The Adventures of elATLboy

San Diego: A Million Skyline Looks

Posted on March 19, 2018 | 6 comments

Back to sharing skylines I go which leads me back to the A Million Skyline Looks series.

The latest edition comes from Southern California and a city known for its mild climate all year long, beautiful San Diego.

Downtown scene from the San Diego–Coronado Bridge.

I was excited to get a first taste of what San Diego has to offer. Most of my shots are from Coronado Island and along San Diego Bay as well as from random spots on the interstate. Always have that camera ready in the car, especially if you are a passenger! Palm trees make me happy so a lot of the skyline views made me smile even more. Well without further ado.

Beautiful Downtown San Diego from northbound I-5.

San Diego: A Million Skyline Looks from across San Diego Bay

Skyline straight ahead, opposite San Diego Bay.

Heading onto I-5 northbound. San Diego, California front-and-center.

San Diego: A Million Skyline Looks from Tidelands Park on Coronado Island

Palms trees guarding the skyline in Tidelands Park on Coronado Island.

San Diego: A Million Skyline Looks from Coronado Island

San Diego, California cityscape straight ahead!

Sailboats guarding the San Diego skyline

Who is ready to set sail in Downtown San Diego, California?!

What a harbor and city view these palm trees get to experience every day. Looking southward.

Beautiful Downtown San Diego, California amongst the palm trees

Capturing the San Diego skyline and palm trees every chance I get.

San Diego: A Million Skyline Looks, California

Heading off California State Route 75 and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge into town.

San Diego: A Million Skyline Looks, from the San Diego-Coronado Bridge

Looking straight down Harbor Drive from up-top the San Diego–Coronado Bridge.

Always have that camera ready as a passenger. You never know when a skyline will present itself.

San Diego: A Million Skyline Looks, from the friendly skies

Skyline peaking through the window upon descent into San Diego International Airport.

Coronado Island greenery amongst the San Diego, California cityscape.

Out on the open Tidelands Park trail.

Just a typical clear, warm day in San Diego from Coronado Island.

Out on the open road capturing the San Diego skyline amongst palm trees.

What other spots would you recommend capturing the San Diego skyline from?

6 Comments

Posted in California, San Diego, travel

Tagged a million skyline looks, California, city travel, cityscape, Coronado Island, San Diego, San Diego Bay, skyline, SoCal

Out on the Open Road Ann Arbor Winter Style

Posted on March 8, 2018 | 6 comments

Being “Out on the Open Road” can be a challenge in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the Midwest during the winter months. Road conditions and the resulting slow times in the car can get on my nerves like many at times. It is was worth it though when I’m able to see the beautiful snow scenes that this time of year produces. This was especially true on some recent drives on and around Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor. Well without further ado.

Huron River Drive in winter, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Out on the open road, Ann Arbor winter style.

The early morning brings with it the same scenic feeling.

Playing on the wintry road, to capture the scenes of winter.

Rinse, repeat. More Ann Arbor Huron River Drive beauty.

Huron River is a must Ann Arbor drive no matter the time of the year.

Blue winter skies. The warmer temperatures causing all the heavy snow and branches to start falling onto the road.

Pedestrian bridge over Huron River, Barton Nature Area, Ann Arbor

Out on the open Barton Nature Area pedestrian bridge.

Out on the open Barton Nature Area snow-covered trail.

The wet and heavy snow clings on to everything on the pedestrian bridge over the Huron River.

The wet and heavy snow clings on to everything in the Barton Nature Area.

Huron River and snow covered hills of Ann Arbor, Michigan

Looking out at the Huron River and wintry hills of Ann Arbor.

Out on the open road true Ann Arbor winter style.

A new dirt road find, the hilly Bird Road in Ann Arbor.

Do you have a favorite drive you like to road trip on over-and-over again during the winter months?

6 Comments

Posted in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Road Trip, winter

Tagged Ann Arbor, Metro Detroit, Michigan, midwest travel, Pure Michigan, road trip, snow, winter

Tech-ing It up at Octane Coffee Bar in Atlanta

Posted on February 22, 2018 | 5 comments

My brother and I were driving around the Buckhead part of Atlanta in the early evening recently and were looking for a coffee shop to check out. I knew there was an Octane Coffee / Bar in the area, and having been to their Grant Park location on several occasions, knew I could expect a good coffee and experience.

This Octane Coffee location sits on the first floor within the happening Atlanta Tech Village. We could feel the entrepreneurial and tech startup vibes both in- and outside of the brightly lit shop. There were lots of open laptops throughout the first floor and a mixer starting next store, as we walked into Octane right before close.

Being Happy Hour my brother enjoyed one of their cocktail offerings. I of course went the coffee route, going with a basic latte. Just what I came to expect!

Octane was recently bought by southern based coffee roaster and retailer Revelator Coffee. Thus I saw ready to purchase coffee beans from both brands. Think that might be enough to last me a few days.

Additional tips:

This location follows more traditional business hours closing at 5pm or earlier each day.
Deck parking, which is connected to the village, is available for Octane Coffee customers.
If Espresso Cola is on the menu, order!

You can find Octane Coffee in the Atlanta Tech Village on Instagram. Likewise for Revelator Coffee. It was a great first experience at this Octane Coffee / Bar location.

What are some of your favorite coffee shops in Atlanta?

5 Comments

Posted in Atlanta, coffee, coffee shop, Georgia

Tagged Atlanta, Atlanta coffee shop, Atlanta Tech Village, Buckhead, coffee, coffee lover, coffee shop, Georgia, indie coffee shop, Octane Coffee, Revelator Coffee

Back to Capture More of Ocean Beach in San Francisco

Posted on February 15, 2018 | 11 comments

Ocean Beach in San Francisco, enough said. It’s one of my happy places. The Pacific Ocean lined city beach runs flush against the Richmond and Sunset districts as well as Golden Gate Park.

I had the chance to spend some more time there since my post San Francisco: Your First Ocean Beach years ago.

The scenes I captured in that post focused on the north end of the beach near the infamous Cliff House. The photos below come more from the south side of the three mile long beach. The scene was cloudy, cool, windy and misty right along the coast. I would have expected nothing less. It’s what makes this beach and San Francisco the most picturesque in my opinion. Thick fog in the early morning is extremely common in this part of the city as well.

Along with the beach I got up close views of the colorful, priceless homes that lie opposite the Great Highway. You will find plenty of beach, bike paths and places to roam along the frigid ocean waters. Well without further ado I present to you more of Ocean Beach in San Francisco.

It was another relaxing and refreshing Ocean Beach experience. It didn’t even feel like I was in the big city as I roamed.

Some tips:

Make sure to dress in layers. It is usually much colder here than in the heart of the city.
You’ll find plenty of parking on both ends of Ocean Beach.
I just got my feet wet per usual. Swimming is not recommended due to the strong rip currents, tall waves and cold water.

Have you spent time along/on Ocean Beach and in this part of San Francisco?

11 Comments

Posted in beach, California, San Francisco

Tagged beach, beach life, beachfront, California, Ocean Beach, Pacific Ocean, San Francisco

Capturing a Michigan Winter Storms Beauty in the Moment

Posted on February 9, 2018 | 16 comments

Having to be in Brighton, Michigan right in the middle of a winter storm (Mateo) randomly gave me the idea to capture the snowy scene the only way I know how.

I walked and laid down on Main Street and nearby Huron Meadows Metro Park and Hammel Road. There was ample white to capture without a sole around. I wanted to get out on the open roads before it was disturbed with salt, plows and lots of vehicle traffic.

This post was put together right in the moment as I captured some Pure Michigan winter beauty. Well without further ado.

Tip: I recommend capturing Hammel Road, a dirt road just outside Brighton, no matter the season. Fall and winter though take this spot to an even greater level.