A Snow Cap Picnic Columbine Lake

Little House on the Prairie

This is my holiday vision of a perfect little house on the prairie.

Road Trip to Rocky Mountains

Wintery Blue Colorado Skies

Winter Reflections at Columbine Lake

Surreal Twlight Volcano Cotopaxi

 

Volcano Cotopaxi

Since 1738, Cotopaxi has erupted more than 50 times, which created the numerous valleys formed by lahars (mudflows) around the volcano. Cotopaxi poses a high risk to the local population, their settlements and fields. Cotopaxi's most violent eruptions in historical times occurred in the years 1744, 1768, and 1877. In the 1877 eruption pyroclastic flows descended all sides of the mountain, with lahars traveling more than 100 km into the Pacific Ocean and western Amazon basin draining the valley.

Middle of the Earth Equator

Dock at Guaymas River, Ecuador

Butterfly Landings at Mackinac

Mackinac Island - A Place Without Time

Time still stood and the cobblestone streets are still the same with the sound of horse drawn buggies and wagons wheels rolling down the streets.  No sound of man made motor cars and engines.  

Cheaha Mountain Lookout Point for Talladega National Forest

A nice breeze, not too hot but a place to relax and take a dip and swim with a breathtaking view of the valley below and the Talladega National Forest.

Top of Cheaha Mountain

We promised to return to Cheaha Mountain and stay for several days and enjoy the mountain trails and wild life.  That was two years ago.  We must keep our word and go back to visit the mountain and valley below.

A Home not of Marble floors and Gilded walls

"You'll find, where'er you roam, 

That marble floors and gilded walls 

Can never make a home.  

But every house where Love abides,

And Friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home-sweet-home:
For there the heart can rest."

By Henry Van Dyke

Lake Griffin A Place of Retreat

No swiming allowed due to a healthy population of alligators.  One of the largest lakes in Florida and used as a retreat for many ladies during the early spring. 

Time is Too Slow for those who Wait

Hours fly, Flowers die
New days, New ways,
Pass by.  Love Stays.
Time is Too Slow for those who Wait,
Too Swift for those who Fear,
Too Long for those who Grieve,
Too Short for those who Rejoice,
But for those who love,
Time is not.
By Henry Van Dyke

"The Golden Coast" at Crescent Beach

 From Chuck and Jessica's deck, a beautiful golden and purple sunset on Matanzas River.  There is truth to the name "The Golden Coast" of the South-eastern coastline.  We should also call it purple majesty as well!

Who Can Dance Across a Lily Pad?

Who can dance across a Lily Pad?
Have you tried, Not I
but I have seen star light and
moon beans in the evening
Sun rays in the morning,
dance across the glistening path
What mortal creatures
can dance across a Lily Pad?

Blue Pond at Dunn's Creek and a Blue Heart

We took a hike at Dunn's Creek Park to reach the creek and hope to get some photo opportunities.  It was suppose to be less then two miles.  We found Blue Pond and the blue trail.  We hiked blue trail which was a circular trail and had no end.  Seven miles of heat, sweat, chigger bites and ticks, we found the entrance into the woods and our car.  Blue Pond gave me a blue heart.

Florida Sandhill Cranes taking a stroll in Pomona Park

The Florida Sandhill Crane is less common then other Sandhills in the country, with some 5,000 individuals remaining. They are most threatened by habitat destruction. In Florida, it is protected, and if killed, carries a very high monetary penalty. This subspecies is under protection of state and federal law at this time. These Sandhhill Cranes were walking down the street in Pomona Park, Florida. Visiting their human neighbors.

Labor Day Intra Coastal Skies - On a Clear Day Heaven Came to Earth!

Labor Day in St. Augustine South, Intra Coastal skies with light rainfall and sunshine.  On a clear day heaven came to earth!

Jones Gap Park - A quiet Mountain Cove

 A quiet mountain cove nestled into the Blue Ridge Escarpment in northern Greenville County of South Carolina. 

St. Augustine Beach-Waves from Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene did not come ashore in Florida but the beaches definitely got her waves as she was moving up the coast line.  Saturday morning there were hundreds of surfers at the beach. 

Banana Trees, Grapefruits and Humming Birds - Chuck's Oasis

Some folks know how to create a garden, an oasis in their yard.  Lemon tree in the front, Banana trees on the side, grapefruit trees in the back.  A natural greenhouse embraces the landscape. An oasis garden created by Chuck's green thumb.

Serenity at Night Fall - Matanzas River



Our friends Jessie and Chuck live on the Matanzas River.  This view is from their deck.   The scenes are so serene and blissful with the river glowing with light from the setting sun.  One would think this was a romantic getaway. 

Seagull the Mistress of her Domain

It was a beautiful day at Washington Oaks State Beach.  A seagull stretch her wings flying over the ocean floor like a mistress inspecting her domain. 

Gathering of Clouds that No Man can Climb

I have a fascination with clouds.  No two are the same and they fill the sky with wondrous shapes and images.  Driving over the bridge to Marineland, clouds were gathering and building a tower to reach the heavenly host of which no man can climb except through the son.

Oakbluff Owls

We have a family of owls that we listen to every evening.  Surprisingly, they were out and about during the early evening visiting our neighbors front porch rails.

Ode to Barns Past of Bad Axe

Ode to Barns Past Conceived in need, and built with pride, by careful loving hands. Mystique, with styles of purpose blend, from your ancestral lands. Your mow and stall made food for all, with plenty left to sell. You’ve sheltered countless herds and flocks, and served your masters well... (by R.Talada)

Jack's Flowers Bad Axe, Michigan

 "I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one."
By Edna St. Vincent Millay

A Crow and an Old Barn - Why is he staring at me?

One crow came, sat on yonder barm
Looked straight down and cawed at me
“What is it? What message?” I implored
He looked silently, but spoke no more
I laughed, and thought, “I sound like Poe”
“Talking to a Crow”, I’ve got to go!