A Week in AlaskaAn Alaskan Coastal Brown Bear walks in the pre-dawn morning along the low tide of the Cook Inlet                      An Alaskan Coastal Brown Bear walks in the pre-dawn hours along the low tide area of the Cook Inlet in search of clams

    An Alaskan vacation is unforgettable in many ways. The days are long, the flowers are plentiful, and the wildlife can be observed throughout the state. The summer of 2021 was a perfect time to fly to the land of the midnight sun.  After enduring the lockdowns and so much isolation from the Covid Pandemic in the year prior. Reservations were made, flights booked and a rental car secured early to get the best discounted prices. February and March seem to be the best months historically to book for Alaskan vacations. 
  My travel companion and friend, Natalie, and I arrived in Anchorage close to midnight and quickly made our way to our hotel to get some rest at the end of July. Our Itinerary for the week went something like this;

 Day 1, this day was spent traveling to the Matanuska Valley. There, we were able to photograph the Matanuska Glacier, which is the largest glacier assessable by car in Alaska. The glacier is approximately 100 miles east of Anchorage. We also drove along the Little Susitna River enjoying the fireweed blooms and sweet aroma. I do believe there is no place more fragrant in all the world than along the river banks where the wildflowers blossom. Before departing the Matanuska Valley, we stopped by to the Independence Mine State Historical Park in the Hatcher Pass area where in the 1930’s gold was king!

Fun facts:

The average income in 1938 in this area was $1731.00 per year. A new home cost $3900.

The Matanuska Glacier feeds the Matanuska River and moves about 12 inches a day. Currently it is about 27 miles long in total.

  For our evening lodging, Natalie and I rented a nice cabin with the Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals. I highly recommend if wanting a small cabin in this area. Late in the evening, we dined in the quirky little town of Talkeetna. Let me just say that I love Talkeetna and enjoyed the outdoor dining and live music at the Mountain High Pizza Pie establishment.  * Tip, if planning travel to Alaska on vacation, wear layers of clothing as it can be damp and cool in the summer and plan on meeting the largest mosquitos you have ever seen. In fact the gift shops sell T-shirts with a picture of a mosquito and the state of Alaska with the words, “The Alaska State Bird”. All I can say is True Dat. Dining outdoors had us zipping up our jackets and wearing Avon’s “Skin So Soft”, to repel those annoying blood sucking mosquitoes.

Fun Fact:

The mayor of the town of Talkeetna was Stubbs the cat. His office was located in the “Nagley’s General Store”, located on main street. He was mayor from 1997 until his death in 2017.

                                                                                       Matanuska Glacier 

                                                                      Independence Mine State Historical Park, Hatcher Pass

     For our evening lodging, Natalie and I rented a nice cabin with the Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals. I highly recommend if wanting a small cabin in this area. Late in the evening, we dined in the quirky little town of Talkeetna. Let me just say that I love Talkeetna and enjoyed the outdoor dining and live music at the Mountain High Pizza Pie establishment.  * Tip, if planning travel to Alaska on vacation, wear layers of clothing as it can be damp and cool in the summer and plan on meeting the largest mosquitos you have ever seen. In fact the gift shops sell T-shirts with a picture of a mosquito and the state of Alaska with the words, “The Alaska State Bird”. All I can say is True Dat. Dining outdoors had us zipping up our jackets and wearing Avon’s “Skin So Soft”, to repel those annoying blood sucking mosquitoes.

Fun Fact:

The mayor of the town of Talkeetna was Stubbs the cat. His office was located in the “Nagley’s General Store”, located on main street. He was mayor from 1997 until his death in 2017.

Day 2, This day was a fun filled indeed, as we drove from Talkeetna to Fairbanks Alaska for a 3 hour tour on the Riverboat Discovery paddleboat. During the tour, we stopped over at the Chena Indian Village Living Museum. There we were immersed in a guided walking tour of an Athabascan Village. We also were able to witness a Bush pilot demonstration on the Chena River as well as float on the river passing the “Trail Breaker Kennel”, where we were given a history lesson in dog mushing and of the late Susan Butcher, a four time Iditarod Champion. Later we dined at the historical landmark, The Pump House, overlooking the Chena River in Fairbanks. The food was delicious and the atmosphere very relaxing with much to take in all around. After dinner we traveled south, to the Denali Park Village for the night. The lodge was very comfortable and we slept soundly with the blackout curtains to help filter the daylight which fades a bit after midnight for a few hours.

Fun Facts:

Fairbanks is the only place in Alaska where a tornado has ever been recorded.

Fairbanks is a city of extreme temperatures. The highest temperature ever recorded in Fairbanks is 99 degrees in 1919. The coldest temperature -66 degrees in 1934.

During the winter solstice on December 21, Fairbanks only has 3 hours and 43 minutes of daylight, however on the summer solstice on June 21, there are 21 hours 49 minutes of daylight.

                                The Riverboat Discovery paddle boat on the Chena River in Fairbanks

      The Athabaskan natives giving a cultural demonstration during a stop over at the Athabaskan Village

                               Bush pilot demonstration on the Chena River in Fairbanks during the Riverboat Discovery tour.

Day 3, After waking up for another day of adventure, Natalie and I headed into the Denali National Park to get a quick look at Denali which is the “star” of the park and is the tallest peak in North America. Denali is 20,310 ft. in elevation and is so tall that often the mountain peak is not visible. Fortunately for us Denali made an appearance briefly through the clouds and I was able to photograph the famous mountain in the distance. Denali National Park and Preserve straddle about 160 miles of the Alaska Range. The geology of the land is full of granite spires and snowy summits. This park is considered to be in the interior of Alaska’s wilderness and is home to Grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, eagles, and Dall sheep as well as many other species of wildlife. With over 6 million acres there is plenty to roam for all sorts of amazing mammals. Although we only had a short time to see the park before heading to Whittier, we were able to photograph two cow moose in a river bed. If we had allotted more time in our trip, we would have opted to tour the park via the Denali National Park bus tour. 
Fun Facts:
The only frog that is resident to the Denali National Park is the “Wood Frog”, who freezes itself into a cryogenic state in the cold winters. The heart and lungs of the frog cease to function until spring, when they thaw and life returns to normal for the little amphibians.
Denali was the first Alaskan National Park established in the state.
Denali means “The Great One” or the “High One” in the Athabascan language.
Around noontime, we continued our drive south to Whittier, small harbor town 58 miles south of Anchorage. The drive along the Cook Inlet was just “post card beautiful”.  The town of Whittier rests on the west side of the Prince William Sound. Popular with photographers, many venture through the 13,300 foot long narrow Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, AKA the Portage Tunnel. It is the longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America. Whittier is popular with photographers. The marina is very picturesque with the natural beauty and calm waters of the port often offer great reflection photos. Whittier is also a port for the ferries that travel the Alaska marine highway. The fisherman are friendly and are happy to talk with tourist telling tales about fishing in the Prince William Sound. On the way out we stopped to photograph the Portage Glacier and again… the aroma of the wildflowers, foliage and the damp earth was intoxicating. As the day came to a close, Natalie and I turn down our bedrolls at the Spruce Lodge in Seward. 

Fun Facts:
Whittier is the wettest city in the United States receiving an average of 197.8 inches of rainfall each year and 249 inches of snow each winter.
After the 1964 Earthquake which measured 9.2 on the Richter scale, a Tsunami hit Whittier with the wave reaching 43 feet in height. The town sustained 10 Million in damages. That earthquake still is the largest earthquake ever recorded in the United States.

                                   Moose walking across a dry river bed in Denali National Park

                                                                      Fireweed and Lupine 

Day 4, Morning came early as we hurried down to the Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour for a 6 hour tour. The morning was perfect and we were treated to a glacier calving and wildlife viewing. It was perfect day on the water. The tour boat was large enough that we did not get sea sick.  Sea Lions, Eagles, whales and the massive glaciers kept everyone busy photographing and videoing in every direction. As we cruised along, the Captain pointed out features and keeping everyone interested in marine life, history and features of the Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay. When traveling to Seward, this tour is a must. 
In the afternoon after returning to the dock, we grabbed a bite to eat ordered local wild caught seafood. Thinking back, I believe we ate halibut at nearly every meal along with smoked salmon dip. Often our desserts consisted of a slice of homemade pie which are excellent and very delicious in Alaska. 
   The afternoon found us at Seavey’s Iditarod Dog Sled Tours, just outside of Seward. There we learned about the life of a sled dog, hearing tales from previous Iditarod races, holding new pups and going on a dog sled ride. What a hoot! More wonderful memories!  Before departing Seward, we made a stop at the Exit Glacier and hiked the Exit Glacier Overlook trail where we took a few pictures of the Glacier before driving to Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula. Once there we turned it in for the night at the Aspen Hotel.

Fun Facts:

Seward is “Mile 0” of the Historic Iditarod Trail.
Seward is also the most southerly terminal for the Alaska Railroad.
The Iditarod is the longest dog sled race in the world and starts the first Saturday in March and is roughly 1000 miles long.
Mitch Seavey still holds the world record for the winning time in March of 2017 finishing the race in 8 days, 3 hrs. 40 minutes and 13 seconds.
Sled dogs consume approximately 12,000 15,000 calories per day while participating the Iditarod race from Anchorage to Nome.



                                                                               Coast Guard vessel USCG Mustang

                                    Sea Lion seen sunning on rocks along the Kenai Fjords National Park boat tour

                                           Another boat waiting to observe the glacier "calving", which is quite a spectacle

                                      Taking a ride behind the sled dog team at Seavey's Iditarod Dog Sled Tours in Seward.

Day 5 & 6
      The icing on the cake per say, were these next couple of days. A favorite part of our trip was the Lake Clark National Park visitation. It started, with us boarding a small bush plane at the Soldotna airport, flying with Natron Air to the shores of the Lake Clark National Park. The flight was smooth as silk and the view was breathtaking. We were able to see rivers and valleys below as we flew over the Cook Inlet. The two active volcanos Redoubt and Illiamna rise from sea level to over 10,000 feet along with other rugged mountains. Both sit on the Alaska- Aleutian subduction zone. 
     Once we landed on the beach, we were greeted by the Alaska Homestead “bear guides” and transported to the lodge in ATV’s towing a passenger wagon with all our gear. Our stay at the lodge was wonderful, with the lodge owners, whom provided truly great Alaskan Hospitality. The meals were prepared using fresh ingredients grown at the lodge and seafood caught from the Cook Inlet. During the day hours, we spent hours traveling as passengers in the ATV wagon along the tree line trails, or walking with the guide through the sedge grass meadows or the sandy beach that borders the Cook Inlet. We observed and photographed the Coastal Brown bears and Bald Eagles. The Silver Salmon creek nearby is where many bears would be spotted waiting patiently waiting for the silver salmon  to begin their annual run up the creek from the inlet. Photographing the bears with our guide Jake, was incredible. We were treated to the backstories on some of the resident bears that return to the area year after year to fatten up on the protein rich sedge grass and how they congregate at the creeks in late July, or August There they are observed feasting on salmon in order to gain weight for the coming winter.  We even found wolf tracks on the beach. Jake was definitely an asset for the photographers as he always knew where to go and when to go. He knew how to keep us safe at all times and although we got a little nervous he calmly instructed us on what to do whenever a bear moved in our direction. Safety first was priority which Natalie and I appreciated.

Fun Facts: 
The Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears (Ursus Arctos) can outrun a human and have been clocked running up to 30 mph. They can weigh up to 1500 pounds when living on a diet of spawning salmon. The largest subspecies of the brown bear is the Kodiak bear but not found at Lake Clark.
The shoulder hump is pure muscle on the brown bears and the grizzlies enabling them to dig and tear apart logs, prey and give them that extra strength. 

Brown bears give birth while they sleep in hibernation. And the cubs make their way to their mother’s milk and nurse until the mother wakes up. 
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is about 6297 square miles with the land cover ranging from salt marshes on the coast to tall peaks and rolling tundra. There are two active volcanos with the last eruption recorded is the Redoubt Volcano erupting in 2009. The Iliamna volcano last erupted 1867 although it does send plumes of ash and smoke over the years.

The best months for a tourist to visit is the end of July through August when the bears are fattening up for winter on fish. Halibut fishing is also able to be arranged from Lake Clark National Park as well as clam digging.

 The tide changes in the Cook Inlet can be extreme so boating, and landing a bush plane must have close monitoring of the high and low tides.
Summer activities of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, include wildlife viewing, Sport fishing, and bird watching, Clam digging, hiking, and camping.

                                                 The Alaska Homestead Lodge on the Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

                        The Silver Salmon Creek where the bears feed on the Salmon once the annual run begins on the Lake Clark N.P

                                                   A sow and her two cubs grazing on the Sedge grass near the lodge

                                                               Bald Eagles in the early morning mist along the shoreline

                      This image was taken at about 400 mm, this was when we got a little nervous but thanks to Jake our guide we remained safe

Day 7, Upon waking on our last day, a heavy fog moved in. The bush planes were not able to safely fly to pick us up on the beach. We were told to  wait for the weather to clear, and just like that, a small window of opportunity for the Natron Air pilot presented itself and we were picked up at the same spot we were dropped off, then flew back to Soldotna to begin our journey back to Anchorage.

   As we traveled along the beautiful Kenai River, we stopped for a last chance photography ops of the turquoise colored river. I personally, as always, was sad to leave Alaska. I love the wildness and magnificent beauty of the 49^th state.

                                                                         A common sight in Alaska....a bush plane 

   So in closing, it was another Gypsy from Nowhere adventure that was worth blogging and sharing with others. What an amazing week spent in the Last Frontier….. Alaska.

     Recently returning home from a vacation to  Alaska, I took some time to reflect and process the recent vacation to the Last Frontier. An unforgettable trip and experience but what I keep reflecting on was the  spiritual experience that revealed just how much GOD protects me. Let me explain.

     My close friend Natalie and I flew on a bush plane to Lake Clark National Park and stayed as a guest with my dear friends James & Shelia Isaak. They invited us to stay in James’s father’s trapper cabin about a hundred yards from the main lodge. (Alaska Homestead Lodge) The Trapper cabin is surrounded by woods on three sides with a couple of out buildings and a log woodshed from the 1950's. The open side of the cabin was opened to the Sedge grass meadow all the way to the shoreline of the Cook Inlet. The sedge meadows is where the great bears of the Lake Clark National Park gather each summer in wait for the Silver salmon run from the Cook Inlet into the Silver Salmon creek. The bears graze on the high protein grasses and berries in the surrounding areas in wait for the fishing to start. Photographers come to photograph them so this is where the Alaska Homestead lodge gets most of their business from. The lodge was full the two days with photographers thus the reason Natalie and I stayed at the old trapper cabin. I actually loved staying there. It was full of nostalgia from an old Alaskan trapper and old articles, photos, even the old man's clothing. I am not a fan of trapping these beautiful animals and some of the photos of the fox and wolf pelts made me sick to my stomach. I understand it was the old way. The trappers carried their pelts into Anchorage to the Fur Rendezvous each year for income. Back to the story after I set the scene up. 

      James and Shelia told Natalie and I not to go outside unless we went together due to never knowing when a bear encounter would happen. There was more safety in twos than a lone person out alone. We walked from the trapper cabin along the meadow to the lodge twice a day, just the two of us, so we were always looking in all directions. I counted twenty bears and cubs at one time in the meadows on the first day.

    After the first day of photography and visiting with James and Shelia we returned to the cabin to rest for the evening but it was still light at 1130 PM. After going inside and sitting in the recliner, Natalie began to look through her own pictures. I decided to go back outside the cabin to photograph this old log wood shed with many old fishing buoys and nets and such. I thought it would be an interesting photo. I would estimate the distance to the cabin from the woodshed to be about 30 feet. I looked around in all directions and walked over to the woodshed to begin photographing the shed at different angles. Next, I squatted down to get a photo at a different angle. 

     As a side note, when I am photographing a subject I get into my head and my heart and everything around me dulls out. I guess I get into it so much that I am oblivious to my surroundings. I do pray before I go out every day on these photo trips for protection from evil people, the beast and any fatal accidental fall. It is a routine of mine because I do wander deep into the forest and mountain trails so often.

     Now, while I am squatted down, I hear a huff sound directly behind me. I recognized the sound. BEAR ! They usually huff as a warning or nervousness or both. I began to turn my head slowly to the left and this large sow came into view about 5 feet off my left shoulder. She was walking right past me with a cub in tow. She never looked directly at me while I looked at her. I stood up promptly out of instinct. When I stood the cub who had come into view turned broadside as it surprised him. When he looked at me with a very surprised glance, I said "Whoa bear", the mother did not even turn around but kept walking straight into the forest. The cub followed her nervously looking back at me every few seconds. I did not move until my body and mind let me and I took a photo as they disappeared into the forest. There was no sound except the huff. I never heard them walk up, past or into the forest. They are so incredibly quiet. The adrenaline hit me hard and it took 30 minutes for me to feel settled. I realized how that bear could have taken me out without me even knowing what hit me from behind. In hindsight, I am glad she huffed before I actually saw her. It gave my brain time to process her behind me and probably prevented my overreacting from surprise then panic. If she had walked beside me before I became aware of her, I might have not reacted safely which might have triggered her predator instincts. Later, I realized the enormity of how God protects me. A week later I began to put it all in perspective and I believe God used this experience to show me that although it feels the predators are on top of me....God protects those who love Him. I can rest knowing he will steady me, protect me even in times of danger, causing the "predators in life to pass me by. I will be able to stand in their presence without a scratch if I acknowledge my life is in His hands and put faith in his ability to care for me in all situations. This principle and truth applies, especially when we are oblivious to dangers approaching us quietly and we are unaware. It is so powerful to see the spiritual truth in this experience with the sow and cub.  After this experience, God is showing me, through the Holy Spirit, how He is always in it the entire time and working things for my good. (In life).  I love him very much. He is like a protective grandfather. A grandfather and father I never had. He is always there. What kind of love is as pure, trustworthy, and protective as God's love? None. I am humbled by His faithfulness to care for me. There are so many souls and followers out there in the world and to think he cares for all of us and is with us all at the same time. 

 I wanted to share this incredible experience, one I will never forget, as a testimony and an example of the wonderful nature of our Lord.  I know the secular world might only see a stupid move that turned out lucky for me.  I see it as a God thing.... A God Wink. Proof of God's faithfulness.

Cowgirl Up in Big Sky Country

  There are so many beautiful landscapes to explore in America without a doubt, but there was a western landscape that I had set my sites on in the autumn of 2019.  Just eight months prior, I pondered my upcoming plans for a vacation. I knew for sure that I wanted to check an item off of my bucket list. Time keeps ticking and a few grays have appeared reminding me that I am not getting any younger. After a quick internet search, I narrowed it down to a guest ranch in Whitefish, Montana, called the Bar W Guest Ranch. It just so happened that the ranch offered a “Photography Week” all-inclusive vacation in the fall. It was a no brainer, I knew I had to book immediately. What would be better than a week of photography but a week of photographing horses, mountains, and all the activities of a guest ranch?  After making contact with the staff of the Bar W Guest Ranch in Whitefish, scribbling down all the information on the photography week, I asked my friend Natalie Hicks if she might be interested. With a big smile, she gave a thumbs up and so it began. The months passed by quickly and October found us together on a road trip north to big sky country with cowboy boots and hat in tow. The first day was mostly admiring the prairie grass and sage brush and hundreds of beef cattle. Barbed wire fences, an occasional coyote and pronghorns were seen mile after mile along the interstate and, for a while, was exciting and new. It wasn’t long however, before we were bored and longed for different scenery. So we decided to take a side trip look for the wild mustangs that roam the Pilot Butte Scenic Loop area of Rock Springs, Wyoming. These White Mountain mustangs are the largest wild herd in Wyoming. After successfully photographing these true symbols of the American West, we continued our drive to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

   We arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming late and ate a delicious meal fit for two hungry travelers at the Gun Barrel Steak and Game House. After looking at cattle most of the day along our drive, we ordered steak of course. I highly recommend eating at this restaurant for a Wild West experience. The atmosphere is truly western and has that lodge feel with many antique cowboy artifacts hanging on the walls. The 1800’s buffalo coat that Hank Williams Jr. wore  on his “ Lone Wolf “ Album was displayed on the wall as well a full grown buffalo mount on display in the  entrance of the restaurant.  

     Early the next morning, Natalie and I drove into the Grand Teton National Park and were blessed to photograph a bull moose with the Teton Range as a backdrop. The morning had already proved to be exciting, but the excitement was accelerated when a Grizzly Bear walked right past us on the road as we drove through the park. I just wanted to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming. The excitement continued as we drove toward the Montana border with a little white knuckling the steering wheel as a snow storm hit in the Teton Pass. We did a lot of praying as we drove down that steep grade on snow and ice in a two wheeled suburban.  

We arrived at the Bar W Guest Ranch, given a brief orientation to the ranch and upcoming week, met the other guests and our photography instructor Danny Nestor, introduced himself. We talked about our camera gear and what to expect with the photography sessions. We were encouraged to be creative and ask lots of questions during the days ahead to get the most of our lessons. Natalie, who was more interested in the other ranch activities was given choices for all the activities she could participate in on the ranch daily. That made her very happy. Next we unpacked at our assigned glamping tent then strolled over to have our first meal in the lodge. Everyone sat at large tables having views that overlooked the ranch. The community style meal had a real down home feel as the guest got to know one another over a chef prepared meal. After desert, we settled in for the night with some guests in the lodge and some in large canvas tents which were cozy and stocked with everything we might need including a journal and pen. Natalie and I quickly fell asleep in our queen sized beds to the distant sounds of an occasional whinny or snort from the horses not far from us. We slept like a babies under the electric blankets and showered in our own shower house adjacent to our glamping tent. The next day, we stepped out into the crisp cool morning noticing the wranglers were already busy at work feeding the horses, and tacking them up for the trail ride that morning. After a hardy breakfast each morning, we chose to either go on ranch activities which included trail rides, arena rides, relaxing in the lodge or attending the scheduled photo shoot. Danny, our photography Instructor worked tirelessly to make each lesson memorable. During lunchtime, we returned to the lodge to chow down before an afternoon trail ride. I enjoyed these rides into the mountains on my surefooted gelding named “Blue Duck”. 

   The  photo shoots varied and included photographing two young brothers of the Native American Blackfoot nation in full native dress, ranch horses, draft horses, sunsets, and barrel racers at a rodeo arena along with weathered old barns, cowboys, cowgirls,  birds of prey, vintage trucks and many scenes in and around the Whitefish region. My favorite photo shoot was at the Triple D Ranch in Kalispell, MT. Our subjects this day included a female mountain lion and a male wolf. What an amazing experience to be so close to these powerful predators.  The Triple “D” provides services to a variety of still photographers and movie companies, so it was an honor for the ranch to arrange the opportunity in capturing these normally illusive animals using our cameras. The Bar W staff were all amazing from the moment we arrived until we pulled out of the drive the day we departed. For all special requests, the staff would run into town to pick up items for the guests .That special touch was very convenient for us when we found a need. Each day was filled with activity from cook outs, campfires, to shooting skeet, trying our hand at archery. Natalie and I really enjoyed riding along the Canadian border in the Kootenai National Forest on our last day. It was an all-day trail ride with scenery that proved to be jaw dropping, to say the least. That evening we participated with the other guests in branding our own belts and boots with the Bar W brand. The delicious steak dinner next to a campfire was the perfect ending to a perfect guest ranch experience. We formed new friendships and took hundreds of interesting photos home to share with friends and family.

    Before I departed Montana, I bought myself a “wild rag” at the gift shop. You see, what I always called a scarf, the wranglers called a “wild rag”.  I figured it was the perfect souvenir.  Lastly, the lady wranglers at the ranch made me proud to “cowgirl up” alongside them in the big sky country. I would surely like to return to the Bar W Guest Ranch for another adventure, anyone game?

Lake Agnus

                                                                                                        A Tale from the Trail

   Nature definitely hands out “here’s your sign” moments in life. One would think that a person who has reached their “golden years” would have learned enough from the school of hard knox to make them wiser in those years. Let me be the first to say, sometimes common sense flies out the window or should I say, that in my case, a wise decision sometimes get overshadowed by the eagerness to find the next amazing shot. Let me explain; It was the end of a busy summer on a beautiful weekend in September 2019. My youngest son Elisha had just completed his 7 years of active duty service in our nation’s military and had decided to settle in Colorado to be closer to family. I was thrilled having my son so close and now had a hiking buddy to accompany me on adventures. You see, my husband is not fond of hiking unless it involves stopping at every fishing hole we come across and that just doesn’t work for a photographer such as myself. I invited Elisha to go on a weekend trip to the Colorado State Forest State Park. The park stretches from the west side of the Medicine Bow Mountains to the north end of the, Never Summer Range of Northern Colorado. It is less crowded and is known for it’s pristine beauty and has something for everyone in every season. So off we went. We arrived and decided to set up camp at the campground before exploring the area.

                                                                              Bockman Campground in the Colorado State Forest State Park

We spent the entire day looking for moose and walking among the aspens, taking photos and exploring the trails near the visitors center. My son has a great sense of humor, always keeping me in stitches, laughing so loud that we scared off all the moose.Towards the end of the evening as we drove just west of Cameron Pass, to a road which led to the Lake Agnus trailhead. Now this is where the eagerness and loss of common sense takes over.  We pulled over so my son could get a shot of the moon just above the jagged peaks of Nokhu Crag. I got this crazy notion that we should hike to the the lake and catch the sunset. The sun was in the golden hour phase, and the moon had already risen over the jagged peaks, and the trail was only 2.1 miles roundtrip, We agreed, so we proceeded to drive up to the trailhead parking area.

                                                                               The jagged peaks of the Nokhu Crags

The rough terrain and the narrow winding dirt road would have made a logical person turn around, especially, while driving a small 2 wheel drive car with only a little daylight left. No turning back now I thought. So my son went along with the plan to hike to the alpine lake. As we stepped onto the trail, a sense of urgency hit, and the coolness of the evening fell upon us. It felt as if the light had been overcome by dark shadows in the forest. We found ourselves about 1/4 of the way up the trail when suddenly it dawned on me that we left out on the hike without a flashlight, backpack, water or warmer layers. While hesitating momentarily, we considered whether we should turn back but foolishly, I convinced Elisha we had enough time to get to the lake to get the shot and get back to the car. I will just blame that decision on the double dose of hard-headiness that runs strong in this family. The anticipation of a spectacular view of  an alpine lake carved out by ancient glaciers and surrounded by a natural amphitheater of high mountains peaks contributed to the desire to press on. The climb to the 10,666 foot surface elevation of the lake was full of switch-backs, boulders, steep drop offs and an occasional log to cross. Having moved to Colorado only a few months back the elevation and thinner air brought another challenge to adventure, breathing! I had to stop and rest every 30-40 yards. My heart raced and beat madly in my chest, then I began to hear sticks breaking in the forest. Being a young man with plenty of stamina, Elisha outpaced me easily to stay a bend or two ahead of me, I began calling  out,“slow down, your mama can’t breath, or “what if Bigfoot is a real thing”, “wait for me” and” how much further”? Since he had been frequently checking the sunset time on his phone, He yelled back down the trail,  “ Mom, we only have 15 minutes until sundown, we have to keep moving”. I quietly thought ,this sunset better be something special, as I struggled up the mountain trying to keep up. Just minutes before the actual sunset, we arrived. As I took the photos ,I could hear a voice of reason behind me saying “ Mom, we really need to head back now”, “Mom, its going to be really dark in the forest now that the sun has set and we have no flashlight”. Then recalling a conversation that I had previously with another camper earlier in the day, I remembered them saying that there had been a recent sighting of a cougar and cubs on the trail . The same trail we had just hiked! I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up as if on cue. The call of mountain sheep could be heard echoing in the mountains. My thought was, cougars like to eat mountain sheep, and that might sound like a dinner bell to a big cat. That was all that was needed for me to agree to pop smoke and hit the trail back into the forest for the descent to safety of the waiting car. I was in the lead this time moving around the switch backs making strides, actually thinking that I must look like a gazelle gracefully loping down the mountain. That thought quickly ended when Elisha said, “Mom, you know this is the most dangerous time to be doing this right? I said “yeah, I know, cougars, bears and Bigfoot like to hunt at night! “ He then replied, “ It’s not being able to adjust to the lighting”. He then explained as we kept moving that the faint light from above and the darkness from the forest floor would cause our eyes to be unable to adjust, making it easier to stumble. He suggested I slow down and take more care in my foot placement. About that time, my foot caught a rock and all I remember is that fall, not a tumble but a violent fall. The momentum sent me forward so quickly that my camera strapped to my right hand hit the ground first. My entire body crashed facedown with half my body hanging over the steep trail’s edge. Immediate excruciating pain overtook me, as I heard and felt the snap of bones. “Mom, are you dead”? “Are you going to make it? “Did you break something”, “Mom, are you gong to be able to get down this mountain”. I could hear the sense of fear in his voice and all I could muster were deep guttural grunts and moans. The breath had left me and I waited to see if my lungs were going to expand. I remember pushing myself up and over the ledge of the trail with my good hand and mustering a “ give me a second” with the breath I had left. Together ,we eventually made it down the trail in the dark and drove to the nearest hospital. I ended up with two broken fingers, a sprained ankle and a contused rib. My wide angle lens was busted but my beloved camera body was fine, miraculously. It was about midnight when we ventured back to the campsite to sleep. The temperature dropped to 32 degrees but we were so exhausted that both of us slept until 9 am in that little two person tent. 

 The top of the Crags from whence the mountain sheep calls came 

Looking back, my son was a real trooper and hung tight with me even when I threw those “here’s your sign” moments to the wind. Today looking back at that memory, this particular tale from the trail is one of my favorites. Just a mother and a son making memories together in the high country of Colorado, coming out alive even if it wasn't in one piece.

November can be a treacherous month on the waters of the Great Lakes. Storms and hurricane force winds often visit the lakes. On November 10, 1975, The Edmund Fitzgerald, a freighter measuring 729 feet long and weighing over 13,000 tons ,loaded with iron ore, wrecked killing all 29 men on board.The storm that day is reported to have whipped up 35 foot waves and 100 MPH winds on Lake Superior. The Captain of the ship contacted the Coast Guard in Sault Ste Marie at 7pm to say they were taking on water. Nothing else was heard from the Captain and crew after 7:15 pm that day. The ship was approximately 15 miles north of Whitefish Point, Michigan when it went down. The Edmund Fitzgerald was later found at the depth of 535 down in two pieces.

In 1995 a pair of divers retrieved the bell that was on the ship which is kept at the Great Lakes Shipwrecked Museum along with the memorial posted very close to the shores of Lake Superior where I took these photos. I have to be honest to say that just standing there and looking out towards the lake, I became very emotional. The day I was there was windy but probably only like 10 mph winds. I could not image hurricane force winds out on that lake. Tears streamed down my cheek as I stood quietly to honor those 29 men who lost their lives.

These photos posted are special to me. You see, the story I grew up singing along with about the Edmund Fitzgerald stuck with me to this day. RIP to the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald and to their families I send my condolences. To Gordon Lightfoot, thank you for writing and singing the song " The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". I was only about 10 years old when I first heard it and it helped me to understand how precious life is.
 

                                                                                                   Four Days in Sedona

    Let me start off by saying that Sedona Arizona has found herself on my list of most beautiful places that this gypsy has ever visited. This planning for this four day trip into the northern Verde Valley region of Arizona began the month before. As usual, I combed through travel guides, googled travel sites and called the National Park Ranger stations in the area to compile a list of “ things to do”. Photography is the focus of my adventures, so picturesque locations are a must. Historical sites and tours also make the adventure list. This trip to Sedona would have to be done in four days only and it quickly became evident that Sedona might be a repeat trip since I still work a “regular” job and only have so many days off. My compadre Natalie would accompany me on this trip and together we prepared for departure on a Thursday after our work day was over. The nonstop flight on Delta into Phoenix was trouble free and enjoyable as air travel goes. Here is my pitch for Delta Airlines, they are ready when you are with free WIFI, movies and the most delicious almonds I have ever eaten. Comfortable seats and pleasant attendants made Delta my new favorite airline.

   Once we landed and shuttled over to the car rental depot, we were upgraded to my personal favorite traveling vehicle, a van. Traveling around with camera gear and backpacks can be cumbersome on these adventures so having the space of the van makes the Gypsy From Nowhere Photography  travel adventures much easier. That makes me question why I am driving a Volkswagen Jetta for my personal car.

   Our first night was spent in Phoenix and the alarm came early. It is a good thing that the two of us girls are pretty low maintenance and require very little prep for the activities scheduled. We grabbed our Starbucks coffee then departed on the Black Canyon Highway heading north on I-17 by eight o’clock am with smiles on our faces as the desert sun and blue sky overhead made for a beautiful drive towards our first stop in Camp Verde, Arizona. We spent time at the Montezuma’s Castle National Monument in the crisp morning air walking amongst the  limestone cliff dwellings. This dwelling site which is estimated to be around 20 rooms and tells the story of the Sinagua culture between approximately 1100 and 1425 AD.  It is apparent that the ingenious people had enduring survival skills in this terrain . The sycamore trees in the park and Beaver Creek running adjacent to the cliff dwelling area provided a  very peaceful and serene shaded area. I can understand why this was an ideal place to settle.

    Next we traveled just a few miles further up the highway  to explore the Montezuma Well . The trail at took us around a large “ pond like” well which is actually a natural limestone sinkhole near the town of Rimrock, Arizona. This well measures around 386 feet in diameter and contains turquoise water, reminding me of the geyser basin in Yellowstone.  The water comes from an underground spring and has a natural drainage system down to the Beaver Creek. Upon entering the shaded forest, the temperatures dropped significantly and the coolness settled between sharp boulders and the irrigation trenches . I actually enjoyed this site more than the Montezuma Castle site, maybe due to the fact, the forested trail and the little stream of natural irrigation water flowing had amazing yellow and purple wildflowers blanketing the ground. Naturally this type of scenery is perfect for this photographer.  Our next stop was at the V Bar V Heritage where the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley is located . There we took a short easy stroll to a rock art site and photographed a rock wall with over 1000 petroglyphs. That was surely a WOW moment !

    The afternoon found us girls in Jerome, Arizona. This quirky old mining town was  incorporated in 1899,  and was considered to be one of the richest copper mining camps in the world, nick named the” Billion Dollar Copper Camp “. The Jerome Grand Hotel sits above the valley floor in the shadow of Cleopatra hill, overlooking the town. The red rocks of Sedona in the distance provides just the right amount of wonder and awe for tourist. The back story and there are many, offer a peak into the past history of what was once was called the “wickedest town in the west”. The Jerome Grand Hotel has had some strange “ghostly” encounters according to legend.  It was originally a hospital, built on a steep hill above the town. The name of the restaurant that we chose to grab a bite to eat,  is called  “The Asylum” and it definitely had an ominous look and feel as you walk up to the front steps. However, the food was delicious and I have to say that it was the best meal I had on this trip. So if you visit Jerome, Arizona, plan on dining at the Jerome Grand Hotel in the ‘Asylum”.  After lunch, it was time to take in the “Gold King Mine Ghost Town”. A bargain at just a $ 5.00 fee, one can walk among old classic trucks and lots of rusty mining tools, out buildings and a little barn with goats, cows and chickens. This was a perfect location for taking stock images so I did just that. By 3 pm , our drive took us down the curvy two lane road to  the Verde Valley driving  towards Sedona as the sun dipped lower in the turquoise blue sky.

   Our next adventure was to park at the Sedona’s Airport Mesa Overlook for sunset photos. The wind was whipping pretty good and it was chilly making it difficult at times to steady my tripod. Watching the sun ease downward casting it’s warm glow across the red rocks was breathtaking. The artsy town of Sedona rested at the base of the surrounding mountains. Using the wide angle lens was helpful to be able to capture the entire scene laid out before me. The overlook was busy with tourist and cameras on tripods with hopeful photographers like myself. I found myself ease dropping on a family of 6 trying to take family photos nearby. It was quite humorous watching the mother trying to get all four of her young children to stand still and smile for the camera. The pre-teens were making goofy faces and the toddler kept trying to bolt out of the frame. I tried not to laugh out loud at them because the dad was starting to become very annoyed. Ah, family vacations. I just wanted to tell that father and mother to cherish this moment. One day they would be standing at an overlook with no small children and might wish for those days again.

  The first day was very engaging and memorable and as we returned to our hotel in Camp Verde we knew that the next day would be even better.  So it was, on day 2 we headed out to drive around the red rock country and photograph all day. Looking for rattlesnakes along the trails we hiked the Mystic and Hogwash trails next to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Across rocks, limestone, and next to some amazing cactus, we spent the morning basking in the warm sun and enjoying the fresh air. It is a wonder that I ever make it down a trail with all the stopping to frame up a shot. My eyes are constantly scanning the horizon near and far and in my mind’s eye seeking out a composition that I like. For me, the joy and excitement of what is ahead and what is behind keeps my head on swivel. There is always a photo opportunity and I am always ready to take it. This particular morning was so clear and not a cloud in the sky, that I really had to underexpose my images and also pull out my ND filter at times. I explained to Natalie that these filters are like sunglasses for my lens. She could relate to that. The filters make the colors really pop and cut down on the haze that our eyes don’t even notice. With this being said, we hiked several trails on day 2 and explored the Bell Rock and the Courthouse Butte area.  Fun trails with lots of rock jumping and climbing. The red rocks were surprising easy to climb with our Merrell hiking shoes. We dined for lunch in  the “Tlaquepaque Arts & Craft Village”.  In the ancient language of the natives, this  means the “best of everything.” Bring your money if you shop here in what is called “the heart of Sedona” being that all the shops are very high end and pricey. I honestly felt as if I had clicked my heels and landed in old Mexico. This place is very beautiful and lunch at the El Rincon Mexican restaurant gave us the energy to continue on our adventure.

The afternoon was spent at the Red Rock Crossing, Crescent Moon Picnic area photographing the Cathedral Rock as the last of the evening sun hit the famous red formation. I had studied the area online prior to our visit and knew where and what time to be in which location. The one element that I did not plan for , were the amount of people in this popular tourist area. I was not successful in getting the shots I had envisioned beforehand but all in all I did come away with several satisfactory shots. I preferred this location for the sunset shot more than the Sedona Airport Mesa overlook. The Red Rock Crossing had a peaceful and calming feel to it and was a place you felt like you never wanted to leave, almost fairy tale like. The creek that runs in front of the rock makes for the perfect post card photo. Definitely I will return again one day to this incredible location to shoot but the next attempt will be on a week day when school is still in session and not during “spring break” boost my chances for better compositions for my images.

   For our dinner we stopped off at the “Cowboy Club Grille and Spirits”, in downtown Sedona where they have been providing more than 50 years of old west traditions and hospitality. The menu is a hoot to read with the Cactus fries, buffalo skewers, rattlesnake sausage, prickly pear sauce on a grilled prickly pear cactus pads.  I ordered a cheese burger  satisfied my taste buds. Bragging rights have belonged to this restaurant for 6 consecutive years for serving the “ Best Steak in Sedona”. Thinking back now, I should have ordered the steak. On a side note, more than 50 movies were filmed in Sedona . It is said that John Wayne, Ray Milland, Burt Lancaster, Jane Wyman, George Montgomery, Dick Powell, Agnes Moorehead, Burl Ives, Maureen O’Hara, Robert Mitchum, Hedy Lamarr, Glenn Ford, James Stewart, Rock Hudson, Donna Reed, Gene Autry, Joan Crawford, and others were known to enjoy the warm fire and spirits at the Cowboy Club which was then known as  the “Oak Creek Tavern”.  Could it be that maybe I sat in the same spot where John Wayne ate a meal, that makes me smile.

  Day 3 of our travels was probably one of our best adventures to date. We rose out of bed early to meet the guide of the Pink Jeep Adventure Tours for our 2 hour off road trip on the “Broken Arrow Trail”. Now this tour was well worth the money we paid and the scenic views were jaw dropping. When visiting Sedona, you hear talk of the vortex energy everywhere and so every time we felt a surge of “wow” or a “take your breath away” moment, we would blurt out, “it must be the vortexes”. I got a good laugh when someone announced on the tour that the lady who came up with the idea of the vortex having mystical powers was “psycho”. Those are probably fighting words around with the local Sedonians and natives in the area however. Well to each his own, never the less ,I did capture some interesting colored  rainbow halos around the landscape images from my cell phone. Who knows, it could have been those special vortex energy vibes. The Broken Arrow Trail was magnificent and taking it in a pink jeep was the icing on the cake. A little warning, if you go make sure you sit closer to the front of the jeep or your will definitely realign your spine. It is very bumpy and wild but you will feel like a kid again during the rock  and summit climbing.  After the jeep tour was over, Natalie and I checked out the gift shops in the downtown area and then drove north into the Oak Creek Canyon scenic drive towards Flagstaff, Arizona. Now, I have hiked many trails in my life and I must add that the West Fork Trail was in the top 3 hiking trails that I have ever done. As we made our way to the trailhead, we passed by an apple orchid full of aromatic pink and white blooms , pass some old stone ruins which  was once a place where movie stars used to frequent back in the days when Sedona was a hot spot for movie filming. The history was very interesting and it makes sense that this location next to Oak Creek with the tall red canyon walls would be a getaway  for the stars. This trail was worth the hike indeed. The views changed at every turn and the 8 mile roundtrip hike with its 13 creek crossings forced us to keep focused and alert so not to fall over downed trees, roots and slip on the boulders we scampered over or take a unwanted dip in the creek. Both of us girls came out of the canyon with wet feet however and felt like we just completed an iron man competition. Speaking of coming out of the canyon at the end of the hike, we both got a good laugh. We were exhausted and found it hard to put one foot in front of the other towards the end. The best moment was when we started laughing hysterically at each other as we waddled into the restaurant in Flagstaff to eat a few hours later. We looked like two broke down crippled horses. It was worth it all and I would do it again.

  The next morning on day 4, after a short visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, we traveled back to Phoenix and flew home. Both of us hated to leave Sedona and the enchantment offered around those towering red rocks. We both vowed to return and do it all over again. My best images will be posted on my Instagram,  Zenfolio website and my “Gypsyfromnowhere Images” Facebook page. I hope to sort them out and pick out a couple of them to enter into photo competitions and maybe for editorial work. I am working on getting my work out there and would love for you to follow me on social media. Travel photography is my passion now and will start looking for a new adventure up the road. Any suggestions are welcomed and all comments are read and responded to. Until next time Gypsy on!

Instagram    gypsy_from_nowhere_photography

website    gyspyfromnowhere.zenfolio.com

FaceBook page    Gypsyfromnowhere Images

    The winter in North Carolina has been damp and fairly cold which has chased many folks indoors to seek the warmth of wood burning stoves and fleece blankets. The television sets are working overtime and the electronics are in our faces constantly. A couple of weeks ago the weather cleared and warmed to a pleasant 47 degrees and the sun shone bright in the clear blue sky. I watched the fluffy white clouds slowly move across the sky as I drank my coffee waiting for a friend to arrive. Cabin fever had struck and there was only one remedy, and that was to go seek some outdoor playtime. A couple of weeks before, I purchased a 24mm-105mm Canon lens and could not wait to try it out on this day.

   Once my friend Jessica arrived, we said goodbye to my husband and we were off in a flash. I pointed my faithful Volkswagen north,  driving into the mountains with Virginia in our sights. Listening to some 1980's pop music, we drove through  Boone, North Carolina, home to Appalachian State University and on through some very beautiful country. Crossing creeks, valleys and forest, we drove on for two hours until we reached the Virginia state line. Around 3 pm we arrived at our destination. The Grayson Highland State Park in the Jeferson National Forest near the Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, is where we would spend the rest of the day exploring in the golden afternoon sun. The signage directed us to the trailhead where we would begin our trek up to the highlands where the wild ponies are said to roam free. These ponies graze between the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the Grayson Highland State Park. With over 4,822 acres to roam, I was concerned that they might be not be within view ,so proceeded to stop the first person I saw on the trail, whom reassured me that indeed the wild ponies were just ahead. Double checking to make sure I had my camera gear, backpack, water and car keys, Jessica and I quickly hoofed it up the trail. Let me tell you, a winter of very little exercise sure caused me to get winded fast. Undoubtly it would benefit me to actually go to the fitness gym instead of paying dues and never showing up to get my body moving. I am guilty of watching my bank draft go through each month and then just shrugging my shoulders and thinking to myself that I would go soon. I should know myself well enough to know that I despise stationary exercise and that whole gym thing was a waste of time and money for me. I rationalized it off thinking to myself , that today I would get a month's worth of exercise at one time. Ha, if only that was true. Poor Jessica had to stop and wait on me at least three times before we crowned the hill. Ah,the wild ponies of the Grayson Highlands stood right in front of us, nuzzling through the winter grass picking out the tender green grass underneath. I have to say that they were much smaller than I had anticipated. They looked much like Shetland ponies, sporting thick full manes, tails and fluffy fur coats. It was understandable how they would be right at home on top of this mountain. To my surprise, these little equines were not skittish of humans in the least bit. In fact, a few would walk right up and extend their muzzles out curiously. The signs all around gave warning not to feed or pet the ponies due to that fact they were wild animals that should be left wild and that they might bite or kick. Do people generally follow directions? Hardly! These ponies were getting rubbed and pet by just about everyone and seemed to enjoy the back scratches. However, once their little ears pinned back and they pivoted around to positioning their rear ends towards us, it was evident that time was up for affection.

    Jessica and I hiked from one group of ponies to the next photographing each one individually. Taking advantage of the scenery, I composed my subjects in the viewfinder and fired off over 150 shots during our time in the Highlands with these wild ponies. Being that the Appalachian trail runs across the highlands for 2.8 miles, we took the opportunity to walk along the infamous trail for awhile to have some bragging rights. I love hiking with other like minded souls because it allows for conversations to take place which aids in taking your focus off your tired muscles and fatique. Eventually we ended up at a section of the trail that entered the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Mount Rogers and the Whitetop Mountain peaks are two of the highest in Virginia. To be honest I found it was hard to believe that I was still in Virginia actually. The landscape resembled the scenery from the old western films that I grew up watching. I could almost see Little Joe Cartright galloping towards me riding his black and white pinto horse across the Ponderosa.

   If you have toddlers and children, bring them here to let them frolick, and to get them away from all the electronics that our society spends so much time being distracted with. I promise that kids and their parents will sleep better at night with some fresh air and the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. If you love to take photos, this scenery is perfect with the Blue Ridge Mountains rolling in the distance. The enormous  boulders that jut out of the ground in the meadows, all of which provide some nice contrasting along with the always green spruce trees. The colorful markings of the wild ponies with their blond sun bleached manes hanging across their big brown eyes make for intriguing photos. Get away from your home turf for the day and go find a new adventure with your family and friends and remember to take pictures of everything! You see, my plan is to be able to sit in my rocking chair one day when I grow old and have my grandchildren and great grandchildren go through my photos and together we will talk about the adventures of the Gypsy from Nowhere! My advice is to live an adventurous life and make memories with your family and friends so You will be talking about those adventures for the years to come. Never forget to thank God for everything! Your life is a gift.

   I am have returned from a stormy trial that came around the corner into my life in early December 2017. My oldest son became very ill to the point of respiratory failure and was placed on life support. As a mother, you always fear but never want to get word that one of your loved ones is in critical care fighting for their life. This is exactly what happened to me when that sneaky trial crept into my life. Dropping everything, I raced to be at his side. The entire month of December and part of January, was spent in Mississippi at the hospital coming and going from my son's sick bed. In that time my son fought so hard just to stay alive, battling infections, fever,  several collapsed lung episodes having chest tubes. he looked liked one of the spanish fighting bulls with the spears hanging from their side.. but still he fought on.  He was placed under heavy sedation and chemically paralized.  At one point it was necessary to airlift him to a larger hospital for more intensive care. At one point his medical team and lead doctor informed me that , " We may have need to have the conversation to  turn the ventilator off. " You want to talk about rocking me to my senses and feeling emotions that have never flooded my soul before, at that moment I almost went down. Today my son is still in the hospital but is off of life support and on the regular medical floor. He still has a long way of rehab to go and is oxygen dependent through a tracheotomy and nasal cannula. I am hopeful that he will make a full recovery physically and mentally. The endurance in which he has fought to be at this point in this illness is amazing.

  Now, I would like to focus on the "trial" or the "storm" in this blog today. As I reflect and consider the roller coaster of the last two months, I have discovered that I have been part of this battle and have emerged with new strength that would not have developed otherwise.  Is credit  to be given  to my own abilities or resilience ? Surely not. My strength and any resilience comes from my leaning and pressing in on my God in Heaven. Yes, I am a Christian and a believer in Jesus Christ. The day when the news of my 32 year old son's emergency intubation and admission in the critical care unit came, the first emotion was panic. The second reaction was to cry out to my God to go to his rescue. In a perfect world, crying out to God would have been the first action. However honestly, it was not the case for me. The drive from North Carolina to Mississippi took about 11 hours of driving through several downpours, windy conditions and fog. During that travel time I cried much and then prayed much. My loved ones and friends immediately joined with me in prayer and the news traveled like a forest fire throughout my social circles. I can stand here today and praise my wonderful friends and family, not only them, but also the complete strangers whom joined in on the prayer chains. As far as Africa, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Italy, Washington DC and from all across the USA.  When I mentioned Washington DC in the group, it is because one of the United States Congressmen actually called after he had recieved word of my son's condition and his need of a miracle. The Congressman left a personal voice messsage on my cellular phone. ( You see, I was supposed to travel to the White House for a tour with my travel companion and her sister that week and lay wreaths at headstones of our national cemetary in Arlington. I had contacted them to cancel and gave a quick reason why I had to cancel such an amazing trip. Apparently, the information was passed on to the Congressman who had arranged the tour). Wow,  I am still amazed today that a politician took time away from his day to pray for my son. What a wonderful man of faith. 

Here is my take away from all of this. It is simply, that the power of prayer with faith cannot be dismissed in our lives especially when they are sent up to a living God. My son recieved his miracle and the many prayers of the "prayer warriors" were answered. God intervened and  worked through the medical team to do what was necessary to help medically treat my son. Props to them, but props to the bigger, greater Physician, the great I AM. This is the name that God gives himself as recorded in the Bible. I know it to be so. He is the GREAT I AM.

 If I could sum up in four words what I have learned in this storm, it would simply be,.... to trust GOD. "I trust you Jesus",  are the words that kept coming from my lips and my heart. It is what my soul continued to cry out when my voice knew not what to say or pray. If ever you go through a trial or a storm in your own life, remember that there is one who hears your prayers, one who cares for your pain, one who is faithful and one who never fails. His name is Jesus, God's son and you can trust Him with every part of your life. I promise you with every thing in me, that you can trust Him. Next time a storm comes into my life, The first knee jerk reaction should be to call out to my God, then cry tears of joy knowing that He hears me and will answer me... in perfection.

Autumn is always  very enchanting  around the Appalachian mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway from North Carolina up to Virginia is busy with leaf lookers and travelers in October. Photographers, families, hikers, cyclist  and fishermen all flood the the area this time of year for the cool weather, and to enjoy the vivid array of colors found in the mountains. I consider myself one of those leaf lookers  as well. A new infusion of energy flows and the air is electric with excitement. The flannel shirts and Uggs come out along with the Columbia, North Face and Patagonia jackets and sweatshirts. Cameras with short lens and long lens, tripods,cell phones and selfie sticks can be seen at all the scenic overlooks. Traffic can be  very cumbersome during October. Ah, let's not forget the lines at the coffee shops for the pumpkin spice lattes. I am no different. I am guilty of partaking of the fall fury as well. This year however, the leaf color change was late and the timing of the appearance of fall was delayed. When it did finally arrive many of the leaves just turned brown and dropped. The murmings around the area from the locals blamed the drought and others blamed the unseasonably warm and long summer. What I do know is how long I had waited for the season.The impatience for the opportunity to get out there with my Canon DSLR camera and photograph everything from the creeks, waterfalls, valleys and trails to the Linville Gorge Willderness. At first, I was disappointed with the leaf color display this year but as I got out and started to photograph and hike , I began to notice opportunities to capture the simplistic but beautiful places often overlooked. As moss grows on an old log, I notice how the yellow, orange and occasional red leaf gently falls through the trees and lands on top of the moss so quietly. The eye catching contrasting colors make for interesting photographs. On one of my hikes , I meandered along the creek in the Pisgah national forest and my eye caught sight of a pumpkin lodged against a rock in the creek down stream. I pondered the journey of the pumpkin and started to daydream about the day the farmer planted the seed  and the day it was harvested , the person who purchased the pumpkin and finally how this creek became the final destination of this lone pumpkin. After consideration of the possibilities, I made my way down the creek over roots, boulders and slippery wet fall leaves until I stood a few feet away and decided this lonely pumpkin would be the subject of my next fall photo. As I set my backpack down and set up my shot, a gust of wind  blew through the trees causing several leaves to drift downward and land on the pumpkin as if the trees were assisting in my effort to capture the scene. I held my breath as I balanced on the smooth rock and felt the cold mountain water seep into my Keen hiking shoes. I gently pressed the shutter button and checked my screen and fired off several more shots. With a  big smile  and a wink, I left the pumpkin against the rocks as I found it. There is opportunity everywhere, you just have to open your eyes and look for it, then move towards it. This autumn might not have been as vibrant or as impressive in the classical way but it was definately beautiful in it's own way. I find beauty in the unconventional and unexpected . Take time to wander a bit. You might find an unexpected gift in the most unexpected places.

The Gypsy From Nowhere

Hurrican Nate Rolling Into the Big EasyThe Greater New Orleans Bridge moments before Hurrican Nate arrives

   Everyone should experience the city of New Orleans . The city also known as the "Big Easy" due to the laid back attitude of the locals. I was raised near the city myself and have visited,  "Nawlins" many times as a young child and adult.  I do not recall ever being there when a hurrican rolled into the city however. New Orleans is below sea level which essentially makes it a fish bowl. Not the best place for a person to be in a hurricane, however the city of New Orleans and it's people have always taken it in stride. The locals pull on their rubber boots and grab some party goods, play games  a party and proceed to party through the storm. Hurricane parties are thrown in the local bars on Bourbon Street and along the French Quarter and the music can be heard on the old city streets until the power goes out and then it continues under candle light and lanterns.  Laissez les bons temps rouler ( Let the good times roll )  Yes, hurricanes are a time to  party in New Orleans, at least Category 1 hurricanes are. I remember reading about a bar in the French Quarter that stayed open during Katrina . This is evidence of how serious the people of New Orleans take  having a good time. Katrina was a different story and not the one I am talking about in this blog. Just for the  record, I don't condone staying during a hurricane in New Orleans . Evacuate if told to do so by the authorities.

 The Steamboat Natchez, an old historic paddle wheel steam boat,  cruises up the Mississippi River along the edge of the city giving tours to the happy tourist, wedding parties and locals who want to cool off and enjoy the breeze. The day that Hurricane Nate rolled into the mouth of the Mississippi was no different. My travel companion, Natalie and I happened to be one of those folks who was onboard for the 11:30 am tour that morning. The jazz music filled our ears, the wind gusting periodically and the historian on the loud speaker telling tales of the city and past hurricanes such as Betsy and Camille and the notorious Katrina. The sea gulls soared in the gusty winds along the steamboat as we made our way up the Mississippi River. The clouds started as a light gray covering of the sky and quickly, within the hour, started to change into the most violent ominous color of purple. The gusty winds became a constant  strong wind as the whitecaps on the river began to form. The steamboat turned back towards the port where we boarded. Great time for this gypsy to photograph the incoming bad weather. I must admit that I became a little anxious as the wall of darkness started to encroach upon the city. Literally the wall of fury started to move with purpose straight up the river. By the time we got back to the unloading dock , the Greater New Orleans Bridge had completely disapeared into the mist and fog and moments later a wall of some of the heaviest rainfall I had experienced marched from the paddle on the boat to the bow . Folks were gathering like little chicks  trying to exit the Natchez Steamboat. My friend Natalie and I  waited our turn then hustled to the car. We both laughed like a couple of kids. Their is something to say about the thrill of doing an adventure in a risky situation. Is this what a couple of empty nest 50 year old women do in the beginning of the golden years ? Maybe. Then the drive out of the city and across Lake Ponchartrain in the Category 1 hurricane was a matter of white knuckling and remembering to breathe. We made it out in one piece, and it turns out that Hurricane Nate made a sharp turn soon after and headed to the east . We escaped the worst of it and made it back to northshore without incident.

  My favorite photo of the trip was the New Orleans Bridge, moments before Hurrican Nate made his arrival known to New Orleans. The tour was a very hasty one to say the least. We must return to the Big Easy again to photograph all the city has to offer. So much history and tales to be told there.

The Gypsy From Nowhere

    Ahhh, Charleston  that old  southern city that lies along the coastal area of South Carolina. She played hostess during the " dog days of summer" for this gypsy. First of all, let me describe to you the weather in hopes of warning you to NEVER travel to Charleston during the month of August. The sweltering heat nearly drove me to my knees. Never have I sweat so much in all my life. Not exaggerating! The humidity hung around 80-85% with the tempratures between 88-92. It was a sauna to say the least. Sweat dripped onto my Canon camera causing me to look up to see if it was raining. I did not really think it through very well when planning this tour. However, if you like to stay in a  sticky sweat all day then this is your place. Tropical indeed.

    The adventure included a horse drawn carriage ride through  historic downtown Charleston with a large amish belgium horse named "Ben". The gentle giant  took us along the streets and the tour guide gave us a history lesson in the city, people, building structures and stories of old legends. I would recommend the carriage ride if you tour the city definately. The horses were treated fairly and allowed to drink their fill of cool water at the end of the tours. Their hooves were shod with rubber pads to protect their legs and hooves. The harness fit well and the large equines did not seem to mind the duty.

   The Charleston Battery was one of the most beautiful places to take a stroll in the evenings. There is a welcoming breeze that rolls off the waterfront  and rustles through the live oak trees blowing the spanish moss around a bit. Rainbow Row was interesting with all the pastel colored houses and cobblestone streets and it  give the city a uniqueness that captivated me. The iron gates and fountains around made for a beautiful contrast for photography.

  The food was very delicious. I would say to try the Charleston Crab cakes if you get the chance at one of the fine eating establishments. The crab and lobster stuffed hushpuppies were out of this world. Sit out on a deck and watch the cargo ships and the cruise ships come and go and listen to the sea gulls sing all about.

 A must see is the " Angel Oak " tree. This tree almost seemed to be some creature from a fairy tale. The large old limbs grew out and even touched the ground and were swallowed up by the earth. It is said that this tree is over 400 years old but I would dare to say this tree is much older.  It is such ust an incredible sight and a one of a kind experience to walk among the tree trunk and limbs. Unfortunately I was unable to get a photograph of the tree alone. Many visitors explored the tree that day and although I did take several photographs , I was preferred to have the tree alone standing in it's own glory. One day maybe I can return on another trip and capture that tree in the early morning mist. Maybe just maybe I could have the tree all to myself.

  The highlight of this Charleston adventure  was to tour a couple of Plantations. My favorite by far is the Boone Hall Plantation which is a working plantation to this day. The beautiful grounds are rich in history and the avenue of oaks that lead up to the plantation home reminds me of Gone with the Wind. There are horses in the pastures and geese in the fields.  There are even alligators in the marsh ( well at least the signage said so) and a history that dates back into the 1700's. The tour was very educational and informative. I loved that plantation. I have a much deeper respect for the slaves that worked and lived on that plantation because of the tour. I would say over and over again to myself and my friend how hard it must have been to work in the heat that engulfs the low country  of Charleston. This is my pitch now, to leave historical  monuments  alone. It is important to remember and be enlightened about  our past here in America and abroad.. It helps to put things into perspective. I came away with more compassion because of what I learned by touring the plantations for myself. I was also grateful that I could wear what I wanted and not have to wear corsets and heavy dresses in that stifling heat. Sometimes I wished I had been born in an earlier time period but at times like this, I was grateful that women didn't have to sport those fancy dressess and layers of clothing like they did in those early days. Whew, I would be an outcast because I would not submit to that torture. All joking aside now, If you go to Charleston or any southern state, go tour the plantations . It is eye opening. The scenery is beautiful and bring your cameras. I took almost 500 photos on this trip and spent many days going through them. Have a look and check them out under stock photos or landscape photos on my website.Maybe even buy a print or other product. Support your Gypsy as the search continues for new adventures. Love to you all!

The Gypsy from Nowhere.

   Kentucky Bound on a Saturday morning before the break of dawn, this Gypsy loaded with camera and a good friend headed over to  the state where many of the top thoroughbreds are bred and raised then go on to become champions. With a cup of coffee and good music on the radio, we drove towards the blue grass state. First we stopped at the  Bean Station Overlook in the Cumberland Gap area to photograph the Veteran's Overlook. This is really a spectacular view and I highly recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in the area. The view of the Cumberland river below and the rolling mountains in the distance made for a great shot. Next we made our way to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to get the National Park Passport book stamped and tour the visitor center. Unfortunatley, I left my digital camera in the car and had only grabbed my iphone which I had slipped into my front pocket.  Ah ha, wouldn't you know that right outside the side door on the edge of the forest stood a beautiful doe and her new fawn. At that moment that I promised myself that I would never leave my camera in the car again on one of my short stops. There was no time to fetch it before the doe decided it would be best to lead her young fawn deeper into the woods. I always try to find the silver lining in every disappointment in life and in that moment I considered that I had the opportunity to "really" look at the scene in front of me and not worry about composing the shot. Although I did snap off a few shots with the faithful iphone, I spent more time "downloading " the moment into my spirit than I would have if I had my canon DSLR in my hand. That is the silverlining of that situation. Life is full of those moments and it is just as easy to look for the good as it is to focus on the missed opportunity.

    The rest of the trip went off without a hitch. My travel partner and I made our way through Daniel Boone country, toured the Wild Turkey Distillery, ate Cajun Cuisine in Lexington, Marveled at the beautiful horse farms, toured Claiborne Farms, visited the gravesites of Secretariat, Bold Ruler, Man o War and many other great champions in the horse racing world.  We spent the early morning hours that Sunday trackside at the  Keeneland Racetrack, photographing the young colts and fillies being trained and working out on the track. That is where I was able to practice my shutter speed and action shots. What great fun it was to focus on a galloping thoroughbred and freeze the shot. I am growing in my  camera settings and knowledge with every adventure.  I could not wipe that grin from off my face for hours.Later that afternoon, Nat and I nearly passed out on a one mile hike up a mountain trail to the Natural Bridge in Kentucky's Natural Bridge State Park. The humidity and summer heat nearly got the best of this gypsy, but overcome I did and made it to the top of the natural bridge to photograph the geological wonder.

  Oh yeah, I nearly forgot to mention that,  no trip to Kentucky can be complete without a stop at the original Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. "Sander's Cafe" is where the Colonel Sanders set up shop to give us what we all have come to love..well most of us that is.. my compadre does not eat bird but she enjoyed the museum as much as I did. She is a great travel and adventure buddy! It was a hoot just to be in the store and walk through the museum that is set up in the original building. If you go, do not forget to sit next to the Colonel Sander's statue inside the store and get a photo with him......lean in close and maybe kiss him on the cheek..... makes a very funny photo.

  At the tailend  of the trip into Kentucky, we drove through coal mining country. It was my first exposure to a coal mine and the countryside where the coal is found. There was a stark difference between the "horse country" of Lexington and the "coal miner" town of say  Harlan, Kentucky. The Appalachian area of Kentucky reminded me alot of North Carolina in many ways but it had a much more isolated feel to it. Driving through as an "outsider" into the deep hills of this part of Kentucky makes one very aware that there is so much of the United States the many in the poplutated cities have no clue about. The cell phone service was very scattered and the tight roadways that wind through the mountains make one feel very small and vulnerable. Did I hear any banjo music ????  Actually no, and jokes aside about the backwoods, it is a place everyone should experience. Just bring a paper map and don't venture off into the woods on unmarked roads. This was just the adventure I was looking for. I shall return again. This time I will spend more time in the coal mining towns. It is like stepping back in time. Until the next adventure, the gypsy will continue to photograph and share with all of you.  

  Hello July. Hello Friends! Is it hot enough for you all yet? I must say the the humidity here has been quite impressive. I was born and raised in Louisiana , so I know humidity. North Carolina has had many steamy days so far this summer. Another observation I have made are the biting insects who seem to be off the chain this year. The mosquitos, chiggers and those "no see em's knats" are having a family reunion over at the Belly Acre Farm where I call home. Those little devils are having a party every evening at our place. They seem to be unaffected by the deet this year. I will give a shout out to the Avon company and their wonderfully effective product "Skin So Soft". I have found that if you splash enough of that woodsy smelling oil on your body, the warrior insects die by drowning before they can pierce the exposed skin below. Of course you will walk around looking like you got dunked into a frying pan. You see, you must  apply the oil to your hairline or else those little knats will have a party there and invite all the villagers to also partake.

 This month, this gypsy will be traveling along the country roads of North Carolina, Tennessee, and possibly even Virgina to seek out old sheds, barns, silos, country store fronts, Americana decor and wildflowers in the fields. Nostalgic is the theme that I will be on a mission to photograph. I love the country roads where the sweet aroma of honeysuckle along with the wild rose bushes  fills the air.. I love the sound of birds singing a summer song early in the mornings, or the sound that the frogs make in the pond lillies late at night. Ah , the many joys of country living. The simple pleasures of watching a summer storm roll in as the country folk sit on a their front porches counting the seconds between the lightening strikes and the boom are all familiar to the month of July. Watermelon flavored snowball stands, homemade ice cream cones under a shade tree, the local small town festivals, farmers markets, weekend rodeos and Vacation Bible School for the youngins will be on everyone's summer agenda.

  So here is to you America! Here is to the back country roads.... May the  efforts to photograph the nostalgia be successful with those sights be captured as the Gypsy From Nowhere goes somewhere this July!

   I have arrrived back in North Carolina from my week long trip to the Grand Tetons national Park and also from Yellowstone National Park. I took over 1250 photographs of wildlife , scenery and the geyser basins. The highlight of my trip would have to be seeing the Junction Butte pack in Lamar Valley. The  wolf pack was actively hunting in the Lamar Valley on the week we were there. I did not actually witness the kill but was told they did take down a Bison calf the day before I saw them. On the day I was there, I witnessed the strategic assault of a lone bison which turn out that the "other bison" nearby charged the wolves and sent them back to regroup. The howling was amazing and sent chills down my arms. The black bears were very active during the middle of the day which provided ample time to photograph them. The elk were also pretty active at all times. The grizzly bear and cub that I saw were out right at dusk so photographing them was a bit tricky. I must say that the landscape of the Grand Tetons  was my favorite. Such beauty with the  reflections of those jagged peaks reflected in the lakes and rivers. The snow capped mountains made for great back drops. I will need to bring a 600 mm lens however next time and a sturdier tripod. I was just not able to get the reach for the wolves that I would have loved to have had. Over all the trip was fantastic and my mother and I did everything we set out to do. I will soon be uploading the best photos from my trip. I hope that you might find one to order from me for your wall at home. If you can .... pack your things and head into Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. It will not disappoint.

The Gypsy from Nowhere!

  When I return, look for the images to be posted. I have created a folder for them already.

Laissez les bons temps rouler