Friday, July 30, 2010

My Best Friend



(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.)

In May, 2009, we stopped at the Nantahala River on the way home from visiting friends. I took this picture of Betsy on a pedestrian bridge across the river at the Nantahala Outdoor Center

Thursday, July 29, 2010

A Tropical Paradise



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In 1987 I was able to spend a few days at a beach-front resort on the island of Bali. As a farm boy from Indiana I was mesmerized by the palm trees, the ocean, and the waves breaking over the reef. It was a few days in a tropical paradise.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Moon and Clouds



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I've enjoyed getting photographs of the moon over the past week or so. It was interesting to watch the changes in the moon as it approached becoming a full moon.

Friday night was very cloudy and overcast and I had just about decided that I wasn't going to get a picture. But just before getting ready for bed I noticed that the clouds had thinned enough to get this picture. The picture is 'moody', but I like it.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Azalea Blossoms



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One of the nice things about Spring on the Plateau of Tennessee is the profusion of azaleas that we can enjoy. These pretty blossoms are from our yard.

Monday, July 26, 2010

White-Water Rafting



(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.)

It's been so hot and humid for the past week or so that everyone is trying to find ways to cool off. This looks as if it might do the trick. I took this picture at the Nantahala River in North Carolina in May, 2009.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Upper Big Branch Falls





(This picture can be enlarged by clicking on it.)

Betsy and I have been to the area around Erwin, Tennessee, in northeastern Tennessee a couple of times to check out the waterfalls. Most of the waterfalls are small -- like Upper Big Branch Falls -- but they are pretty nonetheless.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Sun Gold Tulip



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I'll try just about anything to beat the hot, humid weather we've been 'enjoying' for the past few weeks. I captured this tulip, Sun Gold, earlier this year in one of our flower beds on a very pleasant morning.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Smoky Mountains



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One nice thing about living in East Tennessee is that it is still relatively easy to get away from 'civilization' and enjoy the beauties of Nature. The picture above was taken in a quiet part of the Smoky Mountains here in Tennessee.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

John F. Kennedy Rose



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John F. Kennedy is a new rose in our yard this year. It is the most fragrant white rose that we've had. Of course, those big blossoms are pretty nice, too.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Rhododendron



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One of the nice things about living in the mountains is the rhododendron that we find in many places. One nice thing about hiking to waterfalls in the Spring is that there are often blooming rhododendron in the same area. We're doubly fortunate because this beauty is in our own yard along the back deck.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Pansy



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Each autumn Betsy and I plant pansies in the three small flower beds in our front yard. They provide color from autumn through the winter and into spring. This year the pansies survived a hard winter but bounced back in March. This picture was taken in April and the pansies lasted through the heat and humidity of June, but have finally given up the ghost.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Evening in the Mountains



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Skies in the mountains are always fascinating. This picture of the mountain evening sky was taken near Otto, North Carolina.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Nantahalla Falls



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The white water near the center of this picture is known as Nantahala Falls. It's really a Class IV rapids, but is one of the most popular 'waterfalls' in North Carolina. It's the last and biggest rapid encountered by whitewater enthusiasts on the extremely popular Nantahala River.

I have pictures of rafters going over these 'falls', but I decided to post a picture of the empty river so you can see how pretty this stretch of river actually is.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Magnolia Blossom



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We saw this pretty Magnolia blossom (complete with insects) at Westover Parish church in Virginia during our anniversary trip in June, 2007.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Juneau Airport



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When I went to China for the first time, our group left Ohio the day before Father's Day in 1987. It was a hot, humid day as can only happen in the Midwest when August arrives ahead of schedule.

Our flight was supposed to be a direct one from Detroit to Hong Kong, but contrary headwinds forced a stop n Juneau, Alaska, for refueling. It was quite a change to see snow-covered mountains through the plane's windows.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Clarence Iris



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Our iris finished blooming a couple of months ago, but I had this picture of one of our favorites. Clarence is a reblooming iris, so hopefully we'll be seeing some more of these pretty blooms in another couple of months.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Trying to Stay Cool



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It's been unusually hot here on the Plateau for the past couple of weeks. I was hoping a winter picture of our house would make me feel cooler, but I'm not sure it's working.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

More Glade Fireworks



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I couldn't resist the temptation to post another picture from Fairfield Glade's Fourth of July fireworks display.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Fireworks on the Fourth



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Fairfield Glade had a fireworks display Sunday evening and I couldn't resist the temptation to experiment with my new camera. I got some pictures that I thought turned out pretty nice and I will probably share some more in the days ahead. I like the colors in this particular burst.

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Friday, July 2, 2010

The Gate of Heavenly Peace



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The Gate of Heavenly Peace is the entrance to the Forbidden City at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. This picture was shot in 1987.

The picture above was scanned from a slide.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Morning in the Glade



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Early morning -- before the golfers get out -- is a tranquil, peaceful time on the golf courses here in Fairfield Glade. This picture was taken on the 14th hole of the Druid Hills course.