Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Welcome 2019

MUSAP and I have continued our USA adventures, alas I haven't continued posting about it here on the MUSAP blog ~ last post was 3 years ago. Perhaps I will do better in 2019!


My last post in 2015 was from an adventure to see Sean Q in White Christmas at PPAC in Providence. One of my last adventures in 2018 was to see Sean on stage again in White Christmas - this time at The Fox in Atlanta. So some things change and some things stay the same!



Since June 2013 MUSAP and I have visited 45 states, Washington, DC, and Montreal, Canada. We went on a cruise that included stops in Nassau and Grand Bahama Island. We have stayed in a treehouse, a train caboose, and a lighthouse. We have ridden horses, glided on segways, and gone up in a hot air balloon. There are many states that we have been to more than once, many states that we will visit again, and some states where once was probably enough.


First adventure for 2019 will be along the gulf coast of Florida in January. At the end of February we'll head to an all-inclusive resort in Nassau.


Photos of our adventures can often be seen on my Instagram page #muspaadventues.


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Florida ~ near Wellington

MUSAP happy to see sunshine and palm trees
MUSAP started the new year with a sad trip to Florida. My cousin’s daughter died in a car accident and I went to Florida to represent the family at her Memorial Service in Wellington.


Sophie's Sky, after her Memorial Service


I had some free time while I was there so I searched out some natural spaces where I could be outside and enjoy some sunshine in January.


MUSAP checking some tree bark texture


On day 1 I went to Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach. It was close to my hotel and the web site indicated there were many trails that I could stroll.


Okeeheelee Park


I saw lots of birds near the roadside ditches as I drove to the park - egrets, wood storks, even a pair of sandhill cranes. There wasn’t a safe place to pull over for pix, but I hoped there would be more birds at the park. I found some birds of interest and the skies and reflections were good subjects, too.


Cormorant drying his wings


It’s a pretty park and I enjoyed my walk. The weather was a little unsettled  - the sun was out, then I’d see raindrops in the pond  next to the path and realize it was sprinkling. So the light for photography kept changing, and for photographers it is all about the light!


Raindrops in a pond


I headed back towards to car in case it started to rain harder… didn’t want my camera to get wet. The rain stopped and the clouds started to part again.


refelctions


As I was driving out of the park I noticed a bird perched on a wire. I stopped and backed up to check it more closely and was able to get a photograph of the American Kestrel.


American Kestrel - a small falcon, sometimes called a sparrow hawk




Pelican in the pines


The next day my flight time got changed to late afternoon so I had plenty of time for another nature stroll. I decided to check Fern Forest in Coconut Creek, just outside Ft Lauderdale.

Fern Forest


The weather was hot and sunny so I was happy to discover that the Cypress Creek Trail was shady and interesting. Plus it is a boardwalk so the walking was easy.


MUSAP on the boardwalk


There were a variety of habitats along the trail. In Florida even a slight change in elevation can change the plants and animals that will live in an area. I don’t usually see too many mammals so it was fun to see a raccoon. I heard him coming down a tree trunk before I saw him.


Raccoon going upstream


Along the trail the sun was lighting a huge spider web. As I was trying to find the right position to photograph it I suddenly thought perhaps I should be looking for the spider that built the web! I am not a fan of spiders, but this one proved to be an interesting subject.


When you see a web, remember to look for the spider!


I also walked the Prairie Perimeter Road. It was getting hotter and the trail was a little rougher so I spent more time watching where I was stepping than creating photos.


A sunnier trail


And it wouldn’t be a trip to Florida without a photo or two of anoles!


Anole



at Fern Forest

January 2106

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Providence ~ Dreaming of a White Christmas

MUSAP loves seeing musicals

MUSAP and I spent the night in Providence, Rhode Island. When I started these adventures I had the name MUSAP (thank you Jon for helping me decide on that) but I didn't have the butterfly! So this is the first MUSAP post from Rhode Island with pix of my traveling companion.

Sean after the show

The inspiration for this quick adventure was Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Providence Performing Arts Center. This is the 4th year that Sean has toured with the show. I have now seen him tap & sing in Patchogue Village, NY, at Westchester Broadway Theater in Elmsford, NY, in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Wang in Boston, and now in Providence. It's become a Christmas tradition for me.

Snow, snow, snow
Despite the warmer than usual December weather it was 'snowing' outside the theater.

MUSAP was in awe of Santa

Santa was outside the theater too! My sister, Deborah, came to see the show so she was able to take this Santa photo. She started to say 'It's too bad you don't have MUSAP with you...' as I was pulling him out of my pocket.

Tony and Bobbi happened to be sitting in the row in front of me.

Rather than drive home after the show I decided I would stay at a hotel near by. That meant I got to go out for food with Sean, Tony, his mom, and some of his family after the show.

beautiful clouds

The warm weather continued and I was able to get outside with my camera the next day. Sean sent me a text letting me know he was going to be back on stage that afternoon (he's swing ~ understudy) so I went to the theater and got a rush ticket to see the show again. It's a happy story and it makes me smile.

MUSAP back at Providence Performing Arts Center

The theater is beautiful so I was happy to be back inside and get some photos.

beautifully restored theater

CLICK here for more photos.

Merry Christmas

December 2015