LOOKING BACK !
Welcome to the Recollections of my Old Man!
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A Virtual Journey through the Lens of the Camera
Welcome to a Visual Journey Through United States of America!
This is a journey from shores of California to the skyscrapers of New York City, this collection captures the essence of America's landscapes, streetscapes, and everyday moments. Whether it's the beauty of parks, the liveliness of city streets, or the charm of small-town life, each photo tells a story of a nation's diversity and history. Take your time, explore, and let these images transport you across the States - one picture at a time.
Welcome, Intrepid Traveller!
Step into a living postcard, where every photo is a doorway to a new adventure. This collection is a tale of landscapes, architecture, highways, waterfalls and forests. Walk with us. Let your eyes travel where your feet have not yet gone. Enjoy.
The Western Side - The Pacific
The Aleutian Islands —also called the Aleut Islands, Aleutic Islands, or, before 1867, the Catherine Archipelago—are a chain of 14 main, larger volcanic islands and 55 smaller ones.
The Aleutian Islands —also called the Aleut Islands, Aleutic Islands, or, before 1867, the Catherine Archipelago—are a chain of 14 main, larger volcanic islands and 55 smaller ones.
Denali encompasses approximately 2.5 million hectares of untamed wilderness, traversed by a single road. Along this route, visitors can observe the transition from low-elevation taiga forests to high alpine tundra and snow-capped mountains, culminating in North America's tallest peak, Mount McKinley, which stands at 6,191 meters. The area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, both large and small, that roam freely across the un-fenced lands, living as they have for centuries. Visitors can experience solitude, tranquility, and the pristine beauty of the wilderness.
Denali National Park and Preserve, formerly known as Mount McKinley National Park, is a United States national park and preserve situated in Interior Alaska, centred on Denali (federally designated as Mount McKinley), the highest mountain in North America. The park and its contiguous reserve encompass 2,446,387 hectares (24,464 square kilometres). Denali's landscape features a mix of forest at the lowest elevations, including deciduous taiga, tundra at middle elevations, and glaciers, snow, and bare rock at the highest elevations.
Denali National Park and Preserve encompasses the highest and central portion of the Alaska Range, incorporating numerous glaciers and glacial valleys that extend southward from the range. To the north, the park and preserve include the valleys of the McKinley, Toklat, and Foraker Rivers, as well as the Kantishna and Wyoming Hills.
Due to its considerable size and geographic isolation, Denali has a distinctive ability to generate its own weather patterns, often resulting in persistent cloud cover. Locals colloquially refer to its visibility with the phrase "the mountain is out" when it emerges from the clouds. It is estimated that only 30 percent of park visitors have the opportunity to witness Denali in clear conditions. We were lucky!
My fellow traveller expressed it in affectionate terms: Denali National Park and Preserve is a sanctuary where nature reigns in its most majestic form. It is a land of untamed wilderness, where towering peaks reside in the clouds and the sky and glaciers carve deep ruts through the earth. Wildlife roams freely, untouched by the rush of modern life. Denali herself, the towering body of this vast expanse, often veiled in clouds, commands admiration and respect-a silent guardian over her kingdom of rugged beauty.
It is difficult to describe Denali without being melodramatic, as my fellow traveller often is, but, risking melodrama, here I go: ... Every turn within the park reveals a striking scene, golden tundra bathed in soft blue light, rivers winding through valleys like ribbons, and the sight of caribou, moose, and grizzly bears moving through the land as they have for millenia. Here, time slows, allowing visitors to breathe deeply, to embrace the serenity, and to feel the pulse of the wild.
Fairbanks, Alaska
The Holy Resurrection Church on Kodiak Island, Alaska, is a historic Russian Orthodox church with roots in the region's history. The Russian Orthodox presence in Kodiak dates back to 1794, shortly after the settlement was founded. The current church was built in 1945 to replace an earlier structure that burned down in 1943 . It is part of the Diocese of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
The Holy Resurrection Church on Kodiak Island, Alaska, is a historic Russian Orthodox church with roots in the region's history. The Russian Orthodox presence in Kodiak dates back to 1794, shortly after the settlement was founded - . The current church was built in 1945 to replace an earlier structure that burned down in 1943 . It is part of the Diocese of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
The church played a crucial role in the Christianisation of Native Alaskans, beginning with the first Russian Orthodox mission established in North America on Kodiak Island in 1794. Russian missionaries worked to spread Orthodox Christianity among the indigenous peoples, leaving a lasting cultural and religious impact. Despite Alaska's sale to the United States in 1867, the Russian Orthodox Church continued its mission, shaping the spiritual and cultural landscape of the region. Today, the Holy Resurrection Church remains a significant religious and historical landmark, reflecting the enduring legacy of Russian Orthodox traditions in Alaska. It serves as a place of worship and a testament to the island's history.
Kodiak Island, Alaska, is the second-largest island in the United States, located off the southern coast of Alaska in the Pacific Ocean. Known as the - Emerald Isle -, it boasts rugged mountains, dense forests in the north and east, and treeless terrain in the south. The island is home to the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which protects diverse wildlife, including the famous Kodiak bear. Fishing is a major industry, with abundant salmon, halibut, and crab. The city of Kodiak serves as the island's main hub, offering access to ferry and air travel. Historically, Kodiak was a center for Russian fur trading in the late 18th century. Today, it remains a stunning destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Forget not, this is Alaska, Latitude: 57° 47' 24.00" N, plenty of snow we should guess!
MS Volendam is a cruise ship operated by Holland America Line; owned by Carnival Corp. She was built in 1999 and sails worldwide destinations for Holland America Line. She is the third ship in the fleet with that name, after SS Volendam (1922-1952) and SS Volendam (1972-1984).
Tonnage- 60,906 GT; Length- 237m; Speed- 23 knots; Capacity- 1432 passengers + 647 crew.
