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
