golfkat
Gerry Kataoka Joined: May 7th 2007
Logged in: February 11th 2012
Logged in: February 11th 2012
Recent trip to Antelope Canyon, near Page, AZ was a revelation. The Navajo guide actually had me taking Ansel Adams like photos for a couple of hours. You must go!!!! Next big trip is South Africa and Botswana in 2012, followed by the Trans Siberian Railway in 2013.
Travel Blog Posts
Tucson Trip 006
The best symbol of the American West is not the six gun, the wagon wheel, or even the cattle and horses. It is the giant Saguaro cactus, often in a scene with the setting sun. These plants are found only in a small part of the West. The Saguaro National Park protects most of these sub tropical giants, not far from the city of Tucson. There are 1.6 million saguaro plants growing within the park. Saguaro became a National Monument in 1933, and a National Park in 1994. img=https://blu126.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=XZB2de6ztf3UvFAFmPw2DKblD347r4Rm3V8dvTMQ7qw%3d0&url=http%3a%2f%2ft3.gstatic.com%2fimages%3fq%3dtbn%3aANd9GcQkU9FkEw8lnVi1T36GfWyJnHJRaBTttmicRYPoplqsh2TxsMDGimg=https://blu126.mail.live.com/Handlers/ImageProxy.mvc?bicild=&canary=XZB2de6ztf3UvFAFmPw2DKblD347r4Rm3V8dvTMQ7qw%3d0&ur... read more
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
This is my fifth and perhaps final trip to the Indianapolis 500 Auto Race. This also happens to be the Centennial Celebration of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. I have written about this trip numerous times before. It still holds a special place in my heart since my Dad came here twice while he was alive. And our hometown (Fresno) hero, Bill Vukovich, aka The Mad Russian, won this race two years in a row. I have a nice routine now for the Memorial weekend. I fly out to Indy on Friday, with a stop in Chicago at O'Hare Airport for some Garrett's Popcorn. Then pick up a rental car at Indy airport and take the short 20 minute drive to downtown Indy. I stay at the Holiday Inn, walking distance to the center of the ... read more
My Favorite Runners
Having run the Bay to Breakers Race so many times, I cannot imagine this year's "rules" prohibiting alcohol, nudity, and floats. Talk about ruining an institution, a living testament to all of us who have ever run in this great race. OK, I will dismiss the floats. But nudity and alcohol go together like Laurel and Hardy! Since I have never been a real spectator, I was planning to take BART into the City and observe the festivities for the first time. But the cold and rain has forced me to stay home and watch the Giants and Cubs game of YV. When running the race, the biggest problem is to avoid falling or running into someone. It is rather difficult to catch a glimpse at interesting costumes, or lack thereof. As far as alcohol, I ... read more
NYCs Chrysler Building
Start spreading the news I'm leaving today I want to be a part of it, New York, New York These vagabond shoes Are longing to stray And make a brand new start of it New York, New York I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap These little town blues Are melting away I'll make a brand new start of it In old New York If I can make it there I'll make it anywhere It's up to you, New York, New York. I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps To find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap These little town blues Are melting away I'll make a brand new start of it In ... read more
Carmel Beach
I have already written numerous times about our fabulous trips to the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel, Pacific Grove, and my favorite place on earth, Pebble Beach. Let me see if I can focus on some different, and perhaps more obscure or overlooked places in this great part of the world. First, let me say that we are so fortunate to have the Monterey Peninsula within an easy day trip or overnight jaunt from our homes in the Bay Area. And when the ATT Golf Tournament features four days of bright sun, I am sure the east coast and midwest just turn fairway green with envy. Dog Friendly most everywhere, especially hotels and outdoor cafes, as well as most retail. Most businesses have water bowls and puppy treats for our four legged friends. I don't let Buddy drink ... read more
Antelope Canyon 102
I said slot canyon, not slot machines! A slot canyon is formed by the wear of water rushing through rock. A slot canyon is significantly deeper than it is wide. Some slot canyons measure less than 3 meters across at the top, but drop more than 30 meters (100 feet) to the canyon floor. Most slot canyons are formed by sandstone and limestone rock, although granite and basalt canyons are also found. But only a small number of creeks will form slot canyons due to the combination of the characteristics of the rock and the regional rainfall. The largest known slot canyons are in Australia, in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. The majority are in the Wollemi Wilderness and are difficult to access. In the United States, the largest concentration of slot canyons are in ... read more
Space Needle
The old but iconic Space Needle in Seattle was built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. My grandparents went and brought home a tiny replica of the Space Needle for me. I had it all through high school and college. I would love to find it! It was a cheap, junk metal replica, painted gold, with very little detail. But one look at it and anyone would know it as the "Needle". The Space Needle is probably the Pacific northwest's most famous landmark. During the World's Fair, 20,000 people a day used the elevators to ride up to the top. The total visits to the Needle during the Fair was 2.3 million! Highly successful, I say. The Space Needle is 605 feet tall, 138 feet wide at its widest point, and weighs 9550 tons! When it ... read more
Inn at Entrada, Snow Canyon
The luxurious Inn at Entrada was our home for just two days and one night here in St. George, Utah. We indulged in "boutique casitas" with first class amenities, a top rated golf course, and some of Utah's most spectacular scenery. Yes, this is the heart of the red rock country, an ideal vacation destination for hiking, biking, golfing, spa-ing, and pampering. The 22,000 square foot clubhouse and the 13,000 square foot sports and fitness center are a good start. Plus this is the starting point for adventures to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Grand Staircase Escalante, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. The casitas are along the ninth fairway, with one, two and three bedroom suites. Each studio where we stayed have remote control fireplace and window shades, kitchenette and ... read more
Circular Congregational Church
Of the many activities here in Charleston, the Sound of Charleston is a series of concerts that cover everything from Gospel to Gershwin. And it just so happens that tonight will be Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, one of my all time favorites. The Sound of Charleston is designed to celebrate three centuries of music here. Porgy and Bess was the first musical performed in the Colonies. Amazing Grace was sung in this church where John Newton wrote the words, first published in 1779. Here is the complete program: - Charlton Singleton & "Charleston's Jazz Tradition" - "Rhapsody in Blue" played by Micah McLaurin & Irwin Jiang - Civil War camp songs with Bart Saylor and Bill Schlitt - Light classics of the St. Cecelia Society played by the SOC String Quartet - Amazing Grace performed by ... read more
Charleston Place
I have never been a big fan of the South, whether Atlanta, or Augusta, home of the Masters. But there is one place in all of the Southern United States, or as diehards, say, "The Confederacy" that holds a special place for many Americans. Charleston is the oldest city in the United States, and the second largest city in the state of South Carolina. The town's original name was Charles Towne back in 1670. It was changed to Charleston in 1783. I always thought of Charleston as the birth place of the Civil War. Charleston is also known as the Holy City due to the prominence of churches on the low rise city skyline. It was one of the few cities in the original thirteen colonies that provided religious tolerance. It was one of the few ... read more
