During much of the storm, I was inside working on Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education Units. I’d dash out to take a photo, and come right back in to work. Very early on Saturday morning (2:30am), I was outside shooting and was intrigued by the sight of this chair.
You just never know what will catch the eye of a photographer.
To see other images from the Blizzard of 2016, please visit #Jonas, Snowbound Bike Chick, or The Lull.
On Friday, there was a lull in the storm; a few hours when the snow stopped falling. I was dismayed!
Yes! I love the adventure that comes with snow. There is excitement in the air. A change of pace.
As David Dudley of The New York Times said, snow “briefly hides everything – the plastic grocery bags and mini-marts and dog poop and salt grimed Toyotas and sundry disorder of modernity. Watching the quotidian American crudscape transform into a fairy-tale kingdom is a legitimate wonder. Name another disaster that leaves an afflicted region more attractive in it’s wake”. It’s a great opinion piece; you should read it!
To see a couple more images from the Blizzard of 2016, please visit #Jonas or Snowbound Bike Chick.
If you found time to visit yesterday, you know that I am posting an image a day this week, all of which showcase the beauty that was the Blizzard of 2016. Visit #Jonas to see yesterday’s image. I’d love to see your winter photos as well, so please feel free to leave a link to your snow images.
I am not immune to the fact that those without power / heat, and others stranded on highways, spent time suffering. Most of us though, had an opportunity for time with family, books and games, exercise (ie shoveling), cooking, and were mostly just inconvenienced.
I spent much of yesterday shoveling a foot of snow from my driveway, and if you know me at all, you know that I’m not complaining. You also know that I am a huge lover of snow, winter photography, and adventure.
So this week, in a change of pace for me, I’m going to post one image a day. The week ahead is pretty full, but right now I’m watching Peyton Manning and the Broncos take down the Patriots, and I have time to schedule some posts.
Thanks for checking out the photos this week. If you were in the path of Jonas, the Blizzard of 2016, I am hoping that you were nothing more than inconvenienced and that you are warm and safe.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing your beautiful snow images. Since I’ll be out shoveling the snow, and glorying in the post storm beauty, please, please share a link in the comment section. I don’t want to miss an image!
** Note! I scheduled this post a week ago, and completely forgot. After a week of hype and build up, I happily woke up to snow! Photos later 🙂 **
It was such a pleasure to have a little time at home, to get the house in order, to take care of some business details, and to visit with a few friends. As the day progressed, I couldn’t help but be distracted by the light.
Morning
Midday
Late Afternoon
and Evening
Thanks for your patience as I share the results of playing with the light.
My heart is happy
The day dawned bright with sunshine and 40 degree F temps, and soon the text came in to ride. I worked quickly to get the groceries purchased, the Sweet Potatoes baked, and the Chicken Noodle Soup made and finally, it was time to pile on the clothing for a cold winter ride.
It should go without saying that I brought the camera, so not only did I get to ride, I got to shoot! Happy, happy me!
We stopped for lunch at Beamer’s 25, a local restaurant in Roanoke, and since it had warmed up a bit, we were able to sit outside.
We weren’t the only ones sitting outside, even though you’d never know it by these images.
The Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale was the perfect photo subject … and tasted good, too!
Don’t you love the reflections in this one? and yes, that is a photo of Coach Beamer on the wall.
My buddy, Dave, was willing to sit for a portrait, and I learned that he used to have his own light room. We’ve ridden together for years, and I had no idea!
What a great way to start off the year … 90 miles on the bike, with the camera, and a good friend. A short ride but oh so sweet!
Hope the year has started off just as well for you!
When you left us last, Jan and I were enjoying a bottle of champagne and yummy chocolate covered strawberries delivered to our room by the incredibly attentive and caring staff of Keswick Hall. Restored and refreshed after our snowy ride to the resort, we set out to explore.
When I made the reservations, I did not realize that the Hall was originally a private residence. “The seventeen-room Villa Crawford, the north wing of Keswick Hall, with it’s original fireplaces, ornate ceiling molding, and grand staircase, was built in 1912”.
“Designed to resemble an Italian villa, the 8000 sq ft, two-story, stucco clad, slate roofed home originally cost $100,000”.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner in Fossett’s Restaurant,
and then wandered down to Treble, the wine cellar named after Thomas Jefferson’s use of the word:
“I have lived temperately….I double the doctor’s recommendation of a glass and a half of wine each day and even treble it with a friend.” – Thomas Jefferson
“The cellar features a glass entrance door framed with handmade wrought-iron gates and lanterns reminiscent of old-world European wine cellars that were kept– like prison cells or bank vaults– under lock and key. Two adjoining rooms offer both informal and more formal dining. You’re also surrounded by 600-700 labels, at least 5,000 bottles in all” (http://www.readthehook.com/89940/stellar-cellar-treble-it-over-keswick)
Treble is a wine lovers paradise,
and a photographers challenge.
Our nightcap in the Villa Crawford Bar, the original family dining room, was happily interrupted by the engagement announcement of one of the employees. We felt a part of the family and joined in on the celebration.
The staff of Keswick completely pampered us and their kindness and care added so much to the experience.
How’s this for a view while eating breakfast? Those of you who checked out Monochromia yesterday may recognize the two chairs off in the distance.
Here they are again from another angle.
The weekend was coming to an end and it was almost time to begin the journey home. In a couple days, I hope you’ll join me for one final post about Keswick.
The destination was Keswick Hall, a 100 year old resort just outside of Charlottesville, VA. The purpose was a long planned reunion with a dear friend from college. Jan has been a big part of my life through the years, and was instrumental in my recovery from the motorcycle accident.
The drive to get there? Near whiteout conditions (cell phone image)
I left early in the morning, hoping to beat the snow but instead spent almost 5 hours driving through it (the drive would normally take 2 1/2). It was certainly not the deepest or the worst, but driving through any snowstorm is challenging.
You know me though. I am nothing if not up for an adventure, and oh, how glad I am that we didn’t reschedule this 24 hour getaway to Keswick Hall.
“Built in 1912 as a gorgeous Italianate-style estate, the property was converted to a country club in 1948, and restored in the early 1990s as part of the world-class hotel that now graces a most beautiful piece of Virginia countryside”.
Keswick, at least for us, is one of those once in a lifetime type places to visit.
An historic home, beautifully renovated, Keswick is a place where “guests feel as though they are visiting a grand country estate rather than a hotel”.
Our plan was to take a tour of 4 of the 30 wineries in the Charlottesville area, but once we arrived in safety, we decided to nestle in.
What an incredible place in which to ride out a snowstorm!
In the next post, I’ll share some indoor images of Keswick Hall.
Cheers to a fabulous reunion!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 