Other times/places

I had used Chadron as my base for the trip to the Badlands (adjacent pictures). When I left Chadron to head to North Dakota, I went through Ardmore, SD. Per my map, Ardmore looked like a real town where I could get lunch.... but this was it. The whole town appeared to be abandoned. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

It was surprising to be driving through a very rural area and see what seemed to be an art statement..... it says "open range" on the side of the range. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

Sunset over the grain elevators. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

An interesting old style neon sign -- and note the eagle statue on top the VFW building to the left. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

One of the larger cliff dwellings -- to get a sense of its size, there is a group of about 20 people standing on a ledge to the left of the dwellings. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

As an example of the quality of the trail, the trail pamphlet described how Native Americans had used the various resources in the park -- including the gathering of pine nuts for their high protein. The pine tree in this picture is estimated to be 250 or more years old, thus having provided nutrition at one point for local tribes. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

Looking from a vista point directly down to the river. My recall of the location of these pictures (north or south bank) appears to be incorrect, any information on the actual location would be appreciated. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

Though the scenery in Colorado is gorgeous, my trips exploring rural Colorado have discouraged me from returning. I've generally found Colorado drivers to be particularly pushy whenever I've been in any part of the Colorado Rockies. On this particular trip the tail-gating was some of the rudest I've seen, with several instances where pickup trucks rode so close that I could distinguish, in my rear view mirror, the dead bugs on the truck's hood. Though most of the roads in the Rockies are two lane and winding, many people seemed to have to drive 70 regardless of road conditions or if you were in the middle of some village where the speed limit was posted at 35. It seemed that if you wanted to actually see and enjoy the scenery, that was your stupidity. It's too often been a nasty experience, enough that it has left me with a sense of not wanting to deal with going through Colorado. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

Mesa Verde National Park (MVNP). The park is fairly well-known, thus it was too crowded. Since it was difficult to see many of the cliff dwellings without being surrounded by large crowds, I didn't spend much time there. Note that the trees on the plateau are burnt -- there was a large fire at MVNP the year before I took the picture. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

The canyon of the Gunnison river is very deep and narrow -- the name 'Black Canyon' comes from the fact that sun hits the canyon floor only a few hours each day. The park is quite enjoyable -- few visitors and very striking scenery. At the west end of park it is possible to drive down to the river level -- this picture was taken from there, about an hour before sunset. My recall of the location of these pictures (north or south bank) appears to be incorrect, any information on the actual location would be appreciated. Photo taken in 2002, larger size picture no longer available.

Old US 90 crossing of the Suwannee River, between Live Oak and Madison, FL.Scan of an older film photo.

Wayside park next to the old US 90 crossing of the Suwannee River, between Live Oak and Madison, FL. Scan of an older film photo.

Former hotel in Madison, Florida. When I stayed in it for several weeks in 1966, it offered very low weekly rents for a room with a sink, but the bath and shower were down the hall. At that time, the building to the left contained the restaurant that served the hotel. Scan of an older film negative.

Dawn on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, taken some time in the early 90's. Looking south towards Playa Los Muertos (the gay beach), taken in the early morning.

Alaska Marine Highway ferry, taken in about 1986 on a trip around the Inside Passage. I believe this was as the ferry was coming into Juneau

Taken in about 1986 on a trip around the Inside Passage.

Petersburg, Alaska; taken in about 1986 on a trip around the Inside Passage.

From an Alaska Marine Highway ferry, taken in about 1986 on a trip around the Inside Passage. Taken from somewhere in the passage to Seward, AK.