The Road Less Traveled

So it’s been a few months since I went to visit some friends up in Vancouver BC, but let me just say – WOW.  Olympics or not, what a wonderful place to vacation.   I’d been to Vancouver a few times in the past, but it must have been overcast, because I certainly don’t remember it being as amazingly beautiful as it was this time.   The views from town down practically every street corridor look out over water and mountains.   But it was getting out of town where I took some of my favorite shots.

One of my friends and I took a trip up the Sea to Sky highway as far as Squamish, a small town half way to the ski fields of Whistler.  They have clearly been investing in this highway, as it was spiffy new with great rest stops and photo ops all along the way in both directions.

First we followed the signs to their local skatepark.  While not a skater myself, I’m quite involved in Portland’s growing skatepark system at my day job for Portland Parks & Recreation.   So, I have gotten into the habit of going to see skateparks when I tour around places.

The little town of Squamish has a skatepark tucked away in the back of beyond (which from a siting perspective, is not a great idea for many reasons, but that’s a topic for another time on a different blog).  But the location is stunning.  Not many skateparks can boast such beautiful surrounds as this one.

Who wouldn't be inspired by this backdrop?

Squamish as a town simply sits in one of the most beautiful locations imaginable.  After some wonderful homemade coffee cake at one of the groovy coffee shops, I wandered across the railroad tracks to check out the evening light reflecting off the granite mountains that loom over town.

You get a feel for the industrial flavor of this rugged town from this riverfront view.

This was a town that invites one to stop and linger.   Who needs to get to Whistler anyhow.  Just wander down one of the side streets, or stop and enjoy a cuppa with a fresh pastry.  The slopes will be there when you’re done.

For those of you not living here in Portland, we’ve got a pretty mild climate.  We get rain in the winter, with the occasional cold snap.  Maybe snow or freezing rain every third winter or so.  (Last winter’s Snowpocalypse, as my friend Sarah called it, does not count.)  But right now, along with much of the country, we’re going through a pretty harsh cold snap.

However (this is not a weather report) one of the great things about this particular cold snap has been how clear and beautiful it’s been.

On a clear day in Portland, the mountain is out.  When we say that locally it means Mt. Hood is visible.  (In fact, there are three volcanic peaks that one can see on a good day from Portland – Mt. Hood to the west, Mt. Saint Helens to the north, and Mt. Adams farther to the east in Washington State.  But I digress.)

The other afternoon rushing from one meeting to the next, atop one of my favorite local parking garages I snapped this photo of the lovely Mt. Hood with the Hawthorne Bridge in the foreground.   Mt. Hood was radiant with its new blanket of snow.  Such a treat.

Can you just feel the crisp breeze blowing across the Willamette River here?

Calendars!

As some of you may recall, I created a calendar of New Zealand last year.  Well this year – I’ve got one of Ireland to share with everyone.  Filled with photos from my May 2009 trip to Ireland – my first trip specifically to focus on photography – it’s got some of my favorite images from my time there.  Click here (then click on the Featured Gallery) to see all the images that are included in my calendar.

Front cover of my 2010 Ireland:Quiet Corners calendar

Here are a few of the images featured in this calendar…

Tempted?

Calendars are printed on FSC Certified environmental paper.   They cost $15 each, plus shipping and handling .  If you are interested in buying one (or more) just send me a message using the Contact tab above, or click here.

(By the way – this was the project I was working on when I gave a sneak preview back in September.)

A few other news tidbits:

Subscribe to my blog!

For those of you new to blogs – you can subscribe to my blog (get an e-mail notice when a new post is made) if you put your e-mail address in the “Subscribe” box below and to the right.  (NO spam – I promise.  And you can unsubscribe at any time.  The process is completely private.   Even I don’t get to know who has subscribed – just how many people are on the list.)

I have Photo Cards !

I’m also happy to share the debut of note cards featuring my photography.  I’ll be putting together some packaged sets, or you can make one of your own from your favorite photos (search my Gallery for any photos that you might like).  For more information about these, see the new Prints, Cards & Calendars tab at the top of this page.

Harvest time along the Fruit Loop

I don’t like to say that any one season is my favorite, but I have to say that this particular fall has been especially beautiful.  I’ve been taking advantage of the fall colors to go out and practice my photography.   So recently I spent a wet weekend day driving the Fruit Loop with a new photography buddy, Brian. (Check out some of his stellar work here.)   For the uninitiated, the Fruit Loop is a 35 mile circuit through orchards, wineries, farms and fabulous fall colors starting in Hood River, Oregon.   (Read on after the break…) Read more