Solvang, Danish Heart of America..

[Nikolai]

Little Europe in the middle of the Southern California.

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24801930-M.jpg

It also hosts Santa Ines Mission (http://nik.smugmug.com/gallery/579855).

If you have half a day to spare - you won't regret it!

I had a chance to visit it on my way to Yosemite (http://nik.smugmug.com/gallery/528189).

The original settlers had to cover a pretty long distance:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24805525-L.jpg

They have recreated their homeland style of housing:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24802705-L.jpg

Lovely rooftops:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24802361-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24802854-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24802949-L.jpg

Town is fairly small, but in case you're lost:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24803020-L.jpg

Buildings vary in size:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24805577-L.jpg

Shape:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24803511-L.jpg

And Style:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24803993-L.jpg

Central part of the town features both "european" narrow passages:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24805264-L.jpg

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24805087-L.jpg

and wide open streets:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24804800-L.jpg

Homage to a great writer:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24805490-L.jpg

Two great countries together:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24804256-L.jpg

Hope you like the journey:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/24804746-L.jpg

The rest of the pictures is here (http://nik.smugmug.com/gallery/555343).

Cheers!:1drink

[Dee]

I've never stopped at Solvang, now I may have to. That's the best kept windmill I've seen :-)

An interesting challenge for architectural photos, you did good :clap

[USAIR]

Cool town and architecture also
You did a good job showing us this town
Love the storks too :thumb

Thanks
Fred

[WaterfallRich]

Those are excellent - great color, composition and clarity.

[Angelo]

Great set Nikolai. Makes me want to drive up again one day soon for some of the delicious food and pastries of the many restaurants.

[Angelo]

Great set Nikolai. Makes me want to drive up again one day soon for some of the delicious food and pastries of the many restaurants.
If you haven't yet been, drive east over the mountains into Santa Ynez. An absolutely beautiful valley full of vineyards, horse farms and of course, great restaurants. :D

[Nikolai]

I've never stopped at Solvang, now I may have to. That's the best kept windmill I've seen :-)They are much better in Hollland (as Michiel would confirm), but hey, it was only 3 hour drive from LA:-)

An interesting challenge for architectural photos, you did good :clapThanks, ma'am, appreciate the compliment!:lust
Although now I can see that I screwed up in post..:dunno
I didn't see it at home, but it's pretty obvious at work..:cry
Oh well, I keep learning!

Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

Cool town and architecture also
You did a good job showing us this town
Love the storks too :thumb
Thanks
Fred
I wish the storks were real.. Oh well, I got away with what I could:-)

Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

Those are excellent - great color, composition and clarity.Appreciate your comment!
Speaking of clarity...
I had to remove a few wires here and there in PS. Also, since it was a bright sunny day, I did some additional PS work to make it more presentable, otherwise it would be a washed out sky or totaly dark buildings.
But I'm glad I managed to reach the desired effect:-)
Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

Great set Nikolai. Makes me want to drive up again one day soon for some of the delicious food and pastries of the many restaurants.Great place for that, no doubt about it. I enjoyed my time there, even though I was kinda "on a run"..
Cheers!:1drink

[Nikolai]

If you haven't yet been, drive east over the mountains into Santa Ynez. An absolutely beautiful valley full of vineyards, horse farms and of course, great restaurants. :DI actually drove there (the road goes through a little indian reservation with a huge casino building:-), but I didn't spend much time over there. But I must agree, it's a nice and very scenic place, reminds me of Napa Valley a bit

Cheers!:1drink