Beyond the Gate

Garden Gate, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Spring blooms fill a garden
 behind this entry gate in the Historic District.

Castle of the Popes

Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy   © Doug Hickok



This ancient Roman mausoleum built in the 2nd century
 was eventually converted into a fortress for the Popes
 duting the 14th century, and for the longest time
 was Rome's tallest building.

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Row houses along East Bay Street display
 some of the approved paint colors
 used in Charleston's Historic District.

Winter Trees

Trees in the Snow, Harrison, Ohio  © Doug Hickok



A row of winter trees are etched
in fresh snowfall near Harrison, Ohio.

Soaring Cliffs

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona  © Doug Hickok



Desert cliffs overlook the vast geologic layering
 of Earth's deepest canyon.

Glowing Lion

Door Knocker, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



Seen through an entry gate, a golden door knocker
 glows in the afternoon light in Charleston's Historic District.

Ancient Basilica

Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Rome, Italy   © Doug Hickok



This 4th century basilica sits atop the Caelian Hill in Rome,
 overlooking the Roman Forum and Colosseum.
  It was built over a complex of Roman era rooms decorated
 with well preserved frescos that can still be seen today.

Echoes of the Ancients

Gate Ring, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



An entry gate to a garden courtyard features a golden ring
that echoes the classical era of Greeks or Romans.

College Icon

Randolph Hall, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



The iconic portico of historic Randolph Hall
 is the College of Charleston's longtime symbol.

Gate Motif

East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A decorative motif adds interest to an old entry gate
 belonging to an antebellum mansion on the Battery.

Misty Light

Morning Light, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee



Crepuscular rays shine light on misty ridges
 in the wild western section of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Scroll Pattern

Gate Detail, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



A pattern of repeating scrolls decorates
 a heart shaped gate in Charleston.

Mist of Winter

Saint Michael's Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A winter morning along Charleston's Braod Street
 envelopes Saint Michael's steeple in a veil of mist.

Summer Hues

East Bay Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



In the heart of summertime, Rainbow Row
 is alive with vibrant hues for all eyes to see.

Vintage Charleston

East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Piazzas, wrought iron balconies, pastel colors,
fresh blooms, and Palmetto trees adorn Charleston's
High Battery in the summertime.

Battery Walk

East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A stone paved sidewalk runs past antebellum mansions
 along Charleston's East Battery, catching
 the morning light on a summer morning.

Stonework

Stonework, Charleston, SC   © Doug Hickok



Ornately carved stonework decorates the inside of a mausoleum
 in Charleston's historic Magnolia Cemetery.

Summer Light

Tradd Street, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Sunlight on a summer morning
 paints row houses along Tradd Street
 in one of the older sections of the historic district.



 

Medieval Monastery

Columns, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Rome, Italy
© Doug Hickok



Twisting columns decorated with mosaics comprise
 the 13th century monastic cloister of a
Roman Catholic basilica outside of Rome, Italy.



 

Port City

Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



Charleston's port is one of the busiest on the East Coast.
Here the Ravenel Bridge provides a backdrop
for a container ship and a cruise ship in Charleston Harbor.

French Quarter Tour

Saint Philip's Churchyard, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



A wrought iron gate provides an ornate contrast
 to a sauntering carriage in Charleston's French Quarter.

Enduring Stone

Colosseum, Rome, Italy  © Doug Hickok



The Colosseum still stands in the Roman Forum
 after enduring nearly 2000 years of history.
I wonder what architectural wonders of today
 will last into the distant future.

Vintage Charleston

Vintage Artwork, Blossoms Restaurant, Charleston, SC  
© Doug Hickok



At a restaurant near Charleston's waterfront,
a vintage photo from the 19th century
 shows bails of cotton ready to ship at the port.

Hope for a Better Year

Avenue of Oaks, Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok



Entering a New Year is like taking a road
 not traveled before. Let's hope the unforeseen path
that lies ahead is full of joy and adventure.