Geo Cruise

Keep that camera clean

2012-09-15T14:43:00.001-07:00

So am back from Alaska. Great trip, still need to post some photos. I did put a number up on Facebook. Will have to post a link to those as a start.

What was the biggest bummer photo wise on this trip? Well, other than wanting a stronger lens to catch the humpbacks that did a bit of breaching - but a LONG way off; it would have to be the bit of dust or dirt that made its way onto the sensor of my Canon 60D.

This little bugger left bout 87% of my photos with a little fuzzy dot in the upper left corner of all my photos... not good. Well, it could have been worse, it was pretty small - but it looked huge to me of course.

I decided to be good and not try to blow off the sensor myself while traveling. Especially since I wasn't good about carrying any lens cleaning supplies or compressed air or anything. Our nieces new husband had a similar issue, and he cleaned his - while also knowing & admitting that he probably shouldn't have done it...

So the result of that decision was hundreds of photos of Mt. McKinley and wildlife in Denali National Park with the little fuzz spot. Crap.
But I felt safe in knowing that I didn't damage the sensor - which would have been even more upsetting (and costly!).

I have been able to crop it out, or use a little digital cleanup. And in many shots it really isn't noticed.

Last week I finally had a chance to swing by Calumet Photographic in Escondido (this is their "San Diego" location). I didn't have the camera with me, but wanted to talk with them about cleaning options. They said to bring it in and they can try to blow it clean at no cost, and if not, then I could get a $60 cleaning.

So I brought it in today, they were very helpful. Got a few tools, blew it off a few times. Good to go. He said he could see one little spot still on there, but I hadn't even known it was there. I am good with that!

Walked out 10 minutes later after looking at all the goodies I can't afford right now... Ready to shoot again.

So, keep the cameras clean. Carry some cleaning supplies in your bag. And be careful you don't mess up the sensor. But most of all, have a good quality camera shop to work with. The folks at Calumet have always been great to work with.

Can't wait till the next trip!

Oh ya, I had better get some photos posted...

I am way behind on travel posts.

First Caribou of the day - Denali

2012-08-12T09:10:00.001-07:00

First Caribou of the day - Denali, a photo by Tim Craig on Flickr.

This fine animal was about 40 feet from the bus. Started off further away, but walked towards us, eating here and there, and then crossed the road behind the bus. Amazing animal.

The deal on the bus was that we make as little noise as possible and do NOT make sounds to try to get the animals to look at us, etc. The driver, Clay Walker, would turn off the bus and get the animal in his 100x video camera, which we could see on TV screens in the bus (and later, of course, choose to purchase as a DVD).

This was early in the day, about 90 minutes in, and was really close. We were all very excited!

Mt McKinley or Denali - it's big

2012-08-11T23:31:00.001-07:00

Mt McKinley or Denali - it's big, a photo by Tim Craig on Flickr.

So Mt McKinley (or Denali as many like to call it) is most often covered in clouds and doesn't often make an appearance.

Well, here I am, two days later, and viewing Mt McKinley from the other side, and once again getting a great view with very little cloud cover! Fantastic!!

She's a BIG mountain, that's for sure. Tallest in the world from base to top.

Mt McKinley, Alaska

2012-08-11T23:27:00.001-07:00

Mt McKinley, Alaska, a photo by Tim Craig on Flickr.

I heard before leaving on the cruise that we would be lucky to see Mt McKinley. That it is normally covered by clouds.

So I was pleasantly surprised when I awoke to see the mountain almost totally visible!

Quickly grabbed the camera and joined a lot of other happy photographers on the back deck at the Princess Mt McKinley Lodge - 40 miles from the mountain.

Rusty Beauty

2012-08-11T23:18:00.001-07:00

Rusty Beauty, a photo by Tim Craig on Flickr.

Softness against the rough. On cruise docks in Ketchikan, AK.

Man

2012-07-09T17:46:00.001-07:00

Man, a photo by Tim Craig on Flickr.

TSA Complaint App

2012-05-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

I'm not exactly sure what I think about this app. In many ways I think it is good. But I hesitate to get behind anything that doesn't allow both sides of the story - in this case, why not also allow for positive comments on how the TSA is doing their job?

Here's a Fox News story on the app: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/30/group-launches-app-allowing-travelers-to-file-complaints-on-tsa-screeners/
And from CNN: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/30/sikh-group-develops-app-to-report-airport-profiling/?iref=allsearch

Interesting that the CNN report has it under "Religion" and not "Travel". Then again, Fox has it under "Politics".

Here is the Sikh Coalition site: http://www.sikhcoalition.org/
And they actually have a site just for this app: http://fly-rights.org/

And here's the app for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sikhcoalition.FlyRights&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsInNpa2hjb2FsaXRpb24uRmx5UmlnaHRzIl0.

And for iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flyrights/id499883054?ls=1&mt=8

What do YOU think about this app?

Long, Cold Days Are Coming

2012-04-29T22:23:00.001-07:00

Well, it looks like it is going to happen!!

We are planning another family vacation!
To Alaska!!

Land of the cold and the days of 20 hours of sun.

We took our first ever cruise back in June/July of 2008. This was an anniversary vacation for mom & dad with the entire family! Yes, 13 members of the family from mom & dad (grandma & grandpa to others), to their kids and their families.

This was actually the first time cruising from everyone (if you don't count dad's cruise to pacific islands during WW2). This original vacation was also the last time the ENTIRE family was able to travel together. Out of six cruises this was also the only time we have traveled Princess.

So I find it really interesting that as we return to Alaska we will once again be traveling Princess (on the Sapphire Princess), and we will all be together again. In fact we will ever be +1 as Rachel got married and her new husband Nate (we hope!) will be able to join us.

Wow - I still owe this blog posts from that original trip (and others) - but check out my posts on Alaska (more to come as mobile posts during this next trip): http://geocruise.blogspot.com/search/label/Alaska

So much enjoyed that first trip to Alaska, and totally looking forward to being back there again!


Most of the family - Ketchikan, Alaska 2008

Please feel free to comment with tips or ideas for any of the stops we will be visiting.

A new twist for us. We will be doing a "cruisetour" - 1/2 cruise, 1/2 land tour.

So just where are we making stops??

Leaving out of Vancouver, BC for the cruise
Ketchikan
Juneau
Skagway (Dad's specific request as he traveled her by car many, many years ago)
Glacier Bay
College Fjord
Whittier
Then a glass-covered train to Mt. McKinley to begin the land tour.
2-days at Denali
2-days at Fairbanks
Back home to San Diego

Would love to get ideas of things to visit at any of these stops. Thanks!!

Travel Memories

2012-03-25T09:54:00.001-07:00

Sitting having breakfast with my in-laws, who are 85 & 86 we had just gotten a brochure from Oceania that we were looking over.

Never had I ever thought that I would open up a brochure like this and be able to say we have been to five of the six places shown in the fantastic photos! What fun! We have been so lucky to visit all these fantastic places!

From this 2012 voyages brochure we have been to Rhodes, Greece; Athens, Greece; Luxor, Egypt; Cairo, Egypt and Jerusalem. The last photo was of Dubrovnik, Greece.

Hopefully we will be blessed enough to continue travels to fun, interesting and historic places around the globe.

British Isles - July 2011 - Overview Slideshow

2012-01-15T15:04:00.000-08:00

This was a fantastic cruise on the Oceania Marina - 14 days. London to London. Took us from London (Dover) over the North Sea (MUCH smoother than an earlier crossing of the North Sea back in July 2009 that did most of us in), to Scotland, Shetland Islands, Norway, Ireland, Isle of Man, Wales and back to Dover.

Way overdue with posts & photos about the trip, but thought I'd put up this slideshow for now...

Hope to get back to this part of the world someday. So much to see and do!

10 Popular Travel Scams - via FoxNews

2011-08-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

Saw this article and thought I'd share it out here as it has some specific scan topics of interest for various cities around the world - and just as a reminder to be extra careful while traveling. We heard about the Egypt scam while there. Luckily our tour guide had some connections, and Jen and I had a great time on two camels at the pyramids! But do beware - all over Egypt. Lots of scams and people just waiting to catch you off guard.

And that's why I'm adding to the warning. You are out traveling. Be it locally, somewhere in within your country, or out on a trip to some distant land. You are there to have fun and see new things. You mind is busy and engaged. It probably isn't thinking about the many ways someone could take advantage of a certain environment to rip you off. And that's when something happens without you knowing about it.

Be careful out there. Some countries are known to be worse than others, but you can get ripped off by a pro, or by the kid on the street corner.

FoxNews article: http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2011/08/13/10-popular-travel-scams-around-world/

The Wellcome Collection London (mobile)

2011-07-31T14:56:00.000-07:00

A few exhibits at the Wellcome Collection - Dirty & Medicine Man.

Didn't really care for Dirty at all. Wacky artists and their visions of the dirty mess us humans have & will make. Just some nutty stuff in my view.

While the Medicine Man was quite interesting & I wish we had spent more time there. Some very interesting historic medical and cultural pieces.

We cut the visit short to try to make it to the National Gallery, but by the time we had made it over there on the Underground mom & dad were pretty pooped & the museums were closing in about an hour. So we just headed back to the hotel to get some packing done & rest before our final family dinner before heading back to the states.

If you get a chance, see the Medicine Man exhibit. Quite interesting.
Tomorrow AM it is back to the states.
Been a great vacation and hate to see it draw to an end.

Room with a View - London (mobile)

2011-07-29T06:36:00.001-07:00

Well, we survived getting off the ship & getting into London. A bit of a feat with 11 travelers and a ton of luggage.
A few mix-ups with the rooms, but we are dealing with it.

Not too exciting of a view, but better than many. Not sure yet if this is an active church or a historic place yet. If I recall correctly from our last visit it is historic.

Our hotel is right behind the one we stayed at last time, so we have a good idea where things are, including an Underground station just across the street. Very handy.

St. Coleman's Cathedral (mobile)

2011-07-27T08:48:00.001-07:00

St. Coleman's Cathedral is a 19th century Gothic revival cathedral & home to the largest Carillon (49 bells) in the UK.

The cathedral overlooks the colorful seaport town of Cobh (pronounced Cove). Cobh is known for being the last port of call for the Titanic, and also as the home of the first immigrant to disembark at Ellis Island, Annie Moore.

Giant's Causeway Ireland (mobile)

2011-07-23T07:59:00.001-07:00

This is one interesting place.
Ever been to Devil's Postpile in California? This is a lot bigger and right on the northern Ireland coast.

The coast is very rough - and very beautiful. Water is awfully cold, you won't catch me taking a dip.

If you visit northern Ireland I would recommend a stop here.

View of Geiranger Fjord, Norway (mobile)

2011-07-21T07:00:00.001-07:00

Here's a view from our stateroom. Included the full size bus in the bottom corner to give you some idea of the size of the Fjord walls. Can't even see the top of most because of the clouds.

It's like an extra lush Yosemite valley - at least that's how Jen explains it.

Right now there are three cruise ships at Geiranger which is at the terminus of the Fjord.

Geiranger Norway (mobile)

2011-07-21T05:36:00.001-07:00

Great fjords on the way into Geiranger.

Lots of waterfalls down the steep cliffs. Simply beautiful.

Nessie Found! (mobile)

2011-07-21T04:17:00.001-07:00

Don't know why people say searching Loch Ness for Nessie is so hard. We drove right up and saw her in this pond just off the loch...

I have to say, she wasn't as impressive as I expected.

Pub Lunch - Edinbrough (mobile)

2011-07-21T03:29:00.001-07:00

Our guide recommended this pub for lunch. I had the beef pie and a pint of Tennets lager. It was really good.

Jen's brother had haggus - we each tried a small bite... Not disgusting, but I don't see myself ordering it anytime soon.

Didn't know they can't serve drinks till 12:30 in the afternoon. Good thing we sat down at 12:25 - beat the rush too!

Craigmillar Castle, Edinbrough, Scotland (mobile)

2011-07-21T02:59:00.001-07:00

First Day in Scotland, first castle.

Lots of rooms and interesting areas to investigate.

Yosemite - Great Place to Visit

2011-06-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

I was doing some photo organizing the other day and ran across some shots from a business trip years ago to Yosemite. Yeah, yeah, I know - tough gig. =)

There was a conference there (actually not the best place for a conference, but that's another topic) and we had a long break one afternoon - that was when location really mattered! Off we went to explore the valley a bit.

I thought I'd share some of the photos I took because it really is a beautiful place. If you haven't been, you should go for sure. It has changed a lot of the years since my wife and her family backpacked there every year, but the views and the nature are just fantastic.

So take a peek at my photos. I hope you like them. More to come. =)

My "Nature" photo group on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/the-ranch/sets/72157622537088000/

More Pyramids in Egypt? Yes - 17 More, Underground! Plus 1,000 Tombs

2011-05-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Ran across this news article (thanks Facebook Friend & 2nd Cousin Austen for posting the article from Yahoo! News) that caught my eye since we were visiting the Pyramids of Giza just last November.

Currently at this site there are 3 full size pyramids and 3 smaller ones. I'm sorry to say that as I sit here now I can't remember the stories behind the smaller ones. I want to say they are for the children of one of the Pharaohs, but I can't recall.

What an interesting use of remote sensing technology. Using what we know about the way the pyramids and tombs were built, they were able to classify the infrared imagery to look for density changes. These structures were built with mud bricks which are much more dense than the soil around them.

Amazing - 17 pyramids, 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient settlements.

There will be a documentary on the BBC which follows Egyptologist Dr. Sarah Parcak as she begins to unearth this new find. Keep an eye out for "Egypt's Lost Cities" if you find this topic interesting. I love the title they give the Dr - "Satellite Archaeologist". Cool.

Weird six degrees of separation moment? Dr Parcak was born in Bangor, Maine, as was my mom.

Here's the link to the full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20110525/tc_digitaltrends/infraredsatelliteimagryunveils17lostegyptianpyramids

Here's a BBC article that goes into more detail about the work leading up to the find: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13522957

Baha'i Gardens Haifa (mobile)

2011-04-23T10:56:00.001-07:00

Another cell phone pic from Nov 2010 cruise.

Wow these terraced gardens were something to see! They weren't open to walk down the day we were there, but they are still very impressive.

Worth a visit if you are in Haifa for sure.

The Wailing Wall (mobile)

2011-04-23T10:47:00.001-07:00

Very interesting stop at the Wailing Wall. Just sitting and people watching at this location is fascinating. So many people from all over the world & from all walks of life.

Rod has been wanting to come to the Wailing Wall for many, many years. It was great to see him be able to place his prayers in the wall and say a short prayer.

Interesting to see the men's and women's sections. And the size differences.

Pyramids of Giza (mobile)

2011-04-23T10:40:00.001-07:00

Another cell phone pic from Nov 2010 trip. The pyramids of Giza were nice to see. Wish we had more time there - but the camel ride was something we just had to do! =)

I would rather of had more time at the pyramids and less at the sphinx. Oh well. One of the downsides of being on a group excursion - have to follow their time line. But lots of benefits too!

A must see if you get to Egypt.