W. Lloyd Williams

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Filtering by Tag: Durango

Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway

train-090522-_WLW0416 The narrow gauge railway is on of the most famous steam train routes in the world. The train runs on six tons of coal. The rail road buys carbon offset credits to equal their usage of coal.

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Pamela booked us in a lovely coach at the end of the train that gave us a wonderful window view and the ability to photograph from the rear platform.

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The train winds through the mountains following the river.

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The train arrives in Silverton just before lunch.

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The main street is a collection of small tourist shops brightly colored.

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Last winter they received twenty feet of snow, four feet on Christmas day. This kind of seclusion leads to antiques old and new.

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Last Dandelion

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The shops included many things of interest for young and old.

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A local weaver designed a unique warping loom.

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A painted wall looks woven in color.

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Pamela looked for a hat, without success.

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In one of the local shop the proprietor created the perfect "room of her own."

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We changed cars on the way back and had wonderful views in all directions.

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We both love trains and wish more were available. Do not miss this in your travels. -L

Field Testing a Leica M8

My first real camera was a Leica M3 given to me by my father, after my interest in photography was sparked. Leica M3 w/ 50mm Elmar f2.8

This week I will be field testing a Leica M8 to replace my Nikon D90. I like the smaller size and finer construction. David Farkas of Dale Photo & Digital is graciously loaning me an M8 with three lens, 18mm, 35mm, 90mm. They are America's Premier Leica Dealer.

Leica M8 with 18mm Super-Elmar-M and Viewfinder

David is a Leica expert and writes the informative David Farkas Photography blog. He has answered all my questions and helped me select the right lens kit to field test. I will be using the camera over the next week to photograph Mesa Verde National Park and sights around Durango, CO. I will post photos and comments during the week. -L

Horse Gulch Trail System

Ridge Line Hike Overlooking Durango We were told to drive to the end of 3rd Street and park then hike up the valley and take the trail to the left.

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We ascended over a rocky path to a ridge line overlooking Durango and the mountains beyond.

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The breeze cooled us as we hiked along the ridge sharing the trail with numerous mountain bikers.

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We stopped for a short break to eat some trail mix and enjoy the views.

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Tomorrow the Leica arrives and we will not have to keep swapping off the Pentax point and shoot camera. -L

Durango Friends of the Arts

durango-090514-0058 While biking along the Animas River Trail we show a collection of easels with plein air oil paintings. So we had to stop. It was a meeting of the Durango Friends of the Arts and we were invited to stay for the Plein Air presentation.

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Jane Mercer and her mentor Karl Brenner gave a short presentation of plein air painting after the regular meeting.

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Jane kindly showed me her workshop notebook where she includes photographs, notes, and palette examples with mixing notes.

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This was a great idea I will have to incorporate into my next workshop, thank you Jane; -L