Our annual vacation to the mountains

Liz and I were married on October 6, 1985 and went to the mountains for our honeymoon. For the last 26 years, we have returned to the mountains for vacation in October as our anniversary gift to each other. We both love the change of seasons with the fall colors and cooler weather.

This year, we rented a 100 year old farm house on the New river. It was a wonderful location with plenty of privacy and lots of character.















The house is on a gravel road following the New river for miles, which made for a good walk.

 There were also plenty of opportunities for car hiking and photography.

Liz's sister, Karen and her husband Stan joined us for the week.  Our good friends Gail and Leon, from the Tenn. mountains dropped in for a day and a night.

Sunrise of the Charlotte Skyline

On a previous trip to Charlotte to visit family, I found a great location of the Charlotte skyline. On a recent return trip, I decided to captured Charlotte waking up with a timelapse and still images.

State Fair

Every year Liz and I go to the State Fair. It's the beginning of our favorite time of year where, for 26 years, we have celebrated our anniversary, taken our annual vacation to the mountains,  dusted off the space heaters, and started daydreaming of Thanksgiving and Christmas with family and friends. Here are some images from this year.

Charlotte Skyline

On a recent visit to my brother(Tony) in Charlotte, I was taken by the billowing white clouds behind the Charlotte skyline. I wondered where a good vantage point would be for a photo. Location scouting has reached a whole new level as Tony and I sat at his kitchen table..................and found a vantage point..........from his laptop...................with google earth. Here is a comparison of google earth and the actual photograph..........................

From my father's memories

It was Christmas morning..........either 1953 or 1954.............I remember that horse............It had springs which gave it a lot of action. The Christmas tree was from the woods................The whole family would go to the country together and pick out a  tree for Christmas........no tree farm.........just nature...............My father would spray it with this gooey white coating.........you have to love the 50's.........................

From my father's memories

After my father's passing, I acquired all his slides..........as he was a shutterbug. This is an image of a cabin in the woods I grew up with. I am in my mother's lap. The cabin was built by my grandfather........had electricity but no running water. There was an outhouse for a bathroom. We(the family) would go there on weekends.It was situated on 60 aches of country.........surrounded by nothing but more country. My playground was endless woods and peace and quite.

To this day, I am most at peace when I am by myself................in the country.......................

Tanglewood Park

Liz and I took a day trip to Tanglewood Park. This was a trip down memory lane for Liz. Growing up in Salisbury, Liz has fond childhood memories of her family going to Tanglewood Park for a picnic and horse back riding.