Tell me a Story: September 2016

We finally arrived in Leavensworth and day 1 is where my Tell me a Story Blog is going to happen.  The day was overcast and drizzly as we arrived.  Fortunately our drive from the Orcas Islands to Leavensworth had been pretty good.  The air was cold and we quickly bundled up.  After booking into the motel we decided to head out while the rain was not too bad.  First stop was a beer garden for a brat and beer.  Then it was a meander around town while the weather was okay.  Lastly we took a drive up to a ski run just to see what it was all about.  You will have to wait for day 2 to see images of the actual town.

 

Arriving in the quaint German town of Leavensworth

Arriving in the quaint German town of Leavensworth

The view from our hotel room

The view from our hotel room

Practicing with the Lensbaby Sweet 35

Very quickly the mist was dropping and the weather was changing dramatically.

Street views of the town

Street views of the town

The weather clearly was not pleasant when we arrived but as the day wore on the clouds came down and covered the mountains.

It was a lot colder than when we first arrived and the weather was definitely deteriorating fast.

Practicing with the Lensbaby Sweet 35

We did a brief walk around the town and when the rain started in earnest we headed back to the motel and waited it out. The guy hangs out on the front lawn area of the motel.

Ice particles covered the fir trees.

On the way back I spotted the fir trees covered in Ice particles.

Murals on the hotel walls

Murals on the hotel walls

The leaves are the fir trees were covered in ice.

More frozen fir branches.

We took a drive up to the loca ski run see what it was all about.

Not wanting to be stuck in the hotel room all afternoon we decided to take a drive up to the local ski run see what it was all about.

Richard was the only one surefooted enough to venture out onto the ice

Richard was the only one surefooted enough to venture out onto the ice

My brother and I do not get to see each other often. Luckily we have managed once a year for the past 4 years. While we get the opportunity I want to try and travel where ever he visits in the US. Family is precious and needs to be nutured.

My brother and I do not get to see each other often. Luckily we have managed once a year for the past 4 years. While we get the opportunity I want to try and travel where ever he visits in the US. Family is precious and needs to be nutured.

Richard out on the ice.

Richard chillin’ out on the ice.

Mmm - the South Florida girl is suddenly more appreciative of the hot temps and the mosquitos. Not sure I could handle snow up to my front door.

Mmm – the South Florida girl is suddenly more appreciative of the hot temps and the mosquitoes. Not sure I could handle snow up to my front door.

Looking over the town from the ski run area.

Looking over the town from the ski run area.  We headed back to the motel, and then to dinner at the restaurant next door.  It was way to cold to go any distance.  Hot chocolate and time to bunker down.  Tomorrow we will walk the town.

Thank you for joining me for this month’s Tell me a story.    This is a circle blog.  Please take time to visit my fellow blogger Janelle Garcia Photography and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

You can find the blogs to the Chihuly Gardens inside and out,  to Pike Street Market,  the Seattle Waterfront and Ferris Wheel, Bainbridge Island,  Seattle LibraryColumbia Building and Chinatown, Seattle City Scenes , the ferry trip to Friday Harbor, Friday Harbor the town,  the ferry trip back to the mainlandand and our drive to Leavensworth, by clicking on the highlighted names.

Keep a look out for more of the upcoming blog on the Snoqualmie Falls.

You can also find me on FacebookFlickr, Instagram and Google+  

 

Love: October 18, 2015 2172

 

30 Minutes in the Life: September 2016

I have spent the last 9 weeks in recovery and it still goes on.  I can drive but I cannot walk far.  I find I need to get my foot elevated pretty quickly.  I attempted to take some photo’s juggling the crutches yesterday and that just did not work.  So for this month I am just going to continue to share the Seattle Stories.  The Orcas Islands were amazing, on the ferry boat rides we saw such stunning scenery, and the town of Friday Harbor was quaint, pretty and welcoming.  Today we are on the road from the Orcas Islands, heading towards the German town of Leavensworth.  We are heading into the mountains and of course the snow.

The scenery was beautiful and I will confess that my blog was taken over a longer period than 30 minutes.

Driving along the highway it is really hard to capture the scenery. The countryside was beautiful.

Driving along the highway it is really hard to capture the scenery. The countryside was beautiful.

Mountains - that's where we are heading.

Mountains – that’s where we are heading, although a bit deeper in.

Practicing with the Lensbaby Sweet 35

We saw amazing scenery along the way and sometimes you just need to snap from the car.

On the road

On the road, alongside the train tracks.

I love being in the mountains and seeing the snow. What gorgeous scenery

Our first sighting of a close up of the mountains with snow. Yay…oh boy it’s going to be cold

We stopped at this tiny little side of the road coffee spot. So very quaint and unusual.

We stopped at this tiny little side of the road coffee spot. So very quaint and unusual.

The view from behind the quaint little coffee stop. Majestic mountains.

The view from behind the quaint little coffee stop. Majestic mountains.

There is a sense of excitement when a South Florida girl gets to see snow. It was a spectacular sight.

There is a sense of excitement when a South Florida (African) girl gets to see snow. It’s been a while and it was a spectacular sight.

The road we traveled from the Orca Islands to Seattle meandered along the river. In some places it was flat and in others is was rocky and choppyy.

The road we traveled from the Orca Islands to Seattle meandered along the river. In some places it was flat and in others is was rocky and choppy.

We took a 2 minute freezing cold snow photo op.

We took a 2 minute freezing cold snow photo op at a ski lodge pull off

Richard doing his peace out thing. Has to be a sixties child.

Richard doing his peace out thing. Has to be a hippie era child.

Ski lifts - the last time I went on the ski lifts in Denver, I got horribly sick and so I am avoiding these with a passion. Not that I would have any plans to ski.

Ski lifts – the last time I went on the ski lifts in Denver, I got horribly sick and so I am avoiding these with a passion. Not that I would have any plans to ski. I have two left feet and end up with broken bones.

Practicing with the Lensbaby Sweet 35

We came around a curve to this beautiful river scene and so I had to pose Richard in the photo.  We don’t take too many people pictures for some reason.

There were some beautiful rivers that we passed. The driver has one mission - get to the town. The back seat driver, keeps telling him to stop

There were some beautiful rivers that we passed. The driver has one mission – get to our destination. The back seat driver, keeps telling him to stop

Richard

Another close up of the driver, Richard. One of my favorite people as I have to be honest, I would not want to drive on roads that may have snow or ice.

The rushing rivers as a result of the snow.

Sometimes the scenery was bleak and gray, hence the black and white image. The rushing rivers as a result of the snow.

Getting out in front of the camera is not my thing but sometimes you just have to do it.

Getting out in front of the camera is not my thing but sometimes you just have to do it to record that you were actually on vacation.

A beautiful lake and view alongside a shop, called The Alps, that we stopped at. Interesting store. I had about a hundred different varieties of taffy.

A beautiful lake and view alongside a shop, called The Alps, that we stopped at. Interesting store. It had about a hundred different varieties of taffy.

Barry and Enid at the shop stop.

Barry and Enid at the shop stop.  Nothing beats spending time with family.  Given that we are spread out across the continents these times are a real treat.

I loved the stillness and peacefulness of this area.

I loved the stillness and peacefulness of this area.

Another stopping point was this bridge across the river. I wish I could have stopped at all the interesting places.

Another stopping point was this bridge across the river. I wish I could have stopped at all the interesting places.

Practicing with the Lensbaby Sweet 35

Last stop before heading into Leavensworth.  Look out for my blog on this tiny German town.

Thank you for joining me for this month’s 30 minutes.    This is a circle blog.  Please take time to visit my fellow blogger Hayley Hay photography / Lausanne, Switzerland and see what she has for you this month. Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month. Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

30 Minutes changed their name to Journey to an Artist.  If you want to know more about Journey to an Artist head over to their Facebook page, or to the blog page.  There is new and exciting happenings going on with the group Journey to an Artist that you are sure to want to check it out.

You can find the blogs to the Chihuly Gardens inside and out,  to Pike Street Market,  the Seattle Waterfront and Ferris Wheel, Bainbridge Island,  Seattle LibraryColumbia Building and Chinatown, Seattle City Scenes , the ferry trip to Friday Harbor, Friday Harbor the town, and the ferry trip back to the mainland, by clicking on the highlighted names.

Keep a look out for more of the upcoming blogs, the town of Leavensworth and the Snoqualmie Falls.

You can also find me on FacebookFlickr, Instagram and Google+  

 

 

30-minutes

Artist Inspired: September 2016: Gold

It is so hard to believe that a month has past.  I am still in the recovery process of foot surgery and am unable to go out and take photographs right now.

The last time I blogged with Artist Inspired, the theme was blue and I shared image from our trip to Friday Harbor.  This month the theme is gold and I decided to share with you the trip home from Friday Harbor.  If you want to see what Friday Harbor actually looks like check out the links below.

We had an amazing day heading out to Friday Harbor, the scenery was outstanding and the town of Friday Harbor was quaint and unique. The people were friendly and chatty.  We stopped in at a pub for a beer and chatted to the bartender a while.  Finally we headed back down to the ferry waiting area and met up with Barry and Enid.  Our day was closing and we were heading back to the mainland.  It was really cold and I was not sure I was up to standing outside whale hunting for whales that do not appear to be evident where we are traveling.  Hang out on the ferry ride with me and enjoy the scenery.

It was with sadness that we left Friday Harbor. I think there was more to see but we did run out of time. Our day was good. A few drops of rain but nothing we could not deal with. Leaving Friday Harbor, the closing day is cloudy and overcast.

It was with sadness that we left Friday Harbor. I think there was more to see but we did run out of time. Our day was good. A few drops of rain but nothing we could not deal with. Leaving Friday Harbor, the closing day is cloudy and overcast.

We had company along the start of the journey and when we stopped to pick up passengers at one of the islands

We had company along the start of the journey and when we stopped to pick up passengers at one of the islands

At one stage we crossed paths with another ferry. It is amazing to see these ferry boats out in the water.

At one stage we crossed paths with another ferry. It is amazing to see these ferry boats out in the water.

I am always optimistic that we will get a sunset and so I ventured back out into the cold, now having given up on the whale, hoping that at least the sunset would be amazing.

I am always optimistic that we will get a sunset and so I ventured back out into the cold, now having given up on the whale, hoping that at least the sunset would be amazing.

And I was not disappointed. Slowly the sun began to set and the sky turned gold.

Richie joined me out there and we were not disappointed. Slowly the sun began to set and the sky turned gold.

Practicing with the Lensbaby Sweet 35

I loved the effects of the clouds in the sky against the darkness of the islands and the reflections on the water.  Richard, my brother, one other random stranger and I were the only people outside photographing this beautiful splendor.

The sun dipped below the clouds and the reflection bathed on the wake of the boat.

The sun dipped below the clouds and the reflection bathed on the wake of the boat.

I am loving the sunflare and the peacefulness of being out on the water during this part of the day.

I am loving the sunflare and the peacefulness of being out on the water during this part of the day.

We are in the middle of no where when suddenly a bird flies into the sunset. That is really special for me.

We are in the middle of no where when suddenly a bird flies into the sunset. That is really special for me.

Sunset from the ferry on the trip back from Friday Harbor to Anacortes

Slowly the sun started to drop again into the clouds.  The beauty was going to disappear soon and I will be sorry to see it go.  For me the beauty of creation is found at times like these, with a Sunset in the Orcas Islands

Sunset in the Orca Islands

The last rays of the sunset, and the night is closing in. It has been a beautiful day and a great close to our evening. Arriving back on the mainland we made our way back to our accommodation and then meandered across to the closest eatery, which happened to be a pizza place, to have dinner. It is bitterly cold and I am ready to bunker down for the night. Pleasantly tired.

 

A traveler sees what he sees, a tourist sees what he has come to see.

~ G. K. Chesterton

 

Before I close out on the Gold theme, just a reminder that this month is the Pediatric Cancer Awareness month and is also linked to the color gold.  If you want to help out go here to see what you can do.  

 

Just a reminder that this is a circle blog and I would encourage you to click to continue on reading what they other photographers in this group have for you.  Please stop by Ellie Meachem’s photography page Live Life Inspired Photography and read her blog.  Don’t forget to leave a little love on their pages.

 

You can find the blogs to the Chihuly Gardens inside and out,  to Pike Street Market,  the Seattle Waterfront and Ferris Wheel, Bainbridge Island,  Seattle LibraryColumbia Building and Chinatown, Seattle City Scenes , the ferry trip to Friday Harbor, and Friday Harbor the town, by clicking on the highlighted names.

Keep a look out for more of the upcoming blogs, the road trip to Leavensworth and the town of Leavensworth..

You can also find me on FacebookFlickr, Instagram and Google+

 

 

The Artists Inspired Blog Circle is made up of an exceptionally talented group of photographers from all walks of life, from all over the world. They are wives, mothers, friends, daughters and visual storytellers who draw from their own experiences to create art that is inspiring, unique, beautiful and thought-provoking.

The Artists Inspired Blog Circle is made up of an exceptionally talented group of photographers from all walks of life, from all over the world. They are wives, mothers, friends, daughters and visual storytellers who draw from their own experiences to create art that is inspiring, unique, beautiful and thought-provoking.

Share Six: September 2016: Black and White

I have to confess that the theme this month of BLACK AND WHITE is one of my favorite mediums.  Katherine Cobert of Cobert Photography chose the theme for this reason.

I’ve always been partial to black and white…maybe because it’s an easy way to make a picture somewhat minimalism.  A black and white conversion seems to eliminate all of the distractions and puts the focus straight on your subject. It creates a pure and simple beauty ~ Katherine Cobert

I have quickly come to love black and white.  I find it very strong and defining.  Black and white tends to hide areas you don’t want to stand out.  Black and white is timeless.

Recently while on vacation in Seattle, I discovered I loved the strength and definition of the black and white images of street photography. Since I am still post surgery and not walking about, here are a few of my favorite black and white images.

I have seen this done, and thought I would try to attempt something similar. Books are a favorite part of my life and I could easily disappear into them. I am so looking forward to reading this book - "The girl in the spider web" which is the 4th bool in the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series.

Books are probably the heart of my life, family and pets aside. I love books I love the feel of books, I love the smell of books, I love to see them in my library that I have in my home. Books are a familiar friend. I shot this image for the group 101 Ways to shoot the month the topic was books. Since I have been pretty bed bound the last 6 weeks, books have been my best friend.

Every so often I get the opportunity to go to a studio to do some portrait shots. This young girl was absolutely stunning.

When I left home this morning the fog was so thick that I could not resist taking this photo.

I was leaving home one winter morning heading out to the office and the day was so foggy. At the intersection I looked up and spotted this young boy walking to the bus stop. I could not resist taking this image.

_MG_2590 edit

In November 2015, I decided to purchase the Lensbaby Composer Pro with a Sweet 35 optic from a fellow artist who was selling it. This has probably been one of the best and relatively economical decisions I have made. I have no regrets and have loved the different images I have got with that combination. I have since bought the Soft Focus optic and the Twist Optic. This particular image was taken in the wetlands of a closed off area between to water areas. Very often you will see a gator lying in this area. What I love about this image is that I feel like I am in a speed tunnel.

Taking a break in the city

Black and white city scenes are timeless. While on vacation in Nashville I spotted this lady sitting on the edge of a building. What appealed to me was the quiet of this lady in a busy city street.

We woke up on the 3rd day to a vision of white. Darn cold outside Property of Sharleen N Stuart Photography - All rights reserved

We headed out to Denver on vacation knowing it would be cold but not expecting snow. Much to our surprise we woke up one morning to find the city blanketed in a layer of snow. Of course, we had to go out in the cold and experience some form of snowy winter.

Thank you for joining me for this month’s Share Six.  This is a circle blog. Please take time to visit Kathy Ledbetter – KG Ledbetter Photography and see what she has for you this month.  Keep following the circle to see what the other photographers have shared this month.  Don’t forget to leave a little love on their page as well.

You can also find me on FacebookFlickr, Instagram and Google+

Now it is your turn. Don’t forget to like us on facebook at Share Six and come and share your images on the theme Black and white throughout the month of September.  A new theme will come out on October 6.

Remember you can follow us on Instagram at @sharesix and tag your images #sharesix and #sharesix_blackandwhite.

You can also find the Share Six webpage at http://www.sharesix.wordpress.com

We cannot wait to see your images on the theme BLACK AND WHITE.