Multnomah Falls (Oregon)

We’ve been in Portland for a little over a day now. Today’s photo comes from earlier today–not something I can usually say about photos I post here.

Posted on July 12th, 2014 under Oregon. Tags: Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, portland, waterfalls. Comments: 2

Mr. T Experience – Japan Tour t-shirt at San Francisco Giants game

My A’s took 3 of 4 games from the Giants again this year with today’s 6-1 victory. Today’s photo is from last year’s Bay Bridge series. While I hate the Giants, always have and always will, I love San Francisco the city and its people, always have and always will. Where else will you spot old dudes in shirts like this?

Posted on July 10th, 2014 under Japan, Other. Tags: baseball, Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Telephoto Lens, Nikon D600, san francisco. Comments Off on Mr. T Experience – Japan Tour

Morning prayer service in a Buddhist temple (Fudoin on Koyasan)

I have witnessed many Shinto and Buddhist rituals, but my night on Koyasan was my first experience actually participating in one (other than carrying the omikoshi during a Shinto procession). The night I was there the shukubo had two other parties of gaijin and three or four parties of native Japanese. We all attended the prayer service led by the young Buddhist monks in the morning. Although you didn’t need to speak or understand Japanese to participate, I was the only one of the gaijin who did more than watch. Maybe the others were Christian and felt like they would be betraying their faith. In any event, it felt good to do more than just watch for once.

Posted on July 8th, 2014 under Japan. Tags: buddhist, fudoin, gohei, koyasan 高野山, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600. Comments Off on Time for church

Bay Bridge Series

Bay Bridge Series 2014 kicks off tonight. I flew down to last year’s series when the A’s took 3 out of 4 from the Giants. Hopefully my A’s do that (or better) this year too. I want to see lots of A’s running around the bases like today’s photo.

The first two games are in Oakland, with Wednesday and Thursday’s games in San Francisco. I should have made plans to take a trip. I will try to make it down I-5 for a game or two in August, September, and/or October.

Posted on July 7th, 2014 under Other. Tags: baseball, Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Telephoto Lens, Nikon D600, oakland, san francisco, sports photography. Comments Off on Let’s play four

Rainie Falls (near Wolf Creek and Grants Pass, Oregon)

We went on a four-mile hike last week along the Rogue River. The trail is a bit harder than the four miles indicate as you are frequently walking on rocks instead of a smooth dirt path. In addition, it is rarely flat. You are usually going up or down even though the net elevation gain is minor. However, it still isn’t difficult for most people, and the view along the way and at the end (pictured above) is worth it.

If you are coming from north of Wolf Creek on I-5, take exit 76 (about 49 miles south of Roseburg). Turn left just past Wolf Creek Tavern. Follow the road for about 15 miles to Graves Creek Bridge. The trail head is on the other side of the bridge. Park on the river side, not the cliff side.

From south of Grants Pass on I-5, take exit 61. Drive to Galice Road. Turn left onto Merlin Road. Continue onto Merlin-Galice Road until it turns back into Galice Road. Park on the right before the bridge, and cross the street for the trail head.

Posted on July 6th, 2014 under Oregon. Tags: directions, ellie, hiking, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D600, ryan, waterfalls. Comments Off on Hike to Rainie Falls