Hey guys and gals!
It has been way too long since I have last written. For that I apologize. It has been an interesting year for Rider and I. We have done some photo shoots, and a few shows…and even published another book! Yes, “Rider on the Pony Express Trail, Volume 2” is complete!! You can order it and/or any of our books by clicking the link at the bottom of this letter. We had to get quiet, off social media for a bit, to put our nose to the grind stone and get ‘er done! Our pony express trail journey from Sacramento, California to Salt Lake City, Utah is now finished…wow, what an adventure we have had! We sincerely hope you will hop in the truck with us once more to see the sites we hadn’t been to in Volume 1, or thought no longer existed. This book has over 300 full color pages, packed full of photos to entertain and share with you more about this famous American trail. We believe you will enjoy the ride!
We did quite a bit this year, yet, I still feel as if we didn’t do much. Maybe because I didn’t shoot near as much as I have in the past few years while working on the pony express trail. But, we did purchase a new camera and long lens this year! Which, we bought to assist us on our journey with the Spike 150 Wagon Train. (I wore two cameras, one with telephoto lens, and one with wide angle.) That 5 day event in May was just one of the many historical events scheduled this year to celebrate the 150 Anniversary of the Golden Spike. The golden spike was the last spike driven into the ground, where east met west, when the United States transcontinental railroad was completed in May of 1869.
It was such a blessing to have been chosen as the official photographer for the event. (Thank you Brian and Teri Arnold!) We met so many wonderful people on that wagon train! I spent weeks editing photos for the folks who were on the train, and for artwork to sell at shows and online on our website.
Spike 150 Wagon Train Group PhotoSpike 150 Wagon Train Group Photo!
2019_05_06_s150wt_group-0303
Today, as we close out the last of this decade, we are sitting in the Arizona desert awaiting another show in mid January in Quartzite. The rest and relaxation between our last show, that was in Las Vegas, has been a welcoming break. I am so grateful to all of you who came to visit and shop while we were there! But I must admit, I am not much for the big cities, and Las Vegas was a bit much for me. Though Rider sure seemed to love it! He thought all the folks on the elevators and in the casino were happy to see him, which they were, and that all wanted to pet him, which they did! Haha! But for me, I so love my quiet time with God under the open sky, surrounded by His beautiful creations. This is a great place to spend time to reflect and give gratitude.
Rider near Quartzsite Arizona
Praise ya’ Lord for blessing us, all of our family and friends this past year and into the New Year! In Jesus name, Amen.
What are we planning for 2020?
Well, Rider and I are going to be slowly working our way to Texas starting in February. If you know of anything special we could stop and shoot along the way, please let us know and we may consider it. At this time I only have a few places on our tentative time schedule:
One; Tombstone, Arizona. No explanation needed. ;-)
Two; Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico. When I was young, my family drove between Texas and California every year. One of the stops I remember was Carlsbad Cavern. I wonder if it will appear the same to me as I remember?!
Three; Big Bend National Park, Texas. I have never been, and can’t wait to see the cliffs by the river in person!
We will be traveling the I-10 stretch as to avoid bad weather since we are traveling late winter, early spring, so please keep that in mind when sharing locations of interest.
Texas, here we come! Looking for blue bonnets and longhorns…and distant relatives. Yep, we have been studying our genealogy and have a few distant cousins to meet. For those who might not know, I am a native Texan and have lots of relatives all about the great state. We are looking forward to a no schedule trip to enjoy being wherever we are.
Rider and I are grateful for you following along with us and we look forward to sharing more of our trips and adventures with you in the future.
God Bless you and yours!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Love,
Carla and Rider (woof!)
To purchase any of our books, Click this link now! https://www.amazon.com/author/carlaephotography
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For anyone wishing to purchase a personalized copy of our book, please email; [email protected] and put in subject line: “Personalized Book” These special orders will be a little more $, as they will be printed with your name (or any name you request) along with a personalized note, on the first page of the book!