We moved to Arizona from the “Quad Cities,” an area on the Mississippi river which comprised of cities in Iowa and Illinois and is located about 150 miles West of Chicago. It was a great place to grow up, located in mid America, as it was not influenced by the cultures of the East or West coasts. Life there just seemed more relaxed.
The last 21 years in Arizona have been delightful as we have fallen in love with the splendor and beauty of the this area. I have been a photographer my whole life, but it became a passion when the digital age arrived, and there’s not a better place to practice this craft than America’s Southwest!
I have taken thousands of photos in many countries and maybe one of the most fascinating places is the “Gold King Mine” in Jerome, Arizona. It was founded by Don Robertson many years ago who had an obsession with collecting old stuff. I’ve been there many times and never tire of my visits.
This man was the definition of a fascinating“character.” Truly a western icon. I had never conversed with him on previous occasions, I guess because it was almost like confronting a celebrity. This time however when I approached him for a photo, he seemed very open to sit and chat which I found very enjoyable. We talked about the simple life and the art of enjoying what you do. The conversation made my day and will live in my mind as a very memorable experience!
There are many interesting articles about this man if you google Don Robertson. You can watch a short video about him and the Gold King Mine here.
If you live in or visit Arizona this is one of the places I would highly recommend, along with Sedona, the Antelope Canyons, Horseshoe Bend (both near Page, Az.) and the Grand Canyon!