2023 Road Trip

The Appalachian Mountains are verdant this year. The foothills beckoned me to the mighty crags as I trekked the valley. A luscious emerald mosaic embellished the highlands. I love the mountains. It was agreeably cool traveling the snaking pathways. A ghostly mist danced on the heights during the morning hours.

As I entered the deep south on Sunday it was apparent that the Bible Belt is standing firm on its principles. Nearly all the great soul food places were closed. I managed to find a black man cooking soul food on an open grill at the roadside. I had to linger and talk to the man. He was happy in his skin. I think it is brilliant when a person in poverty is happy. In many ways, they are happier than wealthy people who chase their tail day after day. I later found another (open) soul food place in Columbia SC that was good enough to go back for breakfast the next morning.

In the south, black and white people work side by side in harmony. There is no animosity among them. They are friends. The specter of racism is being used by immoral people.

I noticed that there is widespread poverty in obscure towns along the backroads. I am sure that the middle class and wealthy balance the poverty to create a gray middle ground for America. Should America look like that? 

Florida is growing in population and the busy roadways demonstrate this. As I raced down I-95, three faster cars converged on my location. Since I was doing 70, they must have been doing 90 to 100 weaving between lanes. I had no idea what to do so I slowed down. At speed, that could have caused a terrible crash. Fate decided to give me a pass for the moment. There were other reasons it might have been bad for me had an accident occurred.

Amy and family are doing as good as they can living close to the ocean. Mother is now 88 years old. She can walk with a walker and enjoys food. She recognized me well enough. We have longevity in our DNA. That is a haunting prospect for me. I have no desire to go slowly over a long period of increasing descent. It is the rainy season. Passing storms were recurrent. I love the ambiance of nature and decided to sleep out on the patio. Sure enough, the frogs, and crickets tried to best each other with skill. I decided to bed indoors the next nights.

This is not my own image capture - I found it on line.

We all went to the Crab Stop Diner. They have great food there. We got crabs, shrimp, and conch fritters. The hushpuppies are scrumptious. I had to give them encouragement, lauding their craftsmanship and purchased a tee shirt as a souvenir. Quality should be encouraged and failure should be condemned. It helps those who fail to improve and applauds those who found the right path after hard work and overcoming their own failures. It is difficult to understand how tough love helps those who need it. It helps them know a better life rather than waste it only to suffer regret and sorrow for a life lost. All that time can never be brought back. It is gone forever.

We went down to the seaside. Ocean waves crashed onto the beach. Storm clouds built over the troubled waters. Wind was blowing. Nature's power could be felt in my core. With that said, hurricane damage could also be seen in many places. The pear was closed from being damaged.

Later, Bruce took me for a Rubicon tour of Daytona Beach. We then picked up Tye and enjoyed the China Buffet together. All three of us tried to solve the world's problems with a little bit of truth and hard facts. Back at Bruce and Amys place we decided to watch the latest Avatar movie. They have a very big HD television. Popcorn was prepared and it was a cool movie. It is a mix of live action, far out makeup, and a weighty dose of CGI.

I took off early Thursday morning. This time my motel was located about 20 miles north of Columbia SC. A stout thunderstorm passed through and I could watch and feel it from the 4^th floor. I rolled the dice on some Chinese takeout and lost. You cannot win all the time. In fact, one needs to lose sometimes so that the good times of winning feel all that much better.

Finding the location of the Red Wing Grassroots festival was challenging but I did it. Mount Solon VA, is back in the sticks. Natural Chimneys County Park is an interesting open space with cool rock formations. The festival is a camping event. There were many thousands attending. Food trucks, water buffalos, vendors, and fun things to do were all over the place. There are three stages and several side stages including a dance tent. The music is an eclectic mix of bluegrass, folk, country, Cajun, and alternative. I met Susan at the front gate. She helped me transport by camping things to her campsite at the top of a hill known as Chimney Ridge. After setting up we all went down to hear some music. Lamentably, an impressive thunderstorm decided to park itself over the park for a good portion of the evening and into the night on Friday. The morning revealed a total muddy mess of the parking area where my car was. I was way out along a cornfield because the other parking areas were at overflow. Many others were also parked with me in the field. Well, that field was a giant muddy mess. Several cars got stuck in the mire.

Saturday was also rainy but not as bad. Sierra Ferrell’s performance was worth the price of admission. She had the crowd howling at the moon with her. I must find out what her tour schedule is. That's a good way to discover other festivals.

Unwanted weather or no, Susan and I had a good time. We met our camping neighbors and had fun with them as well. Brian helped me load my car on Sunday. Everyone has their own cool camp setup. Many of the campers follow music festivals all over the country. Each, without exception, lauded my retirement as a great new beginning and not to worry. I can always hit the road camping and not look back – ever again. We all medicated each day and this made everything that much better. Saturday night the poor weather cleared and the sky was filled with bright stars. I took the cover off the tent so that I could see the stars late into the night when the contrast gets even better. Light pollution was nowhere to be found.

The trip home from the festival was about 300 miles. About half of it was traversing the mountains going to 79. I like to drive but this was a little much even for me. I do not think I will drive to Florida again. We will take our chances on a jetliner next time.  

My Trip to Italy 2022

 

After 2 long years forgoing an annual trip, I decided to visit my niece and her family in Italy. They recently moved to Milan. What better time to embark on my first journey to Europe. There are only a few places within America remaining on my bucket list. From the coast of Maine to the Grand Canyon, and mighty El Capitan, I have been blessed visiting over 27 National Parks. It was now time to visit Italy and venture to the eternal city, Rome.

The 767 jetliner that shepherded me to Zurich was luxurious. A full 3^rd of the front section is devoted to first class. In Zurich customs was easier than I had imagined. I made sure to purchase a day pass at the airport. It covers all transportation for 24 hours with added discounts. Since local time is 6 hours ahead, it was morning of the next day. Jetlag did not seem to trouble me very much. I took the train from the airport to city center. The Montana Hotel was a short walk up the street. After placing my luggage in their storage room, I was free to explore the city. At riverside is a passenger boat that took me to Old Town. Old Town is a gingerbread house marvel and the melody of Dutch is heard around every corner. I enjoyed a traditional Wiener Schnitzel lunch at Weissen Kreuz near the Gross Münster Cathedral. Zurich is supposed to be the second most expensive city in the world but I decided to bite the bullet and go for it anyway.  

My stay in Zurich was short. Early the next morning I began a train ride south into the Alps. The Bernina Express scenic train is a UNESCO world heritage experience. We were blessed with great weather. The Swiss Alps are a grand sight to behold. The mountains and valleys reminded me of Christmas tree toy train displays. Bucolic dairy farms nestled in the valleys flanked on each side by imposing snowcapped mountains around every turn. Waterfalls cascade down mountain sides into village rivers below. The train takes a complicated path through the Alps. It travels through many tunnels, across viaducts and bridges. The highlight of the journey was when it reached the top of a mountain pass where snow and ice blankets rocky crags like frosting on a cake. I wanted to get out and hike around but the train does not stop long. After the mountain pass was traversed, the train began its decent into Italy. Tirano Italy is where the amazing journey ended. A welcoming culture change can be noticed. Italy has its own special charms. I boarded the train going to Milan and much of this part of the trip was picturesque as well. Grape vineyards lace the countryside with idyllic villas at each vineyards center. As the train made its usual stops a group of teens got on board and performed their musical talents for us. This is the type of fun that makes heartwarming memories. Since Italy’s architecture spans more than 3500 years it is difficult to point to a single style that dominates. However, I would say the Renaissance and Gothic periods are most prevalent. Many of the streets are solid granite cobblestone.

I arrived in Milan and was astonished by the colossal train station. It is a living museum of architectural wonder. Crowds of people moved about while others gazed up at the big screens overhead that display the schedules. With a little study beforehand, it is not difficult to find your train at the right time going to the right place. I had a euro-pass that covered all train travel for four days. Outside the station is an impressive square where people gather and skateboarding enthusiast show off their skills. Amanda and Nate picked me up and took me to their place. My sister Connie was there to greet me as were Fiona and Leighton my two second nieces. Their flat in the center of Milan is well appointed and comfortable. Nate and Amanda treated us to a perfect, local favorite Da Zero Pizza. Enjoying dinner here is a much more sophisticated event than our fast-food culture back home. The local happiness factor reflects this as well.

 

The area of Milan that we were visiting was built to last and it has for generations. The convoluted cobblestone streets interlace into a labyrinth in all directions. As a photographer, I appreciated the repeating patterns of pastel buildings fading into the distance like a kaleidoscope. Milano is one of the liveliest cities I ever visited. Markets and eateries are everywhere. People are coming and going all the time. Many use scooters or small motorcycles. Even more walk from one place to the another.

 

On Saturday, Nate, Leighton, and I enjoyed breakfast and coffee at LePolveri a close by bakery. There was a long line of people waiting their turn for the fresh baked Panzerotti. The culinary options are without limit. My selection was a Turkish dish of poached eggs swimming in yogurt. I had the great idea to break off little pieces of fresh baked bread into this delightful breakfast soup. Later, we all visited the local farmer’s market. I was dumbstruck as to its abundance and quality. If this is your sourcing for nutritional needs you should be healthy as an Ox. I wanted to go bonkers buying all sorts of gastronomic delights then return to the flat and prepare a gourmet lunch for everyone. Instead, Connie and I had other plans. We took the metro to visit the celebrated Cathedral towering at the center of Milano.

 

The Duomo di Milano is to Christianity what Mecca is to Islam. It is the third largest Cathedral on earth. The lavish works of Christian art and iconography held within its parapets are mind blowing. I never knew this much polished marble existed in the world. The stained-glass windows towering above are man’s glorification of God. I told Connie the experience made me think of the time when the angels told Abraham that his barren wife would bare him a son in her old age. Sarah laughs. The angel asked her, why did you laugh? She denied it. The angel retorted, but you did laugh. Then Sarah asked doubtful questions. The angels answered, is there anything too difficult for God? That was my thought standing under the ramparts of the Duomo. Connie and I then decided to climb onto the roof. The architectural structure is so elaborate I just had to pause for a moment and make a feeble attempt to take it all in. This holy place made me feel very small.

 

In the main sanctuary is a solid marble statue of Bartholomae. He was tortured after evangelizing the Armenian King to Christianity. The unthinkable torture included having his flesh filleted and then he was be-headed. This work of art was created by Marco d'Agrate. My question is why are nearly all the great artist Italians? I think it is because Ancient Rome encouraged artfulness. You can see it everywhere. For every really great work of art there are endless lesser-known works created by very skilled and gifted hands.

 

Connie and I then proceeded to visit a delightful park where the impressive Sforzesco Castle resides. It is an intimidating Medieval-Renaissance fortress with historical museums and art by da Vinci and Michelangelo. It is all too much to process in such a short time. All of the art and culture, and the depth of human history. One would think as we evolve our ability to create such structures and art would be less challenging. It is the opposite for some reason. The cost would be prohibitive today and the quality of craftsmanship would be nearly impossible to match. The surrounding park was alive with families having fun and enjoying the faultless weather.

 

Afterward, Connie and I began a high endurance power walk through the labyrinth of surrounding cobblestone streets. Our convoluted trek took us to places we had no idea existed moments before. In other words, we were lost. My cell phone was restricted using data roaming. Connie’s cell died. Google maps took us to an unwanted location. Connie had Amanda's cell but did not have the password. Finally, Nate made contact and we were rescued. Alternatively, taxicabs are all over the place but the trick is hailing them for a lift. There are designated taxi pickup sights indicated with an orange Taxi sign. Many important lessons are learned by this thrilling experience. Always make sure the cell is fully charged, keep specific information, get a top-shelf plan from your provider before going overseas, always have a fallback position in case things go wrong. Later that evening we all gathered at L'Uccellina for an idyllic fine dining experience in the heart of Italy. I cannot thank Nate and Amanda enough for their gracious hospitality and love.

 

Sunday was an overcast, cool day with slight drizzle. Amanda, the girls, Connie, and I took the crowded Metro to Villa Necchi Campiglio, a very interesting villa turned into an interior design and period architectural museum. This outstanding home had everything anyone could ever desire. Walk-in closets that were actually walk-in rooms. Multiple guest rooms and servant’s quarters. Progressive Era art and family photographs are displayed throughout. A very memorable experience. We then went on to enjoy the best Sushi ever. This is not the All you Can Eat Buffet Sushi we are used to back home – that’s for sure. Last but by no means least, we then went on to the Triennale di Milano modern art museum. This was a fascinating and fun place to spend the afternoon. Amanda and Nat prepared a splendid dinner.

 

Monday morning, Connie and I took the train to Lake Como. The forecast was unfavorable but was proven wrong later in the day. Upon arrival we made our way down to the waterfront. Mist danced along the towering mountains reaching high above the mirrored waters. Attractive villas in pastel hues of rust, tan, and yellow ocher embellish the hills along the shoreline. We bought our tickets for the boat ride. It was a perfect day for a water adventure. The cool wind in your face as the boat glides across the water is refreshing. There is the option to get out of the boat and explore at each stop but we decided to stay on board. Overcast skies are ideal for photography. The subtle light filtering through the clouds is much preferred. I can only say thank you.

 

After returning to dockside, we decided to enjoy lunch at PiazzaRomaComo. This was a very good choice. The food was a little fancy for this hillbilly. After lunch we had some time to walk around town before the return train was to depart. Connie checks every Gelato place she comes near in her never-ending quest to find the perfect Gelato. Meanwhile, I toured Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di Como this is an imposing cathedral with tapestries, art, and frescoes in an extravagant sanctuary. It is difficult to process all of the countless cathedrals and churches. The polished marble seems endless. The floor is marble, the iconography is marble, the walls are marble. The craftsmanship is mind boggling.

We returned to Milano on the train and navigated the Metro back to Amanda's place. We managed to avoid getting lost this time.

 

On Tuesday morning, we sent the kids off to school on a Mercedes Benz bus. I knew this was going to be the last time I would see them in quite some time, if ever again. Fiona and Leighton have a bright future before them. You can tell just by looking at them that great things await them both. Afterward, Amanda, Connie, and I took the bullet train to Rome. We made arrangements for tours along the way. There are many tunnels that obscure the view going to Rome. However, when we had the chance to view the pastoral landscape of Tuscany it made me want to get off the train and hike around for a while. Tall Mediterranean cypress lace the rolling meadows, evoking Van Gogh impressionism. It was as if we were looking out the window at a large oil painting. Next time I visit, a Tuscany Road trip needs added to the bucket list.

 

Arrival in the eternal city was not glamour's. The train station is all business. I was expecting Julius Caesar to greet me as I disembarked. Well, just because Ben-Hur’s chariot was not there to whisk me to the hotel it was still a great feeling. My hotel was near the station. In fact, it was directly across from it. It was not a 5-star lodging but who cares we are in Rome. Three nights in Rome for $325 is a great deal. There is no need to locker the luggage since the hotel had a luggage storage room.

 

I took the hop on hop off Big Bus Roma to the Colosseum to meet Connie there. The Colosseum is a marvel of man’s ingenuity. I learned that wholesale execution of Christians is unproven. That said, other barbarous events did take place here on a routine basis. Roman law forbad wagering but the people did it anyway. Wild animals would be set on people who were forced to defend themselves with the crudest weapons. In most cases those so ill fortuned to suffer such things were found guilty of some sort of crime. Sometimes I think if Roman justice was brought back, we would have less crime today. You know, pay per view, wagering, give some criminals a chance to win their freedom through mortal combat. The more heinous the crime the more challenging the combat.

 

Adjacent to the Colosseum is Palatine Hill and surrounding ruins. It was all too much to cover in a day. Connie waited below as I took a hike up the hill to at least get a feel for the place. At the top you can see all the ruins below. This location is considered the birthplace of Rome. This would be a perfect place to come for sunrise or sunset photography. Amanda joined us later for a dinner. After dinner we walked to the renowned Trevi Fountain as evening fell. I looked back at Amanda as I approached the fountain from around a corner. It is like magic seeing it for the first time. I had to run my hands through the cool water. Lots of people gathered around but it did not seem to be that crowded. Connie took a picture as I tossed a Swiss frank over my shoulder into the glittering water. As we took some time to relax the crowd suddenly cheered and clapped with happiness. A marriage proposal was made at the fountains edge. She said yes, how could she not?

The tour bus was not enough to cover all transportation needs. Taking a cab in Rome is routine. It cost about 7 € to taxi back to my lodging.

 

 

The next day I spent in Vatican City. Amanda and Connie already experienced this life changing place. So, they did their thing and I did the Vatican. At the last minute we arranged skip the line access for 35 €. I took a taxi to the meeting location and they guided our group to a side entrance of the Vatican Museum. At this location we were all given tickets and allowed entrance right away. The museum is vast. It is too much to digest in such a short time. A guided tour would take even more time. There are endless hallways of priceless artworks, tapestries, Christian iconography and so much more. I was in heaven. The place was alive with people but it was not overly crowded. Although I do not agree with the doctrine of Catholicism, I can still appreciate the art collection as it is. As everyone wondered about, the general flow leads to the Sistine Chapel. Entering the chapel is a humbling experience. Although other artist contributed to the chapel’s frescos, Michelangelo painted the chapel's ceiling, a project which changed the course of Western art and is regarded as one of the major artistic accomplishments of human civilization. A church official routinely calls for quite and reminds that photography is forbidden.

 

After spending many hours in the museum, I exited into Saint Peters Square. It was breathtaking being surrounded by the seat of Christianity. I was not sure what line to join but decided to join the shortest line. That decision proved to be correct. In very short order the whole line moved together and we all entered Saint Peters Basilica. The vast sanctuary is beyond words to describe. I was surprised by some of the polished marble iconography. One in particular was a larger-than-life human skeleton cloaked in a shroud holding aloft a menacing hourglass. I later learned this is a monument to Alexander the seventh, created by the prominent artist Bernini. I was overwhelmed by the immensity of the space. After spending a good deal of time in the sanctuary, I ventured down into the catacombs below. There are the crypts of departed Popes. The greatest of them all Saint Peter on which rock the church was built upon. I lost all sense of time by now and realized that the lunch reservations that were made had passed several hours beforehand. I was supposed to meet Connie and Amanda for lunch but totally missed it. My cell phone was a pain the whole trip and this caused some hard feelings. Later on, I expected to meet them at the Monument of the Fatherland. This is an imposing memorial to all Italian heroes. This meeting was also missed. I then returned to my lodging for the night.

 

Our last day in Rome was enchanting. As I walked down the street, I expected Don Corleone to make me an offer that I could not refuse. Connie and I went to visit the Pantheon. The Pantheon is the quintessential example of Roman architecture. The rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with an oculus open to the sky is unreal. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. A slight drizzle of rain was falling through the oculus onto the marble floor below. By this time, I was saturated by the magnitude of Catholicism. The Pantheon was very crowded. We also made up for lost time the previous day and stopped by Roscioli, the place where lunch was missed. They have a sister café just up the street from their primary location. I had a slice of pizza and told Connie that I should be punished for this. I later discovered that I would be. It was the best pizza that I ever consumed. I went back into the café and told them that they were the best. I have done a pizza tour in New York City and there is our home town Pizzeria that had pretty good pizza, but this was the best. They also specialize in many other treats. It is all too much to experience in one short visit. The only way to fully immerse oneself into Rome is to spend at least a full week walking its streets and visiting its endless allures. Down the street we found a leather shop. I decided to purchase a custom fitted belt made of genuine Italian leather for my souvenir. The leather master cut the belt to size and fitted me right inside the shop.

 

After a great day enjoying the grandeur of Rome it came time to say goodbye. Connie and Amanda wished me well as I took a taxi back to my lodging. It was emotional leaving them and leaving the eternal city. Early the next day I took the train to the Airport and felt unwell with a minor cough. I would later find out that I contracted COVID at some point during the trip. Thank God that he allowed me to enjoy the trip before being stricken. On the Airbus going to Toronto many people were coughing into the open air. I was worried if they noticed I was sick they would stop me from boarding. No problem, take a seat. Others were hacking away worse than I was.

 

The Toronto Airport is very confusing to navigate. It was a good thing I had a two-hour layover. It took nearly that much time to find my gate. Off we went back home to Pittsburgh.     

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

                     

Adirondack Adventure October 2012

• Saturday, September 29th

I got an early 5:30am start with the odometer reading 47848
79 North to NY 90E then NY 86E and then began the back road adventure from Salamanca. The autumn color in New York is at about 50%. Ellicottville is a small trendy hamlet among the hills. I stopped at DJ’s diner for a late 10am breakfast. The small community of Arcade offers a scenic train ride to Attica. I managed to arrive at Arcade just as the train was departing the station for its noon excursion. I decided to chase the steam engine through the countryside. I was rewarded with a perfect image capture along its route. Take route 98N from Arcade to Chaffee Road and setup the tripod at Curries depot. One can hear the engines advance because the conductor likes to herald his approach with the steam whistle. As I chased the train, I could see it chugging along in the valley surrounded by colorful hills. The black smoke and snow white steam designating its position. Along the way to Letchworth SP, I had to stop at a roadside stand and purchase a jug of genuine New York maple syrup.

Letchworth State Park is a worthy stop with an $8 entrance fee. The Glen Iris Inn has a nostalgic ambiance and resides near the upper falls. The lower falls requires a challenging 127-step hike up and back in order to observe its full grandeur. The upper falls, which is the favored one, is not as demanding. An overlook is provided for easy viewing of the iconic upper falls across from the stone house. It is too early for the autumn colors at this location; another 10 days and it will be perfect. The upper falls is reminiscent of the Yellowstone Falls. It is nestled at the end of a long gorge with high cliffs on both sides with a stream snaking away from it.

Dansville is a laid-back community with a small main street offering a variety of shops and restaurants. I enjoyed dinner at the Sunrise.

Logan’s Inn is a convenient lodging selection near a gas station and 24-hour convenience store. The price is $70/night.

All and all, the first day was all that I could have wished for. The weather is cool and pleasant; the autumn colors are about 50%, and striking bucolic farmlands embellished the countryside all along the way. I have noticed in dinning and gas that cost of living is between 6% and 8% higher in New York compared with Pennsylvania.


• Sunday, September 30th

Departed Dansville around 6:30 am going to Naples - Naples is a significant town with a big local employer that manufactures farm equipment. Some type of huge street fair was going on but it was too early to explore. At the end of main street Bob and Ruth’s diner looks like a good place to stop for breakfast but I past it up. Route 21 north offers outstanding views of the countryside. It seems that pie is king around these parts and everyone has signs up selling pie.

I enjoyed breakfast at Patty’s Place diner in Canandaigua. Patty makes homemade blackberry jam and bread. I noticed a steady flow of patrons coming and going and the decision was made.

I decided to visit Salmon Creek Falls. From the hamlet of Orwell, take route 22 east for 2.5 miles then left on Falls Road for 1.2 miles. Parking is found on the roadside. There is a short and easy trail to the overlook. The falls are photogenic and worth the side trip.

Along route-3 is the community of Pulaski where countless fisherman were angling for inland salmon.
Watertown is a mid-sized town. The colors are at about 30% in this area. I stopped for lunch at Crystals Tavern in the town square. The building is a relic of the past with a working payphone hanging on the wall.
As I approached the Adirondacks, the colors improved dramatically about 30 miles out and all along the remaining route. At Raquette Lake, a bald eagle took flight across the lake as I stood watching at lakeside.
Drizzling rain was my constant foe all day long but I fought to overcome its malice. The autumn colors are at peak among the mountains. Deep rich crimson, cherry, and ruby hues adorn the mountains accompanied by a full spectrum of pumpkin orange and sunflower yellows. Some examples are too intense for the eye to endure.

The Tupper Lake region is blemished with several abandoned and run down properties but they merely distract from the spectacle of natures show. The aptly named White Birch Café served a surprisingly good spaghetti and meatball dinner; being raised in a predominantly Italian neighborhood; that is saying something. The Park motel ($63/night) was a poor choice but you get what you pay for. Alternative locations nearby, based on external appearance, might have been better choices.

• Tupper Lake Motel
• Shaheens Motel


• Monday, October 1st

A steady rain fell all night long. The morning revealed gloomy skies all around. The glory of the mountains surrounding me is obscured by a shroud of heavy mist and low hanging clouds. A curse is upon the day as punishment for my evil deeds. It is hopeless and I bare the heavy burden of defeat upon my shoulders. The potential is vaguely perceived through the gloom of what could be incredible splendor. Its 10am and the gloom remains but I fight the good fight and continue to seek photographic opportunities.

Color stage is best described with estimated percentage values:

20% leaf drop
75% peak color
10% Green – not including evergreens
15% past peak

Traveling east from Tupper Lake is Corey’s road. This side road is worth exploring for creative photographic opportunities. The Blue Moon Café at 55 Main Street in Saranac served a delicious late breakfast. The cuisine is of gourmet quality. The eggs benedict on homemade muffins is superb.

I arrived at Lake Placid around noon to find a commercialized tourist town. The heavy mist worsens and there is no proof that any mountains exist at all. Along route 86 on the way is an interesting place called Tail of the Pup, it is worth a stop for lunch. In Lake Placid, the affluent place to stay is Golden Arrow Lodge.
Route 73 between Keene and Lake Placid is difficult to believe that the colors can be so vivid; it is almost unearthly. Perhaps God has mercifully cloaked the mountains in mystery because he knew that if there full glory was shown it would stun me more than I could bear. The high peaks region is best and most of the time spent should be here. Lodging is all about but I noticed a place called Cobble Inn on route 86 that looked good with a tremendous view. The ill weather has frustrated me.

I decided to call it a day and enjoyed dinner at Lisa-G’s pub at 6125 Sentinel Road. It is a uniquely creative culinary experience. The Moroccan burrito filled with chickpeas, roasted peppers, onion, and then drenched in a savory cucumber sauce, was tasty.

Cascade Inn is OK and its proximity to a key photography location is important. Adirondack Loj Road is a spectacular 5-mile drive that offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. It leads back to a parking area where the trailhead to Mount Jo is found. This road is located just east of Lake Placid off route 73.

My (what should be) award winning sunset image was captured along this road.

• Tuesday, October 2nd

With a touch of hope I rose early went outside and looked up into the night sky to see the moon and the stars. Glad and excited I made hast to take advantage of dawn light along Loj Road. The sun ascended slowly just behind a mountain and I captured it as it flashed rays of light across the lowlands. Fog, like a ghost, moved among the evergreens.

Continuing to the parking area the last 3 miles of the road is flanked by woodlands. An $8 fee is suggested and the trailhead of Mount Jo is unpretentiously hidden nearby. I might have given this undertaking a second thought had I known the level of challenge beforehand. At 7:30 am the hike began. Before the ascent is an observation area for Heart Lake. This alone is worth a visit as the lake is surrounded by mountains and brilliant colors. At first, the hike was not too difficult but with the increasingly heavy tripod on my shoulders and the angel of the trajectory becoming questionable, my faith began to slip. Nothing worth achieving is accomplished without effort and struggle. The pathway is rocky and muddy. At some points, the trail becomes lost in heavy boulders and undergrowth. This is the best stress test anyone might undergo and much to my surprise, my heart did not complain. That is not to say that my lungs were not complaining as they gasped for thin air near the summit. I was about to give up and turn back but the summit is so near we must continue. A passing hiker warned that malevolent clouds are beginning to march back into the mountains and that I had better hurry.

The last few feet leading to the summit were a crawling struggle. I heard the voices of a few others at the top and followed the sound. Once upon the rocky peak my efforts were rewarded more than I could have dreamed. Moses was not permitted to look upon the face of God but I am. Before me was a vision of mountain grandeur unmatched by anything that I have witnessed before. Kaleidoscopes of pigments emboss sweeping views in every direction. I did not view a single burning bush but endless burning bush. It is simply too much to explain. I stood silent as did the others and became reverential. The camera was put aside as a useless devise woefully inadequate. Nevertheless, after some time with cool winds caressing the summit I took up the instrument and made a best effort to capture images of what I saw but to no avail.

The decent was made reluctantly. It was almost as difficult as going up. I returned to the car at 10:30am. It took me a great deal of time to make the round trip hike being out of shape and 51 summers old. Therefore, it was a 3-hour tour and well worth it.

Sinister weather moved into the region once again. I followed the plan and began the day’s road trip to Wilmington. Wilmington has a great little deli supermarket that make a good sandwich. Whiteface mountain memorial roadway is a step climb. I paid the $10 fee and began but the ill weather worsened obscuring any views. The prospective for the fantastic was unrealized so I turned back and departed.

In spit of the weather, I stopped at High Falls Gorge. This tourist attraction features a powerful waterfall that passes through a narrow gorge of solid rock walls. Several viewing platforms are built into the side of the rock walls. A particularly nice photo opportunity is had just as one crosses over the first bridge to the left. The stream presents an (S) curve as it flows out of wooded mountains in the background. At this time the mountains were not visible.

The rain stopped around 3:30 in the afternoon. Just south of the village of Jay along route 9N is country route 52. I took this road up a long hill where it levels off among striking mountain panoramas. This is a great road to explore. It branches out in several directions; I investigated each.

Returning to Lake Placid along route 73, I had a difficult time finding the public use area for Cascade Lake. It is a very sneaky little road off the main road. Once down in the parking area the lake is like a mirror reflecting the mosaic mountains. Cascade Falls, from what I was told, does not always run; only when it rains. They should do a car commercial on route 73 between Jay and Keene. Western landscapes have nothing on this stretch of road.

I stopped in Lake Placid and indulged myself with a Tex Mex burrito for dinner. The Down Town Diner was closed and only open for breakfast and lunch.

• Wednesday, October 3rd

I awoke to another good morning and decided to hurry so that the sunrise could be captured along Adirondack Loj road. As I arrived, Mark Bowie of the Adirondack Photography Institute introduced himself. He was in the field instructing a student. We discussed some of the finer points in photography. Again, the mist blanketed the lowlands and vapors created interesting designs across the high peaks. I think that a few of the image captures created here should be top contenders.

Unfavorable weather moved in once again. I stopped at ADK Café in Keene. The Café is operated by a family team. Mother brought hot bread from the oven out into the dinning area and placed it onto a ledge to cool. Soon afterward, she returned with a sheet of yet warm chocolate chip cookies. Well, I just had to purchase a few items.

Traveling down route 73 from Keene to Hudson is Hull Road where a waterfall can be found. I worked in the rain with the umbrella and traversed some of the mountain streams. Much to my chagrin by the end of the day I not only looked like I was rode hard and put away wet – I was. Fate demands that I curl up into a fetal position and wait for death but I deny it the satisfaction.

At noon, the rain subsided and at that time, I was traveling along Blue Ridge road to Elk Lake Lodge. This location is a secret gem among the high peaks and offers dazzling views of several mountains reflecting in pristine waters. The lodge is an exclusive place to stay while visiting and comes highly recommended even if for a single nights stay. By doing so, the photographer will be in the perfect location to capture both sunrise and sunset images. Warning signs are posted all along the roadway in an effort to keep unwanted people out and to secure the solitude and peacefulness. If every tourist passing through knew about the place, it would be overrun. It is kept concealed by design. ($150/night- includes meals)

Photographic opportunities abound between the village of Newcomb and Long Lake; the potential is out of this world, but heavy mist torments me.

Long Lake has many picturesque views. A Norman Rockwell-isc church reflects in the lake. The Adirondack Hotel stands proudly in the center of town at lakeside. It is a nostalgic structure. Several haunting examples of taxidermy decorate the interior; a large standing black bear, moose head, dear, coyote, and the like. I spent too much on dinner at there restaurant but the seafood-alfrado really hit the spot after a long hard day in the rain.

Sandy Point motel is the best place I have lodge the whole trip. It was right along the lake with an open screen option giving me the feeling I was sleeping out doors. I will most definitely lodge here again next visit.

• Thursday, October 4th

After a good nights sleep I spent the morning exploring the region around Long Lake. It is a great place to find photographic opportunities. Later on, my travel plan was altered slightly to adventure down to Indian Lake. The drive down was uneventful except for e few reflecting ponds along the roadside. Upon arrival around noon, my diversion was rewarded with a great lunch. Indian Lake Restaurant is operated by a trained chief and the lunch was outstanding. The potato leek soup was delectable.
Near the hamlet of Inlet I decided to explore a dirt road leading to the great unknown. It was a gamble and after some time of bouncing around I decided to turn back.

Old Forge is a big place that comes complete with a water fun park. Plenty of motels, and other attractions. The south end of town has a few good looking motels

1. Adirondack Lodge

2. Country Club Motel that is near gas and convenience store

I continued to Remsen NY to lodge over at the Swing Inn Motel. The owner must have spilled a gallon of Febreez in the room. A dead decomposing body could have been under the bed and I would not have known it. It would have been better to lodge over in Old Forge.

• Friday, October 5th

A 6:30am departure took me down the road to a little place called Charlie’s Diner on route 5 west. Now that I have left the mountains, the sky is clear and the sun is shining.

Along route 13 is a little state park called Chittenango Falls. It features a nice waterfall. By the time, I arrived in Ithaca it was time for lunch and it was decided to try Indian. After lunch, the way to Watkins Glen was navigated. Watkins Glen is disappointing because the designated trail is high above the water features. This is a problem because it is not preferred to photograph such things from above. The shuttle does not operate during the week. Watkins Glen Lodging options might be, based on outer appearance alone:

1. Glen Motor Inn – good views of Seneca Lake

2. Villager Motel

I decided to take a self-guided tour of Seneca Lake wine country. The vast vineyards are reminiscent of the Napa Valley. Some of the winery estates are just as impressive as any in the Napa Valley. Endless rows of grape vines adorn the hillsides near the lake.

As I made my way to Dansville, several back roads were taken between Watkins Glen and Dansville. The region is home to Amish and Mennonite communities. The bucolic farmlands are picturesque but difficult to capture since the roadside is difficult to pull over. Very little room is allowed to get off the roads. The Amish are less conservative than PA Amish. Many use bicycles and power mowers as well as tractors. I arrived at Danville Logan Inn around 6pm the odometer reads 49296.

• Saturday, October 7th

The weather has finally broken into sunshine and blue skies now that I am heading home. I stopped at Jamestown for a breakfast break at a place called Lisciandro’s 207 North Main Street. The warm character of the small place made me feel like I was already home.

I decided to throw in the proverbial towel going home and did what the GPS told me to do. One thing that was noticed is that the colors seemed to have advanced significantly in a single week’s time.



Conclusion:

All in all any trip is a gamble when it comes to weather and other uncontrollable events. I would end up never going anywhere if weather reports made the decision and they are often in error. The photographer does not wish for clear skies but hopes for interesting clouds and subdued sunlight. Overcast skies would have been fine with me. However, the low hanging clouds covering the mountains with constant drizzle and bouts of rain makes practicing the art of photography exasperating.

I witnessed enough of the landscape to comprehend the possibility for outrageous splendor among the Adirondack Mountains. Based upon this visit I will most definitely return and hope that when I do the dice will come up in my favor.

After reviewing the images that I did manage to capture the trip was not by any stretch of the imagination a total loss. I managed to create a few whoppers in spite of fates demands. Any photographer worth his or her salt will do the same.

Louisiana Vacation June 2012

My sister, two nieces, nephew and I decided to enjoy our summer vacation in Southern Louisiana. I was happy to make an appreciated contribution.

Saturday, June 9^th

Our flight with Air Trans Airways was uneventful but the short window of time between connections caused a minor moment of stress in Atlanta.

My mercy and Dale Carnegie training helped me deal with a minor misunderstanding about the rental vehicle thus saving our vacation. A simple upgrade was easily arranged. The minivan proved to be comfortable and well appointed.

We arrived under an overcast sky that threatened inclement weather. The humidity and warmth was no worse than what Pittsburgh has to offer and was diffused with a cool breeze every so often. The weather overall was dynamic with clear blue sky’s one moment and a short rain storm the next. Navigating the city was interesting and southern hospitality greeted us upon arrival at the Quality Inn on the corner of 210 O’Keefe Ave.

The Zydeco and Cajun music festival was fun and many people danced around the stages. Three outdoor stages near the US mint building provided venues for many notable musical groups. The Creole tomato festival was also underway in the vicinity. Many different food booths offered flavorful samples of Louisiana culinary delights such as creole crawfish sausage Po-Boys.  Jackson Square and the French Market are festive. We spent a good portion of the day soaking up the music, food, and fun.

Bourbon Street and several adjacent streets within the French Quarter are polluted with all manner of wickedness. Saloons, pornography, Voodoo shops, and other unspeakable debauchery have corrupted the city. The single light that towers above it all is Saint Louise Cathedral; however it does not seem to have any appreciable effect.  Intoxicated revelers parade in the street stumbling past barely legal pornography displayed on outside walls. Virtually naked prostitutes, both female and male, exhibit themselves in doorways. The profane religion of Voodoo openly encourages fortune telling and tarot card readings in deplorable shops that proudly display desecrated crucifix. As we walked among this wretched sea of trouble I had the feeling that three angles would suddenly appear demanding that we escape away and that if we look back we would transform into a pillar of salt. Curiosity killed the cat so headlong we waded into it. I took a libation in an effort to experience the full effect. When in Rome do as the Romans do. I dared to tread where angels fear to go.

 It is not my habit to bias negatively so let me draw focus away from the depraved onto those things about New Orleans that charm its visitors. Jazz bands play music on the streets, performers show off their talents in hope to receive an appreciative coin, horse drawn buggies escort visitors on tours, the cuisine is exceptional, and artist can be found everywhere. 

Before returning to the Quality Inn we decided to appreciate a New Orleans must do, Café Du Monde at 800 Decatur Street near the River Walk market. The powder sugar was blown by the wind of the Mississippi River. The beignets and coffee were tasty. Along the river walkway one can see just how broad the Mississippi is. The wind gust felt exhilarating.

Our hotel suggested the Oceana at 739 Conti Street for dinner. The jambalaya, red beans and rice and other menu items were scrumptious; it comes recommended.

Sunday, June 16^th

I got an early start today and decided to visit the city on my own with camera in hand. The early light gazed favorably upon the city. I walked a loop down to Bourbon Street then to the Cathedral and back around to the hotel. Efforts are made by early morning work crews to clean the streets after a long night of debauchery. French bread delivery trucks make their rounds. Several diehards roamed the streets like zombies. I had just enough time to capture a few images before a tempest moved in.

After taking a few moments to appreciate the hotels complimentary breakfast we had enough time, before brunch, to explore one of the unique cemeteries of the area. Gothic, above ground, tombs are lined in rows with paths between them like a necropolis. The conditions of the tombs are hauntingly alluring.

The Court of the Two Sisters at 613 Royal Street is a landmark of New Orleans at which we enjoyed our Sunday brunch. Traversing the rain showers we arrived damp. The food selections on the buffet are both numerous and delicious but the highest marks must be given to the barbequed ribs and the bread pudding.

Since the weather was inauspicious we decided to depart the city across the shorter bridge over Lake Pontchartrain during the peak of the storm and find our base camp just outside Slidell. The property is named Jabberwocky. The bayou property is well appointed with swimming pool, boat, dock, four bedrooms, and several other amenities; although rough around the edges. Nevertheless, the accommodations are much better than a motel or hotel as they are secluded and among the natural ambiance of the bayou.  A large clan of turtles called the waters in the backyard home as did the resident alligator. After sunset, frogs and crickets made their presence well known with a symphony of music.

Monday, June 17^th

Early in the morning a stroll around the property revealed interesting observations of nature. Many oblong spiders with unusually long appendages have spun webs at strategic locations along the dock. Various wildflowers colonize the bayou and some have the appearance of hibiscus. The waters are patrolled by unseen aquatic life and on occasion a splash sends ripples across the surface. Tiny dragonflies hover precariously close to the water’s surface. Turtles, like submarines, allow the periscope of their heads to cautiously look around then dive away to their next observation sight. Reflections of flora dance emerald across the waters. Small snakes swim a zigzag pattern from one landing to the next.

A highlight of our visit was scheduled for the day and we rushed to make our appointment. The Honey Island Swamp tour set sail soon after our arrival and proved to be a rewarding experience. Our guide educated us about many details of the swamp. On call, great prehistoric beasts swim to the boat side for treats and stand tall out of the water much to the amazement of all. Various types of egret and great blue herons hunt for fish among the moss draped cypress. I captured several images.

We all enjoyed lunch at La Pines café at 1061 Robert Boulevard in Slidell. La Pines was recommended by a program called Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. It is an obscure place near the blue water tower.  All the menu items are good. I enjoyed the Prime Rib Po-Boy, red beans and rice, and cornbread. The cook came out to talk with us and was glad we stopped by. Maxine, our waitress, charmed us with her southern hospitality.

After lunch we proceeded to Fontainebleau State Park where there is a venerable oak tree of remarkable form. The trees branches flow out from the base then hang down to the ground in spectacular fashion. My nieces and nephew find a sublime splendor in the tree and celebrated a return to it.

On our return to basecamp my nephew and niece joined me in discovering where the path across the small wooden bridge leads to. We found that an outer boat dock and platform is available away from the house further out into the bayou. This setting is superior to the one near the house. The natural environment out here yields a more tranquil place to meditate on those things that truly matter in life. Sadly, distant industrial noise and cars racing down the nearby road managed to slightly spoil the ambiance. 

We all enjoyed dinner at a nearby bar called The Boil.

Tuesday, June 12^th

I got up late, around 7am, determined to take a chair to the outer dock and meditate with nature. The natural serenity was rewarding. The alligator was patrolling his territory, egrets worked on fishing, songbirds abound, and wildflowers embellish the bayou. I felt contented among the flora and fauna gazing into the water clearly viewing the sky above on its glass like surface.

Later we decided to go on a road trip to explore River Road and its numerous sugar plantations. About an hour west on River Road along the Mississippi River are several famous sugar plantations. Among them is Oak Alley plantation where a long alley from the main gate to the front door, about 100+ yards, is sagacious oak trees set at equal distant positions creating a tunnel like pattern. Entrance fees are costly and we decided to turn away to explore a less costly alternative nearby.

The Saint Joseph plantation is less opulent but all the more authentic. Some of the original slave quarters remain. The plantation is 5^th generation family owned and operated and is still producing sugarcane to date. Sugarcane fields are as abundant here as are corn fields back home. Poignant reminders of slave conditions are on exhibit.  An ominous storm chased us back into the SUV and we proceeded to explore further heading back into New Orleans. Our goal was to try Parkway Bakery famous for Po-Boys for lunch but we found it closed on a Tuesday afternoon.  We optioned to patronize another landmark restaurant called Mothers at 401 Poydras Street.  Mothers Restaurant was unimpressive and the cost was an unfair trade. I will give them credit for the sweet potato pie as it was tasty for breakfast the next morning.

After our late lunch it was decided to explore sin city again. I always thought Las Vegas had exclusive rights to the label “sin city” but its sin is dwarfed by the Big Easy. Visiting the Voodoo shops again made me feel like I might be struck down by lighting at any moment but I dared fate and explored them nevertheless. I walked about the shop as if on pins and needles fearful to look or to touch but did so anyway.

Prostitutes beckoned in their G-strings as drunks stumbled around. Entertainers of all sorts can also be found in the streets. A youth painted silver performed along with jazz musicians. A four member singing group sang a song for us. A  Saxophonist plays near the cathedral.

Wednesday, June 13^th

I arrived at the outer dock this morning around 6am. Sunrise painted the sky with subtle hues of tangerine and magenta. These colors reflected in the still waters as crickets and song birds harmonized. Altocumulus clouds created an abstract masterwork above. I sat down and enjoyed Mothers sweet potato pie. Unlike midday the temperatures during the morning hours are pleasant. The alligator patrols for breakfast as he did yesterday morning. The ubiquitous red winged black bird proudly chants his familiar song in a cypress very close to me as if I was not present.

I allowed myself to be distracted by reading Steinbeck’s “Travels with Charley”. Steinbeck is a favorite ever since I read “The Grapes of Wrath”. The book is a narrative of his solo road trip across America with his dog Charley. It gives me a foggy insight as to what I might expect should I realize my dream of following his example one day.

The Spanish moss becomes illuminated by celestial firelight making them seem ethereal among the green flora across the bayou. Reflections are surreal because the water is so perfectly calm.

As the cosmic fireball approached height I retreated back to the shade of the house. The remainder of the day, for me, was fruitless. It is uncommon for me to spend even one day without a full schedule of places to see and things to do when on a photography vacation. Each and every day is well spent doing things that cannot be duplicated back home. My fishing prowess has been proven so I had little desire to fish off the back porch. Swimming in the pool was another option but for some odd reason it did not appeal to me this day. I finally decided to go on a short road trip alone and found little that was photogenic.

Later that evening we enjoyed dinner at a very busy place called Southside Café at 3154 Pontchartrain Drive. The place was hopping with bikers and locals. The food was good. We ordered the works, catfish, crawfish, alligator, and shrimp. It seems that each place we have tried has its own top rated food. At the Oceana it was the Jambalaya and red beans, Mothers had blameless pie, Two Sisters had appetizing Ribs and bread pudding, La Pines had savory cornbread and hushpuppies, Southside has delectable catfish.

Thursday, June 14^th

We all took to the road early on our way to Lafayette. We stopped at Baton Rouge to explore LSU campus. The university grounds are interesting.

On a whim, we decided to try out a nearby diner for a late breakfast. Louie’s Café at 209 West State Street is a rough around the edges greasy spoon but oh so good. The home fries are special and the cooks are fun to watch as they cook your food on open grills without any reservations when it comes to butter and oil.

Our goal in traveling a few hours west was to experience another recommended swamp tour. McGee’s Landing in Henderson was featured on Jamie Oliver’s American Road Trip. He featured them as he helped them put their place back together again post-Katrina.  The place was difficult to find because it is located along a levee were on one side is the road and the other side is the swamp & property. With the help of cell phones and the GPS we managed to find the place. The swamp tour was uniquely interesting in that it covered a vast area where all the red cypress were harvested allowing none to remain. The species is now extinct because of thoughtless human avarice. Although we recently fed, it was decided to partake of at least one or two menu items from McGee’s.

Lafayette was disappointing because we arrived after hours and neglected to arrange for a music festival. It seems that the location is famous for Cajun music festivals and down home Acadian culture but not at the hour or day of our visit. Lesson learned; sharpen up your research skills for next time. We had lots of time to kill before we went to dinner so we explored the area. As we journeyed down Louisiana roads we found full lots of empty government trailers that were used to help displaced people after Katrina. They are nothing but waste now because of toxic chemicals off gassing from the materials. They are like a trailer ghost town.

Just outside Lafayette is a famous eatery called Prejean’s and our plan was to have dinner there.  Prejean’s is a local favorite and was recommended by a recently visited roadside shop owner. A small Cajun music group played very close to our table. We enjoyed several different menu offerings and took our time digesting them as the music played on.

On our return trip back to Jabberwocky a vivid and stunning double rainbow appeared in the sky.

Friday, June 15^th

After a peaceful visit to the outer dock I decided to make the best of the day by adding music at poolside and jumping into the water. We had a fun time and then relished local pastry shop delights. The others spent time fishing and relaxing around the house. We later collected a plethora of leftover food we took home with us over the past week and warmed it up in the oven then selected bits and pieces for dinner; waste not want not.

Saturday, June 16^th

Our last day in Louisiana was spent cleaning up and packing up. We had most of the day and decided to visit La Pines Café one more time for lunch. We then returned to New Orleans and shopped for last minute souvenirs. Afterward a visit to another necropolis at the far end of Canal Street proved interesting.  Near the airport is the community of Kenner. A favorite eatery called Harbor Seafood and Oyster Bar adjacent to Fisherman’s Cove seafood grocery on the corner of 3201 Williams Boulevard is the place for our last dinning send off from the Deep South.  We all relished the crawfish boil, hushpuppies, and alligator bites.  The SUV was returned and our flight departed soon afterward.

Summary

Although Louisiana and the Bayou has its charms they are dwarfed in comparison to other regions of this great land we call home. Few high impact landscapes or imposing vistas only the sublime ambiance of nature in the bayou if one is lucky enough to discover a place of solitude to enjoy it.  Perhaps I have become spoiled by mountains and vast landscapes that stun rather than extend a subtle embrace. From what I could see, attractions other than New Orleans, swamp tours, fishing, eating, voodoo, and music festivals are not obviously available. I must credit the bayou to be a tranquil place to meditate nature, something that I neglect to do when on fast paced photography trips.

New Orleans is Americas Gomorrah with alluring charms of music and cuisine to entice the curious into its web. A sense of wrongdoing overshadowed my short sojourn. I will not make the mistake that Lot’s wife did in departing from it.

The renowned cuisine, in so far as I was exposed to it, was marginally notable. A Po-boy is a glorified sandwich, fried foods abound and are difficult to avoid, and many items are overly seasoned.

The Deep South was an interesting place to visit but I would not want to live there.