Author Archives: Trail Rocker

It’s been some time since I last posted anything on my blog. Like the rest of the country, it’s been cold and damp here so I haven’t had much opportunity to get out with my camera. It hasn’t been as cold as Buffalo, NY, but it has been cold. So yesterday I took my cameraContinue reading “It’s Been Awhile”

Recently I took a hike along the Monroe Ridge Trail above the Gold Rush site in Coloma. The Monroe Ridge Trail is named after the Monroe family who migrated to California from Missouri in the mid 1800’s. The Monroe family purchased a small plot of land in Coloma and planted fruit trees. Over time theyContinue reading “Monroe Ridge Trail”

Over the past week I have been trying different setups (cameras and lenses), asking a lot of questions and learning a lot through trial and error. Last night under Bortle 2 skies, I set up my Canon SL-1, crop sensor camera, with the Samyang 135mm, f2 manual focus lens on my star tracker. Using myContinue reading “More Orion”

Barbara and I settled in at Coloma eight days ago and we have been so busy, I have not been able to get out and do any hiking in the area. After yesterdays football game the plan today was to just sit and relax for the day. That didn’t happen. I got up this morningContinue reading “Busy Times”

Last night I stood out in the cool crisp air taking 81 photos of the Constellation Orion and the Orion Nebula. This morning I composited these photos into two photos. These photos didn’t come out as well as I had hoped as I am still dealing with star trails, but I believe I’m getting better.Continue reading “Orion”

Today my little boy Hopper passed over the Rainbow 🌈 Bridge. There are no words to describe how I feel right now. To say that I am heartbroken is an understatement. This little guy stole my heart ❤️ from the first moment we met. I’m never going to forget you “Little Buddy”. I Love You!Continue reading “My Little Boy”

Yesterday my friend Robert and I got out and stretched our legs and got some fresh air while hiking the nearby Fall River Trail. This trail is 4.6 miles long through a heavily wooded, conifer forest. We enjoyed the views of the Deschutes River, Fall River and Fall River Falls. In addition, the fall colorsContinue reading “Fall River Trail”

Recently I have been trying to use my star tracker without any good results. My star tracker did not come with any instructions, so yesterday I went onto the manufacturers website to see if it had any tutorials that may help with my learning. As it turns out, it does. My star tracker was madeContinue reading “Learning”

Yesterday, Barbara, Hopper and I traveled north, across the Columbia River, into southern Washington, to visit Beacon Rock State Park. Beacon Rock is the remnant of an extinct volcano. While Barbara and Hopper enjoyed the picnic area I hiked to the top of Beacon Rock. That wasn’t my original plan as the hike appeared moreContinue reading “Beacon Rock”

On Wednesday Barbara and I took Hopper and drove the 146 mile long Mt. Hood Scenic Loop. This is a beautiful drive that circles Mt. Hood, goes through the Columbia River Gorge, stops at Bonneville Dam and took us to Multnomah Falls. We started by heading east towards Timberline Lodge on the south slope ofContinue reading “Mt. Hood Scenic Loop”