So Many Places, So Little Time
Over the past decade I have traveled to a lot of places and taken a lot of pictures, and since I began doing this I have always had the desire to share those pictures and travels with anyone who was willing to look and listen. There isn’t much else that makes me happier. Now, as much as I would like to, I can’t take you all with me on my next adventure, instead I want you all to help me decide where to go. My wife Allison and I have put together a small list of places that are appealing to us, places that offer certain qualities we look for in a destination; trekking, wild animals, unspoiled landscapes, and the unexpected. Read through the list below and choose what place you would most want to see pictures and hear stories from and then cast your vote in the “comments” area below.
1) Alaska
I know, I know… we were just there. In fact, we’ve been there twice now. But that is what Alaska does, it makes you go back, and besides this trip would be different than the previous two. You thought what we did last summer was hardcore, this time around we would be heading for Gates of the Arctic National Park… look at that place on a map. Way more isolated than Glacier Bay or Denali (hard to fathom) with drop off by bush plane only. Imagine that, the plane lands in the middle of the tundra, throws you and your gear out, and then flies away… really? You would vote for us to do this?
2) Glacier National Park, Montana, USA & Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Compared to Alaska this should be nothing, right? Wrong, these parks are rugged in a whole other way, quad busters to start, not to mention that way more people get killed by grizzlies in these two parks than anywhere we have ever been in Alaska. And from what I hear these places are gorgeous, Alp-like scenery and plenty of wildlife. The bonus of course is hitting up two different parks in two different countries on the same trip.
3) Ecuador
Jungles, mountains, beaches, the lot of it. Oh and don’t forget the Galapagos Islands. Sounds perfect, right? The downside: possibility of getting kidnapped if we get too close to the Colombian border and tiny, sea-sick inducing cruise ships filled with tour groups are a must in the Galapagos, not our cup of tea… but probably worth it.
4) Greenland
We would start with a 100 mile hike across the permafrost tundra of the southwest, watching for caribou and muskoxen. Then we would head to the northeast into polar bear country, that’s right, POLAR BEAR COUNTRY. I’ve scared off black bears, and I’ve stood up to grizzlies, but polar bears… those eat you, no question. If they get the chance they will eat you. How cool is that? Oh, and walruses too, Greenland has walruses.
5) Borneo
There is no off season in Borneo because everyday, all year round, you can expect Borneo to be hot and humid with a great chance of rain… lots of rain of course means lots of mosquitoes, but in Borneo it also means lots of leeches. Ya, that’s right, leeches. Crocodile filled rivers, venomous snakes, sweltering leech infested jungles… what more could you want? How about pristine beaches, butterflies with nine inch wingspans, and flowers three feet across, not to mention tarsiers (those little primates with the big eyes), orangutangs, elephants, orchids, monitor lizards, monkeys of all kinds, and the ever elusive Sumatran rhinoceros. A nature photographer’s dream… assuming the humidity doesn’t break all of the gear.
We put a lot of thought into where we go on these trips, so handing over this decision to all of you is a big deal for us. Put some thought into, really think about which of these places appeals to you and where you would most like to see pictures from… or, if you have ill will towards us, send us to where we are most likely to get eaten.
Ecuador
cousin and aunt loved it so much they went there to get married
December 30, 2011 at 5:56 PM
They must have loved each other very much.
January 2, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Greenland!
December 30, 2011 at 7:12 PM
Firstly, I’m glad that you put your train trip to such good use and I can’t wait to see you tomorrow!
Secondly, I vote for Ecuador. I’m always tempted to send you guys articles about Central and South America so that’s my first choice … especially because I will be able to envision you guys being warm for once!
Thirdly, maybe you should put all of the trips on your to-do list because (future) Auntie Jen and Uncle Andy are SO ready for hardcore babysitting duties.
December 30, 2011 at 8:38 PM
Amazing choices! Greenland was my initial choice, because how wild would that be? But then I think Gates of the Arctic would be completely unparalleled… Ecuador’s mountains might be hard to pass up… AH. What would the weather be like in the summer? Okay, I’m apparently unprepared to vote at this time, but I’m going to stick with GREENLAND.
A backcountry winter weekend in the north Maine woods might help one prepare for such an outing, no?
Excited to see what you pick!
Peace and hugs,
December 30, 2011 at 10:08 PM
I think a backcountry winter weekend in the north Maine woods is a good idea regardless.
January 2, 2012 at 11:37 AM
I also vote Ecuador. Change up from the ice and what not.
December 30, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Same here, Ecuador.
December 31, 2011 at 5:54 AM
Borneo is my vote As you pointed out, the critters are for a naturalist photo op. You have done a lot of open country shots.
December 31, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Greenland. At least there, if you do become polar bear snackfood, the rescue planes should be able to spot the blood-stained ice to determine where you met your untimely ends.
December 31, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Yeah… that’s what I was thinking.
January 2, 2012 at 11:40 AM
You make a good case for all of them, but I vote for Borneo. You had me at nine-inch butterflies. Do it!
December 31, 2011 at 12:56 PM
I like Ecuador having spent several weeks there two years ago. The Andes are breathtaking (and scary) from the bus window as we rode down to sea level in Manta. This after spending almost a week exploring the city of Quito (be sure and take your high alt. meds) Yes the Galapagos are too touristry but the animals – the floral and fauna don’t mind. Imagine you are Darwin and the Beagle awaits you in the harbor!
a.rita
December 31, 2011 at 2:28 PM
Millersport Ohio where you can photograph black angus (although Ali has already had the opportunity to see them up close and personal)
December 31, 2011 at 8:21 PM
Not one of the choices but officially in the running now.
January 2, 2012 at 11:43 AM
hard to choose……. Ecuador or Borneo, definitely.
January 1, 2012 at 8:50 PM
I received a verbal vote for Borneo today… adding it to the count.
January 5, 2012 at 10:35 AM
It’s hard for me to vote because I don’t want you to leave bloodstains anywhere, but I do want you to go where your heart desires. So I vote for taking everyone’s comments under consideration and going where you both most want to go (though if you need a pistol permit to go near the polar bears, doesn’t that mean you might have to shoot one and I thought you liked polar bears). If it were my trip, but it’s not, I’d go somewhere in Latin America with others who knew the area and meet the people who live there because they’re our neighbors and I want to know more about them. But I’m neither a nature photographer not married to one.
Love, Mom
January 7, 2012 at 4:43 PM
I vote for Borneo. Not only does it have all the things you mentioned but there are mountains more than 4000 m (13000 ft) high. So there is room for a little hike up the mountains if you wish to get out of the hot and humid jungle.
Al
January 8, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Ecuador or Greenland. Either one you choose, you will have a great experience I believe.
January 15, 2012 at 4:09 AM