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Once a year, sometimes twice, I return to John Furrow’s farm in Waiteville. Remembering we agreed, one past day, that I would return here for a spell to write my book. Photos. Impressions of rural backroads, steeped in sentiment, reveling in romanticism. Fantasies, you know, can be sustaining.
© d091018-003 Farm Valley
Waiteville, West Virginia
Monroe County
Sunday 18 October 2009
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It's about 10 spirit-lifting miles from Sugar Grove to Flat Ridge over the mountain between the Holston and New River Headwaters. Over the mountain between the Raccoon Branch and Jerry Creek headwaters to bring the scale down to truck level, to belly level stoked with pork tenderloin, scrambled eggs and Peggy's sweet honey.
It's 10:30 am. A late start for me, but it's been raining for four days and all this morning. No need to chase morning light. No need to read maps, no need to look for stops and shots. I know them by heart. I've traveled this road many times over, a natural North-South track, quiet, local, forested with lots of old values.
It's 10:45 am. The Old Pasture Gate. I've leaned on it and talked to it. I've marveled at it's endurance and the lovely fields beyond. With film and computer chip. Spring and Fall. Hot sun and, today, foggy rain. It's beyond me to explain my love for this old gate. But, no need.
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County Road 601
Grayson County, Virginia
Wednesday 27 May 2009
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From Claude Lorraine
Thru Thomas Cole and George Inness.
The Illuminists.
© r0715-10 Hay Mowing
Alto, West Virginia
Greenbrier County
Sunday 5 June 1994
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Cr 17 Snowy Mountain Road
Pendleton County, West Virginia
Friday 3 June 1994
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Few moments in photography
Are as precious.
© r0625-15 Barn in Field
Cr 17-1 nr Woodrow, Wva.
Pocahontas County
Tuesday 8 June 1993
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Peters Mountain runs for miles between Virginia and West Virginia down around Peterstown, Pearisburg, and Paint Bank. A sharply defined linear ridge, it appears way over there on one horizon and disappears way over there on the other while extending an irresistible invitation to approach, to touch, to climb and cross for deserts on the other side.
Crossing routes are few however, sometimes rough, and far between which may account for its palpable sense of history and frontier heritage. This red shed, shot while facing away from the mountain, can be seen along County Road 15 connecting Gap Mills and Second Creek on the western side to Waiteville and Potts Creek on the east. Only recently paved, I've forged this crossing many times always tempted to turn right around and cross again. Especially when my mind is alive, my heart is full, and the light is sweet.
© r0293-16 Red Shed on Hill
Monroe County, Wva.
Wednesday 7 June 1989
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This impressive bulge of egg-shaped granite, with the unassuming name Stone Mountain, can with gentle persuasion spread essence of amber over all fortunate enough to witness its radiant moments.
© d080705-001 Amber Granite
Stone Mountain, Georgia
DeKalb County
Saturday 5 July 2008
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This shot was taken along the Blue Ridge Parkway, near mile post 238 elevation 3400 feet, in Alleghany County, North Carolina. A formidable storm cloud exhaled a radiant breath of diaphanous silver light. The Laurel and I were both caught off guard.
Fourteen years later, actually 10 days ago, I splashed by this spot in a driving rain wet brakes shuddering with scornful displeasure. Did not stop for another shot.
© r0732-04 Mountain Laurel
Blue Ridge Parkway, Mile 238
Alleghany County, North Carolina
Friday 10 June 1994
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Mentally fried by a full-court press to unravel the mysteries of atmospheric physics producing delinquent behavior in a computer model, worn down by the current burden of Spring pollen, and maltreated by an attention-grabbing outbreak of shingles - I'm delighted to post this 'landskip', as Thomas Gainesboro called them, which speaks for itself.
© r0723-37 Farm Scenic
Monroe County, West Virginia
Monday 6 June 1994
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Arranging perfect ridges
Finding perfect order
It's the Blue Ridge Shuffle
Weaving a perfect beat.
© r0715-33 Morning Ridges
Hopkins Vista, West Virginia
Greenbrier County
Monday 6 June 1994
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