to the National Park Service. Your visit to a park can be greatly enhanced or a bit disappointing based often on the rangers you encounter. Most of them work for years to reach a permeant status, have to deal with inadequate budgets and, at least in some parks, hoards of visitors. And the occasional "bison in the car" scenario. Who would not lose their patience at times. I have found them to be enthusiastic, well-informed and really glad to assist you to understand the significance or and the beauty of their site. So, thanks. You do a wonderful job. What grander way to celebrate than a view of the Grand Canyon.
Masts in the Mist /
The red sails of the Margaret Todd. You can take various tours of Frenchman's Bay on the M. Todd including a sunset cruise. This was about thirty minutes after sunrise and the fog on the bay was very thick. The rocks on the shore were very slippery. Another story there.
The Street /
This was the place to be in the last of the nineteenth century and early twentieth if you were a successful African-American in Richmond. Among Maggie Walker's neighbors were lawyers, doctors and business leaders. But Maggie Walker stood out. She headed a national organization to assist black families, ran a newspaper and was the first woman to found and head a bank. Her home is the one with the awnings.
Deep Regret and Sincere Apologies /
The entire staff of Two Lane Touring regrets the disappointment caused by the failure to post the photograph yesterday of the Blue Crabs. We realize that our fan is grieved by the second failure in only 1302 days to properly post a photo. Words cannot express...
So, we announce the following staff changes.
The Director of Photo Placement for the No Itinerary blog has been let go. The Senior Executive Associate Art Director, Night Shift, has been demoted to Second Minion. Our entire Third Shift Proofing Staff will be on temporary cafeteria duty pending further training. And, most difficult, the Senior Acquisition Manager, Doughnut Division will be responsible for only the early morning donuts while we evaluate the role a lack of sugar played in this whole sorry mess.
Here is the missing photograph.
Blue Crabs in a White Bucket /
Caught off a pier in New Bern, NC. The man who was catching them said he would catch about a dozen, eat two and sell the others.
Birch Path /
About a mile from the Acadia Gardens across a long boardwalk you come to a meadow bordered by a path through a stand of birch trees. I find it impossible to not take a photo here. Every time.
"Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:78, 79 NLT
Maggie Walker Home /
This is the last site in Virginia that I had not visited. Not the last that still need photos because some of those visits were back before Mr. Kodak... well, not quite but before I had a camera. Maggie Walker was a significant influence in Richmond from the late 1880s to her death in 1934. She was born in Richmond during the last days of the Civil War. Her home is in the Jackson Ward district of Richmond a couple of blocks from the statue to Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. More Later.
A Bit Different /
Friends of ours were in town for a couple of days and we went out to eat on Tuesday. They like Mexican food and so we chose to take them to Gonza Tacos y Tequila, the original place on Lead Mine Road. If you want an experience this is a good place; if you want superior food, this is a great place. Not your standard fare and not served in a standard atmosphere. The body outlines on the floor are just the first thing you notice not the most unusual. You do get to choose your own bobblehead creation if you are waiting for a table. And most nights you will wait for a table. But that is OK, well worth the line. On this night the owner, Gonza, stopped by our table and we chatted a bit. He asked if we like coconut or chocolate better. Silly question. He sent out to our table a chocolate flan with a complex sauce that had a citrus tang. We swooned. In our first year in Raleigh we have been here six or eight times. Far too few and we will correct that going forward.
Need a Lawyer? /
You went here is the 1850's if you wanted A. Lincoln to handle your case. Here is Springfield, Illinois. It seemed far too modern but it is the actual building not something restored. It is just a bit down the street from the train station where he would leave to become president and return to be buried. The new Lincoln museum is just two blocks away and was quite well done.
Anticipation /
Just a bit over a month and we will be back in Maine with friends old and new. It never gets old. The beauty of the creation often just overwhelms. This is a shot from Penobscot Mountain. That is Jordon Pond in the foreground and the Cranberry Islands at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Worth the climb!
Mesa Verde National Park /
This is the Cliff Palace or at least a portion of the Cliff Palace. The Cliff Palace was built in the late 1100's to about the middle of the 1200's over about 60 years. It it is the largest of the cliff dwellings and can be visited on a ranger led tour. About 100 - 130 people lived here. It was abandoned in the 1300's for unknown reasons.
No Fish, Super Mad /
This Great Blue Heron went three times into the water and came up empty. They are usually sure getting their lunch but this one just got wet.
In the Spirit of the Olympics /
Skill, training, discipline and preparation are required to do most things well but we must also trust those who instruct, those who supply equipment and the one who created limits in all of us past our perception of what is possible.
"Commit everything you do to the lord. Trust him, and he will help you." Psalm 37:5 NLT
Ribbon of Blacktop... /
...stretches for hundreds of miles atop the Blue Ridge Mountains. This segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway is in North Carolina just south of Virginia.
Less Common /
There are lots of Great Blue Herons but far fewer of the cousin, the Great White Egret. This one is setting off over the James River near Richmond.
Stage Left /
This is the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville best known, perhaps, as the one time home of the Grand Ole Opry, was built by Captain Ryman as a church following his dramatic conversion. It is also where scores of performers like Bob Dylan also shared their music. It is a great tour full of history.
First Light /
Over the Atlantic Ocean at Acadia National Park, Maine. Part of our family is there this week and we are wishing we were as well.
Water Lilly /
In a most unexpected corner of Raleigh, across the railroad tracks past the fair grounds is a garden with interesting paths, trees and a variety of special gardens like the Japanese, color, water, desert and contemplative. Just 10 minutes from our house and it took a year to discover.
Sweet /
Just outside of Archdale NC I came across a honey supply place. And they had hives, lots of hives. What was interesting are the jars. This time of year, at least in this location, there are not enough blossoms so they put jars of sugar water for the bees. Seems like cheating. And I wonder would you taste the difference? I think so.
At the Edge /
This is at the very peak of Otters Point and Otters Cove will begin to the right along Frenchman's Bay in Acadia National Park. Serene.
"I wait quietly before God" Psalm 62:1a
