Sailing the South Pacific

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After our big snow storm and low temperatures I had to find some way to warm up. The scene above was snapped at Kunta Beach Resort on the island of Bali back in June, 1987. I sure would like to be out on that canoe right now.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

The Falls

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Sometimes waterfalls can be found in unexpected places. The Piedmont Region of Virginia is mostly flat, but that's where Betsy and I found The Falls. The Falls doesn't have a very original name and it didn't have much water when we found it in the summer of 2007, but it's a nice addition to our collection just the same.

Fresh Seafoods for Dinner

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One nice thing about living along the coast is great seafood. Calabash, North Carolina, which is only about five miles from were I lived in South Carolina, has some great restaurants along the docks where the fishing boats put in. This shrimp boat is one of the boats which brought in some of the wonderful seafood meals I enjoyed in Calabash. And now I'm fortunate that Betsy enjoys Calabash seafood as much as I do.

The Niagara River

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The Niagara River below the falls is wild and full of rapids. But all that water rushing over and around boulders in the river makes for some fascinating captures. This picture was taken from an observation deck at water level in August, 2002.

The Lee-Jackson House

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The house in the picture above is on the campus of Washington and Lee University and has a fascinating history. The north wing of the house was first occupied in 1853 by Professor Thomas J. ('Stonewall') Jackson, who had married the daughter of the president of the College. In 1865 this house was the home of Robert E. Lee and his family while the current President's house was being constructed next door.

Ice on the Mountain

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When Betsy and I visited Mount Nebo in Arkansas in March, 2009, we got caught in an ice storm. Fortunately we had plenty of firewood at the cabin and could enjoy the day. I did venture out to get some pictures of the ice-covered shrubs and trees. This is one of those pictures.

First Glimpse of the Great Wall

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The photo above is my first glimpse of the Great Wall of China. The picture was taken from a bus in 1987. Our hosts were taking us from Beijing to the gate in the wall at Badaling. I spotted this segment of the wall as our bus climbed into the mountains north of Beijing.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

A Gazebo on the Lawn

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This picture obviously not taken this week. It was taken back in June on the grounds of the Dillard House in Dillard, Georgia. The gazebo looks like the perfect spot to spend a summer evening after a delicious meal.

Black Mountain View

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Black Mountain, which is only about 15 minutes from our house, has a nice hiking loop around the top. The trail is pleasant any time of the year, but the view from the overlooks is wonderful in winter. This picture looks across the Sequatchie Valley toward the Smoky Mountains in the distance.

A Tropical Paradise

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In 1987 I was fortunate enough to be able to spend several days in Bali. The group I as with stayed at Kunta Beach, which seemed a tropical paradise to this farm boy from Indiana. The picture above looks out to sea from the shore. You can see waves breaking over the reef in the distance.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

More Autumn Color

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The autumn colors were so vivid when Betsy and I traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway in October that I took many pictures. This picture was taken at an overlook on the Parkway south of Maggie Valley, North Carolina.

Upper Nebo Falls

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Waterfalls near the top of mountains usually don't have much water, but they can still be pretty. This waterfall is near the top of Mount Nebo in Arkansas. This picture was taken on a visit to the park in March, 2009.

Sunset Beach

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I've mentioned several times that Betsy and I enjoy going to the Carolinas to visit the beaches there. We usually go in May, although the picture above was taken in June back in 2001. The beach is Sunset Beach, North Carolina, and we were on our honeymoon when the picture was taken.

Touch of Class Rose

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Touch of Class is the newest rose in our garden. It has a mild fragrance but a very beautiful shape and pleasing color.

The Red Gate

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The Great Red Gate, Da Hong Men, is the main entrance to the valley containing the tombs of 13 emperors of the Ming dynasty that ruled China from 1368 - 1644. This picture was taken during a visit to the tombs in 1987.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

Pacific Canoe Sailing Home

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The coloring in this photo isn't the greatest, but I like the subject.

The picture was taken at Kunta Beach on the island of Bali. It was late in the afternoon and a storm was coming up. You can see the waves breaking over the reef in the background as a Pacific canoe hurries to its home.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

Niagara River at the Brink

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The picture above was taken on Goat Island, New York, and shows the Niagara River just before it goes over the Canadian (Horseshoe) Falls. The picture was taken when we visited Niagara Falls back in 2002.

Mirror Lake in Winter

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This picture was taken almost exactly a year ago. Mirror Lake is one of the lakes here in the Glade. This year it's frozen over and the fountain has been turned off. Last year the fountain was running since the lake had only a partial covering of thin ice.

Sweet Freedom Rose

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We had a little white on the ground this past week, although not nearly enough to make Betsy happy. But one bit of white that does make her happy is our Sweet Freedom Rose. We've had this rose for about four years and Betsy always smiles when it blooms.

Bali Rice Paddies

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I was able to spend several days on the island of Bali in Indonesia in 1987. One of the many memorable things we saw were these terraced rice paddies in the mountainous interior of the island.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

Autumn Color

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Thinking back to warmer days led me to this picture of the autumn color taken on the Cherohala Skyway here in Tennessee back in October.

Letchworth State Park, New York

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In 2002 Betsy and I went up to Niagara Falls and spent several days enjoying those falls. On the way back home we visited Letchworth State Park in New York. Letchworth contains three waterfalls. Although smaller than Niagara they are all beautiful. The picture above is of Upper Falls.

Black Mountain Sun

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There's a very nice hiking trail atop Black Mountain, which is only a few miles from our house. On a clear, crisp day last January Betsy and I went there to hike the loop. While at an overlook I unintentionally got this picture of the sun looking like the star it is.

Mister Lincoln Rose

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I need a reminder of warm weather -- this cold spell is beginning to get me down. Mister Lincoln is one of our favorite roses. Not only is it a beautiful red, it has a delightful fragrance.

Icicles on the Mountain

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When we were at Mount Nebo in Arkansas in March of last year we experienced an ice storm. We haven't had any precipitation this week here in the Glade, but our cold weather reminded me of these icicles that formed outside the window of our cabin in Arkansas.

Lost Creek Falls

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Lost Creek Falls is a pretty little waterfall located in a huge sinkhole near Sparta, Tennessee. There's usually not much water going over the falls, but it is a nice waterfall to visit after a fairly short hike.

Lake Sherwood in the Glade

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Although this picture was taken exactly a year ago, it gives a pretty good indication of our weather those far in this new year. Now that the holidays are over, I'm ready for Spring!