Time for change again
Well as I set here this morning drinking the first of what is normally many cups of coffee, I need to get motivated and get outside and break the RV down for another move. So will be leaving the confines of the heat and farm areas near New Cuyama California and going west to relocate to my old stomping grounds at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
So not only has the name of Vandenberg changed from an historic Air Force Base to now one of the first Space Force Bases, but my current project is coming to a close and then will start a new one at Vandenberg, but being much closer with a 2 mile drive verse the 72 miles currently. I figure this next project will take me to the end of time out here in Central California and close to heading back home to West Virginia and my home and family.
However before that occurs approximately October 2023, my oldest daughter is coming to visit and do some remote work out of the RV in August and I am sure me and here will take a few trips while she is here. Then my big plan is in October this year is to meet up with the wife and both daughter in Jackson Hole WY where we will take a vacation to Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park which I’m looking very forward to since Yellowstone and the others have so much wildlife in addition to the great scenic landscapes. Prior to the two event mentioned above, I will make a short 1 week trip home to see my wife for her birthday in later part of June. If time allow, hopefully can get with my neighbor and go out and shoot some photos one day during the trip, which is always a pleasure.
So since my last Sea Story, I did make it the Kanab UT and attended the Outsiders Landscape conference, which was very good and I learned allot from the numerous presenters, got to take some pictures while out there at Vermillion Cliffs Navajo Bridge, made a stop at Valley of Fire Nevada State Park (my favorite State park). Between those two, got some great close up of California Condors and then some Big Horn Sheep.
Back in April I made a trip to Death Valley (one of my favorite places to visit always) and took some landscapes there. Not many but a few, most of the time was spent just relaxing and enjoying the down time. One item that really stood out, was I got to meet and Chat with a great Large Format photographer, Mr. Ben Horne who was very nice and humble man and a true artist in his capture of the landscapes with his 8 X 10 Large format film. Please check out his webpage at https://www.benhorne.com also well worth checking out his Youtube at (14) Ben Horne - YouTube.
THe man the Legend Ben Horne
One note about Death Valley, when I was there I took a drive near the springs on the western side of the salt flats closer to the Panamint Mountains and I ran into a photographer there that was former special Force Army veteran and we had a long chat about common place and adventure in Iraq and Afghanistan. He had taken up photography to help him deal with PTSD, which IMHO is a good means to help deal with such for I myself have the occasional remembrance of some of the event during my time in the sandbox that were not so pleasant and photography has helped greatly when I get such.
Also did have the wife come out and visit for my birthday back in April which was a joy and I am very thankful for her taking the time to travel and spend my BD with me. We mainly hung around and took it easy, though we did manage to get in day of camping and exploring at Alabama Hills at the Eastern Sierras near Lone Pine CA, a truly beautiful place, well worth the visit for anyone out in that are ore going near such.
Other trips of note was me and Remi (my bluetick coonhound) took a day trip to Kings Canyon and Sierra National Park a couple of weeks ago. No pictures taken for we just enjoyed the scenery and drive, especially up the back roads of CA 245.
Not much more to ramble on about, but I did procure a new lens for my anniversary, getting one of th Canon 100-400L zooms, which I very much enjoy and highly recommend. Mainly use for wildlife and BIF and it has allowed me to grab quicker shots when I see something while driving, be an interesting bird, elk or whatever. It is not quite as sharp as my big 500L , but sure is allot easier to hand hold and carry if I have to hike any. A very good buy for sure. I keep getting tempted to jump on the mirrorless bandwagon but have not done yet since my 5dMKiv is doing great along with no old reliable 1DSII. The other issues is they keep coming out with new camera or making changes to existing in the Canon line (which I will stick with after all the year of suing such) then throw in the cost. I am leaning towards one of recently announced R3 or possibly when they finally release the R1, neither which is an impulse buy nor cheap, so if I do it is more a matter of am I willing to give up and arm or give up and arm and leg??? We will see what the future brings in the next year or two.
Got to get off here and break the the RV down so I can move to a new site, so best to all, be safe and enjoying shoot through you lens.
