Cabin Creek

Carol Freshley June 1, 2015

We planned on hiking Horton Creek. A long 8 mile hike! When we got to the parking lot we changed our minds. As hordes of photographers crossed the road headed for Horton Creek, we headed the opposite direction and walked a narrow trail to the waterfall on Cabin Creek. What a great little waterfall and we were by ourselves. It seems this nice creek and waterfall is a well kept secret. The waterfall will be dry in the summer but the pond will probably still have some water that comes up from underground. I am keeping the secret as I loved the serenity and peacefulness that came with an uncrowded path. Oh, and the hike to the waterfall was a whole lot shorter. Short enough that several returned to the car to get a different lens.

So how many ways can you photograph a waterfall? Well, it appears the answer is some multiple of the number of photographers and their ability to walk the scene!! Add to that number the variety of lens and cameras, the ever changing light of clouds developing overhead and the hunger factor (determines how long they will hang around shooting a scene). Then, there is always the 'subtle' non-statistical factor of, "wow, this is pretty nice here".

A nice composition!  Hi Dave! — A nice composition! Hi Dave!

This is not the first time that Karen has stirred a rattlesnake on a hike!  As we carelessly trounced around in deep underbrush we managed to avoid one of these.  We think of rattlesnakes as being desert dwellers, not in lush green vegetat… — This is not the first time that Karen has stirred a rattlesnake on a hike! As we carelessly trounced around in deep underbrush we managed to avoid one of these. We think of rattlesnakes as being desert dwellers, not in lush green vegetation. Beware as you hike up north this summer.

Rick started us off on this photo journey.  This image reflect the mood I found at this waterfall. — Rick started us off on this photo journey. This image reflect the mood I found at this waterfall.

Sometimes it is good to change your mind and go in an opposite direction! The day was a special treat for me, personally. I was shooting with friends, the weather was great, the creek and waterfall were unexpectedly wonderful. May each of you have days such as this. Many of them!

WCKC Car Show

Carol Freshley May 31, 2015

My, that would be a long title for a blog if completely spelled out. It is the West Coast Kustom Cruisin' Car Show. Just so ya' know!!! My mother wrote to me about the 'parade' of old cars. She said she can remember when they were new!!! She loves the way some folks are committed to taking care of them, the time, effort . . . not to mention money! Enjoy these.

This 1936 Ford is an iconic early hot rod from the 1040s, recently found and restored.

An outstanding example of a typical Model A Ford hot rod roadster.

A 1964 Buick built in the 1960s style while the car in the background is a 1949 Ford, another iconic custom car from the 1950s recently found and restored.

Both the 1932 Ford and the 1936 Ford are cars from the past recently restored.

Full view of the 1956 Continental Mark II.

This is a 1953 Cadillac done in a classic leadsled style. So, I ask Tom, "What does leadsled mean?"  It refers to the choice of body filler.  In the past they used melted lead.  Now they use 'Bondo' body filler.  Just guessing it… — This is a 1953 Cadillac done in a classic leadsled style. So, I ask Tom, "What does leadsled mean?" It refers to the choice of body filler. In the past they used melted lead. Now they use 'Bondo' body filler. Just guessing it is easier with Bondo.

Pristine example of a 1935 Ford street rod coupe

A 1950 Chevrolet coupe with chopped top.

Tom's ride to the show.  This is Jerry's 1964 Galaxie.  It has the paint job that Tom applied to it in 1964.  Jerry bought it for himself for his 20th birthday and asked Tom to paint it with three color blend of transparent blue, gree… — Tom's ride to the show. This is Jerry's 1964 Galaxie. It has the paint job that Tom applied to it in 1964. Jerry bought it for himself for his 20th birthday and asked Tom to paint it with three color blend of transparent blue, green and purple. It won best paint award at the World of Wheels Show in Kansas City in 1966. It had been in storage since 1972 and Jerry just recently got it out to restore it. Paint job has held up well!!!

This is 'the' classic leadsled, a much lowered and chopped 1950 Mercury.  Kinda sexy in my opinion!! — This is 'the' classic leadsled, a much lowered and chopped 1950 Mercury. Kinda sexy in my opinion!!

Hot rodded Cadillac motor powering in an early model Ford hot rod. — Hot rodded Cadillac motor powering in an early model Ford hot rod.

A Buick V8 powering a Model A roadster, done in the style of a 1960s-built showrod.  This stuff gets rather technical and Tom appreciates the nuance . . . I just like the color a lot and like the way it pays attention to detail such as painting… — A Buick V8 powering a Model A roadster, done in the style of a 1960s-built showrod. This stuff gets rather technical and Tom appreciates the nuance . . . I just like the color a lot and like the way it pays attention to detail such as painting the inside of the carburetor induction scoops (that is why they call it a showrod).

"Show is over.  Let's go home! — "Show is over. Let's go home!

Tom is blessed with great friends. These are friends he has made over his lifetime, many of them going back decades. He stays in touch, nurtures those relationships. Many of his friends appreciate the older cars, restore them, show them off and invite him to come along. This was such a trip. There will be more. His photography of these events is becoming more and more appreciated by a wider audience. He has successfully blended one interest with another. Hard to beat that!!

A Museum and a Parade

Carol Freshley May 30, 2015

Tom and his good friend, Jerry, joined a small caravan of specialty cars from Austin who were on their way to Santa Maria for the West Coast Kustom Cruisin' Car Show. Jerry even drove his 1964 Ford Galaxie to the show. On the way they stopped at the Nethercutt Museum.

A Graham (old car they don't make any more).

Grill and headlights of a Talbot Lago (French car).

The car show took place in Santa Maria a smaller town in the Paso Robles wine country. There were about 900 old restored cars that swamped the lovely community. On Thursday evening the town closes off about 12 blocks of Broadway, the main street. The citizens grab their chairs and set up to watch a free show of these well refurbished old cars. Tom reported that it got a bit crazy with many more people than he expected. His usual shooting style was challenged be the crowd, the ever decreasing light and moving cars instead of the usual stationary cars he is accustomed to photograph. The images tell a story, a story of love that people, young and old, have of these older cars.

Historic 1950's hot rod, recently restored.

A 1940 Ford (looks like a line-up to me!).

1959 Chevrolet Station Wagon.  It was a family car in the fifties and appears to still be a family car. — 1959 Chevrolet Station Wagon. It was a family car in the fifties and appears to still be a family car.

Tomorrow I will post the rest of the cars from the formal part of the show. Thanks for sharing.