With Thanksgiving and Black Friday behind us, it is back to work. I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Mine was spent with dear friends who took mercy on a bachelor that was “home alone” for the holiday.

Leftovers! Is there any thing more satisfying than a turkey sandwich, stuffing with gravy and a piece of pecan pie as you kick back and get consumed by the best of home town college football rivalries. I guess you could argue that each rivalry, in it’s own right, is the “best” but for sake of discussion I would have to say there is no greater battle than the Auburn vs. Alabama “Iron Bowl”!! This year’s game was no exception. For Auburn fans it was heartbreak and for Alabama fans it was a heart attack. The emotion that surrounds this game is nothing short of a religious fervor.

I have no greater memories than those being on the sidelines photographing the last four years of Bear Bryant’s Alabama football career. I can honestly say there was nothing more mesmerizing than to be in his presence. Arguably, he was the greatest college football coach of all time. I stood in awe every week, mesmerized with hundreds of other photographers as he leaned on the goal post watching the Tides pre-game warm-up. It was a spectacle of infectious proportions. I was fortunate enough to be at 315 and fortunate enough to be in Memphis for his very last game. His influence on the game we so cherish today is unmistakable.

Sometimes you have to look behind to see and appreciate what lies ahead  … Paul “Bear” Bryant in post game interview after the 1971 Iron Bowl, “I know one thing, I’d rather die now than to have died this morning and missed this game.”

If you are looking for a special gift for the holidays, take time to look back through my blog and consider giving a photograph as a gift.

Happy Week After Black Friday!!!!
 ~ dK ~

Two weeks on the road and I am now back in Sweet Home Alabama. With the holiday ahead, I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

During the course of instructing at a photographic workshop in Florida, one of the instructors mentioned that the Space Shuttle STS-129 was scheduled for a launch attempt the following Monday. It was news to me, which shows how one might, having worked for NASA, get lost in the every day demands of civilian life. Two of the instructors for the event had never witnessed a shuttle launch. With our obligations fulfilled we headed to the west coast with hopes that this would be a magical day for us all.

I had seen 20 plus launches during my career and the one thing that remained constant was, it never was a given that the shuttle would launch. But when it did, the spectacle of seeing it rise from the launch pad was one of the greatest events you will ever witness. Getting to witness it with good friends that never felt they would ever get the opportunity to do so   ….. Priceless!! As the shuttle raced towards the heavens, I realized just how fortunate we had been to see a flawless launch that went on time on such a beautiful Florida day.

As it plays hide and seek on it’s way to the International Space Station, a breathtaking moment in time of STS-129! Like a reunion of dear friends, I just might have to do it a few more times ……

I will certainly be around and available during the holiday season to assist with any of your photographic requirements.

Best regards ….. Happy Turkey Day!!!!
 ~ dK ~

As I head back out on the road again and I had the pleasure of spending the first part of my trip in the Outer Banks of North Carolina where the weather was exceptional. That was, until Hurricane Ida picked a path across the southern states, out into the Atlantic and then proceeded to head north.

I left my girlfriend and the Outer Banks on Wednesday trying to keep a level on my anxiety as the weather reports started coming in. A nor’easter of incredible magnitude, now named Nor-Ida, was headed to NC with the potential of 8 - 15 foot swells and expected to threaten most the east coast with heavy rains, huge waves and flooding. Luckily for NC if was not near as bad as originally expected but the beauty of the coastal terrain and the dunes were mostly washed away and life on the islands has been interrupted. Hwy 12 lost a major portion of the 2-lane road stranding traffic and residents north and south of Oregon Inlet. Unfortunately coastal cities in Virginia did not fare as well with extensive damage to costal communities with heavy flooding.

Prior to my departure I spent my last night at the southern tip of Cape Hatteras looking south out over Hatteras Inlet at the setting sunset. You could see, with the dark clouds that a storm was brewing. The attached shot is a panoramic view of the inlet and the first visible sign of Nor-Ida.

With this blog we start a new year of documenting new mis-adventures.

Best regards …….
~ dK ~

This week’s blog is an anniversary of sorts for me. It was one year ago that my pictorial journey started via my “Mis-Adventures”. In that period of time I have had the pleasure of sharing some memorable moments and places with all of you that have been so very gracious to welcome, my art and my thoughts. It would be easy to reflect on my career and get lost in the memories of an even longer journey that has brought me to this place in my life. My college years and my beloved professor, mentor and friend, Don Bishop, my many photographic accomplishments with NASA and now with what is so affectionately referred to as… “Life after NASA.” Ten years beyond I continue to have allot to be thankful for, my incredible clients, my dear friends and the daily thought that there is still so much more ahead to experience.

Another part of the anniversary to celebrate, a yearlong journey sharing my thoughts, dreams, visions and aspirations with my girlfriend, Cheryl. She compliments my life and (somehow) has the patience to accept and understand my personal and artistic idiosyncrasies. Who would have “thunk” that would ever happen? Most were betting on hell freezing over before I found the last missing piece to the puzzle.

To the beauty that now surrounds me! Ms. Cheryl on the Dry Lake Bed in Prim, Nevada just out of reach of the bling and glow of the city lights of Las Vegas.

Beauty and Grace ….. complimented by Mother Nature.

I am out on the road but, as with any trip, no further away than an email or a phone call!!!

Best regards …
~ dK ~

For those of us in the Tennessee Valley, last week was an unbelievable showcase of fall colors. Everywhere you turned the muted colors from the previous week had turned up the volume.  It was a visible spectacle of glowing neon leaves, somewhat akin to switching from  “analog TV to High Definition – HD!”

With all of the color and falling leaves signifying the arrival of Autumn and the beginning of winter … you knew that Halloween had to be right around the corner. Ghouls and Goblins roaming the streets trying to get a sugar fix … Can’t get enough of those M&M’s!!!! The ultimate trick or treat or known today in some areas as trunk and treat. That would have been a great concept during my high school days when we went to see “The Night of the Living Dead” at the drive in theatre. Sweet treats in the Trunk.

Halloween means Hallows Eve (the eve before the Day of the Dead), and is celebrated on the 31st of October. Its origin is Celtic dating back almost 2,500 years.  All Saints Day (November 1) is known as The Feast of All Saints, which is considered a holy day of the Church set aside to honor all, saints, known and unknown.

Two times a year I find myself drawn to and captivated by the beauty of the spectacle of color in Maple Hill Cemetery. In the spring the Dogwoods blossom and in the fall the Maple trees show out with their multitude of colors. I thought it very fitting that the attached image captures all that is Autumn and  a reflection of  All Saints Day.

I am out on the road again but, as always, no further away than an email or a phone call!!!

Best regards,
~ dK ~