For The Beauty Of The...Field

  

 Where we used to live, we had a mountain in our back yard...a real, live mountain complete with hiking trails, animal dens, even an abandoned mining cave or two. People would travel from all over to hike the trails and see the valley from only the perspective those trails would provide.

We no longer live on the mountain. We now live on a hill. The mountain was east of our house. The hill is north. But, there's something next to our new house that wasn't close to the old one...an empty field.

But, it's not empty.

It's actually full of many amazing things.

And I've  spent a lot of time walking around that field.

I've taken a lot of pictures, too...which  really surprises me.

I've mostly walked back and forth in the field for health reasons. It's also a great place to listen to podcasts. Lately, I've found myself listening to one particular podcast,  The No Sleep Podcast as I walk. The timing of the podcast makes it especially good for a late afternoon wander. Looking back, however, I've noticed many of my pictures from the field have turned out pretty good. Here are just a few.

There are other places to go for a walk in the neighborhood, along streets and sidewalks. Maybe when it gets cold and more importantly, it gets wet from rain and snow, I'll probably stick to the road and sidewalks, but until then, I'll see if I can't stay in the field and continue to see all the beauty that resides therein. 

Took A Walking Tour...

 Yesterday, after work, I decided to go on a walk.

I need to do more walking, so I thought yesterday afternoon would be a good time to start. And because the late afternoon temperatures are starting to drop to human levels, it was time to leave the house, earphones in ear and podcast on phone. Of course, I couldn't leave the house without taking a few pictures.

I thought I'd share a few of them.

I saw more things, but I showed some restraint, both in taking pictures and sharing. Maybe I'm maturing.

I hope so...

Photowalk Around The Block...

Tonight was one of those nights when the outside begs you to leave the four walls, floor, and ceiling that surround you and enter a world of earth and sky. It was beautiful outside so we decided to take a walk around our cul-de-sac street. 

I also decided to bring along my camera.

The walk became a photowalk.

I anticipated seeing brilliant flowers and hopefully, equally stunning skies. I also anticipated our cat coming along on the walk with my wife and me. I did not anticipate a couple of girls on bikes seeing the cat and making him their best friend. I thought our cat would run away terrified from them, but he stayed and made their evening even more fun.

I walked up the driveway that used to by mine and said "hello" to our neighbor's aging Weimaraner--sweet, sweet dog. And our tour ended with incredible views of a cloud-filled late spring sky. We are so blessed to live where we do. Yes, we don't have ocean beaches or dance clubs that are open all night, or European cities with centuries-old buildings, but to me, our little lot at the end of our cul-de-sac is heaven.

Why...Can't I Just Enjoy The Art?

When I drive to work, I pass a few restaurants. Last week as I drove by, I noticed that one of them had an airplane in its parking lot. It's not that unusual to see planes on my drive home from work--we're about two miles from the Salt Lake International Airport. I wondered, though, if it was just a prop, or someone's functional plane that needed a place to stay.

Yesterday, I got my answer.

It's not just an airplane, it's now art.

I took a break from work to see if I could walk over to the restaurant and get a couple of close-up pictures of the plane. When I arrived a team of men with a crane were working to place it atop a tall pole--it's new home. I wished I could have filmed it being raised, but after about ten minutes of waiting, I had to go back. After work today, I snapped a picture of the finished work of art.

So why couldn't I enjoy it?

 I should clarify. I do enjoy it on some levels. I think a restaurant taking a plane and putting it twenty-plus feet into the air is cool. I appreciate all the work that it took to get that thing up there. It's eye-catching, a great feature for people renting rooms in the many hotels that surround the restaurant--most, I imagine, flew into the city on a plane. But when I realized what they were going to do with it, I kept thinking about stuff like--

What legal hoops did the restaurant have to jump through to get this approved? 

How much did it cost for them to buy the plane, or did the find it on Ebay?

Was the plane grounded due to mechanical issues?

And, perhaps my biggest issue, will the artwork survive the intense winds we sometimes get?

In the end, of course, the goal is to bring more traffic into their establishment. And honestly, I didn't even know a restaurant was there before the plane showed up. Chances are I will probably not eat there (because I'm so cheap...), but if I do, it will be because of that plane.

I hope all their work brings the results they want. I hope the plane stays up in the air (albeit stuck on a tall pole...) for years and years to come. And I hope next time I see something like this, my mind can enjoy it more. But knowing how my brain works, that probably won't happen.

Today's Photowalk...Signs

I work in a part of town that's not too conducive to foot traffic. We're only a few miles from the airport. Cars are the preferred mode of travel. So it seems natural to see a lot of signs telling people what they need to know (whether they like it or not...). I didn't start out on my break thinking I would take a lot of pictures of signs, but that changed when I saw the first sign. Apparently, they rent more than cars.

Today was beautiful, even surrounded by blacktop and concrete. And every now and again a huge jet soared into the sky, splitting the air with the sound of its engines. I love watching them.

I suppose there's a place like this in almost every city in America, a Motel 6, a restaurant, a car rental, and wrong way signs. Today I walked in a different direction, saw some things I haven't seen before. That's a pretty good reason for doing anything.

Tonight's Photohike...

There's a thing called "Photowalks" and many people participate in them. I, however, have not. They look fun, but I don't do a lot of activities like that. We're kind of homebodies, except when I'm doing shows, or at conventions, or with writing groups, or working second jobs.

Tonight we had beautifully clear skies, and by "clear" I don't mean "cloudless." I mean without skies that pollution haze we get occasionally. The rain and wind cleansed everything. We did have big rolling clouds, so clean air, big clouds and a setting sun usually translates to an incredible sunset. I grabbed my camera (both lenses...) and my cellphone and I headed up the hill.

I decided to do a Photohike.

As far as sunsets go, it was so-so. Orwell might say it this way, "All sunsets are beautiful, just some sunsets are more beautiful than others." As I waited for the sunset to develop, I tried getting interesting shots of other things. 

Though hard to see, I did get a picture of a herd of deer I spooked.

I also took pictures of 100 North in Farmington.

As well as 325 East.

And I even got a shot of my shadow on a rock. I really should get up to the mountain more. Of course, it was just a few weeks ago that when I took these pictures had several feet of snow. I don't know if I'll do more Photohikes, or if I'll even to a Photowalk. But, hey--anything's possible.

Taking Pictures And Memorizing Lines While On A Walk...

When I got home I decided to get in a little exercising by taking a walk around my neighborhood. I took with me two things, my camera, and the script to the next show I'm in.

I went on a photowalk while memorizing my lines.

If you ever decide to do the same thing, let me give you some advice. Walking on public roads--roads without sidewalks--requires a level of attention sufficient so as not to injure oneself. Carrying a camera and a binder can be hinder one's concentration. Fortunately for me, I was able to successful walk around the block, take pictures, and go through my lines. It was a little awkward at times holding my script in one hand while holding up my camera, focusing and taking pictures with the other.

Of course, I could have left the camera at home. I would then not have captured my "Pic Of The Day" that I need. If I did that I would have been able to concentrate more on the words.

I could have also left the script at home. I might have taken more time looking for and talking pictures of interesting things. But I would not have missed an opportunity to practice the twenty or so lines I have in the upcoming production.

There is a third option--I could have left both the camera and the script at home and just enjoyed the beauty of nature while getting a little exercise.

But where's the fun in that?

Exactly!

Photowalk: The Train Station...

Thanks to the season and our bosses, we were given a few hours of annual to us between Thanksgiving and New Years. Because of this, I found myself leaving work a little early and waiting for a train to take me to another train to take me home. And as a bonus, I was at the train stop while the sun was still out. I decided to take some pictures.

I wish I had noticed the birds earlier. I wish also I had something the birds would like to eat so I could have set up a shot or two. Just when I spotted a shot I liked, those darn birds would bolt and find more interesting environs. I got a few pictures, though.

Across the street from the train station there's a bookstore. It used to house another bookstore, but they moved. At that bookstore I saw a signed copies of The Golden Cord by Paul Genesse. I met Paul last September and he's a very cool dude! I seriously need to read one (or several...) of his books. If you get the chance, I recommend it.

Lots going on downtown SLC on Boxing Day. Though sometimes you have to look for it.