It must be wonderful to be able to AFFORD the upmarket equipment. Some of us aren't so lucky and will never be able to buy high spec gear no matter how many hours a day we work.
And I think your final comment is rather insulting to tnturk.

It isn't. Get the exposure right or bracket and use HDR.

Yes I think the cropped B&W image is much better.

We seem to be suffering the same thing in the UK too (or at least we are in Bristol) - 'suicidal' photography stores. Probably the last eight or nine times I've tried to buy something in a shop I've had the same three answers: 'Sorry but it's out of stock'; 'Sorry but we don't stock it' and even 'Never heard of it'! Then I've frequently been given the supplementary answer: 'I don't know when we'll get any in'.
So now the first place I look is Amazon. Whatever anyone thinks of them (and to be honest I don't think much of 'em) at least I can usually get the item I want in a reasonable time.
Yep, the shops are putting themselves out of business by failing to stock even basic items like lens caps, cable releases, quick release plates for tripods etc. and I've just about given up on them.

Actually, she's disabled and can't stand up for long so I do the cooking and she loves it when I try new recipes.

Don't get me wrong - she encourages me to do my photography and she's got some of my prints on display but she doesn't pretend to understand what I'm rambling on about when I admire someone else's images.
And she said 'Go for it' when I wanted to spend four hundred quid I couldn't really afford on a used Sigma 150-500. She knows I love photography and she wants me to enjoy doing it, and that's worth a fortune to me.

Exactly. Loads of photo opportunities within walking distance.
Oh, and you missed out public parks

Here's an idea that no-one else seems to have come up with:
You live in the USA and there must be many, many, many thousands of fantastic places you could visit in perfect safety. Why go abroad at all? I live in the UK and my bucket list has more than enough places within this small island to last me the rest of my life. The USA is vast and I doubt anyone could see it all in two or three whole lifetimes.
Just a thought.

Yeah, easy peasy!
I can't even imagine taking three quarters of a million shots of anything. The skill and dedication required to get a shot like that is incredible and leaves me feeling a bit inadequate.
Oh, and the missus took one look and said 'It's just a bird and a splash. Looks a bit messy to me'.
I just heaved a big sigh. There's no point trying to explain it to her!

6 awesome out of 2000+? If only I was that good!

Even if I was paid in dollars that would be nearly a whole year's income.
Spend that much on a camera? I can't even afford to spend that much on my wedding next year!

Beautiful images. I doubt I'll ever get to see the actual places but we do have a few smaller versions in the UK and they're on my bucket list.

I think that here in the UK we should have a proper memorial to the suffering, especially in Bristol where I live. A lot of Bristol's people got rich from the proceeds (directly and indirectly) of the slave trade. We cannot undo the appalling harm that was done but we must never forget.
However, we must also keep in mind that many of the men, women and children who became slaves were sold by their own people for a handful of trinkets.
Also, slavery is still going on in many parts of the world and many governments are turning a blind eye to it.

Sorry but I just couldn't resist it - the photos just begged for a caption.

Beautiful shots and lucky with the sky too - it's not too bright.