Hawaiian Holiday

The Hawaii of my dreams! Maybe yours too. One day, one day, one day. But not now.

(Photographer unknown.)

The Grandest of Canyons

How long has it been since I visited here? I don't want to even venture a guess, but to just say that life got in the way. Since the last post about my Tokyo Disney trip (which I hope to finish one day), I've lost my mom and Juneau (my husky dog)...two incredibly important parts of my life. I'll maybe write more about it, but that's for another time. 

I don't want my first post back being a downer, so what better way to return than with another trip report? My wife Sue and I were blessed to finally visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona a couple of weeks ago. GC has been a bucket list destination for me ever since I saw the diorama inside the tunnel of the Disneyland train ride (see how I was able to get a Disney park into this post...LOL) back as a child. That view of the canyon with animals, foreboding weather, and light effects mesmerized me almost as much as the dinosaur scenes. I was bummed the train was closed on my last visit due to incoming Star Wars, but a journey to the real thing was a revelation!

No disrespect to the Imagineers, but the real GC is beyond magic! You truly sense a creative and intelligent hand involved behind this magnificent vista.

We flew out of Hawaii on a Friday evening, catching the red eye which landed early morning in Las Vegas. After an obligatory stop at In-N-Out, we drove the 3 1/2 hours to the canyon. Being an island born boy, I really enjoyed the drive, soaking in the southwest scenery that seemed to pop right out of Pixar's Cars. 

The first three days were spent on the South Rim...the more popular  tourist destination thanks to the warmer climate and lower altitude. While we didn't journey into the canyon (maybe next time), we did do our fair share of hiking paths and park buses. We were blessed with an incredible sunset on our last night while at the top of Yaki Point. I had initially headed to the lookout at the top but the colors turned out pretty drab. Calling it a bust, we headed back down a bit disappointed. As we got off the bus, the sky began exploding with color and I quickly set up my camera so we could do our "selfies"...LOL!

We also visited the Desert View Watchtower designed by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter...a major player in the architectural design of the park. It wasn't based on an actual structure, but modeled after several buildings found in that area from times past. Besides the usual visitor center, there's a small gift shop that sells some of the best coffee ice cream I've ever tasted. Definitely worth a stop if you're in this vicinity of the south rim.

From there, we drove over 200 miles to get to the North Rim.  another pleasant drive that found us alone on the road for the most part...passing more "Cars" like scenery. As we began to ascend, the climate got much cooler and wetter...with snow very evident in parts of the landscape. It took a few hours to get acclimated to the more rustic lodgings and quieter pace. Less amenities and tour options, but this area is your choice if you prefer a more laid back and less hectic pace. 

I made it a point to shoot the milky way out on Bright Angel trail the next evening. We had scoped it out earlier in the day and both Sue and I were uneasy with the sheer drops on either side of the path that provided no rail guards. However at night, with only a head lamp to light the way, I couldn't see any of the steep drops so I was fine. While sitting in the dark at 2:00 am, alone without a soul in sight, one thinks about a lot of things. My two main thoughts were "Are there any rattlesnakes?" and "Am I crazy shooting at this hour?". My wife often questions my sanity when the alarm goes off at midnight for one of these photo excursions...haha!

Earlier in the trip, our meals were mostly from general stores and snack shops due to lack of options and time. Sue came to the point where she didn't want to look at another sandwich, so the fine dining at the Grand Canyon Lodge was much welcomed! We were able to have an amazing breakfast and dinner there. I played it safe and opted for one of the best pasta dishes I've ever eaten while Sue went with the Braised Bison. She was kind enough to let me try and let me tell you...it was melt off the bone delicious! If you look closely at my breakfast order, you'll notice the plate was made of recyclable and environment friendly material.

We also did another obligatory selfie on the South Rim...so standby....here you go!

The two nights on the North Rim turned out to be a day or so too short. We really loved the cool weather and much smaller crowds. If you plan to visit GC, make sure to explore both rims!

Photographs Copyright 2019 by Len Yokoyama

Cast Members of Disney Parks: #02 in a Series

Continuing my spotlight on the unsung heroes of Disney...the hard working and personable cast members!

I remember my original purpose of taking these photos was to capture and document the various costumes/outfits found through out the parks. A simple thing really, but it's contribution to the immersive theming is invaluable. What really drove that point home to me occurred while visiting one of Disney's competitors...Knott's Berry Farm. I've always found this amusement park quaint and somewhat "folksy" when compared to Disneyland, but on my last (and maybe final) visit in 2010, two things immediately hit me. First was the jarring transitions between "lands" so to speak. One moment you're in an old western ghost town, the next you're overshadowed by a colossal rollercoaster. Turn the corner and it's a Snoopy camp scenario. And the workers? While friendly and professional, they all wore the same generic Knott's uniform, regardless of their station or duty. It was that precise moment that I really began to appreciate the extra mile Disney takes in paying close attention to detail.

For this installment, I have folks from Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Coronado Springs. Epcot, especially, is a treasure trove with its variety of costumes thanks to the different cultures and countries. I could probably spend a good month there and not photograph every unique clothing attire.

Taking these type of photos has really become an enjoyable part of my Disney park visits. Until my next installment, be safe and enjoy!

(Photos Copyright 2017 Len Yokoyama)

Tokyo Disney Here I Come...Hopefully!

Mark's post about Tom & Sarah Bricker's trip report to Tokyo Disney reminded me that I'm hoping to travel to that very same place this winter! TDL puts up their Christmas decorations in the first week of November, so I'm hoping to Disneysea gussied up with boughs of holly and tinsel.

One thing that really sets Japan apart from their USA counterparts (and there are quite a few) is the strong emphasis on unique merchandise. It's no secret that park products are often found in both Disneyland and WDW, negating any feeling that you're purchasing something unique and exclusive. I think I've seen the same generic labeling/packaging for candy in the last 84 years (okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea).

The strategy is polar opposite in TDL and TDS. Package design and artwork are created exclusively for seasonal periods and the quality and quantity of products made available are astronomical. The photo at the top of the post is the box cover for some type of chocolate biscuit I purchased at Disneysea back in 2008 (the artwork image is of a level normally reserved for limited edition giclee prints). I clearly remember being overwhelmed by the variety of assorted tins and boxes containing these delicate sweet treats. In Japan, giving presents or "omiyage" to family and friends is a time honored tradition. My brain went into overload, and I began grabbing armfuls of cookies and candies only to be reminded by my wife about getting all these goodies back to Hawaii. Reality set in and I sheepishly began putting things back on the shelf.

Another area I wish the western parks would emulate is the prolific abundance of books and magazines dedicated solely to the Disney parks. Like the rest of the merchandising agenda, there seems to be an endless sea of publications that target every aspect of the Tokyo resorts. The quality of photography, printing, and paper are second to none. Can you imagine if we had this same type of selection focused on WDW (imagine specific books covering Epcot, Animal Kingdom, etc)?

With any luck and God's will, I'll be facing a similar dilemma of what to bring back to the states come November!

 (Images copyright 2017 by the respective owners)

Cast Members of Disney Parks: Collect the Entire Series!

One of my favorite aspects of amateur photography is portraitures. Even more so than landscapes, taking people's pictures is always a highly rewarding and personal experience. There's almost an unspoken connection between the subject and the photographer, even if it's a total stranger. With the camera, I am preserving a person's moment in time in a digital image...a mythical, timeless realm where things always remain unchanged.

The Disney parks are my favorite place to snap portraitures, especially of the cast members (not talking about those who portray Disney characters). Although these people are playing a "role", it's not like they're pretending to be something or someone else. Yes, Bob or Phil of the Barbershop Quartet doesn't really live on Main Street USA, but I'm pretty sure they're still Bob or Phil when they go home after work.

And because customer service is strongly ingrained into the Disney culture, it would be hard for a cast member to turn me down when I ask to take their photos (there have been one or two who were unsure, but otherwise, everyone has been more than happy to pose for a pest like me).

I've decided to start a series of posts dedicated to featuring these fantastic workers from the various Disney parks. I 'll do maybe two or three a month and see how this series fares.

For the first spotlighted cast members, I turn to the Photo Supply Co located at the tail end of Main Street USA in Disneyland. There, I ran into a very friendly and charismatic group of cast members while redeeming my free 5 X 7 print. From left to right are Bella, Brenda, Marcus, & Ryan.

I initially asked Bella and Marcus pose, but she asked if I could get the whole group into the shot which I was more than happy to oblige. Thank you Photo Supply crew for really spreading the Disney magic and for giving this poor photog a chance to snap some pics!

         (Photos Copyright 2017 Len Yokoyama)

No Man's Land for Locals

Waikiki is one of the first destinations for most visitors and tourists. And understandably so. Its mythical allure was reinforced by Hollywood in movies and tv shows. Postcards and advertising also added to its status as a destination spot.

The reality is a bit different for local residents. While the city and county has done much to improve the area in the last 20 years, parking is still tight and costs a small fortune. Stores and restaurants are resort level prices, making it a poor value for a night out with the family. Even in my earlier years, the only time I would head into this tourist zone was to watch a movie (this was before multiplexes popped up on every corner).

But there is a lot to love about Waikiki, it's where Duke Kahanamoku rode the waves on his surfboard and the pink majesty of the Royal Hawaiian still sits elegantly on the edge of the shoreline. It's with this in mind that I decided to break my own rule and get out there to take some photos.

Hope everyone is having a blessed weekend!

              (Photographs Copyright 2017 Len Yokoyama)

Family History in Photos

Me and my sister circa 1962.

Quite by accident, I stumbled across a batch of old photos. Some were of me as a kid, others of my family when we were all younger- and one was a photo of two of my grandsons. Quite an assortment, I'd say!

If you find other folks' photos of interest, then please do take a moment to glance through these. If not, consider this a post for my family to find sometime in the future.

Here they are in random order of their scanning...

Two of my grandsons with some bearded gentleman.

It's almost Christmas, so I guess I'll begin with a more recent photograph. Here are Gabe and Parker last year. Their looks tell me they are not all that thrilled to be sitting on Santa's lap! If you remember, Parker is our miracle. Doctors told my daughter and son-in-law that he'd probably be disabled due to part of his brain being undeveloped. They encouraged them to abort, but thankfully, his parents' refused. Even up until a week before his birth, scans revealed his was abnormal. Of course, he was born fully normal. Like all of us, God has a plan for him!

All the kids with my grandmothers.

Skip back to about 1992. Here are my kids and my sister's kids with my two wonderful grandmothers. Boy, I miss both these ladies, but I was blessed to have each of them in my life for 50 years. Each lived to be in their 90's!

Son Josh and baby brother Timothy

1990 was a pretty special year! Our son Timothy was born. Our eldest son, Josh, (now a daddy himself), so wanted a baby brother after having two sisters. His prayers were rewarded. (If I remember, our youngest daughter wanted to name him "Choo Choo Train"!)

Me in 8th grade with a full head of hair a la Donny Osmond and David Cassidy. I recognize the location as being my grandparents' trailer home. In some ways, they were old before their time. But it never stopped me from visiting them.

A new life, a new beginning

Getting baptized in 1977. I had just become a follower of Jesus Christ and decided I wanted to be obedient to the Bible and get baptized. Sure, it was Fall in Southern California, but that didn't mean the water was warm! Look at that perm (yes, they were popular then!) and look how skinny I was. The 'stache was nice, too. Tom Selleck, eat your heart out.

Flashback to my high school graduation in 1976. My Dad had the perm thing going too. I was fairly fresh-faced and optimistic. But only on film. We did not get along until I was about 35 years old. My Dad was tough, hard headed, and prideful. Just like me! We were quite a match. Now, we get along wonderfully and I trust him and value him like I should have all those years.  (You too, Mom!)

How many times my grandmother (a widow at 39) had to intervene. My Dad's Mom must have loved me a lot to put up with all the arguing and lived with us through it all. I was 13 when she moved until my aunt's home. She was my hero in so many ways...

The lure of the islands never wore off.

My sister and I were friends once I left high school, and she realized how awesome I was! (And visa versa!) At 20 and 18, we took off for Hawaii to have a little fun. Did we ever!

Two young and handsome Tafts.

My oldest son and I. First time Dad at 25, I was not very good at it. I'm still not, but I am older and wiser- and more importantly, God is gracious. He was an adorable kid and incredibly smart. Still is- he is a college professor now with a wife and son of his own.

Middle school and the snow. I looked like I was having fun, but even then I hated the cold. Great hair, though.

Me and my Nona. She survived a lot living in our house.

It wasn't until I was much older that I realized not everyone gets to grow up living by their grandparents. I had both my grandmothers, and we were close. (One grandfather, and we weren't close at all. But he did love music, so for that I thank him for passing it on.)

Here's my Italian grandmother. Her real name was Velia, but her friends called her Val. She and my Mom's mother were best friends. Pretty rare.

Young, in love, and married less than one year.

My wife in our first apartment in Brea, California.  Country Woods was the name. Last visit or so, we discovered our apartment complex was still there! The trees had grown in well over 30 years, and the rents were still out of our price range. I remember thinking $490 a month was robbery in 1982. My wife is still this beautiful.

Church dinner. No dancing allowed.

Here we are before we were married. I was in a church I really loved. It was a little old school, though. Dancing wasn't an option for this young adult event. When our kids were young, we held dance parties in the living room. I showed them!

Memere at 90.

My Mom's mom lived close by, so we were always 15 minutes away. I spent a lot of my summers with her at her house. We always laughed playing games on her porch- after the chores were done. She had a second grade education as she had to stay home and care for her siblings after her mother died. She said the funniest things, and she never understood that many times we laughed as much at her as with her. How I loved her! After she died at 92 (after surviving a heart attack at 91!), my Mom wanted to write a book about all her sayings, "Geralda-isms" after her name.

She had this great ending to her life. She's fallen down, hit her head and was in a coma. Non-responsive to anyone. One morning when my aunt's husband was visiting her, she sat up, looked up to heaven, smiled, and held out her hand to Jesus. Died immediately. What a witness to His love in her life. 

Pie anyone?

Once we moved to Colorado in 1989, one of the first orders of the day was finding a church. Eventually we landed at a good church that was more fun but still solid when it came to holding to historical teachings of the Bible. Here's my youngest son hitting me with a pie during our 50's Sock Hop. Dancing encouraged!

London, a boy, and his cannons.

Too long of a story, but our kids know it anyway. We had saved to go see our family in California. In 1998, British Airways began service from Denver to London offering $99 fares each way. It was cheaper to go overseas for vacation. Off we went. My kids still talk about that trip. (My first time at Disneyland Paris, too.)

Making a wish in 1996. One of my all-time favorite photos. Innocence and Hope all in one shot. 

My apologies to my daughters. Even though they are in a few photos, this stack was son-centric. Maybe the next one will be different.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Dumping Disney

Well, I said I was going to do it, and I did. 

We took our vacation dollars and decided to leave Disney and its worlds behind to go somewhere else.

Europe, specifically Switzerland, France (not Disneyland Paris or Ratatouille at the Disney Studios), and a side trip to Italy. These  were our destinations for almost two weeks. It was incredible! I'll come back soon with lots of pictures and stories.

And I'll be back with good reasons why you, too, should dump Disney to go see the world... when my laundry gets done.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Countdown to Relaxation

Let the countdown begin!

It won't be long until we are on our way for a fun in the sun filled week in California. The land of dreams and opportunity. (Sounds like a great advertisement, doesn't it?) Cannot wait!

Wanna see more great photos and a detailed trip report from another visit? See "Coast Stories" here.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Within Sight

Thank God! And I mean that.

My vacation is finally within sight. The last amount of time I had off was for my daughter's wedding. It was a great time, but certainly it wasn't restful. Posts may be light at best, but I'll have new stories to tell upon my return. Departure's still many days off, but I can see clearly now...