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Taking the long way homeNew photo book celebrates Colorado’s scenic bywaysJoshua Wolpe, DDN Staff WriterFriday, December 12, 2008 |  | | SCENIC —A sunset lights up the sky along the Colorado River near Kremmling, one of the many amazing photographs in the new book, “Colorado Scenic Byways.” Photo by Jim Steinberg. |
Colorado is not ugly. Was that too blunt? Perhaps that was not the best use of descriptive prose to illustrate the picturesque scenery of the state we live in. The point we are trying to make is that Colorado’s aesthetic value is extremely high.
As anyone who has taken a camera with them on any Colorado adventure can tell you, even the most amateur photography tends to turn out spectacularly. But when a professional takes over, the results are magnificent.
Photogenic state
One such professional is Steam Boat Springs resident Jim Steinberg. His latest book, “Colorado Scenic Byways: Taking the Other Road,” is a premier travel guide that celebrates our state’s diverse system of 25 scenic byways. It is a two-volume set consisting of stunning, full-page photographs and educational and entertaining essays with route-by-route narratives full of details on history, geology, nature and local culture.
The book comes with a road atlas and travel guide containing maps, elevation profiles and insider information. Gov. Bill Ritter, who gave the book to all visiting governors who attended the Democratic National Convention this past summer, wrote the book’s forward.
This is Steinberg’s fifth book and his second collaboration with Susan J. Tweit, who wrote all of the essays that accompany Steinberg’s photography. The Colorado Historical Society has chosen to use “Colorado Scenic Byways” for its 2009 upcoming membership drive.
“I had four goals for this book,” says Steinberg. “First, I wanted to create a beautiful book, of course. I also wanted it to be very informative through Susan’s essays, be a comprehensive book that covers the entire state and I wanted to do something that has utility value.”
‘Old Yeller’
In 1980, Steinberg made a purchase that would prove to be invaluable and serve as a travel partner and a witness to the images he has captured over the years. He bought a yellow Volvo, nicknamed “Old Yeller,” that year.
As of Wednesday, Old Yeller had 522,292 miles and it was still cruising up and down Colorado’s mountains. Everything is still original on it with the exception of the engine block, which Steinberg had to replace at around 400,000 miles. Old Yeller has become quite famous and has its own MySpace page, MySpace.com/OldYeller1980.
“When Jim bought me, I had only 27 miles on me,” says Old Yeller (yes, it talks). “Now, over 500,000 miles later, I’ve helped him with the creation of four books, over 1,000 calendar images, hundreds of book contributions, over 400 note cards and the sale of 3,000 stock images. Whew! We’ve been through a lot together.”
Ultimate coffee table book
If you are looking for a holiday gift for the road trip lover in your life, you may want to consider “Colorado Scenic Byways.” Steinberg has been on just about every road Colorado has to offer and you may be wondering which one is his favorite.
“I love the state so much, my favorite road is the one I just got off and my favorite place is the one I just finished visiting. I’ve met so many great people over the past 35 years I’ve done this. I thought I knew the state before I started doing this but I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned, it’s amazing.”
PURCHASING INFO: ColoradoScenicByways.com, or any local bookstore.
PUBLISHER: Portfolio Publications
COST: $79.95.
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