Well, it's time to stop procrastinating and get packed for week. First what's to take in the camera bag. Here's the list of equipment that I normally carry along on most road trips.
2 Nikon D300 camera bodies.
3 lenses a Nikon 60mm F1:2.8, Sigma 28mm F1.8 in the bag and a Nikon VR80-400mm packed in it's carrying case, just on the premise that I'm going to need to get up close and personal with something along the way.
A 1.5 multiplier
8 Memory modules varying in size from 2GB to 8GB.
4 Nikon Batteries.
Various filters for the each lens.
Cleaning kit.
Battery charger.
A wireless shutter release.
And a few other little odds and ends.
There's a Manfrotto lightweight tripod along with a monopod with interchangeable heads packed in the back of my 2 1/2 year old H3 with 112,000 miles. Along with a DC to AC inverter. A small tent in case I want decide to rough it a little, a pair of binoculars along so I can scope out the area and of course cooler full of water and snacks to carry me over from each destination.
Normally, I would be carrying along a laptop for file transfers, but since this a self assignment, there's no urgent need to send the images to a client so that's one less item to lug around. I do carry, what has quickly become one of favorites items, a IPAD.
The IPAD allows me do a quick review of the images and is loaded down with applications that allow me to hook up to my system back at home base, transfer images up into the Cloud for backup and my favorite, a mobile property and model release application. I no longer have the need to carry paper pocket releases and folks seems to think it's cool to sign their names on the IPAD.
It's been rather hot and humid down here in the south, so I'll be packing plenty of comfortable cool clothes, a couple of hats, hiking boots and hiking tennis shoes. Rain gear is always a must, especially since I do, on occasion like to chase a few storms.
So there you have it, we're packed up and ready to head out. This road trip will cover some 1600 miles, with several planned stops along the way, not including any unexpected side trips.
Day One - Road Trip
Road trip - Day 1
Well, day one came to a un-eventful close. Monday started at around 5:30AM, slamming down breakfast then hitting the road for Vicksburg. Decided to take U.S. Highway 80 westward, then hitting the I59/I20 interstate at the Alabama/Mississippi state line to make up some time.
I always try to travel some of the rural routes during a road trip, the people and locations can almost always provide you with some interest subject matter. Like visiting the first site of first state capital of Alabama along the Cahaba River, west of Selma or the Red Church located near Demopolis. Then just west of Demopolis, the rains came, fortunately, the clouds parted and sun began to shine - but that was only for a short while.
While driving across the Magnolia State, off in the distance you can see the storms building, a sudden change of plans is in my not so distant future.
Arriving in Vicksburg, pretty much on schedule, rain on the horizon, I head down to the historic area in hopes of capturing a few images. Well, greater plans of mice and men have been changed by Mother Nature. In her wisdom, there would no photography down this afternoon.
It's Tuesday morning, and you guessed it, rain. Oh well, can't let that get you down, on to my next stop on this road trip.
On day one, we covered 375 miles and didn't get a chance to take a single photograph.
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