Let's Fall!

I took this shot on Darwin Wiggett's Winter Magic tour in February.  I just loved how this tree was hanging stuck in the air waiting to fall someday.  It reminded me of the new season upon us.  Certainly, in Calgary where I am from is in a completely different situation than Pittsburgh, where I am llving now. 

McDougall Memorial United Church

I had several places I wanted to visit before I left Alberta this spring.  This is McDougall Memorial United Church outside of Morley, Alberta.  It is a beautiful spot in the prairie to foothills transition towards to the Rockies. I converted to a black and white with Nik's Silver Efex Pro

Taughannock Falls from the Base

I decided to take the lower pathway that went to the base of the Taughannock Falls.  It was only a 25 minute hike that was flat in elevation.  I was unhappy with the views from the viewpoint at the base.  I hopped over the retaining wall and I was able to get a better perspective.  I love the gracefulness of the water dropping 215 ft to the ground with the detailed rock backdrop.  With some luck, I managed to wait for the cloud to fill the bluesky triangle.

©Matt Graham 2010 - Taughannock Falls from the Base

Taughannock Falls Viewpoint

I really wanted to see Taughannock Falls.  In the travel brochure I had, it said that these falls are the tallest east of the Rocky Mountains!  Amazing! A waterfall higher that Niagara Falls??  You bet!  These falls are 215 feet (65 metres) and makes it 33 feet (15 metres) taller than Niagara Falls! This is from the viewpoint from the upper parking lot.  I was amazed by the beauty and powerful nature of this waterfall so I decided to walk down to it. More on that in tomorrow's post!

©Matt Graham 2010 - Taughannock Falls Viewpoint

Rainbow Falls

Heading up the gorge at Watkins Glen State Park, I was still amazed at the scenery and the great photo opportunities that came upon me.  Here is Rainbow Falls.  It is a famous scene that a lot of tourism brochures used and actually encouraged me to visit!  I like how there is a little shelter on the left for people that do not want to get wet as the walk under the falls!

©Matt Graham 2010 - Rainbow Falls

Cavern Cascade Pathway

As I said in my previous blog post, Cavern Cascade is a waterfall that you can walk under to get to the next level of the gorge. It's quite cool to walk under a huge volume of water falling right over your head.  The stairs in the foreground spiral up through a manmade opening which is quite the feat!

©Matt Graham 2010 - Cavern Cascade Pathway

Winding Road in Pennsylvania

I am in the area of the Marcellus Shale gas play in north-east Pennsylvania as part of my new work assignment. I was stopped for lunch and I just loved this road and how the clouds were in the sky.  Right now eastern Penn State is halfway through spring.  Some trees have fully bloomed and some are straggling behind, but everywhere is green!  That contrasts considerably to what happened to Calgary yesterday!

©Matt Graham 2010 - Winding Road in Pennsylvania

Mistaya Canyon Pathway

At the conclusion of the photo tour on Sunday, I headed back to Calgary.  The most unfortunate thing was that this Sunday was unlike another Sunday. It was the Gold Medal game day for mens hockey in Vancouver.  I realized this by the time I lost radio reception! So I put faith in the Canadian mens team and took pictures along Highway 93.  I took advantage of this drive back as it will probably was the last time I'll be there for a while.  Moving to Pittsbugh in June will be great, but I sure will miss the Rocky Mountains of Canada.

One of the stops I took was just south of the North Saskatchewan River. Mistaya Canyon, is a great spot along Highway 93.  It's not as busy as Athabasca or Sunwapta falls.  As well, there are some great viewpoints that are not obstucted by "human stupidity" barriers.  I really liked the pathway that led to the canyon, with the bluesky peaking through.

©Matt Graham 2010 - Mistaya Canyon Pathway