FALL COLOUR IN NEW ENGLAND AND THE MARITIMES

FALL COLOUR IN NEW ENGLAND

The ravages of “Irene” the hurricane and tropical storm that crossed eastern United States were evident, particularly in Vermont.  Stopping to photograph wasn’t easy with lots of road and bridge repair along with removal of mud and trees.  We encountered rain and fog.  The colour of the hillsides was spectacular with yellows, orange red and greens.

THE MARITIMES: HALIFAX

Our next adventure was in Halifax. We parked our van in Stephen Patterson’s driveway. We spent time with photography friends. We on a club field trip with Joyce Chew our CAPA representative in the area.
We went to commercial wild blueberry fields, very different from the berries in BC. We also attended a Nova Scotia Photo Guild selection of images for a PSA competition and an evening evaluation session. We really enjoyed the hospitality.

 

We spent a couple of days of photography with Steve and learned some new techniques for trees.You can see Stephen Patterson’s work on his website.

  

THE MARITIMES:  SHAMPERS BLUFF

We stopped in New Brunswick to visit with Freeman Patterson.   He shared ideas with us and spent time showing us some of his recent work.  What a treat!  He told us about his fantastic trips to Africa, what an experience that would be.  Do check out Freeman’s website.

We stayed the night in our RV and photographed morning fog on the river and then went to the bog area behind his house and took pictures there.  We went to the Kingston community weekly market.  There was a variety of craft work, ethnic food and baking.  There was just enough time to take a few portraits before leaving for Boston.

MAXINE BENJAMIN

 

We are sad to say farewell to our dear friend, Maxine. Max was Pat Prenter’s closest friend and we spent many vacation days with them both.  Always quick with a comment and ready to travel, we enjoyed our time with Maxine.

One of the first one hundred women veterinarians in the US, Max taught Pathology at Colorado State University and her book was used by generations of students.  She was a visiting professor at St. Kitts and in Kenya.  If you enjoy gambling on the dogs or horses, Max was an expert!

Knowing Max was a joy and she will be missed!

Val and Peter 

A LONG WAY FROM HOME

We left home on Sept 30, travelling through Washington and Oregon into Idaho and Utah and finally into Wyoming (450 miles a day).

Lots of sagebrush and Pronghorn antelope by the hundreds as the miles speed by. Photograhy out the side window at 60+ is hardly worth the effort.

Our first stopover is in Fort Collins to visit Paddy, Max and the doggies. We shop for Chachos at Sierra Traders in Cheyenne and then its back on the road heading east through Nebraska cornfields and winds so gusty (25-30 from the south - across the highway) that our German engineered RV keeps triggering the skid control warning. Deer and more deer at dusk.

On to Illinois - the trees are turning gold and orange here. More corn and legumes in the fields being harvested - the combines roll till after dark. Iowa is know for corn. White dusty gravel roads everywhere, with pickups kicking up long trails of dust. Lots of colour in the Sumac and and other trees and bushes that line the roads - a great place for farm shots but Fall colour is waiting and rural photos are ourt of favour. Toll road service plaza charges $20 for RV parking overnight - OUCH!

Up to the shores of Lake Erie on I-90 and we pass through Cleveland. Finally Pennsylvania and Fall colour. Ready for serious photo action but -- no sunlight - morning mist! We choose the slower Route 6 across Pennsylvania - lots of tiny towns and great views. The colour continues as we slowly make our way into New |York, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Today we will make it into Maine and maybe back into Canada as we head through New Brunswick on the way to Halifax.

We've got photos!

We had some spare time so here are some photos so far.

Ho Chi Minh City:

Ho Chi Minh City - It seems as though everyone here owns a scooter

Worker polishing a work at a laquerware factory

Main post office - it was built by the French and designed by Eiffel

Orphanages:

We arrive at Theresa's orphange on laundry day!

Some of the kids Theresa helps to support

Theresa and a friend

Unpacking some of the medication that Theresa brought for the kids

Viet Cong Tunnels at Cu Chi:

 

At Cu Chi we see a Viet Cong tunnel

Some tunnels have been enlarged so western visitors can see how the worked

A Viet Cong re-creation

Mekong Delta Area:

Life in the Mekong River Delta

Cambodia:

Pol Pot Museum (prison) in Cambodia

Millions of Cambodians were killed by Pol Pot



Finally - an update from Nha Trang

Our travel schedule has been really busy as we move north through Vietnam so we apologize for not getting to the blog more often.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) was our first stop. It's a huge city with lots or people and almost as many scooters and small motor bikes. Very few traffic lights and do it yourself traffic control. Mostly the cars keep to the left and the scooters to the right. At intersecions it is general pandemonium but everyone gets through safely and we haven't seen any accidents. Crossing the road means waiting for a "lull" in traffic and starting across at a steady pace. Basically you let the scooters work their way around you - takes a bit of getting used to but it works - somehow.

We drove to Siem Reap in Cambodia where Ankor Wat is located. It is a fair distance and a very slow trip. It is interesting to see the farms and villages along the way. We are really out in the counryside. It takes almost two days to get there but our flight back is only an hour!

After our retunr to Ho Chi Minh City we head north and up into the highlands and the city of Dalat. This is a summer vacation home for many better off Vietnamese as it is much cooler in summer. \\temperatures are about 18 - just comfortable for us but all of the locals are bundled up woll sweaters and heavy jackets.

Our trip down through the twisty valleys is accompanied by heavy mist and smoking brakes.

Today we are in the coastal city of Nha Trang. Its cool and cloudy but we are supposed to head off to the beach.

The food has been good with lots of seafood and plenty of choices.

Ankor Wat is Incredible

The temples at Ankor Wat are huge and incredibly constructed.
We've done lots or walking and climbing up and down throught the temples. Most are 800 or more years old - pretty amazing.

Vietnam promises to be full of surprises

January First - the beginning of a new year and we are off for three weeks to explore Vietman as well as the Temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

We hope to be able to update the blog fairly often - all depends on WiFi availability!


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