The Promise - Adriatica, McKinney
This 16-foot tall, 100-ton stone carving of a dove with an olive branch is being hand carved by artisans in Adriatica in McKinney. The Croatian inspired village is just around the corner from where I live. It is like an escape to the Mediterranean without ever leaving home. When finished, it will be the centerpiece of a 50-foot diameter fountain.
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
Peaceful Moon
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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Back to Yosemite
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Merced River and Half Dome - Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Meadow
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
Did you BART?
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Monday, October 19, 2009
BART platform - San Francisco, CA
My Sunday experience in San Francisco was to board my first train and head to meet my friend Cary in Alameda. I had no idea what to expect, but the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) was very simple to use. I boarded the train in San Francisco and was whisked under the bay toward Oakland.
LA visitor - BART train
My fellow BART passengers - West Oakland, CA
On my train travel, two young men from LA sat across from me loaded up with their luggage. Good...I am not the only tourist on the train who doesn't know where the hell they are going. I could tell, they were trying to figure the system out themselves. One stood up and I started taking a few photos of him (with his permission of course). All his tatoos and LA skater look just added to the adventure.
Fruitvale BART Station
Finally, I reached Fruitvale Station where Cary was waiting for me. The artwork in the station was very colorfully painted tiles. It was Sunday, so not very many people in the station. The station itself was very artsy on the outside. I would love to go back.
So, I guess if you want to ask, I would answer, "Yes, I BARTed.
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
(Hot) Chocolate Anyone?
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Ghirardelli Square - San Francisco Bay
While waiting for the cable car back to my hotel, I stood looking at Ghirardelli Square and a beautiful sunset at Fisherman's Wharf. It gets quite chilly at this time of the evening in San Francisco, so I suggest getting a cup of hot chocolate for your wait. I am sure they could scrounge up some at the famous chocolatier. (Oh, and just before boarding the cable car, the guy behind told me that the place right across from the trolley stop was where they invented the Irish coffee. Now he tells me.)
Fisherman's Wharf - San Francisco, Ca
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
A NATIONAL PARK ICON
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Monday, October 12, 2009
El Capitan - Yosemite National Park
The icon of Yosemite stands as a shear face of gray granite. I wish I had more time to study and photograph it, but I only had minutes outside the van to get my shots. It is amazing to see it in real life after staring at it in Ansel Adam calendars and books I have collected over the years. I got there and stood awe struck, almost forgetting to take the photograph. Well, I did get a couple, but it was only a teaser of what I need to go back and really photograph.
Yosemite Valley - Yosemite National Park (El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls)
©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.
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