lol. Good to have you back. Humor, it seems to me, is the essence of groups like this. At least at times. -Lon
jerome wrote:
After driving around the country semi-aimlessly for just over a month (about six weeks I think), I finally arrived back "home" to Atlanta. Can't exactly call it home since I no longer have a residence here... but I now realize more than ever that despite my prior reluctance to calling it home, over 10 years Atlanta has become everything that is familiar to me. And Man, it's good to be back!
In short, the trip was phenomenal. This country (USA) has so much to see, it's incredible. I spent significant time in 3 of the dubya's (Wisconsin, Washington, and Wyoming), as well as Montana, South Dakota, Illinios and Minnesota. Also passed thru about 5 or 6 other states, but didn't get to venture off the highway much in those locations. I'm told by family that photo mailers have already started to trickle in (I mailed as I exposed), so any worthwhile photos (?) should start popping up on my website in a week or two.
But herein lies the problem with not ever having been anywhere: I was so awestruck by the beauty of most of these places that I occasionally fell into a stupor (okay, moreso than usual) and found myself more inclined to just sit there and soak up the atmosphere rather than trying to capture it on film. So I didn't burn Nearly as many rolls as I thought I would. I'd guess that I still have about 40 unexposed rolls in the boot... but when I did shoot, I at least strived for a notch or two above "vacation photo" status. But in hindsight, I'm thinking that far too many of my shots were too cliche / typical shots... Either way, I'll find out just how bad it was once I return up north and rip the boxes open.
In Pentax news, I met a handful of non-list pentax users (all amateurs, or slightly advanced) on the road and pointed quite a few of them to the PDML, so they are likely lurking out there somewhere. Accordingly, I hope that you all have been on your best behavior... though I doubt that very seriously.
Thanks again to Jim M., Mark R., and Maris L. for letting me crash at their pads when needed. Much appreciated.
Lastly, 10 Random blurbs about my trip:
1. Yellowstone was a disappointment. I enjoyed the other national parks much more.
2. I bumped into a lone Bison (almost quite literally) during a 10 mile trek thru Wyoming woods. After deciding that he sufficiently scared the @#&! out of me, he decided to keep going and surprisingly kept the trail while letting me tag along. We hiked together for about 2 miles before he turned off trail and went his own way. Great conversationalist. An experience of a lifetime.
3. Elks do serious damage to cars (and people!... but mostly dumb tourists). Especially during mating season. Herds of pronghorns are also fun to watch and photograph... but if you kill the engine to reduce vibrations while shooting from the window, make SURE that you also turn off your headlights. either that, or deal with a dead car battery in the middle of Nowhere, Wyoming. Not fun. Just trust me on that one.
4. With 8 stitches needed after just 1 week on the road, I learned that tree branches are just as deadly as mountain lions.
5. I got to Minneapolis just in time to see the Yanks beat up on the Twins... and then to Chicago in time to hang out all night with (absolutely crazy) cub fans for a couple of nights. Man, the electricity! Cub fans are great!
6. Custer State Park (SD) is beautiful. But that president-face-in-the-mountain thing, was a bore for me. Devil's tower was suprisingly interesting, however.
7A. Film is very much alive and kicking, seeming to outnumber the digicams in most of my touristy locations by about 20 to 1.
7B. Disposible cameras will never die.
8. Despite what the spedometer says, 4-door Honda Civic filled with cargo tops out at about 97mph.
9. Birds in national parks will steal the food right out of your mouth.. literally! I found out the hard way, and it scared the hell out of me.
10. It's nice to be back... but I now have the travel bug in a serious way. It won't be long before I set those tires spinning again. Just over 10,000 miles logged on this trip alone.
oh... one more! An 82mm Hoya HMC Circular Polarizer can bounce three times during a decent down a cliff before the glass shatters.
It's nice to be back. I hope all has been well. Best regards, - jerome
