POST A PICTURE: An Amazing City!

Savannah Georgia is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cites in the south! View the photos below and take your own journey to this amazing place.

The Mercer House

Featured in the movie, Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil

http://www.visit-historic-savannah.com/mercer-williams-house.html

You Tube Video about the movie  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwTqq83gp38

Forsyth Park: Featured in the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/forsythpark.html

Scenes from the city

Savannah Homes

Scenes from the City

River Front

River Front

The River Queen docked at the river front

Scenes along River Street

Entrance to Paula Deen’s house on Wilmington Island

http://www.pauladeen.com/

Paula Deen’s House

Paula Deen’s House

Paula Deen’s Restaurant, The Lady and Sons

http://ladyandsons.com/

Bonaventure Cemetary

http://www.bonaventurehistorical.org/

Bonaventure Cemetary

Bonaventure Cemetary

Colonial Park Cemetary in Savannah

Colonial Park Cemetary

Colonial Park Cemetary

Colonial Park Cemetary

Colonial Park Cemetary

Colonial Park Cemetary

Colonial Park Cemetary

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Post A Picture: “Big Shrimping”

My husband and I recently visited Bayou La Batre, Al,  a quaint picturesque town that has been home to shrimp boats and hard-working folks for generations. These enduring  people  who turned their passion into a multimillion dollar business have now been featured on the History Channel’s new reality show, “Big Shrimpin”. 

As my husband and I wandered around the bayou docks, a colorful menagerie of shrimp boats, deck hands, workers, and creatures of the sea like brown pelicans, sea gulls and ducks appeared before our eyes. It was more than a picture of a place, it was a picture of  a special group of people who have built their life around the bayou. A group of people who have devoted their time and skill to a demanding business, yet take the time to talk to strangers just as if they were family. My husband and I are not  part of that special group, yet we were greeted by all as if we were old friends that had come to visit. I hope this piece about Bayou La Batre and it’s people will give you a little insight into a unique seaside town that beams with pride and congeniality.

In the first three pictures below, you will see three of the six boats featured in the show, Miss Hannah, Miss Ashleigh and Miss Barbara. Dominick Ficarino, owner of the six shrimp boats and one of the largest seafood processing plants in Bayou La Batre, Dominick’s Seafood, has  now commissioned Williams Fabrications to build a new 2.5 million 105 foot boat even better than the “Miss Hannah”.

Although the last episode of “Big Shrimpin’ ” will air on January 5, 2012, we  hope there will be more episodes to come and we all get a chance to see the new 105 foot shrimp boat now under construction. Dominick did not mention the name of his new boat but maybe we can all guess what it might be.

*Be sure to click on each picture twice to get a full view.

Dominick Ficarino

Post A Picture: Blue Angels and Haunted Lighthouses

Pensacola, Florida is home to the world famous Blue Angels,  the Naval Aviation Museum, and a haunted lighthouse.  On several occasions, my family and I had the unique experience of seeing the Blue Angels in action and visiting the aviation museum. On one occasion, my husband and I visited The Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, featured on the Travel Channel’s documentary on Haunted Lighthouses of America.

The Blue Angels:

The Blue Angels, the United States Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, was formed in 1946 and is the oldest formal flying aerobatic team.  The squadron’s six demonstration pilots fly the F/A-18 Hornet in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United states each year. They still employ many of the same practices and techniques used since 1946.

http://www.naspensacolaairshow.com/

Naval Aviation Museum:

If you are an aviation enthusiast or not, the Naval Aviation Museum is one of the most interesting places you could ever visit. As one of the world’s largest aviation museums, it is packed with history, intrigue, vintage and modern aircraft and it is FREE! If you ever visit the historic city of Pensacola, Florida, be sure to explore this amazing place.

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

The Pensacola Lighthouse:

Photo: Courtesy of website listed below

View the links below to learn more about this fascinating, old lighthouse that has been proclaimed as “One of America’s Most Haunted Lighthouses”. Decide for yourself  if it is haunted or not!

http://www.pensacolalighthouse.org/pensacola-lighthouse-gallery.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgwVGMI72jE

Take the Ghost Tour!

http://pensacolalighthouse.org/pensacola-lighthouse-ghost.html

Post A Picture: A Mystical Place

In contrast to the harsh, brutal nature of Alcatraz is an alluring , mystical place called Muir Woods. Located about 13 miles from San Francisco, it is an enchanting place of amazing scenery. The minute you set foot in this magical place, you are transformed into another world. A world of giant redwood trees nestled in an ancient forest of pristine beauty.

Muir Woods, a national monument and part of the National Park Service, has the world’s most famous grove of virgin redwoods. They are a remnant of the vast redwood forests that once covered the slopes and valleys surrounding San Francisco Bay.

After viewing the pictures in the link below, you will be astounded at the exquisite beauty of Muir Woods.

Helpful Links:

http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/muir-woods-national-monument.html

http://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm

Post A Picture: Amazing Alcatraz

On a recent visit to San Francisco, my husband and I caught a glimpse of, Alcatraz,  one of the most notorious prisons in the United States. Unfortunately, we did not tour the facility, but saw it from a distance, standing on the pier at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Alcatraz, often called The Rock or Traz, was the home to some of America’s most famous criminals, including, Machine Gun Kelly, Al Capone, Robert Stroud, “Birdman of Alcatraz”, and many others too numerous to name.

Over a period of 29 years, there were 14 separate escape attempts. One of the most famous, occurred on December 16, 1937 when Theodore Cole and Ralph Roe climbed out a widow, made their way down to the water’s edge, and disappeared into San Francisco Bay. It was assumed that they were swept out to sea, but officially, they were listed as missing and presumed dead.

Please check out the  following links and videos that give you an “Up Close and Personal” view of this amazing place which is rumored to be HAUNTED!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFdGxTUwnhE   Video of Alcatraz

http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/     History of Alcatraz

http://www.ghosteyes.com/haunted-alcatraz-prison Haunted Alcatraz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgbi0PZt0p8    Video about haunting of Alcatraz

Post A Picture: A Magnificent Canyon!

In May of 2005, my husband and I visited the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Needless to say, we were astounded at the size and breathtaking beauty of the canyon. This magnificent ravine is not the largest or deepest canyon in the world, but it is one of the most scenic canyons in the world. Located in the state of Arizona, it continues to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. The pictures shown below were taken at the south rim. Be sure to click on each picture for a full screen view. The last picture shows the pack mules used to take people along the narrow trails that go down into the canyon. Also included are links which provide information about the canyon’s history, including biological, geological and human history.

Hope you enjoy a brief view of this amazing place!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canyon#Geography

http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm

Post A Picture:Ellis Island

I recently watched a program about Ellis Island on the History Channel. I was so moved that I felt compelled to write about it on my blog.  My husband and I had the unique experience of visiting there while on vacation in Canada and New England. We actually took a ferry ride to Liberty Island first and then on to Ellis Island next.

As I look back on those two special places, I am reminded of what is important in this country and how we became who we are. As we all struggle to make sense of what is happening in our country today, we need to be reminded of our roots and of those brave immigrants who left their homeland to come to America. Those spirited people helped set the mold for who we are today.

As we walked around in the old building that is now a museum, we felt the presence of those brave souls who staged no demonstrations or protests and never bickered about what America owed them. They were just glad to be here and willing to do whatever was necessary to stay. We could all learn a lesson from that and know that we must fight to preserve this great country and what it stands for. We must be proud to be an American!

The pictures above were taken at Ellis Island. I have also included several links that give you more information about this historic place. The first link is especially good as it takes you on an interactive tour with authentic footage and audios of  people who actually came to Ellis Island as children.  The second link gives you historical background about the Island.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/stop1.htm

http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_history.asp