This sign is from the Rockford, Illinois institution Uncle Nick’s, which has been serving up delicious gyros since 1980.
Have a safe, healthy and happy New Years, and I’ll See you next Gyros!
Category: Photos
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Albuquerque’s River of Lights
Every winter, Albuquerque’s Botanic Gardens are converted into a dazzling light show with hundreds of sculptures, millions of light bulbs, 8 miles of extension cords and over 90,000 zip ties.
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Christmas Markets of Munich, Salzburg, and Budapest
One of the many markets in Salzburg Becky and I spent some time in Germany, Austria, and Hungary earlier this month, where Christmas Markets (also known as Advent Markets or Christkindlmarkts) are widespread. Here you sip hot mulled wine, eat delicious street food, and handle all of your Christmas shopping as local craftsmen and vendors come out to sell their wares. It’s a scene that brings together people from all parts of society, rich and poor, locals and visitors, and unites us all. Most cities in this part of Europe have at least one market, and Munich alone has over 20!
While Munich is famous for its 600+ year old market in the Marienplatz, we actually found the markets in Salzburg and, especially, Budapest (pictured at top) to be even more amazing. Our jaunt to Budapest was a last-minute addition to our trip, and we made the ~7 hour drive from Munich to visit family and get our first look at the amazing city. Suffice it to say, we can’t wait to return.
Budapest Christmas Market:
Munich Christmas Markets:
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Abiquiu Dam
Built in 1963 on the Rio Chama, the Abiquiu dam creates a recreation area, produces 16.5 MW of hydroelectric power, and routes water into the Rio Grande Watershed which feeds Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
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Rever’s Marina, Rockford, Illinois
When we headed back to Becky’s hometown over Thanksgiving, we went out for a little night shooting. I was particularly interested in this marina along the river that heralds back to a simpler time…
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Anchiskhati Basilica, Tbilisi, Georgia
This is the oldest standing church in Tbilisi, built in the early 6th century and repaired numerous times in the 15th-17th centuries as a result of numerous invasions of the Persians and Turks into Georgia. These numerous repairs are the reason for all the different building you see.
In the background you can see the ultra-modern Presidential Palace, completed in 2009.
Bonus picture: this beautiful domed ceiling was installed and painted in 1870:
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Young Roadrunner in the Bosque
I went out to take a picture of our freshly snow-capped mountains and happened upon this young roadrunner hanging out in Albuquerque’s Bosque open space. It’s believed that roadrunners offer protection against evil spirits, a service we can always use!
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Sunrise on Tbilisi
Although our first few days were overcast and gloomy, by Thursday we were treated to a couple really spectacular sunrises. This one was shot from the balcony of our AirBNB apartment. Thanks to Becky Hotchkiss for removing a really obnoxious power line that went right through the middle of the shot.
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Woman Selling Churchkhela
In Georgia, you’ll find older women all over selling churchkhela (pronounce chooch-clear your throat-ella), a snack consisting of nuts on a string dipped into thickened grape juice and dried into a tasty treat.
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Geese in the Rio Grande
The Canada Geese are headed south, and we came across them when they were settling in for the evening.
Did you know: Canada Geese can live to be over 20 years old, and, when they have a favorable wind, they can travel up to 1,500 miles in a single day.
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Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
I shot this timelapse earlier this year at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. I’ve still got a lot to learn about shooting timelapse video, but at least I’m having fun, right?
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Confluence of the Kura and Aragvi Rivers
This area, Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia, has housed human civilization since before the beginning of recorded time. It served as capital until the 5th century, when they moved the capital a few miles down the road to Tbilisi.
The Georgians are an amazingly resilient people. Due to their extremely valuable location between Europe and Asia at the base of the Caucasus Mountains, the most attractive overland trade route, they have been invaded over 40 times since the beginning of recorded history, yet, every time, they pick themselves back up and rebuild.
This entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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German Street Performer
When we left the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, this very talented statue was there to greet us.
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Sometimes I take pictures…
My much-more-talented other half, Becky Hotchkiss (Hotchkiss Photography) took me into her new studio to get everything set up, and of course I brought my camera and started screwing around…
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Drone video of Chromo, Colorado
Over the summer, Becky and I bought some land up in Crowley Ranch Reserve in Chromo, a beautiful spot in the mountains. While it will be a while before we’re able to build, we’ve been trying to drive up once a month so we can get a feel for the seasons.
On our last trip up we brought Becky’s folks, and I did some flying over the land with my Phantom 3, and stitched together my first edited aerial video.
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Chromo, Colorado
This pond is in our subdivision in Colorado where we hope to build a home someday. It’s a truly breathtaking place.
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Stars over Rockwood Reservoir
I took this hour-long exposure during our most recent Automattic company-wide meetup in Park City, Utah
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Balloon Sunrise Over Albuquerque
Still one more day until the Balloon Fiesta- the sky is going to be littered tomorrow!
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People are Friends in India
My lovely wife recently posted some fantastic photos of our March trip to Mumbai. Make sure to check them out, as she’s a much better photographer (and human) than I am…
