When taking a road trip my wife and I generally have not specific itinerary. We have no timeline and our journey is toatally flexible. We try, as much as we can, to stay off interstate highways and take two lane roads through small towns and the countryside stopping when we see something of interest. We never quite know where we will end up each day and where we will be the next. Also, we like to eat in small local restaurants, meet ordinary hard working people and see the real America. I will tell you almost all of the hundreds and hundreds of people we have met and talked with over the years are fine, caring reasonable human beings, unlike the fringe presented to us by the news media. My faith in the goodness of ordinary American people stands firm.
I call out way of travel, "no stress" travel since we don't have to be anywhere or back home at any specific time. We have an overall sense of where we will be going or things we want to see but it is more spontaneous than planned. As the title of this blog reflects, we like to wander.
The key, in my mind, to "not stress" travel, is extensive planning before leaving. Take a look at my previous three blog posts for an idea of how I plan.
Okay we're off. Back after getting on the road.
An easy day's drive took us to Scranton, Pennsylvania. In Scranton, we visited Steamtown, as since childhood I have been a fan of steam locomotives. On day two, again because of a love since childhood, we spent time in Cooperstown, New York visiting the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
From there, we head north and east slowing heading for the coast of Maine, stopping and seeing whatever strikes our fancy.
I've done a bit of internet research on the most picturesque towns on Upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine as well as the most picturesque harbors in Maine. That gives me an idea of some places we may want to visit and, of course, photography is a part of all of this.
Getting ready for a road trip is exhilarating for me. It gets my spirits high and I get excited about going to new places, exploring, seeing things I've never seen and making photographs and memories.
I have used the X-T2 enough before this trip to feel comfortable with it so there should be no surprises. I am taking a variety of lenses; the Fuji 10-24mm f/4, the 16-55mm f/2.8, the 50-140 mm f/2.8, the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6, the 1.4X tele-converter and two primes, the 23mm f/1.4 and the 35mm f/2. I brought a polarizing filter and a 6X and a 10X neutral density filters. Of course I have a lightweight but sturdy tripod, the X-T2's booster grip, about 6 extra batteries, spare battery charger, lens and sensor cleaning paraphernalia as well.
More travelogue and comments on how the X-T2 performs as we travel.
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
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Looks like the XT-2 is nailing the exposures for you, Dennis. The "moving parts" of the locomotive is great, plenty of contrast and plenty of subtlety.
ReplyDeleteBe careful interacting w/ the locals in Maine. Another friend just came back from "Bah Hahbah" and I had to help him remember the letter "R". ;-)
Dennis, A few moments ago I received my X-T2!!! Woo Hooooo. Have a fantastic trip! I live on the Maine Coast part of the year, so I wish you the very best trip! I'll be up there in two weeks closing up the house -- and yes, I'll be in Acadia. If you want an AMAZING view of uncrowded, and unspoiled Acada head out along the Schoodic Bay Parkway!! You may find yourself the only car on the road!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Jorge
Jorge, great news! I predict you will love the camera. Take your time in setting it up to optimize it for your kinds of photography and it will exceed your expectations. It took me a while to understand its potential.
DeleteThanks for the Acadia advice. If I have the time, I'll take you up on your suggestion.