Just returned from a brief vacation. Following the events unfolding put
a bit of a damper on the spirits of all the people we encountered. The
first reports came in as we were riding the ferry Tuesday morning. Those
on the ferry headed for Seatac airport were finding out that they
wouldn't be going anywhere or picking anyone up. After stopping in
Portland to visit our daughter and drop off a few things for her at
school we headed for the high desert of eastern Oregon. What better than
wide open spaces to reflect on what was happening. The only impact out
there was the total lack of aircraft in the skies even though the main
air
corridor from Seatac to Phoenix passes directly overhead. Our
destination was Frenchglen (sic), Steens mountain and the Malheur
wildlife refuge. It is a bit early for the main bird migration and temps
were still near 90°F, 32°C but our timing was dictated by the trip to
Portland. In any event there was plenty of wildlife. Highlight for me
was watching a herd of pronghorn antelope on Steens mountain. We stayed
in the Frenchglen Hotel dating from the late 1800's which is old by the
standards of European settlement to this area. It features tiny rooms,
shared bath and a common dining table where i never saw such a stack of
pork chops in all my life. There is a great big coffee pot on all the
time with about a gallon of black coffee.
As for a kit I carried an OM4T with 300/4.5 and winder and an OM2n with
21/3.5. Plus 85-250, 35-70/3.5-4.5, 2xa, 50/3.5 and assorted extension
tubes, filters etc. all in a mini trekker. Only thing I used was the
21/3.5 and the 300 both with and without the 2xa. I'm not sure i would
take the 85-250 again as it's just too big for the reach it gives. More
likely I will bring a 135 or 200 in its place next time and save some
weight. And I wish I had brought more 200 speed film or slower for those
bright skies. Hopefully I'll get a few keepers from the 4-5 rolls I
shot.
On return it was interesting to read the digests and the list reaction
to events in NYC and elsewhere. Pretty much a mirror of the world as a
whole from calm restraint to nuke 'em all. I especially liked the
forwarded post by the articulate woman who witnessed the events, what
counterpoint to the misinformation and speculation in the media. And
also the forwarded post from the gentleman of Afghan extraction.
Perhaps there were others but it was getting a little rough there for a
couple of days so those I deleted without reading. Thanks especially for
the support and sympathy from those list members from outside the US.
mike
--
Latitude 48° 32' North, Longitude 123° 7' West
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