Author: Josh Hood

Image taken along the roadside as you head into Paradise. Paradise is located at the south base of Mt. Rainier in Ashford, Washington

A different look of the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park

Some times in life you just need to get away! Thankfully our parents had planned a trip to Grand Cayman Island and brought us along. Although the island is relatively small it is packed with all kinds of things to do and see. Grand Cayman is surrounded by reef so diving is a must. However, is some locations there is no reef and the pounding surf has etched away at the coast line. Creating great areas to shoot the rocky coast line and the crashing waves of the Caribbean Sea. The east end of the island is much more remote and away from the touristy spots like 7 mile beach and George Town. There are plenty of secluded bays for snorkeling, inland ponds and marsh areas to check out, and quaint restaurants to eat. All in all a very nice, but very expensive place to vacation. I hope you enjoy some of my images.

Image taken during the WEBN Cincinnati Fireworks located on the Ohio River Between Cincinnati, Ohio and Newport, Kentucky.

Image taken along the shore line of Ruby Beach located in Forks, Washington. Evening sunset as a storm approached Olympic National Park.

After I put Diana on a plane New Years day I headed out to Olympic National Park. I traveled across the Puget Sound and deep into the Makah Indian Reservation with another photographer, Daniel Ewert. Talk about a great time and the weather was perfect for camping on Shi Shi beach. Well, when I mean perfect slightly above freezing and dry for the most part. We hit a little snow hiking out and driving to Forks and Ruby Beach, but all in all a great time was had. Those not familiar with Forks, Washington then you must not be caught up in the Twilight movies! We had great early and evening light to shoot the coast and plenty of clam chouder to warm us up in the afternoon. If visiting you must stay at the Kalaloch Lodge right along the coast line! Here are a few images from my trip with several more in my Olympic gallery. I also plan on add some more from Marymere Falls soon.

Image taken at the base of Mineral Mountain and along the north shore of Mystic Lake as the sun was setting. Northern area of Mt. Rainier National located in Mineral, Washington

Image taken of early morning backcountry and West Fork Creek that feed Mystic Lake. Clear water from Carbon Glacier, Mt. Rainer National Park located in Mineral, Washington

Image taken at dawn after a storm had passed over Mt. Rainier. Southwest facing shot from Van Trump Park Located on the south west side of Mt. Rainier in Ashford, Washington

Image taken along the Middle Prong Creek and Ramsey Cascade Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Just this past weekend we headed down to Gatlinburg, TN for a long weekend. The weather was not the best as it rained most the day on Friday, but it did clear up on Saturday and Sunday. On Friday we headed to Cades Cove and managed to get a 5 mile round trip hike in between the morning and late afternoon rain. We headed up to Abrams falls on the Little Bottoms Trail along Abrams Creek. This is a great day hike with plenty to see even before you get to Abrams Falls. On the way back I was fortunate enough to meet another photographer named Daniel Ewert. Daniel is also a Nature photographer and has an unbelievable collection of nature images on his web site. He is one of the most gifted photographers I have ever met and his images are very inspiring. You can check out Daniel’s work at the link above.

After our hike we toured around the rest of Cades Cove, a must stop while visiting the Smokies. There is always plenty of wildlife and if your lucky you will see a black bear hanging out in a tree. Plus there are a lot of historical buildings still in place and open to walk through. On Saturday we headed out to an auto tour of the Roaring Fork Nature Trail,  which is outside of Gatlinburg. This is also a great way to see a little of the Smokies without having to wonder to far away from the car. The Grotto Falls Hike is a must.  All in all it was a great weekend. One that will become a yearly trip and a longer one!!!!