"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." -- John Muir
My Recent Photos
ChicagoUptown
The Riviera Theater was originally built as a movie palace in 1917. It is located in the historic Uptown theater district at Broadway and Lawrence. The venue is capable of holding 2,500 spectators. The neighborhood is known for great live music and nightlife. A bit further north, along Argyle Street, is a heavy concentration of Southeast Asian restaurants and shops. Other areas I have photographed are Chinatown, Bronzeville, Little Village, and the Loop.
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Bobby RushApril 13, 2012
Bobby Rush was born Emmit Ellis Jr. in Homer, Louisiana on November 10, 1940. He currently lives in Jackson, Mississippi. His energetic performances are legendary and his show stopping revue includes two female dancers. Some photos were also taken at the Chicago Blues Festival on June 13, 2010.
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Billy Joe ShaverJanuary 18, 2012
Billy Joe Shaver more or less invented Outlaw country and wrote a long string of timeless hits, including "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal," "Black Rose," "(I've Been To) Georgia on a Fast Train," "Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me," and many others. Shaver's 1973 album "Old Five and Dimers Like Me" is a classic in the outlaw country genre.
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Chicago's Uptown neighborhood
The ethnically diverse Uptown is known for great live music and nightlife at the Green Mill jazz club, and several popular concert and entertainment venues, including the Aragon Ballroom, Riviera Theatre and Uptown Theater at Lawrence Avenue and Broadway.
The Trails
Canyonlands National Park
The Desert
Canyonlands National Park is located near Moab, Utah. On May 4, 2008, I began a 52-mile, solo kayak trip down the Green River for five days. The first day I saw two poeple, the next two days I didn't see anybody, and on the fourth day I reached the Colorado River and saw several people preparing for the big rapids. On the fifth morning, the outfitter picked me up on the Colorado River in a jet boat for the 50 mile ride back to the closest paved road. One thing I learned is, never forget chapstick if you are going to spend five days in the desert wilderness. This is the view from where I pitched my tent on my second night on the river.
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The day before my trip down the Green River, I spent the afternoon at Arches National Park taking short hikes.
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Canyonlands National Park is located near Moab, Utah. On May 4, 2008, I began a 52-mile, solo kayak trip down the Green River for five days. The first day I saw two poeple, the next two days I didn't see anybody, and on the fourth day I reached the Colorado River and saw several people preparing for the big rapids. On the fifth morning, the outfitter picked me up on the Colorado River in a jet boat for the 50 mile ride back to the closest paved road. One thing I learned is, never forget chapstick if you are going to spend five days in the desert wilderness. This is the view from where I pitched my tent on my second night on the river.
Veiw photos »
The day before my trip down the Green River, I spent the afternoon at Arches National Park taking short hikes.
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Everglades National Park
The Swamps
On January 22, 2007, I rented a canoe and camped for two nights alone in the mangrove swamp at Everglades National Park. This is the Chickee which I set up my tent on. Chickee means "house" in the language spoken by the Seminole and Miccosukees. It is a shelter supported by posts, with a raised floor, a roof and open sides. I navigated the watery maze of the mangrove swamp using a nautical map and compas. My biggest fear was getting lost. At this location I am about 10 miles from the canoe launch. View photos »
The Okefenokee Swamp is a wonderful cyppress swamp, and home to many alligators. On May 8, 2007, I rented a kayak at the Stephen C. Foster State Park in Georgia, and for three hours, I paddled alone in an alligator infested swamp. Everywhere I looked there were alligators. View photos »
In South Carolina, I hiked for 5 hours in the Congaree Swamp on October 8, 2010. The Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The backcountry is inhabited by wild boars, bobcats and venomous snakes. View photos »
In Florida, I visited the scenic Corkscrew Swamp on January 9, 2008. The sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. View photos »
On January 22, 2007, I rented a canoe and camped for two nights alone in the mangrove swamp at Everglades National Park. This is the Chickee which I set up my tent on. Chickee means "house" in the language spoken by the Seminole and Miccosukees. It is a shelter supported by posts, with a raised floor, a roof and open sides. I navigated the watery maze of the mangrove swamp using a nautical map and compas. My biggest fear was getting lost. At this location I am about 10 miles from the canoe launch. View photos »
The Okefenokee Swamp is a wonderful cyppress swamp, and home to many alligators. On May 8, 2007, I rented a kayak at the Stephen C. Foster State Park in Georgia, and for three hours, I paddled alone in an alligator infested swamp. Everywhere I looked there were alligators. View photos »
In South Carolina, I hiked for 5 hours in the Congaree Swamp on October 8, 2010. The Congaree National Park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The backcountry is inhabited by wild boars, bobcats and venomous snakes. View photos »
In Florida, I visited the scenic Corkscrew Swamp on January 9, 2008. The sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. View photos »
Rocky Mountain National Park
The Mountains
My cousin Dave and I hiked for five days in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the third day we reached an elevation of 12,300 feet, and followed the continental divide for about three miles. Then we hiked down to about 10,000 feet and camped for the night. Our six mile hike above the timber line was extremely exhausting. I was always short of breath, and felt sick. View photos »
Rich Lounsbury and I, hiked 8-miles to the summit of Mt. LeConte at Great Smoky Mountain National Park on October 6, 2010. Mt. LeConte is the third highest mountain in the park at an elevation of 6,593 feet. View photos »
The upper peninsula of Michigan is home to the Porcupine Mountains. The state park offers incredible views of Lake Superior. It is 92 square miles big, with virgin forest, scenic waterfalls, rugged Lake Superior shore line, remote rustic cabins, 87 miles of hiking trails, and virtually no roads.
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My cousin Dave and I hiked for five days in Rocky Mountain National Park. On the third day we reached an elevation of 12,300 feet, and followed the continental divide for about three miles. Then we hiked down to about 10,000 feet and camped for the night. Our six mile hike above the timber line was extremely exhausting. I was always short of breath, and felt sick. View photos »
Rich Lounsbury and I, hiked 8-miles to the summit of Mt. LeConte at Great Smoky Mountain National Park on October 6, 2010. Mt. LeConte is the third highest mountain in the park at an elevation of 6,593 feet. View photos »
The upper peninsula of Michigan is home to the Porcupine Mountains. The state park offers incredible views of Lake Superior. It is 92 square miles big, with virgin forest, scenic waterfalls, rugged Lake Superior shore line, remote rustic cabins, 87 miles of hiking trails, and virtually no roads.
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Incredible Pit - Ellison's Cave
The Caves
After 14 hours in Ellison's Cave, Rich Lounsbury took this photo of me ascending the 440 foot deep Incredible Pit at 1am. To exit the cave there is still an 80 foot pit and a 60 foot pit to ascend, and a mile hike back to the car. The cave is located in Georgia. View photos »
I have been caving for 20 years with the Windy City Grotto of the National Speleological Society. I have explored caves in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. View photos »
After 14 hours in Ellison's Cave, Rich Lounsbury took this photo of me ascending the 440 foot deep Incredible Pit at 1am. To exit the cave there is still an 80 foot pit and a 60 foot pit to ascend, and a mile hike back to the car. The cave is located in Georgia. View photos »
I have been caving for 20 years with the Windy City Grotto of the National Speleological Society. I have explored caves in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. View photos »
The Mississippi Delta
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Big Jack Johnson
Big Jack Johnson "The Oilman" at Red's blues club on August 6, 2010. Big Jack died on March 14, 2011, he was 70 years old. Johnson played with a fiery and gritty intensity, which made him one of the most popular and influential Delta bluesmen in the last 20 years. View photos »
Big Jack Johnson "The Oilman" at Red's blues club on August 6, 2010. Big Jack died on March 14, 2011, he was 70 years old. Johnson played with a fiery and gritty intensity, which made him one of the most popular and influential Delta bluesmen in the last 20 years. View photos »
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Red's Blues Club
Red's is one of the few authentic, juke joints left in Mississippi. I saw Big Jack Johnson play here. All night long they barbecue on the smoker in front of the blues club. Back in the day it was called "Levine's Music Center," and it was where Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm bought the instruments that played the first rock 'n roll song.
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Red's is one of the few authentic, juke joints left in Mississippi. I saw Big Jack Johnson play here. All night long they barbecue on the smoker in front of the blues club. Back in the day it was called "Levine's Music Center," and it was where Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm bought the instruments that played the first rock 'n roll song.
View photos »
Clarksdale, Mississippi
The Crossroads
The junction of Highway 61 and Highway 49 in Clarksdale is designated as the famous crossroads where, according to legend, Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for mastery of the blues. Tommy Johnson also claimed to have met a tall black man here. He tuned Johnson's guitar so he could play better than everyone else, but this man was the devil, and the price for this talent was his soul. View photos »
The junction of Highway 61 and Highway 49 in Clarksdale is designated as the famous crossroads where, according to legend, Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for mastery of the blues. Tommy Johnson also claimed to have met a tall black man here. He tuned Johnson's guitar so he could play better than everyone else, but this man was the devil, and the price for this talent was his soul. View photos »
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Mr. Tater
Foster Wiley, better known as Mr. Tater, may have been the last true Delta blues street performer. He was a familiar site in downtown Clarksdale, playing his guitar in front of local businesses. Through the years, Mr. Tater performed in local blues festivals and Clarksdale-area venues like Ground Zero Blues Club and Red's Lounge. Neither wealthy nor educated, Wiley developed a worldwide following with the advent of the Internet. The photo was taken on August 6, 2010, in front of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art. Mr. Tater passed away on Spetember 10, 2010. View photos »
Foster Wiley, better known as Mr. Tater, may have been the last true Delta blues street performer. He was a familiar site in downtown Clarksdale, playing his guitar in front of local businesses. Through the years, Mr. Tater performed in local blues festivals and Clarksdale-area venues like Ground Zero Blues Club and Red's Lounge. Neither wealthy nor educated, Wiley developed a worldwide following with the advent of the Internet. The photo was taken on August 6, 2010, in front of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art. Mr. Tater passed away on Spetember 10, 2010. View photos »
Greenwood, Mississippi
Tallahatchie Flats
For the Delta blues experience, I stayed in this authentic, plantation shack at a place called Tallahatchie Flats on the banks of the Tallahatchie River in Greenwood. The shacks were upgraded with plumbing and air conditioning, and had a wonderful view of endless fields of cotton. This 3-room house was donated by Mrs. Emily Donnell from her family place, Lakeview Plantation at Swiftown. For many years, it was the home of her family's cook, whose name was Nellie. Nellie’s flat has a full size bed in the bedroom and a queen size hideaway sofa bed in the living room. It can accommodate four adults comfortably .
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For the Delta blues experience, I stayed in this authentic, plantation shack at a place called Tallahatchie Flats on the banks of the Tallahatchie River in Greenwood. The shacks were upgraded with plumbing and air conditioning, and had a wonderful view of endless fields of cotton. This 3-room house was donated by Mrs. Emily Donnell from her family place, Lakeview Plantation at Swiftown. For many years, it was the home of her family's cook, whose name was Nellie. Nellie’s flat has a full size bed in the bedroom and a queen size hideaway sofa bed in the living room. It can accommodate four adults comfortably .
View photos »
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Created by Prairie Path Web Site Design • Ken Redeker • Tel: (630)803-4884
Created by Prairie Path Web Site Design • Ken Redeker • Tel: (630)803-4884