Category Archives: video

Dancing Fountains

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Spectacular Water Shows at The Bellagio

From 1980 to 2012 we were part of the computer industry and would travel two or three times a year to Las Vegas to attend Comdex, Computer Electronics Show and other expos. When I was off the clock I’d often explore nearby Death Valley, Red Rock Canyon or Zion. Otherwise I would walk the Strip to visit the city’s many casinos.

There has always been intensive competition among the casinos vying to outdo each other to draw more gamblers and guests to their respective venues. I recall when the Mirage opened in 1990 it featured a huge, colored fire-breathing volcano to draw attention to its new facility. Not to be outdone, in 1998 when the Bellagio opened a few block away it showcased a huge gorgeous lake on which lighted water fountains danced to music to wave potential guests into its spacious casino.

Turn up your sound! I’ve recorded three of these exciting, picturesque fountain performances below for you to enjoy.

Please note that each geyser is on a separate page in order to minimize web page delay.

PAGES:

  1. God Bless The U.S.A.
  2. Believe
  3. Your Song

      4. The Bellagio is a great place to visit when you’re in Las Vegas.

God Bless The U.S.A.
Pages: 1 2 3

Yellowstone Geysers

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A Virtual Tour of the Park

I have to admit that I’m addicted to our country’s national parks. Over the years I’ve visited many of the parks all over, from the east to the west and from the north to the south.

In particular I’ve trekked the 1300 miles from my home in Grand Rapids, Michigan to western Wyoming – home to Yellowstone National Park – at least a dozen times. Yellowstone is one of my favorite destinations.

The souvenirs that I take from Yellowstone are strictly the photographs and videos that I capture.

For those of you who might want to experience a few of the varied and amazing thermal features found in Yellowstone, I’ve posted them below.

PLease note that each geyser is on a separate page in order to minimize web page delay.

PAGES

  1. Beryl Spring
  2. Black Pool Geyser
  3. Blue Mud Steam Vent
  4. Canary Spring
  5. Chinese Spring
  6. Lakeshore Geyser
  7. Minute Geyser
  8. Old Faithful Geyser
  9. Palette Spring
  10. Puff N’ Stuff Geyser
  11. Steamboat Spring – eruption
  12. Steamboat Spring – calmer
  13. Upper Yellowstone Falls
  14. Vixen Geyser
  15. Water Runoff Firehole River

Enjoy!

Beryl Spring -A powerful geyser thought to be one of the hottest (190+ degrees) located just north of Gibbon Fall May 2023)
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Riding The Rails

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A 70 Mile Journey in Minnesota

I grew up the the New York City area and would regularly take 45-minute long ride on the passenger train from New Rochelle to Grand Central Station. Did this qualify me as a rider of the rails? Let’s see.

Some 20 years ago I was involved developing software for personal computers. One of our projects was to make simulations for trains. We found an interesting and unique train route that delivered raw materials from a mining area in Minnesota to the awaiting freighters along Lake Superior – known as the Erie Mining Corp route.

My task was to research the terrain and surroundings along the route so that we could reproduce the journey in a simulation. After arranging the “special” trip with the LTV Corporation (which owned the EMC route), I drove to Hoyt Lakes to meet with two members of the staff.

When I arrived, I was escorted to the rail head where we climbed aboard a vehicle that was outfitted to travel on the rails. I was seated in the front with a video camera where I would record all 3-1/2 hours of trip through the hills, mountains and flatlands to Taconite Harbor on north shore of Lake Superior.

This modified Ford pickup truck was specially fitted to ride and self-propel on the standard tracks.

On the right is one of the diesel freight locomotives that pulled the taconite pellets from Hoyt Lakes to Lake Superior.

It was an interesting ride – the tracks took us through forests, into narrow canyons, along open and hilly fields, passing rocky mountains, traversing bridges, through a tunnel and over rural road crossings.

For me the highlight of the trip was the 30 seconds or so that are illustrated below.

Erie Mining Corporation Route
Here we slowed down as we came upon a local resident as we were riding the tracks from Hoyt Lake to Taconite Harbor, MN

Towards the end of the route we arrived at Taconite Harbor. Below is the large unloading area where the taconite pellets are unloaded onto large lake freighters.

Approaching Taconite Harbor
Quadruple speed arrival into Taconite Harbor

This journey in 2001 was the only time where I actually felt that I was riding the rails. An interesting and memorable ride.