After departing Santa Fe, New Mexico we headed to Colorado, stopping for a couple of nights in Durango.
I had anticipated spending most of our time in downtown Durango, allowing my wife to shop to her hearts’ content; but she was not interested in shopping here.
Our motel was near the Animas River, with a walking/bicycle path along the river. We checked out that path, but discovered that it was not a great walk at this location, being completely open with no shade and it was warmer in the sunshine than we expected. There was a pedestrian bridge on this path with good views of the river and that was as far along this path as we ventured.
We drove a few miles into the downtown area, intending to have dinner at one of the many restaurants there, but we could find no available parking. After a number of circuits through downtown, we abandoned it and finally found a decent Mexican restaurant in a small shopping center off of the main roadway between our motel and downtown. We enjoyed our dinner at outdoor seating at that location and judging by the number of Hispanic customers, it appeared to be a popular restaurant with the locals.
There are numerous parks in Durango and long pleasant walking/biking paths along the Animas River, which we checked out the full day we had in the area.
Animas River 1, Durango, CORiver RocksAnimas River 2, Durango, CORiver Floaters
I noted that the two youngest kids in the front of this raft were more interested in me than the river. It must have been the phone camera that I pointed at them.
KayakersModern Art
There are modern art work pieces in the parks.
Modern Art
We drove around the local area to check out the countryside, driving up into a national forest and along numerous backroads. Along one of these roadways, I spotted a large rafter or flock of wild turkeys, maybe a couple of dozen.
We were in Santa Fe, New Mexico in early August, 2022, meeting up with one of our sons and his wife, primarily to attend a couple of performances at the open air opera.
Santa Fe is a typical tourist town with over priced everything, but a very pleasant place to visit, although it was warmer than the pre-trip weather forecast indicated. The old town atmosphere is charming, with lots of shops, street vendors and activity. I usually had the task of waiting with our labradoodle, while my wife shopped. Some stores allow dogs inside, some do not.
Santa Fe Opera
This portion of our trip was not conducive to photography activity, so I have only a few iPhone photographs to share. The image above was made prior to the first opera performance we attended. The mustache on the stage might give away the performance: “The Barber of Seville”.
The sun sets behind the stage and it was spectacular at the beginning of this first event. The second night’s sunset, during the early portion of “Carmen”, was not so great. Even though this facility is covered, it is open. We were expecting cooler temperatures at night, but it was still quite warm in the audience area.
One afternoon we went to the Meow Wolf art display, which is a rather wacky place.
One of my wife’s favorite pastimes is browsing in antique stores and malls. I frequently accompany her on these visits, occupying my time shooting photos, usually with an iPhone, of items or displays that I find interesting and/or nostalgic.
Fuzzy Blue Ducks – A large plates decorated with ducks in a pondIs it Real or Is it Memorex?
I recall seeing the Memorex magnetic recording tape commercials many years ago, but I do not recall Memorex brand radios, which seems strange, since Memorex came into existence in 1961, while I was in high school. I had a Westinghouse clock radio in my bedroom then, not Memorex.
Duaflex II
Having photography as a hobby, I’m always drawn to displays of old cameras.
Time Machine
The vendor of the booth in which this odd electronic device is displayed has an elaborate description of its ability to transport one in space and time. I see no Flux Capacitor, but there are numerous potentiometers in its Circulator panel.
Mighty Rapid Kodak Rex Champ
Cameras, comic books and yams. What can be better?
Readyset Special
Remember when cameras were manufactured in the U.S.?
Brownie D
Six-20 Camera, as opposed to Brownie Scouts or Fudge Brownies.
Lucky Strike
Not sure what makes these “Lucky”, but it was a popular brand for years.
Polaroid 150Sieves
Sieves used for sorting some materiel by diameter, probably have/had numerous application in industries. Maybe these even were even used for particle size distribution analysis of data that I used in my job, prior to retirement.
Lamps
Colorful lamp shades hark back to the early days of popular home electric lighting.
Blue Crystal
Rows of colorful glassware always catch my eye,
Formerly New Technology
as do rows and shelves filled with old cameras. Such displays remind me of how fast technology advances. This image (and all others in this post) were made with a device that is obsolete, even though it is only a few years old.
DAK
Not Dak Prescot, but seen in Dallas.
Agfa-Anastigmat
From Wikipedia: “An anastigmat or anastigmatic lens is a photographic lens completely corrected for the three main optical aberrations: spherical aberration, coma, and astigmatism. Early lenses often included the word Anastigmat in their name to advertise this new feature”.
As a side trip from Capitol Reef National Park, we decided to hike to Upper Calf Creek Falls in the Escalante National Monument. The trailhead to this waterfall is just off of Utah Route 12 near Boulder. We traveled this route numerous times going to and from Torrey and the southern portion of Capitol Reef National Park.
The trail to the falls is only about a mile one way, but it is very steep over slick rock for the first portion, before becoming moderately level, then moderately steep just before the base of the falls. It is so steep that not only is coming back up the trail strenuous, but going down the trail takes some effort to avoid slipping and falling. There were a few places on the trail that required big steps down and up.
The information we found for the trail says the grade is 14% at the top and my son’s trail app showed as much as 20+% grade over some portions. Anyone reasonable fit can do this trail, but care is advised.
We had planned to make the round trip to the falls in about an hour. When we signed the trailhead register, we noted that the two previous hikers had taken hours on the trail, which gave us pause to consider whether much of that time was due to the strenuous nature of the trail.
Anyway, we proceeded cautiously down the trail. I knew the trip out would require me to stop to take periodic breathers, but I had no doubt that I could safely navigate down and back.
Due to the steepness and strenuous nature of the trail, I elected not to carry the weight of my heavy DSLR and lens. So the few photos in this post are via my iPhone.
Upper Calf Creek Falls and Pool, iPhone PhotoUpper Calf Creek Falls, iPhone PhotoUpper Calf Creek Falls, iPhone Pano
We took time at the base of the falls for photography, snacking and hydrating, before heading back to the trailhead. Our round trip time was 90 minutes, 1.5 times as long as we had anticipated. The additional 30 minutes was mostly due to the strenuous nature of the trail both going down and coming out.
We had done the trail to the Lower Calf Creek falls years ago. That trail is three times as long, but mostly on flat, sandy ground along the creek bed.
Heading northwards along a dirt road in the northern portion of Capitol Reef National Park (actually, this is probably outside the park boundary, maybe on private land or BLM public land), is this abandoned drilling rig. I think it was a water well rig. It reminds me of the old cable tool rigs used in the very early days of oil well drilling, with its wooden mast and wooden flywheel.
Desert Grafiti, iPhone Photo
The old truck body has been used as an artist canvas and for target shooting by someone or someones.
There was a watering facility near this old rig for a local cattle herd. Some of the cattle watched me as I watched them to be sure none of them took exception to my presence.
One never knows what one might find in the great open spaces of the western U.S.
Desert Overlook, Capitol Reef National Park, iPhone PhotoDesert Overlook, Capitol Reef National Park, iPhone PhotoPainted Hills, Capitol Reef National Park, iPhone Photo
My readers have already seen many photos of some of the fantastic, massive geological features in the Cathedral Valley portion of Capitol Reef National Park. The long loop road through this area passes many such features. We did not have time to explore around all of these and certainly not time to visit each area for golden hour sunrise or sunset photography.
But we did stop and walk around at some of the more easily accessible areas near the roadway. Often, I would use my iPhone camera to capture the scenes, rather than lugging around a heavy DSLR and lens.
Magic Seeker, iPhone PhotoDesert Vortex – Sky and Earth, iPhone PhotoRock Power, iPhone PhotoCommander/Tower of Power, iPhone PhotoDesert Sentinels/Commander and Sidekick, iPhone PhotoCathedral Valley Scene, iPhone PhotoSky Partitioner, iPhone PhotoDesert Sun, iPhone PhotoSerpent Sky, iPhone PhotoHalo, iPhone Photo
While examining a digital satellite map image of the forested area near my operational base in Indiana, I noted one area designated as a wilderness, so I decided to drive into that area and check it out.
All of the photos in this post are via my iPhone.
Almost Peak Color
I pulled off of the forest road through the Hoosier National Forest on my way to check out the Charles C. Deam Wilderness area at a camping/picnic area to look around. There were restroom facilities, shelters, picnic areas and a few visitors. I noted a hiking trail that went into the forest from here, but I did not take time to check it out. There were a few colorful trees in near peak fall color, so I made a few iPhone images, with the one above the best.
I continued down the forest roadway, spotting a number of “No Parking” signs along the way.
Steep Fine, Gentle Hillside
This roadway is narrow, so parking along it would impede traffic and probably would create a danger, since visibility over hills and around curves is limited and one could easily crash into a parked vehicle that appears suddenly in the narrow roadway. The $80 fine seems steep, but maybe necessary to discourage parking here.
I found a parking lot just off of this roadway at an old fire lookout tower that is no longer in use, but open for visitors to climb.
Descriptive Sign, Hoosier National Forest, Oct 2021
Apparently, there were farmlands in this area at one time, but those have been taken over by the forest, after this area was designated a wilderness area.
An old fire lookout tower, Hoosier National Forest, Indiana, Fall 2021
I chose to climb the 133 steps to the top to get an overview of this area. As I started up the first flight of stairs, I had second thoughts about my choice as the stairs wobbled with each step. After a brief hesitation, I continued the climb.
Note on stair rail
Near the top of the tower, I noted that someone else had the same reaction as I did to the wobbly stairs.
A view from an old lookout tower, Hoosier National Forest, Fall 2021
I shot a few iPhone photos from the observation floor of the tower. Being above treetop level, I had a good overview of the vast forest around the tower.
A view from an old lookout tower, Hoosier National Forest, Fall 2021A view from an old lookout tower, Hoosier National Forest, Fall 2021A panoramic view from an old lookout tower, Hoosier National Forest, Indiana, Fall. 2021Top flight of stairs of lookout tower
After enjoying the view, it was time to descend the “sketchy” stairs and get my feet back on firm ground.
Wilderness Marker
I saw a trailhead marker near the tower, so I walked over to check it out. I was not prepared to hike in this wilderness today, but I decided to come back another day for more exploration.
Near a trailhead into the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Indiana, Fall 2021Information Sign, Hoosier National Forest, Indiana, Fall 2021
There was an old road beginning at the end of the tower parking lot that was blocked off with a steel gate. I walked over to take a look down the roadway and found this sign about an old cemetery that was apparently here prior to the wilderness designation. There was no indication of how far it was to the cemetery, but I decided to walk the roadway, hoping to find something interesting.
I found remnants of old structures that were mentioned in the information sign at the tower and continued to walk the roadway for awhile. I never found any indication of how far it was to the cemetery and I eventually turned back, since I did not see any noteworthy reason to continue.
A view into the Wilderness
This final image, looking into the wilderness woodland, was taken somewhere along the route.
Antique automobile related items always catch my eye.
Sunoco and Micky Mouse?
I do not recall Mickey Mouse advertising Sunoco products. Do any readers recall this?
Glass Motor Oil Bottles
I see lots of these old glass motor oil containers, but these were before my time. I’ve never seen these in use. I’m guessing these date to the time motor oil came in bulk containers, like metal barrels or drums and the oil was dispensed into these containers, which were then used to pour the oil into an automobile engine.
Judging by the price tags, these must be popular with collectors.
Old Motor Oil Can
Maybe these galvanized cans came into vogue after the glass bottles? I can’t recall seeing these in use, either. The glass bottles were probably superior in keeping the oil clean and uncontaminated, but were obviously not as durable as metal containers.
Old Motor Oil CanGlass Motor Oil Bottles
The bottles are more esthetically appealing than the galvanized cans.
Glass Motor Oil Bottles
The tiger on the Power-Lube bottle made me think this is from the early days of Exxon/Esso, but research seems to indicate that a company called Powerline (of Denver, Colorado?) may have produced or at least marketed this oil. Anyone out there know the history of this product?
Glass Motor Oil Bottles
The Farmall bottle must have been an advertising item, since as far as I know that company never refined motor oil, but might have marketed oil with its brand on it. I do not find any information online regarding any such motor oil product.
Glass Motor Oil Bottles
This vendor had lots of these old motor oil bottles.
Glassware of all sorts and colors are in plentiful supply is such places.
RedsSilver RingsGlassware B&W
Monochrome conversions often work well for images of the glassware.
Pink GlassPink GlassSoft Drink Crates
Wooden crates are common offerings in antique stores. I’m old enough to recall the time when these crates were used and most soft drinks came in glass bottles, rather than cans or plastic bottles. These crates were useful for sitting on, when placed on end and it was not uncommon to see these used in such a fashion.
Campbell Soup Crates
I do not recall these Campbell soup crates in use.
Cool Vinyl Storage
Instead of an RC cola and a moon pie, how about an RC and a vinyl record?
This is continuation of the iPhone photography in Indiana antique stores during the early days of our two week fall stay in Indiana.
Old American PotteryABC’s of Photography
Older photographic equipment always gets my attention. I’m glad I do not have to use those items.
Dangerous People
Some of those pictured in this poster, seem to be misclassified as Rock and Roll musicians. After noting one such collage of these bad criminals, I began to see these more often in this area.
Shot Glasses
Bad guy entertainers may be unpopular here, but alcoholic beverage items are prominently celebrated.
Bourbon Barrel
And Bing Crosby is ok.
Bing on DeccaSix of Hearts
I started this post with pottery items, so maybe I should end it with pottery.
