Crawford Notch, New Hampshire Ice Climbers

We took a ride to North Conway and the Notches looking for photo opportunities and to my surprise found ice climbers.  Our weather had been mild for a few days and I was not expecting to see ice climbing, figuring the ice might not be frozen enough for a climb. 

I admire the men and women who are in my opinion who adventurous and brave to climb a mountain covered with ice. Watching the climbers they take no chances and think out each move and appear to really enjoy their sport.

Central Street, Franklin NH, Old Post Card, My Photo Taken Years Later

My husband started a new hobby, collecting old post cards.  I never realized the historical value of his collection until viewing one of his post cards, Central Street, Franklin, NH. 

 I actually duplicated the same viewpoint photo a few years ago.  I love the comparison, changes over the years.  My photo shows a few of the old buildings are still standing.

Four More Feet Movie About Blind Hiker Randy Pierce and His Dog's Quest To Hike 48 of New Hampshire's Mountains In A Single Winter

Randy and his wife Tracy

Tracy and Randy surpise meeting of an old friend

 

The Mighty Quinn

Ralph and Jo's Cafe's Meet and Greet Hosts

Franklin Opera House, Franklin, NH held a event, showing  Randy Pierce, his  service dog The Mighty Quinn, human guide Justin Fuller and filmmaker Dina Sutin's Four More Feet movie of the challenging winter hike of 48 New Hampshire Mountains last winter.   His movie you can purchase for $20 and your donation will go to his  fund raising organization 2020 Vision Quest where 100% of donations goes to Guiding Eyes for the Blind and New Hampshire Association for the Blind, please check it out.

Before the showing of the movie Four More Feet at Franklin's Opera House, Ralph & Jo's Cafe held a meet and greet, serving outstanding food and allowing us to meet, talk with Randy, his wife Tracy, Quinn his dog, Justin his "seeing eye guide" and film maker Dina.

After the movie, Randy, Justin and Dina held an answer and question session, adding background information about the climb, his service dog Quinn, and honest answers how Randy has handled his blindness.  He lost his vision at age 22 due to an unknown neurological disorder plus was unable to walk.  Hard work and determination he was able to walk again and hike mountains!!!

I returned home last night,  feeling  rewarded and honored meeting Randy, his wife Tracy, his dog Quinn, Justin his guide and film maker Dina...what a pleasure.  Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Summer's Ending In the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, Sunset on Newfound Lake

Labor Day Weekend, our last summer weekend, kids are going back to school, tourist are packing up, returning home. You can start to feel a touch of fall in the air. 

Bob and took a ride to Bristol,  Newfound Lake, NH,  Tuesday night, taking in a sunset.  I found an opening, spotting the sunset shining through a summer home's porch windows, a beautiful reflection of the sunset on the lake and started shooting through the trees from the street.   The homeowner curious,  came out to see what I was doing and invited me to come onto his property to take a few photos.  Imagine living with this nightly view.

We live in a beautiful state.

Let's Get Lost On Backroads Photography: Doe and Fawn

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A few weeks ago, riding backroads, Bob spotted a fawn and doe.  Beautiful lighting really highlighted the beautiful pair.

Our friend Gerry took a look at the photos and mentioned to Bob the fawn is a young one, he is hunter :(.

American Idol 2012 Concert

Colton

Bob and I attended American Idol's concert at Verizon Wireless Center, Manchester, NH.  Listening to the talent of 2012 group, we really enjoyed.

Phillip 2012 winner, did not disappoint, his talent was obvious, adorable young man. Joshua received a standing ovation (my personal favorite), Elize talent really showed in her performance lasts night. All of American Idol's top 10, Jessica, Hollie, Skylar, Colton, Deandre, Heejun, Erika, were outstanding.

I am looking forward seeing which direction their careers and talent will takes them.

Sunflowers

I located a place where I could photograph sunflowers,  Spider Web Gardens.  I contacted the owner,  she was so nice to allow me to photograph.  I would like to add Spider Web Gardens are one of my favorite nurseries, their varieties of plants are outstanding.

I photographed the different varieties available but unable to identify their names.

You can check out my other photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/bpdphotos/sets/72157631064554438/

Gettysburg's National Military Park, PA

Sharing a few more photos taken at Gettysburg's National Military Park, PA  Our first visit and we really enjoyed the history of the place.

I wanted my photos to have an old feel, I converted in black and white and sepia.

Busy Summer, I Am Back

Sorry for my lack of posting, we had a very busy summer plus in all honesty, I was just plain lazy.   But I am back and revamping my blog.

Bob, my sister, brother and myself attended Ambler's family reunion, held in Maggie Valley, NC.  My mother's family is from Asheville.  What a wonderful get together, allowing us to meet many family members. 

Bob and I had a little time to tour the area, Blue Ridge area....so beautiful. 

Blue Ridge Parkway

Mangus Mill

Pretty Flower

Chestnut Manor, Sandwich, NH

Chestnut Manor

Windmill on the property

If I ever won a lottery I would love to purchase Chestnut Manor and restore....I am so in love with my picture of the old home.  Well that is unlikely, my wish, someone who feels the same way I do will restore Chestnut Manor homestead's old beauty. 

You can read the history clicking on Sandwich Historical Society link.

Let's Get Lost Get Lost On Backroads Photography: Waterfalls, Roadside Marsh

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Last weekend on our backroads ride I found two pretty sites to photography.

A roadside waterfall on Warner Rd., Warner.  I hit perfect lighting that really enhanced the view of moss on the rocks.

My second find was a roadside marsh located also on Warner Rd in Salisbury, NH.  The view's reflection caught my eye and I decided to convert to black and white, feeling black and white would really showcase the photo.

Completely Enhanced Photo

Last weekend I stopped to shoot the beginning sunset at lake, a storm was coming into the area, hoping I could capture the dramatic scene. Returning home I opened and found my photo was very boring. 

I played with a few programs to see what I could come up with...don't ask me what I did, I kept playing. I really enhanced the photo and like my outcome, I had fun. 

Rainy, Foggy Day Photography at Meredith Bay

We finally received much needed rain over the weekend.  I took my cameras and equipment and decided it has been long time shooting the elements, rain and fog. Meredith Bay, Meredith I found conditions I had in mind.  

New Hampshire Churches

St. Matthews Episcopal Summer Chapel, Sugar Hill NH

First Baptist Church, Hampton Falls, NH

New Hampshire/New England are know for their beautiful churches, white on white churches.  You can find usually in scenic towns, showcasing beautiful steeples. One of my favorite topics to photograph.

White on White: Churches of Rural New England — Historic New England
"There were no trained architects or even schools of architecture in America at the time. Their inspiration came from traditional designs and from pattern books.  In his photographs, he traces the evolution of church styles from the early meetinghouse through the changing patterns of Greek and Gothic revivals."

Announcing My New Feature: "Let's Get Lost On Backroads Photography"

For many years my husband Bob and I would get in the car, usually on Saturdays, Bob would say "Let's Get Lost" traveling back roads.  Photography entered into my life, my hobby became an extension of our weekend adventures. 

A light bulb went off, starting my creative juices running and I decided to share our adventures, a new feature on my blog called "Let's Get Lost Backroads Photography" Stay posted for my entries.

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One of my favorite finds are old barns, structures.

Old Barn found on Riverside Drive, Lisbon, NH

 For Sale a Fixer Upper on Moosikake Rd. Plymouth, NH

2012 New Hampshire's Maple Sugar Weekend

Grades of Maple Syrup, Lightest Best Grade

Sugar Bear Sugar House, Meredith, NH

My favorite spring event, Maple Sugaring Weekend, watching and learning the process, sampling syrup and products made from maple syrup, a wonderful family event. New Hampshire Maple Producers and
Many sugar houses are open year round
I love the event, season, fresh maple syrup, sugar houses. 

Winter Shots of New Hampshire Covered Bridge: Durgin Covered Bridge, Sandwich, NH

I enjoy returning each season to photography New Hampshire Covered Bridges, our treasures of  NH history.

If you are a Covered Bridge person, I would like to suggest purchasing an informative, beautiful DVD about the history of  covered bridges, my husband I really enjoy viewing and learning.  Covered Bridges Of New England created by Jim Karneichik and Mary Steele.

Cilleyville #16 Covered Bridge, Andover - Will Truax Added Information

I was very pleased to receive an email from Will Truax, timberframer, bridgewright, preservation carpenter, wooden bridge historian & blogger http://bridgewright.wordpress.com/ linking me to information he posted on his blog about restoration and local folklore when building Cilleyville #16 Covered Bridge.   Link to his entry Living Memory « Bridgewright, interesting reading. Will was a part of team restoring Cilleyville Covered Bridge.

About Wm. Truax

Proprietor at The Truax Timberwright Woodworks
I'm a timberframer and preservation carpenter, and regularly work on Covered Bridge restoration projects. Bridgewrighting can be a tough row to hoe, for a myriad of reasons. From scheduling issues to differing opinions and philosophies on what is appropriate in methods and materials, to multiple jurisdictions still not sufficiently vetting bidders resumes - Which is to say, just because a company is on that state approved list and capable of building that seven figure overpass, this does not mean they are capable of restoring a wooden bridge... So, I have much to say about all this and more - And despite my tough row observation, I promise not to whine.       

Cilleyville#16 Covered Bridge located in Andover - Winter

Cloned photo removal of the school bus, wires and houses.

Original photo with school bus, wires and houses

New Hampshire is know for 54 beautiful covered bridges, at one point in time we had 750 covered bridges.  TABLE OF CONTENTS - New Hampshire Covered Bridges

My husband Bob and I have traveled the state locating and photographing our covered bridges, when possible, different seasons of the year.

I took a photo of  Cilleyville#16 Covered Bridge located in Andover, a winter shot.  My original photo had a school bus, wires and houses.  I decided to clone out and make my shot an artistic winter photo.