Grand National Roadster Show
The GNRS is for the dreamers. The tinkers, the artists, the guys and gals who live with greasy fingers, smelling of gasoline. This isn’t SEMA. This isn’t Car’s and Coffee. You won’t find showroom floor rebuilds here. Many of the vehicles on display are in various stages of their lives. A chopped ‘56 Bel Air may bare raw steel doors one year, only to be painted green with gold flake the year after. Hotrod’s and Custom’s are often never complete. What I love most about GNRS is the personality that shouts from the vehicles. Most builders here treat their rides like family. These are their children, their best friends, their loyal companions. There is a level of respect here not often found.
Book tickets to attend the next show here: Grand National Roaster Show.
Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro2, 18mm f/2 lens.
Into the Damp
If you want to see the colors change in Southern California, you need to look closely. Our local hills are covered in moss, mushrooms and various fungi during the winter. After a good rain, the damp sets in and the forest comes alive. During a recent mountain bike ride, I grabbed my camera backpack in place of my usual hydration pack. I knew I would be in for a treat after a solid week of rain. My iPhone wouldn’t cut it. This area up Silverado Canyon into Maple Springs, is littered with bountiful colors, if you pay attention.
This stump looks like it could be a good 12-inches wide. Nope, it was barely an inch across. The intricate spiral shapes caught my eye.
How many colors can you spot?
I haven’t been able to spot what I call, “Natures Eyelash”, since this day.
My favorite image of the day. This bright yellow and orange mushroom lit up like a flashlight as I passed.
I was thoroughly impressed with my Fuji 35mm f/2 lens getting up close. It is not a macro lens in any way. However, I think it did a fine job showing its capabilities. These little yellow fungi soldiers were mere centimeters in size.
Fresh mountain lions tracks. Stay alert out there.
Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro2 with 35mm f/2 lens.
Taliesin West
Something you may not know about me is my love for Architecture. When it comes to admiring some of the best to ever do it, you cannot escape the name Frank Lloyd Wright. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Taliesin West began construction in 1937 as the creators winter home. To say that the man created a deep connection with the desert landscape would be speaking lightly. Everything on the grounds seems to sprout from the ground itself. There’s a sort of magic in the air here.
Taliesin West is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. It is also home to The School of Architecture at Taliesin. If you decide to take the guided tour, which I highly recommend, you will learn all about the grounds history, construction, fires on the property, and the active school grounds. Please be courteous of the volunteers and the students you may run into while visiting.
Camera: Fujifilm X-Pro2, 18mm f/2 lens.
Nelson Ghost Town
Looking for something to do while visiting Las Vegas? 45 minutes outside the city you can venture into what seems like the middle of nowhere and come upon an abandoned mining town. Before Vegas or even Nevada, this area was called Eldorado Canyon. The Spanish were first to discover the riches that lay buried deep into the soil of this place. In 1861, the Techatticup Mine was discovered, leading to what you may guess; greed, corruption and violence.
Much of this great country during the mid 1800’s was on the brink of war, one way or another. Fighting over land, gold, even people sadly. Money was the name of the game and people did just about anything to get their hands on it. Before long, the mine was overrun by bandits, quickly sending any normal folk away from the area. A boomtown arose in the area as riches kept pouring from the mine. For nearly 80 years, the town ran under unlawful ways until eventually, the law prevailed.
The mine was finally depleted and closed off in 1941. The nearby down of Nelson, NV sprung up shortly after with the first gas station in the area. Highways eventually followed, giving cross-country travelers a much needed rest stop along their journey. Years later, a massive flood covered the area and washed much of the town and everything in the area away. What is left is now a collection of old buildings, cars, trucks, fuel station equipment, and even a couple airplanes.
Nelson Ghost Town has been used in numerous movies and is popular for weddings and photoshoots. You can even book a tour if you are so inclined to get an in-depth look from the people who now take care of the land.
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your trip.
Bring a good pair of walking shoes, or hiking boots. Unless you are inside the main lodge building, you will be walking on dirt most of the day. Some of the old building have left pieces of wood and nails scattered. Keep an eye of where you place your feet while walking the grounds. Also, keep in mind that you are in the middle of the Mojave desert. Depending on the time of year you visit, rattlesnakes may be out and about.
There is a sort of visitors center but I would plan on bringing your own food and water. The summer heat in the area can takeover your day and if nobody is around, you could find yourself out here without services.
There is no cellular service in the area.
Fuel up your vehicle in Vegas or Boulder City. The drive isn’t long but if you run out of fuel near Nelson, you have zero options.
Bring a camera!
All photographs shot on my Fujilfilm X-Pro 2 with 35mm f/2 lens.
This gallery was originally posted on A Gentleman’s Word. For more information about AGW, please visit my About Page.
Massacre Falls Hike
Where this trail gets its name is a bit of a mystery. Prior to the Mexican-American War of 1846, this area was part of Mexico. Among the families that once lived in this area were the Peralta Family. If you are familiar with the Phoenix area of the state, you will recognize the name. Numerous trails, landmarks and shops share the namesake. Legend has it, after the war ended, the Mexican families in the area encountered Native American Tribes where what is now considered, Massacre Grounds. Some say the Native American Tribes drove the Mexican families off local cliffs. Some say they simply drove them off the land and stole the Mexican gold. We may never know. One thing we do know, the area where the event I mentioned took place is not located on this trail system.
Aside from such a complex history, the trail sounded really good on paper. Navigating your way there is very easy as well as following a well-marked path. Much like every trail in this area, you will hike through sand, climb over some rock, dodge cactus and even scale up a few sharp rock faces. Nothing too advanced but take caution and wear good hiking boots.
From the parking area to the falls, the trail is roughly 2.7 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Quickly after I started the hike, I met a new friend. She joined me all the way to the falls and back. I even snagged a picture of me at the falls. It’s pretty rare I get a photo of me doing stuff like this. I prefer being on the other side of the camera.
This area receives a good amount of rain which is why the waterfall is usually flowing. We didn’t have a ton of flow when we arrived but it was still a refreshing lunch break. I plan on coming back after a good rain to really see the falls flowing.
You know you’re on the right trail when you pass through this fence opening.
Dutchman Bluff Springs Loop
Located just East of Phoenix, Arizona, the Dutchman Bluff Springs Hiking Loop is tucked in nicely along the Superstition Mountains. During one of my assignments in Arizona, I made time to get in a days hike. Looking over All Trails, I came across this gem. I was looking for something that required medium to strenuous effort without any rock climbing or scaling rock walls. Hiking solo, I wanted to keep risk to a minimum. I still had a job to do the next day after all!
This loop is just over 9 miles in length and typically takes 4-5 hours to complete, depending on weather and your fitness level. I finished somewhere in the middle of that timeframe. As with every trail in Arizona, please be prepared. Hiking in the desert can be dangerous without proper preparation. Always let someone know where you are going and when you should be back. Pack more food and water than expected. I suggest some type of satellite emergency device, such as a Garmin InReach. A good portion of this trail has ZERO cellular coverage. For the kids out there, that means your iPhone isn’t going to let you upload to Instagram while hiking. Sorry.
I would also recommend a solid pair of hiking boots, leave the trainers at home. You will want some ankle support and a hard sole. A good portion of this trail requires navigating rocks, stream beds, narrow passages and a few exposed sections where footing is key.
Bring a camera or at least your phone, you will be in for a number of scenic treats along the way.
Saguaro cactus is littered everywhere standing tall. Remember to keep an eye on your arm movement as you pass or you may have some prickly friends along for the ride.
Upon arrival you will find a small dirt parking lot and restrooms. I have completed this hike 3 times and found the restrooms always open. I wouldn’t count on it though. Be prepared to pack it in and pack it out.
The trail is very easy to follow, though I would still recommend downloading a copy of the trail map to your phone ahead of time. Even with zero cellular coverage, a downloaded map file should still show you as a DOT on the map. I was able to follow the All Trails map with ease.
Sections like this are why I recommend hiking boots. Easy to turn an ankle navigating rock gardens. A set of hiking poles may not be a bad choice either.
Use caution traversing the slick rock sections. It get’s its name for a very good reason. If there is ANY water flowing through the canyon, it will make passing much more challenging.
Though most of the inclines are mellow, there are a good number of punchy ups.
Views on views. At this moment I was really missing my Fuji X-Pro 2 I left in the hotel room.
Looking back at the parking area after hitting the first peak of the day.
This is one of the punchy climbs I mentioned. It is much steeper than it looks. Be ready.
I found a great deal of information about the trails, recent trail reports, weather and more on All Trails. Do some research before you embark on your own. As always, stay safe and have a blast out there!
Leica Las Vegas
While in town for the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) event in Las Vegas, I was invited to take a hands-on look at some new Leica gear as well as attend, “An Evening with Leica”. I has such a great time browsing the shop and sharing stories with fellow photographers. Some new to Leica, and some very experienced. The store is now closed unfortunately, probably somewhat due to the pandemic that swept up many small businesses in the US over the past few years.
I originally wrote up a nice story about my time with Leica for AGW. Fast forward 6 years and I couldn’t just let the photos go to waste. The store was a gorgeous representation of the Leica brand. Moving into 2022, I am looking forward to returning to regular Las Vegas trips and I hope to find Leica represented on the Strip again sometime in the future.
SEMA: Toyota Tundra Build
I have built several project vehicles for the SEMA Show over the years, including this 2008 Toyota Tundra. I asked my friend Ryan at Dirt-Tech if he would build me a cage that provided room for two spare tires, a modular light bar, Powertank and floor jack mount. He knocked it out of the park as always. The front bumper also came out gorgeous. Here are a few snaps of the cage as it was completed and mounted to the truck just before heading to SEMA. I later had the cage clear coated for rust protection. The truck was featured in Off-Road Magazine and in Pro Comp's booth at the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV.
Inside A Fox Bypass Shock
Dropped by Fox Racing Shocks the other day to have a pair of bypass shocks rebuilt. Here’s a little peek into what makes Trophy Trucks gobble up whoops.
Kincaid Racing
When Scott Kincaid calls you to come visit Kincaid Racing Engines to checkout his new toy, you go. Don't hesitate, GO. His Porter PRC-4 Unlimited Class Buggy is nothing short of spectacular. 700HP of pure, right-foot-happiness.
This vehicle was features in OFF-ROAD MAGAZINE 2008
