Life is Short, Take the Scenic Route

Cairo, Illinois, a Ghost Town

2011-04-07T11:27:00.012-05:00

Welcome to Historic Cairo. That is what the sign is trying to say. Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, this town was founded in 1837. It sits at the very southern tip of the state of Illinois. Located at the extreme southern tip is Civil War fort, Fort Defiance(which was flooded out the day we visited). But due to civil and social problems, and probably numerous floods, the population has dwindled to next to nothing. And although most of the town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is mostly abandoned and falling apart.

Cairo, Illinois

2011-04-07T11:17:00.011-05:00

Beautiful brick roads.
Even the street signs are ancient.

Tunnel through one of the levee walls. The town is completely surrounded by levees. This route north has a gate that would come down in case of flooding. I'm not certain how old it is or if it is even still usable or effective.

A welcoming sign across the railroad tracks. This view looks south heading into town.

Eagles!

2011-04-06T08:02:00.013-05:00

In honor of the Decorah Eagles Webcam that I am absolutely obsessed with and can't stop watching-I am posting photos today from Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee. Reelfoot is an excellent place to view Eagles in the winter. We didn't see any wild Eagles, but they do have some in a large enclosure at the visitor center. I could have watched them all day, they are so beautiful.

Red Tailed Hawks

Signs from the Road II

2011-04-05T07:12:00.007-05:00

Signs from the Road

2011-04-04T12:32:00.005-05:00

Views from the Gateway Arch Pt 2

2011-04-03T08:56:00.009-05:00

More views from the top of the Arch, after I switched to the zoom lens.

This last one was played with a bit, giving it that weird miniature look!

Views from the Gateway Arch

2011-04-02T16:14:00.008-05:00

A few shots that I took from the top of the Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri on Monday March 21, 2011.

Just a test

2011-04-01T14:10:00.002-05:00

Testing photo quality. The top photo was saved using lower quality, less kbs, the bottom photo saved at high quality(which is what my photo editor recommends). Just wondering which ones looks better on the web.

Maybe I'm back, maybe

2011-03-31T13:11:00.007-05:00

I haven't had the opportunity to get out to take photos, nor have I had a good photo editor on my new computer. And the self esteem issues and addiction to World of Warcraft didn't help.

But we took a trip over Spring Break, and I found possibly an awesome free photo editor-and I'm getting a bit bored with Warcraft. So maybe I'll try to add some photos in the coming days and weeks.

It may be a bit of hodge podge-a little bit from trips, a little bit from things around my town, probably mostly things that I find interesting and that reflect the area I live in, i.e. the small suburbs that are still somewhat "country".

While I get acquainted with my new photo editor, and spend some time organizing photos and deciding whether or not to only post here in the future or keep my website(which I think I've actually lost at the moment, argh-need to go work on that). Seems easier to add things here, but more control over my personal website. What to do...

In the meantime, I am adding one pic I took from our trip to St Louis for Spring Break, more are on my Flickr page.

This is the Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee.

Still having problems

2010-09-07T08:10:00.001-05:00

I cannot upload my photo program to my new computer, cannot upload my html program. Not much I can do right now.

Of course, nobody even looks at this blog so it is not like it really matters. Suppose I should take the hint.

If it's not one thing

2010-05-10T10:43:00.001-05:00

...it's another. So my old computer was on it's last legs. And this past weekend we spent more than we have on a new one. I'm not a fan of change, and it sucks not having what I am used to at my fingertips. And the new computer is already having problems locking up.

So all of my photos are on another computer. And until I can get things straightened out, I will be on hold here. Not that anyone cares, I'm pretty sure nobody ever looks at this page anyway. God's way of telling me to move on because my stuff ain't that good? I dunno. Maybe.

Tuesday's Battle

2010-05-04T07:13:00.004-05:00

Tuesday is named for Tyr, the Norse God of War. I believe it is fitting to show photos from the various battlegrounds, mostly Civil War, that I visit.

This is Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Despite what may be perceived by many people, this is not actually the "court house". And to be factual, this isn't completely the actual house where General Robert E Lee signed terms of surrender to General Ulysses S Grant on April 9, 1865, either-it is mostly a reproduction.

The town of Appomattox is located a few miles from here, in the county of Appomattox. The old court house(now reconstructed at the National Park) was located at this town, which was called Clover Hill. The town of Appomattox, a few miles away, is the location of the current county court house. The county seat was moved when a train station was built in 1854 at Appomattox Station. The Civil War culminated at this place, Clover Hill, in April of 1865 after several days of fighting.

This home, the McLean home, was where both sides met to draw up the formal agreement to end the war. After the war, the home was sold a few times. One owner wanted to move it to Chicago for the 1893 World's Fair, but it never happened. Then they decided to move it to Washington DC and put it on display. The house was taken apart and readied to be moved, but that idea fell through as well. The home then lay in piles for nearly fifty years. Environment as well as thieves and collectors took their toll on the home. It wasn't until 1940 that the National Park was created and the home was to be rebuilt. About 5000 of the original bricks were able to be used, but much of the wood had to be replaced. It was opened to the public on April 9, 1949.

We visited the park in March of 2006.

The Flooding of Middle Tennessee

2010-05-03T12:53:00.002-05:00

Well, I haven't forgotten and missed my days on purpose. We have had historic flooding here around Nashville. Luckily my home and neighborhood is high and dry, but we have not ventured out at all to see where the damage is. We've been glued to the news on all channels and I simply cannot believe my eyes at the damage being caused.

One thing that really hurts is knowing that the Hurricane Mills Bridge that I just posted last week has been washed away by the flood. I can only imagine what other wonderful places we have lost in Middle Tennessee. I can only hope it isn't too many.

Photos will return tomorrow.

Thursday's in the Barn

2010-04-29T06:40:00.002-05:00

Thursday doesn't have a connection to barns, that I know of, but I it was the only day left when I was setting up subjects with days. I'm going with it.

This little barn has a lot to say. "See Rock City" barns have been seen all over the South since the 1930s, not long after the Rock City Gardens opened near Chattanooga, Tennessee. This one is located south of Eagleville, Tennessee on Hwy 41. This photo was taken in 2003.

Wednesday Hump Day

2010-04-28T06:07:00.004-05:00

Wednesday is Hump Day, and I am posting photos of bridges to get us over that hump.

This is the railroad bridge going across Saint Louis Bay from Bay St. Louis to Pass Christian, Mississippi. The photo was taken from the Bay St. Louis side in 2007. Much of the bridge was destroyed as the eye of Katrina came up this bay in August 2005.

Tuesday's Battle

2010-04-27T06:20:00.003-05:00

Tuesday is named for Tyr, the Norse God of War. I believe it is fitting to show photos from the various battlegrounds, mostly Civil War, that I visit.

Today we visit the Stone's River National Battlefield Park, specifically the Hazen's Brigade Monument and Cemetery. Built just a few months after the battle in 1863 to honor those in the brigade of General William Babcock Hazen, men from the 110th Illinois, 9th Indiana, 6th Kentucky and 41st Ohio. They held this area throughout the Battle of Stones River on December 31, 1862. Buried here around the monument are 45 of the men from the unit who fell in battle. The monument has inscriptions on all four faces, including a memorial to 6 officers of these units who were killed at Shiloh in April of 1862.

This photo was taken after a snowfall in February of this year.

Animal Monday

2010-04-26T04:05:00.000-05:00

Monday is for animals. Trying to post something cute to help get the week underway.

This little cutie is a Clouded Leopard cub that had been at the Nashville Zoo with his 2 siblings back in October of 2009. At the time they were about 3 months old and beyond adorable. I spent about an hour watching them, taking around 250 photos!

Sunday Sermon

2010-04-25T04:51:00.000-05:00

It is only fitting that Sunday's photos are churches.

This church is St Luke's, also known as "Old Brick", in Isle of Wight, Virginia. It is America's only original Gothic church and the oldest existing church of English foundation. Construction on this church is believed to have begun in 1632 due to a date found on a brick during a renovation.

It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been declared a national shrine.

Saturday Cemetery

2010-04-24T04:43:00.001-05:00

The one place I probably visit more and photograph than any other is a cemetery.

This is one of my favorite photos, taken at Maple View Cemetery in Smyrna, Tennessee in the Fall of 2005.

Forgotten Friday

2010-04-23T07:35:00.003-05:00

Friday is my day to recall those places that seem to have been forgotten by all those who pass by-except for those of us with an "abandoned addiction". I don't usually go so far as to trespass or venture inside, but the look of old places whose time has come and gone draw me like moths to a flame.

This particular home is located in Surry, Virginia off of State Route 10. I can only assume that it was once the home of the Jameson's who are buried in a small cemetery out front of the home. This photo was taken in 2003. I'm not sure if the home is still standing, but it still shows up on Google Street View.

Thursday's in the Barn

2010-04-22T04:12:00.001-05:00

Thursday doesn't have a connection to barns, that I know of, but I it was the only day left when I was setting up subjects with days. I'm going with it.

This barn is located in Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. I believe this is the one at the Dan Lawson home place. Lawson died in 1905 and was buried in a small graveyard on a hilltop nearby.

Wednesday Hump Day

2010-04-21T04:03:00.001-05:00

Wednesday is Hump Day, and I am posting photos of bridges to get us over that hump.

This little iron bridge is located at Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, the home of Country Star Loretta Lynn. You can almost see her house between the bars on the left of the bridge. It was built in 1911. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

***Sad update-this bridge was washed away in the May 2 flood. I am heartbroken.

Tuesday's Battle

2010-04-20T04:48:00.002-05:00

Tuesday is named for Tyr, the Norse God of War. I believe it is fitting to show photos from the various battlegrounds, mostly Civil War, that I visit.

Today's photo is from Manassas National Battlefield Park. The monument is of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, who supposedly earned his famous nickname here. It is near the park's visitor center, and in roughly the area where the First Virginia began their attack on Union forces. The artist is Joseph P Pollia and was dedicated at the park in 1940. Some folks call this the "Superman" monument. I can see why. It's one of my very favorites.

Animal Monday

2010-04-19T09:39:00.004-05:00

Monday is for animals. Trying to post something cute to help get the week underway.

Today is a small bird that I saw outside a doctor's office this past winter. I'm not sure what kind of bird it is, but it's cute.

Sunday Sermon

2010-04-18T09:17:00.001-05:00

I am changing yet again. I've decided against going by the subject dictated on the websites that I had been visiting and entering their contests. It seemed like it was doing me no good at all as far as critics, traffic or even regular visitors. So I'm going back to doing my own thing. I will be going by a certain subject according to the day of the week. Sunday is only fitting to be churches that I have photographed.

Today's church is Cummings Chapel. It was established in 1858. I am not certain if this chapel is original, but it is a log structure and is one of the oldest surviving log chapels in East Tennessee. It is located on Cummings Chapel Road, south of Old Newport Hwy, east of Sevierville in Sevier County, Tennessee. Adjoining it is a cemetery containing a few hundred graves.

Messy

2010-01-27T15:54:00.003-06:00

The Arbor Station Apartments, Long Beach, Mississippi. Destroyed completely by Hurricane Katrina on Monday August 29, 2005. My mom's apartment was someone around here. She lived on the second floor. There was nothing left of it. The Gulf of Mexico can be seen in the distance on the horizon between the legs of the stairs on the left.

Photo was taken on September 17, 2005.

Bridge

2010-01-20T06:18:00.002-06:00

The Wednesday photo site never did accept my entry from last week(it's still 'pending'), so I'm done with them. So I'll just post a photo from the set I'm working on right now.
This is the inside of the historic Shelby Street Bridge in downtown Nashville. It was once a major route from downtown to East Nashville, but the bridge had to be shut down to auto traffic in 1998. Built in 1909, it was placed on National Register of Historic Places in 1998, and reopened as a pedestrian bridge in 2003. Several country music videos have been filmed on and around the bridge.

The Titans

2010-01-19T07:48:00.003-06:00

I don't really have a good photo that I can think of for today's theme(day-night), so I just went for this one of the Titans game back in August, with sort of a sunset outside the stadium. Meh. At least the Titans won the game.

Dog

2010-01-17T12:57:00.001-06:00

See It Sunday. I'm not around dogs much, I'm more of a cat person. This is the War Dog Memorial at the University of Tennessee Veterinary School in Knoxville, a beautiful Doberman with a collar that says "Always Faithful".

For more information, please check their website.

Red

2010-01-14T09:49:00.000-06:00

Thursday Challenge.
Her'n and His'n outhouses. Abandoned mini-golf course in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. July 2009

Storm

2010-01-13T08:39:00.004-06:00

Lensday.
The Hurricane Camille fishing boat. Myth had that it washed up during Hurricane Camille in Gulfport, Mississippi in 1969 and was used as an attraction with a tourist shop built next to it. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 washed away the gift shop and damaged the boat. Photo taken August 2007. I've heard that it's been removed and/or destroyed since then.

Inside-Outside

2010-01-12T06:51:00.000-06:00

Two For Tuesday
Barn along the Natchez Trace Parkway, July 2009

Belle Vue

2010-01-11T06:29:00.003-06:00

This would be Moody Monday, but I haven't figured out to add a link to that one. So I'll just post it any old photo.
This is Belle Vue, the home built in 1797, and for which the town of Bellevue in west Davidson County is named. It was moved here, Red Caboose Park, in 2006 from its original location near the Harpeth River.

I don't usually manipulate my photos very much, but I have noticed that the photos that seem to get the most attention on Flickr are ones that have some editing done. So I thought I'd play around with a few photos.

Tower

2010-01-10T10:56:00.001-06:00

See it Sunday. Biloxi Lighthouse, Biloxi, Mississippi 2007

Another Bedtime

2010-01-09T07:03:00.001-06:00

There is no picture for today's Saturday Challenge, because they wanted a "self portrait" and I don't do those for anyone. So I thought I'd post another "bedtime" photo, just to have something up for the day.

Little Squirrel Sleeping in a Tree.

Bedtime

2010-01-08T06:34:00.002-06:00

PhotoFriday entry. A tired little Clouded Leopard cub with his blanky. Nashville Zoo, October 2009.

Free for all

2010-01-07T10:32:00.002-06:00

Thursday Challenge. One of my favorite photos taken in 2005.

Juvenile

2010-01-06T08:41:00.001-06:00

This is for Lensday, but that is still last week's subject, as they haven't updated yet for today. I didn't feel like waiting, but it is probably too late to enter it.
Geese at Radnor Lake, Nashville, TN May of 2008.

River-Road

2010-01-05T06:44:00.009-06:00

Two 4 Tuesday photo of the day. I'm not confident about this one, so I probably won't be entering it. This was taken two years after Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi, Mississippi. The road in the distance is Highway 90 being rebuilt. The broken bridge in the foreground is the old highway(prior to Hwy 90) from Biloxi to Ocean Springs.

New Year!

2010-01-04T10:39:00.002-06:00

I am back with a new year and a new look. Going wide since I got a new widescreen monitor for my birthday. And hoping to add lots more photos, more often, and maybe even get over my fear of rejection and link some of my photos to some of the daily contests. Who knows.

I've also changed the subject back to photos of what I see, no matter where I take them. If you are new, I had changed the subject of my photos to only those I had taken from the passenger seat of our car. While I still have many of those that I could add, I was finding that I was limiting myself too much and the quality of the photos I had to post wasn't my best.

While I still feel that I'm not a very good photographer, I just freakin' love taking photos. And I love to travel. And I feel that the name, "Reconnaissance Photos" best fits the direction of where I'm going.

Reconnaissance:

1.	Military. a search made for useful military information in the field, esp. by examining the ground.

2.	Surveying, Civil Engineering. a general examination or survey of a region, usually followed by a detailed survey.

3.	Geology. an examination or survey of the general geological characteristics of a region.

My photos are historical in nature. Old homes, abandoned places, military sites, and anything related to my home, Tennessee.

I hope that maybe a few people will stumble upon this site and at least somewhat enjoy my photos and commentary.

Where have I been?

2009-11-30T13:49:00.000-06:00

Well, not in the car much. Summer just flew by. We haven't taken too many trips, at least not as a full family(and I don't usually take photos when I'm driving). With the fall and winter here, we've gotten out a bit more. But illness and broken limbs are keeping us sidelined far too often.

I'll be adding some photos from the last few trips out and backdating them, one per day starting with yesterday. Just a way to get some thrown on here before I try to get back to adding more often.

Not that anybody looks at these photos anyway. Heh.

Which way is up?

2009-11-29T13:53:00.000-06:00

This intersection always cracks me up. So, if I go straight I'll be going North AND South at the same time? Cool.

What is it?

2009-11-28T13:55:00.000-06:00

We saw these go by on Interstate 40 in Middle Tennessee a few weeks ago. There were at least 5 of them that we saw. And on the way home a few days later, we saw one of them broken down on State Route 840 in Wilson County.

Some sort of tube or tower? Not sure, but it was interesting.

Old advertising barn

2009-11-27T13:59:00.000-06:00

This one has seen quite a few advertisements in its days. It seems one of the oldest mentions "koffee kups" at a 76 (gas station). Most of the white area seems to be a Justin Boots ad, extremely faded. And something about "famous" in the black letters on the upper right area.
Located along Interstate 40 west of Crossville on the south side of the freeway.

I see you!

2009-06-16T07:06:00.000-05:00

Wonder if it smells bad in there? This horse was peeking his nose out of the trailer, trying to get some fresh air it seems!

Porky's BBQ

2009-06-15T07:03:00.001-05:00

Snapped this one quickly while driving through Crossville recently. I wonder how their bbq tastes? Makes me hungry just thinking about it!

Hurricane Katrina

2009-05-26T15:27:00.002-05:00

This was taken from the car-because, well you couldn't really get out safely around here. This is in Gulfport, Mississippi, about 2 weeks after Katrina devastated the area. My sister lived in Gulfport at the SeaBee base, my mom in an apartment in Long Beach. We got passes to cross the railroad tracks just south of the base in order to head west along 90 to get to my mom's apartment. This boat was several blocks inland in someone's yard. The wood was mostly from cargo trucks that had been parked at the Gulfport port-about a mile away.

There was nothing left of my mom's apartment.

Road music

2009-05-12T11:49:00.002-05:00

This is what we've been listening to for the last few years while on the road. Brad Paisley. Garth Brooks. Toby Keith. Or any country radio station we can manage to pick up.

And this one sort of sums up our road trips-Time Well Wasted. :)

Look out!

2009-05-11T11:52:00.000-05:00

Gotta watch out for those hazards in the road. In this case, a tire(probably from a truck's retread) on I40 somewhere between Nashville and Knoxville.

Spandex Road Trolls

2009-05-10T11:54:00.000-05:00

Not my saying! I heard that on the radio one morning. They were discussing whether or not bikers should be on certain dangerous roads in the area.

These are on a back road somewhere between Franklin and the Natchez Trace.

Yummy!

2009-05-09T11:56:00.000-05:00

Gotta love the trucks that show the product they are carrying-especially if it is food! And even better-ice cream!

Bringing the bikes

2009-04-28T09:38:00.003-05:00

Playing with the zoom lens. I like this shot. Kinda wish I had gotten more of the canoe in the shot.

Corvette Museum

2009-04-27T09:36:00.000-05:00

This is as close as I've ever gotten to it. Not that I like Corvettes or anything. I'm more of a Porsche gal myself.

Bowling Green, Kentucky

Construction

2009-04-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

This was an odd construction set-up on the interstate. Two lanes in the middle were singled out. I can't even remember why-it was just strange, not like anything I'd ever seen before.

Gas prices, sheesh

2009-04-25T09:33:00.000-05:00

So this was last July. Price for regular was 3.79. And this was why we didn't take to many trips for the last few years.

Welcome to Kentucky!

2009-04-24T09:32:00.000-05:00

I love Welcome signs. :)

Nashville

2009-04-23T09:29:00.000-05:00

Apologies for being absent for awhile. Things have been crazy. Two computers crashing and my kid broke her arm. Will try to make up by adding a few today and post-dating them(4-28-09).

All the ones I add today will be from the Kentucky trip we took on July 12, 2008. This is a view of downtown Nashville as we went by on Interstate 24.

Good Friday

2009-04-12T07:34:00.002-05:00

Apologies for the short break in posting photos. We had some bad storms come through on Good Friday. An F3 tornado ripped through 15 miles of Murfreesboro. At one point it crossed an area about 6 miles south of my house. This is a shot I got yesterday from the car(had to get out to check on Stones River National Cemetery-it had several trees down, a section of wall taken out, not certain if any headstones were damaged.

Rain

2009-04-08T03:31:00.000-05:00

It rained almost the whole trip to Kentucky in July 2008. Had to take some photos of something!

Covered bridge

2009-04-07T15:06:00.003-05:00

Just as we came off of the Cherohala Skyway into Tellico Plains, Tennessee, I spotted this beauty. I actually got the shot by turning around to my right in the passenger seat and shooting almost behind me. The road curved more to the right and I took a second shot in case the first didn't come out, but the first one-this one-is actually much better!

Turns out this probably isn't a very old bridge. It is the entrance to a fancy new subdivision called Telliquah Preserve. I couldn't find out any more information so I suppose it could be a refurbished older bridge. Who knows. I just know I loved how cute it was!

Brad Paisley!!

2009-04-06T07:01:00.002-05:00

In honor of Brad winning the Best Male Artist last night on the Academy of Country Music Awards, I had to post something about him! He also won Video of the Year("Waiting on a Woman") and Event of the Year("Start a Band" with Keith Urban), but those were not shown last night. And Brad wasn't even there, he is home here in Nashville waiting for Kimberly to have their 2nd baby, awwww!

I got this shot along Interstate 24 near Bell Road a few months ago when Brad was scheduled to play at the Opry. I had actually missed the shot while headed north(it's a rotating billboard, there are 3 or 4 other things that could be showing) and got this shot while we were headed back south east sort twisted turned around and almost over my shoulder. But anything for Brad!

If you died today...

2009-04-05T06:51:00.001-05:00

...where would you spend eternity? Interesting billboard! Thought provoking, of course. I am pretty sure that on the other side of that billboard, just behind those trees, is a cemetery and beside it of course is a church. I'm not certain which church, but I am pretty sure this is in Smith County, Tennessee along Interstate 40. I wonder if it has ever provoked someone into attending church?

See Rock City

2009-04-04T06:45:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love photographing the "See Rock City" barns. And it seems that many of them that I catch, I have to catch while we are driving along. And sometimes you don't see them until it is too late! This one is located along Hwy 129 southwest of Maryville in Blount County, Tennessee. Luckily we were going about 5mph behind a tractor and a line of cars at the time so I had time to line the shot up. It's probably my favorite "See Rock City" barn shot that I've taken.

Extra support?

2009-04-03T06:32:00.002-05:00

A few years ago some construction was done at Interstate 40 on the west side of Nashville at Briley Parkway/White Bridge Ave. The road was widened and new HUGE offramps were added on the north side. And for some reason this support column was built in the wrong place! Or they changed their mind at some point!
You can see the new offramp on the left of the photo. Maybe they wanted a direct access offramp coming from the eastbound traffic? Not sure, but this thing sure stands out. It can even be seen in this Google Street View-but not the overhead photo. The overhead image is pre-construction.

I wonder if they will ever finish the offramp or eventually take this down?

Tennessee's Finest

2009-04-02T06:30:00.000-05:00

Doing their job! Slow those people down. I hate speeders. And tailgaters. And people who don't use signals. And basically anyone that breaks the law.

Obey the laws and this won't happen to you!

That's just odd

2009-04-01T07:12:00.003-05:00

Somewhere between Michigan and Kentucky in 2003. Conditions not favorable-sun in my eyes and a dirty side window(we had gone through rain earlier and had not cleaned it off yet)-but I HAD to have a shot of this! Yes, it is a casket trailer. And the vehicle pulling it was a hearse with a similar paint job! Are they toting Grandma along? Or is it just a really unique way of hauling extra gear? Not really sure, but I have to say this was one of the most unique things I've ever seen on the road!

Don't try this!

2009-03-31T13:19:00.001-05:00

Taken on the trip to Virginia, somewhere along I-81 in December 2003.

Yes, yes, I took this with my little digital camera while I was driving. I know, stupid. But honestly, I still had one hand on the wheel and I never took my eyes off the road in front of me. I actually took several shots, in the hope that one would come out decent-and one did.

All that being said, I am in no way a Junior fan! In fact, he is my LEAST favorite Nascar driver. And whether or not this is actually one of the semi's that hauls his stuff or just a huge fan, I have no idea-but I still thought it was cool enough to want to get a shot of it!

Stuck in traffic

2009-03-30T06:14:00.003-05:00

And sometimes all you see are lots of other cars. This happened back in July of 2008 on Interstate 40 west of Knoxville when a tanker full of Titanium Tetrachloride overturned. We sat in traffic, finally inching our way along 40 to an off-ramp and then along Highway 70 to get back on the interstate-it took us 4 hours!

The things you see

2009-03-27T06:10:00.003-05:00

This is what I love about travel by road. Oh the things you will see! And the fact that I have a camera that I can attempt to capture some of these images now so that they are not only relegated to memory only makes it better.

This is at the Cave City exit in Kentucky. We didn't visit Dinosaur World, but we did take the exit to go see the Wigwam Motel!

Photos from the Car

2009-03-26T13:15:00.005-05:00

Yes, I am trying again. I want to post my photos, I've just been looking for the right 'avenue' to run them up. The right 'trail' to take. I was looking for a sign.

And then it happened. One morning, a morning that I lingered a few extra moments in the car listening to a caller on the talk radio show I listen to every morning. After my kid had caught the bus, at a time when I normally would have parked the car and gone inside. But I lingered for some reason. And then it happened...

This caller mentioned the "Tail of the Dragon". He mentioned how he, a motorcycle rider, often rode this road in East Tennessee and the danger(the topic of the morning was bicyclists on certain area roads being a danger). I had never heard of this "Dragon" but I was certainly intrigued! I ran inside and Googled it. I came across many websites and I KNEW I had to visit this place.

As luck would have it, my husband and kid both had the following week off from work and school for vacation, and East Tennessee isn't that far away. So we went. We ended up driving on 3 scenic roads that I had not heard of before and had a blast doing so! More photos will be coming from the "Tail of the Dragon", the "Devil's Triangle" and the "Cherahala Skyway".

The above is one of the many winding parts of the "Tail of the Dragon"(318 curves in 11 miles!). It was a fun ride and I can't wait to get back and ride it again! Just be careful when you do and obey all of the laws, it can be a dangerous road.

I guess so

2008-11-04T09:24:00.003-06:00

Seeing as how I've gotten no comments to the contrary, it seems that absolutely nobody ever looks at this page but me. That's fine. I haven't taken too many photos lately thanks to be addicted to World of Warcraft. I still have millions of old photos to choose from but I guess I just don't care anymore since nobody else does. :/

I know

2008-08-26T14:58:00.001-05:00

it's been awhile since I really posted photos. While I have fun trying to find photos for the different themes, I've been really busy lately and frankly I don't think anyone ever looks at this page so there does not seem to be any point to it. While I might check back in every now and then to the themes and add something if I have something handy, I don't really see the point in bothering to check most days.

Signs

2008-08-12T07:56:00.001-05:00

Seen in Waveland, Mississippi

Purple

2008-08-12T07:23:00.000-05:00

Sign inside a castle! Tennessee Ren Fest 2008

Communication

2008-07-29T10:17:00.000-05:00

I've been on vacation. Back with today's photo! And have so many photos to go through, just going easy on this one. This is my Television. With Brad Paisley singing on it. I'm sure I've got better, just don't have the time to look today. :)

Flight

2008-07-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

Noisy

2008-07-17T09:58:00.000-05:00

Blue Hole Falls on Duck River at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park in Manchester, Tennessee July 2008

Flower

2008-07-16T13:17:00.000-05:00

Newspaper

2008-07-15T11:31:00.000-05:00

I couldn't come up with anything for this, and since I don't enter the contests, I guess it really doesn't matter. So I came up with something recently that was IN a newspaper-the traffic being rerouted from the closed Interstate 40 in Cumberland County when a tanker carrying Titanium Tetrachloride overturned. We sat in this from 7pm to nearly 11pm. This was on Highway 70 almost near the end of the detour. What a pain that was.

Bargain

2008-07-14T06:37:00.000-05:00

A sign over a place I saw somewhere in east Tennessee this past weekend. The place was busy!

Retro

2008-07-13T13:17:00.000-05:00

Wigwam motel! Cave City, Kentucky-an honest to goodness holdover from the old days of auto travel. Taken July 12, 2008

Rain

2008-07-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

Looking out my window at the rain somewhere in eastern Kentucky. Rained most of the trip. July 12, 2008

Hot

2008-07-10T13:17:00.000-05:00

Burgers on the grill on the 4th of July

Fire

2008-07-09T13:16:00.000-05:00

The fire from the grill on the 4th of July.

Technologist

2008-07-08T09:09:00.000-05:00

This was technology at one time. Only thing I could think of to post. Old typewriter at Cannonsburgh Village, Murfreesboro, TN

Sleepless

2008-07-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

Thanks to these, I've been sleepless for the past few days. I hate the kids in our neighborhood. >.<

Shack

2008-07-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

In the Smoky Mountains, I was told this was Dolly Parton's childhood home. Not sure if it is, but it is a shack.

Spiral

2008-07-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

Fireworks, Fourth of July, from my front porch. Trying out new tripod. Like how these came spirally.

Photography

2008-07-03T08:54:00.000-05:00

Self Portrait. Just bought a new tripod, couldn't think of anything else for this page but this.

Independence

2008-07-02T10:33:00.000-05:00

Boat

2008-07-01T12:31:00.000-05:00

The tugboat that was dumped onshore by Hurricane Camille in 1969 in Gulfport, Mississippi. The gift shop sitting beside it did not survive Hurricane Katrina. Photo taken two years after Katrina.

Cycling

2008-06-30T10:41:00.000-05:00

Well, I honestly couldn't find a photo I've taken of anything to do with cycling that I would want to post. So I put up this photo of the Natchez Trace Bridge in Williamson County, Tennessee-a route very heavily used by cyclists. Driving this road, you frequently have to dodge the bikes.

Religion

2008-06-27T05:35:00.000-05:00

Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church, Blount County, Tennessee

Rocks

2008-06-26T04:30:00.000-05:00

See Rock City!

Summer

2008-06-25T15:33:00.000-05:00

The beach in Long Beach, Mississippi

Musician

2008-06-24T07:09:00.001-05:00

Blue Murder, Tony Franklin and John Sykes, taken at the Numbers club in Houston, Texas back in 1989. Had to dig this one out and scan it. Taken with my old Pentax K1000!

Beach

2008-06-23T06:58:00.000-05:00

Gulfport, Mississippi Two years after Katrina

Spring

2008-06-22T07:44:00.000-05:00

Water

2008-06-21T08:02:00.001-05:00

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Great Outdoors

2008-06-20T09:05:00.000-05:00

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