NOTE: I just noticed that my photo's where over saturated and some looked hazy...on my laptop they look fine on my large monitor they look out of "sorts"....I do have a new computer to replace my imac..new one is windows driven and the monitor is ISP type which may be the problem...any suggestions is appreciated...I will keep working on them...and my new photo software...Horst
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| Page Az...(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
....now I return you to regular scheduled programming and my lasted blog post.
A New Year arrived without any fanfare or renewing of "annual resolutions".... the only resolution was to make NO resolutions...maybe some minor shifts and tweaks here and there, but nothing more!
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| Vermilion Cliffs (c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
This past year was filled with mostly magnificent memories....and a few not so magic....but still memories, or as my Father use to say "character building experiences"..
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| (c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
Though I only took two trips, they where terrific adventures...My Bluebonnet Spring trip took me to several places I had not ventured before...Cherokee, Texas...great area for Bluebonnets and a great place to chow down...The Llano River got together with the sun and provided photographers some magnificent sunrise and sunset photo ops....I found two more super State Parks... the funky Colorado Bend State Park and the Pedernales Falls State Park...though there was the usual Spring storms with a chance or two of a tornado, it still was another great Spring experience..
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| Canyonland a photo experiment(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
Summer was spent trying to avoid the heat and do a little of this and a little of that around the house and with the camper....I did a few modifications in my traveling cocoon, I reduced my table size, added new, lighter, window treatments, sold and got a new invertor generator...enhanced the solar system with a new controller, new placement of the controller, more robust wiring and purchased a new battery(thanks to Jean of Borderbrae Blog for her knowledge and advice)....washed and waxed the albino armadillo and prepped for my trip...of course did some minor maintenance around the house... Using Jerry C of Eggrolling word ...it was "piddling" nothing more, nothing less.
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| Colorado(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
The 17th Sept was launch date for my Southwest trip...I was really looking forward to this trip....new places, solitude, testing the solar and new generator and boondocking as much as possible...Yup this was going to be a "noteworthy" adventure....and it was....just in ways that weren't part of the "game plan"...First a wheel bearing problem...5 days later a converter problem, electric problem with the 7 pin connection(fuse), also no elect from shore power...weather plagued a trip to North Rim of the Grand Canyon...and the beat goes on.
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| Canyon de Chelly(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
However, these hiccups brought a positive side that proved to enhance the trip far more then the downside of the "hiccups".
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| Canyon de Chelly(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
I met Konrad, a great Guy and Magician Casita fixer upper...I got to new places I would not have gone to if not for the hiccups: Tonto National Forest(East side), Roosevelt Lake area, Vermilion Flats, Marble Canyon, Bisti Badlands. Lincoln and Ft Stanton NM, see Smokey Bear birth place....and the list goes on...
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| Colorado...(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
The Trip was cut short due to a health problem with the Bride...but that is on the bend and keeps getting better....all is right with the World again!
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| (c)2016Tetons Horst Kelly Photographer |
All in all 2016 was another terrific year.... and as I look into the 2017 "crystal ball" I see a fork in the road....and I take it (I couldn't resist the old Yogi snippet)...Seriously, based on the current home front situation I am not planning any long 6 to 8 week trips this year, nor any far Western State trips.....instead I am looking at doing several Texas trips for 3 days to ten days...Texas has much to offer that I have not seen...I may look at trying to fix in on a subject(s), Texas Forts, Missions, Cattle Drives, State Parks, Rodeos, BBQ Smoking Competitions, etc...there are many subjects...I will do some research and then pick a few...We'll see how this unfolds...it should satisfy my hitchitch, my camping desire, photography, yet be able to scrabble home within a day or less.
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| Tetons...(c)2016 Horst Kelly Photographer |
So, if any of you have ideas, I would appreciate hearing from you!
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| Relax in the Hill Country(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
I thank all of you for taking the time to read and also to those that comment...I do enjoy and appreciate it....Wishing each of you a Magnificent Coming Year...keep making those magical Memories and as always, Safe Travels!! Horst sends
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| Llano River Texas(c)2016Horst Kelly Photographer |
