The weather has done a 180 in the past few days to the point where it was above 50 and sunny today. I couldn’t pass it up. After a quick tune up of the bike, air in the tires and packed a small camera bag, I set off.
I ventured down to the local rail trail a mile from my house and set off at a pretty good pace. The trail was rather soggy and it took quite the effort to keep a quick pace. Soon enough I slowed down a bit and got the camera out.
Most of my shooting today was done around this set of railroad tracks. The landscape was very drab and I was out during the worst time of day to shoot, so my options were limited. The texture of the track was interesting though, so I focused on that.
I was back home only after 10 miles, but it felt really good to just get outside. The only thing on my mind was pedaling and photographing. Once I got home, the legs were burning pretty good, but the wife wanted to go for a walk, so off the bike and into running shoes I went.
Most people when they think of a way to start the new year do not think of jumping into a river of near freezing water. This is where my wife has a different opinion than most. Every year, her and some members of her family jumped into the Yough river in Connellsville on New Years Day. I asked the only logical question when I first learned of this activity, why? Needless to say, the first New Years we spent together had me jumping into the river right next to her. It was quite the rush really and something I’ve done numerous times now. This year (and last year) had me playing pack mule and carrying not only their towells and changes of clothes, but our daughter was well.
So in the backpack went Brooke and off we went to walk around and watch everyone take the plunge. A good number of people showed up again this year.
This was the group picture they take every year. Every year is seems to get bigger and bigger.
One of these years, when Brooke is older or if we have a sitter, I’ll take the plunge once again. Until then, I have a good excuse to simply play photographer.
On my lunch break, I needed to take a walk down to the post office to get a package that I missed delivery on and few books of stamps for Christmas cards. So of course, I packed up the camera bag (Panasonic G3, Pana 20mm, Oly 45mm) and off I went. After the post office, I meandered around downtown Scottdale. Since downtown consists of 1 main street 2 blocks long, it didn’t take much time at all. I wasn’t really seeing anything of interest until I detoured down an alley. Right in front of me, there it was.
I’ve walked past this numerous times, but never really stopped to look at what was there. Everything just clicked into place. Looking a bit further and I found this.
Having exhausted all of my free time, it was time to walk home and get back to work. When I got there, I found this waiting for me. I don’t think the cat moved since I started work at 7.
Below are a few images from my day yesterday. I first took some family portraits for some friends. I decided on an old historical house that is being fixed up and turned into a bed and breakfast. The main living room has a mix of great antique furniture and newer pieces. The woodworking around the house is phenomenal as well as the accent pieces displayed.
Next up was taking some pictures of a house that will be on the house tour in Scottdale. It was decorated to be an old time diner. The room itself was rather tight and difficult to capture everything.
The amount of detail and the care taken to arrange everything was impressive. Waiting for me at the counter was even a sandwich, donuts and a Coke!
This place will be on the Scottdale Historical Society House Tour coming up
I ventured down to the local rail trail a mile from my house and set off at a pretty good pace. The trail was rather soggy and it took quite the effort to keep a quick pace. Soon enough I slowed down a bit and got the camera out.
Most of my shooting today was done around this set of railroad tracks. The landscape was very drab and I was out during the worst time of day to shoot, so my options were limited. The texture of the track was interesting though, so I focused on that.
I was back home only after 10 miles, but it felt really good to just get outside. The only thing on my mind was pedaling and photographing. Once I got home, the legs were burning pretty good, but the wife wanted to go for a walk, so off the bike and into running shoes I went.
