52 Weeks — #45
Don't go chasing waterfalls? Well, if you do, be prepared...
Four years ago, my spouse and I went on a vacation to New Hampshire and Vermont. Jill had not visited either state and, with Covid restrictions at a low for the first time in months, we both needed to get out of our downsized house.
We briefly visited our kids Ben and Emma in New York, staying at a deserted Marriott Marquis in an eerily empty Times Square, then made our way through Connecticut and on into New Hampshire.
We stayed in Franconia, which was ironic given that we live only a few miles from Franconia-Springfield Highway in suburban Northern Virginia. Our base camp was a lovely bed-and-breakfast with the best bacon we’ve ever had. The owner proudly informed us that Bette Davis had once slept in our room.
Jill and I took a hike at a nearby state park and I brought along my good camera to take some photos. At the time, I spent much of my days walking the streets of Alexandria, shooting random pictures with my iPhone to stave off the angst of pandemic-enforced unemployment, and I wanted to use good equipment.
The hike was nice, with beautiful scenery, and a slope that wasn’t too arduous. I spent time clicking away and, when crossing a stream, didn’t really consider the risk of falling.
Which, of course, is what happened. In a span of seconds, using language cribbed from the waterfall scene in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” I had fallen into the creek. Jill said all she saw was my arm extending upward with camera in hand. Somehow, I managed to save my equipment without any damage, except for the bruises to my butt and my ego.
In some quarters, egos and butts are still bruised (mine included) following Tuesday’s election. But many of those bruises, if we give them time and the proper attention, eventually heal. Once that happens, perhaps we can collect ourselves and constructively look for ways to stop the doom scroll of our sadly repetitive history.
If you haven’t read the piece I posted earlier this week, give it a look. It manages to incorporate several topics I’ve wanted to touch on for some time and puts them into context with what happened at the polls.
The Day After
As the returns started coming in, I met my wife at our favorite dive bar a couple of blocks from our home. We live in Alexandria, Va., only a few miles from the White House, and I wondered what the scene would be like.
Another post you may have missed this week is a Visual Story that focuses on a fascinating cave in Naples, Italy. I’m planning to consistently publish more Visual Stories in the near future and would love to get your feedback.
I hope you enjoy the rest of this week’s images. Keep the faith.
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I love multiple takes photograph!