Category: life & love

“Time Travel,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #31

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Time Travel,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #31

One thing I love about flying is that there are so many dimensions to it. It might be as simple as going from point a to point B… For a meeting… Or a “hundred-dollar hamburger.”

But sometimes piloting takes you mystically and magically to faraway places—spiritually or across time. And that’s what this story is about.

So climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelts and prepare to takeoff on today’s adventure, “Time Travel.”

Greg

Podcast music by Hannis Brown, and The Yahara River Valley Boys.

PS: Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Listen and subscribe to Greg’s podcast via your favorite podcast directory!

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“Time Travel,” Podcast Photo Gallery

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Check out Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

“Eclipse!” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #30

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Eclipse!” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #30

As I record this, we’re just days away from the 2024 total solar eclipse that will traverse Mexico and much of the Midwest and eastern United States.

I suspect that many of you plan on flying to see this eclipse, but if you’re not, you probably should be.

Plenty of people have experienced a partial solar eclipse, and a few have experienced an annular solar eclipse.

But if you’ve never experienced a total solar eclipse, it’s so much more exciting and so much more memorable, that it’s something you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, I’ll share the stories two previous solar eclipses I’ve experienced, which I believe you’ll find interesting and inspiring whether you’re preparing to attend the 2024 Total Eclipse, or have already experienced one.

So climb into my Flying Carpet, buckle up your seatbelts and prepare to takeoff on today’s adventure, “Eclipse!”

Greg

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

PS: Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

“Eclipse!” Podcast Photo Gallery

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

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Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Check out Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

“Geiko [Geisha] & Escort,” Greg’s featured Fine Art Photo Metal Print!

Greg's photographs, life & love

Hey Friends, check out “Geiko & Escort,” one of my personal-favorite Down to Earth Fine Art Metal Prints, photographed in Kyoto’s renowned Gion District, Japan.

Note this lady’s amazing details of makeup, dress and hair! I didn’t learn until afterward how fortunate I was to capture this photo.

Geikos/Geishas are paid entertainers so they rarely allow random portraits shot on the street. As a result, most casual shots capture them awkwardly from side or rear.

In this case I saw the couple coming, raised my camera to my waist and asked if I might take a photo. The Geiko smiled and nodded yes. Hence a treasured shot that hangs proudly on my own kitchen wall…

Incidentally, I learned from our guide at the time that white makeup and stylized eye- and mouth treatments originated to highlight geishas’ facial expressions when performing back in the age of candlelight.

Like all my Fine Art Metal Prints, “Geiko & Escort,” ready-to-hang pricing starts at just $135, with super-affordable shipping throughout the Continental US right up to the largest sizes.

Check out all my Views from the Flying Carpet aerials* and Down to Earth terrestrial photos!* (*Pages take a moment to load.)

Many thanks to all who invest in my prints, books, and pilot achievement plaques!

Greg

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On location, “Death in Paradise!”

Greg's photographs, life & love

My wife and I recently enjoyed a surprise vacation in Guadeloupe, French Antilles (aka the French West Indies.) Few Americans know this island paradise because it’s a department of France and therefore primarily popular with EU visitors.

However, many Americans will know “Death in Paradise,” the popular British detective series. Set on the fictitious Caribbean island of “Saint Marie,” it’s actually filmed in and around the town of Deshaies, Guadeloupe.

Over our vacation I sought out and photographed numerous “Death in Paradise” filming locations, and thought you might enjoy seeing them.

Scroll down to see my 2024 “Death in Paradise” Calendar and Photo Gallery. Interested in prints of any calendar or gallery photos? If so, please comment below or message me via “Contact Greg.”

Enjoy this vicarious visit to “Honoré, Saint Marie!”

Greg

PS: Look forward to my Guadeloupe scenic photographs in a future post!

Check out Greg’s 2024 “Death in Paradise” On-Location Photo Wall Calendar!

Greg’s “Death in Paradise” On-Location Photo Gallery

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All content and photographs ©2023 Gregory N. Brown

Dance troop in Guadeloupe, French Antilles. Check out the little boy joining in!

life & love

My wife and I recently enjoyed two weeks in Guadeloupe, French Antilles. Yes, there were incredible beaches, snorkeling, food, and sightseeing. (Comment if you’d like me to post some pics.)

One day we stopped by Destreland Mall near Pointe-à-Pitre, a shopping mall like anywhere else, to buy groceries.

Suddenly this fab dance troop materialized from nowhere, and it was such a scream I’m compelled to share the experience.

And as if their performance wasn’t already great enough, wait’ll you see the little boy from the audience jive with the dancers!

Greg

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“Lobe Plays Sedona; Skies Filled with Music,” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #26

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Lobe Plays Sedona,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #26

Along with cockpit thrills and challenges, plenty of piloting adventure arises from where flying can deliver us, both physically and spiritually. That’s what today’s episode is about.

Check out Lobe’s Growing Pains album on Spotify or your favorite music platform!

PS: If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends, and rate and review it on your favorite podcast directory!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

PS: Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast Episode #26 Photos – “Lobe Plays Sedona”

Click gallery photos to view at full size.

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

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Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Check out Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

Celebrating 10 years since Greg’s first solo fine art print exhibition

Greg's photographs, life & love

GregRichard_NAU-RilesHall-FC Print Exhibit install_6593eSmw1200

Wow! Ten years have already passed since my first solo “Views from the Flying Carpet” photography exhibition.

1-7-12_Richard_NAU-RilesHallPrintInstallation_1365eSmw800

Thank you, friend, fellow pilot, and Master Printer Richard Jackson (above left) for starting me down this path, and former Northern Arizona University College of Arts & Letters Dean Michael Vincent for inviting this first solo exhibition that led to numerous others.

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And a special thanks to all you good folks who have supported my passions for flying and photography by investing in my Views from the Flying Carpet and “Down to Earth” series Fine Art Metal Prints, Pilot Achievement Plaques, and Photo Wall Calendars since then!

Here’s wishing you the Happiest and Healthiest 2023!

Greg

“Vertigo! Some Lessons a Pilot Never Forgets…” Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast #25

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Vertigo!” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #25

Some Lessons a Pilot Never Forgets…

“So this must be Vertigo,” I thought. Nausea circled my gut like the snowflakes orbiting my propeller. I peered out the windshield for landmarks, but snow obscured all but a tiny spot of ground beneath me, even at an altitude of only a thousand feet.

To make matters worse, my VOR navigational receiver had obviously failed. How could I possibly have drifted so far off course as it suggested, on a flight of only 40 miles.

It was almost Christmas, and I was a young University of Illinois student transporting precious parts for my motorcycle home to Champaign…

Greg

PS: If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends, and rate and review it on your favorite podcast directory!

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

PS: Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast Episode #25 Photos – “Vertigo!”

Click gallery photos to view at full size.

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Check out Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

“Red Sports Car for a Day,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #24

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Red Sports Car for a Day,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #24

Ride along on my youthful airplane and auto adventures! (But you needn’t be a car or airplane fan to get a kick out of it!)

Greg

PS: If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends, and rate and review it on your favorite podcast directory!

Episode photo: 1967 Volvo P1800S sports car, like the one I owned for a single day! (See more photos below.)

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

PS: Find all of Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast Episode #24 Photos – “Sports Car for a Day!”

Click gallery photos to view at full size.

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Check out Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques

“Fifty Years Aloft,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast #23

flying adventures, Greg's photographs, Greg's Podcasts, life & love

Ride along with renowned aviator, writer, and photographer Greg Brown in his light airplane, the Flying Carpet, as he searches behind clouds for the real America, experiencing countless aerial adventures along the way.

Listen to “Fifty Years Aloft,” Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast Flight #23

I was recently awarded the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, for 50 years of safe piloting. It’s mind-boggling to consider how short the history of aviation is, that I should have already flown for over 40% of the entire history of powered flight!

In this episode I reflect on how general aviation flying has changed since I took to the skies in 1972.

Today’s story kicks off a whole series of future episodes sharing many more cockpit adventures from those five decades. Something for you to to look forward to!

Okay, everyone, hop aboard my Flying Carpet, snug up your seatbelts, and prepare for takeoff on today’s adventure, “Fifty Years Aloft!”

Greg

PS: If you enjoy this podcast, please share with friends, and rate and review it on your favorite podcast directory!

Episode photo: Greg & Jean on a 1977 day trip to Six Flags, Ohio. (See some 50-years-of-flying photos below.)

Podcast music by Hannis Brown.

PS: Find all Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast episodes here!

Podcast Episode #23 Photos – 50 years aloft

Click gallery photos to view at full size.

Subscribe here to follow Greg’s latest posts, photos, and podcasts!

Listen and subscribe via your favorite podcast directory:

Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsStitcherTuneInPocketCastsCastroPodchaserPodcast AddictDeezerListen NotesRSSiHeartRadioPandoraAmazon Music

Podcast episode questions or suggestions? Join Greg Brown’s Flying Carpet Podcast Facebook Group!

If you enjoyed this story, you’ll love Greg’s book, Flying Carpet: The Soul of an Airplane. Autographed copies available!

Please support Greg’s Flying Carpet Podcast, Blog, & Student Pilot Pep Talk Facebook Group!

Make a one-time donation, or better yet, subscribe your ongoing support. Thank you! Greg

Check out Greg’s Aviation Books, Fine Art Aerial Photo Prints, and Pilot Achievement Plaques!

Greg’s Aviation Books
Greg’s “Views from the Flying Carpet” Aerial Fine Art Prints
Greg’s Pilot Achievement Plaques