Big Field Photo Walk

A surreal experience...always fun when Vickey and I plan a photo walk on Beaver Island. If you are bored, continue reading...otherwise, definitely skip and just be glad you weren't with us!
1. Meet at airport to take one car to Millers Marsh and the Big Field (yes, that's it's name). Vickey volunteers to drive. I agree.
2. Go to Miller's Marsh. Net up and spray deep woods off, but are driven back to car in less than 5 minutes.
3. Drive to Big Field to go snake hunting.
4. Hear strange gurgle in car. Decide to take photos a bit and let car settle down.
5. Take photos, only find 2 snakes. Return to car.
6. Vickey lifts hood and finds there is no water in the radiator -- for those unfamiliar with cars, this is a very bad thing.
7. Get out cell phones to call for help. No signal.
8. Get on top of car to try to find signal (see overflow album http://365project.org/taffy/special-photos/2014-06-27). No signal.
9. Vickey climbs tree to get a signal. No signal.
10. Walk to main road to get help. Flag 2 cyclists...turns out to be friends Tammy and Rich. They agree to call Vickey's husband when they get home, as they also have no cell signal.
11. Car comes by shortly after and also agrees to call when they get to town, as they have no signal.
12. We wait an hour back at V's car, taking some photos to pass time. Realize I should have gotten a ride to airport to get my car and water and return.
13. Go back to main road and flag next car. Cindy and Al (only on BI would you know this many people on a random road). They give me ride to airport.
14. Airport has moved to new terminal today and cannot find their buckets. Located eventually.
15. I drive back with gallons of water sloshing in car. Vickey and car are gone.
16. Drive back toward home. Meet Vickey who is in a truck now, looking for me to let me know they are okay.
17. Get message tonight from Vickey that she had walked deeper into Big Field because she remembered seeing a cell tower. 10 feet in, she got a signal on her phone and called her husband!

[~~JT]

What an adventure! :) Certainly made the day pass by "quickly"!!! ;)

[Rachel]

Haha, oh so funny. What a palaver. At least you got some good shots out of it, and you will probably remember this for a long time!

[Terri Morris]

Too funny, but you got some nice photos anyway.

[Louise & Ken]

What a saga! I saw the lensbaby picture and had to check this out! What a gorgeous selection of beautiful photos you took! Any one of them would have been a treat!

[Michael Van Krey]

the story doesn't convey the beauty of the nature shots you got! how frustrating - camera as therapy tool, for sure. gorgeous butterflies and damselflies, and impressive snake!

[Carolyn]

Oooh, snakes and dragonflies and deer, oh my! Wonderful collage.

[Taffy]

@vankrey Hi Michael -- you're right...it didn't occur to me, but I should have mentioned how amazing the Big Field is. You could spend a day photographing there and not be bored (if getting a car out isn't on your mind). And none of my shots capture the fern fields, beautiful landscape, rolling (very small) hills, etc. If you visit...you'd get to go there!

[Silver Fox]

First question what type of snake is that

Second question which did you like more the experience (and writing about it) or the photography :)

[Taffy]

@silver_fox Ah, great question! In hindsight, having the story is fun so I'm quite okay with the day. While there, it was hard because we were worried about the car, but surrounded by things to take photos of, while also quite aware of the mozzies waiting to attack once the breeze died down. And we hadn't brought water or food -- we did spend time noting how out of practice we had become since last summer when we had our outings nailed. If we'd known in advnace that we'd sort it out within about 3 hours, not all day as we'd thought could happen, we probably would have had even more fun with the situation.

[Maggiemae]

Good grief! You could publish this on some site that likes frustrating or exciting experiences!

[Silver Fox]

@taffy No the less a great yarn and thanks for that as well.

[Taffy]

@maggiemae It was our version of the children's book, Alexander's No Good Very Bad Day.

[Sheralee S]

Oh my gosh! I enjoyed reading it, you could not have made up a story like that! BUT... looking for snakes?! I try to avoid them at all costs here, mainly because lots of ours are deadly. I'm hoping these aren't?
That butterfly is beautiful, great collage of your day.

[Kerri]

Awesome collage

[Darlene]

What an adventure, could not have written that one, had to live it. I love it and so glad you know so many people there and had the afterthought that actually helped to save time I would imagine getting your car. Love your collage of fantastic photos. Brave are the two of you to look for snakes. And wonderful to find what you did including that gorgeous deer. FAV

[Marg Budd]

Great pictorial story of your adventure.

[Creative Fool]

Fantastic images!

[Tony]

Fabulous sequence of shot.

[M.C.Satin]

Great looking collection of captured moments on an adventurous outing!

[Marnie]

Love the collage, but the tale of woe was wonderful - after the event.

[Marnie]

What kind of snake is that one?

[Sally Ings]

Wonderful collage

[Rachel Withey]

Lovely photos. Great snake - what sort is it? Sounds like one of those days that's fun in retrospect.

[Pam Knowler]

What an adventure - it makes such a great story after the event!! I love the fact you knew everyone who drove by!! What a fabulous place Big field is - all that wildlife - my idea of heaven - without the mozzies and the snakes!! Your collage is wonderful but each shot is great in it's own right!! I saw your other shot of Vickie on the roof of the car and just had to investigate - so glad I did!! Big fat Fav for the pics and the story!!

[Sheila]

FAV for lovely adventure photo walk!

[Joan Robillard]

I always say when something like this is going on. Laugh because afterwards it will make a great story.

[Margaret Obey]

What a great adventure Taffy, love the resultant collage.

[Richard Hickey]

Awesome collage. Congratulations on making the Trending Page. Well deserved.

[Leon Buijs]

Fabulous collage of photo's and a great adventure and narrative.

[Eve Pulsater]

What a lovely collage.

[Bob Zwolinsky]

The things we do for our art.

[Julie Chapa]

Funny story and I remember the Big Field! Nice collage.

[Issi Bannerman]

OMG what a story and what great photos!!!!!

[Gena Pegg]

Whoa....what an adventure! Great story (glad with a happy ending) Super shots also....really love the damsel/dragonfly (?) images.

[Julie Duncan]

Beautiful collage and very entertaining story, although I sympathize with the discomforts of being stranded. Makes me want to go up to Beaver Island again! Beautiful place! ;)

[Skip Tribby - ​🖖]

It looks like fun except for meeting the snake!

[Molly]

Good gracious - what an adventure: you don't mention your frustrations, having returned with loads of water to find the car gone! That aside, a fascinating set of images - you certainly managed to find some wildlife while you were there.

[Islandgirl]

What a lovely collage of nature!
Love your story so glad it turned out eventually!!

[Newbank Lass]

Must apologise but I started to giggle from point 12 onwards. Glad safely back to tell the tale. Enjoying your nature shots. I've not missed anything re the mentoring group have I? My email has been hit and miss recently.... Please please please don't feel like I'm pressuring you or anything....

[Taffy]

@newbank I accept the giggles...in hindsight, we would have laughed as well.

[Taffy]

@dolphin No frustration actually as I knew I was a backup. We'd had three people call John already (or promise to), so it was all a matter of who could get there first. With no sunscreen, plentiful biting bugs, heating up over the afternoon, and no water, it was all about getting out of there sooner rather than later! and learning a good lesson about the 'be prepared means more than with your photo equipment!'

[virtualbrownie]

Amazing how normally rational people can react to situations like this - been there done it...made me smile. Great photo

[Paula W]

Oh my goodness felt exhausted just reading that! Super collage though so worth it in the end???

[Kathie]

LOL. Very funny story. Don't you hate those dah moments (we could have hitched a ride to...we could have....) All's well that end's well. You have a great story to tell and fantastic pics.

[Kathleen Hinkaty]

Beautiful collage with very wonderful images! I loved the tale of your day! It really made me smile, I'm glad you are both home safe and sound with some great photos!

[TerriTh]

What a great pictorial journal

[Ann H. LeFevre]

That was an adventure! Just glad it all ended up well in the end.

[Kristen]

Sounds like an adventure! You got some wonderful nature shots from it though :)

[Cazla]

What a great tale!

[Shelley]

Lovely collage and your narrative cracked me up. I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time....

[Hope D Jennings]

I feel like I have been hiking with you!