{ First Snow }

Our first snow came very early this year for our area of Pennsylvania. Too early, at the end of October. We haven't even done our fall clean up yet. Six inches of heavy wet snow with the leaves still on the trees. The first Nor'easter of the year as we call them.

The photo abovie is taken from my front door. Looks different with some of the leaves still on the ground.
Below:Three miles from my home is a beautiful grist mill. My Honey and I decided to jump in our truck and go for a walk.

Grist Mill pond, desolate and beautiful.

Little smoke house

Wagner Grist Mill in Hellertown PA

Snow covered field. We were the only people there. So quiet and beautiful

Saucon creek, the dark water against the white snow was beautiful. Saucon is an Indian name, from local Indians who used to live here.

Walking along the Rails to Trails, this beautiful farm is one of my favorites to photograph. I love the little smoke house.

I don't remember having snow this early ever... We lost power for over 24 hrs. I enjoyed the quiet time with my Honey. But, I did really appreciate having electricity and my computer back... =)

MaryAnn

{ Autumn in Pennsylvania }

Autumn in Pennsylvania is one of the most beautiful times of year. Leaves changing into colors of orange, red, yellow and brown. Pumpkins in the fields waiting to be picked. Old farm houses with fields of corn as far as the eye can see. We spend our weekends photographing all the treasures we find. Wandering the back roads is a simple country delight~

{ Fall in my garden }

Soon it will be the last of the flowers in my garden. We had a beautiful garden this year. I will miss all the color.

This past summer was a hard one... rain, rain and more rain. We are 20+ inches above normal for rain. Then there was hurricane Irene... then severe heat waves. It's a wonder I had any pretty flowers at all.

The flowers are dying back now. Showing the last of their colors. Soon they will go back to sleep.... I feel winter is not far off~

How did you garden grow this summer?

{ Faded Beauty }

Memories of times past. Her beauty faded but not gone completely.

She sits quietly waiting for someone to pause for a moment and remember simpler times.

Some heartless person has tried to ruin her beauty, but her graceful scallops and curves still show the elegant lady she is.

As the world hurries by, she whispers of times past............


Linked at: Faded Charm for White Wednesday. (blogger isn't being nice, will fix link later)

{ The Giving Pond }

The Giving Pond~ my favorite place to spend a day. Beautiful, serene. So quiet you can enjoy the birds and butterflies. I'm to grateful for this beautiful place to spent time at. To photograph, to simply enjoy~
Textures by Kim Klassen

Linked at:

[ Ricketts Glen State Park }

The other weekend my Honey and I went to Rickett's Glen State Park. It was our first time visiting this beautiful park. The park is in upstate Pennsylvania. A touch of fall was just showing up in the area.

I did some research on the park. The gorge along the creek is home to many "old growth" trees. By counting the rings on fallen trees, some have been found to be 500 to 900 years old.

There are two main trails along the falls. We only were able to hike a little more than half way down the Glen Leigh trail. This trail has eight waterfalls, with names such as Onondaga, F.L. Ricketts, Huron, Ozone, R.B. Ricketts, B. Reyonalds, Wyandot.

Because it was late in the day, we were only able to view five of the falls. We made it down to Ozone.

There were many small tubling falls inbetween. Most of the trail was easy to hike until you can to the falls.

Late in the day we sat by a quiet peaceful lake and watched the sunset. Mostly we were the only people there. It is a magical place. I can't wait to see it again in all its fall splendor.

Edwin McCain at the Steel Stacks

Last Friday night I got to see Edwin McCain for the first time in concert. The concert was held at a new local art center called the Steel Stacks. They are named that, because behind the center are the huge reminants of the Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces. The whole side wall fo the building is all glass. The furnaces are lit up at night in red.

My son, the view behind him was awesome. Sorry for the lousy photo but you weren't allowed to use a flash and it was dark.

Back to Edwin McCain. A friend of mine got me tickets to see the show. My son Chris was nice enough to go with me. It was dinner and a concert. I've been listening to Edwin for about a year now. His Best of Edwin McCain cd. I love his ballads. "I'll Be" and "Walk with you" are just beautiful. Hearing them is person was amazing. He is also wrote the song "Say Anything". His show was just wonderful. The stories he tells about his songs and his family are fantastic. If you get a chance to see him, GO, it is definately worth it.

I got to meet him after the show. What a humble man he is. The other two guys in the group Larry Chaney and Craig Shields were so nice to talk with also.

Still Life- Black and White Wednesday

Original photo.

Just found Black and White Wednesday. I thought I would share one of my photos from Washington's Crossing State Park. This photo is from the tavern that George Washington stayed at the night before they crossed the Delaware for the battle of Trenton. Historic place, to walk where Washington walked.
Black and White Wednesday

Photo converted to black and white. Textures used from Kim Klassen's Cafe,canvasback magic and lifesgood.

Long Walks~

My Honey and I have started walking on the "Rails to Trails" here in Pennsylvania. One of the areas is close to home. A little town called Hellertown. We have been coming to Wagner Grist mill since we were dating. I'm not going to say how long ago that was =)

There is a beautiful old grist mill, millers pond, and a "crick" along the way. We walked on the new rails to trails. What a beautiful walk. We went back again for a long bike ride too.

We saw a red tailed hawk in the trees and a blue Herron. Reminants of the old railroad along the way, like signal towers and whistle signs. Old electrical poles with all the insulators in different colors.

My favorite spot is the bridge that crosses over the "crick" with a small water fall. The mill race for the grist mill.

I'm so happy that they opened this new rails to trails so close to home. I'm sure we will walk or bike ride here for many years to come~