Age Range: 60-69 | Joined: August 2004
Madison, Wisconsin
Travel is dreaming come true, and I will forever dream...
About Me: The musings on these pages are not my attempt at being different, as much as my attempt to not be boring. Information and descriptions that I could write have been done better many times by others. My goal is to influence others to "go it alone" and make each trip an adventure. I won't recommend something that I have not personally done or seen (unless I so state), and I will not condemn the styles and methods of travel of others. I took every picture shown unless stated otherwise. Obviously, the opinions are those of a 69 year old unintentionally verbose lunatic.
The Past...
First, for about 50 years, “Portrait” photography was my profession, but today scenic and travel photography has also become a passion. Portraits and scenics are very different, which has required some relearning on my part, but the rules of composition, the nature of light, and the physics of optics have not changed. While I can't recite them or figure out the math, chemistry, and physics formulae on paper, I know what they mean and how to use them.
Backtracking to the early 1960's and my early 20's, I had the great fortune of being able wander around Europe while serving in the US Army. I was stationed in Nürnberg, Germany, and during that three year period I had a car, 11 cent per gallon gas, and some German university students as friends. Almost every weekend we went somewhere in Germany and on three-day weekends we often went to other countries.
It was during that time that we all learned important lessons. For example, there is no language barrier when you're really hungry or need a toilet; straw-filled sacks in a barn are better than four sweaty males trying to sleep in a Volkswagen Beetle; some of the farmer's daughter jokes might be true. I also learned that if we didn't see everything we wanted to, we could always return. "There's always the next trip," was and still is my travel philosophy.
I discovered Scotland, which is my family heritage on both sides, in 1963. I took a 3 week trip to tour Britain starting with Edinburgh. Three weeks later I was still in Edinburgh and it is still my favorite city in the world. Nürnberg, Germany comes in a very close second.
The Present...
My trips are quite varied. Sometimes I go to new places and sometimes I return to places I want to revisit. I have a system that I developed over the years which is pretty good, although still imperfect ("Travel Experientially"). I seldom have more than imprecise plans which allow for changes. I just go. I have over-planned in the past so I keep my itinerary general. My attitude is that I will be back soon and can see what I missed.
Regarding cost, I try go to Europe twice each year. In the past I usually got by with about $1200.00 per two week trip including airfare. That requires using public transportation, few organized tours, hosteling, and inexpensive dining. In April of 2007, I took a 5 week trip to Germany and Austria. It was the best trip I can remember, with great weather, wonderfully relaxed travel, and the cost was less than $2000. My December 2008 trip for Germany's Christmas Markets (3+ weeks) cost just under $1600. My spring 2009 trip was just over $1300 (also 3+ weeks). (Please see my Journal, “Travel Experientially.”)
The photographs that I make and display on this site are photographs that anyone could take with almost any camera. All it requires is a little basic knowledge AND taking lots of photographs. As proof, until September of 2008, my digital cameras were all of the "point and shoot" type, and any of my photographs taken before that time were made using those cameras. Knowing what one wishes to achieve is of ultimate importance in photography, and I have written a Journal about "Common Sense Photography" for those who are interested.
I hope that readers will come along with me. I'll try not to be too boring, however, I am opinionated.
Trip Journals by flyingscot4
Photos by flyingscot4
All Photos by flyingscot4 (1315)
Reviews by flyingscot4
| Name |
Destination |
Date Written |
| Corrieshalloch Gorge and the Falls of Measach |
Ullapool, Scotland |
August 31, 2009 |
| Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, "Nessie," Drumnadrochit |
Drumnadrochit, Scotland |
August 29, 2009 |
| Wonderful Castle Ruin - Dirleton Castle and Gardens |
Dirleton , Scotland |
August 29, 2009 |
| More Slightly Irreverant Rambles in Edinburgh (please read lightheartedly) |
Edinburgh, Scotland |
August 26, 2009 |
| All Reviews by flyingscot4 (41) |
Stories and Tips by flyingscot4
More About flyingscot4
I travel because...
this world keeps showing me its beauty and teaching me new things of great value. The more I travel, the more I learn about "stuff." My brain may be filled with lots of irrelavant and useless information, but I have a lot of grand memories.
I love to travel to...
Scotland, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, England, Scandinavia
I never forget to pack...
??? I forget things all the time. I can always buy it wherever I am, and if I can't, I probably don't need it anyway. (I don't forget my medications, though.)
My weirdest travel habit is...
making the same mistake over and over again, expecting different results. I still do it, which proves that I am not as smart as Albert Einstein who coined the phrase.
It's my dream to travel to...
Scotland for 3 months, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Dalmatian Coast
When I'm not traveling...
vegetating, walking my dog, reading, reading and writing on travel websites, making photographs.
I also travel online at...
Trip Advisor and Virtual Tourist and some others.