Monday, September 19, 2011

When Autumn Attacks!

It snowed the other day. September 14th. On my dog.

But not on the chickens. They know to cluck and cover.

Naturally J grabbed a butterfly net and a hammer to confront the incoming weather.

The snow then changed tactics, morphing to rain and evading J's net.

It rained like a *insert favorite rural weather simile here.*
Afterwards the sky did a little victory dance.

J figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em so we danced barefoot on the wet lawn. Which, by the way, is a really good way to get a toddler's grimy little feet clean!

Oh yea, and this all took place over about ten minutes. Really proves that in the Upper Peninsula, if you don't like the weather, just wait...

 

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Recent Work-Canoe & Kayak

The current issue of Canoe & Kayak magazine carries my work in a seven-page feature article by friend and writer Conor Mihell.

It's a tale of woe. A tale of a doomed (almost) trip to find a wilderness lake in Northern Ontario named for Conor's family. Mihell Lake. Yes, pronounced "my-HELL." My guard should have been up immediately, right?

Anyway, we had a lovely time kicking and dragging heavily laden canoes through the still frozen (8 inches of ice in some places) lakes of the Temagami region. I say lovely because, although it was mostly a sufferfest, we had the place all to ourselves. Well almost. There was a crazy beaver that wouldn't leave us alone one night.

Point being, if, like me, you ache from your painters to your tumblehome (canoe talk) for quiet, wild and rugged country--then you owe it to yourself to check out the Temagami region.

Just don't go quite as early as we did! Here's the piece:





And, like a parent, I love every image the same--but realize some just aren't going to fit in. Here's to the images from the trip that landed on the cutting room floor:


Paddling in ice is a...wait for it...drag.


Conor and his namesake lake.
Twilight portage.
Sure the fire is cool, but did you notice the moon?
The Mihell's, Kim and Conor
Pre-trip dinner on the back porch.
Tools of the trip. I love that axe.
Smoothwater Lake
Assisting.
Beast of Burden, the Nova Craft Prospector 16. This boat is STOUT.
Giving thanks for situations that allow you to do things you otherwise would never try.
so...cold...
This is the official Canadian ice testing technique.
Marina Lake.
More frozen lake---but sunshine...and hope.
Conor gets his paddle on.
My wingman, the Jimmer.
Moose? Check!
Carnage. My hand after pulling the boat with the axe.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Recent Work-Traverse Magazine

The August issue of Traverse magazine, a gorgeous publication covering northern Michigan includes my eight-page feature article on Upper Peninsula Overland, a non-profit adventure travel and tourism promotion organization for the U.P.

Fun article to work on and shoot and a great group of folks involved. Check it out: