Category: Travel / Nature Blog

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GET AWAY

With snow blanketing much of the eastern US and midwest, and rain pummeling the west, Americans are thinking about escaping to a warmer climate. Out of all my favorite tropical destinations: Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, the South Pacific and Australia, none could be dearer to my heart than Oz (well, maybe Tahiti and New Zealand are closer in certain ways).

Yeah, mate, that continent down under offers more culture, activities and sightseeing opportunities than any other. It also has some of the prettiest cities in the world and miles of isolated beaches. Not to mention fantastic seafood. Our winter is their summer too, so you are guaranteed good weather. Despite current flooding conditions in parts of central Queensland, most major roads and tourism destinations are accessible and open to visitors along the coast. Continue reading “”

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CABO

Just returned from a photo shoot/vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with my wife and a Leica rangefinder. What a great place to relax and escape the cold of winter. Situated on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, it’s within easy reach of the Western US and accessible via most major airlines. Sandy beaches, low humidity and sunny skies virtually all year round means this is a dependable Mexican destination. If you are into sport fishing, golf or scuba diving – it’s a best bet tropical location. Continue reading “”

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THE PROBLEM WE ALL LIVE WITH

In 1960 racial tension was building in the South as desegregation of the school systems was being hotly contested in places like New Orleans. There, a very young African American student named Ruby Bridges was heckled daily for being the first to cross the line between black and white schools. 50 years ago today she made those first brave steps protected by a team of federal marshals. John Steinbeck was present and documented the scene in his travelogue, Travels with Charley in Search of America. Just a handful of white parents decided to keep their children in the same school early on, but the number of supporters grew and and the protests slowly began to fade. Continue reading “”

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Fall is a great time to photograph kids in costume, pumpkins, and scarecrows, as well as catch the last of the colored leaves. Fog and decay can be be fascinating things to witness in nature, and late October/early November can be the best time to make pictures of these transitory phenomena. Continue reading “”

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ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA

The annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta concludes this weekend. The first week in October in New Mexico provides a colorful moving picture show of over 600 hot air balloons sailing silently against the contrasting fall sky. This event is a premier photo opportunity and the largest hot air balloon festival in the world, now in it’s 38th year. Be sure and check out the mass ascension at sunrise. Then yum down some southwest cuisine in nearby Santa Fe… Continue reading “”

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50 YEARS AFTER : JOHN STEINBECK’S GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP

In the early morning hours of September 23rd 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a hero’s journey with his wife’s French poodle Charley by his side. With the knowledge that he was dying, Steinbeck drove his camper truck onto the Sag Harbor, Long Island ferry and headed out into the great unknown intent on rediscovering America. He traveled to New England, then turned west to Niagara Falls, Chicago and on towards Seattle. He eventually criss-crossed much of the United States, experiencing first hand the protests of desegregation in Louisiana and returning home to New York in time for Christmas. Continue reading “”

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TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO TIPS

In a couple of days I’m presenting an overview of travel photography to students at The Art Institute of Seattle. I’ve included my outline here for those who are interested:

1. Introduction

Choosing a destination – Research
Packing light – Pacing yourself, staying healthy

2. The Essential Ingredients

Culture: People, Crafts, Events, Recreation & Food
Architecture: Icons, Skylines, Attractions & Aerials
Geography: Landscape, Weather, Flora & Fauna

Continue reading “”

MORE IN THE NEWS

OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER MAGAZINE ARTICLE : 50 YEARS AFTER “TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY”

The current September 2010 issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine contains a five page article of my photographs covering my twelve year, 150,000 mile journey following John Steinbeck’s 1960 route from his travelogue Travels with Charley in Search of America. Read the whole story here!

outdoorphotographer.com: travels-with-charley

Continue reading “”

IN THE MAIL AND ON THE NEWS STAND:

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EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE FEATURES :
RICH LAMBERT AND RAY MCEVOY

The October 2010 issue of Excellence magazine features my text and photos on two early 911s: Rich Lambert’s white ’66 (above) and Ray McEvoy’s red real ’73 RS. These are both stunning machines. If you are a hot rod or Porsche fan, you can check them out here: Continue reading “”

STEINBECK EXHIBIT

Just home from two weeks away on a very rewarding trip. I want to thank all the people involved with making my exhibit and film at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas a success: Colleen Bailey, Deborah Silguero, Paul Van de Carr, Thom and Gail Steinbeck, Susan Shillinglaw, McIntosh & Otis, Tony Straka, James Johnston, Kurt Henze, and last but not least my wife, Andrea Wells. Thanks also to Curtis Autenreith and Chuck Miller for their support. Continue reading “”

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30TH ANNUAL STEINBECK FESTIVAL

“Journeys – Steinbeck Around the World”

Thursday, August 5th – Sunday, August 8th
NATIONAL STEINBECK CENTER, SALINAS CALIFORNIA
“We do not take a trip. A trip takes us.” –John Steinbeck

This coming weekend, set out for the open road.
Your destination: The world – today and at key moments in history, with John Steinbeck as your guide. Eat, drink, and dream of far horizons. Go behind the Iron Curtain in the 1960s and wander through Moscow, Krakow, Budapest. Stand at the Berlin Wall. Visit Rome, Paris, and Mexico. See literary landmarks around the globe. Drive through the Badlands of North Dakota with a poodle just like Steinbeck did 50 years ago. Create your own journey. Continue reading “”

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HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Here’s wishing you safe travels and the freedom to do what you want today.

Some American quotes:

“The United States are essentially the greatest poem.” – Walt Whitman

“Each generation of Americans has to face circumstances not of its own choosing, by which its character is measured and its spirit tested.” – Jimmy Carter

“The great social adventure of America is no longer the conquest of the wilderness but the absorption of fifty different peoples.” – Walter Lippmann Continue reading “”

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OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER ARTICLE

The September 2010 issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine will present a five page article with my photographs titled “50 Years After Travels With Charley.” This feature will cover my twelve year, 150,000 mile journey following John Steinbeck’s route from his 1962 travelogue. My book agent is contacting prospective publishers about my work-in-progress project, which celebrates the publication of Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley in Search of America fifty years later. Continue reading “”

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HIDDEN WILDS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

In my travels I sometimes come across a slice of Americana so remote and hard to get to that it remains essentially unchanged from earlier times. As you might imagine, locations like this are becoming increasingly scarce. The only thing that keeps these communities isolated from progress are roads so treacherous that transport along them is ill-advised.

I recently came across such a location on my last trip to California. Continue reading “”