sunset | sharp & keen

Even though I liked the fog when we first arrived in Peggy’s Cove, I was thrilled to see it dissipate just in time for the sun to set. Erica and I quickly drove back to the village from our motel up the road. Along with just about everyone else. The rocks were packed with people also wanting to take a photo of Peggy’s Point Lighthouse at sunset.

This is only a few of the people there.

And I can’t blame them. I mean…

Peggys-Point-Lighthouse-Red-Lamp

Peggys-Cove-Lighthouse-Sunset

It was pretty incredible! And if we were patient, the crowd would clear enough that we could quickly snap a few photos sans people. Except this one couple.

Annoying-Couple-Lighthouse

They really took their time, posing for lots of photos of each other, and basically trying our patience. But we persevered and they finally moved on. Phew.

Peggys-Point-Lighthouse-Reflection

We stopped at the memorial for the Swissair Flight 111 crash that took place off the coast in 1998. It’s a little unsettling how many memorials to crashes we found along the coast, but it was a really peaceful place with a beautiful view.

Peggys-Cove-Sunset-Rocks

Peggys-Cove-Lighthouse-Distant

Canada, Trips

First Glimpse of Prince Edward Island

Image | Posted on January 25, 2016 by katie

I’ve wanted to visit Prince Edward Island ever since I was about 10 years old and first saw Anne of Green Gables on PBS. The desire grew stronger over the years as I read and re-read and re-read again all of L.M. Montgomery’s delightful books. One night last year, I suddenly realized – hey, I could actually visit PEI? Why not?

PEI-Confederation-Bridge-Flags

Confederation-Bridge

This past July, we crossed over the Confederation Bridge, and I finally stepped foot on those red dirt roads, rolling hills, and ocean views. We got there just as the sun was setting, so we took off to the shore to catch the end of the sunset.

chasing-the-sunset

Prince-Edward-Island-Sunset

PEI-Sunset-Cliffs

Red-Cliffs-Sunset-PEI

Sigh… it was everything I ever hoped. I can’t wait to share more photos.

Summer Solstice on the Salt Flats

Posted on June 27, 2012 by katie

I really want to see the sun tunnels. Have you heard of them? They are an art piece made out of four huge concrete tunnels out in the Utah desert near the Nevada state line and on the solstices, they align perfectly with the setting sun. I thought about going for the winter solstice, but the sun sets too early to make it in time after a full day of work. I decided to try it this summer. My mom, Izzy, Claire, and Liam crammed into my little car to head out there with me. But there was a snag — the sun tunnels are really far away. I knew they were far, but it wasn’t until we started driving and driving and driving (and stopping for dinner) and driving some more that I realized how far away they are. Especially when you’ve got three people scrunched in the back seat and one 9-year-old who kept asking if we were there yet. (She later claimed to be doing it ironically, but I could tell she was really sick of driving.)

By the time we reached the exit for the Bonneville Salt Flats, there was still 45 miles over unpaved road to go. The sun was already pretty low in the sky, so I didn’t think we’d make it. We decided to amend our adventure to include just the salt flats. But that was totally fine with me because I actually had never been to the salt flats and always wanted to go. So what are the salt flats? You have probably seen them in such movies as …

Pirates of the Caribbean (that third one that was really long and boring). Or how about …

The Tree of Life (which I always meant to see, but never got around to)? They are 30,000 acres of densely-packed salt that you can walk on or even drive on. I always wanted to visit them but they seemed so far out of the way (unless you’re on your way to Wendover). Thus, it was a perfect compromise. I worried that they wouldn’t live up to my imagination (especially with a couple of restless kids in the car), but they were everything I hoped for. Vast expanses of white crystal.

We drove out on to the flats (but I didn’t risk doing any fancy maneuvers) and got out to look around. The sun cast long shadows.

Liam loved it. It really is a surreal experience to walk on salt. It crunches. And yes, it does taste like salt.

Luckily Claire liked it too and decided it was worth the incredibly long drive.

We stayed to enjoy the sunset and the pink sky. Claire practiced her model poses.

And then, since we were so close, we decided to stop by Wendover for some ice cream and to pay our respects to the neon cowboy before heading home.

As for the sun tunnels… there’s always next year.

More Pensacola Pics

Posted on September 27, 2009 by katie

I finally downloaded the photos from Amanda’s camera (so many cameras to keep track of! I still have some from the old Pentax that need to be developed), so I thought I’d post a few more from Pensacola Beach. I loved all the raised beach houses painted bright colors.

pastel beach houses

This one looks like it belongs in a 60s mod James Bond movie. Or under the sea… whatever.

james bond style dwelling

One of the problems of trying to take pictures immediately after exiting the air-conditioned car is fogged up lenses.

foggy beach

But I kind of like the effect. More pictures from the sunset.

little birdies

My friend, the Internet, told me that sea turtles nest in Pensacola Beach and that we were visiting during the hatching season. I was so excited! I pictured tons of tiny little turtles making their way to the ocean. Of course, it wasn’t quite like that, but Amanda’s sharp eyes did see one in the water.

sea turtle

On our way back to the car, Amanda was almost pinched by a ghost crab!

ghost crab!

I know it’s hard to see. That’s why it’s a ghost crab. This run-in had a big impact on Peter, who will still tell you the story about the crab and how daddy saved mommy.