VistaVision - Thompson Lake Dragway
Back in the 1940s, a mile long strip of beach at Thompson Lake was paved over. No information was given why this happened, and there was never any follow up once it was put in place. Rumors circulated about the why and how of it, but nothing ever came of the "project".
Eventually the local teens started to race their cars there and it soon became the unofficial drag way in the area.
Anyone within a 25 mile radius, who had a stock racer, hot rod or souped up custom, would gather on weekends to flex their metal and high octane muscles.
The noise and excitement would echo off the hills across the lake, causing some local residents to become apoplectic, but that was not enough to shut the action down.
[ In this particular photo, you can see that TV station WLGN was there to capture one of the events.]
This was a very interesting photo shoot because it was attempted 3 times. The first venture took place in a large
empty field during the middle of the day. Minutes after having set up the shot, a bus load of soccer players
ran onto the field, making it impossible to continue.
The second time was trying to set up the models near a local pond. Little did I know there were Heron nests close by. Granted they are beautiful birds, but when riled, they become somewhat aggressive. The local duck population was not amused either.
The third try was at a nearby lake. All went well until I dropped my camera which caused it to malfunction. The good news is that I had taken enough photos before it happened and saw it as a sign to just pack up and go home.
Phew!
By the way, here is a link to the building of the viewing stand:
www.flickr.com/photos/24796741@N05/29962879276/in/datepos...
The vehicles are 1/24th scale from the Frankin and Danbury Mint,
along with West Coast Precion Diecast and Liberty Classics.
VistaVision - Thompson Lake Dragway
Back in the 1940s, a mile long strip of beach at Thompson Lake was paved over. No information was given why this happened, and there was never any follow up once it was put in place. Rumors circulated about the why and how of it, but nothing ever came of the "project".
Eventually the local teens started to race their cars there and it soon became the unofficial drag way in the area.
Anyone within a 25 mile radius, who had a stock racer, hot rod or souped up custom, would gather on weekends to flex their metal and high octane muscles.
The noise and excitement would echo off the hills across the lake, causing some local residents to become apoplectic, but that was not enough to shut the action down.
[ In this particular photo, you can see that TV station WLGN was there to capture one of the events.]
This was a very interesting photo shoot because it was attempted 3 times. The first venture took place in a large
empty field during the middle of the day. Minutes after having set up the shot, a bus load of soccer players
ran onto the field, making it impossible to continue.
The second time was trying to set up the models near a local pond. Little did I know there were Heron nests close by. Granted they are beautiful birds, but when riled, they become somewhat aggressive. The local duck population was not amused either.
The third try was at a nearby lake. All went well until I dropped my camera which caused it to malfunction. The good news is that I had taken enough photos before it happened and saw it as a sign to just pack up and go home.
Phew!
By the way, here is a link to the building of the viewing stand:
www.flickr.com/photos/24796741@N05/29962879276/in/datepos...
The vehicles are 1/24th scale from the Frankin and Danbury Mint,
along with West Coast Precion Diecast and Liberty Classics.