Panoramas - 1st edition

Niagara Falls, NY

On the way back from Maine i detoured through Niagara as a way to break the drive into two days and because i hadn't been there in nearly 15 years. Arriving on Wednesday afternoon meant i could catch the fireworks show that runs on Wednesdays and (i think) Sundays in July and August. The evening light show of the falls is something i don't remember from my childhood trip.

The following morning's activities included the Maid of the Mist. I do remember this from the previous trip and recall it to be a great way to feel the enormous power of the falls. I have a few snaps from the boat ride, but there is so much mist in the air that the front lens element soaked in a matter of a few seconds when we powered in close to the horseshoe falls. And i do mean powered. That (i'm sure) mammoth boat engine is pushing hard to get upstream and eventually gets to the point of equilibrium with the water pushing the other direction. The trip upstream is about 3 times longer than the trip downstream.













Still looking for some software to properly stitch some pano shots together. Have some more to show from the morning of the maid of the mist ride.

Maine-land, USA

I headed into Maine for a two day stint after attending an amazing wedding for a dear friend in Connecticut. I drove into Portland without a thought or care where to go from there. After deciding Portland is a gorgeous city with a good stream of "big city" traffic, i realized i wanted to experience more small town charm. I started driving up Route 1 (the coastal highway) and arrived in a small town called Bath. I was taking some pictures of buildings and architecture in the surrounding area when a very friendly, but very large man in a security uniform stopped to inform me i was photographing a Navy-contracted facility and pictures were prohibited. Such is life these days. After complying to erase the images, i inquired as to which little towns he thought would provide the "charm" i so desired. He made a few recommendations and i was on my merry way, kinda...getting turned around and missing the signs to point me in the appropriate direction seemed to be my mantra for this trip. Honestly, this couldn't have worked out any better, as it provided sights and experiences i wouldn't have normally had. If you fancy a trip to this part of the country, get lost, take wrong turns, lose your map and yourself. Seems to be the best way to find yourself.

Town of Bath

Town of Wiscasset

Le Garage Amazing food with an amazing view

Penobscot Bridge

Quoddy Lighthouse. This is the eastern most point in the USA. If it wasn't so foggy, i would have been the first person to see the sun rise in the entire US that day. Incidentally, as it was my birthday this would have been a pretty good present for myself...stupid fog.

Rogue's Bluff State Park

Bar Harbor

Portland Head Lighthouse. This is certainly one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine, and you can see why. I took about 2 hours to photograph this as the environment kept changing. I had to reshoot the images 3 times for the different looks. The mosquitoes feasted on me that night.

All in all, an amazing trip. I drove most of Route 1 (picked it up in Portland and went as far north as it could take me). I saw the small town charm thanks to Wiscasset. Even had a pleasant chat with a local lady who informed me about Quoddy and a few other places worth my time. The food was nothing short of spectacular, and now that i am home, i can't bring myself to eat seafood.

Follow up post will include the panoramic pictures which need to be stitched together yet and the images from Niagara Falls. Stay tuned. =]