Lake Superior

No words today, just an image I like from the shores of Lake Superior. I LOVE Lake Superior. This shot was taken a few weeks back in Grand Marais, MN. Taken with my pocket point & shoot, it is hand held against a rock at about 1/2 second. I was super bummed I forgot my pocket tripod.

Thoughts about my future

Whenever I travel I think a lot about my life and my choices.  I think about what and who I want to be.   When we travel together as a family, it is the same and every road trip has meaningful conversation.   I've written this before and it probably isn't news or all that interesting.    However, it is fresh in my mind and I need to write it down to process and to make certain declarations.  

Whenever I, or we, travel, I like to see what is out there?!   It's a big and beautiful world we live in.   If you don't look, you don't know.   Don't sit back and let others explore the world.  Do it yourself.   It's an amazing world we live in and it is filled with amazing people and places.    

I also like to take time to reflect on the past.   What's gone well and where I've gotten off track?   Right now, for me, things are changing in my world and I need to make some changes along with it.   My kids are growing up.   School and schedules are changing.   I'm staying up later and later and still getting up early.   Something has to give.  In my case, it is my weight and my health.   Sure I've been riding a fair amount this year, but I've grown tired and when I'm tired I eat.   Sometimes it takes putting it all down, walking away and being with the people you love to be able to see it.   Thankfully, I've not gone too far.  I just need to get back on track.  I need to go to bed at night.  I need to come to grips and deal with my sleep disorder.  I need to ride my bike in the mornings instead of sit behind my computer.    I need to do the things that impacted my life so powerfully just a couple of short years ago.  

I also like to take time to think big.   Not too long ago, my daughter asked me "What is my dream job?".  This is part of a question book that we use at the dinner table at night.   I sort of laughed because frankly, I am pretty much living it.   I want to keep doing what I am doing, travel the world, take pictures AND I want to take my family with me.   I've been doing a lot of solo stuff and I need to change that.   Given the fact that I've got commitments through October and a tentative trip to Asia later this year, it won't change right away but we've hatched a trip to a far away place that will include all the things I love; family, adventure, bikes (my Fargo), and photography...There will be some official work in there too.  

It was a really great trip that filled me with hope and enthusiasm.  We've got plans and a tentative destination.  I can see, feel and taste it.   Time to get busy and make it happen.   

Up North & Unplugged

Wow time flies! I can't believe my sabatical is over. For those of you coming here today looking for a big post with a lot of writing, you'll have to come back later. I got in last night and downloaded almost 1000 images. Thanks to all of you for the kind words, emails and notes wishing me well during this time. It was a special time for me and my family. We went north, I mean way north, for some time in the woods. We left with food, a desitination and gear. Our home for most of the week was a primitive cabin in the north woods. No electricity. No running water. No internet. No cell phone coverage. In short, it was amazing and better than I imagined when my awesome wife booked this trip. We came home a closer family. I'd be lying if I didn't say I came home with some new thoughts, new goals and a new perspective. However, it will take me a bit to process all this. So instead of words, I'll share just a handful of images from last week. Hope you enjoy. A view of West Bearskin Lake Our private little beach view on East Bearskin Lake N & N tearing up the north woods gravel An early morning reflection on East Bearskin Lake Magnetic Rock Trail - (The start of the Border Trail and site of the severe forsest fires a few years back) N & N exploring XC Ski Trail at Bearskin Lodge Split Rock Lighthouse Our first sunset on the Gunflint Trail

As you can see, we did and saw a lot. Honestly, just skimming photos last night I could have posted a couple of hundred here. I can't wait to dig into the images, process them and put words to them. Should be a fun week to share with all of you. Enjoy your week and thanks again for coming back after my week away.

Ps. For all of you that have sent me emails that requested a response of some sort, I will get to them starting tonight. Thanks for your email and your patience.

Photo Friday - Fire + Ice = ?

Today I share with you one of my favorite images I've ever taken.   Whenever I have a feeling like that I wonder why I think that?   Sometimes it's because of the experience.  Sometimes it's because it's true.  Sometimes it's because I'm seeing or feeling a progression. This picture represents all of those things to me.   When I see this picture, I will always remember the weekend away with my wife.  I will always remember freezing as the temp was -10 before wind chill.    I will always remember seeing the other photographers out that morning trying to capture that perfect image of the sunrise.   I will always remember comparing photos with the other photographers and hearing "Oh My!" when they saw this one. I used my Olympus E420 DSLR.   I was shooting hand held at ISO 100.   I keep seeing search engine referrals with "E420 in low light" and I think this shows folks that good images in low light are possible with the E420.   Overall, I'm very pleased and proof that you can get really good images from a camera that doesn't cost that much (compared to other DSLRs). Hope you like the image too.   If you want to see a larger image, click here as I loaded it on my GnatLikesPictures blog. Enjoy your weekend.  Ride your bike!

Two Harbors, MN

Saturday, Jen and I spent the day in Duluth, MN.  It was somewhat cold yet glorious day.   Sunday started out cool, but as the sun got higher in the sky it was tolerable and very beautiful.   We headed up the west side of Lake Superior to Two Harbors. [caption id="attachment_893" align="alignnone" width="540" caption="Check out those tac loaders.  Ever wonder how those big ships are loaded?"][/caption] Two Harbors is an old historic city here in MN.   It's an old mining town with a rough history.   Two Harbors is also home to Granite Gear.   Someday I hope Granite Gear gets back into bike equipment, but that is another story for another day.   A quick Wiki look up had this to say..."Whiskey Row consisted of 22 saloons, dance halls, dens, and brothels. It is assumed that most people were either squatters or they rented the land as there is only one transaction on record. Many murders occurred, but those responsible were never caught, and, for that matter, never looked for. On a 1885 night a fire started in the west, and blown by a strong wind, wiped out the entire street." Now I grew up here in MN and I've spent a bunch of time up north including many stops in Two Harbors, but I've never walked on Lake Superior ice.   Sure I've walked on many frozen lakes, but I've never set foot on a frozen Great Lake.   You see, I have a weird fear of walking on ice over water, especially deep Great Lake water.   My wife doesn't like it either.   That said, with some ice fisherman out fishing and a few tourists out walking, we took our first steps out onto the Lake Superior ice and did some exploring. [caption id="attachment_894" align="alignnone" width="540" caption="Missle or Buoy? We didn't stick around to find out."][/caption] We did well until we saw the clear ice spots.    The frozen buoy looked like missle frozen in time.   The clear ice looked like open water next to the frosty snow.   It freaked us out a bit.   As we headed back to shore, I took a few moments to take a few fun photo's. Just as we were leaving the ice, I found this little ice overhang with some icicles.   I took a few shots of the icicles when a fisherman came into view.  I waited and got this.    It's my second favorite image from the weekend.  For a larger image of this, click here. [caption id="attachment_896" align="alignnone" width="540" caption="The long walk back to shore"][/caption] It was a beautiful day ending in a slow drive down the scenic North Shore.   If you've never been to Minnesota's North Shore, you need to go visit someday.   Heck, I'd even say if you haven't been to see one of the Great Lakes, you need too.  I've been to Lake Superior so many times and each time I find something new and fun to see and do.