Travels with Charlie....

Tuesday became an explore day. At first I was going to take Charlie in his bike trailer for a ride. Then I thought about another place nearby that I've always wanted to see. It is a small park alongside the Pine River in Richland County.

It's called Pier Natural Bridge Park. It has a little playground, a picnic shelter, and a rock formation that formed a bridge or tunnel. It has 10 acres and some interesting sights to see.

I thought it might be a nice place for us to have a late lunch.

When we first got there we tried out the long stairway to the top of the rock formation that is called a finger. It rises 60 feet above the Pine River. 

Charlie had to figure out the stairs and he did a good job. Not easy for a short legged doggy with a long back.

We walked along the half mile 'finger' and enjoyed the views through the pines.

You can't visit this place without walking through the long crack in the rocks. Charlie and I spent some time inside the 'tunnel' of rocks which had  a nice breeze whispering through it to cool off.

[Disgusting that people felt the need to add graffiti here.]

Cool breezes!

Charlie and I had a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic tables that were scattered all around. There are also benches made by a Scout Troop along the top of the rocks placed so a person can sit and enjoy the sights.

Pano of three shots stitched together from my OM-5 camera.

The Pine River is also a fairly popular little river to go kayaking on so there is a spot for taking your kayak in and out of the river in the park. 

I was actually surprised by the amount of visitors that stopped for a little bit while I was there. There was enough room that felt like we had the place to ourselves.

I think I will come back in the winter and then again in the spring to see how this place looks.

There is nothing more impressive than feeling so tiny next to a 1/2 mile finger of rock that is 60 feet tall. I took this shot of a car that pulled up and parked next to the tunnel entrance for a size comparison.

Let's just say, it was small, worth it, and scenic. Not to mention, a nice place to have a picnic and a nice little dog to accompany you.

By the way. Charlie is getting better about car rides. He used to whine and complain all of the time and now he is settling in with a lot less commentary about my driving.

I seriously adore his company.

We plan to try out the pet bike carrier this week too!

Disturbing Trend in Nature Photography and Social Media.

Have a camera? Have a cell phone? Now you can take selfies in all of those iconic and wonderful places you see in brochures or find photos of tagged on the internet.
Arches National Monument? Oh why not join 40 or 50 other people at sunset to take photos at the Arches? While there, you may as well climb and walk on the arch and take selfies.

I heard from a professional photographer about his frustration and going to certain locations around the states as to how he is now dealing with crowds. I belong to a Facebook group that is for Wisconsin Photographers. The posts are rather interesting.
Someone takes an incredible photo of landscape and instantly there are questions. "Where is that location?" I see the same place photographed over and over. It may be a lighthouse along the shores of Lake Michigan, the Apostle Islands shore, or rock along the Wisconsin River.

A few years ago Social Media posted a little known State Natural Area outside of Baraboo called Pewitt's Nest. Suddenly it became an internet sensation.
I explored the area in the winter four years ago and it was worth the trip.

Last spring I revisited the area and was aghast. So many people had visited it that most of the undergrowth was killed from foot traffic. People didn't stay on the trails as the signs requested. The site was shut down so that the DNR could build trails and lookouts. However people are still sneaking in to take photos. One person posted that he was fined...but HE got the shot! Others applauded him on the FB site.

Me? I was disturbed by this new photographers' mentality. It is okay to trespass to get that shot!

I shared these photos and received questions. "Where was this taken?" A private message went something like this: "Ms. Ewing, can we get together and you take me around your county to show me some of the great places to photograph? I can pay you to tour with you."

I answered as diplomatically as possible to the 'Where was this taken?' Vernon County.
As to the private message, I viewed it and didn't respond.

I feel pretty protective of the public places I do visit and take photos of. I recommend people to explore the Vernon County Parks and State Parks in our area. But will I tell the exact location of my most favorite morning spot to the Internet World? Nope. Not after what I saw at Pewitt's Nest.

Mornings are for thoughtful solitude. Not for fighting for a view of the sky.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Clausen

However sharing those special moments with close friends is exceptional. To see the wonder in their eyes as the morning or....night sky unfolds is an experience.
Maybe that is why these things are shared on Social Media.

Look what I saw!

To what end though?

I guess this is something I feel so strongly about.

Gettin' the Itch

I don't know why but every once in a while I get this intense desire to go somewhere and discover something.

I would like to do some traveling and 'seeing'.  I've been thinking about making a journey to see the south shore of Lake Superior and taking in a trip to see the multitude of state parks and waterfalls of northern Wisconsin.

I've even found my mind wandering about and looking at maps to the point where I use Google Maps to find out how long of a drive it is between places I want to see.

I sort of imagine myself going alone. Or perhaps with Morris. Although some parks and trails don't welcome dogs. Alone then would be the choice because then I wouldn't have to worry about him.
Then I wonder if going alone would be fun. Perhaps I'd like to travel and explore with someone else. I thought of my two grand daughters as travel companions. 

When I took a trip to 'shoot' my youngest son's wedding, I booked a room checked the route to drive [no GPS then] used a printed map from Google [have since purchased a good paper map] and plotted my little trip.

I enjoyed myself immensley. The drive was pretty nice even if I missed the motel and had to stop and ask for directions.

But staying on a Lake and having moments of peace and quiet to myself, was priceless.

And it felt good.

I've armed myself with a Garmin now and a good paper map of course. I've upgraded to a 'Smartie-Phone' and have a decent vehicle that begs for travel.

Last year Rich had cancer and my entire year was taken up with caring for him. That was a good thing, I found that I could handle taking care of someone and being there for them. It was an act of devotion and love.

This year we are remodeling the house. The contractor's work is finished and my thoughts keep going back to wandering.

I've started to compile a list of places I'd like to see. And I've discovered that these parks are also open in the winter which gives me a new thought.
I love winter, I love hiking and snowshoeing. I love winter photography.

What if?
I do some winter traveling?

Weather would be a big concern. But...but, the open road still calls.

Pack up your cameras and a light travel bag.

There are things and places out there just waiting to be seen and photographed.

I know.
I can hear the Siren Call.

And the trails are calling to me...

I'm getting itchy feet.