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August 2020 archive

Family, Personal, Photography, Travel | 2 Comments

Viviers and Tournon – Beautiful Rhone River

Early morning light over the Rhone River ©TimeLine Media
Early morning light over the Rhone River ©TimeLine Media

Viking River Cruise

Continuing a previous post about a cruise on the Rhone River brings us to Viviers and Tournon-sur-Rhône. Although we had a leisurely morning planned for the day, I got up early to see the sun rise. At this time, we had docked in the marina in Viviers, France. The chilly morning yielded amazing morning light that burned off early fog and served as a backdrop to river wildlife. Waking and stretching out on the top deck was a peaceful start to a packed day of touring.

Street sign in the old town section of Vivivers, France ©TimeLine Media
Street sign in the old town section of Viviers, France ©TimeLine Media
Panoramic view over the old city of Viviers, France ©TimeLine Media
Panoramic view over the old city of Viviers, France ©TimeLine Media

Firstly, we walked off the boat to tour the lovely old town section of Viviers. The most compelling evidence of the Roman origins were streets lined with symmetrically lined trees. Moreover, cobblestone streets throughout the homes in the walled city make a setting that takes you out of the modern world. Prominent in the middle of the old town is the Viviers Cathedral. As can be seen you get a beautiful panoramic view of the Rhone River valley below.

St. Vincent Cathedral in Vivivers, France ©TimeLine Media
St. Vincent Cathedral in Viviers, France ©TimeLine Media
Tree lined street in Viviers, France ©TimeLine Media
Tree lined street in Viviers, France ©TimeLine Media

Subsequently, the itinerary was a cruise further up the river. While the ship leisurely traveled north, we stayed at the top deck to do some sightseeing. Of course, the surrounding countryside had our attention but watching the crew at work was equally intriguing. Due to elevated levels of the river, our ship would be remarkably close to touching the bottom of overhead bridges! With this in mind, the crew worked to remove all obstacles from the top deck! You can be sure I kept my head much lower than the very experienced team that was monitoring our progress!

Crew preparing the top deck for low bridges on the Rhone River ©TimeLine Media
Crew preparing the top deck for low bridges on the Rhone River ©TimeLine Media

The following day, we walked through the larger city of Tournon. It was a chance for us to walk through a local market. Additionally, we rode on an antique steam train through the Doux valley. Passing through the forest and over rustic bridges was a departure from touring by bus through this area.

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On Top of Capital One Above Tysons – 2018

View from above Tysons, Virginia from the top of the Capital One Tower by Rassi G. Borneo ©TimeLine Media

Tysons, Virginia

When you get the opportunity to get above Tysons, I would take it! Since the skyline is changing so rapidly, you need to capture these slices of time when you can. As can be seen, these were taken 2 years ago, and already there are new additions completed, and occupied. Surely there are more on the way!

Panoramic view from above Tysons, Virginia from the top of the Capital One Tower by Rassi G. Borneo ©TimeLine Media
View from above Tysons, Virginia from the top of the Capital One Tower by Rassi G. Borneo ©TimeLine Media

On this occasion, an early-morning call gave us the best chance to get some good light on the buildings. From such a high vantage point, we could easily track the light as the sun rose. A light cloud cover bounced some of the early dawn light back below making them highlight the buildings starting from the top. Similarly to my early shoot at the Grand Canyon, I was not as familiar with how the light would act from there. It was my first time at the top of this Capital One tower.

Higher is always better for photos. Although I am not a fan of heights, I enjoy looking back at these images. For one thing, this is a privilege to get access to such a perspective over Tysons. Secondly, these photos can help show off our area in a great light! It is progressing higher with the prospect of being more residential to add to the many businesses already based here. As long as I can stand it, I’ll be up to scale more tall buildings if asked!

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Avignon And Arles – Beautiful Southern France

Pont Du Gard ©TimeLine Media

Viking River Cruise

Today’s post is a departure from my regular geography as they are from the cities of Avignon and Arles in the south of France. Of course, this was a trip that we took well before our current lock down. I am more thankful for the opportunity now! Prior to leaving for the trip, I was not familiar with the history and geography of this part of France.

Viking Heimdal river cruise ship ©TimeLine Media

Avignon and Arles

Our flight arrived in Marseilles from which we boarded a van that took us to the ship. We boarded the Viking Heimdal in the medieval city of Avignon. This ancient city has many characteristics that come to mind when you think of the Middle Ages. The old city is fortified by a tall stone wall surrounding the interior. From behind the wall you can see towers rising from palaces and churches. In fact, this was the home city to popes that ruled the Catholic Church from here for a time. The landmark closest to the ship was a bridge over the Rhone that no longer spans the river.

 Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge over the Rhone in Avignon, France ©TimeLine Media

The next day, we cruised south to Tarascon. This was the closest that the ship could dock for a tour of to the city of Arles. Although this was a setting for part of the movie, ‘Ronin’ I was not familiar with this amazing city. This is an ancient Roman city complete with an amphitheater like the coliseum in Rome. It changed from an arena, to a fortress protecting the citizens from marauders, back to a bull fighting ring today. It was mind-bending to think that it was built as a gift from the Julius Caesar, the senator before he was emperor, for their support during a conflict.

Arles is also known as a place where Vincent Van Gogh resided and was hospitalized late in life. There are restaurants, and the hospital where you can tour and learn more about the artist and his work create there.

After the tour of Arles, the ship brought us back north to Avignon. On arrival, we were afforded a river view of Avignon in the evening – just stunning! It was an impressive ancient city that leaves an impression.

Since the ship docks close to the city center, I set an early alarm to get up to get some morning photos. I did not venture from the ship and took these from the roof deck. The fog and color from the sunrise set a moody feel to the photo. Cropping out the modern parking lot in front evokes a view of Avignon in ancient times.

Lastly as we left the Avignon area, we took a side excursion to the Pont Du Gard. As can be seen, this is an ancient structure built by Romans to bring water to the city of Nimes. It is the tallest aqueduct bridge from Roman times, and one of the best preserved. It was breathtaking to try to comprehend the feat to create such a structure so long ago. Not to mention, the slight elevation change along the entire route to Nimes that successfully brought water across 31 miles! As can be seen, this area for France is full of photogenic places and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to see Avignon and Arles. Stay tuned to the blog for our next stops!

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703-864-8208

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