Let's continue how busy the 70's were for us----

We left the next day after the wedding to continue our vacation. Every year we took the last part of July and the first part of August, closed the studio but honored any wedding commitments.

We went over the mountains to upper New England where we drove into a ferry that went over the ocean to the lower eastern part of Canada. As we got underway, the fog started to pour in. We could see nothing, and the rocking of the ferryboat became intense. Most everyone on board was a strange shade of green. Gordon was smart, he jointed a young couple who stood at the bow of the boat and did not join the others who really became ill. I held my own, but Mel just sat and prayed.

We finally landed and could barely see land. Nova Scotia is beautiful - so they say - and it was not foggy, it poured! We stayed in a very small inn that had the only rose garden belonging to Queen Elizabeth. When I say small, I mean SMALL! There were only four rooms. The roses were lovely, but very few were not completely destroyed by the weather. Since I specialized in floral photography, I did the best I could, and probably had recorded the last ones that did not die for several years.

We decided to take a special tour of lighthouses. Couldn't find them. As a matter of fact, it we did not ask someone on the side of the road at one point, we would have driven right into the ocean. That, indeed was quite an experience --- and saw no lighthouses. We booked a short stay and was due to get back to the ferry. It was still extremely foggy, and I was so concerned, I asked Mel to book us one of the few cabins they had for the return trip to lower Maine, I could see very little, but Mel said: take an umbrella and take a photograph of those boats in the bay area. I replied: " what boats?" He pointed and I could barely see them, but took several slides. Then on the way back, I took an interesting view of some boats behind a fence. I tell you this since this print has a "story". Also I won many prizes of the boats in the fog.

It was very strange. Almost every trip we took, it RAINED!

We accepted too many important engagements at that time and the 70's was filled with much travel, AND a long stay in the hospital for me. So, as memory serves me here goes:

First the big thrill was asked to again speak at a large PPA school in Texas. This time, there were four other well-known photographers who presented their lecture at night and then next day the students was to use his techniques in small "studios". Half way through i t went well, but one famous man decided to have some fun with one of the models after his night lecture and never showed up the next day. So, for the first time, I helped Mel in the camera room andit went far better than I had hoped. That was the year we met the gentleman who took pictures of "space". Pretty impressive. They did not expect me, and asked the students if they would want to hear me instead of lunch, and they said yes. It was so successful, it happened every day with just a quick bite to of lunch to carry us through. I was VERY flattered, and got my THREE credits toward my first gold bar.

From there we drove directly to Chicago to speak to the largest company who had about 50 or so people do only weddings. Mel did his bit, and they asked me to give them some advice. Most of these young people were not in the business end, but asked many questions - and again, I was surprised at the reception.

We had to stop in Columbus, Ohio due to a tornado warning. I was a wreck. But Mel insisted we go to the motel and we just made it. I could see our car being lifted high, but the tires never left the ground. We always brought a studio full of sample , and I think that saved us. I remember this place because the food was wonderful. --------now comes the most interesting part ---in PART TWO--- to be continued-------