Ghost Hunting at the Stanley Hotel

The night was still young. We headed to the bar to pass the time, steeling our nerves with a few stiff drinks. We watched as the clock ticked slowly toward the midnight hour and then it was time. We reluctantly gathered our equipment and headed toward the main staircase to search the halls of the historic Stanley Hotel for ghosts.

I clicked the shutter to my camera unaware of anything out of place other than the hair standing up on the back of my neck. Wait. Did I see a light floating down the staircase? I brushed my hair aside and blinked. Nothing.

We continued up to the notorious third floor. As we walked the hall seemed to stretch and stretch. Where was the end? Should we turn back. I heard a maniacal chuckle behind me. I spun about just in time to see......

Happy Halloween!

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

A Walk on Second Beach - Part 1

A blizzard is raging outside of my cozy studio while I work on photography from our vacation last month. The contrast is startling when I look from my computer screen image of a sunny seashore to the icicles and snow outside of my window.

It was a rare sunny day in Olympic National Park when we walked along Second Beach. The early fall air felt surprisingly warm as the couple walked hand in hand far off into the distance and soaked in the delicious scent of the sea. The crashing surf and the call of sea birds filled the air with a cacophony of thundering noise. But inside I was still. The sea soothing my soul like a fragrant balm as we too walked hand in hand into the distance.

I'll be sharing more photos of this day very soon. Tell me your favorite.

A lone sea bird soars above the surf at Olympic National Park's Second Beach.

purchase information for this photo
Beach Walk
The wild Second Beach at Olympic National Park is a wonderful place for a walk. Do you see the couple far in the distance just about to round the point of trees?

The wild surf crashes on the rocky shoreline at Olympic National Park's Second Beach.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Small Town, USA

All across America there are thousands of small towns that look empty to our eyes. We are used to our generic "big box" stores where we can find anything our heart desires. We do not have to make several stops; to the grocery, hardware store, or clothing store. Instead we can do one stop shopping now. The "big box" stores have moved in and the result is that the small "mom and pop" businesses are out. We are losing flavor. We are losing variety. We are losing our Small Town, USA. So I found myself taking in the remnants of what was left in this particular Small Town and found so much to appreciate. Support the small businesses of your community. They are us and they are in danger of becoming extinct.

A couple of brightly colored signs advertising children's art classes and supplies pops out encouraging the arts.

purchase information for this photo

STP Wagon

A child's bright yellow antique wagon stands out in contrast to the drab surroundings along the small town sidewalk.

purchase information for this photo

Coca Cola Sign

Delicious and refreshing antique Coca Cola sign has developed a patina of age, but is still relevant in our time.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Colette's Garden

Our destination on the Olympic Peninsula was Colette's Bed and Breakfast. We found this charming retreat online and were not disappointed. In fact, it is not often one can say this, but it was even better than expected. Every detail was seen to for our comfort and enjoyment. The gourmet breakfast sustained us until dinner and the afternoon wine and cheese was delightful. But my favorite moments were the ones spent leisurely wandering the gardens with wine glass in one hand and my sweetheart's hand in my other. Come along and let Colette's Garden rest your mind and delight your senses.

The gardens at Colette's Bed and Breakfast.

An ocean view is hidden by fog behind Colette's.

Two stately trees anchor one of the flower beds.

A stone path is lined by large colorful begonias just outside our door.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

A Day on the Seattle Waterfront

A cool misty morning on the water of Elliott Bay in Seattle provides a view of Mount Rainier rising out of the fog like a dream. The wind beat against us as we leaned forward urging the huge ferry forward through the green water. Like thirsty dogs we sniffed the sea scented air willing our bodies to remember every detail. The clouds parted and the sun came out. A rainbow appeared over the seaport of Seattle as a group of laughing people floated past us in their sailboat enjoying the warm sunlight. It was a moment to remember.

Seattle waterfront with a rainbow over downtown.

purchase information for this photo
Mount Rainier Dream

A misty foggy day at Mount Rainier as seen from Elliott Bay.

Sailboat on Elliott Bay sailing past the Seattle Space Needle.

You may contact me for purchase information on any photograph at either of my galleries on Etsy or 1000 Markets. Thank you!

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Exploring Colorado's Country Roads - Part 2

A lonely dirt road wanders through a remote valley in Northern Colorado under a dramatic summer sky. The fence line stretches into the far distant mountain range. As we climb the steep hill to home in our four wheel drive truck the road becomes less defined and grassed over from the bountiful summer rains. Our weekend was drawing to a close, but the memories of the tall peaks at Long Draw linger.

Steller Ridge Road, Larimer County, Colorado

purchase information for this photo

Fence Line

Red Canyon Ranch Road, Larimer County, Colorado

Long Draw Road, Larimer County, Colorado


You may contact me for purchase information on any photograph at either of my galleries on Etsy or 1000 Markets. Thank you!

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Exploring Colorado's Country Roads - Part 1

I started to appreciate exploring country roads as a small child riding next to my father in the family sedan. We would strike out turning this way and that, never getting lost. I seem to have inherited this wanderlust and enjoy turning off on a narrow track to see where it goes. Hope you enjoy the ride today, but be forewarned, we will be taking many more of these "road trips." Let me know which road you would like to turn on and explore.

Red Canyon Ranch Road in Larimer County, Colorado

purchase information for this photo
Red Canyon Ranch Road in Larimer County, Colorado

Colorado State Forest Road in Northern Colorado

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Valley of Contentment

I walked with my two loyal companions down the lightly packed trail on a cool October morning. The air was moist and earthy, lightly scented with pine. We reached the end of the path and sat on our favorite rock far above the Valley of Contentment, a name the Ute tribe gave the place that has become my home. The fog drifted between the foothills of the Rocky Mountains causing the peaks to become islands adrift in a sea of fluffy cloud. A solitary bird perched at the top of a pine and cheeped a lonely call across the empty space. Somewhere a few miles away a dog barked at a pack of coyotes yipping and yodeling in jubilation of the day. It was a moment in time that could have been today or 10,000 years ago. I rejoiced in it.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Goblin Forest in Twilight Land

On our recent vacation to the Olympic Peninsula I was treated to a vista containing every hue of green. Moss and mushrooms, trees and ferns grew in an almost infinite profusion. Trees grew recklessly and would topple over only to become part of the mossy carpet.

The strongest trunks would survive in broken and twisted shapes giving the forest an eerie feel.

This was the land of Twilight, the recent publishing phenomenon of vampire love. According to the popular series vampires chose this forest to live and hunt because it is so dark and dim.

To step off the foot path was treacherous. The forest floor yielded when stepped upon. Moss covered the broken floor so effectively that you could not tell if there was firm footing or an empty space yawning below, ready to swallow any unsuspecting soul.

The gloomy atmosphere gave our imagination room to roam. Who knows what lurks behind those distorted trunks or in those dark crevices? If vampires do roam this is the perfect hide away.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Lightning Storm in Colorado

Shooting lightning is a little like fishing. I set up my camera and open my lens with the remote waiting for a bite. There is a lot of waiting involved. There are a lot of hits that get away because they are out of the frame. But when I catch "one" it is a moment not unlike catching a fish. I dance around and can not wait to get it inside for a better look. And once in a great while, you get the "big one!" Here are a couple that did not get away.

Lightning 7x7 Fine Art Photograph

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Space Needle Perspective

There are many ways to look at something. Our perspectives are as unique as we are. This is true with philosophy and politics, as well as a tangible object like the Seattle Space Needle. I had so much fun exploring all the different approaches to this subject, opening my mind to let creativity spark and new ideas form. Tell me your perspective.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Twilight and Bella Italia

As some of you are aware I had a recent vacation to the Olympic Peninsula, the home of the popular Twilight book series. Although I am not a huge fan I was curious. So when we just happened to walk by Bella Italia in Port Angeles, the restaurant where Bella and Edward had their first date, I had to stop and take a photo. This one is for you, Twilight fans.

Click on Bella Italia photograph for purchase information.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen