Misty Day

We had heavy rains for two days and today, as we toured Vicksburg it was just misty and damp all day. This is not a new park for us but we had not photographed it before when we were here 16 years ago. I did have a little film point and shoot but don’t recall any photos from here. It is a simply battle from one perspective but the lines are hard to see because of the trees and the deep cuts in the landscape. The actual siege lasted 47 days and the South’s surrender allowed the uUnion to control the Mississippi.

Cadillac Tracks - I could have predicted with my eyes closed and both hoofs behind my back that if the driver is in control we will stop and stare at stupid cannons. And this place is full of them. It upsets my delicate constitution to view these terrible things. I’m going to get a nap as we are pulling the ever present white elephant behind us.

When You Surrender....

…150 years later your town, Natchez MS, is full of antebellum homes. This is in contrast to Vicksburg which really is still not “recovered” after the same 150 years. But today’s photo comes from. the Natchez National Historic Park. While the NPS site only has two homes and an old French fort site, the town is full of amazing private homes. Many of them that give tours to offset the cost of these immense houses. We only toured one of those, Rosalie and it was neat with most of the furniture intact from the period before the civil war. We also toured the grounds at Melrose, a NPS unit but they had all buildings closed. Covid is the excuse but it seemed to me they were not trying too hard.

Cadillac Tracks - finally a house that is suitable for a bon vivant of my stature. 12 foot ceilings allow for my Herculean antlers and large gardens for midnight grazing. Any of them would add a bit of pizazz to my branding effort so I picked out three or four for the driver to select from but apparently we are going back to the little pill we drag behind the car. Humans?

The fancy things you loved so much are gone,” they cry.

“All your luxuries and splendor are gone forever, never to be yours again.” Revelation 18:14 NLT

Sometimes You Don't...

My expectations for any outing, hike etc are usually optimistic. And I am rarely disappointed. We stayed for two nights post wedding at the Oak Mountain State Park. Very nice campground, nice area. One of my plans was a photo shoot across a lake at sunset. Nope, they lock the gate 30 minutes before sunset. Another was to photograph Previne Falls. This is the centerpiece of the park, 4 mile road to the top of the mountain, signs everywhere - so off we go. Long, slow, careful drive. OK. Arrived at the parking lot. It is huge. We strap on our boots and I pack all my gear, not sure what I might need for the photo. We hike down a trail about 1/2 mile and then off the main trail to the falls trail. Lots of warning signs, steep, loose rocks and narrow paths. That’s ok. We climb down about 190 feet to the floor of a small ravine and then start toward the falls. I was worried that I did not hear water and it had rained for three days after Hurricane X came through just six days earlier. Well I think the falls is overrated. Our trailer shower puts out more water. The entire falls might be 15 feet tall. Anyway, you still get to see the shot.

Cadillac Tracks - I was still in recovery mode, I think I had 7 too many floats, but my failing health did not stop the driver from dragging me up and down rocks suitable for goats not moose. Plus there was nothing to eat and my hoofs still hurt. Luckily we had to drive a distance and I got a nice nap. And there was ice cream in the freezer, so all is well. We are headed to something more moosey tomorrow. Can’t wait.

A Rose by Any…

One of the roses at the Birmingham Botanical Garden up close and a bed of red ones that were quite bright.

Cadillac Tracks - not one that I was allowed to eat!

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

We stayed near Birmingham for Sunday and Monday and were able to get into downtown and partially visit the Civil Rights NM. Very short stop with most of it closed. I will write a bit more later but we are pressed right now to leave by check out time this morning. I will say it is sobering to be in front of the sign that is seen in some many movies and photos where the bombing took place that killed four little girls. So sad.

Wedding! (4 photos)

It was quite the glorious event: celebratory, Christ centered, joyous and fun. The rehearsal on Friday night went smoothly and the dinner after was excellent. On Saturday the weather was cloudy but comfortable - preferred weather for most of the people there so they could enjoy the evening that began following the ceremony on the terrace of a country club.

The ceremony was beautiful with spectacular music including a choir in the balcony from Samford (the bride and groom graduated from there in the theatre department.) With nine bridesmaids, corresponding groomsmen and the stars, the stage was full. Carin wore an amazing gown with yards of veil with appliquéd lace that her mother made for her. The groom’s father officiated the primary ceremony and I was able to do a brief talk on marriage.

The wedding reception was at the same country club as the night before but we dinned indoors in multiple rooms (it is 2020 after all). The food was wonderful, talented band and all the expected traditions met. A couple of extras: the mother-daughter dance to “My Girl” that Carin choreographed - was a hit. Also instead of a groom’s cake we had coke floats, what excellent taste on the groom’s part. Anyway it was a very special day for two really wonderful people embarking on their new life’s adventure. And Cindy and I were so honored to have a part in the event.

Cadillac Tracks

Boy what a feast, the cake was nine feet tall and the food was stacked in little chrome bins and the folks just kept putting in on my plate. And I danced and sang and generally was the hit of the event. The only slight disappointment was that they did not have festive hats to smash heads together but humans have other odd things like feeding each other cake when there were scores of forks and plates. I mean, really? Anyway, my hoofs are sore, my antlers drooping and I need to recover a bit from the frantic two days. Did I tell you about the ice cream in a dish with coke? I found the place in the back where they were making them, 8 of those fill you up!

Gardens

We had an hour to two before the wedding and chose to walk around the botanical gardens in Birmingham. They are extensive, beautiful, open and free. Lots of people here. We did not have time for it all so concentrated on the Japanese, rose, hosta and an Irish garden.

Cadillac’s Tracks - the garden was a serious disappointment. Flowers everywhere and do you know how many you are allowed to eat? None. I simply don’t understand humans. Like go stroll through the deli and take pictures, then leave. Nuts. On the really good side, there will be cake tonight, and ice cream tonight and whatever passes for antler smashing. Can’t wait for the wedding.

One of the graceful trees and winding pathways.

A New Park (2 photos)

It has been awhile. And, of course, like everyone else this year our plans were mostly canceled. So instead of the 18 or 20 parks we planned on seeing so far this year - we have one. But that means we are traveling a bit and for that we are grateful. Our first too brief stop was in Atlanta to meet some old friends and see a bit of the Kennesaw Mountain NMP. A new park for us. However we were in the aftermath of the hurricane and it was wet, rainy and parts of the park were closed. We did find a brief walk between showers to the Illinois monument that is found at the Dead Angle where rather fierce fighting took place in June of 1864,

Interesting sidetone on this spot. Veterans purchased this land and deeded it to the state of Illinois and you were actually in Illinois when you were here until a few years ago when it was given to the NPS.

After this it is on to a wedding in Birmingham.

The Confederate forces were well dug it at the top of the ridge.

Bird Week IX - the Vote

In Alaska you see magnificent scenery, bears snd moose, glaciers and vast tundra and it is all amazing. Yet, in a small pond in the midst of a large natural area known for moose, we found this Red-throated Grebe. On the first day we saw a newly born chick being cleaned and pushed into the water for a first swim. We watched as the baby was given the first meal of a tender leaf from the bottom of the pond that dad secured. On day two we went back and the second baby was born. We watched them for 30 or 40 minutes - usually one of the other. Then they were tucked back into mom’s feathers and we thought we were done viewing until two zebra colored heads popped out briefly, with eyes open. This is one of my most treasured memories of Alaska.

If you wish to vote for Head Bird 2020, you may do so in the comments.

“Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you.” Psalm 63: 7,8a NLT

Bird Week IX - Campaign

Finally the whole ticket for Head and Vice Bird are active as we near the close of the polls tomorrow. These two Sandhill Cranes were shot flying around our campsite in Fairbanks. We stayed at the end of a private air strip at the invitation of the owner whom we met at breakfast a couple of weeks earlier. It seemed to botther these two that we were using thier private patch of grass. But they never flew far. It ia also appropriate that I am showing a couple today as Cindy and I are at a wedding this afternoon.

Bird Week IX - Campaign

The polls are not showing well for our next candidate. This Greater Yellowlegs is on the shy side and not very good at campaigning. We see him here on the podium but not addressing the audience. I really like the way the reeds to the right of the bird match the colorful legs.

Bird Week IX - Campaign

Although small in stature, this beautiful Yellow Warbler is clearly a fan favorite for Head Bird. Just the bright, cheerful song alone would put him in contention.

Bird Week IX - Campaign

Clearly leading a contingent of his followers in the race for Head Bird is this Eider and company flying past an ice berg in the Gulf of Alaska taken from the deck of the Lulu Belle. I am proud of this photo as panning is not a skill I can count on but here got most of the birds pretty sharp as they flew the opposite direction of the boat. This was an outstanding trip and would love to do that same tour again. Amazing guide, elegant boat and stunning scenery everywhere you looked.

Bird Week IX - Campaign

Our next candidate for Head Bird is this Sandhill Crane. He was spotted flying over a nature preserve in Kenai, AK. I really like the shades of color captured in this photo.

Bird Week IX - Campaign

Do I hear the bells pealing across the land? Is that distant roar shouts of jubilation from the populace? Are new holidays being declared? Well, maybe not but the long-awaited Bird Week IX is finally here. Hard to believe we have not had one at TLT since February of 2020, that is Pre-Pandemic for those keeping track. We are past due for certain. So let us commence.

Our first candidate for Head Bird for the season is a newly edited and previously unpublished Tufted Puffin (though another one of the puffin has been seen before). This little bird prefers the cold waters of the northern Pacific and was captured in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay south of Homer. I imagine you know that a group of crows is a “murder,” hawks, a kettle, eagles a congregation and doves a cote. So do you know what four puffins are called? KISS:)

Sunday Afternoon Run

Sunday after church and dinner is apparently the time for some fun on the farm. We watched families playing games together, lots of courting buggies on the roads or out enjoying a picnic. Here this farmer is letting his horse run while he guides it from the seat on a sulky, a light, two-wheeled, single seat cart often used in racing. They both were in high spirits.

“I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” Philippians 3:12b NLT

Last of the Art Museum Flowers

Once again there are sculptures in the view both to the left of the photo. I look forward to seeing what they plant next year, this year was a beautiful mixture.

Bonus - Flight 93 Memorial

I visited here with my grandson on the way to Pittsburgh for the Vintage Gran Prix a few years ago. We did not know the route we chose took us right past this memorial. The cranes in one photo are where the visitor center is today. A sobering place.

People placed lots of remembrances along the wall.

Spending Time

I try often to learn something new each year. It does not always go well. My pie baking ended with one pie. Other initiatives fell apart for lots of reasons. But some projects stick. Usually I do variations of what I already like, for example, I want to learn portraits next year. One of this year’s projects was to try and carve something. They are taking over even after I have given half of them away. Or perhaps forced them on people too kind to refuse:) And I find I enjoy this, no screen and working on projects that are completed in a couple of days. So, I am striving for improvements and better painting. But it has been fun. All of these are 1” by 1” by 3“ basswood to start. Several I have had to adjust as the instructor on YouTube might be using a different size but I don’t have a saw and did not want to invest in one if the carving turned out like the pie baking. So with more than 32 projects complete, I am striving for one new one each week until January. Then I might buy a saw.

Another Perspective

This is yet another view of the magnificent Mount Denali. We were quite fortunate to see it unclouded three different times - this is about as close as we came about 38 miles away. It still dominated the view.