Sizzling Sunrise

Sizzling Sunrise
As the Valley awakens to a bright new morning...

Saturday, August 14, 2010


I thought perhaps I would share with you some of my recent experiences.... Through the strong encouragement of family & friends, I have now become a "Freelance Photographer" and see the world from a new and fresh perspective. I am so blessed to have the fantastic people in my life that I do. As I develop my skills in photography, I find myself taking lots of "Road-trips", sometimes taking my side-kick Claudette with me. She is a writer and enjoys the time communing with nature. We find lots of inspiration while on these little excursions. We recently returned from a 3.5 day trip over to the Olympic Penninsula in Washington State. We left our home in Kalispell, MT before dawn on Tuesday 9/10 and headed west on I-90 cruising along through the mountains, thru Idaho and into eastern Washington. We started our ride along I-90 with double rainbows just east of Missoula. The weather was wonderful - warm but not too hot or humid, gentle breeze making the growing fields of wheat, corn, peas, potatoes, and hay shimmer in the warm rays of the sunshine. There were produce stands dotting our route, bursting with farm fresh, just picked fruit's & veggies. Ahhh, the wealth of summer goodness. As we continued into Snoqualime pass region, the clouds of fog & rain began to play. The mountains became almost magical, mysterious. We continued on, enjoying the diversity in the geography, mezmerized by the changing scenery at every turn. I have made this drive many, many times yet every time I notice subtle little differences - amazing how the changing of the seasons provides new excitement to my eyes. We continued on through Tacoma turning south to Olympia (the state capital) and then onto the Penninsula Loop 101. I had not been there in many years and the entire trip was so beautiful - everything felt new yet familiar. We stopped at many interesting places mostly "off the beaten path" where I started shooting my nature scenes. We traveled counter-clockwise around the loop, making discovery after discovery. I could have been quite happy to spend at least a month or two photographing that area. I definitely will have to go back again next summer! There were lakes, ponds, mountians, beaches, coves, villiages, parks & campgrounds galore. It was all very exciting and the sea air was intoxicating. I shot everything from trees & flowers to animals to water and everything in between. That is a definite MUST SEE area of our country. I strongly encourage it for an excellent vacation destination. After 3 days of shooting photo's and visiting with the locals, we returned home via the same route. I shot over 400 pictures, covered 1600 miles in all and have new and happy memories to add to my life. I managed another great moment to "Stop and smell the roses". Until next time - Live, Laugh & Love Always!