Life: Through the Lens

People who are part of the aviation community know that Oshkosh,Wisconsin is THE place to go each summer for their airshows and aviation gatherings.  We have gone many times and it is truly amazing. Terminal building for gravel airstrip. However, as far as aviation as a way of life, Alaska is the place to be.  There are so few roads in the state, that flying in to most communities is the only way to get there.   Of course, there are still many people who fly recreationally, but it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference. Planes parked at Merrill Field Since arriving in Alaska we have noticed planes sitting in people's front yards, back yards, alongside a road here and there, at small, private airstrips, and at larger airports.  We grab shots as we go, and make purposeful stops when we can.  In Anchorage there are at least 2 such places which are on a pilot's must-see list - one is Merrill Field and the other is Lake Hood/Spenard Float Pl...

Oh my goodness, how I do love to photograph wildlife.  And it is just wonderful to be armed with prior knowledge about where you might see some amazing animals on your journey!  Thank you, Canada!  We loved the signage in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory which gave us a heads-up as to what we might have a chance of seeing. And sometimes we were rewarded for being ready for anything.  Though there was not always a sign, there were sometimes surprises around many curves, waiting to get our blood pumping! Since we arrived in Alaska yesterday, we are seeing some amazing landscapes, and enough airplanes to keep my pilot husband VERY happy!  No wild animals have appeared before us, but we know there are moose and bear in our area.  We shall see how the next few weeks unfold.  Anchorage is our location at the moment, and in the next couple of days we will head south, enjoying the Kenai Peninsula.  The quote of the day: "When ...

Are we there yet?  This is the question we heard for years as we traveled with the children.  And this is the question we ask as we get up every day and conquer one more leg of our journey.  Are we there yet?  This is a very open - ended question. Our journey through British Columbia is not complete...one day, or slightly more, and we should arrive in the Yukon Territory.  Are we there yet?  Well, we are "here" - in Fort Nelson, B.C., after having put 5327 miles on our vehicle since leaving home June 5. Since leaving Vancouver on Friday, June 26, we have driven...  looked for photo opportunities... taken some photographs... enjoyed our new camper, and quiet mornings (getting a refresher course on my high school French)... marveled at unusual weather patterns (Okay pilots and other weather enthusiasts, what is the name for this particular cloud phenomenon?)... and also enjoyed beautiful sunsets. There have been some fantastic finds...

My blog posts will not necessarily be in order, but will recount parts of our journey which have made an impact on us - through geographic area, people we encounter and/or emotional connection.  With spotty internet service, we will post when we can. Visiting my nephew in Vancouver was so much fun.  He took us around the city, and then out to Vancouver Island by ferry.  It was a whirl-wind adventure...and a wonderful experience. First, the city: Enter the city through a series of bridges and insane city traffic....to meet my nephew who picked us up in a rather unique car.  Reserve it.  Pick it up from some location near you.  Use it.  Drop it off where ever your destination is.  Done. Grab a water taxi to dinner. Science Center The arts are important in Vancouver...even cement factories get a facelift when you have so many art students in the city. We have never been to Vancouver Island, off the coa...

The Tetons - a glorious mountainous area in Wyoming.  Under almost perfect conditions for photography, we spent a day exploring the area around Jackson, or Jackson Hole, depending on who you talk to.  Our first stop was some early morning shooting on Mormon Row, a group of buildings built under the Homestead Act of 1862.  This settlement agreement promised 160 acres to anyone willing to build a house and cultivate the land for five years. There are seven buildings remaining on what is known as Mormon Row...with the stunning backdrop of the Tetons. Jenny Lake is a lovely lake set within Teton National Park.  Pristine and preserved, we love the wonderful blue sky and cumulus clouds which help accentuate the scene. Another lake in the park is Jackson Lake.  There is a nice resort here, with camping, cabins and standard lodge rooms to choose from.   Boats to rent, hiking trails, miles of wilderness to explore, what more could you want?! Of course,...

Travel across country is sometimes a bit monotonous.  I-80 is one long, straight highway, with a lot of truck traffic, construction, and flat farmland for miles and miles and miles. Sunshine or showers, the road stretches before you. Sometimes there isn't much to look at, so time needs to be passed in a variety of ways -  Working on a knitting project... ...meeting a cowboy at McDonalds... ...learning about energy sources at a rest stop... ...wondering how close to true certain messages are.... Pastureland and farm fields become more vast the farther west you go, and Iowa turned into Nebraska with little fanfare.  It wasn't until we reached the western part of Nebraska that the landscape began to change. So Iowa became Nebraska, which became Wyoming, which became Colorado.     Colorado provided a rather dramatic welcome. We arrived in Fort Collins safe and sound...and feel we are truly beginning our adventure...