Summary

Jerry Dwyer's photography essay captures his travels to various "A" named locations around the world, highlighting the beauty and significance of each place through his lens.

Abstract

In a personal photo essay, Jerry Dwyer shares his experiences exploring places with names starting with the letter "A". From the ancient walls of Avila in Spain to the natural wonders of Akaka Falls in Hawaii, Dwyer documents his encounters with a blend of history, nature, and family. He reminisces about saints, the Arizona Memorial, and the Ala Wai Canal, among other sites. The essay is a visual journey that showcases the diversity of landscapes and memories, emphasizing the joys of photography in finding new perspectives on well-known and lesser-known destinations. Dwyer's work is not just a travel log but a tribute to the experiences shared with family and the historical context of each location.

Opinions

Dwyer expresses a deep appreciation for the historical significance of Avila, mentioning its millennium-old walls and its connection to saints.
The essay conveys a sense of wonder and respect for natural beauty, particularly at Akaka Falls and in the landscapes of Alaska and Yosemite.
Family is a central theme, with Dwyer including personal photos of his daughters, his mother, and his sister, highlighting the importance of shared experiences.
Dwyer's photos of the Arizona Memorial reflect a reverence for

Writing — Photography

Picking Anthuriums at Akaka Falls and Then Flying Over the Arizona Memorial and the Ala Wai Canal to Anchorage, Avila and Anaheim.

My “A” response to JoAnn’s Challenge: Finding interesting new ways to enjoy photography

Avila, Spain, 2010. Photo by Jerry Dwyer.

Let’s start our “A” adventure with the walled city of Avila, one of many interesting places we visited on our travels in Spain. Construction began on the walls about a thousand years ago.

Two famous saints called Avila their home: Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross.

We traveled to Madrid in 2010 and went on a seven-day road trip exploring the Leon-Castile region northwest of Madrid. Avila was our last stop before returning to Madrid.

Akaka Falls

Akaka Falls State Park is about eleven miles north of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. We flew to Hilo in 1979 and stayed there for a week. Then we drove to the other side of the island and stayed in Kona for another week.

Anthuriums

The day after our visit to Akaka Falls we stopped by a nursery in Hilo and our daughters discovered a room full of anthuriums.

Ala Wai

We have traveled to Hawaii several times over the years and often stayed at a skyscraper hotel that overlooked the Ala Wai Canal which separates Waikiki from the rest of Honolulu.

Arizona Memorial

My cousin Joan and her husband George took us on the Navy’s Pearl Harbor cruise in 1977 and we got a chance to visit the Arizona Memorial. George was the commander of the Naval Air Station at Barbers Point in those days.

Anchorage, Alaska (a double A!)

Anchorage, Alaska, 1977. Photo by Jerry Dwyer.

We actually did fly from California to Hawaii to Alaska and then back to California in 1977. Western Airlines offered a deal they called their Triangular Fare in those days. For a small fee you could add another destination to your round trip flight. After our vacation in Hawaii we got a chance to visit my sister Marie and her brand new baby in Alaska!

Audley (my mom)

Audley Dwyer, Lake Tahoe, 1975. Photo by Jerry Dwyer.

My folks rented a cabin at Lake Tahoe for a month every summer during the 70s. Of course, my siblings and I and our families always drove up to visit them. Here’s my Mom enjoying the beach near their cabin in 1975.

Anaheim

My daughters visited Disneyland in 1978 with their friends Danny and Fina. Yes, we agree with Walt Disney that it’s a small world, after all!

Ahwahnee

My wife and I chaperoned our younger daughter’s 8th grade ski week-end in Yosemite in 1985. We visited the Ahwahnee one day, but our accommodations that week-end were slightly less luxurious!

Ash Hollow

Yes, we even went to Nebraska one time! One of our epic road trips occurred in 1987. We drove via the Southwest from our home in northern California to St. Louis, Missouri and then turned around and followed the Oregon Trail through Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming.

The North and South Platte Rivers join to form the Platte near Ash Hollow. The Platte then flows eastward across Nebraska until it meets the Missouri River near Omaha.

Avebury

We traveled to London in 2013. One day we rode on an all-day bus tour to Stonehenge and Glastonbury. On the way back to London we stopped at Avebury. Avebury contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world. It’s about 18.5 miles north of Stonehenge.

So, that’s our “A” journey. The first and last photos above are of places in Europe. All the others are of places, people and things in the United States.