Nandina as Abstract
Category Archives: Art
One Morning in Roanoke
The Roanoke Valley is as rich in history as it is in natural beauty and has played a vital role in the growth of Virginia. The Wilderness Road migration route, traveled by pioneers in covered wagons on their way to settle the frontier, passed right through the region.
Roanoke is the 10th largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest municipality in Southwest Virginia. Formerly known as Big Lick, because of it’s numerous salt marshes (or licks), the city was renamed Roanoke in 1881.
Roanoke became a crossroads for the railroad, which eventually became the Norfolk and Western Railway. Its historic market, which also began in these early years, remains vibrant as one of the oldest in the country and still is an anchor of downtown commerce (http://www.visitroanokeva.com/visitors/history/roanoke-history/).
It was a lovely morning in Roanoke … perfect for a quick stroll around the downtown market area.
The variety of windows caught my eye
Historic Signs and Newer Signs
Old Buildings
And New
Inside the renovated market building
Outside on the market square
Downtown Roanoke has much more to see … restaurants and pubs, museums and historic hotels, renovated buildings and shops. Festivals too! You should come check it out!
Why this? The LIGHT, of course!
I love the unexpected find … I went out to shoot something else, but this simple porch decoration, bright in the late afternoon sun, caught my eye instead.
It Just Caught My Eye
I took a different route to work this morning and the site of this church in the morning sun just caught my eye. So, of course you know that I just HAD to stop, turn around and take some pictures.
And STILL managed to get to work on time!
The Umstead: Hotel as Art Gallery
While celebrating the 50th Birthday of two dear friends, I had the very good fortune to spend time at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary (near Raleigh) North Carolina. While not an overnight guest, I had the opportunity to enjoy the natural landscape, a delicious brunch and to realize the peace, serenity and absolute luxury that guests enjoy.
According to Our State: North Carolina Magazine, the Umstead was built on land that used to be part of the William B. Umstead State Park. “The hotel is a reflection of the surrounding serenity with a limestone exterior that rises up from naturally landscaped earth. Off the terrace, a shaded boardwalk invites visitors to linger around a pond fringed with blue flag iris and a grove of young cypress. Inside, sleek wood paneling, stone floors, and walls of windows pull nature indoors” (http://www.ourstate.com/brilliant-oasis-the-umstead/).
The Umstead also boasts an extensive art collection. I wandered the interior of the hotel, stopping time and time again to enjoy the paintings, sculptures and photographs, all a reflection of the natural world. I had not thought of writing about the experience from the perspective of art (hey – I was here for a party!), but I wish I’d taken more time with the camera. As I stopped to photograph some of the pieces, I thought about how I don’t know much about art but I do know what catches my eye.
The flower arrangements were stunning!
And even the presentation of the table and food were beautiful to see.
A stroll along the walking paths took us through the trees and alongside a pond. The hotel boasts it’s sustainability and I loved that over 50% of the food products for Herons, the in hotel restaurant, and over 30% of the food products for the entire property come from local North Carolina purveyors (http://www.theumstead.com/ourHotel/sustainability-en.html). We watched as one of the chefs selected herbs for the days meals.
What an absolute treat it was to spend a few hours at The Umstead. I kept joking with my friends that I understood why people wanted to be rich … I would have loved to spend a few days, rather than just a few hours, here.
Even the trees put on a show for us.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 