Planning our amazing year of travel.
NYC apartment, January 2004
NYC apartment, January 2004
"Yes, I'm happy to be on vacation."
Antigua, January 2004
Antigua, January 2004
"Please! No paparazzi!"
Antigua, January 2004
Antigua, January 2004
Partying with a samba dancer at Carnaval.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 2004
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 2004
Saying goodbye to Jay Lima - our taxi
driver / tour guide.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 2004
driver / tour guide.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 2004
The "virgin" is actually a statue of the
Virgin Mary on Cerro San Cristobal.
Santiago, Chile, March 2004
Virgin Mary on Cerro San Cristobal.
Santiago, Chile, March 2004
Oceanside at Vina del Mar.
Chile, March 2004
Chile, March 2004
Giant bougainvillea at Vina Santa Rita.
Chile, March 2004
Chile, March 2004
Portillo Ski Resort (late summer) high in
the Andes.
Chile, March 2004
the Andes.
Chile, March 2004
Portillo is 9000 feet above sea level in an Andean pass 4 miles from the border with Argentina.
Chile, March 2004
Chile, March 2004
Target shooting with Rita's dad - Carl.
Uhrichsville, Ohio, April 2004
Uhrichsville, Ohio, April 2004
"Now, don't you get a better shot than me,
son."
Uhrichsville, Ohio, April 2004
son."
Uhrichsville, Ohio, April 2004
Bonding with the seagulls.
Perdido Key, Florida Panhandle, April 2004
Perdido Key, Florida Panhandle, April 2004
Panoramic shot of white sand beach and dunes.
Florida Panhandle, April 2004
Florida Panhandle, April 2004
Fort Walton Beach.
Florida Panhandle, April 2004
Florida Panhandle, April 2004
Rita's mom - Wanda.
Tullahoma, Tennessee, April 2004
Tullahoma, Tennessee, April 2004
Rita's stepdad - Paul.
Tullahoma, Tennessee, April 2004
Tullahoma, Tennessee, April 2004
Egg and Pyramid.
Memphis, Tennessee, May 2004
Memphis, Tennessee, May 2004
Oral Roberts University.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 2004
Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 2004
Visiting with friend Libby Henley.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 2004
Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 2004
Kissing the Texas Blarney Stone,
Route 66 landmark.
Shamrock, Texas, May 2004
Route 66 landmark.
Shamrock, Texas, May 2004
Painted Desert.
Arizona, May 2004
Arizona, May 2004
Petrified Forest National Park.
Arizona, May 2004
Arizona, May 2004
Ridin' the Rabbit, Jack Rabbit
Trading Post, Route 66 landmark.
Arizona, May 2004
Trading Post, Route 66 landmark.
Arizona, May 2004
Scaling the Grand Canyon.
Arizona, May 2004
Arizona, May 2004
"I hiked the hard way!"
Grand Canyon, Arizona, May 2004
Grand Canyon, Arizona, May 2004
"I hiked the easy way!"
Grand Canyon, Arizona, May 2004
Grand Canyon, Arizona, May 2004
Feeding the donkeys.
Oatman, Arizona, May 2004
Oatman, Arizona, May 2004
The bag of carrots didn't last long!
Oatman, Arizona, May 2004
Oatman, Arizona, May 2004
With Gene's mom - Iona.
Laguna Beach, California, May 2004
Iona's cat Smokey.
Seal Beach, California, May 2004
A jaunty pose at Joshua Tree
National Park.
California, May 2004
National Park.
California, May 2004
Red Square.
Moscow, June 2004
Church of the Spilt Blood.
St. Petersburg, June 2004
St. Petersburg, June 2004
Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin, July 2004
Berlin, July 2004
Belvedere Castle gardens.
Vienna, July 2004
Vienna, July 2004
Hanging out at a statue of a suicidal poet.
Budapest, July 2004
Budapest, July 2004
Dinner at Rosti Kocsma, a Communist
kitsch theme restaurant.
Budapest, July 2004
kitsch theme restaurant.
Budapest, July 2004
Striding Forward into the Socialist Future.
Statue Park, Budapest, July 2004
Statue Park, Budapest, July 2004
Rita posing Socialist Realism style.
Statue Park, Budapest, July 2004
Statue Park, Budapest, July 2004
"The hills are alive...."
Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland, July 2004
Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland, July 2004
An example of Gene's artistic eye.
Louvre Museum, Paris, July 2004
Louvre Museum, Paris, July 2004
Atop Notre Dame Cathedral.
Paris, July 2004
Paris, July 2004
In the orchard at Happy Valley with
Sooz (right) & her sister Paula.
January 2005
Sooz (right) & her sister Paula.
January 2005
Joined by two of Sooz's children -
Angelique, 10, and Eddie, 8.
January 2005
Angelique, 10, and Eddie, 8.
January 2005
And Anthony, 16.
August 2006
August 2006
Mt. Fuji, Japan
November, 2008
November, 2008
Riding a panda at Lake Ashinoko, near
Hakone, Japan
November, 2008
Hakone, Japan
November, 2008
Kasuga Shinto Shrine, Nara
November, 2008
November, 2008
Tiananmen Square, Beijing,
China
November, 2008
China
November, 2008
Eating fried silkworm - yes, silkworm -
at the Donghuamen Night Market
Beijing, China
November, 2008
at the Donghuamen Night Market
Beijing, China
November, 2008
Now he's trying starfish... adventures
in eating! Donghuamen Night Market,
Beijing, China
November, 2008
in eating! Donghuamen Night Market,
Beijing, China
November, 2008
Posing in the Forbidden City, Beijing.
Intertwined cypress trees symbolized
Emperor Pu Yi and the Empress.
November, 2008
Intertwined cypress trees symbolized
Emperor Pu Yi and the Empress.
November, 2008
Rita descending a section of the Great
Wall, China
November, 2008
Wall, China
November, 2008
Bei Hai Park, Beijing, China
November, 2008
November, 2008
Meeting a Hutong (ancient walled
neighborhoods) resident, Beijing
November, 2008
neighborhoods) resident, Beijing
November, 2008
Gene using Google Earth to show our
Orinda neighborhood to our guide, May,
and her husband during a friendly
afternoon in their home, Beijing
November, 2008
Orinda neighborhood to our guide, May,
and her husband during a friendly
afternoon in their home, Beijing
November, 2008
Our guide, May, and "Jack" (Zhang)
the driver in front of the Capital Hotel,
Beijing
November, 2008
the driver in front of the Capital Hotel,
Beijing
November, 2008
Rita enjoys "hot pot" beer fish (fresh
from the Li River) at Cheng's, Guilin
November, 2008
from the Li River) at Cheng's, Guilin
November, 2008
During our cruise down the Li River,
Guilin, China
November, 2008
Guilin, China
November, 2008
At the top of Moon Hill, Guilin, China
November, 2008
November, 2008
Another angle from atop Moon Hill,
Guilin, China
November, 2008
Guilin, China
November, 2008
Ready to take our bamboo raft ride
down the Li River, Guilin, China
November, 2008
down the Li River, Guilin, China
November, 2008
Enjoying the natural beauty of Guilin,
China
November, 2008
China
November, 2008
Visiting Greece's "Caryatids of the
Acropolis" at Windows of the World,
Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
Acropolis" at Windows of the World,
Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
Rita makes a friend at Windows of the
World, Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
World, Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
"I thought Australia's Ayres Rock would
be much bigger!" Windows of the
World, Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
be much bigger!" Windows of the
World, Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
Scale version of Italy's "Leaning Tower
of Pisa" at Windows of the World,
Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
of Pisa" at Windows of the World,
Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
A scale replica of "The Church of the
Spilt Blood" from St. Petersburg, Russia
at Windows of the World, Shenzhen,
China
November, 2008
Spilt Blood" from St. Petersburg, Russia
at Windows of the World, Shenzhen,
China
November, 2008
Scale version of the Manhattan skyline
(pre 9/11) at Windows of the World,
Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
(pre 9/11) at Windows of the World,
Shenzhen, China
November, 2008
A sampan boat ride through
Aberdeen harbor, Hong Kong
December, 2008
Aberdeen harbor, Hong Kong
December, 2008
An overwhelming display of "Piggy Love",
Hong Kong
December, 2008
Hong Kong
December, 2008
Enjoying the view of Hong Kong harbor
(the world's busiest) from Victoria Peak
December, 2008
(the world's busiest) from Victoria Peak
December, 2008
Feeding the birds at Birdworld.
Kuranda, Queensland, AUS
November, 2009
Kuranda, Queensland, AUS
November, 2009
Bonding with a parrot, Birdworld.
Kuranda, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Kuranda, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
While he looks playful, it took just a
moment for this parrot to nearly chew
through the plastic strap on my hat!
November, 2009
moment for this parrot to nearly chew
through the plastic strap on my hat!
November, 2009
Suited up and ready to snorkel!
Great Barrier Reef, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Great Barrier Reef, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
What ARE those huge fish with the
yellow dorsal fins and huge blue flippers?
Great Barrier Reef, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
yellow dorsal fins and huge blue flippers?
Great Barrier Reef, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Venturing into the waters!
Great Barrier Reef, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Great Barrier Reef, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Dad (Carl) on the balcony of his room
at Paradise on the Beach hotel.
Palm Cove, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
at Paradise on the Beach hotel.
Palm Cove, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Rita & Gene enjoying a hilltop park in
Townsville, QLD, AUS.
November, 2009
Townsville, QLD, AUS.
November, 2009
Dad & Gene on the boat trip back in
from the Great Barrier Reef.
Cairns, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
from the Great Barrier Reef.
Cairns, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Snorkeling at Whitehaven Beach,
Whitsunday Islands, QLD, AUS.
November, 2009
Whitsunday Islands, QLD, AUS.
November, 2009
Wading through the water to board
the catamaran after our time on
Whitehaven Beach.
Whitsunday Islands, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
the catamaran after our time on
Whitehaven Beach.
Whitsunday Islands, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Dad and his new "friend".
Daydream Island, The Whitsundays,
QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Daydream Island, The Whitsundays,
QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Rita overwhelmed by The Big Mango
near Bowen, QLD, AUS.
November, 2009
near Bowen, QLD, AUS.
November, 2009
Rita & Gene about to explore Silverton's
old Daydream silver mine near Broken
Hill in the Outback, NSW, AUS.
November, 2009
old Daydream silver mine near Broken
Hill in the Outback, NSW, AUS.
November, 2009
The mine opened in 1882 and the
underground tour was quite an adventure!
Silverton, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
underground tour was quite an adventure!
Silverton, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
A photo opp in Pooncarie along the
Darling River.
In the Outback, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Darling River.
In the Outback, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
A hug with John Kohe, a quite friendly
and helpful cafe owner in Pooncarie.
In the Outback, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
and helpful cafe owner in Pooncarie.
In the Outback, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Rita makes friends everywhere! Here
she's with the extinct Zygomaturus
once found at Lake Mungo.
In the Outback, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
she's with the extinct Zygomaturus
once found at Lake Mungo.
In the Outback, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Rita and Dad in the vast open space of
the dry lake bed of Mungo National
Park. Studies of the ancient burial
areas revealed some of the world's
oldest known modern humans.
In the Outback, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
the dry lake bed of Mungo National
Park. Studies of the ancient burial
areas revealed some of the world's
oldest known modern humans.
In the Outback, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Gene in photog mode in the Outback!
Mungo National Park, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Mungo National Park, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Gene & Rita with our much-needed &
sturdy "UTE" (Aussie for SUV) in the
Outback. We estimated we drove over
500 miles of dirt road!
November, 2009
sturdy "UTE" (Aussie for SUV) in the
Outback. We estimated we drove over
500 miles of dirt road!
November, 2009
Gene arriving back from a "bush walk"!
Townsville, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Townsville, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
We found a spacious and comfy
3-bedroom cottage after our Outback
adventure.
Bendigo, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
3-bedroom cottage after our Outback
adventure.
Bendigo, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Dad relaxing with some wallabies early
in our trip.
Kuranda, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
in our trip.
Kuranda, QLD, AUS
November, 2009
Enjoying a rainy afternoon with a
momma roo and her baby joey.
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
momma roo and her baby joey.
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
The park was nearly empty and the
natives were happy to see us.
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
natives were happy to see us.
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Hungry critters, aren't they?
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
"Now, be nice and share..."
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
These Eastern Grey kangaroos were
very tame, friendly and large!
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
very tame, friendly and large!
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Gene stepped out from behind the
camera to have a turn at feeding our
new friends.
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
camera to have a turn at feeding our
new friends.
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
The emus were unafraid for their chick
as we walked through the park.
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
as we walked through the park.
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
How YOU doin'?
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
An emu staredown! Who blinked?
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
A morning walk along the Williamstown
wharf.
Melbourne, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
wharf.
Melbourne, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Dad and his buddy, Socks at Valley
Farm Vineyard.
Healesville, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Farm Vineyard.
Healesville, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Socks and his buddy, Carl at Valley
Farm Vineyard.
Healesville, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Farm Vineyard.
Healesville, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
As koalas rarely leave their perch in
the tree branches, this is the closest
Rita actually got to a koala!
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
the tree branches, this is the closest
Rita actually got to a koala!
Phillip Island, VIC, AUS
November, 2009
Dad, on the other hand, had a personal
encounter with an Aborigine street
performer!
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
encounter with an Aborigine street
performer!
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Gene and Rita shopping for souvenirs.
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Rita and her Dad at Sydney Harbor
and the iconic Opera House.
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
and the iconic Opera House.
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Carl on the deck of our cruise ship as
we sailed out of Sydney Harbor.
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
we sailed out of Sydney Harbor.
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Gene and Rita - ditto!
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Sydney, NSW, AUS
November, 2009
Rita and her Dad navigating Milford
Sound.
Fjordland National Park, New Zealand
November, 2009
Sound.
Fjordland National Park, New Zealand
November, 2009
Carl enjoying the brisk, misty day at
Milford Sound.
Fjordland National Park, New Zealand
November, 2009
Milford Sound.
Fjordland National Park, New Zealand
November, 2009
Rita braving the chill at Milford Sound.
Fjordland National Park, New Zealand
November, 2009
Fjordland National Park, New Zealand
November, 2009
Riding a old-time bicycle at the
Otago Settler's Museum.
Dunedin, South Island, NZ
December, 2009
Otago Settler's Museum.
Dunedin, South Island, NZ
December, 2009
Rita & Gene aboard the "Duck boat".
Napier, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Napier, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Dad, Rita & Gene on our Duck boat tour.
Napier, North Island, NZ,
December, 2009
Napier, North Island, NZ,
December, 2009
Gene & Rita displaying their lack of
athletic prowess on the basketball
court of the Sun Princess cruise ship!
Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
athletic prowess on the basketball
court of the Sun Princess cruise ship!
Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Rita chats with friends we made on the
cruise. L to R: Lydia Potts, Therese
Potts, Rita, Malcolm Potts, Trevor Potts.
They live near Brisbane, QLD, AUS.
Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
cruise. L to R: Lydia Potts, Therese
Potts, Rita, Malcolm Potts, Trevor Potts.
They live near Brisbane, QLD, AUS.
Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Rita snagging a hug from the lively and
fun Bells - Geraldine & Alan! They live
in Erowal Bay, NSW, AUS.
Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
fun Bells - Geraldine & Alan! They live
in Erowal Bay, NSW, AUS.
Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Dad poses beside a Maori carved
wooden statue along The Strand.
Tauranga, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
wooden statue along The Strand.
Tauranga, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Gene enjoys a peaceful moment at
Haruru Falls, near Paihia.
Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Haruru Falls, near Paihia.
Bay of Islands, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Inside a fully carved Maori meeting
house now preserved in the Auckland
Museum.
Auckland, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
house now preserved in the Auckland
Museum.
Auckland, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Dad, Rita and Gene hanging out at the
Champagne Pool on the Wai-O-Tapu
Thermal Reserve.
Rotorua, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Champagne Pool on the Wai-O-Tapu
Thermal Reserve.
Rotorua, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Rita and Gene enjoying our day at
Wai-O-Tapu.
Rotorua, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Wai-O-Tapu.
Rotorua, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Rita strikes an almost jaunty pose at a
sulphur pool and its nearby steam vents.
Rotorua, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
sulphur pool and its nearby steam vents.
Rotorua, North Island, NZ
December, 2009
Lincoln really was tall!
Julia Davis Park, Boise, Idaho
Julia Davis Park, Boise, Idaho
One last quick ride through Yosemite
as we left California.
July, 2011
as we left California.
July, 2011
At the top of Big Cinder, a 700 foot high
lava rock cinder cone.
Craters of the Moon National Monument,
Idaho
July, 2011
lava rock cinder cone.
Craters of the Moon National Monument,
Idaho
July, 2011
See what seven years of a healthy
California lifestyle can do!
California lifestyle can do!
But seriously, lava rocks are deceptively
light.
light.
See... even Rita can lift one with just
fingertips!
fingertips!
Exploring a tiny part of the 618 square mile lava field at Craters of the Moon.
Idaho
July, 2011
Idaho
July, 2011
Inside a portion of the Indian Tunnel
lava tube which has an 800 foot
underground passage.
lava tube which has an 800 foot
underground passage.
Gene planning our Yellowstone
schedule - check out the decor of
this hotel room!
West Yellowstone, MT
July, 2011
schedule - check out the decor of
this hotel room!
West Yellowstone, MT
July, 2011
Yellowstone visitor tip: Do not - repeat -
do not turn your back on a bison at a
distance of 25 feet....
do not turn your back on a bison at a
distance of 25 feet....
Repeat.... Risky idea to turn your back
on a bison at a distance of 25 feet.
on a bison at a distance of 25 feet.
Relaxed, tanned and happy.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, WY
July, 2011
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, WY
July, 2011
Taking a break at the travertine limestone
terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Yellowstone NP, WY
July, 2011
terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Yellowstone NP, WY
July, 2011
Enjoying the grandeur of the Yellowstone River rapids and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
A day hike above Jenny Lake.
Grand Teton NP, WY
July, 2011
Grand Teton NP, WY
July, 2011
This bison was much safer!
Wall Drug, Wall, SD
July, 2011
Wall Drug, Wall, SD
July, 2011
The only bear we saw on this vacation -
dang!
Wall Drug, Wall, SD
July, 2011
dang!
Wall Drug, Wall, SD
July, 2011
Badlands National Park
Gene loved the Park's vast emptiness
and other worldly nature.
South Dakota
July, 2011
and other worldly nature.
South Dakota
July, 2011
South Dakota, July 2011
A visit to Ohio isn't complete without some time shooting a few rounds with Rita's dad
Carl on his land in the country!
Uhrichsville
July, 2011
Carl on his land in the country!
Uhrichsville
July, 2011
Enjoying the cherry blossoms at the
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.
April, 2012
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.
April, 2012
Amazing aquarium at the Atlantis Resort.
Bahamas
February, 2013
Bahamas
February, 2013
Resting & relaxing.
Sanibel Island
May, 2015
Sanibel Island
May, 2015
Shelling & walking along the beach.
Sanibel Island
May, 2015
Sanibel Island
May, 2015
A moment of meditation.
Sanibel Island
May, 2015
Sanibel Island
May, 2015
Practicing for a rock album cover.
Sanibel Island
May, 2015
Sanibel Island
May, 2015