Morocco 2025 - Street Photography

With friends from the Northwest Houston Photography Club, Alan, Jim and Sharon, we traveled to Morocco for a two week tour to capture images, learn more about the country, the culture, the people, and the food.

Having toured Morocco in 2013, the first thing I noticed in this trip was how the country is booming with expanding infrastructure. Large construction cranes are seen in all the cities moving materials and people as buidings rise, changing the landscape. The current government is investing millions and millions to provide a better future for it's citizens. For a photographer, the new construction and progress contrasts nicely with the old world culture.

Moroccans as a whole are very friendly and welcoming of Americans. We never experienced any hostility from anyone we met or saw on the streets. Only smiles, words of welcome, offers of help.

Here are a few of my images from the trip. Some are edited, others still raw. 

Relax, enjoy, comment if you wish..

                              In RABAT, Morocco's capital,  the new modern architecturual designed Royal Peforming Arts Theatre. Seafood is big here, this design has hints of a clamshell.

Traditional hotel tea service...

Historic Mausoleum of Mohammed V... in Rabat.

Neighborhood mosque...

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On to Casablanca, a city of seven million inhabitants... 

making it the 2nd largest city in Africa.

Some of the street images captured there.

Even the people who hang out on the dark streets were friendly.

Meet "Smiley"

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After crossing the Atlas Mountains, we spent a night in a tent in the Sahara desert. 

Call it "Glamping".

A nomad's dwelling... encroaching mountains of Sahara sand in the distance...

Camel caravans still traverse the desert today, 

bringing goods to an isolated oasis.

A Berber tribesman...

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Alan and I made a special side trip to Chefchauen
 "the blue city" in the northern mountains.

Of course it was cold and raining when we arrived in this mountain village, after riding for six hours in a van.

The streets of Chefchauen are either going up or going down, very few are flat.

In the old town, there are no cars, Even motorbikes would struggle 

to navigate the narrow steep alleyways.

The story of the blue paint is still being debated, nevertheless the color makes this village iconic, a one of a kind in Morocco. 

Village life returned to normal, more activity is seen once the rain clouds lifted.

A sunset in Chefchuaen as seen from our six room hotel rooftop.

 The mosque was not painted blue.

If you are ever in Chefchuaen, go to La Triana restaurant. Try their appetizer plate of Hot Goat cheese with walnuts and honey. You could make a healthy meal of just this plate. Delicious. 

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The typical Moroccan medina or marketplace of twisting, winding streets where many souks offer fresh food, clothes, etc., for the local population.

From his various tubs of dry grain, this vendor bags and weighs 

what the housewife selected.

He seems to be saying, "Buy my fresh fish of the day, please."

Offering a selection of vegtables and fruit, each vendor has their specialty.

Looks like it is wash day up a side alley from the medina.

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The housewives of Morocco ...

We were warned that Moroccan women do not wish to have their pictuires taken, especially the faces. It is a cultural taboo that can cause confrontations and fights if you try.

That said, over the years I have developed several techniques for capturing taboo images without the subject matter knowing they were being photographed. I take a risk employing these techniques, but I was able to capture many images in Morocco without a single word being said to me, no confrontations, no arguments, no shouting, no drama. No one noticed.

So here we go...

A modern housewife...

A traditional medina housewife...

The traditional old school with a designer face covering ...

A younger ulta-conservative housewife...

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Morocco is in transition from the old to the new, making it an exciting time to visit and witness the changes. The people are welcoming, the prices are affordable and the time is right. 

I highly recommend visiting Morocco in the near future if you can. 

Before times and world politics change.

Hassan, our Trafalgar tour guide, made this trip very special and personal 

for everyone in the group.

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Those who know me, know that photography is my passion as well as sidecar adventures. Am afraid that some day, time will make my sidecar adventures a distant memory, but photography will carry me forward.

*****

Capturing unique images from the present will preserve history 

for future generations to appreciate.

Ride safe, ride far, see the world while it is still within reach.

CCjon

ALASKA AT EIGHTY - Now IBA Certified!!!

Today, received an email with happy news from Mike Kneebone, President of the Iron Butt Association. The IBA has certified Red Dog with meeting all of the requirements for the Ultimate Coast to Coast challenge, making it my third UCC certificate. Woowoo!

Was surprised that he also awarded us the MILE EATER (Bronze) certificate which I was not aware we were elgible for. BONUS POINTS

Many thanks to all who supported and encouraged this ride.

Texas Sidecar now is striping the rig, inspecting the frame for cracks or damage before Red Dog and I set out on our next adventure.

Added this edited photo from the ride: 

You can spot their trail dust rising in the distance, 

giving you time to pull over and let them pass.

*******

Re cleaning calcium chloride off the Wing, before you try the vinegar method, don't!

Either 50/50 or full strength, it was a waste of money, time and effort. 

GrizzLee, you are absolutely right, the WD-40 removed all calcium chloride from the Wing. Spray on a small spot, work it into the cracks and crevices with a paint brush, then wipe clean. Removes the CC and leave the surface shine.

ALASKA AT EIGHTY - FINAL STAGE OF THE UCC North to South 2025

We are about to raise the age bar on IBA’s Ultimate Coast to Coast challenge,
Am in Homestead, FL tonight. An easy130 miles in the morning puts me in KeyWest in less than 30 days.

then there is time to reflect and analyze what went 
well, what to do different next time?

One thought that still makes me pause, how in the h*ll did I complete the UCC IN 2013 on a simple little RUSSIAN URAL sidecar rig?

Last day of the challenge.

The finale...

The beginning gas receipt in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, back on July 19th, 2025. 18,793 miles




Ending Gas receipt, Key West, FL, August 6th, 2025, 24,985 miles

The first of the two "end of ride" witnesses, the Chief of Police, Key West, FL. Note the four gold stars on his collar.



6,192 miles ridden in 18 days (based on start and end times), 4 rest days. Avg 442 miles a day. Was not looking to set a UCC speed record, and didn't. Just raised the bar as the oldest person to complete the challenge.

Age is just a number. If the mind believes it, you can do it. Don't listen to those who say you are too old, poor health, out of shape, etc, etc, all excuses. They are standing in your way of you reaching your goals.

You're doing it or not doing it is all in your mind. Believe in yourself and do it.

Who's next? Who is going to raise that bar even higher?

Ride safe, Ride far

CCjon

p.s. I lost 19 lbs on this ride. No crying over that.

ALASKA AT EIGHTY - CANADA and south, UCC NORTH TO SOUTH 2025

The last couple of photos taken in Canada and all of those take in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado are coming out very fuzzy, out of focus. I wonder if all the vibration of the Haul Road and since has affected the camera on my iPhone. I installed the vibration model QuadLok before starting this trip just to prevent that as had read their earlier model did have an issue with vibrations damaging the camera focus.

The up close photos of receipts and odometer are sharp, but the landscape photos are not like they were earlier in the trip.

Will carefully try a few photos tomorrow to test the focus.

As for now, rain is still flollowing me, crossed into Montana at Sweet Grass, two days ago. After a wet night in Great Falls, rolled south passing through Billings to reach Casper, Wyoming. Why this route? Have been watching that heat dome in the mid-west. Decided to ride south along the eastern slope of the Rockies where it is a cooler, then turn east somewhere Mid-state in New Mexico, Clovis, maybe???, then angling down to go along the Gulf coast. It is hotter in Dallas than in Houston.

That's the plan, but maps and weather reports are studied nightly to make adjustments as warranted.

Am on schedule with an anticipated arrival in Key West with days to spare.

About the iPhone camera...

I knew it. The Montana lens broke loose... the other two are fine.

Hopefully is under Apple warranty, Just got that iPhone in February.

 

Maybe Mama geek was right, turn off the phone and restart it....

These photos look better.

The mascot for the University of Texas is the Longhorn. With the expression "Hook 'em. Horns"

For those who have never ridden in West Texas, here is a frequent sight. Typical longhorn, don't get too close, their reach is a bit more then one might expect.

Who is that shy white one behind the boss? A short horn?




Nope, not short at all. Might even have longer horns that curled forward instead of wide.



Even the ranch horses are smart enough to be cautious when working around these critters. A quick nod of the head and you're gored.

They might not be a wild animal, but they definitely are not anyone's pet.

Arrived in Cypress for a couple of night as a pit stop on this journey. Red Dod the rig needs some TLC before we make the last leg of the UCC ride. Minor issues, nothing that would end the journey, just issues that create a nuisance: parking brake is not working, gas flap has a catch issue.

CCjon

ALASKA AT EIGHTY - Fairbanks, UCC NORTH TO SOUTH 2025

Crisis in Fairbanks. 

When I arrived at the Fairbanks hotel that night, I went to pay, my credit card was not in my wallet.... Oh cr*p. 

You know how your mind races when something like that happens... finally traced it back to when last used, in COLDFOOT. 
250 mies back up the Haul Road. One has to give your credit card to the cashier before they turn on the gas pump. I also told her I needed a room for the night. When I returned after filling all my fuel containers, she handed me a gas receipt and a key for the room. Then proceeded to tell me how to find the room and where to park. She failed to give me back my card and I did not notice.

Now what to do. Tried calling Coldfoot. No service at this time. OK, to be safe, will cancel the card. Called the 800 number. I get a machine answering the call, IN SPANISH. It kept asking for my Social Security Number... no way am I giving that number to a machine, much less one that only talks in Spanish and will not connect me to a live operator. Hung up. 

Maybe I can go to a local bank branch and cancel it. Checked, no branch office for Bank of America in Fairbanks.

Tried calling Coldfoot again. Still no service.

Called the wife in Houston, explained the situation. Maybe she can cancel it. Nope, she is not on that account. We have her card, my card, and our card. Each with a different bank to keep things straight.

Okay, I have some cash and a back up credit card, so could keep traveling. But the idea that a credit card is out there, in who's hands, is worrisome.

Nope, no Bank of America office in Anchorage either.

It's been several hours now. Do I ride back up to Coldfoot? That's taking two days from the UCC ride.

At 8:45 pm I call Coldfoot one more time, and get an answer. "Yes, we have your credit card here."

Me: "Can you send it to me here in Fairbanks?"

"Not sure how fast the Post Office can do that." Remember the photo of three days a week service?

Me: "How do you send your stuff to your home office in Fairbanks?"
"Oh," then she turns and talks with someone there. 
"Ok. a pilot here is flying to Fairbanks tonight and can take it. What is your phone number?"

After agreeing to that, I hang up relieved. Then I think, I just agreed to them giving my credit card to a stranger who says he will fly it to Fairbanks and drop it off somewhere.

What can go wrong?

Am awaken at 12:46 am with a called from someone who says they have my credit card, but they are closing in ten minutes. They give me an address where to go when they open at 7 am.

At 7:10 am I have my credit card safely back in my wallet. All at no cost. Who do I thank? Never met the pilot.
Been riding the Haul Road in dry weather for four day, and now this, thank you Lord.

Next day...

July 21, Maintenance Day, laundry and rest.

Have been riding six days straight, time for maintenance. Had scheduled an old change at DELTA Powersports, the Honda dealer. Arrived early and they got right on it. Had me out by noon.

While there, a sorry looking BMW GSA rolls ( sort of) in. More like limps in with a thud-a-thump, thud-a-thump.



What's that on his front wheel?



Seems he wrapped duct tape around it to hold the tire to the wheel. Why??? It's not holding air.

What's with the rim?

His story is he hit a deep pothole on the Haul Road and flared both sides of the rim out! That must have been quite a hit. Says he was able to keep the bike up.

The dealership has no new wheels or used ones for the GSA.

Have no idea how he is going to get this rental bike back to Anchorage agency.

ALASKA AT EIGHTY - DAYS 3-7 UCC NORTH TO SOUTH 2025

CCjon, 2 minutes ago

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Time for an update...
From the day I left Fairbanks on Tuesday, July 22, Day 4 of the UCC, the rains have followed me for next four days straight, morning till dark. So little picture taking happened. The temperature have been in the 30's and 40's. On a good day the high would get to 50.

By the fourth day, all of my riding gear was soaked, inside and out, nothing drying overnight. Not only was I wet all the time, was gutted, chilled to the bone. Not healthy. So stopped in Fort St. John for an extra days just to dry out and warm up.

Here are pics from those days...

The river along the road to the US-Canadian border. Never saw Denali on this trip. Its inside those clouds in the distance.



A female flagger in Alaska, all very friendly




The Pilot vehicle we were waiting of, stoped and the driver got out. Seems she had a flat tire. So we waited for another truck to come and repair the flat. The line of vehicles waiting, grew, and grew, and grew. 

I do love the Alaska practice that motorcyclists go to the front of the waiting line, every time.


Once we got rolling, , we stopped. The equipment was blocking both lanes of travel.



A better view...



Then another flagger further down the road, this one cuter and more friendly. I met her going north a week earlier. Had another nice chat.



Made it late to Beaver Creek on the Canadian side of the border.

Looked out the next morning, still rain, still cold. Time to get rolling.




I find the fireweed flowers that grow up here after a forest fire, to be very beautiful.



A typical Alaskan brush country sight...



That day a quick stop at the Signpost Forest in Watson Lake. With this weather, walking among the signs was not appealing. So yes was there. I came, I saw, I rode on...

Though I washed Red Dog twice in Fairbanks, the rain is rinsing it good.




Next cold wet morning riding, stopped to get a coffee. Had a nice conversation with an older couple who own this spot. No one came in during the 30 minutes we talked. When I asked why so many of the little business I had seen on previous trips up here were closed?

They said the traffic count on the Alcan has steadily dropped by at least 50% over the last years. COVID, of course really hit them hard, was up after that with a lot of new RV traffic, but that too has slowed down.



Around the Muncho Lake area, the Provincial Park has been breeding it bison herd for decades. Ten years ago there was one main herd. Now there I saw three different herds. All munching along the roadway.

Here a young bull, not the lead bull.



On down a ways, this guy shows who is in control.


He was surround by a large herd, watching the vehicles whizzing by while many young calves were running and chasing each other on both sides of the roadway. I think he decided people were driving too fast when "his" offspring were nearby so he decided to slow everything down by walking out into the roadway and just stand there. It worked. All vehicles stopped.

After a bit I slowly crept by him, ready to floor it if needed. He glared, but did not move.

His herd...



For those who have ridden the Alcan highway, may remember Toad River crossing and the little rustic cabin there that had good food and coffee. It has been replaced with a new building and a dozen cabins facing the lake.







Is in a remote spot on the highway, no wifi, no cell phone service either. Very quiet.

Next morning when I went to leave, my parking brake was locked up. The Goldwing DCT has a parking brake since you cannot park it in gear. Laying on wet gravel in the rain, was able to release it. Have not used the brake since as getting under the bike to release the brake every time I stop and turn off the engine is not a solution. So I went old school to rig up a parking brake using the front brakes.

Visited a sporting goods and bought this exercise/jogging wrist strap. It works and will keep me safe until I get it up on a lift and do a proper repair. Might just be that calcium Chloride they put on the Haul Road.

They make a two piece plastic handlebar brake lock, but it's on my workbench back home.




Next day, another wet cold ride, what I thought were low clouds were that plus smoke from a distant fire.



On the other side of that ridge, I was brake checked!

She was watching my approach and suddenly leaped toward the pavement with her calf rfollwoing closely. I could see one or both of those animals were going to landing inside my sidecar.

Only to stop at the pavements edge, as I was slamming on the brakes as hard as I could. Then she turned and they trotted further up the road and crossied in from of me.

Safely across, they proceeded to disappear into the brush. This was my only close encounter with wildlife this trip. One is enough.



Ok, that wraps up those days. Hopefully I'll get into some dry weather.

In all the ride is going on schedule, though am re-routing, adding many more miles to the trip to avoid going through that dome of extremely hot weather in the mid-west.

Today I crossed into Montana, only to hit more rain in Great Falls. So what's new...