Standing Into Danger: July 2019

Friday, July 19, 2019

Firenze at Last!

Firenze! I've been up and down Italy on trains a time or two
and passed by this station regretfully without stopping.
On September 16, 2018, I finally stepped off the train and into an incredible city:
Firenze! Florence!

Santa Maria Novella Railway Station

Wikimedia

Terry read about this ancient and beautiful art-filled city,

studied its maps, and poured over its guide books

for months before we arrived in Florence.

He knew how much I wanted to visit it, and this trip was for me.

Me? I looked at a map or two and read Kim Stanley Robinson's Galileo's Dreams,

I like to walk into a new place without preconceptions,

a luxury I can enjoy because I married a trip planner extraordinaire.

Tourists Viewing Florence
from the top of the Duomo's Cupola

Florence, Italy

September 2018

This Tourist Looks Down
from the top of the Duomo's Cupola

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Terry arrived with the best of everything tabbed in a travel book

checked out of our neighborhood library.

Me? "I wonder what's around this corner!"

Wherever we travel Terry always exclaims,

"I do all this careful planning before we go on a trip,

and you just want to throw a monkey wrench into the works!"

If I had a cruise for every time he accused me of that,

I'd have sailed the world's oceans and seas multiple times

and finally be ready to stop! Not!!! I never want to stop!

La Cantinetta Wine Bar
Near the Church of Santa Maria Novella

Florence, Italy

September 2018

But no matter how much one has prepared,

stepping into the twisting puzzle of Florence's streets

for the first time can be bewildering!

Which Way Do I Go?

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Through a Gate into an Unexpected Garden
San Miniato al Monte

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Firenze is famous for its churches, museums, architecture, and art,
and for being the birthplace of the Renaissance,
that expansive florescence of European intellectual life during the 14th to 17th centuries
that precipitated social and political upheaval throughout the continent.

Advances in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering,
and new thinking in philosophy, literature, music, and the arts
lifted Europe out of the Middle Ages and into the beginning of the modern world.

The Birth of Venus
by Sandro Botticelli
Uffizi Gallery

Florence, Italy

Wikipedia

To me, Florence is far more than its history.

I loved wandering its streets and absorbing the life of this vibrant city.

A Street Artist Taking a Break

Florence, Italy

September 2018

A Horse and Carriage Move through the Traffic

Viewed from the bell tower of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Bellevue House

The Hotel We Stayed in for Four Nights

Via della Scala

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Along the Arno River

Florence, Italy

September 2018

A Roman Lion
II Century A.D.
Moved from Rome to Florence in1787
Piazza della Signoria

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Fountain of Neptune
by Bartolomeo Ammannati
with the National Museum of the Bargello in the background
Piazza della Signoria

Florence, Italy

September 2018

A Wedding Photographer's Perfect Shot
San Miniato al Monte

Florence, Italy

September 2018

One Small Truck!

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Enjoying the Sunset Overlooking the Arno

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Terry Admires Synthetic Crystal Glass
Mario Luca Giusti's Store

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Florence Triumphant Over Pisa
by Giambologna
National Museum of the Bargello

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Why the Little Dog???
Giambologna's Florence Triumphant Over Pisa
National Museum of the Bargello

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Terry Checks His Guide Book
National Museum of the Bargello

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Painted Silk Taffeta
by Giovanna Carzoni
Church of Santa Maria Novella

Florence, Italy

September 2018

The Complete Taffeta Antependium

by Giovanna Carzoni

(A decorative piece that hangs on the front of a Christian altar)

Church of Santa Maria Novella

Florence, Italy

Wikivisually

Patiently Waiting

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Pigeons Enjoying the Sunshine
Church of Santa Maria Novella

Florence, Italy

September 2018

We had planned to stay two nights in Florence but quickly realized

this was a woefully inadequate amount of time and doubled our stay.

We deliberately avoided guides, giant lines, and gaining all the biggies,

like Michelangelo's David and the Uffizi Gallery.

We spent hours lingering over Italian spritzes in the late afternoon heat

discussing the wonders we had seen; Florence is supersaturated with wonders!

A Definite Wonder

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Giotto's Campanile

Why is the bell tower caged and the cupola not?

Florence, Italy

September 2018

The Roof of Giotto's Campanile

Adjacent to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistry of St. John

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Climbing Down from the Campanile

Florence, Italy

September 2018

An Oasis Among the Rooftops

Climbing Down from the Campanile

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Sunset Along the Arno

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Pinocchio in Bartolucci Florence

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Triumphal Arch

Piazza della Repubblica

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Backside of the Triumphal Arch

Piazza della Repubblica

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Florentine Sunshine
National Museum of the Bargello

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Mosaic Marble Pavement
The Baptistery of St. John

Florence, Italy

September 2018

We will return to this wondrous city!

The Baptistery of St. John by Moonlight

Florence, Italy

September 2018

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Sidewalk Cafe

Florence, Italy

September 16, 2018

Personal Note: I'll be on the move shortly. I'll post and visit as I can along the way!

For Map Lovers Like Me:

Location of Italy

Wikimedia

Location of Florence

Google Maps 2018

Location of Ponte Vecchio

Google Maps 2019

Friday, July 12, 2019

On Fremont Street

In late June Terry and I were off to Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas,
a destination we enjoy much more than the famous Strip.

Catching the Train to Denver International Airport

Gateway Park Station

Aurora, CO U.S.A.

June, 2019

It's not that the Strip isn't fabulous.
It's more that Fremont Street is human-sized.
You can easily walk from one end to the other, absorbing all the sights.

A Downtown Take on a Famous Sign

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

On Fremont Street, you never know what you might see.
Day or night, round the clock, it's a never-ending show,
a parade of humanity for avid people watchers.

Mid-Morning on Fremont

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

The oldest continuously operated hotel in Las Vegas opened
at the southeast corner of Main and Fremont streets in 1906.
Today that hotel is known as the Golden Gate Hotel,
but it opened back then to rave reviews as the Nevada Hotel.

The hotel replaced a tent hostelry and was renowned
for its luxurious accommodations and the best food in Las Vegas.
It boasted electrical lighting and the first telephone installed in the city.
Telephone number? "1" ~ Of course!
Room and board cost $1.00 per day.
Sources: over50vegas and a label on the photo in the Golden Gate Hotel lobby

Hotel Nevada, 1906

The original photo is displayed in the lobby of the Golden Gate Hotel

The hotel's owner John F. Miller is sitting in the carriage.

The woman in the upstairs window is thought to be Rosa who became Miller's wife.

I'm betting that John, Rosa, and the others in the photo
could never have envisioned the corner of Main and Fremont today.

One Hundred and Thirteen Years Later

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Vegas Vic has been welcoming people to Fremont Street since 1951.

Vegas Vic

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

The action on Fremont Street is creeping beyond the canopy,
with new restaurants and attractions drawing visitors eastward.

A New Pizza Joint

East Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

A wild party scene can be replaced in a few hours
by something completely different.

A vet sells woven crosses and bouquets

as crowds party on.

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Massive Booms and Construction Workers

Replacing the Canopy

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

If you spend several days roaming Fremont Street,
you begin to recognize the regulars: panhandlers, entertainers,
artists, kiosk salespeople, buskers, and security guards.

A Regular with His Beer and a Selection of Signs

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

An Artist at Work

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Talented Buskers

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Chippendales for the Ladies

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Millions of visitors have come to Fremont Street since December 14, 1995

to see the Fremont Street Experience on the world's biggest video screen.

Multiple times a night, the spectacular light shows have lit up

the 1,367 foot long canopy with an explosion of movement and color,

accompanied by music on a state-of-the-art, concert-quality sound system.

Currently the Viva Vision canopy is undergoing a $32 million renovation,

its second upgrade since the Fremont Street Experience opened in 1995.

This explains much of the heavy equipment and construction workers

who crowd portions of Fremont Street in the late night and early morning hours.

Source: vegasexperience

Under Construction

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Under Construction

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Adding New Sections of Canopy

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Move 'Em in. Move 'Em Out.

A Huge Daily Task

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Entertainment is abundant and loud.
Terry always brings earplugs and requests a room away from Fremont Street.
Many's the night I've fallen asleep to the throb of base amplifiers on Fremont Street.

Guitarist, Rock Steady LV Band

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Carl Ferris

Playing His Sax for 20 Years on Fremont Street

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

A Singer Belts It Out

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Lead Singer, Rock Steady LV Band

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

All the lights, sounds, and action can grind me down,
but I always return for more fun on Fremont Street.

Good Buds, Jon and Terry,

Getting Some Coney Island Dogs

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Not for the Faint of Heart

Slotzilla Zipline

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Coming in for a Landing

Slotzilla Zipline

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

The Weavers

Fashioning Crosses and Flowers to Sell

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Construction Site Temporary Casino

for the Circa Resort & Casino,

Currently Under Construction

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Huge speakers provide sound under the canopy.

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Waiting for the Crosswalk Light

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Posing for a Photo

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Terry, a Happy Winner

Fremont Street

Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

June, 2019

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

On the Chad and Sisters Two

On the Bay of Fundy
Out of Westport, Brier Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

July, 2018

Note:

A word to the wise: Fremont Street is fun and entertaining,
but it also has an ugly and unsettling side.
I've chosen to share photos of the gentler side of Fremont Street.

For Map Lovers Like Me: