Update from 2008. Ninety-four years old Pentaxian from Maryland.

Update from 2008.  Eighty-six  Ninety-four years old Pentaxian hiking on the mountains of Maryland.

In 2008, my daughter met this gentleman, Mr. Thomas Canapp, while hiking at the Rock's State Park in Maryland. Today Mr. Canaap purchased the e-book for the Pentax K-3. He updated to the K-3 recently. This makes Mr. Canapp 94 years young.  While writing this blog, Mr.Canapp called me for some instructions to download the e-book. I feel privileged to have him as a client. I can only hope that I will follow his trail when I'm 94.

Pentax should give him a new K-1 for his loyalty to the brand. Mr. Canaap told me that these days, he likes to take macro photographs. Hopefully, I will be able to get some of his pictures and post them here.

Mr. Canaap, you are an inspiration to me.

Hi Pentax friends,

My daughter has recently moved to Maryland. This past weekend, she and her boyfriend, Matthiew, went on a hike in Rock State Park, MD. From what I understand, it was spectacular, especially with the autumn colors.

In searching the Internet, I found this: Maryland's second highest free-falling waterfall is located on the Falling Branch of Deer Creek in northern Harford County. The falls were well known to local native Americans and settlers, but in recent times the area was relatively unknown because the land was privately owned. Through the work of citizens groups, businesses, schools and government agencies the Falling Branch Area was added to Rocks State Park in 1993 and open to the public. Here are two pictures, (photographer unknown), of the falls.

While trekking around, she crossed path with a senior gentleman that had two Pentax cameras around his neck. (It looks like a Pentax *ist DL and a Spotmatic. I'm not sure). One DSLR and one 35mm SLR. She stopped and started a conversation with him.

Not bad for pictures taken with a cell phone!

From What I know thus far, he is eighty-six year's young. She emailed him back the next day. (See her email below). Mr. Canapp answered her tonight and will send her a panoramic image that he took of the falls. I think I will be able to know a little more about this fellow Pentaxian in a day or two. I understand that his first Pentax was given to him by his son, after the Vietnam war. His son bought it on his way back home, while he was in Japan. Mr. Canapp said he has been a Pentax fan ever since. He also has a K10D at home, but it is a little too heavy for an all day photo shoot. Here's the email:

Hi Mr. Canapp, It was very nice talking to you on Sunday. I spoke with my Dad, Yvon, regarding our conversation and the possibility of sending you a copy of the Pentax K10D book that he wrote. He agreed and thought it was really great that you have been a Pentax fan for so long In addition to writing books about cameras, my Dad also has a website called http://pentaxdslrs.blogspot.com/

. He writes all kinds of things that have to do with Pentax cameras and photography. He writes nearly everyday and is always looking for new topics. When I told that I met a gentleman on the side of a mountain carrying two Pentax cameras, he thought it was great. If you wouldn't mind, he would like to write a little about you. (I sent him the picture I took of you). Please visit his website and read the stories. Send him an email. As far as the k10d book goes, I will have it shipped to the address on the business card if that's okay with you. It will be coming from California, so it may take a week or so after you confirm your address. I know how rare it can be for a photographer to have a photo of himself. :) I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Marisa

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Joshua Tree National Park, great photo opportunities.

Click on images for larger size.

Staying too long under the sun can cause hallucinations. I thought I saw a corona between the trees.

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Living in Southern California is not always stress-free. There is the traffic, the overcrowded areas, some of the highest crime ratings in the nation, pollution, high cost of living, etc. I was not born in California and I came here by choice. However, I can understand why so many people moved out West, hence the famous quote “Go West young men”. The gold rush is over with but it is still a great state.. At one time, before the overcrowded population, this state must have been really wonderful. You encounter everything in this state, from ocean, to deserts, to mountains and everything else in between. The weather is typically nice all year round. You want snow, you go up a mountain. You want to swim or surf, you go to the ocean. You want to hike; there are mountains, prairies, and desert areas all over the state.


We live in a community located in the High Desert area of the San Bernardino County in Southern California. We are a little far from the ocean but there are some very nice areas within a few hours of driving. Joshua Tree National Park is located about 76 miles South East from us. We went there several times during the last 12 months and returned for a visit a few weeks ago. All pictures were taken with my pentax K10D. What a great tool.

The park includes parts of two deserts, each with an ecosystem whose characteristics are determined, for the most part, by elevation. Below 3,000 feet, the Colorado Desert covers the eastern part of the park and features natural gardens of various cactus and desert plants. The Little San Bernardino Mountains run through the southwest edge of the park.

The higher moisture and slightly cooler temperatures of the Mojave Desert is the unique habitat of the Joshua from which the park is name after. In addition to Joshua tree forests, the western part of the park includes some of the most interesting geologic formations found in California's deserts. The foremost geologic features of this landscape are hills of bare rock, usually broken up into boulders.

The park is extremely popular with rock climbers referred to it as "JT" by locals. It is the best traditional winter climbing destination in the United States, no doubt. Thousands of climbers from all over the world come here every winter.

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The flatland between these boulders is sparingly forested with Joshua trees. More than 200 species of birds have been observed in the park. There are nine renowned campgrounds in the park. There are several hiking trails within the park, many of which can be accessed from the campgrounds. Shorter trails, such as the one mile hike through Hidden Valley, offer a chance to view the beauty of the park without wandering away too far into the desert.
To sum it all up, JT is a unique area that presents unique photographic opportunities. If you are living in California or Colorado and even Nevada, you should visit the park. If you are living elsewhere, if you ever come to California, you should plan for a visit to JT.

National Parks are a treasure that we need to keep for all future generations.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque