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Monday, October 06, 2008

Heading up North

If you were reading this blog back in April of this year, you might remember my trip to Grand Marais, Minnesota to The North House Folk School to learn how to build a cabin.

It was an incredible experience and so much so, that I'm heading back up there again. No, not to re-learn how to build a cabin because I didn't take good enough notes, but to spend 5 days hiking around the north shore and learning how to take great photographs. It shouldn't be hard even for a rube like me with little photography experience, considering the scenery, to get a few good shots.

Layne Kennedy, a professional photographer, that I probably should have heard of, but haven't, is going to be teaching the class. He is based out of Minneapolis and if you go to his site, he does take some damn beautiful pictures. He just got back from a photography trip to Ireland - how frickin' cool would that have been?

I'll be heading out on Wednesday so today is being spent making a pile of stuff I want to remember to take, like my camera. It would be just like me to pack all kinds of clothes in anticipation of the very unpredictable weather and forget the camera, so it was the first thing I stuck in the bag. Here is proof of my packing process. Unconventional, yes, but it works for me....sometimes, but usually I still manage to forget something important.














Yes, that is one big-ass camouflage bag. Otherwise, I end up bringing 15 small bags, this way, it all fits in one bag, I just can't lift it. As you can see, I have the most important thing in the pile - the beginning of my wine stash - I say beginning, because there will be at least 3 bottles added to that before I leave. I know how to travel, folks.

According to weather.com, the weather is supposed to be a little less than ideal, as in, rain, rain and more rain. The other class participants had no idea they were taking a class with the unluckiest person in the world when it comes to weather. Sorry, dudes.

Weather or not, 5 days alone in the cutest little cabin you have ever seen in your life that overlooks the north shore, doesn't sound so awful to me.

Lucky for me, I paid for this class way back in April while I was still on the high from the cabin building expedition, because of course now all hell is breaking loose financially in the world and taking a 5 day photography trip during this time is not the best thing to do with your money - or what little you have left. So, I'm trying not to feel guilty about that and look at it as a way NOT to throw away the money I already paid for the class. See how I do that? Twist that around to make sense? I'm good like that.

I'm hoping I will have lots of good photos to share and that I won't be laughed out of the class for what a beginner I am. In the meantime, I feel like I'm back in college, cramming for a test. I've been pouring over my Nikon book that came with my camera from two years ago to try and figure out all the settings and what the hell they do! This camera is cooler than I thought. It's amazing what you can find out by reading the directions, but don't you dare tell my husband I said that. I'm even going so far as to make a cheat-sheet so when someone asks me something I can just look down at the paper taped to the inside of my arm and come up with an intelligent answer.

Many embarrassing stories to follow, I'm sure.

14 comments:

Mrs. G. said...

Have great fun!

Madeline Rains said...

Ooooh! I so wish i were going with you. I have a Nikon D70 and we could share our cheat sheets, an umbrella and our wine. Another time? I can't wait to hear some hints. I intend to use the cabin notes one day. Have a greeeeat time.

Jodi Anderson said...

Wow, what an AMAZING opportunity and adventure ... even with less-than-ideal weather.

Denise said...

Have a great time "up north" as we call it here in MN. Lots of picture opportunities. Can't wait to see the results. Have fun

Cherry said...

I can't wait to see your photos! I liked the updates you did during the last class. Besides the rain, sounds like a great time! Actually, you'll probably get some great artsy shots with the rain. Have fun!

Can you please stop with the making me jealous?

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

It sounds wonderful. I didn't know any of the functions on my Canon Rebel until my daughter's boyfriend gave me a hands-on tutorial--the manual just made my eyes glaze over.

Anonymous said...

That sounds divine! Hope you have loads of fun and learn buckets of cool new camera tricks.

jenny said...

oh fun! i'm glad you are going back - and hopefully the weather will turn in your favor at some point. i'm sure that no matter what, you'll learn a lot and have a great adventure.

i'd love to know where you guys are staying - a cute little cabin sounds fun! is it on the gunflint?

Tara said...

Wow! Hope you will share your photos with us... even the ones after three bottles of wine! The photographer teaching the class has some amazing shots on his website. What a great experience to learn from someone so talented.

Country Girl said...

Sounds like a great time. Look forward to reading all about it!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great class. My dad took one in TN with some well know dude and got a lot out of it. Can't wait to see some of your pics.

laurie said...

i have worked with Layne Kennedy, and he is terrific. tell him hey from me. (he might not remember--it was years ago when i was at Minnesota Monthly. we did a story about charter fishing boats on lake superior.)

you'll be past peak color in grand marais (we were just there a week ago) but it'll be BEAUTIFUL nonetheless. have a wonderful time!

KJ said...

Oh, man, that sounds so COOL! I loved your photos and videos from your cabin-building trip, so I'm looking forward to all your pretty pictures - I'm sure they will be!

Your bag is awesome.

Nora said...

Have a great time! It sounds pretty darn close to perfect...