While riding Splash Mountain at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, the ride broke down and stranded us for 30 minutes. The photo here is the back side of the tree at the top of the ride, a view that very few people see (unless they’re stranded).

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Garden of the Gods is located in Colorado Springs, CO. The park offers striking contrasts of color in the geologic formations, due to the close proximity of red, blue, purple and white sandstones, and limestone that jut out of the ground.

Interestingly, the original surveyors of the park thought to use it as a potential beer garden!

This photograph is a series of HDR photos taken in late afternoon. In the foreground is the Garden of the Gods, while Pike’s Peak rises in the distance.

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Grabbed this photo in mid-afternoon in October at Rocky Mountain National Park from the trail to Bierstadt Lake. The trail climbs nearly 2,000 feet from the road to a high mountain lake.

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Took this photograph in late afternoon at the Colorado Railroad Museum. The entire complex is packed with old engines, cars and the rare boxcar, all coated with an amazing patina.

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Dream Lake is located in the shadow of Long’s Peak (in the distance in this photo) in Rocky Mountain National Park. This lake is a few miles away, and about 2,000 feet above, the visitor parking center but well worth the journey. The mountain water is crystal clear and filled with rainbow trout.

I shot this in mid-afternoon in late September on a Nikon D7000.

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We drove along Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park today. We saw a wide range of wildlife, including deer, marmots, and even a moose. The higher elevations of the road were treacherous. We drove through snow and ice, including one particularly harrowing stretch along a ridge line with sharp drop offs immediately on both sides of the rode. The trek has earned a vivid place in my permanent memory, even without photographs to accompany the journey.

This photo was taken near the Continental Divide line at 12,000 feet. It’s above the tree line, and in this case above many of the clouds. The territory is magical, and it gives the illusion that the mountains are creating the clouds.

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Eastern Colorado is a desolate location. Remote from civilization. Dusty, rolling terrain devoid of any trees, baked in the Summer with broiling heat and exposed to blistering cold in the Winter. It’s one of the toughest places I’ve visited in the United States.

There is a tranquil beauty in this area. Once you turn your engine off, the only sound you hear is the rushing of air over the grasses.

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I visited Rock Island State Park at the tip of Door County in Wisconsin in early July 2012. Wisconsin has many great state parks and recreational areas, but Rock Island may be one of my favorites. A peaceful, primitive island a mile off of Washington Island, I spent nearly 5 relaxing days enjoying gentle Summer breezes and star filled nights.

The journey to Rock Island is part of the experience. To get to Rock Island, you must drive to Sister Bay for a car ferry to Washington Island, drive across Washington Island and catch another ferry (just people) to Rock Island. It’s important to know the schedules of the ferries. During the week, the last ferry was at 4:00. You need to catch the ferry to Washington Island around 2:00 to ensure you’ll catch the last Rock Island ferry.

Rock Island itself is around 5 miles in circumference. The camp sites are primarily on the Southwest corner, although there are a few sites on the Southeast side. Most people transport gear using carts or taking multiple trips to the dock.

The island is fairly primitive. There is a single well from which to draw clean water. There are a few latrines without showers. There is no electricity on the island.

During the day, the island sees many visitors from the larger island who visit the lighthouse, swim at the sandy beaches, walk on the trails, and enjoy the open picnic areas.

The island comes alive during the evening when the daytrippers depart. The entire island is surrounded – with some exception at the sandy beaches – by smooth stones. Campers congregate near the shore line to skip stones, chat, and occasionally gather around campfires.  Later in the evening, people gather on the dock to gaze at countless number of stars.  The nearest major source of light pollution is 50 miles away, providing for one of the best star gazing areas in the region.

A few things to consider if you’re planning a trip:

• Learn the ferry schedules. You do not want to miss the boats!
• The island has a rampant infestation of poison ivy. It’s especially noticeable between campsites that border the beaches. Bring and use poison ivy soap.
• There are deer, coyotes and racoons on the island. You won’t need to bear bag, but you do need to keep the materials secured.
• Consider bringing a cooler with cold food. Pick up a single block of ice (lasts longer) and bungees to keep the cooler sealed from animals.

We had a wonderful time on the island. The people you’ll meet on the island are wonderful, and will often invite you back to their site. Many families return year after year, a practice that we too will be adopting with a repeat visit in 2012.

Update: One of my photographs from Rock Island will be appearing in the June issue of Backpacker Magazine! Go subscribe to this great magazine. View the collection here:

View pictures from Rock Island.

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The Cubs lost.

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Many packing tips remain the same. Pack light and in layers.  Staying dry outside is always important as is staying hydrated inside. And always weigh your pack before you go.

The following is my pack list for a two week excursion through Europe. Including my frame, this packed under 30 lbs. dry. I’ll be in Spain and Italy, with quite a bit of walk, trains and boats in between. I’ll update this with anything I missed after the trip.

Clothing

• 1 pair light pants that convert to shorts. Columbia makes great pants like this with an added upside that they dry quickly.
• 1 pair of light shorts.
• 1 pair of khaki’s, in case we go somewhere that requires slightly nicer attire.
• 1 windbreaker jacket. I’m partial to North Face. It compresses nicely.
• 3 t-shirts.
• 1 weave shirt to wear as a layer (Nike ACG provides a good mid-weight option)
• 1 collared shirt
• Underwear. As many pairs as you need.
• 2 pairs socks. White and tan.
• Barefoot shoes. These are small and  pack nicely. They’re what I wear primarily when trekking.
• Loafers. I’ll wear these on flights, but they are also small and pack nicely while on the move.

Toiletries

The key to toiletries are to limit liquids that you may be required to toss in security.  I prefer to make my bar soaps that I can place in tins.  You can find great products from Lush for soaps and shampoos that are also available in tins.

• Bar soap in tin.
• Shampoo bar in tin.
• Deodrant.
• Razor with a new blade before the journey.
• Empty 3 oz. liquid container.
• Hair paste in container.
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Fingernail clippers (always good on multiweek journeys)
• Sunscreen & lip balm
• Advil
• Camping towel

Shaving can be a challenge while traveling. A perfectly acceptable option is pick up local shaving cream, but I’ve found olive oil to work great. Simply wash your face, apply olive oil, and then a light layer of soap before shaving. You’ll have a wonderful shave, the oil doesn’t clog pores, and you always have backup cooking oil.

Miscellaneous

• Physical maps of the places you’re visiting. Electronics fail.
• Wallet carrier with passport and cash.
• Ankle wallet with ID and cash.
• Small first aid kit.
• Space pen. It truly does write anywhere.
• Pacsafe mesh for backpack. A big difference for urban travel. Keeps your bags anchored while not moving, and prevents them from being slashed while in tight quarters.
• 2 backpacks.
• Main backpack with a  frame and carrying duffel.
• Small backpack without frame for the trip over. This can be rolled up and put in the bigger pack once over there, and you have something to carry gifts back in.
• Empty Camelbak. Fill once through customs especially if headed on long flights.
• Empty water container. Also fill up once past security at the airport.
• Starbucks Via (freeze dried coffee.
• A few high energy bars.
• Laundry line.
• Laundry detergent powder packets.
• Phone with international service, or unlocked for SIM.
• iPad and power cord.
• Computer and power cord.
• Headphones.
• SLR Camera setup.
• Small backup camera. I’ll use this on shots where I put the camera at risk.
• Power converter.
• UV water purifier. Optional, but small and good to be safe if the water is questionable.

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