Photographer's Note
‘Isla Ometepe - The shortest way from New York to California’
In 1853 the shortest way from New York to California led through Nicaragua and across lake Nicaragua.
This will probably amaze you as much as it surprised me.
The route was as follows:
From New York by boat to San Juan del Norte (also called Greytown) on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.
From there by river steamer upstream river San Juan to Lake Nicaragua, across the lake to Virgin Bay, then a small overland journey to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific Ocean. From there another boat brought the travelers to San Francisco.
The passage of the Isthmus in Nicaragua was accomplished in about 40 hours.
The whole distance from New York to San Francisco via Nicaragua in 22 to 28 days.
In 1853 it was the shortest and fastest route to California, faster and safer than the overland route through the west of the US.
Steamers by this route sailed once a fortnight. Another steamer left from New Orleans.
Other possibilities were the Panama route and the Cape Horn Route.
The picture shows Lake Nicaragua surrounding the 1.610 m. high Concepciσn along three sides.
Behind me is volcano Maderas and the viewpoint is located on the lower slopes of this volcano.
A trail to this viewpoint starts near the farm Finca Porvenir, the place where I saw the petroglyphs of the previous picture. The hike is one of the so-called easier walks on the island (especially for those who are still twenty and in good shape :), I know now. For the others it’s a lot of sweating and sighing but at the end you will be rewarded with this view).
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lousat
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 15065 W: 129 N: 26351]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(130007) 2018-11-10 14:33
Hi Paul,another pic from this island and maybe the most beautiful! Magnificent large and full view of the volcano and a watch on the wild fields full of local plants and species. Interesting title and note too about its position and directions from there. Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano
Tue
(82280) 2018-11-10 15:10
Hallo Paul,
Een mooi gezicht over het landschap dat versmalt richting de landengte en zich vervolgens weer verbreedt en omhoog komt langs de steile hellingen van de vulkaan. Het was een mooie heldere dag. De overhangende tak zorgt voor extra diepte in de compositie.
Lars
macjake
(96157) 2018-11-10 15:37
Hi Paul
seriously? it took that long, and that was the shortest route. Hard to believe it would take longer on the road, but I guess back then it would be very difficult to travel wouldn't it. Incredible. Makes me think about the future too, Just how we think of travel back in 1853, how will people in 2200 think we travelled. Something to think about right! I'm happy for you that the day was bright enough to capture this view, imagine if you got up here and you couldn't even see the landscape. excellent note, story and experience. cheers
Craig
ikeharel
(105933) 2018-11-10 22:02
Interesting description to the old route across towards the west, Paul.
The perfect cone-shape volcano, built-up in the middle of a land-strip between two sides of water.
Depth enhanced by the slope in front, even as the haze prevailed - the outcome in awesome landscape picture.
Regards,
Ike
emka
(152274) 2018-11-10 22:34
Hello Paul Indeed, it is very surprising that it was the shortest way. Later, I must check on the map how it was. Even if the trail was full of sweating and sighing it was well rewarded with this fabulous view in the end. The marvelous sight of the volcano.
Kind regards MAlgo
papagolf21
(152599) 2018-11-10 22:54
Bonjour, cher Paul,
Je voyage immobile depuis mon ordinateur et je dιcouvre ces paysages magnifiques.
C'est un plaisir non dissimulι que de dιcouvrir un tel lieu.
Un grand merci du partage;
Amitiιs.
Philippe
mesutilgim
(0) 2018-11-10 23:34
Hello Paul,
Very nice capture from Isla Omatepe, taken with perfect pov and light management.
Good composed.
The branches of the tree at top, creates a perfect natural framing. Many interesting and usefull notes.
TFS and hav a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM
carlo62
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5970 W: 34 N: 8523]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(81265) 2018-11-11 0:06
Ciao Paul
bel panorama, la foto θ praticamente simmetrica, solo le nuvole e i rami rompono lo schema principale.
Ottima composizione.
Buona domenica
Carlo
Nicou
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 15936 W: 0 N: 17040]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(193806) 2018-11-11 2:03
Hello
quel effet ce volcan on dirait que'il sιtale de chaque cτtι avec la terre quei avanc dans l'eau la branche au sommet le forme sueprbe ce tapis vιgιtatif en premier plan ce petit nuage blan quei a ιglement une trθs belle forme sueprbe ensemble.
Bravo et beau dimanche
Nciou
holmertz
(92890) 2018-11-11 2:13
Hello Paul,
It's a superb view but it doesn't look like it was taken from a very high point. But considering the sweating and sighing it must have been quite high. Similar to my last photo from Cefalω there were good views even without climbing to the highest point. The branches and the highest cloud are nice features that fill the upper part well. I wonder what will happen to the plans of digging a canal across Nicaragua. Will it prove to be too expensive and too environmentally hazardous? And will the canal really be needed?
Best regards,
Gert
BennyV
(32570) 2018-11-11 5:12
Dag Paul
Een titel die zeker de aandacht trekt! Gelukkig leg je het uit in je tekst, waarvoor dank. De foto zelf is op zich ook knap genoeg, maar toch zijn dit soort extra weetjes altijd leuk.
Groeten
Benny
Silvio1953
(205793) 2018-11-11 5:25
Ciao Paul, great view of fantastic place, wonderful natural colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
ktanska
(40101) 2018-11-11 7:17
Hi Paul,
Fantastic view of this cone shaped volcano and the big lake surrounding it. Viewpoint is not easy to reach obviously, but I'm glad you went there. That branch frames the view nicely on the top.
Superb note describing times when land transport was more difficult than travelling onboard a ship.
Kari
rychem
(72179) 2018-11-11 7:26
Amazing place and a very interesting note, great view of this volcano cone, very well presented
regards Ryszard
jimmj63
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 764 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-n.gif){kind=small}
(0) 2018-11-11 9:30
ciao Paul
the shape of the volcano is perfect, it seems to come out of a geography book for children, very good compostion of this very interesting place,
ciao, Giacomo
Cricri
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 16597 W: 159 N: 27]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-s.gif){kind=small}
(176) 2018-11-11 9:43
Bonjour Paul
Une note intιressante et une prιsentation fantastique du volcan, la vιgιtation sauvage, la lumiθre est belle et douce donne de jolies teintes aux paysage, belle prιsentation
Bonne soirιe
cricri
pajaran
(102696) 2018-11-11 12:04
Pozdrav.
Interesantan i lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobra perspektiva i kontrast, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak.
Lepa priroda.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja.
Greeting.
Interesting and beautiful look, good text ...
Beautifully shown, good perspective and contrast, nice colors, nice caught moment.
Beautiful nature.
I wish you all the best.
Fis2
(155673) 2018-11-11 12:25
Witaj Paul!
Wonderful landscape, view is impressive.
Excellent framing and composition.
I like colors and sharpness.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof
ChrisJ
(160070) 2018-11-11 22:37
Hi Paul
I'd believe it that via Nicaragua was shorter back in the day before cars and a dedicated rail network. The ever present and ominous volcano dominates the horizon. Even within Australia it took 6 months to travel 1000 miles.
Here's a map I found.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3339902/What-travel-looked-like-100-years-ago-Map-shows-DAYS-took-travel-abroad-1900s.html
quovadis
(5677) 2018-11-12 15:03
Hi Paul.
Very interesting story and an amazing view upon the lake and the volcano, still intact, but will it stay this way for another century or so...? Hopefully, the people of the country will have more to say about the prospect of the new canal, which if built, will have a huge impact on the surrounding area, probably devastating in terms of the fauna and flora life. TFS!!!
jhm
(203057) 2018-11-13 4:26
Dag Paul,
Echt bedankt om mijn laatste foto als favoriet te nemen, dit is een opsteker.
Maar deze foto is natuurlijk uit een ander land, en een andere streek.
Kwaliteit en samenstelling is grandioos, u mag de tak hebben meegenomen boven in uw beeld, dit geeft echt nog iets extra.
Maar de vuurberg is zeer mooi in beeld gebracht.
Schitterend foto werk, bedankt.
Groeten uit Vlaanderen,
John.
sacimar
(38173) 2018-11-13 5:26
Hello Paul,
good image of this place, I like the point of view and the composition with the tree branch, it is a surprising data indeed what you explain with the photo, well done,
Best regards,
Sergio
mkamionka
(61280) 2018-11-13 12:01
Hi Paul,
I really like your volcanic compositions and this would be probably my favourite one maybe because there is so much space here! There is still some vegetation to frame and decorate but so subtle! Same with the cloud: this is the level of clouds I like to have :)
Quite an interesting note!
Great reportage!!
M
alvaraalto
(42314) 2018-11-14 1:31
Dag Paul
Wolkjes in de buurt van een vulkaan kan leiden tot aardige associaties. Het grote wolkje zegt dat het gevaar geweken is, maar als je goed kijkt naar de top lijkt er toch nieuwe rook uit de krater te komen.
De overheersende indruk is toch dat dit een schitterend vredig landschap is.
Groet Rob
adramad
(67032) 2018-11-15 10:44
Hello Paul.
What a great sight, with this isthmus of land and on both sides the two bays while in the background the perfect volcano rises great.
A beautiful color, which enhances the image.
Magnificent management of brightness and sharpness, to enjoy with the details.
Well seen and done. I like it.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.
cornejo
(61504) 2018-11-16 11:01
Hello Paul, excellent picture of this beautiful and interesting composition with the beautiful landscape, very well captured in this beautiful image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. Great and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.
Good night and happy weekend.
Best wishes from the south of Spain.
Angel.
jmdias
(102954) 2019-05-28 11:56
paul
fabulous view of the isthmus with the volcano on it. very beautiful and surprising view. the note is very nice too. this remind me the people of cuiabα city that had to navigate to buenos aires and then navigate to rio de janeiro to reach the capital of brazilian empire in those days.
take care
jorge
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Paul VDV (PaulVDV)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5680 W: 17 N: 13739]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(54875) - Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2018-04-09
- Categories: Φύση
- Έκθεση: 30 δευτερόλεπτα
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Date Submitted: 2018-11-10 14:26
Discussions
- To holmertz: point of view / canal (1)
by PaulVDV, last updated 2018-11-11 08:33
