. Anyway I headed out there last night with a friend. We parked on the East side of the river and walked across the bridge to the West side where the event was being held. We were going to see The Animals play and they were supposed to start at 9:15. We arrived a little before 8 and ended up walking around checking out the 4 stages. We ended up right in front of a stage as Savoy Brown came on. The crowd was amped and I was too but I had no clue who this group was. The minute they got on stage I realized this was going to be an outstanding set.

Kim Simmonds is a great guitarist and totally rocked his hour away. He did an old song of his that set the crowd on fire called Tell Mama, in the middle of playing the holy heck out of a little black and white electric guitar he told us a story. It was a story about his first guitar, a mail order job that had to be assembled by him when he was 13, and ended up with him telling us about a $130 guitar he bought at Walmart a while back. Then he revealed the guitar he had been wailing on was that guitar. Totally blew us away, I thought man this guy is so good he probably could make anything sound good. It was a great set and I am now a huge fan of Savoy Brown and would jump at the chance to see the band or just a solo Kim Simmonds again. After his set we migrated across the lawn to the main stage where The Animals, billed as Eric Burdon and The Animals, were starting. They were playing a song I was sure I had never heard before and then the chorus started and we realized it was a horribly distorted version of a song we were familiar with. The second song started without any improvement and we decided to call it a night. I have some pictures I will be putting up tonight so if you don't see them just be patient.

If I go Sunday I will update you all on how that turned out. I was looking at the week and saw a group I liked and a group I am really interested in seeing live had come through earlier in the week. One was the Blind Boys of Alabama, I saw them in Roseburg and they were great (yep Roseburg has some free summer concerts and some of the groups are pretty cool). The other was the Hot 8 Brass Band, I saw them in the Spike Lee Documentary about the Katrina disaster, When the Levees Broke, and really want to see them live. Maybe next time.

Here are a few more pictures of Savoy Brown.




***************UPDATE! SUNDAY UPDATE!!****************
I went back to the Blues fest today and saw Voice of the Wetlands Allstars (Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, Cyrill Neville, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Waylon Thibodeaux). They played some good stuff and some stuff I didn't care for but it was definitely a rocking show. I took a whole bunch of pictures of these guys, especially Big Chief who came out in full regalia and was rocking out. I probably had 25 - 30 pictures and at least half were looking good from what I could tell. I went to download them and it said it had but all it had done was delete the pictures. So there is not going to be a separate entry for the Sunday Blues musicians. Anyway go check out the Voice of the Wetlands Allstars. They are raising money and trying to get America to notice that Southern Louisiana, especially New Orleans, is still not repaired from the Katrina disaster. Tab Benoit said the next time it floods he thinks New Orleans will be done and he says at this point it doesn't even have to be anywhere near as strong as Katrina was. The full force of Katrina never even officially hit New Orleans.... according to the documentary I saw, so that says a lot. Here are a few sites if you are interested:
http://voiceofthewetlands.com/mainpage.html
http://www.tabbenoit.com/vowallstars.html

We left to get something to eat. Then came back in for The Neville Brothers. We stayed for half of the show but I was all peopled out. Every where I looked people were avidly dancing like they had no sense. The people that were dancing couldn't dance and this old couple in front of us were dancing and it was so horrifying we had to relocate. I am not exaggerating, they were actually making me feel so ill I had to turn away. Plus there was this lady with a face of a 50 year old who had had too much cosmetic surgery on a body of a 90 year old, she scared me and it was time to get away. I was wishing for a tazer again.... We relocated to an area and everything was going fine when some drunk English guy insisted on talking to me and high fiving me. To be fair I was wearing a Borat shirt that says "High Five!" but the third time? Give me a break, go away and die or something. I am never wearing this shirt around drunk people again. Or at least not while sober. So the Nevilles' were crooning as we left. It was a really fun night but nobody electrified me like Savoy Brown had. I was a little disappointed but overall I was happy. Then I got home and my pictures disappeared. I had been looking at them on the computer and a few were awesome, especially one of the shots of Big Chief. Then I tried to save them and it ate them. I am really really pissed about it too. I feel like breaking something or screaming but instead I settled on typing. Less gratifying but still it's a little bit of a vent for this righteous anger boiling in my gut. People that don't vent go postal.... that is the message for the day.