Hard Work

This photo is a bit darker than I care for, but that couldn't be helpful, because I had to use a long focal length and short shutter speed as I had to stand a good 30 feet from the altar and I didn't have a tripod with me (I'm not sure you're allowed to use a tripod in the Basilica...). Anyway--it took me a good 15 minutes to shoot this set up.

Photo copyright: Janet M. Kincaid, 2/12

Wide Angle

Part of the purpose of visiting the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was to test out new camera equipment. The previous entry featured a detailed shot of the Celtic Crucifix in the Founders Chapel. This is the same scene, but using a wide angle 14-24mm. The shot above was taken with the 70-200mm. The one below, with the 12-24mm.

Photo copyright: Janet M. Kincaid, 2/12

70-200mm

 Celtic Cross in the Founders Chapel (Crypt Level)

The first time I ever shot photos at the National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, I was using a Canon A360. The shots were bad, but on this visit in February 2012, I used a Nikon D7000 with a 70-200mm Nikkor lens. The difference is spectacular!

Chapel to Mary, Queen of Missions (Crypt Level)

Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel (Upper Level)

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Departure

Departure Terminal : Dulles International Airport : Chantilly, VA

A shot taken inside Dulles International Airport on our way to our gate for our return flight to Geneva. 

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/12

The Basilica

The National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception : Washington, DC

Had to use the new camera equipment before we left. What better place to try out wide angle and telephoto lenses than at a ginormous church?And what better ginormous church than the National Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception?

The Chapel of the Miraculous Medal : Shrine of the Immaculate Conception : Washington, DC

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 3/12

Lower Manhattan

Lower Manhattan : Staten Island Ferry : Upper Hudson Bay : New York, NY

Maya, taking in the view of Lower Manhattan from the Staten Island Ferry. The new World Trade Center rises up and begins to dominate the skyline...

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

9/11 Memorial

9/11 Memorial : World Trade Center / Ground Zero : New York, NY

On Wednesday, we went to the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site. The new Freedom Tower has reached 50% of its height. The memorial itself is peaceful and thought-provoking. On Panel S75 is the engraving for Scott Alan Powell, the brother of a former colleague of my sister's, Art Powell.

S75 : Scott Alan Powell : Died in the Pentagon on 9/11/01 :
World Trade Center Memorial : New York, NY

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

View from the Top of the Rock

The Empire State Building and the new World Trade Center, as seen
from the top of Rockefeller Center : New York, NY

We went to the top of Rockefeller Center and this was the view. Notice just to the right of the Empire State Building the rising tower of the new World Trade Center. I believe it's more than halfway to its full height of 1,776 feet. 

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Empire Sunset

Sunset : Empire State Building : New York, NY

A side trip to the Big Apple -- New York City -- to purchase photography equipment at BandH. This is also Maya's first trip to NYC, so we'll take in some sights, too!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

The Ballroom

Dancing at the Century Ballroom : Capitol Hill : Seattle, WA

Our last night in Seattle, we went to Capitol Hill and enjoyed an evening of ballroom dancing at The Century Ballroom. It's nice to know there are still places where the dancing is elegant and you can have a conversation without having to shout until you're hoarse.

Thanks to all of our friends who made our visit to Seattle so lovely, and especially to Chris and Rachel and The Baron for hosting us!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Recalculating...

Heading to Whidbey Island, the GPS indicates we're traveling under the water :
Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry : Puget Sound, WA

Today included a trip out to Whidbey Island, which required taking a ferry between Mukilteo and Clinton. Winnie, our GPS, became very disoriented and showed our elevation as -345 feet and driving on the water! On the return trip, she did better and actually showed us we needed to take the ferry.

Winnie says, "Take the Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry." : Clinton, WA

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Seattle Totem

Totem : Pike Place Market : Seattle, WA

This totem sits in a park at the north end of Pike Place Market. I don't know what story is carved into it, but I'm sure it's something about the blessed fabulosity of Seattle or some such thing...

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Busy Day

Eggs Benedict at Coastal Kitchen : 15th and Capitol Hill : Seattle, WA

Fresh fish : Pike Place Market : Seattle, WA

View of Downtown : Queen Anne Hill : Seattle, WA

Today was spent running around Seattle. It started on the north end with a trip to the post office and ended in downtown not far from Pike Place Market.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Slash and burn...

Ivo burns slash : Flagstaff, AZ

Living in a mountainous area requires maintaining a firebreak around the house. This is Ivo burning pine needles and slash.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Photo Shoot

Photo shoot : Flagstaff, AZ

Raechel Running is one of the US Southwest's finest portrait and documentary photographers. She and Maya grew up together and she invited us to her studio today for a photo shoot. To see Raechel's work, visit http://www.raechelrunning.com.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Hearth and home...

Barbara makes dinner while a fire burns in the woodburning stove

It's become colder in Flagstaff, so tonight features a fire in the wood burning stove. Dinner will feature homemade spaghetti.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

Only in America...

American consumerism at its worst: Justin Bieber Singing Toothbrush

As seen today at Target: Justin Bieber Singing Toothbrushes. Really?! REALLY?!?! *sigh* Only in America, right?

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

San Francisco Peaks

San Francisco Peaks : Flagstaff, AZ

Day Two of contract break. The San Francisco Peaks. Our view from the dining room at Maya's parent's home in Flagstaff, AZ.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

GVA-IAD-PHX-FLG

Looking across the tarmac to the control tower at IAD : Dulles International Airport : Virginia

Long day of flights and shuttles from Geneva, CH to Flagstaff, AZ. This is the view from United 999 on the tarmac at Dulles on Friday, 3 February at 3:00 pm.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 2/12

100 Unnamed Strangers: Chops

Sign and seal with a chop : Pike Place Market : Seattle, WA

Skipping back to the U.S. for a moment, I took this photo of a vendor in Pike Place selling chops. Chops are a stamp the Chinese use to sign and seal documents. When my sister lived in Hong Kong, she had one made for each of us. Mine is at home right now in a box, but this guy and his wares reminded me of her gift.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10