The Ahwahanee Magazine (final cover)

FINAL: Front Page Cover

            For my fictional magazine cover photo I’ve chosen to use a picture of the Ahwahnee Hotel I took a couple of years ago. I liked the way that the hotel seemed to merge right into the rocks of the mountains behind it. Now, after I’ve applied a blur effect, that feeling is more one of depth, rather than merging. I still like it. I’ve been able to apply a few fancy tricks to the masthead to make it stand out a little more, but the length of the title placed a size constriction on it. All of the article titles, with the exception of the tennis courts, have an element of truth to them. The caves do exist, although there’s not much to see. Back in the 1940’s they were a stop on the valley floor tour. Today, park management doesn’t want to admit they exist. They’ve even taken down all signs and trails to them. The tennis courts do exist. They’re pretty run-down now, and I don’t know of any plans to fix them up. The book may not have been a best seller, but it is very interesting. The yearly stats on water falls and flooding are easily obtainable. There are rumors of ghosts inhabiting the Ahwahnee, as there are of most major hotels. My wife and I did stay there during the remodel. It’s a little uncomfortable and noisy, but heck, it was the Ahwahanee!
PLEASE NOTE: This cover was constructed prior to the recent tragic deaths of three visitors. It is in to way intended to capitalize on their misfortune. (rnh  7/26/11)