0 2025/03/26 18:06:31
Men, be sure to bring tight Speedos to any spa. No American-style trunks. Btw, David the above driver is also an accomplished nature photographer. He showed me his own color photo book of Pyrenees Hikes. He is expanding his business to include tours: *David Serano-Grocq phone 0607 68 38 93. david.serano@so-inspyration.com **Taxis: See also these three co's: -'3 Vallees' (Luz) 33-0683599698 -ask for Gerrard -'Les Glaciers/Bruzaud' (Gavarnie) 0607-820-307 -Caussieu 3305-6292-9756 C'est fin.
Men, be sure to bring tight Speedos to any spa. No American-style trunks. Btw, David the above driver is also an accomplished nature photographer. He showed me his own color photo book of Pyrenees Hikes. He is expanding his business to include tours: *David Serano-Grocq phone 0607 68 38 93. [email protected] **Taxis: See also these three co's: -'3 Vallees' (Luz) 33-0683599698 -ask for Gerrard -'Les Glaciers/Bruzaud' (Gavarnie) 0607-820-307 -Caussieu 3305-6292-9756 C'est fin.
0 2025/03/30 21:24:25
On the advice of locals, I chose the stately, fin-de-siecle spa 'Bains de Rocher'. We all had to wait outside before opening. The river was raging and the deluge was coooold!! The spa had an ancient tree outside, an indoor-outdoor pool, various water jets throughout plus a few unexpected features. So relaxing. After chatting with lovely Leah at Cauterets Tourism, I then shopped at the Belle Epoque Les Halles. Shown in yellow above: a competitor spa. Taxi driver David Serano later took me home.
On the advice of locals, I chose the stately, fin-de-siecle spa 'Bains de Rocher'. We all had to wait outside before opening. The river was raging and the deluge was coooold!! The spa had an ancient tree outside, an indoor-outdoor pool, various water jets throughout plus a few unexpected features. So relaxing. After chatting with lovely Leah at Cauterets Tourism, I then shopped at the Belle Epoque Les Halles. Shown in yellow above: a competitor spa. Taxi driver David Serano later took me home.
0 2025/03/30 21:24:15
The local daycare had a powerful mural on its side! There must be some local legend about a nearby French Loch Ness creature. Et comme ca.
The local daycare had a powerful mural on its side! There must be some local legend about a nearby French Loch Ness creature. Et comme ca.
0 2025/03/30 21:24:05
It also had one of those 'Leave-a-book-take-a-book' stands for all ages.
It also had one of those 'Leave-a-book-take-a-book' stands for all ages.
0 2025/03/30 21:23:57
My final daytrip was to a wonderful spa over in Cauterets. Again, Mrs Z took a pass. That trip necessitated a pair of rainy bus rides. Shown here is the transfer point for such public bus routes: the village of Pierrefitte-Nestalas. On display, it had an interesting fire brigade wagon from a century ago.
My final daytrip was to a wonderful spa over in Cauterets. Again, Mrs Z took a pass. That trip necessitated a pair of rainy bus rides. Shown here is the transfer point for such public bus routes: the village of Pierrefitte-Nestalas. On display, it had an interesting fire brigade wagon from a century ago.
0 2025/03/30 21:23:41
On the way back. Seen from the middle of the crest going to the right (east): la Tour with its alluvions fluvio-glaciers, la Casque, Pic des Saraders (2739m), Doigt Pointe Bazillac, Mt Taillon and Gabietous.
On the way back. Seen from the middle of the crest going to the right (east): la Tour with its alluvions fluvio-glaciers, la Casque, Pic des Saraders (2739m), Doigt Pointe Bazillac, Mt Taillon and Gabietous.
0 2025/03/30 21:23:22
At far left we see Grand Astazu (3012m) with its lil bro Petite Astazu just below. The popular ice climb 'Couloir Swan' is just beneath. Spain's famed Mt. Perdu lies just behind them (not shown). The Tour de Marbore (Gascon for 'marble') looms on the right, with the Pailla glacier visible just below. That general area also includes the Crete des Druides plus the gres de Marbore Maastrichtien layers, with migmatites and cambro-ordoviciennes. There will be a test on this tomorrow.
At far left we see Grand Astazu (3012m) with its lil bro Petite Astazu just below. The popular ice climb 'Couloir Swan' is just beneath. Spain's famed Mt. Perdu lies just behind them (not shown). The Tour de Marbore (Gascon for 'marble') looms on the right, with the Pailla glacier visible just below. That general area also includes the Crete des Druides plus the gres de Marbore Maastrichtien layers, with migmatites and cambro-ordoviciennes. There will be a test on this tomorrow.
0 2025/03/30 21:23:14
Bianca was friendly. She was also informative, telling me not to bother tryna get us an overnight visit to the high Observatory at nearby Pic du Midi: "Naw, don't bother Monsieur Zebec. Zey are sold out til Christmas at which time zey will close overnight stays for good. J'ai sourir mon ami Canuck.'
Bianca was friendly. She was also informative, telling me not to bother tryna get us an overnight visit to the high Observatory at nearby Pic du Midi: "Naw, don't bother Monsieur Zebec. Zey are sold out til Christmas at which time zey will close overnight stays for good. J'ai sourir mon ami Canuck.'
0 2025/03/30 21:23:00
I chatted with this family. Mom and dad were teaching their daughter (far L) how to care for the animals.
I chatted with this family. Mom and dad were teaching their daughter (far L) how to care for the animals.
0 2025/03/30 21:22:47
Local fences showed evidence of that.
Local fences showed evidence of that.
0 2025/03/30 21:22:25
A horse ranch has long been a feature of this part of the trail.
A horse ranch has long been a feature of this part of the trail.
0 2025/03/30 21:22:13
A fallen tree trunk water-worn by the river and time.
A fallen tree trunk water-worn by the river and time.
0 2025/03/30 16:37:17
The overall Pyrenees park is a true wilderness area and a home to rare flora and fauna.
The overall Pyrenees park is a true wilderness area and a home to rare flora and fauna.
0 2025/03/30 16:37:06
The Gave de Pau river and one of its old bridges: pont de Nadau. There was apparently a botanical jardin nearby but I never found it.
The Gave de Pau river and one of its old bridges: pont de Nadau. There was apparently a botanical jardin nearby but I never found it.
0 2025/03/30 16:36:52
This pont de Brioule took one across to the Foret du Canton Morgat. One may meander the meadows there. The slopes were once denuded by the end of the 19C but are now restored. In this area, I somehow lost my precious green Tilley hat, un chapeau that'd visited a great many countries. It'd been tied to my Domke camera bag but must've somehow slipped off. Too late, a local photographer with whom I'd chatted along the route told me that someone had found the hat and placed it on a fence pole.
This pont de Brioule took one across to the Foret du Canton Morgat. One may meander the meadows there. The slopes were once denuded by the end of the 19C but are now restored. In this area, I somehow lost my precious green Tilley hat, un chapeau that'd visited a great many countries. It'd been tied to my Domke camera bag but must've somehow slipped off. Too late, a local photographer with whom I'd chatted along the route told me that someone had found the hat and placed it on a fence pole.
0 2025/03/30 16:36:36
This friendly lady ran a honey table. We bought some of her 'bruyere' variety, of which there are two sorts: spring and fall. They each have a distinctive taste, as does bourdain (buckthorn). We used miel in the tea that we made from the freshly-picked spearmint and regular mint from our rental jardin. Other honey sellers in this general area include Rucher Pentu and also Rucher de Tourmalet.
This friendly lady ran a honey table. We bought some of her 'bruyere' variety, of which there are two sorts: spring and fall. They each have a distinctive taste, as does bourdain (buckthorn). We used miel in the tea that we made from the freshly-picked spearmint and regular mint from our rental jardin. Other honey sellers in this general area include Rucher Pentu and also Rucher de Tourmalet.
0 2025/03/26 18:07:58
The POPOTES section (ie 'those who make good food'). Oo-la-la! As Rhon had mentioned above, Luz has a few boulangeries and butchers. They are all excellent, and the lasagna at the butcher beside the smaller Carrefour was among the best we've ever had. Boulangerie Gave makes VG clafouti and also wonderful fig-berry Charlotte cake. Self-caterers will do well in this town.
The POPOTES section (ie 'those who make good food'). Oo-la-la! As Rhon had mentioned above, Luz has a few boulangeries and butchers. They are all excellent, and the lasagna at the butcher beside the smaller Carrefour was among the best we've ever had. Boulangerie Gave makes VG clafouti and also wonderful fig-berry Charlotte cake. Self-caterers will do well in this town.
0 2025/03/26 18:07:41
This is the classic and by now cliche view of the main meadow. California orange poppies filled the foreground. On Reddit the very next day, a German traveler posted a question with this same image that he'd found on the NET: "Is this Santa Barbara?"
This is the classic and by now cliche view of the main meadow. California orange poppies filled the foreground. On Reddit the very next day, a German traveler posted a question with this same image that he'd found on the NET: "Is this Santa Barbara?"
0 2025/06/10 11:34:34
No report on Cali can skip surfing.
No report on Cali can skip surfing.
0 2025/06/07 16:04:13
Animal topiary.
Animal topiary.
0 2025/06/10 12:41:07
The ocean holds a lot of life. That life plays an important role in the health of our planet. We used Reddit as a source for researching this trip and someone there had rare photos of a shark egg backlit by the sun. Another shutterbug displayed her imagery of nudibranchs, surely one of Mother Nature's most alien-looking life forms.
The ocean holds a lot of life. That life plays an important role in the health of our planet. We used Reddit as a source for researching this trip and someone there had rare photos of a shark egg backlit by the sun. Another shutterbug displayed her imagery of nudibranchs, surely one of Mother Nature's most alien-looking life forms.
0 2025/06/07 17:51:27
Water reflections water reflections.
Water reflections water reflections.
0 2025/06/07 17:53:21
Including this ex-pat gal from Toronto. She saw a bag that I was using to beachcomb and immediately recognized it as being from our city's biggest pharmacy. "Toronto, right?" she approached. She turned out to be a family friend of the guitarist for my heroes 'Rush' (the pride of Toronto). Next day at perennial local fave pizza joint Rustys, we saw another unlikely Rush connection: a pinball machine with a vintage Rush theme! Didn't realize that today's kids celebrated birthdays to Rush songs!
Including this ex-pat gal from Toronto. She saw a bag that I was using to beachcomb and immediately recognized it as being from our city's biggest pharmacy. "Toronto, right?" she approached. She turned out to be a family friend of the guitarist for my heroes 'Rush' (the pride of Toronto). Next day at perennial local fave pizza joint Rustys, we saw another unlikely Rush connection: a pinball machine with a vintage Rush theme! Didn't realize that today's kids celebrated birthdays to Rush songs!
0 2025/06/07 17:53:43
The sun sinks low.
The sun sinks low.
0 2025/06/07 18:50:08
Le soleil sont disparu.
Le soleil sont disparu.
0 2025/06/07 18:51:14
The Cito Fire Station. Brave folks. Respect. See their Fire Indicator on the far right. *Would you believe it: some of the thieves arrested for raiding homes in Pasadena during the height of the fires were wait for it...dressed as firefighters!
The Cito Fire Station. Brave folks. Respect. See their Fire Indicator on the far right. *Would you believe it: some of the thieves arrested for raiding homes in Pasadena during the height of the fires were wait for it...dressed as firefighters!
0 2025/06/10 12:53:26
As I was photographing this young couple atop an outcrop, the boy's moccasin fell off. I then pretended to try to run away with it.
As I was photographing this young couple atop an outcrop, the boy's moccasin fell off. I then pretended to try to run away with it.
0 2025/06/07 17:54:22
Mrs Z and I were happy as a pair of jolly dolphins. Next: more music then Rick Steves.
Mrs Z and I were happy as a pair of jolly dolphins. Next: more music then Rick Steves.
0 2025/06/07 18:59:39
Each Saturday morn, a modest Fishermans Market occurs down in the marina. About seven stalls are set up offering freshness. We bantered with the youngest pair of fisherman there as they held the above spider crab. I advised them on a new advertising slogan for their oysters: 'MORE ZINC FOR YER DINK!'
Each Saturday morn, a modest Fishermans Market occurs down in the marina. About seven stalls are set up offering freshness. We bantered with the youngest pair of fisherman there as they held the above spider crab. I advised them on a new advertising slogan for their oysters: 'MORE ZINC FOR YER DINK!'
0 2025/06/08 12:13:41
A view of that dockside market from higher up. Do they ever sell weird fish such as cabezon and those loooooooong oarfish?
A view of that dockside market from higher up. Do they ever sell weird fish such as cabezon and those loooooooong oarfish?
0 2025/06/08 12:14:42
Diver-caught red sea urchins are regarded as the best on the planet. Japanese visitors certainly hold that opinion. According to my taste buds, this local variety is more earthy and less sweet than most.
Diver-caught red sea urchins are regarded as the best on the planet. Japanese visitors certainly hold that opinion. According to my taste buds, this local variety is more earthy and less sweet than most.
0 2025/06/08 12:15:39
We bought some cookies from these Girl Guide scouts and their little sisters. The following week, I sought them out at that same marina spot to give them each a Canada flag pin. They were happy to receive the tiny gift.
We bought some cookies from these Girl Guide scouts and their little sisters. The following week, I sought them out at that same marina spot to give them each a Canada flag pin. They were happy to receive the tiny gift.
0 2025/06/08 12:19:28
...the place where these families combined to enjoy themselves. Girl on left: "Mom, don't you want some ice cream? Can we go to Tondi's now?"
...the place where these families combined to enjoy themselves. Girl on left: "Mom, don't you want some ice cream? Can we go to Tondi's now?"
0 2025/06/07 17:55:29
Atop this stretch of sun-baked sands close to Mesa Lane beach, we see the newly-established clifftop Douglas Family Preserve. Actor Michael and his father Kirk donated the grove to the public, with a mind to providing yet-another peaceful place for dog-walkers.
Atop this stretch of sun-baked sands close to Mesa Lane beach, we see the newly-established clifftop Douglas Family Preserve. Actor Michael and his father Kirk donated the grove to the public, with a mind to providing yet-another peaceful place for dog-walkers.
0 2025/06/07 17:55:57
This Heermann's Gull has nothing to do with lesser-known attractions, but he did steal my zoom lens. Says he won't give it back til I've posted his portrait labelled 'Sir Bird'. SIR BIRD
This Heermann's Gull has nothing to do with lesser-known attractions, but he did steal my zoom lens. Says he won't give it back til I've posted his portrait labelled 'Sir Bird'. SIR BIRD
0 2025/06/07 20:21:23
Casa del Herrero (house of blacksmith) is a time capsule that one must reserve for a guided tour ahead of time. The mansion of former WWI military contractor George Fox Steedman, this sprawling property is magnificent inside and out. It is one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial revival architecture in the USA. A womens group had decorated the interior with floral arrangements. Steedman was a 1%er with a marked taste for European imports of every sort. Above: his personal centaur icon.
Casa del Herrero (house of blacksmith) is a time capsule that one must reserve for a guided tour ahead of time. The mansion of former WWI military contractor George Fox Steedman, this sprawling property is magnificent inside and out. It is one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial revival architecture in the USA. A womens group had decorated the interior with floral arrangements. Steedman was a 1%er with a marked taste for European imports of every sort. Above: his personal centaur icon.
0 2025/06/07 20:35:05
Lovely Ainsley was the program manager. I'd teased her via the intercom upon our early arrival, "WE ARE THE DOGE COMMITTEE! MR. MUSK IS HERE WITH US AND WE REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ENTRY!!" She got the joke. Our actual tour guide was Rosie, accompanied by her assistant Kasha. Both had previously worked at Lotusland.
Lovely Ainsley was the program manager. I'd teased her via the intercom upon our early arrival, "WE ARE THE DOGE COMMITTEE! MR. MUSK IS HERE WITH US AND WE REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ENTRY!!" She got the joke. Our actual tour guide was Rosie, accompanied by her assistant Kasha. Both had previously worked at Lotusland.
0 2025/06/07 20:35:31
We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the Casa had recently lifted its long ban on indoors photography. There was historic furniture, religious iconography, tiles, ceramics, paintings, sculptures, lamps and much more. Steedman was also a clever inventor-tinkerer. He created an early phonograph speaker box. His huge personal workshop would be the envy of any male who industrial-level works. His were the largest scissors that we'd ever seen!
We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the Casa had recently lifted its long ban on indoors photography. There was historic furniture, religious iconography, tiles, ceramics, paintings, sculptures, lamps and much more. Steedman was also a clever inventor-tinkerer. He created an early phonograph speaker box. His huge personal workshop would be the envy of any male who industrial-level works. His were the largest scissors that we'd ever seen!
0 2025/06/07 20:36:03
No, this is Lady of Mount Carmel Church, found just a 6 minute walk down the road from Casa del Herero. A slightly Karen-ish woman approached us, then assertively informed us that she did not want us to take her photo, 'not even in the background!' I was a bit taken aback coz the thought had not even entered our heads--we wanted that sleek stone and adobe imagery without people. We also avoided the interior after hearing weeping from within. Someone was mourning. Next: our traditional Quiz
No, this is Lady of Mount Carmel Church, found just a 6 minute walk down the road from Casa del Herero. A slightly Karen-ish woman approached us, then assertively informed us that she did not want us to take her photo, 'not even in the background!' I was a bit taken aback coz the thought had not even entered our heads--we wanted that sleek stone and adobe imagery without people. We also avoided the interior after hearing weeping from within. Someone was mourning. Next: our traditional Quiz
0 2025/06/07 20:37:02
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