High Wires

I have to admit, the trip to La Quinta was not too bad.  On the way back there is a beautiful view of both Idyllwild and San Gorgonio.  I was wondering why the landscapes look so much better in the desert when it suddenly dawned on me the there was a distinct lack of horizontal lines, in the form of electric wires and telephone wires, to break up the scenery.  I guess we have become so used to them that we don't even notice the disfiguring effect they have on our scenic views.  To illustrate what I'm talking about I have taken a photo I have of downtown Atoka, Oklahoma and removed all the offending wires and their support poles.  The folowing are the original, and the modified photos.

Before:

After:

I hope this shows up well in these small photos because the difference is dramatic.  The next time you are outside, try to find a view that doesn't have horizontal wiring running through it.  It will be difficult to find unless you drive to a remote place.

Just for your amusement, I am posting a photo taken in 1898 of the same view albeit from a slightly different location.  The next time I'm there I will try to find the same spot, but it's entirely possible that there is a railroad track running through it today.  That railroad track is about 100 yard behind me in the first two photos.  In the newer photos, I am standing about where that house is behind the lady on the horse.

1898

That taller building in the left middle of the street with the pilasters spaced around its top is the same building that is in red brick in the newer photo.  The facade at the corner of that building has been modified and the first three pilasters are incorporated into the modification.