On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Good Morning All,
On The Road and In Your Backyard is a weekday feature spotlighting reader submissions. From the exotic to the familiar, please share your part of the world, whether you’re traveling or just in your locality. Share some photos and a narrative, let us see through your pictures and words. We’re so lucky each and every day to see and appreciate the world around us!
Submissions from commenters are welcome at tools.balloon-juice.com
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To start out this week, a great double-treat from Le Comte. I’m so excited!
Today, pictures from valued commenter Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes.
As I seem to be on this “visit everyplace the US was militarily engaged in during the 60s-80s kick”, we did a nice diving/hiking/relaxation trip to Grenada in May. The diving was actually better than anticipated – decent reefs and a wrecked hulk had a lot going for them.
The landscape was lush and phenomenal. The place is volcanic, and great to grow everything in the world – cinnamon, lime, mango, clove, cacao, pineapple, banana and coffee can all be found within a 100 yard radius pretty much anywhere in the interior of the island. As our guide said, it is impossible for a man to starve there.
Taken on 2018-05-01 00:00:00
Grenada
This is one of several pools we hiked to and swam in. The entries were gradual, the water welcomingly cool.
Each presented some challenges to hike to, usually involving walking a couple of miles over rugged terrain and steep slopes, followed by a clamber over boulders.
Taken on 2018-05-02 00:00:00
Grenada
It is always barely controlled bedlam on a dive boat, but we get ‘er done.
Taken on 2018-05-03 00:00:00
Grenada
The kids to my left were fairly new divers, and needed to take their time. I was ready to go in, dammit (and wearing a shorty – the water was a balmy 83 degrees).
Taken on 2018-05-04 00:00:00
Grenada
This is an example of how green the place is – I’d hate to have to start a fire from scratch there in the rainforest.
Taken on 2018-05-04 00:00:00
Grenada
Looking North, just past Georgetown
=== cue dramatic pause, change of onstage scenery and story ===
As many of you know, I hail from the People’s Democratic Socialist Kenyan Shariah Republic of Louisville, situated on the Ohio River on the northern border of the deep red pustule of Kentucky, with its northern suburbs located in the red pustule of Indiana. Back in the Before Time, Mitch McConnell was a local official here, but subsequent developments have seen more of this city and its suburbs turn reliably blue. In the days since, we’ve developed a solid food, drink and entertainment culture.
One Wednesday last fall, the Countess and I took a hooky day from working, and decided to look at the city from the standpoint of tourists – drunk-ass tourists, to be precise. These were the results.
Taken on 2017-08-30 00:00:00
Louisville, Kentucky
This is where I work. When we wandered this way after the bar, it was probably around 3:30 or 4:00 pm, so we were running into people who knew me and were still about their tasks.
They were amused at our state.
Louisville, Kentucky
Another bar had summoned our attention…
Taken on 2017-08-30 00:00:00
Louisville, Kentucky
I was in live with the colors that night.
Taken on 2018-08-30 00:00:00
Louisville, 7th and Main
This is a mock-up of Michelango’s David, parked out front at the flagship of the 21C, a combo modern art museum, hotel and bar (where we had lots of drinks that day at lunch). The place is funky and fun, and a block from my workplace.
Taken on 2017-08-30 00:00:00
Louisville, Kentucky 600 block West Main
This city has a high percentage of elder buildings with cast iron ceilings. Many were mixed use in the past – commercial/retail below and residential above.
Thank you so much Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes, do send us more when you can.
Travel safely everybody, and do share some stories in the comments, even if you’re joining the conversation late. Many folks confide that they go back and read old threads, one reason these are available on the Quick Links menu.
Submissions should be sent via the all-new form at https://tools.balloon-juice.com
JPL
I love the waterfall photo!
OzarkHillbilly
It’s not as hard as one might think… In the dry season. During the rainy season? Bring a stove.
BretH
That sunset!!!!
Cermet
I’m on the roof today in the ‘backyard’. I had to replace the entire back roof over the upstairs bathroom – all new wood including the lower structure & support beams. “Originally only a 12′ by 10 ‘ roof (there was the design flaw) but I increased the roof pitch so it is now 16′ by 10’. The mess from the old roof (shingles, rotted wood) is not good for my backyard grass nor my legs (climbing up and down two levels of scaffolding is no fun; especially when one forgets an item and has to climb down to get it.) Doing this alone was not fun. Especially when I went onto the other roof, lost my footing, slid down its incline to the first floor edge and flew off – landed flat on my back inside a scaffolding unit. Didn’t even get the slightest injury (landing really flat on soft earth and not trying to stop the impact did make it a really soft landing. wasn’t even sore the next day. Lucky.) Oh well, some finish work and hopefully, done.
Get pictures, by the way!
J R in WV
Wonderful stuff, Le Comte. Looking forward to a weeks worth of wonderful from your submissions.
What sorts of camera(s) and glass(es) are you using for these photos? Will you be using cameras on dives for our interest and education? Are you back from Botswana yet? Did you take Ky bourbon with you as trade gifts?
Was it as much fun as you had hoped?
OzarkHillbilly
@Cermet:
Damn. Go buy some lottery tickets before your luck runs out.
J R in WV
@Cermet:
Ow, lucky indeed. I quit doing that stuff without someone else there to call 9-1-1 if I need that call. Glad you have some dry weather (I assume) for the work.
Take care on the finish work, not to mention the cleanup, which is as prone to injury as the real building work, as you no doubt already know…
Cermet
I meant “Great pictures”
JPL
@Cermet: Be safe!
Cermet
@OzarkHillbilly: Good point! and @J R in WV: Thank you; someone is in the house so, hopefully, they will hear me impact (lol.) I am getting a bit old for this type of work (61) but still not too old, yet (for work. Roofing, I think is another matter; time to say enough.) As for repairs, I just replaced two, third story windows the two previous weekends. So the last month has been busy for me. And that was on the very top rung of the third story scaffolding – that is just too high. Definitely, no more for that height – time to reevaluate my house repair skills and ‘hang’ up the hammer.
And JPL, thank you, I will.
Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes
@J R in WV:
These are a simple iPhone.
In Africa, though, I’m using a Canon DSLR with lending up to 250 mm (that wasn’t cheap). Had to go entrain myself.
I’m in Cape Town at the moment – we have two more game drive days starting day after tomorrow. It’s been fantastic.
Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes
And yes, I have a bottle of bourbon for our host at our final game lodge….
ETA – I have taken 3500 photos. Literally.
OzarkHillbilly
@Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes:
Piker.
@Cermet:
That is one of the most sickening sounds one can hear, unforgettably unique in a horrific way. I’ve heard it twice and both times was certain the individual was dead.
Baud
This is very cool.
Bostonian
Sadness is a hydrangea at first frost.
Litlebritdifrnt
Not to be picky but isn’t the Island in the Caribbean Grenada not Granada (city in Spain)? ETA never mind either I misread the first time or it’s been changed.
WaterGirl
@Bostonian: Yes, yes it is. So very sad when the leaves melt.
suezboo
@Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes:
Oh,hey, my hometown. Jackals particularly welcome. Don’t take any minibus taxis and use a guide. Go check out the cutiepie penguins at Boulders Beach and Robben Island prison. I also like Groot Constantia but I like old houses in general. Questions ? Ask away. Tourist query #1 apparently : Yes, most of the population of CT is brown.
spudgun
Wonderful photos, thank you! Excited to see your Africa photos…can’t wait!