It’s mid-January and overcast here in the Pacific Northwest. Yesterday a friend told me she was suffering from the January doldrums; that blue feeling when the holidays are over, New Year’s resolutions are broken and you’re faced with the long haul until summer. I’ve always enjoyed January; especially with later winters giving rise to surprise snowfalls, but in order to lift our spirits a little, I’m looking up, literally, this week.
Looking up at Seattle’s Space Needle – even on an overcast day it’s pretty spectacular.
One of my favourite things to look up at – a beautiful moonlit night along the Oregon coast.
I’m not sure who was more startled; me or this little squirrel at Snug Harbor Botanical Garden on Staten Island.
On the subject of squirrels, how about taking a photo from a squirrel’s point of view? Autumn leaves at High Rock Park in New York.
The Scots found an almost perfect spot to build Edinburgh Castle. When you see it towering impossibly far up on Castle Rock, its defensive advantage becomes all too apparent.
When I was in Edinburgh I spent an awful lot of time looking up, because the Old Town streets are crammed with the most delightful rooftops I have ever seen, with turrets, chimneys and spires all jostling for attention.
It always surprises me to see people rushing around, especially in big cities, with their eyes firmly fixed on the ground. There’s an awful lot of stuff happening above your head, if you take the time to look. So now over to you for your interpretation of Up. If you would like to join in this week’s travel theme (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:
- Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Up
- Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
- Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
- Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.
Things are looking up already!
xxx
Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
Yup, I know that feeling well. Here’s one looking out from a boat with crazy stormy clouds up above.
http://brokenlightcollective.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/stormy-skies-ahead/
That’s one stormy-looking sky, Broken Light!
How did you teach that squirrel to work your camera? 🙂
Great photos!
Haha, he was a natural, Mark 😉
Being from Seattle, my daddy, who has passed helped build the Space Needle… thanks for the memories!
What an amazing legacy your dad left behind, Patricia. ♥ I love the Space Needle.
thanks a lot, sniff
That photo of the moon is so amazingly clear … I have a very week spot for moon picture. The squirrel photo is brilliant too. You and your camera is a fantastic team .. maybe said that before to you.
Grin, thanks viveka 😉
http://patriciaddrury.com/2013/01/18/travel-theme-up/
Looking up in the Southern California desert…
Beautiful, Patricia, what a lovely burst of colour!
We know Edinburgh very well, my husband was christened in the castle chapel
I fell in love with Edinburgh, nuvofelt, didn’t spend half enough time there and must go back someday. The surrounding countryside is utterly breathtaking too!
18 days in and the NY’s resolutions are broken, hm? Love the shots and thank goodness for an inspiring challenge…
I tend to make NY suggestions rather than resolutions, ideflex 😉
Now that’s my kind of prompt…
Still….Too early to throw in the towel….
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Great photos and great theme, Ailsa! Here’re mine: http://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/travel-theme-up/
Hya Ese, lovely series, the port of Marseilles shot is wonderful! 🙂
You miss so much if you don’t look up!
So true, Gilly 🙂
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I had a little fun with this one… 🙂 It has been awhile since we have participated, this is a fun one to start up with again.
http://wp.me/p2uXwW-1V8
Yaay, welcome back, and what an amazing array of shots from all over the globe. The hike up Meudungsun Mountain sounds like an insane amount of fun!
yes, except Adam can practically run up it and I trail forever behind him…yelling, “wait up!”
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Great shots, Ailsa.. My fav is the Space Needle pic. Interesting theme to post on. Will try! 🙂
Looking forward to your post, muZer! 🙂
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A great theme – again! I will go for a look…
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A fun challenge. Here’s my response – http://artifactsandfictions.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/up/
I love it, Suzanne, those balloons in Cappadocia are glorious – and way up on my list of things to do – and that shot of the birds is fabulous! xxx
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Just the thing for you – please have a look at
http://acrossthebored.com/2013/01/18/travel-theme-up/
Wow, this is sooo cool, ideflex. Where was it taken?
Montreal museum of fine arts!
Great squirrel shot. 🙂
Thanks Sallyann, he was a dreadful showoff, totally worked the camera! 🙂
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Wonderful shots… 🙂
Thanks Drake, I love your Danish Statue of Liberty, and what a wonderful name, Himmelbjerget.
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Hey Ailsa, great photos, I especially love the squirrel and the tree. My contribution features trees and lighthouses: http://cinova.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/travel-theme-up/
Beautiful post, cinova, loved both the photos and the prose. That tree in the top photo is just so beautiful. xxx
Love the header and your ⬆
Thanks vastlycurious! xxx
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A great post, and some beautiful photos!
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Looking up to trees and clouds: http://windagainstcurrent.com/2013/01/18/travel-theme-up/
Ahh, aren’t clouds wonderful? I’m particularly intrigued by that last photo , Vlad, the light is so unusual, it sort of reminds me of a modern day version of the Seurat painting “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” – that lady with the hat is awesome! 🙂
I like that one too—there were people wandering all over that hill at sunset, with the white cloud rising up behind…
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Great photos, Ailsa! I love the tower – and the squirrel of course! Here’s my entry!
http://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/weekly-travel-theme-up/
That squirrel is proving very popular, he’s such a show-stealer 🙂 Gorgeous shots, that stained glass ceiling in Madrid is breathtaking! xxx
Here’s ours: http://windagainstcurrent.com/2013/01/18/travel-theme-up/
I’ve posted ours on Wind Against Current, but am completely unable to leave a link here—trying a comment without a link…
That worked, so the link is probably in the spam folder 😦
Oops, just checked and unspammed your earlier comments, Vlad, they’re ‘up’ now 🙂
Thanks, Ailsa!
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Hi, Love your photo challenges. Here is my entry:
http://scsurfbutler.com/2013/01/18/travel-theme-up/
Hi SC, lovely shots, Lake Tahoe looks beautiful – I was almost going to visit during a recent road trip but we got sidetracked at the last minute. Gives me a good reason to return! xxx
That squirrel is amazing !!!!!!
He was really funny, I watched him and his antics for at least an hour, he was totally working the camera and very inquisitive! 🙂
I love that all his hair is sticking up !
He is certainly looking straight into the camera. Love it !
🙂
Btw did my entry link get posted Ailsa ? I can’t see it anywhere ??!!
I just checked and it didn’t post because you have the comment # in your link – if you edit the link in your post to https://wheresmybackpack.com/2013/01/18/travel-theme-up/
it should show up in the comment stream here 🙂 Your Central American Dryer made me laugh out loud!
Hahahaha I am glad you got a giggle !
And nice work with your excellent wordpress knowledge ! That is one I didn’t know. Editing my post now with the correct link 🙂
You might want to change the link in your ‘Beyond’ post too (just get rid of everything after the work ‘beyond’ in your link and it should work. Wonderful rooftops! xxx
You’re a star !
Done. Thank you !!
Love those rooftops xx
Take two ( just in case 🙂 )
http://emmahicks76.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/travel-theme-up/
Hi kids!!! Here’s my take on this week’s Up Challenge, and thanks Ailsa for another good one!
http://stephenkellycreative.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/ailsas-travel-theme-up/
Priceless, not a single person looking up, wow. Where did you get that shot, Stephen? xxx
hehe … glad you like it, Ailsa (and again, thanks for the opportunity to post this one … its one of my faves. Your photo challenge ROCKS!!!
Took this one in Tokyo a year or so again. Dunno know why, but the guy in the grey suit coat cracks me up!
Haha, he looks like he’s going to burst out into song, like a Japanese version of Fiddler on the Roof! 🙂
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Here is the link to my contribution: Looking Up! http://wp.me/p1tzBV-1W6
Hi Anne, I love that first shot, you’re absolutely right, the angle makes for a much more interesting shot than the traditional one. What a pity the wildlife refuge was closed, I was getting ready to ask you about your visit. $6 is a bit cheeky for one bridge!
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The squirrel! What a trip! Great shots, Ailsa.
Haha, he was just too funny for words. I love squirrels 🙂
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Here’s my “Up” photo challenge. Thanks for the inspiration Ailsa.
Regards Peet
http://pdjpix.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/up-travel-theme/
Lovely shots, Peet, glad you enjoyed this week’s theme. Where was the waterfall photo taken? It’s beautiful!
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fun challenge for this week ^^ here’s my entry http://theeclecticeccentricshopaholic.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/travel-theme-up/ thanks
Wonderful series, kz. That temple is magnificent, where was it? xxx
tokyo disney sea ^^