Come Fly With Me

Garmin Auto Pilot Really Works

Get the new Garmin Auto Pilot 9000! Just plug in coordinates of where you would like to go and your car drives itself. Just fill up your tank with gas, put your car into gear and climb over into the back seat for a nap or even SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. Just think of the bucks you'll save on hotels. Imagine getting extra work done while traveling or watch a movie with the kids while the Garmin Auto Pilot 9000 navigates those canyon cliffs. You'll never need to buy wiper blades again. Ask for it at your local Best Buy store!

I've Been Everywhere, Man

                                 
                                  I've been to:
                 Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
              Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
               Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
             Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
             Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
                Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla,
                                   I'm a killer.

                       I've been everywhere, man.
                       I've been everywhere, man.
                    Crossed the desert's bare, man.
                I've breathed the mountain air, man.
                  Of travel I've had my share, man.
                            I've been everywhere.

Asleep At The Switch

Here's a look back at some old memories of business road trips of a few years ago. Written November 4, 2009.

Ah, ... the road can kill ya at six stops a day with about 50 miles between each stop.

Especially if you're retarded ... like me! Now, that's probably not politically correct to say anymore ... but I don't think it's extraditable ... and it does accurately describe my functionality when I have to drive past so many beautiful things to see out the window. I cease to pay attention to the important things that sustain rental car movement. Here's what I mean.

Today, I had to head up to Payson, AZ from Phoenix. It was my last stop of the day and it represented the longest portion of the days driving. I love Arizona cactus photos ... so, as I was driving through the Tonto National Forest with my head in the clouds, I kept firing photos at about 45-60 mph out the window. Just a cruisin'! Everything was cool. You know, ... it was just another day sitting by the pool in your Speedo when you hear your granddaughter say, "Pop-Pop, I brought you some lemonade ... and uh, what's up with the Speedo?" OK, I just said that to scare some of my friends and relatives. Anyway ...

I'm just sayin' ... everything was great. Then I remembered that I was supposed to get gas before I left Phoenix. I looked down and saw the red light was on and the gauge was already smiling proudly back at me displaying the big red E. This is not good, ... because my usually-trusty GPS said I was 43 miles from the nearest gas station. So, I am still moving but I wasn't sure exactly how long this dance card was gonna last. Vultures were now circling.

So, it's the bottom of the eighth ... and I needed to go to my bullpen for a reliever. So let me explain. We are a large family ... and like other large families ... each member differs ... and we sometimes sarcastically compliment each other in our differences by accident. This is where my oldest daughter usually chimes in with her most memorable line, "Dad, different people do different things."

I'm thinkin', "Seriously Erin? Where's your mother?"

So, I am sure you know that there are members of your family that you would call for certain situations ... and other members that well, ... FORGET IT!

So, I would like to use one of my lifelines now. This time my life line call would be best spent on our oldest son. Let's call him ... Braff Zackton!

Braff is actually is a very good call ... and a very bad call ... at the same time (because he is best at this problem ... but I will pay for this big time). He's good news and bad news all rolled into one speed dial button on my phone. You see, ... Braff actually works all day bailing people out of much worse disasters than this for a North American truck leasing company. Basically, Braff is a professional at this situation! Braff can talk Alabama accents to long haul truckers and then ten minutes later talk Bwahhhston accents with moving truck drivers that are angry that they got a flat right outside Fenway.

If you were in trouble and you had to call Braff at while he was at work, ... he could get a helicopter to land in a snow storm on the road beside your crash scene with warm blueberry muffins and McDonalds coffee. GUARANTEED, every time! And IF YOU were to call Braff when you were in trouble, ... you would get ALL THIS AND MORE with courteous assistance and light-hearted sense of humor. No strings attached! But, this is me calling him, after hours and I'm gonna pay for this for sure.

So, I call the bullpen ... and Braff has just arrived home from work. This means he's warmed up and ready to go. Braff quickly assesses the North American dialect of the caller and begins to talk the same way ... because he can. Soon you are thinking that you and Braff went to the same high school and had the same homeroom teacher. Braff could even tell ya stories about that kid with zits in the back of the class becoming the CEO of a worldwide banking company ... and you would really think you remember him.

So, Braff see's my caller ID, know it's me and answers the phone with his usual, "Now what?"

With the phone crackling I quickly find myself screaming, "Braff, I may be in trouble. I am running on empty, 43 miles south of Payson, Arizona, traveling Northbound on Highway 87. I need a gas station bad. Cell service is intermittent, ... so I may lose you."

Then I hear, "Dad, why are you calling me Braff?" Then I hear Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Either I lost cell service or he hung up. I think hung up, again... for sure ... he hung up).

So, anway, Braff got out his computer before he called me back and linked to Skynet Delta Strike Force Idiot Tracker and had a Mobil gas station built 4 miles closer to me and prepared them for my arrival. That's right! Braff had building contractors begin AND complete the building a Mobil gas station right where I ran out of gas. This kid is amazing!

If you are familiar with Payson, AZ ... you know it's a downhill glide on 87 coming into town. I saw the engine light come on while descending that hill and I shifted into neutral and officially ran out of gas. Call it! Time of death 2:42pm. I was coasting down hill with enough momentum that the car glided about 3/4 mile to the gas station including a small 180 degree turn onto the lot. The car came to rest AT the pump ... with a bit of momentum to spare.

Braff said, "Goodbye Dad, you're lucky ... and a little soft between the ears."

Another disaster averted. You could actually see the disappointment in the vultures as they flew off to find someone who didn't have Braff's cell phone number.

Thanks Braff. I know I will hear about this for the rest of my life.

What Is NikonSniper All About?

Written 1/1/10. Updated 06/08/2011, 11/17/2011 and 08/25/12.

Welcome to you old-timer NikonSniper bloggies. I also want to welcome the many new people that have fallen off a log into the NikonSniper blog over the last several months. Thank you for coming. I thought I would tell you a little bit of what NikonSniper is all about.

First, ... my name is Stephen Baird and I am from Woodstock, Illinois for the last 24 years but my life has also had long stints in the Dallas area as well as the Toronto area. I am no spring chicken any more. I was born on the day that President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act (NASA) so I am truly "space age". I have actually outlived the space age as of this writing.

I have been taking pictures for more than 33 years and many of them are still completely horrible. For many of those years, I majored in family video rather than still photography as our 5 children were growing up, playing sports, and getting into trouble. I have literally thousands of photo prints from the film days ... so I paid my financial dues so to speak. Now I am grandpa to 6 darling girls and our first grandson is due to arrive any day now. About 11 years ago I began taking digital photos and have collected hundreds of thousands of them since. My wife and I were the only ones to ever look at them because I kept them in digital form only and they just kept filling up hard drives.

Less than 4 years ago, I began to post some of the photos on NikonSniper for extended family to see. I knew nothing of blogging. I still don't write that much on the blog because I really don't want to tell you too much about the photos before you decide what a photo means to you. I don't want to crowd your thoughts with mine. I am always fascinated by which photos people respond to favorably.

Why the name NikonSniper? Well, I have had a few friends that are hunting and fishing types over the years and I was never that much on hunting animals for food. But, I have hunted the same animals with many cameras and I believe I did it with the same excitement. I guess I have always felt like a bit of a sissy with the hunting to kill side of that equation.

It was ironic how similar the hunt would be with a camera. I spent hours and hours of my weeks aiming a zoom lens at turtles or red-winged black birds to get that perfect shot. I practiced doing what many hunters did even to approach an animal and yet I just carried my Nikon. No fellas, ... I wasn't a complete sissy. I had a Federal Firearms License for many years and still own handguns but I was more of a target shooter than a hunter. So, if you can, think of NikonSniper as a name for a guy that would rather shoot moose with a Nikon than a rifle (unless that moose was trying to stomp me into the ground).

As I mentioned, I live in Illinois. For nearly 25 years, I worked in the printing industry and traveled to visit customers around the world. I have spent a great deal of time more recently in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona. And, yes, ... I DO haul my camera everywhere I travel and I photograph between 10-15 thousand photos per month. NikonSniper has become a mix of work travel photo opportunities and personal trips to many other places. I have a huge backlog of files in order to keep things mixed up so that you never know what you will see next as you scroll through the files.

My favorite place on this planet is Australia. Australia is very special to me because I had a photographic awakening there in 2005 while on our 25th Wedding Anniversary. I began to see the incredible beauty of creation on that trip. In a very new way, I came home with opened eyes to the many very simple and beautiful things that God has placed all around us every day of our lives. I have continued to record them to show others near and far from the flatlands of Illinois.

I want NikonSniper to be an encouragement to you. Only you can see and photograph the world that is close to you. Only you can report on that beauty that is uniquely yours. I learn from everyone I see post photos. Many of you may wonder how on earth I found your blogs. I find them many many ways but the way I prefer to find them is to find others that list photography as an interest. You all teach me new ways and some very cool ideas to bring to photography.

I hope you enjoy yourselves while stopping here. I love to hear your comments. And Yes, you can call me a sissy if you are a real hunter. Welcome aboard.

All the best to you in 2012 and beyond!
NikonSniper Steve

Live From The 371 Diner In Brainerd, MN

Yes folks! I'm still alive. I am having a quick lunch and will decide on where I am going when I get back in the car. You might ask, Why I chose the 371 Diner?
Well,... This was my "Restaurant Roulette" selection off my GPS. Restaurant Roulette is a game I play when I am traveling with my wife in unknown territory. The rules are simple! You can decide on a restaurant from a distance based on what type of food you wish to have. EG. Punch American, Italian, or Chinese etc. into your GPS for listing of possibilities. Here's the catch! If that restaurant is open ... you have to eat there, even if it is Harley biker gang headquarters and you are wearing your "I'd rather own a Honda" t-shirt (I don't have a shirt like that). You GOTTA eat there!
This game has led to some of the most memorable evenings we have ever had while on the road. One time in Utah, a pit bull sat at our feet eating our scraps. On another occasion with my son, we visited a restaurant that the cole slaw was trying to crawl off our plates and get into the trash all by itself. Yuck!
Either way, ... Today, it's the 371 Diner in Brainerd, MN. This place is pretty nice by roulette standards. Kind of a 50's joint with friendly folks so a big thumbs up to the 371. If you live out here, drop in and tell em, NikonSniper sent ya!
I will post Minnesota photos later today from somewhere. Hope you are having a great day in your part of America and the world. Well, their bringing my eggs and toast.
Gotta go! God bless.
NikonSniper Steve

Appointment With God

Hey bloggies!
Did you ever want to just bail out from earthlings and head to Mars for some time alone?
Well, On Wednesday night that's how I felt but all flights to Mars had left O'Hare for the day so I did the next best thing. I just jumped in my car and headed north through Wisconsin and I am now north of Minneapolis. I needed to just clear my head for a few days and get alone with God to pray. I am seeking what God would have me do with my life in the next phase. I am finally at an age where nothing was keeping me from hitting the road with cameras in hand to cruise through back roads on an aimless path.
So in the morning I'll decide what direction I'm going for the day. I really have no idea where I am going or what I'll see on this trip but I just needed to do this and let God speak to me.
I will post something on Thursday night if God drags something cool to photograph in front of me in Minnesota. By the way, please don't be offended if your from Minnesota and you didn't like being compared to Mars. I am just saying that Mars has a better climate than Minnesota. I'm not saying Minnesota is the end of the civilized earth ... but Fargo IS!
Have a great day!
NikonSniper Steve

Back In Woodstock Illinois

Well, Kyle and I have survived the 1886 miles. We only missed one target on our list. I will still have to visit Four Corners on another trip.
We slept a little less than normal and basically averaged 300+ miles a day looking for photo targets between the main spots.
Dads, I can't recommend anything more than getting away with your kids one on one, even if they are adult kids. Kyle and I talked about a million things. The TV was hardly ever on when we made it to hotels, mostly to see weather or news. Kyle and I had conversations of a lifetime and memories that will last forever.
We experienced everything from 30 degrees in ice, slush and snow to 91 and sunny in our week together. One of the most incredible things was the survival of the rental car in Monument Valley and Grand Staircase National Park.
I have also added the State of Arizona to my list of States where I got to personally speak with a State Trooper. He was graceful handing me a warning this time for my 85mph experience on the new Hoover Dam Speedway.
Our GPS was stolen at the Kayenta Monument Valley Inn so we had to fly in the dark for a few days. I called a friend of mine in Colorado to say hello and he told me they make maps out of paper that you could buy at gas stations. Who knew?
Thanks to all of you who came along for the photo ride on NikonSniper. We enjoyed your comments and good wishes. I will be chilling for a few days as my trigger finger is a bit tired. I am not sure how many photos we took ... but I kept 7238.
Have a great week. Keep on shooting! Only you can photograph the world around you!
NikonSniper Steve & Kyle

Graduation Road Trip

Well, here's the plan for the trip starting on Saturday evening!
Our son, Kyle graduates from Northern Illinois University around 2:00 PM and we will hang around for a few photos and will head home and then straight to the airport for a late evening flight (May 14) to Las Vegas.
Here is the route we will be driving in a somewhat clockwise path and photographing Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase, Old Paria Town, Paria Canyon Wilderness, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Lower Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Mexican Hat, Goosenecks State Park, Arches National Park, Four Corners, Gallup, New Mexico, Painted Desert, Old Route 66, Petrified Forest, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and more Las Vegas Lights.
We will cover more than 1800 miles in a week and we are going to try to drive 50 miles straight through the dirt road desert to keep the mileage under 2100. How's about that? My last trip needed two rental cars ... this one might take three.
As I mentioned before, our trip will include a photography guide and will allow us to have a full moon to photograph over Monument Valley.
We hope you will join us for the ride on this complete photography trip. Kyle has always shown interest in photography and has even taken some pretty whack photos over the years. The photo at the top of the main page on NikonSniper is actually Kyle taking a picture into a mirror. I flipped the photo so you could read Nikon on the camera and altered his eye to give it a bit of a cyborg feel.
I will start posting photos from this trip on Sunday evening as we will be running and gunning until we can find an Internet connection to upload.
I will try to post a graduation shot or two from O'Hare Airport late on Saturday before we fly.

Hope you all have a great weekend!
NikonSniper Steve

Heading Home

Well, folks, we are in Las Vegas for the night and will spend most of Tuesday flying home. I have tried to stay a day ahead in my posting in case I hit a hotel with severely primitive Internet service.
Susan and I have covered roughly 1,400 miles, smashed 1 rental car window, lost a National Parks Pass, drove through heavy snow and several bought of hail. We still managed to take approximately 12,000 photos. These trips are like a rodeo ride.
I look forward to returning to this area with my son, Kyle, in less than 3 weeks. I hope you enjoyed the posts thus far and I have now placed many in reserve to post in months and years ahead. This trip altered my travel plan of attack for my return next month as I need to cover some things better in different weather.
I have to tell you ... this is a blast to experience together with your wife of 31 years. The handiwork of God is STILL very evident in this great land. From the racing lizard to the gracefully bounding deer, from blushing flowers to the cactus needles, from the valleys to the ice capped frozen red pinnacles of Bryce Canyon, God's hands are clearly shown.
Friend of mine, you are NOT an accident. A loving God made YOU! The Bible teaches that nature shouts out declaring there is a God. This God wants to know you in a personal way. I pray you would find him.
You may think I am nuts! That's OK. But have you ever wondered if God was there? I challenge you to earnestly pray "God, if you are out there, help me to find you." If you will really seek for truth, you will find Him.
Thank you folks for commenting along the way. It has been fun to bring these photos to you in this way. Stay with us as we continue to post from the Illinois flatlands and any other sudden travel stops that I have to make for my real job.
God bless you all.
NikonSniper Steve

Jacked Up For A Road Trip

OK, … so I gotta tell ya. I can’t keep quiet any longer.

I am quite jacked up about a vacation I will be taking next month with our son, Kyle. Kyle is going to graduate in Engineering with honors from Northern Illinois University. We are whacko proud.

Anyway, the day Kyle graduates, he and I will race to the airport and jump a late flight into Las Vegas. For the first time in my life I will see and photograph places like Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase, Paria Canyon Wilderness, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Mexican Hat and Goosenecks State Park.

On the way back to Vegas we will stop at the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. In Vegas, I will be attempting to do a lot more night lights on the strip. My tripod weighs about 30 pounds so I have never taken it with me to Vegas. It will be making this trip because Kyle is crazy strong and I’m paying for the trip. Therefore, Kyle will lug the tripod for dear old Dad. We will use the tripod for those choice targets that need time to shoot.

I can’t believe that our luck hit a jackpot when we found out that we will be in Monument Valley on an evening with a full moon. Google pictures of “Monument Valley” and you will see why I am very excited about this trip. I could get lost in this spot alone for months. Hopefully we get a combination of clear and cloudy skies, maybe even some rain. Look on Google at the kind of photos you get when there is a storm front.

So, … I just had to tell you this news. Please stay tuned. I wish I could take you all with us on this trip. In a few days, I will announce another big surprise for one of my followers that should also be fun.

So, join us for the ride. I look forward to seeing this part of the USA. I can’t wait to capture some of the unique beauty that God splashed all over Southern Utah, Southern Nevada and Northern Arizona.

Have a great day!
NikonSniper Steve

Mom ... Your Bag Is Down There

GNT Limousine, Thanks Tom!

Some of you know I returned home from Los Angeles late last night.

On my way to LA last Tuesday, I left my hat in the limousine. I knew I better call the limo service right away because it was a Yankee hat. This kind of hat is regularily used to start fires in the Chicagoland area. I usually have to apologize to everyone for wearing it around here.

I have many Yankee hats. This one was special because it came from my son, known as "Braff Zackton" on this blog. Braff is our diehard yankee fan along with his wife ... so I like this hat quite a bit.

The hat was returned earlier today and was carefully placed between the doors. Thanks Tom, you're the greatest. It doesn't even smell funny. Thanks GNT for sending this back out to me.

I'm tippin' my Yankee hat to ya Tom. Is that a good thing? Just glad to have it home again.

NikonSniper Steve

Please HELP for Southern Utah & Nevada!

Hey, fellow bloggies! I could really use some help for places to go to shoot landscape photography in Southern Utah and Nevada. I have heard these areas are fantastic so I think I will jump a plane and head over there for a quick trip from December 2 to December 6. I will be flying in and out of Vegas so keep that in mind when helping with ideas. I have heard that Zion National Park is a good place to start. Any specifics would be appreciated. So PLEASE help with any ideas even if it is a bit of a stretch because I won't be wasting time shaving and combing my hair on this trip! Well, I guess that isn't really a pretty picture ... but you get what I mean.

The Great Escape

Well, I am looking forward to another photography road trip. Here is the approximate route for our Great Northwestern Escape to Washington and Oregon. I'll be travelling with my wife, Susan this time ... so she will make sure I don't do the really stupid stuff I have attempted in the past. I know this will be a great getaway ... even if it rains!
We hope to bring you the very best in fall colors, mountains, rivers and Pacific coastline via photography. I am hoping we aren't too late for the peak colors. We will spend some days at Mount Rainier and Crater Lake National Parks. I have always loved this part of the country that is thick in beauty. God's creative touch is very unique here. The terrain was quite a surprise to me on my first trip so I expect it will be fun to share that with Susan now making her first trip to this very well kept secret.
So join us if you will on NikonSniper!
All the best.
NikonSniper Steve

Clicking Heels Together In Texas

Well, at this writing I find myself sitting in the San Antonio airport with a delayed flight home to Chicago. Schedule delays have always been AND will always be a nasty part of travel. Either way, I am very happy to be heading home after an eventful week in San Antonio, Houston and Austin.
One of the very bright perks of this trip was getting to see our daughter Tara who is at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio working to become a 68 Whiskey Combat Field Medic in the Army. She is doing great in her class and physical training. Grabbed this reluctant photo of her in the city. It is very fascinating to see how much this new world is changing her future. The hours and moments that we shared together here will never be forgotten. I thank God for this bonus of travel to Texas.
Tara was very happy to advance far enough in her training to gain some extra priviledges like ... wearing jeans off the base on her down time. Sounds crazy, huh? The Army is a very disciplined world and she says they almost don't know what to do now when they have unexpected free time. Tara and her friend, PFC Crabbe, sat watching a movie last weekend on television ... and they got to hold the channel changer! We went out to eat to some special places and went to the Riverwalk on the last two weekends. It is cool to see her develop new friendships with people from all over the USA and even some in our military from outside the country.
I also got to have an evening with my brother in San Antonio. We had a great evening out at Austin's Oasis catching up on what getting older is like and had some old laughs. I miss family now everywhere I go. Our family is spread out over Ontario, Illinois, and Texas. If I am here ... I miss there. But there is still no place like home. So here I sit on another flight delay ... clicking my heels together and repeating "There's No Place Like Home".
Those of you who follow NikonSniper are a very special constant now. Your comments on what you see here are very helpful when I am away from home and I appreciate them so much. Photography keeps me out of trouble. It keeps me busy and always looking forward to something unique to photograph and pass the time. Thanks for your kind words. I hope you enjoy these periodic rants along the way.
Here's hoping that you all can experience a bit of joy in feeling the greatness of "being at home". God bless you all you do.
All the best. NikonSniper Steve

Loving Tucson

Made a quick trip to Tucson and I am heading home this morning. It was 102 degrees in some parts here yesterday but it was nothing like the choking humidity of 85 degrees in Chicago. This was a very enjoyable jaunt. Los Angeles looks like it is again on the horizon. One of these days I need to press on to new territories out here in the Western USA beginning next with Utah. That may be July or August if other travel settles down.
As always I hope you enjoy what you see on NikonSniper. I always appreciate your comments when you have time. Hope your summers are relaxing. Prayers for all of you ... especially those of you who are unemployed or under employed.
God bless.
NikonSniper Steve

I'm Going Home

Well, I survived! I am sitting at the Denver Airport having breakfast and reviewing all the photos I captured that I have yet to release. Colorado is an incredible State! But, believe me I will be glad to get back home after this 17 day tour of duty.
Colorado, you are a great host for we who pass through your wonders. I met some seriously friendly people here. I even had to be frisked by the State Police! Dad would have been so proud! No convictions. Great people. Colorado also has great landscapes. I know that isn't news. I have really felt the altitude at times. I can't wait to get back to Chicago's chewy air. But the beauty here is incredible. I know I made it to 11,200 feet above sea level at one point. I am sure those of you who seek altitude know where to find higher spots here but I was on a pre-chartered course ... and that's not too bad for a guy who fell off a turnip wagon in Maxville, Ontario, Canada.
I got to visit with a very close friend and associate pastor of a church in Montrose. He's the guy that climbed into the giveaway box in the photos. The trip was a hectic race through Colorado in many ways driving roughly 2,900 miles in 16 days but my visit in Montrose was very timely and relaxing ... even though Gary decided to take me to the edge of cliffs in sections of a mountain that were clearly falling down. At one point he looked out the window and said, "Look, an avalanche". How exciting, I thought! I tried not to cry too loud but it was dangerous in my book.
When I turned the car in to Avis this morning, the guy didn't even bat an eye at the mud. I don't think they care that much. I was so proud of my "mudder". That Saturn was a fun ride.
In the next few weeks I will continue to post shots from the Colorado trip as well as a backlog from other travels. I look forward to seeing family again. That's one thing that is tough about the road. But, I should be home for a bit of time now.
Thanks for all your kind comments and encouragement. Keep on shootin' folks ... you're bound to hit something! I know I shot 15,000+ on this trip so I am bound to have a few good ones.
NikonSniper Steve

The Mile High City

Well, ... here we go again. I am at O'Hare Airport in Chicago and beginning a 17 day adventure in both sales and photography. I anxiously await glimpses of snow capped mountain photos with spring happening all around. Or old barns with mountain backdrops. I only hope that I can catch wildlife candids flying by the seat of my pants on the weekends. Any advice on how to get a Black Bear to smile with his arm around you in the woods? I was told by some of my colleagues to smear peanut butter and honey all over myself and sit in the woods after dark. Thanks I get the point!
I will land in Denver this afternoon and will immediately head up to the Sterling, CO area for the evening. Tomorrow I will have several stops in Northeast Colorado and a stop in Cheyenne, WY. I have been to Colorado before but only to a very small but beautiful portion. This trip will cover roughly 2,500 miles of highways and back roads. I expect this will improve my backlog of photos from the region.
Anyway, ... I hope you enjoy the photographic results of one of our most beautiful States in spring. You might think that I would get tired of the varied mountainous landscapes and roaring rivers after a while. You might think I would start taking them for granted. Just know that I take thousands of photos that no one else sees. I generally love them all ... unless of course I blow something completely ... and that does happen more than you would think. I think mountains are nearly impossible to think as ho-hum when you are a flatlander from Illinois.
Welcome all. Keep those travel tips coming!
Let's enjoy the ride together.
NikonSniper Steve

Colorado Tour Of Duty

Well, I have just returned tonight from Los Angeles from a 5 day junket. Fun was had by all! I have decided to chill for a few days in preparation for a 17 day trip to the beautiful State of Colorado. I haven't been there in about 15 years but I expect the rivers are running strong with a winter thaw coming faster every day. Colorado is a landscape photographers paradise ... so I think I might wear out some cameras on the weekends while I am there. I am going to try to bring you a peek of as much of Colorado as I can capture. Maybe I will even get photos of Tim Tebow filing his car with gas.
You can see the map above for my approximate travel route through Colorado. Your suggestions and tips are most welcome as I work my way through the mountains.
If you know people from Colorado or perhaps just people who like seeing mountains, rivers and open lands ... why not invite them to come along with us!
As always I want to thank you all for your kind comments and encouragement. I will begin posting photos again on Wednesday, April 28 from Colorado, the Centennial State.
Until then ... God bless!
NikonSniper Steve