Excerpts from a Geographer's Photo Archive
Sometimes you are traveling and you come across a place and a sign that describes your world and life. I was at some meetings and we were out on a break and took photos near the Geography wall. I think I have always been a geographer. It appears in most things I do. However it’s more about how I think rather than what I do. (Redlands, California, 2023)
Jacques Marquette, SJ is one of the key figures in Great Lakes History. In the late 17th Century he traveled with indigenous tribes of the region as a missionary from France. He helped expand knowledge of the region and establish relationships with local groups. He is one of my inspirations as a geographer. Not only is Marquette special to me because as a geographer, but I graduated from the Jesuit university that bears his name and is the location of this statue. (Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2026)
This is one of my favorite “cheesy tourist photos.” As a geographer, standing at the prime meridian is a thing. Standing at the prime meridian at Greenwich is more of a thing. I was also with my favorite traveling companion. (Greenwich, England, 2015)
Each time I was on Ometepe, something interfered with my ability to complete the hike across the Maderas volcano. After a while it became more annoying than anything else. The night we completed the hike was lovely. I also remember I had a student who thought it was important for me to complete the hike and pushed me along. (Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, 2007)
Traffic was slow on the mountain that day as cars and trucks maneuvered around this hazard. This was not a small deal because the drop-off was right there and it was steep. We took our turn and went by, but the questions linger: What happened? How did this all work out? How often does this happen on this narrow mountain road? (India, 2009)
We made a decision to take our sabbatical near Kathleen’s parents. The house was lovely, it had a pool, it was on a canal. It was the textbook “move to Florida” home. It was the first place we had lived where we got to meet and know almost no neighbors. Even out walking the dog didn’t help us much. We don’t have a good explanation for it–just the lonely feelings. (Punta Gorda, Florida, 2015)
I always loved this sign. When we stayed here I admired the ability to “sidestep” trademark rules because it was a remote part of the country. The rooms were as good (if not better) than the “official trademarked” operation. (Pahi, India, 2009)
I’m always amazed when you can get next to critical infrastructure like the water supply for the City of Los Angeles. To be honest, this isn’t a recent photo, but the aqueduct runs across the state southward to LA. (Bishop, California, 2006)
Some of my nicer shots are sometimes when I’m not trying to take a real shot. I was adjusting my camera before getting ready to take some shots of the shoreline. I shot this one quickly to test the light. It wound up being one of the better ones of the evening. (Honolulu, Hawaii, 2008)
Last year I watched the Mackinac Bridge walk from about 20 miles west on White Shoal Lighthouse. This year it may be time to go “up close and personal” with the Bridge again on Labor Day. Who is up to join me for the walk? (Mackinaw City, Michigan 2014)
Lighted Spaces and Landscapes 