Chris and I ventured to the Grand Canyon after two flights, on little sleep, immediately followed by a four-hour drive to the national park to arrive at sunrise for optimum photographic value. In the lowest of early morning light, we were dismayed by the temporary construction of a viewpoint thinking we drove all this way for nothing. Overcoming our delirium, we ventured further down the road to find a misty, scuddy, mind boggling abyss. As we approached this giant crevice of the Earth, and as most travelers before us, we were immediately awestruck by its sheer magnitude.

More to come.

Reveling in their last days of a high school career, Valley Regional students set sail for their Senior Reception aboard the Mystique, a Lady Katharine Cruise ship. The casually-attired event featured an evening of fine dining, dancing and charming scenery along the Connecticut River.

The Essex Rotary Club held their 52nd Annual Shad Bake last weekend – just another one of those simply delicious New England traditions. The Rotarians, whom take great pride in their shad, provided me with a complete “shaducation” detailing the process from start to finish.

Shad is similar to that of salmon – a freshwater fish that swims upstream once a year to reproduce, typically living 1-2 years.  The shad is cut into fillets, flavored with paprika and a “magic sauce,” secured to white oak boards up to 22 years-old with strips of salt pork and nails, placed in a fiery, sand pit for forty minutes (rotated twice) cooked by radiant heat, then moved into a final detaching station involving a vacuum and nail remover before it enters the kitchen. You can view the holes gathered over time in the boards pictured above.

Since shad is a white fish it worried me from the start fearing it would taste like a lifeless tilapia. However, it’s got more of a swordfish texture – a fish with more meat on its little bones. Mmm, Mmm.

The Essex Boat Show was the first of its kind situated in the historic hamlet. Aboard the At & Is, a sailboat named after his grandchildren, Atley and Elizabeth, Jim Eastland overlooks the docks as though he were out at sea.

Some more images of discerning bystanders:

In all honesty, I believe the kids just like the idea that they can run through a sprinkler on hot Summer-esque day.

And for those like me who are enamored by birds, but don’t know what the hell they are, give the WhatBird site a try – It will blow your mind!

East Rock stands at a staggering 366 feet and features a gargantuan 112-foot pillar known as the “Soldiers and Sailors Monument.” Atop on a clear day, one could see for miles supposedly stretching as far as four or five surrounding states. I have yet to bear witness.

The weather-beaten copper obelisk commemorates New Haven history by paying homage to courageous residents whose lives perished during the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War. Attached are some older images taken of the monument up close.

There’s a rooster somewhere in my neighborhood. It just caws and warbles from someplace unknown. It’s not even strictly in the morning, but in the afternoon. It’s such a strange bird. It’s not the one pictured above, but that’s what I think of when I look at it.

Hay House is an active, year-round farm located in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. It is an eclectic landscape and gathering grounds with it’s leafy arbors, straw bale barns, drying tobacco leaves, kennel of dogs, makeshift enclosures and the first Buddhist Stupa in the state. The farm is maintained by David Brown and his farm manager, Ryan Karb. At this time, they’ve begun preparation for participation in a Summer CSA program and for the season to come.

High School Musical are at their all time high. This girl is playing the witch for the production of “Into the Woods.” She is calling out to the giant who keeps taking lives until Jack is delivered. In the smaller image, John Lampe directs his double cast in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”