Where in the World?

A Piece of Sabaday Falls

I wandered this morning along the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest.

It was an absolutely beautiful day; partly cloudy with patches of sun that lit the surrounding mountains. I was in the mood for waterfalls and went to my favorite place called Sabaday Falls.

This is a stunning waterfall that cascades down a basalt fissure sandwiched between two huge granite slabs. The falls are estimated to be about 10,000 years old and formed during the last Ice Age melt.

Sabaday Falls is never disappointing. I have photographed here for quite some time. I suspect that I will continue to come here.

Years ago a very close friend told me that angels can frequently be found around waterfalls. I tend to believe this as the healing power of this place is quite amazing. By healing power, I mean the sense of well-being and tranquility that fills your body, emotions, mind and spirit. I suspect that there is one really powerful angel residing here.

Have a great day!

Michael

P.S. Here are some links to my best of New Hampshire 2008 photos:

New Hampshire October 5th, 2008 (3 photos)

New Hampshire October 6th, 2008 (7 photos)

Albany Covered Bridge

I decided to go up to New Hampshire and see some fall color. It’s become an annual trip. I really love the entire White Mountain region and the Kancamagus Highway.

The region is rich in flora, fauna, dramatic scenery and idyllic settings. Hiking trails are abundant as are the waterfalls.

I relish the color, geology and history of the White Mountain National Forest. It seems that every year I discover something new or something I hadn’t experienced before.

But, really I come back every year because of the deep feeling of contentment I get from wandering among the trails, roads and streams. This is probably my favorite area on the east coast. Yosemite would be my favorite on the west coast. Vastly different but both are enormously powerful in the effect they have on my very soul.

Birch Trees

My favorite place to stay is at the Red Sleigh Inn Bed & Breakfast in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Loretta and Bill own and operate this quaint New England B&B.

I come back every time because their customer service is outstanding. The breakfasts they serve in the mornings will last for hours if you can finish it.

The Red Sleigh Inn is popular throughout the year and is very close to several ski resorts. I highly recommend it.

My two favorite trees up here are the red maple and the birch tree. This is the second year I have taken the birch trees on the right. They can be found at a popular vista viewing area along the Kancamagus Hwy. Sometimes it is hard for me to tell if this is a painting or a photograph. The bark does interesting things in the light.

They are just one of thousands of nature’s treasure nuggets that can be found all over this area. Every season has something to offer. You shouldn’t miss any of them.

I’ll continue tomorrow in my wandering exploration off the Kancamagus. Who knows what I might find around the next bend.

Have a great day!

Michael

Multnomah Falls

What a day! I traveled slowly along the Historic Columbia River Hwy stopping here and there, exploring the vistas from high up and viewing the many waterfalls dotting the cliffs.

It truly is a magical place. Geologically, this area is rich with a history of massive lava flows, repeated over millions of years. Evidence remains in the form of huge basalt cliffs, strange rocks, hills, valleys and unusual erosion patterns.

At Multnomah Falls you can see this geologic record. Multiple layers of basalt, one on top of another, rise up forming the cliffs that Multnomah Creek falls over turning into the 620 foot high Multnomah Falls.

I spent the entire day mostly photographing waterfalls and enjoying the splendor of this region. I had a basic plan, but I really tried to let things happen so that I could find and thus experience places I didn’t know existed before today.

I have really been trying to work on this aspect of living. Letting things happen. Keeping my eyes open. Relaxing into the flow of what my life is turning out to be. Not judging myself too harshly or not at all. Not planning too much. Being relaxed and happy in as many moments as possible in a day.

In other words, just viewing my life as a journey; no goals, no destination, no expectations other than to be happy.

Have a great day!

Michael

Sunset at Ecola State Park

I’m in Oregon this week on a photographic tour. I spent most of the day on the coast around the Cannon Beach and Seaside areas. I haven’t been here for over 10 years. It’s so nice to be back.

The Oregon coast is phenomenal. I can spend hours watching the huge waves roll one after another into the shore. I especially like to watch them from the cliffs that tower above the beaches.

I took the sunset photo at Ecola State Park near the Sea Lion Rocks. It’s funny because I was dreaming of a beautiful sunset all day. Most of the day was hazy and partly cloudy. I continued to see a great sunset in my imagination.

Low and behold about 2 hours before sunset, I started to see the clouds open up and then separate above the horizon in the distance. So, all I had to do was to show up at the place I had picked to photograph the beautiful colors.

I had traveled all the way across the country to photograph a sunset on the west coast, specifically in this exact place. The forecast is rain over the next two days, so I knew my “chance” for the sunset was today.

Tidbit: This sunset at Cannon Beach was even mentioned on the local news this evening. Cool!

Everything worked out perfect.

Michael