words of wisdom

click 'er for bigger

Couldn't find them, after all.

a dilemma

With an hour or so prior to breakfast to find some material for a photograph the morning of Monday, August 10, I headed out Humm's Road, crossed the single lane bridge over the 5 mile road from the dolomite mine to the processing plant, and continued to the end of the road, where I pulled off to the side and parked well out of the way. No one was in sight, but I could hear the distant thrum of the powerful processing plant where immense slabs of dolomite rock are crushed into a powder used in steel and float glass manufacturing.

After a quick preview of a potential site beside an abandoned pit mine, I returned, set up the Linhof, and recorded this image, now found in the Exploring the Wilderness slide show. There were potential images everywhere, and I fully intended to return later the same day, but it was time to return to the bosom of the fam who was patiently waiting for me to do some breakfast.

I returned to the rented Red Dodge Avenger and opened the trunk lid without opening the doors to the cab, experimenting to see if this could be done. Indeed, it works. I absently put the key ring with both of the two keys to the car on the latch mechanism inside the trunk, noticed that it dropped out of sight into the trunk, and swung my pack off my back and into the trunk. It took only another couple of moments to arrange the pack and the tripod. Perhaps only twenty seconds had elapsed since I set down the keys, but nonetheless, in a haze of empty headed blankness, I slammed the lid of the trunk shut - with the keys inside. It took another five seconds for the severity of my stupidity to sink in. I was at the end of a deserted road two miles from an intersection with the main thoroughfare through the island along which vehicles only traveled every hour when the ferry unloaded. I had absolutely no means of communication: our phones didn't work on the island, and I hadn't bothered with the walkie-talkies because I would be out of range. Indeed I was at least ten miles from the cabin where the family awaited my return before they commenced their day's activities.

What is to be done? Firstly, assign blame. That was easily accomplished for the next five minutes as I circled the mocking vehicle while I bellowed repeated admissions of my mental minuteness. Ultimately, what's the answer?

Start walking...

return

Definitely in the spirit of Joe Reifer's admonition to turn off the phone and the internet, our recent days of travel the length of the state of Michigan were a mostly relaxing time away from the life of the everyday. Certainly not a technology free trip, since we did have a newish rental car, an ipod for the teen, a phone that ceased to function once we crossed the Mackinac Bridge, along with several digi cams, a complete 4x5 outfit with 20 sheets of quickload film, walkie talkies, and credit cards. But mostly, free time was spent in the outdoors, eating, reading books and magazines, and with cameras. It baffles me why people want to go on vacation and be in constant contact with their ordinary daily life. It seems the point is to vacate the daily routine and find something new.

 

click any for bigger

Our travels took us in search of the perfect ice cream in Traverse City, sour cherries in Central Lake, pancakes while at the Drummond Island Resort, a car key locked in the trunk on the west end of Drummond Island, a fly less dusk during the two days of summer to hit Grand Marais, a student revolution in Ann Arbor. Only partial success with all of these endeavors. But there are tales to tell. Stay tuned for more.

away

We're off for the annual restoration, once again to Michigan. No computer in tow, so posting will likely be sporadic. Hope y'all have a wonderful summer, wherever you might be.