Category Archives: City Stuff

Derailing a Routine

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Image of an iron handrail along a street curb

I’m on the train again.  Northbound with faithful companions, backpack and camera by my side.  I’ve traveled this this route so many times I know and can predict each and every soft whipping turn, acceleration and deceleration point along the way without ever opening my eyes.

The sounds are familiar, the sway of my car is familiar.  I know this route well.  I know the tracks and how this train cooperates with them.  It’s becoming “my” route.  It is my route.

And while I hate routine, I find myself often lured into its trap, the one wrapped in something pretending to be safe.  Yet with each and every jostle and abrupt jolt caused by the defiance of the train against the tracks below I am gently reminded that I’m not always in control of the journey.

Surprisingly I’m not at all alarmed by this.

My eyes are still closed as I unconsciously and robotically lip the words of each station’s name as we arrive just as we always do.

Routine has once again lured me into its trap.  How very clever it can be.  But as the train pulls into the next station I quickly open my eyes and change my mind.  Off the train and onto the platform of a station I’ve never stepped foot on before…I’m ready to explore a new place.  This wasn’t my plan.

There I was with camera in hand and a different destination in mind this time, and surprisingly I’m not at all alarmed by this.

I am,
The Urban Mountaineer

My daughter and I have a “Love-Haight” relationship….

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young girl looking at records

I think it’s the distinct historical neighborhoods that collectively make up the super-eclectic vibe that pulses through the city of San Francisco.  EsEf definitely exhales with a diversified force like no other city I’ve known.  Its core is the roots of a rich history and these neighborhoods are the extension of one of the best cities ever to live in or at least be a part of.  It’s a soft and subtle fusion of anything and everything that is possible and more on a fast track of vibrant urban movement.

To me, they are the many corners and secret niches of a remarkable Victorian mansion connecting all the rooms as a whole but each having their own unique décor and I want to see them all! Continue reading →

My pictures just don’t do her justice

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Image of the Gold Gate Bridge

It’s been said that Princess Diana was the most photographed woman in the world but I believe San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge has got her beat.  That being said I could hardly consider myself a resident until I took at least one pic of her.  And so I have…finally.  It only took me 4 months to take the shot and another 2 to post it but hey, at least I can say I finally did it.

As much as I’d like to post one of those blow-your-mind epic shots of this beauty I’m afraid this is probably the best you’ll get from me.  Let’ face it, there are a kagillion other photographers who have lived here all of their lives and have probably been taking her portrait since they were 5 years old.  They know all the of the rock-star ledges to balance a tripod on, killer views to zoom in on and know the best helicopter cabs to hang out of in order to get those famous heart-stopping shots we’re all too familiar with…seriously they know what they’re fippin’ doing. Continue reading →

Sifting Through Chinatown 1 and 2

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In a quest to truly learn my way around the city I’ve decided to take a series of self-guided walking tours that are designed to help me get more familiar with the various neighborhoods, hot spots and points of interest San Francisco has to offer. I purchased a box of 50 tour cards with maps on one side and a quick tour narrative on the other. I figured I’d do a tour a week and by the end of the year I should know my way around like a native or just enough to get lost on a regular basis. Will I actually do a tour every week? I doubt it however I will work my way through the deck until I’ve done everyone.

My first adventure recently took me into the well-known “Chinatown” district and WOW I think my brain is till on sensory overload. Not in a bad way it’s just overloaded with sites, sounds, smells and the energy that comes from being in a crowded and unknown place bustling with activity. Continue reading →

Sunshine, butterflies and a navigation system

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Young girl taking pictures under the Golden Gate Bridge

Rainey taking pictures under the Golden Gate Bridge

 

Now that I’ve landed just outside of San Francisco my friends have been asking me often if I’m digging it here, more specifically if I’m digging the city. This isn’t an easy question to answer considering the long journey in which my daughter and I have taken in order to get here and why we did so. Of course it’s an amazing place. I know it sounds glamorous to up and move to a big city … but no, it’s not always so. And when I’m asked if I like California better than Colorado I can’t say either way because those are two completely different places. It would be like comparing expensive apples to really expensive oranges. I have yet to figure out how to do that. I can say for sure It’s not always sunshine and butterflies however, there is sunshine and there are butterflies….lots of butterflies.

So why did we move here in the first place? Well that’s a semi-long and somewhat simple answer, which goes like this: Continue reading →

Was it content or intent that actually got me here?

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Image of a Canon 5D Mark iii camera

As I sifted through the minimal life belongings that could fit into my car (and I mean mostly all camera gear) to find a clean pair of socks (which by the way was not as important as finding the right lens) I stopped to reflect over the past year and the incremental decisions and events that led up to this very moment of glorious yet exhausting chaos…aka my current place of being. Continue reading →