Pedantry Digest

A solid ten hours of today was spent on a wonderful outing (hiking) with wonderful people (Siao Li, Ross, and Kohen) in a wonderful part of the country (the city of Niagara Falls, trekking along the Niagara River). Actually, it was nearly two countries--we were technically in Canada, but could see the United States from across the river, making the so-called 'border' seem quite arbitrary and stupid.

What follows is the annotated (believe it or not) photo-story of our journey. Because I spent most of my time exercising my manual SLR (the digital point-and-shoot used for this photo journal has been my trusty sidekick, but there's nothing quite like a film camera), I gave my digital camera to Ross and Kohen to play with for most of the day (Siao Li had her own). The result is a refreshing variety of perspectives and solid proof that the boys can hold their own in the photography department.

For the sake of giving credit where credit is due, the pictures taken by Kohen and Ross are noted as such (I'm almost entirely sure I have attributed each image to the responsible party) and all of the others without annotation of the photographer have been taken by yours truly. Many of the pictures have been adjusted for brightness, contrast, and colour saturation (and, in some cases, turned to black-and-white). This is par for the course on Pedantry Digest. However, it's worth mentioning as neither Ross nor Kohen had a chance to give their input in this editorial work, even though their photos were (as often as not) the ones being edited. So feel free to enjoy their artistic prowess and send your editorial criticisms my way, instead.

Kohen, Siao Li, and Ross in the parking lot of the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, getting ready.




A photograph that captures my essence; that is, a girl invariably primed with a camera in hand and unable to stop laughing at anything, ever. (Photo by Kohen.)




Me and Siao Li between a rock and a hard place in the most literal sense. (Photo by Kohen.)




Ross and I sitting on a rock, enjoying the sun and the tiny fish swimming around us. (Photo by Kohen.)




Ross, me, and Siao Li on the aforementioned rock surrounded by the aforementioned fish. (Photo by Kohen.)




Kohen, Siao Li, me, and Ross all strangely covered in shadows (and me with a well-placed tree growing out of my scalp). Poor Ross and I seem especially ill-affected by the shadows as we both appear to have black eyes. (Photo by Kohen.)



Ross thinks this tree 'has a funny look on its face.' Ross gets points for finding the face--any face--on a tree. (Photo by Ross.)




One of the few tiny, muddy creeks along our rocky path. (Photo by Ross.)




Children playing with fishing line at the final destination of our choosing (the hike could have easily continued). (Photo by Ross.)




Another small, random child at the same location. It almost looks like a very small Ross. (Photo by Ross.)




Siao Li playing with the shrubs. (Photo by Ross.)




Kohen enjoying the view. (Photo by Ross.)




The aforementioned enjoyable view. (Photo by Ross.)




A goofy shot of me, not because I think I look particularly good, but because I'm sure someone is bound to think that a photo of them I've chosen to include is unflattering for some reason. So, here, I willingly offer one (of many) unflattering photos of myself--I'm fair game. (Photo by Ross, who will soon be trained to take only flattering pictures of me. Or else.)




I wanted to touch the water after we'd be walking along it and commenting on its beauty for so long. Kohen indulged my request and joined me laying flat on this rock to reach down into the river. The verdict: cold, but clean. (Photo by Ross.)




Kohen's head blocking the afternoon sun. Well done.




Ross decided to join in on the fun of water-touching. Upon briefly forgetting that Ross was laying on his stomach and touching the river below, it seemed to me that he was actually leaning against a rock to touch a vertical wall of water. And, thus, the fun of photography.




Back at the starting point (almost), a couple of views of the Niagara River. This is only a two hour drive away from where I live. I am so very spoiled.







Ross, intrepid explorer of all things wilderness-y.




Kohen and Siao Li, also intrepid.




Another two views of the river from higher up on the hill.







Kohen walking past one of the few helpful trees.




Dandelion growing on a rock. (Photo by Kohen.)




One final group photo taken at the end of our hike by a friendly man at the park at the top of the hill. For no particular reason, this picture reminds me of the opening/dedication at the beginning of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers: First of all: I am tired. I am true of heart! And also: You are tired. You are true of heart! (Good trip, quite exhausting. Apropos of nothing, that's also a great book.)