Category Archives: Travel

Documentary, Travel

San Xavier Mission

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dsc_2326cThe kids an I went on a short trip just down the road to San Xavier, a mission church built in 1797. We took a tour (by donation only) with a docent who told us all about the church, from the founding saints to the methods of construction.
According to their website, San Xavier is a National Historic dsc_2348cLandmark, founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. It is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church’s interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space. The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.

If you are interested in taking a tour, the details can be found here.

Documentary, Street Photography, Travel

Tombstone!

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I’m back in Arizona and I’m not moving away! We had so much fun in Korea but it is so very nice to be back in our hometown of Tucson, AZ. Last weekend we went to Tombstone for “Wyatt Earp Days.” Here are some of my favorite photos.

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Travel

Daegwallyeong Baby Animal Farm, Pyeonchang

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If you’d like to spend the day with your kids holding baby animals of all kinds, you ought to visit the Daegwallyeong Baby Animal Farm in Pyeonchang, South Korea. No place like this exists (that I know of) in America. Unlike public farms in America, at Daegwallyeong you are free to hold any baby animal you’d like for as long as you like without supervision (not necessarily a good thing with itty-bitty kids running around, but for my older kids, a thrilling experience). Rather than watching your every move, caretakers here move about restocking the hay troughs and scooping up poop.DSC_0005c The baby pigs squeal when anyone tries to pick them up, but there were a few brave souls who did anyway. Momma pig was just around the corner. I can’t believe how fat, and, sorry but I must say it, ugly these cute little guys get! Continue reading Daegwallyeong Baby Animal Farm, Pyeonchang →

Documentary, Landscape, Night Photography, Street Photography, Travel

Ulleungdo, Korea’s Island Paradise

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Dare I say a stay on this island is better than Jeju? I’ve been to both now, and while Jeju is unbelievably gorgeous, Ulleungdo will make you feel like you are a thousand miles away from the hustle of the “real world.”

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The stars on the map annotate places I’ve been.

The island is about 217 kilometers from the ferry port in Pohang (one of the terminals that services trips to Ulleungdo) and is located in the East Sea between Korea and Japan. From Pohang, expect a three-hour ferry ride out at 9:50am. This is the only departure time. Returns to Pohang are at 3:30pm daily.

We spent two nights and two days on Ulleungdo, just barely enough time to do everything we wanted to do. I suggest at least another day on the island if you can swing it. There is one road that goes almost all the way around tDSC_2951che island. It takes 1.5 hours to make it to the end of the road, but not because the island is large. The road is small and meanders through scenic scapes that even a man who likes to get from point A to point B will want to stop and soak in. Multiple one lane tunnels wind themselves through the volcanic rock; you’ll have to wait your turn to go through if traffic is coming from the opposite direction. But no worries, you’re on island time here. Continue reading Ulleungdo, Korea’s Island Paradise →

Travel

Haegeumgang (Shipgagul Cave)

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On the second day of vacation we headed to Haegeumgang (Shipgagul Cave) which is located on Geoje Island just off the southern coast of South Korea. Geoje Island is Korea’s second largest island following Jeju. I really wanted to see this sea cave because I’d read that the water is the color of Tide detergent and tour boats take people in an out of it with ease. An aerial view of the cave shows that it is shaped like a cross, which is what Shipgagul means.

Tours to Haegeumgang are actually just a quick stop on the way to Oedo Island, which I’ll post about tomorrow!CJT_8805cThe  inside of the cave. Check out the color of that water! Continue reading Haegeumgang (Shipgagul Cave) →

Travel

Damyang Bamboo Garden, South Korea

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Last weekend was spring break for my kiddos here in South Korea so the whole family headed out for a week-long vacay. Our first stop was the Damyang Bamboo Garden. This place is smaller than I expected, but was nonetheless beautiful. If you are planning on going, I recommend combining this garden with another stop as it won’t keep you occupied for more than 30 min  to an hour. CJT_8255c CJT_8298c

Below is a photo of a group of children on a field trip to the garden. In all my travels throughout Korea, I’ve never seen a group of children not dressed the same when on a field trip with a school. So cute!

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Travel

Pyeongchang: Site of the 2018 Winter Olympics

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My family and I took a trip to Pyeongchang, South Korea this weekend for a bit of sightseeing and skiing. I had hoped to see the world renown Harbin Festival ice sculptures, but alas, they had partially melted by the time we arrived. You would have never guessed that it was warm a few days before our arrival though, because while we were there we experienced blizzard conditions as you’ll see in the below photographs. Despite the weather, we really enjoyed our trip, having stayed at a traditional Korean hostel and skied the entire second day. What an adventure!

Travel

Hyeonchungsa Shrine: Winter

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I went on a photo walk this week at the Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan with a fellow photographer friend. I’ve been to this location many times, usually for family photo shoots. Every season changes the landscape completely, which makes returning here time and time again so much fun!

Hyeonchungsa Shrine
500 year old Ginko trees