View allAll Photos Tagged ASCEND
As the moon rose it lined up directly over these warning / safety lights...took the shot while I could!
Rosalie, Justine, Amelie, Ben and Serach ascending Coyote Hills. Raspberry Ridge and Plateau Mountain can be seen in the distance
End of the academic year celebration for ACC Ascender students on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Eastview Campus.
End of the academic year celebration for ACC Ascender students on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Eastview Campus.
End of the academic year celebration for ACC Ascender students on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Eastview Campus.
End of the academic year celebration for ACC Ascender students on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Eastview Campus.
My heart mosaic which will be part of the glass mosaic tapestry mural being donated to the Cardiology and Surgery Wing of Providence Park Hospital, Novi Michigan. There are 59 artists contributing their idea of "hearts". Lin Schorr is the master-mind behind the project.
End of the academic year celebration for ACC Ascender students on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Eastview Campus.
Daily cremations take place along the sacred Bagmati River in front of the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal. I definitely had mixed emotions regarding viewing cremation. I didn’t know what to expect or how I would feel, but I decided to enter the area and stay as long as I felt comfortable.
Walking toward the puffs of black smoke ascending from stone cremation platforms along the Bagmati River was very eerie at first, especially when I knew that the smoke was coming from bodies that were burning . . . and, not knowing what to expect, I thought I might see recognizable bodies on fire.
As I walked closer to that area I was concerned about breathing in the smoke and I was a bit afraid that I could be exposing myself to disease, but the more I saw, the more intrigued I became.
The preparation of the body for cremation along the Bagmati River is really beautiful and something to see. Family/friends come with marigolds to adorn the body and the area around the body. It was a ritualistic ceremony with lots of detail which of course I did not fully understand.
What I did understand was the love and compassion the family/friends demonstrated during the cremation ceremony. I was able to watch some of the preparation for a deceased man and was able to follow the procession to his cremation platform.
I was moved by what I saw. Looking at my pictures and remembering what I experienced I feel honored to have been with this man at such an important time. It was nice that he was accompanied by family and friends at the very end, and I’m sure the family/friends were honored to be there.
My father was cremated in 2005, but of course none of us were present during his cremation. After his death at home we knelt around him and prayed the Rosary. Then we sat around him and talked. In the morning, when people from the mortuary came to take him, everyone left the room but me. I helped put Dad in the bag and helped take him from the house. They let me do the final zip of the bag once he was in the mortuary vehicle. I thought of my dad while watching the cremation of the Nepalese man.
Pashupatinath Temple is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the greatest Shiva sites. A translation for Shiva is “The Auspicious One” or “Great God”. Shiva is a popular Hindu deity.
This extensive Hindu precinct is a collection of temples raised over the centuries along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River and is included as one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO’s designation of Kathmandu Valley as a cultural heritage site.
On day three of the trek, I woke early to see the sunrise over Bohinj. Our hostel had a private beach situated on the south central side of the like. On the right hand side, the sun was rising between the peaks behind Stara Fužina casting soft beams of light through the valley. To the left side, across the lake,there was a long line of low clouds running above the lake but below the peaks. I later saw the exact same conditions depicted on a postcard so this must be a regular occurrence. This time of day the lake was very quiet but as the sun rose, slowly the lake came to life with rowers, swimmers, and paddle boarders. Looking into the shallows I could see many trout swimming back and forth and the water was so clear you could see every detail of the fish as if they were suspended in air. You could even clearly see their shadows passing over the lake bed below them.
After sitting out for at least an hour I returned to our room where we packed up to start hiking. We went to the building where breakfast was served and got in the breakfast buffet line. We had tea, coffee, apples and Nutella, meat and cheese, and cereal. The room had large windows with a lovely view of the lake just across the street.
We began our hike around the lake and stopped at the west end to get a few Fruitabella bars to snack on throughout the day. It feels notable to mention somewhere in here that by this day it had become clear that Maddie had burnt the ever loving shit out of her skin the day previously with the endless sun exposure on the ridge… Her neck and legs of all places were both absolutely fried and the effects of this would go on to take about the rest of the month to heal, as her skin blistered and developed little pustules; I think skin poisoning…. I was also burnt on my legs and neck and arms but nowhere near as badly. So from here on we were even more careful about applying sunscreen and wearing long pants and hats. But yeah…. CRAZY sunburns!
We began hiking towards the waterfall where many tourists staying at the lake will hike to, called Slap Savica. Apparently a famous Slovenian poet wrote of it and it is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the country. Along the way we stopped at a gift shop across from a restaurant for ice cream and two bottles of water because it was such a hot day and we wanted to conserve our water reserves. My water was lavender flavored and Maddie’s was peach. To get to the fall, we had to pay a small fee and climbed numerous flights of stairs. When we got to the top we were both quite sweaty and my sunscreen was rolling off my arms in white streaks which was also rubbing onto my camera which was clipped to the shoulder strap of my pack. Meanwhile other tourists day hiking were traveling light and looking well dressed. The falls were unique in the way that they emanated from a corner in the rock face and didn’t pour as ver the top but rather came through a hole in the side of the mountain where the limestone had dissolved away. The base of the falls was dammed up the. Flowed over the side. The reason for this wasn’t clear to us but it did create a very beautiful turquoise pool below that added to the mystique. The. We descended the stairs once again, filled our bottle in a fountain, then turned back up the mountain on our trail towards our hut. We climbed many switchbacks and had a few glimpses through the trees looking back at the lake which became farther and farther below. We could see a soft sheet of rain moving through the valley in our direction so we cover our bags with our rain flies but elected to forego jackets because it was so hot. The rain started slow and was a nice way to cool us down. Progressively it began to pour but it didn’t last long until it had passed. Maybe 10-15 minutes. And fortunately it was only rain and no thunderstorms. We continued up and passed through some very nice cool areas of forest that were rich with ferns and other green plant life. This section almost reminded me a bit of Santa Cruz in the Forest of Nicene Marks. Moving on we found a neat human carved cave in the side of the trail which was presumably a relic of WWI. By this point our hut was visible and felt within striking distance. While we ascended a considerable amount from the lake to the hut, this day felt much less demanding than the climbs of day 1, due to the trail quality by having switchbacks and more of a slow and steady approach rather than aggressive climbs straight up scree and boulder fields. Checking into our hut, we were now familiar with the standard processes of removing our boots and putting on the provided hut sandals for Maddie and me putting on my packed Chacos. This hut was a bit bigger but more modern than the first one and had multiple staff working. The guy who checked us in took us to the boot room where sweaty socks were hung to dry from the ceiling. Once they were dropped off we were show up a floor to our bunk room which had a stunning window view facing out to the lake. After dropping our burdens upstairs and meeting our bunk mate, an endontist from the Czech, we went down to get a drink. We asked for the grapefruit radler, but he was quick to offer up the opinion that the he was currently drinking himself was much better, so we took his advice and had two blood orange (I think radlers from RESET Brewery). Later on in the trek we did try the grapefruit radler from Union Brewery and thought it was actually just as delicious in its own right. We sat at an indoor table and looked out the window and at the high quality photos on the wall of our hut, Dom na Kamni in every season. We also enjoying listening to the live versions of Dave Matthew’s and other 90s/00s soft rock bangers that the hut master was playing and intermittently singing along to. Not that we’d been roughing it or too out of our comfort zones, but something about the familiar music and atmosphere of the hut felt so comforting, like there was nowhere on earth where I’d rather be in that moment. After coming for a while we went around the side of the building where there was outdoor tables and lounge chairs. We took two of the chairs 50 yards across the small lawn and onto a flat perch where it appeared that a building used to rest atop. I set my camera for a timeline and took of my shirt to try and even out my ever growing tan lines after hours baking in the direct Slovenian sunshine. Our hut was set in a bowl in the mountains where there were impressive ridge lines every direction you looked as well as the lake. A small rainstorm passed through the basin of the lake below and created a long lived rainbow which was actually a really unique sight because in arced through a blue sky much of the time. Eventually it was dinner time so we went back into the hut and had our meal. We both ordered the bean and sauerkraut soup. I had the one with chunks of ham on top. With our meal there was also mediocre bread and a tasty apple streusel. At sunset we returned to the same spot from before and began recording another Timelapse of the clouds and light climbing up the peaks as daylight faded away. While we sat there, with my legs on either side of Maddie and my arms wrapped around her, she quipped “I pity whatever sucker has to share this sunset spot with us.” At this point we’d been there for at least 20 minutes without anyone else coming up to our viewpoint but ironically at that exact moment a guy with a camera came over the rise and we awkwardly said hello and spaced out a bit. Not surprisingly he only stayed a few minutes. The sunset itself wasn’t too remarkable as all the perfect clouds for two hours before had mostly vanished. But, there was one cloud that got nice color and seemed to stay illuminated pinkish for forever. Our patience to see the color to the end dwindled as our exhaustion increased so we called it quits before the afterglow was done but being 9:30 pm we were still the last ones out watching. After another tremendously long day we went to bed.
End of the academic year celebration for ACC Ascender students on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Eastview Campus.
Dear generals, officers, sergeants, chief petty officers, soldiers, sailors!
Dear Defenders of Ukraine!
Respect. Gratitude. Honor. This is what our people feel when it comes to you. When our people hear about you, see you, see how you destroy the enemy, his missiles, his drones, his bases, his arrogance. See how you defend Ukraine.
Respect. Gratitude. Honor. And goosebumps. When we say "Glory to Ukraine" and respond "Glory to the Heroes." For we know who we are talking about. We know who our heroes are – true, brave, and worthy. Those about whom we speak our best words. Those who celebrate their day on December 6th. For this is your day – the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Day of the Ukrainian Warrior.
How much power lies in these two words: “Ukrainian warrior.” How much courage, emotion, and gratitude they carry. Gratitude to you, Ukrainian warrior! How much genuineness is in you. Not loud words, but humanity. Truth. Sincerity of those who stood up to defend Ukraine – both ten years ago and on February 24th. Those who were born warriors, and those who became them. Very different people. Ukrainian men and women, of different ages, different professions, from different regions. Everyone who lived their lives but turned them 180 degrees. Who had a different profession but refused to live under a foreign flag. Some said, "I can't do otherwise." Others said, "If not me, then who?" And some said nothing at all. They simply looked at their children, hugged them tightly, kissed them, walked out the door, and stood up to defend their country.
And at that moment, we had no HIMARS, no Patriots, no F-16s, and so much else was missing. But we had you. Ukrainian warriors. Those who chose Ukraine. Chose to defend what is theirs. What is native. Their hometown, village, street, home, their family. And you have been doing this for 1,000 days. Taking up arms, taking the fate of our country into your hands. Holding it firmly and steadfastly for more than 1,000 days. When it is hard, when it is extremely hot and unbearably cold, day and night, you hold the front, you hold the line of freedom, you hold on yourselves, and because of you, everyone holds on, Ukraine holds on. Thanks to you, Ukrainian warrior!
And all these days are reflected in your eyes today. In the eyes of a Ukrainian warrior, you can read and see everything. Eyes that have witnessed war, death, evil, that have been eaten away by smoke, but in which life does not fade. In which the fire still burns, keeping alive the flame of hope for the entire nation. You do everything to ensure that in the eyes of our children, there is no despair, no fear, no hopelessness.
And every day we shed tears of pride for you – for our warriors. Every day – tears of pain, when we lose one of you. Someone dear, close, an acquaintance or even someone we don't know, but definitely – for all people – never a stranger. Family. To all of Ukraine.
When each of us hears the words “Ukrainian warrior,” we think of someone we know. A real person comes to mind for everyone. Everyone has a real example. A real hero. Our warrior. A father, husband, brother, grandfather, mother, sister, daughter. A friend, neighbor, mate, coworker, or simply an acquaintance. Someone we know. Someone we are proud of and admire. Someone we write to, asking "How are you?" and feel relieved when the message is read. Someone we strive to help, in any way we can – by completing a fundraiser or simply sending a drawing, as our children do. And someone who, sadly, is no longer with us, yet whose number we cannot bring ourselves to delete from our phone. Because their name cannot be erased from our memory.
Over 1,000 days of battle for the state. Over 700,000 enemy losses. For us, they are nameless, dishonorable; for us and for history, they deserve nothing but shame and contempt.
Yet all of us cry out in our souls during moments of silence for our fallen. And when our people kneel, bidding farewell to one of their heroes on their final journey, God sees it from heaven. And He takes our side.
God sees how many blue and yellow flags are on graves today. How many heroes have ascended to heaven, carried on a shield, while defending earthly human things. Their home, their mother, their child – and with them, their Ukraine. Which is above all. And the memory of you is above all. Because each of you is a hero. Each of you is a great person. I ask that we honor every one of them with a moment of silence now.
Thank you.
Our esteemed warriors!
Respect. Gratitude. Honor. From the entire Ukrainian people, to each of you. To everyone who, with blood, tears, and fire, is writing a new history of independent Ukraine. Writing everywhere. In Kharkiv, in Sumy, in Zaporizhzhia, in our Kherson region, and in such challenging directions as Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Kupyansk.
On all the hottest frontlines of Ukraine where Ukraine fights. Where you fight. Our Ground Forces, our Air Force and Naval Forces, our artillery, our intelligence, our paratroopers, Special Operations Forces, Territorial Defense, Unmanned Systems Forces – all of you, our warriors. Together, you are the force. Together, you are the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Those who do the essential, and the impossible. Protect our freedom. Safeguard the Ukrainian spirit that, after this war, will be preserved and carried forward by every generation of Ukrainians. From every corner of our country. Of different ages and professions. Everyone. Ukrainian teachers, Ukrainian students, all our people – all Ukrainians who will always have our state that must endure. Because the Ukrainian warrior must endure.
All of you who are fighting today. Those recovering from wounds. Those who have returned from captivity – and those we will undoubtedly bring home. And those we will never forget.
Dear nation! Ukrainians!
In our history, there are two dates that stand side by side on the calendar and are connected to one another. December 5th and December 6th. Two dates with different flavors. Two distinct lessons learned by the Ukrainian people during this time.
Yesterday marked 30 years since the signing of the Budapest Memorandum. Today, we understand with absolute certainty that the true, foremost, most effective, most reliable guarantor of our security is the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
We thank you for this!
May death avoid the brave.
May everything for you be 4.5.0.
May your valor endure, may your glory shine, and may we all share in Ukraine’s victory.
Congratulations, warriors!
Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!
End of the academic year celebration for ACC Ascender students on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Eastview Campus.
Thanks to all my friends for sticking by me. This is the total opposite of my roots here in Flickr. I still love macros and DOF! Thanks for letting me spread my wings. I love you guys still...
I've just about finished fitting out my kayak, for a while anyway. I've added a traveller for the anchor, the water tight storage box in the rear well - now painted camo green, there's a holder for my ammo dry box and another for the small drybox for my cell phone, weather radio and walkie-talkie. I've also added a small compass for lake and night fishing navigating. All I need now is to add a light. I've also changed the clour of the paddles to cammo green, so it's all a lot more harmonious with the surroundings; at least that is the plan.
08 October 2010 | Copyright © 2012 www.ozarkswalkabout.com
Magnificent view while ascending Mt. Pilatus.
The top of the mountain can be reached with the Pilatus Railway, claimed to be the world’s steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad, operating from May to November (depending on snow conditions), and the whole year with the aerial panorama gondolas and aerial cableways from Kriens.
Mt. Pilatus (The Alps), Lucerne, Switzerland