Even when the wind was blowing hard in Lee Vining, there was always Nicely's to take shelter in and drink some coffee. Most will know who this is under the dark cloth. Yep, hopefully Preston will be able to share with us the exposed 4x5 sheet of this long time classic 395 eatery.
You guys are merciless! Just you wait: Payback is, as they say, a ...
I have considered making a 4x5 shot of Nicelys for a long time. It is a Sierra icon that one day it will disappear in the face of 'progress', as have many other bits of Americana along 395. I actually wanted to shoot this from the middle of the road, but they don't call 'em 'suicide lanes for nothing! This time, the light was right, so we'll see how it comes out.
I will likely continue my 'street shooting' along 395. There is much to explore, and it will be a nice project, apart from my usual work.
-P
Posted by Lon Overacker on October 20, 2008 at 1:50 AM
Paul,
thanks for capturing this! We should do this more often - both in capturing us performing the craft AND for capturing scenes like this. You're right Preston, this will soon end up as a historical momento along 395.
Here's a grabshot from 2006 from underneath the bear...
Lon
Posted by Harley Goldman on October 20, 2008 at 11:13 AM
When Nicely's fades into history, stomachs and arteries near and far will breathe a huge sigh of relief.
OMG, there seems to be little respect for the elders around here, Preston.... You all gave me a big laugh on the comments here, thank you!
Harley, way too funny man!
Posted by Debjit Ghosh on October 20, 2008 at 3:31 PM
ahhh...capturing photographs of a photographer sometimes make a strong image in terms of composition. glad that you captured it at the right moment.
Posted by Steve Sieren on October 22, 2008 at 1:16 AM
He must really like that place Paul. Hope he wasn't upset we didn't eat there at the meeting.
I think I had coffee and berry pie there in 1974 (before you were born?). I used to frequent Schats bakery in Bishop when it was in the brick building on Main Street in the old part of town. I ate hamburgers at what is now the Season's in Lone Pine, and used to be known as the Sportsman Cafe' that served at least a generation of Whitney area climbers and backpackers. If I remember correctly, I ate breakfast at the cafe in Tom's place for the first time in 1966.**
These old places, though rapidly fading away in the face of 'progress', are like an old pair of boots. They may be a little worn, and look a bit tired in this flashy new world, but they are damn comfortable and still relevant. These old places speak of a gentler time, a slowed-down time when folks could sit at the counter, have a cup o' Joe and a piece of pie and visit, and they were in no hurry to be some damn place or another because they place they were at was just fine for them.
Maybe I am a nostalgic, crusty ol dude; but I tell you, I wouldn't trade those times, or these times, for anything. Going to the places isn't about photography, or climbing, or fall color. It is really about encounter: About being shaped and molded by the places we live in and the people we meet (often times by chance) along the way. And you know what? It don't get much better than that!
Was I upset that we met at the flashy new Mobile Station? Nope. I had a great time. I must admit, though, that I would have been more comfortable sittin' around a big table Nicelys...if only to get out of the darn wind.
Cheers, my friend. It was great to meet you!
-P
**Hence, my 'hardened' Sierra GI tract (and arteries).
-p
Posted by Nelcha Cross on October 22, 2008 at 6:30 AM
Sorry I missed you all....
Just to make you feel better Preston...
I use to stay at Big Rock Landing on June Lake when the phone number was Mitchell 87717
and have been going to that area since 1954....
...and Nicely's will still be there as long as Nancy wants to keep it
She knows me so well, even w/o my asking she saw me last time before I saw her at dinner
and she went HOME and came back with "her bottle" of
Irish Old Overholt Whiskey for me to have a shot.....
An old Tradition toast for when I get to the Better side of the Sierras
but I don't mind the new flashy deli with my nickname either...
...and i have managed to eeek a healthy meal out of Nicely's
and I remember Mrs. Nicely
That TV in the bar was where I found out we had bombed Afghanistan
and about the Anthrax after coming out of a week IN Bodie.... LOL
Felt like I was back in the pre-telegraph days...
I also know and harass Truman Holtzclaw who has his photos on the wall in Nicely's
He lives here in Sacto and we both belong to the same gallery.
Thanks Lon for sharing your snap also....
I'll wait for your slow cooked version Preston
*cheers to all*
Nelcha
Posted by Steve Sieren on October 22, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Preston,,
You are so full of words of wisdom. Seeing the world they way have seen it seems like it would have been or and still is a great adventure. I really do appreciate the old.(Check the link below). 1974? Yes before I was born in 78. Only by 4 years. I frequent many of the eateries up and down the 395 from Reno(parents lived in Garderville & now in Sparks) to Hwy 14 and really enjoy when the people there sit and talk to me when I'm a loner and when in company for most part has been a rare occasion. Mammoth seems to be the biggest changes that I've seen in my lifetime. It probably would have been nice to sit at Nicely's and enjoy the less noise of the wind. I still to this day don't know who that photographer is on the walls there.
Well I really admired your portfolio and all those mountains you've climbed. Done a few of the easy ones (White Mtn, Whitney and Torreys in Colo but not Greys in the same day really regret that). Hope to do Langley next and maybe Russel too.
It was great meeting you too Preston.
The gallery is kind of old so ignore the poor ones. http://sieren.smugmug.com/gallery/1233464_6RgWE
Discussion
12 repliesThat was a very fun trip, hanging out with the NPN crowd!
- Dan.
I have considered making a 4x5 shot of Nicelys for a long time. It is a Sierra icon that one day it will disappear in the face of 'progress', as have many other bits of Americana along 395. I actually wanted to shoot this from the middle of the road, but they don't call 'em 'suicide lanes for nothing! This time, the light was right, so we'll see how it comes out.
I will likely continue my 'street shooting' along 395. There is much to explore, and it will be a nice project, apart from my usual work.
-P
thanks for capturing this! We should do this more often - both in capturing us performing the craft AND for capturing scenes like this. You're right Preston, this will soon end up as a historical momento along 395.
Here's a grabshot from 2006 from underneath the bear...
Lon
Harley, way too funny man!
I think I had coffee and berry pie there in 1974 (before you were born?). I used to frequent Schats bakery in Bishop when it was in the brick building on Main Street in the old part of town. I ate hamburgers at what is now the Season's in Lone Pine, and used to be known as the Sportsman Cafe' that served at least a generation of Whitney area climbers and backpackers. If I remember correctly, I ate breakfast at the cafe in Tom's place for the first time in 1966.**
These old places, though rapidly fading away in the face of 'progress', are like an old pair of boots. They may be a little worn, and look a bit tired in this flashy new world, but they are damn comfortable and still relevant. These old places speak of a gentler time, a slowed-down time when folks could sit at the counter, have a cup o' Joe and a piece of pie and visit, and they were in no hurry to be some damn place or another because they place they were at was just fine for them.
Maybe I am a nostalgic, crusty ol dude; but I tell you, I wouldn't trade those times, or these times, for anything. Going to the places isn't about photography, or climbing, or fall color. It is really about encounter: About being shaped and molded by the places we live in and the people we meet (often times by chance) along the way. And you know what? It don't get much better than that!
Was I upset that we met at the flashy new Mobile Station? Nope. I had a great time. I must admit, though, that I would have been more comfortable sittin' around a big table Nicelys...if only to get out of the darn wind.
Cheers, my friend. It was great to meet you!
-P
**Hence, my 'hardened' Sierra GI tract (and arteries).
-p
Just to make you feel better Preston...
I use to stay at Big Rock Landing on June Lake when the phone number was Mitchell 87717
and have been going to that area since 1954....
...and Nicely's will still be there as long as Nancy wants to keep it
She knows me so well, even w/o my asking she saw me last time before I saw her at dinner
and she went HOME and came back with "her bottle" of
Irish Old Overholt Whiskey for me to have a shot.....
An old Tradition toast for when I get to the Better side of the Sierras
but I don't mind the new flashy deli with my nickname either...
...and i have managed to eeek a healthy meal out of Nicely's
and I remember Mrs. Nicely
That TV in the bar was where I found out we had bombed Afghanistan
and about the Anthrax after coming out of a week IN Bodie.... LOL
Felt like I was back in the pre-telegraph days...
I also know and harass Truman Holtzclaw who has his photos on the wall in Nicely's
He lives here in Sacto and we both belong to the same gallery.
Thanks Lon for sharing your snap also....
I'll wait for your slow cooked version Preston
*cheers to all*
Nelcha
You are so full of words of wisdom. Seeing the world they way have seen it seems like it would have been or and still is a great adventure. I really do appreciate the old.(Check the link below). 1974? Yes before I was born in 78. Only by 4 years. I frequent many of the eateries up and down the 395 from Reno(parents lived in Garderville & now in Sparks) to Hwy 14 and really enjoy when the people there sit and talk to me when I'm a loner and when in company for most part has been a rare occasion. Mammoth seems to be the biggest changes that I've seen in my lifetime. It probably would have been nice to sit at Nicely's and enjoy the less noise of the wind. I still to this day don't know who that photographer is on the walls there.
Well I really admired your portfolio and all those mountains you've climbed. Done a few of the easy ones (White Mtn, Whitney and Torreys in Colo but not Greys in the same day really regret that). Hope to do Langley next and maybe Russel too.
It was great meeting you too Preston.
The gallery is kind of old so ignore the poor ones. http://sieren.smugmug.com/gallery/1233464_6RgWE
So long.. .