For Christmas and New Year’s 2022 into 2023, @missuselives and I visited her family and friends in Kansas and Oklahoma. We repeatedly passed this overlook in Flint Hills. I felt this location gave a beautiful view of the plains and a small lake. Eventually, I spent some time with my brother-in-law’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Boone and we watched a red-tailed hawk over @scottfromkansascity’s yard. . . . #Adventures #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #KansasCity #KansasCityMO #KansasCityMissouri #TheFlintHills #FlintHills #BluestemPastures #BlueStemHills #GreatPlains #OsageHills #Winter #Christmas #Memories #OnlyInMissouri #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #BerneseMountainDog #DogsOfInstagram #Storyteller #YourShotPhotographer
Last weekend, on the morning of May 11th, 2024, @missuselives and I went with some friends to Cooper’s Rock. We showed them some of our favorite trails and all of the interesting boulders along those trails. The morning sunlight was bright and it illuminated the leaves and the rhododendrons. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #CoopersRock #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #Rhododendron #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #CoopersRockStateForest #YourShotPhotographer
December 4th, 2022 was a day @missuselives and I decided to take a trip to Spruce Knob to enjoy the warm lighting of a sunset from West Virginia’s highest point. We arrived at around 5:00 p.m. and enjoyed a unique sharp lighting over the rolling hillside with Spruce Knob’s iconic boulders. While there was no snow, the sharp wind was very cold. I loved watching the sunlight climb up the ancient mountains while it was followed by the rolling shadows. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #SpruceKnob #4863Ft #SpruceKnobStatePark #WVHighestPoint #BestVirginia #AlleghenyMountains #GoToWV #Home #PendletonCounty #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #Winter #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
The @cityofbridgeport_wv celebrates their tree-lighting every year in the beginning of December. On December 1st, 2022, @mrsblake384 and @blake_496 met us at our house and @missuselives and I walked with them and Aubree and Amelia to the lighting of the tree event. Main Street was pretty crowded but we enjoyed seeing the events set up and the booths along the street. We walked down to the @marketonmainbridgeport until it was time to light the tree and set off fireworks. . . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Christmas #AubreeJune #AmeliaKate #ChristmasTreeLighting #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Winter #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
For Halloween 2022, Davina, @km61090, and @josie890711 came to our house to carve pumpkins. We carved in the daylight and finished in time to light them up in the dark. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #Pumpkins #JackOLanterns #Halloween #Halloween2022 #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
In the beginning of April 2024, @cocoaa_cupcakes invited her boyfriend, Eric to come to West Virginia. We made plans to take a day trip on April 3rd, 2024 to show him Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls, Lindy Point, the towns of Davis and Thomas, and maybe Douglas Falls and Albert Falls and the old coke ovens en route. The shortest way from Bridgeport to Blackwater Falls is technically through Grafton on Route 50 to Aurora where it runs to 24 and then 219 but I wanted to take a more scenic route through Elkins and Canaan Valley. The floods in Elkins had other plans. We made it to the Exxon on South Randolph Avenue and we learned all of Elkins was blocked by high water. We attempted to sidestep this flood, but it was not an option. We decided to admit defeat and go back home. On the way back, we decided to visit an especially foggy Cooper’s Rock. We visited the overlook and then took the trail to rock city and back. It wasn’t what we had planned, but I hope Eric enjoyed the drive. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #CoopersRock #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #Flood #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #WVWaterfalls #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #CoopersRockStateForest #YourShotPhotographer
I grew up in a family of mechanics. My dad was a mechanic in the army, my aunts and uncles all have extensive experience and knowledge with working with vehicles. This particular trade was never really my interest, but I can appreciate the amount of work and skill which goes into it. By 2022, my cousin, @ruined_squarebody, along with @vrc_performance_customs had redone this old GMC. Brian asked me a few months before if I would be willing to take some photos of the “Better Coal Truck.” I agreed and on October 23rd, 2022, we spent the afternoon getting shots of the truck at old mining equipment locations. I’ll admit I had no previous experience with vehicle photos but I was excited to try a new style of photo. I used my landscape lens to capture some wider shots and to accentuate the square shape of an older GMC. I then used my portrait lens to show the details of the wheels, the body, and the dashboard. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Wyatt #WyattWV #BestVirginia #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #SlammedC10 #Bagged #LSSwapTheWorld #BaggedSquarebody #LongBedBadness #VRCPerformanceCustoms #RuinedC10 #AirRide #LowAndSlow
On October 16th, 2022, @missuselives and I met with @jkerns_t3k and Corinne at Valley Falls for a picnic. The leaves had changed and the trees were still full. I felt like the colors were at their best and the river was at a good depth. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Fairmont #FairmontWV #Grafton #GraftonWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Autumn #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #Waterfall #Sycamore #ValleyFalls #ValleyFallsStatePark
On October 16th, 2022, @missuselives and I met with @jkerns_t3k and Corinne at Valley Falls for a picnic. The leaves had changed and the trees were still full. I felt like the colors were at their best and the river was at a good depth. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Fairmont #FairmontWV #Grafton #GraftonWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Autumn #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #Waterfall #Sycamore #ValleyFalls #ValleyFallsStatePark
On October 9th, 2022, @missuselives and I went with @josie890711 and @km61090 to Spruce Knob. We had good colors on the leaves while we visited Hot Springs, VA so I expected Spruce Knob to have the same levels of tree color. Not only did it deliver good colors, but the area also had the clearest sky and the lowest humidity. We could see for miles over the rolling hills of the Allegheny Mountains toward Circleville, WV and Cherry Grove WV and into Virginia, maybe Blue Grass or even Monterey. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #SpruceKnob #4863Ft #SpruceKnobStatePark #WVHighestPoint #BestVirginia #AlleghenyMountains #GoToWV #Home #PendletonCounty #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #Aspen #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
On October 9th, 2022, @missuselives and I went with @josie890711 and @km61090 to Spruce Knob. We had good colors on the leaves while we visited Hot Springs, VA so I expected Spruce Knob to have the same levels of tree color. Not only did it deliver good colors, but the area also had the clearest sky and the lowest humidity. We could see for miles over the rolling hills of the Allegheny Mountains toward Circleville, WV and Cherry Grove WV and into Virginia, maybe Blue Grass or even Monterey. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #SpruceKnob #4863Ft #SpruceKnobStatePark #WVHighestPoint #BestVirginia #AlleghenyMountains #GoToWV #Home #PendletonCounty #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #Aspen #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
On October 8th, 2022, @josie890711 invited me and @missuselives to join her and @km61090 to visit Josie’s family and where she grew up in Hot Springs, VA. At the end of the day, Josie took us to her parents’ neighbor’s field up on the hill. This field had a centennial apple tree with a view into the mountain range all the way to West Virginia. @mike_terrypeery let us borrow his telephoto lens to gaze over the mountains toward West Virginia. We scoped out the mountains, watched the sunset, and ate some apples as the day closed. We then used that lens to photograph the full moon. . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Hiking #Fall #Autumn #Mountains #VAAdventures #TheOtherDay #Memories #HotSpringsVA #HotSprings #Virginia #VA #OnlyInVirginia #GoToVA #Mountains #VirginiaIsForLovers #Sunset #FullMoon #ApplePicking #AppleTrees #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #YourShotPhotographer
On October 8th, 2022, @josie890711 invited me and @missuselives to join her and @km61090 to visit Josie’s family and where she grew up in Hot Springs, VA. At the end of the day, Josie took us to her parents’ neighbor’s field up on the hill. This field had a centennial apple tree with a view into the mountain range all the way to West Virginia. @mike_terrypeery let us borrow his telephoto lens to gaze over the mountains toward West Virginia. We scoped out the mountains, watched the sunset, and ate some apples as the day closed. We then used that lens to photograph the full moon. . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Hiking #Fall #Autumn #Mountains #VAAdventures #TheOtherDay #Memories #HotSpringsVA #HotSprings #Virginia #VA #OnlyInVirginia #GoToVA #Mountains #VirginiaIsForLovers #Sunset #FullMoon #ApplePicking #AppleTrees #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #YourShotPhotographer
On October 8th, 2022, @josie890711 invited me and @missuselives to join her and @km61090 to visit Josie’s family and where she grew up in Hot Springs, VA. Our next stop as evening started was the Ingalls Field Airport overlook. We could see Lake Moomaw and all the way into what looked like the Watoga State Park in West Virginia…maybe even as far as Richwood, WV. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Hiking #Fall #Autumn #Mountains #VAAdventures #TheOtherDay #Memories #IngallsFieldAirport #HotSpringsVA #HotSprings #Virginia #VA #OnlyInVirginia #GoToVA #Mountains #VirginiaIsForLovers #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #YourShotPhotographer
On October 8th, 2022, @josie890711 invited me and @missuselives to join her and @km61090 to visit Josie’s family and where she grew up in Hot Springs, VA. After @mike_terrypeery showed us the Bridal Veil Falls trail and the @omnihomestead resort grounds, Josie showed us the 80 ft (24.4m) waterfall in Covington, VA, Falling Spring Falls. We caught some of the last light shimmering in the falls along with the scenic Route 220 view. This waterfall was described by Thomas Jefferson as a “remarkable cascade…falling over a rock about 200 feet to the valley below.” . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Hiking #Fall #Autumn #Mountains #VAAdventures #TheOtherDay #Memories #Covington #CovingtonVA #FallingSpringFalls #Virginia #VA #OnlyInVirginia #GoToVA #Mountains #VirginiaIsForLovers #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #YourShotPhotographer
On October 8th, 2022, @josie890711 invited me and @missuselives to join her and @km61090 to visit Josie’s family and where she grew up in Hot Springs, VA. After our visit to the Bridal Veil Falls on the @omnihomestead resort grounds, @mike_terrypeery showed us the main section of the resort and we got lunch in Hot Springs, VA. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Hiking #Fall #Autumn #Mountains #VAAdventures #TheOtherDay #Memories #Homestead #HotSpringsVA #HomesteadResort #Virginia #VA #OnlyInVirginia #GoToVA #VirginiaIsForLovers #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #YourShotPhotographer
On October 8th, 2022, @josie890711 invited me and @missuselives to join her and @km61090 to visit Josie’s family and where she grew up in Hot Springs, VA. We started at Josie’s dad’s favorite area along the Cascades Gorge Bridal Veil Waterfall. He showed me a wonderful old 200 year old oak tree. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Hiking #Fall #Autumn #Mountains #VAAdventures #TheOtherDay #Memories #Homestead #HotSpringsVA #HomesteadResort #Oak #CascadesGorge #CascadesGorgeVA #Virginia #VA #BridalVeilFalls #OnlyInVirginia #GoToVA #VirginiaIsForLovers #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #YourShotPhotographer
In one of the cabinets of the farmhouse, @missuselives and I found a list of traditional wedding anniversary gifts per year. In order, from year one to year ten, it listed paper, cotton, leather, flowers, wood, iron, wood or copper, bronze, pottery, tin or aluminum, and then at 15 years, crystal, 20 years porcelain or fine china, 25 years sterling silver, 30 years pearl, 40 years ruby, 50 years gold, and 60 years a diamond. On October 1st, 2022, Elizabeth and I celebrated our 5th anniversary by visiting Harper’s Ferry and hiking in the woods of the Maryland Heights trail the next morning. We spent the night at the @bavarianinnwv and started our hike to the top of Maryland Heights early on the second. For the first day, we just walked to the bridge and back and looked at the historic town of Harper’s Ferry, home of John Brown’s raid and a central river station for Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. The town featured a lot of history in the displays and the exhibits in the old buildings. By October 2nd, 2022, we hiked to the top of Maryland Heights and looked over the meeting of the Potomac and the Shenandoah rivers which made the town a ferry. The weather was pretty bitter and foggy with a lot of small raindrops but it offered a new mystery to the view. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #HarpersFerry #HarpersFerryWV #Anniversary #MarylandHeights #Hiking #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Fall #Autumn #Home #TheOtherDay #Memories #PlaceIBelongWV #OnlyInWestVirginia #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #BavarianInn #Anniversary
In one of the cabinets of the farmhouse, @missuselives and I found a list of traditional wedding anniversary gifts per year. In order, from year one to year ten, it listed paper, cotton, leather, flowers, wood, iron, wood or copper, bronze, pottery, tin or aluminum, and then at 15 years, crystal, 20 years porcelain or fine china, 25 years sterling silver, 30 years pearl, 40 years ruby, 50 years gold, and 60 years a diamond. On October 1st, 2022, Elizabeth and I celebrated our 5th anniversary by visiting Harper’s Ferry and hiking in the woods of the Maryland Heights trail the next morning. We spent the night at the @bavarianinnwv and started our hike to the top of Maryland Heights early on the second. For the first day, we just walked to the bridge and back and looked at the historic town of Harper’s Ferry, home of John Brown’s raid and a central river station for Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. The town featured a lot of history in the displays and the exhibits in the old buildings. By October 2nd, 2022, we hiked to the top of Maryland Heights and looked over the meeting of the Potomac and the Shenandoah rivers which made the town a ferry. The weather was pretty bitter and foggy with a lot of small raindrops but it offered a new mystery to the view. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #HarpersFerry #HarpersFerryWV #Anniversary #MarylandHeights #Hiking #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Fall #Autumn #Home #TheOtherDay #Memories #PlaceIBelongWV #OnlyInWestVirginia #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #BavarianInn #Anniversary
@missuselives and I like to visit my grandma’s house each Sunday for lunch. By Mid-September, 2022, the ironweeds had bloomed in grandma’s cow fields. One of the farm’s old farm dogs, Zeke, a shepherd mix, guided me up to hill to review a truck @vrc_performance_customs purchased as his next planned project. Ironweeds were one of my favorite wildflowers in the area when we lived down the road. They were a good indicator of the Summer transition into Autumn. As I followed Zeke on our walk up the hill, I noticed the purple ironweeds started blooming in the field, complimenting the green roof of Grandma Miller’s house. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Wyatt #WyattWV #Sunday #GrandmasHouse #Wraparound #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Summer #Fall #Autumn #DogsOfInstagram #Home #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
On September 17th, 2022, @missuselives and I took a day trip to the @phippsconservatory to see the exciting Summer Flower Show: Monet in Bloom. Claude Monet was an iconic Impressionist painter known for his beautiful renditions of gardens he experienced from 1865 to 1926. Phipps conservatory presented horticultural displays of paintings like “Water Lilies,” “The Saint-Lazare Station,” and “The Woman in Green,” among many others. While we meandered along the trails through the conservatory, we also noticed several glass works by @chihulystudio, Hans Godo Fräbel, and @jasongamrathglass. . . . . . #Adventures #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Pittsburgh #PittsburghPA #GoToPA #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInPennsylvania #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #PAAdventures #Pennsylvania #YourShotPhotographer #Chihuly #ChihulyGlass #Monet #ClaudeMonet #PhippsConservatory #HansGodoFrabel #JasonGamrath
On September 17th, 2022, @missuselives and I took a day trip to the @phippsconservatory to see the exciting Summer Flower Show: Monet in Bloom. Claude Monet was an iconic Impressionist painter known for his beautiful renditions of gardens he experienced from 1865 to 1926. Phipps conservatory presented horticultural displays of paintings like “Water Lilies,” “The Saint-Lazare Station,” and “The Woman in Green,” among many others. While we meandered along the trails through the conservatory, we also noticed several glass works by @chihulystudio, Hans Godo Fräbel, and @jasongamrathglass. . . . . . #Adventures #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Pittsburgh #PittsburghPA #GoToPA #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInPennsylvania #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #PAAdventures #Pennsylvania #YourShotPhotographer #Chihuly #ChihulyGlass #Monet #ClaudeMonet #PhippsConservatory #HansGodoFrabel #JasonGamrath
By September 15th, 2022, @missuselives and I had made a habit of taking our two mile walk along the Simpson Creek trail from our house to the bridge by the railroad and then to the city park and back. The late summer prairie coneflowers shimmered in the evening sunlight and we enjoyed that evening sun in the tree tunnels through the beech tree leaves. We passed one of several centennial sycamore trees along the river. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PrairieConeflowers #AmericanBeech #Sycamore #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #OldTrees
On September 10th, 2022, @missuselives and I were visiting Cincinnati, OH for the funeral of her uncle. While we were there, we went to the @findlaymarket. I was most excited about the many murals throughout the area. . . . . . #Adventures #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Cincinnati #CincinnatiOH #CincinnatiOhio #FindlayMarket #ROA #StreetArt #MuralsOfCincinnati #ChrisChanShim #RoyyalDog #TaintedLove #DFace #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mural #OnlyInOhio #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #OHAdventures #Ohio #YourShotPhotographer
Every year in September, Clarksburg, WV has the Italian Heritage Festival. On September 3rd, 2022, @missuselives and I enjoyed the food and the live music along Main Street. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Clarksburg #ClarksburgWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #LocalMusic #LocalMusicians #ItalianHeritage #ItalianHeritageFestival #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
During the summer of 2022, @missuselives and I collected waterfall stops for @wvtourism’s #WaterfallTrail. On August 21st, 2022, we made a drive where we started at Muddy Creek Falls in Preston County followed by Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls, and then to the overlook by the Falls of Pendleton. On our way home, we took our last stop at the Rich Mountain Overlook on Route 33 near Harman, WV. It was a nice view as the sun set. The cows started resting and the clouds started collecting below the overlook. Of all the times I’ve felt time stopped, I wished this was one of them. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #RandolphCounty #Route31 #Harman #HarmanWV #RichMountain #RichMountainOverlook #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #WVWaterfalls #Waterfalls #YourShotPhotographer
During the summer of 2022, @missuselives and I collected waterfall stops for @wvtourism’s #WaterfallTrail. On August 21st, 2022, we made a drive where we started at Muddy Creek Falls in Preston County followed by Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls, and then to the overlook by the Falls of Pendleton. By the time we got to Elakala Falls, the day was starting close. We wanted to get home in daylight so we decided to just review the Elakala from the trail and Falls of Pendleton from the roadway across the river. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #ElakalaFalls #Davis #DavisWV #BlackwaterCanyon #FallsOfPendleton #BlackwaterFallsStatePark #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #WVWaterfalls #Waterfalls #YourShotPhotographer
During the summer of 2022, @missuselives and I collected waterfall stops for @wvtourism’s #WaterfallTrail. On August 21st, 2022, we made a drive where we started at Muddy Creek Falls in Preston County followed by Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls, and then to the overlook by the Falls of Pendleton. Blackwater Falls was a standard photogenic depth. Clouds started interrupting our sunlight but it did give us a muted lighting over the falls . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #ElakalaFalls #Davis #DavisWV #BlackwaterCanyon #BlackwaterFalls #BlackwaterFallsStatePark #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #WVWaterfalls #Waterfalls #YourShotPhotographer
During the summer of 2022, @missuselives and I collected waterfall stops for @wvtourism’s #WaterfallTrail. On August 21st, 2022, we made a drive where we started at Muddy Creek Falls in Preston County followed by Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls, and then to the overlook by the Falls of Pendleton. Muddy Creek Falls seemed like a less frequently visited stop. There was a large old furnace known as the Virginia Furnace, the Josephine Furnace, and the Muddy Creek Furnace. It was built in 1854 and used to smelt iron ore mined from Briery Mountain. The 30 foot stone pyramid used the power of the Muddy Creek to pump air in the blowing furnace engine. In 1999, for the nomination of the park and furnace to the National Register of Historic Places, historian Lee Maddex thoroughly described the functionality of the furnace: “Built against a hillside, the top of the furnace was charged with alternating layers of iron ore, charcoal and limestone. A wooden bridge connected the furnace to the lullside, while a water powered blowing engine furnished a low pressure air injection or ‘blast’ that was blown into the furnace to produce cast iron. Once smelting started it was a continuous twenty-four hours a day process. “Every eight hours or so molten iron was run or ‘cast’ from the bottom of the furnace into a sand bed with voids. The iron filled the voids forming ‘pigs’ that, once cooled, were broken up and hauled to market. An open-sided wooden shed would have likely covered the sand bed or ‘casting floor’ permitting work in all types of weather. Above the furnace there would have been a number of buildings needed for storage, at the minimum a charcoal shed. Today none of these structures except the furnace survive.” . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #MuddyCreekFalls #Albright #AlbrightWV #PrestonCounty #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #WVWaterfalls #Waterfalls #YourShotPhotographer
During the summer of 2022, @missuselives and I collected waterfall stops for @wvtourism’s #WaterfallTrail. On August 21st, 2022, we made a drive where we started at Muddy Creek Falls in Preston County followed by Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls, and then to the overlook by the Falls of Pendleton. Muddy Creek Falls seemed like a less frequently visited stop. There was a large old furnace known as the Virginia Furnace, the Josephine Furnace, and the Muddy Creek Furnace. It was built in 1854 and used to smelt iron ore mined from Briery Mountain. The 30 foot stone pyramid used the power of the Muddy Creek to pump air in the blowing furnace engine. In 1999, for the nomination of the park and furnace to the National Register of Historic Places, historian Lee Maddex thoroughly described the functionality of the furnace: “Built against a hillside, the top of the furnace was charged with alternating layers of iron ore, charcoal and limestone. A wooden bridge connected the furnace to the lullside, while a water powered blowing engine furnished a low pressure air injection or ‘blast’ that was blown into the furnace to produce cast iron. Once smelting started it was a continuous twenty-four hours a day process. “Every eight hours or so molten iron was run or ‘cast’ from the bottom of the furnace into a sand bed with voids. The iron filled the voids forming ‘pigs’ that, once cooled, were broken up and hauled to market. An open-sided wooden shed would have likely covered the sand bed or ‘casting floor’ permitting work in all types of weather. Above the furnace there would have been a number of buildings needed for storage, at the minimum a charcoal shed. Today none of these structures except the furnace survive.” . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #MuddyCreekFalls #Albright #AlbrightWV #PrestonCounty #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #WVWaterfalls #Waterfalls #YourShotPhotographer
On August 20th, 2022, @missuselives and I went to Cooper’s Rock to add to our search for old West Virginia trees for our @westvirginiaoldtrees page. We took some standard trails and crossed paths with a park ranger. When I asked him about the oldest trees on the grounds, he directed me to this white oak grove with three massive old trees. After we endured the slicing of our legs by several briar patched, else found the three big oak trees. Based on our measurements, Elizabeth and I deduced these oak trees were 245 years old (247 by now), sprouted in 1777, 252 years old (254 by now), sprouted in 1770, and 271 years old (273 by now), sprouted in 1751. Two of these trees were older than the United States as a country! . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #CoopersRock #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #CoopersRockStateForest #WhiteOak #QuercusAlba #WestVirginiaOldTrees #YourShotPhotographer
On August 18th, @carolynlight invited @missuselives and me to the @theculturalfoundation in Clarksburg, WV to listen to some live music. We attended and experienced @silaspowellband playing live. It was enjoyable and I’m glad we got to listen to them live while catching up with Carolyn. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Clarksburg #ClarksburgWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #SilasPowell #SilasPowellBand #LocalMusic #LocalMusicians #CulturalFoundation #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
Shinnston has an event late every summer called Frontier Days In August 2022, my good friend, @brendan_gallagher and his band, @lastyearsmodelband had a live show at Ferguson Memorial Park at the amphitheater by the pool. @missuselives and I enjoyed the show in the warm summer air as the sun started setting. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Shinnston #ShinnstonWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #LastYearsModel #LYM #LocalMusic #LocalMusicians #FrontierDays #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
The night of August 12th held a perseid meteor shower. That meant that meteors could be seen to the northeast near the Perseus constellation. I started at our house, but my high ISO, wide aperture, and long-exposure photos caught too much light and made it difficult to see the meteors. While we stared to the northeast at my dad’s house, I did not manage to catch any meteors in photos. I saw a few, but I didn’t get any photos of them. At the end, I caught some light trail shots of cars driving by. I was fascinated by how sensitive my camera was to the thin clouds passing over. . . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Perseus #PerseidMeteorShower #LightTrails #StarGazing #LongExposurePhotography #Shinnston #ShinnstonWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
Our friends @josie890711 and @km61090 started dating at the end of February 2022. By August 7th, 2022, Josie had not experienced our two favorite waterfalls and we had to fix that. We took a day trip to Mill Creek Falls in Kumbrabow State Forest near Huttonsville, WV and then Whitaker Falls along the Elk River near Monterville, WV. Whitaker Falls was especially full. It seemed to have rained the night before and that rain swelled the Elk River. Josie did not got the full experience of swimming in the crystal clear water and ducking behind the falls, but she did get to see the strength of the full river. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #WhitakerFalls #Monterville #MontervilleWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
Our friends @josie890711 and @km61090 started dating at the end of February 2022. By August 7th, 2022, Josie had not experienced our two favorite waterfalls and we had to fix that. We took a day trip to Mill Creek Falls in Kumbrabow State Forest near Huttonsville, WV and then Whitaker Falls along the Elk River near Monterville, WV. Whitaker Falls was especially full. It seemed to have rained the night before and that rain swelled the Elk River. Josie did not got the full experience of swimming in the crystal clear water and ducking behind the falls, but she did get to see the strength of the full river. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #WhitakerFalls #Monterville #MontervilleWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
Our friends @josie890711 and @km61090 started dating at the end of February 2022. By August 7th, 2022, Josie had not experienced our two favorite waterfalls and we had to fix that. We took a day trip to Mill Creek Falls in Kumbrabow State Forest near Huttonsville, WV and then Whitaker Falls along the Elk River near Monterville, WV. Whitaker Falls was especially full. It seemed to have rained the night before and that rain swelled the Elk River. Josie did not got the full experience of swimming in the crystal clear water and ducking behind the falls, but she did get to see the strength of the full river. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #WhitakerFalls #Monterville #MontervilleWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
Our friends @josie890711 and @km61090 started dating at the end of February 2022. By August 7th, 2022, Josie had not experienced our two favorite waterfalls and we had to fix that. We took a day trip to Mill Creek Falls in Kumbrabow State Forest near Huttonsville, WV and then Whitaker Falls along the Elk River near Monterville, WV. The Kumbrabow area was bizarrely chilly for August. It was like 50°F (10°C) so we did not swim but we did wade and enjoy the bright sunlight shimmering in the water. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #MillCreekFalls #Kumbrabow #KumbrabowStateForest #Huttonsville #HuttonsvilleWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
Shinnston does a thing called Wind-down Wednesday. They have live music and food trucks and they’re free to attend. On August 3rd, 2022, the event featured @thestationsmusic. Sadly, because I worked late, I didn’t get there until around 8:30. I did get to listen to A. M. Benson & The Stations for a while before it wrapped up. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Shinnston #ShinnstonWV #WindDownWednesday #LocalMusic #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
On July 30th, 2022, after we measured some trees at Valley Falls State Park, @missuselives and I crossed the tracks and went to the waterfall. The weather was beautiful on this day and the falls looked beautiful. After we looked at the waterfall on the state parks side, we took the back route from Grafton the other side of the falls. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Fairmont #FairmontWV #Grafton #GraftonWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #Waterfall #Sycamore #ValleyFalls #ValleyFallsStatePark
On July 30th, 2022, after we measured some trees at Valley Falls State Park, @missuselives and I crossed the tracks and went to the waterfall. The weather was beautiful on this day and the falls looked beautiful. I love the color patterns on sycamore trees. These layers of bark fascinate me in the way the colors change and peel away to show a new white layer underneath. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Fairmont #FairmontWV #Grafton #GraftonWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #Waterfall #Sycamore #ValleyFalls #ValleyFallsStatePark
On July 30th, 2022, with the old trees in mind, @missuselives and I went to Valley Falls to find some old ones there. We started with a 350 year old black oak, followed by some heavily damaged beech trees, a 204 year old elm tree, a 215 year old sycamore tree, and a 230 year old sycamore tree. The park worker who saw us measuring the trees pointed out an interesting triangle of branches in one of the sycamore trees. It’s been a little while since I’ve measured trees and posted on @westvirginiaoldtrees but I plan to get back to it this summer. Message me if you know of any big ones I could measure and calculate their date! . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Fairmont #FairmontWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #OldTrees #WhiteOak #AmericanElm #Sycamore #AmericanBeech
July 28th, 2022 marked the first day @missuselives and I took a walk with the goal of measuring the sycamore trees along the Simpson Creek on Water Street. I had just started the @westvirginiaoldtrees page and this group of sycamore trees had trees from 100 to ~230 years old. We followed the park trail and measured some old black oak trees and silver maple trees and we ended at the park where there is a nice 122 year old yellow poplar. It’s been a little while since I’ve measured trees but I plan to get back to it this summer. Message me if you know of any big ones I could measure and calculate their date! . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #Sycamore #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer #OldTrees #BlackOak #WhiteOak #YellowPoplar
July 23rd, 2022 was a hot day. We had a few days without a good rain and every day was around 85°F to 90°F (29.5°C to 32.2°C). Our air conditioner was around the same age as me so this was its time to struggle. While we waited for the A/C repair man, we desperately needed to find a place to go swimming. Because of the weather, the local Bridgeport city pool was very busy and we started too late to go to my favorite river swimming locations. Our next option was Audra State Park. The river was a little low and there were a lot of people there who were thinking the same thing as we were. It was a nice swim and it felt good to cool down for the day. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #AudraStatePark #AudraStateParkWV #Belington #BelingtonWV #Buckhannon #MiddleForkRiver #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
For the Fourth of July, 2022, I went to the Blake farm to visit the nieces. Aubree and Amelia showed us their trampoline skills and their new swing along with their goats and turkeys. Amelia was very proud of her little turkey friend. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Goat #Trampoline #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #AubreeJune #AmeliaKate #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #Lumberport #LumberportWV #YourShotPhotographer
There’s something special about the time you spend with your nieces telling them about bugs and plants. Grandma’s wraparound porch has a long history of bonding and storytelling. Grandma has many photos of her family members enjoying family reunions on this porch as far back as the 1970s. She has just as many if not more showing her kids, my dad and aunts just enjoying the summer time on this porch and her grandchildren who have children of their own whom they introduced to this porch. On July 3rd, 2022, @missuselives showed Aubree and Amelia fun information about bugs and flowers by grandma’s house. It was just interesting to reflect on so many memories on this porch. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Wyatt #WyattWV #Sunday #GrandmasHouse #Wraparound #Porch #AubreeJune #AmeliaKate #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Summer #Home #TheOtherDay #Memories #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
In July 2022, my cats fought for the spot on our living room window sill. The lighting was beautiful on them as they inhabited the location. Our curtains also helped distill that lighting. While the cats sat in this window, I went outside and took photos of our tiger lilies, our moonflowers, and our hostas, followed by a nice sycamore tree by the river. . . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Sycamore #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #CatsOfInstagram #ZiggyStardust #Tortie #Catherine #RussianBlue #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
After we had some difficulties at busier lakes like Tygart, @missuselives and I went with @km61090, Davina, and @j_thom95 at different times to find better places to kayak. Davina suggested we check out Stonecoal Lake in the Weston/Buckhannon area. We learned it was about 550 acres stretched in the middle of the Stonecoal Lake Wildlife Management Area. There were no boats so no rough wakes and there were many little nooks and islands we could check out. I noticed there were a ton of these little snails. I thought they were cool but there were a lot of them. I learned later they were an invasive species of Japanese Mystery Snails So far, this area has been our favorite place to kayak and we anticipate doing it again this spring and summer, even into fall. . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Weston #WestonWV #JapaneseMysterySnail #Snail #StonecoalLake #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #Kayaking #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
We spent Mother’s Day 2022 at Aunt Sandy’s house. We made cool hats with elephant ear weeds and enjoyed the sunshine over grandma’s house. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Wyatt #WyattWV #ElephantEar #Sunshine #MothersDay #AubreeJune #AmeliaKate #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
On May 28th, 2022, after we visited the Kumbrabow State Forest and Whitaker Falls, @missuselives and I made our last stop at Dry Branch What normally contains large slabs of bedrock with little to no water passing through became another filled creek. We didn’t have the chance to hop along the stone slabs because they were mostly submerged but we did enjoy the early summer blooms of golden alexanders and we saw a dark fishfly hanging on one of the rocks. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #DryBranch #ElkRiver #Monterville #MontervilleWV #Zizia #GoldenAlexander #DarkFishfly #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
On May 28th, 2022, after we visited the Kumbrabow State Forest, @missuselives and I went to another nearby favorite, Whitaker Falls. Where we normally see stone slabs breaking the surface up into patterns were all covered by the strong current. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #WhitakerFalls #ElkRiver #Monterville #MontervilleWV #SwelledWaterFall #WVWaterfalls #WVWaterfallTrail #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
On May 28th, 2022, @missuselives and I were eager for summertime and swimming. When we made the plans, the weather was warm at around 75°F (24°C) but a heavy rainy weekend really lowered temperatures and filled the rivers. By the time we made it to the falls that Saturday, the weather dropped to 50°F (10°C). The colder, windy weather along with the swelled rivers took swimming off the table. The silver lining was a soft glow from the warm overcast clouds and fog. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #MillCreekFalls #Kumbrabow #KumbrabowStateForest #Huttonsville #HuttonsvilleWV #MountainLaurel #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Summer #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
With Spring creeping up on us at its standard pace, I’m reminded of kayaking. On May 9th, 2022, @km61090, @josie890711, Davina, @j_thom95, @missuselives and I went to Tygart Lake to kayak. It was early enough in the Summer that we didn’t have to worry much about wakes of boats. This lake is very important to a lot of local boaters and by mid-Summer, it’s a little too rough for casual kayaking. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Grafton #GraftonWV #TygartLake #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #Kayaking #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
On April 28th, 2022, @missuselives and I enjoyed the nice weather at Hinkle and Deegan Lakes. We saw some baby geese and I used a longer exposure for the tiny waterfalls. It was just nice to go for a short walk by the lakes for the evening. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #HinkleAndDeegan #HinkleAndDeeganLakes #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
If I had to choose a favorite tree, my first choice would be a silver poplar but I think my second choice would be the American Sycamore. I think my reasoning for both is the same; they both have beautiful smooth white barks that shimmer against the sky and the greens and browns of other trees. Another common shimmering tree in this area is the silver maple with a lighter bark and dark jagged leaves with a white underside. On April 22, 2022, @missuselives and I went for a nice walk along our now popular trail from our house to the park and back. It was a clear, chilly Spring day with a wide empty sky. We saw some of my favorite nearby sycamores, some wild Virginia bluebells, and a vined Silver Maple . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #Sycamore #VirginiaBluebells #SliverMaple #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #CoopersRockStateForest #YourShotPhotographer
I know West Virginia’s colors are blue and gold but if she picked her own favorite, it would be green. I’ve never been anywhere where I’ve seen so many different greens at the same time like I have in Mid-Spring West Virginia. From the mossy hemlock trunks to the lichen-painted boulders and the deep rhododendron leaves, there’s a full spectrum of greens here. I often like to hike the Cooper’s Rock Trails especially after a day of Spring showers. I spent the afternoon of April 21st, 2022 hiking those trails in the light rain. I like to think even the smells were green . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #CoopersRock #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #Spring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #CoopersRockStateForest #YourShotPhotographer
Easter 2022 fell on April 17th. We celebrated on the Miller Farm at Aunt Sandra’s house on the hill. We hid Easter eggs for the kids and they had a great time hunting them down on the hill. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Wyatt #WyattWV #Easter #EasterEggHunt #Easter2022 #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Spring #Home #EarlySpring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
On April 16th, 2021, we celebrated the warm temperature break into Spring by paying the Blake Farm a visit. Aubree had acquired a new instant camera and we took some photos of the goats, the turkeys, and Merle, the Great White Pyrenees. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Lumberport #LumberportWV #Goat #GreatWhitePyrenees #WhiteTurkey #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Spring #Home #EarlySpring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
Just a few days after I took those shots of a blanket of snow over my yard in March 2022, the days warmed up and I took these shots. We went for a walk and I loved the way the white bark of an old sycamore tree shimmered in the water. When we got home, @missuselives and I sat on the patio and I took a photo of Elizabeth through an old bug trap we found. I just liked the color and the shapes it made. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #Sycamore #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Spring #Home #EarlySpring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
Here in West Virginia, our Winters can carry over into March. We’ve had warm days in February with snowstorms by March. In March 2021, #ZiggyStardust and I spent an afternoon watching the bright sunlit snow through the window. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #Snow #BestVirginia #GoToWV #CatsOfInstagram #Tortie #Tortico #Home #EarlySpring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
February weather is always tricky. At the end of February 2022, we had a warmer day. @missuselives was babysitting Aubree and Amelia and when I got home, we went for a walk. I showed the girls all of the early sprouts like the Easter Lillies and daffodils. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Bridgeport #BridgeportWV #BridgeportCityPark #AubreeJune #AmeliaKate #EasterLillies #Daffodils #BestVirginia #GoToWV #Home #EarlySpring #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
For my birthday in 2022, @j_thom95, @km61090, @missuselives, and I took a day trip to Elakala Falls and Blackwater Falls. I always hope for a snowy birthday and 2022 delivered just that in Tucker County. After Elakala Falls, we went to Blackwater Falls. When the snow is heavy and the sky is clear, the trees are especially beautiful. I loved the way the falls looked. They were overall swelled compared to other times I’ve visited. The sunlight trailed over the Blackwater Canyon. We visited overlooks on both sides of the river. At the end of the day, we rode sleds on the hillside by Lindy Point. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #ElakalaFalls #Davis #DavisWV #BlackwaterCanyon #BlackwaterFalls #BlackwaterFallsStatePark #GoToWV #Home #WVWaterfalls #WaterfallTrail #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
For my birthday in 2022, @j_thom95, @km61090, @missuselives, and I took a day trip to Elakala Falls and Blackwater Falls. I always hope for a snowy birthday and 2022 delivered just that in Tucker County. We first went to Elakala Falls and I thought the tannin-dyed water looked especially interesting against the shimmering white trees. The heavy cold gave us immense icicles on the walls along Shays Run into the Blackwater River and the sunlight shined through the trees and made the snow glow. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #ElakalaFalls #Davis #DavisWV #BlackwaterCanyon #BlackwaterFalls #BlackwaterFallsStatePark #GoToWV #Home #WVWaterfalls #WaterfallTrail #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
On January 29th, 2022, @missuselives and I had plans of trudging through the snow to visit Spruce Knob but the snow was a bit too much for my un-modified, factory-produced Jeep Wrangler with no attached wench. After our trouble with a snow patch, we went to a frozen Blackwater Falls. There were ice-climbers practicing on this new icy wall. Our plans to watch the snowy sunset from Lindy Point was also interrupted by a closed gate to the overlook. We were not prepared to hike about 1.3 miles (2km) in the snow and we likely would not have made it in time to see the snow. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #BlackwaterFalls #BlackwaterFallsStatePark #BestVirginia #GetTuckered #AlleghenyMountains #GoToWV #Home #TuckerCounty #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
On January 29th, 2022, @missuselives and I had plans of trudging through the snow to visit Spruce Knob but the snow was a bit too much for my un-modified, factory-produced Jeep Wrangler with no attached wench. We made it to this bridge and I was uncomfortable with the amount of slippage and getting stuck in the snow. We decided to turn around and try another location. Maybe Blackwater Falls…or Lindy Point? . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #SpruceKnob #4863Ft #WVHighestPoint #SpruceKnobStatePark #BestVirginia #GetTuckered #AlleghenyMountains #GoToWV #Home #PendletonCounty #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
For Christmas 2021, we were not blessed with the snowy day but my nieces were blessed with a new go-kart. We spent the whole day riding around my dad’s yard and the girls had a blast. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #Shinnston #ShinnstonWV #GoKart #GoToWV #Home #AubreeJune #AmeliaKate #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #YourShotPhotographer
On December 4th, 2021, after we caught the last bit of bright sunlight at Douglas Falls, @missuselives and I went to Lindy Point for the end of the day. I’ve seen this view in many different weather conditions and lighting conditions. I’ve seen it with and without leaves and in the morning and the night. I’ve been there in the snow and in the brightest time of Fall. This time, I loved the complex brown violet of the trees in the final sunset. It was not a rich, colorful sunset but it was interesting with the warm colors on the rocks and canyon sides. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #LindyPoint #Davis #DavisWV #BlackwaterCanyon #GoToWV #Home #WVWaterfalls #WaterfallTrail #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
On December 4th, 2021, @missuselives and I took a drive to Thomas, WV in the afternoon. We stopped by @tiptopcoffeeco first and then we went to Douglas Falls. Our goal was to catch the last bit of bright sunlight before the valley sides blocked it. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #DouglasFalls #Thomas #ThomasWV #GoToWV #Home #WVWaterfalls #WaterfallTrail #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
On December 4th, 2021, @missuselives and I took a drive to Thomas, WV in the afternoon. We stopped by @tiptopcoffeeco first and then we went to Douglas Falls. Our goal was to catch the last bit of bright sunlight before the valley sides blocked it. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #DouglasFalls #Thomas #ThomasWV #GoToWV #Home #WVWaterfalls #WaterfallTrail #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
With our anniversary still in mind, on October 17th, 2021, @missuselives and I took a drive along Route 150, The Highland Scenic Highway. The leaves were brightly colored and I think it was peak colors. I first showed Elizabeth the Highland Scenic Highway in September 2016 when we first started dating and she first came to visit West Virginia. We have taken a few trips over the highway since then and it has become important to us. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #HighlandScenicHighway #Route150 #GoToWV #Home #MonongahelaNationalForest #RichwoodWV #MarlintonWV #PocahontasCounty #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
On October 10th, 2021 after our foggy visit to Spruce Knob, @missuselives and I took Route 33 home. We passed the Rich Mountain Overlook at the altitude of 3,370ft (1,027m) and the hills were glowing with color in the final sunlight of the day. . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #RichMountain #RichMountainBattlefield #BestVirginia #AlleghenyMountains #GoToWV #Home #RandolphCounty #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer
One bittersweet thing about the well-known locations in West Virginia, or anywhere, really, is that every photo has been done already by someone with far better skills and someone else with much better equipment. Spruce Knob is no exception. One of my goals in my photography is to catch shots which would work well as conversation starter. Storytelling is my main goal in every photo I take. On October 10th, 2021, @missuselives and I took a day-trip with our Anniversary in mind. We went to West Virginia’s highest point with hopes of seeing the glowing golden hills. The fog had other plans. There was a cloud resting right on the flat top of Spruce Knob. We watched as this cloud passed over and I caught shots of the boulders mysteriously resting in the murky view. When the fog broke and let us see through, I caught some shots of the mountain’s view. When we went down the other side of the mountain, the fog cleared immediately and we could see the lake. I was excited to show the status of the leaves and show the sunlight over Elizabeth. The unique weather made for a unique experience and a great story . . . . . #Adventures #AlmostHeaven #AppreciateImprovement #Canon #CanonPhotography #SpruceKnob #4863Ft #SpruceKnobStatePark #WVHighestPoint #BestVirginia #AlleghenyMountains #GoToWV #Home #PendletonCounty #TheOtherDay #Memories #Mountains #OnlyInWestVirginia #PlaceIBelongWV #Progress #Refining #Reminiscing #Storyteller #WVAdventures #WVExplored #WVWildlife #WestVirginia #WVStateParks #YourShotPhotographer