Shoot XVI - "Mono Lake"

And, the state of the week was the "Blue Grass State of Kentucky!" Only Joani and Elaine out there this past week.

"Mono Lake"

Shoot Sixteen continues just a little further south from Yosemite - Mono Lake. Another unusual structure created by nature are the tufas of Mono Lake. To describe them - kind of reminds me of the stalagmites found in caves. This area draws photographers from all over as I met a man from China and two from Australia who had their tripods set up next to mine.

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Be who you are and say what you feel 
because those who mind don't matter and 
those who matter don't mind. 

~ Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel). 

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of sportscaster, Erin Andrews and actor Patrick Dempsey

only state in the United States whose name has one syllable.

only state that shares its border with only one other state.

home to America’s oldest state fair.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

Just about the time when you think 

you can make ends meet, 

somebody moves the ends!

Shoot XVI - "Yosemite II"

And, the state of the week was "The Cornhusker State!" Slow week out there in Blogville as only Carol, Elaine, and Joani chimed in with NE. Also, stopping by was Jeff W. from my camera club and Jonathan of the UK, an image study colleague from PSA!

"Yosemite Climber"

Yosemite is a magnet for rock climbers! I was walking around the trails when I came upon a group of five free climbers on this hundred foot rock! I was amazed by the amount of gear they strapped on before they attempted to ascend.

This guy was my main focus as his colorful clothing against these rocks made him pop. I chose this one from among the many I took because of the angle of his body and the degree of difficulty he seemed to show. 

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

By failing to prepare, 
you are preparing to fail. 
~ Benjamin Franklin.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of Johnny Depp, Ali, George Clooney, Everly Brothers, and Mary Travers

home to the Boy Scouts of America Scouting Museum 

home to the  oldest continuously held horse race in the country.

these misnamed areas:
   Christian County is wet while Bourbon County is dry. 
   Barren County has the most fertile land in the state. 

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

  I don't trip over things -- 
I do random gravity checks!

Shoot XVI - "Glacier Point, Yosemite"

And, the state of the week was North Dakota! Such musical talent from the "Peace Garden State!" But our ever-observant followers were ready with ND - Michelle, Milt, Elaine, Peyton, and Joani.  Mike Di was oh so close!

"Glacier Point"

I got to Yosemite fairly early and was able to check in. Walking around the hotel lobby I overheard a few people as they discussed booking a tour to Glacier Point. Since I had nothing on my agenda at this time, I figured, why not! 

As the bus wound its way up the steep climb towards Glacier, the light brightened - we were on top of the world, or so it seemed. As soon as I hit the parking lot, I pulled out my tripod and started clicking away. After a few hundred shots of the peaks, the clouds, and the surroundings, I changed to my fisheye lens.

This 8mm lens can play tricks with the view at times. I liked what the fisheye saw this time as it gave me a wonderful perspective of the clouds at the Point. 

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Too many people spend money they haven't earned 

to buy things they don't want, 

to impress people they don't like. 

~ Will Rogers.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of such luminaries as Brando, Warren Buffet, Fred Astaire,  Gerald Ford,  and Henry Fonda.

state with more miles of river than any other state

Buffalo Bill Cody held his first rodeo here on July 4, 1882

birthplace of the Reuben sandwich

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

Remember "I" before "E," 

except in Budweiser.


~ Professor Irwin Corey

Bodie III - 'Stamp Mill Shovel"

And, the state of the week was ALASKA! Tough finding anyone who admitted being born there - no, not even Sarah Palin can claim AK as her birthright! But I did hear from Carol, Milt, Mike Di, Michelle, Peyton, and Joani. 

Jeff W.commented on the image but offered no guess.

"Stamp Mill Shovel"

"Stamp Mill Shovel" is my last image from the Bodie Ghost Town (if you want more of Bodie stop by the East Bridgewater Library and check out my B&W exhibit or, drop by my website for an entire folder of Bodie images - www.JoeKennedyPhotography.com.)

The Mill can be viewed only through a private tour as the buildings are old and unsafe. We were taken through a few areas by the ranger. In  the corner of the last room was a shovel propped up against the wall. The angle, the artifacts around it, and the age of the tool screamed, "take my picture!"

I wondered if it was an Ames Shovel as the local shovel makers pretty much had a monopoly on making them back then?? 

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, 

it only takes away today's peace. 

~ Unknown.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of:

being the home of  Lawrence Welk, singers Peggy Lee, Lynne Anderson, and Bobby Vee

having milk as its official state beverage.

bragging rights as the Perch Capital of the World.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

Huh??

Why do "tug" boats push their barges?

Why are they called "stands" 

when they are made for sitting?

How come we "drive" on a parkway and 

"park" on a driveway.

Shoot XVI - "Bodie II"

And, the state of the week was New York! I would love to see that parade, wouldn't you? We heard from Peyton, Michelle, Milt, Carol, Joani and Mike Di (Mike thought it was a trick question about the first US Capital).

"Last Call at Loren's

Still caught up in my Bodie experience! Most of the buildings had some of their original artifacts still out for viewing - unfortunately, the look-see had to take place from the outside. There were special tours inside these structures but they were not scheduled when I was there. So, through the glass was my only option. I was still impressed with what I was able to capture on my camera.

Loren's was one of sixty-five bars in Bodie. That's sixty-five bars for just ten thousand people (one bar for every 153 residents of Bodie - current national average is one for every 4500 people)!

No wonder why the town was full of shootings, fights and other lawless activities.

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.

~ Isaac Asimov.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of:

being the home to the largest forest in the US.

home state for Red Sox hurler, Curt Schilling and pop singer, Jewel

having 3 million lakes, 29 volcanoes and more than 100,000 glaciers.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

"When I read about the evils of drinking after golfing, 

I gave up reading."        

Paul Horning