View allAll Photos Tagged Unplug
I know it's been about a month since I last posted, and there's good reason for that. First, my laptop was at a computer repair shop for almost two weeks to have a screen hinge repaired. Then, immediately after getting my laptop back, my wife, son, and I left to join her family for a week-long vacation on Garden Island in Charlotte, Vermont, and I intended to "unplug" a bit by not editing nor posting any photos.
Originally, I wasn't even sure I'd attempt to do any railroad photography on this vacation. Knowing that we'd be seeing family from as far away as Tennessee, I was reluctant to spend too much time away. So, other "local" options like the VTR detours over the NECR or the NECR "Chip Train" were totally out, as far as I was concerned. However, before we left, I asked Max Brisben if there was a local that ran south out of Burlington, and he confirmed that BD-2 ran south to New Haven Junction and sometimes Middlebury Monday through Friday, going on duty in Burlington at 2:00 PM. That seemed like the perfect fit for me as 2:00 PM is typically right in the middle of my son's nap!
I figured I'd wait until later in the week--Wednesday, and possibly also Thursday--to go after BD-2. By then I would have spent a lot of time with the family and would undoubtedly be itching to get off the island. However, after arriving on Saturday, by Monday I was already feeling a little antsy to get back to shore. Though rain showers had just passed through, my son woke up early from his nap, and we heard BD-2 blowing for nearby crossings around 2:30 PM on its way south. A rainy afternoon seemed like a good opportunity to scope out some photo locations with my son tagging along, maybe stopping so he could watch them switch at New Haven Junction or something.
We first caught the train on its return trip north at New Haven Junction, revealing the CLP 203 as the sole power, and facing north! Furthermore, the rain showers had cleared, and the sun had even started popping out a little. After we watched them roll through, I scoped out an angle I thought I spotted from U.S. Route 7 on our way down. Turning down Lime Kiln Road, my jaw dropped when I got a better look at the view. There were a couple problems, though: (1) Though the sun was illuminating the mountains in the background, the tracks and foreground were under cloud cover, (2) Dinner back at the island was at 6:00 PM, and the train was still switching New Haven Junction at 5:30 PM. Things were starting to look like a total loss, especially when my son started fussing.
But, then, the clouds shifted so that the mountains were in shadow but the foreground was in sun! I also remembered there was an electronic words book in the back of the car, and that put my son in a better mood.
At 5:45 PM, the train finally called the dispatcher, so I held my ground and was rewarded with this beautiful view at 5:49 PM! Then, my son and I made a dash for the island and were only about 10 minute later for dinner!
After getting this shot on Monday, it was hard to resist going back out on Wednesday and Thursday. But, despite the National Weather Service calling for mostly sunny days both days, unforecasted clouds and showers had other plans, literally putting a damper on getting this angle again. Though I was able to find some success at New Haven Junction and Vergennes on those days, there's no doubt that Monday was THE day to get this shot. Funny, because back home I probably would have never bothered heading out with showers in the area. I guess being "stuck" on an island with my wife's parents, seven of her ten siblings, and all the kiddos was just what the doctor ordered...
VTR BD-2
New Haven, Vermont
August 17, 2020
“It’s a feeling she’s had since childhood: that she is somehow separate, closed off from everyone else.” -Emilia Hart
I recently read Weyward and absolutely loved it. The best part was this one sentence, which resonated deeply with me. While I get along with most people, there’s always been a separation between me and others (with Mike being the sole exception). Nature, though, feels like an old friend to me. I grew up immersed in it and feel most at peace when I’m alone or outdoors.
Notebook from Peter Pauper, bandana from Woosah.
LA VITA SUL FIUME
L’Oasi naturalistica Vallevecchia di Brussa si trova lungo la costa veneta, tra le località balneari di Bibione e Caorle.
L’Oasi, meglio conosciuta semplicemente come Brussa, è un ambiente incontaminato in cui riscoprire una natura pura dalla ricca biodiversità e staccare la spina dalla quotidianità.
Se chiedete ai locals Brussa viene raccontata come un luogo quasi segreto, fuori dai tradizionali itinerari di massa, in cui spiagge selvagge, pinete primordiali e suggestive lagune regalano una full immersion rigenerante nella natura.
Note tratte dal sito:
www.etgroup.info/blog/oasi-vallevecchia-di-brussa/
-----------------------------------------------------------
LIFE ON THE RIVER
The Vallevecchia di Brussa nature reserve is located along the Veneto coast, between the seaside resorts of Bibione and Caorle.
The reserve, better known simply as Brussa, is an uncontaminated environment where you can rediscover pure nature with a rich biodiversity and unplug from everyday life.
If you ask the locals, Brussa is described as an almost secret place, off the beaten track, where wild beaches, primeval pine forests and suggestive lagoons offer a regenerating full immersion in nature.
CANON EOS 6D Mark II con ob. CANON EF 70-300 f./4-5,6 IS USM
For the Daily Dog Challenge -- 6/1 "Colors In Nature"
For Our Daily Challenge -- 6/2 "End Of The Day"
For 366: The 2016 Editon -- 153/366
For 52 Weeks for Dogs -- 23/52
These warmer and longer days have made us want to stay out a little later, unplug a little more and watch the world go by.
You can read more about Bunny at TalesAndTails.com.
I would add animals and nature (in general) to this sentiment!
Notebook from Pukka Planet, bandana from Bandits Bandanas.
A Sydney-bound XPT catches me off-guard - I had to use Photoshop to unplug an annoying diagonal wire out of this, but couldn't be bothered with the rest.
1 August 2018, Cullerin, NSW, Australia
As pollinators, bees play a part in every part of our ecosystem, including forests. They are vital in the growth of tropical forests, savannah woodlands, and temperate deciduous forests. Without them, some tree species like willows and poplars would no longer grow. Their role as pollinators is crucial to the earth.
I thought this bandana paired well with the bee themed notebook. Just like preventing wildfires, it’s up to humans to help bees thrive.
Notebook from Field Notes, bandana from Western National Parks Association.
We often hear owls behind our house at night and love it! Every once in a while, we’ll be lucky enough to spot one, as well. They’re awesome birds!
Notebook from Denik, bandana from The Cotton Square (Etsy).
"There is not experience from which you can't learn something....The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." -Eleanor Roosevelt
Notebook from Artist’s Loft, bandana from Bandits Bandanas.
While we prefer hiking, we do enjoy biking quite a bit, as well. This combination of colors, nature, and bikes has me swooning!
Notebook from Top Flight, bandana from Woosah.
Embrace your uniqueness. Fitting in is overrated!
Notebook from Fabled Creative (Etsy), bandana from Wayfaring Wolves (Etsy).
No need for X-box with the original inexpensive Y-box. Hours of jollies with no electricity use. Must conserve there so EV's can be charged. May unplug the fridge too. Board games before war games.
(Cut to computer screen where exuberant young actors are gathered,
thanking the viewer for watching the training video, and welcoming them
to the Trailer Trails family. As they wave and the music and credits
rise, Dyanna returns to the office.)
Dyanna: Good! You didn't fall asleep. (she hands Caly a test of several
pages)
Caly: (accepts test) I must admit, I learned more than I anticipated.
Dyanna: You don't have to suck up, but it's appreciated. (she shuts down
the computer and unplugs it from the wall then holds out a hand to Caly)
Your cellphone, please.
(Caly doesn't question this, handing it over.)
Dyanna: Great. Good luck. I'll be back in an hour.
Caly: What if I finish before then?
Dyanna: Do you think you will?
Caly: (flips the pages) I should be done in about fifteen minutes.
(Dyanna was reaching for the door knob, stops, does a slow turn back to
Caly.)
Dyanna: Fifteen minutes?
Caly: Roughly.
Dyanna: I'll be right over there. (points at a chair before crossing the
room and taking a seat)
(Caly starts the test. Unnoticed by Caly, Dyanna uses her phone to start
recording Caly, propping it on the chair beside her.)
(Cut to Caly finishing the last page of the test.)
Caly: I've finished.
(Cut to Dyanna blinking and looking at her phone.)
Dyanna: Twelve minutes?
Caly: Some of the questions were redundant so that sped things up a little.
Dyanna: Sure. Hang on.
(Dyanna leaves her chair, grabs an a pack of answer overlays, using them
on Caly's test.)
Dyanna: These are all correct. (looks at Caly) One hundred percent
correct. In twelve minutes.
Caly: Speed and accuracy are two of my strong points.
Dyanna: You could have my job someday. Maybe even Director Wilson's job. (observes with a tone that's not exactly enthusiastic)
Caly: (dismisses that idea) Oh, this is just a summer job. I'll have school in the fall, and after I graduate next year I guess I'll have to figure out where I want to go next. I thought flight attendant might be a good fit.
Dyanna: (since her job's not in danger, warms to Caly) Flight attendant would be a lot of fun. Travel, all of that. (extends a hand) I'm Dyanna Lenox.
Caly: (shakes her hand) Caly Moore.
Dyanna: Let me give you the employee tour.
(Cut to the two of them walking along the beach by the lake.)
Dyanna: Well, you really seem to remember everything in that training
video. That's amazing. Do you have one of those photo opp memories?
Caly: Um, I don't know? My mother was really big on memorization.
(to be continued)
Dyanna: Bailey
Caly: TB
My appreciation of birds has grown significantly over time. While I wouldn’t exactly call myself a birder, I do enjoy watching them and learning about them. They’re fascinating creatures!
Notebooks from Cognitive Surplus, bandana from ilikesara (Etsy).
It's a lovely Saturday today. Recently I've been taking weekends off of the Flick to catch up on other things and to just unplug for a while. But I've been online this morning looking for ideas for my son's 5th grade science fair project.
Any science fair project ideas for a 5th grader?
Oh, and don't go to the Dunes this time of year, footprints galore. I'm going back in the middle of summer when it's blazing hot, and completely abandoned.
Beauty pageant tonight. Should be interesting.
I’ve found it helps to look at challenges in life as adventures. While I love adventures that involve exploring, so many other things can bring it into our lives. Keeping the child inside of you alive, having an open mind, and being flexible are great ways to embrace the adventurous spirit. While I don’t always succeed with it during particularly challenging times, I do try to embrace this attitude as much as possible. It can certainly make a huge difference in how you feel about some situations!
Notebook from Walmart, bandana from Wayfaring Wolves (Etsy).
“If beautiful lilies bloom in ugly waters, you too can blossom in ugly situations.” -Matshona Dhliwayo
It was love at first sight when I saw this notebook. Besides having my favorite color combo on it (sage & orange) and being able to personalize it, I love the sentiment behind it.
This year was a struggle for me in several ways, but I also feel Ike I did bloom and find my calm amongst those storms. After all, life isn’t about what you’ve lost, but what you have left. I have so much to be thankful for and appreciate all of it that much more because of the hard times.
Notebook from Papier, bandana from Cotton Voile Shop (Etsy).
This is the study area at Disney's Fort Wilderness Lodge. It is a quiet little place to sneak away and do some work for those of us who can't completely unplug from their jobs.
There’s something about certain color combinations that I find cheerful and soothing. The colors in these notebooks & bandana are definitely one of those combos!
Notebooks from Field Notes, bandana from Bandits Bandanas.
The Kingston's - Vol 2 Issue #7 "Friends"
Voice: "Why did you want these, Mr. Runner? It's important we get to know one another. After all, we will be spending a lot of time together. Won't we?"
Drury: "Yeah, we will. Oh and just D-Drury, Drury is fine. I just felt li-"
Voice: "That's a unique name, Drury. I like it."
Drury: "Thanks. Heh."
Voice: "Sorry, I interrupted you. Please, continue."
Drury: "Well I just felt I needed something to make me better than him. Y-You see, there's this girl an-"
Voice: "There's always a girl involved, isn't there? I'm sorry I interrupted you again."
Drury: "It's fine. Yeah, but there's this guy too."
Voice: "Ah yes, there's always one of them too!"
Drury: Can you please, just... just let me continue?"
Voice: ...
Drury: "I like this girl, a lot. She saved me one time when I was younger and I've had a crush on her ever since, she's just so... so..."
Voice: "Perfect?"
Drury: "Yes!"
Voice: "Look at that, we're already finishing each other's..."
Drury: *sighs* "Sentences. So you see, she can't see me for who I am because of the guy. He keeps twisting her thoughts and he puts her in danger, she even got hurt from it! T-That's why I can't let it continue, I need to be a hero, like her. I need to save her from that guy."
Voice: "But isn't Coby not her brother?"
Drury: "How did you know I was talking about Susan?"
Voice: "Because we're friends Drury."
Drury: "That's why I needed these. That's why I came here."
Voice: "What do you plan to do with these?"
Drury: "T-Terminate that guy she's with! Then she can see me, then she can feel the same way about me."
Voice: "About us, remember we're friends. Friends always stay together."
Drury: "Thank you, without you I-I couldn't do this. I'm not strong enough alone."
Voice: "That's why you came here, so we could meet?"
Drury: "Y-Yeah. But I didn't expect you to be so much of a chatter box."
Voice: "Why Drury, I don't know what you mean."
Drury: "What?"
Voice: "This conversation is all in your head."
Drury: "Y-You can't talk?"
Voice: "I'm a weapon fused into your spine. You're talking to yourself, like you always do."
Drury: "Usually I don't answer myself though."
Voice: "Quiet. The doctor is coming, you don't want him thinking you're crazy. They might separate us, then we can never save Susan."
Drury: "Yeah, yeah, you're right. I-I'm right."
Doctor: "Drury, who were you speaking to?"
Drury: "Just myself, doctor."
Doctor: "How do the weapons feel?"
Drury: "They feel like my actual arms. I think I'd feel lost without them."
Doctor: "Well that's a good sign. We can unplug them from the wall, now that we're done. Want to try them out?"
Drury: "Won't it hurt them?"
Doctor: "Excuse me?"
Drury: "Nothing, Doctor. I'd love to try them out."
Doctor: "Good. Then you can save her... bring her to us. We can fix her. All you have to do, is kill Co-"
Drury: "Coby Kingston."
Doctor: "Look at that, we're already finishing each other's sentences. Now go, bring us Susan. Then-
Voice: " -we can fix her."
“Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren't a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was.” -Cheryl Strayed
I have always owned who I am, even when I was younger and hadn’t quite found myself yet. One of those things I own about myself is being asocial. I feel more myself when I’m alone, or when it’s just Mike and I. My username is more than a handle I use online. It’s a large part of who I am. My very nature is seclusive and I embrace it completely.
Notebook from Denik, bandana from Bandits Bandanas.
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Reality%20Escape/101/118/22
Reality Escape is a beautiful, serene place where time slows and conversation matters again. It’s where friends gather to share stories, trade thoughts on well-loved books, and sit comfortably in each other’s quiet company. Surrounded by nature and softened by stillness, it invites you to unplug from the noise, breathe a little deeper, and reconnect—without hurry, without expectation, just presence.
Dead of the night baby
We're finally alone
I'll pull up the shades
If you'll unplug the phone
Put on some music
Marvin Gaye's real nice
Once we get settled
I'll turn off the lights
Don't be afraid of the dark
Don't be afraid of the dark
I'll be there to hold you
Don't be afraid of the dark
It might be scary
Til your eyes adjust
Don't fear the shadows
Me you can trust
I'm at my best
In a pitch black room
Hold on tight baby
You'll feel the power soon
Don't be afraid of the dark
Don't be afraid of the dark
I'll be there to hold you
Don't be afraid of the dark
I'll be there to hold you
Don't be afraid of the dark
You might tremble
You might shake
Scream out loud
You may even pray
I know which moves
Suit you right
You'll beg for more
You'll forget about the night
I’m a child of the 80’s and while I wouldn’t want to go back to that time in my life, there are things I loved about that decade. It was certainly a unique time to grow up in!
Notebook from Denik, bandana from Herbivore Clothing.
“Writing in a notebook is about transferring things from the world to your brain, not to your notebook. Your notebook is a lens for looking at the world, not a box to keep it in.” -Russell Davies
Just like taking photos helps me to look at things in different ways & to see the world through new perspectives, writing things down helps to gather, organize, and solidify my thoughts. Notebooks are such a simple little thing but can do wonders for your brain!
Notebook from Mead, bandana from Nature Backs.
Field Notes put out a great Northern California pack!
Notebooks from Field Notes, bandana from Wayfaring Wolves.
“Too much is made of “live every moment to its fullest.” It is an unrealistic goal, one that leads to more stress than satisfaction. The secret to fulfillment is not about exciting adventures or living out loud—no one can maintain that kind of pace—but in welcoming and even relishing the quiet and familiar.” -Harlan Coben
I love this quote because it reminds us that we’re surrounded by everyday things that can make our lives fulfilled. A few of those things for me lately are all of the Wisconsin wildflowers, enjoying our garden (and backyard), watching the birds come to our feeders, and, of course, bandanas & notebooks! I find great fulfillment and joy in all of those things.
Notebook from Decomposition, bandana from Kohler Andrae State Park.
“Nature is the purest portal to inner peace.” -Angie Weiland-Crosby
Notebook from Denik, bandana from Woosah.
Without new experiences, life can grow stagnant. As much as I love being at home, a part of me will always need to explore!
Notebook from Denik, bandana from Gibbs Smith.
Just two roses of wood ... It's made with thin sheets of wood and then stained. I used only sunlight from window, was a sunny afternoon and hot !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Starting tomorrow , we are painting our house, maybe I will have some days without connection of internet , need unplug the modem maybe for painting the wall where it is ..I think ...
So happy week to all of you , and thanks for all support and visiting ; ))
This photo is here too .. www.flickr.com/cameras/sony/dslr-a200/.. thanks !
As each ladle is tipped the tipping operator approaches the wagon and unplugs the electric lead, the locos move back one wagon, electricity is connected to the next and the tipping begins. The ladle slowly turns downwards. for some the slag with begin to flow freely out, oozing down the bank as a fiery orange liquid, crackling as it covers the cool ground. For some, the ladle will tip nearly ninety degrees before the surface crust breaks and the liquid contents spill out. Here, only the core has remained liquid and it has spilled out under its own weight as a fiery hot lump, exploding as it hits the ground. It disappears beneath a pall of thick smoke as it tumbles down the bank, breaking up into smaller pieces, releasing the crackling liquid core. For all wagons a final whack from the the cranes swinging ball is required to dislodge the bottom contents which spill out as a fiery solid, breaking into pieces as it tumbles down the bank.
Nikopol' Ferroalloy plant, Dnipropetrovs'ka oblast Ukraine. 20th of September 2018.
Whenever I leave town I unplug all my external drives and sequester them in safe places around the house... I have yet to find them again so all I have to post for the moment is more images from the most recent trip.
We stopped on our way east in the town of Colfax, Washington and spent sunset up on Steptoe Butte looking out over the Palouse. It was hot, almost 100 degrees and the rampant wildfires in Washington and Oregon lent a smoky, hazy quality to the air. But it cleared enough for us to watch the super moon rise right at the tail end of sunset.
“Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness.” -Allen Ginsberg
Part of being able to keep going & growing is accepting yourself for who you are, with all your quirks and weirdness. When you’re constantly at battle with yourself, your energy is spent on that rather than growing.
Notebook from Pulsar, bandana from Doodle House Creations (Etsy).
One of my favorite combinations! I especially love these together because they remind me of my sweeties. They love to sit by the patio to watch bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks, and birds (plus the occasional opossum, deer, and turkey).
Notebook from Greenroom, bandana from Kate O’Hara Art (Etsy).
“Take It easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don't even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand and take it easy”
-Eagles
Notebook from Studio Oh, bandana from Wayfaring Wolves (Etsy).
Tonight's late-night post serves two purposes: (1) The usual: sharing a photo with my friends here on Flickr, (2) Letting my friends here on Flickr know that I'm about to take a little break from Flickr--at least a break from commenting and posting myself.
This Saturday, my wife, my son, and I will be traveling to Wells, Maine to vacation with my mom, brother, sister-in-law, sister, and sister's boyfriend. It's a trip that's been a couple years in the making. While we usually only do a long weekend, we decided to skip going last year (which became an easier decision due to all the COVID shutdowns and restrictions) to save up to do a full week this year.
So, overall, I'm really going to try to "unplug" on this trip. I love participating here on Flickr, and I view it like an "online slide show" where you share photos but also comment on others' photos as if you were complimenting them at an in-person slideshow. Sometimes, though--if I'm being honest--it gets a little stressful after a long work day and my son's seemingly endless, 2-hour bedtime routine to try to play "catch up." With the "slide show" mindset I have with Flickr, I've maintained this principle: I'm not going to post photos unless I'm willing to regularly take the time to comment on other people's photos.
So, I'll be taking a break from commenting--and likely posting--for at least while we're on this vacation. If I find I really enjoy the break, well, I might be tempted to extend the "break" further into the summer, especially with plans to visit the in-laws in Potsdam again over 4th of July Weekend, etc.
So, with that, I appropriately leave you with a photo I took during a previous trip to Maine. On June 11, 2018, the NHN ran a special train (I believe for state officials) out of Ossipee with GP18 #1801, a long string of mostly recently-repainted hoppers, and caboose. Here, the train heads south through Wakefield, NH (or does the railroad consider this Sanbornville?). I couldn't have done this chase without the help of friends Ryan Fothergill and Justin Winiarz, and seeing as this is still my only NHN chase to date, I continue to be very grateful to those two excellent dudes.
Will I get to shoot the NHN again on this trip? I don't know. It's a family vacation first and foremost, but it's only about an hour drive from Wells to Ossipee, not too long of a chase, and then only about 30 minutes from Somersworth back to Wells, so...
Hope you all have a great week, and--for the time being--just count my quick "favoriting" of your photos as a definite nod of approval...