Day Trip

Kite flyers around the Washington Monument (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, Olympus 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens @ 50mm; 1/640th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200

NEW! As of January 1st, I've started an Instagram feed. I'll be posting photos daily so please follow at dennisamook. Thank you. 

My wife and I decided we needed a diversion.  We both thought it would be a nice break from our daily routines to take a day trip somewhere.  The weather report indicated that within 250 miles of our home, Saturday's weather would be lovely.  We decided to take the train to Washington D.C, for the day and ride the train back home that same evening. 

I booked two roundtrip tickets on Amtrak, boarded the train right here in town and enjoyed the ride to our nation's capital.  By deciding we would roundtrip in one day, we would have about 4 hours to wander around, visit some historical sites have a nice meal and return home.  In all reality, we had no agenda, just to get away for a day—break the routine.  No stress traveling, I like to call it.

Ready to board the train. (click to enlarge)
12mm; 1/100th sec. @ f/11; ISO 200

I love traveling by train.  The seats are comfortable and space is on par with first class in an airliner.  The sights along the way are interesting as the tracks usually go through older parts of cities and towns and you see things you ordinarily don't or can't see from the highway.  The nicest thing about riding the train is that when you arrive at your destination, you aren't tired or worn out from fighting traffic, looking for parking and worrying about paying exhorbitant parking lot rates or feeding parking meters.  It is kind of like getting out of your easy chair at home, walking outside and you are at your destination!  I would take a train over flying any day, especially if I am traveling to a large city.  

I packed a small bag with my Olympus E-M1 Mark II with the Olympus 12-100mm f/4 PRO,  added a polarizing filter, a spare battery and a lens cloth.  That was it.  Nothing fancy, nothing more needed for my anticipated opportunities.

"Snakes!" I have a graffiti project so I'm always on the lookout for interesting graffiti.
35mm; 1/320th sec. @ f/4; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

I knew, along with photographing in Washington, I would want to photograph from my seat in the train as well as out of the back window of the last car.  And, that is what I did.  Even though the windows are thick, dirty and tinted, I was able to edit them so they had some semblance of decency.  However, the images through the windows are never as good as if there was no glass but you play your best hand with the cards you are dealt.

50mm; 1/400th sec. @ f/4; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

One thing I forgot.  When I booked the tickets to Washington, I forgot it was Easter weekend.  Besides being a major day of Christian observance, in the United States Easter usually coincides with spring break for all of the school children.  When we arrived and walked to the National Mall there were hordes of families and others everywhere.  The Mall was packed.  Regardless, we walked around, enjoyed the day, make some images, had a nice dinner in the city, then grabbed the train back home.  Lovely time.

The only thing I would do differently is not to try to do all in one day.  When I was much younger, I used to do this same trip.  But now in my mid-60s, it isn't quite as easy or enjoyable.  From the time we left home until the time we returned, it was almost 15 hours.  That really is just a little too long for one day.  Doing it two days would allow for more sightseeing, more street photography and the ability to enjoy some additional meals at unique restaurants.

I'm posting some of the images I made Saturday.  They are diverse and range from seldom seen views along the railroad, to some street photography to "post card" images.

Ashland, Virginia; 1/250th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

How did I get along with only the M4/3 E-M1 Mark II and the 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens?  Just fabulously!  The small kit was lightweight, unobtrusive and did everything I needed it to do.

20mm; 1/800th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

13mm; 1/640th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

Freedom and Food! 13mm; 1/640th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200 (click to enlarge)

Return trip through Ashland, Virginia; 12mm; 1/13th sec. @ f/4; ISO 200; (click to enlarge)

Return trip through Ashland, Virginia; 12mm; 1/13th sec. @ f/4; ISO 200; (click to enlarge)

Get out of your regular routine.  Take a road trip, train trip, hike, or just wander around the region where you live.  Take a minimal amount of gear, challenge yourself to see new and different subjects and see what you can come home with.  You may surprise yourself and feel a sense of spring renewal!

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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