Friday, August 30, 2019

Journal - Baby Loggerhead - Smallie







Journal - Went to the beach yesterday. We walked slowly looking for shells. The ocean was calm, few seagulls around - tide going out ... and lots of seashells to look through... C was walking the high tide mark and noticed a wee flipper among the seashells almost waving ... it was a baby loggerhead! It had been trapped, upside down, among the seashells -- had been there almost 2 hours as the tide receded ... dry, hot and confused. I picked it up - turned it rightside up, and placed it in a wee puddle to revive the wee thing. It seemed to respond, but was still yards from the ocean. So after a few minutes, I picked it up, and brought it to the water. Thank heavens the sea was calm, and that tiny turtle seemed to wake up, and swam toward the sea! We were elated!
We walked more along the water as it was growing hot. C spotted yet another wee turtle -- this one - with an elongated shell (leatherback??) - and by this time, the ocean, going out toward low tide, was a bit rougher, and this turtle was struggling mightily in the surf -- he kept trying to swim out to sea, but the waves and surf kept tumbling him back to the shore. The current was taking him down the beach, so we followed as we watched, in case he got beached, we could return him to the ocean. Never was able to get a photo ... but the poor wee thing kept tumbling and struggling - we walked yards down the beach - and finally --- one calm period -- and that 2nd turtle got PAST the surf - under the waves -- and made it out to the larger sea. WHEW.
What an amazing morning!

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Journal - House on Brown Street


Journal - The cool weather this week has been inspiring to get outdoors and sketch. A couple of friends got together yesterday to paint this beautifiul light green house in Southport ...

Friday, August 23, 2019

Journal - City Market - Urban Sketchers of Wilmington


Journal - Urban Sketchers of Wilmington - Old Wilmington City Market - I sat outside the establishment and sketched the painted entry --- (working on simplifying ... and trying to keep the painted walls to the background of the planters)

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Journal - Silver Penny II


Journal - "Silver Penny II" - The motorhome we travel in - The house we built in upstate NC in the middle of 5 acres, we called "Silver Penny." That line is from an old children's poem that goes "You must have a Silver Penny to get into Fairyland." I found one and wore it in my shoe when Charles and I married. Our home was for us, our Silver Penny. Since selling that house and moving to the coast, our motorhome, used to finally travel the states as we once dreamed we would visit, has become our "Silver Penny II." And it has already, brought us to many different 'fairylands.'

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Journal - VA Barn


Journal - I love barns -- especially OLD barns ... no matter where they are! We came across this barn on one of our treks through the backroads of the Shenandoah Valley .. Even overgrown with foliage -- I couldn't help but stop to admire the silent stories it still holds.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Journal - White Oak Lavender Farm


Journal - On our last day in Shenandoah, we visited The White Oak Lavender Farm -- lavender ice cream, body products - even wine -- and yes, EVERYTHING purple - including the barn. I painted this quickly while I sat in the Gazebo before the tour arrived.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Journal - Amish Buggy


Journal - Amish Buggy - We saw so many of these while we were in Lancaster, but we were often traveling as well and just couldn't capture them in a photograph. However, when we visited one of the farms, we found this one in the garage while the horses that would pull it were grazing in the fields.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Journal - Backyard Music


Journal - On one of our last journeys around Shenandoah, we visited several farmstands. On the way to our camp, we took the back roads and went through another small town - Mt. Jackson. Charles spotted a sign for 'Backyard Music." As a muscian, he is always interested in local offerings. We found where the band was setting up, and Charles chatted with them. We returned later to listen to their wonderful bluegrass and country music! It was a soft, warm night and we were accompanied by children, adults and many of the 'regulars.' As the group sang, I sketched them. They came over to us later, introduced all the players, gave us one of their Cds ... and I promised them this finished sketch (added color when we got back). Turns out the lead female is also an art teacher ... so I was doubly pleased that she liked my rendition of the group. Fresh fruit and vegetables from a local market, an unexpected pleasant evening of music and new friends, a discovered hay field and barn -- all unexpected gifts of our trip.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Journal - The Mill - Edinburg, VA


Journal - The Mill, Edinburg, VA - In the small town where we stayed during our visit to Shenandoah, there was an historic mill - "The Mill" - which housed artifacts of the town - 3 floors filled to the brim with everything from wagons to stills, to bedrooms, to hospital equipment -- and included a documentary about the burning of the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. It was FABULOUS! Both Charles and I took dozens and dozens of photographs. Yet when we got back to the motorhome and downloaded our photos -- the entire batch from the 2nd floor was MISSING. I thought it was only my phone, but no, it was Charles' too! Very strange. There was a story about a 'ghost' that haunted the Mill .... so one has to wonder! LOL I returned a few days later and was able to capture the photos that were missing ... and had a chance to sketch this "Sheller" - (from the 3rd floor! LOL)

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Journal - Bitty and Beau's


Journal - Urban Sketchers of Wilmington -- Our group met today at Bitty and Beau's Coffee Shop -- I arrived early and sat in the parking lot and sketched the outside of the building while waiting for the group to arrive. Great day!

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Journal - Covered Bridge


Journal - A covered bridge we discovered while in Lancaster -- walked across it -- sweet ...

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Journal - Paraglider


Journal - En route to Luray Caverns on the Skyland Drive, when we reaced Mountain Top Drive, we stopped at the overlook. There we found a paraglider preparing for his flight. We stayed long enough to watch him take off, fly over the Shenandoah Valley and land in a field far below. Thrilling!

Friday, August 09, 2019

Journal - Skyland Dr in Sunshine





Journal- Another day on the Shenandoah Skyland Drive...this time in sunshine...

Thursday, August 08, 2019

Journal - Luray Caverns


Journal - while in Shenandoah, we visited Luray Caverns...truly awe inspiring!  The lighting throughout the caverns highlighted the formations and created even more jaw dropping experiences.  Loved it!

Wednesday, August 07, 2019

Journal - Artifacts


Journal - A few artifacts found on the Creekside Campgrounds.. Edinburg, VA....


Tuesday, August 06, 2019

Journal - First Day in Shenandoah


Journal....First day in Shenandoah...we drive Skyland Drive and encounter more rain than sun...still, the view is marvelous....


Monday, August 05, 2019

Sunday, August 04, 2019

Journal - Lititz



Journal - during our stay in Lancaster...friends had recommended the chocolate factory there...Wilburs.  Better than Hershey they said.   So off we went to check out the town of Lititz.  On the day we visited...the town was filled with folks!  An art show was going on in the town square..a real delight!  The eateries were busy...and the whole town was abuzz!  We found Wilburs ...and fell in live with their rich chocolates!  Brought some home.  Couldn't get lunch at the Tea Shop...but found a super cafe ...The Tomato Pie Cafe....which offered dozens of gluten free options--including Tomato Pie!   We were fortunate to secure seats on the porch and had a marvelous lunch while watching the crowds go by.  Charles described  the small town as "The Chapel Hill" of PA!  Had a splendid visit!

Saturday, August 03, 2019

Journal- An Amish Clothesline


Journal - An Amish clothesline..."High and Low" referring to the clotheslines that stretch from a low pulley to a high spot on the farm.