Tag Archives: Photography

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The Cruise Experience

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Almost six weeks ago I went on a cruise, a mode of travel that I never anticipated experiencing.

According to Cruise Ship Industry Statistics, over 20 million people cruise per year so clearly, it is a popular way to vacation.  Frankly though, I had my misgivings.

Even though I’d be off of work and with close friends for a week, I kept saying “I’m just not sure that I’m a cruise kinda gal”.  Even after having a super fun time, I’m still not sure if I’d do it again.

Not because I didn’t enjoy myself, but because there are so many things to do in this big, wide world and in that I have only 3 weeks vacation per year (thanks to unplanned and planned job changes), I just need to use the time I have to experience new things.

Having said all of that, I had an incredible time with dear friends, spent alot of time with my camera in hand, had a blast on a zipline (wow!), and enjoyed lots of good food and drink.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some images from the cruise.  You’ll see food and drink (mostly drink – ha!), flowers and birds, doors and architecture, scenes from the ship, and assorted miscellany.

Thanks for still coming to visit despite my protracted absences.  I’ve started a new organization and am working to encourage women to run for office or to support those who have decided to run.  I’ve also just finished working on our community’s annual Ride of Silence, and am looking forward to helping with the annual Memorial Day Service.

Next Post:  Cruising – Birds and Flowers

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Riding Central Virginia

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A group of my biker buds rode off to the Outer Banks yesterday headed toward Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Bike Week. Work commitments and a recent vacation meant that a week away was impossible, but I was able to join them for part of the trip.  We rode together for 3 or 4 hours, and then I turned around to head back home, riding on different roads.  Dave plotted the route for me (he knows every road, I swear!) and I was in heaven.

It was one of those ideal riding days.  The perfect temperature, a nice breeze, just the right amount of clouds, and of course, gorgeous central Virgina roads.  I rode curves up and over the Blue Ridge Mountains, straightaways alongside fields of green and yellow, and through wooded areas which provided a canopy of trees over the road.  Another plus: virtually no traffic.

I didn’t do a whole lot of stopping, but I couldn’t pass this structure without taking a few pictures.   I did the best that I could with my cellphone because somehow I walked out of the house at 7:45am without my camera! WTH?!

I did make one other stop at Devils Backbone brewery, a favorite place to visit when we ride in this part of the state.

One quick beer and it was time to head home to do some chores.

What a day! 330 Miles of happy!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I enjoyed visiting a bunch of you yesterday and hope to see more of your blog posts this coming week.  I also look forward to sharing some photos from my trip to the Caribbean.

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How Many Bloggers Can You Fit In a Phone Booth?

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Hello Everyone! I’ve been on the road (or working or volunteering) so much that I’ve not had a moment to tell you about the incredibly brief but amazingly wonderful visit to DC where I was able to see Alys, Boomdee, Lisa, and Julia.
Today I am visiting all of you and I plan to post soon. For now, enjoy this great post from Alys!

Born To Organize's avatarGardening Nirvana

That’s a trick question. Phone booths are largely a thing of the past.  Wouldn’t it be fun to try though?

Instead I did the next best thing. I packed my bags for Washington, D.C., Virginia and New York and met with bloggers everywhere I went.

After an extraordinary 48 hours in Atlanta visiting The Carter Center and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, I flew to Washington, D.C.

Another airport, another flight delay. No matter. I sustained myself with chocolate and a large bottle of water along with the knowledge that Laurie would be waiting at the airport.

Laurie behind the camera

Laurie is a women’s health practitioner, a biker, an extraordinary photographer and an all around wonderful person. She’s quick with a laugh, sharp and funny. I admire her involvement in her community of Radford, Virginia and all she does to improve the lives of others. If you’re not already…

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Mailboxes and Fences

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When on the way home from an early Saturday morning meeting, I could not help myself.  I had to pull over.

Just a few minutes drive from my home, this Southwest Virginia view is enhanced by old mailboxes and fencelines.

I’m slowly, ever so slowly catching up.  Be back soon!

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Practice on the Potomac

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Crew Practice

I’m still on the road.  This is another scheduled post featuring images from 36 hours in DC.

Take care, my friends.  Catch up with you soon!

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Along the Road

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Along the way to the airport to pick up Alys.

Shenandoah Valley

I’m still on the road.  This is another scheduled post featuring images from 36 hours in DC.

Take care, my friends.  Catch up with you soon!

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Evening in DC

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The visit was all too brief, but our hearts were glowing after a fabulous day in DC, and we sure had fun taking this Blogger selfie!

Alys, me, Julia, Matt, and Boomdee

Oh the joy that blogging offers.

I’ll be on the road for a bit, so I’ve pre-scheduled some images from 36 hours in DC.

Take care, my friends.  Catch up with you soon!

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Anticipation!

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I’m anxiously awaiting this coming weekend.

On Friday evening I’ll pick up Alys at Dulles International Airport, and we’ll head into DC to meet up with Boomdee.

The next day, we’ll get to spend time with Julia and Lisa, and maybe even Stacy.  What fun this will be!  It’ll be a quick 36 hours for me, but well worth the drive.

This past weekend though, I was in Roanoke to photograph a political event.  When that task was completed, I was able to spend a few moments outside enjoying the grounds of the Hotel Roanoke.  First built in 1882, renovated in the 1930s, and finally restored,  remodeled, and re-opened in 1995, the Hotel Roanoke is now a gorgeous and historic destination for both vacation and business.

The Market Square Pedestrian Walkway allows guests to walk from the hotel, over the train tracks, and down to the many shops and restaurants in the downtown market square.

I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to visit any of you this past weekend.  I’ll look forward to catching up when I get back home.

And I can’t wait to share photos of the Old Town Alexandria blogger gathering!

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300 Miles for a Beer

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The text came in on Friday: Meet Saturday morning, 10:30am for the first long ride of the season.

Well, it would be the first long ride for me, anyway.  Lots of travel, civic events, and weather have kept me off the bike for other than short trips, and I was determined to devote at least one day of the weekend to riding.

It was a beautiful day for the bike, and our destination was Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company in Lexington, Va.  We rode through multiple counties and across several mountain passes.  Lots of curves and twisties which made for fun riding.  We didn’t stop for photo opportunities along the way, so I’m sharing this photo from a similar ride in 2011.

I was able to pull out the camera at the brewery, though.

I crawled underneath the tower to capture this one.

And a friend took these as I climbed part way up the tower.  I was nervous about going further, not because of the height but because I didn’t want to get fussed at.

Devil’s Backbone Brewery has 2 locations and the one in Lexington is called the Outpost. According to the website, the Outpost “houses our custom built brewery featuring a 120bbl Rolec Brewing system, SBC bottling and canning lines and Tap Room” (I have no idea what those brewery terms mean).  “You can belly up to the bar in the Tap Room for a pint or sampler flight seven days a week”

“or bring some of your favorite local food and have a picnic in our bier garden out back”.

It was a great day on the bike AND I got to wear my new Women’s March hoodie.  Yep! I’m a feminist bike chick and proud of it.

300 miles later, I was home in time to watch my Gonzaga Bulldogs win their Elite Eight match up with West Virginia, which sent them to their first Final Four in school history!

The riding season has officially begun.

It’s also March Madness and this basketball loving biker is happy.

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Williamsburg Gate Weight

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A few weeks ago, I posted an image of a water well seen during a midday stroll through the historic district in Williamsburg, VA.  That same property was bordered by this algae covered fence.  While I thought the green color really added to the look of the white fence, I’m not sure that the caretakers of the historic property agree.

I was also drawn to this gate weight which allows the garden gate to swing gently closed by gravity.

I wasn’t able to find much history about these 18th century gate weights.

Can any of you gardeners or historians offer any information?