Solitary Tree in Mexico

One of our favorite places to stay when traveling in Mexico is the town of Tequisquiapan. It is located in the state of Queretaro. This is the geographical center of Mexico and is surrounded by some beautiful mountains. We spent many days traveling the back roads in the mountains enjoying the magnificent views and the small mountain towns we entered.  We were always able to find some great food and meet some interesting people. We have a healthy awareness about being out in the wilderness traveling in unexplored regions and the dangers that can exist. We certainly have had our moments of despair with car problems or being lost in the mountains. Despite the unexpected problems we have encountered, we have always felt that the rewards of taking some risk out weight the few problems we have had to deal with in our travels. This scene of the solitary tree was taken while traveling many of the back roads we were on in Mexico.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quer%C3%A9taro

Presidio Texas

Traveling in the extreme southwestern part of Texas along the Rio Grand I came into the small town of Presidio Tx. It is located on the Mexico border across the river from the town of Ojinaga Mx.  I often ask myself why I choose traveling to remote areas just to wander in a vast and empty land. I have always been drawn to such places and think about them when I am not there. I guess it is because I like the quietness of the land and the originality of the local people I come in contact with. Traveling down a dirt road I came on this little shack sitting out in the middle of the wilderness. The ground was nothing but rock and sand and offered little opportunity for farming, yet someone staked their claim here and built a home. These places and the rugged people that live there amaze me and it is probably the reason I keep exploring and photographing these locations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidio,_Texas

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Presidio,+TX&ie=UTF-8&ei=_RClUpmrK6HJsQTw44HIDA&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAg

Lajitas Texas

Lajitas Teaxas is a remote place in the U.S. southwest, and one of my most favorite places to go photograph and explore. The small town sits on the banks of the Rio Grand just a few hundred yards from Mexico. The ride along the river on route 170 going west from Lajitas is one of the most beautiful in the country. It takes you through a rugged mountain region with spectacular views of the Rio Grand River. This image of the old church was made on this road. It is the remnants of the movie set "Lonesome Dove". I have always had a fascination with old Western movies and novels. I am certain it is because of my early childhood watching old black and white cowboy programs on TV.  I originally processed this image in color because of the colorful landscape and the intense blue sky. The image was a good representation of the day and the location but it did not fulfill my vision I had of the scene. With the conversion to black and white I am able to work more freely with my interpretation and create an image that most represents my true feelings of the location.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Lajitas&state=TX

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonesome_Dove_(TV_miniseries)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m44NQUIOaiQ