We left home at 4:30 Am Tuesday for my appointment at the hospital in Los Angeles. Since I didn't want to add a camera to the list of things for The Husband to lug around, this one is from the archives.We may not be overjoyed about the fact, but the two-hour trips to LA are a big part of our routine now. This is my romanticized impression of the back way—the route we take unless there is snow and ice in our area. First, we have to drive into Tehachapi, then Highline Road takes us to Tehachapi Willow Springs Road through the windmill farms. By the time we the turn onto 90th St. West (where this photo was taken), we are past the town of Mojave, nearing Rosamond, and well down into the desert. Say farewell to our mountains.
By taking this route, we avoid the ten or fifteen minutes it would take to get from Tehachapi to the freeway. It saves some of the monotony of freeway driving and usually saves the travel time. That is, is unless you get stuck behind one of the big trucks that use this road. In that case, you have to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Eventually, we cut over to the 14 freeway and then it's over an hour of being sandwiched in one of those lanes among all the other cars, buses, and trucks headed to Los Angeles and outlying suburbs.
Don't get me wrong. Freeways are marvelous time-saving developments, and I am big time in favor of them. Still, sitting on one for hours at a time causes me to lose touch with where I am. For me, it is an odd and disorienting sensation. Narrow, back roads aren't as safe, in general; but, they seem to be human scale.
Scenes along Tehachapi Willow Springs Road and 90th Street West, such as this one, have now become part of who I am and where I live.
I love this shot. The phone poles and lines actually add another dimension to it and the framing couldn't be better. Nice texture, too.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are making the best of the tedium of long drives. City folk take it for granted the proximity to resources (like health care) most of the time. I still envy you.
Ken - Thanks a million for you comment. I am glad you like this one. We are beginning to get used to the fact that this is one of the tradeoffs for the peace and tranquility of country living. We are happy with the trade.
ReplyDeleteMore when I can use more than one finger—can actually use both index fingers, just can't use right one very long.
Love that photo. It calls to mind photos from the past. One can imagine refugees from the Dust Bowl trudging down that road. Very nice.
ReplyDeleteI agree about freeways. Handy when you need them, but you see little of what's around you. You can drive through the whole LA area on them and not see anything of the city. It's like being in an airplane.
Hope your doctoring is going well.
PJ - Thanks for the kind words. I enjoy the reference to "photos from the past", since that is part of what I always feel on that road.
ReplyDelete"Like being in an airplane" describes it perfectly.
Doing much better, but it is a bear trying to type.
Anita, the texture treatment really works well with this image. I'd much rather spend a little more time on a road like this then fighting high speed traffic on an Interstate.
ReplyDeleteYou know, from this end we can't tell if you're using one finger or ten to type these post and comments. ;-) Have a good weekend.
Earl - Here is the clue: brevity. Long entries prepared in advance. Also, more typos in new ones. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment on the image. I am getting better at seeing where I want texture. Sometimes it's addition creates no more than a muddle.
We enjoy our opportunity to spend quite a lot of time on these country roads now.
I am enjoying following your exploration in the use of textures Anita. I find working with them help get some of those creative juices flowing.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about the typos. I think the English language is being reduced to what people can quickly put out with two thumbs anyway (ie. texting) :-).
Mark - I am not certain how long it would taken me to return to my exploration of textures had you not led the way. I posted a thank you on Tuesday, May 31, but I owe you several thank you's. You are so right about the use of textures stirring the creatinve juices. I am having an abosolutely wonderful time with them.
ReplyDeleteAnita, what a beautiful image!!
ReplyDeleteSteve - It is a pleasure to hear from you, and I delighted that you like this one. Are you up to your ears in some big project?
ReplyDeleteA lovely shot, Anita. I'm with you about the back roads. Highways are great for what they are, but they are just a way to get to the destination, not really for enjoying the process of getting there. Back roads are inviting and, in some cases, can be frustrating if you get behind a big truck. It's all a state of mine though. If you get behind the truck, you just have more time to admire the scenery.
ReplyDeleteI feel, also, more comfortable on country roads. Laid back. Unhurried.
Paul - Thank you. I am glad you like this one.
ReplyDeleteYep. Highways are best when speed is the primary concern, but the trip does nothing for the heart or soul.