Islands of Fire

The Galápagos Islands. The name conjures up images of rare birds, giant tortoises and fearless sea lions, but there is another side to this archipelago. A side may appeal to a geologist more than an ornithologist or herpetologist, because the Galápagos are a classic example of a geologic hot spot.

A hot spot is where volcanic islands are formed as a… CONTINUE READING >> 


The Galápagos Islands. The name conjures up images of rare birds, giant tortoises and fearless sea lions, but there is another side to this archipelago. A side may appeal to a geologist more than an ornithologist or herpetologist, because the Galápagos are a classic example of a geologic hot spot.

A hot spot is where volcanic islands are formed as a… CONTINUE READING >> 


A Great Deal on the Brooklyn Bridge

New Year’s Eve in The Big Apple and your GypsyNesters were seriously contemplating a Times Square, ball-dropping extravaganza. After a bit of research and chatting up of locals, we felt that wading into a crowd of a million people, getting frisked and herded into little fenced-in safety areas, then standing for hours with no restrooms, food or libation is no way to ring in a new year.

Even an article entitled “Fear Conquering & Ball Dropping,” as hilarious as that would be, could not entice us to spend that much time needing to pee.

So, what to do?… CONTINUE READING >>

New Year’s Eve in The Big Apple and your GypsyNesters were seriously contemplating a Times Square, ball-dropping extravaganza. After a bit of research and chatting up of locals, we felt that wading into a crowd of a million people, getting frisked and herded into little fenced-in safety areas, then standing for hours with no restrooms, food or libation is no way to ring in a new year.

Even an article entitled “Fear Conquering & Ball Dropping,” as hilarious as that would be, could not entice us to spend that much time needing to pee.

So, what to do?… CONTINUE READING >>

How The Galápagos Made Birders Out of Us

A trip to The Galápagos Islands is guaranteed to make a birder out of anyone. The sheer numbers, and just plain strange features that isolation has brought upon these fabulous creatures would have been enough for us.

Couple this with fact that we spent more effort backing away from them than trying to spot them – these birds have absolutely zero fear of humans – and we were… CONTINUE READING >> 

A trip to The Galápagos Islands is guaranteed to make a birder out of anyone. The sheer numbers, and just plain strange features that isolation has brought upon these fabulous creatures would have been enough for us.

Couple this with fact that we spent more effort backing away from them than trying to spot them – these birds have absolutely zero fear of humans – and we were… CONTINUE READING >> 

Video – The “Bird Island” of The Galápagos


enlarge video

Genovesa Island has been nicknamed “The Bird Island” and that moniker is certainly fitting. Considering the proliferation of the red-footed and Nazca varieties of boobies… CONTINUE READING >>


enlarge video

Genovesa Island has been nicknamed “The Bird Island” and that moniker is certainly fitting. Considering the proliferation of the red-footed and Nazca varieties of boobies… CONTINUE READING >>

Finding Germany in the Mountains of Georgia

The unexpected surprises that lurk around the next corner are one of the things that can make travel so interesting.

Boy, did we get one of those in the mountains of northern Georgia when we came upon the old fashioned Bavarian village of Helen. Tucked into a valley on the banks of The Chattahoochee River, we suddenly found ourselves driving through an anachronism of epic proportions. Every building, down to the gas station… CONTINUE READING >> 

The unexpected surprises that lurk around the next corner are one of the things that can make travel so interesting.

Boy, did we get one of those in the mountains of northern Georgia when we came upon the old fashioned Bavarian village of Helen. Tucked into a valley on the banks of The Chattahoochee River, we suddenly found ourselves driving through an anachronism of epic proportions. Every building, down to the gas station… CONTINUE READING >> 

Anna Ruby Falls, Helen, Georgia

Cascading down Tray Mountain, Curtis Creek drops one hundred and fifty-three feet and York Creek falls fifty before they join at the bottom of the cliffs to form Smith Creek… CONTINUE READING >> 

Cascading down Tray Mountain, Curtis Creek drops one hundred and fifty-three feet and York Creek falls fifty before they join at the bottom of the cliffs to form Smith Creek… CONTINUE READING >>