There are a bunch of abandoned vehicles within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Even though the rules prohibit removing anything from the Zone due to radioactivity, everything has been picked over including the vehicles. It’s hard to find any vehicle that hasn’t had numerous parts salvaged by scrappers. Note…these photos are pre-war.
Pripyat Hospital
I’ll keep the Ukraine photo theme going. I don’t know about you, but I keep watching and reading everything I can find about the war in Ukraine. I’m so sad about what’s happening and mad at the Russian government for doing it.
I took these photos (pre-war) inside the abandoned hospital in the city of Pripyat, Ukraine. This city is inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and a few miles from the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Surgical Room
Hospital supply room
Optical Exam Room
I don’t know what this hospital bed was for
Baby nursery
Another nursery room in the OB department
Chernobyl
I don’t know what to say about the war in Ukraine. It is so frustrating to know people, historical sites, houses, etc.. are getting injured, damaged or worse because of one person’s greed and evil intent.
These are photos from Chernobyl (pre-war).
Chernobyl Reactor #4 with the containment dome over the nuclear disaster
Chernobyl Reactor #5 which was under construction when #4 melted down
Engineering office at the Jupiter Factory
Inside the Jupiter Factory
Old Soviet Facilities in Ukraine
Here are a few more photos from my Ukraine trip (pre-war). All of these were taken near the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor and within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
I hope the Ukraine military and people can keep on giving the Russian military a good fight and that they stay safe.
Abandoned Pripyat Apartment building with the Soviet logo on top
Abandoned buildings in Pripyat
DUGA - abandoned Russia military radar station to detect NATO Nuclear missile launches
Soviet Propaganda
Chernobyl Abandoned Boats
It’s great to see and hear about the Ukraine people fighting back and not letting the Russian military run right over them. But I can only imagine the toll they are paying in blood to make that happen. I stand with Ukraine!!
Here are some photos I took (pre-war) of abandoned ships in the Chernobyl River (technically this is near Pripyat which is the city next to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plants.
Abandoned ship
Abandoned boat leaning to port
Same boat as the 2nd photo above.
Lifeguard station at a kids summer camp on the river
Pripyat Carnival - City Center
Another day, more sad news out of Ukraine.
Here are some photos from the center of Pripyat, which is the abandoned city next to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Ferris Wheel in downtown Pripyat
Cultural Center in Pripyat
Bumper Car in Pripyat
My Thoughts Are With Ukraine
I am very sad for the citizens of Ukraine. The Russian attack is unnecessary, unprovoked, and dangerous to Ukrainians and Russians. Unfortunately, Russian’s leader is just another evil dictator who doesn’t care.
Here are a few photos from my trip to Ukraine a few years ago. I’ll post more from this trip over the next few days.
World War II Memorial park with Kyiv in the background
World War II monument
Church in Kyiv
Husavik
I’ve been going through a bunch of my Iceland photos from our pandemic trip and I’m sorry if you’re getting tired of them.
Here is another one. This is the harbor in the village of Husavik Iceland. I loved the looks of these ships with the mountains in the background.
Interesting fun fact: This is the village that is featured in the “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga” movie. During our time in this town, we visited a number of locations featured in the movie.
Vestrahorn Mountain
During our first trip to Iceland, MJ and I didn’t go to this site. Honestly, I didn’t even know about it at that time. In preparation for the 2nd trip, I discovered it online and put it on our itinerary and I am so glad I did.
It was about 30 minutes off the main road to the end of this peninsula. It cost us about $7 each to get access to the black sand beach and dunes, plus we got a chance to visit the Viking Café. They also have a recreated Viking Village, that we didn’t visit since we spent all our time out hiking around the black sand dunes and capturing photos of the Vestrahorn Mountain in the background. Like most amazing geographic locations, photos don’t do them justice, which is true of the mountains this photo as well.
This is a must-see Iceland spot. As a bonus, when MJ and I were leaving the location, we came upon a wild herd of reindeer. That was a “first” for me.
South Beach Fun
What a mess the last two years have been. Regardless of the worldwide disaster, we’ve had some good experiences during that time. One of them was a trip to Miami Beach. During one evening we went to South Beach to have dinner and I captured these photos at sunset.
Cloud Covered Pittsburgh
How was your week? I’m glad the work week is over…. Happy thoughts the rest of the weekend is my only goal. This photo represents a past happy moment when Blair and I were hanging out at the Point State Park taking photos and just talking. If you look close, we’re the two people in front of the fountain.
Miami Beach Hot Spot
Up and down Miami Beach they have these amazing Art Deco Lifeguard shacks of all shapes and colors. I captured a bunch of photos as you can probably guess. I loved them all.
Hofskirkja Turf Church
This beautiful little turf church is in the southeast coast of Iceland near the village of Hof. There are only six turf churches left in the country and we got a chance to see two of them on our last trip to Iceland. As you might have noticed, there are graves all around the church courtyard which are the small mounds in the foreground of this photo. None of them have grave headstones or markers, but I assume they have records of who is buried where around the church.
Private Party
While in Mexico, we ate at this seaside restaurant three times. During one of those visits, we got a chance to sit out here in this private area. It was a great spot to watch the sunset from while enjoying a great meal.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
I’m sure on Super Bowl Sunday my post should be football related. But I’ve been thinking a bunch about our 2021 Iceland trip. So, you’re getting this photo from the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon on the southeastern side of the country. Great spot!!
Your Super Bowl Pick?
I took this photo in Cincinnati last season. Unfortunately, I missed both Steelers/Bengals games this year due to scheduling conflicts. Anyway, I’d like to see the LA Rams win so that Matt Stafford gets his recognition at long last. You?
Playa Resort
I don’t know the name of this resort, but I loved the design. I took this via the drone at sunrise which provided the warm glow and deep shadows. Maybe someday I’ll stay at this location????
Playa Vibes
We had an amazing time in Playa del Carmen and I’m ready to go back right now. Here is a short video from our time there.
The GOAT
I’ve never posted on my blog twice on the same day and I’ve been operating the blog for almost a decade. But today after my post, the greatest NFL football player of all time announced his retirement. I’ve been a fan going back to his time at Michigan (in spite of my wife’s wishes). I’ve had a few wonderful opportunities to photograph him over the years. It was an honor to experience that and do my best to capture him in the best possible way. Tom Brady is the best ever!!
Here are a few photos I’ve taken of the GOAT.
Let The Sun Shine Through
I took this drone photo during the pandemic, but honestly, I don’t remember when. It seems like the last two years have been a blur. So, the context of dates during that time is just off in my head. Maybe that’s stress from work during this time, maybe it is just old age…. Regardless, it wasn’t taken last week.
This is downtown Pittsburgh right after sunrise.
