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

Watching trains with Dad

Watching trains with Dad
Christian gazes out the window at a passing train

McKeesport, PA

McKeesport, PA
Reaching to the heavens above

California Bar

California Bar

Marquette, MI

Marquette, MI

Ore Dock at Night

Ore Dock at Night
Marquette, MI

National Mine

National Mine
Michigan's Upper Penninsula

LS&I Ore Dock Marquette, MI

LS&I Ore Dock  Marquette, MI
A great lakes ore carrier loads iron ore

Lonely Cemetary

Lonely Cemetary
A lone cemetary sits in the middle of a field near Maple Grove, Ohio.

Kentucky Barn

Kentucky Barn
A barn sits silently northeast of Louisville, Lentucky.

Frank and Teressa's Anchor Bar

Frank and Teressa's Anchor Bar
Buffalo, New York, the home of the Original Buffalo style chicken wing sits at the corner of Main Street and E North Street.

Cadillac Ranch Amarillo, Texas

Cadillac Ranch Amarillo, Texas
West of Amarillo, Texas off I-40 sits the Cadillac Ranch, a tribute to some of Detroits finest.

LIKE A ROCK!

LIKE A ROCK!
Posing in front of our new Chevrolet Silverado during a torrential rain storm.

Flat Tire

Flat Tire
An old bicycle rests outside an abandoned building at East Jordan, MI

Spinning in Space

Spinning in Space
The earth is at a constant rotation and never stops. As viewed from North Findlay, Ohio, the earth shows its' motion under clear skies.

Todays forecast; 88 degrees with snow

Todays forecast; 88 degrees with snow
Snow covers the tops of mountains north of Nipton, California while ground temperatures are near 88 degrees, at 1PM.

Mojave Refuge

Mojave Refuge
The Mojave Desert occupies over 22,000 square miles of the southwestern United States. It is a typical Basin and Range topography, as witnessed from Ivanpah, California. Looking northwest up Ivanpah Road, the basins and ranges are clearly visible.

Valley of Fire

Valley of Fire
A road passes through the Valley of Fire State Park, located north east of Las Vegas, Nevada. April 2006.

Waiting on a Friend

Waiting on a Friend
An unsuspecting passenger awaits the arrival of the next train from Chicago, IL on a cold Thanksgiving evening. The train is operated by the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad. Photographed at the tiny depot at Beverly Shores, Indiana, November 2006.

STOP WAR

STOP WAR
"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind." ~John F. Kennedy, 1961 Photographed in Teutopolis, Illinois, April 2008.

Inauguration Day

Inauguration Day
Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm, accepts the oath of office on the steps of the capitol in Lansing, Michigan, January 1, 2007. Jennifer is serving her second term as governor of the state of Michigan.

The Cowboy Way

The Cowboy Way
Cowboy boots, leather straps, a horse and spurs are all that's needed at the Muleshoe Roping Club at Muleshoe, Texas. May 2008.

Bumble Bee Buzzz

Bumble Bee Buzzz
A Bumble Bee goes about his chores on our Japanese Barberry bush. May 2008, northern Michigan.

Flower Garden

Flower Garden
A light water vapor falls through our backyard flower garden, August 2005.

Lightning Crashes

Lightning Crashes
A severe thunderstorn has brewed over central Kansas and is now unleashing its fury in downtown Kansas City, MO. April 2008.

License Plate Collection

License Plate Collection
Located near Hope, Arkansas 2007

Standing Out Amongst Others

Standing Out Amongst Others
Many birds of a single feather do not distract Seagull from taking a break in the upper Mississippi River valley near Bettendorf, Iowa.

High Falls District

High Falls District
Evening sets in Rochester, New York. Earlier in the day, bird watchers gathered to view Falcons fly over the falls. August 2006.

Children of the Mud

Children of the Mud
Two young children splash in a puddle of mud after a recent rain-storm in a non-prudent manner in Streator, Illinois, April 2008.