Photoblogging Continued: Italy

Kate and I are lucky to be enjoying a summer holiday in Italy with family this year. I'll not be thinking of things productive for the next two weeks, but I will be thinking of things beautiful. Accordingly, the photoblogging will continue, time, interest, and wifi connections permitting. Here are some snaps from today, which included transit from the States to Milan.

Wish you were here.

The Photos

Rare to see, the sundog (also known as the "glory"). This one chased us from Washington to Newfoundland.

Crossing the Alps at sunrise. I was amazed by this glacier, which for millenia has been carving its canyon through the mountains.

Another shot of the Alps, this with the Matterhorn in the distance (upper center of the photo).

Kate in front of the shopping plaza at Piazza del Duomo. Just like the mall down the street, no? 

The nave in the Milan Duomo, aka La Nivole e il Santo Chiodo. In the crucifix suspended at top center (above the red dot) is the most holy of Milan's relics, a nail from Christ's cross, which is lowered twice a year in a device designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

The program at La Scala, the greatest opera house in the world.

One of my favorite photos of the day. Sandweeches, spelled just like it sounds. We actually stopped here for an afternoon glass of wine and a light snack, watching the Milanese stroll by in their light suits, dresses, and wonderful shoes. Not a bad way to wrap a wonderful day.

My Office, Berwyn, PA

Signs of a week well worked and efficient processing: a clean desk and (nearly) empty inbox late on Friday afternoon. Practice Getting Things Done and this, too, can be yours. (Members of the family should note the Utah State Aggies coffee mug at left center.)

Dandy, R5 Regional Rail, Philadelphia, PA

Something you don't see much anymore: The American Dandy. This gent was completely at home on the train in his seersucker suit, straw hat, and bow tie, riding the rails of the Main Line.

Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA

The largest public park in the United States, which begins in Center City Philadelphia and extends miles to the Northwest. This is the view from the train, arriving from points North and crossing the Schuylkill river.

Acela, Penn Station, Newark, NJ

The 1:15 PM Acela pulls in.

Penn Station, Newark, NJ

The art deco information desk at Penn Station, Newark. The glass ceiling makes the desk look like a giant Tiffany lamp, and this photo does not do it justice.

30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia's main train station, the grand 30th Street. A fine example of what great public spaces are like (from a time when man built great public spaces).

Train Station, Main Line, Philadelphia, PA

A local train station on the regional rail outside of Philadelphia. Thanks to this system I can take rail transport from a station two minutes from the house all the way to New York or Washington, D.C.

Market Street, Philadelphia, PA

The canyons of Center City, looking East along market toward Liberty Place, the large sky scraper in the distance.

Row Homes, Philadelphia, PA

From 24 floors above Center City Philadelphia, looking west. Row homes and brownstones, with the Schukyll river in the distance.

Odd Couple, MSP Airport, Minneapolis, MN

Two great tastes that go great together? The Tumi and NASCAR stores in the MSP concourse. Uncertain as to how much cross-over traffic there is (besides me).

Airport Tram Tunnel, Minneapolis, MN

First Base, CB Park, Philadelphia, PA

Two certain all-stars: Giambi and Utley at first base.

Home Plate, CB Park, Philadelphia, PA

Chase Utley steps in ...

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Pre-game, Phils v. Yankees.

Thunderstorms, Northern Indiana

O'Hare International, Chicago, IL

Bathroom Art, Warrenville, IL

For those ladies who have always wondered: Yes, we have art like this in every men's room.

Pink Garbage Truck, Blue Route, PA

Came upon this garbage truck on my way to the airport this morning. For the curious: pmswastehaulers.com. Follow the link and you'll see the pink is part of a shrewd branding strategy.

Cornfield, Princeton Junction, NJ

We spent the afternoon in New Jersey with family for Father's Day. Most folks don't appreciate how agricultural New Jersey is, and cornfields like these run for hundreds of miles. Taken from the window of the car with Kate asking, "Shall I steer?"

Perkiomen Trail, Oaks, PA

Part of a trail system that runs from 15 miles north of Oaks all the way to Philadelphia (some 25 miles downstream), the Perky Trail is where Kate and I take our long marathon training runs. Shaded, safe, and beautiful. This is the view from where we begin our run.

Perkiomen Creek, Oaks, PA

Citizen's Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Home of the Phightn' Phils, who this night lost their sixth straight. Beautiful night for a game, though.

Casey's Ale House, Berwyn, PA

Home of the greatest beef and cheese sandwich on the East Coast.

The Week in Photos

First, thanks to those who sent a note or posted a comment asking where I was or how I was doing. It's been two weeks since my last post, and it's nice to know that folks notice the absence. I'm fine, just busy.

I had an idea for the blog this week while flying home from Chicago. In the course of that day I had taken a sunrise run down Michigan Avenue, sat an in 46th floor conference room overlooking the Loop, and at the moment, was in seat 14B watching the chaos of an "everybody take a seat and stash your bags 'cause we gotta' go NOW" Chicago O'Hare departure.

Each of these experiences had left me with relatively vivid visual images, and I thought it might be neat to do a "Week in Photos" on Seat 1A. So, starting today, I'll be carrying around our handy new sub-compact Canon ELPH (which we bought in a Wal Mart at 7:00 AM at the NASCAR race two weeks ago ... how perfect is that?) and taking photos as the day rolls by. Nothing necessarily artsy -- the goal is to illustrate variety. I'm a big believer that there is enormous beauty, interest, and variety of experience in what one might otherwise consider their daily routine -- you just need to look for it. A week in photos might help illustrate the point, so I'll be giving it a shot. Let me know what you think (and to Doug: The photos return!).