Blue Sky and Palm Trees

 

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For many years Betsy and I would go to Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The beach was much less crowded during that time, but the seafood was still delicious.  I got a picture of the palm trees against a blue sky outside our motel a few years ago.  I then used software to make the photo look more like a drawing. 

 

 

Antigua Sunset

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Betsy and I got married in June, but we took a belated honeymoon cruise to the southern Caribbean in September of that year.  We very much enjoyed viewing the sunrises and sunsets from the ship as it moved between the islands on our ports of call.  I got this picture of the sunset off Antigua on September 12, 2001.

Victoria Harbor -- Hong Kong

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I got this picture on a late afternoon as I crossed Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor on a Star Ferry.

 

 

 

Full Moon in the Glade

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Several years ago I took a picture of the full moon rsising here in Fairfield Glade.  I decided to do some experimenting with the image and used software to make it appear more like a paInting.  This is what I came up with.

 

 

 

 

 

Gaither Mountain Simrise

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Several years ago, on a trip to Arkansas, Betsy and I got up early one morning to catch the sunrise over Gaither Mountain.  It was definitely worth getting up early to see, and that is where I got this image of the rising sun.  I used software to make the image look more like a painting, and this is the result. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twilight Time in Hong Kong

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In June of 1990 we stopped in Hong Kong on our way to Tianjin, China, where I would be teaching English to Chinese students.  One evening while we were in Hong Kong, we crossed the harbor on a Star Ferry at dusk.  That’s when I got this image of the Hong Kong waterfront against the glow of the sky.

 

Fort Smith National Historic Site

 

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On our first trip west in 2011, Betsy and I visited the Fort Smith National Historic Site in Fort Smth, Arkansas.  The old military base which makes up the historic site was involved in the Trail of Tears (the removal of native American tribes to Oklahoma), the Civil War,  and the taming of the West.  The federal court at Fort Smith had jurisdiction over the Indian Territory for many years.

I got this picture while walking past the parade ground at Fort Smith.

 

 

Blue Sky and Icy Brances

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We haven’t gotten a lot of snow here in the Glade for the past few years, so I haven’t gotten many snowy inter wonderland pictures.  But we do ave beauty during the winter months.  A few years ago we had an ice storm that left the tree branches coated in ice.  Those icy branches against a beautiful blue sky made a wonderful winter picture.

A Smokies Water Color

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We live in a beautiful part of the country, and we often visit the Smokey Mountains.  I’ve taken many pictures of the mountains  and sky, and I usually save them as photo.  But I occasionally experiment with different “looks.”  I used software to make one of my photos look more like a water color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Sky

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Several years ago, Betsy and I traveled from Yellowstone to Mt. Rushmore.  Along the way we got to enjoy some of the scenery in Montana.  I can see why they call it 'Big Sky Country'.

 

Signs of Autumn on the Plateau

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It’s beginning to feel — and look — like Autumn up here on the Plateau.  The temperatures are cooler during the days and especially at night.  Hopefully as we move more into October we will see more color on the mountain sides.  This picture was taken in early October several years ago on Black Mountain, which is near our home.

Dawn's Early Light

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My Beautiful Bride and I ave learned over the years at the beach that each sunrise has its own unique beauty.  This image was captured at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, in December 2019.

Evening Beauty

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Although its been a couple of years since we’ve been to Mt. Nebo State Park in Arkansas, this photo gives you a pretty good idea why this ranks as one of our favorite places to visit.  The photo was taken behind ‘our’ cabin in the park as the sun was setting.  It’s a breath-taking sight.

Glory!

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The past few weeks have been a new, and in some cases frightening, experience for most of us.  I hope all of you are staying safe and staying at home as much as possible.  These are anxious times, but they will pass.

In the midst of troubles I feel it helps to remember that there is much goodness and much beauty in the world around us.  The picture above, taken as Betsy and I enjoyed a spectacular sunset at Mount Nebo in Arkansas. shows there is indeed light and beauty in our world.

Sullivans Island, South Carolina

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Betsy and I visited Fort Moultrie in Charleston, South Carolina, on a cold and windy December morning last year.  While touring the fort, I got this picture looking over part of the fort and the town, Sullivans Island, outside the fort walls.  I really like the way the sky looks in this photo.

A Beautiful November Sky

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In early November My Beautiful Bride and I took a hike along Daddys Creek here in the Glade with Betsy’s son Mark and Robin.  It was in the afternoon when we started our hike, and I got this picture of the moon in a beautiful blue sky at the trailhead on the bluff above the creek.

Early Morning at Ocean Isle Beach

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One of the reasons My Beautiful Bride and I keep going back to Ocean Isle Beach in December is that we can enjoy beautiful views of the sunrise (and ocean) from our room at the Islander Inn. 

Thorofare Gap

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When My Beautiful Bride and I are on Skyline Drive (or the Blue Ridge Parkway) we never make quick progress since we stop at most of the overlooks we pass.  But the views of the mountains and the sky always seem to beg for some attention.  This picture was taken this past August at the Thorofare Gap Overlook on Skyline Drive in Virginia

Morning in the Glade

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Betsy and I are constantly amazed at what a beautiful place we live.  In June the beauty shows up early in the morning, as this picture from the golf course behind our house shows.  What a way to start the day!!

The Colors of Spring

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A beautiful Spring day brings out all the glorious colors of the season.  I don’t think I could find a scene that shouts “Spring Is Here!” any more than this photo does of the view we enjoyed as we walked to the Azalea Garden on the Biltmore Estate.