Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: A Destination for All Seasons

The quaint town of Bayfield Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Superior, is the gateway to the magnificent Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a year-round visitor destination. Enjoy a slide show highlighting the culture and natural beauty of this area by logging on to  10BEST/USATODAY Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

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Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Gulf of California, Baja Mexico

Just when I thought I'd fulfilled my "bucket list" requirement for 2014 with a magical trip to the Galapagos Islands, my husband Tony and I received the incredible opportunity to travel with the outfitter Baja AirVentures from San Diego to the Gulf of California for the truly once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with docile whale sharks, the largest "fish" in the sea.

Getting there was half the fun. Gliding over the massive terrain of the Baja California Peninsula and the coastline of the Gulf of California was almost a religious experience...it was so breathtakingly beautiful. Before we knew it, our plane gently descended onto the air strip at Bahia de los Angeles to begin our adventure.

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A scenic boat ride from town brought us to Las Animas Eco-Lodge, where our expectations were again exceeded, as we really weren't expecting such comfort in such a remote location. As we pulled into the placid harbor and docked on the expansive, white sandy beach, we felt as if we were part of a “world’s most beautiful beaches” travel magazine spread. This is "glamping" at its finest (glamorous camping for those of you not familiar with this term). 

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The meals were lovingly-prepared and tasty and we often enjoyed fresh fish caught that day as well as ceviche and other local specialties.

The staff was exceptional in all aspects, genuinely eager to please us and cater to our every need. Our pilot guides Fred and Andy, in addition to being expert aviators, astounded us with the scope of their vast knowledge of the history, wildlife and fauna of the region. Their guidance did much to enhance our appreciation of this magnificent place, and their genuine love of Las Animas shone through in all their communications with our group.

Why did we choose this trip? A recent visit to the Galapagos Islands in March of this year whetted our appetites for more such soft travel adventures. We had heard from friends that the Midriff Islands in Baja California’s Gulf of California is known as “The Galapagos of North America” so we were intrigued. A quick internet search brought us to the Baja AirVentures web site, where (after reading all the glowing reviews) we booked the “Whale Shark” tour.

And YES, it is the Galapagos of North America! Topographically, the regions are very similar, although we enjoyed a rare occurrence:  the greening of the otherwise arid desert landscape because of the heavy rains of September. As in the Galapagos, we viewed blue-footed (and even yellow-footed) booby birds, magnificent frigates, countless sea lions, Sally-Lightfoot crabs, manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins and many other species both regions share. And while giant tortoises don't roam the wetlands as in the Galapagos, the gentle, magnificent whale sharks more than make up for this omission.

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 The highlight of this voyage was to experience the proximity of these rare and elusive creatures. At one point, we counted 24 gentle giants swimming around us. Unbelievable! I must mention that even though you may not feel inclined or capable of jumping in the water to swim with the whale sharks, you will be able to admire them just as easily from the excursion boat that took us out daily.

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I also must add that we were a group of 8 travelers from around the country (of various ages and walks of life) who started out as strangers and departed as friends, bonded by memories of a magical travel experience.

On our final evening, several of us walked along the shore and watched the sparkles under our feet and the glowing fish in the waves, the bio-luminescence phenomenon of the ocean that I have read about but never experienced. And oh, the heavenly sky in this wilderness defies description. I’ll never forget the site of that jet black globe peppered with glowing stars and constellations, including a magnificent Milky Way the likes of which I’ve never seen and will never forget.

We may be physically back home in San Diego, but our hearts are still on the shores of Las Animas Wilderness Lodge. And I suspect they might remain there for quite a while…..

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, please log onto my PHOTO WEBSITE for a gallery of photos of this incredible adventure.

Photo Tour of the "Discovery of King Tut" Exhibition at San Diego's Natural History Museum

 Residents and visitors to San Diego had the opportunity in 2014 to go back in time 3,000+ years to experience the discovery of the tomb of the legendary 18-year-old Egyptian King Tutankhamun, aka King Tut.

VIDEO OF THE EXHIBITION

King Tut Death Mask, © Joanne DiBona

King Tut Death Mask, © Joanne DiBona

 

     Making its West Coast debut, the breathtaking exhibition presents a recreation of the legendary boy king’s tomb and treasures exactly as they were discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.

     Because the fragile originals are no longer permitted to tour outside of Egypt, this exhibit features 1,000 scientifically-produced replicas hand-crafted by Egyptian artisans.

     For those who might hesitate to view less than the "real" thing, rest assured that this exhibit will definitely not disappoint, but vividly bring ancient history back to the 21st Century.

    As pointed out by Mark Lach, creative director at Premier Exhibitions, Inc., presenter of the exhibition, "Because we are using recreations of the originals, we are able to stage the exhibit to replicate the astonishing discovery of the tomb by Howard Carter in every detail, something that wasn't possible up to now." 

     Sure enough, the visitor is taken through scenes that exactly replicate what Carter and his companions must have viewed in their initial entry into the tomb, in every detail, and through every chamber leading to the discovery of King Tut's magnificent, multi-level sarcophagus. Audio tour equipment augments the visitor experience.

     For more information on upcoming exhibits, call 619.232.3821 or visit www.sdnat.org.

King Tut Royal Throne          © Joanne DiBona

King Tut Royal Throne          © Joanne DiBona

Getting the Best Shot? Here are My Favorite Travel Photography Tips...

I am honored to be designated as USA Today/10 Best's "Travel Photography Expert." I only had 10 words to describe each tip in this list, and I hope these succinct tips can help budding travel photographers get the best shot.. I still use them myself on every shoot.

Getting the Best Shot---USA TODAY/10Best

Photographers Getting Their Best Shot, Galapagos Islands            ©Joanne DiBona

Photographers Getting Their Best Shot, Galapagos Islands            ©Joanne DiBona

Elkhart Lake: Wisconsin's Historic Playground

The state of Wisconsin is filled with charming, historical visitor destinations, such as Elkhart Lake.

Please enjoy my USA Today photo show on this delightful town. Visit my Elkhart Lake Photo Gallery for more images of this charming Wisconsin destination.

The historic Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake Wisconsin   ©Joanne DiBona

The historic Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake Wisconsin   ©Joanne DiBona

Following in Darwin's Footsteps--Glorious Images of the Galapagos Islands

Ever dream about a trip to the Galapagos Islands? I have for years, and I finally was able to check it off my travel bucket list. Enjoy my photos of this enchanting archipelago as we follow in Darwin's footsteps.

USA TODAY TRAVEL

Taste Your Good Fortune at KITCHEN 1540 in Del Mar, California

If your travels find you in the charming seaside community of Del Mar, California, some twenty miles north of downtown San Diego, celebrate your good fortune. Not only will you be afforded majestic views of the California coast and the pleasure of meandering through the quaint and picturesque town of Del Mar, you are in the perfect location to enjoy a culinary experience at KITCHEN 1540, located in the historic seaside hotel, L'Auberge Del Mar.

The brainchild behind the taste sensations on the restaurant's new menu is Chef Brandon Fortune. Classically trained at the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Atlanta, Brandon's creations are modern American with a decidedly Southern influence based on his Southeastern roots.

                           ©Joanne DiBona

                           ©Joanne DiBona

KITCHEN 1540's sleek, modern décor is sophisticated and comfortable at the same time, and sets a perfect stage for a variety of innovative dishes sure to please the most discriminating palate.

So what can diners expect from Fortune's menu?

Start off your culinary adventure with a tastefully arranged platter of cold-smoked trout and organic beets. Cured steelhead saltwater trout and tender beets are embellished with a blood orange vinaigrette, black walnuts, and feathered horseradish, served with a side of chive-potato cakes.

Those who prefer a warm appetizer might elect a plate of asparagus and grilled wild ramps. Described by the chef as “spring on a plate,” this vegetarian dish features organic wild ramps and asparagus with parmesan and pecorino cheeses shaved on top. A delightful French-inspired cream sauce made with eggs and lemon and lightly toasted caraway seeds is the perfect dressing for this vegetable creation.

                   Shrimp and Grits, a Passionate Combination ©Joanne DiBona

                   Shrimp and Grits, a Passionate Combination ©Joanne DiBona

Shrimp and grits, the Chef's signature entree, elevates grits to new heights, thanks to a roasted corn and chorizo cream and succulent fresh shrimp. A topping of popcorn adds a whimsical theme to the plate. Chef Fortune admits he used this dish to woo his wife, a testimony to the old adage, “The way to the heart is through the stomach.”

Seafood specialties include the popular “still smoking scallops,” presented sizzling hot surrounded by asparagus and coriander puree, wild chanterelles, and smoked almonds powdered with lemon-thyme buds. The flaky North Pacific Halibut is served with celery root puree, mushrooms, spring carrots, and garnished with crispy fiddlehead ferns.

Chocolate lovers will delight in the malted milk chocolate mousse, one of several excellent desserts available to satisfy your sweet tooth. Roasted almonds and chocolate crunch, topped with homemade coffee ice cream, provides a decadently delicious end to a perfect meal.

For a complete menu, visit www.laubergedelmar.com. For several of my images of Kitchen 1540 and Chef Fortune's culinary masterpieces, log onto the San Diego Scenic Photos site.

Try it out if you are in Del Mar-- and raise a glass to your good fortune.

This simple SLR Holder makes life easy for the scenic photographer

My husband Tony and I, who work together as a travel journalist team, were faced with a dilemma when we learned we would be traveling to the Galapagos Islands on a photo assignment.

It was time to make some changes.

We managed to ignore the frustration we’ve felt for years, annoyed at the “thump thump thump” of our Canon SLRs across our chests, as we hiked over rocks and crevices on our travels in search of the perfect scenic photos.  Strapping our cameras around our necks was okay for city tours, but the moment we got out into nature, we were constantly frustrated by the discomfort our SLRs caused during strenuous hikes. We were also ever fearful of damaging our equipment in the event of a slip and fall on a treacherous path.

There had to be a better way.

A short internet search later, we found the perfect SLR carrier, HoldSLR.

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This ingenious holder attaches onto a belt or backpack, giving you immediate access to your camera when that perfect shot comes along. No more fumbling through your photo bag or backpack to find your SLR.  This camera holder allows you to access your SLR at a moment’s notice to capture those magical moments in photography that can truly disappear in an instant.

Our backpacks were not equipped with frontal straps, but we quickly determined that the HoldSLR worked beautifully strapped to the belts of our pants.

We can highly endorse this product! It is the perfect solution for field, landscape, wedding, adventure, and travel photographers who need to get to their camera quickly, and above all, comfortably.

Mariposa, Ca: Historic Gateway to Yosemite

The old mining town of Mariposa is the perfect place to begin an adventure into Yosemite National Park.

Not only does the town exude charm and historical significance, it offers a wide option of overnight accommodations and amenities a mere 40-minute drive to Yosemite Valley.

View my photo essay of this charming Gold Rush town at the 10best.com/USA Today link:

This historic town of Mariposa, Gateway to Yosemite National Park  © Joanne DiBona

This historic town of Mariposa, Gateway to Yosemite National Park  © Joanne DiBona

A Whale of an Adventure Off the Southern California Coast

Winter marks the beginning of whale watching season in Southern California. From January through April, Pacific grey whales can be viewed relatively close to shore as they make their way to mate and calf in the warm lagoons of Mexico's Baja California. Whale watching cruises, many of which offer unique experiences, are available from ports along the entire Southern California coast.

Enjoy a photo slide show at the 10Best.com/USA Today link:

Photo courtesy Carla Mitroff, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

Photo courtesy Carla Mitroff, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching

 

Where in the World is Oxnard, California?

Despite its unusual name, Oxnard is a hip, happening, and affordable visitor destination in southern California. Located an hour north of Los Angeles on California's Central Coast, Oxnard boasts seven miles of white sandy beaches, a picturesque harbor, farm-to-table international cuisine, outstanding museums, wine tasting, and a historic downtown district.

Oxnard California, Beach Scene   © Joanne DiBona

Oxnard California, Beach Scene   © Joanne DiBona

See all that Oxnard offers the visitor on our 10Best/USA Today Link.