Dave Schmidt Photo

Iced In

2012-01-28T22:24:00.000-05:00

Camp Abnaki Cup

2011-11-14T21:59:00.001-05:00

The cob-web covered Camp Abnaki Cup. Photographed with a Nikon P7000 in natural light.

I wish this cup could talk and tell the life stories of all the young men who spent time at the Camp.

The New Bridge at Chimney Point

2011-11-08T19:53:00.000-05:00

The new bridge over Lake Champlain at Chimney Point. Opened November 7th, 2011.

The original bridge over Lake Champlain at Chimney Point. Opened in 1929, closed in 2009.

Pumkin Heads

2011-10-30T22:08:00.003-04:00

Just a few of the pumkins from the Haunted Forest in Williston...

Cheap Gas

2011-10-19T22:40:00.002-04:00

Somewhere near St. Albans, on the shore of Lake Champlain.

Handheld, manually triggered flash and "some" work in Lightroom.

Added a border a little bit out of my norm.

Back to Black and White

2011-10-17T21:34:00.000-04:00

A revisit to some recent work in black & white.

Prints always available.

email: dsphoto (at) comcast (dot) net

Lake Iroquois Foliage

2011-10-11T21:06:00.000-04:00

Nine frames stitched in Photoshop.
Prints now available in the Print Shop


I took too many frames of this clump of leaves just trying to get it lined up right.


Foliage can even work in B&W.

I had a few extra minutes on the ride into work and detoured to a favorite spot on Lake Iroquois. Only had one lens to play but made the most of it.

A perfect morning.

2011-10-09T21:33:00.001-04:00

the Print Shop

Flatiron Plus

2011-10-07T23:03:00.000-04:00

A quick trip to NYC.

Shooting as we walk.

Happened past the Flatiron Building.

the flight in.

Lower Manhattan. Freedom Tower under construction.

Approach to LGA over Brooklyn/Queens with Manhattan skyline in the background.

the Webs

2011-09-29T08:21:00.000-04:00

A world of webs found along the shores of the Waterbury Reservoir in Vermont on a recent morning.

The Barn

2011-09-27T22:46:00.003-04:00

Whenever I get the chance, I'll twist the work and play wires together to see what happens. One of the best results of that experiment was playing host for a lighting workshop where we would be using the Breeding Barn on Shelburne Farms as our workshop location.

This is one of the coolest structures in the Northeast (not to mention the other buildings on the grounds) and one I've photographed before. Having two days to explore the barn and watch the light change through the day was amazing. Mixing in a group of other photographers and a pile of lighting gear to help light the place up made it even better.

As for the workshop itself, that's covered in a PocketWizard blog post.

Interior illuminated with multiple flash, powered by PocketWizard.

Late afternoon light.

Late afternoon light on the woodwork that fills the place.

Signs of age.


I don't think this was still working, but it made for a cooperative lighting subject. Elinchrom Ranger RX with 36" octa key light with a Canon 430EX II adding some accent lighting. Triggered by PocketWizards using HyperSync - Canon 5D Mark II at 1/640th at f2.8.

Full moon rising.

Huge.

Having fun seeing how far I could trigger the lights inside the building as the sun set.

Morning light.

Details.

The British Invasion

2011-09-17T22:35:00.002-04:00

They call it the British Invasion, I call it a great photo op. Perfect sky, polished cars and a single off-camera flash powered by some PocketWizards on high speed sync.

Huntington Gorge - During and after Irene

2011-09-02T21:54:00.001-04:00


Upper Huntington Gorge - image on the left was five days after Irene ripped through the gorge as seen on the right.

Lower Huntington Gorge - image on the left was five days after Irene ripped through the gorge as seen on the right.

Huntington Gorge is just outside Jonesville, Vermont. An amazing, but deadly place having taken the lives of over 30 people in the last 50 years. During Irene the gorge was absolutely raging but quickly returned to its normal alluring self just a few days later.

Good Night Irene

2011-08-29T23:04:00.000-04:00

Irene came to town yesterday. Stayed all day and well into the night. Today she was gone but not forgotten as she left behind a trail of destruction throughout our little state. These are just a few photos from our relatively undamaged area around Williston, Essex, Richmond and Jonesville, Vermont.

The flow of the Winooski River over the dam at Rt. 2A between Essex and Williston, VT.

The water below the dam.

North Williston Road on the Essex side of the Winooski River.

River Rd (Rt. 117) in Richmond just before the intersection with Rt. 2.

This guy came through with a big smile on his face. Fortunately there was little current at this spot just off Rt. 2 on Johnnie Brook Rd in Richmond.


The next three are a sequence. Here we have idiot number one having his car towed out of the water after they stalled.

Right next to where I was standing was a huge sign "HIGH WATER" and a couple cones, but no sign saying road closed. Along come two cars, first car driver at least 80 and male and drives around the big sign making sure to avoid cones and does not hesitate entering the water while cops and tow truck drivers on the other side scream for him to stop.

Second car, female driver also at least 80 years old, follows car number one into the water. Both make it and the cop on the other side is just dumbfounded as to what to do...I'm not sure what the tanker truck that pulled up next decided to do.

Worst hit area was in Jonesville where two streams come into the Winooski. Water had been a few feet higher earlier. Oil in the water and a pretty good stink in the air.

Jonesville. Vintage Motors is to the left and got hit pretty hard.

Jonesville.

Jonesville by canoe.

Rt. 2 in Bolton.

Richmond Bridge in Richmond. One local said the current had been too strong at his riverside home to do much other then get out quick.

Richmond.

Is hurricane on the list of things that the Post Office will ignore and still deliver mail?

The raging torrent below the dam in Essex.

The Essex road crew marking the high water. "Haven't seen anything like this in 35 years."

River Rd. (Rt 117) near Rt. 2 in Richmond.

Rt. 89 Bridge over the Winooski in Richmond.

Looking towards the river off Rt. 2 in Williston. The actual river cannot be seen in this image.

Looking at the Richmond Bridge from the Round Church.

The Round Church in Richmond.

A Gift from the Heavens

2011-08-22T22:39:00.000-04:00

After a late afternoon shower, the sun emerged. I grabbed the cameras and down the hill. I didn't have to go far but did have to shoot fast. An amazing show.

The Road to Nova Scotia

2011-08-21T13:48:00.003-04:00

Loaded and ready to ride, but only after I repacked just about everything a couple times. Sacrificed the big camera and other photo gear and opted to just use the Nikon P7000, a small but very capable little camera. My bike is the youngster here at 17. Cousin Bruce's a mere 26 years old.

Day One: Road through NH and western Maine. It had been sunny and 90 all day. As we approached Camden, ME we could see a bit of fog along the coast. By the time we got to the dock, the temperature had dropped to 60 and visibility was slim. Just as it had been for my cousin, when he visited there on a bike ride when he was 19.

Day Two: Acadia National Park and the coast of Maine. The rocks along the shore in Acadia National Park. I Remember climbing on these when I visited when I was a kid.

Acadia National Park

Heading north from Acadia along Rt. 1. Not sure where this was as we came across numerous little inlets and harbors.

The last stretch of road heading into Eastport, Maine, which is on the tip of land just over the bike in this photo. The ride for the last hour had been amazing with views of these bays and inlets everywhere.

Day Three: Into New Bruswick, Canada and ending in Nova Scotia. This is downtown Eastport, the easternmost spot in the US at the very tip of a peninsula and a beautifully remote place. Make sure you stop by the Happy Crab when you visit.

In line for the ferry out of Eastport. With the tides in this region up to 50 feet, to get on the ferry at low tide, you ride down the rocks and on the beached ferry.

Had never seen a ferry like this with its ingenious flip connection.

Getting off the ferry into Canada (which was actually and island that connected to another ferry to take us to the mainland). As you can see, the ride off the boat and up the shore is pretty unique. Customs met us on the boat to do a passport check.

After doing a few u-turns looking for lunch in St. Johns, New Brunswick, we headed north. Here, with the rain suits on after the weather got a bit wet, we are enjoying the views in the Bay of Fundy National Park.

Day Four: Nova Scotia. The forecast had been a bit iffy (actually, there was a nor'easter sitting off the coast pumping 40 mph winds and rain onto Cape Bretton and the famed Cabot Trail) so we decided to reroute and head south into other parts of Nova Scotia. We found this basin in the Bay of Fundy a bit empty - no water in sight for miles. It would be filled with 50' of water again in a few hours.

Cousin Bruce stands where in a matter of hours would be 50' under water.

The tidal bore in this river leading into the bay has to be amazing.

You have to eat now and then. Trouble is when you're in the middle of nowhere, options are few. This is the renowned Hants County Pub. Besides ourselves there was one other customer drinking beer and playing a gambling video game. The waitress told us a great story of her trip to Moncton to see AC/DC with 100,000 others the year before (this came up as U2 had played the same venue the weekend before to 75,000 people - but they like AC/DC a lot more then U2...

A long day of riding with a bit of rain, left us in Digby, Nova Scotia, the scallop capital of the world, where we met the nicest RCMP we've ever met (only met one). Make sure to get to Digby for the Scallop Festival (happening on our visit) or the Wharf Rat Motorcycle Rally, which draws 25,000 bikes and 100,000 people. Just make sure to not drink too many "wobbly pops".

Day Five: Ferry to New Brunswick and the ride across Maine. Here we're in line with the other bikes to board the Spirit of Acadia and the three hour ride across the bay.

Didn't need to tie down this day as it was calm, but always a good idea.

Heading out of Digby Harbor.

Watching Nova Scotia get smaller.

The bow opens to spit out a few cars and bikes.

I opted for an "alternative route" which turned into this empty dirt road through some of Canada's limitless emptiness.

Blueberry fields forever.

After the most boring part of the trip crossing Maine, we finished in Bethel and finally got to unpack the camping gear - too wet until now. We happened to wander into a Harley rally but fortunately most Harley guys are simple disguised corporate citizens these days.

Day Six: Heading to Mt. Washington then across New Hampshire and back to VT. Loaded.

An epic ride up Mt. Washington.

The summit of one of the world's windiest places was dead calm. Behind us is Tuckerman Ravine, on the eastern slopes of the hill.

In March, I had been just below this spot with my snowboard. Does not look as rideable in the summer.

Time to head for home.

Bagging a covered bridge somewhere in NH.

Looking back at the White Mountains just after crossing into the Green Mountain state.

Topping off the ride with a trip through Smuggler's Notch on VT108.

USA Triathlon 2011 Championships, August 20th.

2011-08-21T11:59:00.000-04:00

North to Quebec

2011-07-07T22:36:00.001-04:00

Parc National des Haute-Gorges-de-la-Riviere-Malbaie. About two hours north of Quebec City. An area that is pretty impressive in its beauty - just don't ask the park employees to speak English.

Trees

2011-07-07T08:12:00.001-04:00

click on image for larger view

This is one of those rare places that is so close to civilization yet so few know it's there. I've driven within a 1000' of this hundreds of times yet never knew what was lying just beyond the trees off route 7 in Shelburne, VT.

The water is the LaPlatte River feeding into the south end of Shelburne Bay on Lake Champlain as seen here in Google Maps:

View Larger Map

Waterbury Reservoir

2011-06-16T11:00:00.000-04:00

Morning paddle on Waterbury Reservoir on extremely calm water. Only brought the Nikon P7000 but still came away with some nice images. No wildlife to speak of other than a few fisherman that were out there.

The Office Dogs

2011-04-20T20:35:00.002-04:00

Carter

Louie

Jackson

Jake

The office dogs of LPA Design. Photographed in the PocketWizard studio.

Lighting: Elinchrom Digital RX 2400 pack with Paul C. Buff 86" parabolic umbrella high and above to camera right triggered by a PocketWizard PowerST4. White bounce card on camera left. SB900 with snoot for "hair light" on Carter's left side triggered by PocketWizard FlexTT5. PocketWizard MiniTT1 with AC3 on a Nikon D3x camera.

Vermont's version of March Madness; Sugaring.

2011-03-21T08:08:00.000-04:00

Comeau Family Sugarhouse, Williston, VT

Moonlight in Vermont

2011-03-21T08:01:00.000-04:00

Stowe Mountain Resort as seen under the light of the full moon on March 19, 2011

Published: Whiteface Mountain Marketing

2011-03-16T08:02:00.000-04:00

Just a few of the images used for Whiteface marketing this year. All three of these were shot on a predawn shoot at the very top of Chair 6. Not many regular guests could probably get a cat ride at that hour of the day, but if they could, this is what they would find.

Trailmaps

2011-03-13T13:22:00.002-04:00

Published: Pretty happy to have the covers of both the Stowe and Whiteface trail maps this year.

What lies beneath

2011-03-13T11:43:00.003-04:00

The steel truss bridge on Rt. 2 in Richmond, VT was built in 1929 following the Great Flood of 1927 (the river rose to 51.4 feet, 36 feet over flood stage, 1200 bridges in the state were destroyed) This bridge is listed in the National Registry of Historic places yet when you take a look underneath, you really have to wonder how it is still open. Blocks of wood are used as supplemental supports and heavily rusted metal is everywhere. Its sister bridge a mile upstream was recently shut down and rebuilt due to extensive deterioration. In a country where we acknowledge that our highway infrastructure is rotting before our eyes, Vermont’s particularly bad with 14% of our 2694 bridges structurally deficient. This puts us, statistically, it 8th place in terms of bridges that may drop from under us as we drive.

Silo Sunrise

2010-01-09T21:57:00.001-05:00

Silo Sunrise
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

An early morning venture into a cold January morning.

Winter

2010-01-08T08:04:00.001-05:00

Finally got my first hike up Stowe this season. Weather was on the warm side but windy and cloudy so the nice camera was left to chill in the car. Probably should have taken it as the clouds broke just a bit and there was a hint of blue in the sky. Taken with an SD940 tiny pocket camera.

2010-01-08T07:43:00.001-05:00

The Big Picture: Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. A little to far away to get to and photograph myself, so these pictures will have to do.

Sunset Hill Clouds

2008-06-17T16:51:00.002-04:00

Sunset Hill Clouds
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

First Attempt at Food

2008-03-21T10:39:00.001-04:00

Food Two
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

I've been doing a lot of work with ski resorts this winter which has demanded a lot of versatility. Added to this list was food photography which I will admit I went into with a little trepidation. This is my favorite from the shoot and I am pretty please with the results. A quick study on the web gave me the basic lighting techniques and some of the details that make the difference.

Breeding Barn Interior Two

2008-02-15T08:31:00.002-05:00

Breeding Barn Interior Two
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

Looking straight up in the middle of the Breeding Barn at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT.

Breeding Barn Interior Three

2008-02-15T08:30:00.002-05:00

Breeding Barn Interior Three
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

Some of the details in the woodwork can be seen here.

Breeding Barn Interior

2008-02-15T08:29:00.002-05:00

Breeding Barn Interior
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

Although it's located off the main property at Shelburne Farms, the Breeding Barn is, in my opinion, the most impressive building they have, and one of the most impressive wooden buildings you'll ever see. This shot is taken from one so it shows almost the entire interior. Look at the size of the bus on the left and you get an idea of the height of the ceilings. It was the largest "open-span wooden structure" in the US until 1939. The details in the woodwork are astounding.

Little River Gorge

2008-02-14T22:56:00.002-05:00

Little River Gorge
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

One of my favorite spots to shoot, hidden along a dirt road. I would bet that 99% of the people that drive by never know this is 20 feet away behind the trees. In winter you can get closer to the water by hiking in the snow to spots that are wet cliffs in the summer, like the spot this was taken from. I used a neutral density filter and exposed around 20 seconds at f8. Tripod and cable release of course.

Libby's Diner

2008-02-01T17:44:00.002-05:00

Libby's Diner
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

Sometimes you never know where you'll find a cool photo. I took my camera into the diner when having lunch with one of my boys. Didn't want to leave it sitting in the car and then, didn't want to leave it sitting at the table when it was time for a trip to the bathroom so along comes the camera. Standing outside the door was this perspective looking through a drying rack for classes back into the diner. I could only get a couple shots off before I was tugged into the bathroom by my five-year-old. This is a very classic diner and the Coke glasses are perfect against the traditional ice cream glasses. I also like the blurry outline of the two people in the booth behind.

Two Cows on Sunset Hill

2008-01-30T22:44:00.002-05:00

Two Cows on Sunset Hill
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

This is a shot that I've looked at in full (oversaturated) color for months and finally I realized it would probably be better in B&W. This was a relatively quick transformation and I am far from an expert in B&W in photoshop but I am pretty happy with the results. I've done my time in the darkroom and know how to make a good print but it's a whole different world in PS, however, I do now what I am looking for and what the possibilities are so now I just have to figure out which knobs and levers to pull to make it all happen.

Then there is the issue of printing it. My current printer (Epson R1800) will not print BW well at all. I knew that when I bought it but did not opt for the more expensive printer as the 1800 has a better reputation for color. Now I wish I did buy the R2400 which has three black inks and can print on higher end papers then the 1800. Time to upgrade? I have to have a print of this.

Through the Plexi

2008-01-30T21:54:00.002-05:00

Essex-SB Hockey
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

Back to the hockey rink for another Essex game. Did I mention I really don't understand the mechanics of this game? Sure, I know the basics but I can't figure out the player dynamics and what are the triggers to player changes on the ice.

Shooting it is not that hard. The field is contained and you can reach most of the action from one spot but I'd rather not shoot through the plexi but they really don't leave you too many options. There is a press area with a clear view but that's more for writers and video then still. With the 200 you can get most of it from there but the angles are boring. The other option is through the plexi which isn't too bad when shooting wide open anyway but the gaps between panels and the scratches and scuffs are problems and if you're not shooting straight through you will get some distortion or general degradation of the image. But as the image above shows (or doesn't show) you can get decent images through the plexi.

Yes, the sky was really that blue.

2008-01-29T10:41:00.002-05:00

Yes, the sky was really that blue.
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

Another morning at Stowe. When the sky is blue in January it is really BLUE. Lots of good stuff this morning and nobody on the trails which makes it a lot easier to shoot.

Shoot'n Hockey

2008-01-19T21:49:00.000-05:00

So I get called late in the day to cover a hockey game for the BFP. I've avoided anything to do with hockey, or ice rinks, for fear my kids might actually like it. Lives can get destroyed that way. I've seen families that only know hockey, where every weekend is destroyed by some tournament somewhere far away. I've never really like skating and the thought of having to hang out at the hockey rink for my kids is simply scary. Back to shooting hockey.

Didn't even think about what to expect but I walk in and there is this wall all the way around the rink - no clear shot except for up on a balcony shooting down onto the rink - not too bad but pretty limiting for sure. Lighting is good at least and I can shoot at 250 @ 2.8 thanks to low noise at 1600 ISO on the 5D. I shoot two periods from the upper deck then figure I have nothing to lose by shooting through the plexi for a bit and actually get some decent stuff - at least for the first time shooting a hockey game...

Snowcat Sunrise

2008-01-19T21:34:00.002-05:00

Snowcat Sunrise
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

A cool project last Thursday. I arranged for a cat ride to the top of the gondola at Stowe for a sunrise shoot of the groomers and snowmaking activity. This was a project that could have used some more powerful lights which I don't have but once the sun actually crested the horizon the light was perfect. Some very cool stuff and I got first tracks back to the car.

Huckabee Rally in Henniker, NH

2008-01-05T00:14:00.001-05:00

Huckabee Rally in Henniker, NH
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

For several months I've been trying to find the right time to run down to NH and cover some of the political madness. The last time I covered this stuff was in 1984 when Reagan was running for reelection. Finally, the four day crush to the primary seemed perfect. Everyone was there and I could get in and out and cover a few events.

Obama was first during the day and with a massive line to get in and me without any credentials other then a neck full of cameras, I played it cool and strolled into the media entrance with barely any questions what-so-ever. Once in, all the press was corralled into one space and they wouldn't let us out to roam the crowd. Everything was shot with the 70-200 and I put it on the 10D to get the added range. Got a few cool shots and the event was pretty crazy as Obama had just won in Iowa the night before.

From there it was off to Henniker for Huckabee. I knew this one would not be as intense and I was right. I got there early and did the same routine with the cameras and only got "oh, you must be press" and then greeted by the event organizer asking if there was anything I needed (like a burger but that wasn't available). She obviously was unaware of what was about to happen. In 15 minutes the place was jammin and the media hoard arrived. But for this one it was full access and the 17-40 was as needed as the 70-200. Got a lot of great shots in the media mosh-pit of Huckleberry jamming with some band he dragged to the event.

This event started lated and went long so I bailed on trying to crash a Romney photo-op and got in the car for the cruise home. I called the photo ed at the BFP but they opted for the AP shots but really didn't use anything the next day (or the next). Definately worth the trip but I wish I had something published. I did put them up on Photoshelter for stock and got some good exposure as they used home on their home page rotation.

saw blade

2007-10-03T14:17:00.001-04:00

saw blade
Originally uploaded by daveschmidtphoto

This was taken in a very dark corner of Elmer's Barn. Elmer's is one of those places where you can find just about anything, and most of it has been there for decades. This corner was all tools and these were simply hanging from a nail.

I used a single Speedlite clamped way off to the right and triggered with Canon's infrared ST-2. The lens had an extension tube added. the image was processed in Lightroom with an aged photo preset and then some additional tweaks. The result is exactly what I had imagined.

photo website

2007-07-20T21:45:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about it for years but finally found a site-building system I liked that didn't cost a fortune (www.bigblackbag.com) and have built daveschmidtphoto.com.

Where this leads who knows but it's a start.

yellow bus

2007-07-01T12:38:00.001-04:00

yellow bus
Originally uploaded by ritelite

Travel Time - continued

2006-09-25T21:16:00.000-04:00

Paris Skater
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

Travel Time

2006-09-25T21:05:00.000-04:00

Eiffel one
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

Camp Morning

2006-08-20T15:01:00.000-04:00

Camp Morning 1
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

I've taken this view a hundred times but it always changes just enough to make the next photo unique.

Mr. Ox

2006-08-20T15:00:00.000-04:00

Mr. Ox
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

This guy weighed in at 2200 pounds...could pull four times his own weight and was hooked to his brother.

rail slide

2006-08-20T14:56:00.000-04:00

rail slide 02
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

I walked out of my office Friday and this kid was trying to slide this two story rail at the end of the building. I snapped a few frames during a few attempts but left not knowing if he managed the entire rail. If he had fallen back it's 20 feel to concrete.

Running Water

2006-07-12T18:31:00.000-04:00

stream 7-1 20
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

To find this go here: 44.340N, 72.832W

Champlain Morning

2006-07-12T18:26:00.000-04:00

july 8 02
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

There are many different types of boats on Lake Champlain. The Lois McClure is a replica canal schooner, the tug next to her is ancient. The row boats were hand made. The cruiser in the background deals with the tourists.

Lake Monsters

2006-07-12T18:24:00.000-04:00

Lake Monsters 1
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

Although I'm not a big baseball fan, going to the local AAA teams home games on a perfect summer night with your kids is loads of fun. The baseball is only half the story going on.

Window on VT

2006-07-12T18:22:00.000-04:00

Window on VT (1)
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

In north central Vermont is a little known ski hill called Burke Mountain. For four bucks you can drive to the top. At the top is an observation tower (and several communications antenna). This is the view looking east. Notice the lack of civilization in the photo. Prestine.

BMW 4

2006-06-23T22:45:00.000-04:00

BMW 4
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

An evening ride to find something to shoot. Only found what I was sitting on. It's a delicate task - shooting while riding - but I love the results.

Drops One

2006-06-08T20:40:00.000-04:00

Drops One
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

although I'm tired of rain, sometimes what's left behind can be cool.

Marathon Superhero 1

2006-06-06T21:45:00.000-04:00

Marathon Superhero 1
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

Please tell me why anyone would want to run 26 miles in a skin-tight red superhero suit on a day destine to be 80 degrees. The crazy thing is this guy ran a 3:20 race.

furball

2006-06-06T21:43:00.000-04:00

furball 2
Originally uploaded by vt_lite.

Our beagle cornered this guy for a snack (she's on a diet) before I intervened.

2006-02-23T11:50:00.000-05:00

Lake Iroquois, VT

the Crit, downtown Burlington

Long Trail north of Bolton

Summit rime, Mansfield

Lake Champlain

2005-10-10T20:26:00.000-04:00

Shelburne Pond Sunrise

Verrazano Bridge

Lake Champlain

2005-10-10T19:32:00.000-04:00

Stream in the shadow of Camels Hump.
October 9, 2005

2005-10-07T21:51:00.000-04:00

Sunrise at a small lake near Albany, NY

Nantucket footprints

Boiling sky over Lake Champlain

Even more NY

2005-10-04T21:27:00.000-04:00

Times Square from the north.

Grand Central

Another trip to the city, this time for work and we were in the Times Square area. Two travel tips for NY - 1) if you need a big room, try Woogo.com for an apartment. We had a nice two bedroom apartment for one night for $260 which is cheap for NY for a hotel room. 2) Virgils on 44th for BBQ - maybe not your typical NY dining experience but the food was good.

More NY

2005-09-23T21:04:00.000-04:00

Last Waves

2005-09-20T21:20:00.000-04:00

More from the Bridge

2005-09-20T21:07:00.000-04:00

A couple more pics from the Brooklyn Bridge. It's one of those iconic symbols that no matter how many other people have taken the same shot - you have to take your own. Fortunately no two people see things exactly the same way or at the same time and "your" shot is still a unique moment in time.

2005-09-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

Brooklyn Bridge

2005-09-19T21:09:00.000-04:00

We were in NYC for a wedding and stayed in a great hotel in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge and right near the Fulton Street Fish Market - which is still very active. The views of the bridge were spectacular and the smell of more then 100 years of dead fish was pretty pungent in places. Fortunately our room was above the smell and had great balcony views of the bridge.

Bonneville

2005-09-14T21:48:00.000-04:00

I went out to Bonneville on a whim just to see the place. I stumbled into the middle of speedweek and witnessed some of the coolest racing you can imagine.

Speedweek, known internationally, is probably the last major auto event not spoiled by mass market consumerism. The racers are the guys next door. The cars/bikes are only limited by imagination and range from the tiniest one cylinders to the freakest garage monsters; all trying to set a record down either the 5 mile or 7 mile course. To even find someone selling t-shirts took considerable effort.

It's real. Real to the point that life is put on the line everytime someone hits the gas. Unfortunately, that day someone passed that line. The picture below is probably one of the last of that driver, a twenty year veteran of Bonneville, who at mile five and top speed, lost control and did not recover.

The course closed for ninety minutes after the accident and without any annoucement the track reopened. Then about an hour later, an announcer came on to inform everyone that the driver did not make it. After and erie moment of silence the racing resumed. Having photographed and watched that driver disappear over the horizon then not return had a strange impact on this total stranger. Somehow I felt connected to him and the rest of the people there, much more so then just witnessing another race.

I've thought about sending the pictures I have to the family as they might not have any so close to his last moments alive. I haven't done it yet.

Getting back to the racing so fast helped everyone understand that that was the reason we we're all there - both participants and spectators.

First Post

2005-09-13T21:46:00.000-04:00

Greetings - this is the first post of many.