Travel: Montana 2013

Last week, I spent four days with family in Montana, around Glacier National Park. 

My brother and I flew into Spokane on Wednesday to meet up with my Dad, who is on a 6 week road trip with his girlfriend, traveling in his 1950 Ford Woody pulling a 1947 teardrop trailer. 

On Thursday morning, we drove to Glacier National Park and camped at the West Glacier KOA until Sunday morning. 

We spent our time driving, hiking and paddle boarding in the park and though the trip wasn't a photography trip, I still managed to get a little shooting in. 

I am definitely looking forward to making a return trip to Montana specifically for photography, adding Banff and Jasper into the mix as well. 

Kalispell, Montana

Woody's in Kalispell, Montana

Entrance, Glacier National Park

Polebridge, Montana 

Polebridge, Montana

Halfmoon Lake, Montana 

Glacier National Park, Montana

Golden hour from the West Glacier KOA

Going to the Sun Road, Glacier National Park

Trail of the Cedars, Glacier National Park

Trail of the Cedars, Glacier National Park 

Trail to Avalance Lake, Glacier National Park 

Avalanche Lake, Glacier National Park

Logan Pass , Glacier National Park 

Sunset, Glacier National Park 

Deer, Glacier National Park 

Deer, Glacier National Park 

Deer, Glacier National Park 

Black Bear, Glacier National Park 

Photo: "Always Take the Backroads"

Antioch Baptist Church, Georgia

While on road trips, I like to avoid the major freeways and take backroads when possible, because most often, the best finds are off the beaten path. 

While cruising through Georgia, in between shooting abandoned asylums, +ed roppo and I stumbled upon this church. It appeared to still be in use, the front door was open, but it was a great fine nonetheless. 

(Buy a print - http://smu.gs/1720KXF )

 

Photo: "Nurse's Station"

The 1932 Gothic Revival style Polk Building, designed for psychopathic use, on the Western State Hospital campus in Tennessee was constructed to assist with overcrowding. Originally designed to house 400 beds, the building was constructed with the mentality that "the prime demand was patient treatment with an architecture providing friendliness and warmth."

(Buy a print)

Photo: "Newest Old"

The Administration Building at the former Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California is the oldest building's on the grounds, but since the construction in 1870, many modifications have been done. Here, they have added ceiling tiles, carpet and modern office lighting fixtures. 

(Buy a print )

 

Photo: "Illuminate to Recreate"

Mono Lake, California

Until last weekend, it had been a while since I'd been out shooting under the full moon. A few years ago, I was able to get out nearly every month and shoot at least one moon night, but life seems to get in the way lately. I guess it's time to start figuring out how to make that happen again. 

(This image was a 9 minute exposure taken at ISO 100 and f/16.)

 

An End To Discrimination

I couldn't think of a more fitting image to post for today to tie into the Supreme Court decision regarding DOMA and gay marriage in California. 

The Walker Building at Georgia's Central State Hospital was designed for white males with mental disorders. During the early 1900's, the "coloured" male patients admitted to this asylum were placed in overcrowded tents, while they received a lesser quality of treatment. 

Today, we thankfully live in a country where the law does not segregate or discriminate people based on race or sexuality. 

June 26th, 2013 is a great day for the LGBT community.  

Photo: "Beauty and Grandeur"

Construction stopped on the Hartsville Nuclear Plant in Tennessee in 1983, part way into the building process. Once the Tennessee Valley Authority received reports depicting the actual need for nuclear power in the 80's, which was dramatically less than anticipated, the project was cancelled. 

Photo: "Fading Away"

The classically influenced and Gothic Revival style Psychopathic Building, known as Polk, on the Western State Hospital campus in Tennessee was constructed in 1932 to assist with overcrowding in the main hospital. The four story building was designed by a Memphis architecture firm and cost  $500,000 to build.