Renee Vanni Images

Road Trip To Homer

I love the town of Homer. I make a road trip at least once a year. It was certainly a beautiful day to start the drive. The last few years have been able to make the trip with girlfriends – even more fun. We take in shopping, visit the galleries and eat, eat, eat. We made it a very full trip by taking in plenty of Homer. From visiting the Spit, to the winery, to the brewery! Yes, we played like tourists.  We are all photographers so of course, we must take photographs all along the way. I took all of these pictures with my Sony tourist camera.  I just did not feel like lugging heavy camera equipment this time ’round. That little camera is making me lazy . . . so even though the images are not ideal and sharp, you’ll get the picture. 

An awesome fog can roll in when you are so close to the water. For those visitors that do not know already, Homer is as far South as you can drive and nearly surrounded by the sea. This view felt like we could be in the English countryside.

We stopped at Fat Olives for wine, beer and snacks. I got lucky and ran into old pals, Suzanne and Rene. They were having lunch at the table next to us, then they invited all 4 of us back to their place on the beach for a glass of vino. How could we not oblige?

 

We stopped by Wasabi’s for drinks and sushi.

I thought this was the most perfect daisy!

 

Of course, we had to stop by Sandy’s home that she and husband, Dan are building on the Kenai River. 

Dan and his pals stopped for a break from placing a bay window when we came by.

 

This is the view from one of their front windows of Kenai River

. . . nice! . .  Hey Dan, I think you need to mow your grass.

 

By the way, Suzanne is creating art for your garden. These cement leafs can be made into bird baths or set upright in your garden. You can contact her pals, at The Beer Creek Winery in Homer to purchase. They have a large array of her collection there. The Bear Creek Winery

Talkeetna Moose Dropping

I was able to spend a day up at the Talkeetna Moose Dropping Festival. An annual event I rarely miss. Always get there for the start of the Saturday parade on Main Street. For those who do not already know, Main Street is so short, the parade turns ’round and goes through once more, just to be sure you don’t miss anything. Missed those darn crazy chickens. Hear they retired. All of these pictures were taken with my Sony instamatic. Gawd, I LOVE that camera. It takes great pictures. 

We started with breakfast of raspberries and walnut pancakes at the Talkeetna Roadhouse. Sat down & ended up sharing our table with about 5 visiting tourists.  We also met another visiting group, as we sat outside and ate corn dogs with mustard, sharing a table with an awesome family from California. Man, they had so many snaffus on their trip, including their rented motorhome breaking down, getting all the way up to McKinley and not able to view the mountain – you name it. But they had such a great attitude! Sounded like they really enjoyed the trip, despite. I neglected to get their contact information, probably the corn dog fuzzing my mind, and want to deliver this nice image of their handsome boys. So if you read this, please contact me, you know who you are and I will get this pic to ya. Especially since mom said, “hey, they never pose for me!”

Plenty of fun shots to be had in this little town as Talkeetna is so full of charm and character. 

 

Pal, Sandy and I ran into plenty of friends, ate all day long, and of course, had a margarita at the Tee-Pee and who can pass up a beer later in the The Fairview Inn? Then watched softball at the fields, ate some more, great day. I really enjoy the artisans booths. Plenty of talent here.  I found a few treasures. My handknit hat for one!

 

The Tee Pee lounge has plenty of characters . . .

 

Oh, man, more super cool red rubber boots. I gotta get me some of those! Seems everyone has them but me. 

 

Hey you two, didn’t I just see you last week at the annual Cassidy BBQ? The girls waiting for their Alaskan Kettle Corn!

 

These were kinda fun! It rained just a bit and took advantage of someone’s garden displaying these awesome raindrops . . .

A couple of real photo nerds . . . wonder who they were?

 

Before leaving we stopped at Cafe Michele for dinner. I have never been in before and it was absolutely fantastic. It was this perfect little bistro in the town of Talkeetna, Alaska.  Both Michele and Janus made us feel very welcome and our food was so gorgeous and delish! The flavors were incredibly divine. I was very impressed in the perfection of the fresh produce. Poor produce is a pet peeve for me. Too many restaurants do not care enough about their salad choices. When I see iceburg lettuce as my salad staple, I don’t go back.  It is obvious Michele takes great pride in finding the freshest ingredients. Janus will help you choose the perfect wine. I am a wino, don’t know much about wine just know what I like and don’t like. When anywhere near Talkeetna, you must give this restaurant a visit. You might call ahead for reservations. The link is here. Type the phone number into your cell. You won’t be sorry you stopped by. And there is a perfect little outdoor dinner garden out back too! Fun people too.

 

The weather was fantastic. Saw Mount McKinley large as life, on the drive into Talkeetna. Sorry these two doofs did not stop to photograph the mountain. Had my good cameras with me. Not sure why. I don’t know what Sandy was thinking, but my mind was on “gotta get a gyro, gotta get a turkey leg, gotta get a corn dog . . . “

More Pieces of England

I have more images to share from my recent trip to England. I took a photography course in The Lakes District. These are more like parts and pieces of the North of England.

 

I can still smell the lavender.

 

I just loved the aged grave stones. I suppose this may be orangey lichen? There is such incredibly rich history in Europe. I find it fascinating and see a photograph in everything!

 

This dock was in Windemere on Bowness. It was a fairly bright, washed out day.

 

I am not one to photograph much wild life, as much as I enjoy seeing all types of wild life. However, when they are posing for you, how can you not point and shoot . . . your camera. I suppose Alaskans do like their hunting rifles.

 

Yes, this was a drive by shooting. I was on the bus and could not resist. Hence, the bus window reflection. But isn’t she beautiful?

 

All of England is storybook land! Look at these perfect skies and wonderful lines in their buildings.

 

All right, I see the pattern here. But I really love grave stones.  I usually shoot church steeples when I travel, but did not seem shoot many this time round, but love those too! Especially throughout New England on our east coast.

 

 

I think that I would love to be in here in my final resting place. With a simple grave marker and daisies growing round.

 

Adorable little black bird. Reminds me of a nursery rhyme grandma used to say to me. This little guy was begging to be photographed! Any birders know what type of bird this is? Let me know.

 

I cannot even imagine how old this wooden bench is. Wish I knew. This was in the town of Hawkshead. My favorite village of all the villages I explored.

 

I don’t really know about my cropping here. Not sure if I captured a subject but I loved the old building, the blue of the window, the moss. The pigeon was just extra good luck! So . . . here you have it.