Since I still had no word on my work I decided to take advantage of the interesting weather rolling in this past weekend and drove down to the Tetons via Yellowstone... or at least that was the plan. I managed to get into YNP right when they decided to close the road south of Madison Junction so I would have to make my way to the west side and try that way. Well the storm was worse then I thought and not far into the park I slid off the road into a ditch. About 10 ft before the ditch turned to a 50ft drop! So I ALMOST pulled "a Jimmy". Scared the s*** out of me so I decided to pull over on the next trailhead and spend the night there hoping the worst would be over by morning.
Ha! Not so much. I was woken up around 7am by a park ranger letting me know that ALL the roads in the park are closed due to some major ice! He actually followed me to Mammoth Hot springs to make sure I don't "Jimmy-it" again. Doh!!! Time to go home and figure out plan B. Or at least an attempt at a plan since I never stick to them anyway.
I ended up driving down to West Yellowstone and spending a night on the Idaho side since I never really shot there. The area is part of Targhee National Forest and most of the images are from the Red Rock Pass in the Centennial Mountains. I'm sure Dean and Jesse know more about the area and will correct my errors. I actually never really got to see the full beauty of it since I was in the clouds for pretty much full 24 hours. So I'm not really sure if where I thought I was is really it.
I did manage to drive over the Teton Pass in Saturday and have a few interesting cloud shots similar to Dean's but I figured Idaho is very under-represented here so I wanted to change things up a little.
#8 And last one. This is looking across Henry's Lake as the storm clouds were clearing in the morning.
EDIT: I noticed a hawk on the left side of this image that I will clone out for the final version as it isn't adding much and is a little distracting. Stupid birds....
Posted by Paul Martin on October 11, 2011 at 4:38 PM
Nice collection of images, Aleks -- I really like your first shot and I think you are right about that road in #7 -- its pretty darn nice. I know your 4Runner is a little worse for wear, but hey, it a great story -- right?
Nice work Aleks, you pulled some great images out of a trying time in unusual conditions. #6 is really speaking to my current mood. I was meaning to visit the Red Rocks Lakes area this summer, but plans changed.
These are beautiful images. It's good to see more of Idaho. Looks like you had a very productive trip - glad you made it back safely.
Posted by Morris McClung on October 11, 2011 at 10:20 PM
A very nice collection, Aleks. I don't think Idaho ever looked so good.
Glad you and Jimmy are safe this year.
Posted by Grant Collier on October 11, 2011 at 10:24 PM
I really like the first two shots! Glad you're okay. So, Jimmy has now become a verb? I met Jimmy in the San Juans and said "are you the one who drove your car off the cliff?." Then another photographer met Jimmy and asked him the same question. Finally, Brent D. was showing me pics where Jimmy drove off the road and a third photographer said, "Is that that Gekas guy?" So I guess he's world-famous now.
Posted by John Mumaw on October 11, 2011 at 10:47 PM
I like 'em all, but the first two really stand for me.
Heh heh..."pulled a Jimmy". Good one!
And I always thought the best trips are the ones that leave scars and spin stories.
Posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 11, 2011 at 11:36 PM
I was down in the Tetons through Yellowstone but didn't pull any Jimmy's! Glad I missed the storm, but you came out with some fine shots Aleks. Love the first, very artistic.
Posted by Stan Rose on October 12, 2011 at 10:45 AM
What a story! And some nice pics too #3 is the stand out for me, also like the broad view of #6
Posted by Doug Koepsel on October 12, 2011 at 11:15 AM
I am liking #6-8, with #7 in a strong lead.
Posted by Jimmy Gekas on October 12, 2011 at 12:04 PM
I am now a verb. Hahaha. Ok, fine. Seriously, Aleks, I am so glad you are ok. Must have been nerve racking and an eye opener. I am partial to 1 and 7. Cool stuff all around. Hope to see more soon. Drive safe!
Discussion
22 repliesHa! Not so much. I was woken up around 7am by a park ranger letting me know that ALL the roads in the park are closed due to some major ice! He actually followed me to Mammoth Hot springs to make sure I don't "Jimmy-it" again. Doh!!! Time to go home and figure out plan B. Or at least an attempt at a plan since I never stick to them anyway.
I ended up driving down to West Yellowstone and spending a night on the Idaho side since I never really shot there. The area is part of Targhee National Forest and most of the images are from the Red Rock Pass in the Centennial Mountains. I'm sure Dean and Jesse know more about the area and will correct my errors. I actually never really got to see the full beauty of it since I was in the clouds for pretty much full 24 hours. So I'm not really sure if where I thought I was is really it.
I did manage to drive over the Teton Pass in Saturday and have a few interesting cloud shots similar to Dean's but I figured Idaho is very under-represented here so I wanted to change things up a little.
Feel free comment/critique.
EDIT: I noticed a hawk on the left side of this image that I will clone out for the final version as it isn't adding much and is a little distracting. Stupid birds....
Glad you and Jimmy are safe this year.
Heh heh..."pulled a Jimmy". Good one!
And I always thought the best trips are the ones that leave scars and spin stories.