Happy Mardi Gras!

I like the angle on this pic. After yet another parade, we are beaded up. Very elaborate floats, but after several parades and continuously getting hit it the head with beads, (bags of them!) i was done. (If you go, wear a hat, as Stephanie did here!)

Oak Alley, on the Mississippi river between Nawlins and Baton Rouge. This lawn is where a scene from Interview with the Vampire was filmed. These oaks are around 300 years old.. however pictures, especially from my disposable camera, don't do these grounds justice. Standing underneath these oaks is the closest feeling to standing in the middle of a painting. Amazing!

These trees spread across the planation grounds. They are mossy, very spooky, alive, ready to grab you at any moment...


Feb, 2005

Me Yammi

Though you would think sign is posted near a ditch in the country, it's actually in the parking lot of the Tyco office building in Miami. If you walk behind the bushes, there is a good chance you will see an alligator sitting there sunbathing, as I did. I can't believe they are this close to people!

This is my favorite picture I have ever taken. Troy and I took a boat tour of the Florida Everglades. As you get closer to the everglades, its not uncommon to see an alligator on the edge of the highway. It was so cool! I sat right on the edge of the boat, and was really disappointed we didnt see any gators in the water. However, we did come across this wood stork, which preys on baby gators. The lighting, the timing.. perfect.

I really felt bad about holding this gator, (and still do) especially since his mouth was taped. But then I realized I may never have another chance to hold an alligator. Apparently south Florida is the only known place in the world where crocodiles and alligators live in the same area. From what I remember, you can tell the difference because even when a crocs mouth is closed, their teeth are still exposed, while gators teeth are covered.
October 2004

Aspens in a Graveyard

Aspens in Montana...

Hold My Hand!

I've always had a big interest in ships, I've also read a lot about ship wrecks. Seeing the Queen Mary is a bit eerie because it looks a lot like what I'd imagine the Titanic looked like. (Though the Queen Mary is actually larger)

I took a ghost tour of the ship, which was mostly concentrated below deck. Most of the below deck tour "Ghost Hunt" was led with flashlights being our only light. I remember being pretty freaked out in the engine room, especially after I looked behind me and realized I was the last one in our group. Supposedly the engine room is where frequent ghost sightings occur.

The first class swimming pool is the most dreadful place I've even been. (.. and this includes Utah) Though the pool has not been used for decades, the bottom of the pool continues to stay wet. The whole place is really hair-raising, especially with the dark corners and mirrors throughout. This is probably the last place I'd want to be alone.

The Queen Mary is really historic, but the unfortunate part is you leave with a showboat impression, mostly of hauntings and ghosts on this ship. If they left it alone it would seem a lot more authentic, as in fact a lot of people have died on this ship.

Long Beach, CA 2004

Deep Thoughts...

At the Santa Monica pier