peterskucmaphotography

Japan Tour 2025 Day #3

Today, we headed to the Imperial Palace East Gardens, where the main keep of the original castle (Edo-jo) was located. The gardens were nicely laid out, but as with the Cherry Blossoms, flowers were hard to find. We did not get to see the new Imperial Palace because the tour was sold out three months ago.

Leaving the gardens we decided to walk the adjacent Nihombashi district with the goal of reaching the historic Nihombashi Bridge and the Fukutoku-jinja an elegant Shinto Shrine. With 9 miles under our belt we headed back to our hotel for some rest and dinner in the nearby shopping district.

March 25, 2025 0

Japan Tour 2025 Day #2

The morning began with adjustments for time zone differences and a lesson on how to use Tokyo’s extensive rail system. We headed to Ueno Park for its Cherry Blossoms, ponds, temples and museums. All were outstanding except limited Blossoms – extreme cold weather and snow a few days before we arrived are pushing the season out. Some of the park’s highlights included The Statue of Saigo Takamori and his dog, Shinobazu Pond and its Bentendo Temple and grounds, the Five Storied Pagoda, Bells of Time memorial, Toshougu Shrine, The Tokyo Museum of Art, and the Blake Gate.

From here our walking adventure kicked into high gear (we walked about 12 miles today). We headed to the Yanesen area comprising three neighborhoods – Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi). One thing I learned quickly be selective in taking pictures of temples and shrines -they are on just about every block. Two of the best along the way were: Keneiji Temple and Nezu-jinga Shrine.

Walking through Yanaka we saw an old public bathhouse which is now an art gallery, the Runner’s Temple, a peaceful stroll through Yanaka-reien a cemetery, the Asakura Museum of Sculpture and on to Sunset Steps which is the start of Yanaka Ginza a Nostalgic shopping street.

To close out our day we took a cross-town subway to the Shinjuku district to view the city from the 44^th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Looking out over the city the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower caught my eye.

March 25, 2025 4

Japan Tour 2025 Day #1

We had an early flight out of MCO so we stayed at an airport hotel the night before our flight. Our first surprise was not seeing a TSA Pre Check on our tickets – we didn’t realize our global entry expired – for this trip, there were no TSA lines nor global entry on our return home. Need to do better planning. The second surprise was trying to leave DFW for Tokyo – several first-class seat belts were not working (they did not send the required code allowing the plane to depart) – 45-minute delay in departure.

All ends well our room in Tokyo has a picture window with an outstanding view of the Sky Tree Tower.

March 24, 2025 8

February 2025 – A Good Hiking Month

I purchased a new camera and decide to do some hikes to try to learn it and hopefully improve my photography skills.

The Bluffton Interpretive Trail is a 1.2-mile loop located in the Lake George State Forest near Astor, Florida. It’s an easy trail, and is perfect for birding, camping, and fishing. The trail is open year-round and offers a peaceful experience with minimal crowds. However, dogs aren’t allowed on this trail. The trail features interpretive markers that provide insights into the area’s natural and historical significance. There’s also a boardwalk leading to a fishing pier.

De Leon Springs State Park, located in De Leon Springs, FL, is a destination with over 6,000 years of cultural and natural history. The park features a recreational swimming area with crystal-clear 72-degree spring water, trails through lush subtropical forests, and a fascinating history tied to the Mayaca Indians and early settlers. Unfortunately do to recent hurricanes the main trails were only partially open but still enjoyable. The park also offers a unique experience at the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House, where you can make your own pancakes at the table.

Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve is a natural area located in Port Orange, Florida. It spans over 1,600 acres and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, birdwatching, and fishing. The preserve is named after Doris Leeper, an artist and environmentalist who played a significant role in its conservation. One of the highlights of the park is the 536-foot-long boardwalk that leads to an observation tower, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding wetlands and Spruce Creek. There are also several trails, such as the Creekside Trail and the Spruce Creek Trail, which showcase the area’s diverse ecosystems.

Welaka State Forest, located in northeastern Florida along the east bank of the St. Johns River, is a beautiful natural area offering a variety of outdoor activities. It spans over 2,287 acres and features diverse ecosystems, including river swamps, pine flatwoods, and sandhills. Visitors can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and even horseback riding, as the forest includes an equestrian campground with facilities. One of the highlights is Mud Spring, which flows clear spring water into a half-mile spring run that connects to the St. Johns River. The forest also has over four miles of river frontage, providing scenic views and opportunities for wildlife observation.

Looking forward to our next adventures in Richmond VA. and a tour of southern Japan.

March 12, 2025 11

Valentines Day Weekend 2025

We spent a long Valentines Day weekend exploring Thomasville GA, staying at a southern plantation, playing a round of golf, enjoying several top-notch meals, and visiting another plantation. Thomasville GA is about 4 hours from home so a reasonable get-away.

Thomasville is home to several historic plantations that offer a glimpse into the region’s past and provide beautiful settings for various events and activities.

One notable plantation is Pebble Hill Plantation. This 3,000-acre property was transformed from a working farm into a winter home and shooting plantation for the Hanna family of Cleveland, Ohio, in the late 1800s. Today, it is a popular destination for visitors, offering tours of the main house and grounds, as well as hosting unique events such as the annual Pebble Hill Polo Classic.

Another prominent plantation is South Eden Plantation (where we stayed). This family-owned and operated estate spans 38 acres and offers a variety of services, including luxury accommodations, wedding venues, and dining events. South Eden Plantation is known for its beautiful historical property and unique events like “Dining Under the Stars” and live music nights.

Downtown Thomasville, Georgia, is a delightful area that captures the essence of small-town charm. The main drag, Broad Street, is paved with bricks and dotted with boutique shops, restaurants, and local businesses like family-owned jewelry shops and even a drugstore that still lets you charge to your house tab.

Downtown Thomasville:

Pebble Hill Plantation:

February 19, 2025 7

February 12, 2025 – Art Imitates Life – Ormond Beach Public Art Sculpture Tour

We had a great evening with friends exploring Ormond Beach and its Public Art Sculpture Tour. The Arts District exhibited works by Seward Johnson. Johnson, also known as John Seward Johnson II, was an American artist renowned for his life-size bronze statues that depict people engaged in everyday activities. His works are known for their hyper-realistic style and meticulous attention to detail. Johnson’s sculptures often capture ordinary moments, making them relatable and engaging for the public.

He was the founder of Grounds For Sculpture, a 42-acre sculpture park and museum located in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey. This park showcases a wide array of sculptures, including many of Johnson’s own works, and has become a significant cultural landmark.

Johnson’s art has been exhibited internationally and is included in numerous private collections, museums, and public art collections. His approach to sculpture brought art from the museum to the public square, making it accessible and enjoyable for people from all walks of life.

Captured: Nice to see you: Special Delivery:

Bunnies don’t bite: The Search: Monet, Our visiting artist:

Other views of the Artist:

Embracing Peace: Yuck, Go Fetch: Wine, Food and Thou:

Photo Shoot:

Other Ormond Beach Sights:

February 16, 2025 8

Orlando Wetlands – November 2, 2024

I headed back to one of my favorite places for some hiking and photography. The day started out overcast, but halfway through the hike, it decided to turn into a monsoon. Even though wet and muddy it was still a fine trip.

November 6, 2024 9

2024 Cross Country Trip #11

Palo Duro Canyon State Park – The second largest canyon in the country lies in the heart of the Texas Panhandle. Palo Duro is a canyon system of the Caprock Escarpment. As one of the largest canyons in the United States, it is roughly 25–40 mi long and has an average width of 6 mi, but reaches a width of 20 mi at places. It was formed by millions of years of water erosion by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River and the West Texas wind. With a descent of some 800 feet to the canyon floor and more than 16 miles of paved road, Palo Duro Canyon State Park offers fantastic scenic views, historic sites and markers, miles and miles of hiking and biking trails.

Cloudland Canyon State Park – Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, this is one of the most scenic parks in Georgia, offering rugged geology and beautiful vistas. The park straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek, and elevation differs from 800 to 1,980 feet. The most spectacular view into the canyon is found along the West Rim Loop Trail a 5-mile hike which we took.

High Falls Waterfall – Just north of Cashiers, on the northern banks of Lake Glenville, the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River pours over a 100+ foot cliff, tumbling in a dramatic multi-tiered waterfall and plunging into a boulder-filled pool below. It’s one of North Carolina’s most beautiful falls.

We are now back in Florida and hope you enjoyed traveling with us. We visited 26 states and traversed over 11,000 miles visiting many new sights that we had missed on our 40 earlier trips across country. We still enjoy traveling the red and blue roads rather than Interstate highways. Stealing words from another traveler – keep on traveling – until next time be well.

October 6, 2024 12

2024 Cross Country Trip #10

City of Rocks gets its name from the volcanic rock formations found here. The park encompasses a one-square-mile area in the scenic Chihuahuan desert region of southwestern New Mexico at 5,200 feet. The “city” is a geologic formation of large, sculptured rock columns, or pinnacles, rising as high as 40 feet and separated by paths or lanes resembling city streets. These rocks were formed about 34.9 million years ago when a very large volcano erupted. Then, erosion over millions of years slowly formed the sculptured columns seen today, creating an otherworldly landscape. The rock formations at the park are so unique that they are only known to exist in six other places in the world.

Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument – For thousands of years, nomads used the caves above Cliff Dweller Creek as temporary shelter. In the late 1200s, people of the agricultural Mogollon (Southern Ancestral Pueblo) culture made it a home. They built rooms, crafted pottery, and raised children in the cliff dwellings for one or two generations. By approximately 1300, the Mogollon had moved on, leaving the walls behind. Five naturally eroded alcoves contain the homes of the Tularosa Mogollon. About 42 rooms were constructed from local stone. All wooden beams seen in the dwellings are the originals. Tree-ring dates range from the 1260’s through the 1280’s.