Pathfinder's fast romp through 14 states in 17 days and home via Route 66

pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
edited April 2, 2009 in Journeys
Out through Iowa, Montana, Idaho, Utah and home vie Route 66



Nightingale and I made a road trip in February, departing Indiana on Feb 4, so that we could spend a morning in Burlington Iowa and see if there were any eagles nearby. We ate dinner that evening in Burlington to celebrate our anniversary - now how many guys can take their wife with them to go photograph eagles in 15 degree weather on their anniversay anyway?! We ate at a little restaurant, the Drake, along the river front and I drank some neon inspired beer, and shot the bridge over the iced-in river.

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The next morning we went down to the locke and started looking for eagles. We did not really have to hunt all that long
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We spent a couple hours shooting before our hands got too cold in the breeze and we decided we had shot enough after about 600 frames in a couple hours.

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I learned that the leather lens cap for a 300mm lens CAN blow away into the ice swollen river too. But you can order a replacement from B&H for $75. We were off to a less than stellar beginning.

We left by late morning and headed north west into the Dakotas. We made a brief pit stop at Mount Rushmore which was the emptiest I have have seen it, even though it was not cold at all.

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There really were just a handful of folks at Rushmore that day!


We hiked around the base of the mountain, and then saddled up and headed west toward Montana. We overnighted in Billings, and made Big Sky the next day. The conference I was attending lasted 5 days, and each afternoon we would wander down toward West Yellowstone looking for game. The best game shots we found at the base of the Big Sky ski area, where there was a local herd of Big Horn Sheep that we would stop and photograph several times.

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After conference concluded, we had three days scheduled in Gardiner Montana, at the north gate to Yellowstone, to explore the area between Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City. We had more luck in the northern portion of Yellowstone than we did down near West Yellowstone.

We saw buffalo

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funny deer

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a fawn

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elk in the Park

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and elk in town

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several coyotes

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We saw lots of trees in the snow in the sunlight

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I shot several sets of panos of 3- 9 frames each

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Next we ventured into Idaho and down towards Brigham City Utah where we woke to a blanket of new snow.

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Finally we arrived in Kingman Az and met up with kdog for some breakfast and an introduction to Route 66 in western Arizona, which of course means Oatman Az and the Hackberry General Store. Thanks again for all your suggestions, Joel.

The Oatman was where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard may or may not have spent their wedding night
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The old ATSF ( now BNSF ) Railroad runs near Rt 66 in western Az, and you can see trains go by frequently

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Amazingly, there are dozens of sets of Burma Shave signs which I thought had entirely disappeared. They look new too

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There are just a few of the shots on our trip. More can be seen here http://pathfinder.smugmug.com/gallery/7352201_9SahE#483151924_T65WL

Please leave a comment if you visit my gallery, for either praise or criticsm.
Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin

Comments

  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2009
    Jim,

    Looks like an awesome trip and a great way to celebrate your years together! clap.gif
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  • grimacegrimace Registered Users Posts: 1,534 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2009
    Stunning series Pathfinder!! Really difficult to pick a favorite!!

    clap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif
  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,893 moderator
    edited March 8, 2009
    Excellent work, Jim. clap.gifclap Looks like you had a great trip.
  • ZanottiZanotti Registered Users Posts: 1,411 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2009
    Jim:

    Great shots. I went through your gallery on your Smugmug as well and enjoyed "taking" the trip with you. It looks like you had quite the supply of gear with you as well!

    How did the new 5DMII work out for you? Is it now your go to camera for most shots?

    I see you still like sign pictures - very cool!


    Z
    It is the purpose of life that each of us strives to become actually what he is potentially. We should be obsessed with stretching towards that goal through the world we inhabit.
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2009
    Great job my friend clap.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited March 8, 2009
    Thanks guys for enjoying my trip.

    George, I think I actually still used the 5D and my 50D more than their newer brother. Lots of my shots were done with a G10 as well. I tend to get less concerned with which camera I am using at the time, with a vague preference for larger sensors for landscapes and large panos, and APS sensors for wildlife. Nothing original in that type of preference. I think a well done shot with a lesser camera is more important than a poorly composed and executed shot with a better camera - usually, anyway.ne_nau.gif

    Yes, I still do like "sign" pictures - I collect them wherever I see them.

    Am I the only person who sees the pairing of these two signs somewhat ironic, or am I just overthinking it? (Shot with a G10 also)

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    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • BradfordBennBradfordBenn Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited March 8, 2009
    Great pictures. Yes, I also find the sign picture humorous.
    -=Bradford

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  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited March 8, 2009
    Excellent stuff! The snow panos and that golden light on the trees were fantastic!

    And thanks for whetting my road trip appetite, I leave in less than 7 days now.

    :ian
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited March 8, 2009
    Thanks Erik, I thought the trees in the golden light were the best of the lot also. You can't plan for those, but just grab them when they show up.

    Her is another one of the trees

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    Every year when I go out west for spring skiing, I remark about how lovely the red bushes along the creek beds are, but have never really captured the color and detail well on film. I think some of these are beginning to get close.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited March 9, 2009
    Nice - you can see how its shaped by the wind too nod.gif


    And btw, 17 days = fast?! Thanks to employers, rent, and bills, we have to make both oceans in 11 days! Vroooooom!
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited March 9, 2009
    Fast?

    5 days were in Big Sky, and ~4 were in Gardiner, and 2-3 were in Kingman, so we did not spend all of our time on the road.

    I have a number of shots of Rt 66 in Arizona and Missouri, not so much in Oklahoma as much of it was driven through after dark.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited March 9, 2009
    Looks like you had a good trip.
    I'm glad you made it to the eagle spot, I hope it was worth the stop to you.

    Route 66 looks like it'd be a fun trip.
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • JulieLawsonPhotographyJulieLawsonPhotography Registered Users Posts: 787 Major grins
    edited March 9, 2009
    What a fantasic series!!! I felt like I was going right along with you. Crystal clear clarity and wonderful color. I love the panos too. wings.gifclap.gif
  • Antonio CorreiaAntonio Correia Registered Users Posts: 6,241 Major grins
    edited March 9, 2009
    Beautiful pictures. iloveyou.gif
    Happy anniversary !clap.gif
    thumb.gifDthumb.gif
    All the best ! ... António Correia - Facebook
  • summerzsummerz Registered Users Posts: 494 Major grins
    edited March 10, 2009
    Fabulous pics, iloveyou.gif thanks.bowdown.gif
  • slflashslflash Registered Users Posts: 186 Major grins
    edited March 11, 2009
    geat shots
    Jim,
    You never cease to amaze me! Great shots as usual. Loved all the picts. in your gallery.


    Sheila
  • ehughesehughes Registered Users Posts: 1,675 Major grins
    edited March 11, 2009
    Great set Jim, looks like a fun trip. I still need to get out to Yellowstone someday... Know a good guide? :D
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited March 11, 2009
    I am afraid I can't help you about a guide. We did not use one, just wandered about along the northern highway in Yellowstone - the road from Gardiner, to Mammoth to Cooke City is the only road open to wheeled traffic in the winter.

    We tried to hook up with Tom Murphy who has shot a lot of wildlife in winter in Yellowstone, but did not get an answer to our email. Google Tom Murphy - Yellowstone and and you'll find him.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • SamirDSamirD Registered Users Posts: 3,474 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2009
    Great pictures! I just finished a trip from CA to AL with a lot of Route 66 stops along the way. I need to post some of my pictures up once I get a chance to go through all of them.

    I can't believe how close you were to some of the coyotes on the road! There's also some amazing landscapes in the series. It's so hard to capture the true grandeur of the sites. But I can feel it in your shots. The train shots were also amazingly close. bowdown.gif

    My favorite from the whole series is this shot. I think it captures the essense of the west with the history of Route 66.
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    After looking through your series, I want to hit the road again even though I was on the road for a month! thumb.gif
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  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited March 16, 2009
    That stretch of Rt 66 from Cold Spring to Oatman is really cool old, narrow twisty road isn't it? A great road to ride carefully on two wheels or on four wheels even. There are mountain goats along it too.

    I am glad you enjoyed a few of my images.clap.gif

    Here's another one from Oatman that I hope captures some of the flavor of the old road

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    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,680 moderator
    edited March 16, 2009
    SamirD wrote:
    My favorite from the whole series is this shot. I think it captures the essense of the west with the history of Route 66.
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    Hey, I know that mountain, but didn't know there was a car there! eek7.gif I'm going to have to go back and get that shot. :D

    Hey Jim, great Journey report! Amazing variety of pictures. The wildlife shots just blow me away. bowdown.gif

    I felt a little bad that you drove all the way to Kingman for just such a short stay, and with bad weather to boot. However, after looking at your shots, I can see the time was put to good use here. You got some really special shots. I can't imagine what you'd create here if you had more than 24 hours!

    Great meeting you and Nightingale. See you next time, and hopefully we'll find some time to shoot together.

    -joel
  • jayegirljayegirl Registered Users Posts: 276 Major grins
    edited March 26, 2009
    These are great. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed all. Agree, a great way to celebrate your anniversary!
    Jaye
  • ccherokeccheroke Registered Users Posts: 53 Big grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    thanks for sharing your nice trip
    I really enjoyed seeing your pictures..I really liked the buffalo and scenes were good too. Great job.clap.gif
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,694 moderator
    edited April 2, 2009
    Joel, ladies, thank you for your kind comments.

    Here is a shot I got at the Hackberry General Store

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    And one from the Mid Point Cafe in Adrian Texas\

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    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • rwellsrwells Registered Users Posts: 6,084 Major grins
    edited April 2, 2009
    Jim,

    Your just a really good photographer, simple as that.

    Loved the shots thumb.gif
    Randy
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