Thursday, October 13, 2011
The South (New Orleans, Mississippi and Louisiana)
The City of New Orleans skyline shines over Lake Pontchartrain as viewed from Slidell, MS. A pelican enjoys the final moments of daylight while 'NOLA' prepares for night festivities. This view provides a breathtaking view of the cities elevation.
In addition to the traditional Bourbon Street experience, New Orleans also shows signs of improvement and rebuilding after hurricane Katrina made landfall in 2005. The Lower 9th Ward has largely been cleaned up, houses painted and grass cut. Still other homes sit vacant as do FEMA trailers, still unoccupied after 6 years.
Mississippi culture, past and present, reflect upon its shaky past. Signs of seggregation are largely gone but its cash crop (cotton) are in abundance. A few stray alligators make rare appearances alongside rural US highways but are not common.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
April 2010
With an upcoming move and new job imminent, I decided to take a few days to photograph a few railroad lines in Michigan that often go unnoticed. Of primary interest is CSXT's Saginaw Sub between Plymouth and Flint. This portion of the Saginaw Sub sees only 2 regularly scheduled manifest trains daily along with occasional coal and grain trains. Recent schedule changes have put the daily manifest trains, Q321 (Flint to Toledo/Stanley Yard) and Q322 (Toledo/Stanley to Flint) on this portion of the main during the early afternoon. Of particular interest is the signal system: active pole line and search light signals. The Pere Marquette Railroad began installing CTC from Saginaw, MI southward in the early 1930's and it was GRS's first CTC installation in the USA.
(Rail Americas "Huron and Eastern Railroad" at Akron, MI)
(Q32127 north passes a swamp near Clyde, MI)
(Q32227 south rolls into Wixom, MI to meet its' counterpart)
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2009, you were generous indeed
As the final hours tick away, the year we know as 2009 are coming to a close and will soon be in the history books. Our proudest moment this year was the addition of our son to our home and learning the joy of becoming parents for the first time. Christian's baptism in July was exciting for all who attended this marvelous event. Christian has impacted our lives and the lives of others he has come to know.
A few highlights of 2009 include the birth of our Son, Christian Jon Avilia Schrader; having our roof replaced (I know, not all that exciting really, but it was leaking and the only leaking thing we need be concerned about were diapers); camping in Kentucky and Ohio; attending Summerail 2009 (a large gathering of well known railroad photographers showcasing their photos in a day-long multimedia extravaganza) in Cincinnatti, OH; Christian's first holidays and a 4 day trip to eastern Pennsylvania. Please enjoy the best photographs of 2009. With the end of this year brings the begining of the next. What adventures are we working on for 2010? Already in the works are SanFrancisco in March to see friends and attend Winterail 2010. Jeremy J Schrader
Monday, October 12, 2009
Smile.....
Uncle Kracker released his newest single, "Smile" this fall and it is giving folks in northern Michigan another reason to smile. He filmed the video in Hale and Long Lake, MI, just 15 miles from where we live. The vidoe was shot on the 4th of July weekend. Uncle Kracker can be found in various towns in northern Michigan, notably the bar in Long Lake and nearby Hale where he has a summer cabin.
This is my version of his hit "Smile". Music by Uncle Kracker with photography by Jeremy J Schrader.
This is my version of his hit "Smile". Music by Uncle Kracker with photography by Jeremy J Schrader.
Christian Jon October 2009
Christian has prospered much the past few months. He is healthy, gaining weight and growing long and strong. Quincy has taken a liking to him in the recent weeks, following his every move and sound he makes. She enjoys his small hands as he reaches for her, gently stroking her ears and head. Christian enjoys dogs too; a visit to grandma Suzanne's is not complete without the love of Logan, her puppy. Christian spent this weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Schrader's while mom and dad took an evening off and caught up on much needed rest.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Lifelong Reese, MI resident, Fred Steck, is a true fan of steam. Fred restored three steam locomotives to operating condition in his back yard shop on the outskirts of the village of Reese, MI. Fred worked as a tool and die maker and fabricated many tools needed to restore three locomotives, a true genius. Now long retired and out the railroad locomotive re-building spotlight, Fred made the 75mile journey with my father, Ed, to witness the labor of others he can relate to.
Fred states "Jeremy, my eyes don't work well, my hearing is poor, but I can smell that engine....and the valves are timed well" as the SP 4449 passed by a mere 200 feet away near North Star, MI. Fred doesn't drive anymore but always has a moment to discuss rail operations in MI over an imported Canadian beer. (the best in his eyes) Fred is 92 years young.
(Fred has been my grand-parents neighbor for nearly 50 years. My dad recalls spending his childhood summers firing steam in his backyard, doing various chores and smelling that familiar coal burning.)
(Fred has been my grand-parents neighbor for nearly 50 years. My dad recalls spending his childhood summers firing steam in his backyard, doing various chores and smelling that familiar coal burning.)
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