Michael

Looking Out from Mt. Holyoke

I was up in Northamptom, MA today doing some geocaching, hiking and photography. It was a nice overcast day which meant that the colors were evenly lighted and the trails were cool.

Most of the morning was spent on Mt. Holyoke which is in Skinner State Park near Hadley, MA. The mountain itself is a little over 900 feet high but rises very quickly, so the trails to the summit are quite steep.

What a great day to be walking through the deciduous forests of New England. Color was everywhere. Squirrels were busily getting ready for the winter. Hawks circled looking for prey. The sound of leaves falling was everywhere.

Fall continues to be my favorite season. I typically start up in New Hampshire to see the color and then get to enjoy it for several weeks as it slowly moves down south as the cool air becomes the norm.

Please view my other photos for the day (4 photos).

Hope your day was nice!

Michael

A Piece of Sabaday Falls

I wandered this morning along the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest.

It was an absolutely beautiful day; partly cloudy with patches of sun that lit the surrounding mountains. I was in the mood for waterfalls and went to my favorite place called Sabaday Falls.

This is a stunning waterfall that cascades down a basalt fissure sandwiched between two huge granite slabs. The falls are estimated to be about 10,000 years old and formed during the last Ice Age melt.

Sabaday Falls is never disappointing. I have photographed here for quite some time. I suspect that I will continue to come here.

Years ago a very close friend told me that angels can frequently be found around waterfalls. I tend to believe this as the healing power of this place is quite amazing. By healing power, I mean the sense of well-being and tranquility that fills your body, emotions, mind and spirit. I suspect that there is one really powerful angel residing here.

Have a great day!

Michael

P.S. Here are some links to my best of New Hampshire 2008 photos:

New Hampshire October 5th, 2008 (3 photos)

New Hampshire October 6th, 2008 (7 photos)

Albany Covered Bridge

I decided to go up to New Hampshire and see some fall color. It’s become an annual trip. I really love the entire White Mountain region and the Kancamagus Highway.

The region is rich in flora, fauna, dramatic scenery and idyllic settings. Hiking trails are abundant as are the waterfalls.

I relish the color, geology and history of the White Mountain National Forest. It seems that every year I discover something new or something I hadn’t experienced before.

But, really I come back every year because of the deep feeling of contentment I get from wandering among the trails, roads and streams. This is probably my favorite area on the east coast. Yosemite would be my favorite on the west coast. Vastly different but both are enormously powerful in the effect they have on my very soul.

Birch Trees

My favorite place to stay is at the Red Sleigh Inn Bed & Breakfast in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Loretta and Bill own and operate this quaint New England B&B.

I come back every time because their customer service is outstanding. The breakfasts they serve in the mornings will last for hours if you can finish it.

The Red Sleigh Inn is popular throughout the year and is very close to several ski resorts. I highly recommend it.

My two favorite trees up here are the red maple and the birch tree. This is the second year I have taken the birch trees on the right. They can be found at a popular vista viewing area along the Kancamagus Hwy. Sometimes it is hard for me to tell if this is a painting or a photograph. The bark does interesting things in the light.

They are just one of thousands of nature’s treasure nuggets that can be found all over this area. Every season has something to offer. You shouldn’t miss any of them.

I’ll continue tomorrow in my wandering exploration off the Kancamagus. Who knows what I might find around the next bend.

Have a great day!

Michael

My last full day in Oregon was overcast with a forecast of rain getting increasingly heavier as the day progressed. I was in a leisurely mood this morning and left around 10:00 a.m. My goal was less about photography today than it was about geocaching and hiking.

I traveled about 25 miles southeast of Portland between the towns of Viola and Estacada. I spent most of the day in the Milo McIver State Park. This is a wonderful place full of interesting animals, plants, geology and other recreational opportunities.

I walked and geocached for several hours here. Here’s the thing. It was raining the entire time. Non stop! Steady and unrelenting rain. So, what was I to do. Go back to my hotel and sit in my room. Nope. That’s just not me.

I adapt. I’m here in a state that is known for it’s rain. It’s part of what makes Oregon, Oregon. So, why would I miss out on this opportunity to experience the state’s natural surroundings in one of its natural states?

So, I donned my raincoat for a mile long hike in a meadow and forest area. I had to use my umbrella the rest of the time. It turned out to be an incredible journey. I saw very few people which meant it was just me and the forest. I saw a deer. I got stung by a yellow jacket in the belly of all places. I got half drenched with rain. I found trees with foliage so dense that the rain couldn’t reach the ground. I hung out there and enjoyed the reprise from the rain for a few minutes.

Later in the day, I drove south and visited my cousin and her family. I haven’t seen them for two years.

I think there are two lessons from my trip today. First, don’t let anything stop you from doing what you want to do. Weather, people, events, beliefs and etc. should not be used as an excuse to stop you from fulfilling your desires. Secondly, try to find a way to enjoy whatever is coming your way. That’s what life is all about. Go with it. Extract as much happiness as you can out of every single moment you are breathing.

Hope you had a great day! If not, try again to tomorrow until you get it right.

Michael

Multnomah Falls

What a day! I traveled slowly along the Historic Columbia River Hwy stopping here and there, exploring the vistas from high up and viewing the many waterfalls dotting the cliffs.

It truly is a magical place. Geologically, this area is rich with a history of massive lava flows, repeated over millions of years. Evidence remains in the form of huge basalt cliffs, strange rocks, hills, valleys and unusual erosion patterns.

At Multnomah Falls you can see this geologic record. Multiple layers of basalt, one on top of another, rise up forming the cliffs that Multnomah Creek falls over turning into the 620 foot high Multnomah Falls.

I spent the entire day mostly photographing waterfalls and enjoying the splendor of this region. I had a basic plan, but I really tried to let things happen so that I could find and thus experience places I didn’t know existed before today.

I have really been trying to work on this aspect of living. Letting things happen. Keeping my eyes open. Relaxing into the flow of what my life is turning out to be. Not judging myself too harshly or not at all. Not planning too much. Being relaxed and happy in as many moments as possible in a day.

In other words, just viewing my life as a journey; no goals, no destination, no expectations other than to be happy.

Have a great day!

Michael

Sunset at Ecola State Park

I’m in Oregon this week on a photographic tour. I spent most of the day on the coast around the Cannon Beach and Seaside areas. I haven’t been here for over 10 years. It’s so nice to be back.

The Oregon coast is phenomenal. I can spend hours watching the huge waves roll one after another into the shore. I especially like to watch them from the cliffs that tower above the beaches.

I took the sunset photo at Ecola State Park near the Sea Lion Rocks. It’s funny because I was dreaming of a beautiful sunset all day. Most of the day was hazy and partly cloudy. I continued to see a great sunset in my imagination.

Low and behold about 2 hours before sunset, I started to see the clouds open up and then separate above the horizon in the distance. So, all I had to do was to show up at the place I had picked to photograph the beautiful colors.

I had traveled all the way across the country to photograph a sunset on the west coast, specifically in this exact place. The forecast is rain over the next two days, so I knew my “chance” for the sunset was today.

Tidbit: The sunset at Cannon Beach was even mentioned on the local news this evening. Cool!

Everything worked out perfect.

Michael

Fall is definitely on its way. The fall equinox occurred on Sept. 22nd, but for me it’s a certain feeling and smell in the air. The air is changing; a little cooler and somehow lighter.

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I absolutely love the fall color change here in New England. I go up to the White Mountains of New Hampshire just about every year to try and capture the color spectacle that happens around the Columbus Day holiday.

You just never know what will occur. Some years are better than others. It’s due to a perfect combination of cold night air and how much rain falls during this time. For me though, even in the years that others are complaining about the subdued colors, I’m as close to heaven as you can get here on earth.

I’m able to find certain plants and areas that have vivid colors. The photo above was taken in a year that the colors were “bad.” It’s all in your perspective.

I say that fall is my favorite season, but frankly I love all seasons. For me it’s the change between each that is so enjoyable.

Have a great day!

Michael

Newport Sunset 1

I don’t know what you could say about a day in which you have seen four beautiful sunsets. - John Glenn

Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven. - John Lubbock

Today was about as perfect a day as any I’ve had. I’m working with a company that helps you to prepare and update resumes, market yourself, improve your interview skills and help you narrow your focus of companies to search for potential jobs.

I found out today that this company also does counseling in the areas of being a consultant and/or starting a company from scratch. Both of those options are what I’m really interested in.

During one of the resume classes today, I met a lady that has all many of the skill sets and contacts that I need to allow me to do research on a particular start up company I have in mind. In fact, she will be able to help me answer three of my most important questions. Cost to me: ZERO. She is happy to help.

Newport Sunset 2

I also gained confirmation that another friend/acquaintance of mine, who has high level marketing experience in the industry I’m looking at, is willing to help me in any way she can in my new endeavor. Cost: ZERO. Unbelievable!

When I walked out of the training session today, a large red-tailed hawk was circling about 50+ feet above my head. Red-tailed hawks are my favorite bird on the planet. I was able to watch him for about 10 minutes.

The day continued with one wonderful surprise after another; some big, some little. It didn’t matter at that point.

Then, at the end of the day, I was able to see one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve seen in months. Quality of color: Exceptional. Quality of cloud formations: Exceptional. I only had my point and shoot camera, but I did the best I could to capture it. (Note: both photos are of the same sunset today.)

The rest of the time I spent enjoying what I was seeing.

It really was a day to remember for me.

Michael

Lupine

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul. - Luther Burbank

Flowers are one of nature’s ways to help adjust our attitudes. Most people are instantly distracted from their negative thoughts and attitudes when viewing flowers. We use them to show our feelings to others, help people recover from illnesses and to celebrate special events. But many of us just want to have their beauty as part of our household for no reason other than pure enjoyment.

The hybrid lupine at the left is a very special flower for me and a very close friend of mine. Six years ago, my friend was very sick. In fact she had only a few days of life remaining. I went to visit her in the hospital but stopped at her house first. When I went into the backyard, I saw this lupine blooming. It had never bloomed before. So, I took the photo and printed out a copy for her. She placed it over her bed to help her connect with her home and better times. The flower photo also helped to make her smile more.

Several days later she finally received the treatment she had needed for several months. It saved her life.

This flower has never bloomed again.

Michael

My Daughter at the Top

My daughter, her boyfriend and I hiked to the top of Lembert Dome yesterday. Lembert Dome sits on the eastern side of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite.

Our 2.8 mile (4.5 km) hike started at 8500 foot elevation (2550 meters) and rapidly climbed to 9400 feet (2825 meters). If it hadn’t been for my daughter giving continual words of encouragement, I might still be walking to the top.

It was quite difficult for me due to two things: 1) I wasn’t used to the altitude and 2) I’m not in that great of shape at the moment. So, I made it by focusing on 75 yards at a time. It was a tough one but well worth it when we got to the top. The wind was blowing quite hard which made it difficult to hold on to hats and things.

Me at the Top

If you look at the photo on the top left, you will see a sliver of road on the bottom right. The small green trees surrounding the road are full grown pine trees; i.e. 70 - 100 feet high. It was like being on the top of the world. We could literally see for miles.

We stayed for a little while, but the wind was getting harder and it seemed to be turning colder, so we decided it was time to walk back down.

I had a challenge coming down. As I was trying to find the best route down along the sloping face, I ended up going too far down and missed the turn for the trail. I then had to climb back up to the correct path. I found that incredibly difficult due to the altitude. My daughter and her boyfriend were getting concerned because they hadn’t seen me in a while. He came back down and found me sitting on the side of the mountain trying to catch my breath. How embarrassing! With his help I got back to the path to get off the dome.

After that the hike down was much easier. My daughter and I saw a mule deer and two osprey on the way up which added something special to the hike.

The lesson for the day was that if we are reaching for a big goal (hiking to the top of Lembert Dome for example), sometimes the best way to get there is just one step at a time. Don’t look to far ahead. Keep your focus on the goal but keep your attention on the next step.

Have a great day!

Michael