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.

Soooo Helpful

“Wait, I see it on the other side of this little creek.” Raven Rock State Park along the Cape Fear River.

“When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, ‘Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.’” Mark 8:12 NLT

Close (three photos)

Exploring an abandoned parking lot near the Raleigh -Durham airport. How near?

Fence Line

Bo Duke, aka John Schneider, has a most unique fence on his Louisiana property. The 100 plus acre spot has two or three studios, props, old buildings, fields and houses, an rv park and much more. In this line up we see an early 60 Caddilac, a mid-fiftys version model 62?, a 65 or so Olds 442, a 66? Dodge Charger, a VW bus, an MG is hidden in the parade somewhere and a ss396 Chevelle.

Turn Two

A GT-40 Ford leads out of turn two at Virginia International Raceway. A second Ford is just a bit behind but actually in second place in this event. In 2020 plans for attending VIR and Pittsburgh Vintage Gran Prix were canceled and no word yet on either of these two places holding events in 2021. I really hope to get some place this year, a car show, or rally or race, just miss it.

As Expected

Folks who check out Two Lane Touring are smart and very good looking. The animal yesterday, i have been informed, is a Mandrill. I never heard that name or if I did it clearly did not make an impression. So, thanks to those who let me know.

Today’s Image is located near the tigers in the Animal Kingdom Asian walk and are to represent the prayer cloths that are used in some countries. They remind me of the colorful cloths I have seen in two locations out west where the Native Americans tie them on trees as a kind of prayer to their ancestors in special locations. We saw them at a battlefield in OK and at Devil’s Tower.

Not Sure

I really don’t know what kind of primate this is, no idea. But the photo came out pretty well jostling down the road on the Safari. Anyway, most interesting facial colors and patterns.

Rise Above

What ever challenges or issues you are dealing with this week, may you stay ahead of the curve. And look cool doing it!

Cheetah

What a magnificent animal. You can see the coiled strength in his legs and the tail used to assist in balance. Fast and deadly.

“In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,and a little child will lead them all. Isaiah 11:6 NLT

I know not a leopard, but the point is spot on:)

I have taken the Safari ride usually first thing in the AM and last ride I can get on each time. The seats are hard and slick, the road bumpy and twisty but this time with these settings I got better photos. ISO 3200 1/2000 f/5 and practice right after a bump!

Morocco

At EPCOT you can visit, shop, eat and stroll through the parts of countries they wish to showcase and I really enjoy the walks around these places, the food at several is very good to excellent and the pastries at France, well, not quite worth the price of a ticket but once you have said ticket - do not miss.

Why is this kind of permenent world’s fair not presented in other places? Or expanded here? Mr Gates, spend one of those billions on a 25 or 30 country exposition in Texas - we will come.

Royalty?

Well it did not feel like it. It was raining hard now and the wind was much sharper on the shore than inland even a quarter of a mile. We walked the boardwalk over the dunes but chose to turn back when this Royal Tern landed a few feet away and sort of said, I’m done too. We walked back toward the shelter of a bathhouse and the high tree canopy right past this tired bird who did not move.

Reflect

This is Witch Hole Pond on the northern end of Acadia National Park. You reach it via a carriage path, about a 2.5 mile walk - it is on a circle so you can return a different way, it is a bit longer the other leg. I have been in at daybreak, nightfall and in the morning and afternoon and it always delights. A very quiet and uncrowded spot (especially at 4:30 in the morning. This shot in the mid-morning is a favorite. Can’t wait to get back this fall for another photo session.

Soft

I startled this Great Egret into flight while walking the shore path in Skidaway State Park in Georgia. He flew across the marsh in the heavy fog so everything seems soft and a bit etherial. Liked this look.

Rush

Yosemite is an amazing National Park, simply breathtaking at every turn. This is the upper and lower falls that was flowing with more water that spring than had been seen for years here. Spectacular.. This is another of the previously unedited photos that I just did from that trip. Lots of fun going back and finding other images and wondering why they were overlooked at the time.

This is not Real, sort of

It is an actual thing but it was designed by the Disney folks. This is a tiny corner of the world of Pandora. The ride is amazing technology and quite a thrill and the world they created that engages you long before the actual ride is equally unique and intriguing. It features glowing flora, towering upside down mountiains, water and water falls and fantastic creatures.

Quick Time

A different perspective on Ely’s Mill - found along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This 1925 mill served many families scattered up the valleys on the area just a bit out of Gatlinburg. It is less than 100 years since he built his mill, now a National Park with more people per day driving past his mill than he may have seen in a year. A business he likely expected to continue now so quaint we cannot imagine making a living from this place. Or wanting to. Time is fleeting.

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” Psalm 39:4-7 NLT

Flat Iron

Looking south from the edge of Madison Square Park toward the Flat Iron Building between Fifth Avenue and Broadway in Manhattan. I hope they get NYC back to something like it was five years ago when it was fun and felt safe. And Broadway open again.

No Traffic Lights

This is Main Street on Cumberland Island National Seashore. You might note that it does not look much like, well, another Main Street you may be familiar with across America. This remote and beautiful island is well worth the time, expense and effort to get an opportunity to walk its paths and shore, to see the remains of great estates and small structures and to be amazed by the canopy of Live Oaks that create their own atmosphere. We were here only for 41/2 hours - in the rain, but I already want to go back and rent bikes to explore the northern end of the island, 12 miles away, to see the small town, church and other estates. Plus there is a 3800 acre wilderness area. What a gem.

We walked about 2 miles on this road.