Up in the air, somewhere … I’m guessing this is the approach to the Portland Airport on one of my trips “home” to visit the “mothership” (Powell’s Books). Portland is a little too quirky for me, but God, I LOVE that bookstore, and am totally fine going up just to visit that store once a year or so. I like taking photos from planes; I like the curve of the horizon, the patchwork grids of the ground, the texture of the mountains and–when you’re low enough–the water.

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Okay … last London pic for a bit (but follow me on Instagram for much, much more of my current trip abroad … see the link below), and yes, this is pushing the season a bit. I absolutely loved being in London close to Christmas, when I visited back in 2016. The city goes all out for the holiday and it was amazing to see it decorated. The above shot was from near Covent Garden. This year I’m going back before the actual decorating will start, I imagine, but someday I hope to go back during Christmas season once again.

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The Millennium Bridge leads from the Tate Modern Museum to St. Paul’s Cathedral, across the Thames. It’s solely a pedestrian bridge and when they first opened it, the swaying of it (which was intentional) freaked people out, so they had to fix it. It opened in 2000, but was closed after opening day for two years to get rid of the irksome “wobbly-ness.” It’s a beautiful structure and it links my favorite part of London, Bankside, with the actual city. I stay right near here in Southwark each time I visit this amazing city.

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This is Boadicea and Her Daughters, juxtaposed with the London Eye. It’s on the city side of the Westminster Bridge, and pretty much opposite it is Big Ben (which we Americans tend to call it … it’s really Elizabethan Tower. Big Ben is actually the name for the great bell of the clock.). It’s my understanding that the entire tower is now swathed in scaffolding, so there won’t be any great photo ops of that London-centric landmark this trip, I guess. The statue itself wasn’t erected in its present location until 1902, but it was worked on by Thomas Thornycroft from 1856 until his death in 1895, assisted by his son, William. I love the old/new parts of this image, one serious and historical, the other totally frivolous and capitalistic. Two Londons, side-by-side. (For those wondering, Boadicea was Queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe who lead an uprising against Roman Britain … kind of a real-life Wonder Woman!).

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Hidden away near the Elephant and Castle Underground stop in southern London is The Cinema Museum. This rambling collection is geared towards actual cinemas, that is movie theaters, and all the amazing paraphernalia that accompanies them: Signage, posters, projectors, displays, even usher uniforms. It’s worth seeing, and it’s located in what was–over a century ago–one of the workhouses that a young Charlie Chaplin spent time in, before he became famous. It’s definitely worth seeking out (even though every time I go to it, I get lost), but you have to make an appointment for a tour. For more info, please click here.

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The Tower Bridge from the Tower of London. This shot (taken in late 2016) is at the exit point for the Tower of London tour and I thought it made a particularly compelling photo. I’ve been to London enough times now that while I’ll probably do a walk-by of some attractions (like the Tower of London, London Eye, and Sky Garden), I won’t pay the money to go into them. The museums, however, are a different story, and there are a few I’m looking forward to seeing again, including Victoria and Albert. True confession: I love museum stores almost as much–if not more–as I love the museums themselves. A good museum store is like a good bookstore for me … heaven.

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