Tag Archives: Photography

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Frank Beamer and The Hokies!

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Some of you will read the title and think “What’s a Hokie?“, while others of you will be familiar with the nickname of my favorite college football team, Virginia Tech.

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Frank Beamer has been the Head Football Coach at Virginia Tech for the past 29 years and you would be hard pressed to find a more beloved coach.  Not because of the number of seasons he has coached (29), the number of wins (279 career wins, 237 at VT), and the 23 consecutive bowl appearances. Rather it is because of his character, integrity, and humility.  He has been an educator, a source of strength and comfort after the April 16th mass shooting, and a father figure and mentor to the young men that he has coached.  Coach Beamer is retiring this year at the age of 69, and the celebrations, accolades, and love have been pouring in.

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Coach Beamer’s last home game was a couple weeks ago and thousands of people gathered before the game to greet him as he took his final walk to the stadium.  The following photos were my effort, despite the shade, to document an incredible day

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Coach Beamer arrived amidst a sea of people (check out the paint on the face of the fan next to him).

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While others think the school colors are a strange combination, VT fans believe they are reminiscent of fall.

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We’ve not had the best record this year, and we were not expected to win the game.  Even still, a sellout crowd, hundreds of former players who returned to celebrate their beloved coach, and tribute videos on the Jumbotron marked the day.  We laughed, we cried, we cheered, we sang.  It was an incredibly emotional day.

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Despite going into overtime, the Hokies did not win.  This day, though, was all about Frank.  From the second the game ended, all eyes turned to Coach Beamer.  Surrounded by photographers, he spoke to the fans.

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The team lifted him on their shoulders and carried him from the field while we watched, and cried, and cheered some more.

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(yes, I need more zoom)

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It took a long time for me and the rest of the fans to exit the stands.  I just didn’t want to leave.  Once I did leave, though, I wandered around soaking up the sights and sounds.

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The road in front of Lane Stadium has been named after Coach Beamer.

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Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va

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As I walked back to my truck, I saw one last opportunity for a shot.  Coach Beamer played football at Virginia Tech long before he became the Head Coach, and in 2002 his number was retired.

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If you are still with me here at the end of this long post, know that I am grateful.  Frank Beamer means so much to the Hokie Nation.

He’s just a good, good man.

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Warmth

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Tomorrow in the US, we celebrate all that is good about family, friends, food, (and football).  We also celebrate the non-monetary gifts of sharing our time, our good fortune, and our love.

Wishing you warmth and many Thanksgiving blessings!

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The Snake Part 2

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If you found time to visit my last post about being back on the bike, you will know that my friend Dave and I tackled The Snake, a 33 mile ride with 489 curves.  It was a blast, and it ended up being a 285 mile day!

In addition to getting some much needed wind in the face therapy, I was also able to enjoy some photography time.  We rode over  South Holston Lake via the American Legion Memorial Bridge and found a place to park and shoot.

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These scenes also caught my eye

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If you like to ride, be sure to visit my previous post.  In the meantime, know that it’s been so, so great to visit your blogs this week!

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Back on the Bike: The Snake Part 1

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I’m back!

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Election Day has come and gone, and I did not win the day.  I challenged an incumbent, in an off / off year (one without a Presidential, Gubernatorial, or Senatorial race) when less than 30% of registered voters cast a ballot.  Even still, I garnered 42% of the vote. While I of course wish I had won the day, for healthcare, for women, for equality, and for the working poor, I am very proud of the campaign, and my team.  I consider this good, and a huge accomplishment.

The other good news?  I finally have time to ride and to shoot!!  Happy,  happy me!

On the morning after Election Day, my good friend, Dave, sent a text with the following message “sorry you didn’t win the election, however you need some riding time to put it all behind you”.  Within 24 hours, we were headed to Shady Valley, Tennessee to ride The Snake.

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 Without a GoPro, it is hard to capture images of those 489 curves on US Rt 421 as there is rarely a place to pull over.  The signage in the image below, however, offers an idea of the fun to be had on this ride.

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While I have to confess to feeling a bit stiff at first, I was thrilled to be back on the bike and getting some big time wind therapy!  It turned out to be a 285 mile day and I could not have been happier.  I came home with many images to process and that made the day even better.

Peak leaf time had come and gone but we still saw a bit of color,

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even more so, when we stopped at Holston Lake.

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The reflections on the lake kept me shooting.  Gorgeous, right?

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It was the perfect antidote to an election day loss,

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and ended with a delicious BBQ plate at Farmers Barbecue & Grill in Mountain City, Tn.  Yum!

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I’ll share a few more photos from this Tennessee ride soon!  Thanks for being here today.  I’ve missed you!

 

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Suffrage

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Election day in the US is just 2 days away and I thought I’d share a photo of a gift I received after entering the race for the Virginia House of Delegates.

Like many of you, LMA from Suffragette Kitty has become a WordPress friend and supporter of my campaign.  She is a passionate feminist and supporter of the Women’s Movement, and I love her writing.  Early in the campaign, LMA sent me this collection of items from Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott.

“In the days before the 19th Amendment, a wealthy Newport socialite ordered a tea set emblazoned with the phrase “Votes for Women” to make a point to the influential guests who often dined with her. The Alcotts were ardent supporters of the women’s suffrage movement, and today we offer replicas of this tea set and other items bearing the “Votes for Women” motto” (from the Museum Store catalog).

And one more thing:  Thank you for your friendship and support, emotionally and financially, during this campaign.  I cannot thank you enough and I look forward to visiting with you soon!

❤ Laurie

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Contentment Through Photography

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The contentment that comes with this post is two fold:

remembering the bike trip through the Smoky Mountains 2 years ago that allowed me to spend two days with nature and my camera (even if the trip did result in the bike wreck)

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knowing that soon, in 12 days, I’ll be spending a lot more time shooting!  And with visiting all of you!

Happy Fall, Ya’ll!!

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Carrying Me Along

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In the same way that this little leaf got carried along by this big leaf during the storms and flooding yesterday, I feel carried by you.

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My WP journey has lasted over 3 years and a big part of my happiness here has been getting to know you through visits to your blogs.  It is truly my intention to spend a lot more time virtually hanging out with you … in 35 days!  I can’t wait!

Thank you for your support and encouragement!

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Finding Opportunity …

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One of the tasks of the candidate is to spend hours on the phone, seeking both votes and contributions.  As I worked this past Tuesday, my eye was drawn to the site of my keys highlighted in the waning sun.

39 Days!