Burnt Cove, Deer Isle, A Decade Ago

When is the last time you took a trip down memory lane? I have embarked on that trip again today. Taking a decade's old journey back in time, I find myself on a remote island off the coast of Down East Maine. On the western edge of Deer Isle I find Burnt Cove. Carved into the landscape surrounded by quaint, clapboard houses and large, granite boulders, this tiny cove is the consummate Maine setting. Heavy clouds hang low in the sky, on this warm Summer's day, giving every element a larger than life feel. I snap images moving my viewfinder a tad left, then a tad right.

After photographing Burnt Cove, I drive the narrow, winding back roads further south on Deer Isle. Using a map, I hug the coastline taking in the scenery. An hour passes and I make my way back to Burnt Cove with anticipation. Just as I had suspected, the low cloud base had lifted giving way to blue skies. Have you ever seen such a beautiful Maine setting as this. Needless to say, the red clapboard house is a priceless find.

The granite boulders that hug the coast, as they do in most Down East shorelines, coupled with the dense Fir trees that grow right up to the water's edge, sets the perfect scene. My love affair with coastal Maine, and an equally passionate love affair with sailboats, brought me to the farthest northeastern state of the U.S. I can only hope if I journeyed to this remote area today that I would find a similar landscape. However, I know there is nowhere, in this our United States, that is safe from urban sprawl. So lucky to have captured these images at a time when coastal Maine was still rugged and unspoiled. Time really can stand still. All you need do is press your shutter release button. Click, and the scene is yours forever.

I have a very lazy weekend ahead with only a few chores. Perhaps the out of doors, which constantly beckons to me, will take over and I'll find myself by the lake shore today. Who knows. ENJOY!

Sailing on the Lake

This beautiful sailboat was plying the waters on Percy Priest a while back. I had to snap a few images as I am an avid sailboat lover. I've only ever been on a sailboat twice in my life. Once in the Atlantic Ocean and once in the Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic was on a sunset cruise out of Key West many years ago. The second was the Gulf of Mexico while visiting relatives. A strong storm came up between us and the dock. Thirty foot swells overtook us. I headed for the galley to minimize the rocking of the boat up top. Both experiences were ones I'll never forget. Not many sailboats sail on Old Hickory Lake. However, Percy Priest has a marina called Hamilton Marina which has a separate area for nothing but sailboats. So you can find the sailboats out on the water at Percy Priest often. I wouldn't trade Old Hickory Lake for anything. Living on the lake makes life so much more enjoyable. Perhaps it's the different scenes you take in as day turns into night. There's never a dull moment on the lake. And you never know what will fly in and stay awhile. Have a wonderful night. A holiday weekend is approaching. I love three day weekends. Gives you time to slow down a tad more than on a typical weekend. Back soon. ENJOY!

Two Ships that Pass in the Night

Quoting from an age old saying, "Two ships that pass in the night." I wanted to share this sailboat and cruiser as they passed each other on Old Hickory Lake last year during the Christmas Boat Parade. I had never been to a boat parade so you can just imagine my excitement in spite of the 25 degree temperatures. I hope to get to this year's parade which is coming up in a few weeks. I also hope there's even more boats in the parade, as last year was the first year they had brought back the boat parade here in Hendersonville. What fun. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don't overdue yourself eating leftover turkey or putting up those holiday decorations. Back soon. ENJOY!

Christmas Boat Parade, Old Hickory Lake

Just a few of the boats as they glided along on Old Hickory Lake tonight for the Christmas Boat Parade. The boat parade was held for many years and then it was cancelled. Last year they brought the parade back, but I didn't make it down to the shore.

The only sailboat that launched for the parade. This photo didn't do it justice.

One of the many Santa Claus's perched atop the boats. I think one of my favorite things about the parade was the lights reflecting on the water. It really added a dimension I wasn't expecting.

You can't see them, but there are quite a few folks standing on top of the roof of this houseboat next to Santa Claus waving and shouting, 'Merry Christmas.' And I kept shouting back with other folks on the shore, 'Merry Christmas.'

Here is my favorite boat of the Christmas Boat Parade this year with Santa Claus and his Reindeer. I would have taken more images, but it was a balmy 29 degrees tonight and so cold. Brrrrr! ENJOY!

Linking to Foodie Friday & Everything Else

Sailboats on Old Hickory Lake

One of my favorite things to photograph are sailboats. I have long had a passion for these free spirited, take me where the wind blows, boats. This is the yacht club on the south side of Old Hickory Lake. Many a sailboat calls it home.

It was late in the day as I made the drive around Old Hickory Lake north to my home in Hendersonville. I decided to make the ten minute drive back to the yacht club before leaving the south side of the lake. The sun was at a fairly decent descent so the light wasn't too awfully harsh. There was a subtle hint of Fall color on the trees in the distance.

Fall in middle Tennessee was subdued due in part to lack of rain. Drought is slowly creeping from southern Tennessee to middle and northern parts of the state. It is more severe in northern Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. This time last year it was a monsoon from a hurricane that came up from the Gulf in October and the remnants of the storm brought rain across the northern most part of the South. ENJOY!

Burnt Cove, Deer Isle

It has been close to a decade since I journeyed to the beautiful state of Maine for an adventure. Maine is situated in the northeastern part of the States. Over the course of a week in August of 2008, I drove along the coast of Maine. First, I stopped in the quaint small town of Camden, situated along the Mid Coast. I walked around the harbor and shopped in Stonewall Kitchen, and even drove way up to the top of Mt. Battie to take in a view of the entire Mid Coast scenery.

Then I pulled up stakes and drove farther northeast to Downeast Maine. I made the Barncastle Inn, just outside of Blue Hill, my base. From the inn each day, I would venture out trekking to various locales in and around Downeast Maine, such as Deer Isle, Mt. Desert Island and Acadia National Park. I spent a day in Bar Harbor and took in the harbor walk along the coast. Just as I was finishing my walk on the approach to downtown Bar Harbor, I caught the last of the tourists as they boarded the beautiful tall ship, Margaret Todd, as it set sail for an evening sunset cruise.

I visited the small island of Deer Isle, just south of Blue Hill, where I photographed the foggy harbor of Stonington with several tall ships cruising through. One afternoon, I made the short drive from Blue Hill to Burnt Cove on Deer Isle to photograph this precious little inlet with its colorful New England homes situated on the coast. The sailboats sat idle as the buoys bobbed up and down. The fog hadn't quite burned off by early afternoon so what fog was left added just the perfect amount of charm to the whole scene. It was simply gorgeous.

Believe it or not, this image and all of my Maine photographs were taken with my old Pentax camera, which had no automatic settings at all. It was all manual. You really had to know your stuff when it came to settings. None of this digital camera stuff at that time. It was several years before I transitioned to digital. I will be back with more images from my Maine adventure. ENJOY!

One Seasons Ends, Another Begins

Fall is bringing a change in the leaves. Do you see it there?

Soon there will be yellows, oranges and reds. A new season is upon us. I wrap my arms around it relishing in all its glory. ENJOY!

Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina

For as long as I can remember I have had a love affair with sailboats. I especially love the wooden sailboats I oftentimes see plying the waters in New England when I visit there. But I will take any sailboat, wooden or otherwise.

Aside from the occasional shower, the weather here has finally cooled off and last evening was gorgeous. After running errands, I stopped to capture a few images of the boats at Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina in east Nashville. The marina sits on the west side of Percy Priest Lake about ten minutes from where I live.

One of the things I like most about where I live is being near two large bodies of water, Old Hickory Lake and Percy Priest Lake, not to mention two rivers, the Stones River and the Cumberland River. The weather has been perfect for sailing or any other kind of water sport. Blue skies, blue waters and soft breezes. Thanks everyone for all of your great comments on my images of the Elk and Bison I posted recently. I really appreciate it. ENJOY!

Sailboats, Percy Priest Lake

The afternoon light was emitting a warm blue. The perfect light of the day, we outdoor photographers long for, as it settled over Percy Priest Lake Sunday. Walking along the shores at Seven Points, several sailboats were off in the distance floating aimlessly along the water.

A little something you may not know about me, but I will share. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for sailboats. Always. Today is a copy cat of yesterday's weather with perfect blue skies, warm temps and tons of sunshine. I could not be happier especially since I took the day off and I am headed outdoors. ENJOY!