Living on an island came with an unexpected sense of wonder and curiosity. My house sat closer to edges of land disappearing into the sea than ones reaching toward mainland. This quiet beauty on eastern Long Island quickly introduced Sunday drives to my life.
Initially, they were short. One town over, then two. Discovering each cove, inlet, and canal. Some stops had convenient parking options, quiet parks, and welcoming trails. Others were dead ends designed for practicing three-point turns.
After thoroughly traversing the South Shore, my Jetta was introduced to the North Shore and forks. Leisurely excursions to the eastern points, with detours along the way, transformed my relationship with exploring locally. Blurring lines between visiting neighboring towns and enjoying vacation destinations.
These mini trips also linked my photography practice to traveling. I planned longer road trips, increasing the distance and time away from home. Until one day, I found myself living on the road in a van with a catalog of photos documenting an entire continent.
Of course, this escalation took years. As did closing the chapter of living on the road. And yet, the act of capturing photos with my Nikon camera remained intertwined with travel.
My desire to press the shutter button slowly faded as life and chronic illness kept me at home or on medical campuses. Truth be told, I have not created a new image with my professional camera in nearly five years.
I gasped doing the math, too.
The camera currently resides in the last backpack I wore hiking on a road trip. Wrapped in a protective case, like a time capsule from my previous life.
Only recently did I start missing the weight of it in my hands. And the small viewfinder revealing new worlds to my eyes.
Perhaps a Sunday drive close to home is the best way to become reacquainted.
Journal Entries
Heartfelt reflections on love, loss, family, friendship, growing older, and a life mostly well lived.
As always, thank you for being here.
Hope u took any batteries out! I rarely use my Nikon anymore either. It's been 99.7% my phone camera for about 10 years I think. It's all good, keep on plugging!!
Sounds promising!