Why can't every weekend be a 4 day weekend? Asking for a friend.....
Seriously, it felt like a mini vacation! We spent some time up in Eustis ME just chilling -which was awesome. I also took a few photo road trips as well. I bounced out of the studio at 1030a on Thursday and headed to Franconia Notch NH. I wanted to check out the steep trail (there are 2, 1 steep, the other not) up to Artists Bluff. It's a lookout over the Notch and Cannon Mtn. I was basically going up to check it to see if I'd feel comfortable enough to do it in the dark (to shoot a sunrise from up there). It's not a long trail at all, and you can make it to the top in about 10 minutes, but I like to check trails before I try them before the sun is up.
Anyway- great spot to shoot from, and I'll definitely be back in the Fall for the colors- but here's the view-
There was a few folks up there, but they cleared out and I had the place to myself for about 40 minutes. It's really cool when you can get a popular place like that to yourself, so I relished it.
On Friday morning - since we had the day off (expecting it to be the day after the Luau) - I got up early and shot back up to the Whites- to what I think is one of the highest area of the Kancamagus - the CL Graham Wangan overlook. It's a spectacular place to watch the sunrise- and then you can cruise thru the Kanc without traffic and stop at your favorite spots! I got up at 3:30a - and got there just before 5:30a (sunrise was at 6:09a). Here's what I got -
Photo: Greg Kretschmar
The cloud formations are always incredible to watch at that spot - and the sun hits them before you peaks over the horizon - and they illuminate in red for a very short period of time (maybe 2 minutes)- and it's unbelievable to watch. Definitely worth getting up at the hour just to be there for it. And the cool thing? There was only one other person there- who just happened to stop because he was driving by. After the color faded I just looked at him and said "Glad you stopped?" - His answer? "Absolutely". Right place right time.
Later on Friday we headed up to Eustis Maine with our friends Dave and Jolene - and did a little hiking and relaxed. (Yeah- it was about 12 hours of driving for me for the day)
If you're going to be in a place like the Eustis-Stratton-Rangeley area- I always try to make the most of it, given the wildlife that is in that area, and I usually head out early to see what I can see.
And see, I did. Check this out...
Photo: Greg Kretschmar
This lady made it easy as she was snacking in a marsh right along the road along Rt 16 in Oquossoc ME. She never even flinched - and I never even got out of the car because I didn't want to disturb her. So I pulled over on the oppposite side of the road, and shot from inside the car with a 300 mm lens. Shot several pics, then moved along slowly and she went back to eating. I always try to be respectful to wildlife and try to never disturb them. Sometimes they are skittish and leave, and others- they don't seem bothered or fazed at all.
Photo: Greg Kretschmar
And there were others...
Photo: Greg Kretschmar
And this little guy surprised me in the woods too -
Photo: Greg Kretschmar
When I do a roadtrip, I have the gear readily available in case i see something and need to grab it quickly -
The most important of which - is the COFFEE, btw
Photo: Greg Kretschmar
And on the morning we left, I got this sunrise in Stratton ME. It was gorgeous -
Then it was home for Monday to do the yard stuff and grocery stuff....
*Where I held 7 bags with one hand. I try - like most men - to make as few trips bringing in the groceries as possible-
And just like that it was back to real life.
Hope you had a good weekend-
g