Working up on the Mountain at OtherPower.com

George and I got up early and had a pleasant breakfast. We talked and decided he would work today at OtherPower and then drive down and spend the night at his son Troy's in Fort Collins. That is where I was staying in Fort Collins. He had to be at the airport at 6 am and we thought it best he went down that night and I would stay up at the Buckhorn so he could use my bed and get to the airport on time.

We drove over to OtherPower.com's shop and we I spent the day watching George work... I spent time with Dan Bartmann the head honcho designer and web master. Several other friends stopped and we drank Black & Tans and I shot some photos for Dan of his windmill parts and the general operation up there.

These folks have quite and operation up there. They live off the grid and have satelite internet Service. They build their own homemade windmills that are very simple but very powerful. And, very strong because they survive incrediable winds up there.

I'll get another post up in a couple days.

Taking a needed Rest

After arriving in Fort Collins and getting some needed slepp, I drove up to the Buckhorn Lodge on Crystal Mountain to visit with my friends George and Margaret Clous. It took 2 hours to get up there and I arrived just in time for supper. Good thing. because I was bringing the chicken to grill. We roasted a the bird using the beer can method, drank some Local microbrew called Flat Tire Beer. Very tasty Beer, very tasty. I didn't get too active since the altitude was causing me some grief. They live at 8,500 ft.

We had a grand dinner and started to settle down and discuss where George was going to take me up on the mountain to shoot some photos. Just as we started to relax George's friend from OtherPower.com, the windmill guy, dropped in. Sadly he was bearing bad news. He informed us that George's 49 yr old brother had passed away. So, we discussed what George should do and we came to the decision what he should fly back to Traverse City, MI and see his family and attend the funeral.

We retired to our beds and let the howling winds up there put us to sleep.

Kansas to Colorado, Whew...

Hwy 36 is one long stretch folks. I didn't make it all the way throught Kansas but almost. When I stopped in Atwood to get gas, I mentioned to the register clerk that I hadn't seen another vehicle heading in either direction for almost 2 hours. And, that iwas one, "Lonely Highway!" Then he said, " If you think that has been lonely, it gets one whole Hell of a lot worst the farther you head West." So, I turned south and drove to Colby, Kansas on Interstate 70 and spent the night.

The next morning I ate at the Village Inn, got my favorite omelette, and then drove west for 40 miles and then headed back North up to Hwy 36 and then crossed the Colorado line. There was a real joker that wivisted the Vilage Inn... ie, see the photo.

Man, was that guy in Atwood right. After crossing into Kansas I turned on to Hwy 34 and headed to Greeley. Lonely is the mild statement for that road, Desolate is the right one. All I saw was a few cattle on the range and then smelled the Feeder pens as I approached Greeley. I rolled into Fort Collins at 5 pm and my buddy George came down from Crystal Mountain and met us at Troy & Karen's house and we went to dinner.

One Long Day In Kansas...

Day 3 of the travel madness! If you ever want to drive on the "Lonesome Highway," then drive on Highway 36 in Northern Kansas. The more you head West, the more desolate the landscape becomes. This highway travels along the former Pony Express Trail. Marysville, Kansas has a Pony Express Museum and the most incredible old Courthouse you have ever seen. It has been turned into a museum.



Most of the wheat has been planted and is already 6 inches high. I am not sure what prompted me to stop in Montrose, Kansas? But, it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. It had some buildings from the turn of the century. The small bank building was just classic. The old school, see photo, had clover growing in the front lawn. A beautiful contrast to the blue sky and the rustic patina of the building.


As the sun started to drop I stopped and found the a location for the classic windmill photo I wanted. This windmill was still running and the fan blades were spinning at high-speed. Actually it is surprising this turned out because the wind was howling. There is a reason they call this the Windy High Plains! The planned sunset landscape photos I was hoping for didn't materialize because the sun dropped behind a cloud deck just before sunset. Sorry, no drama shots for YOU... this time anyway.



Just as I got dark I was running low on fuel and I was praying the next town had gas. For the last 2 hours I hadn't encountered any vehicles on old Hwy 36. It wouldn't be a stretch at all to call it, " Desolation Highway." Upon arriving in Atwood, the man in the gas station said, "if you thought it was lonely so far, just wait. It will get a lot more LONELY the farther you head west!" With that declaration from a local, I headed 35 miles south to the 70 Freeway to find a hotel.

Finally, the Highway Desperado had enough of that "Lonely Highway." I stopped in Colby, Kansas about 10:30pm and found a Super 8 Motel.

Day 2 of the Road Trip. Illinois and Missouri.

Man, I couldn't ask or better weather. The fog lifted by 11am and I was rolling west again. Highway 24 seemed like a good choice. After crossing the Mississippi River in Quincy, IL, the terrain changed a little and then I ran on Hwy 6 for 50 miles and then jumped on Hwy 36. Can you believe this, I found a hobo walking the RR tracks. What luck!



The little towns in these areas have some incredible old buildings. Many dating back to the Civil War. I zigzagged on each side of the highway. Although, I wouldn't call it much of a highway. The stretch of Old Highway 36 I drove on had many surprises. Just as you came over a hill the road would drop right out from under you. It was made of cement and parts of it are deteriorating and they sure aren't repairing any of it. A cold front was approaching and I had a so-so sunset. I turned of 36 toward the North and found a spot to shoot and worked that area until dark.


Today I will be tripping through Kansas. The Cold Front is heading in and the weather should be interesting. Well, more to come tomorrow.

On the Road Again! Finally...

Road Trip!


Saturday April 19th I started my photo excursion to the West Coast and back. The first day on the road was fairly uneventful. When I left Traverse City it was a little windy and 78 degrees. After heading west on the Gerry Ford Freeway it started to cool down and the fog increased the closer I got to Lake Michigan. After dropping on I96 I stopped at Exit 22 and visited the Lincoln Township Park. The temp dropped to 46 Degrees and the fog was rolling in. At the Lincoln Township park I took a break and walked the trails and luckily took the camera. As I was heading back out to the highway, at the last minute I thought I might head into Grand Mere Park and was greeted to a very serene view. I grabbed the camera and tripod and started shooting just as it was starting to get dark. The fog made for a very moody scene.



After leaving there the fog became an issue as I drove West on Hwy 80 through Chicago. After I turned South on Hwy 55 the fog had me slowed down to 45 mph as it approached 11pm. So, I pulled over in Pontiac, ILL and rented a room and the Super 8. What is Super about it I really don't know? The sheets smelled so much like chlorine my eyes watered for the first hour I was in the room. What a minute... News Flash, the shower is what is Super about it. I was premature in my assessment of the motel. Very hot and cold water, and the shower head massage was a treat.

Well. up at 6am and I'm heading out in the fog. At least this morning I can see more then 100ft.