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What I always hope for at this time of year.
I made this ages ago but added a few more lights this year since it is going to stand alone as my outside decorations this year.
Not too many photos lately mostly because at the Provincials Volleyball tourney my Rebel started having shutter issues. It's in the shop getting checked out but most early reviews are that I've already gotten far more shots out of it than it might be expected to produce. I had the idea that it was starting to act up even before the fall road trip (I could sense a different sensation in the shutter from time to time) & I am very thankful it held out for that trip..jpg)
Here she is 'stripped down' before going to the shop.
My plan going forward is to replace my Rebel with either another Rebel or something a little further up the product line but I also have added a Canon G11 to the mix. A compact camera but with all the 'creative controls' ie the ability to shoot manual. It's a slick little camera so far & I'm hoping it will be my new 'walking around & work shots' camera so I can get more life out of whatever replaces my Rebel.
Feels weird not having a DSLR... so for the interim I have also borrowed a Rebel XTi from a friend so hopefully I'll still be able to shoot some basketball... that's once I get the charger for it. I tried the G11 on the weekend & it took a few decent shots but DSLR is the way to go for that purpose.
Watch for 'The G11 Experiment' soon in the form of some kind of personal shooting challenge. Due to commence as soon as I get the office computers back up & running. "Lets replace the server in December when I have 'lots' of time!" Wonderful idea. At least I have email again. Sort of...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Peace
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Volleyball - AA Provincials - Fourth
Games were played in Rocky Mountain House from Nov 26-28, 2009.
Not every face is smiling... they lost the third set of the bronze final 13-15. 
But that was kind of how this run went. There were some close games to win Zones & some real close games to advance to the semi final.
Eric's role on the team is setter but he doesn't always keep his feet on the floor! If he gets a chance for a spike or a tip he'll take it as well as his share of the blocking. 
Eric was also the team captain which meant talking to ref from time to time among other things. He always keeps a cool head. That was a great run Eric, proud of ya boy!
Late entry: After the tournament was finished they awarded the banner for sportsmanship & our NDC team was the recipient! A great honor & apparently it seldom goes to a team with such a high finish position. This is a great accomplishment as sportmanship is a very highly promoted aspect of the schools program. Cool eh?
Saturday, December 5, 2009
That's just about all I guess
Since it was already dark when I returned to the van the night before I figured the Visitor Center parking lot was as good a place as any for Casa Montana for the night. Day 17, up at first light & off to Towers of the Virgin. At least a dozen other photographers there, it's a popular early spot. 
A little falls I learned about from a shuttle driver on my last visit to Zion. A popular spot for weddings apparently, has a few staged decks. Just up from Big Bend.
This would be a great spot on a hot day... shady & green.
Court of the Patriarchs, North Fork of the Virgin River in the foreground.
Off to a wash Jerry had pointed out the day before with petroglyphs of backpackers. Officially known as Petroglyph Canyon.
The 'backpackers'.
Most of the rest of the petroglyphs are of sheep though.
I figured I had until one p.m. at the latest to spend in Zion. The last thing I did was wander some of galleries & drool on the professional prints made with large format cameras. The David J. West gallery among others in Springdale have some outstanding work. The one I particularly wanted to see was the Fatali Gallery but it was closed! Who closes on a Saturday! I left grimy nose prints all over their windows... this is the sort of work I aspire to but my photos only look like his in my mind. Truly amazing work.
The sun was warm, shirt sleeve weather again in Zion... reluctantly I point the van at the interstate. I have 2100km to cover to get home by Sunday night.
By 11 p.m. I had reached the town of West Yellowstone, my plan was to deek through Yellowstone National Park past the Norris geysers & visit the travertine pools in Mammoth on my way to Bozeman to buy a pair of boots at Schnees, they open 11 a.m. on Sunday. I had been told "The Park" was still open. Pretty dead town, I didn't know what to expect with it being Halloween. I got directions to Bakers Hole... a forestry campground. Gates locked; it was a good enough place for Casa Montana. Maybe a foot of snow in the trees, it was a cool night.
Day 18. Up early & the gal manning the gate at Yellowstone is cheerful enough. "Where are you headed?" "Into the park...It's open right?" "That depends on where you're headed." Turns out I could only go down to Old Faithful & back, the other roads already closed. Damn. Turn around & cut up the West edge of the park on hwy 89, kill some time in Bozeman before Schnee's opened. It might seem weird to go so far out of my way for boots but for fit, price, service & selection I have very good luck there. Notice the lack of photos... ick, snow & brown... the scenery is beautiful enough but I don't feel like stopping.
"the roads get better every time I cross north of forty nine
well I tip my hat and it's good to be back across the medicine line..."
"...& that’s just about all I guess" Corb Lund
Zion with Jerry - Part 4
As the afternoon shadows lengthen we go in search of some fall colors down a secluded wash.
& another wash in search of an arch Jerry remembers vaguely...
A fin arch. Not the one he had in mind, but an arch just the same.
We end our day with a fine meal & exchanging more war stories. Sorry about your Philly's Jerry, maybe next year. Thanks again for the great day, if you ever make it up this way I'll do my best to return the favour.
Zion with Jerry - Part 3
We head back into the main part of Zion NP to the east end of the Mount Carmel Tunnel. Same parking area as Canyon Overlook... what the?? Jerry pulls in like its the corner store. "Down here" he says with a grin. "Pine cone soup."
We head for the edge of the road bridge, the opposite direction of the overlook, much to the concern of the anal-retentive tunnel attendant. We happily wave good-bye & scramble down the bank.
Canyoneers call this 'Pine Cone Soup' because the potholes are full of pine cones & other bits & pieces that can be downright nasty to jump into. Cut you up or even get you stuck. Little choice for them, we turn the other way up the dry wash of Pine Creek / Gifford Canyon.
Way cool. I love slot canyons!
Note the dead tree wedged way up above our heads. These are dangerous places when it rains... pine cones would be the least of your worries.
Well, what a day... more stops to come, how is Jerry gonna top this??
Zion with Jerry - Part 2
Day is still rather overcast & cool, at least 10 degrees C below normals. Still some of the recent snow lingers in the shade. Jerry jokingly blames the snow on me (the Canadian), I assured him I was in no rush to get back to snow.
Our destination is a hike along part of the Wildcat Trail & scramble to a highpoint for the view.
Somewhere down in these valleys lies The Subway & other canyoneering routes. What a view!
The area is very similar to Lava Point, the start of the West Rim trail, it was great to revisit this landscape.
Back to Jerry's truck for the next leg... how 'bout some slots? Canyons that is ;>)
Zion with Jerry - Part 1
Day 16. My hiking partner today is Jerry, a resident of Saint George UT. I know Jerry through ClubTread.com & he is very open to hiking with us northern folk who make up the bulk of the users on that site. In case we were able to meet for a hike I had his number so we queued up for a full day. "What do you want to do?" "I'm easy, petroglyphs would be cool, a variety - maybe off the beaten track?" "That we can do!" (I'm paraphrasing... Jerry had a ton of great ideas but basically I left it up to him to be my personal guide for the day.)
We arrange to meet at the visitor center at 7 a.m. It is still very dark & cold, below zero. Works out fine, we have a bit of driving to do to reach our first destination: Cave Valley Pictographs.
As we drive it is quickly apparent that Jerry is just as passionate about hiking in person as he is on his trip reports. Stories quickly become two & three threads deep only to be abruptly terminated as a new feature comes into view that warrants mention... "a great hike up behind there"... "like to do that one day"... etc. Its going to be a great day!
Hello down there! A bit of scrambling was required but not too bad.
The cave isn't deep; these were taken in the natural light. As my eyes adjusted more & more pictographs appeared. (technically I guess some would be considered petroglyphs...) Jerry found many he couldn't recall seeing on his last visit. The walls are covered, as Jerry says "They just keep popping out at you!"
A second cave entrance. There are several along this cliff face.
Mother Earth Cave. I was told it is thought that this cave may have had religious significance or perhaps used for mothers to give birth. At any rate it doesn't have any cave art. I climbed up as high as a ledge where two depressions had been cored in the stone as though to support the legs of a ladder. With a 12' ladder or so the next level could be reached & other passages further in. Amazing cave though with a very high ceiling.
The narrow entrance.
Jerry hams for the camera... a tight squeeze...
For real eh! 
Mother Earth Cave is in this formation.
Now on to a hike up high...
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