Notes from ShellyCentral

Nature Photo Day 1

 

So have you seen that thing going around Facebook where a person "nominates" a friend to post 7 days of nature photos? I'm usually not into that kind of Facebook thing, but posting creative stuff you've done yourself? Everyone should do that. My friend nominated me last week, and tonight I posted my first photo.

 

 

I took this at a rest stop just off the highway in the very hot summer of 2014. We were on our way back from Las Vegas where we'd been visiting my brother, to Colorado for our Family Reunion. Me, My sister Megan and both of our daughters.

This is Utah. Utah is amazingly beautiful. It's so breath-taking it makes it hard to drive. We stopped at almost every rest stop through this area just so we could stand around and look for a while.

Here's another from the same stop.

 

How 'bout I share the rest of the photos I share this week?

 

 

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Some things I saw in Paris (8 photos)

 

I only spent one day in Paris, and I only had a point and shoot camera while I was there. I left London on the Eurostar at a ridiculously early hour in the morning, and headed back around dusk. I only got a glimpse of the ancient city, but I tried to capture some of its amazing beauty. Thinking of the sad and frightening tragedy they've currently suffered, I thought I'd share these today.

 

 

I don't usually do filtery stuff on any of my photos, but I'm trying it out a little.
These were taken with a Nikon CoolPix s6000.

 

 

Take a trip on the Liberty Bell.

If you're  not in a big hurry while you're at the Magic Kingdom, you should definitely consider taking a ride along the rivers of America on the Liberty Square Riverboat. Mark Twain narrates this 20 minute-ish ride where you'll see several scenes you can't see anywhere else, including unique views of the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain and my favorite Disney roller coaster, Big Thunder Mountain. It's cool, relaxing and lovely so climb aboard if you're looking for a little down time in the sometimes crazy Magic Kingdom.

Jungle Cruise: Bathing Elephant

A lot of people are never excited to ride the Jungle Cruise and I understand that. If you end up with a bad skipper, it's a long boring ride and you can end up feeling trapped. But a funny skipper can make me laugh really hard, and even though they're animatronic I like looking at the animals. At it's heart, its a ride about traveling the world. I always think it's worth the risk.

Listen when your wife has a weird dream.

As I'm sure you know, I kinda love Julius Caesar.

So one of the best parts about traveling to Rome for me was going places where he lived and hang out in spaces he hung out. I loved it.

This is a statue of Caesar that's right along a main street whose name I don't remember. Behind him is the ancient forum. He's staring off at Hadrian's marketplace. I love this picture.

Everyone knows that he was stabbed in the senate building by a bunch of small minded, murderous jerks, but what most people don't know is it wasn't the senate building you're thinking of.  that one had burned up a bit in some fire and was being repaired at the time. The senate was meeting in the theatre of Pompey, and it was right under a state of his old friend that his ultimate traitors stabbed him over and over.

These are photos from the first time I saw it in 2007 and the second time, when I drug Hannah along with me in 2011. Both times I stood there for a really long time trying to soak it in and be there a little bit. 

The second time I went, the area was full of archaeology in action. I found out later they uncovered that state of Pompey. I love history. And in Italy it's so all over the place people take it for granted. It's awesome.

Ok so back in the days when Caesar was killed (44 BC), people kind of believed in gods in a very different way than we do today. And after Caesar was killed, they made him a god and built him a temple. How much did they really think he was a god? and how much was it just like when a sports star gets his number retired? I do not know because I was not there but man you know I wish I were.

(But only temporarily.)

So they built a temple for him around the pyre on which they burned his body. It was right in the middle of the forum. It still is.

 

Can you read this? Mr Lane can. It says Julius Caesar kicked ass.

Here's the best part. 2,000 years later, every day people still bring flowers to his altar.
And notes. 
I couldn't find a place to buy flowers, so I wrote this note.

Anyway, even though half the world doesn't know what the Ides of March are in reference to and even less really care that Caesar got killed, of course I think about it today. Not in a sad way though, I think it's awesome that it's 2000 years later and people still love the man. Mostly Romans, but still. And I like an excuse to talk about him and show you my pictures.

Hope you survived!

 

 

I brought you some flowers.

I have a lot of pictures of flowers, but when I think about them there are two sets that always stand out. 

First is this group from my first trip to Bath, England in 2007.  There was a little shop right by the bus station where I was waiting to take a bus to Wells and then another to Glastonbury. I took these photos while I waited. Because you know I am always early for everything.

 

I also remember the time I went to NYC in spring and stayed with my friend Mat. There were tulips everywhere and it was gorgeous.

And just so you don't think I don't recognize the beauty of my own back yard, here are some sunflowers at Clinton Lake. They grow wild and thick around here, and that is an awesome treat from Mother Nature.

 

 

the night i had a fast pass + at illuminations

 

illuminations is more of a firework and laser show with narration than just fireworks. it is moving and it is a spectacle. of all the disney night time shows, illuminations is my favorite. and that's really saying a lot because they are all stunning.

that being understood, this could possibly be way too many pictures. i haven't looked at them on a big screen or done too much editing, but i think i like these the best.

i love the part at the beginning when you can feel these flames. it gets hot!

the globe withthe earth is enormous and plays sappy video to go with the sappy words throughout the show. towards the end it opens up into a ... shape.

This is one of my favorite pictures, i think. the one above. with all the white lights.

 

that show ends loud and bright as day.
love it. 
i wish i could take pictures of this a lot and get really good at it.

but don't worry, there are several fire work shows left in this trip.

 

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i like these pictures from epcot's world showcase.

 

 

I had such a good time talking to Belle about my Doctor/Belle crossover shirt. All the Princesses were such fun pretneders with me about the Doctor Who shirts. It was fantastic. Those shirts also sparked some fun talk with other cast members and guests. I love wearing my heart on my tshirt.

 

 

 

pictures from my second day at disney world

 

And now, some pictures of day two.

Our room was on the third floor, and this is the view we had every time we turned the corner towards our room.

 We started our first full day at Hollywood Studios, which means a ride on Toy Story Midway Mania.

I spent Way Too Long in the line to meet Buzz and Woody. It was seriously worth it though. They were hilarious. Woody was not impressed with my Buzz shirt.

He kept pointing at his Sheriff badge. His handler said "Yes, Woody, she knows you're the Sheriff, but she loves the space man more."

I love this area and took lots of pictures of it and Gertie the dinosaur.

I love having lunch at the drive in.

 But the best part of Hollywood Stuidos? The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. No doubt.

Another shot of Triton as we went back to our room to change clothes for a late night at the Magic Kingdom.

This is one of my most favorite views of the MK.

That night we were guests of the Beast at his incredible castle.

 After, we stopped by Maurice's cottage to hear the story of when the Beast and Belle fell in love.

And what visit to Fantasyland is complete without a visit with a Princess?

This new area around Rapunzel's tower (which is where they keep some bathrooms) is a new favorite.

 

Our last ride of the night was through Pooh's blustery day.

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11 pictures from my first day at Disney World

11 pictures from my first day at Disney World

I'm not ready to start writing my trip report yet, but I am ready to start look at my pictures. I thought I'd share some of my favorites here as I go along.

We checked in at the Art of Animation resort. We chose a Little Mermaid room. Here's our view.

We headed straight to the Animal Kingdom since it was open past dark that night and none of us had ever seen it in the dark.