Monday, December 17, 2007
Connecticut Family Photographer
Family photography for the holidays and beyond. Timeless and forever.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Cutest little Havanese ever
He looks innocent enough, but left to his own devices, he'll chew anything. He hasn't reached the destructive chewing yet, but I know it's coming.
Please visit my good work here: Maternity by Koren
Please visit my good work here: Maternity by Koren
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Pregnancy photography with a pooch
Meet the latest member of my photo team...
For more inspiring maternity photos, visit my maternity photography site.
For more inspiring maternity photos, visit my maternity photography site.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Don Cornelius violates law; steals imagery created by Koren Reyes
Highdesert-photography photographer Don Cornelius violated the most sacriligious law in the world of photography. Knowingly, intentionally and with ill will, Don Cornelius photographer stole imagery created by Koren Reyes with the intention of deceiving potential clients.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Don Cornelius Photographer Highdesert Photography Violates Copyright Law
Highdesert Photographer Ridgecrest, CA violates copyright law
An anonymous tip led Koren Reyes of MaternitybyKoren to discover that Don Cornelius of Ridgecrest, CA stole and then posted her images on his web site in clear violation of US copyright law.
He did this without crediting me, the creator of this maternity photography, which would make a rational person falsley believe that he had created this imagery.
What makes this even more incredible is that as of November 26, 2007, Don Cornelius was a current member of PPA, one of the premier trade organizations that supports, trains and teaches high ethics standards to photographers.
For a link to this release, please see the press release
An anonymous tip led Koren Reyes of MaternitybyKoren to discover that Don Cornelius of Ridgecrest, CA stole and then posted her images on his web site in clear violation of US copyright law.
He did this without crediting me, the creator of this maternity photography, which would make a rational person falsley believe that he had created this imagery.
What makes this even more incredible is that as of November 26, 2007, Don Cornelius was a current member of PPA, one of the premier trade organizations that supports, trains and teaches high ethics standards to photographers.
For a link to this release, please see the press release
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
New work and a new baby
This is my new little guy!!
Please visit my maternity photography site Maternity Portraits by a Professsional photographer
Please visit my maternity photography site Maternity Portraits by a Professsional photographer
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Ken Lieberman Photo Lab
Ken does good work, but be prepared for his gruff manner. He's not exactly a listner; expect to repeat your questions several times before he hears it.
He also scared me a bit when I asked what color space I should save a digital file in. He didn't have any idea what the difference was between sRGB and Adobe 1998.
He also scared me a bit when I asked what color space I should save a digital file in. He didn't have any idea what the difference was between sRGB and Adobe 1998.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
How to prevent rape
Through a Rapist's Eyes (No Joke)
How to prevent a rape
Rape Prevention
Survive an attack
This is important information for females of ALL ages. When this was sent to me, I was told to forward it to my lady friends, but I forwarded it to almost everyone in my address book. My men friends have female friends and this information is too important to miss someone. Please pass it along.
A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:
1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.
2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women whose clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around specifically to cut clothing.
3) They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard and can be easily overpowered.
4) Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5:00a.m. and 8:30a.m.
5) The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store parking lots. Number two: is office parking lots/garages. Number three: is public restrooms.
6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.
7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.
8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.
9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.
10) Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question , like what time is it, or make general small talk: "I can't believe it is so cold out here," "we're in for a bad winter." Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.
11) If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.
12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes) , yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.
13) If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit) OR in the upper inner thigh VERY VERY HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it - it hurts.
14) After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN. I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble and he's out of there.
15) When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.
16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!! You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.
1 . Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage:
A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zigzag pattern!
8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP! It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----This should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.
I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.
How to prevent a rape
Rape Prevention
Survive an attack
This is important information for females of ALL ages. When this was sent to me, I was told to forward it to my lady friends, but I forwarded it to almost everyone in my address book. My men friends have female friends and this information is too important to miss someone. Please pass it along.
A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:
1) The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.
2) The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women whose clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around specifically to cut clothing.
3) They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse, or doing other activities while walking because they are off-guard and can be easily overpowered.
4) Men are most likely to attack & rape in the early morning, between 5:00a.m. and 8:30a.m.
5) The number one place women are abducted from/attacked is grocery store parking lots. Number two: is office parking lots/garages. Number three: is public restrooms.
6) The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to another location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.
7) Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.
8) If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.
9) These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.
10) Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question , like what time is it, or make general small talk: "I can't believe it is so cold out here," "we're in for a bad winter." Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a line-up; you lose appeal as a target.
11) If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell STOP or STAY BACK! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.
12) If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes) , yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.
13) If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm (between the elbow and armpit) OR in the upper inner thigh VERY VERY HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it - it hurts.
14) After the initial hit, always GO for the GROIN. I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble and he's out of there.
15) When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.
16) Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts!!! You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.
1 . Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot or parking garage:
A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, preferably in a zigzag pattern!
8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP! It may get you raped or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, "We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----This should be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana.
I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well.
I sing in Carnegie Hall tonight
It's November 1st, finally. I'm singing with the Dessoff Choirs in Prokofiev's Nevsky. Performance is at 8pm - we're the second act.
It's a great, big, booming piece flush with characteristically Russian melody. I love it.
It's a great, big, booming piece flush with characteristically Russian melody. I love it.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Girlfriends in California
These are some of my best buddies. Aren't they great? Well? They're all single.
Monday, October 29, 2007
I love JetBlue, but...
Are they slipping?
I am so in love with the comfort and the distraction of those individual tvs, but yesterday's flight was annoying. The tvs didn't work until they re-set them 30 minutes into the flight, then they got progressively worse through the World Series. When we bumped onto the ground upon landing, the picture cleared.
Further, the right channel didn't work in my seat or the empty one next to me.
I am so in love with the comfort and the distraction of those individual tvs, but yesterday's flight was annoying. The tvs didn't work until they re-set them 30 minutes into the flight, then they got progressively worse through the World Series. When we bumped onto the ground upon landing, the picture cleared.
Further, the right channel didn't work in my seat or the empty one next to me.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Maternity photography props
A lot of women bring items of significance to our shoots, but this little kitten takes the cake.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Pefect holiday gifts for the office
If you work in a frenetic environment, choose artwork for your walls that calm your mind and bring those alpha waves back in control.
Here's a good example of some soothing black and white photography that will make the most harried business person relax. To see the entire fine art collection, click here.
Here's a good example of some soothing black and white photography that will make the most harried business person relax. To see the entire fine art collection, click here.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
I'm the curtain-raiser at the NYC Sierra Photo Club
Hey all,
Please join me tonight!
I'm the opening act for tonight's monthly meeting of the New York City Sierra Club Photography group.
They meet at:
Paul the Apostle Parish House
405 West 59th Street (between 9-10 Aves.)
2nd floor
6:30 PM
Here's their web site
And here's a sample of what I'm showing tonight:
Please join me tonight!
I'm the opening act for tonight's monthly meeting of the New York City Sierra Club Photography group.
They meet at:
Paul the Apostle Parish House
405 West 59th Street (between 9-10 Aves.)
2nd floor
6:30 PM
Here's their web site
And here's a sample of what I'm showing tonight:
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Harriman State Park Hikes - Doodletown
Thanks to Outdoor Bound, I got up and out bright and early. Great day.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Beautiful framing option for pregnancy portraits
Here's an example of what to do with your fine art pregnancy portraiture:
To view more of my work, please visit my site
To view more of my work, please visit my site
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Latest Shoot & Share Photo Workshop
If you like to experience history, this photo workshop might be for you. Come for a one-day learning workshop in one of the world's most historic buildings. See peeling paint, rusting furniture, dripping ceilings and rotting, carved banisters in this creepy place filled with subtle, beautiful light.
Learn more about this workshop here: Abandoned Prison Workshop
Learn more about this workshop here: Abandoned Prison Workshop
Monday, October 08, 2007
The taint of quaint?
It's almost too good to be true. This true, quintessential Vermont town has neat, little signs on its community gardens, its historic blacksmith, its general store and its historic buildings, all thanks to the Windam Foundation?
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Maternity photography post from Vermont
If you are ever in the Killington area in the fall, don't miss Kent Pond and the adjacent Long Trail that's just next to it and the stream that precipitously drops off from there. It's lovely.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Vermont Fall Foliage 2007
It's theoretically peak week, but the color this year has been a big disappointment. It is so dry that a lot of the leaves are skipping the whole color thing and are turning brown and falling off.
This shot was taken from a Morgan Horse Farm on Morgan Hill Road just south of Woodstock, VT.
This shot was taken from a Morgan Horse Farm on Morgan Hill Road just south of Woodstock, VT.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Manhattan skyline from a van crossing the GW Bridge at 40mph
It's Manhattan - the most beautiful skyline in the US....
Monday, October 01, 2007
Pregnant with butterfly tattoos!
Yup - she was fully decorated. Her entire back was tattooed as a tribute to her sister who was killed in a car accident at age 17.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Shy, reserved....beautiful maternity photography
Yes, they were all of the above.
Now THIS is good maternity photographer stuff...
Now THIS is good maternity photographer stuff...
Friday, September 28, 2007
Was I mean to put this kid in the dish?
The kid clearly didn't like this, but we did it anyway. It is kind of cute.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Well, ya gotta have a wedding before you can have a baby, right?
I had the honor and privilege of attending the wedding of a dear friend of mine over the weekend. I wasn't the photographer, but I nabbed this, demanding, "Close your eyes, dammit!"
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Headshot portrait of the week
The dream subject; nice, camera-friendly, great clothing choices, wonderful expressions...these are a photographer's dreams.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Koren hits New York City running
My mom finally got through to me yesterday, Mother's Day, that it really would be a great thing to have a blog.
So, today, I celebrate a beautiful couple who, in turn, are celebrating the prenatal stage of their first child.
So, today, I celebrate a beautiful couple who, in turn, are celebrating the prenatal stage of their first child.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Day 11 of 11 Driving across the USA
I was very sad to wake up knowing that night I would sleep in my own bed once again in New York City. I'd had an amazing trip and I didn't want the adventure to end and the work to begin.
Then I had to remind myself that my work really isn't like work. I love what I do. I have the greatest lifestyle in the world!
I spent a couple of hours driving through the entire battlefield and was astounded to see a marker or a monument or a statue about every fifteen feet. The place is truly hallowed ground.
I stopped at the Lincoln Diner, because, well, people seemed to think it was the classic place to go. It was mediocre with a capital M. And they let people SMOKE in restaurants in PA. It was awful.
I wanted to see some Mennonites and Amish people, so I headed for Lancaster County. I drove around some beautiful farm country, saw a guy in a suit with a little hat and a messy beard plowing his land with some horses. That's as close as I got to an Amish person.
Then it was time to hit the Turnpike and head home. It was a long, sad trip home, but at least the car wash I wanted was still there!
So. I'm parked in a garage below my building and I'm ready to get to work.
What an adventure. I highly recommend it to everybody. Take as long as you can. Change the route en route. Talk to people. Don't just stick to Starbucks. Get out and take photos. Avoid fast food (I ate bags of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots for lunch every day).
This is Gettysburg, PA:
Then I had to remind myself that my work really isn't like work. I love what I do. I have the greatest lifestyle in the world!
I spent a couple of hours driving through the entire battlefield and was astounded to see a marker or a monument or a statue about every fifteen feet. The place is truly hallowed ground.
I stopped at the Lincoln Diner, because, well, people seemed to think it was the classic place to go. It was mediocre with a capital M. And they let people SMOKE in restaurants in PA. It was awful.
I wanted to see some Mennonites and Amish people, so I headed for Lancaster County. I drove around some beautiful farm country, saw a guy in a suit with a little hat and a messy beard plowing his land with some horses. That's as close as I got to an Amish person.
Then it was time to hit the Turnpike and head home. It was a long, sad trip home, but at least the car wash I wanted was still there!
So. I'm parked in a garage below my building and I'm ready to get to work.
What an adventure. I highly recommend it to everybody. Take as long as you can. Change the route en route. Talk to people. Don't just stick to Starbucks. Get out and take photos. Avoid fast food (I ate bags of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots for lunch every day).
This is Gettysburg, PA:
Monday, April 30, 2007
Day 10 of 11 Driving Across the United States
I hightailed it for Gettysburg, PA that morning.
I planned to stop at about the half-way point in Charleston, WV because of course, they had a Starbucks!
I continued up on I64 and felt completely creeped out by the state. Dunno what it was, but I couldn't wait to get to PA.
I got off at the wrong exit in what turned out to be South Charleston, WV and was driving around a very industrial neighborhood looking for my streets. I flagged down a car and asked for directions.
The guy asked Are you really from CA? Yes. Well, you know now, to keep your windows rolled up and your doors locked around here.
Well, no, I didn't really know that. The man and his wife said we were a bit far, but he would lead me to the Mall where the Starbucks was. The Mall?
At one point, he even ran back and handed me his wife's card and said if we got separate to just call her because she'd have her cell phone on!
How dear!
I got my Starbucks - in the mall - and saw a bookstore out of the corner of my eye as I was headed back to the garage. I ended up purchasing Barak Obama's latest book on tape, The Audacity of Hope, and broke the long silence that had enveloped me from Day 1 on the road.
I pulled into the great battlefield at Gettysburg at the sweet light of evening. I pulled the car over and hauled out the tripod and camera. Little did I know that when you approach Gettysburg from the west on Rte 30, the battlefield you hit first is just a tiny chunk of the entire preserved area.
It's definitely an eerie place. Apparently, its still the place in North America that sustained the most casualties. In all, 51,000 men were hurt or killed; 7,000 died alongside about 5,000 horses.
It took a while, but I drove through the town a couple of times in search of the Wyndham. I finally found it a good distance from the charming old part, but the hotel is nearly brand new. I got a great rate of $107, had a great burger and a beer in the bar and had a wonderful, last sleep on the road.
I planned to stop at about the half-way point in Charleston, WV because of course, they had a Starbucks!
I continued up on I64 and felt completely creeped out by the state. Dunno what it was, but I couldn't wait to get to PA.
I got off at the wrong exit in what turned out to be South Charleston, WV and was driving around a very industrial neighborhood looking for my streets. I flagged down a car and asked for directions.
The guy asked Are you really from CA? Yes. Well, you know now, to keep your windows rolled up and your doors locked around here.
Well, no, I didn't really know that. The man and his wife said we were a bit far, but he would lead me to the Mall where the Starbucks was. The Mall?
At one point, he even ran back and handed me his wife's card and said if we got separate to just call her because she'd have her cell phone on!
How dear!
I got my Starbucks - in the mall - and saw a bookstore out of the corner of my eye as I was headed back to the garage. I ended up purchasing Barak Obama's latest book on tape, The Audacity of Hope, and broke the long silence that had enveloped me from Day 1 on the road.
I pulled into the great battlefield at Gettysburg at the sweet light of evening. I pulled the car over and hauled out the tripod and camera. Little did I know that when you approach Gettysburg from the west on Rte 30, the battlefield you hit first is just a tiny chunk of the entire preserved area.
It's definitely an eerie place. Apparently, its still the place in North America that sustained the most casualties. In all, 51,000 men were hurt or killed; 7,000 died alongside about 5,000 horses.
It took a while, but I drove through the town a couple of times in search of the Wyndham. I finally found it a good distance from the charming old part, but the hotel is nearly brand new. I got a great rate of $107, had a great burger and a beer in the bar and had a wonderful, last sleep on the road.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Day 9 of 11 Driving across the continent
I got up late - barely made breakfast!
I drove back into downtown Lexington to find the recommended internet cafe, had breakfast, researched my day, then got back into the car determined to see the famous horse farms.
I drove and drove and drove and saw all kinds of stunning, rolling scenery. I didn't know that the majority of the barns and fences are all black! And they're all four-railers, the farmer's discreet sign of wealth.
In addition to horses, I saw mini horses, one of which I'm sure is named Justin, and he was very curious about me, camels (they, too, were very curious about me but I was wary of their bites and spit) and Alpaca.
At the end of the day, I stayed another night at the Suites and went to bed early.
This is the black-barned Lexington:
I drove back into downtown Lexington to find the recommended internet cafe, had breakfast, researched my day, then got back into the car determined to see the famous horse farms.
I drove and drove and drove and saw all kinds of stunning, rolling scenery. I didn't know that the majority of the barns and fences are all black! And they're all four-railers, the farmer's discreet sign of wealth.
In addition to horses, I saw mini horses, one of which I'm sure is named Justin, and he was very curious about me, camels (they, too, were very curious about me but I was wary of their bites and spit) and Alpaca.
At the end of the day, I stayed another night at the Suites and went to bed early.
This is the black-barned Lexington:
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Day 8 of 11 Driving across the USA
I was still worried about my car, even though I'd just driven 450 miles after the storm, so I trucked on over to the Volvo dealer in Prairie Village. They were so friendly and accommodating! They took the car, put it up on the lift, saw nothing but a little missing windshield washer fluid, filled me up and sent me on my way.
I love those good Volvo dealers!
I drove clear across Missouri all the way to St. Louis on I70. What a miserable highway stretch. There's a LOT of traffic between these two cities. It wasn't fun.
I stopped briefly in Columbia, MO in search of a good breakfast. I had a really hard time finding anything, so instead I found a car wash and a Subway. It was the only fast food I ate on the entire trip and it was awful. I can't believe people eat that by choice.
I hopped out to take photos of the Arch of St. Louis, the gateway to the West, then headed for another long stretch to Lexington, KY.
Once I got out of East St. Louis, I followed I64 for Lexington, KY. It once again emptied out and was a wonderful, pleasant, scenic drive. I drove through southern Illinois, southern Indiana and finally entered Kentucky. I stopped at a gas station in some small town and asked the Indian working behind the counter if he knew what yellow-flowered plant was in all the fields. He said he'd never noticed it before. Had no idea. I still have no idea what it was, but it sure was pretty.
About 9:30pm, I was less than ten minutes from my exit, I heard on the CB that there was a smokey between markers 66 and 67. It was pitch black, but I was watching for him mostly because I had nothing better to do. I was cruising along on cruise control at exactly the speed limit when, the flashing blue lights appear in MY rear view mirror! Mine!!! I'm, like, what the hell! I wasn't drunk, I wasn't speeding, all my lights work....hmmm.
Says he pulled me over for weaving. Yeah. I go through the spiel about where I'm headed, what I do, blah blah blah. It was very interesting that he kept asking similar questions different ways to see if I'd slip up. Then my CB squawked. He jumped. Said what's that! I said, calmly, knowing I have nothing illegal, it's a CB radio, sir.
Step out of the car and hand it to me.
Now just one minute. He's on the safe side of the road and I have to get out with all that speeding traffic and go to the other side of the car?
Yup.
So I hand him the radio and he seems perplexed by the fact that it's hand-held and yada yada. Then he wants to go through all my stuff. All of it!
Well, I didn't really feel like making a stand for my rights, so I said sure. He looked through everything. He REALLY looked at the car's wheel wells. He was sure I was transporting SOMEthing to fill the evening's quota.
Well, he didn't find anything, gave me indecipherable directions about where to find a hotel, and I drove off. I drove way past my exit, and that turned into a nightmare of avoiding detours, etc.
I finally checked into a Marriott Suites and crashed. It was a long, ten-hour driving day and I was beat.
I love those good Volvo dealers!
I drove clear across Missouri all the way to St. Louis on I70. What a miserable highway stretch. There's a LOT of traffic between these two cities. It wasn't fun.
I stopped briefly in Columbia, MO in search of a good breakfast. I had a really hard time finding anything, so instead I found a car wash and a Subway. It was the only fast food I ate on the entire trip and it was awful. I can't believe people eat that by choice.
I hopped out to take photos of the Arch of St. Louis, the gateway to the West, then headed for another long stretch to Lexington, KY.
Once I got out of East St. Louis, I followed I64 for Lexington, KY. It once again emptied out and was a wonderful, pleasant, scenic drive. I drove through southern Illinois, southern Indiana and finally entered Kentucky. I stopped at a gas station in some small town and asked the Indian working behind the counter if he knew what yellow-flowered plant was in all the fields. He said he'd never noticed it before. Had no idea. I still have no idea what it was, but it sure was pretty.
About 9:30pm, I was less than ten minutes from my exit, I heard on the CB that there was a smokey between markers 66 and 67. It was pitch black, but I was watching for him mostly because I had nothing better to do. I was cruising along on cruise control at exactly the speed limit when, the flashing blue lights appear in MY rear view mirror! Mine!!! I'm, like, what the hell! I wasn't drunk, I wasn't speeding, all my lights work....hmmm.
Says he pulled me over for weaving. Yeah. I go through the spiel about where I'm headed, what I do, blah blah blah. It was very interesting that he kept asking similar questions different ways to see if I'd slip up. Then my CB squawked. He jumped. Said what's that! I said, calmly, knowing I have nothing illegal, it's a CB radio, sir.
Step out of the car and hand it to me.
Now just one minute. He's on the safe side of the road and I have to get out with all that speeding traffic and go to the other side of the car?
Yup.
So I hand him the radio and he seems perplexed by the fact that it's hand-held and yada yada. Then he wants to go through all my stuff. All of it!
Well, I didn't really feel like making a stand for my rights, so I said sure. He looked through everything. He REALLY looked at the car's wheel wells. He was sure I was transporting SOMEthing to fill the evening's quota.
Well, he didn't find anything, gave me indecipherable directions about where to find a hotel, and I drove off. I drove way past my exit, and that turned into a nightmare of avoiding detours, etc.
I finally checked into a Marriott Suites and crashed. It was a long, ten-hour driving day and I was beat.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Day 7 of 11 Driving Across the USA
I woke up to a gorgeous, blue sky, climbed into the car and headed for Kansas City, MO. I would be staying with a friend I'd met on that same photo workshop from five years earlier, a wonderful photographer in his own right, Dick O'Kell.
Park, KS
The drive was beautiful across I70, flat, green fields and blue skies. I stopped in Park, KS to have a look-see at the giant church sticking tall out of the flats surrounded by dumpy, run-down homes. I didn't see a single child, woman or man in the entire neighborhood, although I did get to photograph a train crawling to the giant silos!
Dick and Beverly treated me to some yummy wine (I actually brought them a wine from Sedona that turned out to be quite good!) and good food. I felt amazingly blessed to be so well taken care of by Hotel O'Kell.
Slept well!!!
Park, KS
The drive was beautiful across I70, flat, green fields and blue skies. I stopped in Park, KS to have a look-see at the giant church sticking tall out of the flats surrounded by dumpy, run-down homes. I didn't see a single child, woman or man in the entire neighborhood, although I did get to photograph a train crawling to the giant silos!
Dick and Beverly treated me to some yummy wine (I actually brought them a wine from Sedona that turned out to be quite good!) and good food. I felt amazingly blessed to be so well taken care of by Hotel O'Kell.
Slept well!!!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Day 6 of 11 Driving Across the Continent
This is the day I really thought I was going to die.
It started out ok, though. I woke up and dived into the hot mineral springs. Pagosa Springs sits on a giant geothermal water release that comes out of the ground at 155 degrees. They've created 17 pools of varying degrees and sizes. They're all wonderful. I got in all of them in the hour that I had to lolligag before hitting the road.
Pagosa Hot Mineral Springs, CO
I've always wondered if there were negative health effects of sitting in communal hot springs, and later learned that it's possible to catch communicable diseases, namely certain infections and herpes from these baths. While the obvious, wonderful effects on the sking are immediate and delightful, I can't help but wonder how safe these types of baths really are.
I headed out at noon after doing laundry and drove in the direction of Great Sand Dunes National Park. It's a long way from nowhere, but I really liked 112. It's straight as an arrow on the extremely flat San Luis Valley with the giant Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east. You're humming along at 7,500 feet again and it's breathtaking.
The park is not popular; it only receives about 300,000 visitors a year. It's probably because it's not that beautiful. The sand is brown -and even with the ridges all covered with snow from the previous two days of storms, it's not that pretty.
I climbed around for two hours, took some photos, then hit the road at 4pm.
Little did I know that a giant storm system was brewing on the eastern side of the Rockies. I flew back to 160, picked up I25 and then hooked the short-cut, 24, up to I70. That's when I got the scare of my life.
Once I passed the endless suburbia surrounding Colorado Springs, the road flattened out and got lonelier and lonelier. Pretty soon, I was all alone out there. I was headed East, well, a bit Northeast, and dark, ominous clouds filled everything in the sky to the North. It was clear in the direction I was headed, but I could see - and then feel -the wind start to pick up.
At about 6pm, the cup clouds started to form just above me. Having grown up in MN, I knew that they were ripe tornado formations. Problem was, I had no idea what to do in case a tornado appeared in front of me. Do I stay in the car? Do I drive away? I had no idea and I was scared to death.
So, I increased my speed from 70, to 75 and then to 80 just trying to get to the clear area before the world turned inside out on top of me. When I got to the intersection of 24 and I70, I didn't get off the road! I didn't know what to do. The wind was screaming across the road, blowing giant, washing-machine-sized tumbleweeds in front of me. At first, I was able to avoid them. Finally, there were just too damned many. I must have driven over a hundred and every time, the thump, thump, crunch under my car had me cringing in fear of all the ruptured, broken things I would find the next morning. IF I lived through the night.
Funny thing was, I had a CB radio - and the truckers wouldn't talk to me. I called all my friends and got only voicemail, all the weather radio stations posted on the blue signs came in static. I had no information and no idea what to do. And on top of all that, I felt this huge pressure to press on!
Finally, I spoke to Dena O'Connell, who just happens to have the CB handle Truck Stop Mama, and she told me that there weren't any longer any tornado warnings and I should just drive on to Burlington, CO.
I did, I got there safely, paid the lowest amount for the whole trip, and had a nice, long rest.
I did look at my pix before going to sleep, however, and started crying when I saw the angel in my images who had been there all along. Now, I don't really believe in that kind of thing, but what the hell.
It started out ok, though. I woke up and dived into the hot mineral springs. Pagosa Springs sits on a giant geothermal water release that comes out of the ground at 155 degrees. They've created 17 pools of varying degrees and sizes. They're all wonderful. I got in all of them in the hour that I had to lolligag before hitting the road.
Pagosa Hot Mineral Springs, CO
I've always wondered if there were negative health effects of sitting in communal hot springs, and later learned that it's possible to catch communicable diseases, namely certain infections and herpes from these baths. While the obvious, wonderful effects on the sking are immediate and delightful, I can't help but wonder how safe these types of baths really are.
I headed out at noon after doing laundry and drove in the direction of Great Sand Dunes National Park. It's a long way from nowhere, but I really liked 112. It's straight as an arrow on the extremely flat San Luis Valley with the giant Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east. You're humming along at 7,500 feet again and it's breathtaking.
The park is not popular; it only receives about 300,000 visitors a year. It's probably because it's not that beautiful. The sand is brown -and even with the ridges all covered with snow from the previous two days of storms, it's not that pretty.
I climbed around for two hours, took some photos, then hit the road at 4pm.
Little did I know that a giant storm system was brewing on the eastern side of the Rockies. I flew back to 160, picked up I25 and then hooked the short-cut, 24, up to I70. That's when I got the scare of my life.
Once I passed the endless suburbia surrounding Colorado Springs, the road flattened out and got lonelier and lonelier. Pretty soon, I was all alone out there. I was headed East, well, a bit Northeast, and dark, ominous clouds filled everything in the sky to the North. It was clear in the direction I was headed, but I could see - and then feel -the wind start to pick up.
At about 6pm, the cup clouds started to form just above me. Having grown up in MN, I knew that they were ripe tornado formations. Problem was, I had no idea what to do in case a tornado appeared in front of me. Do I stay in the car? Do I drive away? I had no idea and I was scared to death.
So, I increased my speed from 70, to 75 and then to 80 just trying to get to the clear area before the world turned inside out on top of me. When I got to the intersection of 24 and I70, I didn't get off the road! I didn't know what to do. The wind was screaming across the road, blowing giant, washing-machine-sized tumbleweeds in front of me. At first, I was able to avoid them. Finally, there were just too damned many. I must have driven over a hundred and every time, the thump, thump, crunch under my car had me cringing in fear of all the ruptured, broken things I would find the next morning. IF I lived through the night.
Funny thing was, I had a CB radio - and the truckers wouldn't talk to me. I called all my friends and got only voicemail, all the weather radio stations posted on the blue signs came in static. I had no information and no idea what to do. And on top of all that, I felt this huge pressure to press on!
Finally, I spoke to Dena O'Connell, who just happens to have the CB handle Truck Stop Mama, and she told me that there weren't any longer any tornado warnings and I should just drive on to Burlington, CO.
I did, I got there safely, paid the lowest amount for the whole trip, and had a nice, long rest.
I did look at my pix before going to sleep, however, and started crying when I saw the angel in my images who had been there all along. Now, I don't really believe in that kind of thing, but what the hell.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Day 5 of 11 Driving Across the USA
Canyon X was a big disappointment. Jackson Bridges means well, so well! But the five or six-hour allotment for this canyon is too much. There's kind of an upper and a lower canyon, but they're not special.
AND, I was appalled that there was no prep talk about bathroom requirements and other safety issues.
Canyon X
His wife, who runs the office, said Jackson would be providing everything for lunch, including water. Thank goodness it wasn't hot that day, 'cause there was no water to be had.
If you're considering this trip, skip it. I would visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon multiple times instead. After all, this excursion costs $150!
I got in the car, found a car wash and headed for Pagosa Springs, CO. I was a little torn between heading for Telluride and making straight for Pagosa Springs, but I decided I'd dawdled too much already and felt behind!
The dry, desert drive from Page, through Four Corners into CO was almost unremarkable - beautiful, yes - but unremarkable except for one stunning side drive.
Monument Valley National Park was on the way, kinda, so I drove through it. It is spectacular, too, but I didn't stop. Not for even one photo. I did NOT like the scattered mobile homes dotting the landscape, but, well, it's their land. The Navajo choose how to regulate this amazing place.
It was very dark and lonely driving those last few miles on two-lane 160 and I almost, almost hit a deer. My heart was in my throat for the next twenty minutes.
I somehow got a rate at the Pagosa Springs Inn down from $166 to $125. I was so tired - and even a bit hungry - that I stumbled over to Tequila's, a Mexican restaurant, and had a beer and some food.
Had a great night's sleep.
AND, I was appalled that there was no prep talk about bathroom requirements and other safety issues.
Canyon X
His wife, who runs the office, said Jackson would be providing everything for lunch, including water. Thank goodness it wasn't hot that day, 'cause there was no water to be had.
If you're considering this trip, skip it. I would visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon multiple times instead. After all, this excursion costs $150!
I got in the car, found a car wash and headed for Pagosa Springs, CO. I was a little torn between heading for Telluride and making straight for Pagosa Springs, but I decided I'd dawdled too much already and felt behind!
The dry, desert drive from Page, through Four Corners into CO was almost unremarkable - beautiful, yes - but unremarkable except for one stunning side drive.
Monument Valley National Park was on the way, kinda, so I drove through it. It is spectacular, too, but I didn't stop. Not for even one photo. I did NOT like the scattered mobile homes dotting the landscape, but, well, it's their land. The Navajo choose how to regulate this amazing place.
It was very dark and lonely driving those last few miles on two-lane 160 and I almost, almost hit a deer. My heart was in my throat for the next twenty minutes.
I somehow got a rate at the Pagosa Springs Inn down from $166 to $125. I was so tired - and even a bit hungry - that I stumbled over to Tequila's, a Mexican restaurant, and had a beer and some food.
Had a great night's sleep.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Day 4 of 11 Driving Across the Country
I made arrangements with Charly, the owner of Overland Tours, to go to Upper Antelope Canyon with his group at 10am. It's a bit convoluted trying to figure out which tour company to hire because you can't visit Upper Antelope on your own any more. After hearing some of the commentary out there, I picked the right guy. I couldn't believe how obnoxious some of the other guides could be.
Charly is a gnarly, wirey guy covered in tattoos. He looks like a Hell's Angel more than a slot canyon guide! He hails from Wiesbaden, Germany and is very, very cool on a photo tour. He knows just how much to say to both the amateurs and the pros. He never got in my way and never tried to tell me how to do my job.
I paid Charly's tour company the $28 fee which included their $20 fee, the $6 Navajo fee and tax. I couldn't wait to see this canyon - I hadn't had those photo jitters in ages! In fact, I was so gung ho, I decided to stay an additional day in Page, AZ in order to visit the mysterious Canyon X. The tour wouldn't be with Charly, however. It would be with Jackson Bridges.
Upper Antelope Canyon
Unfortunately, Upper Antelope Canyon has become a gigantic tourist destination that draws the masses. It's on Navajo land which means they control who and when and how much. Well, the one thing they don't control is how many.
We did the short, six-mile trip to the canyon, some of it over a wide, soft bed of canyon sand and arrived at an ideal time. We were there only about an hour and a half, but by the time we were ready to leave, the photo ops were done. The place was packed. It was almost claustrophobic.
I was so enthralled by the canyon that I hauled myself to Lower Antelope Canyon that afternoon. Didn't even stop for lunch! You do not need a guide for this canyon - just show up and pay the fees.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope is much harder to navigate, so it draws a tiny fraction of the crowd its haughtier neighbor. The parking lot is almost on top of the entrance, but it's guarded by the Navajo. You have to pay ANOTHER $15 to crawl in and they tell you you can only stay for two hours. Well, nobody checks.
This haunted canyon is the site where eleven tourists, most of them French, died in a flash flood on August 12, 1997. Apparently they were well-warned by the locals in the cave just minutes before, but all refused to heed it. Of the eleven who died, two were never found and only pieces of the others turned up.
Now, the locals diligently watch for thunderstorms as far as ten miles away. If there's any threat at all, they close up.
A nice plaque with all the names and nationalities sits just in front of the entrance. It's a very sobering experience.
I had a hard time navigating the ladders as they all go down! You can circumvent all this by walking the quarter mile to the end and working your way up the canyon. I was carrying a camera with a wide angle lens (16-35mm), a backpack with other lenses and a tripod.
While most people prefer Upper Antelope, Lower is serene and beautiful in its own right. It's not crowded and photographers have all the time they could ever need or want to make pictures.
I kept running into a father/son team in the canyon, so when we both exited at the same time, I asked them if I could join them for lunch. They were Howard Wood (Dad) and Greg (son). Here's Howard's beautiful site:
Woodpile Images
We went to the Dam Grill, an apropos name given the nearby Glen Canyon Dam. Lunch was good! I'd go there again.
I checked back into the Marriott and got a good night's sleep.
Charly is a gnarly, wirey guy covered in tattoos. He looks like a Hell's Angel more than a slot canyon guide! He hails from Wiesbaden, Germany and is very, very cool on a photo tour. He knows just how much to say to both the amateurs and the pros. He never got in my way and never tried to tell me how to do my job.
I paid Charly's tour company the $28 fee which included their $20 fee, the $6 Navajo fee and tax. I couldn't wait to see this canyon - I hadn't had those photo jitters in ages! In fact, I was so gung ho, I decided to stay an additional day in Page, AZ in order to visit the mysterious Canyon X. The tour wouldn't be with Charly, however. It would be with Jackson Bridges.
Upper Antelope Canyon
Unfortunately, Upper Antelope Canyon has become a gigantic tourist destination that draws the masses. It's on Navajo land which means they control who and when and how much. Well, the one thing they don't control is how many.
We did the short, six-mile trip to the canyon, some of it over a wide, soft bed of canyon sand and arrived at an ideal time. We were there only about an hour and a half, but by the time we were ready to leave, the photo ops were done. The place was packed. It was almost claustrophobic.
I was so enthralled by the canyon that I hauled myself to Lower Antelope Canyon that afternoon. Didn't even stop for lunch! You do not need a guide for this canyon - just show up and pay the fees.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope is much harder to navigate, so it draws a tiny fraction of the crowd its haughtier neighbor. The parking lot is almost on top of the entrance, but it's guarded by the Navajo. You have to pay ANOTHER $15 to crawl in and they tell you you can only stay for two hours. Well, nobody checks.
This haunted canyon is the site where eleven tourists, most of them French, died in a flash flood on August 12, 1997. Apparently they were well-warned by the locals in the cave just minutes before, but all refused to heed it. Of the eleven who died, two were never found and only pieces of the others turned up.
Now, the locals diligently watch for thunderstorms as far as ten miles away. If there's any threat at all, they close up.
A nice plaque with all the names and nationalities sits just in front of the entrance. It's a very sobering experience.
I had a hard time navigating the ladders as they all go down! You can circumvent all this by walking the quarter mile to the end and working your way up the canyon. I was carrying a camera with a wide angle lens (16-35mm), a backpack with other lenses and a tripod.
While most people prefer Upper Antelope, Lower is serene and beautiful in its own right. It's not crowded and photographers have all the time they could ever need or want to make pictures.
I kept running into a father/son team in the canyon, so when we both exited at the same time, I asked them if I could join them for lunch. They were Howard Wood (Dad) and Greg (son). Here's Howard's beautiful site:
Woodpile Images
We went to the Dam Grill, an apropos name given the nearby Glen Canyon Dam. Lunch was good! I'd go there again.
I checked back into the Marriott and got a good night's sleep.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Day 3 of 11 Driving Across the Country
I woke up to snow in Flagstaff! Well, I was thrilled. Finally, my AWD car would have something to chew on.
I had never been to Sedona, so I drove south on 89A. Talk about spectacular scenery, this drive ranked in the top two. You enter a deep canyon, surrounded on both sides by huge trees, cliffs and a small river. It twists and turns and hairpins all over the place as you drive down about 2,000 feet.
Sedona was as beautiful as everyone says. It does have a feeling of a Santa Fe wannabe, but I had lunch at the Wildflower Cafe and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the free, wireless internet!
The Frank Lloyd Church, Sedona, AZ
I briefly visited the famous Frank Lloyd Wright church (along with several hundred others), then high-tailed it for Page, AZ. While it didn't rain at all in Sedona, the snow started again as soon as I hit the 89A canyon. I gotta admit, I got goosebumps from the clomps of snow that hit my windshield. The idea of it turning into giant clomps of hail did occur to me, but we all got lucky. Except for the people almost in front of me - they got into a head-on collision.
You climb all the way back up to 7,300 feet above sea level as you pass through Flagstaff, then 89 just flattens out at a slightly lower plateau for the two and a half hour drive to Page. It's a stunning drive, but boy is it windy. I saw my first tumbleweeds tear across the highway in front of me. Why does the wind seem always to blow perpendicular to the direction I was driving?
Wait till you read day 5. Thought I was a goner.
Anyway, I arrived early enough in Page, AZ to visit Horseshoe Bend before the sun set. We'd had some severe weather brush by the area - the sky was angry, dark and beautiful, but not great for photos.
I had a wonderful steak salad at the Marriott Courtyard and went to bed.
I had never been to Sedona, so I drove south on 89A. Talk about spectacular scenery, this drive ranked in the top two. You enter a deep canyon, surrounded on both sides by huge trees, cliffs and a small river. It twists and turns and hairpins all over the place as you drive down about 2,000 feet.
Sedona was as beautiful as everyone says. It does have a feeling of a Santa Fe wannabe, but I had lunch at the Wildflower Cafe and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the free, wireless internet!
The Frank Lloyd Church, Sedona, AZ
I briefly visited the famous Frank Lloyd Wright church (along with several hundred others), then high-tailed it for Page, AZ. While it didn't rain at all in Sedona, the snow started again as soon as I hit the 89A canyon. I gotta admit, I got goosebumps from the clomps of snow that hit my windshield. The idea of it turning into giant clomps of hail did occur to me, but we all got lucky. Except for the people almost in front of me - they got into a head-on collision.
You climb all the way back up to 7,300 feet above sea level as you pass through Flagstaff, then 89 just flattens out at a slightly lower plateau for the two and a half hour drive to Page. It's a stunning drive, but boy is it windy. I saw my first tumbleweeds tear across the highway in front of me. Why does the wind seem always to blow perpendicular to the direction I was driving?
Wait till you read day 5. Thought I was a goner.
Anyway, I arrived early enough in Page, AZ to visit Horseshoe Bend before the sun set. We'd had some severe weather brush by the area - the sky was angry, dark and beautiful, but not great for photos.
I had a wonderful steak salad at the Marriott Courtyard and went to bed.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Day 2 of 11 Driving Across the Country
I got up, got the Starbucks and hit the road for Joshua Tree. Oh - why did I want to go there? Well, one weekend five years ago after the only formal photography training I've had, I met my mom in Portland, OR to see the sights and do mom/daughter things. We stumbled onto a street fair and I purchased a beautiful square photo made in Joshua Tree at sunrise. Ever since, I've wanted to see it for myself.
The drive down 247 towards Twenty-Nine Palms was one of the loneliest drives I had on the entire trip. I hit the road around 9am on that Sunday morning and I think perhaps ten cars passed me going the other direction. It was spooky and I was so very glad I didn't do the drive the previous night.
Two hours later, I paid the $15 entrance fee into Joshua Tree and started driving the loop around the park. I stopped to do the Hidden Valley Trail loop, but got spooked by being out there alone without a lot of other people around - and very conscious that my computer and ALL my drives were locked up in my car. I did take some photos, though, and lamented the fact that I couldn't linger over the wonderfully soft, broken rock surrounded by all those weird-looking trees.
I headed out of the park - wondering how long ago that fire had raged through the flats - and headed found Amboy Road north in the ultimate direction of Flagstaff, AZ.
I took some wrong turns getting out of Twenty-Nine Palms - btw - I was so glad I didn't stay there! There aint much to choose from! - and eventually ended up merging onto historic Route 66. I passed some pretty lonely scenery - even a dried up lakebed with gigantic, honeycomb-shaped dry pattern!
I felt saddened by all the abandoned way-side businesses along that historic route. I40 really did create the preserved wasteland of a historic era.
Seligman, AZ. The birthplace of Route 66?
Once I hit I40, it was stunning, gorgeous driving for the next six hours. I'll never forget the pass where the rocks looked like giant ice cream sandwiches.
I made it to Flagstaff before dark and checked into a Radisson. While it was plenty nice, my bathroom had been used after it had been cleaned and there was hair inside the sheets on both beds. Yuk.
The drive down 247 towards Twenty-Nine Palms was one of the loneliest drives I had on the entire trip. I hit the road around 9am on that Sunday morning and I think perhaps ten cars passed me going the other direction. It was spooky and I was so very glad I didn't do the drive the previous night.
Two hours later, I paid the $15 entrance fee into Joshua Tree and started driving the loop around the park. I stopped to do the Hidden Valley Trail loop, but got spooked by being out there alone without a lot of other people around - and very conscious that my computer and ALL my drives were locked up in my car. I did take some photos, though, and lamented the fact that I couldn't linger over the wonderfully soft, broken rock surrounded by all those weird-looking trees.
I headed out of the park - wondering how long ago that fire had raged through the flats - and headed found Amboy Road north in the ultimate direction of Flagstaff, AZ.
I took some wrong turns getting out of Twenty-Nine Palms - btw - I was so glad I didn't stay there! There aint much to choose from! - and eventually ended up merging onto historic Route 66. I passed some pretty lonely scenery - even a dried up lakebed with gigantic, honeycomb-shaped dry pattern!
I felt saddened by all the abandoned way-side businesses along that historic route. I40 really did create the preserved wasteland of a historic era.
Seligman, AZ. The birthplace of Route 66?
Once I hit I40, it was stunning, gorgeous driving for the next six hours. I'll never forget the pass where the rocks looked like giant ice cream sandwiches.
I made it to Flagstaff before dark and checked into a Radisson. While it was plenty nice, my bathroom had been used after it had been cleaned and there was hair inside the sheets on both beds. Yuk.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Day 1 of 11, Driving Across the US
After Megan's delicious coffee, I hit the road at 10:15am. I had an aggressive drive in mind, but no reservations and I was beat from the move.
I headed east towards Hayward, then followed I5 south toward Bakersfield. I was dying to see Joshua Tree National Park and it was a long, long way from Marin. I was all prepared to listen to talk radio and had some CDs to pass the time, but I never even turned on the radio that day.
Somewhere east of Bakersfield on SR58, I encountered the Tehachapi Pass. I knew I had some hills to climb, but I had no idea what would take my breath away at the top of the pass. An amazing wind farm explodes in front of your eyes from nowhere! It's stunning - wind turbines of all shapes, sizes and design crowd the top of the pass. It was also really cool how the landscape changed from green to brown within just a few miles.
As I drove toward my destination, Twenty-Nine Palms, I just got too tired and had to find my first place to sleep. I chose Barstow, CA and found a Best Western at the edge of town. Barstow was acceptable because my friend Jenny said they had not one, but two Starbucks! It would be the last Starbucks I would have until I got to Charleston, WV. And that was a funny adventure.
The Best Western in Barstow was fine. Nothing special. I found a supermarket and bought a roast chicken, a Ravenswood Zin and a bag of raw carrots and broccoli. Welcome to dinner on the road.
I headed east towards Hayward, then followed I5 south toward Bakersfield. I was dying to see Joshua Tree National Park and it was a long, long way from Marin. I was all prepared to listen to talk radio and had some CDs to pass the time, but I never even turned on the radio that day.
Somewhere east of Bakersfield on SR58, I encountered the Tehachapi Pass. I knew I had some hills to climb, but I had no idea what would take my breath away at the top of the pass. An amazing wind farm explodes in front of your eyes from nowhere! It's stunning - wind turbines of all shapes, sizes and design crowd the top of the pass. It was also really cool how the landscape changed from green to brown within just a few miles.
As I drove toward my destination, Twenty-Nine Palms, I just got too tired and had to find my first place to sleep. I chose Barstow, CA and found a Best Western at the edge of town. Barstow was acceptable because my friend Jenny said they had not one, but two Starbucks! It would be the last Starbucks I would have until I got to Charleston, WV. And that was a funny adventure.
The Best Western in Barstow was fine. Nothing special. I found a supermarket and bought a roast chicken, a Ravenswood Zin and a bag of raw carrots and broccoli. Welcome to dinner on the road.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Moving Across the Country in Eleven Days
I partially left (meaning I kept an apartment!) New York City by moving to San Francisco in December 2004. I was in search of clean air, beauty, access to the outdoors and a completely different lifestyle.
Earlier, I had made a list of the cities that I thought could support my luxury lifestyle service: fine portrait photography. I added Miami, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, LA and blindly added SF. I had a feeling the crunchy, healthy, pricey area would be the most difficult to break into, yet it was the only climate that appealed to me.
I never gave up my apartment in NY, because I couldn't imagine not having a place here. I AM New York, heart, body and soul. I just needed a break from the polluted heat and humidity of summer and the incessant noise.
Well, I had a hard time getting work in SF. I got a little, but to my surprise, my NY business was booming. I finally decided after two and a half years that I had to move back.
So today was my day. The movers showed up at 2pm and heaved and hauled up and down three flights of stairs for eight hours. My dear, talented friend, Megan Scott, came in and saved me at the last minute by helping me with the final clean up and clear out. I will be forever grateful to her generous gift of time and kindness that day.
Well, it was midnight by the time we were done, so I crashed at her place with my car loaded up for a cross-country drive across the USA.
Earlier, I had made a list of the cities that I thought could support my luxury lifestyle service: fine portrait photography. I added Miami, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, LA and blindly added SF. I had a feeling the crunchy, healthy, pricey area would be the most difficult to break into, yet it was the only climate that appealed to me.
I never gave up my apartment in NY, because I couldn't imagine not having a place here. I AM New York, heart, body and soul. I just needed a break from the polluted heat and humidity of summer and the incessant noise.
Well, I had a hard time getting work in SF. I got a little, but to my surprise, my NY business was booming. I finally decided after two and a half years that I had to move back.
So today was my day. The movers showed up at 2pm and heaved and hauled up and down three flights of stairs for eight hours. My dear, talented friend, Megan Scott, came in and saved me at the last minute by helping me with the final clean up and clear out. I will be forever grateful to her generous gift of time and kindness that day.
Well, it was midnight by the time we were done, so I crashed at her place with my car loaded up for a cross-country drive across the USA.
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