Mike Noble Photography

Santa Fe and Ghost Ranch

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 14:22:00 +0000

Currently, we are back in Hebron, KY at our daughter's house. We have spent the past four days on the road traveling from Santa Fe to Amarillo to Tulsa and to St. Louis before arriving here yesterday afternoon. Very tiring. So I apologize for not getting out the blog as quickly as possible.

Our stay in Santa Fe was short. It is a lovely place and there are so many things to see. So we have decided that we will have to return. Two full days were certainly not enough.

We spent our first day in Santa Fe itself. We visited the Georgia O'Keeffe museum which was wonderful. Nearby, there was a gallery specializing in photographic prints from some of the finest photographers ever. Ansel Adams, Annie Leibowitz, Alfred Steiglitz and many more. It was absolutely rewarding to see the full size prints that I was so familiar with having only seen them in books and magazines. There are many art galleries in Santa Fe offering everything from paintings and photographic prints to jewelry and ceramics. Again, they will be on our list for next time. We also visited the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi which was lovely.

And there are lots of local craftsmen selling their wares throughout the city. We spent a good deal of time in the central square as Lesley perused the offerings. In one location, which used to be the government headquarters 400 or so years ago, there is a Native American cooperative that sells hand made work. Les got a really lovely turquoise ring. The city itself is a bit on the touristy side which makes me nervous. I prefer to be out in the countryside.

So the next day, we journeyed to Ghost Ranch about an hour northwest of Santa Fe. Georgia O'Keeffe lived there for a number of years and today it is an arts center featuring workshops, guided tours, and horse rides into the hills.

We got out fairly early and headed toward the ranch. We would have gotten there sooner if we didn't have to stop so many times along the way for the incredible views. This is really lovely country. Not as overwhelming as the Rocky Mountains but beautiful in its own right.

We arrived at Ghost Ranch and reconnoitered a bit before deciding to hike one of the easier trails. We were still at a decent elevation and climbing really takes it out of you. Well, me anyway. The trail led back to a box canyon and the scenery was really spectacular.

Here are some shots of our stay.

First some shots in Santa Fe.

The architecture is uniform is Santa Fe. All adobe-like features.

A tourist taking a break... from shopping, I would guess.

The Native American Art Cooperative in action.

Inside the Basilica

And photos taken at Ghost Ranch.

This is one of the scenes that caused delays getting to Ghost Ranch.

I am not sure what river this is but I loved the view.

Some of the flora along the train at Ghost Ranch.

Indian Paintbrush.

This is a hogan. It is a small dwelling used by some of the native American tribes.

This time around we didn't get as many photo ops as we did last year. We only got to one national park and spent a bit more time relaxing. Last year was a bit more hectic. Next year we will be going out to California again. We will be house-sitting for our niece and her husband at their place in Montecito for two weeks. We will have to decide how to get out there and back. Should be interesting.

Farther Down the Road

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 00:11:00 +0000

After leaving Peyton, it was a relatively short drive to Alamosa. We picked Alamosa because we wanted to see the Great Sand Dune National Park which is close by. Alamosa is a nice small town with all the amenities you could want. We are staying at the Inn of the Rio Grand. And, oh, yes, the Rio Grande runs through the town. This far north, you can wade across it.

We visited the Sand Dunes on Saturday and got there at about 10:00 am. The light wasn't all that great because of the time of day. (Yes, I know this sounds like whining.) I did get some nice photos and we hiked up to Zapata Falls which is located a few miles outside of the Sand Dunes Park. We had to drive for miles up a washboard road and then hiked up a trail to get the falls. Despite the 8,700ft elevation, we both did all right. We had to take our time but we managed rather well. We couldn't get to the falls themselves. When the trail ends you are at a very pretty and fast running stream. Note that the stream is VERY cold. In order to get to the falls, you had to wade farther up the river. This was not going to happen. So I did get some nice shots of the stream itself.

Button was with us at the park and at the falls. He had a great time and made many new friends - both canine and human. He is just too cute.

This morning, I got up early so I could go back to the park before sunup. It was cold. Thirty-two degrees with a little wind. I had enough clothing to keep my core warm but no gloves. And my hands were really cold. But I did get some good results so I can't complain.

After I got back, Les and I had breakfast and then went to an Alligator Farm nearby. This was a kind of dumpy looking place but they had a lot of gators as well as snakes, tortoises, lizards, etc. So it was worth the price of admission.

Tomorrow we head to Santa Fe, NM.

Here are some shots from yesterday and today.

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains surrounding the sand dunes

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains with the sand dunes in front

Some of the small brush in the San Luis Valley. Rabbitbrush, I believe.

A fellow photographer I met at the dunes.

Cracked, dried, earth next to Medano Creek that runs next to the dunes.

On the way up to Zapata Falls. Les is in the car. In the background is the San Luis Valley.

This young woman was completely taken with Button. After one of her friends asked if I would take their picture, I asked if I could take hers.

The stream coming from Zapata Falls.

Lesley with Button at the falls.

Sangre de Cristo on Sunday morning just after sunrise.

The dunes with the mountains in the background.

And again.

Some flora on the side of the mountains.

Say hello to my little friend.

... and my big friend.

On the Road Again

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 21:51:00 +0000

Well, I have been remiss on this trip. Last year I put up a blog on most days. This time around I seem to keep putting it off. But, no more. I will do better!

We started this year's trek on the 13th of September. (Yes, FRIDAY the 13th.) We made our first stop at our daughter's place in Hebron Kentucky. We arrived on Friday afternoon and stayed until Tuesday morning. The highlight of our visit was watching our grandsons, Jackson and Mike, play football on Saturday. Mike's game was in the morning and Jackson's in the afternoon. This is PeeWee football and Mike and Jackson are on the same team (Go Bearcats!) but not on the same squads. Mike plays with the 6-7 year old group and Jackson with the 8-9 year olds.

It is a lot of fun watching these games. The kids take it pretty seriously. However, the younger group is not quite as intense and their attention may wander a bit. They do not quite fill out their uniforms either. Big helmets make them look a bit like bobble-head dolls. But they do have fun.

Mike always knows where the camera is. The coach asked him if he was ready for the game and Mike replied, "Yes, all I need is my arm pads and a tuna fish sandwich."

This is one of the running backs on the older squad. He scored several times.

Number 54 is Jackson. He plays linebacker on defense and end on offense.

We spent Sunday watching football... professional, that is.

On Tuesday we headed out to friends, Lynn and Brendan, who live in Lafayette, CO, just outside of Boulder. We had made these plans months in advance and after the floods we were concerned about our friends and how they were faring. They assured us that they were fine and that besides a little flooding in one basement bedroom, all was OK and we should come ahead.

Our plans to visit Rocky Mountain National Park had to be abandoned, though. The roads into and out of the park were closed due to damage by flooding. You have seen the photos and film footage of the devastation. Only necessary traffic was allowed on unaffected roads in the park. This did not dampen our enthusiasm. We had a wonderful visit with our friends and managed to get up to Grand Lake, just south and west of the Park, visited Pearl Street in Boulder, went to a street fair, had an outdoor picnic, and went out to dinner. We weren't in a rush to do anything. We also spent a day visiting a nearby animal sanctuary that specializes in rescuing and caring for large carnivores. Lions and tigers and bears! A lot of fun!

Downtown Boulder on Pearl Street

This sight was not a welcome one. A thunderstorm had worked its way over the area despite weather predictions to the contrary. It made people nervous but all was well and the rain was short lived.

A street musician on Pearl Street. This young man was from New Zealand and was visiting the US for six weeks. The floods played havoc with his schedule and he ran out of money and was trying to earn enough to continue his trip.

One of the many tigers at the animal sanctuary

A timber wolf, I believe. The large and wide open animal compounds are traversed by elevated walkways so you can look down on the animals.

Ray Smith, guitarist and singer-songwriter. He was performing at the street fair we attended in Lafayette. We struck up a conversation before the show. He gave me a CD that he and his girlfriend, Cari, made. They perform as The StrangeByrds. Look them up on line. Nice bluesy folk music.

Ray performing. I sent him a bunch of photos which he liked a lot.

Some mountain views on our way to Grand Lake.

A pretty aspen grove just outside the Rocky Mountain National Park's southern entrance.

The aspens in color.

On Monday we left the Boulder area and headed to Peyton, CO where we visited Judy and Paul. Judy was best friends with Lesley growing up on Long Island. Peyton is in the high desert just northwest of Colorado Springs. Their house is in a wide open area with a wonderful view of Pikes Peak.

Paul is a long haul trucker who works for Walmart and was not able to change his schedule to be home with us. He and Judy are taking a trip east right after our trip so he could not take the extra time. We missed him!

During our time here we visited the Air Force Academy and Pikes Peak. I visited Pikes Peak twice. The first time we went, the road up the mountain was not completely open due to icing. So we couldn't get to the summit. Also, we went during mid-day and I wasn't thrilled with the light. So I decided that I would return as early as possible in a couple of days. So, today, the 26th I got up early to be at the gate when it opened at 7:30. I would like to have gotten there at sunrise but no luck with that. When I got to the gate there were, in fact, two vehicles in front of me waiting for the gate to open. The ranger on duty told me that because of high winds, I might not be able to make it to the top. However, they did not close the road and I finally made it to the summit. My GPS put me at 14,175 ft elevation. Oh, yeah. It was 31 degrees at the top with the wind blowing at over 40 miles an hours. It was, however, spectacular.

Tomorrow, we head to Alamosa, CO, and the Great Sand Dune National Park. Should be fun.

Cadets on parade. The architecture dates back to the late '50s and is not all that interesting. Boxy buildings with a lot of aluminum and glass. However, the chapel was magnificent.

The interior of the Air Force Academy Chapel

Yes, you guessed it. This is the exterior of the Chapel.

Pikes Peak in the background.

Close to the top.

Beautiful views

This was a lovely Aspen grove that we passed. I had to stop.

I love B&W.

Our trip will last four weeks this year. Last year we did a marathon six week trip going all the way to California. This time will be a bit easier. After Alamosa, we will head to Santa Fe and then home by way of Amarillo, Tulsa, Saint Louis, back to Hebron and then home sweet home.

More to come.

Open Mic Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 21:03:00 +0000

On June 19th, I participated in an open mic event hosted by one of the members of the Wilmington Acoustic Group. I have been studying and practicing guitar rather heavily for the past year and a half and have been attending jams with several different groups. The chance to perform at an open mic kind of scares me. But instead of this being at a café or other commercial establishment, it is hosted at a private home. The attendees are all musicians and it is rather less formidable than performing in front of strangers. They are all very supportive.

I took my cameras with me in order to photograph some of the performers after my set. I had anticipated and indoor event (the last one was) and was prepared for a low light environment. However, it was all set up outdoors. With a slightly overcast sky, the lighting was pretty good. Here are some of my favorites.

Architectural work

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:20:00 +0000

Last week, I completed an assignment for Berks County Living Magazine. The article, scheduled for the August issue, is about the universities and colleges in Berks County. I photographed five of these institutions; Penn State University, Albright College, Alvernia University, Kutztown University, and Reading Area Community College. All the shots were exteriors.

I have always loved to photograph architecture. This goes back to my days working for Glen Gery Brick. I photographed hundreds of building projects, both residential and commercial, while working in the marketing services department. I always enjoyed the work.

This time around, I used my Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 lens. While I worked for Glen Gery I had the use of a perspective control lens that helped to eliminate converging verticals - the distortion that occurs when the camera is pointed up or down. Without this type of lens, I did the necessary corrections in Photoshop and Lightroom. I also used HDRI techniques. High Dynamic Range Imaging is a favorite of archtitectural photographers for both interiors and exteriors. Setting up on a tripod, you take multiple (any where from 3 to 7 or more) exposures to capture all the detail in the image. You overexpose to get details in the shadows and underexpose to get detail in the highlights. Your software (Photoshop in this case) puts the images together so your finished photograph has all the detail; overcoming the inherent limitations of the camera's sensor.

The images I turned over to the magazine were all in color but I did convert some to B&W. I love B&W architectural shots. Samples of both follow.

WWII Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 13:54:00 +0000

Every year during the first full weekend in June, the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (MAAM) hosts the WWII Weekend here in Reading. MAAM is located at the Reading airport and each year period aircraft fly in to join military vehicles, weaponry, and reenactors for a truly enjoyable and educational three days.

This is an event I try to get to each year. However, I did miss the last two due to travels out of state. So it was good to get back. I tend to concentrate on photographing the people that show up in period dress, be it battle or civilian. No one says no to a photograph and, for me, that is wonderful since portraiture is my favorite photographic genre.

So here is a sampling of images from the day. I used a variety of processing techniques dictated by the subject, the lighting, expressions, etc.

All the processing was done in Adobe Lightroom 4.4. I used only the controls within the application; no filters or special plug-ins. I shot with two Nikon D700 cameras with a Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 lens on one and a Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 on the other.

A Day with WWII Veterans

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:47:00 +0000

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of traveling down to Washington, DC in the company of more than one hundred WWII vets. Lesley and I served as "guardians" for two of the vets. That's two each. The trip was to Arlington Cemetery to see the changing of the guard and then off to the WWII Memorial on the Mall in Washington. The trip was planned and organized by a group called WWII Homefront Guys and Gals. They really did a great job.

We traveled down in two buses and even got a motorcycle escort from a group called the Legion Riders that is dedicated to serving veterans The two fellows that I was escorting were in pretty good shape. Both were ambulatory with clear minds and a keen sense of humor.In fact, there was a lot of joking all during the day. These guys were great.

Here is a shot of the Legion Riders as they formed an honor guard for the vets as they boarded the bus.

Here are some images from Arlington. Hallowed ground.

The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

After Arlington it was on to the WWII Memorial

This is Roy. He was in just about every major naval engagement in the Pacific theater aboard a Fletcher Class destroyer.

My other vet, Ed. Neither of these men needed much looking after. Very independent.

It was an honor to escort these two vets and to be in the company of so many heroes.

Youth Ice Hockey

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to photograph a youth hockey game. These kids looked to be between ten and twelve years old. The rink is part of a local gym called the Body Zone here in Reading. I got permission to shoot some sports events there. Besides the usual work out equipment, they have two ice rinks, two soccer/lacrosse/field hockey fields and a basketball court. All indoors! The place is incredible.

I wanted to shoot from the team's benches but I quickly realized that wouldn't work because all the players were up against the rail and would be in the way and they were constantly sending players in and out out the game. And, of course, the best action is down near the goals. So I ended up having to shoot through the protective Plexiglas around the rink.

While it seemed bright, the lighting conditions were minimal and I ended up shooting at 5000 ISO. For those of you not knowledgeable about photography, ISO in digital cameras is comparable to film speed (ASA) in conventional cameras. Back in the day, a really fast film for low light shooting was Kodak Tri-X rated at 400 ASA. You could "push" that by overexposing a couple of stops and then compensating for that in the development process. That would result in a lot of "grain" which is comparable in the digital realm to "noise." Nowadays, the capabilities of the digital cameras gives the photographer incredible latitude in low light conditions. So I was shooting at more than ten times the speed of the old Tri-X. With a bit of noise reduction in post production (Photoshop) the results were quite good.

Here are some samples. By the way, these kids could really skate!

A Day at the Races

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Last week, as part of a photographic workshop, I had the opportunity to make some photographs at Keeneland Race Track just outside of Lexington, KY. I had never been to a race track before, even while growing up a stone's throw from Belmont Race Track in Queens, NY.

This is something I had been wanting to do for a while and I was quite excited at the prospect. The group got to shoot at the track on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon. The weather was OK on Friday and a bit messy on Saturday. But you always work with what you've got.

We were able to shoot in front of the grand stand and down the track towards the fourth and third turns. So we were able to get a variety of shots and angles of the races themselves. We could also shoot in the paddock area as the horses for the upcoming race were walked and where the jockeys mounted up. There were, of course, opportunities for photographing the crowds as well. This was the last weekend for racing at Keeneland and it was very well attended.

Here are some selections from the day.

Coming out of the fourth turn heading down the home stretch.

A Keeneland Worker.

In the paddock area.

Everyone has their head buried in the racing form.

This jockey has his "race face" on.

Coming out of the back stretch into the third turn.

Out in front and heading for the finish line.

This man loves his job.

It is a family event. But not for the very young.

Another view of the paddock area.

A shot of the grandstand.

Jockeying for position.

Empty benches on a rainy Saturday morning.

An exercise rider in the rain.

Another exercise rider going past the large video screen in front of the grandstand.

I think that I will look for more opportunities to shoot at a race track. We have Penn National near us here in PA. I will have to check it out.

Studio Portrait Work

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:12:00 +0000

My friend and long time tennis partner, Dave, is also a musician and plays with a local swing band. His instrument is the trumpet. I got to thinking that it would be a good idea to photograph him with his instrument in a studio setting. I was visualizing shots with a certain atmosphere and began to put together a shot list in my head. There was one prop that I really wanted and that was a fedora. I searched on line and found what turned out to be the perfect hat.

Dave brought a suit and a couple of shirts to wear and I provided a vest and THE HAT. Dave is a tall and slender fellow and I knew that he would look great in the shots I envisioned. After a few test shots, I got the lighting just where I wanted it. And it was minimalistic, which I like. One large octa-box, one smaller soft box, and one reflector. Just right. I used a seamless background and I think that it all came together rather well. And it was a lot of fun to do.

Here are some selections from the shoot.

Dispatches from the Road - Last Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:41:00 +0000

Well we are back at home and the statistics are in.

8,864 miles

45 days

Temperature range: 28ºF – 112ºF

Elevation Range: Sea level to 10,000ft

Weather experienced: A little snow; a little rain; lots of wind; an occasional sand storm; lots of sun.

Seven national parks

Price of Gasoline: $3.29 - $4.99 (in California). Remember when gas was $1.80?

Geography: Deserts, mountains, grasslands, prairie, farmland, forests, salt flats, sea shore

Major rivers crossed: Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, Merced

Other attractions: Mount Rushmore; Crazy Horse Monument; the ghost town at Bodie, CA; whales, dolphins, sea lions, Graumans Chinese Theater

The trip was indeed wonderful. With all the miles driven, I think that we had one close call on the road. We met some very nice folks along the way in addition to our very generous and loving friends and relatives who so kindly put us up. We talked to folks at the parks, in grocery stores, and on the street. Every one we met was open and welcoming. It restored my faith in my fellow Americans. We met many who were traveling the country as we were. We got to share experiences. Most everyone loved Button. Those who were indifferent to him immediately fell suspect. But they were very few and far between.

Over all, we were overwhelmed by the beauty of our country and the incredible expanse of the west. We were brought close to tears more than once by the incredible beauty that we saw. The experience of being out on the prairie close to ancient rock formations in absolute quiet was a bit mystical. In the smaller parks, like Arches or Badlands, if you went early and walked out on some of the trails, you could be completely alone except for the birds and an occasional skittering lizard. The aroma given off by desert plants and borne on the wind seemed to envelop you. It was magnificent.

I will put in a plug or two regarding some of the things that performed so well for us during the trip. First, our Hyundai Santa Fe. It performed flawlessly and was a real pack horse. We had a ton of stuff to haul; photographic equipment, six weeks worth of luggage, a guitar, Button's crate and dog stuff, and a nice size cooler. I didn't check mileage but my gut was telling me we were doing well. It is very comfortable and has a nice V-6 engine that gave us the power we needed to climb hills, pass, etc.

Our Merrell Moab Hikers. A great low profile hiking shoe with a great tread. I brought along a pair of high top boots as well but never even put them on. The Moabs sufficed for just about everything. They were great on the slickrock that you find in the west. Very grippy tread and very comfortable.

My cameras, two Nikon D700s also performed well. I took a good deal of equipment since this was a great opportunity to photograph a wide range of subjects. I shot people, landscapes, architecture, florals, and even a cello recital. I had six lenses along and used every one. I also brought lighting equipment which I only had a chance to use once for a formal portrait of my brother-in-law. I am a big Nikon fan and this experience only fortified my faith in the brand.

And lastly, Button. What a traveler. No fuss. Happy all the time. I don't know whether this is a breed trait or if it is just Button. But he travels well.

Not only does Button travel well, but, evidently, he makes a great prop. Here with my brother-in-law Jim.

Of course, this trip would have been nothing without Lesley who did the lion's share of planning and organizing for the trip. She also did a lot of the driving and made sure that everything that we brought with us made the return trip. Of course, she had to put up with me for six weeks which earns her beaucoups kudos. Her love and friendship was the icing on the cake.

America is a great country. It has great people. And this trip has only enhanced my love for it. There are some who do not think that this country has a special place in the world. It has provided safe haven for immigrants from all over the world including my family. It has defended democracy and has helped innumerable countries with money, aid, and boots on the ground. With all its flaws, it is still the place to which freedom seeking people (and some needing excellent and immediate medical care) flock.

Driving through the vastness of the country was almost like viewing the past from a moving time machine. I could imagine wagon trains reaching westward over some pretty rough terrain. The awesome, and sometimes terrible, beauty of the country must have helped them on. Nevertheless, the country was built on their dreams and resourcefulness. Les and I could travel 500 miles in a day. The folks on the wagon trains were lucky to do 15 miles. Quite an accomplishment.

This November we have a very important election coming up. Many think that this is a tipping point. So it is very important that you all vote. If we want to maintain our republic we have to be participants in the process and not bystanders. I would ask you to vote for those that uphold the Constitution and the laws of our land on which our republic was founded.

Before you vote, first consider the oath of office that every president takes on inauguration day:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

One sentence that says so much. A measure to which every president is, or should be, held.

Les and I will probably be thinking of another trip in 2013. Hopefully we will get ourselves in better shape by then so we can do some more strenuous hiking and other activities. Don't know where we will go at this point. There are so many destinations.

Dispatches from the Road - Crazy Horse Monument

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 02:42:00 +0000

“My lands are where my dead lie buried.”

Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear officially started Crazy Horse Memorial June 3, 1948. The Memorial’s mission is to honor the culture, tradition and living heritage of North American Indians.

Our second trip to the monument included a bus trip to the base of Thunder Mountain (so named by Korczak because the iron in the mountain attracts lightning strikes). The shot that I last posted was taken from a mile away with a 200mm lens. As you get closer, you begin to appreciate the enormity of this project. Already 64 years in the making, it will be quite awhile until it is finished. My grandchildren will get to see it finished.

This is a wonderful place to visit. And understanding the dedication and commitment of Korczak Ziolkowski, his wife Ruth, and his children is, indeed, inspiring. In all the years that the family has worked on this mission (for that is what it is), they have accepted no government funding. Korczak believed in free enterise and the entrapreneurial spirit. He wanted no government interference in the project. This has made for slow going, but it is the public and generous private donors that have kept everything going. Please read about this at www.crazyhorsememorial.org.

This is a 1/34 scale model of the finished sculpture. It is used to measure distance to points on the sculpture so those working on the mountin can sculpt the figure accurately. Nowadays, sophisticated laser measurements are used.

The scale model above gives you an idea of what the sculptor has envisioned. This will be a truly three dimensional figure, completely seperated from the enfolding rock. It will be seen from left, right, back and front.

The museum and shops that make up the building at the monument contain some incredible artwork, photographs, and archeological pieces from the area. It is amazing. There are also many American Indian artists selling their wares. Some, like the artist below, can be seen creating their art.

Lesley and I really like this part of South Dakota. There is a lot more to see and we will probably be back in the future.

We will be back home in a few days. It will be interesting going through six weeks of mail!

Dispatches from the Road - Rapid City

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:59:00 +0000

"Give me land, lots of land under starry skies above.."

Last Sunday we left Bridgeport, CA headed for Rapid City, SD. We had to do two overnights on the way. One in Elko, NV and the second in Rawlins, WY. It was a lot of driving through some expansive countryside. There is a lot of wide open spaces in our country. And a lot of it is in Nevada and Wyoming. We passed the Bonneville Salt Flats, saw part on the Great Salt Lake just outside of Salt Lake City. We have passed through desert and mountains on our way to the Black Hills and grasslands of Rapid City.

Yesterday, Wednesday, we got up and headed out to see Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. These are just west of Rapid City in the Black Hills. Going to Mount Rushmore was truly an experience. The vision of this monument is implanted in the memory of most folks my age. It is one of the symbols of America that is always in the back of your head. To see it in front of you grabs your attention like few other things in your life. The likenesses of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are almost mesmerizing. I am not sure that younger generations have the reverence for these American icons that I do. When you look at the tourists at Mount Rushmore you can just about see those who know what they are looking at. It isn't just about getting your picture taken with the monument in the background.

Part of a display on the American Indian way of life

Next, we head for the Crazy Horse Monument - just a little farther west. I didn't get much in the way of pictures here. It was raining for while while we were there so we were inside at the museum most of the time. We got a return ticket so we will be going back again on Friday, our last day in Rapid City.

This monument has been a long time in the making. It probably won't be finished before we are gone. But the vision for the monument and everything else around it (a hospital, and learning center, and much more) is incredible and a heartfelt tribute to the American Indian. I will get more photos on Friday.

Today, Thursday, Les and I took Button to see Badlands National Park. I have been there several times before but this was Lesley's - and Button's - first time. We didn't get out as early as I would have liked, but this is always an amazing place.

We leave from Rapid City for home on Saturday morning. Stopping in Sioux City, Dawson Iowa, and Hebron, Kentucky for one nighters on the way. We will arrive home on June 27th after 46 days on the road.

More to come.

Dispatches from the Road - Bodie

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:26:00 +0000

"Ghost riders in the sky..."

Saturday dawned... well it dawned like every other day out here. Sun, blue sky, and no clouds. We packed up our gear and bid a fond farewell to the Sierra Sky Lodge. The lodge had its good points and bad. But the steak dinners the night before helped us to leave with pleasant thoughts.

Our destination on Saturday was Bridgeport, CA which is the closest town with decent accommodations to Bodie, CA a western "Ghost Town" which was in its hey day all during the eighteen hundreds. It was a mining town reminiscent of Deadwood, SD. It was taken over by the state of California in 1962 and made into a state park. It is described as being in a state of "arrested decay."

Our accommodations in Bridgeport were, shall we say, adequate. This was obviously an old motel made new. It was very clean and comfortable but small. With a capital "S". There was one queen size bed and a small desk and a few other pieces of furniture. It did have a closet but that was filled with the refrigerator and the microwave. We barely had room for our luggage and Button's crate. We had to signal our moves around the room to keep from bumping into each other. But it was clean.

We got there around 2:00 pm, unpacked, and then headed from Bodie which was supposed to be about 25 minutes away. Now it would have been except the last three miles consisted of unpaved rode described by the road sign we passed as "rough." Well rough didn't quite describe the ride. It was a bone jarring, teeth rattling ride over a washboard surface road. The three miles took more time than the trip down from Bridgeport.

Bodie is an interesting place and a mecca for photographers. Many top pros head up workshops in the park. It is in a small valley but the elevation is still at 8,400 feet. That is a problem for me. I made sure that I was drinking water and taking things slowly. However, there were places that I didn't want to get to because I would have had to walk up an elevation to get there. Thin air, man.

Any how, I did get some nice photographs and it certainly was an interesting place to visit.

I didn't get to photograph all that I wanted to. The elevation was too much. I don't know if I would go back again. It was nice but not quite the mythic place that I was lead to believe.

We will be doing one night stands on Sunday and Monday. Going from Bridgeport to Elko, NV, and Rawlins, WY, on the way to Rapid City, SD to see Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument, and Badlands National Park. So the blogs may be thin for a couple of days.

Dispatches from the Road - Mirror Lake

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 23:47:00 +0000

"In our mountain greenery, where God makes the scenery..."

I couldn't get a blog out yesterday because our hotel (motel, really) had a rather poor WiFi connection. So you get two today. On Friday we made a last trip to Yosemite to visit Mirror Lake in particular. We left Button in the hotel because we needed to take a shuttle to the trail head for Mirror Lake. No pets on shuttles and no pets on unpaved trails.

Two young hikers on the shuttle bus

We chose to take the trail instead of walking up the road to the lake. It was really nice to get out and walk. The altitude was only around 2,000 feet so I had no trouble with that. The only drawback to our little hike was that the usually fragrant air was now redolent of equine evacuations. The trail was also used by horses, and by the aroma, not too long before we got there.

A view on the trail

Evidently the term "lake" in Yosemite is a relative term. In fact the actual title for Mirror Lake is "A Seasonal Lake." It is so seasonal that I walked right by it initially. I looked to my right and saw a body of water that I would term a small pond. So I kept walking until it was obvious that I had passed the lake. Lesley had stopped to watch some deer at the "watering hole" so I returned and realized that the pond was, in fact, the lake.

So I began taking photos in and around the pond... er... lake.

The Lake. With Half Dome in the background.

Small river with the runoff from the lake.

Les and I wanted to walk down the road on the way back to the shuttle stop but we found that we were separated by water. We looked for paths to a ford of some kind but we were unsuccessful. So we decided to walk across the lake, uh, pond, uh, stream. We found the shallowest part of the (you pick it) and walked across. The water was never more than six inches deep where we crossed. We had wet socks and shoes (it really didn't matter to our Moab Hikers from Merrell) but we were now on the other side. We walked down and then back to our parking place to head back to the lodge.

On the way back we finally had some clouds appear and I had to stop to photograph a couple of places that I knew would look good with a great sky behind them.

All in all, Yosemite was a rather spectacular park. You could easily spend a week there. The best way to get around is by bike. You don't have to wait for shuttles.

On Friday night, Les and I went to the restaurant at the lodge and indulged in more red meat. NY strip steak for me and prime rib for Les. Then to bed to rest up for Saturday's trip.

Dispatches from the Road - Yosemite

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 23:30:00 +0000

On Tuesday we headed for our hotel located in Oakhurst, CA. This was the closest reasonable accommodations that we could find - the Historic Skyline Ranch. We found it easily enough. It is, shall we say, rustic. It has been around for a long time and served as an R&R location for troops during WWII. It has a lot of wood and is decorated with saddles and other cowboy items.

The room is small and missing some stuff. No closet. No bureau. Very few outlets. The wonderful Jacuzzi-like bathtub isn't working and the pool is being painted. Obviously by invisible help because I haven't seen anyone actually painting. But it will suffice.

We have been out to Yosemite each of the past two days. It takes about one half hour to get to the park entrance and another 40 minutes or so to get to Yosemite Valley. It is a beautiful place. A very large park with some incredible views and incredible rock formations. There are probably more tourists here than at the other parks we have visited. But we have been at the park early so it hasn't been all that bad.

We have seen both Bridal Veil and Yosemite falls, El Capitan, and the beautiful Merced River. Tomorrow we go hunting for Mirror Lake and Half Dome. They are accessible only by shuttles. So we have to leave Button at the hotel tomorrow. We will be back in about four hours so he should be fine. He loves to sleep.

Experiencing Yosemite really engages the senses. Of course, there is the visual aspect of this. Every view engages the eye. The air is fragrant. I don't know what it is but just standing in the breeze is so refreshing and invigorating. The air is cool and the sun warm on the skin.

We followed one road through the park and out through the east entrance. It followed the Merced River all the way through the park. The water in the Merced is crystal clear. It runs slowly through some parts of the park and becomes rapids in other spots. Always beautiful.

Tomorrow, we hit Yosemite on more time and then, on Friday, we head for Bridgeport, CA which is our base for visits to Bodie, a western ghost town. Cool.

Dispatches from the Road - In Hollywood

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 23:41:00 +0000

"Hooray for Hollywood!"

(Today you get two blogs!)

Our niece, Hillary and her husband, Chris, took us on a tour of Hollywood. They figured that we had seen most of the cool stuff north of Los Angeles, so it was time to head south to see the sights. Their kids, Nathaniel and Morgan, stayed with Jim and Linda for the day so the adults would be free to take their time in LA.

To me, the best part of the day was our stop at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The architecture was amazing. We were there early and not many other folks were stopping by. And, to top things off, the place was open and we could walk thought it and also see the auditorium itself. I must confess that I took the most photos in this venue.

We also cruised Hollywood Boulevard, stopped at Grauman's Chinese Theater, and had lunch at the Pig 'n' Whistle. We drove down Rodeo Drive, West Hollywood, and then stopped at Sprinkles for cupcakes. We then headed back to Jim and Linda's for dinner. It was a long day.

Some exterior shots from the concert hall. Had to do B&W.

And some shots from the interior.

And some shots from the fifth floor outdoor garden. Very cool.

I really wasn't taken with any of the shots I took in other places. These were the best of the day.

Dispatches from the Road - Potpourri

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 23:23:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay in posting. Being here in Ventura with family means that our days are much fuller and activities are planned for us during the day and into the evening. So, sometimes, there isn't a chance to blog because the old man is tired and needs his rest!

Friday and Saturday were taken up with a cello recital in which our grand-niece, Helena, was featured. Afterward we went out to dinner. We also did the walking on the beach thing where I got to shoot some surfers.

Saturday, Lesley and I went out with our niece Hillary and her two kids, Nathaniel and Morgan. We went to the Santa Barbara pier, had lunch and went to the Ty Warner Sea Center to see the jellyfish display that was featured.

Saturday, I took some photos of my brother-in-law and host, Jim as he needed a business portrait for an award that he was receiving. Jim and Linda are veterinarians with incredible credentials. So I was glad that I have been toting around my lighting equipment. On Saturday evening we went to Montecito to celebrate our niece Jennifer's birthday. A nice outdoors affair with family and friends. And some great food.

Nathaniel and Morgan and the "picture tree."

Jellyfish on display

Nathaniel again

A typical beach front house at Faria Beach

A canine kerfuffle

Some photos taken before, after, and during the cello recital.

Joey, Helena's dad

Austin, Helena's boyfriend

Helena playing her recital piece

The smallest and youngest soloist in the recital

Another young cellist

Proud dad with flowers for Helena

Some surfing shots. I certainly do not have a perfect lens for this genre, but I did what I could with what I had.

Jim's photo

Button and his Uncle Jim

And some shots from the birthday party.

Nathaniel with his birthday aunt, Jennifer

Jennifer opening presents

Nathaniel and his dad, Chris

Austin and Helena

Dispatches from the Road - Santa Barbara

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:06:00 +0000

"California dreamin'"

Yesterday was, as they say, another beautiful day in paradise. Sunshine, blue skies, and temps in the mid-seventies. A nice breeze was around all day as well. Quite a nice day.

After lunch, Jim and I headed for his boat which is docked in Santa Barbara. He had asked if I would take some shots of the craft. He uses it mainly for fishing excursions out to the Channel Islands that are visible on the horizon some 20 miles off shore.

It is a nice boat, about 25 feet long with a sweet Volvo marine diesel engine; 225 horsepower.

We got the boat underway and he drove around the marina, letting me off at the public dock for some picture taking. I photographed the boat from the dock and from a nearby jetty so I could get a good shots of the boat separating it from the busy background of the marina.

After that, Jim took me on a nice little cruise down the coast towards Montecito. We stopped along the way to photograph sea lions lounging on buoys, pelicans sitting on equipment, and grabbing shots of passing boats. I also shot some from the dock and jetty of folks kayaking, sun bathing, and generally hanging out in the California sun.

Captain Jim at the helm.

There were some nice little boats in the marina and puttering around in the area.

A catamaran party boat available for charter.

Another "party" boat.

There was lots going on including a group of kayakers (high school students, I think) noisily getting ready to paddle around the marina. There were also some sun bathers and folks looking to rent other types of water craft.

We headed out in Jim's boat photographing as we went.

On the way east, down the coast, we were traveling with the swells which were coming up from the WSW. However, on the way back, we were headed directly into the sells which managed to toss the boat about quite a bit. Nevertheless, it was a fun cruise and it made the day. And, there were adult beverages waiting back at the house just before our salmon dinner.

Dispatches from the Road - California

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:20:00 +0000

"By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea..."

Monday we left Las Vegas, traveling through lots of desert to get to our destination in Faria Beach, California. It was a longish haul but we made it by 3:30 in the afternoon. Ahhhh. Sea level and 30 degrees cooler. Heaven. The air here actually has oxygen in it and the breezes coming off the Pacific Ocean cool the soul.

Les' sister, Linda, and her husband, Jim, have a house just off the ocean. We get to listen to the surf as we go to sleep and wake up. Very soothing. Our niece Jennifer and her husband, Joey, visited in the evening and we talked and laughed for several hours. They brought pizza for dinner.

Yesterday was a "down" day. We took some time just to recoup from the constant traveling. We got up just after sunrise and took Button for a walk on the beach. He loves it. The rest of the day we just sort of hung out. I changed the strings on my guitar and played some tunes. We had lunch and I took a long nap. Woke up refreshed and ready for some Mexican food in Ventura. We went to Yolanda's restaurant. Very nice fish tacos. Margaritas and chips and salsa. Hmmmmm.

This morning I got up before dawn to walk the beach with cameras in hand. I got to see the sunrise and photograph tidal pools, and sea walls, and sea grass, and a few early risers strolling the beach. Very nice.

This was taken on Tuesday morning.

Just before the sun came over the mountains.

Reflections in a tidal pool. It had to be in B&W.

This is my favorite shot of the day.

Got the sun rising and the reflection thereof.

There were a few folks out on the beach when I got there just before six. I guess it is hard to stay in bed when there is such beauty right outside your door.

This fellow saw the cameras and commented that it was a good day to have them. I said, "Every day is a good day."

A mom and her kids checking out the marine life in the tidal pools.

I think that this young lady was writing something in the sand with her toe.

This is Linda and her Labrador, Jock. Cleaning beach sand off the young canine.

The sea is relentless in pounding the shore and the sea walls along the beach are evidence of that. They have a lot of character and make great subjects for the camera.

A narrow road runs between Jim and Linda's house and the houses in front of them that are right on the beach. Lots of folks have flowers.

A Bird of Paradise

Nasturtiums, I think.

Don't know!

Later today we are going down to the marina in Santa Barbara where Jim keeps his boat. He is an avid fisherman. He asked me to take some shots of it under way. Should be a fun project. Don't know what else we will do but I do know that there is salmon for dinner. Life is good.

Dispatches from the Road - Las Vegas Redux

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 03:53:00 +0000

"Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun"

Well, we did venture forth today in 100 + temperatures to visit one or two of the fancier casinos on the strip in Vegas. We hit unexpected traffic on the way in, making our trip about a half hour longer than necessary. Couldn't figure out why there were traffic jams at 1:00 pm on a Sunday afternoon.

Our first destination was the Bellagio so we could see the display in the conservatory. They always have something interesting.

The lobby and registration area provided subjects for the camera as well as the casino itself. There was the usual ebb and flow of people seeking to assuage a hunger of some kind. Whether food or gambling or some other nihilistic urge.

In the lobby/registration area, part of the ceiling was an installation of the international artist, Chihuly. He works in glass and the art is amazing. We saw some of his work the last time Lesley and I were in Vegas. I sat on one of the nice benches and shot directly up at the ceiling.

Whoa! Special effects.

We left the Bellagio and head across the street to the Paris Casino. Guess what? They had an Eiffel Tower. Go figure.

The interior of the Paris Casino was unique. It gave the impression that you were under the evening sky in Paris. The whole scheme was pretty effective. Only broken by the dinging and blinking of the slots.

After a bit we headed back to the parking lot at the Bellagio to retrieve the car and head back to Dottie's.

One last picture. This could be entitled "The End." Sorry, couldn't resist this shot on the escalator. I shot from the hip. OK. I'm evil.

Dispatches from the Road - Las Vegas

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 22:40:00 +0000

"We're having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave..."

Yesterday we departed Flagstaff for Las Vegas. Only a four and a half hour trip. We were about to experience a weather change. A good part of the southwest has experienced a significant rise in temperature. Well, it's actually a heat wave. Tropical or not, it is severe.

As we came to Kingman, AZ the temperature topped 100. As we continued to Las Vegas, it started to rise. When we arrived at our destination in North Las Vegas, the thermometer read 106. I am not used to this kind of heat - dry or not. I do not like this kind of heat. I retire to the comfort and safety of air conditioning as a survival mechanism. So, I am thinking that I won't be out and about in the Las Vegas area that much during the time we are here.

Les and I took a walk this morning while the temperature was still only in the high eighties. We took Button for a stroll around the neighborhood. The architecture in the development is very uniform. Pink tile roofs with tan stucco walls. Most houses are surrounded by security fences and concrete block walls on the sides and back of the property. Cactus and palm trees are prevalent reminding one that we are, indeed, in a desert.

Artificial grass grows more reliably than the natural kind.

After lunch, our host, Dottie, took us for a drive around the neighborhood. She pointed out a couple of projects funded by Andre Agassi. One was a private elementary school and the other was a boys and girls club. Andre and his wife Steffi (Graf) have done a lot for the community. They live here and are very highly regarded.

We parked near the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health which is located in a very unique building. The architecture is incredible. One of my favorite photographic genres is architecture so I was glad of the opportunity to take some photos of this building. B&W seemed to be the way to go. The only drawback? By the time we got there the temperature was 112 degrees. Holy moly!

While shooting, I turned around and behind me was the Federal Building and part of that was this pyramid. Looked cool.

At this point, I am not sure what we will do tomorrow. The heat will not abate until after we leave. Hopefully we will find something to do that won't kill us!

Dispatches from the Road - The Grand Canyon

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Thu, 31 May 2012 23:46:00 +0000

"Arizona, take off your rainbow shades.."
Yes, it is a canyon and it is, indeed, grand. So grand, in fact, that it is very hard to photograph. We went to the south rim yesterday and today. Yesterday we did a lot of walking going west along the rim trail with Button in tow. No, scratch that. Button had us in tow. We were walking for a couple of hours and I realized that to go back to the parking lot it was all up hill. A mild incline but at 7,400 feet it took a toll. I had to take some rest stops to catch my breath and let my heart rate get back to normal.

There were a lot of people at the park but I don't think that you would qualify it as crowded. Folks had come from all over the world to see this magnificent handiwork. I heard German, French, Chinese, Japanese, and some languages that I could not identify. Everyone was polite and well behaved. No bozos. The only craziness we saw was folks insisting on leaving the path and having their pictures taken standing right at the precipice. Nothing down there but a couple of thousand feet of air. I wouldn't have been surprised had someone launched into space. The remaining family, of course, would have a great photo.

The folks below were of the saner variety.

Lesley and Button enjoying some shade

Like most national parks, every overlook, every turn of the trail, reveals something magnificent. For the photographer, the challenge is to capture the vastness of the three dimensional scene on a two dimensional medium. Both days were hazy and sunny and we got there well after the sun rose. So we missed the "sweet light" of early morning. The sun rises earlier out west. I figured that we would have to get up somewhere between 2:30 and 3:00 in the morning to get to the Canyon before the sun hit the horizon. That was not going to happen. So I did the best I could.

The park is well taken care of and during your visit you will see volunteers and rangers working away while the tourists play. Everything is very clean. Even the toilets. They certainly have a never ending work cycle.

There are tourist traps all along the roads leading into and out of the park. Here is one of them. I couldn't resist taking the photo.

We took the eastern road out of the park and stopped on the way at the Tusayan Museum which chronicled the work of the indigenous people - the Hopi and the Navajo among others.

This is the last national park for a while. Tomorrow we head for Las Vegas to visit with a childhood friend of Lesley's. We will be there for a couple of days and then on to California to see Les' sister and her brother in law as well as our two nieces and their families. We will be there for a week. It will be nice to be able to put our clothes in drawers and not live out of our suitcases.

I leave you with a few more scenes from the Grand Canyon.

I'll be back!

Dispatches from the Road - A Mixed Bag

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Wed, 30 May 2012 00:49:00 +0000

"Get your kicks on Route 66"

We are now in Flagstaff, Arizona. We left Brian Head this morning at about 7:00 am. Yesterday, we traveled to Zion National Park. We visited this park about five years ago and were looking forward to seeing it again. We did not get a really early start but sometimes it is not that easy to get out of bed.

We headed for the northern part of the park. We had not seen this part of the park before. It is called Kolob canyon. The weather was just so-so. The sky was featureless and a bit hazy. We got there about 11:00 am. Not the greatest light. But the views were nice and it didn't take that long to view the overlooks.

Next we headed to the main entrance to the park farther south. This is the part of the park that we had visited previously. We recognised the countryside as we approached the park entrance. The weather was improving. The sky was clearer and a deeper shade of blue. This being Memorial Day, there were a lot of people taking in the beautiful scenery in the park so we had to wait in line to get through the main gate. We got to use our lifetime passes again. I just love that.

We had Button with us so we couldn't take the shuttle buses and we could only go so far in our car in the main part of the park. So we decided to take a road that we hadn't taken before that led to the east entrance to the park. This road went up the mountain side in a series of switchbacks. There were the usual overlooks as we gained altitude.

At Zion I also struck up a conversation with a couple that were visiting the park on their motorcycle. They worked with military veterans to help them during their transition to civilian life after discharge.

This morning we decided to get up early and try to get to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. It was another morning that dawned with temperatures in the upper 20s. This made for a rather brisk doggie walk for Button. He didn't mind much but it was sure a chilly eye opener for me.

Our GPS failed us, however, and we found ourselves farther east and south of where we should have been to get to the north rim. So we decided to just head to Flagstaff which was our next stop. We stopped occasionally to stretch, walk Button, and take some pictures.

Early morning in Panguitch, Utah.

We gassed up in Panguitch.

A store along Route 89 in Lees Ferry, Arizona.

The Colorado River

Two bridges (autos on the left, pedestrian on the right) over the Colorado River outside Lees Ferry in the Navajo Nation.

We made it to Flagstaff without any further adventure. We unpacked and settled in and then proceeded to get some food. We had had a granola bar and half a muffin for breakfast. It was after 2:00 pm (1:00 pm Pacific time) and we were famished. We found a really good food market called Bashas where we picked up groceries for the next two days.

Tomorrow we head for Grand Canyon NP. The southern rim. We will bring Button along and see what the park is like. Hopefully the Memorial Day crowds will be gone and the park won't be that crowded.

By the way, this part of the country is just beautiful.

Dispatches from the Road - Bryce

noreply@blogger.com (Mike N) — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:30:00 +0000

Well, we have had an interesting two days. Yesterday, we left Moab for Brian Head where we will be staying as we visit Bryce Canyon NP and, as it turns out, Zion NP. When we left the parking lot at the La Quinta Inn in Moab, the temperature was 74 degrees. Keep that in mind. The wind that started the day before was in full force and sand and other debris were sailing through the air. The trip to Brian Head would take 4.5 hours according to the GPS.

Some fellow travelers leaving from the Inn shortly before us. Twenty year Air Force veterans and their wives.

During the trip we experienced some serious sand storms. One time, as we drove through a gap cut through mountain walls, we had to drive through what appeared to be a strong "dust devil" right in the middle of the road. As we drove through, the car was pelted with sand and gravel. And, as a testimony to the strength of the wind, the driver's door was pulled out enough for the seal to break and create a shrieking sound as the wind whistled through the small space created by the vacuum. A little later we hit some rain. What else could happen?

The pictures below were taken in the shelter of a rest facility off the road. These are built like small bunkers. The wind was really strong and gusting to 50mph.

As we drove north and then south west, the wind stayed with us and the temps began to drop. We realized soon enough that the temps in Brian Head would be, shall we say, unseasonal. When we finally did arrive the temp was 30 degrees with some snow forecast for overnight. Neither of us had any clothing packed for this situation.

Our GPS brought us right into the street where the "Grand Lodge" was supposed to be located. We drove slowly passing two other lodges, Cedar Breaks and Doubletree, and then, not seeing the Grand Lodge, continued down the street. It became obvious that we had missed it. So we backtracked. Still no Grand Lodge. We stopped in at the Cedar Breaks and asked directions. I was told that the Grand Lodge was just up the street. We tried again, passing the Doubletree and, again, no Grand Lodge. So we called. We were told that the Grand Lodge was now.... the Doubletree. No address on the building. So, finally we arrived at our hotel.

One other thing we noticed was that the hotel's elevation was 10,000 ft and a bit. We immediately felt the effects of this really thin air. We were easily out of breath taking our luggage up to our room and, last night, we both had trouble sleeping. All symptoms of altitude sickness. It was not a comfortable night.

This morning we set out for Bryce Canyon NP. The park is about one hour and fifteen minutes from our hotel. It was the closest we could get on the Memorial Day weekend. We took Button with us and hoped for good weather. The temperature in the morning was 26 degrees in Brian Head and there was a dusting of snow on the cars and on the roof of the hotel.

As we drove east, the temperature moderated and the skies were a beautiful blue with white, fluffy clouds setting off the azure sky.

Taken on the way to Bryce as we passed through Red Canyon

We finally made it to Bryce at about 9:15. It was in the 40s with a bit of a wind and the beautiful blue skies and white clouds. We drove all the way down the main park road and then back again, stopping at overlooks along the way.

We met some people along the way and took some photos of them. As you by now realize, I love to do that.

A hiker from Cincinatti

A couple from Colorado. He is in the Air Force and she works for the Department of Defense.

A group of Japanese tourists making the best of a photo op.

We stayed in the park for about three hours and then headed back to the hotel, picking up some microwaveable food for dinner back at the hotel.

Tomorrow, we head for Zion. Hopefully, we will have a little warmer weather. That would be nice.