A Winter Wonderland

Yes, there actually was a winter in Wisconsin this year. One which allowed me to explore the beauty of snow covered trees, and more importantly allowed me to use my snow blower.

Though, the sun probably would have done a much better job. 

The "winter" did not last long. And though deeply disturbing, I'm sort of enjoying it.  Had I not started biking my feelings would be drastically different.

jon

March 3rd, Really?

I am stunned that within a couple of weeks of this day I would be riding my bike in 84 degree weather.  I know that March is thought to come in like a lion, and go out like a lamb, but this is unreal.  I strung together 8 days of riding before the rain knocked me out.  Maybe I should just go around the block a couple of times for good measure and  hold my streak.
jon

The Door

A door of truth and exploration. The door to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  I'm not quite sure what will happy when the newspapers run out of print and subscribers, but I'll have to agree with the old curmudgeons that there is a lot to be lost.
jon

Nice Try

I'm fairly certain this is a terrible rendition of Stalin.  I could be wrong.

jon

The Door

The other door said, "I used to paint trains here". Which is funny, because they meant paint with graffiti, not like it was there job. There used to be four or five abandoned cars for them to mess up, along with an old crane. Now they just have this boring wall.
jon

Day Care

Nearest I could tell the faithful had long moved out, and it was now a daycare. Also, who buys these things when the church moves out of the church? I remember the one in Madison that was a party house in its after life, but that was nothing like this classic. There must be hundreds, if not thousands of abandoned churches around the country.
jon

Simply Cold

I thought we'd be able to brave a cold evening to watch the sunset. It didn't take long before I was calling uncle. Holy cold, what happened to fake spring and non-existent winter?

jon

Worth Getting Yelled At

Well, maybe this picture in and of itself wasn't worth getting yelled at about. Some background, this was one of many pictures I took in the parking garage that day. And by the time I was here, a young security guard became interested in what I was up to. Now, if you read the photography blogs they are full of horror stories about photographers being hassled. As such, I wasn't exactly pleasant to the security guard.A decision I regretted, not because there were any consequences, but because it wasn't necessary. At the basic level, he was doing his job, asking what I was doing, at another level I'm sure he was genuinely curious what this jackass was doing taking pictures of a parking ramp. So, I learned from it. And just a couple of days later when I was hassled by a different security guard while doing some portraits I handled it much better, didn't get hassled, and had a nice friendly exchange. See, leopards can change spots. Nyah.

I'm still looking for the right feel for these roof top shots. I'm getting closer.

Jon

Plankinton Arcade, Grand Avenue Mall

More people should go to the Grand Avenue Mall. It is plenty safe, and has some wonderful architecture. You can also use it as a launch point for our extensive sky walk system. Now, if only there were something to buy.

I Miss the Third

It's not like the Third Ward is that far away. But the little distance we have is tearing us apart. We just never see each other any more. No long winter walks, no time just after work, and forget calling. Though the 'Third', as I called 'er, was never that good at calling.  I miss you babe, I miss you Third Ward.
jon

Not Known For My Holiday Cheer

Really, I'm not that into the holidays. I'm not quite full hum-bug yet, as I enjoy my family time. But, I'm getting there. Stupid holiday music in October.

jon

Oranjeboom

Boom! Actually, I generally buy cans only when I think I'm going to take pictures. I'm not really a bottle snob when it comes to beer, just usually the beer I want comes in bottles. But, I definitely will buy cans because the photograph so much better.
jon

Not Creepy

Maybe a little creepy. I was certainly taken aback by this headless small child statue. Not quite as bad as some of those creepy garden gnomes, but this gets the point across.
Jon

Phone Home?

In my ever growing obsession with payphones, I think they all stand on their own. This particular exhibit is both missing its receiver, and has the change hold punched out. You'd think the metal casing would also be valuable enough to rip off and scrap, but what do I know.
jon

Still Hungry?

However, the beach wasn't the last thing we did on the island. The last thing we did was find another roadside stand. Fresh locally caught mahi-mahi, I'm in. Oh, wait, fresh out. Well, guess I'll have to suffer through ordering the tuna.

We were also provided with a show, as a middle aged homeless beach bum harassed everyone for money, until the very sweet proprietor gave him some rice. I thought my meal was delic, Kat wasn't quite so happy with hers. It was one of the stinkiest, best tasting sandwiches I have ever had. We wrapped it up and took the leftovers to the airport, just flooded the car, the shuttle, and the terminal with an odor of butter fried garlic. We weren't allowed to take it through security, so I housed it and gave the line a second shot. It was at this point that it dawned on Kat that she'd be stuck next to some jackass with garlic breath for an eight hour flight.


The End,
jon

We Found It

The anti-climactic did become climactic when we found this large bay. After six days of searching we finally found a spot where we could swim in the salt water fantastic of the ocean. Just in time for it to be too late!

Instead we strolled along the beach as the sun set, enjoying our last moments in daylight on the island.

jon

Well, now what.

After the Packer game, it suddenly dawned us our plane did not leave for 10 more hours. We had forgotten to think about what to do with this time. In our heads it was, wake up, swim, Packer game, beer, fly home. Not Packer game ----------------- fly home.

So we did what anyone would do, just randomly drove around. We even went back to the lighthouse so we could drive all the way to it, instead of just looking from afar. As you can judge by this picture, we failed at that project. The gates closed a half hour before we arrived.

We found another talking bird of paradise. We got to feed him and everything. I'm pretty sure he had a facebook page, I just forgot to write it down.

And, I was super excited to take some pictures of the taro fields.

jon

In Retrospect, Awful, Just Awful.

I'm still so totally burned out from football. Even with a Super Bowl as exciting as it was, nothing will get rid of the burnout I feel after the Packers lost to the Giants, again. On the last day, after the sunrise and before lunch, Kat and I took our last moments checked into the hotel and used them to swim in the rather vast pools. It was a couple of hours of fun in the sun. After which we just planned on packing up then watching the Packers. We actually got kicked out of this restaurant and had to skip over to a sports bar at half time.

For the Packer's last win before our hopes and dreams of an undefeated season were dashed, Katherine ordered a delicious treat of French Toast. I, however, was not so bright.

I ordered ox tail saimin. Not knowing what it is, I quite literally asked the waitress if it had ox tail in it. She, apparently lying, said no. But when it showed up, it was clearly lopped off chunks of tail in soup. It was terrible, and the most expensive thing on the menu. What on earth was I thinking. At least I accidently ordered a Hawaiian classic soup.

jon

No Wildflowers

No wildflowers to speak of, but the hotel was kind enough to supply a very well landscaped setting. And considering it was our last day, I thought these flowers would do just fine. And that I don't need to be a wildflower snob.

I am also simply stunned at the quality of a $100 lens. It really spoils you, what's to be done about those zooms, and why do they cost so much more.

Jon

A Fiery Sky

A fiery sky was the treat for our last sunrise on the island. A blazing orange and red that can't be captured, by me, in a photograph. It was a stunning visual treat to drink in on a warm Hawaiian morning.

As the sun crested above the horizon, we both sat on piece of driftwood and drank in the sounds and smells of the ocean. It is nearly impossible for me to sit silent and still, but this is a moment where I could. For a minute or two anyway.

Untitled from Jon Bailey on Vimeo.

Usual disclaimer, turn down the sound.

I still can't watch these full resolution in real time on my computer. Sigh, guess I'll just have to wait for those lottery winnings to start rolling in.

Jon

Katherine's Dinner, Sevenson's Library

Katherine decided to go a different route for dinner.  Fortunately she let me have her leftovers. Tasty, tasty leftovers.

jon

Sueoka's Snack Shop

Each time I think, "if only there were something to eat" another delightful little shop pops up right before my eyes. I must have been the last person to order before it closed. Katherine opted out of a snack.

Which was a huge mistake. I ordered a teriaki burger, and was quite pleasantly surprised when I realized it was not so much a burger but teriaki marinated steak strips in a bun. Those hunks of meat must have been soaking all day, as what I can only assume was cheap flank steak, melted right apart. Perhaps if I had known what it was before hand I wouldn't have thought it quite as amazing, but as it was the surprise made the "burger".

Jon

A Koala's Dream

So... Much.... Eucalyptus.....   So much cooler in person, the tree tunnel was a frequently traveled road, so we got to marvel at it nearly every day. We could have seen it every day, but I like to come up with 'creative' directions to and fro. Didn't get lost that much.

jon

Oh, and the Jack Harter Cat

Because every business needs a cat. Wonder if he does the accounting?  He sort of looks like an accountant.

Jon

Jack Harter Helicopter, back home already

The rest of the island is no slouch, just because  you aren't on the Na Pali coast doesn't mean there ain't nothing to see.



This was about as close as we flew to the ground. Sure does feel like it wouldn't be much of a drop at all.



The boundless waterfalls were a spectacle as we flew in and out of crevasses.



Some could be contenders for tallest in the world, but none were the faithful continuous type necessary for the title.



It was really, truly, an experience which should be required when you go to the islands. The tour was over an hour, the pilot was just the nicest guy. I felt bad, because I was to busy being amazed and living in wonderment to chat with him. Seriously, go do it.
jon

Jack Harter Videos

The biggest thing I learned from this, those guys who take helicopter videos are nuts. How much equipment must they have to bring along. Sheesh.

Untitled from Jon Bailey on Vimeo.

Untitled from Jon Bailey on Vimeo.

Jack Harter Helicopter - Nā Pali Coast

The Na Pali Coast can really only be seen two ways, by boat or by helicopter. Considering our boat trip was canceled, ugh, helicopter it was. That is not to say that is a bad choice, just we wanted it all.



I am reminded that the original inhabitants of the island lived where the water was. All of the large comfortable, irrigated expanses of the south side of the island were only possible once westerners came in and dug ditches to move the water about. In the beginning the poi farms had to go wherever they could, and the elaborate was put in the middle of the treacherous.



I was saddened to see a stupid sailboat motoring along. That should have been our trip!



There was another way to get in. An 11 mile hike in, and a 11 mile hike out. It takes a whole day to go one day. The helicopter pilot said he did it once. Kat asked why not again, and he said once was certainly enough. It sounds like a harrowing journey.



Lush and impressive. The earth should not be allowed to flaunt its extravagance so mightily.



And to say goodbye, you can't fly forever.

jon

Jack Harter Helicopter - The highlights part one

First off, you get pretty far up there in that crazy flying contraption. We were still on our way up when I spotted this cruise ship at the terminal. Just think how giant that thing is, and how this is about the only way to get a picture of it without being overwhelmed by the scale of the thing.



Katherine asked the best way to fly and take pictures, and the answer was "open door". Yes, an open door helicopter ride. I still can't believe Kat agreed to do this. I was so excited. Kat's nerves were growing and growing, I thought she'd jump straight out of the thing right up to take off. Then the captain very kindly explained just how hard it would be to come out of the blasted thing, then she finally relaxed.



At no point did the trip disappoint, and I really have to advocate for open door. You really get the feel that you are flying, that this is a totally unnatural and exhilarating experience. From what I understand, the larger closed door helicopter tours feel more like riding in an old Cadillac. Comfortable, but distant from the feel.



Do not hang out the door. I learned this, as I lost track of the fact the helicopter moves over 50MPH, and hanging out the door will let you know about it.



This was pretty late in our trip, and it amazed us how much of the island we had already seen from the ground. It was like getting a recap by air of everything we had done. Which is fun, but I would suggest going first, and taking notes on all the cool places you can see later.

jon