Here we are again at the letter ‘V‘ in this round of ABC Wednesday. Easy peasy, especially after ‘U’ and with ‘X’ ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ to come! So without further ado, let me show you some of the less usual vehicles. And to make it more interesting, all these vehicles will be in places beginning with ‘V‘.
In the year 2007, I went on holiday to the US to visit with my Depp friends in California, and one of the places we visited was Venice Beach. What a vibrant and interesting place that is! The shops along the beach front were full of vivid colours, and this rather wonderful bicycle caught my eye.
A very simple vehicle, but surely nobody would argue that it isn’t a vehicle?
However, there was one means of transport that I found in Venice Beach that might not immediately fit into that category. They humble skateboard. Well. It has wheels, and one can ride on it, so why not? And in fact, while this young man was having fun on his, there were several people using them to make their way from point A to point B along that walkway – sometimes at quite alarming speeds.
Surely, it must qualify as a vehicle? Yes, yes. I know I’m pushing it, but it makes life interesting, doesn’t it?Â
So how about Vegas, then?  There are, of course the gondolas at the Venetian hotel …
… and they’re definitely vehicles – ask any citizen of Venice! But these ones don’t exactly go anywhere. And neither do these balloons.
See them? Tee hee. No, not really vehicles, more decoration, but you can go somewhere in a hot air balloon, even if you have little control over where, so technically they are vehicles! And so is this.
It’s a little powered rubber dinghy and while you may not be able to see it in this picture, it’s an Avon dinghy – and look! ‘Avon’ has a ‘V‘ in it! The water here is very shallow because this is the big ‘lake’ in front of the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas where those stunning fountains perform for your delight. Seems they required a little attention, and while those guys hardly needed a vehicle to get out there, I suppose it was faster than wading.
Alright. How about this cable car from Vancouver?
Now this is definitely a means of transport. You go up the mountain, you go down the mountain. There, is that better? Smashing view, too, isn’t it? That’s because we were very high.
Also in Vancouver, I snapped this whale watching boat, speeding out to sea to watch whales, I guess!
And in case you can’t read it, on the side of the boat it says ‘Steveston Sea Breeze’, thus providing us with another ‘V‘.
See?
We went on one of those whale watching trips, and while cruising along out there in the great big ocean, we passed this container ship. I’m sure one or two of those containers have a ‘V‘ on them somewhere, but it doesn’t matter because this is definitely a vehicle. It’s a commercial vehicle, too, perhaps bringing vegetables up the coast from America.
Or maybe vacuum cleaners, or video recorders, or velcro? Or maybe if you got very close you would see, among the various coloured containers, that this is …
… a vehicle carrying vehicles! Unlike this one, which is clearly carrying people
How tranquil it all looks up there in Vancouver.
Lastly, I’m going to take you back to a far from tranquil place, Las Vegas -Â
A vivid red Viper. A vehicle parked in a very strange place indeed! And I suppose this is also quite a good little vignette of the gamblers, showing their utter dedication to the task of venturing their luck at the slots. It’s almost as if they’ve vowed to stay there until their pockets are completely void of cash.
Perhaps they’re hoping for a victory against the machine. Perhaps they hope they’ll be driving home from their vacation in the Viper?
these pictures are so detailed. loved the glass below too sandy
sandy´s last blog ..Florida live earring !!
Enjoyed this trip with you, Jay! I briefly visited Venice Beach in 2006–definitely a fun place to visit. But I think I’d love to see Vancouver, especially after seeing this cruise ship on such a beautiful lake. Lovely photos!
Rose´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday: The Vagaries of Winter
ohhhh Viper! Nice….
Though I’m big on the simplest form of vehicle as well.
Nice Jay, your posts are always so interesting.
Great take on vehicles with some marvellous vistas.
Anthony North´s last blog ..VICTIMS
My goodness, you put a lot of work into this post. Fascinating choices for the letter V. I agree that the skateboard is a great vehicle.
Fun blog Jay.
photowannabe´s last blog ..ABC WEDNESDAY LETTER " V "
I think it’s great that you took so many photos and saw so many sights. I’ve never been to Venice Beach but the pics remind me very much of our waterfronts down here.
Baino´s last blog ..Help me . .help me!
You have really toured North-America – and taken all the Vs with you!
RuneE´s last blog ..V is for Velocity
It is wonderful to travel! And what great shots you have to share on days like the V days — and probably the remainder of the alphabet! Really terrific post, Jay! I did enjoy the tour!
Hope you have a great day!
Sylvia
Sylvia Kirkwood´s last blog ..What a Woman Wants in a Man
That bike is so much fun. I just wonder where I would put my bags and suitcase when going on a trip with another vehicle: a coach!
Mara´s last blog ..V is for…
A truly delightful series of V – not a one that wasn’t perfect!
I don’t know where you find all these letters time after time. How many times have you gone from A to Z Jay? Each time it is so fresh, lively and entertaining. Of course the Js and Ds are everlasting I know, but the rest… true genius!
granny grimble´s last blog ..Part 2 The treasure chest of Mum’s stocking
XY & Z will be a breeze to you after your display of Vehicles shows your virtuosity. Vancouver looks rather wonderful.
Joy´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – V
Hi. These photos make me feel that I’ve been on a Vacation. (lame, I know. It’s the best I can do these days.)
Ruth Hull Chatlien´s last blog ..What Today Feels Like
Fantastic Jay – loved it – such a variety of v’s! A x
I love it when you post pictures of Vancouver. It makes me feel all smug, knowing where it is and being able to say oooh, I’ve been there. I used to live in Steveston…….
Don’t Bug Me!´s last blog ..Where the Giants Roam ………. Very Slowly.
Is it V already? My goodness I remember you were beginning with A. We’ve got to give Father Time a huge sleeping pill? Are you with me, Jay!
Have you heard of Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli? He’s from Europe, I understand, and is on a reality show Chef Academy which is filmed in Venice Beach. He’s quite a character! I’d love to hear what you think of him!
Always enjoy your excursions, Jay!
)
petra michelle´s last blog ..A POCKET FULL OF MIRACLES – An Encore Presentation
Holy crap. I am NOT a big car person, but all of a sudden I really want that Viper!!!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..Devastation Nation
A victorious post. Never been to Vegas or Vancouver or on most of those vehicles.
Roger Green´s last blog ..Social Insecurity
Sandy – Thanks!
Rose – Vancouver is lovely. I could probably live there quite happily. I think that the ‘lake’ is just one of the inlets along the Strait of Georgia. Technically part of the sea. Beautiful, isn’t it?
Sistertex, and Anthony North – Thank you!
Photowannabe and Sylvia Kirkwood – How kind of you both! I’m always happy to hear that people like my blog.
Baino – Really? You have palm trees too? I really must visit Australia some day. If only you’d get rid of all those venomous spiders, OH would come with me too! LOL!
Rune E – Thanks! I haven’t really been to that many places compared to some, but I enjoy where I go!
Mara – Ha! Yes, well, you’d just have to travel light on that bike, wouldn’t you? Or maybe carry it on the coach in a locker and just use it for excursions!
Granny – Thanks! This is the third time around and I’m just debating whether to continue … but actually the ‘J’ and ‘D’ are getting a lot harder, since I won’t use anyone else’s photos without their permission, and my stock is regrettably limited. I guess I’ll just have to go find him again, huh? Oh dear, how sad. I’m sure I’ll bear up under the strain. Tee hee. LOL!
Joy – Well, the rest of the alphabet is usually quite difficult, but I’ll do my best!
Ruth – An armchair vacation can’t be bad! I enjoy other people’s travel blogs, too.
SJ Anne – Thank you!
DBM – You lived in Steveston? Lovely … within reach of the action, but a little further out, if I remember rightly. I’ve only been there once though, for the whale watching.
Petra – Thanks! No, I’ve never heard of John-Christophe Novelli (sounds like a mix of French and Italian!). I don’t watch much TV, just movie… oh, and re-runs of House at the moment.
But I’m with you on the Father Time thing!
Meleah – Yep, some cars get you like that, don’t they? I’m not a big car person either, but I won’t let OH sell the BMW Z3. I loove that car!
Roger Green – Thanks! I bet you’ve been to a ton of places I’ve never been, too. I think that’s true of most of us.
Very well done Jay! A Vastly Varied Visual adVenture. Lovely photographic illustrations, too.
Dragonstar´s last blog ..ABC Wednesday – V.
WOW! You found a huge collection of Vs!
I’m simply amazed at your collection of V words! while most of us would settled for just one word/photo, you have a whole collection of impressive words/photos! I enjoyed coming here to see your entry.
Jama´s last blog ..Friday My Town Shoot Out : My town dressed for Christmas
Are you trying to make me ‘home’ sick …. Venice beach was just along from our ‘home’ in CA, and if I am correct, that is Grouse Mountain.. 30 mins from DBM and where me and Miska got married 2 years ago on the 23rd …. good choices x
moon´s last blog ..You can tell alot about a person ….
My, what a well travelled girl you are – I love the photo’s, particularly the one taken in Venice (I spent a wonderful week there once, but sadly the sun refused to shine for me).
You gave us an astonishing amount of V words! I like them all but those from Venice are my favourites. Vivaldi was in Venice for a long time.Thanks for your visit.
Reader Wil´s last blog ..Sky Watch, First Snow in December 2009
WOW, this is great!:-) Like the cable car shot very much, great view:-)
Spiderdama´s last blog ..Julebloggkalender – luke nr. 18
You found such a beautiful selection of V pictures ! I raked my brain to find something, I never thought of something so easy as “vehicle”, lol !
Gattina´s last blog ..WEEKEND REFLECTIONS
So much to see! I love the simple bike and would love floating down the water way. I would never be brave enough to attempt the skateboard stunt!
lisaschaos´s last blog ..a bird and a unicorn