This is one of or the most photographed places on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mabry’s Mill. I shot this on a trip from a Galax area church heading home. It is converted to B&W and from a very different angle than the usual wheel and pond. Just for fun I then tried to give it an “old” photograph with a crop as well.
The Builder /
Busy, busy, busy.
One More /
Last shot from our “day out of lockdown.” Passed this defunct and decrepit restaurant at the edge of a small town and expect that in its day it was the place to be, meet your friends, impress your new girlfriend and come for a special occasion. Now just waiting for someone who wants the old sign or the space for a gas station. Institutions that endure are the exception and they take a great deal of vision, work, adjustments and good fortune to do so. Herb’s was not among those places. (But I love the sign’s font!)
Three Perspectives -- and a question for you (3 photos) /
On our Sunday ride we were about an hour from Raleigh on our way back home but on a small two-lane road in a very rural part of NC south of I-40/85 in an area known for pottery - we passed a few shops but none were open. I saw this field with the wild flowers blooming and thought photo opportunity. So I turned around and found a driveway about 100 yards away and no one seemed to be home, so I parked and walked to the field. Now the road was narrow and had a steep ditch on both sides and not too far from the curve so the occasional traffic was an issue. I could not use my tripod and could not stand on the road so just a narrow strip of steep culvert to shoot from - moving each time a car or a big truck passed. I shot three perspectives one emphasis on the crop field, one on the sky and one more balanced. Love to know which one you think is the more complete image. Of course, all of them would be better with a nice green John Deere about 2/3 across the field, but you get what you get.
Number One
Number two
A Ride /
One of the great joys I have had is simply out riding, looking, enjoying the drive. I rarely do that with no destination or purpose anymore but weeks of not going anywhere have made me anxious to be out a bit. So on Sunday (church on-line) we went for a ride. I took three photos and we made a couple of stops but only to stretch our legs kind of thing. We had lunch packed for the day. One small town well south of Raleigh, not sure right now, I saw this building across from the courthouse and took a quick shot. Just a neat reminder of a long gone past that still marks a lot of places.
Lake Clark NP Bears Bonus /
I would highly recommend the salmon, it is fresh today. Particularly if you are as hungry as a bear.
Lake Clark NP Bears VII /
Thanks for joining us and just a reminder, “A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a roaring lion or an attacking bear.” Proverbs 28:15 NLT
Bear in mind, there is a bonus coming!
Lake Clark NP Bears VI /
Time Out. Just waiting for the instructors to arrive: BJÖRN, OSBORN & URSULA.
Lake Clark NP Bears V /
“Well this is better because it is not a stupid bird and it was in the water. Also ‘Stick’ does begin with the same letter as salmon. Clearly you are smarter than the average bear and I don’t want to be overbearing with you but you need to bear down and focus on the salmon or else you will be spending tomorrow in time out.”
Lake Clark NP Bears IV /
“Well, son, you do get credit for the stalking. But if you can bear in mind the lecture series we had last month, you may recall this is a stupid bird. It is not a salmon and no matter what skill you bring to bear, it will fly away. Let’s go back and try this again.”
Lake Clark NP Bears III /
The lesson on how to fish. Remember that salmon is one of the bear necessities of life for these grizzly critters. Therefore you teach a bear to fish so he can provide for himself. Today is the intro to Isaac Walton’s Book of Fishing for ursus arctos horribilis.
Lake Clark NP Bears II /
When the airboat stopped there were four bears closer to the shore. One turned back to the woods, two went wide to our right and this one came straight to us. Perhaps wondering if that strange floating thing had anything good to eat in it? This was before Covid 19 so bearhugs were not outlawed. Bear wuth us there are more tomorrow.
Really? /
The enforced hibernation has been a difficult time for many people. The vast staff of TLT have felt the effects as well. No new trips, not many new photographs and ennui all around. Well that is soon to change, we have a short trip on the books leaving for a week on the 21st of June! Jubilation. Another for July, for August and one for September and one for October. Also, we figured out what would lift everyone’s spirit? Welcome to the First (Only) Lake Clark National Park Bear Week. Yes, the bear puns will be awakening from a deep sleep and so now for those who have found this intro even more unbearable than the doing your own taxes, we present the all recently edited and new to the site, Lake Clark Bears!
Lower Falls /
The Bow Valley Parkway hike in Johnson Canyon. A unique walk deep in a steep canyon with suspended walkways along the canyon. This is the lower falls about 2/3 of the way to the end and the water was glacial green. This would be a place I would like to return to, a really unique experience.
“What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.” Psalm 84:5,6 NLT
Post About a Post /
Almost hidden in the foliage is this old fence post along a trail in the Cape Cod National Seashore. When I see something like this I first imagine what it must have been like to create a farm or ranch or homestead in the area and to wonder if those who did so appreciated the inherent beauty of the place or just the struggle of eking out a living is an often harsh environment? They are good reminders that we are stewards of the land not owners and that the land will usually restore itself over time.
Flight of Passage /
Wilbur Wright in the year 1900 stayed in Elizabeth City on his way to the Outer Banks. Arrived at Point Comfort (Newport News) by train, transferred to a steamer to Norfolk, then by train to EC where he stayed in a hotel for a few days until he was able to arrange passage to the shore by way of a leaky flat-bottomed boat captained by Isreal Perry. A gale blew up and they had to seek a sheltered harbor so the trip took two days - with lots of bailing. Imagine what might have occurred had they or their cargo nat made it to Kitty Hawk. This hotel was built in the 1870’s and was the heart of EC for years featuring fine dinning and big bands that toured across America.
Now it is shuttered with off again on again plans to restore the structure.
Mushroom Hunters /
While on a trail in the Cape Cod National Seashore we came across these folks who were out gathering huge mushrooms. I chatted with them about their find but cannot recall exactly what they said about them except it was the season and they were not alone in gathering them, we saw several people with a selection of these big fungi.
And in Every Campfire Story... /
Seconds Before Sunrise /
In a foggy field in Eastern North Carolina.
“Surreal morning wafts of mist as if a cloud had kissed the earth.” Brenda Finch
Gratitude... /
…seems inadequate so, perhaps living up to the promise of the country would be a decent start to Memorial Day 2020.
