Food - Dessert Restaurant - Charleston - South Carolina /  by Dave Hileman

Jill and I did a guided walking tour of Charleston that was very well done. We both enjoyed it and learned a lot. Excellent guide. Our tour was at 2 so we came into town for a fine lunch (next Saturday’s post) and then off to the walk. The tour ended about 4 and we decided we had enough dinner and went to Kaminsky’s near the City Market. It is a nice upscale place for a sweet end to an excellent day. We shared a mixed berry cobbler with ice cream (of course). So good. They have pies, cakes, cookies, coffee, some alcoholic choices and milk shakes. Perfect end to a idyllic day.

Theme Week Normal? /  by Dave Hileman

We had no internet last night when we arrived home from a day trip to Beaufort, SC. So this post is late!

Another rare phenomenon occurred on the beach this week in addition to the spawning palms. As some of you know the Leonids Shooting stars were visible over Charleston SC a few days ago. Well, it another rare moment I found one awash in the surf. it is not often to find one intact like this very special “shooting star.” Enjoy.

Theme Week: Normal? /  by Dave Hileman

We got to witness one of nature’s more amazing occurrences at the beach yesterday. We are on the Isle of Palms (French: Isle des Palmiers) in South Carolina. On the beach this morning as we were walking we encountered two of the palms that had migrated back to the shore of their birth to spawn and lie exhausted in the sands. This little seen phenomenon occurs in the month of November on election years. The palms must fight ocean currents, waves, sea weed entrapments, fig and coconut harvesters across miles of open water driven by a primal instinct to return to the sands of thieir youth. Plus there are hungry land sharks waiting to grab them at the last moment. These two magnificent examples may be the only ones this year to reach the shore but Palm Watchers are optimistic that a few more might yet make it “home.”

Land sharks are never far away during migration.

The Church from Yesterday's Photo /  by Dave Hileman

Jill and I stumbled on this beautiful church while touring the countryside around Lexington, KY. It was so well cared for and lovely in the setting. I doubt many people attend as the parking would accommodate about 20 cars. On the grass. I took yesterday’s photo by shooing through a side window and the reflection of the outside overwhelmed the inside except in the center of the picture

Fifty /  by Dave Hileman

I was privileged to take photos at our friends fiftieth wedding anniversary. It was held at Johnson University’s White House where Jerry is a professor and Pam works in administration. It was a perfect Saturday afternoon.

Veterans Day - Thanks to all those who protect America /  by Dave Hileman

We honor across this country the men and women who have been a part of our military on this day, November 11, each year. The holiday was first called Armistice Day and celebrated the end of WWI on the 11 of November at 11:00. It became an official holiday in 1938 and changed after WWII to honor all who have served in any of the armed forces.

Thiis grave is found in an old mountain-side church yard near Elizabethton, TN. This man was a member of the Tennessee 13th Calvary and unit of Union volunteers formed in Strawberry Plains and was active from 1863 to April of 1865. Tennessee was a Confederate state that had over 50,000 men serving in the Union army.


Theme Week: Can't See Well /  by Dave Hileman

So I have had cataract surgery on both eyes now and will not get my new glasses until early December. It is quite hard to see clearly things that are close even with 2.5 readers. So, over the next bit I am posting photos that I have in the archives - most of them not ever posted but little commentary. Thanks!

The shot today is from a tool shed at the Lee family home, Stratford Hall, on the shores of the Potomac River in Virginia’s Northern Neck.

Theme Week: Can't See Well .3 /  by Dave Hileman

So I have had cataract surgery on both eyes now and will not get my new glasses until early December. It is quite hard to see clearly things that are close even with 2.5 readers. So, over the next bit I am posting photos that I have in the archives - most of them not ever posted but little commentary. Thanks!

Today the photo is from the Orchid House at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.

Theme Week: Can't See Well .2 /  by Dave Hileman

So I have had cataract surgery on both eyes now and will not get my new glasses until early December. It is quite hard to see clearly things that are close even with 2.5 readers. So, over the next bit I am posting photos that I have in the archives - most of them not ever posted but little commentary. Thanks!

Today our photo is from Virginia’s Eastern Shore on the Chesapeake with high winds blowing the Chesapeake Bay waters on shore

Theme Week: Can't See Well /  by Dave Hileman

So I have had cataract surgery on both eyes now and will not get my new glasses until early December. It is quite hard to see clearly things that are close even with 2.5 readers. So, over the next bit I am posting photos that I have in the archives - most of them not ever posted but little commentary. Thanks!

Today’s photo is from a small town in Tennessee north of Knoxville, Oliver Springs. I found this door on a back street or alley the building looked to be abandoned but perhaps not.

Food - Restaurant - Knoxville - Tennessee /  by Dave Hileman

Sami’s is a local place off Kingston Pike in West Knoxville. It is a gathering place, like his brother’s Pete’s in downtown was for decades. It is decent food, served quickly and they fill you coffee over and over. Nice. Lots of chatter among the 30 tables which is nice as well. You can order any number of combos but the unique thing is you can order one or two or three or eight of anything on the menu. Want 3 eggs, 1 pancake, I biscuit, and 17 orders of hash browns, no problem.

On the way in to Sami’s for good food and good conversation

National Park Theme Week Two .2 Canyon De Chelly National Monument /  by Dave Hileman

You have to plan to visit this site located on Navajo land in Northeast Arizona not too far from the more popular Monument Valley, site of many western movies. Canyon De Chally (de shay) has a nice camp ground run by the tribe and two drives along the north and south rims of the canyon. You can also hire a Navajo driver to take a jeep ride into the canyon. The day we were there that was a very limited option because of some flooding in the canyon. We did both drives and several short walks. There are people living and farming in the canyon much as they have done for many years.