https://www.hopsafari.com/ Explorations and experiences through photography. https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/two-worlds-on-the-mississippi.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/two-worlds-on-the-mississippi.html Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Most folks know New Orleans for the cocktails, rich food, partying, and history. But there are interesting things in the city that get less attention. All... Mississippi River New Orleans Photos https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/the-great-american-beer-festival.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/the-great-american-beer-festival.html Sun, 28 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 If dehydration is our enemy, new experiences are our friend at the Great American Beer Festival. The halls of GABF, and even Denver itself are littered with... Beer Breweries CO Denver GABF https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/riding-a-lamborghini-gallardo-on-the-circuit-of-the-americas.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/riding-a-lamborghini-gallardo-on-the-circuit-of-the-americas.html Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:00:00 +0000 Pushing a Lamborghini Gallardo to new limits with triple thrills at Circuit of the Americas. COTA Circuit of the Americas Drive Fast Lamborghini Photos Video https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/varekai.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/varekai.html Sat, 01 Mar 2014 12:00:00 +0000 I was fortunate to have an opportunity to tour behind the scenes of Cirque du Soleil's Varekai. I took photos during a rehearsal, and they also generously... Cedar Park Cirque du Soleil Photos Varekai cirquedusoleil https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/sunday-drive.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/sunday-drive.html Sun, 08 Dec 2013 12:00:00 +0000 In case you thought the Gondola was an impractical tourist contrivance, observe these two gentlemen out for a peaceful Sunday paddle. Photos Travel https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/a-venetian-daily-driver.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/a-venetian-daily-driver.html Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:00:00 +0000 The Venetian Lagoon is full of water vessels, and many of them are wooden and moved with human power. This specimen from Burano really caught my eyes. The... https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/tipsy-texan-spirits-and-cocktails-from-the-lone-star-state.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/tipsy-texan-spirits-and-cocktails-from-the-lone-star-state.html Thu, 30 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000 I was sipping a cocktail at my buddy David Alan's peachpollozza party when he told me he had finished his book. I got to flip through a pre-release copy, and... https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/floating-dream.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/floating-dream.html Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000 When you think of Boston, you probably don't think too hard about what lives under her bridges. The history, the buildings, and the harbor easily pop in your... Photos Travel https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/google-sxsw-photowalk-with-trey-ratcliff.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/google-sxsw-photowalk-with-trey-ratcliff.html Sun, 24 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000 Have you ever been on a photowalk? The walk Trey Ratcliff organizes every year at SXSW is a classic. This year, a mob of at least 300 people met at Austin... Photos https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/crossing-dark-waters.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/crossing-dark-waters.html Sat, 09 Mar 2013 12:00:00 +0000 I flew to San Francisco a few weeks ago to participate in Google's Glass Foundry event. I made this photo next to their San Francisco office. Don't they have... https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/views-of-tedxaustin.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/views-of-tedxaustin.html Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000 This year's TEDxAustin picked The Circuit of the Americas to host the event. The scale and unique layout of the venue allowed the TEDxAustin team to build an... Photos TEDxAustin https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/scraps.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/scraps.html Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:00:00 +0000 Imagine how you would feel if you got to eat a meal prepared by Tim Dornon of Uchiko, Paul Qui of East Side Kings, and Tatsu Aikawa of Ramen Tatsu-ya. Did... Food Photos https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/the-lovely-details-of-new-orleans.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/the-lovely-details-of-new-orleans.html Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:00:00 +0000 Every city has a little something that sets it apart from other cities. One city might sidewalks everywhere and funny-looking traffic lights. Another city... New Orleans Photos Travel https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/journey-to-the-beast-s-castle.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/journey-to-the-beast-s-castle.html Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:00:00 +0000 My brother and I drove to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday to explore the new areas of Fantasyland. After a couple of hours, we were dying of hunger. Unlike... Disney Food Magic Kingdom Photos https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/two-curves.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/two-curves.html Sun, 16 Dec 2012 12:00:00 +0000 Gnarled branch curves around Dark bridge arcs over water River unimpressed Austin Photos https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/the-perils-of-hot-dog-eating-contests.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/the-perils-of-hot-dog-eating-contests.html Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:00:00 +0000 Have you ever gone to battle in an eating contest? I love food, but I'm not very interested in stuffing myself on a deadline. Look at these contestants at... https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/chef-challenge-paul-petersen-vs-josh-watkins.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/chef-challenge-paul-petersen-vs-josh-watkins.html Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:00:00 +0000 Central Market was kind enough to invite me to enjoy an event combining two of my favorite things: chef challenges and beer pairings. In this case Chefs Paul... https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/glenmorangie-scotch-dinner.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/glenmorangie-scotch-dinner.html Sun, 11 Nov 2012 12:00:00 +0000 Have you ever considered pairing Scotch with food? Until a few weeks ago, I had not. At the time I was eating dinner with some friends at Perry's Steakhouse... Food Pairings Photos Scotch https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/the-butterfly-evangelist.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/the-butterfly-evangelist.html Sat, 10 Nov 2012 12:00:00 +0000 Be nice to butterflies. They've had a rough year. According to Monika Maeckle, 2012 has been the worst year ever for butterflies. Logging, genetically... Photos https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/reflecting-on-boston.html https://www.hopsafari.com/essays/reflecting-on-boston.html Sun, 21 Oct 2012 12:00:00 +0000 I love cities built on the water. Waterfront towns have a different vibe from their inland cousins. The sea adds spice to the geography; an extra element of... Photos