Creek Street

 The famous Creek Street in Kechikan Alaska, funky and fun. This place is loaded with history and fun facts, way too much to do one single post. Creek Street is a boardwalk that tourist keep flocking to, mostly for photos and to purchase interesting gifts. Cruise boat's can drop off up to 10,000 to 12,000 visitors per day, not bad for a town with an estimated population of 12,000 people. Welcome to Alaska's First City and they proudly remind you they are "The Salmon Capital of the World".

Ketchikan Creek is a active salmon spawning creek and it's a great place to witness them. Creek Street has a very famous saying. It's where more men, than fish, went upstream to spawn!!! We will cover the story behind this saying very soon. We truly enjoyed this little fishing village, very cool.

Duck Xing

Duck Xing, so much in such a small phrase. I didn't grow up loving nature, or animals outside of my pet Lab Astro, my rabbits, and guinea pigs, and of course Shamu. I did love the ocean and baseball, so maybe that makes me a nature lover? Over the years I have found my enjoyment and interest in the colorful world of ducks increasing, that's right ducks! When we moved to Richardson Texas and our new backyard became Cottonwood Park that's when my fascination with ducks started. The first sign of ducks was our duck crossing, which I found funny, but over time it became a funky, quirky and necessary part of our new community. We have a large duck population that rules the neighborhood and they seem to know it. As they cross the streets at will knowing that every car will stop and enjoy watching them cross at their own leisure, Mother duck with babies all in a straight line, matching to the beat of their duck world rhythm. It's a nice break in our otherwise busy lives. Nearly every morning we are home we enjoy a peaceful walk around our lake and creek urban oasis,

Now, as we travel around the world it seems that ducks keep popping up, I can't get away from them, not that I would want to. The ducks and I have an understanding, you don't pop on me and I'll take beautiful or at least the best I can produce, photos of the duck nation. It seems to be working out so far. If you follow me on Twitter@BillHamMedia or Instagram BillHamiltonMedia, you can find my postings of our Duck community. May the ducks be with you!

A Night of Magic

A Night of Magic and incredible end to your mandatory education. Your special night is better referred to as your prom night. What has changed over the years is how the prom has become a bigger deal complete with elaborate themed events, undoubtedly created by the need for party planners to have another season to help fill their calendar. Kinda like, Hallmark invented Valentines Day, Donuts Day, give your Neighbor a card day, etc. Please don't let my cynicism diminish these events or the special place they hold our lives and development of who we are today.

I do enjoy the youthful optimism and excitement in these kids, while I remember my prom night and how I had to leave my then girlfriend at home because I agreed to take the girl from my 8th grade prom and likewise she left her boyfriend at home, why? our prom sold out and I wasn't going to miss my right of passage and either was she. Yes, it was a fun night, but also one of mixed emotions. The prom is still and always will be an important right of passage as we transition from our childhood dreams into our adult reality of life will never be the same again. So, during these season's of change, look back with fondness of your teen years and if you went to your prom how did it turn out? Many times I thought the kids who didn't attend this big night, maybe they were the lucky ones for not going through the anguish of asking your date out leaving your self and self esteem open to the crushing disappointment of being turned down. If they said yes, weeks of stress about what to wear, what flowers to buy, where to have dinner, and if your lucky enough the stress of getting the nerve to swallow your pride and then going in for the dreaded and yet exciting possibility of a successful good night kiss! Young love so full of endless dreams and endless stress. Thank God we survived and can enjoy our golden years wondering what if....

Love is in the air

Love is in the air and that is why we love weddings. If your a romantic and always sees your glass as half full these events are for you. We love the optimism of the great wedding, the coupling of two spirits that now share a common cause, a joint vision of what life could be. Your love knows no boundaries, no limits, and no cynicism. At the moment the preacher says; I now pronounce you man and wife, you future is bright and you can go as far as your eternal love will take you. Then comes the honeymoon, endless nights of unbridled love making, and planing your shared dream of your long happy life together, building your family and fulfilling your destiny together. We wish every young couple entering holy matrimony nothing but  sunny skies and a passion for each other that will never fad through out the years. Our prayers are with you, enjoy the most wonderful ride life has to offer.

They lived happily ever after.

Taipei Story House

The Taipei Story House, formerly known as the Yuanshan Mansion, was built in 1913 and now it's a historic house in the Zhongshan District of Taipei Taiwan. This is the only English style home in Taipei and is now a museum on the grounds of the Taipei Expo Park where the world famous Floral Show is held every year. What really got my attention was of course it's European architecture in a city where the main influence is the Japanese architecture. Japan ruled Taiwan from 1895 to 1945, their influence is seen all throughout the country, not only in the culture but also in culinary offerings. Taiwan is a wonderful country to visit, the people are warm and friendly and the food is excellent! 

Taipei Taiwan Rush Hour 2

Every time I'm in China or Taiwan, I am amazed at all the motorcycles and scooters. Of course you wonder how the heck do they put so many on what is already crowded narrow streets. Then you remember most of the cars are very small too, so it's prolly safer than in the USA with suck larger vehicles your sharing the road with. Traffic congestion isn't caused by people, but the sheer numbers of vehicles at one time at a given point in the road. Dan Rather once said; "Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic." But, in Asia traffic is a part of their daily lives. You must be patient and forgiving in order to keep your sanity. If you travel to one of the many beautiful Asian countries, be ready for the equivalent of a human frogger video game. While trying to cross the street, you would be the frog!

Trying to Focus

There are times when I feel like all is right, I'm clicking on all cylinders and I can do no wrong. Other times I feel like I'm a little out of sync or out of focus. This happens in sports all the time. One day your golf game is really pretty good and others you seem to be a little behind, off just a pinch, or completely crappy! We can't always control every little aspect of our life and maybe we weren't meant to micro manage our day down to the last detail? I believe you do need a balance between managing what you can control and learning to handle what you can't control.  In the end a lot has to do with your mind set, and how you decide to approach your day, or your next golf shot. Can you learn and then forget what you did wrong? Can you march forward to your next challenge without self destructing what's in front of you, because you can't let go of your previous mistake? The hardest thing in life isn't life it's self, but being able learn from the past, and then move forward with a better understanding of how to handle the future. One of the toughest things is learning how to forgive yourself or others. Forgiveness is the only way to have true peace in your life. Without peace you can't move forward, so you can achieve the success God has planned for your life. You free your mind, then you will see your future clearly and in complete focus.

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Lakeside in China

While in Shanghai China we discovered these three beautiful cities; Wuxi, Huzhou, and Suzhou. This is important because this enormous 869 sq mile water mass called; Lake Tai, Lake Taihu or Great Lake borders all three cities. It's the third largest freshwater lake in the country. The average depth is only 6'6" and has over 90 islands in this beautiful lake. We actually spent days in these cities before I realized it was the same lake I was taking pictures of. Different perspectives and different cities. That's what really got my attention and now I know that our perspective in our lens is also influenced by our lack of knowledge. I will never look at these images the same. My knowledge has increased, which has now influenced my memory of my experience at this lake.

Pick Your Place

When I decide where to go and relax I have many options; I can go to California and visit the coast, I can go to Austin Texas and enjoy the river, I can stay in Dallas and chill on a lake, or I can find one particular harbour and sit by the dock in the bay and watch time fade away (yes, I just worked in a song titles by Jimmy Buffett and Otis Redding). Truly my choice will always be to find a bay or beach and melt into the surroundings and forget who I am and who I'm supposed to be, if not for months, then days will have to do. Something happens when I'm in and around the ocean. Maybe it's my connection with nature, God, or maybe I'm just a beach junkie? I would hope it would be because of a more spiritual connection, or maybe because I am a water sign "Pisces". Now, if you believe in the zodiac thing, as a Pisces, I am supposed to enjoy; escaping from reality, sleeping, romance, swimming, and spiritual themes. That's all pretty true! I did grow up in San Diego California where the ocean and boats were a major part of my upbringing. So, I say we blame my parents for being fortunate enough to plant us in one of the most beautiful cities in the world as our background for the influential time in our life. Remember, when ever in doubt blame you parents, childhood, siblings, and the bad luck you had from birth. So, I'm gonna "Thank" my parents for this bad luck I had at birth to have a loving family and the awesome Pacific Ocean as my personal playground for the best years a kid could ever ask for.

Happy New Year!

Another year in the books and what do you have to show for it? Did you accomplish what you planned, did you become a better person, did you achieve anything different this year? Or did you just do the same thing you have always done, nothing but survive? There were times in my life when surviving was all I could handle, to make it trough each day was a challenge, I didn't have the will power to do anything special. The one thing I did have was faith, and even though that faith was tested daily, I found the strength to put one foot in front of the other and make it through another day. Somehow I believed that if I could just keep on keeping on, I could and would make it through this season of challenges. A season I hoped would not repeat it's self. Everyone goes through different seasons in life, we find ways to make it through the tough times , and see brighter days. The brightest times of our life comes through the darkest times. Usually we are helped out of the darkness by a friend, loved one, or a stranger who comes into our life during that season just to help us along our way. In the up coming year let's make this the year we become that light in some one's life who may only need us to help them out of their darkness, even if it's only for a season. Blessings and best wishes in the New Year!

Festive Sombrero!

Sombrero is Spanish for hats, but you knew that. Many early Texan cowboys adopted the Spanish and Mexican sombrero, also worn by mariachi musicians. Whatever the name, whomever wears it, and wherever they came from the sombrero has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Southern California and living in Arizona and Texas this hat has always been around. The sombrero is festive, fun, and functional. Every time I travel and come across this hat it reminds me of my past travels through Mexico and South America and all the fun I've had.

I enjoy the little shops on the main streets and ports of call. When you arrive you see sombrero's on carts, in stores, and of course my favorite of all, the street vendor with hats stacked to the sky going tourist to tourist selling his hats. I guess it's my longing for a simpler time, a time when we weren't a slave to our cell phones and obsessed with being connected 24/7. I like not being connected while I travel. Not so concerned with how many "Likes" my last post received. I like just being in the moment and watching local towns people going about their daily lives, doing business the old fashioned way, face to face, and a deal is concluded with a pleasant thank you and a hand shake. The saddest part of traveling is this simpler way of life will one day be gone as the world becomes more and more connected. To me the entire world walking around with a hand held device stuck in their face isn't necessarily something I'm looking forward too. As the world turns and we advance at the speed of light, I plan on slowing down as much as possible. I will continue to see new places, experience new things, and stop to really see the beauty in God's creation without being connected through electronics's but connected through people, face to face.

Hotel El Capitan

This is one of my favorite boutique properties; this historical hotel screams old Texas charm! The El Capitan was built in 1930 by famed architect Henry Trost, who designed and built nearly all the buildings in downtown El Paso Texas between 1910 and 1933. The hotel was converted into the Van Horn State Bank in 1973 after interstate 10 opened which rerouted most of the traffic away from the main street. In 2007 the property was purchased and renovated back into the hotel. The floor plan is the same as the sister hotel, The Paisano in Marfa Texas. If you love Texas and Texas history you'll love this hotel and in the dining room the old bank vault is now the liquor storage behind the bar. The food is as good as the elegant old world rooms. I love this place and I trust you will too!

Amazing Ceiling in Mexico!

This amazing ceiling from the 1800's is found in a mission that now serves as an cultural events center in Ensenada Mexico. I was walking down this narrow hallway between the original mission structure and leading into this ballroom, I looked up and pow! This great handcrafted ceiling, just wonderful.

Life in my rear view mirror

Life in my rear view mirror is just another way to look at the road which has brought us to this point in our life. I was listing to a talk show and they said you can’t look behind you because what’s done is done and you can’t do anything to change it, looking forward is impossible because we can’t see the future, but we have today and that is something we can effect and we have no guarantee’s beyond today, that why it’s call “presence”, what are you going to do with your present, your gift of today? This joke came from Lucid Dreams; on the anniversary of his birth, devotees of a certain yogi asked what gifts they might bring. The yogi replied “I wish no gifts, only presence”.  The point is be thankful for today, it might be your last one….

The Historical El Rancho Hotel

The Historical El Rancho Hotel on Route 66 in Gallup New Mexico, its cowboy classic and Southwestern influences is a blast from the past!  For over 50 years the El Rancho has been a true jewel of the Southwest, once you enter the dramatic foyer you are immediately thrown back into time a time when life was more relaxed and time stands still here. When Hollywood films in the area the stars love to stay here, the list is a who’s who of Hollywood Western Superstars like; Betty Garble, Burt Lancaster, Errol Flynn, Gene Autry, and James Cagney. The El Rancho restaurant is very good serving American and Mexican dishes, yummy! If ever passing through Gallup stop and refresh at the El Rancho Hotel.

If These Boots Could Talk

If these boots could talk what stories could they tell us? Would they tell the story of the America of the past when people were self reliant or the America of today where people are becoming more reliant on the government? Would they tell the story of the America that had the greatest work ethic the world has ever seen or would they tell the story of an America that has become a people with an attitude of entitlement? As grim as our American story looks at times we are still the most creative and hard working people on the planet. As much as our government tries to mess up the greatest and most successful social experiment ever known to mankind, it's the people of America that re-boots and keeps finding ways to produce the best economy in the world. As America goes so does the world and as much as the media wants us to believe that we are no better than any other country on earth the fact is we are different and the world depends on us to survive and to prosper. If you need any example of the will of the people of the people to keep on trucking despite of our incompetent leaders just look at Texas the greatest state in America. During the past years Texas has created more jobs than all the other states combined, and Texas does what every state and our country should and could do, just don't spend more than you take in, what a concept. Every day I see people inventing, creating, adapting, and flourishing in what is said to be the worst of times in America. I have hope, I have reason to believe in Americans!

Zhongshan District in Taipei

This Gazebo is above the Keelung River in Taipei's Zhongshan District. I love a lot of the architecture in Taiwan because it has the Asian look I like with an influence from the Dutch, Japanese, and China this combination is beautiful to me. This is a proud country with so much to offer in the art and culinary sectors. If you ever have a chance to visit Taiwan its well worth the air miles and the people are warm and welcoming.

A Quiet Time Of Refection

When I was in Taipei Taiwan, I visited this military monument and off the beaten path I found this person paying respects to the fallen soldiers and while I was observing this time of reflection I thought that most countries pay their respects to the fallen heroes just like we do in America. When you really think about it, all the people of the world want the same things in life, freedom, peace, community, and family. What does make the USA different is that we are the only country in history that has the same core desires as other countries with one major exception, we were founded on a Christian belief value system, we are the only society that publicly thanks to God, it was in everything that we did, we used to pray before community and national meetings, we are sworn in using the Holy Bible, and on our money. It's like we are turning away from that foundation that made our country so giving, we had a moral compass. We give more charity from our government and from our private sector to people in need than another country. If there is a natural disaster in our country or abroad we are the first to step up and give our resources gladly to help our fellow man. I do pray that we return back to our foundation as a people before we stray so far we can't find our way back, we need to be a God fearing people once again and then we will receive the blessings we once enjoyed.

Slow Down People!

I found this on-line - What lies at the bottom of the ocean and shakes a lot?A nervous wreck! This might seems cute but when you think about it our world is turning faster than ever, communication is now at the speed of light, everything is instant gratification, and nothing is fast enough. How on God's green earth can you find any kind of balance, how can you slow down enough to stop and smell the flowers? If you don't slow down your life is going to zip by and you'll wonder what happened to my life? At the end it's too late to make up all the time you lost. This photograph is in downtown Taipei Taiwan and man the hustle and bustle is at an unbelievable pace and it makes me tired just watching them go through their daily life. I have no answer on how you can slow down, we all have things we enjoy doing and I highly recommend you take a little more time for you to enjoy family, friends, and hobbies. Make the time to meditate, pray, and fellowship with people that have common interest with you. Time is too precious and we don't have as much time as we think. In a blink of the eye eighty years have passed you bye. Don't be that person who waited to late to connect with loved ones, don't be the person who has nothing but regret at the end, and don't wait to get right with your faith. A life filled with what ifs and wish I had a do over is a life wasted. Don't waste the beautiful potential of your life, God's plan for you is greater than you can imagine.

Love at First Wave

To me there is no better place to hang and people watch than Ocean Beach (OB) San Diego California. To me it has everything you would want, funky shops, great dives to eat at, a very cool beach and plenty of diverse people to watch. OB is a beach community who embraces its hippie roots and now has developed into a town with a very cool beach vibe. The local’s awesome attitude has help mold this San Diego town into a real jewel of the Pacific coastline. If you want to relax and soak up the sun while exploring one of the most unique beach towns in Southern California than OB San Diego is for you dude!