. . . to the place where I belong . . . I’m always talking about our ribbon roads. For those of you from Away, this is exactly what I mean. Babs writes: This is Atwood Road looking west from the top of a hill, and US31 is where the stop sign is located. This the beginning of the Breezeway which goes from here to Boyne City. I was using a very long lens that makes it look much shorter. This is probably close to one half of a mile or more.
This is going to be a great day. I already talked to Dorothy Westover, which is always fun, and then I opened the Babs Report and saw the ribbon road in all its glory–thank you Babs. Thank you Dot.
This is a good opportunity to remind you that the Breezeway is a good way to get from here to there. It’s also a fine place to meander during Color Season. There’s even a special Harvest Tour scheduled for October 16. You can read more about it and download a map at the Ride the Breezeway website. You don’t need a map, though–just turn east at Atwood the Adorable and follow the unfurling ribbon.
Posted in: Adventures outdoors, Babs Young photos
Torch Lake Views 
Kathy
September 20, 2010
A ribbon road! You do live in the land of ribbon roads…just looking at this picture brought to mind the road between Alden going by Torch Lake and headed up to Bellaire. Odd to think I took driver’s training in the land of the ribbon roads.
Gerry
September 20, 2010
The road up the east side of Torch Lake is a twisty turny one all right. There is one place where, if a person is distracted by the beauty of the lake, a person is in serious danger of driving right into the lake. Very bad idea. No cars permitted in Torch Lake. Not zoned for it.
Scott Thomas Photography
September 20, 2010
Looks like a road not to drive on a woozy stomach. 🙂 Though a lot of fun in my Mustang. 😀
Gerry
September 20, 2010
Imagine riding along on a winter evening, with snow devils swirling across the ribbon road, when WHOA!–out steps a suicidal deer. Or more likely three or four of them. Driving in Antrim County is all the heart-pounding sporting activity I need.
uphilldowndale
September 20, 2010
Wonderful road, might make me a little queasy though!!!
Gerry
September 20, 2010
Only when it’s icy . . .
Carsten
September 20, 2010
I like this. It is amazing what a long tele can do to roads.
And I like the blue color in the sky.
…..You didn’t write that ‘s’-word Gerry. Did you?
Gerry
September 20, 2010
Oh my! I did! I apologize to all you kiddies out there. I promise you a G-rated blog and then I write about s!@#. I won’t let it happen again.
P.j. grath
September 20, 2010
“Breezeway” was a stroke of genius. “Ribbon roads” are another.
Gerry
September 20, 2010
The Breezeway folks are good at marketing–thus the brilliant name–and at collaboration and outreach and just plain downright friendliness. I have a world of respect for that bunch.
isathreadsoflife
September 20, 2010
What an amazing road and perfect name ! I have never seen anything like it over here. Did you see how the electric wires are copying the ribbon road 😉 ? This is a fabulous picture.
Gerry
September 20, 2010
Yes, and again yes! I am very fond of these roads. All the ones that go east and west in this part of the county look just like this. I always like it when Babs incorporates telephone poles and power lines and other “built environment” elements into her landscapes. She’s making a deliberate choice. The lines add to the image rather than detracting from it. I always want to send a link to the Rulemaker who told me such things cannot be. Ha! I want to say. Fie on your silly rule! But this stuff is too good for the Rulemaker anyway.
Jody M Clark
September 20, 2010
Hmm, Gerry, I do not really know how to do this. so bear with me. A friend, Ayako, who enjoys your site every day, called to ask me to respond to a question you had about photographing the light we can sometimes see through rolling high waves.
There is a guy who travels the world to capture the best wavelight in places where the pleasure could kill you. No matter how much awe he creates, that risk is not a part of me. The next time I go to his site, I’ll send you a link.
I’m not the only amateur who enjoys capturing wavelight but, since there is little I like more than parking myself on the sand and watching waves crash ashore, I thought I would share what I have learned.
You will want a colorful bright sunset, a high wind, a beach with a fairly steep slope, and an SLR camera.
Next settle with the waves between you and the sun, as close and low as possible to the water without getting wet, and watch the light while watching what kind of wave creates the best moment of light. Although it is not perfect, waves often do have a rough numeric pattern. Once I have some idea of the pattern, I try a few shots to adjust the aperture and speed; I want to stop the drops and record the greatest amount of light. Post processing can improve vibrance, but it cannot stop the action or improve sharpness within so much activity.
Finally I set the shutter on burst mode and begin to, selectively, shoot. Once the process starts I can’t tell you how much of the time I am watching the action through the lens or not. I simply get into a groove that results in pure pleasure and, at the end of an hour or so, a series of satisfying image.
Hope this helps you have fun. Jody
Gerry
September 20, 2010
Hi Jody! You did great. Thank you. Now I have to try it. First I have to find that steep slope. And get somebody to lend me an SLR.
Although I believe I’ll go ahead and experiment so far as I can with the little camera. It has its own version of burst mode. Bring on the waves.
Ayako was over here in the Township in person tonight–I was so surprised to see her, and she managed to get Roger to come, too! Can you imagine? It was just lovely to see them. Now I have two reasons to be grateful to Ayako!
Cindy Lou
September 21, 2010
Wow! I do so love photos that make me say that! My folks live in the eastern part of the state – Rose City/West Branch – and there’s roads like this there. Fun, fun belly ticklers 🙂
Nye
September 22, 2010
I’ve never seen anything like it, it’s beautiful.
Gerry
September 23, 2010
Each place has its special qualities. This is ours. OK, this and the lakes!