The National Parks in southern Utah are spectacular: Arches, Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands. If you haven’t been, that would be my recommended route, a day or days in each. In past years, my son and I hiked every trail in Arches, and I’ve waded through the river in the narrow canyon in Zion more than once.Continue reading “St George trails”
Tag Archives: Travel
Glenwood Springs
The ski traffic was already backing up as I merged onto the highway going west. It was Friday morning of a three-day weekend, so I knew I needed to get on the road before bumper-to-bumper creeping set in. I live in the Rocky Mountains, not far from ski resorts, so those driving up from DenverContinue reading “Glenwood Springs”
Antigua doors and windows
Although I have pages of photos in the Photography section of this website, I prefer a mix of writing and images in this blog. However, these doors and windows on the streets of Antigua, Guatemala are worth sharing along with the Antigua posts. So many stories behind those doors and through those windows… More AntiguaContinue reading “Antigua doors and windows”
Antigua saints and ruins
Christianity came to Latin America with the Spaniards, with missionaries following conquerors and colonizers. In Guatemala, there is an interesting mix between traditional Catholicism and Mayan religions. The stories and beliefs of the indigenous peoples have somehow infused even today’s culture. Every town and village in Guatemala has a Catholic church, and it also hasContinue reading “Antigua saints and ruins”
Antigua
The old, beautifully preserved Spanish colonial city of Antigua was at one time the capital of Guatemala until it was decimated in the 1700s by a massive earthquake. Now one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, Antigua Guatemala, or Old Guatemala, sometimes called La Antigua, features countless charming shops in aged buildingsContinue reading “Antigua”
Shirakawa-go
A day bus trip from Takayama to Shirakawa-go brought me to the UNESCO World Heritage village of Shirakawa-go. Weathered brown wood cottages topped by steeply angled, thick thatched roofs have been well preserved, probably because it was so isolated in years past. Gassho-zukuri, the architectural style, means “praying hands.” Some of the existing houses were built overContinue reading “Shirakawa-go”
Takayama
It was a long ride to Takayama: a couple of hours west to Nagoya by Shinkansen or bullet train, then a couple more on an express. The train headed north into Gifu prefecture to what is known as the Japanese Alps, following the Hida river in a spectacular stretch, at first along a rock canyon. Deep andContinue reading “Takayama”
Thoughts for the new year
Most of my essays have been hopeful, positive, and somewhat upbeat despite setbacks and obstacles. Looking on the bright side seems to be in my nature. This time around, however, I’ve had a difficult time finding that happy place from which to launch the new year, 2022. During the last week of 2021, I rereadContinue reading “Thoughts for the new year”
The Beaches
The trendy shops along Queen Street East are in the Beaches, or Beach, neighborhood, an upscale section of Toronto. I’m not much of a consumer, but I’m curious to see what’s happening, what’s in, what catches the eye. A tree in the small park has a strange shape, reaching up after hugging the ground. WeContinue reading “The Beaches”
Don Valley
The Don River cuts across Toronto north-south on its way to Lake Ontario. I’ve walked sections of the trail many times with my brother. Starting at the Brick Works, a repurposed structure that processed local clays and is now used for events, we followed the winding route through the Moore Ravine. Over and under bridges,Continue reading “Don Valley”
Ruth Rosenfeld 