The snow covered mountains of North Carolina as seen from the Danner cemetery.
A wider view from the cemetery.
This is taken from my driveway after I made my way down Killer Hill.
Three geese and a horse as seen from Baird's Creek Rd.
The Watauga River as seen from the bridge near River Rd.
Here is but a few of the hundreds of images I have taken over the last several days. Despite ridiculous wind chills, the latest snow was picture perfect and ripe with marketing brochure possibilities.
Each morning I woke up, put on long johns then added several more layers of clothing to protect myself from the elements. When I entered the office I was greeted by student interns who were less enthusiastic than me about venturing outdoors to learn to capture such moments.
"I left my camera at home," one kid whined.
"I stayed up late last night and don't feel good," was the excuse of another.
My response to them was to ask the question:
"How badly do you desire to be a working photographer? Or are you content being a wanna be?"
Ahhh, I enjoy teachable moments. As I explained to them: Possessing a $2,000 camera and all the photo knowledge in the world, doesn't make a memorable moments alone.
Great photos rarely come knockin' on the doorstep....You must seek them.
This one among the first batch of photos I took today at approximately 8 a.m. on my way to work. A snow day this perfect comes but once or twice a winter. The only way it might have been better would have been if it was 30 degrees instead of 4 and with much less of a breeze. A testament to my day is seen (and felt) on my blistered red face tonight. No complaints though because my boss and I killed a ton of our winter do-list today. Tomorrow is suppose to be much warmer and with bluer skies and if'n that is the case, you won't hear from me until late again in the evening. My philosophy is to shoot now and blog later. The sweet light suffers no photo fools.
And those tracks in the snow aren't mind or any human's...
On the home front:
I babysat for Pookie tonight! Though it was a long, physical day at work, I managed to care for the delightful 18 month old. She was the one who entertained me...and, "The wheels on the bus," still go round and round, ad infinitum. I couldn't find her parent's cd music in the nursery so I sat in the rocker and sung her to sleep with the off-key version of "All the Fishies are swimming in the water." She didn't quite like the position I initially had her in, but after a few grunts, we adjusted to the way her mom holds her and within a minute or two, she was fast asleep.
And, I love the Pooks, even if she spread banana slime all over my iPhone...
BTW, I think I am already asleep as I post this...
Sometimes I forget that Dutch Creek doesn't end at the Mast General Store Annex, but instead parallels the Valle Crucis Park meandering on a journey through the Valle until it empties into the Watauga River. I don't recommend this adventure because not only is it private property, but even in winter, the flood plain/field is filled with ankle-twisting holes and skin tearing thorns. I did not come out my recent trek unscathed. And, I shudder to think of the snakes that slither through this marshy area home in spring. Stick to the banks of the nearby Watauga River where it is just a scenic and safe. The Valle Crucis park offers public access.
I am likely the only person in the High Country (besides the skiers) hoping for a extra large dump of snow early next week. Yet I am specific. I want heavy snow followed by a day of blue skies and warm temperatures as it is the weather combination which yields the most sought after images. <Keeping my fingers crossed>
*And I hope to see you through the viewfinder at the double-header Appalachian basketball game this afternoon.
Let us just pretend I took this photo today. After all, it is snowing tonight and I imagine this will be the same scene on the Watauga River tomorrow morning. This photo was taken last week some time from the bridge near Charles Church's farm on Broadstone Rd. It is always a bit dicey to crawl out on an icy bridge and trust traffic won't brake and slam right into me. I always figure that if'n I die taking a photo, then well, it is as it should be...ya know? Just dust in the wind:)
I love snow. So much so, that I texted my boss to say I would be late and stay late because of the weather...but in a good photographic way. My boss is accepting and oh-so-cool with his suffering of my eccentricities. In the end, I hope to deliver the goods and that's what ultimately matters.
I wondered down the The River Road and then looped back to connect with Herb Thomas to make photos of St. John's Church. And here you are...
I've been out all morning shooting snow, but I wanted to put up at least one image. One of my haunts today was on the Watauga River Rd. and areas west of Valle Crucis. I will post more later...
Big whoop. It snowed again for the 5th time this winter in the HIgh Country. I'm actually delighted because the snowfall de-sensitizes folks to the winter conditions forcing them to manage their milk and bread supplies thus unclogging the grocery chain. And by now, the travelers with rear-wheel drives have learned to wait for the plow. All becomes right within the my snow globe. I left work about 10 minutes early and snuck some images from Baird's Creek and the horse farm to share with you. It was getting darking way too fast.
I do have a few things to share:
My buddy Frank is currently on a Rotary trip to India. He flew into Mumbia/Bombay but was out of the city during the terrorist attacks. Still, from what I can gather, the attacks have affected their country in the same way the 911 attacks affected ours. The gang has a travel blog, and here's Franks and his mama before he left. Frank is quite a storyteller and I will gladly purchase a beer for him just to hear him tell me more..
Ever heard of the Valle Crucis falls? Well, my friend Kenneth has photos of both the falls behind the Mission School and of the falls at Dutch Creek. These are rare glimpses of our own natural wonders.
I am late to posting about today's snow, but man, I was out most of the day in it. I took many, many photos because it was mostly a pretty snow despite numerous gusting squalls which blanked the sun. The snow has stopped, but alas, the wind has not ceased. My toes are just now beginning to thaw...
And I forgot about this little guy...
While my husband stayed home, content with cleaning, I escaped on a Sunday drive to the tops of mountains. I found slightly deeper snows than down in the valleys. I started on Howards Knob and wound my way up Junaluska and along Tater Hill. I told my sweet husband that I was just testing out the new snow tires. He totally bought it:)
On my drive I listened to a mix of bluegrass and blues. I listened to Mavis Staple doing a live version of "I'll take you there." When I returned home I was doing a very innocent Google search when all the sudden I happened upon an internet train wreck. You know? A place on the web which is so foreign and out of place you just can't not look. Meet Diana Campanella aka Artemisbell. She likes to dance and it is a wonder she isn't more famous. She's 55 Y.O. and is quite a hit in Brazil. She is prolific in posting of Youtube videos of herself dancing in her Scottsdale, AZ living room. Don't worry--this is safe dancing. She is a completely wonderful nut..
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