Cades Cove /  by Dave Hileman

Cades Cove is found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a loop road of about 11 miles that is often bumper to bumper with traffic. You can spot bear, deer, turkey and more as well as several original buildings, so lots to see. In mid-winter the crowds are fewer and the scenery just as pretty. Especially on this warm winter day.

Playing for Change (or Bills!) /  by Dave Hileman

This street musician was found outside the Farmers Market in Lancaster, PA. He not only kept up a tune on his fiddle, but had a percussion section operated with his feet and he sang. Pretty adapt at all of them, fun to listen to him.

Portrait Project #29 /  by Dave Hileman

This is Alan. He was at the turn-around point on his Sunday ride into the Virginia countryside. I caught up to him in the parking lot of an art gallery in Sperryville, VA. His Harley, that he said was nothing special, was gleaming in the afternoon sun. Pleasant fellow, appreciate his kindness allowing me to take his photo.

Nesting Site /  by Dave Hileman

This is the top of the steeple of Christ’s Episcopal Church in New Bern, NC., where a bird found a great spot for a well-protected nest. It is atop an 18th century site with an elaborate building now dating from the early 1800’s. It has a bible inside on display that was given to the church by King George II in 1752. They also have a stunning display of silver, also from King George II, used for communion. It was made by Mordecai Fox in England.

Memorial Day /  by Dave Hileman

Today is not about outdoor cookouts, picnics, ballgames and a weekend away. But all these and so much more are possible because of what this day represents. There are so many angry voices today decrying the value of America - they are for the most part ignorant of history, of valor, of sacrifice, of culture, of the blessings this land has provided. On this day we honor the men and women who gave their lives for this country from the War of Independence, the Civil War, the War to End All Wars, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Wars in the Middle East and so many more hostile encounters across the globe. We give you our thanks.

One town’s tribute to the number of soldiers who died over two and a half centuries from their community.

Local memorial in a small town in Pennsylvania.

Looking for a new home for the Oliver /  by Dave Hileman

Oliver Elite 2015 Travel Trailer

I am selling the trailer following my wife’s death last year. I went out with the Oliver three times, two short trips and one extended journey and, simply, it was not the experience I was hoping for. Everything has a season and mine with this wonderful camper is ending even as I hope to find someone who will enjoy the travel as much as I did.

This is not one of those that went out for a month each year or parked at a beach for a bit. We traveled in 49 states and enjoyed every inch of scenery and beauty we saw. My goal was to reach 400 of the National Park Service parks and we achieved 363 (so far) but the next few will be with a different form of travel. Some photos under “camping” here.

However well-traveled the trailer is it also very well-maintained. I did not let things go and every year had an inspection in January to prepare for the year’s travels. Some things broke on the road, a sail switch twice, a water fitting, also twice and water pump replaced last year in Utah. I also had a furnace issue in Vermont and while fixed it is no longer relevant for Oliver has a new current generation furnace that works very well.

Which brings me to the biggest issue. We had a lightning strike near to us in Texas on the coast. It turned out to have created a mess with the main power line into the trailer fusing several smaller lines. To say the least nothing worked. I towed it to the Oliver factory and they kept it for 3 months and rewired a lot of the trailer, most of it upgraded to current standards. That is where I also had the electric fuse panel replaced, a window that had lost the seal, a new set of Battleborn lithium batteries, new controller, Vitronic monitoring, new Dexter current generation axle and new inverter installed. About $11,000 dollars invested in 2022. It has worked flawlessly since, much better in some respects than before. I also recently had a new thermostat and control panel for the AC done. I have a lot of paperwork for the trailer.

Additionally I will include all the required equipment to hook up: water filter, hose, sewer hose and new one in box, various fittings for different situations for both water and electric, cable, electric surge protector and more. There are also numerous little holders, clips, towel bars, bedding system etc that go with the trailer.

I will provide 1/2 up to $500 for any repair needed within 60 days. Delivery for a day’s drive is available (300 miles from Raleigh) for free.

Contact is 757-897-0223 davehileman@icloud.com

These are a few sample images lots more specific ones if you are interested.

Early Spring in the Blue Ridge /  by Dave Hileman

Along the back side of Old Rag Mountain in Central Virginia is a portion of the Shenandoah National Park that is a bit “out of the way” from most who visit here. You must make a decision to find this spot. I don’t recall the name of the stream but the beautiful lime green colors of the new foliage and the sounds of the rushing waters were a delight on this afternoon. We did not have time to hike the short distance to a waterfall, next time for sure.

Peonies /  by Dave Hileman

I’m getting a flower education from Jill. These are found at the Winterthur House and Gardens in Delaware. Stunning. Both the place and the flowers. More to come. Lots!

Dreamy Thoughts /  by Dave Hileman

For me, there are few better places to think than by the sea. The rhythm of the waves, the chatter of the gulls, the breeze and the scent of the salt spray just put me into a spot where wonder and renewal lead to introspection and new ideas. Love the wonder of what God creates in both nature and our minds.

Rare /  by Dave Hileman

I was so fortunate recently to photograph this skeleton of an ancient rhino that had washed up on the beach at Chincoteague NWR in Virginia. Not much is known about this long extinct creature but only a few of them have been recovered so well preserved and nearly the whole structure is intact. By now I am sure the Smithsonian has acquired this so look for it someday in the Natural History Museum.

Not Just Tacos, No, No. /  by Dave Hileman

These are tacos arranged by a food designer for a photo shoot at a restaurant in Clermont, FL. Walking into the area, I noted that the food designer was putting the final touches on this trio, lights were set, plate in place and I asked could I take a quick shot, she said, of course. So when you see my photo, or rather a photo that looks like mine but likely a bit better, on a menu you will know why it feels so familiar. It will have nothing to do with the fact you have eaten several hundred tacos over the years.

Eclipse Watcher /  by Dave Hileman

He was intent on the sky and did not barely move. He is in front of one of the latest of the art installations at the art museum. I do not know how they keep it clean!

Gordonsville, Virginia /  by Dave Hileman

Gordonsville is a small town northeast of Charlottesville and I lived near there for 9 years, My sons both started school in town and I was for three years the president of the PTA. We had friends in the village as well as members of the church I served and so we were here often. It is starting to gather more shops and restaurants and I am glad as it is a neat place with a vital Civil War and railroad history. This is just one of the shops, a very nice art gallery on the main street.

Portrait Project # 28, 29 /  by Dave Hileman

Meet two very nice bird watchers. Jill and I were walking at the Seven Islands Birding Park along the French Broad River near Knoxville and were on our way back to our car when we came across Danielle and Mark. I helped them Identify a Northern Flicker that was a long way off using my telephoto lens. They were glad because, I believe. it was a new bird for the couple. They later saw 30 species including an Orange-crowned Warbler. I wish I had been with them then as I have only seen one of those in all the years of watching. Danielle and Mark were delightful and we were glad we encountered them and they posed nicely for my portrait project. Good Birding to you both.

1910 (three photos) /  by Dave Hileman

This is another set of photos from Montpellier Station in Orange County, Virginia. Montpellier was the home of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. In later years, before it was donated to the National Trust, it was the home of Marion du Pont Scott. The “Scott” is her her famous husband’s name, Randolph Scott, of early western movie fame. Mrs du Pont held steeple chase races here that were free and I was able to attend of the last ones that she held. The du Pont family owned the property since 1900ish and had the station built. It is now a property that you can tour both the house and the extensive grounds. The station was added around the turn of the 20th century and served the area for many years. It is now restored to the Jim Crow era of about 1910 and you see the separate (and most definitely not equal) entrances to the waiting rooms.

And across the street