42N country stretches around the world - as you would expect. While previous posts here concentrate around 42N and 92W, its time to expand the coverage. A quick look around for other interesting places located on the 42N meridian starts pretty much near the prime meridian or the rose line - the first prime meridian.
Located at 42°55'41" N, 2°15'46" E is a church, castle and french town connected closely with the work of Henry Lincoln, Richard Leigh and others -- Rennes Le Chateau. What better place to tie in previous 42N posts with masonic and other related references. Indeed a mysterious place and a mysterious story - enough to inspire author Dan Brown with the creation of The Da Vinci Code and become a tourist spot for decades. Know that.Friday, 9 October 2009
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Ironically the knockout blow to the continuing existence of what was the Biderman Hotel is the very reason that brought people out to the site - the river.In the late 1890s the Cedar Springs Hotel was built along the northern banks of the Cedar River, adjoining present day Palisades - Kepler State Park in eastern Iowa (42N country) near Cedar Rapids. By 1914 the property was sold to Adolph Biderman who turned the hotel and grounds into a major destination place. Adolph's granddaughter Pat Biderman is the present owner of the property. Pat says the hotel's registration book is filled with names from all over the world.
On a September 2009 tour of the property Pat explained how the Cedar River's historic flood in June 2008 put an end to any plans of saving the structure. She started the demolition process of the wooden building noting that the paperwork is more tedious than the eventual bulldozing of the structure. At present Pat has no plans to rebuild on the site.
The hotel was known by the names, the Cedar Springs Hotel, Upper Palisades Hotel and finally the Biderman Hotel. The image above shows the hotel in the 1930s with many people formally dressed and positioned on the hotel's two porches. The bottom photo was taken in early September. The second story porch was removed many years ago.
In its present condition it is hard to imagine that on certain Independence Day celebrations upwards to a thousand people would come on to the grounds for enjoying nature, fireworks, hotel dinners, and the company of others.
Much more information exists on the property and will be the subject of a later blog entry. Know that.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
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What's more fun than a barrel of monkeys? Maybe it's the Graduate's classic movie line about plastics that comes to mind. Otherwise, this storage area for plastic barrels make for a great black & white composition.Long ago when I started took up photography with a friend, we concentrated on black & white imagery as it was the easiest way to process and print photos in his basement darkroom. Later, courses in college emphasized both the news value and the art of black & white photography.
Today with online photo editors and other powerful image software it is a snap to shoot, edit and publish. Still, composition is the key for basic good photography. Look for lines, contrast, and the moment to capture the IT image. Know that.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
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Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Ready for snow in 42N country? Linn County, Iowa is prepared for almost any snow accumulation. Huge snow drifts require big equipment. Linn County's secret weapon is the SNOGO snow plow. This two-stage auger plow can heave-ho 2,500 tons of the white stuff an hour. See if you can do that with your Toro.
Last winter's storms produced near record level of snow in the Midwest - almost a return to the levels from the 1970s. Back in 1974 Time magazine and other popular media proclaimed the eventual return of the ice age based on geologic records. Twenty years later other experts predict global warming and point to their data as evidence. A better theory is that politics entered the discussion, insisting that elected officials are the voice for nature. Gag where appropriate.
Regardless of which theory, if any, is correct the roads in these northern latitudes still need to be cleared in a timely fashion. Linn County is prepared for anything - just add snow and fuel.
Monday, 28 September 2009
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Last year a nearly 100-year old farm house in 42N country was destroyed by arson. Authorities arrested several people in connection with this fire and other related farm home fires. The barn and a few out buildings remain in rundown condition.On Friday, September 25, 2009 the last original family member of that rural home passed away. She represented the second wave of US born farm families who helped settle this area.
As a group, the Czechs helped clear and farm the land for row crops and livestock. Later their descendants became more varied in their jobs and careers with many leaving agriculture for office and retail jobs. In her lifetime she saw farming change from horse team pulled wagons and steam tractors to modern diesel tractors operating with GPS precision capabilities and air-conditioned comfort from an enclosured cab. It was quite a journey for all. Know that.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
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The old saying, attributed to baseball great Yogi Berra, about taking the fork in the road comes into play quite often. Sometimes you make a judgement based solely on instincts, other times its random (see previous post on chaos.)At this 42N location the decisions come fast. From one spot looking north in the top photo your choices will lead you to town (left) or to warehouse areas (right.) Looking south in the bottom photo your choices are left to a dead end storage or to the right to a grain processor.
There is another road saying to consider when you are deciding which fork to take. From Robert Frost's 1916 poem "The Road Not Taken" the final lines read:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —I took the 'one less traveled' by, And that has made all the difference." Know that.
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