About the Photo: Crowned By Dawn
I keep two scratch off maps in my office. One for states and one for National Parks. I had one glaring section of my map that I had wanted to cross off for a long time. That area was the Pacific Northwest, Washington and Oregon. I decided that I was going to fly out to Seattle and cross two states and three National Parks off my list. I gave myself two weeks to capture the essence of the Northwest. That seemed like a lot of time but looking back, it wasn't enough. I spent a couple months planning everything I wanted to see. All the driving and the places to stay. I decided the end of September into October was the best time to go. I knew I was putting myself up against the rainy season but the thoughts of seeing fall color at Mount Rainier and the golden larches in North Cascades were worth the risk. One thing I didn’t take into account was that the Government was going to shut down a few days after I arrived which brought a lot of unknowns. At the time, I wasn’t sure if that meant the parks would close and I’d have to scramble to come up with other plans or not. Luckily the parks stayed open and I could see everything I wanted.
With that background out of the way, here is how “Crowned By Dawn” came to be and how it almost didn’t happen.
I flew out to Seattle on the night of September 26. By the time my flight arrived, I got my rental car and I made it to my hotel, it was almost midnight. I was tired from that five hour flight and just wanted to get some sleep. I figured I had two weeks, I didn’t need to rush my first morning. Plus the forecast was calling for 100% clouds. there was no shot of a sunrise happening.
The stress of the unknown with the Government shutdown and the fact that I was still on Maryland time, I woke up early. I lied in bed contemplating what to do. I took my time leaving the hotel but I decided to head to Mount Rainier so I could at least see the park if it did shutdown in a couple days. I had a two hour drive to get there and I’d be arriving right around sunrise if I was lucky. As I got to the park gates it was still dark. The trees were thick so I didn’t know what I was arriving to. The further I drove into the park, the more the trees opened up. I noticed that the sky was starting to get some color. Oh no, did I blow my shot at sunrise? A little bit of panic was going through my head but I knew I still had a shot.
I pulled into a parking spot at Reflection Lake. The sky was gaining more color on the horizon. I quickly gathered my camera bag and tripod and headed towards the lake. I tried going down a path but it was blocked off for restoration. Oh no, I’m losing more time. The sky is getting brighter. Colors are getting stronger. I turn around and find another way down to the shore. I find a nice quiet spot to sit up my tripod. I got my camera mounted and suddenly the sky erupted in pinks and rose golds all around Mount Rainier. The lake sat perfectly still living up to the name Reflection Lake. Interesting clouds hung in the sky between Mount Rainier and the sunrise so I lined up a panoramic shot and the rest is history. “Crowned By Dawn” was born.
All the stress of the morning, the panic, the lack of sleep, all worth it and I’d do it all again for a sunrise like that morning. I’d love to hear your thoughts about my photo. Also tell me your story about a time you almost missed a shot but pulled it off. Comment below and let me know.
About the Photo: Mother Road
The Great American Road Trip is more than just a drive. For many it’s a lifelong dream of discovery. An invitation to witness the vast landscapes and cultures that define this country. I’ve been fortunate enough to make the cross country trek twice, but the pull of the open road never fades.
In August of 2021, I had the privilege of taking my mother on the journey she had always dreamed of. Over 16 days and 6,253 miles, we navigated from Maryland through the heart of Chicago where we joined Historic Route 66. We followed that storied pavement all the way to the Pacific at Santa Monica. We returned home by interstates but were able to make stops at some beautiful National Parks.
While all of Route 66 was an amazing experience, Arizona captured our hearts. From the fallen giants of Petrified Forest to the overwhelming scale of the Grand Canyon, the state felt like a sanctuary of natural history. Yet the true soul of the trip lied in the Mother Road itself. The weathered charm of towns like Holbrook, Seligman, and Oatman. From old hotels and an abundance of roadside attractions to the wild donkeys, Arizona had it all.
My personal highlight was the Oatman Highway as it climbed through Sitgreaves Pass. Known as “The Sidewinder,” this narrow eight mile stretch demands a slow pace. 191 curves hug the rugged terrain with drop offs on the side of the road.. Near the summit I found a vantage point that perfectly captured the road’s rhythmic descent toward Oatman. I was struck by how the pavement snaked through the desert. A narrow ribbon of humanity balanced against the dominant mountain peak.
Though the late morning light was starting to become harsh, the composition came together beautifully. The clouds in the upper right mirrored the silhouette of the mountains creating a natural balance. The road acts like a leading line taking your eye through the photo. Even after a few years, I still fine new details throughout the image. To capture the full grandeur of this scene, I stitched together seven individual frames into a panoramic vista.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this perspective. Have you ever felt the pull of Route 66? If so, which stretch of the road stayed with you?