Willemstad, Curacao as seen from our cruise ship. Note that the Queen Emma Floating Bridge is open, and a ferry is transporting passengers across the water in its place. 

This was taken in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham, Washington. 

The ski resort of Whistler, British Columbia has a pedestrian only village area that has a very European flavour to it. 

Old gas pump along a street in Jerome, Arizona. I wonder how much a gallon of gas cost when this was still in operation? 

This shot shows two Washington State Ferries in port. In the forground is the Orcas Island Terminal. The ferry in the background is docked at Shaw Island. 

This is one of the many historic homes in Old Savannah in Georgia.  

I took this picture from our hotel room in Victoria, British Columbia. The BC Parliament Building is lit up in the centre. To the right is the Empress Hotel, with the Royal BC Museum on the left. 

This is along the Oregon Coast at Lincoln City. 

Today I want to post a few pictures I took in 2004 of the London Underground. I start at my favourite station, Baker Street. This is the oldest subway station in the world, opening in 1863. London Transport has done an outstanding job in fixing this station up. It has numerous historic displays, the original brick work and skylights. (Although the skylights have artificial lighting in them now.) 

One of the great things about the Underground is how it blends into the fabric of the city. Step out of most any station into the heart of the neighbourhood. This station, Chancery Lane, is located right at the Staple Inn, a half timbered medieval building that's nearly 500 years old. 

Escalators are an important part of the tube, transfering passengers from street to track level. Some are very long, such as the one at Angel station. This is my favourite...the escalator at Swiss Cottage Station. It's a neat art deco style escalator from the 1930's. 

Some stations have hidden treasures. At the end of the Kew Gardens station on the District Line, the original station has been preserved and turned into a Pub. 

End of the line. One of the few places to find an empty tube car. This is Epping station, on the Central Line.  

Some station, such as this one at Kilburn Park, have these grand entrance ways.  

This is the famous tube map. You are never out of sight of one while using the Underground. As a map lover, I have to take issue with the fact that it is far from being geographically accurate. But on the other hand, it is very simple to use, shows the system at a glance, and since it was introduced in the 1920's it has been copied by nearly every other subway system in the world.

The London Underground

In light of today's incidents in London, I would like to say a few words about the Tube. I've been on many different transportation systems in my life. It's sort of a hobby of mine. And without a doubt my favourite system is the London Underground. It is the oldest subway system in the world, and also one of the largest. It carries a staggering 3 million people every DAY. Everywhere you go in London, you are always in sight of a tube station. The trains run very frequently, and can take you anywhere you need to go quickly and efficiently. The cars are always clean, the stations well lit. And as a tourist, I am particularly impressed with how well signed the entire system is. Step out of any tube train and onto any station, and you can quickly see signs pointing the "Way Out". Also, if you are transfering to another line, there are plenty of directional signs that lead you though a maze of hallways and corridors. As you approach the platform for your transfer line, there are simple maps that show every station served by each platform. If you are exiting onto the street, most stations have detailed area maps that show buildings, tourist sites, etc. The staff is friendly, and keep you well informed of any delays. All stations have white reader boards that are kept up to date with any problems affecting any of the lines. Londoners like to complain about the Underground, but it is really a superb transportation system. Most major cities in the US could learn a lot from the London Underground. (Are you listening Seattle?) I have a heavy heart tonight over today's attacks, but I'm certain that The London Underground and the people who ride it daily will overcome this, and the Tube will continue to be the best mass transit system in the world. And always remember to Mind the Gap.

Pond Gardens, Hampton Court Palace, England. 

The Art Deco architecture of South Beach, in Miami Beach, Florida. 

Strolling along Rue-St-Louis, one of the main streets in the Upper Town of Quebec City, Quebec.(Scanned print)