Entrance to the Ming Tombs

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The Ming Tombs near Beijing contain the tombs of thirteen of the sixteen Ming Dynasty emperors. Construction of the tombs started in 1409 and ended with the fall of the Ming Dynasty in 1644. The stone archway above is at the southern entrance to the tombs and was built in 1540.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

American Falls at Niagara

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In August, 2002, Betsy and I visited Niagara Falls and took a cruise on the Maid of the Mist to the base of the two falls. This was the view of the American Falls as we approached it on the boat.

A Stone Guard on the Shen Dao

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One of the places I visited in 1987 on my first trip to China was the Ming Tombs. Thirteen of the sixteen Ming dynasty emperors are buried in a box canyon near Beijing. The entrance to the tombs (a shen dao or spirit way) is lined with guardian animals and officials. This fierce fellow was one of the guards along the shen dao.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

Rutledge Falls

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Rutledge Falls, near Tullahoma, Tennessee, is on private property, but the owner has graciously made access available to the public. It is a very pretty waterfall that we were happy to add to our collection.

Spellbound Rose

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We've had Spellbound Rose for a couple of years. It's a beautiful rose with a slight fragrance. Although the picture above was taken in the spring, I brought in a Spellbound bud for Betsy last week.

Remembering Autumn Colors

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The colors were so brilliant last month when Betsy and I came home along the Cherohala Skyway that I couldn't resist posting this picture. This was taken at an overlook in North Carolina.

I've Been There

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President Obama made the news on Wednesday by visiting the Great Wall at Ba Da Ling, near Beijing. News reports say that he walked to the third tower on the wall.

The wall was closed while the President was there, but the picture above, taken in 1987, is from the third tower at Ba Da Ling. There were a few more people on the wall when I was there.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.