Small Things In Life

When I go on my journeys, I like taking pictures of historical markers, landmarks, churches, restaurant, etc.  The part about these journeys that I really like is when I park my car and walk around to take pictures.  I especially love doing this at historical sites, but also mainly in downtown areas.  It is during these times that I look for smaller pictures...something that catches my eye.  The pictures today are from my most recent adventures where I have had the opportunity to stroll through downtown areas or historical sites.  These are my attempts to capture the small things in life. 

The first picture was taken in downtown Harrodsburg, KY.  When I went to Harrodsburg, I wanted to take pictures at the Old Fort Harrod Site.  After leaving the park and heading to Lexington, I took the opportunity to go through the downtown area.  You can tell that renovation efforts have been made to capture the historical essence of downtown Harrodsburg.  One thing that interest me of the area was the US flags on each light pole.  Below is the picture of one of these flags.  I like this picture because it captures the sun through the flag itself.  I got lucky when taking this picture as I caught this shot on the first time.

This second picture was of the corner of the Replica of the First House in Kentucky at the Dr. Thomas Walker State Park in Barbourville, KY.  Why the corner and not the house???  Well, I already have a few pictures of the house.  Ha ha.



The third picture was taken in downtown Barbourville, KY.  A dear friend of mine while living in Morehead inspired me to capture pictures of the decor on fences.  This picture below is one of two that I took of the same fence point.  The first was in black and white and did not include the door.  This one captures the red door of the building.  It allowed me to practice using the aperture features on my camera.

The fourth picture of today was taken in Corbin, KY.  While driving around on a pretty day after the last significant snowfall, I parked at a nearby industrial park and walked toward a field on a gravel road.  I loved the color of the field against the field and the blue sky.

The last picture of the day was taken the day after a good snowfall of the Union College campus of Sue Bennett College in London, KY.  I took this picture in Black and White and again focusing on the aperture setting on my camera.

Spiritual Reclamation

Good afternoon and evening to all.  I want to begin by saying thank you for continuing to view this blog.  I have had more fun with this blog than I had initially thought.  Today's theme is Spiritual Reclamation.  While at church today, the preacher talked about Maintaining Momentum as Part 7 of "The Road To Recovery."  The preacher said that reverting to our own will power can cause a (Spiritual) relapse.  One aspect of preventing spiritual relapse and is meditation or slowing down long enough to hear God's word.  These spiritual moments can occur anywhere...just depending on what has meaning to you.  A friend of mine says that one of her spiritual moments and connections with God is when she sees a Red Tail Hawk.  While working in Bowling Green, she would tell me how excited she was to see a red tail hawk, especially on her drives into the office.  While on my journeys, I have visited and captured pictures that were spiritual to me.  Today, I would like to share them with you all.  The first two pictures were taken in Gethsemane.  Gethsemane is a monastery located a few miles outside of Bardstown, KY.  Gethsemane was probably the most spiritual and inspirational places that I have been to in quite some time.  On the day that we went, it was extremely hot and muggy, but still the trails, church, statues...everything (including the company) that made the weather conditions bearable.  For me, the first picture has a little bit more of a story than the second.  The site was located on a nearby hillside across the road from the sanctuary.  There was a trail leading up to the site that was a bit overgrown.  There were bees all around us buzzing, but for some reason our walking along the trail did not disturb them.  The site on top of the hill had a couple of chairs and benches facing the cross for meditation. 

The third picture is of the Goddard Covered Bridge in Fleming County off of Highway 32.  More notably is the view of the church through the covered bridge.  For me, the picture is more peaceful than the actual site because of the location near the main highway.

The fourth picture is of my home church...Loving Chapel Baptist Church.  I like this picture because of the deeper meaning behind the picture.  It is through the word that we can focus on the importance of the cross.

The final picture was taken when I accompanied my nephew and his classmates for their class trip to Washington, D.C.  The picture is of Robert Kennedy's grave in Arlington Cemetery.  According to the tour guide, she said that Robert Kennedy said that he wanted a small cross located on a hill if he were to die.  I chose this picture because the cross on the hillside seems so simple, but yet, it feels peaceful. 

Since I moved to Eastern Kentucky, I will say that I have came up with tons of excuses as to why I have not attended church regularly.  Whatever the excuses the only person that it hurts is...me...I understand that.  It is very easy to say that I have it under control, but underneath when it all is said and done...I don't (maybe that is why I titled this blog Spiritual Reclamation).  I am no where near perfect nor claim to be perfect.  I have a long journey ahead of me, but I always find it interesting the way that special moments happen in your life to make you realize that you can not live this life alone and that God is always with us in spite of ourselves.   I know that this post may draw an email from a special friend because it appears that I am trying to act as though I am holier than thou, but it is one that was on my heart today and I wanted to share.  In closing, I will share the message on a church sign that I passed yesterday, "Don't worry about tomorrow, God will be there too." 

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

The pictures from today's blog were taken at Jacobson Park in Lexington, KY on....well today.  I had some work that I needed to take care of in Lexington and before heading back to London decided to stop at the park.  For most of the day it was sort of hazy and overcast, but it had cleared up when heading out of town.  In general, the last few days have been absolutely gorgeous and have provided for great opportunities to take pictures.  I know that these days may not last as Old Man Winter puts us back in check, but it has been sooo fun and sooo nice as of lately.  Spring Fever, anyone?


Jacobson Park is a very pretty park that has some good places to take pictures.  While we were at the park, there was a photographer taking engagement pictures of a couple and their dog by the lake.  The sky combined with the way the sun was reflecting off of the water will make their pictures FANTASTIC.  Below are pictures of the lake and the reflections of the sun on the water.  The last picture was taken while leaving the park.  I took the picture using a faster shutter speed while the vehicle was in motion (I was not driving for those that might freak out).  ha ha...  I liked how the picture captured the figure in the sun with the rays going over the landscape.  So far, it may be one of my favorite pictures thus far in 2011. 

Valentine's Day

Good evening to all, today's blog will be very short.  I hope that everyone has enjoyed the beautiful day and also have taken a moment to appreciate those people in your life that you love.  I want to thank each of you for looking at this blog.  It has been very exciting to go beyond posting pictures in facebook to actually discussing interesting points with each picture.

Today's blog is just one picture...with the theme being Valentine's Day.  This picture below was taken in Bowling Green, KY at Covington Park in 2008.  The rock is located near the basketball court and picnic shelter.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!!!!

Washington, KY - Mason County

Most people know, but for those that do not know, it is a goal of mine to visit every county in Kentucky (which I have named my Kentucky 120 tour).  To date, I have been to 70 counties where I have taken at least one picture in that county that identifies that county.  Sadly to say, there have been a couple of places where the county sign has been the only thing of worthwhile in the county (you were right Chris).  When thinking about the counties that I have been, it is very hard to say which county is my favorite.  Home will always be my favorite place (Simpson County) and Warren County (Bowling Green) a close second, however, minus those two places...I will have to say that my favorite place that I have been to thus far has been Mason County.

My first visit to Mason County was back in 2006 for a wedding.  Who would have known that the wedding and a simple crossing of paths (although not what any of us wanted at the time) would have paved a way to where I not only lived in Morehead and London, but also experience different cultures, meet new people and make friends, and lead me to where I wanted to see more of Kentucky.  The first time I went back to Mason County in 2009 was on mistake.  I signed up for a meeting in Maysville without realizing that they offered the same meeting in Morehead.  While on lunch, the people in the training showed me parts of Maysville and took me to my favorite restaurant of ALL TIME...Caproni's on the River.  I went back to Maysville a couple of other times to eat at Caproni's (I love their Fried Green Tomatoes).  While I told people of how much liked Maysville because of the history as a river town, they told me that I would love Washington, Kentucky even better.  I would soon learn.....

Today's blog focuses on the trip to Washington, KY.  Washington is located off Highway 68 about 3 miles before/after Maysville.  In the past, Highway 68 went through downtown Washington, but like many highways that are frequently traveled by patrons, there was a need to expand the highway, which resulted in the highway bypassing the town.  In Washington's case, this move further preserved the historical aspects of the town.  Washington, also known as "Old Washington" was one of the first two settlements in the state of Kentucky.  Walking through town, you will many buildings, log cabin homes, stores, etc. that were built during the late 18th century.  In the first picture you see a log cabin built and named after Simon Kenton, who owned a store in Washington.  The second picture is of the first Post Office west of the Allegheny Mountains.  The third picture is of a sign of tavern built in 1807.  What captivated me so much about Washington was the fact that walking through the town felt like a picture tour from 1789-1820.  For my history buffs, I know that I am not alone in the sentiment that much of Kentucky's history that is known or sites to visit are from the Antebellum period (1820 - 1860).  Therefore, it is extraordinary to see anything that predates the Antebellum period (another place of interest is Cane Ridge in Bourbon County).  I do find it interesting that Washington (which is located about 5 - 7 miles from the Ohio River) was established as a town before Maysville.  However, Washington lost the county seat of Mason County to Maysville in 1848 as Maysville became more established as a river town.

Now, I know that a discussion that tends to bring up uneasiness even now is the institution of slavery.  I know that February is set aside for African-American history month.  Typically, any thoughts or acknowledgements of African-American history is progressive not regressive.  Therefore, my next section is not intended to be degraded or offensive to anyone or trying to set African-Americans back, but merely is referenced as a historical part of the community of Washington. 

One of the surprises for me in Washington was the Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum.  Everyone knows Harriet Beecher Stowe as the writer of Uncle Tom's Cabin, which was at its time had a tremendous impact toward the growth of the anti-slavery movement.  Harriet Beecher Stowe visited Washington where she saw a slave auction on the county courthouse in 1833 (remember the county seat was not moved to Maysville until 1849).  The picture below the Museum picture is the lawn where the old courthouse stood where she witnessed the slave auction.  It was that event that served as the impetus for Harriet Becher Stowe to write Uncle Tom's cabin.  I knew that she had witnessed a slave auction and that was why she wrote the book, but I did not realize that she witnessed it in Kentucky.  Another interesting thing that I remember from looking at the different buildings was reading the historical marker of a church (not pictured).  The church disagreed upon the issue of slavery and thus resulted in a split of the church.

There is so much more to this town that I have not discussed on this blog.  Just the overall feeling of walking through the town was enough for me...but I love history.  I will say that if I did a Top 20 must see places of Kentucky, Washington, Kentucky would be on that list.  For me, it was everything that my friends were saying PLUS MORE.

Snow DAZE

For those that know me, you all know that I am a borderline weather nerd / dork.  One of the sites that I love to follow is http://www.kyweathercenter.com/, especially during the winter months.  The meteorologist who does this website is usually very good with forecasting weather and dumbing it down for the weather dummies like me.  Anyways, today's theme is snow...simple as that.  I love the snow, but have a hard time taking pictures of snow scenes.  The first three pictures were taken with the Nikon D5000 and the last one was taken with the Kodak EasyShare.

The first picture was taken of a barn along Highway 358 in the western half of McCracken County.  The interesting thing about this picture is that I took it from the car that I was driving.  As I was coming around the curve, I saw this barn and slowed down to take the picture.  When I approached the barn, I startled the birds along the highway, which is how I captured them in this picture.  The interesting thing about this picture is that although I stopped the vehicle to take the picture there were two things that I did not count on that added even more to the picture.  1) the birds, 2) the fact that I forgot to change the shooting mode from Black and White to Color.  I took the picture with a higher Shutter Speed as I am trying to still get used to the various functions of the camera.

The second picture was taken in Ballard County along Highway 453 from Monkeys Eyebrow to Bandana.  I like this picture because of the barn but also the depth of the horizon, which adds an element of peace to the picture.

The next picture is of White Hall located outside of Richmond, KY.  The home was built in 1799.  This site is accessible via the Boonesborough / Winchester exit off I-75.  As with the Whitley Home, this home is interesting because it has survived for 211 years, which means that it made it through various weather, Civil War, depression, and just years of depreciation.  The home was built by Green Clay. A slaveowner, politician, surveyor, and cousin to Henry Clay, Green Clay who was believed to be one of the wealthiest men of his time.  Green Clay was the father to the famous abolitionist Cassius Clay.  Sadly, Cassius attended Transylvania, but graduated from Yale.  While at Yale, he became inspired of the antislavery movement when listening to a speech by William Lloyed Garrison.  Does anyone find it interesting that he became a famous figure during the anti-slavery movement, but yet his father as a very wealthy man and slaveowner?  I guess it shows that we can all hold keys to our own destiny.  Cassius Clay became a famous politician and even fell short of a bid for Vice Presidency for Abraham Lincoln's first tenure as president (he lost to Hannibal Hamlin).  Cassius Clay was also known as the Lion of White Hall.  His daughter Laura Clay, who was a famous women's rights activist, was born at this site as well.  She was the co-founder and first president of the Kentucky Equal Rights Association.  Also, Muhammad Ali's father was named after the famous abolitionist Cassius Marcellus Clay.  Sorry for the history lesson, but I find the White Hall site very interesting.  Many years I have passed this exit and saw the sign for the White Hall, but had no clue the history that was awaiting me if I had of ventured just 2 miles from the exit.  I can only imagine what this site is like when they weather is warmer.

The last picture was taken last year at Eagle Lake in Morehead, KY.  Eagle Lake is adjacent to Morehead State University.  I will have to say that during any point in the year that this site is beautiful and peaceful.  I remember that this day you could tell that the students at the university were sledding down the hill using a cardboard box.  I love this picture...it served as my desktop background for a while.

Lockegee - Rowan County

Today's group of pictures were taken at Lockegee, one of Rowan County's hidden treasures.  To locals and kids that attend Morehead State University, Lockegee is a legendary place that you have to see when you are in the Rowan County area.  Lockegee is a beautiful lookout of the Daniel Boone Forest located along Clack Mountain.  When I first moved to Morehead, people told me about Lockegee.  The stories of not only how pretty it is, but also how dangerous it is as well.  On one of the first nice days of the early spring season, my supervisor took me up there to view the lookout.  Once you are in Morehead, you take Highway 519 toward West Liberty (Morgan County) and turn right onto Highway 1274.  You could about a mile and turn right onto a gravel road that veers behind you.  You will drive about 2 miles (it seems like forever) on this gravel road (veer to the left at the fork) and you will see the gravel road widen to accommodate cars that park on the edge (on a nice day you will see cars parked).  From here, you will see a worn path on your left.  This path will take you near the rock.  From here, you there about three ways that I know how to go up the rock (all involve climbing).  You will see the paths that people have taken leading up to each place that you can climb.  Once you get on top of the rock, you will see a breathtaking view.  The best times to go are Spring and Fall so that you view the colors of the trees in the valley.  I would encourage you to take a lunch and a towel while enjoying this site....trust me, there is very little that is like Lockegee.  I heard that it is awesome to watch the sunsets while on the rock.  Some people will camp on the nearby grounds or even on the rock. 

Now, Lockegee is very dangerous.  It is rumored that once a year that someone falls off the side of the rock.  There are some parts of the rock that are slick and a slip may mean an estimated 40 to 50 ft drop (and I probably am underestimating those figures) into trees.  Some of these falls may involve alcohol others may be from jumping from the main rock to little rocks on the site.  So, I would be careful while getting up, on, and down the rock.

Another interesting thing about Lockegee is the writings done by visitors in the past.  Some are pretty interesting and add to the aura that is Lockegee.  You see in the first picture how it added to the fall colors.  In the last picture, some of the message are pretty comical others borderline history / vandalism (just depends if you are a nature person). 

Trust me, you will always remember the beauty that is Lockegee!!!

(fall 2009)

(fall 2009)

 (early spring 2009)

(early spring 2009)



(mid spring 2010)

(edited picture from mid spring 2010)

(mid spring 2010)