In 2007, in my pre-SLR days, a few friends, Tony, and I joined a few travelers from the U.K. in the back of a rattling van that wound its way slowly through a tiny mountain pass in Norway.  We were on our way to Nigardsbreen, a tiny arm of Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier in Europe.  The road was sometimes so narrow that two cars couldn't pass through it, so oncoming traffic had to hug the side and wait for the other car to pass.

When we arrived it was a little surreal.  A boat docked at one end of the glacier-fed lake ferried us across, and Nigardsbreen, that seemingly tiny finger of the Jostedal Glacier, loomed over us, larger than life.

Being southern California bred, I wore practically all my clothes for this one, because despite the tiny glint of sunlight, it was cold.  Our host wore "knickers" (which looked sort of like capri pants to me), and seemed impervious to the temperature.  The two photos of us below were taken by my friend Shu Ping.  We fancied that we looked sort of like an REI ad (or maybe the Village people).

We drank the fresh water from one of the streams and on our hike back we got a little lost and encountered some errant sheep  (pictured above) that followed us partway back.  After climbing a few hills (crossing private property, no doubt) and meeting a few puzzled locals, we made it down just in time to meet our host, buy blueberries from a local farm, and return home.  

The intention was just to post one or two favorite photos, but the Alhambra is just so physically stunning that it was impossible to do.  The day we arrived it was so hot that I was ready to call it quits when we repeatedly got lost navigating Granada's windy alleys.  I wouldn't have been able to retrace our steps if my life depended on it.  But the view of the Alhambra, commandingly situated over the rest of Granada, was worth it.

And another great idea is to follow up a trek in afternoon heat with tea and pastries in a quiet corner of the Arabian quarter.

The interior of the Alhambra is a rambling affair.  Both Islamic and Christian influences intertwine throughout the compound.  One trick to recognizing the differences is that Islamic architecture tends to have modest exteriors and intricate interiors.

My old coworker's boyfriend proposed to her at the Alhambra.  Who says romance is dead?  Oh yeah, Parkway Drive.

Within a few days of eyeing the fashionable ladies in Andalusia, I was convinced that I too could rock the harem pants.  Tony thankfully convinced me otherwise.  I was also amused to see that there's a male version of those pants, too.

And someday, if we ever return, I've got my eye on those Arabic baths.  Potentially touristy, but oh, definitely worth a soak or two...

April showers seem to have made an early appearance this year, so while I'm waiting out the rain, here are a few pictures from the endlessly fascinating city that is Las Vegas.  I went there this past February for WPPI, which was a great time to learn, be inspired, and also have a little fun.

We also ventured out a bit to Red Rock Canyon just as the sun was setting to take a few pics.  Here are a few images of the lovely Kelly, more images later.

I heard that it had snowed in California while people were on their way to WPPI, but unfortunately I missed it.  However, I did get to catch an encore performance.  Flurries of snow pelted a portion of the 15 freeway on my drive back.  The desert is remarkably beautiful when covered in snow. 

And because I can never seem to get enough of Vegas, I recently committed my most impulsive act of the year (so far) -- I signed up for the Rock n' Roll marathon in Las Vegas.   The half/full marathon is an idea that I've tossing around for about a year now.  That combined with the lure of nighttime Vegas lights and music made this difficult for my compulsive nature to resist.  And along the way I've collected a few hardy friends and family willing to run their first marathon right along with me.  Misery certainly loves a whole lot of company. J

The weather was a little moody when four of us went sailing in Redondo. I came with the expectation that we'd be scampering (tightening lines and other things I always see on television), but it was surprisingly peaceful being out on the water.

And at the end of all that hard work... our reward, lunch at Captain Kidd's.