The Website
I am finding that I really enjoy hiking, and I seem to have an obsession for taking photos whenever I travel. So I find that when I hike, I end up taking lots of photos of the entire trail. As I reviewed the photos of the trails that I had hiked, it occurred to me that there may be others who, because of physical limitations may not be able to take these hikes, and that they may enjoy taking a "hike by photo". Or others who hike the trails, may not want to take photos while hiking, and may enjoy viewing photos taken of trails they have hiked. Whatever the reason that you may be interested in my photos, I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them!
I state on this site that "I hike the trails so you don't have to", however, I would like to say that if it is at all possible, you should experience hiking for yourself because no photo, no matter how good, can replace the experience of being there and doing it for yourself!
And if there's no trails? Then I take a drive. I call it "drive-by photo shooting". It is amazing how many great photos can be taken without even leaving the car!
The Photographer
I am not a professional photographer. I do not carry a big, expensive, DSLR camera when I hike, nor do I use a small pocket camera, although on occasion I have finished taking photos of a trail with my iPhone after exhausting all the batteries for my regular camera. I take photos because I personally like to look at them and enjoy my travels again after I am home. I have found that others also seem to enjoy my travels through my photos, so I thought I would make them available through this website.
I have used a Nikon Coolpix P90 camera for quite a few years, and then upgraded to a Nikon Coolpix P510. I find that this type of camera works best for catching quick photos while hiking because the spectacular motorized zoom lens in combination with the basic auto settings and point-and-shoot operation allow me to quickly frame a shot and move on, but also provide quality photos. I have a Sony DSLR, but keep coming back to my Coolpix, because it allows me to take great pictures very quickly, and simply. My trail hike photos are not edited except for occasional cropping, or straightening, and minimal color correction. What I saw is what you see!
The Hiker
I am not a hiker. Well, at least I never thought of myself as a hiker. I started walking on paths with the intent to just go a little way to see what was there, then turn around. I found that it is very hard to go back without completing the trail, or at least seeing what is around the next bend or over the next hill. So as I went on more trails, I discovered the need to buy more hiking gear, which made it easier for me to hike farther, and so on. So, yes, I guess I have become a "hiker".
I am occasionally limited on a hike by my lack of stamina or time, and I am not always able to complete my goal, because safety is my first concern, not finishing at all costs. So unless I pay someone else to take photos, you probably will not see things like hikes up Mt. Everest, and such, but instead, the common trails found in our US National and State parks where I travel in my RV. I hike the type of trails that are accessible to anyone who is mildly in shape. I am not particularly in shape, but I imagine if I keep doing this I will eventually be in great shape, which motivates me further in my quest to hike trails and take pictures.
So I hope you enjoy my average adventures, and the photos I take of them. Please let me know what you think, and do tell me if there is a particular trail you would really like to see photographed, and I'll see what I can do the next time I travel that way.