Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Statue of Liberty


The Statue of Liberty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made of copper donated by the people of France to the United States of America.  It was built by Gustave Eiffel from the design of Frederic Auguste Bartholdi.

To get there, we parked our car in the Liberty State Park and boarded the Statue Cruises for $18 to see the the statue's pedestal.  There were two stopovers: Ellis Island and Liberty Island.

The cruise took around 25 minutes.  All visitors had to passby metal detectors and e-ray machines for security purposes. Here's a video I took of Lady Liberty while on our way back to New Jersey.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Caledon’s Cheltenham Badlands, Canada


We drove a couple of hours to reach Caledon to see the bizarre spectacle, Badlands.  "Badlands are a type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded by wind and water." 


When we learned that the place was going to be fenced down and its going to be close to the public, we hied off right away.  We arrived early morning and there were no guards so we were free to roam and walk around the reddish grounds.  The place reminded me of the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Philippines.  


"The reddish hue of the Queenston Shale is caused by iron oxide, while narrow greenish bands show where groundwater has transformed the rock from red to green iron oxide. The cause of this phenomenon was poor farming practices in the 1930’s which caused overgrazing of this land and the resultant exposure of the Queenston shale that supports little or no vegetation."

A vertical panoramic shot of the beautiful barren landscape...

After our visit, we got the news form the Ontario Heritage Trust:

The Cheltenham Badlands are temporarily closed to the public. A protective fence has been erected to restrict access and prevent further damage to the Badlands while a Master Plan is being developed to guide future conservation and public access to the site. The area will remain closed for several years while consultation, planning and fundraising are underway. For more information, visit: www.heritagetrust.on.ca/badlands

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, Canada


In Campbellford, walking on the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge looks scary but once you set your foot on the 30-feet high suspension bridge, you're in for a pleasant treat!  On both sides of the bridge are great scenic views.  Here are time lapse videos shot on opposite sides.


The bridge is not wobbly and yes, you can jump up and down without any fear. You can also see water rushing under your feet.  


Perfect, serene nature trip!


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Crowe Bridge Park, Canada


It was one sunny Saturday in Spring that we hiked off to the Crowe Bridge Conservation Area.  "The weir dam located in the Crowe River creates a wonderful swimming area with peaceful picnicing spaces and hiking trails."  It is open to the public.  We chanced upon a family eating around the river and a couple dipping on the water.  Located in the Municipality of Trent, Hills, Canada, the Crowe Bridge Park is a relaxing place for everyone.  I shot this in slow motion to see the beauty of the water's rhythm.