Lighted Spaces and Landscapes

Excerpts from a Geographer's Photo Archive

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  • Bring Lots of Water

    It was the early 90s and Tulum was clearly a resort, but not as trendy as it is now. Regardless it always requires good hydration and a hat if you visit. (Tulum, Mexico, 1993)

  • Dangerous Debris

    The San Gabriel Mountains feature debris shoots and basins designed to manage falling mud and rocks

    Among the beautiful homes in the San Gabriel Mountains are debris shoots and basins to capture and direct mud and rocks that tumble from above. After reading John McPhee’s The Control of Nature I had to see these things for myself. This is the Shields Canyon debris field. (La Crescenta-Montrose, California, 2006)

  • Pizza Homeland

    highlighting the joy of finding exceptional pizza in unexpected places.

    I’m after pizza where I can find it. This time it was in some small joint in Naples. So good, so fresh, so hot. (Naples, Italy 2011)

  • She Makes a Grand Entrance

    Kathleen arrives in Seville

    I had been in Spain for about a month and Kathleen was coming for the last 2 weeks. She is, tired, jet lagged, her luggage is delayed, and she is trying to figure out where I am in the greeting line. I think she looks great! (Seville, Spain 2024)

  • The Garden Takes Center Stage

    Our next house was a plain white colonial with no plantings in front. Kathleen took on the challenge of making the front yard a spectacle of color and flowers all summer long. For the record, we were here for a long time as well. (Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin 2004)

  • More Laundry, This Time Croatia

    The sight of laundry in Dubrovnik serves as a poignant reminder to view these areas not just as tourist destinations, but as neighborhoods inhabited by local residents.

    It’s important to remember that people live in the places we visit. Seeing laundry brings this home to me and reminds me to think of this space as someone’s neighborhood space. (Dubrovnik, Croatia, 2011)

  • The Laundry of Seville

    Spotting laundry on the line is a unique travel hobby, especially in Seville from Las Setas.

    Spotting laundry on the line is a traveling hobby. This one was a particular good morning for it and this was my best shot from my vantage point on Las Setas. There is something special about the smell of clothes off the line. There is also something wonderful about the visual of the clothes blowing in the breeze. (Seville, Spain, 2024)

  • Sometimes You Need a Bowl at Real Chili

    Real Chili, a beloved Milwaukee establishment known for its unique chili.

    A friend called me a few weeks ago and asked if I wanted to have dinner at Real Chili. It had been a while since I’ve sat down to this Milwaukee classic dish. If you know it, you love it or you know someone who loves it. The simple counter, the bright lights, and the unique variation on chili. I recommend a visit to either location. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2026)

  • I Still Love Electric Scooters

    Scooters offer affordability and practicality, aligning with their personal values. This reflection takes place in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 2026.

    A couple years ago I wrote about my affection for this mode of transportation. Now that I’ve moved back into the city I think I will start using them again. They are inexpensive and pragmatic. Yeah, that sounds like me. (Reykjavik, Iceland, 2026)

  • Another Juan Arctic Mural in Reykjavik

    Juan Arctic is a favorite muralist known for his playful and colorful artwork. The author recalls seeing his murals daily while living in Reykjavik and appreciates the context he brings to his work.

    Juan Arctic (@juan_arctic) is one of my favorite muralists. I walked by his work nearly every day when I lived in Reykjavik. He is playful, aware of context, colorful, and just fun. When I was in town this spring, I was please to find a new work near my hotel. (Reykjavik, Iceland, 2026)