Its Been So Long

In the brief 10 months that I neglected to post a blog, I broke my ankle (I'm now the proud owner of a permanent plate and 7 screws), graduated from school (I'm now the proud owner of a MFA), posted a few new sites to display my work (links to the right), and travelled in 3 cars and 4 planes across the USA. I've just finished editing my photos from all the travel, so I feel like it would be best if I just got the ball rolling and started from there.

TEXAS. How many times have you seen Texas through this blog? Its my central location. My permanent address. On occasion, its my inspiration. After graduating, I moved all my worldly belongings to a storage unit in Houston. Then turned around and drove across the state to Big Bend National Park and Marfa, TX to see the Chinati Foundation. I wish I could show pictures of the Marfa part of the trip, I don't have permission to publish the photos I took there because almost everything I shot has some art in it.

When we got to Big Bend it was raining, which only happens twice a year. We basically set up camp in a mud pit. It was nasty. The rain made some pretty amazing fog the next morning and it kept the whole area nice and cool for a day, when it is usually pushing over 100°! In case you aren't familiar, the area is known as the Texas Desert. The change in weather caused all sorts of desert roses to bloom and and animals to come out. While driving around the park, a group of three coyotes started walking in a line in the middle of the road at my car. Pretty crazy sight.

These last couple where some of the better photographs taken at night by the campsite.

We go to a hot spring that is literally right on the Rio Grande. The span of the river at that particular part is maybe 15 yards. This guy is on the other side of the river. Chillin'.

Just west of Big Bend is the Terlingua Ghost Town. You'll have to wiki it for the full story on what it is now, cause I honestly couldn't really figure it out. The first shot is the school house, then the church that the current community is trying to rebuild. It reminded me of the little church from Kill Bill. After all that fun in West Texas, we drove back to Houston, flew to Detroit and then began the drive to Seattle. The first major stopping spot and sight to see (in my opinion) was the Badlands National Park. The expanse of multi-colored rock was gorgeous.

After we got out of the Badlands, we killed some time in Wall Drug's Backyard. This bunny was loving on me.

SEATTLE. Finally. Its a long drive between Detroit and Seattle, but a fun one. Riah informs me that these slugs are very common, but its the first time I've seen one this big and colorful. We hiked around a lot. I thought this cave behind the Nooksack Falls was really cool, but when I asked if there was any way to get down to it, I was told that a pregnant woman died in those falls not long ago. Scary.

We hoped on a ferry to Lopez Island. I'd buy land there if I had the money. No joke. It was so beautiful. The hand drawn map was on the ferry showing all the island, the cascade of water is from the front of the ferry, the rocks are from this small cliff by the shore, and I have no clue where the peacock came from, but it was on the island.

Back on mainland, we go to see the Koolhaus Library in Seattle before flying to San Francisco. It really is an interesting building and I highly suggest anyone to stop there if they are in Seattle.

SAN FRANCISCO. It was my first time visiting and now I live in SF. On the visit, our two major tourist spots were the Sutro Baths and Alcatraz. Both were rad.

There is a little cave to nowhere near the baths. Inside that cave is a channel where the ocean comes in. That’s the picture on the right. Below is the new exterior of the De Young in Golden Gate park.

Here are a few shots from Alcatraz. A cell, main office, and outdoor area where they played baseball.

The drive down the Pacific Coast Highway was amazing. If you haven't done it you've probably heard about it. On the way down we stopped at one of the many pull-offs by this bridge. Below the bridge there was this beach you could climb down to if you felt so inclined, but it was a steep climb and we were trying to get to San Simeon before sun down.

Well this is officially the longest blog I've ever posted. Time to wrap it up. These last two shots are from the pool at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Let me know what you've been up to in the comments. Its been awhile!