And Just Like That...360! /  by Dave Hileman

So the National Park Service has added three new parks under their oversight. So we now have 428 NPS units. The three new ones are: Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Northwoods NST both in the upper Midwest and the New England Trail which goes from Long Island Sound north to the New Hampshire southern border. There are plans to extend it. Anyway, I have been to all of these trails and walked small portions, so they count as visited. Therefore I have moved from 357 to 360 overnight, magic, just like the Grimm Fairy tale of the poor shoemaker. Best seen in the Muppet Classic theater version where a shoemaker (played by Kermit the Frog) faces ruin until his livelihood is saved by a group of philanthropic entertainers (played by The Elvises) who, naturally, make only blue suede shoes.

However, I am not sure of the photography, so they may still need a visit. I know the New England NST does not have any photos for certain but I believe I may have the other two with some shots from previous trips. I will need to check that out. By the way, the trail marker in today’s photo is unrelated to these trails but is one I captured in Acadia.

Piano Man Plus /  by Dave Hileman

I was privileged to photograph a Christmas Party on Saturday night at Marc and Myra’s impeccably decorated mid-century home in Raleigh. A highlight of the night (there were many) was the singing and playing of Casey Cotton. He can play nearly anything you ask, across genres, and is a fun entertainer for the entire evening. A tireless, energetic and talented man who is also quick with a quip! What a fun night. If you want to add a bit of pizzaz to your next shindig message Casey at (910) 670-2866‬.

Amistad National Recreation Area /  by Dave Hileman

Not all parks with lakes have tree shaded paths and hillsides covered in forests. This is Amistad on the Texas Mexico border. I did like the unusual bridge in the distance over a large portion of the lake system. That is Highway 90. In what was then the third year of drought the lake was very low.

New Web Photos /  by Dave Hileman

I was able to take some photos for the church I attend for use on their new web site. It is not active yet but I will post a note when it goes live. This is a several week project but a lot of fun to tackle dark rooms, multiple light sources, fast moving folks in low light and huge, bright windows in the foyer. But it is so rewarding to catch smiles, joys, hugs and praises lifted.

Change /  by Dave Hileman

Leaving the Académie des Beaux-Arts for the Salon des Refusés.

In 1863 the powers in charge of the most prestigious art show refused to allow impressionist painters into the show. Realism only. So a second show, for those “refused” was held and it was wildly popular. The path in the photo leads from the realistic foreground to the more mystic and ethereal forest.

Great Horned Owl on Nest /  by Dave Hileman

This owl is special. First, I never saw one with the feathers all fluffed out over the nest and that was very neat. It was also inside the Great House at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument in Arizona just south of Phoenix. The Great House, over three stories tall rising out of the flat desert landscape, was built about the year 1200. I find the owl a symbol of wisdom ensconced in this ancient structure that gave the natives here a view of the extensive irrigation system so they could monitor their corn crops to be a neat intertwining of meanings and culture.

Emerald Pool /  by Dave Hileman

We are back in Zion National Park. This is a short and popular hike and last spring the waterfall was full to overflowing. By shooting with a fast shutter speed, some of the green of the nearby trees reflects off the water droplets adding a green tinge to the Emerald Pool. It would be much stronger with the trees fully leafed out but you can still catch the idea behind fhe name of the falls and pool.

A Superior Lake /  by Dave Hileman

Never could quite get the lines of this lighthouse to be in the correct orientation but it is still a pretty shot of a much prettier place on the north shore of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We were able to climb the stairs in the light house and explore the keeper’s home. It was a windy afternoon.

Turret Arch /  by Dave Hileman

Not as spectacular as Window or Double but in the same area. I find this one is very neat. There is a small arch you can only see on the other side and up a short climb, just about 10 feet across. All of these formations are worth the effort and will reward those who pause and simply relish the beauty all around.

Breathtaking /  by Dave Hileman

These are the La Sal Mountains just a bit south of Arches National Park and the Colorado River. There are a few peaks over 12,000 feet. We drove a road around portions of the range sometimes over 9,000 feet with lots of snow about. It was an awesome experience.

Exit /  by Dave Hileman

This is the Virgin River as it leaves the confines of the Narrows at the head of the valley in Zion National Park. There was significant snow last winter so the river was full and it made the hike in the narrows off limits in the early spring.

Would You Eat Here? /  by Dave Hileman

Here, is the Starlight Theater in the “ghost” town of Terlingua, Texas. It is named the Starlight because for years the handful of residents met here, cooked on grills and often ate together in the old theater that had no roof, hence, the name Starlight. Some years later as tourists discovered the town, a roof was added and it is now a very nice restaurant. We ate here along with Rusty and Janet and all agreed it was excellent. So the correct answer is Yes, you should eat here and enjoy the unique town that surrounds the theater.

Plus look at the dessert.

Ready for the Close Up (2 photos) /  by Dave Hileman

This is a photo of the Double Arch in Utah’s Arches National Park, an absolute wonderland of shapes, arches, turrets and trails. And I think Arches is my favorite of the Utah parks but that could change in five minutes. Just magical places. The second photo is to add scale to the formation. It is huge and you don’t get that unless you are close and suddenly you realize how immense these structures are that from a distance seem like small bumps on the vast landscape.

Pastel /  by Dave Hileman

These two homes are on a less traveled street in Charleston, SC. They were pale pink and light yellow. I softened the shot and made tham a bit more pastel in the edit. Trying new ways to approach my photos.

Yellow House and Horse /  by Dave Hileman

The yellow house in the background is in the Capitol Reef National Park in Utah. It was a Mormon families farm house with orchards all around the valley floor. Remnants of those orchards planted long ago are still here and bearing fruit. One of the reasons why you can buy excellent pies from the shop. We had berry, apple, and cherry pies - they are small! This is a no judgement zone. Also I took a cherry pie home! An advantage of taking your home with you on these adventures. The horse was curious - I think it hoped that I still had some of that pie. Or if you might still have a piece of pumpkin left from yesterday the horse is not picky.

Be Thankful.... /  by Dave Hileman

….for every day that you have

…for every step you can take

…for every joy on your journey

…for every challenge you face

…for each friendship you share

…for the family that blesses you

…for each memory you hold

…for each day’s ordinariness

…for love that is given freely

…for grace poured into your life

…for an absolute cleansing of sin

…for every small, quiet, understated gift of God that is your life.