Flyin'

More and more smaller airplanes these days…. Here's a litle prop-plane, on a snowy Spokane morning:

It’s actually been a while since I’ve ridden on a prop-plane, but these little Canadair Jets (below) are pretty much the norm, even for 3 hour crss country jumps…. This is Salt Lake City:

Reflections - Winter Trees on Lake

A reworked image from Feb, 2006. I did some tweaking, added some "painterly" effects:

Duke vs UNC

Two of the best teams in college basketball, over a long stretch. They played tonight, #2 Duke at #3 UNC, their first matchup of this season. Final score: Duke wins 89-78. So, memory lane: The first college basketball game I ever attended was Duke vs UNC, 29 years ago. It was my freshman year at Duke, and teams were ranked #6 (Duke) and #4 at the time. It was a cold, drizzly Saturday in February, and Duke won 47-40, after leading 7-0 at halftime. Much more importantly, I met my future wife while waiting in line….. How’s that for romance?

Carolina, I hear you calling....

North or South, take your pick.

Carolina – Charlie Daniels Band
Carolina In The Pines – Michael Martin Murphy
South Carolina – Outlaws
Carolina Calling – Mike Cross

I'll take North:
"From the sandy coast of Ocracoke, to the Appalachain Trail
Through the piedmont plain to Wilmington, where the mighty ships set sail
You can smell itin the jasmine, you can feel it in the breeze
You can hear it in the cardinal song and the buzzin' of the bees
It's Carolina, Carolina Calling....."

Graffiti

Continuing to copy from John over at My Viewfinder, who posted today about graffiti. Here’s some related images from my archives:

Tagged - I'm It

OK, John, over at “My Viewfinder” tagged me for one of those “meme” things. The task is to post 5 images from my archives, that have never been used for any purpose by me before. Then send a 6th image to him, as an “invisible image”, which (I think) he’ll post along with those from his other victims… I, of course, am supposed to tag 5 other folks to do the same… Well, I’m giving it a shot, even though I only have access to a couple months’ worth of archives right now. Hope y’all enjoy, and check out John’s images, too!

Because, every once in a while, you just have to take a picture of a cow….
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I dunno, it seemed like a good idea at the time…
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Just a candid snapshot of my son, while out walking the park with Dad…
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I liked the repeating patterns of the signs, the curve of the trail, the bright yellow against the early fall dullness... But the final result just didn't ring my bell.…
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My daughter is in there, holding up the flag… at a Murray State University football game.
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By Request:

John, from My Viewfinder, asked for B&W versions of a couple of the shots posted Sunday. Well, if it is B&W you want, all you have to do is ask! I didn’t do B&W originally, because I was concerned about the somewhat muddle lighting. But I gave it a shot, What do y’all think?? :

Brrrrr....

Most of the country seems to be in a cold snap. I thought about posting something warm, from the archives, but thought I's stick with the theme....

A beaut of a Butte....

A short, cold, trip to Kamiak Butte, near Palouse, WA… I did a little hiking, stomping through the snow in my sneakers, with no hat or gloves. I only went partway up the Butte, I was slipping and sliding, and getting snow in my shoes. And more snow was predicted, I didn't want to to caught unprepared. Yet another addition to the “to do” list for whenever nicer weather arrives!

The lower part of the road was OK, but it turned snow-packed not far above this point
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There's a trail in there somewhere...

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Peeking between some trees, a view of the rolling hills of the Palouse.

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The sign by the road, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about the butte...

Old Grain Tower

Just a bit outside Pullman, WA, on the road (Rt 195) to Lewiston, ID.

Breathtaking...

Almota Grade, decending to the Snake River Valley, southeastern Washinton state

On The Snake

It was high around 40 degrees and sunny today, and I took a chance on another excursion. I was rewarded with a nice drive, some impressive hills and then a very cool spot. About 30 miles from Pullman, WA is Boyer Park, and the Snake River Trail. This is where the Lower Granite Lock and Dam creates Bryan Lake along the Snake River.

Saturday Drive

I thought it might be a decent day, nice for an explore through the Channeled Scablands… It got quite cloudy within 15 minutes of leaving, mid / high 30’s and threatening to rain… But it was cool, here’s some images:

First, just some more rolling hills in the Palouse, with lingering snow

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Snowblind...

I think I’ve seen more snow over the past 3 days here in SE Washington than I have in the past 3 years in St. Louis area. And it is supposed to snow more tomorrow… This is Sunday morning, looking across the hills right across the Idaho / Washington border (on the Idaho side).

Take The Water.....

Following Rt 95, south from Lewiston, you pass into the Nez Perce reservation. The road runs along the Clearwater River, where I found a spot to do a little exploring. I’ll need to go back when the weather is nicer…