This NYC brownstone is the birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt the 26th President of the US. A cousin to FDR, Theodore’s career and accomplishments are staggering for a man who died at 60 - he packed a lot of “life” in those years. He also doubled the number of National Parks and created 18 national monuments, including the Grand Canyon; set aside 51 federal bird sanctuaries, four national game refuges, and more than 100 million acres' worth of national forests. He was a faithful member of the Dutch Reformed Church and attended as President in DC at a church where Cindy’s college roommate’s father was minister a number of years after Roosevelt’s death.
View /
From the side portico of the Lincoln Memorial you can see the Reflecting Pool, Washington Monument, Dome of the Capital, the tower of the Smithsonian Castle and a large dome for?
Cliff /
One of the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde. I wish I could recall which one! One amazing fact the rangers shared was that even the youngest children had to learn to climb out of these places themselves. I was uneasy on a 25 foot ladder!
Good Morning Monday /
Edge of a field at dawn in Eastern North Carolina. It is a blessing to be up early and see the world awake.
Hands of Praise /
Watching this lady play old hymns on her instrument in Floyd, Virginia at the General Store.
“Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn; praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes!”
Psalm 150:2-4 NLT
Before Ellis Island /
For generations people arrived in the US in various ports, some of my ancestors arrived via Germantown in Pennsylvania. One of those in NYC in use until Ellis Island was Castle Clinton. Built as a fort during the War of 1812, it was also a warehouse and an opera house but for 30 years immigrants were processed here, including Cindy’s Grandmother is the late 1880’s. While the outer structure has been restored to its 1812 appearance it is currently little more than a place to buy tickets to the Statue of Liberty. The history is an afterthought in one dim room. Sad that it would have National Park Status and be so neglected. This statue next to it was the best part of the visit.
77 Years Ago /
“Yesterday, December 7th, — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” FDR
Edge of Dawn /
Great Smoky Mountain National Park before dawn in September.
Tangled Up in Blue /
Dylan is always good for titles. Along the James River, cypress tree, cloud.
Distance /
A longer shot of the statue of Cabrillo near San Diego. I had a cloudy day but a brief spot of nice light made a pretty shot.
Bonus! /
Just a perfect sign, taken by the barista at a coffee shop in Greenville NC. It was behind the counter and he used my phone.
Inspire /
This is Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park. We were here for three cold, windy and snowy days in June and it was still amazing. We intend to visit again in 2019. Maybe with better weather but maybe not. Does not really matter, we now have proper clothing for inclement weather so, just anxious to walk again in the paths here that inspire and delight.
Do you notice I captured the brother of the loch ness monster?
Protection /
This is the light in the Old Point Loma Lighthouse in the Cabrillo National Monument across the bay from San Diego. It is now a museum but has a long history of standing over the entrance to the bay. It was, I believe, built in about 1880. Lovey place to visit, sit and watch the waves and the pelicans. (Reprocessed in Luminar 18)
“My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.
That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.” Psalm 71:7, 8 NLT
Festive Start to December /
I hope your month is full of joyful occasions, family and a firm grasp on the Person behind all. One of the illuminations at Colonial Williamsburg. The “Grand” one is this Sunday.
Teal & Grass /
It has been too long between birds. So, today a Blue-wing Teal in breeding plumage I photographed at the Canaveral National Seashore last spring. I just loved the look between the random grasses. CNS is a super place to see and photograph a variety of birds.
Explorer /
This statue represents Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo who in 1542 was the first of the European explorers to navigate the coast of California. The statue is on a promontory overlooking San Diego. The park, Cabrillo National Monument, also has nice lighthouse and fabulous views of the ocean and the city skyline. Four photos were added to the National Park Gallery page for the monument.
Snow Day /
We were to be in Hershey for a convention but the snow stopped us well short of our destination. The next day driving up from DC we took an hour to drive a small portion of the Gettysburg Battlefield (not all of it was open) and took a couple of photos. Meade statue was posted the day before yesterday and this barn on a farm just east of Little Round top and slightly south of the Union line. Like most of the structures around the battlefield, it was pressed into service as a hospital.
The Stone Sentinel /
At the battle of Antietam this stone soldier watches over the hallowed ground of the Civil War’s deadliest day of battle.
Meade /
George Meade was the Union commanding general at Gettysburg but gets blamed as often for “letting” Lee escape as for the victory he achieved having been appointed to the post three or so days before the battle. Here he is shown on his horse, Old Baldy, who was wounded on three different occasions and still out lived the general by ten years and was the riderless horse at General Meade’s funeral procession.
Golden Way /
The imagery of Revelation tells of streets of precious gems. This little structure has been several things in Colonial Williamsburg over the years we visited and lived there, now it is related to a craft exhibit. The yellow leaves of the ginkgo tree formed a wondrous golden carpet around the building on Thanksgiving. Credit a “no wind” day and the result is stunning.
“The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.” Revelation 21:21 NLT
