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Europe

Winter hiking in Grindelwald, Switzerland: a photo gallery

January 9, 2020 by Matthew

View from a ski trail overlooking groomed ski runs with snow covered chalets leading down the mountain. In the background are the dramatic Alpine peaks of Schreckfeld and Schrekhorn. The clouds surround the peaks in a dramatic way that opens to some patches of blue sky.

To read a fun story about my ambition to reach the Top of Europe attraction while snow hiking around Grindelwald, go HERE. I was in Switzerland about 20 years ago and our aging relatives Rosie and Renee toured us all around the country. We stopped through Grindelwald briefly and I vowed I'd always return to the Alps when I could spend more time wandering in the … [Read more...] about Winter hiking in Grindelwald, Switzerland: a photo gallery

Newgrange Ireland winter solstice. What it’s like to experience the shortest day of the year in a Stone Age neolith.

December 21, 2019 by Matthew

The rays of sunlight beginning to make way into the chamber inside Newgrange.

My Irish ancestors might've wandered the same hills throughout the Boyne Valley thousands of years ago, and I feel their energy as hundreds of kindred spirits join hands in a circle to honor the shortest day of the year with a minute of strikes on a ceremonial gong held by a woman dressed in white. The Newgrange Ireland winter solstice experience brings to life mystical vibes … [Read more...] about Newgrange Ireland winter solstice. What it’s like to experience the shortest day of the year in a Stone Age neolith.

Ukraine Week

November 22, 2019 by Matthew

St. Michaels Monastery is a complex of orthodox buildings including the older wood church with white walls and black onion dome in the foreground and the bright blue main church with golden spires in the background.

All this talk about Kyiv (Kiev) these days reminds me of my own experience in Ukraine last July, 2019.  I wasn’t sitting in a restaurant next to the American diplomats discussing official relations and military aid, but Kyiv is bustling with a feeling that you’re in the middle of a spy novel, waiting for Jason Bourne to come running out of a back alley to jump … [Read more...] about Ukraine Week

Experience Kiev in one day – 10 ways

November 21, 2019 by Matthew

The main church in the complex at St. Michael's Monastery is alive with bright blue walls and shiny golden spires.

Kiev is a welcoming, energetic, intriguing city in a country struggling to maintain a unique identity in the world. The stately capitol city is bursting with tasty food, friendly people, interesting sites and Cyrillic signs. Unfortunately because of a time crunch I was left with only about 48 hours in Ukraine. Since one full day was devoted to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone I … [Read more...] about Experience Kiev in one day – 10 ways

Photo Gallery: Kiev, Ukraine

November 21, 2019 by Matthew

A sweeping view of the grand square in front of St. Sofia's Cathedral in Central Kiev.

Kiev is a welcoming, energetic, intriguing city in a country struggling to maintain a unique identity in the world. The stately capitol city is bursting with tasty food, friendly people, interesting sites and Cyrillic signs. I spent a very full day in the metropolis of 2.9M people and these are a few of my favorite shots. Only have one day to spend in the Ukraine capitol … [Read more...] about Photo Gallery: Kiev, Ukraine

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I would like to acknowledge that much of my inspiration comes from living on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

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