Home Again

Well this leg of the journey is done.  I'm home now basking the glow of family and friends. As traumatic as it was leaving everyone, it is equally rewarding coming home.  My last day in Vancouver was good, nothing more than a long walk around all of downtown.  From whatever Starbucks I found myself in on the North side across Granville street to the Burrard Bridge, along the beach on the south side.  The view of the 10 or so oil tankers in English Bay was a little sad. Through Stanley Park and the picturesque Lost Lagoon and back down through the glittering condos and glass towers near Coal Harbor.  


The night before, coming back from Chronic Tacos in Gas Town (I know, I know, but I had a craving for Mexican food and I have never had the Chronic) I  managed to get off some great early evening shots with my bag of tacos and big drink in one hand and my camera in the other.  One of the shots was a perfect shot for HDR, but I made the cardinal sin of photography and left the camera on auto for a night shot, so the ISO was way too high and consequently the noise in those photos was off the chart.  Rookie mistake.


So Monday night, I had practiced setting my camera to the right mode, and studied how to set the ISO, etc, and waiting for the magic hour when the lighting was just right, and headed out for that photo that would make me a legit HDR photographer.  Well not only did the camera not cooperate, but I had re-shot from the wrong corner (smack to forehead).  Oh well, we learn from our mistakes and I get to keep my amateur standing, for now.


I feel like I should sat something profound and meaningful to wrap up this journey, so here goes.  It was very traumatic to leave loved ones and hit the road.  I honestly had no idea when I would be back. My intent was to be gone for at least a couple of months.  But being away from everyone was just too hard.  However, the longer I was on the road, the more comfortable I became with being alone and the adventure of it all.  Now I really miss it.  But if I leave I miss everyone I love.  I guess that's the duality of just about everything in life.  Next up is finding a way to balance the two.
p.s. I'm working on a series of HDR versions of some of the more interesting photos from the road.  Stay tuned, I will have a special exhibit coming soon-ish.  Here is a sneak peek.

[The flower market, just off the ferry in North Vancouver, inside the cute little shopping mall.]