Overboard (eight photos)

High muddy water on the James River leads to misreading the correct course and ends with everyone in the river. I was at Hollywood Cemetery high on the bluff overlooking the James on Saturday. My friend was photographing a train in an "s" bend. I saw the rafts coming down the river and switched to my long lens and went behind the mausoleum to shoot some of them, then the third one made an error - well here is the sequence of photos. 

Oops, maybe this is the wrong angle?

Lean right!

Hold on to the oars.

At least one made it

Nope

Drifting away

Got the raft

No rescue from that boat

Going Down

Shades of black, white and grey in the lighthouse staircase. 

Twilight

The sound of the horses trotting down the road is very soothing, clearly some of the charm of the area. This buggy passed by while I was preparing for a different shot. I took it only when it was far enough away so it would not be identifiable as a specific buggy. 

Storms Ahead

Another beautiful night in the Lancaster, PA farm country. This one brief light in the otherwise rainy sky. 

"Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?"
Job 35:10 NLT

10 More Yards

This section of the Gettysburg battlefield is the Union right during Pickett's charge. This stone marks the advance of the NC troops who ended their effort 10 yards from the wall. The cannon were firing with double loads of canister, basically large shotguns and the wall was shoulder to shoulder with Union rifles. The amazing thing is not that they did not get across the wall but that they got so far. Just to the right other troops from Virginia's 38th breeched the wall but could not hold their position, thus the High Water Mark of the Confederacy. 

Crowded

Looking Glass falls in the Pisgah National Forest. There were people everywhere, many in the water! Parking was a problem! I took this using the large rock and the angle to screen most of the folks. Nice place. 

Myra

I am on a bit of an adventure with Myra. She is a Personal Trainer at North Raleigh Fitness. I am amazed that I am here. The first time I have been in a gym since 10th grade was last November. I wondered if my old and increasingly decrepit self could improve with strength training. After all, we still have more than 200 parks to visit and hike in. She said of course and I have been going about twice a week now for eight months. My strength has increased by a factor of four and I am amazed. She works on balance and flexibility as well. I have learned how to lift without hurting my back, I do exercises I never expected to do (she has something new every time!) - and she is encouraging, optimistic and ...relentless. Most exciting, Cindy has joined me so now we can compare what hurts the most for the days between sessions. Seriously, this has had significant benefits and, if you are thinking. "maybe," talk to Myra - she is excellent at what she does. Or if you don't live here, find a good PT and start. 

Oh, Joy! (Bonus)

This is for she who takes rural sky photos. It is in Lancaster, PA along the Black Horse Road. Always lovely. 

Esses

A nice Triumph TR-3 trails the faster cars through the uphill esses and under the bridge. 

Not What It Feels Like (three photos)

This is not a golf course. It is a path leading to a fort at the Petersburg National Battlefield. One of many forts that were part of the siege of Richmond/ Petersburg by the Union Army. This one, constructed by and used by the Confederate troops was captured June 15th, 1864. A huge mortar was set up here to shell troops across the river. It was nicknamed "The Dictator." 

The Dictator replica set up today at the park.

The original from a wartime photo. The picture was likely taken by Dennis as he is quite old and likes to prattle on about B&W photos...

Paasages

This is my grandson in the MINI learning, successfully I may add, to drive the stick shift. He is a super young man with a variety of interests and accomplishments. A genuine pleasure to be around and a great companion for photo walks and other adventures. He even is good natured about letting his grandfather re-stage a photo. The time between the two shots seems like hours. And, yes, it is the same car.

Joshua Tree Sunset

I loved this park, its space and color and contrasts and, in May, the flowers. Here is a small butte catching the last rays of the sun while the desert floor is in shadow and already cooling. The unique Joshua Trees stand a stately watch. 

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the desert a highway for our God." 
Isaiah 40:3 NLT

I Can't Stop

Actually that is me not the cars. I love these old racing automobiles and the noise they make. Here is a bunch. A Porsche, Volvo P 1800, Porsche, Porsche, Porsche, Jaguar XKE, the old 64 Falcon, and a Vette head out of the Roller Coaster - a tricky reverse camber turn and then into a sweeping right hand fast bend onto the main straight. 

Monet

Ever wonder what it might be like to live in a Monet painting?

Opus had his dandelion patch, i have the serene photos. 

Flag Day

"In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The United States Army also celebrates the U.S. Army Birthdays on this date; Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775." From Wikipedia

So happy 241st birthday to the most successful color scheme in history and 243rd to the US Army. This photo is from Fort Bowie in Arizona where the US Army served the area for many years in harsh conditions. 

Thanks to Army personnel like Tom Light, Lt. Col, Ret., & my multi great grandfather who served under that flag with only thirteen stars in that first Army, Pvt. Peter Hileman.

Behind Lines

This monument at Petersburg National Battlefield is behind the remnant of the Confederate line that did not collapse when the Union miners exploded their mine under the Confederate lines creating what came to be known as The Crater. 

Idyllic

An idyllic place or experience is extremely pleasant, beautiful, or peaceful and so it was on Saturday afternoon walking at the Cold Harbor Battlefield. It was none of those things 154 years ago in June. The field just beyond the trees was the center of the fighting and the location of the futile attack by Grant across 200 yards of open ground against prepared Confederate troops. Grant lost 6000 men that afternoon, killed, wounded or captured. This field is just outside of the boundary of the park. I hope that one day it can be acquired by the National Park Service to add to the story of this critical battle. 

Favorites

As a kid I followed the Ferrari / Ford battle at LeMann with great intensity. The Gulf Oil livery cars were later parked at the Gulf Research Center not far from my house and I got to see them in person. So anytime I see one of these, more modern, replica or original, I am transported back to those times. Love the sound they make too. The red one is a newer variant the blue/orange below is more true to the first Ford GT-40's.

The Edge

This 64 Falcon took the turn in the Roller Coaster a bit too hot and went up on two wheels. I was shooting the car in front of him and missed the most dramatic moment, however, he is not quite settled back yet, I think the front wheel is still a touch off the ground and he takes another 300 feet before all is well. (He did win his class!) 

Panning

Trying to learn how to pan with the car and blur the background caught this beautiful 911 exiting turn 4.