In just 24 hours, I experienced sun, rain, sleet and snow … and the plants and trees were made prettier because of it.
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!
Roanoke
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.
What Was It About This?
The bright sun shining through and creating lovely shadows?
That same bright light revealing the very dirty window?
The tiny reflection of the flower in the glass?
The simple things in life: flowers, cards, candles, beer, plants?
Not sure … but it caught my eye so thanks for looking!
Mid Winter Sanity Check: GOA Time!!
I found these pictures as I was looking through the archives from past GOA Gatherings. I was updating my FB page to reflect the joy I feel as I prepare to hit the road to meet up with some of my most favorite women! These gatherings are restorative to my soul, are a time of laughter, talk, and love (and the addition of a few pounds after enjoying amazing food and drink). I had just gotten my new camera and I was playing around with macro. Clearly I had then, and I still have, much to learn!
The GOAs are the Girls of August, and they are the women I attended the Medical College of Virginia with 20 years ago. We meet every August for a long weekend and we also meet for a Mid Winter Sanity Check in February.
Today I leave for the Sanity Check and I can not wait. These women have been a part of my life for such a long time and they mean the world to me. And who doesn’t need a little reminder of summer in the middle of February?
It’s GOA Time!
The Trees Wanted the Attention
The sky was amazingly beautiful, but what struck me was the silhouette of the trees. Still, my plan was to capture the outline of the mountains on the horizon. The trees though, were demanding the attention. And as I stood there on the side of the road, the colors kept changing as the sun sank lower, until finally the fence line was what remained.
BaconFest ’13
BaconFest ’13, if at all possible, was even more fun than BaconFest ’12!
The first night that we “got our bacon on” was one year ago and occurred after many a discussion about how much we loved eating the belly of the pig. And how do I know that bacon comes from the belly of the pig? Because in addition to EATING bacon we take a Bacon Quiz (complete with prizes for the winners and the losers), and one of the questions was “what part of the pig does American Bacon come from?”
In the year since then, various friends have brought a variety of bacon related food items and they were on display for all to see.
Last year, everyone seemed to bring dishes which featured bacon as an “in your face” ingredient. We had BLTs, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Brownies with Bacon, and Bacon Explosion (http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/recipes/bacon-explosion/).
We started the evening with an amuse bouche of Deviled Eggs with Bacon and a shot of Bakon Vodka.
While the Deviled Eggs with Bacon served as the opening act again this year, the rest of the dishes presented bacon in a bit more of a subtle (and incredibly tasty) way.
We had Bacon Cheeseburger Dip
Bacon Tomato Pizza
Bacon & Brussell Spout Hash
Bacon Crackers
Cheddar Cauliflower Fritters
Kale, Apple, Onion & Bacon Melange
Bacon Wrapped New Potatoes with Sour Cream Hot Sauce
Somehow I did not get pictures of the:
Warm and Creamy Bacon Dip (omg – YUM!),
Bacon Wrapped Artichoke Hearts (out of this world good!),
Beer Cheese Soup with Bacon (delish!), and
the most amazing Maple Bacon Ice Cream!
It was truly a feast for a Bacon Lover and I can’t wait for BaconFest ’14!
(and hopefully I’ll have learned to photograph food by then)
Reward for Looking Up
I was the last one out of my office last evening, and I was a bit tired at the end of a long day. It would have been tempting to trudge along, looking at the ground as I walked, just aiming for the truck and heading for home. But I always try to look up and around as I make my way along, and this was my reward for doing so.
After The Fall
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!
I’m always saddened when a big beautiful tree goes down.
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.
Farmhouses and Barns in Fifteen Degree Weather
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.
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.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 