Here's the deal, folks. Two things:
1. I'm going to make a concerted effort to update my blog much more frequently.
2. My blog can now be found at a new address: http://www.jpjblog.com
I think WordPress will be a more fitting and flexible home for my blogging endeavors.
Enjoy!
February 14, 2010
December 4, 2009
Joe's Photo Journal
Ok, I was thinking of moving the whole blogging thing over to SmugMug, but really, it just wouldn't serve me well. So...I'll just have to cross post photos to here.
I'm in the process of adding several new galleries with images taken in the past couple of years. (Guess that means I'm a bit behind.)
So if you are interested in seeing more, mosey on over to http://www.joesphotojournal.com/ and check it out. :D
June 28, 2009
Yellowstone Special: Photographer in the Mist
I was just so, so happy with this photo that I wanted to give it it's own post.
I saw the wind change direction as the photographer was chimping (checking out his shot on the lcd on the back of his camera) and in a second's time, framed the shot and captured the moment as I'd experienced it. Click the image for a larger view.
Adelle's First Trip to Yellowstone!
Today, we decided to take 2 week old Adelle on her first trip up to Yellowstone.You can see her excitement, can't you?
You might think they are excited to go to Yellowstone too. However, they are actually grinning because they get to watch a DVD on the way.
I've waiting two years for this moment. My first wild bear encounter. Ok, maybe I didn't get to meet one on the trail, as I hope for, one on one, me regarding him, him regarding me....but this is a good start. I resisted the urge to run up to it and give it a hug. ;-)
We first stopped at the West Thumb Geyser field on the western edge of Yellowstone Lake.It's a beautiful and unique area.
Say it with me: Thermophiles!
The boys. Right before I tossed Liam over the rail.
I can't get enough of the colors and textures. Simply amazing.Of course, I grew up with the Arkansas River and Cowskin Creek--both always the color of mud...all the time.
Yes! There are geysers under the surface of the water in Yellowstone Lake.
The soil and air are far too alkaline for some of the plantlife.
You want to just hop in for a quick dip, don't you?
The river here carries away the run-off from the Upper Geyser Basin.
Thermal pool, geyser, river.
Fire and Brimstone. Smells like it, anyways...
The Sapphire Pool.
And again.
One more geyser from Biscuit Basin. Amazing textures.June 27, 2009
Father's Day Picnic!
The Head Hancho.
Admiring each other's colorful outfits.
My dad makes the best trail mix!
...manners...
Mom never puts on enough mayo. Thanks Dad!
And since it was my special day, I got to walk around a little and point my camera and whatever I found interesting.
That's all!
May 8, 2009
The Thinking Man's Guide to the Great Outdoors: Moose Creek
It's time for another installment of "The Thinking Man's Guide to the Great Outdoors™". This week, we'll be visiting the Moose Creek area, east of Victor, Idaho.
Trail head warnings are commonplace, but do not contain any information that any but the most novice of outdoorsman need to heed.
Young jokers and hooligans sometimes attempt to throw-off these novice outdoorsmen with false trail signage. But the Thinking Man™ knows better. Oh yes. We make our own trails.
The experienced outdoorsman is skilled at reading the signs left for him by other skilled hikers.
These parallel sticks of equal length tell us that there are moose next to the short pine tree with squirrels in it across from the bolder shaped like Jay Leno's chin. Thank you, friend, we'll be on the lookout!
Pine lettuce is a great on-the-trail snack, guaranteed to go give you that extra needed boost!
Our first wildlife spotting! If you look carefully towards the top right of this image, you'll spot a rare Striped Forest Moose! What luck!
More treats! These tasty little morsels fall from the plentiful Cocoa Pine. Grab a handful and keep them in your pocket for a bite on the trail, or save for baking back at the homestead.
Tip: If you found you've lost your sense of direction while deep in the woods, simply look up, spin around 3 times, and continue on your course. It's nature's compass!
Now we're headed in the right direction, let's continue on our way.
The Ostrich Pine goes bottom up for winter. They'll emerge again once the surrounding snow melts.
These pines have smartly grown away from the snow.
Sometimes, creeks and rivers impede travel to our destination. Luckily, there are several options for crossing such obstacles.
Our second rare wild life spotting! The Cloven-foot Bear is hiding in the upper branches of the tree on the right side of this picture.
These small streams are a fantastic place to grab a refreshing drink, wash off one's sweaty brow, or empty a full bladder.
The tracks of the Cloven-foot bear. There must be more around.
Indeed, it seems there are! Cloven-foot Bear are well-known for their ability to rip 100ft trees right out of the ground.
If you look at the tree in the center of this picture, you'll notice rub-marks near the base of the tree. A sure indication of a Striped Forest Moose with a nasty rash.
Waffle Pine- their distinctive waffle-like cross-section make them a unique addition to the Teton wilderness.
Voles are a common nuisance in mountainside communities, where they burrow under the ground doing the evil work of their dark lord, Voledamort.
Cheap beer cans are often left in areas where a herd of Rednecked Hick have passed through. They are not native to this ecosystem.
Don't forget to pack those pockets. A gift idea: fill a jar for grandma and include a recipe with a hand written note.
The Needle Beetle is infamous for it's ability to camouflage within the branches of a pine tree. Can you spot one here?
As sunset nears, we must head back to the trailhead. Tired, but gratified.
What makes a Subaru a Subaru? Love.
That's it for this week's "The Thinking Man's Guide to the Great Outdoors™". We hope you enjoyed the visit to Moose Creek as much as we did. Stay tuned for our next grand adventure in Pole Canyon.
Trail head warnings are commonplace, but do not contain any information that any but the most novice of outdoorsman need to heed.
Young jokers and hooligans sometimes attempt to throw-off these novice outdoorsmen with false trail signage. But the Thinking Man™ knows better. Oh yes. We make our own trails.
The experienced outdoorsman is skilled at reading the signs left for him by other skilled hikers.These parallel sticks of equal length tell us that there are moose next to the short pine tree with squirrels in it across from the bolder shaped like Jay Leno's chin. Thank you, friend, we'll be on the lookout!
Pine lettuce is a great on-the-trail snack, guaranteed to go give you that extra needed boost!
Our first wildlife spotting! If you look carefully towards the top right of this image, you'll spot a rare Striped Forest Moose! What luck!
More treats! These tasty little morsels fall from the plentiful Cocoa Pine. Grab a handful and keep them in your pocket for a bite on the trail, or save for baking back at the homestead.
Tip: If you found you've lost your sense of direction while deep in the woods, simply look up, spin around 3 times, and continue on your course. It's nature's compass!
Now we're headed in the right direction, let's continue on our way.
The Ostrich Pine goes bottom up for winter. They'll emerge again once the surrounding snow melts.
These pines have smartly grown away from the snow.
Sometimes, creeks and rivers impede travel to our destination. Luckily, there are several options for crossing such obstacles.
Our second rare wild life spotting! The Cloven-foot Bear is hiding in the upper branches of the tree on the right side of this picture.
These small streams are a fantastic place to grab a refreshing drink, wash off one's sweaty brow, or empty a full bladder.
The tracks of the Cloven-foot bear. There must be more around.
Indeed, it seems there are! Cloven-foot Bear are well-known for their ability to rip 100ft trees right out of the ground.
If you look at the tree in the center of this picture, you'll notice rub-marks near the base of the tree. A sure indication of a Striped Forest Moose with a nasty rash.
Waffle Pine- their distinctive waffle-like cross-section make them a unique addition to the Teton wilderness.
Voles are a common nuisance in mountainside communities, where they burrow under the ground doing the evil work of their dark lord, Voledamort.
Cheap beer cans are often left in areas where a herd of Rednecked Hick have passed through. They are not native to this ecosystem.
Don't forget to pack those pockets. A gift idea: fill a jar for grandma and include a recipe with a hand written note.
The Needle Beetle is infamous for it's ability to camouflage within the branches of a pine tree. Can you spot one here?
As sunset nears, we must head back to the trailhead. Tired, but gratified.
What makes a Subaru a Subaru? Love.That's it for this week's "The Thinking Man's Guide to the Great Outdoors™". We hope you enjoyed the visit to Moose Creek as much as we did. Stay tuned for our next grand adventure in Pole Canyon.
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