Another Tuesday outing with my friends Anne and Greg. First stop is revisiting Michigan Bar Road. The cool winter fog presents such a change in atmosphere in the images. The summer sun that beat down on me gave my photos shadows and highlights. Now winter fog and mist saturate colors. I grab a couple of shots of the curving road lined with barbed wire fence.

Michigan Bar Road Curves

Dried wild flowers hug the barbed wire
Cattle grazes in the pasture.

Cows Grazing
Fall colors, a recent memory, are not visible. The color palette are grays, browns, and greens. Definitely have a feeling of winter approaching. Later in the week there is talk of a storm. I have heard this before. The drought here is real, and somedays I long for time to hibernate, and catch up on all kinds of projects. Then, I’m out shooting, and I am glad for the dry weather. Guess I should appreciate what I have since I have no control over weather anyway.
Farm animals got to listen to my “Julia Childs” voice as I call to them. I can tell they respond to my voice. The cows come closer, the horse looks my way. I am patient, and enjoy the time I spend trying to get a good image.

Cow Listening to “Julia Child” Voice

Slim Pickings for Cow

Do you like my earings?

What’s on the other side?

Follow the leader.

Perfect rural setting

That’s what I think about that!

Love the markings on this horse.
Next I concentrate on my landscape photography. I am using my tripod, and bracketing my shots. I capture 5 frames with different shutter speeds so that I can merge them using HDR Photomatrix Pro 5 software.

Stopped at Michigan Bar Road farm

Rural Landscape
Our lunch destination is Fat Freddy’s in Jackson California. The menu is simple. Carlos has been serving hot dogs here for the past 19 years. He started with a hot dog cart, and opened up “Fat Freddy’s” nineteen years ago in Jackson. Over a Kraut Hot Dog and delicious Cappuccino Milk Shake Carlos told the story as to how the place was named. His original thought was to name it “Wanda’s Wonder Buns.” This name was strenuously rejected by his wife Wanda. After some thought Carlos gave in and Wanda came up with the name “Fat Freddy’s”. Seating is counter style and the tiny “hole in the wall” space is eclectically decorated.

Worth a trip to Jackson

Carlos, the owner of Fat Freddy’s in Jackson Ca. Always ready for conversation.

Cappuccino Milk Shake @ Fat Freddy’s. So thick and yummy!
Walked off lunch by strolling around town. Many retail establishments are dressed up for the holidays, but on a Tuesday some places are closed. Lots of pedestrians window shopping.

Main Street in Jackson Ca

Retail signage

Retail Signage

St. Patrick Church in Jackson Ca.

Historic plaque tells an interesting story.
The Chamber of Commerce suggested that we stop at the National Hotel. The staff welcomed three photographers, complete with tripods. It felt like I had been transported back to a lavish Victorian era hotel around the 1860’s. The ambiance of lighting makes taking photographs challenging. I definately needed to use my tripod. For some of the images I bracketed 5 frames and then imported the files in Photomatrix Pro 5 from Lightroom. I hope I did the National Hotel lobby justice. If you are in the area this is a place to visit. I didn’t get to see the rooms, but I am tempted to make a reservation.

National Hotel

Majestic hotel lobby of the National Hotel

National Hotel Lobby in Jackson

National Hotel ready for the holidays!

Ceiling Tiles

Christmas Ornament Reflection

National Hotel lobby features this book. Any ghosts haunting this old hotel?

National Hotel Santa
This hotel retained many antiques which creates an interesting atmosphere. I have never seen this before.

Antique Cigarette Machine. Only 25 cents

Glass Work on door in National Hotel
Thanks for the hospitality in such a gracious hotel.
Before heading back to Sacramento we made one more stop along the way.

Leaving Amador County

Tree fight it out.

Heading back to Sacramento. Fog is rolling in.