This old sign in rural Louisiana has been or was in the process of being repainted - hence the ladder. I liked the line about “Giant, Powerful.” That was a different ethic then.
John C Campbell Folk School. /
In a remote part of the Western Carolina mountains is this famous school for teaching folk art and folk ways. I hope to take a class here someday, when they resume, on carving. We walked the grounds late afternoon one day this fall but with no students on sight it felt pretty deserted. I found this gourd sitting on a wooden rail that was near one of the garden spots.
Might get to see the inside someday.
A Giraffe Plays an April Fools Joke /
Nope, nothing here, nobody here but some trees. Snicker snicker.
Media /
This station is now a part of the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. This corner is where the media established itself during the protests and riots that surrounded the nine black students attempting to integrate this school in Arkansas. Still active as a high school the visitor center across the street from and the station on the corner by the school are well worth a stop. The display in the VC was particularly well done. A part of the school is open for tours but was not operating due to the Covid restrictions.
Burning Off /
It was a very foggy morning along the Mississippi delta in Louisiana. The sun rose in a thick bank of fog but quickly it took shape as the sun chased the fog from the plain.
En pointe /
You have to be careful where you step in Marietta, GA!
Bay Sunset /
Along the Alabama coast not far from Mobile at a state park on the water we got to see this glorious sunset.
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Walking on Waterfall /
Once again we are in the Glen at Watkins Glen, NY. If you look carefully you will see stone steps leading up from the creek level - this is the trail you follow - and on the left edge of most of the steps you can see the rainwater coursing down the stairs.
Crabtree /
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway you will find Crabtree Falls. You should stop. It is not right on the parkway so lots of people miss it but what a treat. It is a hike to the top and you start at the bottom so be prepared and - for sure- pay attention to the signs. Someone dies here almost every year or two. We were short on time this day so only did a platform on the lower falls. The water was intense have a huge summer storm that passed through the area a few hours earlier. This is a tiny shot of the power of water.
Sputter /
There are 10,000 thermal features in Yellowstone NP and about 300 are geysers. Most of those are like this one, more of a sputter and splash than tall eruptions. This one had been spewing out 120+ degree water for much of the morning thus the area was bathed in a light, foggy mist. And it smelled, well, sulphuric is a safe description.
Backroads near Cashiers /
This hike was only about a half mile but it is very popular and the path is paved because so many people trek down to the falls and parking is at a premium. I went under the back of the falls (which is fun) about 200 feet to get past the crowds and found this perspective of one small part that I liked with the bright ball colors.
Wet /
Western Carolina is a wonderful place to visit for a lot of reasons and if you like to see, hike to or photograph waterfalls it is the place to go in the Mid-Atlantic. There are tall ones, wide ones, graduated falls full of kids sliding down the falls. I really liked this photo from nearly behind one that was gushing into a river. It just screams “You’re goona get wet.” And I did. Keeping the lens dry between shots was a challenge.
Refreshing /
As we continue to explore water - this photo was made in the Smoky Mountain National Park but I forget which falls. It was on the southern side of the park near Bryson City but there were three we visited that morning. Anyway, it is a small detail that I liked with the leaves clinging on to the rock and the water streaming on both sides and just lightly in the middle.
Welcome to Spring /
Today we feature a salt-water spash as the waves roll in along the Atlantic shore. Is there anything more mesmerizing than watching the waves roll in and break near the shore time after time. You know you might need a raincoat this week!
“Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” Psalm 46:3 NLT
Splash Too /
We continue this morning with our splash theme. This is a shot from Watkins Glen State Park in New York state. A wonderful park in the Finger Lakes region. We camped here for two days but I am looking forward to returning for a couple more or maybe a week. Such a beautiful and historic area. The walk through the Glen is visible on the right side of the photo. Narrow, rock lined paved pathways lead you for more than a mile. We were there after a rainy week and it showed in the falls and our wet feet.
Falling /
Another different waterfall, this one in Alaska was at least a hundred feet high for the final drop and the water spread out in a very delicate display.
Another View /
This is a view of Old Faithful from a path rather than the prime viewing area in front of the visitor center. We were on our way to other geysers when we stopped to watch.
Have a Super Green Day /
Every year I think I will shoot something for St. Patrick’s Day and every year it sneaks up on me. At least I am consistent. So, what do I have in the files? This shot which has some nice green and features falling water will have to do this year. It is a shot I really like that feels lacy and cool. And it is actually where the leprechauns hang out.
But next year, watch out I will have a killer St. Patrick’s Day photo. Maybe. I recommend this a lot but if you really want to see why it is worthwhile to remember St. Patrick, read “How the Irish Saved Civilization” by T. Cahill
Overhang (2 photos) /
This is the rock that is the namesake of Raven Rock State Park about 50 miles south of us in North Carolina. We did a quick afternoon hike there last week with two of our grandkids. Nice place. When you descend the 140 plus stairs to the level of the river (Cape Fear River) you can see the rock formation and it runs about 150 yards along the river, or at least that is the accessible portion. The rock extends into the water at each end of that stretch. Interesting place and worth the trip. The overhang was pretty impressive.
Caution 12% Grade Ahead Use Lower Gears /
The learning curve for carving, at least my learning curve, is steep. These are numbers 51, 52 and 53. The Leprechaun is the second one of those I have tried, the little farmer guy is the second “person” attempt and the penguin, well, it is another going off to some unsuspecting victim. There were a few weeks this winter that I could not carve, darn pain in the hands! Then there was the sticking a knife into my palm and that did not help either. However, gradually, working on these is therapeutic. The two figures are the first that the legs are separated and the shoes (on the farmer) actually look a bit like shoes. So, I take progress where it occurs. Staring on another two people figures and something easier as well. I like to carve more than one at a time.
