Leslie Jones comedian

Justin Lanning singer/songwriter/musician

Jen Ferraro model

Jen Ferraro model

Susan and Darren maternity

Liz and Nick wedding

Cool pic by one my favorite people in SL

“Talent hits a target no one else can hit: Genius hits a target no one else can see.”~ annonymous

I always enjoy watching the emerging artists, especially those that do so in a public place.  They open up their souls to the public. Sometimes it is met with harsh criticism, other times the feedback is one of resounding applause.  There is an art fair in town, one held monthly that is always enjoyable to attend.  Some show their work to sell, and others showcase their work in the hopes of being discovered.  Students, children, adults.  Photographers, traditional medias, musicians, dancers, even protesters.  All true artist of their own genre.  It is a wonderful thing to witness and an even more powerful to be able to watch the creations directly.  They can see it in their mind’s eye, and have the boldness to created it.

So I hit Oatman at about 10:30 am…one town in a long list of places to photograph that day. Places I wanted to see and experience.  As I drove into town, I noticed an old building up to the right.  Standing alone, and a little proud, even in its state of complete disrepair.  I had to see it up close, so I parked in the “tourist” lot and started up the hill.

I noticed that there were posted signs about “No trespassing” which on a normal basis wouldn’t deter me in the least, but it appeared to be someone’s home.  So I walked up towards the front door and noticed an old truck parked in the shade.  I knocked on the front door, and Billie slowly opened it.  She was an elderly woman whom I introduced myself to, and asked her permission to traipse through what appeared to be her backyard.  Her husband Wayne shuffled towards the door and the moment I placed my hand out to introduce myself, I heard this horrible snarling. I turned around to find this Cujo- Benji.  Swear to God,  damn dog looked exactly like Benji… and he definitely was NOT okay with my traipsing through his backyard.  So while Wayne corrals the dog, off I go up the hill.

I found the remnants of an old mine, and the building in question must have been some kind of outbuilding.  I took some great pictures and managed (barely) not to get bit by the mini Cujo.  Before I left, I stopped to thank them both for allowing me to take a few photos, and the best part…. Wayne was a navy photographer when he was in the service.  He took pictures of the “errors” the planes that crashed . He asked me when he would see the photos in print.  I just chuckled and told him when I had National Geographic on speed dial (hey… a girl can dream).  Wayne just grinned at me, and laughed while slapping is hands on his knees.  I figured he could laugh too his heart’s content…. as long as Cujo was properly corralled.

This was one of those places I just had to see when in AZ. The first time I had arrived, I was disappointed to find out that I would not be able to tour the area due to the fact that the regular tour site had been “rented” out for the evening to a paranormal group from Las Vegas (damn Ghost Adventurers). While I was more than a little peeved at first , as I had just checked the website that morning, I did have a lovely little chat with Roma.

She is the daughter of the owners, and is perhaps in her late 60′s. She was curious about my camera, and curious about my curiosity with the place. When I explained that I liked the old, the often forgotten places in history, ghost towns/mining towns, the first question? “Have you ever been to Bodie?” I laughed a bit and explained that no, I had not yet been there but was planning on it in the future. However I did tell her that if she asked anyone who photographed Ghost & Mining areas which areas were their favorite, the two most frequently mentioned places were in fact, Bodie & The Vulture Mines… she sort of beamed a bit and asked, “Really?” She apologized for not being able to let me roam a bit, and I assured her that I would be back first thing in the morning on Tuesday, on my way out of town.

So Tuesday morning I arrived a few minutes before 9 am and met her husband Marty. What a kick. We chatted a bit and he asked me about my camera. “So are you the photographer that spoke with Roma on Friday?” When I replied, “Yes” he was funny. “Well, I have a favor to ask of you. I need to update our website, and you seem to be a nice lady, could you send me some? I can’t pay you for them, but I don’t really know if a picture is good or bad”. I told him, of course I would, as long as he indicated that the photos were mine on the site. “You got a deal, young lady”. Easiest bit of free publicity ever, and I still chuckle a bit over it now. The caveat… a photo of his “second best gal, Olive” (she is a burro, by the way).

So upon completing my roaming, I walked over to show him some of the photos, and thank him for his time. “You see that little drive over there?” The ones with the chain across?”, I asked. “Yep, that’s it. I will move those for you if you want to drive back, there are two little old school houses back there, and if you promise to be careful you can go back there. We don’t usually show them to folks, they aren’t on the regular tour.” I was sort of puzzled, and it must have shown in my expression. Before I could ask, “Why?” He tells me that there is an old piano in one of the school houses…. sometimes it plays a note or two. One it’s own. “Oh really?” Now, I am not quite sure that I believe in the paranormal, but I am not so stuck in my unbelieving to never say never… I just have never seen or experienced anything. The prospect of getting inside the school house is more exciting to me. I assured him that I wouldn’t be “spooked” by it, and promised not run screaming from the buildings to my car, should I hear it. So off I went.
So while I didn’t hear any ghostly piano tunes (perhaps they didn’t like me, or maybe they did and didn’t want me to be afraid), roaming around The Vulture Mines was a fantastic adventure.

Daggett, CA

The Mojave Desert is vast and full of adventure.  It holds both beauty and desolation in equal measure.  It can seem bleak and monotonous, or intriguing.  I suppose it truly depends upon which eyes you use to view it.

I have run across several old mining towns that were imperative to our history in California.  I am shocked and somewhat
amazed at my lack on knowledge on the subject (being as I was born and raised in CA).  What is even worse is the lack of care being taken to preserve these items. Whether they are buildings, covered wagons, train cars or tools, history is
being baked into the desert by a non- forgiving sun. It makes me cringe to think that in the matter of a few years, it will all be gone. It was frustrating beyond belief. I met several people that day, people who live in these little towns, and are resigned to the fact that their towns just don’t have the resources or the funds to give some of these things the historical designation
they deserve. The County is of no help, as they are practically bankrupt.

From what I did learn is that it would take a private party to make this historical designation and preservation possible. It is so very sad to see that it is all at the mercy of the “almighty dollar”. I suppose that is the current state of the world for most, as unemployment skyrockets, and numerous people have to deal with the fact that they have over-extended themselves financially. Our economy is still on a downward trend and the fight to survive is on. But at what cost?

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Through SF Highrise 12 x 24

After the sunset I could not sleep, wind was howling and rain storms kept coming … So left the comfort of the tent and took a few more captures of the beach under a near full moon …