Road Trip!!!

[Whiteymorange]

In celebration of my retirement from teaching, I've decided to give myself the chance to get good and lost, or at least good and far away from what I know. I will be heading out in mid September on a drive west, taking mostly US Rt 2. Starting after an obligatory visit to the home of the Great Yellow Father in Rochester, NY, I will go up through Lake Huron to Manitoulin Island and then west and back into the States at Sault Ste Marie. From there its westward, all the way to Bellingham, WA, where my son lives. Whether I head to Southern California and then east by the canyonlands and a wide circle of the south is a matter to be decided after I have lived on the road for a few weeks. I may just tire of my own company and hightail it back, but I think not.

So... I'm up for suggestions that might kick me into a serious photo project on the way. I think I'll be taking just my Speed Graphic and a venerable Mamiya TLR with a few lenses (the nameplate on the body is long gone and I paid $10 for it at a sale, but it works fine). I am not likely to take any 35mm equipment. The 8x10 is tempting, but I think it may be too much. I have lots of 4x5 and 120 film. I will shoot all B&W film. iphone shots in color will be reference images for paintings to be completed back in the studio.

Ideas?

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

Michigan UP is just gorgeous, which is on your way if you're going to Sault Ste Marie. The entire coast line of each side is phenomenal with lots of places you can land your feet in the sand and photograph the grandure of the big lakes in its best form. You have to stop in Paradise, Michigan, and have a catch of the day whitefish sandwich at Brown Fisheries Fish House. It's amazing.
The trek out to Crisp Point Lighthouse is worth it if you have the time and a car that can handle dirt roads that can be a bit rough. The area is gorgeous. Tahquamenon Falls are quite interesting too, with a nice watering hole at the top falls and nice hiking and views of the river and surrounding area.
One of my favorite places I've ever been.

The Minnesota Lake Superior North Shore is breathtaking as well, but probably farther out of your way.

Congratulations on your retirement! Sounds like a fun adventure. If you stop by Minneapolis on the way over, give me a shout. Suzanne Revy has so many good things to say about you that I'd love to meet you in person.

 

[jovo]

Congratulations of your retirement!!! I have one more year to teach, and then maybe I'll go on an odyssey too. Have a wonderful trip, Whitey!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Drop down into Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Simply amazing places. On the way back maybe Devil's Tower? Really cool spot.

 

[illumiquest]

Awesome trip! I'm not exactly retired but doing something similar over the next six months. If you have a chance to drive down the 101 through Oregon and Cali I highly recommend it. Craters of the Moon national park in Idaho is amazing if you're passing through that way. Yellowstone is also obviously a pretty epic spot. Do you have a blog going?

 

[cowanw]

Well if you want a overnight bed in Hamilton, between Buffalo and Toronto, let me know. We are the city of Waterfalls.
http://cityofwaterfalls.ning.com/
Regards
Bill

 

[tony lockerbie]

The South- East coast of Australia is nice this time of year

 

[kbrede]

I'm envious. Enjoy the trip! No matter which way you go, there's always something interesting to see.

 

[MattKing]

Whitey:

When you are in Bellingham you will be almost within shouting distance from us APUGers in south-west BC.

My wife and I visit there regularly.

You ought to consider a visit to BC as well!

 

[bill h]

Road blog!

 

[photomc]

Congratulations on your retirement...and take that 8x10, you will wish you had it at some point.

Safe travels and enjoy the journey.

 

[winger]

Congratulations! I hope you have a fantastic time. I'm quite jealous.

 

[segedi]

If you decide to head through the Canadian Rockies on your way to Washington, let me know!

 

[Bob-D659]

Don't forget a detour up to Copper Harbor in the UP of Michigan.

 

[Marc B.]

A lot of great places to visit on your route.
May I suggest a Friday or Saturday night in Whitefish, MT.
Some nice little nightclubs/bars with great live music.
Inexpensive lodging in, and around town. Also, not a bad 'base town' for a Glacier Park visit.

I've listed a few other places below.

Marc


A little north of Highway 2, The North Cascades Highway.
Sort of WA State's version of Glacier Park, Mont:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_State_Route_20

Newhalem, WA and Ross lake at the West side of the North Cascades Hwy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newhalem,_Washington
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Lake

Winthrop, WA on the East side of the North Cascades Hwy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winthrop,_Washington

A bit south of Highway 2, and Stevens Pass,
Snoqualmie Pass/Snoqualmie Falls, WA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoqualmie_Falls

Leavenworth, WA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leavenworth,_Washington
http://www.leavenworth.org/modules/pages/?pageid=190&path=32|190#id=webcams&num=1

Dry Falls, near Grand Coulee, WA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_Falls

Grand Coulee Dam, WA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Coulee_Dam

Spokane Falls, Spokane, WA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokane_Falls

Silverwood Theme Park, north of Coeur d'ALene, ID:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverwood_Theme_Park

Sandpoint, ID and Lake Pend Oreille:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Pend_Oreille

Kalispell, Mont:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalispell,_Montana
Testicle Festival, Clinton, MT
http://www.testyfesty.com/

Whitefish, MT:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitefish,_Montana

Glacier Park, MT:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_National_Park_(U.S.)

 

[paul_c5x4]

Road blog!

Road kill!!




Have fun what ever you end up doing.

 

[David Henderson]

Buy, beg or borrow a copy of "Ghosts in the Wilderness " by Tony & Eva Worobiec a collection of photographs mostly based along Route 2 in Montana and N Dakota.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Congratulations on your retirement Whitey.

You must give me a call when in Rochester (or before you leave). And don't forget to visit GEH! PM me for phone # and to talk.

While in MT, don't forget to visit the Formulary.

PE

 

[pbromaghin]

In Bagley, MN, you'll want to take a right at the light and go 3 blocks north to get a picture of the Cease Funeral Home sign. It's too bad Jiffy Balling in Shevlin is out of business. You gotta get a shot of the Big Fish bar in Bena. They've moved into a modern building right next door, but the big Northern Pike is still right alongside the road. The door is in his mouth. For even more touristy schlock there's the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statue in Bemidji. Duluth harbor could keep you busy for days - the lift bridge, channel and lighthouses change dramatically with the weather. The Mackinac bridge to the U.P. is pretty spectacular.

 

[DWThomas]

My only contact with Route 2 is the area that would be a mere day trip for you, Maine, New Hampshire* and Vermont**. But I certainly wish you a great trip, it sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate retirement.


* We enjoyed Littleton - neat restored 1795 mill and thriving downtown, including decorated pianos parked on the sidewalks!
** There's lots of interesting stuff outside of Burlington along the Lake Champlain shores.

 

[removed account4]

sounds like a great trip whitey !

when you are in MT don't forget to stop
and photograph some of the dental floss ranches
they are beautiful this time of year.

(don't forget your tweezers ! )
john

 

[Bob Carnie]

Ontario is Dinesh's home turf , I would avoid it like the plague.

 

[benjiboy]

Hearty congratulations Whitey, I hope you have as enjoyable retirement as I have had for the last six years .

 

[mhanc]

Congratulations! Sounds like a fantastic trip you have put together. I am considering a similar trip and it also begins in Rochester! Keep us updated on your Westward progress...

 

[pbromaghin]

Oh, you're crossing at Sault Ste Marie! You'll be driving practically right over the Soo Locks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soo_Locks