2022 had some un-fun surprises (flat tires, weather, etc.) but there were also two completely fun surprises… each way different than the other.
Metropolis, IL
Yeah, I really didn’t get the whole “Metropolis” vibe when I was searching for campgrounds near Paducah, KY (which is just across the river). On the way to the store, I saw a small “Welcome, Superman fans” displayed on a motel sign and figured there might be some kind of ComicCon-type thing going on. On the way *back* from the store, I saw this and suddenly realized I had landed in THE Metropolis…
When I got back to my trailer, I googled Metropolis, Illinois, and realized I had landed just in time for the annual Superman convention and car show. Who knew Metropolis was a thing? I sure didn’t! But it was fun to see the Superman statue (on Monday, after the madness of the convention crowds was over) and almost everyone in town was wearing Superman t-shirts as part of the celebration.
Eastbank Campground, GA
I was kind of itching to get out of town after a month of staying put in Gainesville, so I booked time at a USACE campground on a lake stradding the Florida/Georgia line. Someone had canceled because I picked up 12 straight days at the best campsite in the campground. Sometimes not making plans months out can be lucky!
This place was one of my favorite surprises because the lake had that magical light and weather that inspired photographers to do what they do, try to capture three-dimensional magic in a two-dimensional image. In fog, at sunset, or just watching the clouds on the horizon, my love of photography got rekindled here. I’d been just using my iphone but this place inspired me to pull my Sony A7 out of the cupboard and go for better shots, more in control of exposure and more pixels to play with in post-processing.
The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise.
It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.
Ashley Montagu
Good to hear from you! Happy New Year!
Oh, the Metropolis post was DELIGHTFUL! Imagine your luck in being there just in time for the Superman Celebration. I had never heard of that, either. Your lake photo quite literally took my breath away. I love your photographs but this one is really special. Let me know when you’re selling framed posters of this one! Your Sony camera may have assisted, but YOU are the one with the great eye. Thanks for this post, Annie.
Thank you, Anne! If you want. I can upload the full resolution of that image and send you a link so you could print it out locally and frame it. Would that work?
I’m enjoying your countdown to 2023 and trying to guess what #1 will represent in your next post. I haven’t written @#$% in December, except a forum post on the care and feeding of a critique group. Someone is using it to write a blog post. I couldn’t be bothered to even do that.
What great surprises! I live that lakefront site! Glad you got your Sony out!!
Hello, the third and fifth photos are not loading properly. Thought you’d want to know.
Susan
Thanks, Susan, for the heads up. Something broke after I previewed, so it’s fixed now. Also, hi from Gainesville, just a few hours up the road from you!