Snowy April in Leelanau

My son and I took a quick trip Up North to check on things. Good news - the roofs survived the record 257 inch seasonal snowfall. And the snow may not be over yet for the year. We stopped in for breakfast at Art's Tavern in Glen Arbor, Michigan and it was not surprising to hear that the locals are weary of winter. Lake Michigan and Glen Lake are still covered with ice - but the ice cover is thinning. Here are some photos taken on April 5 at the Glen Haven and Empire beaches.

By Blu Restaurant looking toward Glen Arbor

Glen Arbor Beach

Glen Haven Beach

Empire Beach

Joe is standing on sand drifts just off shore at Empire Beach. It's interesting how the sand mounds up and freezes.

Empire Bluffs

Bermuda's Crystal Cave - Subterranean Wonder

Bermuda is beautiful above and below ground. Today I toured the Crystal Cave and the Fantasy Cave. 

The entrances are located nearby on the same property. The tour guide was great.

These caves were just discovered in 1907 and 1909 - about 300 years after the arrival of permanent residents. And about 2 minutes after their discovery, tours began.

The water level in the caves does rise and fall with the tides. The caverns were big enough that I didn't have any claustrophobic issues. You walk down a series of ramps and stairs and then you arrive at the pool level. 

Just a word of caution - there is no wheel chair access. You walk down 80 something steps and you walk those same steps back up. There are benches along the way for those who need a rest. However, if you can do it, it's worth a little huffing and puffing,

The water reflects a beautiful turquoise hue when the electric lights are switched on.  Sunlight does not reach these depths.  The water by the walkway averages 35 feet but the plunges to 300 feet past the ledge. I firmly gripped my cell phone and camera. Anything dropped into the water stays there.

Here are some photos of Crystal Cave:

Here are some photos of Fantasy Cave. It's a little closer to the surface so there is more color to the formations whereas the Crystal Cave formations are whiter.

Watching the slow drip of the water from the cave ceilings as stalactites and stalagmites are forming molecule by molecule puts some perspective on time. Many of the formations are the product of hundreds of thousands of years of drip, drip, drip. Just amazing.

A Windy Day in Bermuda

This morning I took a walk along the South Shore Park in Bermuda. 

It's the end of March, a little before the beginning of the tourist season. There's still a cool nip to the breeze but very pleasant. It feels wonderful to fill the lungs with crisp and clean ocean air.

The hibiscus are in bloom.

Horseshoe Bay at the west end of South Shore Park. Looking east.

Horseshoe Bay - looking west.

There's a lot of mini-beaches nestled amid the jutting ancient volcanic rock.

Looking west toward Horseshoe Bay from the cliffs.

Looking east toward Chaplin Bay. The walking paths were great.

I came across these 2 seemingly abandoned concrete structures set just off the beach. Vegetation has covered all of one roof and half of the other. I'm going to speculate that these were bunkers built as part of Bermuda's coastal defense during World War II. (Much more interesting than abandoned hot dog stands,)

At the end of my walk I saw these 3 fully clothed boys frolicking in the waves. Pure joy.

First Day in Bermuda (And there is no snow)

I arrived this afternoon in Bermuda. My first time. The flight from Newark was a bit under 2 hours. Getting through customs was painless. The cab ride to the Fairmont Southampton took about 20 minutes. The roads are very narrow and of course, they drive on the wrong side of the road.

Most people do not realize that Bermuda is actually off the coast of North Carolina. So while not as warm as some of the Caribbean islands right now, there is no snow. And that is what this Chicago Gal is looking for - no snow. Currently the daytime temps are in the 60's - Paradise.

In this shallow cove, the water was cool but there were a few snorkelers.

Here are a few photos of the Southampton beach. And please note - no snow or ice - Paradise.

Sitting on a sandy beach is blissful joy.

Shedd the Winter Doldrums

Intent on escaping the March doldrums, my friends,  Diane and KC, and I spent the day at the Shedd Aquarium.  We realized that it had been maybe 20 years since we had last visited this Chicago institution. Yes, before the beluga whales. The Shedd Aquarium has been around since the early 30's and is located on the lakefront just south of the Loop.

Definitely buy your tickets online ahead of time. We also paid for the Behind the Scenes tour. This was very interesting but not for younger kids, in my opinion. The volunteer guides were very knowledgeable and one gets a deeper appreciation for all the support activities involved in caring for the thousands of fish and mammals residing at the aquarium. Walking behind the tanks was very cool.

The aquatic show was amazing but I could figure out how to take photos on my smart phone without triggering the flash (which is not a good thing for animals and trainers alike) so I only have one shot of the beluga whale below.

We ate lunch at the cafe overlooking Lake Michigan. Food and service were good and the view was outstanding.

We all gave the experience a big thumbs up!  Here are some photos:

There were lots of different species of turtles to view.

The penguins were great.

Beluga whale at aquatic show.

I just thought these guys were screen saver worthy.

There was beauty at every turn.

Peacefulness at Fallingwater

Recently I was able to visit Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob - two homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright located southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both homes were designed to fit into the landscape. As I walked through the homes, I experienced a wonderful sense of peacefulness. The design harmony is very powerful.

I learned that FLW refused to design homes with attics, basements or garages because he believed that these areas promoted clutter which was anathema to him. He has a point.

If you are in the area, I strongly recommend visiting both Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. It is an enriching experience.

Entrance to Kentuck Knob. The stone is locally quarried Pottsville sandstone. (The bus is not actually parked in the house, that is a reflection in the glass door,)

Window detail in carport. FLW was ok with carports, just not garages.

Garden patio area at Kentuck Knob.

Fallingwater

Fallingwater extends over Bear Run. A stairway extends down from the living room so that one could dangle ones feet into the creek if one chose.



Yes, Fallingwater is cantilevered over a water fall. Prepare to be peacefully astonished.

Moon Over Benzie

Here is a photo that I snapped last night around 9:30. We were taking a drive on a forest road in Benzie County, Michigan, and the moon was shining so brightly through the yet barren trees and reflecting off remaining patches of snow. It was quiet. It was beautiful. It was peaceful.