Category Travel | Terri Beloit PhotoBlog

August 28, 2011August 28, 2011 by Terri

Taylor Family | {sun and fun Florida syle}

First of all, my apologies to this family for the delay in posting their blog….it’s been a bit crazy the past few weeks and it’s been killing me to not get this one posted. SO…finally, I’m getting it done. Meet the Taylor family, who live in Palm Bay, Florida…Mark, Erin, Evan and Jack…oh, and we can’t forget Rocket! Earlier this month I had the pleasure of staying with them for a few days with my granddaughter for a mini surprise (not for me, for my granddaughter!) vacation. We had a blast and hopefully, soon, I will get a post with some of the photos from the trip! Evan is a friend of my granddaughter, Jayden, and it was fun to get to spend time with them in this beautiful (and VERY hot) location! Yes, it was plenty warm here in Florida….especially when you consider that in the Pacific Northwest, the summer weather was averaging about 70-75 and practically no humidity! Florida was the upper 90’s with the humidity pretty close to that as well! We ended up shooting on two different days because of the heat and BRIGHT sunshine!! Our first day we were at Satellite Beach along the Atlantic Ocean. It was beautiful and the beach just gorgeous, but also quite hot by the time we arrived and the heat, hungry kids and eventually wet and sandy kids, we didn’t get quite what we wanted that day…hence, the second day. I will say that after we refreshed Evan and Jayden, I took them back to the beach to play in the water and what fun they had (more pics later from that!)…oh, how I love the ocean!!! Our second day was in Mark and Erin’s back yard which actually allowed us to include Rocket in a few photos as well…and although better, it was still HOT and bright….and humid….we managed and the kids were troopers, but you can see, we were losing them eventually, especially Jack…and I can’t say that I blame him! So…meet the Taylor’s, a lovely young family!

As you can see, water and sand were quickly added to the wardrobes, but isn’t that what it’s all about when you are at the beach!?!!

Evan was not quite sure what I was up to…and little did he know that I was hoping he’d turn around! Erin has a beautiful smile and great eyes…and was obviously much more cooperative than the boys (little and big!!).

After beach time and cleaning up, I managed to get Evan onto the patio of the condo we were so graciously allowed to crash that day….the light was fabulous…as was Evan….doesn’t he have a GREAT smile!!

And, I even managed to get Jack out there, and he was having so much fun with the binonculars….he has the BEST eyes and I absolutely LOVE his hair (and Evan’s!)….it’s wonderful!

Okay, we’re now back in Palm Bay….and I couldn’t resist a few photos of mom and dad with the boys….We managed to get them all looking at the camera for at least one shot…most of the time it was playtime, at least for the boys…I must say, Erin sure has her hands full with the boys (all of them!!).

Trying to get boys and dogs all happy and paying attention, most certainly a challenge – and one that I’m not so sure I was very successful at this day, but here are a couple and I must say, I almost like the one with Jack crying the best…he was not happy about staying put, he just wanted something to drink as he was hot….poor little guy!

Probably one of my favorite photos of Jack and Evan…these little guys are adorable and I can tell by their blond hair and blue eyes that mom and dad will have to keep tabs on the girls who come by as they get older….it could be a bit busy when they get older!

Just thought I’d share this shot from the beach, of Evan and Jayden after playing in the ocean….both still with smiles, even though they didn’t want to leave…they had the best time together!

Mark and Erin, thank you for your hospitality and showing us the area…we had a fabulous time and were sad to leave…I hope you enjoy the photos and that they’ll hold you over until your gallery is ready! Take care and by the way, you can keep your heat and humidity…I must say the weather here at home is a bit easier to take!!

March 6, 2011 by Terri

Memories of Paradise | {kapturing Kauai}

Oh, the memories of paradise, warm weather, blue skies, sandy beaches, the sound of the ocean waves at night and so much more…that will have to carry us for a while during our re-adjustment back to reality!! It’s been a couple of days and we are bundled up with extra layers of clothes, and trying to open our eyes each morning without the sunshine to wake us…an adjustment, but it is one we are willing to do after having such a fabulous time in Kauai! Work, laundry, chores, and life have come back into our daily lives and that is just fine…as much as we LOVED vacation…we LOVE our life, our family, our work and our home…so back to reality we go!

Here are a few more photos to share from our last couple of days on Kauai…nothing as exciting as the helicopter ride, but still beautiful and so relaxing…it’s a vacation we will remember for a lifetime and someday we will return there to explore a bit more of that piece of paradise!!

Here in Puyallup, there has actually been some sunshine this weekend and that’s been nice, even if the weekend has been filled with errands and chores…we did manage to get a walk in this afternoon with our granddaughter, dog and my cousin’s dog, who we are watching…it was a real treat and great to get some fresh air and exercise…and a sign that spring is on it’s way…some day!! I hope you all have had a great weekend and a good week ahead…it’s hard to believe that March is here…and later this month we’ll we welcoming a new season…and hopefully, some drier and warmer weather!!

Our trail on a great walk to find a waterfall….talk about natural beauty!!

Wailau Falls…we flew over this in the helicopter and then drove to it a couple of days later…great view, but the view from the helicopter was better!!

Couldn’t resist this entrance to the ranch…loved all the details and textures!!

Our trail to the falls and the stream we walked along side…SO peaceful…I LOVE places like this!!

Another great shot of the stream…taken by my wonderful husband…who has a great eye!!!!

Beach…footprints in the sand…the surf…my idea of one of the most peaceful places on earth!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the ocean waters…textures, colors and sounds!!

Our last beach walk…and we came across this branch with a lei blowing in the wind…how could I resist…all the elements fit together beautifully!

Palm trees, blue skies with puffy white clouds, the ocean and a warm breeze…truly a tropical paradise!!

One last beach shot of my hubby and I…and really, I did have a swim suit on…you just can’t see it….I promise!!!

Simple…what I like best…the contrast of the textures drew me right in!!!

Dog prints…just as good as the footprints…I love the details in the sand!

Another “drive-by” shooting…or walk by…as it really was…couldn’t resist…these two carrying the white boards had just finished a surfing lesson with the gentleman in the red board shorts!

As I look at this…I can hear the sounds of the ocean and the voices of the people…and feel the warmth of the sun…I miss it!!!

Another of the pier…loved how all the elements came into play for this…it wouldn’t have been the same with a perfectly clear sky!

Elements of design…it’s everywhere we look.

A beautiful old church, Wai’oli Hui’ia Church, in Hanalei was completed in 1912…what a beautiful landmark!

ALOHA…if anyone is ever considering heading to Kauai…I’d love to give you some suggestions…or ideas…it’s a wonderful place to visit and although different from each of the other islands…it has it’s own unique qualities which are wonderful and beautiful…and just waiting to be enjoyed by you!!

in Personal / Travel 4 comments

March 3, 2011March 3, 2011 by Terri

Paradise Gets BETTER! | {kapturing Kauai}

Greetings and aloha…from the beautiful (and very wet right now!) island of Kauai….we are actually sitting in the airport, waiting for our flight to Oahu and from there, we have one more flight, back to Seattle! It’s been a GREAT stay and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed our time here…and explored this wonderful, tropical location. As I’d said before, it was our first visit here and we will return, there is more to see. We didn’t “go-g0” on this vacation as we wanted some time to just relax and soak up a bit of the sunshine, so it’s been a nice blend of relaxing and sight-seeing…just perfect! Last night the rain arrived and did it ever rain…really hard, making us feel almost like we were back home in Puyallup!! This morning it was lighter rain as we loaded the car to head across the island to the airport, but by the time we arrived at the airport…it was POURING!! Oh well, I guess it’s just a way to make it easier for us to say “goodbye” to Kauai for now….and although we are returning to rain (and cold!) at home…it’s time, we miss the comforts and routine of home…well, not totally, but some things we miss!

Here are some photos from the middle of our time here…I’ll post another blog in a few days with the last couple of days here…so as to not overwhelm you right now! We did take a helicopter ride over the island on Monday and WOW…was that ever spectacular!! When we awoke that morning, it was quite cloudy and there were a few sprinkles on our way there, but it all worked out just great. This wasn’t a “doors-off” ride (next time, definitely!!), but it was still amazing…and we were lucky enough to get the front seats and therefore some wonderful photos to share with everyone the amazing view from “above” of this glorious island! So…here we go…..

One of the first scenic shots from the helicopter, just after we took off and started our tour of the island!!

Here we are – after a “first” for us…but certainly not the last time we’ll do this…it was SO worth the cost….highly recommended!!!!

If you have followed me at all, you’ll know that I’m a “sun star” sort of gal…and so here’s one of many that I took while on the island…how could I resist….palm tree, sun, blue sky and some nice clouds!!

We were lucky enough while walking on Poi Pu beach to see this monk seal, just sunning himself! It was pretty neat…I have a book I’d bought my granddaughter a few years about about monk seals and now I can share this photo with her (and a short video I have of it as well).

Another spectacular view from the helicopter…there are so many great waterfalls on this island, but many are not easily found or seen from the ground…so this was a real treat to see them from above!!

Again…from the helicopter…the canyons were stunning…and the change in terrain was incredible to see from the air…even with the clouds (and rain) we had during the flight!

The Na Pali Coast, from the air…I just LOVE the waters…and the contrast from the white of the waves and the black and green of the cliffs on the coast…truly breathtaking!!

This is Wailua Falls, which is one of those you can reach by car (and we did), but from the air…wow, a whole different perspective!!!

Sunset…one of our favorite parts of each day…not ever day had the color of this, but it was still beautiful being on the coast…we would usually sit on the patio and watch the surfers, the waves, sometimes the whales as the sun set…that’s just about perfect!!

Coming in, at the end of our helicopter ride….another view of the coast (the other side of the island)…I would never tire of seeing something like this…our pilot, Ben (Jack Harter Helicopters) was so knowledgeable and gave us great information about the island…and it was of no surprise, that he’s originally from Seattle!!

At a distance out, the view from our patio of the condo…we saw spouts nearly every day from the whales…and here, you can see, there are at least five of them together. Sometimes they would flip their tales and occasionally come out, but mostly it was what you see here!

Underneath the pier at Hanalei beach…loved the view and perspective…and of course, being around the water was a huge bonus…we came down to this beach several mornings and walked from one end to the other, about 3 1/2 miles round trip…such a GREAT walk, but then again, when walking on a beach, when isn’t it great!!!

Couldn’t resist this…love watching the kids at the beach and this little girl was just evaluation her sand castle…and from the back, I knew this had to be taken…so I did my “drive by shooting” which is “walk and shoot” as we strolled along!

When I found this snag on the beach, I knew I had to spend some time with it…and I did, on two occasions…so interesting and it definitely added interest to my photos…and the blue sky…it was that blue and so beautiful!!

Simple is sometimes the best…when I saw this leaf floating along, I couldn’t resist…and add the ripples of the water and the color of the sand….it was a MUST shoot kind of shot for me!

Another of the pier, this time, from above!! It was funny as the locals all park on the beach and surfing was quite popular around there…and many visitors were taking lessons…fun to watch and what a great beach to check out if you are ever on Kauai!

Time to return home…we are waiting for our first flight to Oahu, it’s running a bit late, I’m guessing because of the rain and winds…just hoping we get out on time, or close to it, so we make our next flight to Seattle. Not that being stuck an extra day in Hawaii is such a bad thing, but when your luggage is all checked and you just have the clothes on your back (oh, of course, the computer and the camera gear!)…it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun, and especially if it continues to rain….at this point, we are ready to return home…and get back to routine (well, sort of!!) and even if it’s colder at home, spring is on it’s way and it HAS to get warmer (and drier) soon!! I hope this finds you all doing well and looking forward to the weekend, if it’s your weekend…Aloha, for now!

in Just Because / Personal / Travel 2 comments