One of the most photographed sites along the Blue Ridge Parkway is Mabry Mill, a 1910 watermill run by the National Park Service and located at milepost 176.2. In addition to the Mill, there is a short trail around the mill which connects historical exhibits about life in rural Virginia. This day though … the tree stole the show!
Colonial Williamsburg (CW) is a popular vacation and holiday destination, yet we are often in Williamburg, Virginia to visit my parents who retired there over 30 years ago. With the moniker of “the world’s largest living history museum”, CW comprises approximately 301 acres featuring “iconic sites, working tradespeople, historic taverns, and two world-class art museums”. Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area houses restored and historically preserved buildings, 88 of which are originals, including Bruton Parish Episcopal Church. The church was established in 1674 by the consolidation of two previous parishes in the Virginia Colony, and remains an active Episcopal parish.
While our primary purpose of visiting is to see and enjoy family, Christmas Day found us walking the streets of CW, a safe, outdoor activity in these days of Covid.
One of my favorite things to see are the wreaths that adorn the doors. Each year, Colonial Williamsburg holds a wreath making contest. Wreaths are judged on the types of natural materials used, the creativity and elements of the design, and the originality and faithfulness to the spirit of eighteenth-century decorative ideas. I didn’t have a chance to see all of the wreaths while there, but I did capture of a few of my favorites created with turtle shells, eggs, peacock feathers, oyster shells, pinecones, artichokes, pomegranates, and other natural items
Aren’t they just so creative and beautiful? As always, if you are ever in the Williamsburg area over the holiday season, be sure to plan to take a tour.
Yesterday I had the good fortune to attend a gathering with some of the board members of the National Women’s Political Caucus – Virginia (check us out!) at a super fun place called The Wool Factory, “a unique collaboration between chefs, brewers, winemakers, and coffee roasters aimed at creating a distinct food-and-beverage destination”.
As always when I travel and explore new places, I must know the history and the Wool Factory’s website provides it! Originally a water grist mill (1795), and later burned by the Union Army (1865), the Charlottesville Woolen Mills was established in 1868 and “became nationally known for their excellent production of fine military fabrics and uniforms, furnishing cloth for the majority of railroad workers and military schools”. The mill closed in 1962 and “the majority of the surviving mill buildings standing on the site today were built in 1920-1930s”.
What a cool, cool place this is! The beers are named after the original wool fabrics that were produced at the mill. Needing a light cold beer after a 100 mile motorcycle ride, I opted for the Poplin followed by the Flannel No. 2. These paired well with the Peruvian Chicken.
The excellent company of board members and friends kept me from exploring the site further, but I will be back with camera again in hand for further photo ops and the trying out of new beers (they also have cocktails!) and elevated bar food.
If you are near Charlottesville, Virginia be sure to plan a visit to this historic woolen mill.
Covid-19 Update: Since I picked back up on blogging, I’ve been sharing brief updates about our travels. Rest assured, we are taking precautions. Wearing masks, eating outdoors or take out (or in empty restaurants), and hand sanitizing. We are doing our part to keep ourselves and others safe!
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Wilderness Road State Park is just about the farthest western point in the state of Virginia. The park lies astride the Wilderness Road, a route carved by Daniel Boone in 1775. The route, which followed a buffalo trace, opened America’s first western frontier.
Overlooking the park are the White Rocks, a ridge of 500 foot sandstone cliffs overlooking Powell Valley. Follow this link to see an image of these gorgeous sandstone cliffs from the air.
The park is also home to a small herd of buffalo. It broke my heart a bit to see them behind an electric fence. I tried hard to capture an image that did not include the fence, but no such luck. These impressive animals seemed sad to me, so I have to confess that I was glad when one of them stomped a foot and showed anger when I got a bit too close.
The park also features a replica of Martin’s Station, a colonial frontier fort that was on this site in 1775.
State Parks are the perfect way to combine the beauty of nature and a love of history.
Covid-19 Update: Since I picked back up on blogging, I’ve been sharing brief updates about our travels. Rest assured, we are taking precautions. Wearing masks, eating outdoors or take out (or in empty restaurants), and hand sanitizing. We are doing our part to keep ourselves and others safe!
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Two weeks ago, Greg and I spent the weekend exploring some of Southwest Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and part of that time was spent in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.
“Where the borders of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia converge, a path to new worlds appears. Early native Americans traveled through it along a game trail, before English-speaking settlers, including Daniel Boone, came through in the 1700s to carve out what became known as Wilderness Road. According to many accounts, between 200,000 and 300,000 settlers came through the Gap into Kentucky and beyond from 1775 to 1810” – https://www.nationalparks.org
I was standing in Virginia when I took the next photo and looked upon Kentucky.
In this last photo we celebrated Life and Election Results ❤
Weekends during the month of June were packed with travel, and my shutter finger worked overtime!
I’m still glowing over my time in Atlanta with my son, exploring public art and architecture, cocktails and cuisine, and green spaces. Then last weekend I was able to spend the weekend in Greensboro, NC to photograph a wedding. Some of you have visited Karen’s blog about hiking, and she most recently posted about her daughter’s wedding.
I am not a professional photographer, and definitely not a wedding photographer, so I was a bit nervous (to say the least). I’ve known the bride since she was a young teen, and despite my nerves, it was an honor to try to capture the joy of this fun loving couple.
The time I had to photograph downtown Greensboro was limited, but I wanted to share a bit of it with you. Some of these images were taken with my camera, and several with my cell phone.
The city is a wonderful mix of old and new architecture,
with a proud and tragic history.
During my morning walk, I learned that Martin Luther King was scheduled to speak in Greensboro on April 4th, 1968. He cancelled his visit to stay in Memphis one more night where he was assasinated that same day. If only …
Within a few minutes walk from Elm Street, the main drag in downtown Greensboro, is the Isley House. Built by German immigrants, circa 1845, the log house was moved from its original location when the historical museum took it apart and reassembled it here.
My morning walk took me past public art,
and along the train tracks.
Finally, just a few random images.
Believe me, a cold beer tasted great after hours spent with the camera.
Thankfully, my friend Tim was there to help me!
I’m home for a couple weekends but the next trip in two weeks will be on the motorcycle!
After enjoying the water and wildlife of Lido Beach, we toured historic Spanish Point.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Spanish Point is an “old Florida oasis”. Many people think of Florida as Disney, Orlando, and beach front condominiums, but a walk through Spanish Point reveals what Florida was like before it became a tourist/ retirement destination.
There are four main elements to the overall story of Spanish Point: Prehistory, Pioneer, Palmer and Plants, and we enjoyed a walking tour through all of those elements. An archaeological record exists on the site from approximately 5,000 years of Florida prehistory.
I loved learning about Bertha Honore Palmer. “The Chicago socialite and widow of Potter Palmer came to Sarasota to establish a winter estate. She purchased thousands of acres for cattle ranching, citrus groves, and real estate development. She named her 350-acre estate “Osprey Point” and preserved the pioneer buildings and connected them with lavish formal gardens and lawns.
She also had vision, and she used her influence to elevate the status of women. She was quoted as saying that “women have no desire to be helpless and dependent. Having full use of their faculties, they rejoice in using them”.
photo credit HistoricSpanishPoint.org
Bertha Honoree Palmer also said “Freedom and justice for all are infinitely more to be desired than a pedestal for a few”. What a progressive woman!
The Guptill house, built in 1901 and originally rented to winter boarders, is now furnished to reflect the Florida pioneer era.
Mary’s Chapel was built in 1901 in memory of a young woman who died while staying at the winter resort. Mary’s parents provided the funding for the Chapel, and it’s six stained glass windows.
Those six stained glass windows were salvaged when the Chapel was reconstructed in 1986.
This Gumbo Limbo tree is known as the “tourist tree” because the bark is red and peeling like a sunburn.
Visitors to Spanish Point can “explore 30 historical, environmental, and archaeological acres at this irreplaceable outdoor museum on Little Sarasota Bay in Osprey, Florida”. I urge you to visit if you are in the Sarasota area.
After all the walking and exploring, it was time for a cold beer, and where better to have one than in a Tiki Hut.
Mother Nature and the local birding wildlife offered a beautiful end of the day show!
Nest Post: Siesta Beach and the Museum of Art & Whimsy
During that same morning walk last Sunday, where I saw a few signs of spring, I also saw signs of history.
Signs that cause a distinct sense of sadness and pain,
others that show the effect of time and weather,
and some that showcase pride.
I’ve passed by these markers hundreds, if not thousands of times, mostly on the bike or in the truck.
Walking though, offers time for reflection and commemoration.
Many of you agreed that a B&W format is perfect for presenting the images of a steam engine and for inspiring the feelings of nostalgia, mystery, and adventure.
Even still, the train that visited Radford last weekend also sported pops of color.
On the wheels, and other unknown and therefore unnamed parts underneath the train,
on the doors and the windows,
on the bell and lettering,
… and by the crew members working the train that day.
Despite the impression you might get from this gentleman’s face, the crew seemed to be having a blast, waving and smiling at the crowd as they worked.
What a great day it was!
I’ll leave you with one final shot of our clock, set against the backdrop of historic building art, and we’ll anxiously await the return of the train in 2015.
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 