The Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park in Winter

For the past several years, my mom has travelled to Arizona for the Gem & Mineral Show in Tucson. It’s long days at the shows but a few times we have made it into road trip where I got to check some national parks off my list. One of those times we drove to the Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert.

I loved how the snow dusted the barren landscape. The temperature was a high of 35 that day but the sun was out. It was so peaceful with hardly any other people walking the trails or cars clogging up popular areas.

I remember our bed & breakfast, Brad’s Desert Inn, had themed rooms. We were in the eagle room (go birds) and the owner would make the most enormous breakfast. She told us about her dreams for renovating the rooms and I hope to go back one day to see how they turned out.

This trip had many memorable stops. Arizona is one of my favorite places but I definitely loved our time at this park. Stay tuned for a more detailed blog post on the route we took and stops we made along the way!

This national park has preserved part of Route 66. This old Studebaker sits at the crossroads where the newly built I-40, runs almost parallel with it.

Painted Desert Inn

sedimentary layers of Blue Mesa

Agate Bridge

Like a giant chocolate log cake.

This is where I bought a petrified wood specimen to further my collection! :)

Pennhurst State School & Hospital

Pennhurst State School & Hospital or Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic was an institution for mentally and physically disabled individuals from 1908 until 1987. You might know it as The Shame of Pennsylvania but the people inside called it Hell on Earth. If you want to know more about the history I recommend reading Weird NJ’s article.

Today I listened to a new podcast, Real Life Ghost Stories, stumbling across this episode about Pennhurst. Based on the book, Ghosts of Mayflower, it recounted Tamera Lawrence’s experience working in 2011 as an orderly in the Mayflower building, one of the most spiritually active on campus. I recommend listening to the entire podcast but enjoy some snippets alongside images I captured when Zack and I “ventured” on the grounds early one morning. Happy Haunting!

“Night One: It started with a desperate cry. A tiny whispering, whimpering cry. Mommy? Tamera checked the hallways and stairways but was met with nothing but darkness. She wondered if perhaps one of her coworkers was playing a prank. A hazing of the new girl. But the tiny desperate cry seemed so real.”

“Night Two: Howie, come out to play! James cried out from the darkness. C’mon Howie come out to play! They were setting up the attraction pre-guests and James was obsessed with finding Howie. Howie haunts the Mayflower. He is said to be a lost child and he owns all the toys in the building. If you are in the Mayflower long enough you may find a ball roll and knock against your feet. Howie’s invitation to come and play, however if you take Howie’s toys, he’ll come and get you.”

“James approached again, his face full of glee. Hey! Hey! Guess what? I got tapped on the shoulder again! Twice this time! I just love it. Tamera was concerned. Something didn’t seem right. She scolded James and told him to stop taunting Howie and James skidded off down the corridor singing Howie, come out to play!”

“That night Tamera went to check on Laurie. They were both mothers in their 40s who just wanted to make a few extra dollars so they had a natural affinity to each other. Laurie seized her arm when she saw her.

Tamera, there’s something in the bathroom. Please, please, honestly there’s something in the bathroom. I kept seeing a shadow pear out from behind the stall in the bathroom. I swear I’ve seen it four or five times now.”

“Night Three: It wasn’t unusual for the orderlies to share experiences. Thus far James had claimed to have seen shadows running from room to room, a face appearing in second floor window, and being tapped on the shoulder twice. James desperation to have an experience didn’t make him the most credible witness and Tamera took his claims with a pinch of salt.

Today though, James was not his usual self. He was quiet and subdued. It was this night that the noises started on the third floor. Furniture being dragged, things banging and crashing, and little footsteps running up and down the corridors.

The guests likely thought that it was part of the experience.

It wasn’t.”

“Night Four: James had been talking about venturing up to the third floor but he was afraid to do it on his own. He finally got another employee to venture up there with him. Tamera listened closely for sounds of their movement on the third floor but there was no sound. Eventually they returned and James’ face was different. For the first time he look frightened. Properly frightened.

How did it go? Did you see anything? Tamera asked.

Something stabbed me. He stammered. It felt like something stabbed me but with a needle.”

“It was all as normal as it can be working in a haunted asylum, when a group of women arrived desperate to see something. They made their way towards the bathroom where Laurie had seen the shadow. Their screams reverberated around the hallways and they ran pale-faced and terrified to Tamera.

There’s a man! They cried. There’s a man in there and we thought he was a worker but he’s not!

They refused to continue on the tour and eventually Tamera sighed and agreed to check it out. She walked flashlight in hand with the group of women huddled behind her. She checked the bathroom. Nothing.

She ran to the corner in the common room and there it was. The tall black shadow of a man standing against the wall. The shadow was just not black, it was blacker than black. Standing as if it was almost waiting for her. It moved across the wall and melted into the corner.”

“The night continued with groups becoming smaller and smaller. Hardcore paranormal enthusiasts turn up in twos to explore the most haunted building in America. Tamera continued her shift almost forgetting the incident earlier. Almost.

Two men arrived. They were well versed in the paranormal and stopped to chat to Tamera before moving on to explore the rooms. They exited the first room almost as quick as they entered. One of the men looking pale and the other shaking his head in disbelief. The man who had turned pale was rubbing his neck. Tamera asked him if he was ok.

I swear something was just jabbed into my neck. It felt like a needle.”

On the road again...

Oregon sunrise

I love being on the road, not the whole preparation for it, but once were out there with the music and podcasts blaring, it’s peaceful. We’re getting ready to head out into America once again, now a new region I’ve never been to: the Midwest! I’m excited for the weird road side stops, vast open grasslands, learning about the last wild areas of the US, and exploring the strange terrain of Badlands National Park.

Here’s a throwback of all my most recent road pics!

“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.” -Jack Kerouac, On the Road: the Original Scroll

Near Asheville, North Carolina on our 1st road trip down to Georgia for the Professional Photographers of America conference. 2016.

Drove down to the end of the road for the cloudy sunset, Hawaii, 2013.

My view from behind our driver, Damien, across the countryside of Cuba on our way back to Havana from Trinidad. 2016

Signs of the South, 2016

Dingman’s Ferry Bridge, connecting PA and NJ, 2016.

Golden Road, Maine

Sedona, Arizona

Arizona to Nevada

Hoover Dam

Las Vegas

My mom, somewhere in Arizona, 2018.

Driving through Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Whizzing by New York

Cadillac Mountain for the sunrise, 2016.

Monterey, CA, 2017.

Joshua Tree

Jenni + co-pilot Gabby in Joshua Tree

Zack, near Sacramento

To Ashland, OR!

Crater Lake

Forest fires in Bend, OR, 2017.

Devastation of the fires, outside Bend, OR, 2017.

Claudia at the wheel during our Iceland adventure.

Crazy Iceland roads, 2018.

Gabby driving through the Italian countryside, 2019.

On the way back from Washington, D.C. 2020

Snowstorm outside of Tombstone, Arizona, 2019.

Petrified Forest, 2019.

Goats hanging out in Hawaii, 2019.

Volcanoes National Park

Oahu

Devastation from the 2018 volcanic eruption.

Italian countryside, 2019.

Pittsburgh, 2018.

Gratitude & Intention

Reflections of 2019 and Ideas for 2020

I love lists. Taking scraps of paper. Writing down everything that I can possibly think of, just to get it out. I work better with lists. They give me direction and make me realize I do know the answers. I just have to trust myself.

Patterns. Repetitions and rhythms of life. Noticing. Is that the key to finding change? Sometime last year I found an “18 resolutions for 2018” list I made and loved how I accomplished so much. Despite being packed away and completely forgotten, the ideas that I created in that list continued to dictate my next steps. And it happened on a subconscious level. Then a couple days later I listened to a podcast where the guest said, “Map your actions to your aspirations.” Then it clicked that I had been taking the steps all along, but there are always going to be roadblocks.

Sometimes I believe in magic. Maybe I believe in the magic of lists and that in some cosmic way that 2018 list was a binding contract with the universe. Either way, I’m doing it again.

So this year I made some modifications: 19 times/things I was grateful for in 2019 & 20 desires for 2020.

19 Things I was Grateful for in 2019

1. I am grateful for the newest & cutest edition to the team, Betsy Ross. She has taught me SO MUCH about patience, compassion, overcoming your fears, and being a lil badass pup.

2. I am grateful for all my opportunities for travel & to see all the different beauties or oddities of the world.

3. I am grateful for hot Hawaiian days, turquoise waters, and being reunited with my honu friends.

4. I am SO grateful for our little house, our little neighborhood, caring + strange neighbors, this city, and the fact that I look forward to coming back to our cozy home all the time.

5. I am grateful for being able to work with my family, which gives me a chance to see them often and have unique flexibility.

6. I am grateful that we live in an area where we can have so many different adventures less than an hour away.

7. I am grateful to get to meet new people even though my social anxiety.

During the hike 11 miles up Mauna Loa in Hawaii.

La Casa Del Caffe has delicious coffee granitas + it’s right around the corner from the Pantheon.

The Painted Desert in January.

Zack caught a baby hammerhead shark off the coast of Georgia.

This was the first day we got our pupper, Betsy Ross!

8. I am grateful for SO MUCH GOOD FOOD.

9. I am grateful for outdoor adventures, finding little critters & creatures, and maintaining my curiosity about our natural world.

10. I am grateful for the enchanting and mystical beauty of the desert, especially the moment when a mysterious flute pipe player flooded Cathedral Rock, Sedona with music and magic.

11. I am grateful for the cuteness of puppies, their soft little bellies, and the precious sounds they make when they sleep.

12. I am grateful for my person, how we continue to learn and grow from one another, how we support one another, how I have seen my definition of love expand.

13. I am grateful for late Italian nights (especially Siena), walking/dancing along the uneven, stoney streets, buzzed on red wine, and a little high from jet lag + life.

Sedona, AZ

Savannah, GA

14. I am grateful that pieces of the prehistoric world are still here.

15. I am grateful for the stronger connections I made with incredible people I already know.

16. I am grateful to see so many gorgeous, breathtaking sunsets and sunrises.

17. I am grateful to start photographing again, meeting fun, amazing clients up for anything and rediscovering the joy of the unexpected.

18. I am grateful for the individuals that share their lives on blogs, podcasts, books, social media, what have you. They have granted me permission to create for the sake of creating and helped me find a voice.

19. One of the things I am most grateful for is my body and how it surprises me. It is not lost on me how grateful I am to have the ability to hike 11 miles uphill with a pack, some unnecessary items (sunscreen should not have been sacrificed), and no previous experience or training. I learned so much about my own resilience and power that I would love to bring into 2020.

Check out the turtles (honu) in the background!

20 Intentions for 2020:

1. Meditate daily

2. Go to one National Park I’ve never been to

3. Create a large multi-media piece 24 x 36

4. Be more connected with where I live - participate in neighborhood events

5. Enter one art festival

6. Create space for myself - r e l a x

Paddleboarding with Betsy!

7. Visit Colorado - or another state I’ve never been to

8. Declutter more

9. Read a book a month

10. Communicate my needs more clearly to myself and others

11. Make stronger connections with friends

12. Get a botanical tattoo on my forearm

13. Play more

The Prohibition Museum

14. Finally see Rocky. (I know, I live in Philadelphia and have never seen this movie. NO I DIDN’T LIVE UNDER A ROCK)

15. Sign up for art workshops or classes

16. Make a new friend

17. Sign up for yoga classes

18. Display pieces in a local shop or restaurant

19. Create more b a l a n c e

20. If I find myself overthinking, take a step back

The first wedding of the year- Zack’s brother + his wife, Abbey!

Red Brick Craft Distillery in Philadelphia

Hawaiian Sea Turtles hanging out on Black Sand Beach.

Calm nights in Siena.

Jasmine + Dan celebrating their first baby, Gabriel!

First attempt at product photography in different travel locations.

The best part of 2019 was sharing my favorite place with my favorite human.

A travel year in review: 2017

Hey there friends. I'm keeping it short and simple - A year in review of different 2017 adventures. 

Weeks of erosion left the California coast in disarray. Massive mudslides and flooding. CA Residents said they hadn't seen rain in California in 6-7 years. The coast was completely transformed. As we travelled down, we soon realized this trip wasn't going to be what we thought. Big Sur dreams were put off for next time. 

Fitting for the dreary days ahead...

I might be witnessing a murder here...

Shark Fin Cove, a one of the many nondescript parts of the the coast along PCH in Davenport. Absolutely breathtaking views.

The rain cleared just as we drove into Santa Cruz, stopping to eat, then walked out to the wharf where there was a lot of tourist shops and and barking seals.

Stopped in Carmel for coffee.

Joshua Tree National Park. I love the desert. 

One of the many beautiful sunsets in California at Arch Rock.

Pioneertown! Originally built as a Western movie set in the 40's even with places to stay for the actors, this town is a strange and definite stop while in the Joshua Tree area.

Our car almost didn't make it up here.

Sunrise colors :0

Sunday morning we woke up to Gabby yelling "OH SHIT! IT SNOWED." I simultaneously   wanted to look and keep sleeping. And sure enough I got out of bed, looked outside and saw a pristine soft white over everything. Quickly we got dressed and rushed otuside to take advantage of the lack of people and gorgeous light. 

White turkey hunting, I found lost treasures at the Delaware Water Gap in NJ.

Natural terrarium.

Spring break started at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, looking for Sika deer ( google it.)

Stopped for some pulled pork at Woody's Beach BBQ in Chincoteague.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Longwood Gardens, opening of the new fountains.

Ocean City, NJ.

Stayed at some pretty rad Airbnbs but this one in Ashland, at the beginning of our road trip through Oregon, tops many of them. 

You don't need a license to fish at Crater Lake, just patience. Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon were dumped in here by some rich dude in the 1800's. 

Preparing for the solar eclipse!

You could see the ash fall from the sky and there was a constant smell of smoke. Here's just one of the bloody, apocalyptic sunsets in Bend.

Pacific City

Cape Kiwanda

ECLISPE 2017!

I fell in love with Portland.

SCRAP PDX, a funky junk/ art supply store heaven.

Thought I saw dinosaurs in Redwood National Forest.

A banana slug's favorite snack is dandelions.

Epic picnics in the backcountry of Salem, NJ.

Ended the year at the happiest god damn place on earth.

Cuba Revisited

Since this year’s Thanksgiving was nothing but Mucinex and Neti pots, I’ll share some of last year’s Thanksgiving break to Cuba. I love seeing family and hanging out watching the National Dog Show, eating pumpkin pie slice after slice but there is just something about being abroad during the holidays…

We tried to pick up a few snacks but at this grocery store, like others, the shelves were almost empty. 

This is how we spent Thanksgiving day... lounging on the ruins of resorts, snorkeling, and sipping on coconut juice and rum. Can't beat it.

El Dandy, one of the best places we stopped at for lunch in Havana.

Cuba Libre, rum + coke 

Colon Cemetary

Jose Marti Memorial, Communist Headquarters, Revolutionary Square. Aka the Eye of Mordor.

A few days ago was the anniversary of the death of Fidel Castro. It was indescribable having the opportunity of being down there when something this huge just happened. The outpouring sadness and pride was incredible. The country shut down for 9 days, no booze, no music, no baseball. Many of the older generation was definitely devastated but when you looked over at the younger generation, they didn't seem to care as much. The change is looming here but the national pride and identity is so strong that the Cubans will be able to adapt, ensuring the culture will be around for years to come. 

The day we found out about Castro's death we were on our way to Cienfuegos and Trinidad. 

View from the Bell tower of Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco in Trinidad.

The burning of the mountain.

The hustle and bustle of the streets of Trinidad.

A budding photographer.

There are many ways to get around town, one way is via Coco-taxi or tuk-tuk.

Our awesome driver.

Another way around town is via pedi-cab. Here's a clip of our ride back to the Airbnb.

La Cabana, the fort that Che Guerara was in charge of. Yikes. Here, they shoot off a canon at 9 PM every night from the walls. The tradition started in the 18th century. Before they would shoot off a cannon twice per day to signal when the city gates were opened and closed. They kept the 9 PM cannon shooting as part of their heritage and tradition.

The view from the fort.

Callejon de Hamel is an alleyway located by the University of Havana created by Salvador Gonzales Escolana, a renown “afro-cuban” muralist and painter. In 1990 he started painting and adorning the street outside his apartment and eventually creating a unique two-block long space for musicians and artists. While looking in a gallery, one of the artists told us that Salvador came to Philadelphia to work with the mural arts program. They created “Butterflies of the Caribbean,” which you can see at 163 W. Susquehanna Ave. in Fishtown/Kensington.

The Malecon, the place to be, whether it be fishing or people watching.

This fruit, I forget the name, was super sugary and had pits in every piece but it was addicting. It was my breakfast for several days.

The market next to our Airbnb.

This day was the ceremony where many Communist world leaders bid farewell to Castro. 

We walked to Revolution Square with all the students, where it seemed mandatory for them to go. 

They chanted, waved signs, and painted their faces as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

The square filled up quickly with Cubans being bused in from nearby towns. Close to Revolution Square were food tents that were being mobbed. People seemed to buy hundreds of sandwiches at a time. No restaurants were open except for one and we got the last pizza. 

While we were waiting in the crowd we met this woman whose father was in the military with Castro during the Revolution. She showed us pictures of them together and his armband. 

Habana Vieja Renewed

The appeal of a trip to Cuba comes from a chance to see a culture frozen in time.  The cars, the architecture, even the people. A common explanation is the embargo created scarcity in resources giving the Cubans no choice, but to save what they had.  However, even after the Cubans had been cut off from the United States they still absorbed many foreign influences and resources. In addition, Cuban government policy has not been a direct line, instead branching off in various social experiments, each leaving its own imprint on Cuban identity.  In reality isolation has affected the island, but determination to preserve their past whether influenced by the Spanish, the Americans, or Communism has been just as important in creating the time capsule that is the island of Cuba. This reasoning made Cuba a perfect choice for our continued exploration of preservation and renewal.  

There is a common belief that Cuba is facing an eminent change as the centralized socialist government loosens its grip and allows for private capitalist in-roads.  From our experience it seems the Cuban government is still calling the shots, though tourism is no doubt increasing, the government is overseeing most of the preparation for an increase in tourism.   Historical Old Havana is one area where the Cuban government has undertaken large-scale urban renewal, although with increasing monetary help from the international community.  

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The National Restoration award is given by the Ministry of Culture.

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When walking through Old Havana, in Cuba called Habana Vieja, the initiative is clear.  There is reconstruction on every street, but judging by the buildings that have not been renovated, preserving the Spanish architecture of Habana Vieja had not always been an option financially or was not prioritized.   Some of the historical structures may not have been preserved, but they were also not torn down and replaced by some modern building, so the potential to renew and preserve Habana Vieja’s architectural past is a very real option.  There are parts of Old Havana that look like Disney World, but a block away there are houses completely gutted, overgrown with vegetation.   The large-scale renovations are centered near historically significant structures and plazas. This seems to be done with some international financial assistance.

The "Capitolio" restoration is partially funded by the American based Havana Heritage Foundation.

This sign advertises foreign investment in Plaza Vieja shown below.

The San Francisco Cathedral built in the late 16th century and then altered in the 18th century.

Behind the cab lies the Central Park.

The view from "La Cabana," a fort overlooking Habana Vieja.

There is also small-scale redevelopment in Habana Vieja in the form of new shops, bars, and cafes with similar hip appearances to the gentrified areas of American cities. Certain spaces are also being made available for selling Cuban art and handmade goods.  

Clandestina is a designer boutique with a unique, independent brand. They provide a map showing like-minded businesses in the area.

El Dandy is a café and art gallery shown on the map.

The San Jose Artisan Market provides a space to sell art and handmade goods.  It is located on the docks as seen below.

As far as residential housing, we found that the majority of the refurbished housing in Habana Vieja are Casa Particulars.  Casa Particulars are housing options provided by Cuban citizens who in effect rent the apartment for the purpose of renting it to tourists. The government heavily regulates the Casa Particulars; our host gave us government paperwork to fill out documenting our passport information and length of stay.  

You can expect to pay top dollar to stay in a casa particular on a street like this.

A casa particular might be a little cheaper on a street like this.

We stayed at a much cheaper apartment west of Habana Vieja, but still centrally located.

A short drive east of the city lie the East Havana Beaches, an underdeveloped strip of shoreline with a few dated hotels and the remains of a few others.  Its proximity to Havana makes it surprising to find relatively empty beaches.  This area will most likely change profoundly in the coming years.

We rented beach chairs from a woman who seemed to have a thriving beach equipment rental and food/drink delivery hustle.

Someone's shorts

However, the Cubans are not starting from scratch in their preparation for an increase in tourism; there are many bars, restaurants and hotels around before the revolution, maintained during the revolution and are still there today.  

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Hotel Raquel

Plus, there has always been the Malecon.  

A place for fishing, walking and just hanging out.

Stay tuned for more on our Cuban adventures in our next sections about the Cubans people's history and culture! 

A Southern Excursion: The Deep South

On this section of our journey…

Being able to see America’s industrial past at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama, the only preserved blast furnace open to the public.  Serving as a reminder of the haunting sacrifices many Americans made in order to make the United States an industrial powerhouse. 

Acknowledging the continued struggle of rebuilding New Orleans, specifically in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Bywater and making the short drive from New Orleans into the Bayou to explore Jean Laffite National Historic Park and Preserve.

Wild pig hunting along the Lumber River in North Carolina with the help of the land and wildlife conservationists from Lumber River Outdoors. 

Birmingham, Alabama

We continued south to Birmingham, Alabama for an opportunity to take a glimpse into the dangerous past of iron working at a blast furnace. Sloss Furnace had been producing iron since the late 19th century up until 1970 and is a National Historic Landmark.  

Sloss is the only blast furnace of this scale preserved as a historical site. Iron production of this scale is part of what drove the United States toward industrial dominance and ultimately global dominance, something that deserves appreciation and should not be lost.

Looking through to the blast furnace in the back right of the photograph.

Molten iron would flow into this area to cool and harden as the finished product or "pigs".

The water reserve used to cool the furnance.

There were many lethal dangers in this line of work leading to many casualties.  Naturally this leads to many supernatural stories.  None more infamous than the stories surrounding James “Slag” Wormwood, a foreman at Sloss during the “graveyard shift” from sunset to sunrise, who did not seem to have employee well-being as a high priority.  The furnace burned 24/7, but with fewer workers during the night.  This obviously made the work harder for the few who worked that shift and in turn made it more dangerous.  Many died during these overnight shifts.

The raw ore would be brought through this tunnel.  Looks like the perfect "Slag" hangout spot.

Then the ore would be hoisted into the furnace.

We visited the site during the week, so we basically had the place to ourselves with near free-reign.  The structures of the complex are massive, towering above you as you stroll the grounds in complete silence.  This definitely creates an eerie feeling, but also a feeling of appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices made by those who toiled to power America’s rise to industrial supremacy.   

Steam towers

Classic Southern features.

New Orleans, Louisiana

We continued on to our southern-most destination. The historical mystique of New Orleans is well known, but many do not realize that the struggle to rebuild and preserve New Orleans is still on going, especially in the neighborhoods farther from Downtown and the French Quarter.  We stayed in Bywater, a mostly residential neighborhood, experiencing an urban renewal seeing the opening of many new shops, art galleries and restaurants. You can still see the effects of Katrina in Bywater, but there is definitely more cash coming in whether it be through these new attractions or from the growing Airbnb community that offers the opportunity to stay in classic New Orleans housing at a very affordable price. The newly renovated houses and shops of Bywater are works of art.

...but there is still work to be done in Bywater.

Elizabeth's- a restaurant in Bywater that provides an excellent "country breakfast" and fried green tomatoes. 

Not everyone in Bywater is on board with airbnb.

The Country Club

We also checked out some of New Orleans’ more traditional attractions. Of course Bourbon Street and the French Quarter are on the top of that list with various historical structures housing clubs, bars, restaurants and museums.

Laffite's Blacksmith Shop- one of the oldest bars in New Orleans

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Home to famous beignets, don't worry if you spill a little powdered sugar on the floor.

However, nearby Frenchman Street in the Marigny neighborhood provides live music in an assortment of jazz clubs, bars and in the street with a more local feel.  

Live jazz at The Spotted Cat

…And you can’t forget the cemeteries…

Bywater also has its own cemeteries, much quieter than some of the cemetaries closer to the city center.

We also walked through Metairie Cemetery one of the largest in New Orleans.

We also walked the field of one of the more unique battles in US history.  The Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 pitted the British Army against an odd assortment of allies led by Andrew Jackson including militias from Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky and Louisiana, Native Americans from the Choctaw tribe, slaves, free African Americans, and pirates loyal to Jean Laffite.  

Looking across the Battlefield from the American position.  The British tried to cross the swampy field, but were mowed down.

Near the British position lies a national cemetery with soldiers from a wide range of wars. 

A portion of the Louisiana Bayou just outside of New Orleans is protected and made accessible to the public as Jean Lafitte National Wildlife Preserve. Certain areas within the park provide an opportunity for undeveloped bayou experience as minimally maintained trails lead you along various channels, making it easy to come face to face with some of the bayous residents.  If you would like a slightly more safe experience, there is also a series of boardwalks that give you an opportunity to explore the bayou from an elevated position.  

The boardwalk in and out of the bayou at Jean Lafitte National Park.

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On our way back into the city we checked out NOLA Brewing Company, which brews and serves beer out of a converted warehouse in the industrial neighborhood of Irish Channel.  

Columbus County, North Carolina

You could spend weeks in New Orleans with new experiences everyday, but for us it came time to move on.  We headed north toward home, but not before stopping in North Carolina to meet our new friends at Lumber River Outdoors.  

The plans for habitat construction at Lumber River Outdoors are ambitious.  We met Derek and Ricky, two of the men behind Lumber River Outdoors, they toured us around the Co-op of private land and let us stay at their cabin they call “The Roost.”

"The Roost"- our lodging

Lumber River is a Co-op of private landowners with a common goal of improving the land for wildlife development.  Enhancing quail habitat is the primary goal, but the Co-op also holds land in swamps along the Lumber River and farmland that offer prime habitat for wildlife including deer, turkey, and the reason in which we made our stop… feral pigs.

The feral pig population is exploding across the south as the invasive species continues to devastate the ecosystem, reproducing at an exponential rate.  We thought we’d try to do our part to help stem the pig population and of course earn ourselves a delicious reward.  

Walking to the blind.

Our place for the night!

Unfortunately, the near 100-degree weather made hunting very difficult and no pigs were to be found.  However, we would love to return to see Lumber River Outdoors’ progress in forestry and habitat development and of course make another try at pig hunting in the swamp.  

The view from our blind with the help of a Green LED light.

Looking for sign of wallowing pigs

Looks like ideal pig terrain, but none to be found.

The Southern Excursion ended with the long drive north on I-95.

Not to forget two stops that have become a tradition when traveling through Virginia... Carl's in Fredericksburg, VA

...and Buz and Ned's in Richmond, VA

If you missed the first part of our excursion down south check it out here!

Cuba Sneak Peak

We finally have the blog "almost" up to date from our summer adventures, so here is a preview of our latest trip. As usual we went looking for people, events and initiatives that match our interest in responsible preservation or renewal. Investigations included, but were not limited to...

The government directed redevelopment of historical Old Havana, although with increasing help from the international community, in preparing for the influx of tourism that will surely come with a lift of US travel restrictions.

The efforts made by individual Cubans as the government begins to allow more opportunities for small businesses to take advantage of the growing tourism industry and generate their own urban renewal.

The preservation of Cuba’s colonial past in the UNESCO World Heritage city ofTrinidad.

Lastly, perhaps the thing most adamantly preserved in Cuba for fear of being lost... Cuban Culture.

A Southern Excursion: Part I

On this section of our journey... touring the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia and while supporting the privately funded attempt to preserve one of the largest hand-cut stone buildings in the world. Then spelunking into a world created by slightly acidic water through soft limestone in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky and tasting the effect of this combination at a few of the areas historic bourbon distilleries nearby in Bardstown, Kentucky.  Lastly, testing the “hype” about the renovation of East Nashville, Tennessee.

Weston, WV

The first stop on the southern leg of our journey took us to Weston, West Virginia, touring the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The Asylum had been in use since the Civil War and it is one of the largest hand-cut stone buildings in the world, second only to the Kremlin. This being the case, we were astonished that such a historically and architecturally significant building could fall into such a state of disrepair.

Weston, like many of the small towns we passed through in the mountains of West Virginia, seems to have been left behind economically. As the towns deteriorate there is little monetary power to prevent it.

Scenes like these are repeated in almost every small town we passed through.

Local and state government doesn’t even seem to be in any position to stem the tide, but the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum’s fate has been saved privately, by Joe Jordan and his daughter Rebecca Jordan Gleason.  Despite most of the grounds still being in a crumbling state of disarray, they’ve started giving tours to raise money for the renovation.  Naturally we had to take a tour.

Louisville, KY

From Weston we headed west toward Louisville, which would serve as the starting point for our enjoyment of the byproducts of Kentucky’s large limestone deposit. The first byproduct being bourbon as the limestone filters spring water bubbling up from below. Kentuckians claim this pristine water is the base for the bourbon flavor profile.  

Protecting the water supply at Heaven Hill.

Before hitting the bourbon trail we decided to go “glamping” for a night in a renovated vintage 1960’s camper.

You can rent this camper on Airbnb.

Bardstown, KY

If you do not have the time to cover the entire Bourbon Trail, Bardstown, KY is a great way to maximize your time with a multitude of distilleries nearby. We decided to visit Willett Distillery and Maker’s Mark sampling some of Kentucky’s finest.

A rickhouse at Heaven Hill.

Willett is a family owned and operated distillery and when visiting it definitely has a more personal feeling; we met members of the family during the tour of the grounds.  However, despite its small-business feel, Willett is still a large-scale producer of bourbon and an official stop on the Bourbon Trail.  We felt this combination made them a great business to support.

Rickhouses at Willet.

The photographs below follow the process of creating bourbon chronologically.   

Tasting the mash during the fermentation process.

Signature limestone green water.

The copper pot still for distilling the mash.

Country hams hanging with the bourbon.  They absorb some of the flavors that escape the barrels.

We decided on Maker’s Mark for distilling in its most beautiful form. The picturesque grounds and facilities made for ideal photo documenting of the distilling process. This place just oozes classiness. Plus, they make fantastic bourbon!

You can dip your own bottle at the end of the tour.

Both Willet and Maker's Mark end their tours with a tasting.

Mammoth Cave, KY

The other result of water running through Kentucky’s limestone is Mammoth Cave. Water of the Green River Valley has been working its way through the earth for ages, eventually creating the longest known cave system in the world.  

The National Park service offers a multitude of cave tours, we decided on two evening tours since it’s the same amount of dark down there at all times and we wanted to use the daylight hours to explore the rest of the park. Important to note it’s also the same amount of cold down there, the temperature stays around 54°F year round, so you may want a jacket.  

We started with a lantern tour which tries to capture the experience of cave exploring from about two hundred years ago. You pass an odd assortment of man-made structures ranging from an area used to produce gun powder to a tuberculosis hospital. Exploring the meandering, intertwined network of tunnels with limited light instills a sense of respect toward the early explorers of the cave and also provides plenty of references to the Mines of Moria.

Between trips below the surface we decided to hike along the cliffs of the Green River in hope of finding a few rattlesnakes. The layers of sediment that make up the cliff face provide little crevices for the snakes to hide in that seemed like perfect habitat, but our search was in vain. We did find a few other little critters.  

A ferry across the Green River.

Rat snake

Flat-backed Millipede

Five-lined Skink

For our second subterranean adventure we chose the Focus on Frozen Niagara tour because it is catered to photographers. After a brief tour most of the time is dedicated to allowing photographers free range of the Frozen Niagara area of the cave system.

Cave cricket

East Nashville, TN

We surfaced from the damp cave into a rain-soaked Kentucky night and drove south to Nashville.  We wanted to explore the urban renewal of East Nashville and see if it lived up to all the hype as the neighborhood of country music’s younger, hipper side.  

The renovations concentrated around, but not limited to, Main Street, Woodland Street, and Gallatin Avenue are ambitious. It seems every available building is being renovated into a bar, restaurant, café, music venue, brewery or vintage clothing store regardless of the purpose it served before. We found East Nashville to be an easily walk-able neighborhood, great for aimlessly traveling from one establishment to the next.  

The Basement- music venue/event space.

An assortment of vintage goods and clothing stores.

As mentioned before, the majority of the establishments we visited were along three main streets, so there is plenty of room for growth in East Nashville.  With some of the most visited attractions having been created from buildings that once served other purposes, combined with the fact that we observed plenty of dilapidated buildings not far from the main-strip, we feel that it is a safe conclusion that the new East Nashville is just beginning.

Barista Parlor- an auto garage converted into a cafe.

Fat Bottom- a brewery with a bar.

Stay tuned for the next part of our excursion into the South!

Philadelphia to Boston to Maine: The Summer Road Trip Begins

As in any Compass & Canvas endeavor, we sought the primitive, the historical and the abandoned to raise awareness for preservation, protection or potential renewal.

Passing through NYC for the first leg of our epic Eastern tour of America.

The trip started with a stop in Boston. Its rich colonial history is well preserved and well known, needing little introduction. One could easily spend a weekend in Boston walking the Freedom Trail, but we found ourselves drawn to the Boston Harbor Islands. The National Recreation Area surprises in its feeling of remoteness considering its proximity to Boston.

We envisioned overcrowded islands serving as an extension of the Boston Waterfront, Georges Island serves this purpose, but from there a free ferry transfer can take you to more remote islands. We caught a ferry from Long Wharf North along the Boston Waterfront, it is only $17.00 dollars to board a ferry or $12.00 if you have a student ID and then transfers are free.

Arriving at Georges Island, where you can transfer to different islands in the park. 

Besides providing transfers to the other islands, the Civil War era Fort Warren stands on Georges Island and it has been maintained to the point that the park service allows visitors to basically have free-range in exploring.

Descending stairs that go to nowhere inside Fort Warren on Georges Island.

We chose to catch a transfer to Lovells Island, one of the outermost islands. With limited ferries, Lovells provides a secluded opportunity for exploration. The island also houses a few man-made structures used by the Army up until World War II.

Inside the structure pictured above.

I love rocks -- end of story. 

Birds contemplating the destruction of humans -- nbd. 

Crabby + sassy!

Just make sure you don’t miss the last ferry home!

The ferry that was going to leave us stranded on Lovells Island.

Zack's "mad" face.

When visiting preserved history in Boston one can’t forget to catch a baseball game. It provides a look into the sports fan experience of the early 20th century, particularly the narrow halls that seem to hold in the heat and steam from the concession stands and the thousands of people moving through them.

Much different from the open concourses that wrap around modern stadiums.

Fenway Victory Gardens, the oldest continuously operating Victory community garden that was started during World War II. 

After leaving Boston we continued north to Maine. Maine’s coastline is a tribute to preserved natural beauty enhanced by picturesque structures whether they be forts, light houses or coastal towns. Acadia National Park was our final destination with a few stops along the way. The Portland Head Light in Fort Williams Park and the coastal town of Wiscasset, ME, with its famous Lobstah Rolls at Red’s Eats, are two such examples.

We stopped at the International Cryptozoology Museum, the only museum specializing in creatures such as Bigfoot (actual footprints shown in the case above!), the Loch Ness Monster, and so many more that I  didn't know existed. 

A glimpse of the head light itself. 

One of the stops we made was at The Desert of Maine, which is both strange and disappointing. It is 40-acres of what seems to be sand but is in fact glacial silt. 

Acadia is a compilation of donated land that became the first National Park on the east-coast. If you want to move freely throughout the Park make sure you arrive early. Like way before sunrise early! You should also bring a map because network coverage is very spotty. The park also surrounds plenty of harbor towns if you need a break from exploring.

The early morning drive to see the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain.

Even though we woke up way before dawn, there were many people there already. Next time I'm staying up all night. 

First people to see the sun that day! Woot, woot!

Wild blueberries line the side of Cadillac Mountain, a perfect snack for watching the sun come up. 

Acadia National Park is a great to visit because it is so accessible. The loop drive winds around Mount Desert Island, making every place you stop scenic and beautiful. 

A tired seagull.

Sand Beach

If you need refreshments or a break from so much nature, Bar Harbor is an adorable area with ice cream and shopping. My personal favorites. 

This is a view from our cabin at Patten Pond. 

Bass Harbor Head Light otherwise known as the place where Zack was yelled at by photographers for "getting in the shot." 

More rocks, more love. 

One of the stopping points on the loop, Seawall, is a naturally occurring rock seawall. 

Creatures hide in between the rocks at Seawall, however this is not where you find the starfish. 

In Southwest Harbor we stopped at Beal's, an infamous lobstah roll restaurant. 

In classic Tayan fashion, we ordered too much food. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

At long last, we found starfish in Southwest Harbor. I think they really enjoyed the trash in the area. Who knew. 

After a few days in the park we decided to drive away from the coast and farther north into the Maine wilderness. In most cases such a massive swathe of undeveloped land would be very difficult and time consuming to access, but a well-maintained private logging road that runs from Millinocket, Maine to Quebec known as the “Golden Road” provides a path into this remote region.

Starting our way toward the "Golden Road," in northern Maine. 

The moose that we almost passed.

Moose caboose. 

A lake we stopped at to enjoy the dwindling sunlight. 

On our way home from Maine we decided to make a pit-stop in Salem, Massachusetts as it offers the opportunity to walk through some of the oldest houses in America with the added allure of the evils of the Salem Witch Trials.

One of the houses on the House of the Seven Gables property in Salem. 

Salem is a strange struggle between wanting to down-play the evil that happened there, and also relying on it to generate tourist revenue. This divide can be very clearly seen by the two different emphasizes in two of the city’s oldest original houses. The House of the Seven Gables provides a look into the more affluent lifestyle of those who lived between 200-300 years ago; and the Witch House provides a look into the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the men who presided over the trials.

Inside The Counting House, which was originally a place where sea captains conducted much of their business, such as balancing accounts or paying fees. 

The Witch House, or Judge Jonathan Corwin's house. 

Plus earlier this year a study used primary documents from the time of the Salem Witch Trials to pin-point the location of the hangings. They estimate the location to be on an overgrown hill behind a Walgreens, so naturally we had to investigate.

The entrance to the possible place where the women were hung. 

Tune in for the next leg of our epic Eastern tour of America - West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee! 

Summer Road Trip Sneak Peek

It has been a summer full of adventuring, leaving us little time for blog posts, so here is a sneak peak at what we’ve been up to during the summer of 2016.

Using the abandoned railroad line into Ocean City, New Jersey as passage through the “back bay” to Crook Horn Creek.

Ferrying between the Boston Harbor Islands and exploring the Forts and other abandoned structures left from various time periods.

Appreciating the pristine condition created by the protection of the Maine coastline through Acadia National Park and driving the under-developed logging route of the “Golden Trail” into the Maine wilderness.

Unraveling the people of Salem’s fascination and commitment to preserving three hundred years of history, trying to promote the positive while profiting off of the negatives.

Touring the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia and supporting the privately funded attempt to preserve one of the largest hand-cut stone buildings in the world.

Spelunking into a world created by slightly acidic water through soft limestone in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky and tasting the effect of this combination at a few of the areas historic bourbon distilleries nearby in Bardstown, Kentucky.  

Testing the “hype” about the renovation of East Nashville, Tennessee.

Being able to see America’s industrial past at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama, the only preserved blast furnace open to the public. Serving as a reminder of the haunting sacrifices many Americans made in order to make the United States an industrial powerhouse.  

Acknowledging the continued struggle of rebuilding New Orleans, specifically in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Bywater and making the short drive from New Orleans into the Bayou to explore Jean Laffite National Historic Park and Preserve.

Wild pig hunting along the Lumber River in North Carolina with the help of the land and wildlife conservationists from Lumber River Outdoors. 

So stay tuned!

Buck Hill Inn | The Heart of the Honeymoon Capital of the World

The Poconos are still thought of as a vacation destination, but the “Honeymoon Capital of the World” is not what it once was.  Many of the luxurious mountain hideaways have closed, but that doesn’t mean these spaces in nature should no longer be enjoyed. Buck Hill Inn will soon be demolished by Smart Recycling Inc. rather than renovated or preserved.  We are grateful to have been able to collect these images before it was too late.  It is sad to lose such a historic landmark, but we can only hope that in doing so, more people will be able to enjoy nature responsibly.  

Buck Hill Inn is a quintessential representation of the decay the resort industry has undergone in the Poconos.  Built in 1901 with a number of large additions over the span of its 89-year life and surrounded by natural attractions including waterfalls and swimming holes, its age and size is unmatched among the abandoned resorts.  

The resort property is owned by Buck Hill Falls company and is not open to the public.  The grounds are patrolled by security guards, so this large swathe of developed land and a vast amount of the surrounding forest is not open to the public.  Those curious about the "Honeymoon capital of the world" will soon not have the chance to explore and enjoy the beautiful architecture, while imagining the potential for such a space.  

We decided to explore the series of waterfalls and swimming holes along Buck Hill Creek first.  Trails ran from the Inn down to the stream, so visitors could take a short stroll for a swim.  We hiked in from High Acres Park off of Creek Road, Barrett Township.  

The following morning we explored the inn at sunrise.  Hiking from PA-390, Cresco.

Flooded structures across the road from the Inn.

The view from our approach.

We found a floor plan from 1985, helping with navigation through the dimly lit estate.

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Overlooking the West Wing

The Observation Roof

Indoor Pool

Walking up from the complete darkness of the below ground first floor.

One of the main halls on the Lobby Floor.

The Greenery Luncheon Restaurant 

Exploring the Delaware Water Gap Part II - The Hunt

The other recreational activity Zack has introduced me to is hunting.  The Water Gap has provided Zack and his family hunting adventures and wild fare for over 10 years.  It took some convincing, with promises of “free-range, steroid-free” meat and remote photo-shoot locations, but this past spring we embarked on a hunt for wild turkey. However, I quickly realized in observing the nuances of the hunt and Zack’s intimate knowledge of the area that has come from hunting the area for so long would provide plenty of unique photography opportunities.  Here is a general guideline for the process of turkey hunting and some photographs along the way.

Locating Turkey Populations

Before the hunt can begin the turkeys’ approximate locations must be found.  We narrowed our search to old farm fields and the wooded ridges that surround them.  Some of the fields are completely over-grown now, some are mowed and others are still leased out and used for farming.  All make for great turkey habitat.  Turkeys can be located using any number of calls impersonating a turkey.  Zack uses a “box call.”  It is ideal to find their location just before dark because the turkeys roost in trees for the night, so you know they’ll still be there in the morning.

A Lynch Box call.  The underside of the lid has a thin layer of chalk and is scraped across one side of the box.

This hen (female turkey) was getting ready to roost in the area close to where we decided to hunt.

Preparing our camp for the night.  We slept in the car.

The Morning Hunt

The key is to get close enough to where you think the turkeys are roosting, but not too close as to alert them of your presence.  The turkeys must be lured to you using a call, but using a decoy turkey can also add incentive, if you can find a spot open enough for the decoy to be visible while also offering enough cover for hiding.  As the sky begins to lighten, the turkeys begin to talk to each other.  We knew their approximate location, so we tried to plant ourselves amongst them in hopes of luring one within range.  All morning we could here them calling in what seemed like every direction, but no luck.

A Browning semi-automatic for the hunting and a Mindshift backpack for the photographing.

The Late-Morning Hunt

In New Jersey turkey hunting is only permitted until 12pm to prevent hens from being disturbed as they hunker-down in their nesting areas for the afternoon.  In the final hours before noon Zack likes to find a sunny-open area, preferably on a ridge close to a stream and take a little nap.  After putting our decoy out about 30 yards from us, we relaxed under cover amongst dense vegetation surrounded on all sides by a mowed field.  Zack would pop his head up every 15 minutes to look around and call.  Sure enough, after about an hour two turkeys came out to investigate.  The result was turkey chili. 

Looking out from our hiding spot amongst the brush in the middle of the field.

Turkey down!

Filling out the turkey tag.

Finishing the job

Shooting the turkey is not the end of the hunt.  After properly tagging and checking the turkey in at the proper location, the task becomes removing and cleaning the meat.

The turkey "beard."

Plucking the breast meat area.

After enough of the feathers are removed cut along the sternum to remove the breast meat.

After the breasts are cut out, the skin can be pealed away from the drum sticks (basically turning them inside-out) and then cut them away from the body.

If you missed part I of our favorite things to do at the Delaware Water Gap, click here. 

Our Favorite Things To Do at the Delaware Water Gap

The Delaware Water Gap National Forest boasts a large swathe of preserved land on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the Delaware River, offering endless recreational activities. Plus, exploring past human developments ended by the purchase of the land by the Federal Government, now frozen in time by the protection of the park, can be just as fun.  It is awesome having land preservation on such a large scale less than 2 hours away from Philadelphia. The miles of, at times treacherous, back roads make one feel as though they are in a remote wilderness.   

Crossing Dingman's Ferry Bridge from PA to NJ.

Thunder Mountain Road, NJ

The smoke from a forest fire on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River from New Jersey.

The Delaware Water Gap National Forest came into existence in the 1960s when the federal government began buying up land in the area in order to put a dam on the Delaware River.  The plan fell through and the land was turned over to the National Park Service who continued to buy up land in the area from anyone willing to sell.  In many cases the settlements on that land, farms, inns, houses and even small towns remain and are left untouched.  This scattered abandonment offers a unique natural experience and a glimpse into the areas history.  Plus, it makes for some damn good photo ops.  Here are a few of the best locations for abandoned development in the Delaware Water Gap National Forest…

Looking across Long Pine Pond, New Jersey, once the center of a Boy Scout Camp.

A picnic area, part of which is now in Crater Lake, New Jersey.

An overlook close to the Appalachian Trail, New Jersey.

An abandoned farm off of Mountain Road travelling north toward Buttermilk Falls, New Jersey.

Abandoned farm at the intersection of Old Mine Road and Kuhn Road, New Jersey.

If you walk toward the Delaware River from the farm shown above you come across some older ruins.

Remains of the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad Bridge at Karamac.

As far as more traditional recreation activities, we love hiking through the park, specifically in the summer when the destination is a waterfall or some sort of cliff where we can jump into a pristine, or at least refreshing, body of water.  There are opportunities for this on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey side of the park.  Here are a few locations for swimming, cliff jumping, or at least sight seeing in the Delaware Water Gap National Forest.

Buttermilk Falls and the staircase along-side it.

Walking along Brodhead Creek, Pennsylvania on the way to the remains of the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad Bridge at Karamac.

Adams Creek Trail, Pennsylvania: On our way to a series of waterfalls. See below.

Plus, there's always plenty of wildlife along the way...

This is not a beaver or muskrat, just a ground hog taking a swim on a hot day.

Common Merganser

Canada Geese and Mallards on a double date.

Deer remains, based on the scat (poop) found around it, probably eaten by coyotes.

A big black bear dump.

Bass River State Forest Valentine's Weekend

In honor of our Valentine's Day photo shoot, I decided to answer some questions prepared by Zack, my boyfriend and master navigator, concerning our time in the woods, so that you can read over them as you peruse my photographs from Bass River State Forest.

Where did you spend your Valentine’s Day?

Zack and I decided to go to Bass River State Forest in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey to rent a cabin-like structure called a Lean-To to spend a “snuggly” Valentine’s Day.

How were you convinced to spend Valentine’s Day in freezing conditions in a Lean-To heated only by a small wood stove?

I think the phrases “cozy” and “it won’t be that bad” were used. I also couldn’t fathom how cold it was going to be. The thing I hate most about camping are bugs and I thought, “This is going to be great. All the bugs are dead, no worries.”

How cold was it?

It was record lows all weekend, single digits. It was frigid and numbing. There were other people that decided to brave the elements that weekend. We weren’t the only crazy ones.

What did you think of the Lean-To when you first saw it?

Well, to start, I had envisioned a cute, cozy cabin. The lean-to was neither of these things. It’s one room with a wood-stove and our inflatable bed (the kind that needs a pump, which naturally, I forgot) took up most of the space. 

How was spending the night in the Lean-To? Did the wood-stove work?

There was minimal insulation in the walls, not much between you and the elements. It was definitely cold, like see your own breath cold. I stuck my hands in the stove, almost in the fire itself, but it was not enough. The stove did work to an extent. There was one night where we had a hard time starting the fire, which made it hard to do anything else except think of how to get warm. The lean-to, as small as they were, did not get as warm as I thought.  

What did you eat for your V-Day dinner?

We brought red wine, which got so cold that we had to store them in front of the fire. We cooked some turkey chili in a pot on top of the wood stove.  We brought some cheeses, crackers, and olives, our favorite snack. We definitely did not have to worry about chilling the food.

What were your impressions of the Pine Barrens and the BATONA Trail?

The Pine Barrens are creepy. It was only heightened by the fact that we didn’t see or hear any wildlife, even the animals seemed to know it was too cold.  I could only hear the occasional sounds of the trees. The wind didn’t blow much, so everything was so still. It was unreal, but the lighting and the eerie stillness made for some great photos.  The Pine Barrens are very flat, so it made for easy walking along the well maintained trail.  Everything looks the same in the Pine Barrens, if you venture of the trail its easy to get lost.

What wildlife did you see?

Nothing. It was weird.

How was hiking in the freezing conditions?

It was difficult, but I’m glad that I did it. I didn’t have great gloves. My hands would be really stiff when I would try to take a photo. We wore facemasks because it was just too cold to have your face uncovered. My eyeballs even felt cold. With all my layers I looked like a creature from Lord of the Rings.  

Any advice for braving the elements?

Invest in the gear. Having a great jacket really makes a difference. Pack many layers. Don’t forget to keep drinking water, even if it partially freezes, you can still get dehydrated. This was the first trip that I used my new MindShift backpack. This bag made it easy, especially in these elements, to access different lenses with the rotational pack that swings around your waist.

Abandonment Series Sneak Peek

By the end of the Phoenixville project my focus shifted toward open spaces created by abandonment.  This fascination has continued and I have done a few other shoots centered on the decay of what man once built.  Here is a sneak peak…

These are a few of the photographs that inspired the abandonment series.  They came from my time in Phoenixville and the surrounding rural area while I was putting together a show for the Historical Society of Phoenixville.  You can also check out my three-part blog post, Barn and Vine: The Lost Path to Phoenixville.

 I spend most of my time in the Philadelphia area, which is filled with abandonment, so there are many opportunities for exploration.  The size and number of abandoned structures left behind as the cities industrial economy crumbled provide endless adventures.

You can also find abandonment in more remote areas.   As the resort businesses of the Poconos died, the large structures that housed the vacationers remained.  The occupancy of houses and farms in the Delaware Water Gap National Forest also came to an end as the Federal Government bought the land.

Above: Buck Hill Inn

Below: Delaware Water Gap National Forest

Look for the complete collections from abandonment in Philadelphia and from my trips to Buck Hill Inn and the Delaware Water Gap National Forest coming soon!

The Road Trip to Atlanta Part II

The drive down didn’t leave much time for stopping, other than a night in D.C.  visiting some friends, but that stop did not produce many useable photographs.  We had more time on the drive home providing opportunities to make a few stops.  With stops planned at a friend’s house in Asheville, North Carolina and a self-guided tour of the Petersburg Battlefield National Park in Virginia, we headed home.

Heading into the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Asheville is a city nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The scenic landscapes from atop mountain overlooks have always made it a vacation destination, but in recent years it has also become a micro-brewing hot spot.  The breweries made for good exploring as well.  We thought Wicked Weed Brewing took the honors of best brewery/beer.  It helped that they were selling their Freak of Nature 2x IPA on a happy hour special for about 2 dollars.  Needless to say, few photos were taken as a result. Top of the Monk is not a brewery, but equally as cool.  It is an unmarked, members only speak-easy (it wasn't that hard to become a member, you pay a dollar).  Members are also entitled to a small snack with every cocktail they order, obtained by unlocking it from a box with a key that comes with the drink.  

Ben led us on a hike far above Montreat College where he teaches history.  He also showed off his photography skills!  Blue Ridge refers to the blueish tint that mountains seem to have,  apparently it's from the amount of oxygen given off by the dense forest that covers them.  

Ben also toured us around Montreat College which is hidden away in a forest filled valley.

Even if you don't consider yourself a Civil War buff, Petersburg National Battlefield provides a great break for anyone traveling on I-95 just south of Richmond.  A road snakes its way between the Union and Confederate lines that held for 9 months as the Union army laid siege to the city.  This provides plenty of quick stopping points.  There are also hiking trails if you prefer exploring on foot.

Each side erected huge earthworks over the course of the 9 month stalemate.  The remnants  can still be seen today, but climbing on them is frowned upon. 

The photo above is the Union line.  The photo below shows the view looking toward the Confederate line.  For months each side dug in within shouting distance of the enemy.

Remnants from the Battle of the Crater: see movie clip for details.

If you're looking for BBQ in Richmond you have to go to Buz and Ned's.  Zack loves to tell the story from the first time he dined here... A father was overheard disappointedly asking his son who had left a little meat on his bones, "well you're not going to suck on them first?"  That's when you know you're at the right place!

If you missed The Road Trip to Atlanta Part I, click here!

The Road Trip to Atlanta Part I

I joined Professional Photographers of America in 2014, mostly because they insure my photography equipment.  However, PPA also hosts Imaging USA out of their headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia World Congress Center.  I had never been to a photo convention before and the PPA gives you a free ticket for the first time you attend Imaging USA.  Plus, I assumed January in Atlanta would be more enjoyable than Philadelphia. Perfect excuse for a road trip!  With a few other stops planned out along the way, we embarked on our journey.

Along the way I kept a journal chronicling the details of our trip. I've always enjoyed making books and combining my love of drawing, collage, and photography. I inserted some highlights from the various places we visited. Enjoy!

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CNN offers a guided tour of their headquarters.  This includes the opportunity to listen in on the live audio feed of the director inside the control room.  Just as interesting is the look into the newsroom.  We went on a Sunday afternoon; the newsroom seemed dead the reporters looked pretty bored.  I guess even the worldwide leaders in news have chill days. 

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Along the walk toward Ebenezer Baptist Church, even at the height of segregation this area formed an independent thriving African American community. 

3-Day Unlimited Pass for $18.00. Great deal!

The different neighborhoods of Atlanta are spread out and the MARTA Lines can’t get you to all of them.  Luckily, there’s the Beltline, an old railroad that has been converted to a walking and biking path. 

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The first speaker we sat in on was Sam Abell, who worked for National Geographic and has a very technical, precise approach to the way he composes pictures. The different situations he is able to capture is amazing.

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We walked on the path to Ponce City Market, an old Sears warehouse converted into a Hipster paradise.

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We also listened to Clyde Butcher speak about his work and one of my favorite subjects, the Nationals Parks. He uses an 8x10 camera to create huge black and white prints, but sometimes uses cameras as large as 12x20.

If you want to splurge, the Sun Dial is a good place to do it.  It’s at the top of the Westin and the entire thing rotates giving you a view of the entire city.  If you’re not trying to splurge, the bar is above the restaurant and it offers a limited, but much cheaper menu. 

Any Walking Dead fan needs no introduction to this photo.

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Zack taking in an imaginary service from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Coca-Cola propaganda everywhere!  We felt like we had been brainwashed.  Craving a coke right now.

We enjoyed a closing party at the Georgia Aquarium, the largest in the western hemisphere. They have FOUR whale sharks!!!