Mist in the Cove

Cades Cove Meadow, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok


When the Great Smoky Mountain National Park was established, the plan was to allow Cades Cove to return to its natural, original condition. But the plan was changed when park authorities decided to keep the meadows intact, and to preserve the old cabins, churches and mills.

Today a loop road encircles the secluded mountain valley making it possible for modern day visitors to get a glimpse of the 1800's, of a place that seems like a time capsule of pioneer life 150 years ago. You can see part of the loop road (along the fence line) in this picture, which also shows smoky mists rising from the valley.

Road Curving into Autumn Woods

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok



This dirt road leads off the beaten path of the Cades Cove Auto Tour, and winds its way through forest to an old 19th century church. Like a Robert Frost poem, the autumn colors and curving road take us back to another time that we recognize in our distant memories or dreams.


We like Cades Cove so much that we named our son Adam Cade (because "Adam Great Smoky Mountain National Park Hickok" seemed a bit much).

A Fine Mountain Cabin

Henry Whitehead Cabin, Cades Cove,
Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok


A well worn path leads to this old cabin in Cades Cove, a low area surrounded by peaks in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The cove is preserved to look similar to the way it did in the 1800's. It may not look like it, but this cabin was once one of the finest ones in the mountain valley. Built in 1898 by a widower for his new wife Matilda, it had a brick chimney, which was rare in those days because mountain folk had to actually make the bricks themselves out of the clay soil. It was the only square-sawed log home (thick, well insulated walls with very little space between logs) in Cades Cove. And it is the only one of its kind left in the park. Because of this, the cabin is considered a transition house from the early rough built cabins of the pioneers to the modern frame structures that became popular in a later era.

True to the rugged individual spirit of these cove residents, when the Federal government set aside lands for the formation of the National Park, which included Cades Cove, the valley people resisted the most. But by 1937 the last resident was forced to move out.

The Emergence of Autumn

Fall Foliage, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina  © Doug Hickok

Deciduous tress begin changing color as autumn dabs the mountain sides like a painter brushing his canvas. As the leafy greens, oranges and reds emerge, the variety of plant species in the Appalachian ecology become more apparent.

The dramatic chiaroscuro light spotlighting the mountain side is from sunlight momentarily bursting through dark storm clouds. This type of theatrical lighting was favored by the Italian painter Caravagio who used it to great effect in some of his masterworks.

Photo note: This image was made on Velvia 35mm slide film several years ago during a road trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Cathedral Spaces

Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Beneath Folly Beach Pier at Sunrise, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok

Oak Lined Road to Botany Bay, Edisto Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


This post was inspired by MT and Keebs.

Mad as a Hatter

Hat Man Sign, Broad Street, Charleston, SC  Doug Hickok


Most readers are familiar with the frenzied Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll's fantasy Alice in Wonderland. If you haven't read the book then you may be familiar with Johnny Depp's eccentric interpretation of the character in the movie version. There is actually truth to the phrase "mad as a hatter". In the 19th century, mercury nitrate was used in making felt hats. Hat makers exposed to this chemical could eventually contract St. Vitus' Dance, (Sydenham's chorea) a nervous disorder which causes frenetic jerking behavior.

This image shows Charleston's Hat Man, a painted sign discovered on the side of a building on Broad Street during renovation. It marks the place which used to be a haberdashery. It is a curiosity, a downtown landmark most people walk past without noticing. Mad as it may seem, the figure is made almost entirely of hats, hats of all sorts.

Oh Man, Oh Man... Friday!

Sunrise over Sea Oats, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


In Daniel Defoe's classic novel, the castaway Robinson Crusoe happily discovers a companion on his deserted island (on a Friday), and names him Man Friday. 
Little did he know he continued a long tradition of welcoming Fridays 
that dates back to ancient times.

The Roman word for the sixth day of the week was dies Veneris, a day dedicated to Venus (who wouldn't mind welcoming the sight of this renown goddess of beauty?). In Norse mythology, the counterpoint of Venus was Freyja, hence Friday, from the Old English interpretation of the word. Freyja was the goddess of love and marriage. So it is no surprise that Norsemen considered Freyja's day one of good luck, and they often 
held weddings on this day, another reason to celebrate the arrival of Fridays.

So I welcome Friday with open arms, and thankfulness for the start of a new weekend.

Here's to Friday... Prosit!

Foghorn

East Quoddy Lighthouse, Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada  © Doug Hickok


If you ever wanted to know what a lighthouse foghorn (diaphone) looks like, this is it. Even though it is pointed toward the ground, the sound it makes is loud and carries
long distances. It operates by forcing compressed air through an apparatus, making extremely powerful low frequency notes. So don't stand next to one when it is blowing. This one, by the way, was quiet.

East Quoddy Lighthouse is one of the oldest in Canada. Although it is unmanned, it serves an important function in warning fishing vessels of the treacherous rocks
at the tip of Campobello Island. And it is especially useful for guiding boats through the dense Bay of Fundy fogs.

Homage to Rothko too

Old Red and Yellow Door, Auburn, Alabama  © Doug Hickok



The color on this old door is so vibrant...
so strong that it creates a visual tension.
I have to slip my sunglasses on while looking at the screen to keep my eyes from going bonkers...

(look here for the first Homage to Rothko.) 

An Impromptu Note on Music History

Gate Scroll at Night, Porter's Lodge, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok

Probably not on this date, sometime in the 1920's, Louis Armstrong is thought to have started scat singing when he misplaced the lyrics to a song. So the charismatic trumpeter improvised by performing his song by making instrumental sounds with his voice.

 (Psst... if you listen closely, you will hear politicians making similar nonsense sounds when orating, but in a less musical way.) 

Give scat singing a try in the privacy of your home, at your earliest convenience. 

I promise, you will have a blast!


A skeep beep dee bop bop boo!

Outlier

Fox Theatre and Bank of America Plaza, Atlanta, Georgia  © Doug Hickok


Situated among towering skyscrapers and modern edifices, the Moorish style of the Fox Theatre stands apart from the group, daring to be different. Coming soon to the theatre for a performance is the Celtic Thunder group. Celtic music and Islamic architecture in the heart of the old South. My how times have changed. What would Scarlet have thought of that?

Saint Stephen's Sunday

Pavement, Saint Stephen's Basilica, Budapest, Hungary  © Doug Hickok


A splendid, swirling star motif adorns the paved square in front of 
Saint Stephen's in Budapest.



Photo note: Like yesterday's post, today's image was photographed on Velvia slide film using a 24mm wide angle lens.

Behind the Dunes

Valley of Dune Grass, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Oregon  © Doug Hickok


On the leeward side of Oregon's coastal dunes grow swales of thick dune grasses, illuminated here by late afternoon sunlight.


Photo note: This image was caught on Velvia slide film using a 24mm wide angle lens.

Arno Reflection

Uffizi Gallery Reflected in the Arno River, Florence, Italy  © Doug Hickok


The famous Uffizi Art Gallery shimmers as a reflection in the Arno River, the warm tonalities of the mellowed stone highlighted by afternoon sun. This picture was shot from the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge which spans the river.

Moonlight Promenade

Moonlight Reflecting on Charleston Harbor, East Battery, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Perhaps the most romantic setting in Charleston is walking the promenade along the high battery on a balmy moonlit night.

Starry Night?

Carpet and Column, Esquire Theatre, Cincinnati, OH  © Doug Hickok


Pure Imagination

Nocturnal Stairway

Stairway at Night, Maritime Center, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


A dream of climbing steps up, up, up into the unknown...
thoughts traveling to distant destinations.
Awaking... yearning to travel as freely as those thoughts.

The Old Charleston Light

Morris Island Lighthouse, near Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


When the Morris Island Lighthouse, also called the Old Charleston Light, was built in 1876, it stood on solid ground surrounded by a large sandy island. Before the lighthouse was built, a significant Civil War battle was fought on Morris Island at Fort Wagner, later featured in the film Glory. This movie followed the course of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first major all black American military units.

Although time and erosion have vanquished the fort, and the sands that surrounded the lighthouse buildings, the lighthouse itself still stands, albeit with a slight tilt. It was decommissioned in 1962, but efforts have been underway to preserve and restore it, as is the case with many historic structures in and around Charleston.

Saint Mary's Basilica

Cloth Hall Lantern & Saint Mary's Basilica, Main Market Square,
Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok


Saint Mary's Basilica is seen here through an archway of Cloth Hall, in the Main Market Square of Krakow's Old Town. The Gothic brick church was rebuilt in the 14th century after a city fire, and is featured in Eric P. Kelly's young adult novel, The Trumpeter of Krakow. This book tells the story of the town trumpeter who sounded an alarm in the tower of Saint Mary's during an attack by the Mongols in 1241. He was shot in the throat before he could complete his song. Today the trumpeter's mournful alarm is heard from the church on the hour, and breaks-off midway to commemorate his famous deed.

Douglas Falls at Douglas Falls

Douglas Falls Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina  © Becky Hickok


A Tip From "The Hiking Guide for Beginner Hikers"
"Exercise common sense... that means don't get carried away with your enthusiasm and a belief in your invincibility... and tempt fate. Mother Nature is quite indifferent to hurting you when you do dumb things."

Down East

Rocky Cove, Schoodic Peninsula, Acadia National Park, Maine  © Doug Hickok


Ancient granite rocks dominate the coastline of Acadia National Park, the result of volcanic activity hundreds of millions of years ago. Here at the secluded Schoodic Peninsula section, these outcrops are "painted" in stripes of colors by the rise and fall of tides. Within the inter-tidal zone marine life flourishes. Shown here are hardy barnacles and rock weed clinging to the edges of the rocks, a reminder of the persistence of life in nature despite the harsh year-round conditions.

Line, Shape and Pattern I

Piazza, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, Italy  © Doug Hickok


Although at first glance this may remind you of Las Vegas, it is actually not. A Gothic piazza along the side of the Palace of the Doge, in Venice, Italy, presents a nice example of line, shape and pattern, complements of the 14th century architect, Filippo Calendario. These 3 elements, along with light, color and texture (see September 22nd's post), are a photographer's best friend. Where ever you see them, there is potentially a wonderful photograph to be made, eh?

The Creatures Among Us - Primary Scary

Lights on a Truck, Folly Beach, South Carolina  © Doug Hickok


A unibrow can be so very scary.

She and Him

Riverfront Park, Old Navy Base, North Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


"I thought I saw your face today..."
Wait... we don't have faces! Hey, we don't have necks either!
Call back the portrait painter, we're not finished!

Shem Creek

Shrimp Boats, Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok


Order and chaos.

Profound Symmetry

Ornate Gate and Red Door, Saint Matthew's Lutheran Church, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


"The universe is built on a plan the profound symmetry of which is somehow present in the inner structure of our intellect."

-Paul Valery, French poet and philosopher.

Blue Mood

Rocky Jetty, Breech's Inlet, Sullivan's Island, SC  © Doug Hickok


This week has been dreary & rainy. The kind of weather that makes you want to stay home... in your pajamas... drinking mocha...

Not going to work, or even out to photograph. I know there are plenty of people in TX and OK who want this rain. I wish I could send it to them!
(I really do Cathy, Greg, Collin, Gretchen & Dan!)

Scarlett in Charleston?

Porter's Lodge, College of Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok



The scene shown here is a view through Porter's Lodge toward Randolph Hall, on the campus of the College of Charleston, the oldest municipal college in the U.S. (est. 1770). The setting for an early part of the movie The Patriot was filmed at this location. Parts or entire movies have been filmed in Charleston over the years. Here is a short list... Cold Mountain, White Squall, The Prince of Tides, The Notebook, The Lords of Discipline, The Legend of Bagger Vance, The Great Santini, The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys, Rich in Love, Die Hard with a Vengeance, and Dear John, as well as the TV mini series North and South, Love and War, and yes, you guessed it, no surprise here, Scarlett, the sequel to Gone with the Wind.

Hope this post puts you in the mood to watch a good movie this weekend.

Light, Color, Texture I

Sunrise Reflected in Charleston Harbor, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


Sometimes focusing on the less obvious is preferable to focusing on the obvious. In this instance, I passed on making a cliche picture of the sun rising over Charleston Harbor. Instead I wanted to extract a more abstract version of the early morning, aiming my lens towards the gentle waves, and the way they reflected the warm glowing light.

The combination of light, color and texture is often a photographer's best friend. No matter what language we speak, this trio of image elements often speaks for itself... you might call it the Lingua Franca of photography.

Fahrvergnügen

Red VW and Restaurant Window, Folly Beach, SC  © Doug Hickok


A little red Volkswagen is reflected in a porthole window at Folly Beach.
Red is a fun color,
and a VW Beetle is a fun car.
Together they make... Fine Fahrvergnügen.

But Herbie The Love Bug is the most fun of all.

Swiftness

Statue of Mercury, Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok


Mercury, the mythological messenger of the Gods, is the epitome of swiftness. He was said to have run "on the wings of the wind". He is represented here in bronze wearing his iconic cap, winged petasus, which in itself is a symbol of speed. But as fast as Mercury was, he would have been no match for my favorite speedster, the fleet footed cartoon character Roadrunner... beep, beep!

Light... as a Feather

Pampas Grass, Patriot's Point, Mt. Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok


A cluster of pampas grass is highlighted by morning sun.
This tall ornamental grass from Argentina reminds me of ostrich feathers ready to be made into old fashioned ladies' hats.

Healing

Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua, Italy  © Doug Hickok


Saint Anthony of Padua was a contemporary of Saint Francis of Assisi, and renown for his spiritual teachings. This church was built in 1232 to honor him after his death and canonization. Although he is the patron saint of lost things, both physical and spiritual, he is particularly sought after by the elderly for spiritual healing. Thousands visit here annually on pilgrimage.

The power of spiritual healing is quite strong. The capacity of the human body and mind to heal itself has been underrated in Western medicine, though it is gaining more recognition in recent times. Self-healing is at the core of many Eastern philosophies. My son practices a Hindu method of self-healing, focusing his energies on the chakras, the seven spiritual centers of the body.

Tapping into the body's ability to heal itself is an Eastern method that reaches back thousands of years. I have successfully undergone Chinese acupuncture to heal my injured back when conventional medical treatments failed. Acupuncture is said to help release chi, the body's self-healing energy.

Yet thousands of lives are saved by the accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of lethal diseases by medical physicians, who practice a thorough scientific method established by the great ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, as was the case earlier this year with my wife.

1/20 of a Second

Parking Lot Detail, Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH  © Doug Hickok


A moment in the life of a parking lot.

Revolution

Pock Marked Wall from the Hungarian Revolution of 1956,
Castle Hill, Budapest, Hungary  © Doug Hickok


Modern civilization is built on revolution...
American, French, Bolshevik, Chinese, Iranian, Arab, Agricultural, Scientific, Industrial, Technological... just to name a few.
Where would we be today without mankind's will to revolt against oppression, 
or conventional wisdom?

Throwback Thursday - Taking Chances

Window and Stop Sign, Old Barn, near Chillicothe, Ohio  © Doug Hickok


Sometimes in life you have to take chances. You have to ignore caution, overcome fears, break out of your self-imposed comfort zone.
Sometimes you have to put away your "stop sign",
and charge full speed ahead.

(This "CHARGE!!!" is for you, Adam.)

Photo Note: This image was made on Kodachrome 64 slide film about 25 years ago, during what seems now the ancient times of photographic technology.

Seawall

Rocky Shore and Clouds at Dusk, Seawall, Acadia National Park, SC  © Doug Hickok


Grace of Simplicity

Three from the Old Town of Krakow

Corner, Near Florian Gate, Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok

Old Door, Near St. Mary's Basilica, Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok

Stone Face, Courtyard of Collegium Maius (where Copernicus studied in the 1490's),
Old Town, Krakow, Poland  © Doug Hickok

Misty Monday - Business

Diamond Tower, Ravenel Bridge, Mount Pleasant, SC  © Doug Hickok

Town of Mount Pleasant Business Plan


The upscale Town of Mount Pleasant, across the harbor from Charleston,
used one of my stock images recently for the cover of their Business Plan booklet.
The goal is to attract more corporate business to their city,
and therefore more revenue for the local economy.

Speaking of business, because Becky and I were out of town so much during the summer, I am several weeks behind in photography work. Plus, the busy fall shooting season is under way.

To all my blogger friends, I apologize for not being able to visit you as regularly as I would like. Please know I have not forgotten about you! I will catch-up with everyone as soon as I can. Thank you very much for all your comments. 
I appreciate the time you take to stop by. 

A 9/11 Remembrance

Saint Michael's Church and Federal Building, Broad Street,Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


In memory of the innocent and the brave who lost their lives 10 years ago today.

The world as we knew it changed forever.

New Beginnings

West Prong, Little Pigeon River,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee  © Doug Hickok


Most of this soggy summer has been a rush of family events. We have made three road trips to Ohio in the last 60 days. Once for the Schulte family reunion.. a jaunt into the past and getting in touch with the present. Next for our niece's wedding... a wonderful new beginning for Sarah and Mike. Last weekend we made our third road trip. This time we helped move our son in with his cousin... another new beginning, especially when he experiences his first midwestern winter! 

Since our daughter moved out of the house last year (and is now applying to grad schools), we are officially "empty nesters". We are experiencing a flood of mixed emotions. It is exciting to watch our talented children growing into adulthood, flourishing as amazing individuals. As for us, we are traveling on a new tributary, enjoying a strangely quiet home, filled with distant echos of tiny babbling voices and bubbling laughter.

As we returned to South Carolina, we drove through the deluge of Tropical Storm Lee. We stopped briefly in the Great Smoky Mountains where streams and rivulets buoyantly cascaded... each drop of water on its newest journey... like the new beginnings of each member of our family.

Sentinels

Sycamore Trees, Waterfront Park, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


The day Irene passed by Charleston, my plan was to photograph a scene of inclement weather. Fortunately, for the lowcountry, there was less of that than expected (though Mother Nature continues to aim hurricanes our way). Instead, I improvised and switched my focus to these rows of sycamores in early autumn color.

Sycamores are the first to alert us that "danger" is on the way.
They begin to turn yellow at the first signs of drought and are the first to change color when the temperatures begin to drop.


Like sentinels on the first line of defense, these trees stand in a column with their camouflage trunks, alerting us to what lies ahead.

Relic of the Depression Era

Old Ford, Danny's Classic Cars, Elko, South Carolina  © Doug Hickok


Miss Daisy's Sunday driving car or
Bonnie and Clyde's getaway?

Imagine what modern autos will look like in 80 years.

Green Light

Green Light Bulb Cage, Loan Shop, Charleston, SC  © Doug Hickok


A light complement to the red.

SCAD

SCAD Building, Savannah, Georgia  © Doug Hickok


This is one of the colorful buildings of the Savannah College of Art and Design. The university offers fine art degrees in 11 majors. Fields of study include historic preservation, sequential art, furniture design, menswear, printmaking, game development, museum studies, and film & television, to name just a few. The school has branches in Hong Kong and Lacoste, France.

My daughter studied here her first year of college.