05-07-2023

A Strangers Question ; Part Four

“What / Where is your favorite?”

Oh no, don’t make me choose!
I would narrow these questions into specific categories. Examples ; “what was my favorite aspect of said state?” or “which locations are in my top ten?” or “what are my top 5 favorite states for a variety of photogenic opportunities?” Which, to easily answer that last one, they are Colorado, California, Hawaii, Arizona and Maine, oh and New York, and Florida and the Carolinas…

The Travel Map

How do you choose? Some are favored based on nostalgia, others were a lot of work and I feel their worth, many were simple photogenic, there is always that new and exciting feeling that helps mark favorites, and a few adventures are treasured purely for the food or company.

There are also a few I can’t fully judge yet because they were too much for me physically with the injuries I have. Some had weather hazards or limited time to visit that caused lack of appeal at that time. Those experiences can have a negative lean on a place, state or location I know has potential. I don’t like to sway my opinion too hard on my personal loves or dislikes when I maybe didn’t get the encounter I could have.

Photo taken by Jen Faith from www.CruisingCamera.com

Plus, how can I make an educated choice of favorite state when I’m missing 1/50 US states (along with the 12,265,837 other places in the world I want to see). Once I add that last state, maybe I can finally name my favorite😉

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05-06-2023

A Strangers Question, Part Three

“What’s your next stop?”

Of course, this answer changes with each location. The last time I was asked this [in person], I took a quick stop at the Navajo Indian Market while heading toward monument valley – planning to get the Scorpius constellation of stars over the iconic buttes. What usually follows are strangers blessings, helpful information, personal story about the site or even photo ideas.

I was also asked this in the digital world recently and that answer is Alaska, #50. Again, I am met with ideas, where and when to go, what I should bring and the shared excitement of seeing what is going to be captured on the journey.

I like to toss in a note caution; sometimes it might not feel comfortable telling anyone travel plans for safety reasons. Sometimes vague honesty lets me keep the reward without possible worry.

On that note, if you like, you can ask me about a place you have thought about seeing – if I have been there, I will happily share the notes, encouragement and good vibes I have been met with.

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05-05-2023

A Strangers Question ; Part Two

“you’re a long way from home, arn’t cha?”

This one usually from someone noticing my license plate at the gas pump or store and usually when I’m only a state or two from home.

My answer is usually “I suppose so, but I’ve been further than here and plan to keep on going”. My other answer is “my heart has many “homes” so I’m never too far”. The responses I get tend to be a puzzled enamored look as if I was doing something magical… and well, I guess I am.

The reason I plan to keep going is because of how magical this world is and the amazing ability we have to travel it. I have left my heart in many locations across the US and I want to fall in love with more of it and more of the world.

I encourage everyone to go to that next town, state, or country. To talk to different people, try different food, and go to that event…

However, won’t exclude the possible financial or physical limits. Planning is crucial and it’s okay to take small bites to build the journey.

For now, you can take a trip visually with this photo. The hope to influence someone to step out of their comfort zone, even if it’s just a single step.

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05-04-2023

A Strangers Question ; Part One

“Was it worth it?”

I get at least one (sometimes more) people who ask this {was it worth it} when I’m unloading the camera and bag into the car. Usually this question comes up directly after a trek back from a site while Im wearing obvious struggle or disappointment on my face. I have learned to first say “It’s always worth it” because I fear anything else will almost discouraging other goers from taking the possible hike for the view. I explain my personal struggles of the series of pain that follows after getting some of these travel photos (mostly due to the incident in 2017) and give caution to the possible incline or view complications based on my experiences but I excitedly add that everyone should attempt to take those steps, get that view, and make that memory. It’s *always* worth it…even if you get to laugh later like I did saying something along the lines ” this site embarrassingly took me 3x longer than everyone else, I didn’t get as far as I wanted in time, I was in pain for 3 days after and “the photo *did not* turn out like I envisioned… but hey, I did it “.🙂

Photo taken by Jen Faith from www.CruisingCamera.com

Now, I get to share this image of Hawaii with you, because…hey, I did it.

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04-08-2018

Where the Buffalo Roam

and the deer and the antelope play

I swear they are talking about Yellowstone Park in “home on the range” song. After seeing the hot springs, old faithful, and a crap load of buffalo…this is for sure a cowboys home. Honestly, it is nothing like what I thought it would be, but most of the places I get to visit are. Downside to Yellowstone, the unpleasant sulfuric egg smell that comes from the, oddly colorful, hot springs.

The coldest part was sitting in the open waiting for old faithful to do her thing. When you have no wind blockers and not doing a lot of movement it can cause much colder feelings. I didnt get any photos that were worthy here but it was an experience to mention. I did get some of that cold feeling in this photo where there is still patches of snow in the background with the hot spring steam rising around the buffalo.

You might have noticed that my favorite part was the Buffalos. It was fun seeing the buffalo doing buffalo things. They would rightfully cross the street like they own the place…well because they do. Truth be told, I first thought that I would maybe only see one buffalo and was so upset I didn’t stop to get a photo of the first one I saw…later to understand there are thousands there and they are not horribly camera shy. Yay.

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