Saturday 18 September 2010

Maps Don’t Tell the Truth.....

I have been getting behind in my blog posts recently and I don’t like that. I like to keep up-to-date as then it seems easier to just write about one day at a time. Therefore I left Gunnison promising myself not to take too many photos on day 85 so I would give myself a chance to catch up.

I failed.

The trouble with having a plan to not take many pictures is when I ride through such wonderful scenery, I just have to stop and record what I am seeing. The map intimated there would not be much to see today, but the map is just lines on paper. It doesn’t really tell you what is out there. Maps don’t tell you the truth.

First of all, a map doesn’t tell you that I would see the beginning of the autumn (US = Fall) and that there would be some wonderful colours to tempt me to stop and try to capture the yellows I was seeing....











































A map doesn’t tell you there will be many shades of green....


















A map shows you big rivers, but doesn’t tell you about the small ones with wonderfully clear water....


























A map doesn’t tell you the reflection from the sky makes rivers shimmer....


























And it doesn’t say where you can get your boots wet by wading out into a river to get a picture....


















A map certainly doesn’t tell you that there might be an excavator and a truck standing in a river!.... (no, I don’t know what they were doing either).... this was in the south fork of the Gunnison river....




















Also, a map just gives the name of a town, but they don’t tell you just how picturesque a place can be, like Silver Street in Lake City....




















They give no indication that houses in that city can be charming....




















Nor that churches can be small and beautiful at the same time....


























Nor that shops can look totally different from their big brothers in large cities....




















Maps give no indication that a building, despite being 119 years old, can just draw you to it....



















































Maps also don’t tell the truth that little streams....


















.... can turn into something magnificent, just because of gravity....


















Maps don’t give anything away about how stunning the views can be....


















Nor do they say you might meet Moo and Mini Moo.....



















A map might indicate that a road is maybe not paved, but it won’t say that riding up such a road is challenging, but turning around and then riding back down it, might be very risky and will make you sweat!.... This is next to Creede in Colorado and oh boy, was it hard to ride down again without locking the wheels of my bike.... (Redlegs and Natasha would love this road)....
































































Yes, this gravel road really is as steep as it looks....


























A map will tell you that you will cross the Rio Grande, but fails to mention the scenery....




















Some maps tell you the contours of the ground and indicate that you can expect spectacular views from high up. Mine didn’t....


























Maps tell you the name of places like Pagosa Springs, but it is really left to you to wonder if the springs will be good.... (they were)....




















So you see, maps mainly just get you travelling in the right direction, but they certainly don’t scream out at you that yes, YOU WILL need your camera today!

Despite their shortcomings, I love maps!

14 comments:

ronandrosi.blogspot.com said...

So glad you didn't follow through with the plan to take fewer pictures today! Wonderful scenery. Fall is such a beautiful time of year and to really be scenic, in my opinion, you need some trees, some mountains, some rivers, or some interesting little towns. You have managed to find them all. Great pictures!

SonjaM said...

Ah, the scenery reminds me very much of Alberta (before the snow). It looks like your camera had a great day ;-)

iansolley said...

some great pictures today Gary - some real scenery as opposed to views if you know what I mean - well today the sun is shining here in England so I might get out on the bike for a blast - doubt I will see anything as good as you. Take care and keep focussed!

Unknown said...

WOW! Beautiful photos Gary!
- Mary Ann :-)

Oz said...

Isn't this area of Colorado awesome. The Aspen trees turn such a beautiful gold. I love the view from the Wolf Creek Pass overlook. If you look closely that is where my profile picture was taken. I have not made it to Creede and Silver City on my trips to that area, I will next time. Thanks for the great photos.

Oz said...

Opps - I meant Lake City, not Silver City.

redlegsrides said...

2d attempt:

I fear Gary, that your cameras are only going to continue to get a workout as you ride your way around the San Juan Skyway! Some of the most scenic parts of Colorado I've ridden through are in the SW portion of the state.

You caught the view from Wolf Pass overlook just right in terms of light, beautiful shot. (I think you and I stood at the same spot!) I can't wait to see your perspective of the views on the Million Dollar and San Juan Skyway.

dom aka charlie6

Redleg's Rides

One of my rides through Wolf Creek Pass

Axel said...

Great pictures, and nice mapping words. Just remember, a word not written can be written later, a picture not taken may be lost forever.

Radar said...

Gary,

One of your most poetic posts yet. You are seeing first-hand why they call it America the Beautiful.

biker baby said...

I have some of the same pictures. We visited the same mine with the gravel road. Rich's Dad used to live in Pagosa. There is a small shop in the picture above that we had some pictures taken with us dressed in old cloths. He was dressed as a rancher and I as a saloon girl. We had so much fun posing for those pictures. Someday I will have to post them. The photographer kept telling us that we shouldn't smile since the people back then never smiled for pictures, but we couldn't help ourselves. Seeing the pix of Pagosa makes me miss Rich's dad...he was a pretty terrific guy. We will be leaving here for CA via CO in a week and a half...can't wait.

Lady R (Di) said...

What stunning photography... I'm glad you changed your mind!

Gary France said...

Rosemary – Thanks – All I did really was point the camera and click. The scenery did all the hard work!

Sonja – My camera was smiling all day!

Ian – I hope you had a great ride and the weather held out for you....

Mary Ann – Thank you!

Oz – Yes, it is a wonderful part of the state. Now you mention it, I do see where your profile picture was taken. I stayed on the safe part of the rocks!

Charlie6 / Dom – It is tough to say which part of Colorado is the most spectacular, as many parts have something going for them..... Yes, I can see that we must have chosen the same spot to take out respective pictures!

Axel – you are correct, but in my case I would have to add.... a word not written now will soon be forgotten – that is why I have to catch up!

Radar – Thanks! Yes, I can see why they call it that.

BB – That gravel road at the mine was scary on a Road King! My ladies were worried about that ride! I am glad I was able to remind you about Pagosa. You should post those pictures as I and I am sure others would like to see them! Enjoy Colorado and California....

Lady R – Thanks. To be honest, it was the scenery that changed my mind for me. What a place!

Eve said...

I'm so behind Gary, but wouldn't miss a post.This has to be one of my favorite! I love your perspective on maps! Beautiful photography! Thanks for sharing and pulling out the camera!!

Gary France said...

Eve - I am glad you liked this post, as I tried it from a different slant. It is odd how you can get an idea for the approach to a post from just about anywhere - simple lines on a map gave me the spark for this one.