Location : South Dakota, 25 miles west of Rapid City
Description: The granite faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were carved from a 6,000 foot mountain by Gutzon Borglum. He worked on this monument from 1927 until his death in 1941. Borglum originally intended to carve full figure likenesses of the presidents, but the faces alone seemed monumental enough.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: We drove from Devil's Tower in the late afternoon to catch the laser light show and outdoor theater presentation of the Gutzon Borglum Story. The story of the creation of Mt. Rushmore is awe inspiring, but the night shots were not nearly as powerful as the next morning's, when the monument was lit by full sun and framed against a deep blue sky.
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File: US002 Tetons
Title: Grand Teton
Location: Upper Northwest corner of Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Description: Grand Teton is the largest mountain (13,766 ft.) in the Grand Teton Range and has long been a premiere climb in American mountaineering.
Category: Natural Wonder
Photographer's Log: We arrived in late afternoon, hoping to shoot a sunset view. The range runs north-south and the road lies to the east, so they were thrown into shadow from noon on. I camped just north of Jackson Hole, and rolled out at five A.M. to catch the first rays of sunshine as they struck the peak. My luck held, the fog lifted, and the range displayed a mighty glory.
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File: US003 Old Faithful
Title: Old Faithful Geyser
Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Description: The most famous of more than 200 natural geysers in Yellowstone, Old Faithful erupts on average every 64.5 minutes. It is estimated it shoots 11,000 gallons of water 150 feet in the air.
Category: Natural wonder
Photographer's Log: Yellowstone is arguably the most beautiful park in the country and worthy of a disc of its own. I only wish I had more time to spend there. Every season presents its own natural wonders. It's reminiscent of the Galapagos Islands, from the bizarre steaming cauldrons to the saint-like nature of the wild animals.
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File: US004 Grand Tetons
Title: Grand Teton Range
Location: Upper Northwest corner of Wyoming
Description: The Tetons are among the youngest but most majestic of the mountain ranges in the United States. Eleven major peaks are above 11,000 feet, with eight large lakes and many year round glaciers and snow fields.
Category: Natural Wonder
Photographer's Log: As we were leaving the Grand Teton National Park, the reflection of the range in Jackson Lake prompted us to pull over and take this shot. It was a moment of pure serendipity.
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File: US005 Devil╒s Tower
Title: Devil's Tower National Monument
Location: Northeastern Wyoming near Sundance
Description: The 867 foot tower was formed by ancient lava flows into sedimentary rock. Over time the sedimentary rock was eroded by wind, rain and the nearby Belle Fourche River just leaving the cluster of rock columns.
Category: Natural Wonder
Photo Log: Every time I decided to take a side trip, off the path of the main list of objectives, I was almost always rewarded with a spectacular scene and perfect light. Devil's Tower is included in this group. From miles away, I began to stop and shoot photographs. It sent shivers up my spine. In the park itself, the prairie dogs alone were worth the trip, but the Tower is an awesome sight.
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File: US006 Covered Wagon
Title: Covered Wagon
Location: Baker, Oregon
Description: In the mid 1800s, pioneers traveled the 2,000 mile Oregon Trail from the Missouri River to the Columbia River on the Pacific Coast using this type of covered wagon called a Yankee Wagon. They were smaller than the Conestoga Wagons or Prairie Schooners, and were better suited to cross mountain ranges.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photographer's Log: The Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Oregon Trail was being held when we went through Oregon in summer, 1993. Descendants of the original pioneers were re-enacting the trip. The early pioneers who crossed the trail were quite wealthy by the day's standards. It cost over $3,000 to outfit one family for the trip, when the average per capita income was $75 a year.
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File: US007 Buffalo
Title: Buffalo
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Description: The North American Bison or Buffalo (Bison bison), a grass feeding member of the oxen family, once roamed sixty million strong over the plains of North America. By 1935 their numbers had dwindled to 20,000 due to extermination by hunters. Protected herds of buffalo now graze in national parks like Yellowstone and on private preserves. The largest males are six feet high and weigh one and one half tons. The shaggy winter coat falls off in patches in the spring.
Category: Animal
Photographer's Log: I started looking for buffalo on Catalina Island off the coast of California. A small herd had been brought over in 1924 for a silent movie. I spent 2 days finding a guide and trying to get close enough to for a shot. However, the animals there were in the process of shedding their coats. Besides the buffalo looking ragged, the cactus and natural vegetation of the Channel Islands looked out of place. This beautiful animal was grazing contentedly just a few yards from the road in Yellowstone.
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File: US008 Tepees
Title: Teepee
Location: Carver, Oregon
Description: Tepees (or Tipis) were the typical mobile dwelling for the Plains Indians as they pursued the buffalo. Made by arranging animal skins over a conical frame of tent poles, a smoke hole was left at the top.
Category: Americana
Photographer's Log: Native American protesters followed the 1993 sesquicentennial reenactment of white settlers coming west on the Oregon Trail. I rolled out of bed at five A.M. to drive out to Carver and take photos of the wagon train leaving at seven-thirty. At six-fifteen, the mist hadn't quite lifted and this was the most powerful shot of the morning.
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File: US009 Lake Groton Shoreline
Title: Lake Groton Shoreline
Location: Lake Groton, Vermont
Description: Located in upper Vermont near the New Hampshire border, the Stillwater State Park Campground is located on Lake Groton. Moose and deer can be seen by careful campers.
Category: Natural Wonder
Photo Log: It had been a frustrating day looking for Fall colors in Vermont. The light had been flat and something about the leaf colors lacked the intensity I was looking for. We decided to look for a campground before it got dark and ended up on the edge of Lake Groton ten minutes before sunset. The sun broke underneath the cloud layer as it headed for the horizon and splashed onto the far shore. As soon as I stopped looking for a photo, there it was.
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File: US010 Boathouse
Title: Boathouse
Location: Mackerel Cove, Bailey Island, Maine
Description: Working fisherman and lobstermen of the New England Coast use boathouses for storage and shelter. Each lobsterman has a distinctive and unique design to the buoys they use to mark the line attached to their lobster pots.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photographer's Log: Carol's dream of eating at a local lobster pound on the Maine coast came true. We picked our lobsters out of the "big boy" tank downstairs and gorged ourselves on the best meal of the trip. There was some concern about our ability to fit behind the steering wheel afterwards.
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File: US011 Maine Lighthouse
Title: Portland Head Lighthouse
Location: Ft. Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Description: George Washington ordered this lighthouse into operation in 1771, making it one of the oldest lighthouses in continuous operation in the country. Lighthouses date back to the time of the Egyptians and have been used to guide sailors past obstacles. Usually built to conform to their site, a tower-like structure is crowned by an illuminated glass window. Lighthouse keepers were needed to keep the oil and coal lights of the 19th century. Today almost all lighthouses are electric and on automatic operation.
Category: Historical Building
Photo Log: Nothing inspires photography like a lighthouse with good light. We scouted and shot three lighthouses in the area and chose this one to return to at sunset. The colors were soft and warm compared to the biting wind that came up. I think we picked the right lighthouse, but we'll never know for sure.
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File: US012 Lobster Barn
Title: Lobster Barn
Location: Mackerel Cove, Bailey Island, Maine
Description: Lobsters are caught in slatted wooden traps, or "pots", then transported to local "barns" for sorting and shipping all over the country.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photographer's Log: This area is truly an unspoiled section of the Maine coast populated by the tough individuals you would expect to find. We sat and talked to a couple of retired lobstermen who met every morning on "their" bench overlooking the cove. With huge hands knotted with arthritis, they looked down at younger lobstermen working on their boats and said they "didn't miss it a bit". I wasn't sure this was true.
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File: US013 Pumpkin Patch
Title: Pumpkin Patch
Location: Lincoln, Massachusetts
Description: During Fall, New Englanders visit roadside stands to purchase produce and dried plants to decorate their porches and front doors. The roadside stands are a work of art themselves with colorful displays of ears of corn, pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, apples and other fresh produce which is still often grown nearby on a small family farm.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photo Log: We couldn't have had better luck with both the weather and the Fall colors. We spent the morning at Walden Pond, our last day in New England before heading to New York, and stopped to buy fresh homemade apple cider at this roadside stand.
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File: US014 Red Barn
Title: Red Barn
Location: 5 miles outside of Woodstock, Vermont
Description: Few family owned and operated working dairy farms remain in Vermont. They store hay in the large barns and silos and milk cows in the barns which also may serve as cheese and maple syrup processing plants.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photographer's Log: We stopped to buy some maple syrup from the roadside stand out in front of the main house across the street from the barns. The man who sold us the syrup appeared to be in his 70's and had been born in the house. It was a clear cool Fall day and smoke came from the chimney. The views of the farm were spectacular and he told us to feel free to take as many photos as we wanted.
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File: US015 Cemetery
Title: New England Cemetery
Location: Washington, Vermont
Description: A cemetery reflects the passing of time, particularly when covered with fall colors.
Category: Cemetery
Photographer's Log: We drove off the "main" road up a windy hill looking for a viewpoint of a small New England town. Instead we found this cemetery. I spent a pleasant hour taking photos, stretching my legs and enjoying the peace and quiet. Carol was a little spooked being this close to so many dead bodies, and didn't enjoy it all that much.
Description: The Mayflower II is a replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims from England to New England. They landed at Plymouth on December 26, 1620. While still on the ship, they drafted the Mayflower Compact, setting up a government of the colony by the will of the majority. In 1957 this replica was sailed over from England by a British group reenacting the original voyage.
Category: Monument
Photo Log: As we traveled from west to east, the historical dates kept getting older and older. They would get no older than here. This is where Europe settlers first landed in America, and I couldn't help but think about the Native Americans who followed the reenactment of the Oregon Trail and camped in their Tepees.
Description: Lexington is the town west of Boston where Paul Revere rode announcing the coming of British troops. The first battle of the Revolutionary War took place on this green on April 19, 1775. The statue of Captain John Parker, the leader of the Minutemen, commemorates the local men who were ready in a minute to take arms and defend their farms, family, and livelihood.
Category: Monument
Photo Log: The shot heard 'round the world was fired on this site. All I dodged were schoolchildren and automobiles. There is nothing like the sense of history one feels from actually occupying the scene of such major historical significance. Lexington and Concord are where it all began, by a rag tag army of volunteers who believed in a set of principles.
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File: US018 Washington
Title: Statue of George Washington
Location: Public Garden, near Boston Commons, Boston, Massachusetts
Description: The Statue of George Washington on horseback is one of many beautiful sculptures in the Boston Public Garden. Also known for its lake with swan boats, the landscaped gardens are next to Boston Commons in the center of downtown Boston.
Category: Historical Site
Photo Log: Like many big cities, downtown Boston is not the place you want to drive your RV, even a small one, looking for a parking spot. On the waterfront in the North End, we felt blessed when we finally found a parking lot that would allow us in. We spent several days walking around Boston, returning to the sanctuary of our truck at night, parked on the waterfront next to half million dollar - or more - condominiums.
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File: US019 Beacon Hill
Title: Boston Houses
Location: Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts
Description: After the Revolutionary War, the city of Boston leveled surrounding hills to fill in the area known as "Back Bay". Beacon Hill was not leveled and became the fashionable residential area where many of the socially elite, so called "Boston Brahmins", live. A walk through Beacon Hill takes the visitor along small winding streets with restored homes and replicas of period lamp posts from the early 19th century.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photographer's Log: Boston is a great walking city, every block seems to be filled with historical significance. The restoration of the city's waterfront is spectacular. But beware, parking along these historic streets is impossible and driving nearly impassable. Now we know why the locals say that Boston was laid out by cow trails.
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File: US020 Boston Common
Title: Boston Common
Location: Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts
Description: Dating from 1634, this is the oldest public park in America. Historically it was used for cow pasture, soldier's training fields in the Revolutionary war, and witch hanging. Today it is the start of the Freedom Trail, a three hour walk which takes visitors to fifteen colonial sites in downtown Boston. The Park Street Church in the background was built in 1809.
Category: Historical Site
Photo Log: My first trip to Boston Common in 1976 was memorable for the shopping cart and other trash dumped in the pond. In 1993 the Common and the rest of the city of Boston seemed an outstanding example of urban renewal and pride.
Description: Harvard, the oldest college in the nation, was founded in 1636 and is located on the Charles River in Boston's neighboring community of Cambridge.
Category: Historic Building
Photographer's Log: On a small scale the trip was a daily race against light, trying to get to a certain area in the morning or afternoon depending on how the location was lit. On a larger scale our schedule was driven by the changing seasons and the shortened days of approaching Winter. We made it to New England for Fall colors, and they followed us like a wave as we headed south down the east coast.
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File: US022 Faneuil Hall
Title: Faneuil Hall
Location: Near the Waterfront, Boston, Massachusetts
Description: Known as the "Cradle of Liberty", this 1742 building was the site of many gatherings and town meetings during the Revolutionary War period. One of the stops on the Freedom Trail, it is located near the waterfront of Boston Harbor next to the popular Quincy Market, a renovated 19th century complex with restaurants, boutiques and food shops.
Category: Historic Building
Photographer's Log: It's always nice to get to market early, drink a cup of hot coffee and wander around while vendors set up. As a matter of fact nearly any popular tourist site is best visited early in the morning before crowds gather. Faneuil Hall is no exception and we listened to the first lecture of the morning given by the Park Ranger.
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File: US023 Mass. Statehouse
Title: Massachusetts Statehouse
Location: Beacon Hill, overlooking Boston Commons, Boston, Mass.
Description: On July 4, 1795, Samuel Adams laid the cornerstone of this golden-domed capitol building. Still in use today, the 1628 Massachusetts Bay Company Charter, the 1780 State Constitution, relics from the Revolutionary War and Indian treaties are on display.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: There is something about the way the sun hits gold domes that demands their picture be taken when it happens. The richness and color is simply not to be found in buildings of any other color.
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File: US024 Boston Skyline
Title: Boston Skyline
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Description: Founded by the Puritans in 1630, Boston is well known as the seat of the Revolutionary War, an educational center with its many universities, and a leader in technology. The Charles River separates Boston from the suburb of Cambridge as it flows into Boston Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Tall skyscrapers tower over historic buildings from the Revolutionary War period.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: Once we found a place to park, Boston turned out to be one of our favorite cities. This photo was taken from the Prudential Tower Skywalk and was very difficult because it was shot through a glass window. Reflection and distortion usually scuttle these photos, but I was lucky enough to find a clean pane and no reflection on just this one photo. I should have used a polarizing filter.
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File: US025 Minneapolis
Title: Minneapolis Skyline
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Description: Minneapolis is located across the Mississippi River from its "Twin City", St. Paul. It is known as the "City of Lakes" because of large number of bodies of water in and near the city limits.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: I was driving into town on the freeway hoping I could get of a shot or two before it got dark. The best views of skylines are from freeways in nearly every city. As we approached Minneapolis, I spotted an overpass I thought I could get the shot from, got off the freeway and circled back on surface streets to find it. Of course a chain link fence blocked me from getting a clear shot. I climbed as high as I could, resting the camera on the jagged top of the fence and got the picture. I tore my clothes and some flesh trying to disentangle myself from the situation.
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File: US026 Chicago Skyline
Title: Chicago Skyline
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Description: Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a center of shipping, industry, finance, arts, science, education and commerce. Known as "the Windy City" it is a transportation hub for ships, trains and planes.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We camped for three days at Illinois State Beach waiting for the rain to stop so I could shoot Chicago. When I saw the prediction for the next day was partial clearing in the morning, followed by more rain, I decided to head into town so I could be there at sunrise. We parked overnight in Soldier Field and hit the streets right at dawn. This photo was taken between squalls just after sunrise from in front of the Adler Planetarium. I ate one of Paul Basile's old-fashioned Chicago-style Polish hot dogs, nicknamed "the Belly Buster" for breakfast.
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File: US027 Chicago River
Title: Chicago River
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Description: The Chicago River has been dredged and fitted with locks to make it part of the Illinois Waterway.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: After a few brief moments of sunshine, low lying clouds moved in and covered the sky. Although it didn't rain, the gloominess was depressing as I walked the city looking for some good shots. I didn't think any decent shots would result after two days of walking the city, until I saw this photo.
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File: US028 Cleveland Bridge
Title: Hope Memorial Bridge
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Description: This art deco bridge has one of the most singular entrances in the country.
Category: Bridge
Photographer's Log: We were headed to Niagara Falls from St. Louis. As we approached Cleveland, the setting sun indicated an impending Photo Op. We diverted off the freeway and were rewarded with great light on this very unusual bridge.
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File: US029 Cleveland
Title: Cleveland
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Description: Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland grew to importance as a center of shipping and oil and ore processing.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: This photo was taken from the Hope Memorial Bridge late on a Sunday afternoon. There was absolutely no traffic around, then I heard on the radio the Browns were playing an important game on the road. Everybody must have been watching the game on T.V.
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File: US030 Erie Canal
Title: Erie Canal
Location: Erie Canal Lock 20, Marcy, New York
Description : Opened in 1825, the canal system in Upper New York State connected the Hudson River with Lake Erie, providing a water shipping route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic. The Erie Canal was instrumental in making New York City the financial capital of the country by opening up eastern markets to the farm products of the Midwest. Today the restored canal system is used by recreational boaters and the 57 active locks are meticulously maintained.
Category: Historical Site
Photographer's Log: We were a little concerned when we first started looking for the Erie Canal in Erie, Pa. and couldn't find it. As we learned more about the canal and its historic significance, we felt a little foolish about our ignorance. The original Erie Canal traversed central New York state from Buffalo to Albany, connecting Lake Erie with the Hudson River.
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File: US031 Niagara Falls
Title: The American Falls, Niagara Falls
Location: Niagara Falls, New York
Description: Located on the Niagara River, which connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario, the Falls were formed approximately 12,000 years ago after the end of the last Ice Age. Under natural conditions, 1.5 million gallons per second flow over the Falls. The American Falls are 184 feet high and are separated from the 176 foot Canadian (Horseshoe Falls) by Goat Island.
Category: Natural Wonder
Photographer's Log: Although our assignment was Americana, we couldn't resist a trip to the Canadian side of the Falls. We celebrated our eleventh anniversary with champagne and dinner overlooking Niagara Falls as the sun went down.
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File: US032 New York City
Title: Skyline of Manhattan
Location: Upper New York Bay
Description: Both the oldest and the smallest of the five boroughs of New York City, Manhattan is the center of New York's financial, art, business, retail, and tourist industries. Bounded by the Hudson River on the west, the East River on the east, and the Harlem River on the north, its southern boundary is New York Bay and Harbor. The skyline has always been known for its skyscrapers, from the Empire State Building to the 110 stories of the twin towers of the World Trade Center.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: Manhattan is just one of five boroughs of New York City, and it alone dwarfed every other city in the country. Everyone outside of New York warned us not to go there, but so many people helped us, gave friendly directions, and entertained us, we couldn't help but feel a welcome part of a great city.
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File: US033 Statue of Liberty
Title: Statue of Liberty
Location: Upper New York Bay on Liberty Island
Description: The 151 foot high copper statue mounted on a 156 foot high base commemorates the Franco-American alliance during the Revolutionary War. Originally titled "Liberty Enlightening the World", the statue is of a young woman with right arm raised overhead holding a lighted torch. It was designed by French sculptor F.A. Bartholdi and shipped to New York from France in 1885.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: Liberty is the first sight millions of immigrants had as they approached New York City, but if you want to see it, get there early. Lines are long and waiting for hours is not uncommon. While waiting you may be entertained by enthusiastic and talented street gymnasts, who certainly earn everything they get from their captive audience.
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File: US034 Ellis Island
Title: Ellis Island
Location: Island in Upper New York Bay
Description: Originally the site of a fort, the buildings on this island served as the chief immigration facility for millions of people coming to the United States from 1892-1943. Today it is a visitors site with a museum, library and copper panels with the names of nearly 200,000 immigrants inscribed on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor.
Category: Historical Site
Photographer's Log: We were not able to visit Ellis Island due to the extended waiting to get on Liberty Island and shoot the Statue of Liberty. I shot this photo from the Statue of Liberty with a long telephoto.
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File: US035 Manhattan
Title: Manhattan
Location: New York, New York
Description: The skyline of Manhattan is the most impressive in the United States. It can be viewed from the top of skyscrapers, the bay or rivers that surround it, the docks of its neighboring boroughs, or from air. Anyway you see it, it awes and impresses one with the magnitude of man's capacity to create and build.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We walked all over Manhattan, and took the subways from Bronx to Coney Island to Queens. Several people said, "Watch out for those cameras. They're going to steal those cameras!" "They" never did. More people volunteered to give us directions as we stared at the map in confusion. It takes a lot longer to recover when you walk the wrong way, so talking to a local on foot is a sensible thing to do. We must have looked sympathetic, but not vulnerable.
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File: US036 New York Public Library
Title: New York Public Library
Location: 42nd St. & 5th Ave., New York City
Description: Chartered in 1895, the New York Public Library is the largest library in the world, containing over 5 million volumes. The main building, whose main entrance is pictured here, was designed by Thomas Hastings and J. M. Carrere and completed in 1911.
Category: Public Building
Photographer's Log: New York is a great town, but don't expect to drive up in your RV and find a parking spot. We parked out in Queens and took subways, buses, taxis, and even a helicopter ride. But most of the time we hoofed it, putting more miles on our sneakers here than in any other city.
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File: US037 Brooklyn Bridge
Title: Brooklyn Bridge
Location: New York City, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn over the East River.
Description: Built in 1869-83 by J.A Roebling and his son W.A. Roebling, it was the first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world. When completed it connected the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn and was the longest suspension bridge of its time.
Category: Bridge
Photographer's Log: It's still a very long bridge. We walked over this bridge at least eight times before I was satisfied with the shoot. As we approached the Brooklyn side late one night, a trio of young women came up practicing their singing. We asked if it was safe to go on. Carol didn't have much taste for wandering off into dark deserted streets down by the East River. We'd been out since early in the morning and were both exhausted. The women smiled and said sure it was safe, just don't go too far. Inspired by their confident smiles and ringing melodies, we continued on.
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File: US038 Covered Bridge
Title: Covered Bridge, Bath, New Hampshire
Location: Bath, New Hampshire
Description: Bath's covered bridge was built in 1832. Covered bridges were built to keep the bridges passable in winter by preventing ice buildup.
Category: Bridge
Photographer's Log: Bath is also home to the oldest general store in America. Wherever we went, when people heard what we were doing, they asked if we had read "The Bridges of Madison County". Taking photos of covered bridges is one of the best assignments a photographer can draw.
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File: US039 Red Covered Bridge
Title: Taftsville Covered Bridge
Location: Taftsville, Vermont
Description: Built in 1836, the Taftsville covered bridge crosses the Ottauquechee river between Woodstock and Quechee, Vermont. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut have some of the finest examples of covered bridges in the country.
Category: Bridge
Photographer's Log: I learned that light is constantly changing, and like time, waits for no one. There were moments when I had to dash to get a shot, the light would be just so for only a few moments. I could see the shot as we drove by, but by the time I parked the truck and grabbed the cameras, it was gone. Usually I'd take a picture or two anyway, but they were never any good.
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File: US040 Pennsylvania Bridge
Title: Covered Bridge
Location: Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.
Description: Covered bridges were built to keep the bridges passable in winter by preventing ice buildup.
Category: Bridge
Photographer's Log: A Sunday afternoon outing with perfect light for about three hours. I was surprised to see a covered bridge here. It was the first thing I saw as we drove into the park and I insisted we stop so I could shoot it. By late afternoon, the light had changed and I didn't bother to shoot it again. Right at four-thirty, as I put away the cameras, the rosy glow had gone flat.
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File: US041 New England Church
Title: New England Church
Location: Chelsea, Vermont
Description: The churches of New England with their tall white steeples are the center of a small town. Usually located on the "commons" or "green area", they are still the center of activity for town meetings, worship, weddings, funerals, and community gatherings.
Category: Church
Photo Log: If we stopped to take photos at every church in all the small towns we passed through we'd still be in New England. We were able to travel the small roads of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and found it very beautiful and relaxing.
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File: US042 Valley Forge
Title: Valley Forge
Location: Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 20 miles west of Philadelphia.
Description: Located in a 3500 acre park are relics and reminders of the winter encampment of General George Washington's Continental Army in 1777-78. It was here that the "irregulars" reorganized and drilled and kept British troops holed up in Philadelphia.
Category: Historical Site
Photographer's Log: We visited Valley Forge with some friends and their children. It was great to see children climbing on cannon like a jungle gym. It was a Sunday afternoon, and there were plenty around. I had to wait for a cannon to open up so I could take this picture.
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File: US043 Philadelphia Skyline
Title: Philadelphia Skyline
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Description: Founded by William Penn in 1682, Philadelphia was the capital during the Revolutionary War. Today it is the fifth largest U.S. city, home to nearly 6 million people in the greater metropolitan area.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: The Phillies just lost the World Series and the whole town was seriously depressed. After scouting out the town during the day, I decided on this location for sunset and hiked back to it at five P.M. to wait for the right light.
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File: US044 Philadelphia
Title: City of Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Description: The fifth largest city in the United States, nearly 6 million people live in the greater metropolitan area. Originally founded in 1682, it served as the capital during the Revolutionary War and was home to the First and Second Continental Congresses.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: Taken from the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, you will see the RV parked in the lot in the foreground. We hired two homeless men to wash the truck while we hiked to locations and took photos. They did an excellent job.
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File: US045 Liberty Bell
Title: Liberty Bell
Location: near Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Penn.
Description: Cast and first hung in 1753, the Liberty Bell is most famous for being rung in July, 1776 to announce the Declaration of Independence. Its famous crack first appeared in 1835 and necessitated its retirement. It now rests on display behind glass in a building near Independence Hall. It is inscribed with the words "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof"
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: A very difficult shot. I had to wait twenty minutes for the window washer to finish cleaning the window and move his ladder. A very dark, reflective subject against a bright background, I used a flash fill and shot at a slight angle to prevent flash bounce in the glass. I just prayed my exposure was O.K. and I wouldn't get too much reflection off the Bell.
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File: US046 Philadelphia Art Museum
Title: Philadelphia Art Museum
Location: Fairmont Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Description: Located on a majestic hill that is part of the 8500 acre Fairmont Park, the Philadelphia Art Museum is one of the great museums of the United States. It is also famous to moviegoers as the steps that "Rocky" ran up during his training runs in the Sylvester Stallone movie "Rocky".
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: We thought the steps leading up to the museum looked familiar, but it was our first trip to the "City of Brotherly Love" and we couldn't place where we'd seen them before. Two heavyset, young men, one with a full length leg brace, walked up to the top of the steps. The guy with the brace carefully took it off, stood at the top of the steps and raised his two arms in a victory pose while his buddy took a photo. Then we remembered - the scene from "Rocky"! It seemed quite the thing to do as others, from young to old repeated the pose.
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File: US047 Washington and Flag
Title: Statue of George Washington, Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Description: The Statue of George Washington stands outside Independence Hall. Inside Independence Hall, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. George Washington presided over the Second Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention.
Category: Historic Site
Photographer's Log: We arrived in Philadelphia during an evening downpour and scouted the area under umbrellas. We found Independence Hall shrouded in scaffolding for repairs and the Liberty Bell behind glass. Early the next morning it cleared up and we beat the hordes of school children to Independence Square and shot this photo of The Father of Our Country before they swarmed it.
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File: US048 Baltimore
Title: Baltimore Skyline
Location: View from Federal Hill, Baltimore, Maryland
Description: The largest city in Maryland, Baltimore's past includes being the site of British attack during the War of 1812, the battle which inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star Spangled Banner". Today a large program of urban renewal has restored much of the downtown and harbor area.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We took a water taxi around the harbor, and settled on Federal Hill to take a sunset picture. We left our jackets in the truck, and waited in the cold for a couple of hours to get this shot.
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File: US049 Baltimore Aquarium
Title: National Aquarium and Waterfront, Baltimore, Maryland
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Description: The National Aquarium and its accompanying Marine Mammal Pavilion is one of the largest in the United States. It features the large Open Ocean exhibit, home to five species of sharks, an outdoor seal pond, and very distinctive architectural design.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We went to the 27th floor of the World Trade Center building, the tallest five-sided building in the world, to take this shot.
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File: US050 U.S. Capitol
Title: U.S. Capitol Building
Location: The Mall, Washington, D.C.
Description: Built in 1792 to house the Supreme Court, the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Capitol Building has undergone many changes. The Supreme Court moved to its own building, and wings were added to each side of the central dome (Rotunda) to house the 450 offices of the Senate and House.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: The day we shot this photo, President Clinton was delivering his health care reform legislation to Congress. We walked to the other side of the building and were able to see the presidential motorcade leave the Capitol and head back to the White House.
Description: The White House, the official residence and offices of the President of the United States, is the oldest building in the nation's capital. The cornerstone was laid in 1792 on a site chosen by George Washington. John Adams was the first President to live there in 1800. Built of Virginia freestone, many additions have been made to the original design. This view shows the south face and part of the 18 acres of grounds.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: Washington is so rich with photographic subjects, I just wish they were closer together. After five days of walking around, we were thrashed. We looked forward to spending a day or two on the road, when all we had to do to get somewhere was step on the gas.
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File: US052 Supreme Court
Title: U.S. Supreme Court Building
Location: Washington, D.C.
Description: Located behind the U.S. Capitol Building, the marble Supreme Court Building houses the offices and courtrooms for the Supreme Court Justices.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: As we approached the Capitol from the Washington Monument, I realized the sunset was taking on the vibrant rosy glow that lasts for a few minutes before it turns gray and disappears. It might be hitting the Supreme Court just right and if I hurried I might be able to catch it. Try running some time carrying a bag filled with two cameras, seven lenses, two strobes, power packs, batteries, film, pens and notebooks. It was a clumsy and difficult run, but I made it in time to get off three shots. Then, almost as if a light switch was thrown, the light was gone.
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File: US053 Smithsonian
Title: Smithsonian Institution Building
Location: Capitol Mall, Washington D.C.
Description: The Smithsonian Institution includes thirteen museums and the National Zoo. The Smithsonian Institution Building (the Castle) is the headquarters of the just one of nine Smithsonian buildings located on the Mall. The others include the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and the National Museum of African Art.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: The flowers were in full bloom and the sun lit this side of The Castle just beautifully.
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File: US054 Reflecting Pool
Title: Reflecting Pool
Location: The Mall, Washington, D.C.
Description: In line with the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, is one long rectangular reflecting pool, almost 2300 feet in length. Wild geese mingle with walkers and are treated to spectacular reflections of Lincoln's statue or the spire of the Washington Monument.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: D.C. is where we discovered how far we were walking every day. After we collapsed back in the RV one evening, I was studying the map to plan the next day's excursion. It was then I noticed the grid lines that divided up the Capitol Mall and realized I could measure the mileage we covered as we walked from monument to monument. Let's see, one mile from the Washington Monument to the Capitol building and we went up and back twice because the light was no good the first time, so that was one, two, three, four miles! And two, four more miles to the Lincoln Memorial and back! Over to the White House and back! I was over twenty miles by the time I stopped adding, and hadn't included walking from the RV to the subway, walking around locations for perspective, trips to the restroom, etc. It was a typical day on this trip plus we were carrying thirty pounds of equipment! Good reason to be exhausted at the end of the day.
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File: US055 Jefferson Monument
Title: Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Location: East Potomac Park, on the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.
Description: The white marble building is located across the Tidal Basin from the other memorials and buildings of the Mall. Built in 1938-43 from a design by John Russell Pope, it contains a 19 foot standing marble statue of Jefferson by the sculptor Rudolph Evans. Surrounding panels contain many of Jefferson's writings.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: When we were in Washington D.C. in October 1993, scaffolding for repair work covered most of the statue and the entrance to the building. I found the side view was clear and well lit as sunset approached. The view from the Memorial was spectacular, wild geese flying over the Tidal Basin, fall colors and high clouds mixed with blue sky and sunshine. The long walk over was worth it!
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File: US056 Lincoln Memorial
Title: Lincoln Memorial
Location: West end of the Capital Mall, Washington D.C.
Description: The marble building built in 1914-1917 from a design by Henry Bacon is styled after a Greek temple and utilizes 36 Doric columns to represent the states of the Union at the time of Lincoln's death in 1865. Inside the building is a heroic seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President, by Daniel Chester French. Carved on the side walls are the text of Lincoln' Gettysburg address and the Second Inaugural Address.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: Visiting the Lincoln Memorial was the most moving experience in Washington. We climbed dozens of stairs to enter the building and view the empathic colossal Lincoln statue. We read the Great Emancipator's words on the side walls. Thoughts and feelings echoed silently during our contemplation. Looking outward from the building over the reflecting pool, the monuments to Washington and Jefferson were visible along with the green expanse of the Mall and the Capitol Building. All the history connected with these monuments and places rushed by in a unique personal experience.
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File: US057 Vietnam Memorial
Title: Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Statue
Location: near Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall, The Mall, Washington, D.C.
Description: The life sized statue of three servicemen honors all those who fought in the Vietnam War. They appear as though coming out of the jungle on a patrol.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: I have never seen bronze appear so life-like. They seem to be searching, looking, preparing to rescue a fallen comrade. It feels like they are going to walk over to the Wall and start looking for their buddies' names. Late at night, when no one's around, I'm sure they do.
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File: US058 Vietnam Wall
Title: Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall
Location: The Mall, Washington, D.C.
Description: The names of the men and women who died in the Vietnam war are carved on the highly polished black granite walls of this wall. Located near the Lincoln Memorial, a narrow path runs along side the V shaped wall, allowing visitors to get close to the names and the memories this wall contains.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: This may be the most emotional place in the entire United States. No one approaches this monument and leaves untouched. A constant stream of nameseekers leaves remembrances and tributes to lost loved ones. Taking a photo here was very difficult, emotionally and technically. As someone who protested against the war, I felt grief and sorrow for all those who died and wished there had been another way. Shooting into the mirrored wall seemed impossible because the reflections of people, grass and trees appeared haunted by the out of focus names on the wall. Focus on the names and the fuzzy reflection of people and grass muted and distorted the picture. Finally, I was able to frame a few names out of 55,000 and take the picture.
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File: US059 Iwo Jima Memorial
Title: Marine Corps War Memorial
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Description: This 78 foot, 100 ton statue portrays the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. Based on a photograph by Joseph Rosenthal, the figures are cast in bronze from a model created by Felix de Weldon.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: With memorials to JFK, the Challenger Astronauts, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and so many others, a visit to Arlington National Cemetery is a very moving experience. The Iwo Jima statue is a good hike from the memorials at Arlington National Cemetery, but well worth it. Not only is the statue spectacular, but there is a wonderful view of Washington D.C.
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File: US060 Washington Monument
Title: Washington Monument
Location: Capitol Mall, Washington, D.C.
Description: The Washington Monument, 555 ft. high, was opened to the public in 1888. You can either ride the elevator or walk up the steps to the observation room at the 500 ft. level.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: The monument is a difficult shot to get perspective on. Unfortunately, the lines were so long and we had so much to do, we passed on a trip to the top.
Description: The White House, the official residence and offices of the President of the United States is the oldest building in the nation's Capital. This view shows the south face and part of the 18 acres of grounds.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: Although the White House is the home of the most powerful man on earth, this photo reminds me of Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury cartoons.
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File: US062 Rotunda
Title: Rotunda, U.S. Capitol Building at night
Location: The Mall, Washington, D.C.
Description: The U.S. Capitol Building is best recognized by its central dome or Rotunda. Designed in 1792, the central part of the building is the oldest with the two wings which house the Senate and House chambers being latter additions. A 19 1/2 foot bronze statue of Freedom is atop the Dome.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: We waited for five days while they slowly dismantled the scaffolding around the refurbished statue at the summit of the dome. On Friday night a full moon was scheduled to rise about seven-thirty. As we approached near sunset, a low cloud cover developed, diffusing the full moon into the dull glow to the right of the rotunda.
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File: US063 Atlanta
Title: Atlanta Skyline at night
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Description: Atlanta, once known for being destroyed during General Sherman's campaign in 1864, is now one of the leading cities of the South. The State capitol of Georgia, it is the host of the 1996 Olympic Games.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We had talked to a news cameraman about the best places to go to shoot the skyline. We tried all four, but did not quite have the right lighting or feel. We had made arrangements to meet friends for dinner and were running late. Dressed and ready to try to find their house, I tried one last shot at night from a freeway overpass while Carol waited with the motor of the RV running. Luckily, traffic was light so we made it in time as well as getting a great shot of the skyline.
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File: US064 Miami Beach
Title: Miami Beach
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Description: Located on a small island between Biscayne Bay and the City of Miami, Miami Beach is a popular year round vacation site. The Art Deco pastel tinted hotels are surrounded by palm trees, sand, and the blue Atlantic ocean.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: Believe it or not, we had bad weather in Miami and had to come back a second time to get some photos.
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File: US065 Miami
Title: Miami Skyline
Location: Miami, Florida
Description: Miami, second largest city in Florida after Jacksonville, is one of the most popular and famous resorts in the U.S. While tourism is the major industry, Miami is also a processing and shipping center for Florida's huge agriculture industry.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We waited all afternoon for the weather to clear. When it didn't, I decided we might as well try for a night shot. As soon as we set up, it started to pour and we had to dash for cover. We had planned to leave Miami that evening, but instead we headed for the airport and parked overnight in the long term lot. Next morning we were up at the crack of dawn to beat traffic into town. We returned to our location just over the Rickenbacker Expressway towards Key Biscayne and knocked off the shot with early morning light.
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File: US066 Key West
Title: Key West
Location: Key West, Florida
Description: The southernmost city in the U.S., Key West is a popular retreat for artists and writers. At various times it was home to such notable writers as Ernest Hemingway (who wrote much of his best work there), Tennessee Williams, and Robert Frost. Its architecture is designed to catch the cooling breezes of the Caribbean.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photographer's Log: Key West is a fun place to relax, enjoy the beaches and nightclubs, windsurf, snorkel, scuba dive or parasail. But make sure you get to Mallory Square Dock in Old Town off Duvall Street for sunset and hope you get to see the escape artist perform.
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File: US067 Key West Sunset
Title: Florida Sunset
Location: Key West, Florida
Description: Brilliant sunsets are the rule in Key West, the southernmost point of the United States. The Keys are a string of small islands (known as Keys) connected by 42 bridges that stretch from the southern tip of Florida for 100 miles extending into the warm waters of the Caribbean.
Category: Natural wonder
Photographer's Log: A mass of street performers, tourists and probably a few local people as well, gather each evening on a dock to watch the Key Event of sunset in Key West. Vendors sell cookies and popcorn, an escape artist breaks free from chains and a straight jacket, artists recite poems, play the bagpipes, and juggle. We got a precious few inches at the end of the dock to experience the sunset and the scene that accompanies it.
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File: US068 New Orleans Skyline
Title: Skyline New Orleans, Louisiana
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Description: Located at the mouth of the Mississippi River on the borders of Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans reflects the blend of cultures that formed the city, French, Creole, and American. It is known as a city that celebrates life with its love of good food, music, and Mardi Gras.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: As we approached New Orleans just before sunset, I picked out Algiers Point on the map as a potential viewpoint. I was right, but driving over in the middle of rush hour was a really bad idea. By the time we got there it was completely dark. The next two days I took the free ferry over from downtown New Orleans before sunset and was rewarded with this beautiful shot.
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File: US069 French Quarter
Title: French Quarter
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Description: New Orleans, "The Big Easy", is the birthplace of jazz, the indigenous American music form that originated in and is characteristic of this town. In the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels cater to music lovers from around the world who come to sample the delights of this unique city.
Category: Historic Site
Photographer's Log: Walking through the French Quarter of New Orleans is like walking back in time. Many of the buildings date from the 1800's and have been restored in meticulous detail.
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File: US070 Rue Bourbon
Title: Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Description: New Orleans, "The Big Easy", is the birthplace of jazz, the indigenous American music form that originated in and is characteristic of this town. In the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels cater to music lovers from around the world who come to sample the delights of this unique city.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photographer's Log: Trying to capture the essence of Bourbon Street with one photograph is difficult, but I thought the street sign against this richly colored building did a pretty good job.
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File: US071 New Orleans Church
Title: St. Louis Cathedral
Location: French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
Description: The St. Louis Cathedral, dedicated in 1794, is the oldest cathedral in the United States. Prior to this, two parish churches on this site were destroyed, one by hurricane, the other by fire. The present church, designed by J. N.B. de Pouilly, dates from 1849. In 1964, Pope Paul designated it a minor basilica.
Category: Church
Photographer's Log: Walking through the French Quarter of New Orleans is like walking back in time. Many of the buildings date from the 1800's and have been restored in meticulous detail.
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File: US072 Natchez
Title: Steamboat Natchez, Mississippi River
Location: Mississippi River, New Orleans, Louisiana
Description: The Steamboat Natchez is a reconstruction of the steam driven sternwheeler ships that traveled the Mississippi River. Long and narrow, these ships have a draft of only 6-8 feet allowing them to navigate the river and its sandbars to carry goods and passengers.
Category: Historic Site
Photographer's Log: Watching traffic come down the Mississippi and swing wide into the river bend at Crescent City is like watching a giant race car slide through a curve in slow motion at Le Mans. Watching the Natchez do it transports you straight into the days of Huckleberry Finn.
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File: US073 St. Louis
Title: St. Louis
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Description: St. Louis, a diverse industrial center located on the Mississippi River is the largest city in the state. The arch symbolizes St. Louis as the gateway to the West.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: The photo was taken from across the Mississippi in East St. Louis, which is in Illinois. East St. Louis seemed as disenfranchised as any city in the country. It was hard to believe the thriving wealth of St. Louis was just a mile across the river.
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File: US074 Gateway Arch, St. Louis
Title: Gateway Arch, St. Louis
Location: on the Mississippi River waterfront, St. Louis, Missouri
Description: The Gateway Arch, which soars 630 feet above a river front park, is one of the largest stainless steel structures in the world. Built in 1962-65 from a design by Eero Saarinen, it contains the Museum of Westward Expansion and is a monument to all the pioneers who settled the West.
Category: Monument
Photographer's Log: Literally had my face in the dirt to get this shot. People look at you a little strangely when you lay down in the flower beds with your cameras, but when I saw these brilliant flowers, I knew where I was headed. It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it!
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File: US075 Dallas
Title: Dallas Skyline
Location: Dallas, Texas
Description: Dallas, and its neighbor city Fort Worth, are located on the Trinity River in central Texas. This view from the fifty story Reunion Tower overlooks the skyscrapers of downtown Dallas.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We drove late into the night to reach Dallas from Houston. The next morning, gloomy weather matched our mood as we toured Dealey Plaza, the site of J.F.K.'s assassination, and listened to the theories of local conspiracy buffs. Late in the afternoon, the sun broke through for twenty minutes and we dashed up the Reunion Tower to shoot this photo of the skyline at sunset.
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File: US076 The Alamo
Title: The Alamo
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Description: The Alamo was built in 1744 as the chapel of a Franciscan mission settlement. During the Texas Revolution in 1835, it became a fortress held by 150 men against the Mexican army of Santa Ana. Refusing to surrender, the defenders, including Davy Crockett and James Bowie, fought to the death in March, 1836. Inspired by their courage, "Remember the Alamo" became the slogan that the Texans used to defeat the Mexicans in future battles.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: It was a long wait for the sun to cast some light on the front of the Alamo, and I killed time by walking the city taking photos and looking for film. As I walked by the stone walls for perhaps the third time, a teenager walking next to me pointed out the pockmarks that covered practically every square inch of the compound's outer walls. Thousands of bullet holes had been chipped out by Santa Anna's attacking troops. I hadn't noticed them at first, but it was a sobering sign of the ferocious attack the men of the Alamo withstood for two weeks.
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File: US077 Adobe
Title: Southwestern Building
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Description: This distinctive pueblo style of building is utilized by all structures in the city of Santa Fe. Invoking the cliff side buildings of the indigenous Indians, Santa Fe or Southwestern style features thick adobe walls for insulation and outside wooden timbers that can hold strings of colorful drying chilies.
Category: Regional Attraction
Photographer's Log: At 7,000 ft. above sea level the air feels a little thin to be hauling around a thirty pound camera bag. We stayed seven miles outside of Santa Fe, unfortunately it seemed to be seven miles straight up. Smokey got his first experience with snow and felt right at home. He loved to retrieve snowballs we threw for him, although most of them disintegrated before he could get them back to us. We got up early from our campground in the snow to catch the early morning light on this Santa Fe building.
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File: US078 The Grand Canyon
Title: The Grand Canyon
Location: Grand Canyon, Arizona
Description: The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is a gorge 4-18 miles wide and 220 miles long cut one mile deep into 2 billion year old rock by the Colorado River. Visitors can hike along the rim or follow trails into the canyon or experience the Canyon by rafting down the Colorado. Erosion has created deep pillars and mesa of multihued rock and many side canyons.
Category: Natural Wonder
Photographer's Log: It is impossible to capture the grandeur of the Grand Canyon on film. Even the human eye finds it difficult to comprehend the vast beauty and timeless wonder of such a sight. In late December, the weather was brilliantly clear but cold - eight degrees was our overnight low. There was snow on the ground and ice on the paths. I slid spectacularly on a sheet of ice, dislodging several rocks lining the side of the trail and landing unceremoniously half on my butt and half on my camera bag. Fortunately, the only damage was to my pride.
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File: US079 Las Vegas
Title: Las Vegas at Night
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Description: Home to legalized gambling since 1931, Las Vegas is now one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The downtown strip of high rise hotels and casinos is alive with action 24 hours a day. The sprawling suburbs that surround the Strip have turned the desert into home for thousands employed in the other activities besides entertainment and gambling.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: It was a cold night in the desert. I tried to stand on top of the RV to get a better shot, but the slightest movement caused the truck to bounce on its springs. Shooting a time exposure like this does not allow for any movement of the camera, so I had to climb down and reposition my tripod on the ground.
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File: US080 LAX
Title: Theme Building, Los Angeles International Airport
Location: Los Angeles International Airport, L.A., California
Description: The Theme Building located at the center of Los Angeles International airport is over 135 feet high. Built in 1961, it houses an observation deck and revolving restaurant.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: Located in the center of LAX, the biggest problem I had was trying to get a perspective on the building that didn't include a lot of wires and poles. I walked up several parking structures before I found the right combination of light and view.
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File: US081 Hollywood & Vine
Title: Hollywood and Vine Streets
Location: Hollywood, California
Description: This street corner is perhaps the most famous in the world. The heart of the moviemaking industry for many years, this corner is in the middle of the famous Hollywood Walk of Stars and not far from Grauman's (now Mann's) Chinese Theater and Capitol Records.
Category: Historic Site
Photographer's Log: The corner has a constant steam of tourists, stopping to take pictures then continuing on to find their favorite entertainer's star embedded in the sidewalk. Although the sun nearly always shines here, shadows and backlight necessitated the use of flash-fill to average the contrast.
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File: US082 Griffith Observatory
Title: Griffith Observatory and Planetarium
Location: Mount Hollywood, Griffith Park, Los Angeles
Description: Located in the 4000 acres of Los Angeles' largest urban park, the Observatory and Planetarium is a local landmark. Visitors can use the telescopes for viewing the night sky and spectacular city views.
Category: Historical Building
Photographer's Log: Early morning is the time to enjoy the views from Griffith Park and the Observatory. From here you can see the Hollywood sign and get a great view of the Los Angeles skyline.
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File: US083 Malibu Surfer
Title: Malibu Surfer
Location: Paradise Cove, Malibu, California.
Description: Catching the ultimate wave is a lifelong dream of a California surfer.
Category: People
Photographer's Log: I didn't have to go far for this photo, about a half mile from our home. I refer to the Pacific Ocean as our back forty - as in forty thousand square miles!
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File: US084 Golden Gate
Title: Golden Gate Bridge
Location: San Francisco California, spanning the outlet of San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean, connecting the City of San Francisco with Marin County and Highway 101.
Description: Towering 220 feet above the ocean with two towers 746 feet high and a total length of approximately 9000 feet, the Golden Gate bridge is one of the longest single span suspension bridges in the world. Built from 1933-37, its distinctive golden orange color is maintained by a crew of painters who work full time on a never ending project.
Category: Bridge
Photographer's Log: What a thrill to travel under the Golden Gate Bridge in our little powerboat! Between the fog, the wind, and the currents San Francisco Bay has some very difficult waters. The big question is how did they ever build this incredible bridge?
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File: US085 Cable Car
Title: San Francisco Cable Car
Location: San Francisco, California
Description: Connecting the financial district with the tourist attractions of Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown, the colorful cable cars transport tourists up and down the steepest of San Francisco's hills. At the end of the line near Ghirardelli Square, travelers exit the cars and in a colorful, noisy ceremony, their drivers turn them around for the trip back.
Category: City Scene
Photographer's Log: We hopped on a cable car early in the morning and hung on for life as we roared up the hills, past people rushing to work and traffic. We got off in Chinatown and played tourist. When we attempted to get back on the cable car, all seats and standing room were filled. We ending up walking the entire route of the cable cars trying to get on at every stop until we finally ended up at Ghirardelli Square to film the turnaround ceremony. Walking the route was faster than waiting for an opening on a busy day in August.
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File: US086 San Francisco
Title: San Francisco Skyline
Location: View from San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, California
Description: Situated on over 40 hills overlooking San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and most photographed cities in the world. It is famous for its fog, steep hills, parks, the districts of Chinatown and the waterfront.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We had a great time in San Francisco. We docked the boat at a marina in Sausalito, cruised the Bay and on my birthday went out into the open ocean as far as the Farallon Islands. San Francisco is the perfect town for a boat.
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File: US087 Victorian Houses
Title: Victorian Houses
Location: San Francisco, California
Description: On the steep hills of San Francisco, homes built in the 19th century are faithfully restored. Residents boast one of the best views in the world, overlooking the San Francisco Bay with its changing panorama of sun, fog, rain, and sea.
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: I thought the sun would never come out on this location. We drove by at least five times before I could finally get the shot.
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File: US088 Alcatraz Island
Title: Alcatraz Island
Location: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, California
Description: Alcatraz Island (from the Spanish for Pelicans) located in San Francisco Bay, is most famous for the Federal prison which was operational 1933-63. Nicknamed "The Rock", famous criminals such as Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and Richard Stroud (the "Birdman of Alcatraz") were kept there. Today it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is open for visits by tourists.
Category: Historic Site
Photographer's Log: Alcatraz is a scary looking place. As we rode around it on the boat, I thought what a grim prospect it would be to try and swim away from it. Now people do it for fun.
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File: US089 Golden Gate Fog
Title: Golden Gate Bridge and Fog
Location: Spanning San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, California
Description: The Golden Gate Bridge spans the exit of waters from the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean, a site where the climate can change in a matter of minutes. Swirls of fog often blanket the Bridge, Bay and coastal headlands.
Category: Bridge
Photographer's Log: It would be easy to get lost in one of these pea soup fogs. Combined with whirlpools appearing beneath your boat during the tide changes and huge tankers coming in and out of the channel, this is not a place to hang out without radar.
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File: US090 Astoria Bridge
Title: Columbia River, Astoria Bridge
Location: Spanning Columbia River, Astoria, Oregon
Description: Located in northwest Oregon, on the Columbia River estuary, Astoria was established by the Astor family as a center for the logging and fishing industries. One of the major rivers of the United States, the Columbia is well known for its dramatic gorges, windsurfing, fishing and the Grand Coulee Dam.
Category: Bridge
Photographer's Log: Probably no where in the country were people friendlier than in Astoria. When a postman saw me taking photos of some of the oldest houses in the West Coast, he stopped to chat and make sure I found all the best ones. He pulled out a sheet of notepaper, wrote down the addresses and drew me a map. We soon realized this was not such unusual behavior. Even New York City, a place that initially terrified Carol, was full of helpful and friendly people.
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File: US091 Puget Sound Ferry
Title: Walla Walla Ferry
Location: Puget Sound, Seattle, Washington
Description: Operating year round, the sturdy ferries of the Pacific Northwest take vehicles, commuters, tourists, and freight to the islands of Puget Sound and British Columbia
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: We brought our boat up from Los Angeles to San Francisco and Seattle. The light was crisp and clear in the late afternoon on Elliott Bay and the sky was filled with billowing white clouds. The ferries leave every thirty minutes or so from downtown and head for Bainbridge Island or Bremerton. You realize two things very quickly about these ferries when you're looking up at them from a small powerboat - they are HUGE and FAST. Smokey took advantage of my concentration on the photo to chow down on a baited hook. It was carefully removed after I was clear of the Ferry traffic.
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File: US092 Seattle
Title: Seattle Skyline
Location: Seattle, Washington
Description: Seattle is the major commercial center of the Pacific Northwest. Built on seven hills between Elliott Bay of Puget Sound and freshwater Lake Washington, it is a city known for its scenic beauty. Surrounded by views of Mt. Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountains, lakes and sea, the skyline of the "Emerald City" features the Space Needle (built for the 1962 World's Fair).
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: Having grown up in Seattle, I knew right where to go to get this shot. Although the entire city has many wonderful views because of the hills, lakes, and mountains, Queen Anne Hill has always been one of my favorites.
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File: US093 Seattle at Night
Title: Seattle Skyline at Night
Location: View from Alkai Point, West Seattle, Washington
Description: Seattle is the major commercial center of the Pacific Northwest. Built on seven hills between Elliott Bay of Puget Sound and freshwater Lake Washington, it is a city known for its scenic beauty. Surrounded by views of Mt. Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountains, lakes and sea, the skyline of the "Emerald City" features the Space Needle (built for the 1962 World's Fair).
Category: Skyline
Photographer's Log: It wouldn't be Seattle if I didn't have to stand in the rain for at least one shot. This was it. A cold drizzle in August, no less. I warmed myself up with some spicy Thai food. I think they stayed open just to see why anyone would be standing around in the rain with thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment getting wet.
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File: US094 Pike Place Market
Title: Pike Place Market
Location: Seattle, Washington
Description: Located in downtown Seattle on a hill overlooking the waterfront, this public market is a beehive of activity from early in the morning until late at night. Market stalls sell everything from fresh fish to organic produce and flowers. On a sunny day, street vendors sell their products from pushcarts and street entertainers amuse the shoppers and tourists.
Category: Historic Site
Photographer's Log: Pike Place Market has to be one of the best places in the country to go shopping. It has a character and flavor unique to the Northwest. This is the place to sit down to a bowl of hot clam chowder and enjoy a spectacular view of the Olympic Mountains and the ferry traffic on Puget Sound.
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File: US095 Fort Vancouver
Title: Cannon at Fort Vancouver
Location: Fort Vancouver, Vancouver, Washington
Description: Fort Vancouver was built by the British in the 1820's to serve as a fortified trading post for the lucrative fur trade of the Hudson Bay Company. Inactive since 1866, the present day structures are reconstructions of the original buildings.
Category: Historic Site
Photographer's Log: Just a few minutes off Interstate Five, make sure you're not in Canada looking for this place. Directly across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, Vancouver has long had an identity problem with its larger and better known northern namesake Vancouver, Canada
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File: US096 Medicine Wagon
Title: Medicine Wagon
Location: Power of the Past Museum, Baker, Oregon
Description: This Medicine Wagon was one of hundreds of old wagons, steam tractors and other farm implements on display at the Power of the Past Museum.
Category: Americana
Photographer's Log: The Smithsonian could have a good time cataloging this diverse collection of antique farm implements spread over several acres of Pug Robinson's land.
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File: US097 Oregon Farm
Title: Oregon Farm
Location: Baker, Oregon
Description: A small farm just outside Baker, looks just as it did many years ago.
Category: Americana
Photographer's Log: Driving across Oregon, Idaho, and Montana gives you a real appreciation for the toughness of the settlers who traveled the Oregon Trail. Small towns would plan for several years to make the trip, then all pack up at once and move the entire community on one wagon train. When I took this picture, it was a blistering hot day in eastern Oregon. Wearing shorts and a t-shirt, I wandered into a field to take this picture. It took only a few moments and I was swarmed by mosquitoes! I took the photo and hightailed it back to the truck.
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File: US098 Paul Bunyan
Title: Paul Bunyan and Babe.
Location: Trees of Mystery, Highway 101, Klamath, California
Description: Paul Bunyan and his ox Babe protect the parking lot at the Trees of Mystery.
Category: Americana
Photographer's Log: We were headed north on 101 when I saw these giant figures. Children seemed to love climbing on the feet of Paul Bunyan.
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File: US099 Drive-Thru Tree
Title: The Shrine of the Drive-Thru Tree
Location: Avenue of the Giants, Meyers Flat, California
Description: You can actually drive your car through a redwood tree that has survived for hundreds of years, including floods and lightning strikes.
Category: Americana
Photographer's Log: If you are driving through Northern California on Highway 101, be sure to take some extra time and drive the 33 mile scenic section called the Avenue of the Giants. It has beautiful picnic sites and easy parking where you can get close to some of California's most beautiful redwood trees. And be sure to stop by and pay your respects at the Shrine of the Drive-Thru Tree.
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File: US100 Redwood Forest
Title: Redwood Trees
Location: Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California.
Description: The tallest trees in the world, redwoods (Sequoia sempervians) and giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) can grow to 385 feet with a trunk 10-30 feet in diameter. Some are believed to be 2,000 - 4,000 years old. They now grow in a narrow strip of land along the Pacific coast in the United States where many are protected from logging in state and national parks.
Category: Natural Wonder
Photographer's Log: I thought this picture was going to be easy, but I was totally wrong. In the morning the light was completely flat - when the sun came out straight overhead the contrast was blinding. I felt lucky to get a shot this good.
