Witt’s End

One of the joys of travel is that sometimes you’re in the right spot at the right time. Too often you’re not—as in, “ya shoulda been here yesterday.” Well, for Susan and I, along with our friends Bobb and Kathy Barnes, on Indigenous People’s Day this past October, we were spot on. Santa Fe, New Mexico, hosted its second annual tribal nations Powwow. Twenty-three tribes, Nations and Pueblos in New Mexico were present. The Plaza area was filled with music, dancing and native crafts. The sights and sounds were overwhelming as dancers and drummers entertained for hours. Surrounding the Plaza area, tables of native crafts and foods were displayed. The costumes of the dancers, some ranging in cost of more than three thousand dollars were the highlight for thousands of people gathered for the celebration. And while it might seem like this was a glimpse into the past, it’s real every day life for Indigenous People in this country.

Congress created Cuyahoga Valley National Park on December 27, 1974, by passing Public Law 93-555. That moment capped off decades of people treasuring the valley for outdoor recreation and working for its protection. By 1974, some parts had already become parkland. Other locations were in private ownership. Many places showed the scars of heavy land use. In the 50 years since park establishment, people have worked hard to renew our natural and cultural resources. The valley has been transformed into a vibrant, healthier landscape enjoyed by millions each year.

In honor of our 50th anniversary year in 2025, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is highlighting 50 key events that help define who and what we are. They showcase the many partners that have come together to preserve open space, create opportunities for recreation, clean up pollution, restore habitats, and save historic resources. These moments demonstrate the power that people have when we work together for the wellbeing of current and future generations.

Most of the events focus on the big things in the park; miles of trails, iconic bridges–old and new, and diversity of animals. I opted to take a closer look at some of the small things the park has to offer.

I once worked for a publisher who, too often, commented on a picture I made (with great risk to mind and body), “Well, I guess even a blind pig sometimes finds an acorn.”
Last night I guess I was the pig. We’re camped on the outskirts of the Forillon NP on the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula. Several times we passed this incredible light house, the tallest light on the eastern shore of Canada. I knew it would be a great nightscape image. So, when the sky cleared (so I thought) last night, and after losing a round of Five Crowns, I headed to the light—alone since all of my compatriots thought going to sleep was a better option than standing around in the dark, on a path traveled by unknown creatures. Turns out, when I got to the spot I had scouted earlier in the day, the sea fog had moved in and things were less than gloomy. Any sensible photographer would have left the gear in the car and returned home. However, being the blind pig in search of eats, I persisted.

No stars, as I had hoped, way too contrasty light, and the occasional pickemup truck speeding by on the near highway, all sort of came together.

Last night was one of those times when an astro photographer with any sense would put his gear back in the car and go home. Well … I really wanted to get an image of the full moon because we only get a dozen a year—and you can’t count on that, given the weather and so much more. Plus, it’s the 55th year since Neil Armstrong walked on the moon’s surface. After that momentous night I recall asking my grandfather if he thought he’d ever live long enough to see men walk on the moon. He replied, “I never thought I’d live long enough to see men fly.” Oh, right.

While setting up the Sigma 150-600mm/Nikon D850 on the star tracker—not sure it would even work, not really focused, clouds all over the sky, I glanced up and saw an air liner headed right at the Tyco crater. Yikes! Just push the button! Okay, so it’s a bit out of focus. I’ll keep it.

I nearly nodded off while waiting for the clouds to move on to some place where people don’t care about clouds at night and thought, well, let’s see what happens. Hmmmm

Then it looked like the sky might clear, yay! No! Stay away from those trees! Oh, never mind. It’s all about composition. Ya seen one full moon ya seem ‘em all.