Island hopping and landing first on the island of Saint Lucia!

 St Lucia is the perfect destination~


When I first heard I was going to be headed to St. Lucia all I could do was smile! My excitement grew to where I was ready to do a back flip! St Lucia is the perfect backdrop for any adventurer: from mountains to climb, natural waterfalls,  breath-taking views,  forests to explore, underwater exploring and most important is the people of St Lucia. The people, the welcoming reception I received was awesome, the dancing, the food, the spirits, the vibe this island had it all...... There is St. Lucia and there are other islands.... With that being said I will let the images speak for themselves...


To friendships that I've made, to my new mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and elders who made this trip truly a one of a kind experience. You opened your hands, you shared your story with me, you gave me the opportunity to get inside your head and see life through your eyes.... For that I will be forever grateful......... Names are irrelevant! but your firm hand shake or your soft voice or your glowing eyes will forever be etched into my heart.  

Then came the foods, the spas, the views and so much more! More time is what I kept hearing in my head More time is what I kept repeating, more time is what I was told to me many times. Island life is island life~ Island life is what follows..... 

More to come, more islands more Island Life........

                           ALL NEW IMAGES FROM ST LUCIA~ Antigua~ Barbados~Moscow


                                              http://steady70.com/destinations.php
Photographer Steve Levine,steve levine Photographer, food photographer in Miami, steady70 foodphotographer, gourmet food photographer, New York City food photographer,steady 70,  photo by steve levine, photo by steady70, photo by steve levine steady70, Steady70,www.steady70.com Steve Levine global assignment , getty travel photographer, steve levine getty photographer, images by stevelevine,images by steady70, image by steve levine steady70,photo by stevelevine steady70,photo by steve levine,photos by steve levine, photos by steady70, steady70.blogspot.com,facebook.com/Steady70,twitter.com/Steady70, twitter,Elite island resorts, eliteislandresorts.com, travel to St Lucia,travel to Saint Lucia, resorts in St Lucia, Saint Lucia resorts,The Saint James Morgans Bay, The St James Morgans Bay, The St james Morganbay St lucia,http://www.sjcstlucia.com,www.sjcstlucia.com, St james Morgans Bay Resort,Mark Grebby, General Manager,gm@sjcstlucia.com,Steady 70 2013 Steve Levine photographer ~ St Lucia 

Little Moir's Food Shack - Jupiter Florida.......

 Little Moir's Food Shack - Jupiter 





There is nothing better then bringing the new year in with good food.....................

Thank you to  Food Shack and Little Moirs's!

A lot more coming in 2013.. This is just a taste of what's to come..........

From eyes of Brook Peters! a must see for any New yOrker or any one!

From eyes of Brook Peters! a must see for any New yOrker or any one!



http://www.theseconddayfilm.com/

The Second Day!

On September 11, 2001, 4 year-old Brook Peters was attending his second day of kindergarten near the World Trade Center in New York City when two planes struck the Twin Towers.



The Second Day is Brook’s inspiring film on 9/11 and its aftermath through the eyes of young people and educators who experienced that tragic day.




theseconddayfilm.com
When Brook set out to tell his story about 9/11, he didn’t realize he would be telling a story of inner strength and resilience. Through the experience of interviewing his classmates, and talking about The Second Day film with international press, Brook realized that his message of inner strength is...

After Eating & Drinking to much I found myself at the chapel…

Drinking and eating are a must! Going to the chapel is not for everyone but in this case I made an exception only because it was The Precious Moments wedding chapel in Carthage Missouri.


Just a few birds otherwise complete silence while walking down the path leading up to the chapel. In tight formation were a few dozen angel statues with trumpets that I could honestly hear the music from all 28 horns clearly in my head walking past each statue there horns bellowing with hymns in different pitches.




The path ended at 2 huge hand carved wood doors. The cool air passed over my body and warm as my hand took hold of the over-sized handle.




And I entered the next thing I remember is I found myself lying on my back dead center in the middle of the chapel on my back



What I was left with was… Beginning to begin a new beginning! At the beginning in NYC! Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself!

Live, Love, Laugh: remember that after you leave the Bragdon House and return to your daily life.

Big, Bright, Comfortable and welcoming is how I describe The Bragdon House Bed and Breakfast.



When I think of Beds or breakfast I now think of the Bradgon House on Seneca Lake in New York. Arriving at the Bradgon House I was received by Jennifer and her mother.





Each suite is lavish and no detail was spared, from ultra soft queen or king sized mattress's or the big bath tubs or fireplaces or the size of the sun soaked rooms I could keep going… but it all ends at the breakfast table…………






Fresh fruit, raspberry or strawberry crepes but The Scones! The Scones are the best scones I have ever EVER ever ate! The perfect color the perfect flavor the perfect taste.. If you find yourself on the wine trail or if you are looking to escape from your daily life! i have one suggestion that is only a few hours from NYC.! The Bradgon House Bed and Breakfast........................

Signs, wines, long miles and oversized stories! On the way to and from!

I met Jim the Irish architect of flavors from the White Rose Winery one early morning, but for some of us it is just never to early to have a sip or 2 from 11 types of wine, Some say that the Irish breakfast is 3 parts alcohol and one part wheat or rye! Leek and Potato, Irish Onion, soup and Ballynacally chicken ( baked in Guinness and honey) accompanied with Irish Mash and Salad and to top it off is the Leftover Cake, before noon was a little to much but the first glass of the Marechal Foch changed things quickly 11 bottles opened and hundreds of stories flowed.


Ok when you arrive and walk up the long path to the dark house that appears in the distance don’t be alarmed once you get closer you can see the lights are all on.. Sunken back under huge awning / or roof that circles the house are all types of comfortable chairs and benches. The door is open and the welcome sign might greet you or Jim may pop up from winery just say hello from me and ask him to pour you a drink! Or A Proper Pot of Tea...

Ching ching!






The endless things that catch my attention to and fro…….. The next is faces arms, hands and the positive vibe of the happy souls, working souls, the factory workers from St Louis The factory workers from Kansas City!

For the love ................of the Mediterranean............

For the love of.... Food, Wine and the art of eating! Bouncing between Upstate NY, Long Island and New York City I have been a busy ole bee. When you have nothing the best way to share something is over a meal... The best way to enjoy that is amongst friends, old or new. Today topping off the friends or circle of friends is having a chef in that circle of friends. Unknown to New Yorkers which is about to change. Resides this talented new chef that is making waves in New York City.



Her name is Chef Deniz and she is from Izmir Turkey: Izmir Delights An authentic taste of the Mediterranean....



After spending 2 days in her kitchen salivating over her dishes while photographing them trying not to loose control over all the new smells and new flavors that my senses were picking up and threw me into hyper drive...... or maybe it was because of the all the Turkish coffee I was drinking! I don't know but either way I will let you be the judge of that>>>> Take a fork, use your fingers just dig in and for the love of it enjoy yourself!
Chef Deniz
http://www.izmirdelights.com

Frozen in time-Frozen in the moment-Frozen in this season!

A few words to kick off the new year!


Harmony-Adventure-Comparisons-Change-Purity-Control-patience




Through good times and bad times what is left is stories and imagery.................... here are a few images from my hike the other day!





To sum up my feeling of today! I will end with one quote By Hunter S. Thompson:

"Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed?"

For 2011 I will continue to grow, to experience: I will keep sharing and I will keep reflecting on the above quote...

When we align with Nature, Magic Happens" John Friend~ Goodbye 2010 Hello 2011

As 2010 comes to end as my eyes close and I breath in all that I have experienced. I dream of the open road, the snow capped mountains, the sweet taste of salty air from the ocean shores, hiking up a trail under the clouds but most all I long to continue to explore the destinations & people of the world....



From the Mountains of New Mexico, to the flats of Texas, to the beaches in Miami to the farms of upstate New York it has been a magical ride through out the country this year.

Life has filled my glass and I have slowly enjoyed each sip as though it was is my last. The good thing is that my glass remains full & my palate is quenched.



I have posted many kudos about the people of that I have encountered from across the states in the past. I have been touched and I have just recently learned what it means to live a charmed life...............................




No matter what life throws at you the one thing I know and understand is that you have to be like bamboo!
You have to absorb it and be very strong, your roots have to be firmly planted and you have to suck it up..


Because it will change it will get better, it is just a chapter of now, not then, not the future, it is just NOW.............It will change....





Like you I look forward to what 2011 holds....




I follow you and you follow me...........

Holidays cheers, the cold the snow and the fauna

The year is coming to an end quickly! New families members have entered the picture and the days of 2010 have almost come to an end, like "time" ticking forward I am clearing computers for a fresh start in 2011. Up north the friget cold and snow days combined with the white out skies...... Oh what fun it is to be upstate......

These types of days I have not seen in many years living and working out of Miami.




As the new years closes I am reminded of my childhood ways of playing in the cold running wild or biking in the snow. I am reminded of what once was.



I am thankful for all that I have. Nothing has rang in my ears louder then the clinging of glass's while sharing drinks and a meal with my closest family members.




What matters is Family! What matter is cherishing the time that we have...


I wish you all the Happiest of days and nights leading up to 2011.

One of the best meals I have had.... Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company! Maine!

One of the best meals I have had: Enough to share with many friends......Like I told the owner Lucinda I am a little guy remember I cant eat that much.. not even
with you standing over me... I cant.... but I tried....... I really
tried....

Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Company
...www.harraseeketlunchandlobster.com




More on Maine later..........

'Ground Zero' & The Sept 11th Photo Project by Brook Peters

The Sept 11th Photo Project... 10 years later..

I was contacted by Brook and his mother to contribute images for his film project.

Brook is a 13 year old boy and is about to finish his project- Documenting the schools that were shut down during 911 attacks in Manhattan. Brook who was at school during the attacks. Is busy working on finishing the film for the Tribeca Film Festival. He has been contacted by the NY Daily news and here is the article about him and his film...

Brook Peters, boy who grew up with 9/11 makes a film about 'Ground Zero'
students and teachers
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/09/26/2010-09-26_witness_to_horror_boy_who_grew_up_with_911_makes_a_film.html


All I could do is say yes....... and send him many images for him to choose to use........

Kudos to Michael Feldschuh from the 911 Photo Project who has been very supportive..........

This is either heaven or hell....

This is Kris Smith.. One of the last things he said to me was....

This is either Heaven or Hell!
These are a few of the images that did or did not make it into the Sept issue of Destinations Travel Magazine, but left a deeper impression days after I returned home.




By the time you finish with this hike you will know....

As I sit here now in NY I know whole heartily this was and is heaven...


From the open road to the cross roads this assignment was in my top 3 adventures...







Over and under trees and rocks just jutted out, fell over and found there place....

I was just lucky enough to be able to see, hear and share some of those things..

See it... Feel it.....Live it.....

I am now at 40, I have seen it, I have felt it and I lived it. I survived I get it: I found this little gem of a place on the east end on LI. Beaches galore, the randomness of getting lost and waiting on friends.. Like the many times before I have trespassed, I found or felt a push or pull to go ahead and do it. Most if not all of those times I have had this feeling it leads to little or no issues.

I hop a 6 foot row of hedges: I cut through someones precious landscape lawn that hides this mansion and I find a path that leads me to this private beach... I am walking on the beach now, I am jabbering on my phone listening to worst possible story from a friend of mine yessing her to death I must cut this conversation short.... I found my spot, I see a chair just close enough to the tall grass hiding me from the owners house and the still waters of the Long Island sound..... I find myself lost in thought, lost in images. Filtering thoughts pictures, moments lasting minutes...Many random eye opening images that sputter long enough in my head to leave its taste in my mouth... Accidents on Boats: cars: motorcycles: language barriers when crossing boarders: life: women: many to many bizarre incidents to name here...Then like a knife a multitude of positive life changing moments take over my thoughts like a movie I am laughing, I am secure, I am moving happily through these moments... I reach into my bag and pull out my phone and turn it off, I don't care my friends are attempting to call me I don't care what time it is . I found this spot, this perfect spot there is no one for miles no boats, no people, no gardeners, nothing but silence. I am free, I am clear, I am ... ........... I am now at 40, I have seen it, I have felt it and I lived it. I just want to enjoy this precise moment here on Long Island...





Once again: Whether traveling / working here in New York or San Jose, Antigua, London wherever each time I find a place like this I forget the journey that got me here/ there I only remember the SPOT! For the next 40 or so years I will remember the The Journey as Much as I remember the SPOT!

Green Market Union Square June 2010

The Green market in Union Square is a must.. every Saturday from farm fresh eggs to wheat grass shots to the french baggettes, cheese and many exotic veggies.. It is a must stop for everyone...












The past few years my early morning walks consisted of walking on the beach in Miami... Lately it has been every Saturday right after I have my coffee just like the old days!

I love NYC....






Steady 70 2010 Steve Levine photographer Union Square Green Market NYC 2010:Dwayne Tremblay Apiaries; www.tremblayapiaries.com; Stewart wheat Grass Grower; Florist Danny Durr; Union Square NYC; Union Square Green Market; Organic Markets in NYC; Canon Camera; Canon Lens; Gourmet Foods; Honey; Flowers; Grower; Florist Danny Durr; Sycamore Farms Middletown NY; Ronnybrook Farm Dairy arket NYC 2010:Dwayne Tremblay Apiaries; www.tremblayapiaries.com; Stewart wheat Grass Grower; Florist Danny Durr