A Walk in the Park

It was a risk. Going some place I have only been to once before. The mission - to evaluate emotions surrounding photography.  Turns out unfamiliarity and lack of emotional attachment were essential to an honest evaluation.

A friend and I are working through some exercises in the book Shooting with Soul.  We are both in need of a photographic kick-in-the-butt. She had recently purchased the slightly used book. I had the book on my photography bookshelf, the tassel of a bookmark protruding from a third of the way through. These kinds of exercises are better when done together.

Since it is Summer in both Michigan and Maine, we wanted to take advantage of the season. We started at Chapter 4 - Wanderings: Taking the Scenic Route.

The first exercise we are doing is No. 25 - A Walk in Nature.

It has been a while since I have taken my DSLR on a walk. There was some relearning to do. How do I change the Drive again? Oh yah, that button on top that says Drive. Since doing my Meadow Project the last two summers I prefer to use my tripod for nature shots. No, I don't enjoy carrying it, but I know I am a better photographer when I use it. I slow down. Something that is terribly hard for me.

For this walk in nature, I was suppose to photograph with a meditative state of mind. I will be honest. I will probably never get to that state of mind. I can't even get there in Restorative Yoga when I am lying on my back, eyes closed, listening to atomspheric cello music, covered by a cozy blanket. Within me lies a slight skeptical edge towards everything.

"Notice the harmony in all the shapes, colors, and textures and how the sun shines through the trees. Let your intuition guide you. Notice your emotions as you go and think about how you might want to express those feelings in your photos."

I was thinking about what to make for supper.

My personality type is more post-event reflective. I see the potential in my photographs when I process them. That is when the story that lies within them is revealed. 

If you had asked me that morning in the park - I would have said I hate photography. The bugs, the mud, carrying the tripod, nothing inspiring to photograph. Now, as I sit at the computer processing these images, listening to atmospheric cello music, and writing this story - I will say I love photography. 

Reminder

For those participating in the Summer Photography Scavenger Hunt, please remember to tag your photos #sharewhereyoulive2019 both on Instagram and on Facebook. You can follow the hashtag on IG and I can locate your photos on FB via the hashtag. I want to see what you all are doing. Plus I love to post your photos from the week on my Facebook Page - Twisted Road Studio

Winter Photography

Two years ago, we had one of the worst winters here in Michigan that I can remember since I was a kid. I think most of us in the midwest and northeast remember the term "polar vortex". It snowed for weeks on end, storm after storm, temperatures always hovering around zero.

That winter kept me inside, and I hated it.

Last year I was determined to not let winter beat me again, so I invested in high quality long underwear, a long down-filled coat, and new snow resistant pants to go over my long underwear. I had a warm hat, good mittens and the ever important neck gator. I was ready for winter. I was not going to be held hostage inside my house again. I went out at least once a week, if not more, to photograph. Sometimes with my dSLR, but mostly with my iPhone (the fingers don't get as cold using the iPhone). I got a lot of great winter shots, and came to appreciate the beauty of the blank white canvas, and bare tree branches against a gun metal gray sky. I fell in love with winter photography. Notice I did not say I fell in love with winter, that is a work in progress.

This year a El Nino winter is forecast, supposedly warmer and drier than in recent years. I am hopeful but not unrealistic, winter is still winter in Michigan. None the less,  I still have the same good quality clothing and the same determination to get out and photograph that I had last year.

Two weeks ago we had a lovely winter afternoon; blue skies, bright sunshine and temperatures in the mid-30's, no wind. I set off for a recently discovered county park with my Canon dSLR. My daughter and I had been there a month earlier and at that time I had only my iPhone with me, but I knew I wanted to go back with my big camera. I was not disappointed.

The willow trees across the river from the park were what drew me back with my big camera. I wanted to try out some of my new Topaz Labs processing software.

Winter no longer holds me hostage, and I am ever grateful for this hobby of photography that gives me reason to venture out in any kind of weather.

Curiosity Along the Roadside

When I was a child we took car vacations every year. My parents were not people of high monetary means, so we stayed at cheap motels and ate of lot of fast food. But the one thing I remember the most is always on the first day of vacation we ate a packed lunch at a roadside park.

Also every summer we spent a day in Ludington at the City Park and Beach. I remember these trips so fondly. The highlight of those days was a picnic lunch of Kentucky Fried Chicken, then an afternoon spent playing on the beach alongside Lake Michigan. 

In the early days of our marriage we also had little monetary means so I continued the tradition of packing a lunch on the first day of vacation and we would eat at a roadside park. These days we seek out local restaurants instead, as does most of the traveling population. 

When we travel I still get a nostalgic feeling when I see a roadside park and feel a little sad when I don't see any cars at them. Is the death of roadside parks imminent? 

Then last week Scout, our golden retriever, and I had an adventure day. Obviously I can't bring him into a restaurant with me and I am not a fan of leaving my dog in the car. So we sought out a roadside park. I had stopped at a Subway to pick up some lunch for me and I had his food packed in his travel bag.

I began thinking maybe the roadside park can be brought back by us, or at least we should take advantage of them while they still exist. Scout did great, quietly sitting by my side while I ate my lunch, this is the perfect solution for us.

This week we had another adventure day planned so I began looking for a roadside park on our route where we could enjoy lunch. There is actually a map you can print out of all the roadside parks in Michigan, they are more plentiful than I would have thought.

This got me curious about the history of roadside parks, so I did some research.

Herbert F. Larson started the idea of the roadside park. History records that the idea goes back to 1918 in the early days of auto touring. Larson was then a history-minded highway engineer just out of the University of Michigan School of Engineering. After school he returned to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to manage the highway department in Iron County.

The inspiration of the roadside park idea came from a disappointed Sunday outing to a nearby Wisconsin lake county for a picnic. In 1919 Northern Wisconsin lake resorts were growing rapidly. On that particular Sunday, Larson tried to have a cookout with a group of friends. Everywhere they went the property caretaker asked them to not have their picnic on the property and escorted them off the grounds.

Larson wrote:

"In Upper Michigan we could go where we 

chose with no one to bother us."

He did not want the nearby Upper Peninsula to suffer a similar loss of the much-loved past time of picnicking. This is where he was inspired with the idea of a wide right of way road spot as a roadside park. Larson's roadside park idea quickly spread all over the United States, they were in most states by the 1920's. His roadside park idea soon attracted large gatherings and became a trend-setting phenomenon.

A roadside park will generally be found in a rural setting. Of course back in the 1920's when these were created everywhere was rural. The roadside park with the use of picnic tables is the predecessor of the modern rest area/travel plaza. 

I love the fact that a guy from Michigan created these lovely pastimes.

Do you have memories of picnicking at a roadside park? I would love to hear.

*Historic information gathered from Wikipedia

Joining Kim for Friday Finds

Taking the Backroads - My Heart Lies North

Last week I went south from where I live to explore backroads, and that was okay. This week though I went back to what I love, exploring northward.

Plus this Starbucks is so conveniently located on my northward route.

My starting point this week was Stoney Lake Road which is located near New Era, Stony Lake and Silver Lake.

My necessary equipment was by my side.

The Corner of Stony Lake Road and 52nd Avenue

I found quite a few treasures on just one corner...

This classic 1903 school house with the original Bradyville School bell, now a year round residence, is for sale. List price $70,000 - 3 bedrooms, 2 baths.

Just look at all that lovely detail.

Next a sign for a Winery that Glen and I have never been to. Must check this place out.

Their literature says "We offer a vast selection of wines from dry to sweet - there's something for everyone to enjoy". Sounds perfect, since Glen likes dry and I like sweeter.

The next thing you just don't see for sale alongside the road everyday.

The funniest thing is that I know somebody that would buy a truck like this. I took a picture of it and the information and sent it to his dad. That's what friends are for right?

Stony Lake

Stony Lake is very much a quaint little summer cottage village. The above photograph shows a walkway and building that are part of a summer camp.

Ever on my quest for vintage playground equipment I found this wood plank floor merry go round at the local park.

Route B15

Once out of Stony Lake I was on B15. I think this road will be filled with beautiful color within the next week or two.

Shortly out of Stony Lake I came across this gem.

I haven't seen gas pumps like that one in quite a while, so obviously this little convenience store that is, of course, for sale has been empty for quite a while.

Silver Lake

Silver Lake Sand Dunes are very popular with the Off Road Vehicle crowd. I did these dunes once quite a few years ago on a jeep ride and let's just say I have motion sickness issues :)

Pentwater

I stopped at this great park for a bathroom break, snack break and a stroll out to Lake Michigan.

I just love dune grass and blue skies.

Pentwater - The Other Side of the Channel

Once going around the channel you get to the other side of Pentwater. The part that has their lovely downtown. Glen thinks we have been here before, I have no memory of this.

This is where my next story takes place. I don't mean to leave you hanging, but I have run over my allotment of photographs for today, and I want to do a little more research first. I will give you a couple of picture hints though...

I hope to have this post up tomorrow...especially since it is suppose to rain.

Joining my dear friend Helen for her Weekend Walks 

Taking the Backroads - Shoreline Trail, Muskegon

I always think when I am out on my Friday Creative Inspiration adventures that I am not getting enough "good" pictures to make a very interesting blog post. Even when I get home and load them into Lightroom and start culling them, I still think there isn't enough "good" ones. I can put that thought away now as I exported 32 pictures from Lightroom this morning. I guess there are more tthan enough that are good enough. Don't worry I won't share all 32, otherwise this post will go on forever, and that's just not my style.

Starting Point
My starting point this week was the Shoreline Trail which is a driving route that runs along the Lake Michigan shore in Muskegon County.

I have been on bits of this trail on my last two Creative Inspiration Fridays, but decided I would start at the beginning this week, instead of in the middle.

At the beginning of this trail is this lovely ice cream shoppe. Too bad it wasn't at the end of my day instead, or maybe it is just as well it wasn't.

Mount Garfield Motorcycle Club
About fifteen minutes into my trip along this trail I spotted this...

I had to do what is becoming my classic turn around and go back maneuver. It was just too intriguing to not check out. As I passed I thought it was some kind of sledding hill or something winter related but no, it is a Motorcycle Hill Climb.

History

In 1919 Dan D. Raymond opened the Raymond Motor & Cycle Company on Ottawa Street in Muskegon. Raymond organized the Muskegon Motorcycle Club in 1920 and in 1921 leased a nearby sand dune, Mount Garfield, for a motorcycle hill climb.

The Muskegon Motorcycle Club purchased the forty-acre site that included Mount Garfield in 1923, the same year that over 3,000 spectators attended the climb. The club also purchased a farmhouse, which was converted into a clubhouse and improved the hill with wooden steps, an observation tower, and clay surfacing.

The Muskegon Motorcycle Club received the National Championship Hill Climb award from theAmerican Motorcycle Association (AMA) in 1929. Though the Great Depression curtailed participation in the popular climb, by 1939 the AMA once again decided to hold a national hill climb event at Mount Garfield. For the event, a concrete staircase with the name of a sponsor etched in each of the three hundred and thirteen stair slabs was installed. Mount Garfield is the site of the first professional hill climb in America. The climb was suspended during World War II but was resumed in 1946. A stone monument to the members of the Muskegon Motorcycle Club that died in World War II was erected at the entrance of the Mount Garfield grounds in 1949. 

The Muskegon Motorcycle Club still hosts the National Hill Climb Competition held at Mt Garfield every other August on even numberd years. The next National Hill Climb is scheduled for 2014.

Video

You have to watch this video it is insane...

Photos

Here are some more photos of the outside, this place is like a fortress...

I was so happy with how the light was hitting this fence, it pays to start early in the day.

Parks

There are so many beautiful parks along this wonderful Shoreline Trail. I spotted this one as I was driving along, so I stopped for a little exploring.

It is the Lake Harbor Park in Norton Shores. Super cute little park with a walk along Mona Lake.

Lovely benches to sit upon and watch the water and the boats going past.

This is my favorite photo of the day. It isn't technically great, I realized after he was past that it was a dog in the front of the boat. This one tugs at my heart strings. This guy and his dog out for a spin on the lake. Does it get any better than that?

Snack Time
I remembered my water bottle and my snack this week. Yay me!!

So I sat on this lovely bench at Norman F. Kruse Park, a City of Muskegon Park enjoying my snack and the view.

Ending the day with Lunch
I finished up my day of exploring with lunch at Muskegon State Park. I found this lovely picnic table along the channel and enjoyed my Wendy's chili and drink, while reading about Michigan History. I know I am a geek :)

My view of the channel from my picnic table.

Some Thoughts From the Road

• There is a definite shortage of cute sandwich/healthy take out places located anywhere near these lovely parks with picnic tables.
• Next week if the weather is nice I think I will pack my own lunch. I am not a fan of having to get fast food. 
• Remember to take the Paisley Rain Boots. This time of year the grass is dewy in the morning and I would prefer to not have wet feet so early in the day.
• It is sad to see the snow fences going up already along the beach. It points all too clearly to winter. I want to enjoy Autumn first.

I am sure in the next couple of weeks we will really start to see some Autumn color emerging. I am looking forward to sharing that with all of you.

Joining Helen for Weekend Walks
Joining Kim for Friday Finds