Category: Falls

Across the U.P. to Canada

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 26, 2009
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Upper Peninsula to Canada — Sought out the lighthouse, found lots of bird activity, decided to combine the two in one picture. Many, many shots later I was able to realize my vision. Good results often come only after much persistence.

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan was just about the last place I’d ever get to. It wasn’t on the way to anywhere; it’s not near where I live; I don’t know anyone who lives there. This was my chance! My plan was to follow the coast of Lake Michigan with only two detours: 1) Whitefish Point Lighthouse and 2) Sault St. Marie in Canada. That night I’d rest my head near the Macinack Bridge which connects the two great peninsulas of Michigan.

Just as I entered Michigan I picked-up a map and guide to all of Michigan’s 118 lighthouses at the Visitors Welcome Center. Did you catch that? 118! Unlike other lighthouse trips to Maine and Oregon and Prince Edward Isle, I wasn’t going to try and see them all. This trip was my UP experience and time was limited. I was going to focus on the easy and the interesting lights. <fix>

Animal Bridge Canyon Falls Lake Mountain River Road Travel

Impacted by Road Construction

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 22, 2009
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By the time I arrived at Grand Teton National Park it was getting dark but the peaks and the clouds cast a mood worthy of shooting. This disappointed me somewhat as I know from previous visits how beautiful these mountains can be. No matter, I planned on spending lots of time in the area over the following day. Little did I know that road construction would prevent me from getting back to these commanding peaks.

Yellowstone Road Construction

Yellowstone Road Construction Like a man on a mission I shot north through the Tetons, inched along the Rockefeller Parkway (which was being resurfaced) and wound my way through Yellowstone National Park in pitch darkness to the north entrance. My mission? To get some sleep, some food and some gas. When I finally got to Gardiner, MT I checked in to my motel and found food and gas at the only store open in town, five minutes before it closed. Whew!

I love Yellowstone and wanted to see as much as possible. The road network in the park is shaped like a figure “8” with radials heading off to five different entrances. During a very long day I covered it all save one road segment and one entrance which were both closed due to road construction. Though I didn’t do much hiking, I did see a lot, and it reinforced in me a feeling of awe. By late evening I had made it out the east entrance, through Cody WY and to my hotel in Billings, MT.

Bridge Canyon Falls Family River Road Travel

Columbia River Gorge

At the end of the last ice age, water from Glacial Lake Missoula found it’s way to the sea by bursting through the Cascade mountain range at the point we now know as the Columbia River Gorge. Who knew?!

Again, I learn through my travels and I found this insight fascinating. No wonder rivers plunge hundreds of feet forming world-famous waterfalls. No wonder the gorge walls can climb as high as 4,000 feet straight up. No wonder this river-to-the-sea is so mighty. It’s all due to the residual impact of floods from a melting glacial lake over 12,000 years ago!

Just look at the majesty of the eastern entrance to the gorge … glorious.

Columbia River Gorge

Before the melting flood broke through, this canyon didn’t exist.

Canyon Falls Mountain Road Travel

Yosemite Rain, Rocks, and a Flat

Post author By TravisGood
Post date October 14, 2009
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Yosemite shouldn’t be remembered for floods, landslides, and car troubles but all these conspired to make my visit memorable. While at Kings Canyon I was aware that bad weather was coming but I still harbored hopes of hiking to the top of Half Dome and taking wonderful pictures. By the time I awoke the storm was in full force and by the time I left I was driving a hobbled car.

Falls Historical Museum

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater

Post author By TravisGood
Post date September 30, 2009
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I’ve spent the past few years happening upon homes built by Frank Lloyd Wright, visiting exhibitions of his life’s work, and researching him online. The man fascinates me. Correction. His architecture affects me and that fascinates me. I’m moved emotionally whenever I see his work.

For me Fallingwater is the pinnacle of his work. The genius of how he melded the home in its natural setting. The stunning way the falls integrate with the structure. How he lets natural light reign supreme. You can feel it even in my petty attempts to capture his genius in these pictures. Amazing work.

In the southwest corner of Pennsylvania I found not only Fallingwater but also other homes built by Frank Lloyd Write. First is Kentuck Knob which is open for viewing and the other is a collection of homes called Polymath Park relocated to the area and converted into a Bed and Breakfast. For a Wright enthusiast this is one of nice detour. I’m glad I finally made it.

Bridge Falls Hike Lake Travel

Central Park: This is NYC?

Post author By TravisGood
Post date September 13, 2009
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I enjoy hiking in National Parks and I love visiting in New York City. By spending time in Central Park I get the best of both. Since being cleaned-up and made safe, it’s a green gem in the heart of the world’s greatest city.

North to south, the park runs for over 50 blocks and it’s about a quarter the width of Manhattan. It’s huge: 843 acres accounting or 6% of Manhattan’s surface area. In its boundaries you can find many, many places of interest: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir, Central Park Zoo, the Harlem Meer, and on and on. As if this weren’t enough, it’s also the venue for a large number of events due to it being at the center of such a large city. It quite literally is a breath of fresh air in this densely occupied island.