Pic Today 5/31/13

FLORA AND FAUNA

OF COASTAL AUSTRALIA

Along the mountain highlands

are lush temperate rain forests,

with giant ferns, moss bogs

and a cool, constant mist.

There's a sweet smell in the air.

Closer to the coast are groves of eucalyptus,

with sleeping koalas and wild parrots

who sometimes get quite friendly.

Pic Today 5/30/13

AUSTRALIA'S

RUGGED COASTAL BEAUTY

Drive south from Melbourne,

and you're on Australia's famous

Great Ocean Road.

The pristine, icy cold waters of

the Antarctic Ocean . . .

soft sandy sprawling beaches . . .

and magnificent sandstone pillars 

standing guard against massive cliffs.

Sparsely populated towns

dot the coast line, 

with lots of public "pull overs"

to explore the geology and

hand-carved eucalyptus trunks

along the way.

Hike to the edge, if you will.

(Warning signs aren't too subtle

to remind you of the danger.)

A trip through a coastal rain forest

on tomorrow's blog, including

wild parrots and furry koalas.

Pic Today 5/29/13

SCENES FROM MELBOURNE

Tucked in the southeast corner of Australia,

Melbourne is a surprisingly sophisticated city,

a feast for the senses.

Just 200 years old, "Melbin" is a blend of

classic Victorian architecture, shocking modern styles,

setting trends in art, fashion and food.

Recently Melbourne finds itself in the center

of the coffee world . . .

and site of the recently held

2013 World Barista Competition.

(More on that in future blog posts.)

Some scenes from this past week!

(Tomorrow, images from Australia's 

natural beauty from the southern coast.)

Pic Today 5/19/13

HOPPED AWAY

NO BLOG TODAY

Gone "down under," mate!

I hopped away to Australia

(on assignment),

so I'll be gone for a while

(returning 5/28.)

Covering the World Barista Championship

in Melbourne, and a little sightseeing.

Pic Today 5/18/13

ROGUE DINING EVENT

AT MISSOURI WINERY

Missouri is blessed with many small

artisanal wineries, producing excellent

varietal white and red wines.

One superb winery is Sugar Creek Winery,

situated in the rolling hills of Defiance, Missouri.

The Rogue Underground Dining Society

held their 29th gourmet dining event

at Sugar Creek, pairing their 7 courses

with appropriate wines.

The view, the food, the wines, the weather,

the guests, the chefs and staff . . .

it was a beautiful evening.

(Now it's time to pack for my

assignment in Australia.)

Pic Today 5/17/13

THE JOYS OF

A PERENNIAL GARDEN

To witness the first blooms

of a home perennial garden

makes us glad we started gardening.

Pic Today 5/16/13

GLASS GATES

IN THE ROSE GARDEN

Dale Chihuly's glass installation

for the entrance gates to the rose garden.

(Missouri Botanical Garden.)