This little bird was quite sad that he did not make Bird Week II. So, the HR department of Two Lane Touring worked out a compromise with his legal team and we are proud to feature the Eastern Pewee for this special edition of Bird Saturday One.
We are restrained from discussion any other aspect of the sealed settlement.
A week or two ago I shared the view from this arch, now this is a view of the arch. It lies about 2 miles off the parking area and the parking area is 4 or 6 miles on a dirt road and on a dry river bed. It was a fun drive. The temperature was high nineties when we started out on the hike but it went well until about 2/3 in and we had to ascend a pretty steep hill in ankle deep sand. We were both very tired at the top and no shade to rest under. We enjoyed the breeze and shade of the arch when we finally arrived.
These are two more (and last) shots of the big alligator near Lake Apopka in Florida. Glides away with no noise at all. Scary.
Watching Epcot fire works from the Boardwalk last year. And still free, Disney missing something here?
Near the Acadian gardens there is a long very straight boardwalk across marshy land filled with grasses and birch trees. In Acadia National Park.
It was here just a minute ago. Maybe I just misplaced it but it seems to be gone. Last I saw it was about 72 degrees and lovely Redbuds blooming. If you find it please return to Raleigh NC as soon as possible. Thanks.
This photo is taken just a few yards from one I posted last week. It shows a second slave house that was substantial in both size and construction. The plantation has several still on the property. The stories lived here are not fully known but can be imagined. Only one really knows.
O lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do. Psalm 139:1-3 NLT
The harbor and the town of St. Augustine in Florida has been protected by the coquina walls of Castillo de San Marcos since 1672 and almost unchanged since 1756. Built by the Spanish about 110 years after St Augustine was founded it was designed to anchor the Spanish in the new world. The land side is surrounded by a moat.
I found the walls of Fort Caroline different than any other fort I have visited or even drawings of forts in various books. The two large poles are pined together. The inside of the fort wall has no brace but the outside has two braces from the long pole to the fort fence. Makes for an interesting photo but I don't think it was a very effective fort. It was attacked twice and fell quickly both times.
Not easy to see but this is the outside of the wall. The braced poles and the cross piece appear to make it easier for an enemy soldier to scale the wall. At least to me who never scaled a wall! This photo was with the camera high overhead, not a great image but the only one I have that shows the outside wall.
One of the complex, cliff-side dwellings that are in several places around the mesa at Mesa Verde. The number of people who lived in each complex was fewer than I expected. The difficulty to gain access to the homes was much greater. Fascinating place.
While hiking in Capitol Reef National Park - where in places there are lots of trees and even orchards, along this trail only this clearly very old tree still hung on. A stark land.
I don't often post photos from my vast vault of Grandkid's images. However, this is not one of those days. These are actually two teams, one elementary and one high school, that competed Saturday in Odyssey of the Mind. OM is a world wide competition that begins with regional contests. These two teams each earned a first place finish and move on to the North Carolina state contest next month. They were outstanding and the result of hours of work by both the teams and the coaches (and lots of families). It was a super day.
Osprey in blue over Lake Apopka.
A popular shot at Arches National Park is this formation in the evening. Known as Turret Arch it sits near to Windows and Double Arches so it is a easy destination to see and walk among the arches.
Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.
You are my rock and my fortress.
For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.
Psalm 31:2b,3 NLT
Not really the "first" arch but the first arch discovered in what is now Arches National Park in Utah. We were there about 5 years ago so this photo was taken with my Nikon. We hiked a long way to get to this spot in 97 degree heat but the view and the isolation was worth the hike.
Sun is rising. A beautiful February morning at Berry Hill.
Glad that I saw the gator too. Actually quite a large one on the edge of a pond near Lake Apopka in Florida. He was at least 10 more likely 12 or thirteen feet long. He can stare for a long time!
Yellowstone Falls a few years ago when it was full and thundering with staggering amounts of water per second over the edge.
A hallowed place.
But keeping the same theme as Saturday's post. This, by-the-way is a great place to eat in Fernandina Beach, FL. At least on this balmy evening in January on benches outside under the trees and night sky.
