The Grand Tour

by Jon Sullivan - 2022-10-02 - Travels

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I left the apartment today. Which would have been notable a couple weeks ago. But not going forward. Begun this new life has.

There was one task of the move so obvious and important that I didn't even bother adding it to the tasks list. The first weekend had to have an adventure and photos. So up at 4am for walkies, then toss the camera and road trip bags into the car and be on the road by 5. No real goals in mind, just an all-dayer. A tour of Oregon. Pick a few dots on the adventure map and head out. It ended up being Crater Lake, then over to Coos Bay on the coast, then back to Eugene. Not too shabby.

I'm not even sure if I've ever been to Crater Lake before. Seems like I must have been right? But as senility sets in these things are hard to remember. In any case I will certainly be back here a lot. Like maybe this same photo, but with the Milky Way over it? A sunrise photo? And of course a sunset photo? I'm told they have seasons here as well, so that adds interesting options.

I didn't stay long, just tried some viewpoint pull-offs. Which might sound odd, but I had problems. Two things every good photographer would do before a trip is top up the camera battery, and bring extras. I did neither. I hopped out of the car, saw the incredible view, pulled out the camera, turned it on.... and nothing. No problem, went for the backup battery..... and how the fuck do I not have a backup battery? Get yer shit sorted Jon.

But cellphones are a thing now so I go some with that.

Then off to the coast, not for anything specific, but just to make it a real tour. Coos Bay. Might be some waves. Might be a crab place that catches my eye. Or might just be a good scouting trip to find future photo spots. I found a lot of them. One of the great things about photographing in Oregon is the diversity. Ocean coast line, beautiful farmland, real mountains and volcanoes, great waterfalls, incredibly green forests, wildlife, autumn leaves, rivers and lakes. They have frogs here. Like actual real LIVE frogs. There will be frog photos. It's going to take me well into next year to even plan most of these trips. Washington and Northern California are also within reach.

So the first road trip is in the bag. Not much to show for it, but many locations already added to my list. The journey has begun. Let's shake this place and see what falls out.

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