Whoa! Where have you guys been? Oh, wait! I've been the one off for the last week. Well, I'm back, and ready to rock and roll - I think.
It’s been a struggle writing today’s post (although I think it's the longest post ever for 2012 - lots of pictures!), something along the lines of a tooth extraction. The extraction was undoubtedly a wisdom tooth given my lack of muse. It’s left a huge hole at the back of my six months of otherwise pearly posts. I’ve been running my mind over the hole the holidays left in the order and rhythm of my literary life, unable to reconcile the foreign feel of a blinking curser and all that empty space taunting me.
I’ve decided photos might be more appropriate for my planned “Year in Review” post given it may take a few days before my arthritic bones and muse are back up to speed. I think it’s the lethargy of all the holiday food and family and friends combined with minimal mental and physical exercise. Thankfully the New Year, along with its resolutions, will bring an end to all the lethargy.
It was a beautiful, enchanting world out there that beckoned in 2012. All the history and mystery, the people and places (and the fantastic food) offered a multitude of photo ops that spoke volumes when it came to the world’s gifts and mankind’s imagination. You know you want to check it out!
It’s been a struggle writing today’s post (although I think it's the longest post ever for 2012 - lots of pictures!), something along the lines of a tooth extraction. The extraction was undoubtedly a wisdom tooth given my lack of muse. It’s left a huge hole at the back of my six months of otherwise pearly posts. I’ve been running my mind over the hole the holidays left in the order and rhythm of my literary life, unable to reconcile the foreign feel of a blinking curser and all that empty space taunting me.
I’ve decided photos might be more appropriate for my planned “Year in Review” post given it may take a few days before my arthritic bones and muse are back up to speed. I think it’s the lethargy of all the holiday food and family and friends combined with minimal mental and physical exercise. Thankfully the New Year, along with its resolutions, will bring an end to all the lethargy.
It was a beautiful, enchanting world out there that beckoned in 2012. All the history and mystery, the people and places (and the fantastic food) offered a multitude of photo ops that spoke volumes when it came to the world’s gifts and mankind’s imagination. You know you want to check it out!
The tiny Nordic island of Iceland just outside the Arctic Circle revealed a vast, rugged wonderland and a people just as rugged with a life expectancy that’s one of the highest in the world. Links to specific Iceland posts: Blue Lagoon; elves, trolls & trouble; lagoons, lava & lots more; busking streets of Reykjavik; glacial lagoon; Iceland: Come for the mystery, return for the magic.
America’s Wild West proved just as rugged with her own version of vast beauty and unique history. Links to specific posts: Tacky, Timeless Wall Drugs; One-of-a-kind Corn Palace; South Park GhostTtown; Golden, Colorado's 2 Hour Vacation; Wild West's Buffalo Bill; Georgetown's Historic Railroad; Colorado's Highway to the Sky.
The Blue Danube provided Jimmy and me passage to a host of modern and medieval European cities and sites, much as it has done for thousands and thousands of years. Links to specific posts: 10 commandments of European river cruises; Czech Republic's Krumlov Castle; Medieval city of Cesky Krumlov; Regensberg, Germany; 7 Sensational Salzburg Sites; Vienna's Rainbow Connection; the Blue Danube.
Churches seemed to be a recurring theme, regardless the continent or culture, grandeur or simplicity. Specific links: Regensburg's Dom St. Peter; Melk Abbey a Spiritual Wonder; Bahai House of Worship.
Jimmy and I spent as much time exploring our own backyard (the Chicago area) as we did far flung destinations. There was the Farnsworth House;
Chicago's Cloudgate;
the Popcorn Factory;
Pontiac's Route 66 Museum and roadside attractions;
Chicago's Botanical Gardens:
and Schaumberg's Legoland.
And while Jimmy and I actually spent two weeks on the island of Maui in late 2011, I blogged about this exotic destination in 2012. Specific links: Waui, Maui; Road to Hana; Whaling Good Time at Lahaina; Maui's Dragon Teeth; Maui's Nakalele Blowhole.
And of course, no trip is complete without food. Specific links: Summer's Sweet Choices Melting Away; Kat's Cupcakes; Mastal's Restaurant in Cesky Krumlov; Priceless Food and Memories at Strikid's in Akureyri, Iceland; Fine Food at Lockport's Public Landing; Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory; Iceland's Hearty Fare.
And of course, what would the Year in Review be without a Fun Foto Finish from Jimmy and me! It's obviously an open invitation for comments from the peanut gallery. That would be you! It's good to be back!
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