Category Archives: Southwest Virginia

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The Shot Tower

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After traveling toward home from Raleigh NC in 3 hours of driving rain, I was glad to see the clouds finally part.   In the distance, visible from the interstate was Shot Tower Historical State Park, located in Wythe County, Virginia.  Even though I’d driven by it many times, I’d never visited and decided it was time.

Overlooking the New River, The Shot Tower was built more than 150 years ago to make ammunition for the firearms of the early settlers.  http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/shottowr.shtml

Doesn’t it figure that the park was closed for roof repairs!

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Disappointment was brief however because right there at the intersection of Shot Tower Rd and Pauley-Flatwood Road, were several old farm buildings that begged attention from my camera.

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Though the rain had stopped, the mists over the mountains created a beautiful backdrop.

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Annual Mammogram: Reward for Getting it Done!

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Last Friday, I had to be out of the house earlier than normal in order to get my annual mammogram.  Because of that appointment, I also traveled a slightly different route than is typical.  This pastoral scene was my lovely reward.

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Ah! There are more benefits than you know to getting a mammogram!

Have you had yours this year?

Truly! They’re lifesavers!

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Signs of Spring … in the NRV

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I’m not much of a gardener.  The colors in my yard are there by luck and happenstance (okay maybe a teeny bit of work by me).   Thankfully others, including Mother Nature, have placed color in my yard, along my drive to work, outside my office and in the farms nearby.

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Well … wine is colorful too, right?

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The New River

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Not the best photo, but those cows were watching every move I made

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Too bad about those power lines in these next two

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Guess I should learn more about photo editing

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It’s almost time for the first bike trip!!

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The Farm, At a Distance

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This is the second of three posts that includes photographs that I took at a local farm.  The first photos were close up shots of various parts of  the red barn that sits on that property.  These shots reveal the wonderful uniqueness of  2 outbuildings that are part of the farm.  I loved the shadows that danced all over them that day.

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Aged And Useful

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As I noted in the previous post, I captured a few different pictures yesterday.  Back at home and in the process of editing, I realized that these four photos had a similar theme and needed to be posted separately.

 Older structures but still very much in use!

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One Morning in Roanoke

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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/).

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It was a lovely morning in Roanoke … perfect for a quick stroll around the downtown market area.

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The variety of windows caught my eye

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Historic Signs and Newer Signs

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Old Buildings

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And New

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Inside the renovated market building

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Outside on the market square

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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!

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Unknown's avatar

Roanoke

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While traveling to visit the GOAs in Richmond (see Feb 15th post), I had the chance to stop in Roanoke to meet my friend Ralph for lunch.  It was a bright, sunny day and since I had some extra time, I was able to take some really fun shots of the downtown area.

I’ll be sharing more pictures later … this one is just to introduce you to this Southwest Virginia city, population just under 100,000 people.

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After The Fall

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Extensive rain and a very heavy snowfall (followed by near record breaking flooding) damaged or destroyed many trees.  I came to this site to photograph a friend as he worked to clear away this downed tree.  The homeowner sure was lucky that the damage wasn’t more extensive!

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I’m always saddened when a big beautiful tree goes down.

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As I wandered around, taking pictures before, during and after the tree work, I was struck by the colors of the newly revealed wood beneath the bark.

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Farmhouses and Barns in Fifteen Degree Weather

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Despite the 15 degree weather, the day dawned beautifully and I spent a couple hours outside shooting the local scenery.  One thing I learned?  I need to get gloves that protect my fingers in sub freezing temperatures!

This old farmhouse sits right along side the road and I pass it on the way home each evening.  I loved the shadows on the side of the house.

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I pass this farm on the way to work each morning and in order to take pictures, I have to get on the highway and pull over just off the exit ramp.  As usual, I wonder what the folks driving by think as I climb over the guard rail and wander around in the weeds.

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The Remains of the Tree

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No doubt this snowfall was beautiful, and 3 days later the snow is still on the ground because of the cold temperatures – a bit unusual for SWVA.  It was a wet dense snow and it definitely took it’s toll.  Both trees and power lines came down, leaving many without power.

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One medium sized pine fell across my driveway and the wood is now stacked up and ready for use. Something about the sun on the wood that next morning caught my eye …

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