Coray•Ography

In Memorium: R. Que Coray

2012-03-01T22:00:00.000-08:00

Good 'Ol Uncle Que passed away last week after having been in declining health for several years. Yesterday was his funeral service, then a family luncheon afterwards. The day included some tearful emotions, but lots of joyous celebration of his life as well.

Que was a family man to his very core and it showed up yesterday, with extended family gathering from all over the country to lend their emotional support. His children and grandchildren did an outstanding, loving job with the services, start to finish. And to honor the man that Que was, they made sure there was lots and lots of laughing and story-telling. At the cemetery, a small honor guard paid fitting tribute to Que, the veteran.

The event renewed and strengthened old family ties and helped build new ones. A fitting tribute to Que. We ALL will miss him.

These photos are just a sampling of the images I made yesterday to help my extended family remember the special day that it was in their lives. (Click on any photo to view it larger.)

T-Shirt Design

2012-01-16T20:48:00.000-08:00

I'm working on a couple of creative projects. First is a table tennis design. I'm thinking of using it on a t-shirt, which leads me to the other creative "something" - the art of batik. About 40 years ago, while in high school, I tried a batik project and loved it. Because it involves the dying of fabric, it was a natural offshoot of the tie-dye fad, which I also enjoyed.
In batik, artists use wax to block out the area of the design that they do NOT want colored. So it's kind of a reverse stencil. A series of those steps can produce a very interesting result. The most common application is for clothing, though it can be displayed in countless forms.
So, anyway 40 years later, I'm trying it again. I've bought a couple of books and am picking up the needed equipment (wax, dyes, etc.) I'll be putting my Photoshop expertise to use in order to add my own twist. Hey wait, I should try out my table tennis design on a t-shirt!
Stay tuned...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2011!

2011-12-20T21:43:00.000-08:00

Wow, while putting this year's card together, I realized that I have been creating these silly Christmas cards for 20 years now! Time sure flies. Does my sending them now in a digital format only make me technologically current or lazy and slothful? I'm not sure. One thing I do know is that the pressure of creating another good card each year has turned me into an enormous procrastinator!

The cards represented include:
1990 Feliz Navidad (green sombrero)
1991 Steve meets John Wayne (14 years old, circa 1969)

1992 Christmas Virgin (top)

1996 Santa's naughty or nice list (top)
2000 He knows if you've been bad or good (holiday peeper, lower left)
2003 From all of us (bottom center)
2004 Dreaming of a white New Year (bride clients)
2005 Egg nog mug (top left)
2006 Green eyes (center)
2008 Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Years (upper middle)
2010 Steve made up of type (lower right)

I would love to get your vote for your favorite one from these "best of" cards. If I get enough votes, I will post the tally after New Years Day.

Click on the card to see a full-size version...

I'll be spending the Christmas weekend in Ogden with my parents, brother Kevin, and his son Jakob. Hope you and yours have a safe, joyous holiday season!

Table Tennis Rocks!

2011-12-10T20:25:00.000-08:00

My arthritic knees will no longer take the punishment that racquetball would put them through. But it turns out that table tennis isn't nearly so bad on them. So I have been trying to build some competitive skills in this replacement sport. And I need the exercise!
So I have been going out to the Table Tennis Training and Event Center in West Valley. I'm trying to make it twice a week. I've taken a few lessons and have been playing in a league (with my old friend Jeff A.). I'm still crappy, but feeling a little improvement and have been having a blast. For you non-players, this is NOT basement ping pong. This version is VERY fast, VERY aggressive. Fun stuff.
They have been working to promote table tennis with younger players. The two main youth groups they are trying to get rolling are scouts and high schools. I just finished developing a logo for the high school program. Organizers will be visiting high schools in northern Utah VERY soon!

Table Tennis is a great lifetime sport. Give it a try!

Crockpot Chicken Chili

2011-10-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

I get together with old friends about once a month to play poker. We each take a turn as host. The host supplies the main course and the rest bring side dishes. The poker sessions turn out to be more about eating and laughing than serious poker. We prefer it that way.

So, my day to host was today. I found a slow cooker recipe for chicken chili on the internet that I tried out. Since I have so little cooking experience, I guess that I use my friends as guinea pigs each time I host. Nobody has croaked yet, so I'm doing okay.

Today went pretty well. Still no death-from-food-poisoning. We all ate and ate. I am keeping my winless streak alive, but had fun at poker anyway. The general feeling is that the chili was a little too hot, but very tasty. So I am including the recipe here, adjusted to a less fiery flavor. It uses a 6-quart slow cooker:

2 lbs - chopped chicken breasts
1/2 - red onion, chopped
---
1 - 15 oz can kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 -15 oz. can white beans, drained, rinsed
2 - 28 oz. cans diced fire roasted tomatoes
1 - 15 oz. can low-sodium chicken broth
1 - medium sweet potato (10 oz.), peeled, shredded
1 - can chipotle chilis in adobo sauce, with seeds, chopped
1/2 - can corn
---
2 tblsp - soy sauce
1 tblsp - kosher salt
2 tsp - granulated garlic
1 tsp - dried oregano
1 tsp - ground cumin
1/8-1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 pinch ground cloves
2 tblsp chili powder
---
2 tblsp cornstarch
2 tblsp water
---
bread bowls
---
Toppings:
sour cream
shredded cheddar or jack cheese
chopped, pickled jalapenos
---
1. Brown chicken and onion.
2. Mix water and cornstarch together.
3. Add all ingredients to slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
4. Serve in bread bowls. Add toppings.

(No photo because I was too busy hosting to be a photographer. Maybe next time, when I am just a guest.)

2011 SigEp Homecoming Warmup

2011-10-02T19:54:00.000-07:00

As alumni of Sigma Epsilon Fraternity, we try to get together sometime during the Homecoming weekend each year to renew our bonds of friendship. This year, we also had a special presentation: Brother Bill Muthiora recently served in Iraq. He was able to get us a flag flown over the compound there. So the AVC (alumni group) got it framed in a nice shadow box. We also have tried to collect the names of as many Utah Beta brothers who served the military as possible. By the time of the presentation, we had identified 41 brothers. More names are sure to trickle in, but there is plenty of room on the second name plaque. Anyway, it was a fitting tribute to our brothers who have served our country. And a very fun night!

Barry & Sharon Burkinshaw

L-R: Joe Mikacevich, Scott Cheney, Dax Arguello, and ?

Bill Muthiora and John Moray

Marty Hooker making the initial introductions

Bill doing the main presentation

Scott Winterowd, Barry and Sharon

Several undergrads joined the festivities in support of the vets.

Marty showing the plaque with the name, rank and branch of Utah Beta vets

Founder John Moray gets a well deserved round of applause

Vets in attendance (L-R): Barry Burkinshaw, Scott Winterowd, John Moray, Bill Muthiora, Marty Hooker, Troy Kolterman

Chapter President AJ Ardovino gave an extremely positive "state of the undergrads" report.

A toast from the undergrads.

More photos from the Jackson/GTNP trip

2011-09-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

Oops, I found one more memory card of images from the family Jackson vacation - mostly of family members.

Mom, before her medical symptoms started really kicking in.

Dad, in front of the Valleon Hotel (Afton, WY), where he worked one summer as a teenager.

My sister Carolyn

My brother Kevin

Grand Teton National Park - Family Vacation

2011-09-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

A memorable vacation: My mother's "complex medical condition" flared up during this trip, so we had to adjust our plans to include the hospital in Jackson Hole. We were able to make sure she got the medical attention she needed while still getting in a good dose of nature. We stayed at the cottages at the Jackson Lake Lodge - they were PERFECT. The weather was PERFECT. If only Mom had been able to take it all in with us, instead of being cooped up in the hospital. After two days, the doctors got her stabilized and we took her home, where she is now safe and sound. Wahoo!!

Kaity & Kevin

My niece Kaity

The view from Jackson Lake Lodge

Farmers Market in Jackson Hole

Steve, Dad, Carolyn, Kevin, Kaity, Tetons

Carolyn, Dad and Kaity

Showing off the Ely, Nevada souvenirs

Each dawn, I listened to elk bugling all over the valley.
What an amazing way to start the day.

When you spot a bear this close, do two things right off: 1) Locate someone who is bound to run slower than you, and 2) Find the guy packing the bear mace. Cozy up to them, then relax and enjoy.

Another Jackson harem.

Osprey, in the raptor category. Eats fish.

What better way to start the day than watching a Jackson sunrise?

I'm no moose expert. But the guy next to me labeled this one as "last year's baby, still not breedable." What I saw was... MOOSE!!!!

Grabbed this shot while waiting to be seated for breakfast. I spotted it, fired off two frames between other patrons, then it was gone. As grab shots go, I like it.

Not exactly the backdrop we were planning for our Jackson vacation.

Looks lie the thin air affected everybody!

Wakeboarding

2011-09-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

Last week, I shot some wakeboarding for some student/client/friends up at Pineview Reservoir, east of Ogden. Their son Andy has developed some pretty strong skills. The assignment was the excuse to go, but the real reason was just getting in some fun time on the lake. I managed to pack about 875 action photos and LOTS of laughing into a couple of hours.

Kenny Loggins Concert

2011-09-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

I don't attend a lot of concerts. One of my first was Loggins and Messina back in about 1974, and I loved it. I also went to a Kenny Loggins concert back in about 1990 at the Capitol Theater. Loved that too.

So I have been looking forward to the latest version of Kenny Loggins - a concert at the outdoor Layton Ampitheater. At capacity, it holds fewer than 2000 people, so it is a pretty intimate venue for an artist who used to sell out the big concert halls "in the day".

Well, I went last night, along with Jessica, a great friend's daughter (who surprisingly is a big KL fan also). Jess is a pseudo niece, so she was great to have along. And the weather was PERFECT. So, big surprise, I loved it! The play list was a solid combination of old and new. He has put together a new band, Blue Sky Riders, that was the opening act. To me, their music harkens back to the old L&M stuff.

After an intermission, Kenny came back out to run through a tour of his music throughout the years. At 63, his voice is still great and he still throws a ton of energy into his performance. Start to finish, the music entertained and touched me. It's funny how instantly music can transport you back through time.

I just wish I hadn't been socked in to the middle of the audience so much - all of my photos are from the very same vantage spot. So they are okay, but not a diverse collection. But they do serve to remind me of a great, great night.

What is your favorite Kenny Loggins song? And why? Post your thoughts!

Great Basin National Park - Days Three & Four

2011-08-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

Sunday:

This turned into our big hike day (by old guy standards anyway). We hiked up to to the Bristlecone pine grove, meeting our ranger friend along the way (from the previous night's hike). Then we hiked past Lake Theresa and Lake Stella. Honestly, it was a moderately long trek for this ol' coot with two aged knees. But it was FUN and we saw some truly beautiful landscape.

A big dish of ice cream at the visitors center afterwards helped bring me back to life. Dinner at "the other" restaurant in Baker was the rest of the cure. A few games of five-handed Hearts helped us wind down. Then off to sleep in the sweet-smell-of-unspeakable-death motel room. We survived it AGAIN!

Monday:

We drove back, listening to a dorky audio book for entertainment. Actually, for entertainment, I catnapped. Back in SLC, we dropped by my Aunt Beverly's home for a quick visit. All in all, it was a great, great weekend getaway vacation!

Ranger Joseph, the bat expert, knows a few things about bristlecone pines also.

Great Basin National Park - Day Two

2011-08-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday:

Had breakfast in the hotel, then went up to the Visitors Center. There, we got Wil's boots decontaminated (in an effort to avoid the "White Nose Syndrome" that has been decimating bat colonies in the east). While waiting for our cave tour time, we went on the short nature trail, guessing at what the numbered signs must be pointing out had we actually gathered a numbered brochure.

Then we went on the ranger-led tour of Lehman Cave. The formations there are so fantastic that descriptions can give some of the details of the place, but not the emotional impact. Try Googling "Lehman Caves" for images inside the cave. I didn't want to carry around a tripod and keep stopping for photos while the group moved on… so no images from me.

After lunch, Pat, Boyd and I went on part of the Pole Canyon Trail. Our trip was cut short by some threatening weather, but we saw some beautiful scenery and 3 snakes! Then, back to dinner at the same restaurant, since the only other one was filled with bikers. Nothing against bikers, mind you. It was just that the staff couldn't keep up with the large group!

Later, we were scheduled to go on a Moonlight Hike, but rainy, cloudy weather threatened to cancel that event. We took the half-hour drive up the mountain to the trailhead just in case. Along the way, we saw a BEAUTIFUL rainbow (photos in my mind only). The skies cleared and we did, in fact, get to experience the ranger-led moonlight hike with ONLY the moon as light (no flashlights) - OUTSTANDING! It was SO quiet and SO beautiful that it, again, is hard to describe. Our ranger's specialty was bats, so we learned lots of interesting info about how necessary and beneficial they are.

Wil and Connor

On the Nature Trail

Boyd & Wil

Pat and Boyd on the Pole Canyon Trail

A shot of our five-star motel

Walking to dinner

The stormy skies that threatened our Midnight Hike.

Great Basin National Park - Day One

2011-08-16T22:34:00.000-07:00

The Players:

Pat Coray Keys, my sister, school teacher, and someone who knows how to help people have fun. She makes everyone around her better. One of my very closest friends.

Boyd Keys, Pat's very patient husband, Chemist, and an EXCELLENT games player. Taught his sons EVERYTHING they know about humor. Somehow puts up with the Coray clan without (public) complaint.

Wil Keys, 20'ish S.O.B. (Son Of Boyd... and Pat) and Geology major. Never faced a question he couldn't answer (in 800 words or more). I love the detailed way he looks at the world. And to say that he has a refreshingly quirky outlook is an understatement - naturally funny. Of the group in our car, he is my favorite.

Connor Keys: 19ish S.O.B. and Economics major. A bit quiet in a group, but always observing every detail. Watch out for his lightning fast, rapier wit or you may get skewered. One has to work to try to keep pace with him. Of the group in our car, he is my favorite.

Me: Somebody needed to pack the car effectively (oh wait, that was Boyd). Well, somebody had to provide the humor (oops, that was Wil and Connor). Lead the meals (nope, that was Pat). Hmmm, errr, ummm, I took a few photos, okay? Just remember, it was a family vacation, not a serious photo safari.

Friday:
Traveled from home to GBNP, with a stop for lunch in Ely. We had a wisecracking, fun-loving, games-playing "busload". A short stop in Wendover for gas and to stretch our legs - no gambling though. Amazing!!! Then on to Ely. Enjoyed (almost) all that that little town had to offer. Stocked up on groceries for the weekend.

First order of business upon arrival was to check into our five-star motel/campground/tepee/bar - it got five stars for being one of the few establishments still open for business in the struggling town of Baker. It's for sale.

Then we dropped by the visitor's center to get oriented and purchase tickets for Saturday's Lehman Cave tour and make arrangements for the Moonlight Hike on Saturday (full moon). Walked the nature short trail near the cave.

Then it was off to the four-star restaurant for dinner - it got four stars for being one of two restaurants open for business. It's for sale.

Then a couple of games of horseshoes (we all suck) and bed, since we were tired from the drive. The room that Wil and I were in had a sickly-sweet smell to it, like they were trying to hide the mold smell… or dead bodies. But we survived.

Boyd, Pat, Connor, Wil. The teepee was previously spoken for.

Wil

Pat

Connor

Blurry photos of Boyd got rejected. This is Pat by a sign for our lodging hosts.

"I Believe I Can Fly..."

World Cup of Archery - Ogden

2011-08-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

Many of the world's best archers have been in Ogden this week, competing in the Stage Three of the USA World Cup. Dad and I had so much fun at it last year that we have been anxiously waiting to go again all year. So we made an evening of it.

Perfect conditions, beautiful evening, hanging out with Dad, watching the best of the best men and women compete, seats on the second row - doesn't get any better. Oops, yes it does - I was a raffle winner too! We had a great, great time.

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

I fondly remember Dad's annual trips to the Ogden City Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend when I was a youngster, some 40-plus years ago. He would tend to the grave site of his father, Claude Laville Coray, and those of two of his brothers, Alan Allred Coray and Reed Louis Coray (who died in the military service of our country). I had faint recollections of Grandpa Coray, but those two uncles had both died long before I was born.

Dad's mother, Lillian Flygare Coray, who had moved to California many years previously, had asked him to take care of the family site in Ogden. So of course he did. It was Dad's task, but my brothers, sisters, mother and I often tagged along. Honestly, I suspect I resisted the "chore". Dad would edge the grass that had grown up around the no-frills head stones and care for the rose bushes he had planted there. Year after year, same thing. At the time, it didn't mean much to me.

A little over 30 years ago, my grandmother, Dad's mom, passed away too. I was in my mid-twenties by then. By the way, I still remember the moving tribute given at her graveside by my cousin Chris, who spoke eloquently about what a fine woman my grandmother had been. It was a memorable family event, with everyone gathering at our home after the ceremony. (I should track down the large group photo I shot that day and get it scanned.)

Anyway, Dad has been tending to that site pretty regularly ever since. Since I haven't lived in Ogden since my college days, I have only been involved in the Memorial Day project a few times over the years.

But Dad is in his late 80's now. "Gardening" is harder work for Dad now, though he hates admitting it. Also, it's harder for Mom to get around and Dad doesn't like to leave her for long. In a phone conversation I had with him this weekend, he mentioned not wanting to "go out in the rain, with the long lines of cars at the cemetery". (This included both the Ogden Cemetery and the Salt Lake Cemetery, where Mom's family members are buried.)

Yet, I know about Dad's sense of duty. So, on my way up to Ogden to visit with Mom and Dad today, I stopped by the Ogden Cemetery to substitute for Dad and do a little cleanup. It just seemed like the thing to do. All it took was a little edging. The rose bushes are gone, so I left some flowers instead.

Only now, it meant a great deal to me. It was nice on that day to have some solitary time to ponder life, death and family. I was glad to do this small task for my dad, and in memory of Dad's parents and his brothers.

===========

Now then, I am hoping that some of my extended family will read this post and that they will comment, not about my small gesture please, but about Claude, Lillian, Reed and/or Alan. Stories, whether they be first- or second-hand, would be a nice tribute on this weekend.

My Grandfather, Claude L. Coray

My Grandmother, Lillian Coray (with Dad at his college graduation)

Standing (L-R): Edward Coray, Howard Coray, Leonard Thrasher, Reed Coray

Kneeling (L-R): Que Coray, Alan Coray, Deuce Coray

Grab Bag

2011-05-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

I shot these images over a three day period. They don't fall into any group, and some are stronger than others. But it was what I was shooting early in May. I like the photos (at the end) of my brother, father, and previous neighbor (who we visited on Friday).

This is Hanh, a co-worker, on her last day at our office. She was the "glue" of our team: always positive, always extremely helpful.

I love my Dad's approach to things. No frills, very direct.

Dad's tulips

Dad. No frills, very direct.

Watching the ducks

My brother, during a visit to our childhood home

Kevin, at "The Hills of Home"

Bud Ayers, with Dad in the background

Ed and Bud, neighbors for over 40 years.

Kevin and Dad. I can just hear Mom chastising Dad for not combing his hair first. I love it!

Two Blocks, One Hour, One Lens

2011-05-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

Finally, a beautiful, warm, dry, spring Saturday! So I went outside looking for some images. I have a Tamron Aspherical 17-35mm f2.8-4 lens that I don't use very much. So I took only that lens with me. My goal was to produce a lot of images within two blocks of my front door. I like the results. I need to use that lens more!

Downtown Bountiful (or... "WWJS?")

2011-04-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

Today, I had to pick up a few groceries and run another downtown errand. So I took advantage of the dry day and walked. With my camera. So I just shot whatever caught my eye. Patterns, shapes, line...

(Extra credit if you can figure out the alternate post title. It's an inside joke, so don't work too hard at it.)

Tulips (and more)

2011-04-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

I shot these images earlier today at the Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival. Because of recent cool weather, the flowers were not yet at their peak. And it was a little wet... and cloudy. But I was able to spend a few hours with a couple of good friends, shooting and laughing... a lot. Then we grabbed some dinner at a great little diner and laughed a lot more. It was a great mid-week break.

I was able to experiment with some photo gear that another friend lent me. It is always fun to play with gear that you didn't have to purchase! Thanks, Dave!

Fun stuff. Enjoy.

I spotted two dead guys behind the flowers!

Compartments

2011-04-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

To me, this photo suggests that life sometimes fits neatly into tidy compartments... but sometimes not. It is a close-up of some kind of bee or wasp nest. I found it on my front doorstep today - my building is getting a new roof, so I'm seeing all kinds of junk rain down from above.

It got me thinking about two things I have recently posted: the theft (and recovery) of my car and the problems I am having with my camera. In fact, I shot this with my smart phone's camera. Yes, I admit it, after badmouthing the crappy images that cellphones create, I am actually presenting one. But it is ONLY because my REAL camera is on the fritz.

Those two things, the camera and car issues, aren't tidy. They have disrupted the normal "flow" a little. So when I saw the hornets nest, it got me thinking about "order" and "same-ness" and "compartments"... and the occasional disruption of those.

There is no grand conclusion to this ramble. I just found the image interesting. I'd love to hear about the ideas it triggers for you!

Reunion!

2011-04-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

Well I've got my car back and it seems to be in good order. I got a call yesterday morning from the police letting me know that they had found it. So I picked it up from Magna, about 20 miles from where it was stolen. Nothing of value was missing, except for the rear license plate!

So I will need to get new plates, and had to pay for a rental car for one day. All's well that ends well. It's a good thing I didn't waste much emotion on the initial loss.

I am going to miss that rental vehicle though, a brand new Dodge Journey. That was fun to drive, even if for just a few miles.

Theft (no photos this time)

2011-04-14T05:10:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, you get a reminder about what is truly important in life, or what isn't. Yesterday, while I was at work, my car got stolen. Yup, right from the parking terrace of my employer. I didn't know about it until I left work at the end of the day (6:15). Bummer.

But really, how upset SHOULD I be? I am inconvenienced, maybe out a small amount of money. But it is just a car. A thing. No loved one got hurt. I'm not physically injured. And I am insured. So I will either get my car back or get some money from my insurance company. I'll be driving a rental car for a few days. So I can still get to work. Life goes on.

Sure, I fell a bit violated, a little resentful. But I don't want to dwell on that. I want to get on with things. To move forward. So, am I weird about this? Would you be more upset? I'd love to hear your own thoughts about being the victim of theft and its impact on you.

Before the camera fizzled

2011-04-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

I have an ongoing phantom issue with my camera. It will sometimes just quit working completely. It is very frustrating! So, these few images are some I was shooting while waiting for our table to open at Ruth's Diner this morning. I was seeing some interesting things, getting visually "warmed up", starting to get a few images I liked... then pfffffft. Oh well, these things happen, I guess. It forced me to put down the camera and focus instead on visiting more with my friend Shawn and his wife Barbara (not that I would have completely ignored them otherwise). We ate a great meal (love those buscuits) and had a great conversation (as usual).

A self-assignment

2011-04-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I need a little "push" to get some images made. So I am pushing myself this morning. I'm headed out for breakfast with friends. I'm taking my camera and am going to shoot whatever presents itself. Stay tuned for a post later today of... something.

Pattern & Color (archive photos)

2011-04-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

More archive photos to get this blog started... If you are willing to invest some break-of-dawn time, hot air balloons provide perfect subject matter to explore color, pattern, shape and light. These images were from two different photo excursions, one was a balloon/kite festival, the other just an informal launch. I'm sure I will chase more balloons in the future!

Tulips (archive photos)

2011-04-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

I maintain a very small garden, but it gives me a great deal of satisfaction. I especially enjoy early spring, when the tulips signal beginning, renewal, rebirth. There is a special grace to tulips that attracts me: the wide variety of bright colors and patterns, the long stems, the intricate detail revealed when the petals unfold... tulips are truly beautiful in their simplicity. These images are from the past two years. I will absolutely be making more in the next few weeks. So please visit again.

Cabo!

2011-04-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to visit Cabo San Lucas this February with some dear friends. As they strolled around, I tagged along behind, "at photographer pace", quickly trying to grab a few photos before I got lost in the crowd. I loved the architecture, the colors, the patterns, the mid-winter warmth, the relaxation and especially the company!