When travelling my constant companion is a notebook and pencil, where I can jot down thoughts or observations about what I see or feel. This Travel Diary is a cleaned-up version of some of the notes that I take during my travels. Oftentimes, they are posted while I am still travelling. Their purpose is to give a sense of travel apart from a more structured article.
Driving from Ashton over the Teton Pass to Jackson, Wyoming is always a wonderful experience. It's quite a steep incline in some areas. The beauty of the area is unsurpassed. I spent most of the day in Grand Teton National Park, looking primary for fall colors. The trees have just begun exploding in color, so I'm looking at a return trip next week. More to come....
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-70mm f4 S).
I have always loved farmland. Just to see and sit by an open expanse, to see the sky, the distant mountains and smell the land around me, is probably one of the most relaxing things that I can think of. After a wonderful 3 month stay in Montana, I'm now in north eastern Idaho; just a short drive from both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Farmland near Ashton, Idaho (Nikon Z7, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 S).
My visit here has gotten me to thinking about inspiration. What is it that inspires you? For me, that has always been photographing the natural world and the land in which people live. Today I got an email about the power of photography, and wanted to share it with others.
Back for another adventure in the country. I left Helena, with no specific destination in mind, simply to drive Hwy 12 towards Missoula. Driving north on MT-141 I came upon a forest access road; 3 -Mile Road (leading towards Ophir Creek). This was beautiful, rolling country with sprinklings of farmhouses here and there.
Deserted house near Avon, Montana (Nikon Z7, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 S).
I went for an afternoon drive to the Townsend. This is rolling countryside, with mountains on one side and Canyon Ferry Lake on the other. The main reason I came here was to see the Missouri River. I couldn't find anyplace to get close to the river in the area I was interested in, but on the way back, I stopped at a Montana Wildlife Management area, along the lake. There is a manmade pond adjacent to the lake, with a number of manmade islands for the local wildlife. A great view of the Cook Mansion, with its iconic church and the mountains in the background, could be seen in the distance. A couple of people were kayaking in the pond.
I spent the last hour before sunset looking out over the lake, taking a few photographs and flying my drone over the pond. A great way to enjoy a Friday evening.
It's a warm Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting on the banks of the Missouri River. The water is flowing at what I would consider, just the right speed; slow enough to fish, yet fast enough for boaters to enjoy the sense of movement as they watch the landscape just slip by. Obviously so, considering the numbers of people that are either fishing or floating by. Of course, the joy of the river is not limited to those on the water. There are many fishermen along the banks and people just picnicking. I don't fish, but days like this make we wish that I did.
I left Arizona about 3 weeks ago; driving along the old route US-91 along the river reminds me how much I enjoy being in Montana. I simply have no desire to return to Arizona.