Greek Church

This is the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee, WI. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

King Gambrinus

Monarch of brewing, King Gambrinus, stands, watching over the Pabst brewery in Milwaukee, WI. Even a beer un-appreciator could appreciate the tradition and beauty that the architecture and antiquity of this structure exudes.

UFO Landing Port

A U.F.O. landing port in Poland, WI.

Standing in Milwaukee

Although it feels dated now since so much snow has fallen since, this picture was taken last Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Art Museum

Although my trip through Milwaukee was, like my entire trip around Lake Michigan, all too brief, I was amazed by the variety that lie along the approximately 1,000 mile route. This was taken at the Milwaukee Art Museum, one of, if the the, most beautiful structures I've ever seen.

Snowy Clock Couple

A couple walking by the Martinek's clock on a snowy December day in downtown Traverse City.

Harbor Springs Overview

Harbor Springs from above the town. I've taken this photo before in sunnier, summer weather but it's a fun perspective of the town that I don't get tired of seeing.

Harbor Springs

Downtown Harbor Springs.

The Narrows

A bit of beauty in the narrows as this boathouse and nearby life ring sit between North and South Lake Leelanau in Leelanau County.

Winter is here

Winter has arrived. There was a time when winter meant about six to seven months where I had to mentally shut down my anticipation of any outdoor fun. Snowboarding changed all that and I can't wait for the snow to dump. It's sort of like, "I can't wait to hit the beaches and have fun,"...winter style.

E.J. Fire Hall

East Jordan fire hall with a visually interesting apparatus on the top there. It looks like some type of siren.

Downtown East Jordan

Downtown East Jordan.

Barbershop with a Boar's Head

It seems like the more I want to take photos of a bustling city or new exciting place, the more I find myself in an environment that's the opposite of that. On my days off I'm often fixing my car and taking care of errands which also cuts into my wandering for photography. It's ok though because when I submit to the notion that I don't need to travel to some distant exciting land to take pictures, I find my photographic outings, however fleeting they might be, are fun and fulfilling. While walking through East Jordan yesterday, the town was mostly void of people. This barbershop scene caught my eye through the storefront window. That wall on the back is very typical Michigan (and I'm sure other states have them also) with the oddities. There's a boar's skull, next to another skull of an animal, pictures of fish and there are also some snowshoes. Of course there's a small circle of chairs to the right where I'm sure most of the world's problems are solved.

House Near Woods

It fascinates and intrigues me to come upon these homesteads that seem to have lost their tenants. In Port Oneida there are so many wonderful homes on these beautiful plots of land and although the photo doesn't show trees in their full summer splendor, it's fairly simple to see why the locations were chosen for a home.

In the Woods

Here's an old house and old car in the woods. They are in separate locations but in the same county.

Oneida House #3

Lately I've been wandering around Port Oneida because there's so much natural beauty and so many well-preserved remnants of bygone times such as this place here.

No Deer Heads

It's opening day of Michigan firearms deer hunting season.

White Beulah Car

This was taken in Beulah about a month ago.

Bar Harbor

Harbor Springs, MI

Bless America

This is another roadside find which can be spotted along U.S. 31 between Honor and Beulah. This is part of a group of metal creations which include some bugs, this America-themed set as well as some Disney characters like Goofy and Pluto.

Snoopy's Dog House

Check out this great find while driving around today. It's Snoopy's dog house (says "Snoopy" above the doorway) in the back of golf cart #1 as its battery is being charged, complete with a spare battery on the passenger side floor. The cart appears to be equipped with a high and low beam headlight setup. A bit random but the blue of the cart, red of the building and uniqueness of the scene is fun.

Iceman Cometh

The Iceman Cometh arrived this year with actual ice which isn't always the case. Last year had mild temperatures and the year before wasn't too bad either. Every once in a while though the snow seems to arrive especially for this event.

Patterns of Empire

It was a productive day so I spent my small amount of free time during the evening by setting out for the village of Empire. With most of the tourists away it feels like I have the entire Sleeping Bear National Dunes Lakeshore to myself. It's fun exploring these small surrounding areas in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Ted's Standard Service

This sign tried to remain hidden but I saw it as I was passing it out in Leelanau County today. The nearest small town is Lake Leelanau and I believe that there actually was a Ted's Standard Service station there, with clean restrooms apparently. A nice little find today.

Lake Michigan Kiteboarding

Lake Michigan kiteboarding. The kites visually preceded the surfers as I pulled my car into the sand-dusted parking lot at the beach in Frankfort. It's the south/ southwest wind that is optimal here, according to the surfers. If it wasn't for the cold and changing leaves nearby, it could've been Malibu. Malibu would've had far more people though.

Walking in Fishtown

Walking through Leland's Fishtown.

Outdoor desk

Telephone Pole

Leelanau County, MI

Photographer

Meyer S. May

This is the Meyer May house in Grand Rapids. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1908-1909 for his wife and him.

ArtPrize Horses

Today I returned from a trip to Grand Rapids to see ArtPrize for the first time. It was such a sight to see an amazingly varied and vast collection of art by such talented artists. This piece by artist Richard Morse was one of many spectacular pieces on display.

Apartments and tree shadow- Petoskey, MI

Fishing ropes on a boat in Fishtown- Leland, MI

Horse sculptures at Fred Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park- Grand Rapids, MI

The General

These are friends here as we were helping my buddy Brent, second from right, put up a fence in his back yard. The 2-person hole digger on the right there, operated by Brent and his father, is the Honda 330- the General. It was the subject of some smirks of amazement by those who weren't operating it, and the object of utmost respect by those who were. Once fired up, the General just wanted to dig. From a spectators point of view, the only thing keeping it from boring a hole to China were the four handles and two people using them and even then a hole to China didn't fully seem out of the question. A shout of "DOWN!," then a shout of "UP!," and then the post. I'm returning this morning to help with round 2. I like it, it reminds me my childhood when my Dad would have people over to help with building our garage. Family and friends helping one another. Like pioneers, except we have the Honda 330 hole digger- the General.

Downtown Traverse City

Northport Place

This is a fun place I saw while walking through Northport today.

Gas Pump

Northport, MI

Harbor Springs

This is Harbor Springs which is a wonderful small town on the Little Traverse Bay. Look at that view.

Mouse

This mouse showed itself while my step dad and I were cleaning out a trailer and disturbed a family (or friends) of its kind taking residence in a rusty car rotor.

Meeting at Tracks

So much about this scene appealed to me when I took the photo. Small towns have such a distinct photographic quality. The big grain mill is unique and the "save the mill" sign adds to it. A green shirt is being worn and some green carnival-ride tracks are visible on the left of the frame with green grass on the right. Then there's the kids, one on his mode of transportation, the bmx bike, meeting with another kid along the train tracks. It's Americana.

Rock Tower

There's a strong theme of Lake Michigan-themed images lately. It's where I often find myself, especially this time of year, due to the dwindling amount of days left to enjoy Lake Michigan's beaches. This is my cousin Adam making a rock tower.

Leland Breakwall

Leland, MI breakwall on Lake Michigan.

Glen Haven beach

This is from Glen Haven beach this morning.

Salmon fishing

My buddy and co-worker Art (netting the salmon) invited me along on his friend's boat to go salmon fishing the other day in Lake Michigan. Even though I lost two fish it was a blast. I'd never gone before and the whole experience was great. Cool people, some beer and pizza on a boat in Lake Michigan, and some good tunes on the radio. Thanks Art.