Carl Sandburg's Home near Flat Rock, NC. /  by Dave Hileman

He moved here well after he had become famous. The decision was largely driven by his wife who wanted a milder climate to raise her prize goats. It is a beautiful home the predates the Civil War. It still has no AC but they are in the process of adding a dehumidifying system to protect the 18,000 books. 

Hooker Falls /  by Dave Hileman

This falls is a short walk from the parking area at DuPont State Forrest in southwest NC. The water was fast and abundant on the bright sunny day we were there about lunch time. There was a memorial to the left of the photo in honor of someone who drowned here. Sad. 

 "Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?” Job 26:14 NLT

Rare Mossicanite Mask /  by Dave Hileman

This is the only remaining mask of its kind in the US. It has been very carefully maintained by the NPS neo-palio curators. It is made of bark, moss and other natural materials. You can see the stylized markings for the eyes and the mouth. One interesting item is located above the forehead where, according to Mossicanite lore, the center of the soul is located. Here it is given a rare treatment with pink and grey markings indicating royalty and longevity. You can also count the extra number of wisdom lines that indicate a very sage leader. 

Or is it, after all it is April 1

No Lurch... /  by Dave Hileman

... at this Adam's family home. John Adams was born here, his son, John Quincey Adams next door where John built his house. Then they moved a short distance to Peace Fields where the family lived until 1929. J. Adams is one of the most prominent men in the history of American independence. And a wonderful story. This home on the outskirts of Boston is so closed in by the urban sprawl that it is hard to appreciate the house. Still worthwhile. 

Stella's /  by Dave Hileman

Along the four-block long main street of Plymouth are a few businesses interspersed with empty stores and a few buildings waiting for the wrecking ball. Kind of sad. You can see the day in the not too distant past when this was the thriving heart of the town. It should be today with ample space, adjacent to the beautiful Roanoke River and flanked on each end of town by a park. The town simply has not taken advantage of wonderful resources. It is not for lack of trying by Stella who owns the little cafe - a bright spot literally and figuratively in town. Stella opened the cafe on a rainy Saturday afternoon past closing just to make a cup of coffee for one traveler, me. We had a delightful talk and I really wish her well in her Quixote-like effort to right the neglect of Plymouth.  

UP /  by Dave Hileman

Scotts Bluff National Monument rises out of the west Nebraska plains miles before you arrive. It is certainly a reason why the western settlers of the 19th century used it as a guiding landmark for thousands of trips across the great plains. This is from an overlook where you can see back to the road you took to get to the top.

Wild /  by Dave Hileman

When you see 50 of these on the golf course or public park they are pests. When you see two in the wild with one alert to any dangers, they are more majestic. 

“The birds roost on its fallen trunk, and the wild animals lie among its branches. Let the tree of no other nation proudly exult in its own prosperity, though it be higher than the clouds and it be watered from the depths. Ez 31:13,14a NLT

Quietness /  by Dave Hileman

Fills the forest in the morning with just a few birds stirring and the wind barely moving. It is especially quiet in these groves among the marshy ground and abundant ferns.

Last One /  by Dave Hileman

At one time there were more than 70 mills operating in Wake County, this is the last one still in operating condition. This one is the centerpiece of the Yates Mill Park. It was an overcast, dark and windy day I am looking forward to a better weather day shooting at Yates Mill. 

Honor /  by Dave Hileman

I shot this monument in a pouring rain storm this past Saturday. It was the only time I had to take the photo, it was not ideal. But it was important to me. It celebrates the 150th anniversary of the battle of Plymouth, NC. It was a battle where my GGG Grandfather fought and was captured along with his whole unit, the 103rd Pennsylvania. He spent the remainder of the war in the awful Andersonville prison. He, unlike 140 of this fellow soldiers, survived.  Thanks to Jimmy Hardison for the remarkable tour and the loan of the 103rd regimental history book.

Introvert /  by Dave Hileman

Everyone else is having a great time, making new friends, lots of laughter, sharing fresh fish snacks, this fellow is so inwardly focused that it all feels painful. No this is not projection! Where is my book?

Delightful /  by Dave Hileman

This is yet another of the photos from the Great Smoky Mountain Photo Summit I attended in the fall of 2016. It was a great learning experience. I shot this photo at one of the myriad of streams found in the Smokies. Not sure of the name of this stream but it was a super place to shoot very slow exposures in the early morning light. The leaves tracing patterns in the water are a bonus. 

Good Morning Monday /  by Dave Hileman

The plantation office was the hub of all the activity required to keep the large agricultural enterprise going. Berry Hill still has many of the original buildings from slave quarters, to barns to the main house. Most of these date from the 1830's to 1840's. This is the office of the plantation and is now a suite for the hotel. 

Monument /  by Dave Hileman

This is overlooking the St. John's River near Jacksonville, FL. The site is part of the Fort Caroline National Monument. It honors the French explorer, Jean Ribald, who erected a monument near here in 1562. Memorials are an important part of history telling us what was critical in other eras or even what is critical that transcends time and place.

"So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” Joshua 4: 5-7 NLT

Here is another Florida stone this one to honor a Spanish explorer, De Soto. 

Here is another Florida stone this one to honor a Spanish explorer, De Soto. 

Felt Left Out /  by Dave Hileman

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. 

View of First Arch /  by Dave Hileman

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.