Another London

London, UK

2011-11-23T21:36:00.001-05:00

Across the street from Marble Arch.
Kept for historical purposes? Only one of these booths has a telephone. The others have garbage.

Palace Theatre, London, UK

2011-11-08T10:30:00.000-05:00

The Palace Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, London, UK
August 2011

London, UK

2011-10-16T07:27:00.001-04:00

Palace Theatre, Shaftsbury Ave, London, UK

August, 2011

Key West, FL

2011-05-22T00:03:00.002-04:00

One of my favourite signs.

So true - the roosters were having a crowing contest outside my hotel balcony at five AM one morning.

Florida Keys

2011-01-15T18:19:00.003-05:00

I made my annual trip to Key West last December. This is a stop along the way down.

More to come....

Toronto, ON

2010-12-26T16:51:00.001-05:00

From the permanent collection of the Royal Ontario Museum.

Toronto, ON

2010-12-17T08:22:00.001-05:00

Graffiti Wall

Behind some stores on Queen Street West.

Is it art?

Toronto, ON

2010-12-03T16:44:00.001-05:00

Allen Gardens, from inside and from the top of the Ramada Hotel directly across Jarvis Street.

Dearborn, MI

2010-11-20T17:28:00.001-05:00

More chrome-heavy beauties from the Chrysler Museum.

Dearborn, MI

2010-11-04T10:41:00.001-04:00

The Dodge La Femme, designed for women.
From the Walter P Chrysler museum.

London, ON

2010-10-14T17:34:00.002-04:00

Every year, we have the London Ontario Live Arts (LOLA) Festival. This year, in keeping with the theme, Yoko Ono provided these two art installations.

St Thomas, ON

2010-09-06T09:52:00.002-04:00

Tucked behind a Giant Tiger store on Talbot Street in the east end of St Thomas, is the former railway station and office. A large, two storey monolith that fell into disrepair during the latter part of the 20th century.

It is now being restored, and you can see some of the effects here. It will eventually house the Elgin County Railway Museum, and currently offers a rental space for receptions.

St Thomas, ON

2010-09-01T07:15:00.002-04:00

The sign in the first photo is located on the east sign of the building a dates from World War II - join the battalion!

When I lived here, this building operated as the Sutherland Press printing plant, and the signs remain at the top.

There was an effort to remodel and turn it into condominiums which failed. There's evidence of new windows, etc being installed, but it was never completed.

St Thomas, ON

2010-08-25T22:34:00.002-04:00

One of the old hydro buildings located just south of Talbot Street, it appears to have not been used in many years.

Buffalo, NY

2010-08-15T09:22:00.003-04:00

One thing I like to look for when travelling are signs of the past. Buildings are full of them. Vancouver has many old neon signs in various states of repair, Buffalo had many old signs painted on walls.

This one was downtown. "Boost Buffalo for all of us".

Buffalo, NY

2010-08-02T15:41:00.003-04:00

Main Street, Buffalo, New York

Found this building while out on a walking trip. It's somewhere downtown, near Shea's Buffalo.

Buffalo, NY

2010-07-26T12:38:00.003-04:00

The McKinley Shaft

President McKinley was killed at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901. The Shaft, as it is affectionatly known was erected six years later in 1907, and forms a part in the centre of Buffalo.

The historic Buffalo city hall is located directly west.

Buffalo, NY

2010-07-17T09:48:00.003-04:00

The photo at the top shows detail from the elevator in Buffalo city hall.

Below is the view down a hallway from the front lobby. Note the detail on the ceiling and the mural to the right.

Buffalo, NY

2010-07-10T21:53:00.003-04:00

City Hall in Buffalo. The massive art deco building was opened in the early 1930's. Take the elevator to the 25th floor, and you can walk around outside the entire building.

Buffalo City Hall

Buffalo, NY

2010-07-02T08:11:00.003-04:00

I never knew that Buffalo had a theatre district, but there really isn't much to it. This was the only sign of significance there. Unfortunately, the area around it is a bit slummy.

Buffalo, NY

2010-06-29T17:04:00.001-04:00

The first thing to catch my eye when I arrived in Buffalo was this neon sign for Premier Liquor. I expected to find an old establishment - turned out to be a huge place with a restaurant and wine shop, all new.

Buffalo, NY

2010-06-22T23:26:00.003-04:00

Downtown Buffalo.

Turn a corner near Shea's Theatre, and there's a block of long closed shops. This is a diner from who knows when....tables are still in place inside.

Tampa, FL

2010-06-15T18:27:00.003-04:00

The historic cigar making district of Tampa, originally known as Ybor City. There's a heavy Cuban influence here, and many of the original cigar factories have been turned into restaurants or nightclubs.

Ybor also has a heavy gay population (Gaybor district).

If you visit, check out the Ybor City Museum, which includes two of the original cigar makers homes. It's located in a former bakery.

London, ON

2010-06-11T07:50:00.003-04:00

I don't know what this was about, but Sasquatch invaded London on 9th June 2010.

Photo taken outside 275 Dundas Street.

Arenas, Puerto Rico

2010-06-01T11:07:00.003-04:00

My last day in Puerto Rico. I was driving along PR-187 on the way to Loiza, killing a bit of time in the afternoon. This is the beach at the Atlantic Ocean.

Loiza, Puerto Rico

2010-05-15T07:55:00.002-04:00

West of San Juan/Carolina, I first saw Loiza in the distance when I was on top of the rainforest. It's also on the northern coast of Puerto Rico.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-05-07T09:18:00.001-04:00

Another image of El Morro, on the north coast of Puerto Rico.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-04-22T12:47:00.002-04:00

It's Earth Day today.

This was growing between the sidewalk and a small construction site near my hotel in Puerto Rico in February 2010.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-04-18T11:11:00.001-04:00

From 4 February, 2010 - a view of the Atlantic Ocean from El Morro.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-04-15T09:00:00.001-04:00

The north coast of Puerto Rico, looking east from El Morro.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-03-20T11:04:00.002-04:00

El Castillo San Felipe del Morro

February, 2010

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-03-10T08:14:00.002-05:00

The 101 Sports Bar , just down the street from my hotel, and next to the Ritz Carlton.

I had the best times here, friendly punters and seriously good food.

Thanks to Jon and Marielys for the good times.

If you're visiting Puerto Rico, definately drop in for a visit.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-02-15T12:52:00.001-05:00

Near my hotel, a look down one of the side streets.

La Playita is down there, and it ends at the beach.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-02-11T12:00:00.001-05:00

Down the street from my hotel. Left takes me to the beach. Right takes me to La Playita...more on that next.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2010-02-07T07:56:00.002-05:00

This is where I'm staying in the Carolina District, at the corner of Calle Rosa and Isla Verde. The internet connection is spotty, at best, but the air conditioning works great. The local beer is called Medalla and is quite good, also a shot, who's name I can't recall, is made from 2/3 vanilla vodka and 1/3 frangelico. Yummy!!!

Bradenton, FL

2010-02-02T07:52:00.001-05:00

One of the sidewalk murals in the Bradenton, Florida art district.

Bradenton, FL

2010-01-22T10:36:00.002-05:00

There's an arts district in the old section of Bradenton, with many galleries and stores to peruse and a few restaurants.

This is the sidewalk leading up to one of the galleries. Maybe I should do something like this at my home in Canada.

Sarasota, FL

2010-01-14T07:48:00.001-05:00

Sarasota, FL

2010-01-09T09:20:00.000-05:00

One of the government buildings in downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota, FL

2010-01-07T06:56:00.001-05:00

Restored stone fencing in front of the government building, downtown Sarasota.

Sarasota, FL

2010-01-01T10:57:00.001-05:00

We spent a Saturday on a ten hour fishing excursion into the Gulf of Mexico, leaving from Marina Jack's in Sarasota.

This is the end, when the catches are being gutted. The pelicans arrive and help themselves to the parts we won't touch.

I did catch a shark, but I had to release it.

White Hall, KY

2009-12-30T06:53:00.002-05:00

A little more information about White Hall, Kentucky.

Definately worth a detour off I-75.

White Hall, KY

2009-12-25T20:59:00.002-05:00

This is the fence at White Hall. Only half of the gate was open, and my little car might have squeezed through.

Despite the crummy weather, it was an interesting place to walk around for part of an afternoon, after a long trip down I-75.

White Hall, KY

2009-12-17T21:12:00.002-05:00

Late on a Thursday afternoon, the sun is starting to set. I'm driving down I75 near Winchester, Kentucky and I see a sign about a State Historic Home.

Two miles west, at the very end of a dead-end road, sits White Hall. It's closed, and tours are by appointment only. Only half of the gate is open so I can't drive in. I walk around the house for a bit - take a few pictures. I disrupt a number of deers that were hanging out behind the house, which backs onto a forest.

The windows have wooden shutters on the inside, and lace curtains over those. Can't see a thing inside but I'm filled with wonder about what it must be like.

St Petersburg, FL

2009-12-14T08:58:00.002-05:00

These shots were taken yesterday, somewhere around MLK and Central. These buildings caught my eye as I was out for a walk.

This time, I didn't stay long in the city, had to go to a fundraiser for the Sarasota Roller Girls. More next time, for sure.

2009-11-18T21:48:00.001-05:00

The Vancouver Art Gallery - probably one of the worst I have been, with an exhorbitant admission fee.

Go past at night, it looks like all the crack heads hang out at these stairs. This is also not the main entrance.

Thoroughly disappointed in this.

Vancouver, BC

2009-11-09T17:05:00.002-05:00

The Dr Sun Yat-Sen classical Chinese garden, located in Vancouver, I think south of Gastown - just past the skid.

Modeled after a Ming Dynasty Scholar's garden.

Tranquility in place.

Vancouver, BC

2009-11-05T20:38:00.001-05:00

Totem Poles in Stanley Park. We had a view of the park and the Lion's Gate Bridge from our hotel rooms.

Vancouver, BC

2009-11-02T10:49:00.002-05:00

More images of the Lower East Side (AKA Skid Row) in Vancouver. These are two old hotels that are still in operation, but appear to have been left to rot.

The Skid runs immediately between two designated tourist areas (Gastown and Chinatown). It remains to be seen how the politicians will try to hide this from the tourists/dignitaries that will be in Vancouver during the Olympics next year.

Vancouver, BC

2009-10-29T17:30:00.004-04:00

Here I am at night on Granville Street. This would appear to be an old Theatre District, the Orpheum shown above. The Vogue is just down the street.

What I'm really liking about Vancouver is the extensive use of neon in new buildings, and the vintage neon signs that remain.
Even though some are not working.

Vancouver, BC

2009-10-27T17:38:00.002-04:00

Still in sunny Vancouver, where it finally is sunny and warm, for only the first time on my trip. Spent the day in Victoria yesterday (pictures later); today, wa walking trip through Skid Row and then a venture into Chinatown.

This afternoon: Davie Street

Vancouver, BC

2009-10-25T19:14:00.001-04:00

Arrived Vancouver, BC about 18:00hrs yesterday. It had turned dark by the time we got to the Empire Landmark Hotel. This is the view of Robson Street, I think looking west, from my room on the 21st floor.

Future Travel

2009-10-18T17:23:00.002-04:00

Some friends are thinking of spending a few months in Mexico, they've found a great deal on a beachfront condo.

They asked if I would visit while I'm in Florida.

Good timing, since I was thinking of a trip to Puerto Vallarta for next year. They're staying not too far away. I went to the travel show at the fairgrounds this weekend. No representative from Mexico was there.

Also, most of the companies/agents had almost no information about travelling in Mexico. I'm told Mexico is not a popular destination at this time, mostly because of the swine flu (H1N1).

National Gallery, Ottawa, ON

2009-10-11T16:42:00.002-04:00

Same August trip, this is the facade of the National Gallery.

There was an exhibit of the art of Papal Rome on display at it's only Canadian stop.

Ottawa, ON

2009-10-05T12:40:00.001-04:00

There's a bridge that crosses over the river/canal (?) in Ottawa. The upper picture shows the view from the brige.

The lower image shows a walkway beside the Chateau Laurier Hotel.

KISS Alive 35 - London, Ontario

2009-10-01T11:29:00.002-04:00

This was Tuesday night, 29th September 2006, three dates into their current tour. Excellent show all said.

Buckcherry was the opening act - AWESOME!

Live from the John Labatt Center

Palmetto, FL

2009-09-27T15:58:00.002-04:00

I managed to get a bit lost crossing the bridge from Bradenton. This is where I turned around, and was quite surprised.

These are the traffic barriers in a school parking lot.

Ottawa, ON

2009-09-18T13:33:00.002-04:00

Another shot from my trip to Ottawa in August 2009.

This is an outdoor patio for a restaurant/bar in the Byward Market area.

Back in the 1970's this was a fairly run-down area, much similar to the Kensington Market in Toronto.

Now, Yuppieland.

Ottawa, ON

2009-09-07T09:35:00.002-04:00

Ottawa in August, 2009.
I lived there for about eighteen months back in the 70's. It has changed drastically, although the area around the Parliament Block hasn't.

The top photo is the Chateau Laurier Hotel, and old railroad hotel and remains, like the Royal York in Toronto, a beautiful addition to the downtown.

I never thought Ottawa would have a population in excess of 750,000.

Key West, FL

2009-09-03T06:18:00.002-04:00

A couple of shots from Key West, taken in January of this year.
I should be back for another visit in early December.

Squeak

2009-08-29T19:11:00.003-04:00

Squeak is a six year old Maine Coon Cat, who's birthday is coming up in November.

She originally comes from Britain, landed in Turkey Point, and now resides in London, Ontario.

She graciously joined my home after being retired from work.

AKA: Eartha Kittie

Kitchener, ON Bluesfest

2009-08-25T06:50:00.002-04:00

More of the Bluesfest early in July in Kitchener, Ontario.

Ronnie Hawkins and a crowd scene in the middle of the afternoon.

Next year should be a blast, it'll be the tenth anniversary edition.

Kitchener, ON Bluesfest

2009-08-16T17:24:00.002-04:00

Canned Heat took the stage for a loud, fun, entertaining set prior to Ronnie Hawkins.

"Nobody cooks like Canned Heat"

Kitchener, ON Bluesfest

2009-08-10T09:46:00.004-04:00

It was almost a spur of the moment thing. On Thursday I read that Kitchener, Ontario had a fairly large bluesfest scheduled for this weekend.

It was raining in London by the time I left Saturday morning. I arrived in plenty of time, the rain had stopped over an hour earlier.

Veteran Ronnie Hawkins played for nearly an hour, in the pouring rain. I managed to catch this rather crummy video with my little Pentax.

More photos to come.

Niagara Falls, ON

2009-08-08T05:43:00.002-04:00

More of Niagara Falls, this time the view of the falls from downtown, and a shot of the Niagara gorge which is a few minutes further north, on the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara Falls

2009-08-03T07:47:00.002-04:00

Two views of the falls, taken in early July 2009. These shots were taken in the morning, prior to a show at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara Falls, ON

2009-07-15T07:13:00.004-04:00

Earlier this month, I spent a pleasant two days in the Niagara Falls area. Clifton Hill is a notorious tourist trap, not much of interest but a great place for people watching.

The second photo is the view from the parking lot. It was cloudy, and rained on occasion, but nothing could spoil the day.

v

Summer in London

2009-07-12T15:51:00.002-04:00

More garden shots, these must be getting boring by now.
However, this shows just how extensive the garden at my home is. There are still plants coming up that I have no idea what they are.
Some may be weeds, but I can't tell.

Plus, there's grape growing along the fence, which I just can't seem to get rid of.

Summer in Londno

2009-07-05T16:05:00.002-04:00

More shots from my summer garden.

All of these flowers have already passed for the year. There are now lillies in bloom, and more to come. Daisies are springing up.

Who knows what else will come?

Summer in London

2009-06-23T11:35:00.002-04:00

More shots from my garden.

The Japanese Iris were beautiful, with lots of blooms. Most of the other flowers I have no idea what they may be.

Summer in London

2009-06-15T05:29:00.002-04:00

More shots from my garden.

I moved into this houe in October 2008, and have no idea what plants are on their way. The garden is quite extensive.

Not being a gardener myself, feel free to leave a comment about what these flowers are!

Summer in London

2009-06-11T06:06:00.002-04:00

More shots from my garden.
The flowers are extensive, spreading throughout the back yard. Everything blooms in stages, and as a write this the peonies are about to pop!

Summer in London

2009-06-07T23:32:00.003-04:00

Home from my travels for a while.

Some random shots from my garden. This is one of the trees out back. There are many, and I lose the sun about 3:00pm because of them.

Anna Maria Island, FL

2009-05-28T06:35:00.001-04:00

I can't say for sure what this is.

There's a pier at the north end of Anna Maria Island, where you can walk out to the bar at the end and enjoy a Landshark beer.

This was swimming around on one side.

Any guesses?

Lido Beach, FL

2009-05-22T16:42:00.002-04:00

The north end of Lido Beach, which is located just past the yuppie kingdom of St Armand's Circle.

Far away from the parking and tourists, there are no lifeguards in this area. You can relax in the sun without being bothered.

And maybe see the occasional bit of nakedness.

Lido Beach, FL

2009-05-15T21:17:00.001-04:00

Cruise ship on the horizon.

Legacy Trail, Sarasota, FL

2009-05-10T14:25:00.001-04:00

Somewhere, south of Sarasota, an old railway line has been removed and turned into a trail. You can walk, bike, or blade all the way to Venice.

I made a six mile return trip. There's a rest spot every mile, but it was flippin' hot the day I went out.

Two weeks later, intensely hotter.

Lido Key, FL

2009-05-06T10:06:00.001-04:00

Three days after taken possession of my house, and doing some intense removal of crap, I'm at Lido Beach, just off St Arman's Circle.

The weather was hot, and has become fucking hot since I got here. Sweet!

Smokey Mountains

2009-05-01T10:03:00.002-04:00

I did a little sightseeing on the way to Florida, and I found myself going through Pigeon Forge, the home of Dollywood. Very commercial, and very slow. Couldn't wait to get through.

The road took me to the Smokey Mountain National Park, where, despite wind warnings, lots of fog and rain, I made it to the top. Then the long journey down. Although I entered the park in Kentucky, to my surprise I exited the park in North Carolina.

Next, on to Sunny Florida!

Berea, Kentucky

2009-04-27T07:35:00.003-04:00

When I decided to stop for the night, I drove into Berea and found the Boone Tavern Hotel, built in 1909 and on the national register of historic buildings.

How would I ever know that this is a "dry city". No booze anywhere. At the very least, the hotel's name should be changed.

Berea, Kentucky

2009-04-22T09:28:00.001-04:00

An old, rotting hippie bus, located around the back behind the fishhead building. Not the rotting VW Van.

Surprisingly, both had California plates.

Berea, Kentucky

2009-04-19T09:59:00.001-04:00

Another shot of Berea, Kentucky.
Fish head on the side of a building in the arts district.

Berea, Kentucky

2009-04-16T18:06:00.003-04:00

The Black Feather, in Berea, Kentucky. I stopped here on my way down to Florida. In the centre of town is the Boone Tavern Hotel, so I figured I was safe. No such luck, this is a "dry city". Hard to believe in this time that such a thing still exists.

The coffe was good, and I bought a shirt.

Fort Lauderdale

2009-04-13T07:12:00.001-04:00

Isn't this exciting?
Somewhere in Fort Lauderdale. I took this when I was stopped at a red light.

Everglades, FL

2009-04-10T08:17:00.002-04:00

Another shot from the Everglades, taken with me standing in my car (at the bottom of the picture) through the sun roof.

Closes I'll ever get to an alligator.

Everglades, FL

2009-03-30T19:36:00.002-04:00

Still on Januray's road trip, we took a dirt road through the Everglades. About a mile in there's a sign with the warning "last chance turnaround". During the entire distance there were no cars that caught up to us, although a few were coming towards us, which meant moving over as the road was not two lanes wide.

More to come....there was lots of surprises in store.

Note: why are so many people looking for Moxie's? There are lots of better places!

Ca D'Zan, Sarasota FL

2009-03-19T06:33:00.002-04:00

Inside the Ringling Estate, Ca D'Zan in Sarasota, Florida. This is John Ringling's private bar.

Palm Trees in Florida

2009-03-11T16:00:00.001-04:00

Palm trees in Florida, January 2009.
I like the tree in the second picture, taken in Bradenton, Florida

Anna Maria Island

2009-02-23T18:05:00.001-05:00

There are several piers on Anna Maria Island, this one has the bonus of a bar at the end.

Walking down the pier is free, unlike on the Atlantic side of Florida, where you have to pay to walk out.

Bradenton, FL

2009-02-13T11:32:00.001-05:00

The Blue Dolphin car wash.

Sarasota, FL

2009-02-13T11:23:00.003-05:00

These two shots were taken from the Ringling Estate in Sarasota, Florida. The grounds are decorated with assorted statuary (mostly awful) and this is the front view of the house.

The house backs on to the water, and originally it would have been possible to dock your boat and walk up to the home.

All of the tile work around the back of the home is unique and inspiring. The inside of the house, not so much.

It's quite obvious that these were circus people living here.

Sarasota, FL

2009-02-06T10:47:00.002-05:00

At the Ringling Estate in Sarasota, Florida, there's a sculpture garden between the buildings.

This is the home of the Ringling Museum of Fine Art.

Bradenton House

2009-01-28T11:04:00.002-05:00

Ringling Estate, Sarasota, FL

2009-01-26T09:11:00.002-05:00

Taken at the John & Mable Ringling estate in Sarasota, Florida. There's no doubt, once inside, this home was owned by a circus magnate.

v

Cumberland Falls, KY

2009-01-24T09:13:00.003-05:00

More shots of Cumberland Falls, Kentucky from three weeks ago. I managed to pick up a laptop at a pawn shop when I was near Fort Lauderdale. So far it seems to be a decent Gateway, in a wonderful Ocean Blue colour.

Meanwhile, I try to keep documenting this trip as I go along. I'm about three weeks behind, mostly because the hotels I stay at haven't had internet access, or the signal is so weak that I can't latch on.

&*_#ing Computers

2009-01-21T08:52:00.002-05:00

Since my last post, my old IBM laptop finally packed it in. I have a new Ocean Blue Gateway that I'm just starting to use here in Florida.

Fortunately, I had not removed all the pictures from my camera. I'll post more later, as I get used to this machine.

Cumberland Falls, KY

2009-01-16T23:07:00.002-05:00

It may seem like I'm spending my entire life on vacation, but an opportunity came up so off I went.

These are pictures taken at Columbia Falls in the Danial Boone National Forest, near Corbin, KY. I stayed there one night on my way to Florida, where I arrived later the same day.

The Florida tour has gone well, with more pictures to come. I'm still there, currently in Fort Lauderdale.

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T06:47:00.001-05:00

Late this afternoon it's off to the cottage in Turkey Point again. There will be six of us, heading to a house party and then finishing the night at Crawdaddy's Bar.

It's the final night for Crawdaddy's - they'll be closed until the Victoria Day weekend when the season starts again.

New Year's Day we make the short trip to Port Dover. My first (and last) participation in the Polar Bear Swim.

I'm cold already.

Frankenmuth MI

2008-12-26T10:50:00.002-05:00

TOP: an abandoned brew pub.
Bottom: Star of the West Milling Company, still in active business in the heart of downtown Frankenmuth.

Saginaw MI

2008-12-18T12:49:00.002-05:00

More shots of Saginaw, Michagan. One downtown, the second a historic home across from a park.

Frankenmuth, MI next.