Piles of Taconite, a form of iron ore pellets used in the production of steel. Seen at the Algoma Steel Company plant located on the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada
Kathy & I are currently on a journey through cool, comfortable Michigan. We’ve visited a number of places so I’ll likely be posting images completely out of order as I get to them!
We recently visited Sault Sainte Marie, MI and did a boat cruise (never pass up a boat cruise!) on the Soo Locks. These piles of Taconite are used in the production of steel and were waiting alongside the Algona Steel Company on the St. Marys River. The black piles made me think of the opposite of something like White Sands, NM.
Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
We thought we had a pretty good idea what to expect. But when we rounded a curve and caught our first glimpse of the formations of Mammoth Hot Springs, our first thoughts were “is that snow???”
Canary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
The first impression of Mammoth Hot Springs is that it can’t be real. It is so different from anything we’ve ever seen that it just doesn’t register. And when one gets closer it looks even stranger, as the patterns, colors and textures of the various deposits defy the logic of our memories.
Canary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
After spending a little time studying the springs, it becomes a little more clear what is happening and why. Eventually it begins to make a little sense, although looking at these photos a month later I still have a hard time comprehending what I saw. It was quite an experience and one I’ll remember for a long time.
Canary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkDryad Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkMinerva Trace. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkCanary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkDryad Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkGrassy Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkPalette Spring. Lower Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National ParkView of the Mammoth Hotel and visitor complex from the Main Terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
Bison in Snow. Yellowstone National Park near Biscuit Geyser Basin
Yesterday afternoon the thermometer on our patio (in the shade!) read 100 degrees. The month before we were taking a photography tour in Yellowstone. In the snow at 30 degrees!
Still processing photos and a bit behind, but couldn’t resist commenting on the temperature differential.
Stay cool, wherever you are!
Pine trees in Snow. Kepler Cascades overlook, Yellowstone National Park near Old Faithful Inn
Chapel of the Transfiguration. Grand Teton National Park
The Chapel of the Transfiguration is a small log chapel in Grand Teton National Park, in the community of Moose. The chapel was sited and built to frame a view of the Cathedral Group of peaks in a large window behind the altar. The chapel, which was built in 1925, is owned and operated by St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson. The church is open daily, and still hosts services on Sunday. On the day of our visit, an organist was playing in the chapel.
Chapel of the Transfiguration. Grand Teton National Park
The chapel was built to serve guests and employees of the dude ranches that stretched north of Jackson along the base of the Teton Range. The land was donated by Maud Noble, owner of nearby Menor’s Ferry, predating the establishment of Grand Teton National Park in 1929 and its expansion into the Moose area in 1950. The chapel played a primary role in the movie Spencer’s Mountain, which was filmed in Jackson Hole in 1963, and featured Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara.
Chapel of the Transfiguration. Grand Teton National ParkChapel of the Transfiguration. Grand Teton National Park
The chapel was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 10, 1980.
Chapel of the Transfiguration. Grand Teton National ParkChapel of the Transfiguration. Grand Teton National Park
The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KS
Yes, I’m sort of working backwards through my (4,888!) photos from this trip, because there are so many from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. It’s gonna take me a while to get through them all!
Hoping for extra credit in Professor Curto’s History of Photography class Kathy & I visited Fort Scott, KS to see the Gordon Parks Museum. We had previously been to Fort Scott in 2020 to visit the Fort Scott National Historic Site, but the museum had been closed.
The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KS
From the Museum website:
After Gordon Parks attended the first-ever Gordon Parks Celebration in 2004, he gifted the Gordon Parks Center with 30 of his photographs. This spectacular group includes many of his iconic works such as American Gothic, Tuskegee Airmen, Flavio, Ali Sweating, Ingrid Bergman on Stromboli and many others.
In 2006, after his death, his personal effects and other memorabilia, per Gordon’s wishes, were given to the Museum. This valuable collection included many of his awards and medals, personal photos, paintings and drawings of Gordon, plaques, certificates, diplomas and honorary doctorates, selected books and articles, clothing, record player, tennis racquet, magazine articles, his collection of Life magazines and much more.
Since that time, more gifts have been given by his family and friends such as his camera, gifted by his daughter Toni Parks; his film camera and tripod, donated by his son David Parks; a collection of photographs of Gordon donated by Patricia DuBose Duncan, and much more. These gifts have made this collection substantive and significant and we are proud of Gordon’s faith in us to preserve and protect his legacy.
The museum houses a nice collection of Parks memorabilia, including a number of prints, some cameras, numerous awards and displays chronicling Parks’ life and work. I knew him as a photographer and film maker but didn’t realize that he was also a talented musician, composer, writer and poet.
Photos of Gordon Parks on display at The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSSelected prints of Gordon Parks’ photographs. The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSSelected prints of Gordon Parks’ photographs. The Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSThe Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSThe Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSThe Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSThe Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSThe Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSThe Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KSThe Gordon Parks Museum at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, KS
Prairie Dogs at Pine Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins, Colorado
After our two weeks exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, we started our journey home with a quick stop in Fort Collins, CO to see our buddy Monte. We packed a lot into a little over a day!
Pine Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins, ColoradoMonte photographing at Pine Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins, Colorado
Monte met us at our motel and we had fun catching up over a nice dinner. The next morning while Kathy slept in, I met Monte at Pine Ridge Natural Area, one of his usual haunts. After an hour or so of burning pixels, we retreated to Cups, one of Monte’s regular coffee shops.
Salsify blossom. Pine Ridge Natural Area in Fort Collins, Colorado
We went our separate ways for the rest of the morning, then met up after lunch for a drive out to the Pawnee National Grassland just east of Fort Collins. High winds from an approaching storm system made for challenging conditions on the ground but gifted us with some very interesting skies.
Interesting clouds over Pawnee National Grassland, east of Fort Collins, ColoradoInteresting clouds over Pawnee National Grassland, east of Fort Collins, ColoradoInteresting clouds over Pawnee National Grassland, east of Fort Collins, ColoradoInteresting clouds over Pawnee National Grassland, east of Fort Collins, ColoradoInteresting clouds over Pawnee National Grassland, east of Fort Collins, ColoradoInteresting clouds over Pawnee National Grassland, east of Fort Collins, ColoradoInteresting clouds over Pawnee National Grassland, east of Fort Collins, ColoradoMonte photographing the interesting clouds over Pawnee National Grassland, east of Fort Collins, Colorado
We had a second dinner before signing off and getting packed up for the rest of the journey home. It was great to see Monte again and catch up in person instead of just virtually through our blogs!
Those who know me know that I love to bring home “liquid souvenirs” from our travels. Our recent cruise on Celebrity Beyond was no exception. For our visit to the island of Barbados I had arranged a tour to take us to three distilleries. As luck would have it, our driver/guide for the day is a rum aficionado, so he was the ideal person for us to spend the day with. He also had a great place for us to have an authentic Bajan lunch!
Foursquare Distillery on BarbadosTour and tasting at Foursquare Distillery on BarbadosBarrels of Rum at Foursquare Distillery on BarbadosTour and tasting at Foursquare Distillery on Barbados
We visited Foursquare, Mount Gay and Stade’s distilleries, and brought home several bottles from each. Just like with bourbon, gin and other spirits, rum distilleries all have their individual stories, methods and recipes. It is interesting to learn about them, in the interest of science, of course.
Original Mount Gay Pot Still from 1760. At Mount Gay Rum on BarbadosTour and tasting at Mount Gay Rum on BarbadosMount Gay Rum on Barbados
I have finally completed all of the processing from our winter adventures and posted galleries on my Adobe Portfolio page.
Tour and tasting at Stade’s Rum Distillery on BarbadosStade’s Rum Distillery on Barbados
Rocks and moss. McConnells Mill State Park near Portersville, PA
On our way to Ohio to see the eclipse, Kathy & I stopped off in western Pennsylvania to visit our friends Jim & Lisa. While we were there we made a trip to McConnell’s Mill State Park to do a little hiking. The mill itself has fallen into disrepair, but the covered bridge has been nicely maintained and makes for a picturesque scene on Slippery Rock Creek.
Covered Bridge over Slippery Rock Creek. McConnells Mill State Park near Portersville, PACovered Bridge over Slippery Rock Creek. McConnells Mill State Park near Portersville, PA
I had been to this park years ago, but enjoyed the time outdoors and with friends. I even managed to make a few photographs.
Cascades on Slippery Rock Creek. McConnells Mill State Park near Portersville, PAMcConnells Mill State Park near Portersville, PAKildoo Falls. McConnells Mill State Park near Portersville, PAKildoo Falls. McConnells Mill State Park near Portersville, PARocks and moss. McConnells Mill State Park near Portersville, PA
Cherry Mountain School. Driving tour of 12 historic country schoolhouses in Gillespie County, Texas
After one day in Fredericksburg, Kathy & I decided we had seen enough cowboy art and turquoise jewelry, the wineries were busy and charged more for tastings than for a bottle of wine, so we stopped by the visitor center to see what else we might do. The woman there mentioned a driving tour of one room school houses in Gillespie County, the area surrounding Fredericksburg.
Pecan Creek School HouseCherry Spring SchoolhouseOuthouse at Cherry Spring SchoolhouseSt. John Lutheran Church, next to Crabapple SchoolCrabapple School
Better than I can tell it, here is a bit of history about the schools from The Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools:
As many as 44 rural schools were in operation around Fredericksburg, the county seat of Gillespie County, in the early 20th century. German immigrants had poured into the area that became known as the Texas Hill Country in the mid to late 1800’s, starting with the settlement of New Braunfels in 1845 and Fredericksburg in 1846. As families moved onto land more distant from town, the earliest rural educational efforts normally involved hiring a teacher to educate the children in private homes.
Eventually land was donated by a family in the area and a community school was built taking names descriptive of nearby natural landmarks such as Cave Creek, Crabapple, Pecan Creek or Lower South Grape Creek. The German heritage of Gillespie County is evident in other names like Luckenbach, Meusebach, Rheingold and Nebgen.
The Gilmer-Aikin Law of 1949 resulted in the consolidation of most rural schools in Texas, bringing a close to this era of public education. Remarkably, the main buildings at only two of the 44 rural schools in Gillespie County were demolished over the decades. In the 1950’s, community clubs were organized and maintained some of the rural school properties in Gillespie County using their own funds, even though they were owned by the Fredericksburg Independent School District (FISD).
Short histories of the schools can be obtained at the Visitor Information Center in Fredericksburg, located at 302 East Austin Street, at each school and on our website: www.historicschools.org
Rheingold SchoolRheingold School‘Modern Facilities’ at Rheingold School‘Not So Modern Facilities’ at Rheingold SchoolWillow City Schoolhouse
The tour resulted in a very nice day, and quite a collection of interesting, albeit very documentary, photographs. It’s ultimately the way we prefer to spend our time, rather than trudging up and down the main street in a town, wandering through shops with no intention or interest in buying. When there is a bakery or ice cream shop, however….
Nebgen SchoolCave Creek SchoolCave Creek School
We’re off to Ohio in a few days in hopes of catching the eclipse. I do plan to take some pictures, but not of the eclipse. I just want to watch it myself and let those with the patience and proper equipment make photos I can see later. I do hope to get lots of pictures of people wearing those awesome glasses, though!
Former Buick dealership now a winery. Fredericksburg, Texas
After our stop in Shiner we arrived in Fredericksburg, where we stayed for a few days before heading east toward Florida. The draw for Fredericksburg is that it is in the heart of Texas wine country. We drove through Fredericksburg on a previous trip but only spent one night. Ironically, despite being in the middle of wine country we didn’t visit any wineries! We did manage to drink a bit of Texas wine, did a little shopping and some sightseeing.
I was really taken with the public library. Housed in the former Gillespie County Courthouse that was built in 1881-1882 and used until 1939, the building was subsequently converted to the current use as the library. The limestone exterior, high ceilings and wooden trim are a reminder of the days of fine craftsmanship. The library even has a card catalog, although the drawers are empty now.
Public Library in Fredericksburg, TexasPublic Library in Fredericksburg, TexasPublic Library in Fredericksburg, TexasWho knows what this is? Public Library in Fredericksburg, TexasPublic Library in Fredericksburg, TexasPublic Library in Fredericksburg, Texas
The town of Fredericksburg is like a lot of small towns these days, just with a Texas twist. Instead of antiques and country crafts there is cowboy art and turquoise jewelry. Lots of interesting restaurants, though. We had several really nice meals during our stay.
The Hangar Hotel in Fredericksburg, TexasThe Hangar Hotel in Fredericksburg, Texas
We stayed in a really cool hotel located at the Gillespie County Airport. Named the Hangar Hotel, it is styled after a WWI aircraft hanger, complete with an Officer’s Club, the name of the lounge. It was fun watching all the planes coming and going, and made for some interesting photography.
Bachelorette party. Vaudeville Restaurant in Fredericksburg, Texas
