These bridges which have largely been replaced in much of the lower 48 are spotted all over BC, the Yukon and Alaska. I found them to be very picturesque. (Except the ones with rail surfaces that cause the trailer to skitter across.)
Breathe /
Just a stop along the highway in central AK. This was a surprising aspect to me, that the scenery was not driving to a park, seeing amazing stuff and then drive to another park to see amazing stuff. Beautiful views were everywhere and sometimes it was good to just stop and walk a bit and take it in. We are about 50 yards off the highway on a ridge somewhere south of Fairbanks.
Stellar /
I like to see, hear, watch cars of all sorts; old, newer, racing, sports cars, model cars, show cars, etc. But I rarely like automobile museums. They are often poorly lit, crowded, you can often get only one perspective on the cars because of how they are displayed and generally just not a great experience. Exceptions are the Peterson in LA and to a lesser extant the AACA in Hershey, Pennsylvania. And, of all place, Fairbanks, AK., Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum. Not only are the cars (late 1800’s to late 1930’s extra nice, kept running, unique examples, well displayed so you can walk around the cars, good lighting and, as a bonus, vintage clothes that match the era, style of car and even complementing the color. This 1933 – Auburn Model 12-161A Custom Boattail Speedster, one of the more beautiful cars ever made, was matched with the stunning silver-threaded cocktail dress from the same era. This theme was repeated across the exhibits. Or as they like to say, the Treads and Threads exhibit. I’ll post some more of these occasionally. One thing is clear walking around this exhibit we are lacking both in color and style in modern automobiles! Comfort, durability, safety are welcome but why give up striking colors and a bit of glitz & glamor? And don’t bring up the boring interior color choices!
Pattern /
Ceiling on the covered porch at the George Eastman house in Rochester, NY. Spectacular house, a bit disappointing as a photography museum. At least the time I was there, little display of photos and the ones featured were not a type I thought very interesting. Liked the old cameras and the display of movie film fixers.
Throwback /
This shot is NOT from Alaska trip. Last week I was in Elizabeth City to attend the MACU trustee’s meeting. On my way back to the hotel after day one, I spotted a 48/49 beautiful Cadillac just pulling into a parking spot on an alley just off the Main Street. I drove a block further and thought why did I drive by that, turned around, parked and grabbed the camera. I shot several of the full car from the opposite sidewalk and then I saw the sunset glowing in the finish on the trunk, instant classic.
Show Honor to Whom Honor is Due /
With a free and grateful heart.
Change /
Sunset on the Reindel Farm in North Dakota. The wind turbines overshadow the fuel storage tanks.
“I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6a NLT
Faint /
This rainbow was in Denali National Park as showers popped all around us.
Berg Lake /
Actually it is not berg lake but Grewingk Glacier that fills the lake of the same name. This is located across the bay from Homer AK in Kachemak Bay State Park. To get here you hire a water taxi and they drop you off on the rocky beach about 3/4 mile from the trail head in our case because of the tide. The trail is 3 miles to the lake but pretty flat. Deep green forsest gives way to light alder trees as you get close to the lake. There were many small bergs floating on the lake. We then took a different trail back to another spot where we would be picked up. It too was about three miles long but decidedly not flat. Then when we descended to the water we were faced with about 1/4 mile of very narrow rocky beach to get to the boat. A nice day and pleasant hike.
Reputation /
We are told that driving in / to Alaska can be difficult and hard on your vehicle. Our truck did very well, hardly any issues for the whole trip - and it still looks great!
Space /
This view is from a trail at the Whitman Mission, a National Park unit, in Southeastern Washington. It is taken from just off the Oregon Trail.
Thanks, TR! /
No one did more to protect American land than Theodore Roosevelt during his presidency in the early 1900’s. He was not the first choice to be on Mount Rushmore but appropriate for his conservancy alone.
Make Monday Bearable /
This grizzly is at Lake Clark NP in Chinitna Bay at the southern end of the park.
Just a View /
On our way to Devils Tower Monument we passed this waterfall in the distance. I liked the white cloud drifting past.
“You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind.” Psalm 104:3 NLT
Structure /
Devils Tower in Wyoming is not a solid rock but is made up of scores of tubes, slightly hexagonal or pentagon with a few other shapes. We were told by the ranger that the tubes are not even secured to each other. Occasionally one falls, occasionally like several hundred years ago for the last one to fall, and they can leave the upper portion of the tube. From this angle those tubes are emphasized.
Midway /
This was taken at about the halfway point on a 2 or three mile walk we took on a trail in the Badlands of South Dakota. It is a mysterious and other worldly place, at least for those of us who live in the midst of traffic and greenery. Oh, and it was hot.
Witches' Brooms /
Good for the season! This growths on the trees are caused by a fungus and produces the broom like ends seen here on several branches. This is at the Craters of the Moon in Idaho.
Below /
This is the Kennecott mine in Wrangell St Elias NP from below the spillway. The gutted building in the center was the hospital.
Anything You Can Do.... /
After the large mature male grizzly walked near us while the two younger ones cowered on the other side of the river, the two bears crossed the water to “our” side and one of them walked just as the large male did right past us, turned around and walked back. Sort of like, I can do that too!
Palmer Hay Flats /
This area is crisscrossed with streams, lakes and marshes about 20 miles north of Anchorage. We went here four times to try and spot moose but did not. We did however see some interesting birds, watched locals fishing for salmon and saw this eagle skimming the grasses with a load of sticks in the talons.
