Just Back From A Road Trip

My friend Dave Hileman (twolanetouring.com) and I ventured out for a day just north of Isle of
Palms, South Carolina for a day of looking for anything photographic.  This man was fishing near
the pier that serves the Bull Island Ferry.  Two things I found interesting in this photo.  First, the
variety of colors and second, he seems to have everything but the kitchen sink in that kayak!
Fujifilm X-T5; 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens @ 300mm; 1/450th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200
(click to enlarge)

I love traveling and, after traveling for a time, I love to be back home again.  My wife and I just returned from a 12-day road trip that took us to visit family and friends in South Carolina and Florida.  

Primarily, our trip was to visit my wife's sister who turned 60 several days ago.  My wife wanted to celebrate her sister’s birthday as well as spend some quality time with her.  The two of them did some shopping and, along with others, attended a Beach Boys concert.  Lots of fun.  I had other plans.  I’m not a shopping kind of guy.

Initially I wasn't planning on going as I am not a fan of Florida (my apologies those of you who live in Florida).  Too hot and humid.  Too many hurricanes and thunderstorms.  Too many old people who seem to lost the ability to drive sensibly.  Too much traffic and too much road construction.  But I thought I would drive her the 600+ miles from our house to her sister's just so I could also get out of the house.  It was time for a late winter trip of some sort for me.  Of course, driving Interstate 95 is always a pleasure!  (Not!)

Although the purpose of the trip was not to photograph, I did try to find time to make some images.  None of the images I made are portfolio worthy or even remarkable, but I thought I would share some with you.  

The gear I took consisted of my Fujifilm X-T5 kit along with my OM-1 Mark II with the 12-100mm f/4 Pro lens.  I took along the OM as my friend Dave Hileman (twolanetouring.com) wanted to try it out.  He has heard me extol its virtues and wanted to make a few photographs with it.  The trouble is the camera is so good with so many features that using it for a very short period of time without really understanding it doesn’t allow one to really enjoy just how good it is.

I asked this gentleman if he was "fishing or catching?"  He admitted mostly fishing.  He is an Ohio
transplant to South Carolina and works for Costco, as he told me, "making sure the people drive into
the gas pump line in the right direction."  That is his Costco vest he is wearing.  He had three poles
in that little homemade cart and another attached to the railing just out of the frame.  This is the Bull 
Island Ferry pier in Awendaw, South Carolina. (click to enlarge)
Fujifilm X-T5; 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens @ 231mm; 1/420th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 125

In the small town of McClellanville, South Carolina is a very nice
seaman's memorial.  Part of the memorial is this piece of artwork, a
sculpture in metal of fishing boots by artist Maria Kirby-Smith. It is
located at the entrance of the small pier. (click to enlarge)
Fujifilm X-T5; 16-55mm f/2.8 lens @ 55mm; 1/1900th sec. @ f/2.8; ISO 125

On the main street through town in McClellanville is this old dilapidated 
storefront.  Typically, buildings are square and plumb.  This is definitely a
parallelogram now instead if a rectangle! (click to enlarge)
Fujifilm X-T5; 16-55mm f/2.8 lens @ 33mm; 1/125th sec. @ f/7.1; ISO 125

This little scene is located on Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.  Nothing special but I
liked the blue sailboat complementing the blue bucket and contrasting with the red roof.  For this
day's outing I carried the OM and 12-100 as it made a smaller and more versatile package than did
the Fujifilm kit.  (click to enlarge)
OM-1; 12-100mm f/4 Pro lens @ 75mm; 1/250th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200

When I first spotted this group of women in Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, they seemed to do more
talking then paddling.  I thought to myself jokingly, "Are they asking each other directions?"
Soon, they paddled out of the inlet and into a larger body of water. (click to enlarge)
OM-1 Mark II; 12-100mm f/4 Pro lens @ 57mm; 1/1000th sec. @ f/5; ISO 200

There were quite a few pelicans flying around the creek.  Just for kicks, I tried photographing 
several as they flew by with the OM and 12-100mm lens.  A bit surprising, although a 
small in the frame, the lens locked on and tracked them perfectly.  Every frame of the several dozen
images I made was in sharp focus. (click to enlarge)
OM-1 Mark II; 12-100mm f/4 Pro lens @ 100mm; 1/1600th sec. @ f/4; ISO 320

OM-1 Mark II; 12-100mm f/4 Pro lens @ 100mm; 1/1600th sec. @ f/4; ISO 320

Finally, I traveled to Winter Garden, Florida to visit one of my lifelong friends.  As we walked through the quaint little downtown, we passed the historic Edgewater Hotel.  Opening in 1927, it is still in operation today.  It was touted at the time to be one of the most technologically advanced hotels in the country.  The first floor lobby, dining room, bathrooms, floors, ceilings and walls all look original.  It was beautiful with the naturally finished wood and superb craftsmanship.  I couldn't help but make a photo of the "modern" technology behind the front desk.

I leaned over the front desk with my iPhone and snapped this image of the "modern" technology of
1927!  Notice the sophisticated switchboard and up to date cash register!  (click to enlarge)

I hope you enjoyed my little travelogue.  As I said, nothing special but whenever I get the opportunity to photograph, I seize it.  Most of the time I get nothing great but I kind of like some of these images and they will be reminders of my wife's and my short road trip.  Photography can help us remember so I suggest we make as many images of our life experiences as we can no matter what the camera

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com. 
 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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