Category: Color Photography

False Petroglyphs Of Summerville Lake

Color Photography, Summersville Lake, travel

When I was a kid I was fascinated by petroglyphs. Being of the Indiana Jones generation, I wanted to be the one who cracked the code and uncovered ancient secrets. I just knew that there had to be a golden idol at the bottom of a cave close by. I would study the markings on the cliff and I could even see the hunters stalking some strange dinosaur. (Left side of the image behind the small bush. ) This had to be a map! Right? There’s a pod of dolphins in the center. And strange symbols throughout the whole thing!

The unfortunate thing about gaining knowledge is the loss of the adventure. What we see here is pretty common in my area. Painted Sandstone. The stone was formed when different colored mud ( in laymen terms ) came together and mixed, then turned to stone. The result was these wonderful patterns in the canyon wall of Summersville Lake that resemble some prehistoric record. There’s other spots like this and even some real petroglyphs but I haven’t found one that is as realistic as the one here. If you find yourself in the Summerville Lake area the best way to see them is by boat.

The Memory Of A River

Color Photography

From foundation of the world I came forth. Yes, I know the voice of God Almighty.

I remember the time before your ancestors came. And the time before those who first walked here.

As the ages passed this bounty was my joy to provide. My purpose in creation was providence.

I remember your laughter along my shores.

I know the names of every young boy who laid aside his responsibly to draw a fish from my waters.

I remember when your young maidens played and danced here.

I have worked without rest to deliver the boat and it’s cargo. My strength is yours to command.

I remember your struggles and the days when brother killed brother.

I remember the hard times when you had very little money and yet so much joy.

Today, I weep with you for I remember the things which you have forgotten.

Perhaps, if you can just put away your little black gazing box for a little while. Put it back in your pocket and pull the wires from your ears.

Gaze on my shores instead. Listen to the songs of birds and insects in the day. And, the frogs and crickets by night.

Do your legs remember running? Can you still feel the joy of racing the wind along my shores?

The melting ice will soon give way to a blanket of moss.

The warm sun will awaken the bloom and color will return.

Awaken yourself. Return to me. Come and play in my waters.

I am the River.

Here Be Dragons

Color Photography

Disclaimer- the later portion of this article uses the real life example of experienced Native American Alligator Wranglers. I am in no way encouraging a novice to engage in combat with a dangerous predator.

In the days before the internet I was the type of person who would spend all day in a library. I would look through the old dusty and neglected books trying to find something interesting and unique. I developed an interest for odd subjects like Ufos, cryptozoology, mythos and the legends from around the world. The heroes and heroines of the stories would always rise to the challenge. It’s overcoming the challenge that makes life interesting. We as human beings need just the right amount of struggle to make ourselves strong. We need adventure and exploration just as much as we need food,shelter, water and love. We need monsters and dragons to vanquish. Yesterday, I wrote about finding validation within yourself and the false sense of self worth based on the approval of the crowd. That sense of validation comes from slaying your own dragons and advancing to the next level. Nobody in the crowd knows what challenges you have faced. Nobody else has stood in your place and faced your dragon or felt the heat of its breath. All they know is if they were present on the day that you got final victory.

On that note I need to make a very important point. Sometimes the dragon wins. But, he can’t hold out forever. If the dragon doesn’t fall and you go home that day with your armor dented and your lance blunted it’s not over unless you give up. You overcome by repairing your arms and armor and adjusting your tactics.

The image above was taken in South Carolina at a reptile farm. The water is full of the American Alligator. Native Americans wrestled with them and still do for tourists in some places. The jaws snap like a trap and when they do the crushing force is measured in tons. And yet once the mouth is shut it can be kept closed with one hand. The savvy warrior has learned that if he can just keep the mouth from biting long enough that the beast will get tired and be slain at leisure. The warriors learned to overcome by simply not giving up.

A Promise

Color Photography, West Virginia

Every storm should end with a rainbow. The Bible says that God gave us the rainbow as a sign that he would never flood the entire world again. When times get dark and stressful we should look for the promise that things are not going to be tough forever. The storms will eventually pass.