Sitting on a Dock on a Lake

Tonight's photo represents fear to me. This is my sister Debbie and I on the dock at Lake Fontell. I remember hating this dock, because it scared me to death. It wasn't the stablest of platforms, it would rock and sway with each step, I was sure that my next step would dump me in the lake to be consumed by the man eating Brook Trout of a four year old's mind. I can remember going out on that dock several times as a kid and I hated each time. Fear of the Lake Fontell dock, led me to fear all docks. It wasn't until I was a teenager that got over my fear of docks, but even today the first step is always a bit of an unknown. That can be said for so many of life's events, you just never know when the flimsy dock will give way and you swimming with a 4 year old's idea of fish. However by overcoming that fear, it allows us to experience new things and take on rolls utterly foreign and unexpected.

Reflections

As I drove to see my dad yesterday, I went upon a familiar route, one I have been on a hundred times it seems. This time it seemed to drawn to some of my earliest memories of the area, back when we camped at Swauk Creek, and panned for gold, even once opening a mine shaft. I remembered walking down the middle Swauk Creek in August. And the grass of Ballard Hill golden yellow from the summer sun. And I remember the fun we had and our youth. Those days hidden in the corners of my mind until yesterday and now vivid and bittersweet.

Tonight's photo from a different trip but now just as vivid, Park Lake 1977, 1st grade and out of school early. I-90 under construction, oh how my boy would have loved that seen. Construction from Issaquah to the top of the pass. To the 6 year old mind, it all was so grand and so big, much more so, than later in life. And just how much fun it was for Dad to watch us have a good time. Something you just don't get until you are a parent.

Thud

That is the sound of the world hitting you upside the head, or the sound of Air Force jets attempting to intercept wayward seaplanes. This evening it was the former, last Tuesday it would have been the latter, just for the record. After spending a most enjoyable weekend with my family and friends, I received troubling news this evening. It is funny how the troubling news or a discouraging event can make you enjoy and appreciate moments leading up to it. I mean I really appreciate what great weekend I had and I especially appreciate the components of the great weekend. Dwelling in the past isn't always healthy, but reminding yourself that before the darkness there was light, fosters hope for the return of the light and the passing of darkness. Tonight's photo is of my dad, we would go on several fishing trips a year when I was a kid before I got work. Even though many of them were not successful, most were and a bad trip never stopped us from planning another trip.

Rustedvan Website

The Rustedvan website turns one today, that's the good news. The bad news it is rather neglected, but hey it is what it is, and I need to make some updates. So one of these days when I have a bunch extra time, I'll do just that. Until then I will continue doing what I am doing.

So, here's to another year...

Dan

Inspiration

Inspiration is something I am lacking at this time, or so it seems. It appears to me that the little things that I have found interesting to photograph and look at are just not doing it for me. I need to get over this, I have a couple rolls of kodachrome that I must shoot soon, and I'm not sure I have the inspiration. Tonight a fun photo from the last time inspiration came my way.

Buzz Kill

The State of California can really ruin a moment. As evidence of this sign posted at the entrance to the Santa Fe Station in San Diego. Notice the sign does actually say how these chemicals will get into your body or quickly or likeliness of them entering your body. Also this sign was on the street side of the station, I didn't see a similar sign on the track side.

Whether it is going to kill you or not, the San Diego Santa Fe station is exactly what a train station should be, high ceilings and great light. Being a train buff, it was nice to see a station such as this one being used for passenger travel. It was one of the highlights of my time in San Diego, the wife and kid liked the beach, I liked a train station, I'm a geek.

Alpine Days

I'll be up front, Alpine Days no longer exists, it is now called the Festival at Mt. Si, which isn't a cool name. In fact this year may have been the first year, that the Festival at Mt. Si, didn't use banners that included the phase, "Formerly Alpine Days." At some point in North Bend's past, the town tried an Alpine/Bavarian theme, like Leavenworth. Alpine Days took it's name from that period in North Bend's past. Since the alpine theme is no longer a required part of downtown North Bend, apparently the name of the town celebration had to be changed. Most people seem to still call it Alpine Days. Anyway Alpine Days features lots of booths and travelling food wagons, as well as, a parade and fireworks. All great fun, so come on out, its always the second weekend of August, just follow the signs that say Festival at Mt. Si.

So, as mentioned, there is a parade. I know that the Macy's Parade gets the big stars, like Al Roker and Santa Clauss, but a small town parade is the best. First of all the town must participate, so anyone with a nice car or a horse probably is going to be in the parade. Then local businessmen and women throw candy to kids, in hopes that mom and dad, will spend a bit of cash in their store. This year we took Quin and a friend's kid to the parade, it was our first time, it was simple fun, that's all. Hopefully we'll go again next year and see all of you there too.

A Bit of History and Some Thoughts

Today is the 59th anniversary of the destruction of the Lester Apartments, by a B-50 Superfortress. The Lester Apartments were the home to working class families at the time of their doom. What few people realized is that the Lester Apartment were constructed for a different working class, namely prostitutes. It was the largest bordello in the world with 500 rooms for the ladies. This building was the brainchild of Seattle's Mayor and Chief of Police who were getting 10 bucks a month from each prostitute in town. The citizenry of Seattle spoke up and ran both guys out of office, the chief going to jail and the mayor running and winning his job back in 1914 on the promise that he would clean up the debauchery.

As my vacation comes to an end, I am struck by the misery of air travel, as compared to the road. The road you hit it and you make the best time you can, rushing on a road trip is a silly endeavor. The road is to be enjoyed, it is an active part of your vacation. The airline is also an active part of your vacation, the part that book ends, your actual enjoyment. You get to deal with crowded airports, the TSA and crowded airplanes. You are always either too early or too late. It is the source of stress, one that tends to shorten the actual fun of the vacation. I suppose you can look at the airport like you would a road trip, get there when you get there and just enjoy it, putting aside the stress and the rush. Maybe I'll try that next time.

Today's photos are from our recent trip to Carlsbad, CA, one photo is of a sunset, since the sun is setting on my vacation and the second debauchery of a different sort, the California liquor store. This one is Leucada is a personal favorite.

Another Piece of the Puzzle

Having just gotten back from vacation, I was happy to find my new Tiltall tripod had arrived. I have not had a really top flight tri-pod for my use. A couple years ago my wife gave me a light weight tripod which has been useful, but it doesn't do well with heavier lens. A plus though it is easy to carry around. The Tiltall is not all that light, but it does stand better than 6 feet high and finally allows me to really utilize my 70-300 mm (35mm equivalent 140-600mm) lens in low light and at low speeds. I am looking forward to using it more. Tonight a picture from today's break in run.

8 years

On a very sunny and warm Saturday evening 8 years ago, my girlfriend became my wife. It goes without saying I am a lucky guy and very blessed to have such a woman, as my wife and mother of my son. I've said it before, I cannot believe that my life could be better without her. Time does march on, at an ever so frightening a pace, but when we have those moments alone and we can hold hands as we walk down the street, I am taken back to that night walking down Wallingford Ave. when I first took her hand in mine, but it is better now, because I love her even more.

Smoke

We have talked before about smoke from wildfires and upside being great sunsets. This is especially true if the fires are several hundred miles away, no risk just rewards. That is just what we have experienced here in western Washington since Sunday, a lot of smoke in the air from British Columbian fires. Sunday was especially crazy as the smoke really filtered the sun leaving us with a goldern sunlight or a reddish sunlight if filtered through trees. As a kid I seem to remember more smokey red sunsets, especially in August. I also remember more fires on the Olympic Penisula in those days, this probably a sign of old age, but those red sunsets of my youth always called an end to the evening's baseball game, we would stand there in what would be considered the infield and watch the sun turn a fiery red as it would touch the horizon. The sky would be pink and red by then and in a minute or two the sun would be gone and in couple more minutes the pink and red sky would darken and we would be on our way back home knowing that in a few hours the sun would rise and cycle would repeat. And it did it seems, thoughout the dog days of my youth, until it was interupted by the rain or the school bus. Tonight the smokey sun, first photo is from Sunday and second is from tonight.

Enjoy

Dan

Blueberries

A blueberry is among, if not, my very favoritest food on the planet. One day when I grow up I want my very own blueberry plantation. I haven't picked blueberries in years but I can still remember the fun of berry picking. Racing friends and family to see who could pick the most the fastest. Good times. I can remember one time we went blueberry picking to a place out in Kenmore on the Sammamish River. There were seven of us in my sister's Nova, we got out to the place and it was closed. So now with free time we decided to drive down Lake Washington Blvd, to Seward Park. It was a grand time, we stopped at picked up some food for picnic and then after that fun and games at the Park. We hiked in the woods and swam in the lake it was a great time for all. Then all seven of us piled into the Nova and drove back to our suburban home. I cannot remember if we got home before or after my parents, but do remember that my dad was none to happy with my sister for going to Seward Park. It was a dangerous place, although I don't every remember thinking we were in danger. Anyway that's my blueberry picking story, my wife and kid went picking blueberries today, so hopefully the boy will have his own stories soon. Here are a couple photos my wife took today.