I practically begged Will and Karen to get on a carnival ride with me so I could get portraits with the lights streaking behind them. Will warned me that he doesn’t do well on rides; I argued that no ride with so many kids under four feet tall could be too dangerous for us.

We boarded, it started. From the ground it looked gentle, much like the teacups. That was misleading. I started second-guessing my decision that my seat belt wasn’t necessary — it was designed for somebody fully one third my size and couldn’t be buckled. The carny didn’t seem to care during the seat check, but then I’d neither pointed it out nor hid the seat belt’s shortcomings. Will, on the other hand, was able to buckle up and he had all his notions of personal security pinned on that belt.

Then it came loose.

Still, there were photos to be had, and Karen seemed to be okay. Pressing my feet against the center post, I wedged myself into the seat and started snapping. Will held on, and Karen flopped about. It’ll be a while before I can coax them both onto a ride again, but I do sometime hope to repeat this with more natural light. Something more like this, but not so much as this.

Extra: anybody want to buy an extra carnival ride?

Will McElroy, Karen Ladd, carnival, ride, scary, photo, photoblog, portrait, blur

Uploaded from before the days when Flickr would keep the original size photos, this is one of my favorite, most spring-y shots. And with weather like we’re having here now — 57° in northern New Hampshire! — it’s very appropriate.

Daffodil, flowers, photoblog, spring, warm weather, Daffodils, Daffy, Daffy

We were excited in New Hampshire to have the first week of weather warm enough to go out without our coats at midday, but Atlanta was warm enough to hop in the pool and hot tub after midnight.

atlanta, georgia, photoblog, spring, water feature, waterfall

Above: tonight’s sunset view of Mt. Hood from atop Mt. Tabor, an ancient volcano. Roadside America claims:

this is the only volcano located within a city limit in any US city. You can view the cinder cone and a few feet away from the parking lot is a kids play area.

mt. hood, mt. tabor, portland, oregon, portland or, photoblog, sunset, scenic

Of course I like my new camera. If you don’t think these fried ravioli have enough detail, take a look at the full-size version (3264 x 2448).