Here's a stone fence for the Good Fences linkup. And at the nearby entrance to the Chinese Garden, I posed for a snapshot.
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| At Glen Burnie, Winchester, VA |
July 31, 2014
July 30, 2014
July 29, 2014
The Kids are Here!
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| All of Frank's Grandchildren at Cracker Barrel: Ryley, Jo, Austin, Justin |
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| Austin and Justin in the Paddleboat |
Linking to: Our World Tuesday
July 28, 2014
Ferns Catching the Light
This picture was scanned at least 10 years ago so the resolution is lower than I'd like. But there's something about the way ferns catch the light in the woods that I find inspiring.
Linking to: Inspiring Photography / Catching the Light
July 27, 2014
Shadow Shot with Stripe
You can probably tell that we're looking at pavement with painted lines but what is the shadow?
Let's just say it's the No-Horse Corral!
Linking to: Shadow Shot Sunday
Postscript: I'm categorizing this under Photo Techniques and the technique at play here is framing/cropping.
July 26, 2014
Auto Reflections
One thing I like about the challenge of blog hops or theme linkups is the opportunity to shoot a subject that I might otherwise ignore. Here's a vehicle parked next to us at a bank — a really mundane topic in itself. But because I was looking for reflections, I found elements to frame in an interesting way.
Linking to: Weekend Reflections
July 25, 2014
Skywatch: Look Up
Near the interstate highway many businesses mount their signs on very tall posts so that motorists will see them.
Linking to: Skywatch Friday
Orange You Glad It's... Caesar?
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| Seen in Winchester, VA |
Linking to: Orange You Glad It's Friday
July 24, 2014
Fences at Cool Spring
Cool Spring Battlefield, Virginia
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| Wire Fence, Holy Cross Abbey |
Sometimes when I'm in a pretty rural area I watch for fences that I can shoot for Theresa's "Good Fences" blog hop. She's a prolific blogger and loyal commenter and so I like to participate in her linkup whenever I can.This set of photos is from the Cool Spring tour last week. The battlefield lies along the Shenandoah River between Bluemont and Berryville. Part of the battlefield lies on land that is a Trappist Monastery and another part, across the river, is now owned by Shenandoah University.
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| Looking Toward "The Retreat" |
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| Looking Down from "The Retreat" |
Linking to: Good Fences
July 23, 2014
July 22, 2014
Squirrel in the Glen
Do you see the squirrel sitting just above the waterfall? This is in Winchester, Virginia, in the gardens of Glen Burnie.
Linking to: Our World Tuesday
and Camera Critters
and Nature Notes
July 21, 2014
Flowers near Staunton
Last week I drove to Staunton to meet my older daughter for lunch. She was late arriving at the restaurant so I entertained myself by wandering around the parking lot taking pictures of the flowers. Fortunately it was a pretty day and there were plenty of flowers to see.
I can understand why Lynn was delayed. It takes longer to get dressed and take care of pets while wearing a cast! She's not complaining though because this should take care of a wrist problem that has bothered her for years. And the cast is purple!
Linking to: Today's Flowers
July 20, 2014
Cool Spring Tour, 150 Years After the Battle
When I arrived at Holy Cross Abbey for the tour Friday, I was surprised to see a hundred or more cars and a crowd of about 200 people. The topic was the Battle of Cool Spring, which took place 150 years ago. Jonathan Noyalas of LFCC and Shannon Moeck of the National Park Service were co-leading the tour. After lectures at a couple of sites on the abbey's property, the group traveled to the other side of the Shenandoah River to continue the tour on Shenandoah University's Cool Spring Campus.
In July 1864, General Jubal Early’s army, returning from his raid on Washington, was attacked by Federal units who forded the Shenandoah River and took up positions in the woods behind a stone wall at Cool Spring farm, now the site of a quiet monastery. A violent battle ensued, resulting in the Federal units retreating back across the river.
Most people have never heard of this battle, which is known variously as the Battle of Cool Spring, Island Ford, Parkers Ford, Snickers Ferry, and Castleman’s Ferry. Although it was a Confederate victory and delayed the Union pursuit by a few days, the armies would meet again in the Shenandoah Valley, with a significant Union victory taking place two months later at Winchester.
I've taken several tours led by Prof. Noyalas, starting in April 2008. Ranger Shannon was a fellow student on some of the tours, and now gives talks and tours regularly as a ranger at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Battlefield Park.
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| Shenandoah River Near Parkers Ford |
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| River Seen from Western Side |
Linking to: Scenic Weekends
July 19, 2014
Artifacts, Battle of Cool Spring
"Relics of Cool Spring" are on display this month at Shenandoah University's new campus at Cool Spring. These items were collected by Brother James Sommers of Holy Cross Abbey. After his death the collection was donated to the Clarke County Historical Association. |
Knapsack parts, Chain from brass horse bit,
Heel plates, Buckles
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The university's recently acquired land was formerly a golf course, mostly in flood plain along the Shenandoah River. New Civil War Trails Markers are now in place to tell the story of the Battle of Cool Spring, which took place 150 years ago after Confederate forces under Jubal Early attacked Fort Stevens and retreated back to the Shenandoah Valley.
See also: 2008 Post on Visit to Holy Cross Abbey
Dog on Tour
Yesterday I attended a history tour and this fine dog was there. He behaved beautifully!
Linking to: Saturday's Critters
and Sepia Saturday