St. Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, Fla.
Tarpon Springs, Florida, has the highest concentration of Greek immigrants in the United States. St. Nicholas Cathedral is beautifully decorated with illustrations of the Greek Orthodox faith. My camera didn’t do it justice.To learn more about the area, read my Examiner.com article: Tarpon Springs, Florida: On and off the beaten track.
Muddy TAG cavers support conservation
“Fire, fire, fire…,” chants the crowd, as a longhaired man wearing bat-print pajama bottoms launches a flaming arrow into the 20-foot tall bonfire. It lights with a loud ka-thump! About then, another lovely fellow wearing a red ball gown and blond wig allows me to take some glamour-shots of him before moving on into the revelry that lasts into the …
A close encounter with Florida’s manatees
As I slipped into the water, the cold took my breath away, but soon the wetsuit did its job and I felt better. At first, I couldn’t see anything due to disturbed silt, but then a large form materialized in front of me and there I was, just feet from an adult manatee. I stopped a few feet away and …
A hometown Christmas at sea
For years, my friends and family suggested I write about my childhood at sea. But, putting those many memories on paper was an overwhelming thought. Finally I decided the best way to approach the task was to do what I’ve always done, plug my nose and jump into the deep end! This piece takes place just after my 14th birthday …
Trip Report: Backpacking California’s Evolution Valley
Laura Manina, my sister and fellow backpacker, shares her experiences and tips on backpacking a 57-mile loop to the Evolution Valley. Many thanks to her for this great post and pictures! You can learn more about her travels with her husband, Mitch, on CruisingSailors.com. ~ Evolution Valley. First, it was a suggestion, and then it was an item on …
Hiking to Rawhiti Cave, New Zealand
A guest post by Amy Heritage – Thanks Amy! The next time a guide book mentions a ‘one hour walk’ for people with a ‘moderate level of fitness’ I’m going to regard it with caution. This is how the trek to Rawhiti Cave is described to tourists by the New Zealand Tourist Board. Truthfully, it is a short walk …
Six Things to See and Do in Eastern Glacier National Park
Information overload. That’s the typical response when visitors arrive on the eastern side of Glacier National Park, Montana. When a friend asked what he should see during his one-day visit, I was stumped. “One day?” I confirmed in awe, “but there’s so much to see!” Once I wrapped my head around his question, I suggested mixing sightseeing, with a sampling …
Blown away: Glacier National Park’s Cracker Lake Trail
I wrote this post as part of my MatadorU writing course. Our assignment was to flash-back from today to a memorable event. The trail to Cracker Lake was one of the most memorable I’ve ever hiked, especially since it was the windiest – at least 40 mph, maybe more. Enjoy. My coffee is hot enough to be a little painful …
Hosteling for the first time: Lessons learned
The clerk at Brownies’ Bakery and Hostel handed me a padlock key from across the counter, and pointed toward a set of worn, painted stairs to the second story of the log building. Upstairs, I found my way through the dim living room, decorated in style that can only be described as early-American-garage-sale, to my room down the hall. It …