I woke up to a thick fog hanging over the seashore, so I headed back toward the nearby port town of Charleston, where I suspected I’d find some interesting scenes of fog over the docks as fishermen got ready for their day. My instinct was rewarded as a soupy sunshine started to break through the fog, and I’m sure that made the fishermen happier too — as much as photographers may love the moody presence of the fog, the fishermen hate it. As the sky continued to clear, I headed back to the botanical garden at Shore Acres State Park, which is beautiful. I can’t say I’ve ever had the experience of photographing in a botanical garden when I can hear the barking of sea lions in the near distance. I know I didn’t see as much of the surrounding coastal scenery as I would like to, but I’ll be back!

I ate lunch while looking out over the beautiful rocky beach landscape of Bandon, and then reluctantly, I started driving away from the coast on Route 42, heading toward Crater Lake. It was hard to say goodbye to the Oregon coast. There is so much there, not just for the photographer, but for everyone. Dramatic Pacific ocean views, rocky coastal areas, sandy beaches, lighthouses, tide pools, beachcombing, weathered and authentic (i.e., not touristy) fishing towns, good restaurants… there’s plenty to love.

But at the same time, I’m excited to visit Crater Lake too. I arrived at my first viewpoint at the edge of Crater Lake as the sun sank low enough to throw shadows of Wizard Island on the cliffs on the far side of the lake. I think my jaw actually dropped. This is not just any lake. It’s incredibly peaceful and striking.

I made my way to the Crater Lake Lodge, hoping to find a room for the next two nights because their campgrounds were closed, but this was the one time on this trip I came up completely unprepared. Apparently Crater Lake Lodge is booked months in advance, everything at Mazama Village (the only other lodging in the park) was closed, and there are very few towns less than an hour’s drive away.

The clerk at the lodge kindly called a hotel in the closest town, Fort Klamath, and I secured a room for the night at the Aspen Inn. I had already driven a long way that day, and another 45 minutes on the road was not happy news, but I made my way down the highway to the teeny tiny town of Fort Klamath. The Aspen Inn is a classic old-school motel, and I love places like that. What made it even better is that both of the people I met who work there, Sue and Heidi, are as nice and welcoming as can be. And in a Smalltimore moment, I found out that there was another guest at the hotel from the Baltimore area. Not only was she from Baltimore, she lived in Cockeysville, where I grew up. It really is a small, small world.

First, an introduction. Charm City Art Club is a group founded by Baltimore artists Jeff Caporizzo, Michelle Sanzi Kermes, and me. You can see more about us at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Charm-City-Art-Club/308859099749

When I started planning this trip, I thought about what kind of photographic approach I was going to take. Was I going to concentrate on a particular type of subject matter? Shoot a in a particular style? I really didn’t want to constrain myself right out of the gate. My day-to-day photography is an exercise in exploration, so I wanted to bring that approach to this project as well. In short, I’ll photograph whatever strikes my eye, whether it’s a creation of nature or a rusty truck or an interesting character.

But I also felt that this trip needed an artistic angle or goal, and an opportunity presented itself at a recent recent meeting of the Charm City Art Club. Michelle mused on how interesting it would be for me to act as a lens – literally – for my fellow CCAC members. We talked about it for a while and agreed to collaborate on a project.

As I post pictures from my travels, Michelle and Jeff will select images and respond visually with works of their own, in their respective mediums. The ultimate goal is to present our works as a series of triptychs. Since this project is still very much in the early stages, I’ll save details until later! In the meantime, please visit CCAC on Facebook and become a fan.

Even though the Baltimore Orioles have been having a tough year… um, decade, I’m a hometown girl and will always be a fan. So I was excited when writer Rafael Alvarez announced The Daily Camden project on the “Welcome to Baltimore, Hon!” blog. Each day a different photographer captures a scene of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. You can see my entry by visiting the above link, and clicking on “May 10, 2010.”

I’ve teamed up with fellow Baltimore artists Jeff Caporizzo, Michelle Sanzi Kermes, and Annette Jones-Wilson to form the Charm City Art Club. Charm City Art Club is a small organization of dedicated and passionate Baltimore artists. Our goals are simple: art for art’s sake and advocacy for the arts. Our product is good art, and shared support, under the guiding principle that artists are a big part of a better Baltimore. We’re looking forward to helping to support and promote artists and the arts in Baltimore through various projects and efforts. Stay tuned!

I’m excited to report that I will now be working out of a fantastic space in the historic Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower in Baltimore! The artists of the Bromo Tower open their studios on the first Saturday of each month for the public to view and buy work. Visit the linked site for schedule.

Exhibit: New Work, 2009
Opening Reception: Sunday, November 1st, 5:00-8:00 pm
49 West Coffeehouse Winebar & Gallery
49 West Street, Annapolis, MD
410.626.9796

The show features new work I’ve produced over the last two years, and will be on display from November 1-30, 2009. All of the prints will be available for sale.

If you’re unable to attend the opening, please stop by during November to check out the show and enjoy a meal or drink in this terrific cafe/gallery in the heart of historic Annapolis.