Cedar Bluff
Time to wrap up this series of posts on my road trip through Kansas. After leaving the Scott County Lake, Dad and I were headed east for the drive home. We stopped at Cedar Bluff Reservoir, another one of those locations that I had been to when I was growing up (physically, I still haven’t grown up mentally) but don’t remember. As we were driving into the lake we stopped to do some photography of the hills in the area. The picture above was one that I made at this stop. While we were here, I finished up before my Dad so after I put my camera up I just sat down on this hillside. There was a hawk flying over head that was calling/singing/screaming (however you would describe the sounds a hawk makes) which is one of my favorite sounds to hear when outside. There is something so wild and free about that sound. I think I could have sat at this spot for a long time (or at least until I got hungry), it was so peaceful. That was a good lesson for me. We were on a bit of a whirlwind trip, but even so, some of the places we were photographing in I wish I would have stopped and just sat there and experienced the locations, not just photographed them. Maybe I will make that a goal from now on when I’m out photographing (maybe everyone should make more time to truly experience things rather than just race through them??).
Fall Colors, Cedar Bluff
We only had a chance to explore a small section of Cedar Bluff, but the colors we saw were fantastic, and not just the trees but also the grasses. I wonder how many people that are not familiar with grasslands realize how colorful they get in the fall?
Dad
The best part about this road trip was getting to spend it with my Dad. We had a great time. I think it is so great that we are both passionate about photography (well he is passionate about it, I’m addicted to it!). The photograph above is one of my Dad shooting out across Cedar Bluff. I think this is a place we would both like to come back to and explore some more.
The Cathedral on the Plains
We had one last stop to make before we got home and that was The Cathedral on the Plains. This is an absolutely amazing church and if you are in the area you should stop and see it. I had been here before to photograph the church, but I wanted to try getting some infrared photos of it.
Catherdral on the Plains
After photographing the church, we started the final drive home. It was a great trip and I can’t wait for the next one, I’m already mapping out some routes. I really enjoyed the places we saw and the photographs we both got. I hope this series of posts have showcased some areas of Kansas that don’t get a lot of attention. I should have photographs from this trip added to my galleries soon and as they say “prints are for sale in the lobby.” 🙂
Scott — Breathtaking shot of the church–I’ve never seen it done better. Your thoughts on “experiencing” place rather than our usual driveby approach is familiar to me. I think photographers sometimes are so intent on capturing he image that they fail to actually see what’s in front of them, to absorb it, to slow down, let the camera drop and experience what I call the spirit of the land. Some places speak to us and become part of our very DNA. To not take time to immerse ourselves in these wild places is a detriment to our well-being. They deserve more, and so do we. Fabulous job with pen and lens.
Thanks Tom! I really appreciate that. I agree 100%, when you take time to really experience something it becomes part of you in a way that no photograph can replicate.
Scott, really enjoyed your “road trip” series. Beautiful photos of some little known Kansas “gems.” I hope they encourage more people to visit the great state of Kansas!
Thanks Angela!