Telling A Story

Last weekend, I attended the Pacific Northwest Highland Games in the Cascade foothill town of Enumclaw.  Its was a cool day (until 3, when the sun finally broke through and then temperature sky-rocketed in a matter of minutes), but the crowds were out in force, as were the games participants, the pipe and drum bands, the dancers, the musicians and the vendors of all things Scottish (and Celtic).  Photography at events is one of the more challenging endeavors, with crowds and sky and a multitude of things happening all to contend with.  Having been to the event several times over the years, I had some idea of what to expect and a few "shots" that I wanted to get for sure.  But a lot was being at the right (or wrong) place at the right (or wrong) time and getting THE shot (or not). 

In editing the 338 photos taken that day, I quickly got down to 79, then 28 and then 11.  I was hoping to identify 2 or 3 really good photos, but then realized that the eleven I had whittled it down to represented a good cross section of day's various events. 

For photos of musicians, I looked for unusual positions, such as this shot taken from behind the stage, or for great facial expressions, such as the photo of the three musicians (members of Golden Bough).

The sporting events were the real challenge, given overcast skies and midday light - bad combo.  And then factor in fences, multiple events occurring simultaneously and crowds. But with a zoom lens and some close cropping, it proved doable.

These two shots of Elite class participants throwing the Braemar Stone (never heard of it, either) show strength and determination and that sports and kilts are not mutually exclusive.

And now we're down to the pipe bands - my real reason for going to the games.  There were at least 14 pipe bands from as nearby as Tacoma and as far away as Denver.  And with all of them participating in the Massing of the Pipes, it was a sight and aural treat to behold (or run and hide from depending on one's preferences). 

Military precision, all playing the same march (as far as I could tell) and the seriousness of the drum major were all components of this photo.  And I couldn't resist the "Hall of the Vendors" sign in the background!

And, thankfully, you just luck out - whether its the side glance of the piper, or the florescent lime sunglasses on a kilted lad.  Or looking at things from a different angle, such as the following shot of drummers drumming.

But after a day of walking and snacking (great corn dogs and Fisher scones!) and taking way too many photos, you come to appreciate the dedication of the athletes and musicians and dancers and pipers.  And are thankful that all you have to carry around is a camera - rather than walking and playing and blowing into the chanter all with all your breathe and all at the same time.

And, yes, I ended up with 9 (not 11) photos for this blogpost - editing continued while I wrote.  It's never ending.

Never Tire of the Road

A great name for a great ballad, a tribute to Woody Guthrie, composed and performed by the Irish ballad singer Andy Irvine.  The call of the yonder which Woody listed to his entire life.  Not a travel tune in any traditional sense, but a tribute to following your calling in life. We all need to never tire of the road!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRg6X1sHBt4&feature=related

Its All About the Experiences

When it comes right down to it in life, its all about the experiences.  Its not about the biggest TV, the largest house, the newest fashion or even the iPhone (well, OK, maybe the iPhone!).  Its really about the memorable experiences in life.  Its not counting the number of countries you've been to or checking off the museums you've entered.  Or even about the number of frequent flyer miles you have accumulated (just ask George Clooney in "Up in the Air").  The greatest travel narratives are usually not chronological - today I saw this, then this, then this, ....  They are about chance encounters, troubles along the way (usually successfully resolved), sounds and smells and feels and tastes and sometimes even sights. 

I'm thinking back of travel taken and would have a hard time thinking of more than one painting in Madrid's Museo del Prado that I can remember (I do remember long long hallways - the experience of walking, I guess).  Its more than a work of art of the wall - its the experience of place - its setting, the other onlookers, locals and tourists.  My most memorable museum experience was in Paris - at the Orangerie, home of Monet's Water Lilies.  I spent two hours in one of the galleries, absorbing the Impressionistic gardens and the architecture of the place and the comings and goings of the other gallery visitors.  The rooms had wonderfully repeating ovals - in the flooring, the ceiling and the room shape itself - which worked well with a curve of each of the Money paintings.  And then the three tourists came by, all walking at an even pace, their cameras aimed.  They entered the room, walked around once, and left. 

Much more effective photo than just of the paintings.  I'm not sure that any of those three travelers remember that painting or that room or even that museum today (but who am I to know!).  But I sure do - I "experienced" the paintings and their setting.  I know there were other works of art in the building - I walked by all of them that day.  But have no real memory of them.  But having truly experienced the Monet's, I'll always remember and cherish. 

Thinking of other memorable travel experiences, they all involve something not stationary, but involving several senses and, often, motion.  Folk Music Festivals - in Butte, Mission BC, Vancouver BC, Seattle, San Francisco, Stornoway (Isle of Lewis, Scotland), Middlewich (England), Llangolan (Wales); the Gamelon concert at the hotel on Lombok Island (Indonesia); the Buddhist Festivals in Bhutan; the concertina concerts and workshops in County Clare (Ireland); photography workshops in Bhutan, Guatemala, Peru and Santa Fe; the late night music and art walk through Mt. Ste. Michel (Normandy, France); the Nocturnes at Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris); the daily Offices at Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico' taking a rowboat trip off the coast of Kotzebue Alaska with local bakers; and operating narrowboats on the canals of Ireland, Wales, England and France.  These are but a few of my favorite experiences. 

As you plan you next journey or the next steps in your life, remember its all about the experiences - those will be your memories - not who won American Idol this week - unless it was YOU!.

State-By-State: My 5 Favorite

I've managed to hit all 50 states in my travels - some more than others, but all nonetheless.  As I was walking today, I started thinking about my favorites - not the 5 you MUST see before you die, but just the 5 that I have I enjoyed the most.  All 50 have their pluses; these have had the most, IMHO.

I'll start with Maine.   Lobster piers, rugged shoreline, lots of islands.  Real summers and real winters.  Forests, off the beaten path.  And a great accent. 

Then we'll cross the country to my home state - Washington.  Lots of water, lots of islands (a theme, OK), big contrasts between Western and Eastern Washington - forests and deserts, water and crops, democrats and republicans.  And, at least in the western part of the state - real Springs and real Autumns.  And Dungeness crab.

Since we're westward-bound, let's keep on going to Hawaii.  Water, islands (the theme continues), international and indigenous cultures, warmth.  Nearly year-round summers, great beaches, snorkeling, big waves.  And plate lunches.

OK, now for a diversion - inland to a state not known for water or islands - New Mexico.  My favorite inland state - pueblos and sand dunes, and the arts and red rocks.  Multi-cultural (another theme), great southwest cuisine.  Shiprock and Acoma.  Santa Fe and Albuquerque and Alamagordo.  And chiles - when I used to be able to eat them.

Narrowing the final 46 down to 1 was a challenge - the 1st four, if truth me told - which it is - came into my mind just like that.  Snap.  The 5th was much more challening - do I go with another coastal state - Oregon, California, Florida; or with another cultural mix - Louisiana (OK, coastal as well), or with a heartland state like Missouri (lived there for 5 years), or with the wild west - Montana or Wyoming.  Well, I finally went with diversity - diversity of landscapes, cultures, cities, beaches, national parks, commerce.  California.  The Bay Area, Yosemite, Mt Lasson, the Redwoods, Death Valley, Santa Barbara, Lake Tahoe.  All in one state, albeit large.  And the Pacific Ocean is always a tie-breaker for me.

So, there.  My 5 favorite states and a quick summary as to why.  In the coming weeks, I'll look at the other 45 as well - all with sights and sounds and experiences worth checking out - whether in this lifetime or next or next or ...
 

Music and Travel

Music is an integral element of many of my travels, whether its a music festival in Butte, or a concertina workshop in County Clare, or listening to a gamelon concert in the hotel's gazebo on Lombok Island.  Listening to folk, concertina, or gamelon music to this day transports me back to those wonderful moments.  Travel is not just about seeing or tasting (though a good meal can make a day!), but about all of the senses. 

As I write this, I'm listening to streaming "Bollywood" movie music from India.  I've never been to the subcontinent, but a journey there is hopefully not too far away and one experience that I'm really looking forward to is to attend a Bollywood movie while in India - experiencing the crowds and sounds and vision and smells - and probably feels.  As well as attending music and dance festivals, of course.  It certainly won't be a Sounds of Silence trip.

A Different Type of Travel Magazine

I've been reading AFAR magazine faithfully and cover-to-cover since its first appearance a year or so ago.  And it has not disappointed me even once.  The bi-monthly magazine is about the journey - not just the destination.  Its about culture and festivals and food. Its about the people who travel and the people you might meet once there.  Its about traveling with a purpose - consistent with my travel philosophy that you have to know WHY you are traveling in order to really enjoy your travels.  Check it out.

http://www.afar.com/

Mount Hood and Portland

We just returned from a 5 night trip to northern Oregon - focusing on the Mount Hood area and the City of Portland.  I wanted to share our hotel booking (and staying) experiences.  When looking to stay in the Portland area, I first check out http://travelportland.com/.  Operated by the City's tourist bureau, the site often offers some amazing deals on stays in area hotels.  It was hear that I found out about the Resort at the Mountain.  Not exactly in Portland - actually 50+ miles to the east - it was nonetheless covered by the site which offered a far lower price than did the hotel's own site.  The rate also included continental breakfast at the hotel and a discount coupon book for Portland area restaurants, shopping and attractions. 

The Resort at the Mountain was really quite a find - nicely designed two-story buildings built around a central garden area with outdoor pool and hot tub.  Breakfast is served in the resort's main restaurant - Altidude.  Apparently few people book this particular package, since the restaurant's waitstaff had a hard time determining exactly what was included in the continental breakfast!  The first morning we received a fruit plate and two muffins, plus juice.  And they charged $7.50 for our daughter since the "special" only included meals for 2 people.  The next morning, we order two of the fruit plate - muffin - juice plates and then an egg-toast-bacon breakfast.  And we weren't charged anything!  Go figure. 

The rooms themselves were great - comfortable bed, nice patio with chairs, flat screen TV and a very nice shower with rainfall showerhead.  Very quiet room as well.  The Resort complex also had a putt-putt golf course, lawn bowling and/or croquet - all at no additonal charge.  There's also a golf course and spa (at, of course, an additional charge).  The Mallard cafe serves lunch and dinner - we loved our dinner there - reasonable prices, though the setting is a bit like a large conference room rather than an intimate cafe. 

As a side note - we had lunch at the Ram's Horn bar at Timberline Lodge - 20 or so miles from the Resort. WONDERFUL food in a great setting with views of the ski slopes. 

Now, when it came to actually staying in Portland, the best deal was NOT through travelportland.com but directly with the Marriott Courtyard-Convention Center website.  They had a bed-and-breakfast deal (not continental but full buffet) that was lower priced even with the $12 per night parking fee.  The hotel is a 5 minute walk from the Max rail line to downtown Portland (and within the free ride zone), making the journey to downtown restaurants and sites a breeze.  Rooms were fine, quiet, though with softer-than-I-prefer mattresses.  And the breakfast buffet was simply great, with made to order waffles, egg dishes, etc. 

Whenever booking hotels, always check out several websites - you never know where the best deal will be found on any given occasion.