Mountain View
DarrylBrooks
How to Enjoy Two Fun Things at Once in Las Vegas, Nevada
If you made a list of everything that Las Vegas, Nevada is famous for, gardens and chocolate probably wouldn't be too close to the top. In an attempt at creating an environment you never need to leave, many hotels and casinos have what they call gardens. But a palm tree and a few orchids do not make a garden.
If You Cruise, You Will Love the Sail Away from Miami, Florida
Sail Away From Miami, FloridaImage by Darryl Brooks. Do you like to cruise? Are you thinking about taking your first cruise or cruising again after the year off we all shared?. Sail Away From Miami, FloridaImage by Darryl Brooks.
Why Not Plan Your Fabulous Destination Wedding at Home in Lawrenceville, Georgia?
Little Gardens in Lawrenceville, GeorgiaImage by Author. Destination weddings have grown exponentially in popularity over the last decade. After all, what could be better than combining a (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime event with the trip of a lifetime? Especially if Daddy is paying for it. (Sorry, Dads; and Moms). But travel has been severely curtailed over the last year or so, and not every family has a budget for such extravagance. So, why not have your destination wedding right here in Lawrenceville, Georgia?
Coastal Charm in the Historic City by the Sea, Brunswick, Georgia
Along the Marsh in Brunswick GeorgiaImage by Author. Many people know Brunswick, Georgia, as the jumping-off point for Saint Simons and Jekyll Islands. Others know it as the mid-point between Jacksonville and Savannah on I-95, complete with hotels, gas, and food. And for almost five decades, 70,000 federal law enforcement officers have known Brunswick as the home of FLETC, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. And to those, I salute you.
No Matter What You're Doing July 4th in Marietta, Georgia, Stop in Here
Marietta, Georgia National CemeteryImage by Author. The 4th of July is a major holiday in America for a good reason. It celebrates the day we won our independence from those pesky redcoats across the pond. And no place celebrates the 4th better than Marietta, Georgia. A parade, concerts, art and craft shows, and of course, fireworks.
The Old Landmark on the New Waterfront in Seattle, Washington
The aquarium in Seattle, Washington, wasn't my first aquarium, but it should have been. As far as first aquariums go, the one in Orlando's Sea World isn't even in the top ten, but that one was my first, and it wasn't that memorable. This was back when aquariums were just glorified fish tanks and were as exciting as browsing the fish department at Petsmart.
4 Sections of Korean Tanker Left After Fire Near Saint Simons Island, Georgia
Twenty-One months after the doomed Korean freighter, Golden Ray, capsized in the bay between Brunswick and Saint Simons Island, Georgia, residents may finally be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The salvage operation finally reached the halfway point when the engine section was removed on May 8. Then, less than a week later, as the next cut was being readied, disaster struck again.
If You Want the Freshest Fried Seafood in Bellingham, Washington, Go Where the Fishermen Are
Even though it lies at the opposite corner of the country from us, we have visited Bellingham, Washington, many times, and it's on the shortlist for our future travels. There is much to see and do there and wonderful people and food. But no matter how much or little time we have to spend there, a stop for lunch at the Web Locker is always on the list.
A Hidden Oasis in Roswell, Georgia
As a photographer and a long-time resident of Dunwoody, I have spent a lot of time in the various National Parks that make up the Chattahoochee River National Park Area. I spent many hours hiking through the one from the Island Ford Visitor Center just south of the river. But I never paid much attention to the one that borders Hwy 9 in Roswell, Georgia, that runs from Riverside Road up to Oxbo Road. That is until one day when I got turned around.
Chastain Park, 268 Acres of Fun, Arts, Entertainment and Sports in Atlanta, Georgia
Chastain Park is not only the largest park in Atlanta, Georgia; it's the most diverse and just plain fun. I've written before about taking a photo siesta at lunchtime to escape from the rigors of my job. And while I love Piedmont Park and many others in Atlanta, Chastain Park kept me coming back time and time again. Each section of the park has something new and different to offer.
The Beautiful, Historic Courthouse in Decatur, Georgia
As a native Atlantan, I have lived all over the metropolitan area. As a child, I grew up in DeKalb County and, after a 20-year hiatus in Gwinnett, returned to DeKalb for another 20 years before heading out to Forsyth County. In both of my DeKalb residencies, I proudly served several times on a jury in the county seat of Decatur, Georgia.
A Hidden Oasis in Sandy Springs, Georgia
I lived and worked near Sandy Springs, Georgia, for about twenty years. At least a couple of times a week, I would use my lunch break by taking my camera out to one of the many area parks to walk, relax, and take some pictures. And one of my favorite destinations was a little-known oasis hidden just off the six-lane commuter highway between Sandy Springs and Roswell.
The Best Los Angeles County Has to Offer is in Long Beach, California
We have set sail on cruises from Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Ensenada, Mexico. And for our pre- and post-cruise accommodations, we always choose Long Beach, California. Even though it is in Los Angeles County and only about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, it is a world away in terms of the ambiance. Don't get me wrong, it's still very much a southern California town and clearly part of a larger metropolis, but it is just so pleasant and inviting, we return there year after year.
Step Into the Forest Primeval near San Francisco, California
Just 11 miles north of San Francisco, California, at the southern end of a chain of National Forests that extends to the Canadian Border, lies Muir Woods. I have been in National Parks and Forests all over the nation as a photographer, but this one is special.
There is Only One Way to See Fort Lauderdale, Florida
We have visited Fort Lauderdale, Florida, many times, either as its own destination or before and after a cruise. The hotels we chose ranged from south of Port Everglades up to Lauderdale by the Sea, but there is one thing in common: every trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida shared, and that is how we chose to see the sites.
There's Less Than a Month to Train For the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, Georgia
After running virtually in 2020, the Peachtree Road Race returns in 2021 to Atlanta, Georgia, for the 52nd running, although it will be spread out over two days. Sixty thousand are expected to participate, and that many more will watch the annual 10K road race. Details are still being ironed out on Covid-19 safety measures.
My City By the Bay, San Francisco, California
In 1985, at the ripe old age of 30, I boarded a commercial airplane for the first time in my life. My destination was San Francisco, California, and I fell in love with that city immediately. We have been back dozens of times for various reasons, and I never get tired of it. It is a fantastic destination unto itself and a jumping-off point for destinations up and down the coast.
Catalina, An Island Paradise Off the Coast of Los Angeles, California
We have visited Long Beach and Los Angeles, California, many times over the years and love this city. There is so much to see and do in the city that it's hard to decide what to do on any given trip. But one thing we almost always find time for is a trip out to Catalina Island to wander around Avalon. The official name of the island is Santa Catalina Island, but everyone just calls it Catalina.
The Best of the Barrier Islands is Saint Simons Island, Georgia
We have been a regular visitor and homeowner on St. Simons Island, Georgia, for about 25 years, so we weren't surprised it was named #3 on Conde Nast Travelers Best U.S. Islands list. For us, it has the perfect combination of unspoiled beauty and enough development to make it livable. You can find a place to get away from everything or a great meal, all within minutes of each other.
DarrylBrooks
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I'm just an old guy trying to fund his retirement. Thanks for reading.
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