Maine. The Magazine Jan/Feb 2011 Issue

I am thrilled to be a part of Maine. The magazine's January/February 2011 edition.  I interviewed and photographed Ralph Lewis for the Q&A section and was also selected to be featured as a contributor in this issue.

During my travels, I come across some interesting people and have blogged about them along the way.  When I was staying as a guest of Adam and Susan in Bailey Island, Maine, I met and chatted with their neighbors, Ralph and Dolly.  Susan introduced me and told Ralph that I was a photographer and after he kiddingly waved his hand at me and turned his back, he turned right back around with that contagious smile to greet me. A few days later, he came over for a visit and we chatted about what it was like for him to be the photographer for the State of Maine.  He showed me Maine road maps where his photographs were featured and told me tales of the people and things he took photographs of.  I blogged about my time with him HERE. Listening to his stories was such a treat. I asked him if I could come over later that evening to take his portrait and he said, "sure."

I went over later that beautiful fall afternoon to chat with him and his wife, Dolly.  They were certainly a pleasure to be around.  I instantly felt at home with them.  I went back to their winter home a few weeks later to record an interview for the magazine and took some additional shots of him talking about his experiences and while showing me one of the cameras he used. Ultimately, that photograph was chosen by the magazine to use for the feature.

The best part of this experience was getting to know Ralph and Dolly.  I feel as they are a part of my extended family now.  They are so sweet to me...I even received a Thanksgiving and Christmas card from them.

I also enjoyed meeting Susan, the editor of Maine. The Magazine and the people who work there.  I am very thankful to all of them for the opportunity. Each and every staff member was a pleasure to work with.  After falling in love with the state of Maine, this just added to my positive experience in that beautiful state of ours.  I know I will be back.

Day One: Twentynine Palms and Big Bear Lake

We have started the journey!

It seems that this time around, I am not as planned as years past. I had no idea where I was going to head until the day before I left.  I like it that way.  I plan to continue to travel that way for months. You never know who you will meet, what they might say, what you may find, or how you may feel on any given day.

Last Saturday as I was packing to head out, I received a copy of Photographer’s Forum in the mail.  I am not a subscriber so I don’t know how I received it, but alas...there it was.  Since I didn’t have any plans that night it was a welcome surprise.  I decided to relax with Max and flip through the pages.

As I was browsing through the magazine, I stumbled upon the work by Candacy Taylor (also featured on the cover).  I was instantly drawn to the photographs and as soon as I read her story about the book she created, I was hooked.  For the past seven years she interviewed fifty-nine diner waitresses in fourty-three cities.  Not just any diner, or any woman for that matter, but a combination of factors that achieved her criteria.  After all of the miles and interviews, her book, “Counter Culture” was born.

I instantly connected to her work.  The fact is, I am finally starting a project that I have thought about for a long time.  My goal on this trip is to meet, photograph and interview women about what they do for a living.  From truck drivers, coal miners, tattoo artists, National Park Rangers, firefighters, artists, construction workers and everything in between.  Her book was right up my alley.

That night, I wrote her an email to introduce myself and told her a little about what I wanted to accomplish on this trip. Needless to say, she wrote back and my initial Northern route turned to East.  On my first day out, we met at her home in Twentynine palms.  It was over one hundred degrees so she agreed to meet at the house so Max could take a break from the weather as well.  

We chatted on and on about various subjects and just like that, three hours went by.  Max and I said our good bye’s and headed out to find a camping spot.  My initial plan was to stay in Joshua Tree but the temperature was too hot for Max, so with a tip from Candacy, we headed to Big Bear Lake.

As we approached the town, we had a much needed break in the weather.  I looked up a few campsites and found one at the base of the ski lift, called pine knot campground.  We set up camp, took a walk around the area and called it a night.  It was a very exciting first day for us.  

Who knows what will happen next?  It’s fun to say yes and even better when you meet someone that does the same. Thank you Candacy.


p.s.  If you know of any women in an "odd job" that you think should be profiled, please email me at alisontravels@gmail.com

And So We Begin Again... (The Big Road Trip, Part 3)

The countdown has begun.

It's time to pack what I think I need in my car and head out on the open road.  This will be my third year wandering this country, while it being my second in a tent.  I've seen most of the states and this time around will be different from the last few years.

Well, each time is always different but I am looking forward to sharing my adventure with you through photographs and perhaps a slide show every so often.  I have a few projects in mind for the journey and I look forward to sharing more of that as well.

I am looking forward to learning more about the towns and people we don't hear about in the news.  People that make this country great but who live a quiet life outside of a spotlight.  I will be camping in new areas, taking side trips to oddball attractions, visiting some friends along the way and for the most part, taking it day by day to see where the road takes me and my co-pilot, Max.

Many of my friends and family are asking me where I am headed.  The fact is, I don't really know.  I know I will try and follow the weather as best as I can since I will be in a tent and Max doesn't tend to be a fan of cold temperatures.  I look forward to meeting interesting people and introducing those people to you.  Here are a few pictures of fellow Americans I've met in the last few months and I am excited to introduce more to you in the upcoming months.

Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support.  If you know of a spot or town that I shouldn't miss, I would love to hear about it.  I can always be reached at alisontravels@gmail.com

I look forward to sharing more soon!