While visiting our friends on Harbor Island last weekend, I offered to work on any jobs they might need help with. Chuck and I, with shovel and hoe in hand, excavated several areas to restore water flow to a spring-fed creek running through the center of the island. The work was less than glamorous but also quite rewarding as each section of the creek was reconnected and water gushed downstream. Today, Jeanine informed me that our hosts have named the restored rivulet “Carl’s Creek.” I feel quite honored by this tributary tribute.
Our River House design is approaching completion. The last area of refinement is window placement and sizing. The latest riverside elevation is shown above. Our initial concept was very modern but also had something of a “commercial store-front” vibe. In this version, we have established a three-floor repeating pattern covering the living area, aviary, and game room, and the dining area gets its own window centered on a circular table. Much of the initial design was driven by the outside appearance of the house. We have now shifted our focus to make sure that the windows make the most sense from the inside looking out since that is where we will be spending 99% of our time.
After an extremely restful night in the guest house (to the right of the long deck in the photo above), I was up with the sun for some aerial photography. Because of the location of many trees, I struggled to get a perspective that did justice to the house design which is modern with interesting angles everywhere. We picked up many ideas for incorporation into our new house plans. Not shown is a large barn that houses the woodshop and additional living area. I spent a portion of the morning helping Chuck to reestablish proper flow to a small rivulet on the island while Jeanine enjoyed an extended walk with Lydia. We returned to Concord in time for the Academy Awards, hoping to see Geoff McLean win an Oscar for his short documentary, “Audible..” Unfortunately, the award went to “The Queen of Basketball,” a very well-done interview with Lusia Harris chronicling her legendary career in basketball. While very good, I personally believe that “Audible” was a far superior documentary in terms of dimensionality, nuance, and overall storytelling.
Jeanine and I drove to Sebasco, Maine early this morning to visit with friends, Lydia and Chuck, who have recently finished building a new home on Harbor Island. Transit to the island, located only a few hundred feet off the coast, was by way of their amphibious vehicle; half Zodiac style boat, half three-wheeled rock crawler. The hydraulically deployed wheels carry the boat over rugged terrain and are retracted once in the water. VERY COOL! It is the ultimate mode of personal transport between the cars they leave parked on the mainland and their home which is a fair distance from the landing cove on the island.
After a nice lunch, we were treated to a tour of their home and the ~65-acre island, much of which they own.
While in Mexico the US Amputee Soccer Team was followed by producer, Geoff McClean, and his videographer. His most recent project. “Audible” is up for an Oscar Award this weekend in the Short Documentary Film category. He has been following Nico for at least four years now and is interested in doing a project involving the team. He was gathering footage and interviews to prepare a 3-minute video to present to Netflix executives. If they greenlight the project, he will be assembling a crew to follow the US team as they prepare for and compete in the World Cup. If you have a Netflix subscription, I highly recommend watching “Audible.” There is a reason it has been nominated for an Oscar.
When in countries where motorcycles and scooters are primary modes of transportation, I always find myself drawn to photographing families riding together. There is something very intimate I find in these scenes. Here are some of my favorites from San Juan de Los Lagos.
My primary motivation for choosing to visit Puerto Vallarta after the World Cup Qualifier was to photograph the Playa del Amor, the “beach of love” more typically called the Hidden Beach, a secluded sandy cavern on one of the islands that make up the Marietas Islands National Park. Unfortunately, I was not able to accomplish that goal and the photo above is not one I took. Had I been less busy when booking travel I would have done more research and learned that (a) access to the islands is not permitted on Mondays and Tuesdays (the two days I was in Puerto Vallarta), and (b) that drones are not permitted over the islands. I had assumed that this was a natural formation but have since learned that the round opening over the sea cave was created when the military was testing new explosives.
With the Marietas off the table, I decided to visit the Los Arcos Islands instead. They also feature many sea caves and birdlife proving to be a pleasant consolation. All in all, my time in Puerto Vallarta has been relaxing but I found myself constantly missing Jeanine who would have really enjoyed the food, music, and art.
Puerto Vallarta is a city with much to recommend it. The beaches here stretch for miles and there seems to be one for every type of visitor. As with most such locations, the economy is based on tourism so you are constantly exposed to merchandise or services for sale. Despite the fact that every inch of the beachfront appears to be developed, there is no lack of wildlife to be found. I enjoyed a casual day of strolling the boardwalk and Malecon before enjoying an afternoon siesta and delicious food. I tested negative for Covid and should be all set for my return flight to the US tomorrow.
The final qualifying matches last night were followed by an Awards Ceremony which I was able to watch live on the San Juan TV streaming channel. Nicolai was awarded the “Jugador Mas Valioso” (Most Valuable Player) of the tournament scoring a total of 3 goals and 2 assists. His lifetime international goal tally now stands at 29. Although I was not there in person, I did photograph his acceptance off the TV screen in my room. As far as the team standings go, it remains unclear if the USA finished 2nd or 3rd. We were initially awarded the 2nd place trophy but later in the ceremony asked to exchange it for Mexico’s 3rd place trophy. Since Haiti, the USA, and Mexico all finished the tournament with 7 points, the finishing order is determined by the tie break criteria. Apparently, there remains confusion around those criteria. Either way, the US is headed for Turkey in the fall.
As much as I have enjoyed the excitement of the last several days, it has been anything but relaxing. This morning I returned to Agua Calientes and flew to Puerto Vallarta where I will spend a few days decompressing. Destination beach towns are not generally my thing, but I wanted someplace nearby with good flight connections and at least a few opportunities for hiking and good photography. Although the US has secured advancement to the World Cup tournament, its finishing position in the CONCACAF qualifier will not be determined until the final two matches are played this evening. I will, no doubt, report on the results tomorrow. Pictured below is the bed and breakfast where I am staying. It is very lovely and the wi-fi, while not great, is much better than my hotel in San Juan de Los Lagos. The top-level has a large hot tub/pool and sunbathing deck which also makes for a perfect drone launching helipad.
The loss to Mexico put the US hopes of a World Cup ticket in jeopardy. Nothing short of a win in their last game against Haiti would guarantee advancement putting a great deal of pressure on the team. Even so, everyone seemed resigned to their mission and calm in the build-up to the match. Inspired by an emotional visit with Don Bennett, founder of organized amputee soccer, the USA team secured the win and a trip to Turkey for the World Cup. Nicolai scored both goals in the 2-1 victory. The first was a penalty kick and the second was another brilliant header. In remarks to the team after the match, Nico described the day as the best of his life and I can understand why. I was thrilled to share it with him and my face below is as happy as it gets.
Playing the host country is never easy. In this case, about 3200 Mexican fans showed up for the soccer match giving them the 12th man advantage. Many calls went their way and their stalling tactics went unaddressed. Even so, Mexico played an excellent match and beat the US by a score of 2-1. The Mexican defense did a good job of neutralizing Nicolai whose contribution was limited to the assist on the only American goal. The sound in the stadium was deafening. Between the cheering fans and blaring music on the PA system, it was impossible to communicate on the field or with the bench.
After games, the players are generally besieged by fans seeking autographs and photographs. Over the years Nico has signed soccer balls, jerseys, scraps of papers, and all manner of clothing and body parts. The look on his face, when handed a baby for the first time, was priceless. Fortunately, he made no attempt to sign it but rather held it securely for a photo.
This morning the team visited el Colegio Miguel Bolonia, a middle school in San Juan de Los Lagos. We were greeted by faculty and students who presented each of us with handwritten letters and medals. We reciprocated with school supplies. The team played a match with the students and had to settle for another tie 🙂
By match time, it was down to business. The US came out strong and pressured El Salvador for the entire match. Nico had the assist on our only goal which was enough for the win. The entire match can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/sanjuantv/videos/251158840458769
The USA faced Costa Rica in its opening match. With seconds remaining in the first half, Costa Rica scored on a direct kick which caught our goalie off his line. The US put the setback in their rearview mirror, rallied around their keeper, and responded with an equalizer midway through the second half. Although the team had hoped for a win, a tie would have to do. In this tournament, a win earns 3 points and a tie earns 1 point. After all five teams have played each other, the three with the greatest number of points will qualify for the World Cup tournament which will be held in Turkey later this year.
I arrived in Aguas Calientes, Mexico this morning where I rented a car and drove to San Juan de Los Lagos where the Amputee Soccer World Cup Qualifier for the CONCACAF region is being held. The journey was not without drama. To start, I was robbed at the airport. Mexican customs charged me $220 as an import tax on my drone. Next, I had to wait one hour while my rental car was being “fueled”? Finally, Google Maps guided me to my hotel by way of the pedestrian-only square surrounding the main cathedral here. Once I entered the area, it was impossible to back out and I had to drive ahead at about 1/2 mph until I found an exit. Very embarrassing. Still, it was all worthwhile. I joined Nicolai for the opening ceremony which featured many traditional Mexican dances and costumes, singing, acrobatics, and pyrotechnics. Nicolai was introduced with the other team captains from Mexico, El Salvador, Haiti, and Costa Rica.
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