Tag: country life

Wanderlust 

Color Photography, Uncategorized, West Virginia

My lifetime has been lived between mountains and rivers.  One of the things I love most is that the hills and ridges always seem to have some secret just waiting for us to discover. I eventually found the time to head across the river and explore only to find more questions on the other side.  There are days when I wish I could just load a good ATV up with supplies and see how far down the tracks I can go.

  The mountains in the background were once occupied by the Adena. Our local history says that there was a huge wall that stretched for miles.  I have daydreams about what the landscape would have been in those times. What were they keeping out? What were protecting? Surely a culture that built a huge stone wall would also have buildings.  Is there abandoned temple hidden somewhere in the deep forests? The Adena had copper tools.  Is there also a golden idol tucked away just waiting for Indiana Jones to find? Maybe and maybe not. But I would love to find out.

Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park 

Color Photography, West Virginia

The Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia is one of our most popular places. It’s especially popular with artists and photographers.  I think the reason why we’re so atracted to it.  The mill harkens us back to a simpler time when life was more organic.  The days when water and horses powered our technology. This allowed for a life that was less micro managed.  There was time for friends and family to meet beside a steam and enjoy life.  Small stones accumulated in a pool near the bank hold an entire world of colors and shapes.  Insects and crayfish dart around in the pool like waterborne fairies performing a dance.  This is what real life is. 

 The mill is still in operation certain times of the year.  We have friends who still take grain to the mill and grind it flour.  Home baked bread from home raised grain has a smell and a flavor not found in the bleached out over processed chunks of starchy foam that comes in a plastic bag.  Real bread is a wonderful experience.  

Today the subject of automation is discussed at length.  There are doubts and fears as well as hopes and dreams.  I  look at the image here that represents the automation of the past and I’m reminded that  before the mill all that flour had to be ground by hand.  There would have been no time for observation of life in the water.  No time for pleasant conversations about life.  I have hope that automation of the future will provide the same benefits if we are wise with it’s use. 

If you’re interested in visiting the Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia  you might want to check out the link below.  

Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park 

Taking A Coffee Break 

Color Photography

The railroad bridge at Gauley Bridge, West Virginia is one of my favorite photo subjects.  I stop there occasionally and raise my camera to get a feel for lines and angles.  The petina of the rusted steel and texture of the vine covered masonery works well with the water and foliage.  Just a few feet away the Gauley River joins with the New River to form the Kanawha River.  The water here is clean. It’s a great place to fish, kayak or just sit back and watch the river.  On this particular morning I stole back about 10 minutes from the daily grind to enjoy some coffee and watch the fog lift.  Anytime we have the opportunity to take control over the clock and enjoy our own lives it’s a good day. 

Pretending 

Color Photography

Today circumstances colluded to prevent me from participating in the corporate Monday.  (I’ll try to hide my disappointment  😁) My moment of freedom allowed the opportunity to drop by Cathedral Falls and catch an image of the frozen waterfall.  The winter scene awakened the child in me and soon I could imagine myself as some Paleolithic hunter tracking a woolly mammoth on the ice. Never lose your ability to pretend. Adulthood doesn’t always mean that can’t play hooky and have an adventure.  

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Thoughts and Musing

The mountains of Appalachia provide a lot surprises.  Common sense told me that there are tunnels here and there but I had never spotted one until the day I took this picture.   As I look at the image the obvious thought is about the light at the end of the tunnel.   It’s a phrase that we use when encouraging a friend who’s having a tough time.  But,  we never really think about what the tunnel represents.  The tunnel at Kimberly West Virginia was put in this spot to ease the efforts of traveling through the steep landscape.  The  tunnel made the path straight and eliminated a grueling climb.   

The times in life when it seems like we’re in the proverbial tunnel just trying to make it to the light at the end it helps to remember that it’s a shortcut.   Just stay on the tracks and keep moving forward.