|
14 March 2013
2.72 miles Walk
This first photo walk of the new year started as so many have started with my blood glucose (blood sugar) number higher than I find acceptable. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the extended range I'll have with the trike, but it's still a bit cool for triking. Get some speed up and it's like a heavy, cold wind blowing up my trousers. I've been doing exercise walks without the camera, but now I'm anxious to get some photos of this delightful small town.
I headed out when it was already starting to get dark. I chose to go with a single lens, my Panasonic 20/1.7 lens. This compact lens is my best low-light lens. On the micro four thirds format camera I use (Olympus PEN E-PL2) this is equivalent to a 40mm moderate wide angle lens on a 35mm camera. So all the following photos are a bit wide angle. I also used a higher ISO setting than usual (800 or 1600) due to the dim light. My main objective was a relatively new building, apparently a railroad facility for servicing locomotives. I've seen a locomotive inside the building on occasions and was hoping to find one there today, but unfortunately it wasn't there.
As I made my way to the railroad tracks I took photos of some new things, including a few new Mason small businesses and a crew of skateboard enthusiasts. I even encountered my grandson on his way home from work at his mom's Twisted Fiber Arts shop in Kean's Store.
Click on any photo to see a larger version in a popup window. |
| Stepping out my door I could see the setting sun in the West. I walked west briskly to Jefferson Street, turned right for one block and met these young men just breaking up from practicing their skateboard skills on the Elm Street hill. They were happy to pose for me and perform some of their skills for my camera. I posted myself about halfway down the hill and they came down the hill one at a time to show me some pretty impressive downhill stunts. Sorry I didn't get their names, but I'll be glad to add any information received at: MasonWalks@JFCampbell.US |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Leaving the Elm Street hill behind I headed North on Jefferson Street past some new Mason businesses. As I approached Ballyhoo Vintage Shoppe I ran into my grandson Tobias Webb heading home from his job at Twisted Fiber Arts. He paused for my photo with Ballyhoo just behind him. Next I came to Bad Brewing Company, which serves their locally brewed beers. They welcome their customers to bring in take-out Mexican food from the restaurant across the street to enjoy with their brew. Some young ladies in the window gave a friendly wave to me. |
|
|
|
| Next pictured is the famous Kean's Store, roughly an upscale version of the old dime store. I understand many people make a special trip to Mason just to visit this store. A window is now devoted to a display for my daughter's business, recently relocated to the lower level of Kean's Store, Twisted Fiber Arts. She has invented a new style of yarn dying unique to her business and has become famous internationally for her superb products. I also have pages at this site devoted to Twisted Fiber Art Open House and Twisted Fiber Art Ribbon Cutting. Next shown is The Daily Scoop ice cream store, a relatively new Mason business featuring MSU Dairy ice creams. Unlike many ice cream shops in this area they remain open during the winter season. |
|
|
|
| The first photo below is of the alley between Mason State Bank and the post office showing recently installed special lighting. Next are shots of the central attraction in the downtown square the Ingham County Courthouse and then Ware's Pharmacy. It looks like they are ready for Easter. |
|
|
|
| I next turned left off Jefferson onto Maple Street, where you'll find the Maple Street Mall, a huge antiques store. I found my favorite morning milk glasses here some time ago. These two attractive and friendly ladies allowed me to take their photos. One is a neighbor living only a block from my home. The last photo show a silhouette of the Mason Grain Elevator. I was drawn to it by the grinding noise of motors working away. I have frequently noted these noises while walking near it at night. I visualize engines moving grain around, rotating it to avoid spoilage. I wonder how close I am to the truth. You can see one of the antique designed street lights which occupy the downtown area of Mason and spot a tiny crescent moon above the left building. |
|
|
|
The following three photos are as follows:
Tiki Jim's Hawaiian Food Hut, featured on this site at: 4 Aug 2012 - Tiki Jim
Mason Depot restaurant sign across the street from Tiki Jim's
The railway building that was my initial goal for this walk |
|
|
|
The remaining photos show various views of the railroad building and train equipment. Too bad there wasn't a train engine in the building as there was recently when I drove by. I'll try to get a shot of this in a future Mason Walk. As I was heading back home I dropped by Tiki Jim's Hawaiian Food Hut to visit Tiki Jim himself (Jim Cook) as he was closing up for the night. |
|
|
|
|
|
