Over the Hills and Far Away

Well, not so far away--less than 100 miles, actually. This week we had a new adventure. A friend called to tell me about a man who had a houseful of things he wanted to sell. I was invited to come down and buy whatever I wanted from the house, which had been unoccupied for about 7 years.

We made our first trip on Thursday to the house, which is located in the southern part of West Virginia. We took Burt (stands for big ugly red truck) and decided to take the scenic route instead of the 4-lane for most of the way. We were rewarded with breathtaking scenery, a fine twisty mountain road and lots to look at along the way. (And yes, we came home with a truck stuffed full. More about that later.)

So, travel with me along our journey:

Larry carried totes and bubblewrap to the truck, in case we needed them for packing (we did).

 We were stopped for road construction along the beautiful Kanawha River, so the camera came out.

Passing under a coal tipple on US route 60:

Crossing the Kanawha into Montgomery:

I thought these two signs were ironic--one a reminder of when the word drugs just meant medicine, the other a reminder of the issues we face today. These were in downtown Montgomery. The town is really a pretty place, and I want to go back to spend a little time there.

 Along US route 61:

 and further along 61 as it crossed over a very steep mountain. The wide berm here is unusual for this stretch of road; most of it was just a steep drop-off with only the guardrail between car and mountainside.

 Three means of transportation: river, rails, and road:

A cut in the hill along the tracks.

Copyright 2012 Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Wordless Wednesday: Inside Looking Out

Before the storm--see the white line above the lamp? That is the first of the snow blowing in.

Next morning.

Study in black and white.

 

 

Inside warmth, outside snow.

Cat on a warm couch.

Kitchen windowsill.

The beginning, and the end.

(click on any photo to make it bigger)

Down by the Riverside

I took these photos last week and have not had a chance to post them. We were at the state capitol building for a concert at the culture center, both of which are located near the banks of the Great Kanawha River in Charleston, WV. The night was beautiful, the building glowed and there were two sternwheelers on the river.

 The West Wing entrance to the capitol. This is the entrance to the governor's offices; the wide walk leads to his mansion which was just behind me as I took this photo.

The first sternwheeler cruised into view just as the last light of the day was fading on the horizon.

See the water splashing off the paddles on back of the boat?

In a few minutes, the second sternwheeler came up but I could not get a good photo of it. When I turned around there stood Lincoln, as somber as ever: the bronze sculpture called "Lincoln Walks at Midnight" captures the essence of what it must have been like to be president in the turbulent days of the Civil War.

Some evenings stay in our memory a long time. With digital cameras, we can retrieve those times in photos to savor again and again. Even if the photos aren't perfect, they make me happy and help me relive the soft breezes, clear air and the fun of walking at dusk with a friend along a beautiful river.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Flowers, Fishing, Family and Fire--and a Fable

Late summer flowers

There was one great egret at the lake for weeks. One day two others appeared, stayed with the lone one for a day or two, and then they all flew off south together. Never have we had these birds here before. Did the two come to get the lost one? How would they know where he was? When I took this photo, I didn't know I had three birds in the lens. The one on the lower right was a surprise.

Fall fisherman on the Kanawha River

Hannah by the fire

Hannah by the fire 2

The end of a beautiful day

Wordless Wednesday: Evening on Elk Fork Lake

A Photo Journal

Checking my camera I realized I've taken some photos that I wanted to share. These were taken in the past week.

The beehives enjoy morning sun on Sunday, even though the temperatures were in the low 40's.

Blackberry leaves and clover blossoms drying yesterday evening, to be used for teas later on. I picked these on my way home from work yesterday since I'm going to be lucky to have a chance to do it any other time. When I got home, several neighbors were on hand to get tomato plants. I'm happy to find homes for the extras since otherwise they'll go to waste.

Great-granddaughter Cadyn, showing off her walking skills on Sunday. She had her first birthday in April and gets around very well. She's talking too. I can't get over how quickly she's growing up.

Star of Bethlehem in bloom last week beside the log cabin we're taking down. I hope to dig a few bulbs.

Vanilla ice cream with redbud syrup that was supposed to be jelly. But it's mighty good anyway, and just look at the beautiful color.

Sunset on the lake near Derek's house last Thursday evening. It just stopped me cold and I had to try for photos. I ordered a new camera this week and I am in high hopes that it will provide better night-time and low light photos. I've had this camera for four years and it's showing its age now, losing some functions and clarity. The glass of white wine I spilled on it two years ago didn't help it any.

The huge silver maple beside the log cabin stretches far above the tin roof and ancient logs of its companion. I wonder if the tree will notice when the cabin is gone?

Wild dwarf iris in bloom on Joe's Run. The heavy morning dew silvered the wood vetch growing companionably around the iris.

Early morning sun on Joe's Run Lake. It was a pretty, pretty time to be out, although chilly. We've had a cold spring this year overall, with heavy frosts two days this week that had Larry scrambling to spray down his gardens with water to prevent frost damage. So far he's been successful.

Wordless Wednesday: On the Banks of the Ohio

Photos from our trip down the Ohio River yesterday, taking Larry to the VA hospital for a routine checkup. What struck me most forcibly: all the old homes falling down the old barns empty. That's because this used to be dairy country before federal regulations pushed the small farms out of the business. Some are so hidden by greenery they are almost invisible, as forgotten as the era they represent.

Moon Shots

On the way to work the other morning, the moon above the ridge once again stopped me with its breathless beauty.

Is it bad luck to look at the moon through tree branches? I think that's only the new moon. I hope. I couldn't resist this photo.

Hanging high over Kenneth Parrish's old homeplace, as the sun began to wash pink across the land.