2011- 500 Most Interesting Photos

On SC 93, Norris, SC, US. I've lived in this area all of my life, and I remember this being abandoned when I was very small. I asked my mom about it (who's lived in the town 56 years), and she doesn't ever remember this being in operation in the time she's been here. Judging from the looks, it was most likely a service station.

Some photos taken by Kristin for me, while I watched for cars. We used our usual system- we spot something we'd like to shoot, I stop the car in the road and leave it running, watching for traffic, while Kristin jumps out and shoots what we wanted as quickly as possible. Then, Kristin jumps back in, fastens her seat belt, and I speed away before cars have time to start backing up behind us. (These shots weren't that much of a challenge, actually, as there was very little traffic in the first place.) Taken just down the road from Kristin's future home in December when she's married. SOOC- no color enhancement or post-manipulation. This was taken the first week the leaves began to change here.

View from my back porch as the leaves just started changing this Autumn. (Unfortunately, my overworked brain and tired body haven't found time to keep up with the leaf changes lately. I fear by the time I find time to take some more photos that all the leaves will be gone.) (All photos SOOC, no color enhancement or retouching.)

Asheville, NC, Lexington and Woodfin NEW FACE, SAME OLD THING BEHIND THE MASK I didn't have a camera with me at the time, but I borrowed my manager's camera to take these couple of shots. Unless I'm missing the point, I take it the artist feels Obama is just another Bush in disguise, and that both are shameful failures. (or is there some other point? I'm open for other interpretations.) Anyway, I thought this was an interesting piece of public graffiti/artwork/satire. (Thanks, Ruthie, for loaning me the use of your camera!)

Tornadoes rolled through the Southern United States on April 27-28, 2011. One of the areas hardest hit was Ringgold, GA, a suburb of Chattanooga, TN. These are some pictures shared by my Station Manager at WLMR Radio, Jason McKay, that were taken around his home on April 28. Three people across the street from his house lost their lives in the tornadoes, and Jason and his family were very blessed to be across the street and to escape unharmed. More photos will be placed in the set soon, but Internet and cell service in and around the area is very sporadic, and getting these photos is taking some time.

Off a country road, between Liberty and Pickens, SC, near US 178

Church sign on Clemson Boulevard / N.Main Street, Anderson, SC (US)

Playing with the camera from the hotel room, shooting through a window, using various manual settings and long exposure times. I took about a dozen shots, but I liked this particular one the best. I'll take a few more at another time when there's a little more traffic to show on the highway.

We finally did it... we "staged" a shot with the "No Dumping" sign not far from our house. It was getting dark, so the flash took away from these shots, but I have some other shots taken with the Canon that came out great, which I'll post as soon as I can find time.

Mitsy

Heavy traffic and construction on Route 30 today in York slowed things down on I-83 as well as Rt.30. I decided to get the GPS to shortcut me around both roads. Unfortunately, it sent me straight over to another road undergoing construction. I improvised and took some side streets and ran across this sign. (exactly where I was I'm not sure. lol) The shot was taken from across the street with traffic moving between the sign and my car, so I didn't have a lot of time to focus. It may be a bit blurry. And thanks, Tea in London, for the great "straightening" job and fine-tweaking in PS to make this more readable.

(This photo dedicated to Brian, Bop, and the entire Bensalem family!) A special "shout out" (as teens say) to Brian and Bop Bensalem, who treated me to my first Rita's Italian Ice when I was visiting The Keystone State. At the time, I told them that we didn't have any of these in our area. I was wrong. I spotted this location on Clemson Boulevard in Anderson, South Carolina, not far from the mall. When I went inside and ordered, I asked the lady if this is a new facility, and how long ago they opened. She told me three years ago. I felt dumb. (Okay, I admit it: I'm not that observant, and when I drive I don't take my eyes off the road very often, which is probably good for everyone else around me. lol) (photo by Kristin)

A quick upload from Kristin's wedding.

Tornadoes rolled through the Southern United States on April 27-28, 2011. One of the areas hardest hit was Ringgold, GA, a suburb of Chattanooga, TN. These are some pictures shared by my Station Manager at WLMR Radio, Jason McKay, that were taken around his home on April 28. Three people across the street from his house lost their lives in the tornadoes, and Jason and his family were very blessed to be across the street and to escape unharmed. More photos will be placed in the set soon, but Internet and cell service in and around the area is very sporadic, and getting these photos is taking some time.

Prison, Norristown, PA (US)

Jasmine's new favorite place. She's learned that if she sits beside the monitor that I'll pet her, and when she decides to sleep, she'll walk between the monitor and keyboard and crash. She has quite a "personality" for a cat.