Natural Stained Glass /  by Dave Hileman

This is likely not a “good” photograph. It does not have a clear subject. It is chaotic. It follows no composition rules - that i know of, and I just find it fascinating. It was taken at the same place as yesterday’s photo, Merchant Mill Pond State Park, on the same trip. The park is well done and has several trails, camping, canoe rental, and a very nice Visitor Center. You had to be very careful walking on the edge of the pond/swamp and not just because you were watching for the alligator, it was hard to walk with the scores of cypress knees half hidden in the fallen leaves. But what a day. Bright blue skies, the beginnings of color in the foliage, intensely green duckweed over much of the pond, and lots of beautiful potential images everywhere. So why this one? I love the color, the randomness and the fact it reminds me of God’s stained glass, more brilliant and more gorgeous than one found in a church. Hope you enjoy as well.

Lovely Day in a Lovely Place /  by Dave Hileman

This past Thursday Dennis (the wandering lensman) and I were at Merchants Mill Pond State Park. Lots to tell about the day but I started a photo back up and this typing is lagging so far behind you will have to wait until Friday for the “rest of the story.”

Another from Luray Caverns /  by Dave Hileman

This is Tristian’s Veil deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Luray, Virginia. The cavern has been a tourist spot for decades and is well kept up and easy walking on a paved trail. It also has enough light that you can easily navigate. A pleasant 58 degrees in the summer or winter and a nice place to spend a couple of hours.

Baby Cedar /  by Dave Hileman

Once again in the Merchants Mill Pond State Park, near to the spillway, is this young cedar robed in rusty orange and surrounded by a thick coating of duckweed - in not to be believed - green. There is also an alligator in these waters two or three, at the northern edge of their range. We did not see one on this day but they are there, said the ranger, and they are pretty big full grown adults.

"They Call Me Mellow Yellow" /  by Dave Hileman

I heard this song on the way home yesterday. Sung by Donovan, it like most songs of the era, had a sexual overtone and a psychedelic touch but I, I confess, never knew that. I just liked the song and seemed like the perfect time to showcase the yellow leaves that were shinning in the sunlight at the Merchants Mill Pond State Park in Northeast North Carolina. The cypress were a brownish orange sort of color and the water in many places was thick with bright green duckweed. It made for nice contrasts. I liked this small set of yellow leaves against the moss and the grey cyprus trees. More from the park on tap most with no psychedelic hints.

Deadrise /  by Dave Hileman

The boat in the foreground is a Deadrise that is no longer sea worthy, the one across the water in Tylers Beach along the James river. These are crab boats but the same kind is also used for oysters. These old wooden boats are disappearing from the area waters.

At Speed /  by Dave Hileman

This buggy was racing across the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Utah. It was most unusual to see the sand that ranged from pink to a hint of red. There were also a lot of people boarding down the dunes. Took a long time to get the “red” out of our shoes!

Young Medal of Honor Recipient /  by Dave Hileman

The two cannon in the field represent USA Battery B on the morning of Antietam. The cornfield was the scene of the initial charge of the Union and a very intense morning long battle. Most of the cannoneers were shot and 15 year-old Johnny Cook, the Battery’s bugler, took the position of two men and helped load and fire the cannon with the enemy only a few yards away. For his bravery the young man from Cincinnati was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Busy /  by Dave Hileman

Another piece of advice that photographers give (see Leading Lines) is to simplify your photo. Clearly I missed that exercise. This is anything but simple. The tunnel is through the Maryland Heights across the Potomac from Harpers Ferry, the track on the left had an Amtrak Train heading into the tunnel, the track on the right a freight train exited the tunnel. Lots of signals and wires and the C&O Canal is in front of the stone wall. Adding to the chaos is foliage seeming springing up randomly from every direction.

Positively Jeffersonian /  by Dave Hileman

This is again the same church at Harpers Ferry but from the point of view of Jefferson Rock. He was here and on viewing the scene, sans church, he remarked in 1785 that it is “perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature.” The river flowing under the bridge is the Potomac coming from the left side of the photo and coursing under the bridge toward Washington, DC. The C & O Canal lies on the north or left side of the river and extends from Cumberland, MD to Georgetown. The river on the right is the Shenandoah as it spills into the Potomac. A beautiful converging of historic rivers.

Leading Lines Lesson /  by Dave Hileman

One of the stalwart pieces of advice the photographers give is to find leading lines. Try and find something that will draw the viewers eye toward the point of the photo you want them to focus on. I think I finally found them. This is the Saint Peter Catholic Church as seen from the pedestrian / railroad bridge over the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, WV.

Valor /  by Dave Hileman

A little thought about virtue today but one of the more important to many people 150 years ago. Duty, honor, respect, and valor all played a part in the short, sharp battle of New Market in May of 1864. The Union was moving down the valley from Winchester and the South had little with which to stop the Northern army. So 250 Cadets of the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA were called out at 1 AM and marched over three days about 80 miles in the rain. The cadets ranged from 15 to 19 years of age. They were held in reserve at first but, reluctantly, they wee added to the Confederate line and moved into battle. They formed a few hundred feet from where this photo is taken and in the charge, diverted to both sides of the farm house. Then across a muddy field where many lost their shoes in the thick mud, and into the Union line. The Union retreated from the field and the Cadets even captured a cannon. They took 20% casualties and were honored at a fete in Richmond.

Weary but... /  by Dave Hileman

It is dark and the trailer is on the edge of a hill in a parking lot of an apple farm. It is very dark, it is cold out, it is windy and I am warm and comfortable. But very tired. Sleep is still spotty and insufficient for the day. But possibly improving? Not sure, but not worse.

Rusty and Janet and I left the church parking lot about 9:30, it took me a while to compose myself leaving the cemetery. We drove the beautiful route 231 and enjoyed a brief walk in the village of Sperryville. Then over the Blue Ridge to Luray. I first visited the caverns with Cindy when she was in college. We have been back one or two times but maybe 40 years ago for the last visit. It was ok, nice paved walking surface, no garish lights like I remember and some impressive formations. The on to the New Market Civil War battlefield park that involved the cadets of VMI in 1864. The movie in the VC was well done. We will go back in the morning as we ran out of time for the tour. We found our way to the Host site and then, after dinner, I took them to see Eastern Mennonite University when both Geof and I graduated, he in math, me with an MA in Congregational Leadership. And finally some ice cream at Kleins.

Good day over all. I made no major mistakes in the trailer, got a shower, fixed lunch and dinner and made coffee. Let’s see if we can do two in a row.

Reflection Pond

Headed Out Solo this Morning /  by Dave Hileman

I’ve not traveled with the trailer much without Cindy, of course, I’ve not done much of anything without Cindy. And I leave this morning for a few days of travel. Thankfully with good friends. Not sure how travel will be alone. We had well divided the chores and responsibilities of every trip. She did most of the detailed planning, she handled the food, the inside trailer stuff, I did the driving, the outside, and other tasks “as assigned.” We had such a small space that everything was carefully stored and a delicate dance took place inside the trailer. Who moved where when, who did dishes while the other did X or Y, all to make the most use of our time and space. Feels lonely and empty in here now. I struggle with the food a bit and have less confidence in what I am doing. I am less confident about handling the food requirements in a safe and useful fashion, backing into tight camping slots with no one guiding, putting the right thing in the right place and much more. I am confident I can work it out eventually, I am confident that I have great friends to travel with , to visit, who are open to a coffee or a meal and absolutely confident that God blesses effort and can make a way for the most inept camper ever. So off on this short, hopefully, instructive, safe, fun and restful jaunt. You cannot see the end of the journey so you plan, start and follow the road to adventure.