Bikes at Centraal Station

The first time I visited Amsterdam I was amazed at the number of bicycles everywhere I looked. It's the preferred mode of transportation and it took me awhile to adjust to the fact that bicycles usually have the right of way and pedestrians really need to stay focused in this city! This picture was taken at Centraal Station, the main train station in Amsterdam. Instead of multiple car parks, they have multiple bicycle parking lots.

I've added a texture by Tanya Felsheim from the Flickr free texture group.

Laundry Day, Burano

Now, here is a person who loves cacti! What are the odds they are originally from Arizona, now living in Burano, Italy? (Just kidding.) Admittedly, there are plenty of locations in Europe and other parts of the world where cactus seems to thrive in nature. I was also intrigued by the numerous water bottles.

Thanks to Shadowhouse Creations for another wonderful texture which I overlaid for a golden glow.

Zuiderzeemuseum

This picture was taken at the Zuiderzeemuseum, an open air folk museum in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands. The outdoor part of the museum is a recreation of a village of small houses and shops showing Dutch life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

I've added textures by Nancy Misiewicz and Shadowhouse Creations.

Boulders Everywhere

The Boulders resort in Carefree has managed to maintain its natural desert landscaping, wherever possible. There are several paved, and nonpaved, pedestrian paths throughout the grounds that make for a pleasant walk when the weather is not too hot. You see lots of quail, rabbits, lizards and other 'critters' who make their home at the resort.

I've added a texture from Shadowhouse Creations.

Reach for the Sky

We stayed at the Boulders resort in Carefree this past weekend and this was one of many saguaros on the extensive grounds. Some of the cactus have signs in front of them indicating that they've been named as a result of various contests over the past few years. I don't recall if this one had a name.

I've used adjustment layers to add drama.

Venetian Gondolier

A very tightly cropped photo of a gondolier and his beautiful gondola on the Grand Canal in Venice. Palazzo Salviati, with its 1920s glass mosaics, is in the background.

West Door of Temple Church

I fell in love with this ornate door at the Temple Church in London, just off Fleet Street. The church was built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century and mentioned in Dan Brown's book, The Da Vinci Code. I was lucky to be the first one on the premises the day I visited explored its historical corners and medieval ambience.

I've added textures from Shadowhouse Creations and Jody DogMa.