The Mother Road

Rock Cafe Historic Route 66 - Stroud, OK

Historic Route 66 - Stroud, OK

I recently received a google alert that some Route 66 fans were following my blog. While I had already posted some New Mexico photos from the Mother Road, I thought I'd say a big welcome with some other photos taken from Oklahoma on a summer's day ride to Tulsa.

Talk about a ride through Hades! It was 108 degrees that ride that took us to see some of the kitschiest attractions that remain on the road. This was before my big digital SLR camera came to play, so these are just some shots I made of the ride with the Harley Owners Group from Allen, Texas using my point and shoot. Just playing around with the old toy camera effect to capture the nostalgia of the road trip.

Here are a few of our highlights.

Round Barn - Arcadia, OK

Blue Whale - Catoosa, OK

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Putting myself on display

Wednesday Night Special - McKinney, Texas 1986

I am getting pretty excited about my first photo exhibition. I have been gathering photos in preparation of the show and it is funny to see the progression of 25 years of photos. I guess my love of night shots and neon signs started earlier than I recall.

I remember taking this photo back in college when I worked as a photojournalist here in McKinney. I was driving down the service road of Central Expressway and spied this guy changing the daily special on the Holiday Inn sign. So I circled back and took a few shots.

I found the old negative in that same folder I told you about previously. I think I may have printed the photo once. Originally it was taken with black and white film. I remember hand tinting the print and then gave it to a friend who liked it. Never to see it again until now. But with the magic of computers, I was able to make it come back to life as I originally pictured in my head when I took it.

The old Holiday Inn sign no longer exists. The hotel has been sold to another chain. Holiday Inn has updated their brand and built a beautiful new hotel in McKinney. Ironically, some friends and Chris and I stayed there for New Years Eve. Little did I know a few days later I'd be reminiscing over the old Holiday Inn neon sign. Funny how that works.

I would like to extend an invitation to my followers and friends to come see my first show, Laura Smetak At Work and On the Road 7 p.m. January 31, 2009 at the McKinney Performing Arts Center in downtown McKinney. Many of my blog photos will be on display as well as my work photos of McKinney.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved.
All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Happy 2009!

Just wanted to wish all my followers a happy and prosperous 2009!

Not just another pretty face

Scooter - In Arkansas

I can't believe it has been a year since our "pup-pup" trip. It seems Deucey is still with us. I come across an occasional photo of her and just love to look at her sweet, soft face. My heart still breaks for her, but I know she is in a better place. She is happy, my dreams say so.

Our trip this Thanksgiving was a good bonding experience with Scooter. She's such a pretty dog. Since Deucey's been gone, she has changed. She is no longer the wildest child in the house. She is probably the best cuddler we have had. She has turned into a pretty sweet dog. I think she may have picked up more from Deucey than we realized.

Even Sydney says, "All she wants is some love." True.


©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Soaring with the Eagles on Turkey Day

Bald Eagle, White River - Bull Shoals, Arkansas

OK, the photo of the eagle came out pretty decent, despite it flying to the highest part of the cliff to get away from our guide who was calling to it. It had just swooped down to the river and caught a trout. I think he thought we were going to take it away. I had to use my zoom, plus really crop it in close. The trees were all grey, but I think all things considering, my first wildlife photo of a bald eagle came out alright. Pretty majestic birds. Then we saw five wild turkeys fly across the road on the way home. Isn't there a quote about that somewhere?

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Blogging iPhone style

My first mobile blog, thanks to Isaac. I hope eveyone had a nice holiday. We had tons of fun with our family in Kansas and several days trout fishing and camping on the White River. I will attempt to post photos from our trip.

We got to see a bald eagle swoop down on front of us and grab a trout from the river. He was pretty far away but I got a few photos. Will have to post these from home.

Cutie Pie

Summer Rose - 4 months

I didn't take this photo of my newest niece, but it is too precious not to share.

We are spending the holidays with family, so we wish you all the best during the holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving and if you are feeling blue for any reason, just think of this little smiling face. It should cheer you up.

All photos on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

More Hot Air

The Kiss

Just another photo of hot air balloons. This is what they call a "kiss"-when two balloons touch in mid-air.

I figured you may need another pretty picture after reading about canned meat.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Potted meat and other weird-ass shit

As I mentioned, I've been feeling a little under the weather lately. You know, that feeling when nothing sounds good. You just wish someone would put you out of your misery with a .22 between the eyes. The flu perhaps...I don't know, but I am glad it's almost gone.

Last night, I found myself on a Wal-Mart aisle, which so happened to be the canned meat aisle. (Just the name sounds disgusting.) I was waiting for Chris to catch up, when I found myself staring at those tiny cans of potted meat.

I wouldn't exactly put potted meat on my list of comfort foods, but just days before my dad and I were discussing how my mother liked potted meat sandwiches and vienna sausage on camping trips and picnics. So as a comfort food, maybe potted meat just reminded me of my mom for few minutes.

As I examined the cans of deviled ham, and wondered why they still wrapped the cans in paper (and maybe even why they ever started the practice), I compared the prices. $1.44 for a paper-wrapped can of "Deviled ham" compared to 27-32¢ for "potted meat". Maybe it just looks fancier, but to the best of my recollection, they taste pretty much the same.

(Apparently Chris had fallen really behind as I had time for all this contemplation.)

I felt compelled to purchase that little can of meat just to feel close to my mom again. I figured the extra nickel would be well spent for the 32-cent Armour potted meat versus the 27-cent Great Value. Better quality meat maybe, or at least I hoped.

Now, I began to debate, did my mom eat it with Miracle Whip or mustard? Even being sick, it was beginning to sound kind of good.

I wasn't sure if I actually wanted to eat it, or if having the little can around would be my comfort. But I came home tonight and figured OK, I'll try it. I elected for the mustard combo on white bread. Not bad. It was comforting, like a little piece of my mom was here again.

As I sat and ate my little half sandwich of processed canned meat, my dog Scooter was going crazy, jumping around like she was on crack. I figure, basically, she thought I was eating her food.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Just a pretty picture

From the inside looking out - Hot Air Balloon

Needed to break up some of the text, so here is a cool photo I took of the inside of a hot air balloon.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

I feel like a dope - Napa's in California

Ok, I haven't read some of my posts for a while. I was just going back over a few just see what I wrote.

Back in the original post of Out of Africa, I made a "Napa" comment. I must have been crazy with fever. Sorry about that. I changed it.

No one had to point it out. I figured out my own moronic mistake. I had to just point out my supidity to the world. Claim it, bless it and release it.

No matter how right I am when it comes to arguments between me and my husband-I guess I can make a mistake here and there. At least I am woman enough to admit it.

So, forgive the mistakes in any of the posts...as perfect as I wish I was, I'm not.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Slacker

Sorry, I admit I've been slacking lately. I really haven't taken any photos that I am extremely proud of lately. Been busy at work, a little under the weather and redecorating a bathroom.

I was just taking a bath, thinking about what a slacker I've been, wondering if anyone is still reading this, and thought...Oh what the hell. I have a bunch of photos that for whatever reason I like and can't explain. Photos of people,who I have no idea who they are but just happened to be a shot that I like. Random shots of the clouds, a photo that didn't quite come out they way I expected, but like it any ways.

I have taken photos on vacations and trips. Passerbys and other tourist who just happened to be a head of me and in front the lens. And for some reasons of lighting, color, composition, or other phenomenon, I like the photo.

Climbing out of Mesa Verde, Colorado 2007

These ladies were ahead of me at Mesa Verde. They were climbing the ladder out of the dwelling ahead of me and liked the lighting in the photo. This was taken just after I took the storm clouds over Mese Verde photo below. It just seemed to be some really nice photos on that trek.



Clouds over the Million Dollar Highway - Ouray, Colorado

The sun peaking through clouds directly overhead. We were riding from Silverton to Ouray somewhere near a place called Red Mountain or something like that. You can see the peak of the mountain in the lower right. I just aimed the camera overhead and clicked. This is what came out.

On Deck - Cruise ship to Cozumel

Just exploring by myself at sunset aboard the cruise ship. This was after a day of snorkling and finally setting foot in another country - even if it was Mexico. It was a cruise with my sister, Tracey. I left her in the cabin (taking a nap) and I wondered around by myself. Guess I am glad I didn't fall overboard-she would have never known what happened to me.

Swim Deck - Cruise Ship Ecstasy

More People I don't know - On Deck

Self portrait 1 - On Deck

Another Self portrait - On Deck

This was taken just after the first self portrait. For some reason I like it. It is not the best example of composition, lighting , color but something makes me like it. It was really windy up there. This is the highest, and most forward part of the ship. I had to brace myself against the railing to keep from getting blown away. Just to show you how windy it was, just look at my hair being blown at 90 degree angle from my head, and my hair is not that long.

All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted (©2009 Laura Smetak), and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Fashion and history

Not to sound shallow, but who told Michelle Obama that would be the dress she'd like to be pictured in for such a historic moment? Really? Really.

Otherwise, Michelle has shown impeccable taste.

Wow! Is this what the 60s feel like?

I woke up this morning to a new world it seemed. As I dressed and thought about what happened last night. I had to think, Is this what it felt like when Kennedy was elected? Is this the same hope everyone pinned on JFK and his young family?

I couldn't help but walk a few inches off the ground when I readied for work. The world is looking better since I went to bed. I am happy for our country, and wish the best for Mr. Obama and pray for his safety.

Today I a post written by people that I assumed were intelligent beings. How in the world can these people remain so idiotic. They write that America needs to taken back by the Christians (and to hell with Muslims and Obama---REALLY?), and we need to pray for God's help.

Perhaps people are praying and God answered on Nov. 4, 2008. Just because he didn't give them the answer they wanted to hear didn't mean he didn't answer. I am not a very religious person. I am not a very political person, but I choose to believe that God doesn't answer idiots.

If you going to go out a limb for what you believe, don't you think it would be wise to make sure you're correct? No, not these people. They want to spread vicious rumors and keep them alive to scare people into believing they have God on their side.

WWJD? Hell, I think he would have done what I did...he would have voted for Obama.

As my friend the Token Liberal says, "I feel like we've been trapped in the back seat of a cab driven at high rates of speed through some bad neighborhoods by a drunken cab driver.

Last night, the keys were handed over to a grown up..."

Music in her soul

Music in her soul - 1986

Another photo taken for a college photography class in 1986. Probably taken the same day as the old house photos below. This is my niece Sherry in 1986 in my parent's yard.

I think I may be obsessing on time lately. I just can't believe sometimes how time passes so quickly. Now she is all grown up, still listening to music, but just maybe with smaller earphones.

What I like about the photo: I love the softness of the photo -the softness in her hair, her skin and the grass. I love the chubby little fingers pressing the earphones to her ears to hear the music. I just wonder to myself what was she listening to? It is such a private moment captured on film. Just me, Sherry and the music.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Father time is an SOB!

Newspaper Stand - Cleburne, Texas

How old does something have to be before it is considered an antique?

I always like to think of signs like this as really old and a remnant of a long-a-go past...way before my time. This one may be considered old, but I definitely have a childhood memory tied to it.

I took this photo on a trip back to my birthplace with my sister this summer. I jumped out of the car to take a photo of my dad's old store front in downtown Cleburne. My much OLDER sister (just so I don't feel so old) pointed out the newspaper sign painted on the edge of an abandoned building.

I remember going here with my dad on Sundays after church. Here he would buy the Sunday paper and each of us a candy bar. My favorite...Mounds (I never feel like a nut, so Almond Joy is never an option.) My mom liked Mounds too, but she hankered for Baby Ruths mostly and Banana Bites. Remember those? The big banana taffy squares - almost like Laffy Taffy, but much better. She'd have us buy the whole box. Back then, you probably got them for a penny--when penny candy was really a penny.

Another cool old sign. But I hate that what I think of as an antique also dates me as one. Dammit.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Chapel in the snow

The Chapel at Chestnut Square - McKinney, Texas

McKinney, Texas experienced a real live snow, not the icy stuff, but the big white flaky stuff you see in up north. It was powdery and flakes were as big as cotton balls-and I am not exaggerating. What added to the oddity of snow, was this was in March.

I drove the few miles to the office and grabbed Karl, the videographer I work with, and we headed to the Towne Lake Park. I suggested we come back to Chestnut Square on our way back to downtown.

The historical setting of Chestnut Square was beautiful. Although the snow was melting quickly, it was still thick and powdery and no one had yet ruined the pristine setting with footprints. Originally, this was taken in color, which in itself looks fantastic. But I switched it over the grayscale, and it is closest I have come to getting a Ansel Adams-eque photo.

Like Karl said, Ray Charles couldn't have taken a bad picture out there that day, but this was definitely one of my favorites.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

More than meets the eye

Grand Prismatic Spring - Yellowstone National Park

This and the photo at the very bottom of this blog were taken of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone. The different colors are produced by bacterial mats. Different types and colors of bacteria grow the different temperatures of the warm water coming from the big blue spring in the middle.

It is kind of deceiving. You get walk up to one very large geyser that is overflowing warm water in the cool river below. Everything is at eye level. You walk around this huge boardwalk and come upon this sight. The steam is rising from the hot water and it is kind of hard to see. But I lifted my camera to my eye and through the polarizing filter I could see much more of the beautiful arrays of colors. I let my friends take a look through the camera and they were amazed at what the camera could see that they could not.

The panoramic photo at the bottom was stitched together using Photoshop. It took 6 photos to make up this one panoramic. I would have loved to have been on that hill overlooking the spring. If you look just to the right of center, on top of the smaller hill are two small colored dots. Those are people who made the voyage to get a perspective that few people ever get.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

What's 120 more miles?

Shadow Riders - Rawlins, Wyoming

When in Wyoming, here's a tip...Plan your day to leave as early as possible and stop around 3:00 in the afternoon to find a hotel if you don't have reservations.

Our 3600 mile trek this summer was based on living on a wing and a prayer for a hotel, never officially planning each nights stop. Just wherever the road led us. Five couples all needing rooms each night.

We left the north gate of Yellowstone early in the morning, crossing over the Beartooth Mountains, stopping for lunch in Cody. We drove all day to the next stop in the middle of Wyoming somewhere north of Lander. We were met by the hotel clerk who informed us that all the hotels within 120 miles were booked.

It was 5:30, getting dark and we would have to hop on the bikes and ride the 120 miles to next town of Rawlins. So what's an extra 2 hours and 120 miles? Five Harleys, full bore down one of the most desolate highways I had ever seen (talk about a rumble of loud pipes). Nothing to see but a long-ass strip of pavement stretched out in front. Not to mention having to be on guard for that one crazy antelope who may wish to spring across the road at any moment.

We were 5 miles from Rawlins when some of our riders couldn't take one more minute of the dropping temperatures that came with the setting of the sun. They needed to stop on the side of the highway to gear up.

I grabbed my point and shoot from my jacket pocket and snapped this photo. The sun was low and it stretched our shadows across the highway toward the storm off to our east. I like the photo. It seems to capture the mood of extra 120 miles at the end of a long day.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.

Which way is up?

Grand Tetons - Jackson, Wyoming

See I told you...more water.

This is taken from the end of the dock at Leeks Marina in Grand Teton National Park. We stopped here for lunch on our way to Yellowstone this summer. Pretty damned good pizza if you are ever in the neighborhood...not the mention the view.

©2009 Laura Smetak All rights reserved. All photos and stories on this blog are copyrighted and use without the artists express permission is prohibited.