Day 240 - Potomac Garden Center

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

New Pine Growth

Needles and droplets

It was not a great middle of the day.  I took a hard fall when a toddler ran and fell in front of me.  I tripped on her, then put out my hands to break the fall as I watched the tile floor of the public library come up to meet me.  I landed flat on my chest, without hitting my head or cracking my knees. Luckily, both the toddler and I are OK, but these old bones are really going to feel the impact that my wrists, shoulders, and ribs absorbed when I hit the deck. 

That said, my plans to walk at Sugarloaf Mountain to see the azaleas in bloom were put on the back burner.  On my way to Sugarloaf, I pulled into the parking lot of the Potomac Garden Center to pop a couple of Tylenol tablets, and that's when I decided I may as well do my walk there.

Clematis

Pink Dogwood

I got out of the car and circled the property, walking in the wet grass.  My sneakers got soaked, but that served to take my mind off my sore ribs.  After I walked the perimeter, I went into the plant displays in front of the greenhouses and shot a little macro of wet flowers and leaves.  Oh, did I mention, too, that it was raining?

I'm fine, really.  The child was more upset than I was.  She was scared and started hyperventilating and had to be calmed and rocked by her grandmother.  But the library staff gave each of us a sticker, so by the time I left, we were both smiling at each other.  It's amazing what a little sticker can do for one's mood.

Sign on the fence outside the garden center advertising a
cleaning business. Someone needs to proofread.

 ******************

Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

*************************************************

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so

Day 239 - Culpeper, Virginia

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

This really caught my eye!

Wall Graffiti

Culpeper, Virginia.  I could have stayed in this town for two hours or more, walking the streets and discovering all the cool things it has to offer.  But, alas, I needed to get home, and the rain was drizzling a little, and above all, I wanted to beat the rush hour traffic in the Leesburg area.

Brief history of the name:  Lord Culpeper was granted land from the Chesapeake Bay to what is now part of West Virginia.  He named the town Fairfax, chartered in 1759, after his grandson, Lord Fairfax.  Young George Washington, aged 17, surveyed the town, setting out the ten blocks that form downtown.  In 1869, it was renamed Culpeper, to avoid confusion with the Fairfax we know today.  It also played significant roles in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, but you can read the history for yourself.

Stars & Stripes & Blacks & Whites

Spring Snow

Norma and I drove through the historic district and discovered what it had to offer, then found parking at one of the free municipal lots by the railroad depot.  We walked along Davis Street, admiring the quaint old buildings that have been renovated for modern use; many still had the old advertising painting on the brick facades.  We looked into various restaurants, finally choosing one with an unimaginative name of "The Restaurant," but it had a very imaginative menu.  One of their best offerings was "all you can eat soup," which was only $2.99.  The soups were varied and all were delicious.  I had a poached pear and shaved Virginia ham salad over greens with a sweet vinaigrette.  It was heavenly.

Onion Sets

Old Building Advertising

Because it was drizzling, Norma ducked into one of the many shops, and I took off along Main Street, finding more great old buildings, cute and quaint shops, an old theater, a farmer's market, the town hall, war memorials, and more.

Miss Minerva at the Tea Room

I met up with Norma again and we went into an old hardware store named Clarke's (in operation since 1903) that had everything imaginable in it.  While I was there, I told the clerk, a man in his early 70's, that it had been a long time since I had been in such an old fashioned hardware store.  He pretended to take offense at "old fashioned," but if you check their link above, that is exactly how they bill themselves!  Norma bought some herbs while I was busy photographing the seed packets, the onion sets, and the Radio Flyer wagons and tricycles. 

Reluctantly, I ended my walk so that we could get back on the road.  But I will return to Culpeper--it was great!

 ******************

Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

*************************************************

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so

Day 238 - Marion, VA

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

Virginia Bluebells in Virginia!

This sign has seen better days.

My friend Norma and I left Tennessee in the rain.  Because it was not good weather for traveling the back roads and stopping to photograph whatever caught our eye, we decided to make headway by sticking to Rt. 81 and settling on a place to do my walk whenever we felt that there would be a break in the rain.

Raindrops on tulip petal

Flagpole Detail

Norma found Marion, Virginia, on the map, and then she researched it a bit in her iPhone, so once she read me the description, we left Rt. 81 and got on Rt. 11 near Marion.  I did my normal routine of driving through the entire town on the main street, to see what the town offered, then turning around and finding a good place to park.  In this case, it was at one end of town on the main street.

We got into rain gear and walked on the sidewalks in the downtown area.  Marion is named for Francis Marion, the Revolutionary War hero, also known as the Swamp Fox.  The only information on Marion, VA, is from Wikipedia, because the town's web site is undergoing renovation.  Marion is one of only a few Virginia towns to be both an official Virginia Main Street Community and National Main Street Community.  I read further about General Francis Marion, for whom a luxury hotel in the small town is named, but I could not find any connection he had to Virginia.

The General Francis Marion Hotel

Marion also lays claim to being the birthplace of Mountain Dew.  Although the drink originated in Knoxville, the current formula that Americans know and love today was developed in Marion.  Nolan Ryan is also from Marion.

The J.C. Campbell Home

The downtown area had the usual small antiques shops, hair salon, cafes, furniture store, gift shop, churches, and a few professional offices.  However, hardly anything was open today, even though we were there in the afternoon.  There was a restored theater that now offers live performances and a large, impressive courthouse.  There were a number of beautiful homes, particularly the J.C. Campbell home, with a manicured lawn and a C monogram on the peak of the roof.  The unusual yellow brick of the 1906 home was shipped from Pennsylvania.

Yardsticks in Antiques Shop Window

The rain held off, and we were glad for the opportunity to get in a good walk from one end of the town to the other after being in the car for several hours.  Marion, VA, was a good choice for the walk, as well.  Good call, Norma!



 

****************

Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

*************************************************

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so

Day 237 - Townsend in the Rain

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

Fill me up, Buttercup!

Misty Mountain Morning

100% chance of rain in the Smoky Mountains today.  100% chance of rain in the Smokies tomorrow.  Looks like my walks will be in the rain.

This morning Norma and I visited the Townsend Visitor Center after a hearty breakfast.  We enjoyed sleeping late this morning (7:45) after a very long day yesterday.  I suited up in rain gear at the Visitor Center and walked back to the Tally Ho from there.

Cute little cabin to rent

Clouds were resting on mountain tops; raindrops were formed on buttercups and dogwoods.  I kept my little Nikon under my rain gear and unzipped it for a photo, then zipped it back in.

Glazed Dogwood Blossom

When presented with a rainy day for photo walking, look for reflections in puddles, rain drops making rings in puddles, raindrops on leaves or clover, and certainly raindrops on flowers.  Also look for drips just hanging on at the ends of pine needles and leaves.  Carry a little microfiber cloth with you, and clean the lens of the camera occasionally, because rain may end up there, too.

Drooping Azalea

I look at a rainy day walk not as a chore to get done, but as an opportunity to take photos that I can't get in any other kind of weather.  Rainy days are all part of the process.

 ******************

Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

*************************************************

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so

Day 236 - Cedar Creek Rd in Townsend

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

Crystal's T@b Camper

Daisy Fleabane

While the rest of my photography group took naps, I went for my walk along Cedar Creek Road.  What drew me to this road was a wood carving shop that has most of its work outside on display.  There were all kinds of bears, eagles, and assorted seriousness alongside assorted whimsy. 

I parked at a tubing shop that was closed and walked along the road, coming soon to a campground.  Besides the usual RV's parked there, the campground was having a T@b camper meetup.  What darling little campers these are!  Shaped like a teardrop, these vintage-inspired campers come in a variety of colors and have a variety of accessories.  I talked with one woman, who was sitting outside a baseball cap style camper.  Her camper, which was not a T@b, was painted to look like a library, with a pencil for a back bumper.  She told me all about the T@b campers, and I instantly fell in love.  I want to seriously consider one of these for my future!

Serene Meadow

Riverside Dogwood

Continuing down the road, there were homes on both sides of the street, and those on the river side had backyards set up with fishing patios; all you had to do was step outside your back door and fish.  The water in the river was so clear.  It appeared to be less than four feet deep in most spots.

Sasquatch

Wild Ride!

I ended my walk at Captain Dave's Artistry.  The carvings were amazing; most were done right there on the property, with a chain saw.  Someone obviously had a sense of humor, judging by the various faces and poses on the bears and Sasquatch.

This walk was full of fun and whimsical things to see.  I definitely want to come back to the Smokies.

Privacy, please!

*****************

Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

*************************************************

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so

Day 235 - Cades Cove in the Smokies

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

Dan Lawson's Place

Lone tree

This morning our photography group got up early and headed to Cades Cove to get in line with all the other photographers, waiting for the ranger to open the gate.  We did some sunrise shooting before continuing around the loop. 

Late morning light

Sitting Pretty

When we got to the Dan Lawson Place, I broke away from the group do my walk.  This location in Cades Cove has reproduction buildings of the homestead of one of the original settlers, consisting of a cabin, a smokehouse, and a barn.  It is located on a meadow that leads up to a hill, and is surrounded by a stacked split rail fence.  Goldfinches were flitting around in the trees by the cabin, landing in groups on the ground around the fence and then back up into the trees.

Across the road, which has wooden fence posts strung with metal wire, swallows were perched.  Even when cars would come by on the narrow road, they would not fly away.

The barn at Lawson's Place

Deer in the meadow

View from the cabin

I walked up to the barn and beyond, through a meadow heavy with dew.  I came out by the road and photographed a beautiful lone tree across the road, backed up by a mist covered mountain.  I photographed a swallow sitting on the wire and followed the road a distance to get to a different perspective on the tree.  As I approached the house again, a deer came into the meadow to the right of the cabin.

Lone Tree different perspective

The other photographers in my group were concentrating on photographing inside the cabin and barn, so they were not even aware that I was out doing my walk.  My soaking wet boots gave me away.

It was a beautiful morning in Cades Cove, and I hope to return there very soon.

 ******************

Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

*************************************************

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so

Day 234 - Townsend, TN

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

My back patio at the Tally Ho Inn

Cabin for Rent

During a break between our sunrise shoot (we left at 5:15 a.m.) and our upcoming sunset shoot, I took my little camera on a walk from the Tally Ho Inn, where I am staying, about a mile down the road in one direction, then turned around and came back.  There is a nice paved path that parallels Highway 73, used by walkers and bikers.

Bumblebee working the wisteria

I've seen lots of bears!

Although Townsend was originally chartered as a town in 1921 by people involved with the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company, its purpose today seems to be to support the many thousands of visitors who come to the Smokies each year.  Known as the "Gateway to Cades Cove," Highway 73 is lined with campgrounds, tubing rental places, horseback riding tours, cabin rentals, motels, gift shops, restaurants (which close by 8 p.m.) and park related sites.

Rat Race Rentals

The road also parallels the Little River, with mountains rising above it across the road, making it very attractive for campers and fishermen and tubers and hikers.  It is a peaceful place in April, but I am sure summer finds it full of families and vacationers.

So far, it's great in Townsend, TN!

 ******************

Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

*************************************************

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so

Day 233 - Bristol, TN-VA

(Click any photo to enlarge.)

No doubt where you are in this town!

Quiet morning in Bristol

Bristol is one of those unique state line towns.  It is literally split down the middle on State Street, which is the main street of the historic downtown district.  On one side of the street, you are in Virginia.  On the other side, you are in Tennessee.  As a matter of fact, as I crossed the road on my walk in town, I was lucky enough to pass right over a brass plate in the center of the street that showed the state line.  If I had crossed in a different spot, I would have missed it!

Recording Studio Sign

Tuesday morning in downtown Bristol before 9 a.m. is very quiet.  Norma and I walked from the train depot at one end of town, under the big metal sign that shows which side of the town is in Virginia, and which is in Tennessee.  We were in search of breakfast on this beautiful spring morning, and it took a while to find a place that was open.

We passed by various shops and store fronts, all of them closed, and unfortunately, many of them empty.  We finally found a coffee shop that served breakfast; it was also connected to an Apple store.  Both were located in old, renovated buildings downtown.

Nascar Mural

Country Music in Virginia Sculpture

After our breakfast, we continued walking several blocks, passing by three old theaters, some renovated for new use.  At one empty lot there was a huge mural devoted to Nascar.  Bristol Motor Speedway is located nearby.  Another mural on the Virginia side had a silhouette of the state (I'm glad the Eastern Shore of Virginia was not left off) with rusted metal music instruments arranged on the wall. 

Tribute to Country Music

We crossed to the Tennessee side and ended up in a pawn shop in an old five-and-dime store building that still had an old soda fountain in operation.  The shop had tons of guitars and shotguns, coins, fishing rods, and jewelry.  Farther down the street was another mural devoted to country music, since Bristol is acknowledged as the birthplace of country music. 

The State Line

Bristol was a great place to do my walk this morning.  If you've been following me for a while, you know that historic districts are my favorite locations for photo walks.  I can always find interesting architecture, items in store windows, and unusual details.  Bristol was no exception.

 ******************

Visit my photography show, "My Maryland," at the public library in Urbana, Maryland, on the lower level of the building.  It is there until the end of April.

Hurricane Sandy Relief: Donate to the Red Cross, and I will mail you a 5 x 7 print from any of the photos I have posted on my blog OR any photo on my website.

Forward to me via email a receipt for donating to the Red Cross. Tell me whether the photo is from the blog or the website, and Include its title along with a mailing address. The name on the receipt to the Red Cross must match the name of the mailing recipient. Send the receipt and the photo request to camscamerashots@gmail.com.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

*************************************************

Visit my web site: camscamerashots.zenfolio.com
Follow me on Twitter: @camscamerashots
Email:  cam.miller@comcast.net

Cam's rules for the Daily Photo Walk:

1. walk every day
2. the walk must be in addition to any other planned activity for the day
3. post a photo every day
4. use whatever camera is easy and convenient for walking comfortably; always have a backup camera at the ready in case of mishaps (I use the Nikon Coolpix P7700)
5. no weather excuses
6. walk only where it is safe to do so